20,000 Red Shirts Expected At Rally Today

[george]

20,000 red shirts expected at rally today

BANGKOK: -- Police estimate that about 20,000 red-shirt supporters will turn up at the Wat Pai Kiew rally in Don Muang district today.

Metropolitan Police Bureau commander Pol Maj-General Sarot Promcharoen said three companies or 450 police officers would be deployed to keep security at the temple.

Three checkpoints will be set up - on Ngamwongwan Road, Chaengwattana Road and outside the Don Muang district office. He said intelligence officials had not uncovered any move by a third party that could destabilise the rally.

Red-shirt leaders have insisted the rally will be confined to the temple.

A source said supporters of the red shirts in Ubon Ratchathani had dramatically decreased after realising they had been exploited for political and personal interest by politicians during the Songkran riots. They have decided not to join the rally today even though they had been urged to do so. Only canvassers for local politicians and ex-communists were expected to turn up.

However, there have been more moves by the red shirts in the central region: protesters from Sing Buri, Ayutthaya, Sara Buri and Suphan Buri will converge on Lop Buri before banding together and moving to Don Muang.

Pathum Thani red-shirt leader Sombun Khunthongthai said more than 1,000 protesters, most of them government officials and community leaders from the province, would attend the rally today.

He denied that they had been hired by politicians to do so and said they were loyal supporters of the red shirts and would protest against the government's double standards in running the country.

Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva's personal spokesman Thepthai Senapong said the red shirts had been trying to justify their rally by distorting the facts, even though society opposed the movement.

He said the red-shirt leaders did not care to mobilise protesters who have political ideology or educated but they were violent-prone. When the rally turn violent then the leaders blamed the third party.

Meanwhile, Pheu Thai Party MP for Chiang Mai Surapong Towichakchaikul said the party would distribute two million CDs at the Wat Pai Kiew rally today to counter allegations that the red shirts had been the cause of the Songkran riots.

-- The Nation 2009-05-10

[BigSnake]

Bring them on, guess they must be bore since the BOSS is on the quite side for now.

[LawnGnome]

20,000 - yeah right.

[dbrenn]

Bring them on, guess they must be bore since the BOSS is on the quite side for now.

The yellow side has shrugged off the reds as a spent force ever since the reds first formed. Complacency is a very dangerous thing, as we saw recently during the summit in Pattaya, and over Songkran. It would be nice to see an end to street violence, but the reds are probably just regrouping, and the problem is going to return in one form or another.

A truce does not equal a peace deal. This colour coded problem comes and goes ever since the PAD took politics out onto the steet. Don't kid yourself into thinking that this problem will disappear by itself.

Edited May 10, 2009 by dbrenn

[LawnGnome]

Bring them on, guess they must be bore since the BOSS is on the quite side for now.

The yellow side has shrugged off the reds as a spent force ever since the reds first formed. Complacency is a very dangerous thing, as we saw recently during the summit in Pattaya, and over Songkran. It would be nice to see an end to street violence, but the reds are probably just regrouping, and the problem is going to return in one form or another.

A truce does not equal a peace deal. This colour coded problem comes and goes ever since the PAD took politics out onto the steet. Don't kid yourself into thinking that this problem will disappear by itself.

Its the PAD that caused all of Thaksin's massive, unprecedented corruption, that precipitated all of these problems. Now I understand!!

[dbrenn]

Bring them on, guess they must be bore since the BOSS is on the quite side for now.

The yellow side has shrugged off the reds as a spent force ever since the reds first formed. Complacency is a very dangerous thing, as we saw recently during the summit in Pattaya, and over Songkran. It would be nice to see an end to street violence, but the reds are probably just regrouping, and the problem is going to return in one form or another.

A truce does not equal a peace deal. This colour coded problem comes and goes ever since the PAD took politics out onto the steet. Don't kid yourself into thinking that this problem will disappear by itself.

Its the PAD that caused all of Thaksin's massive, unprecedented corruption, that precipitated all of these problems. Now I understand!!

On the subject of corruption, 'Newin the Banned' is still around , but none of the Demm apologists seem ro care about that.

Show me a clean Thai pol, and I will show you fairies at the bottom of your garden

[dbrenn]

Bring them on, guess they must be bore since the BOSS is on the quite side for now.

The yellow side has shrugged off the reds as a spent force ever since the reds first formed. Complacency is a very dangerous thing, as we saw recently during the summit in Pattaya, and over Songkran. It would be nice to see an end to street violence, but the reds are probably just regrouping, and the problem is going to return in one form or another.

A truce does not equal a peace deal. This colour coded problem comes and goes ever since the PAD took politics out onto the steet. Don't kid yourself into thinking that this problem will disappear by itself.

Its the PAD that caused all of Thaksin's massive, unprecedented corruption, that precipitated all of these problems. Now I understand!!

And - if Thaksin was so bad and universally hated - why not just beat him in an e-l-e-c-t-i-o-n. Peacefully, properly, and convincingly.

[Plus]

Because elections do not replace judicial system.

[webfact]

20,000 red shirts expected at rally today

<snip>

A source said supporters of the red shirts in Ubon Ratchathani had dramatically decreased after realising they had been exploited for political and personal interest by politicians during the Songkran riots. They have decided not to join the rally today even though they had been urged to do so. Only canvassers for local politicians and ex-communists were expected to turn up.

<snip>

-- The Nation 2009-05-10

Wow, look what we got here! At least some "supporters" realize they had been used!!! Well done boys but it wasn't difficult to realize that....

[LawnGnome]

20,000 red shirts expected at rally today

<snip>

A source said supporters of the red shirts in Ubon Ratchathani had dramatically decreased after realising they had been exploited for political and personal interest by politicians during the Songkran riots. They have decided not to join the rally today even though they had been urged to do so. Only canvassers for local politicians and ex-communists were expected to turn up.

<snip>

-- The Nation 2009-05-10

Wow, look what we got here! At least some "supporters" realize they had been used!!! Well done boys but it wasn't difficult to realize that....

Now if we could only get some of the TV Thaksinistas to realize the same thing!

[Plus]

Thaksinistas are happy to be used.

[LawnGnome]

As i said on that Gen Thread - today we'll see. Some here keep saying that the Reds still have a "huge" following. I think that following has diminished sharply. Today will be a good barometer. They expect 20,000. If the number is 5,000, i think the "huge following" argument will be moot. Frankly this is their last chance anyway. Monday is the Royal Ploughing ceremony, and then most of the "ready supporters (i.e. those who are paid to attend) will be upcountry for the planting and growing season. No chance to get a decent crowd for the next 3 months at least. Looks to be a good chance for the government to strengthen their position further.

[Plus]

Hmm, a month ago they'd expect 200,000. Now it's only 20k. What does it say about the number of followers? They might underestimate the attendance intentionally - that would give them an excuse to declare that the movement is back on track and growing. ]

They should be comparing to pre-Songkran rallies, not to their "estimates".

[bf2002]

20,000 red shirts expected at rally today

<snip>

A source said supporters of the red shirts in Ubon Ratchathani had dramatically decreased after realising they had been exploited for political and personal interest by politicians during the Songkran riots. They have decided not to join the rally today even though they had been urged to do so. Only canvassers for local politicians and ex-communists were expected to turn up.

<snip>

-- The Nation 2009-05-10

Wow, look what we got here! At least some "supporters" realize they had been used!!! Well done boys but it wasn't difficult to realize that....

Notice the lack of quotes from any of these Ubon Thais who suddently "saw the truth", and the intentional PR quote by Ahbhisit stating that the red-shirt supporters don't know they are being lied to....anyone knows The Nation is slanted to the elites, the original coup-makers, The Democrats, and even the PAD.

Just because someone agrees with the Democrats doesn't mean they saw "the obvious". If they follow a blind man, it just means they are now also blind. And if they follow a liar, then it just means whoever follows him is dumb enough to believe the pied piper....that goes for the "so called" anti-Thaksin camp as much as for the pro-Thaksin camp....in fact, the blind ones are those that don't see this is not really about Thaksin as the prime reason...it's about power and a fight for it by two opposing groups.

Edited May 10, 2009 by bf2002

[LawnGnome]

20,000 red shirts expected at rally today

<snip>

A source said supporters of the red shirts in Ubon Ratchathani had dramatically decreased after realising they had been exploited for political and personal interest by politicians during the Songkran riots. They have decided not to join the rally today even though they had been urged to do so. Only canvassers for local politicians and ex-communists were expected to turn up.

<snip>

-- The Nation 2009-05-10

Wow, look what we got here! At least some "supporters" realize they had been used!!! Well done boys but it wasn't difficult to realize that....

Notice the lack of quotes from any of these Ubon Thais who suddently "saw the truth", and the intentional PR quote by Ahbhisit stating that the red-shirt supporters don't know they are being lied to....anyone knows The Nation is slanted to the elites, PAD, and those on "that side".

Just because someone agrees with you doesn't mean they saw "the obvious"...if you're right, that is true. If you're blind, it just means they just recently lost their site too.....now that is "the obvious".

Well, if the are going to choose sides, at least they chose the right side lol.

[bf2002]

20,000 red shirts expected at rally today

<snip>

A source said supporters of the red shirts in Ubon Ratchathani had dramatically decreased after realising they had been exploited for political and personal interest by politicians during the Songkran riots. They have decided not to join the rally today even though they had been urged to do so. Only canvassers for local politicians and ex-communists were expected to turn up.

<snip>

-- The Nation 2009-05-10

Wow, look what we got here! At least some "supporters" realize they had been used!!! Well done boys but it wasn't difficult to realize that....

Notice the lack of quotes from any of these Ubon Thais who suddently "saw the truth", and the intentional PR quote by Ahbhisit stating that the red-shirt supporters don't know they are being lied to....anyone knows The Nation is slanted to the elites, PAD, and those on "that side".

Just because someone agrees with you doesn't mean they saw "the obvious"...if you're right, that is true. If you're blind, it just means they just recently lost their site too.....now that is "the obvious".

Well, if the are going to choose sides, at least they chose the right side lol.

Don't you ge it? This is Thailand. There IS NO RIGHT SIDE. They are just corrupt politicians fighting for control. If two gangs are fighting for territory, what bystander is deluded enough to believe either side is actually looking out for them or the general population?

[Plus]

This is Thailand. There IS NO RIGHT SIDE.

You mean Thais as a nation do not have a concept of right and wrong?

Maybe the problem is that many Thais do not want to be on the right side, as the wrong side pays better.

[Cayenne]

Don't you ge it? This is Thailand. There IS NO RIGHT SIDE. They are just corrupt politicians fighting for control. If two gangs are fighting for territory, what bystander is deluded enough to believe either side is actually looking out for them or the general population?

True. But if the Reds are going to convince the majority of the bystanders to side with their cause, they have long since lost it given their penchant for violence. As per your analogy, if one gang is threatening lives and property through their actions, most people would be pushed away from them and ultimately more inclined to listen to the other side, wouldn't you agree? It would be have been totally different if the government had openly advocated violence through deeds and words like the previous two governments.

[BigBuddha]

I guess it is a sad day for the poor and the oppressed in Thailand...I don't think the reds will ever make a chance yet...but at least Thailand is waking up more and more to the fact that the rich is getting richer..the yellows and the poor is getting poorer the reds and if they want to stand up for their rights to also have some of the share of the cake...they are just beating down...that's how I see it..

But overall it is encouraging nonetheless that an awareness is growing among the masses of Thailand ..that for so many years the poor masses has been given crumbs to survive on...

[chrislarsson]

Because elections do not replace judicial system.

That's correct. And Thailand did have an independent judiciary. I'm not so sure about that anymore.

[hansnl]

Bring them on, guess they must be bore since the BOSS is on the quite side for now.

The yellow side has shrugged off the reds as a spent force ever since the reds first formed. Complacency is a very dangerous thing, as we saw recently during the summit in Pattaya, and over Songkran. It would be nice to see an end to street violence, but the reds are probably just regrouping, and the problem is going to return in one form or another.

A truce does not equal a peace deal. This colour coded problem comes and goes ever since the PAD took politics out onto the steet. Don't kid yourself into thinking that this problem will disappear by itself.

Its the PAD that caused all of Thaksin's massive, unprecedented corruption, that precipitated all of these problems. Now I understand!!

And - if Thaksin was so bad and universally hated - why not just beat him in an e-l-e-c-t-i-o-n. Peacefully, properly, and convincingly.

Ah, but in the last election he got most votes.

But not enough to go it alone. (maybe for the best)

He needed other parties to get a majority to be able to form a government.

Same as the democrats did to get a government together.

And seeing the world being in the economic turmoil, they do rather well.

No politician is doing things for you, the politician wants power!

Rich people going into politics don't need the money, they go in for more power.

Rich people in politics use the power they get to grab more money.

Period!!!!!!!!

Edited May 10, 2009 by hansnl

[BigBuddha]

Quite true Bf2002, deep insight into what is playing behind the scenes in Thailand...mostly it is powerplay....I don't see how the reds at this moment can ever have the overhand as they are not supported by the elite and the big money boys...big money is equal to power...

[ThNiner]

Quite true Bf2002, deep insight into what is playing behind the scenes in Thailand...mostly it is powerplay....I don't see how the reds at this moment can ever have the overhand as they are not supported by the elite and the big money boys...big money is equal to power...

Thaksin is not the elite or the big money boy? What is he then? Just a normal Somchai who used to appoint his brother as joint chief of staff and got about 3 hundred billion baht in his account?

By the way, I'm slightly offended by your username. If I called myself, HolyJesus, would it offend anyone on here?

Edited May 10, 2009 by ThNiner

[Plus]

Because elections do not replace judicial system.

That's correct. And Thailand did have an independent judiciary. I'm not so sure about that anymore.

No, Thailand's justice system was severly compromised during Thaksin's years. Only Administrative court maintained some degree of independence of the governmnet, but its scope was limited.

Constitution court, which was designed to keep politicians in check, was completely subverted by Thaksin.

And that's just courts, don't forget that they can't do anything without investigating and prosecuting bodies, bodies that were under complete political control. The police wouldn't investigate, the Attorney General's Office wouldn't prosecute.

Thaskin illegally removed the inconvenient Attorney General, for example, it took years to reinstall her. Thaksin controlled Senate voted his approved National Counter Corruption Commissioners that were supposed be watching him. First thing they did was to get busted for illegally increasing their salaries, years have been wasted again to get NCCC back on track.

[ThNiner]

Because elections do not replace judicial system.

That's correct. And Thailand did have an independent judiciary. I'm not so sure about that anymore.

No, Thailand's justice system was severly compromised during Thaksin's years. Only Administrative court maintained some degree of independence of the governmnet, but its scope was limited.

Constitution court, which was designed to keep politicians in check, was completely subverted by Thaksin.

And that's just courts, don't forget that they can't do anything without investigating and prosecuting bodies, bodies that were under complete political control. The police wouldn't investigate, the Attorney General's Office wouldn't prosecute.

Thaskin illegally removed the inconvenient Attorney General, for example, it took years to reinstall her. Thaksin controlled Senate voted his approved National Counter Corruption Commissioners that were supposed be watching him. First thing they did was to get busted for illegally increasing their salaries, years have been wasted again to get NCCC back on track.

[connel707]

20,000 red shirts expected at rally today

<snip>

A source said supporters of the red shirts in Ubon Ratchathani had dramatically decreased after realising they had been exploited for political and personal interest by politicians during the Songkran riots. They have decided not to join the rally today even though they had been urged to do so. Only canvassers for local politicians and ex-communists were expected to turn up.

<snip>

-- The Nation 2009-05-10

Wow, look what we got here! At least some "supporters" realize they had been used!!! Well done boys but it wasn't difficult to realize that....

Notice the lack of quotes from any of these Ubon Thais who suddently "saw the truth", and the intentional PR quote by Ahbhisit stating that the red-shirt supporters don't know they are being lied to....anyone knows The Nation is slanted to the elites, the original coup-makers, The Democrats, and even the PAD.

Just because someone agrees with the Democrats doesn't mean they saw "the obvious". If they follow a blind man, it just means they are now also blind. And if they follow a liar, then it just means whoever follows him is dumb enough to believe the pied piper....that goes for the "so called" anti-Thaksin camp as much as for the pro-Thaksin camp....in fact, the blind ones are those that don't see this is not really about Thaksin as the prime reason...it's about power and a fight for it by two opposing groups.

what the Heck are you on about and who the heck is the "pied piper" are you drunk..? of course its about Thaksin.... was 1939-45 not about Adolf...????

[chrislarsson]

Because elections do not replace judicial system.

That's correct. And Thailand did have an independent judiciary. I'm not so sure about that anymore.

No, Thailand's justice system was severly compromised during Thaksin's years. Only Administrative court maintained some degree of independence of the governmnet, but its scope was limited.

Constitution court, which was designed to keep politicians in check, was completely subverted by Thaksin.

And that's just courts, don't forget that they can't do anything without investigating and prosecuting bodies, bodies that were under complete political control. The police wouldn't investigate, the Attorney General's Office wouldn't prosecute.

Thaskin illegally removed the inconvenient Attorney General, for example, it took years to reinstall her. Thaksin controlled Senate voted his approved National Counter Corruption Commissioners that were supposed be watching him. First thing they did was to get busted for illegally increasing their salaries, years have been wasted again to get NCCC back on track.

I don't know much about the Constitutional Court. For instance, what changes did Thaksin do when he came into power? And what changes did the junta do afterwards?

I don't know that much about Attorney Generals either. But I know in the US, it is quite common for a new president to replace all of them.

Edited May 10, 2009 by chrislarsson

[DaleBlue]

Vote for me, and I will give every one 1,000,000 baht "cheque chuy chart" (if I become PM).

That's only 65,000,000,000,000 Baht to the tax payer.

Cheap considering that it is not my money.

[Plus]

I don't know much about the Constitutional Court. For instance, what changes did Thaksin do when he came into power? And what changes did the junta do afterwards?

When he came to power the Const. Court was delibirating his asset concealment case. It was a debacle worth several thread by itself. Suffice to say that later on two judges came out and admitted they were pressured to aquit him.

I don't know that much about Attorney Generals either. But I know in the US, it is quite common for a new president to replace all of them.

He did so illegaly, the AG was eventually reinstated, after about a year or so. There were plenty of cases against Cabinet ministers that got lost in the process, many related to the new airport. Current AG was appointed by Samak and those cases still see little progress and some were dismissed.

[webfact]

Army to monitor red shirt rally Sunday evening

First Army Area Commander Lt Gen Kanit Sapithak said Sunday that the Army will closely monitor the rally of the red-shirted movement in Bangkok Sunday evening.

Kanit said although police did not request the military's help to deal with the rally, the Army would closely monitor the demonstration at the Phai Khiew Temple.

The Nation 2009/05/10