Pad Leader Sondhi Limthongkul Shot

[Robby nz]

I saw this on the mid-day news on TV and they said at that time he was still in surgery having a bullet removed from his head.

Also showed the car and I counted at least 15 bullet holes in the windscreen.''They also showed the spent cartrages and to me they looked like handgun cartrages not either 7.62 or 222, 223,5.56 or whatever you want to call them.

I know a bit about firearms as I used them most of my life before coming to TL and at one time I had a cartrage collection that included those and many other calibers.

Hope he recovers and this dosent start a tit for tat reaction.

[blaze]

Given the number or weapons available in Thailand, this certainly could be the work of redshirts who felt that the momentum that their 'revolt' had picked up after Pattaya had been thwarted by the PAD- except- the monentum wasn't thwarted by the PAD- it was thwarted by the army. Still there is the possibility of some guys who may or may not have been associated with the redshirts- blaming (irrationally, I think) Sonthi for the failure of the people's revolution.

But for anyone in the red shirt movement that is thinking- Sonthi's freedom (as a living soul) is the biggest card they have to play in terms of pointing out the hypocricy of 'the system' - the system they seek to over throw. As long as Sonthi is strutting around, a free man, and red shirt organizers are languishing behind bars- the redshirt leadership may well feel justified in pointing out that the law is an ass- and that a people's revolution is in fact justified. Sonthi's being alive and free is the emblem of everything they claim to be fighting.

So if not red shirts- then who? ASTV- Manager media- these are multi million dollar enterprises- that Thai businessmen periodically resort to assasinations shouldn't come as a surprise- and never forget- Sonthi was and remains - a businessman.

Bear in mind also that the PAD leadership could end up on trial- trials tend to result in a lot of information being shared with the public- information that not everyone concerned would want to see publicly aired.

Political movements historically, are rife with 'purges'- do we know the conflicting ideological agendas within the PAD leadership? Would we know?

There are so many wild cards at play now- army- factions within the army- factions within the reds- the yellows- and other groups- institutional and non-institutional- that to point fingers at this point- based perhaps on nothing more than wishful thinking is a bit premature.

[3zie]

If you want to see pictures surf to

http://www.sanook.com/

and click on the picture of Sondhi

[geovalin]

Survey

Possible comments [no politics, no offense, just humor]

1- How to lure investors in 10 lessons

2- What did you tell, Abhi? Reconciliation?

3- Prem, you should number your giblets (French expression)

4- With Thaksin compliments

5- Why so late?

6- Banana? Coconut? Just Neanderthal

7- Bleeding? No blood inside, only gall.

8- 007, from Thailand with love

9- Sondhi, you to know what the people is telling you?

10- McBangkok absolute howlers

11- It's a trick from the Khmer / the Burmese

12- Yes, the karma exists.

[TAWP]

There's a possibility that this wasn't an assasination attempt but just a warning. The reds aren't stupid enough to kill the PAD leader, it just makes him a matyr. The reds have lost enough support and credibility already. Possibly just a bunch of really pissed off strongmen or rogue group with spare time. Killing Sondhi isn't going to quell the PAD.

[some elements within] The Reds would love to kill Sondthi and make him a martyr. Do you know why?

Since the only way several groups, with their own agenda (including both Thaksin himself and coat-tailing communist groups) that would like to instigate violence to make sure the country became much more unstable that it is. Through increased violence from both sides they can launch a real revolution and be on their way to reform the state to their own liking. (Here Thaksin and the communist groups have different ideas of what is the new leadership, but they have a joint 'enemy'.)

[Thai at Heart]

Blatantly incorrect the PAD didn't remove Somchai, the courts did.

The airport take over MAY or may not have sped up

an already in process dissolution of PPP for IT'S OWN ACTIONS.

That is what removed Somchai.

The conditions for ALL of this were not fropm PAD but from Thaksin.

He called the boycotted snap election after the hue and cry about the

Temasek/SingaPORE purchase of Shin corp and NATIONAL ASSET Shinsat.

THAKSIN is the SINGLE figure central to this WHOLE debacle from start to finish.

He he hadn't cornholed Sondhi in business so many years ago,

he would not have been so motivated for revenge at all costs.

Without Thaksin this would not be coming to pass; End of story.

Which when is all and said and done proves to me that this is was and always was partially or entirely a ridiculous business war which has been waged under the disguise of some ethical purge of the country. I honestly believe that none of the so called leaders in this entire escapade have been acting on anything other than personal vindictiveness and hope of future benefit.

Everyone denied that Sondhi was acting out of personal malice and by cloaking himself in yellow he gained some kind of moral high ground. This story will be raked over by historians with whoever the victor is being painted as having some kind of moral victory be it the PAD for saving the country from business corruption and "selling the country", or the reds trying to return the country to the "hands of the people".

The reality is I think that this was always a Chinese big business turf war and to the victor go the spoils.

[zthyadat]

My wife heard on the radio that Sondhi LImthongkul - the founder of the Manager Daily Newspaper, ASTV, and a core leader of the PAD - the People's Alliance for Democracy, was shot, along with his driver.

No postings yet in the english dailies, but they are reporting it on the Manager Online. - http://www.manager.co.th/Politics/ViewNews...D=9520000043048

Wife reckons they fired over 100 rounds into his car, but he has survived but his driver got the worst of it all.

At 5 am this morning.

He made a statement only yesterday critcising Thaksin and his infamous outbursts and the red supporters.

They have proved they are just thugs and murders who are not interested in real democracy, nor the beloved Thailand and it,s citizens they claim to be representative of.

By the way my wife was informed by a red shirt neighbour who said they got to know at 4 am! yes 4am !! which was an hour before it happened, ( if the news report that backs up what i was told, is correct that,s just been on the TV news channel saying it was 5am ) it is an alarming admission of them knowing before the fact ???

Your wife's neighbour bragged after the fact that they knew at 4am? Sounds like an easy boast to lay claim to - especially by a defeated redshirt looking for something to gloat about to restore his wounded pride. Do you think he might be lying, maybe? Do you really think the planners of such an operation would be blabbing it about to all and sundry? And too many people are going off half cocked here, assuming this is the work of the red shirts. It more likely is than isn't, but the fact that people make that assumption so readily is the very reason why it could so easily be someone else, perhaps even within the PAD. We don't know. Anyone who believes we got the whole picture through newspapers and TV last week is living in a dreamland. This is all part of a huge and dirty game that started long ago.

[aussimike]

I can't believe how some of the red supporters on this forum make such a big deal about how the PAD filled the terminal. They stormed the airport and the AOT closed it. Flights were re-routed and some even continued to operate at U-tapao. After a few days SUV opened and resumed operations. I don't think they blew up any planes. I don't even think they attacked any passengers. I don't think they even set a fire on the premises. This was last year and its time to get over it.

But to blame the PAD for the events unfolding the past few days is just preposterous. So does blocking the airport allows the right for the reds to wreck havoc in BKK and cause turmoil to everyday BKK citizens? So its ok to hijack a LPG tanker and threathen to blow it up? Is it ok now to burn buses? Does it warrant cause for an assasination attempt? Most of you educated in logic should know that this slippery slope is a fallacy.

The problem with many people in this world is blind faith, acting without thinking. But to turn yourselves into public enemies and terrorists is not the way to do it. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Many people don't like the PAD or Sondhi, many don't like Abhsit, but many people despise the outlaws, terrosrist, and thugs even more.

I cant believe some yellow supporters here either - just why did the AOT close the airport - because these yellow idiots took over the control tower - and will thousands in the main terminal building causing panic with overseas tourists decided in the interests of safety to close - also many airlines diverted flights as soon as this happened - Qantas for one - and many others - who is going to land at an airport controlled by a rabble - they also looted computer terminals - damaged fixtures - security cameras - not to mention the reputation of thailand -- so get things if the correct prespective= maybe if the yellows were treated like the reds and locked up for what they did =- this shooting would not have happened

[TAWP]

First thought came to mind was the reds trying to kill Sondhi. If you think so, you're too naive.

And then who was it?

[bonobo]

If they used M-16's, doesnt suprise me that he survived. 5.56 doesnt have that much penetrating power. AK-47 is a different story but there have been conflicting reports by the media. Remembering that this was early morning in poor light with a moving vehicle so im sure a vast majority of rounds missed.

You obviously don't know sh@t about weapons.....try 7.62mm/M16...the weapon just about every Marine carried in Vietnam..

The M16 fires a 5.56 round.  The M14 and the AK47 both fire 7.62 rounds.

[Tolley]

I am not a supporter of the either the red shirts or yellow shirts or more specifically Sondhi or Thaksin.

So when I state that the yellow shirts created the situation that lends some legitimacy to the action of the red shirts I think i am only stating the obvious.

It is clear that the yellow shirts flouted the rule of law and it is also clear that they had the tacit support of the police and the military and bear in mind this is before any court decision had been made.

The military and police should have followed the orders of the government of the day but didn't.

The red shirts are now only following the lead of the yellow shirts and of course this time the police and army are a little more pro active which has lead to more violent confrontations.

The yellow shirts for all their bleating about Thaksin have really offered nothing in the way of promoting any signifcant reform agenda for Thailand and in the end dont stand for anything much more than Thaksin.

I could get a bit excited about the yellow shirts if they offered something for the future of Thailand but it seems they are only serving the interests of a few key elites in their personal battle to get control of the 'rice bowl'.

[webfact]

Sondhi's attack may prolong emergency decree

Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn stated Friday the government would take into consideration the heavily-armed attack on PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul, when it decided whether to lift the state of emergency.

Panitan also said that the schedule of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva would be kept secret due for security reasons.

Sondhi was having medical treatment at Vajira Hospital and is now safe and even able to speak.

- THE NATION -

[h90]

Anybody who thinks this is a trick to discredit the reds should probably have their own heads checked for bullets.

Thankfully it's Chamlong, not Chalerm, on the side of the yellows - I'm guessing he'll be voicing a non-violent reaction.

Thaksin's "democracy" in action.

Regardless of who is responsible for this act the fact remains that the yellow shirts are the ones who created the opportunity for this sort of action to happen.

It was the yellow shirts who refused to accept the democratically elected government and flouted the rule of law in their airport and parliament blockade.

And subsequently managed to depose the elected government.

Instead of organising themselves as a political party in attempt to win power thru the ballot box they seized political power illegitimately thus giving the red shirts plenty of traction with their current actions.

Unfortunately for Thailand it is the average person who is going to suffer and it seems even more disturbing that this whole situtation is heading into more troubled waters with an extended period of internal political instability marked by increasing outbursts of violence.

The portents dont look good at all.

And again and again and again....the courts dissolved PPP and not only them for massive vote buying.

A democratic elected government is elected WITHOUT vote buying.

Yes! Again and again and again. The dems were throwing money about at election time too. This has been pointed out many times, but seems some people just don't listen. Maybe the dems are a little smarter at covering their tracks.

Can't you see this is what people are complaining about. One rule does not fit all!

the democrats who were found guilty of vote buying got also red carded, but it was just a few who did that on their own. While from the red it was the only program of the party.

What you do is like the murder is complaining that he get punished even there are other bad guys around. As they are not found yet he don't want to get in jail.

Instead of "But the evil democrats did also" how about to try to run an election without fraud and vote buying???

They are twice dissolved and still don't understand that something is wrong.

[MHM]

I thinks its an attempt to get the Yellowsirts on the streets, then total mayhem. Yellow leaders must exercise caution & restraint

[branko99]

Sondhi of PAD survives shootings

By: BangkokPost.com

Published: 17/04/2009 at 07:51 AM

Car of Sondhi Limthongkul, a core leader of People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), was attacked early Friday around Bangkhumprom intersection, near the ASTV station.

Mr Sondhi sustained minor injuries, but his driver was in critical condition, according to Manager website.

Full Bangkok Post article

Thank Goodness he's still alive. I fear what public reaction would have been if it turned out differently. Thank you red shirts, for your continuing efforts to destroy our country...

While Sondhi don.t seat in Jale? He can make a miliard damage to the country and for this he became from new goverment congratulation?

[TAWP]

If they used M-16's, doesnt suprise me that he survived. 5.56 doesnt have that much penetrating power. AK-47 is a different story but there have been conflicting reports by the media. Remembering that this was early morning in poor light with a moving vehicle so im sure a vast majority of rounds missed.

You obviously don't know sh@t about weapons.....try 7.62mm/M16...the weapon just about every Marine carried in Vietnam..

The M16 fires a 5.56 round.  The M14 and the AK47 both fire 7.62 rounds.

Well, ok, if we should go accurate, we need to point out that those are not the same bullets, as russians loved the shorter bullets with a high load.

M16/M4/CAR15/FN FNC et al - 5.56x45 NATO

M14 - 7.62x51 NATO

AK-47/SKS et al - 7.62x39 M43

AK-74 - 5.45x39

[Samuian]

There's a possibility that this wasn't an assasination attempt but just a warning. The reds aren't stupid enough to kill the PAD leader, it just makes him a matyr. The reds have lost enough support and credibility already. Possibly just a bunch of really pissed off strongmen or rogue group with spare time. Killing Sondhi isn't going to quell the PAD.

[some elements within] The Reds would love to kill Sondthi and make him a martyr. Do you know why?

Since the only way several groups, with their own agenda (including both Thaksin himself and coat-tailing communist groups) that would like to instigate violence to make sure the country became much more unstable that it is. Through increased violence from both sides they can launch a real revolution and be on their way to reform the state to their own liking. (Here Thaksin and the communist groups have different ideas of what is the new leadership, but they have a joint 'enemy'.)

If ever, this scenario turns into reality, after finishing the plot tacky will certainly with all might there is available, turn against them - as shown in the Interviews when he turned against them - before the put break of violence he was promising them " i will be with you!"

After all he is an elitist Capitalist with little love for Commies and their weird Ideology about socialism... they would have to turn against him...!

[chuang]

Yellow shirts' leader shot and wounded

- THE NATION -[/b]

This is only a small price to pay for the turmoil he had done to Thailand......about 100 rounds being fired and still can't find the target...lousy shooters....

[katasyd]

I just saw footage of Sondhi walking around after the shooting, obviously blood everywhere but it could be a cut from the glass.

If anyone was shot in the head, they would not be walking around.

I find it fishy, i really do.

Dr TV 'Remote-doctor-by-watching-news' Quincy is on duty. Thank God you are around to tell us how things are!

Just like every other keyboard jockey on here.

If you were shot in the head with so called bleeding on the brain, would you be walking around?

Bleeding on the brain is not a minor injury and i doubt that is what really happened.

If you believe Thai media, go ahead.

Why don't you enlighten me on what went on if you are so informed?

[TAWP]

[some elements within] The Reds would love to kill Sondthi and make him a martyr. Do you know why?

Since the only way several groups, with their own agenda (including both Thaksin himself and coat-tailing communist groups) that would like to instigate violence to make sure the country became much more unstable that it is. Through increased violence from both sides they can launch a real revolution and be on their way to reform the state to their own liking. (Here Thaksin and the communist groups have different ideas of what is the new leadership, but they have a joint 'enemy'.)

If ever, this scenario turns into reality, after finishing the plot tacky will certainly with all might there is available, turn against them - as shown in the Interviews when he turned against them - before the put break of violence he was promising them " i will be with you!"

After all he is an elitist Capitalist with little love for Commies and their weird Ideology about socialism... they would have to turn against him...!

Indeed, they would be coat-tailing on his revolution and then the revolutionaries would turn on each-other, as have happened in the past in other countries. Including was part of the reason Che was sent away from Cuba after he and Castro finally seized power.

[Marvo]

I just saw footage of Sondhi walking around after the shooting, obviously blood everywhere but it could be a cut from the glass.

If anyone was shot in the head, they would not be walking around.

I find it fishy, i really do.

Wasn't that his driver?

the pictures I just saw on TNN where of sondhi walking into the hospital/standing in the hospital, then pics of him laying down with tubes up his nose

He has a bullet that entered his temple, and is lodged within his skull. He was conscious when he entered the hospital. They probably induced a coma, because he now has bleeding in the brain. He's in serious condition, but has a good chance of survival. He is undergoing surgery now.

The BBC are reporting only a shoulder injury for Sondhi, no mention of any head injury. Who has got the facts right?

[irishbri]

If some of you would stop believing the media bias and start using your own Brain's, you might get closer to the truth. Sondhi has been public enemy no 1 since he went on his crusade to topple the Previous Government and ultimately divide the country. When the Government fell, Sondhi walked to freedom and his new (promised?) media group. Check out his history and close links to Taksin in the past.

Mr Sonthi recently criticized this government and specific individuals for being cowardly and not owning up to their full role in the coup. Sonthi knows a lot of secrets about what really happened and was getting agitated about his recent treatment (broken promises??).

Who has more to gain about killing him? The red shirts who know it would lead to more clashes, bloodshed and harsher measures on them including retaliation, or somebody in government who knows the damage he can do and wants him shut up for good, and at the same time damage the Reds even more????

If the Reds had really wanted Sonthi dead, they would surely have done it a long time ago. The Reds fought the Army and Police (who were fully armed) with sticks, stones and lipo bottles filled with petrol. Does it sound like this bunch who followed their target, pulled in front of the vehicle and shot the tyres out and then got out of the pick up and opened fire with automatic weapons? Not very amateur sounding to me. Unfortunately for his aide and driver, most of the assault was from the front of the vehicle which also probably saved Sondhi's life as he was in the back. Rag tag madmen who want revenge blood do not operate like that. This was a finely planned execution that was thankfully unsuccessful.

As a foreigner living in Thailand i do not support Red or Yellow or any other color. Ive lived in violent countries all my life and i just want peace and stability. We will never know the facts behind all accusations, but we can read between the lines and figure it out for ourselves if we remain un biased. The Bangkok Post and Nation newspapers are shockingly biased and only serve to create divisions. Look for yourselves.

Edited April 17, 2009 by irishbri

[katasyd]

Sondhi's attack may prolong emergency decree

Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn stated Friday the government would take into consideration the heavily-armed attack on PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul, when it decided whether to lift the state of emergency.

Panitan also said that the schedule of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva would be kept secret due for security reasons.

Sondhi was having medical treatment at Vajira Hospital and is now safe and even able to speak.

- THE NATION -

That is surprising.

Just after the reds said they would resume protests after the decree was lifted.

It's just one big game of chess.

[redscouse]

part of the report in the nation

Sondhi is the leader of the anti-Thaksin movement, but those close to him said he had too many enemies to pinpoint who could have masterminded the assassination attempt. He has heavily criticized the police and the military over their handling of the pro-Thaksin red-shirted protests and called for removal of police and military leaders.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/04/17...cs_30100677.php

[chrislarsson]

I thinks its an attempt to get the Yellowsirts on the streets, then total mayhem. Yellow leaders must exercise caution & restraint

Yellow leaders should be in jail...just like the red ones.

How can it possibly be legal to take over the Government House for months and refuse to leave the airport for more than a week?

Ones the Thai judicial system shows that the law is applied equally for everybody, there may be a chance to start narrow the divide.

Edited April 17, 2009 by chrislarsson

[TAWP]

I just saw footage of Sondhi walking around after the shooting, obviously blood everywhere but it could be a cut from the glass.

If anyone was shot in the head, they would not be walking around.

I find it fishy, i really do.

Dr TV 'Remote-doctor-by-watching-news' Quincy is on duty. Thank God you are around to tell us how things are!

Just like every other keyboard jockey on here.

If you were shot in the head with so called bleeding on the brain, would you be walking around?

Bleeding on the brain is not a minor injury and i doubt that is what really happened.

If you believe Thai media, go ahead.

Why don't you enlighten me on what went on if you are so informed?

He is clearly not shot at point blank range with a heavy round. More likely hit by a fragment (partial bullet) or deviated bullet (via the hull of the car) with reduced projectile speed (less J). We can assume this from the casings I saw looked like handgun-casings, not from ARs and their penetration ability isn't at par with a rifle round and will lose a lot of momentum against an vehicle hull - but still be able to do some serious damage.

In any case, he is clearly hurt in the head and the bullet/fragment that entered him needs to be taken out via an operation is it is lodged in a very sensitive area.

Or you disagree?

Edited April 17, 2009 by TAWP

[animatic]

Blatantly incorrect the PAD didn't remove Somchai, the courts did.

The airport take over MAY or may not have sped up

an already in process dissolution of PPP for IT'S OWN ACTIONS.

That is what removed Somchai.

The conditions for ALL of this were not fropm PAD but from Thaksin.

He called the boycotted snap election after the hue and cry about the

Temasek/SingaPORE purchase of Shin corp and NATIONAL ASSET Shinsat.

THAKSIN is the SINGLE figure central to this WHOLE debacle from start to finish.

He he hadn't cornholed Sondhi in business so many years ago,

he would not have been so motivated for revenge at all costs.

Without Thaksin this would not be coming to pass; End of story.

Which when is all and said and done proves to me that this is was and always was partially or entirely a ridiculous business war which has been waged under the disguise of some ethical purge of the country. I honestly believe that none of the so called leaders in this entire escapade have been acting on anything other than personal vindictiveness and hope of future benefit.

Everyone denied that Sondhi was acting out of personal malice and by cloaking himself in yellow he gained some kind of moral high ground. This story will be raked over by historians with whoever the victor is being painted as having some kind of moral victory be it the PAD for saving the country from business corruption and "selling the country", or the reds trying to return the country to the "hands of the people".

The reality is I think that this was always a Chinese big business turf war and to the victor go the spoils.

No argument here.

[phaethon]

BBC World is reporting a bullet in his skull, not life-threatening, but after their reporters' hysterical accounts of the protests I' not sure I'd believe them is they said Bangkok is in Thailand.

I saw Sondhi a week or so ago giving an address on TV - he was sitting in front of a Mac powerbook. This is the most likely explanation for how he could survive being shot in the head with no ill-effect.

[h90]

I thinks its an attempt to get the Yellowsirts on the streets, then total mayhem. Yellow leaders must exercise caution & restraint

Yellow leaders should be in jail...just like the red ones. How can it possibly be legal to take over the Government House for months and refuse to leave the airport for more than a week?

Wrong topic? here is about the shooting not the jail

[baht&sold]

CLEARLY (to some) there is NOTHING to be gained from red/yellow comparisons of acts. This will only further divide which is NOT needed at a time when there should be efforts for the majority to reconcile (and at the same time, instead focus energy on going after the real culprits whom want us to be SQUARELY at each others throats). (which is the actual ongoing agenda, even by some here)

Personally, I refuse to allow them to 'win' in this sick manner and suggest ALL join the like-minded colourless majority and do the same.

Pardon the shouting (the brick-throwing may now re-commence)

Cheers.