Over 1,000 Red-shirts To File Thaksin Pardon Petition Monday

[rixalex]

There should also be some consolation, as a show of goodwill. Perhaps a reissuance of T's red-colored Thai passport (not his diplomatic one). T is going to travel at will anyway, so why the charade?

Nah, the last thing the current government needs to do is show itself to be weak - issuing Thaksin with a passport would be a very weak move.

Besides, why is there any need to show goodwill? What has Thaksin done to deserve that? Stirring up trouble shouldn't be rewarded with benefits. If that makes rent-a-mob unhappy then so be it.

[britmaveric]

Pardon will come sooner or later - only a matter of time.

[Samuian]

All the guesses and reading the tea leaves,

won't help to find out was will happen next,

nobody knows!

And I'am 100% certain that very few in the

Government or concerned bodies are concerned -

after all it still IS Thailand - TiT!

Sure was the Anti-Petition "silly" but then who exactly

IS "the Government?

"Get Thaksin" nail him somewhere in the desert of the UAE

house arrest, no more speeches... but this as it seems to be

the surest way to calm things down and go ahead with due

business, it will prove impossible!

So he will continue his "Art of War" against anyone opposing

his deft hunger for power, his glorious come back and his

so carefully never mentioned "heist".... that will remain in the books

until October, the brunt of onslaughts against ANYONE at will and

random will increase till then!

We have seen assassination attempts and now it goes all the way

up to the "top" - how many "top's" does Thailand have?

Quite a few it seems - all parties of their very OWN interests!

So what?

We will see, nothing can be guessed, not anyone of the possible scenarios.

Escalating Violence, street protests, attacks.... will be instigated to

force the army to move and at "best" have another coup, then

that might spawn, new fertile grounds, for new moves, reshuffles -

this is one big chance - the question will remain - will he, his camp

be able to keep mobilizing supportive forces, concentrate enough power

around - say Chaisit, to make the fortunes turn...?

for the Government and anyone involved will certainly be as walking

on thin ice or crossing a mine field - who knows what's up next!?

Anything, who wouldn't - given the circumstances try everything to retrieve this

kind of many and all the other possibilities around.....

my 2 cents

I agree with Scott that the gov't counter petition was silly and may have added credence to the original petition initiative.

The gov't is stalling right now, for 3 basic reasons:

1. it wants to 'ice the kicker' - an American Football term for stalling time, so the field goal kicker will lose some of his verve, and <deleted> the kick.

2. it doesn't know the best course of action.

3. it wants to shield HM's office from becoming politicized - so it will do what it thinks it has to do to keep the petition decision from getting to the highest level.

As for legal grounds, there appear to be clear cut rules that weren't adhered to: The convicted person hasn't served any time, he hasn't shown remorse, and the petition wasn't submitted by one of his direct family members.

The gov't should dismiss the petition right away for those reasons (and other reasons, if they have them). The Reds should have known for weeks that their petition wouldn't be approved.

There should also be some consolation, as a show of goodwill. Perhaps a reissuance of T's red-colored Thai passport (not his diplomatic one). T is going to travel at will anyway, so why the charade?

Point 2 is the most worrying.

I hope they have a plan to handle this. I doubt they will pass on the petition because it probably doesn't meet the criteria, although by couching it in the language of a request to alleviate suffering, the UDD has made it more complicated.

Maybe it would be best if the HM office turns it down with the statement "We cannot accept this petition because it doesn't meet the legal criteria, however, we are aware that at this time, the people are in times of economic distress and I have told my government that they must focus on alleviating the suffering of all my people with particular reference to all the rural areas and most impoverished people".

I do however hope they have some answers to some simple questions that the army will no doubt ask.

a. "What are you going to do about this?"

b. "Are you going to be able to turn down the petition and handle the fall out?"

Agreed quite "clever" but no hurdle that can't be taken!

It's Thaksin's "song of the savior", the "rat catcher" melody he plays on his flute..

So?

The Government should make EVERY effort to eleminate these potential grounds

he is feeding his campaingns from - if this is vastly tackled and not only -

like he did - very superficial - the Government will have NOTHING to worry for years to come

but Thailand isn't only Udon, Sakhon Nakhon or Sisaket.... there is the south too!

On one hand - this is a wake up call for EVERYBODY if it is missed to turn this opportunity

it will go down hill fast.... and I don't like to sketch that scenario!

Edited August 19, 2009 by Samuian

[webfact]

Pardon will come sooner or later - only a matter of time.

the 6th or 7th birth cycle might be considered...

Edited August 19, 2009 by webfact

[t1401]

Pardon will come

posthumously

[rixalex]

Pardon will come sooner or later - only a matter of time.

Sounds more like a desperate wish than a prediction.

[churchill]

Red Shirts to collect 10 million names to impeach premier

BANGKOK, Aug 20 (TNA) - A key leader of anti-government United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) said on Thursday that the group will collect ten million signatures to impeach Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajijva, accusing him of malpractice in office.

Key UDD Red Shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan, a member of parliament (MP) from the opposition Puea Thai Party, said the UDD activists will discuss over the group's plan to oust the Democrat-led coalition government and unseat Mr Abhisit from his post, charging that the Oxford graduate has "inappropriate behaviour".

"Mr Abhisit has intervened with the Royal Thai Police and apparently opposed the Red Shirt's petition seeking a royal pardon for former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, as well as having accepted a gift worth more than 3,000 baht (US$88)" said the UDD leader.

The Puea Thai party earlier submitted a complaint to the National Anti-Corruption Commission that the prime minister received a gift of ivory worth more than 3,000 baht from Transport Minister Sophon Zarum.

According to the Thai law, politicians are banned from accepting gifts valued at more than 3,000 baht.

Mr Jatuporn said the United Front will provide more detail regarding its impeachment plan on Friday afternoon.

"We will proceed our impeachment petition under the law," said Mr Jatuporn. "Although the law requires only 20,000 signatures for the petition, we will collect more than 10 million names of eligible voters in the country as we want to show that they do not want Mr Abhisit to be their prime minister."

The Puea Thai MP added that collected names will not be duplicated as found in the case of the UDD royal pardon petition for Mr Thaksin.

The United Front on Monday submitted its petition seeking a royal pardon for the ousted premier to His Majesty the King’s Deputy Principal Private Secretary. The group announced earlier that they had gathered nearly six million signatures across the kingdom, but finally deleted some 1,800,000 names as they were duplicated and believed to be added by its rivals. (TNA

http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=11410

-- TNA 20/08/09

[Scott]

Wow, another petition. I should have bought shares in an ink company.

[brahmburgers]

Wow, another petition. I should have bought shares in an ink company.

interesting you mention ink.

Mark Twain once said, "never argue with a man who buys ink by the barrel."

This relates to T when he was PM, he directed an illicit asset search against the head of Nation newspaper. It's no wonder, that the Nation has continual editorials against T. Of course, one doesn't have to search far to find a reason to dislike T. There are dozens of reasons, some of them criminal, and many of which have been articulated on T.Visa.

I still think the current gov't should make some concession to the Reds. The PM needs to make it clear that these current problems are amongst Thais, and he needs to emphasize that there are innumerable things that Thais agree upon: Royalty, Sangha, love of nation, etc.

Still, there's one great big thorn in the side of the beast. Namely: Thaksin. How to shut him up? the 60 billion baht question. Even if Thaksin quits his treasonous squawking, there are some ugly characters who will continue to carry his banner, no matter what. What to do with them? If they break the law, throw 'em in jail.

Perhaps the PM can organize some non-political 'Harmony Concerts" where yellow, reds, blues, no-color shirts can come together and enjoy themselves and each others' company - and get reminded of the common humanity linking all Thais.

[Lite Beer]

Posts have been set invisible while under Moderation Revue.

[Plus]

I still think the current gov't should make some concession to the Reds. The PM needs to make it clear that these current problems are amongst Thais, and he needs to emphasize that there are innumerable things that Thais agree upon: Royalty, Sangha, love of nation, etc.

No point. Concessions or not, you said it yourself:

.. there's one great big thorn in the side of the beast. Namely: Thaksin.

Govt. problem is not with reds, it's with Thaksin. Reds are just a fan club/foot soldiers and they don't have any demands on their own. They only repeat meaningless mantras handed down by Thaksin ideologists.

Looking at the bigger picture - Thaksin turned to red power only after conviction, as a tool to save his frosen assets, no one knows what he will want when he loses that fortune, too. Reds are not going to dissipate, of course, but they always need a compelling reason to rally about. First it was govt overthrow, then it was the petition. What will be the next idea? Will Thaksin keep supporting it? It's a top-to-bottom movement, follow the leader the movement, it won't create any big troubles on their own. At most they can disrupt government meetings upcountry or kill some yellow supporters.

Then there will be referendum on the const amendments with elections around the corner and red agenda will be completely irrelevant to democratic process.

[Jingthing]

Then there will be referendum on the const amendments with elections around the corner and red agenda will be completely irrelevant to democratic process.

How so? I assume there will continue to be a Thaksin puppet running with a realistic chance of become the next PM. That is unless something dramatic happens to Thaksin himself and/or he changes his colors (fat chance).

Edited August 21, 2009 by Jingthing

[animatic]

The disposition of the petition will be used to whip up the reddened minds.

'You are disenfranchised good people, you don't get a say, see we just proved it!!!'

Regardless of if it is NOT actual fact, they are told this and kept isolated by blinding ideology

from countradicting voices.,

It is intended as new rallying point, but may only work partly.

But for Thaksin to win he WILL need a much greater ability to creat social chaos,

this petition can be used for that, especially given the 2 month delay for it's gov.

ajudication, corresponding to Thaksin money in court going on the block.

This is to cajole the gulable into getting violent because they don't understand the process at all.

They are never told the process, they are told what keeps them polarised.

Been subjected to FoxNews the last few days in hotels..The RedShitLeaders and Thaksin

MUST watch this because the similarities in style and shameless twisting of truths is just so close.

Sadly this will be an interesting autumn.

Some one said this is for the "stupid people upcountry".

I didn't read this comment as 'the people upcountry are stupid',

but more that the target audience for the RedThak Propaganda

is aimed at the less bright bulbs up country,

because the smarter ones will be harder to hoodwink.

Edited August 21, 2009 by animatic

[baht&sold]

UDD rally against govt Aug 30

BangkokPost.com 21/08/2009 at 02:48 PM

The pro-Thaksin United front for Democracy against Dictatorship plans a mass anti-government demonstration on Sunday week, UDD core leader and Puea Thai party list MP Jatuporn Promphan said on Friday afternoon.

The red-shirts will gather at the Royal Plaza about 1pm on Aug 30 and after that UDD leaders will lead the crowd to Government House to call on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve the House, Mr Jatuporn said.

“The premier has no leadership and the Democrat-led coalition government has failed in its efforts to tackle the pressing problems facing the country,” he said.

If Mr Abhisit does not call a general election, the UDD would launch signature collecting campaign seeking his impeachment.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/15...ovt-next-sunday

-- Bangkok Post 21 Aug 2009

[churchill]

PM rejects 'Red Shirt' call for Parliament dissolution

BANGKOK, Aug 21 (TNA) – Thailand’s pro-Thaksin United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) said on Friday it will rally on August 30 to pressure the Democrat-led coalition government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve the Lower House of Parliament, otherwise the group would collect up to 10 million signatures to impeach the premier.

The UDD leaders told a news conference that their ‘Red Shirts’ will wear black, symbolically, on Wednesday to mark the sombre anniversary of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) seizure of Government House and state television channel NBT last August 26.

UDD leader Nuttawut Saikua said the August 30 rally will start at 1pm at the Royal Plaza on Rajdamnoen Nok Road and will march to Government House to demand that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva dissolve the House of Representatives due to his government’s poor performance and alleged corruption in the community development project.

Mr Nattawut claimed that the delayed appointment of a new national police chief on Thursday proved that the premier lacked leadership and is a ‘puppet’ leader put into office by behind the scenes powers, and that he himself lacks power.

The prime minister however brushed aside the demand, saying that what he has done is in the national interest, and that the naming of the best candidate for police chief would be made before October.

The 11-member Board of Royal Thai Police chaired by Mr Abhisit met Thursday to select a suitable person as new police chief, but the board did not select an appointee, amid unconfirmed reports that the delay was a conflict between the police and the prime minister.

Another top UDD leader, Jatuporn Prompan, said the group has not yet decided whether the August 30 rally will be prolonged or not, saying it depends on circumstances.Mr Jatuporn accused the prime minister of delaying deliberation on the UDD petition seeking a royal pardon for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and that was the main reason for the UDD’s planned major rally. (TNA)

-- TNA 21/08/09http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=11431

[Insight]

Another top UDD leader, Jatuporn Prompan, said the group has not yet decided whether the August 30 rally will be prolonged or not, saying it depends on circumstances finances.Mr Jatuporn accused the prime minister of delaying deliberation on the UDD petition seeking a royal pardon for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and that was the main reason for the UDD’s planned major rally. (TNA)

-- TNA 21/08/09http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=11431

Corrected.

[brahmburgers]

the Red Shirt leaders are turning up the heat.

It's similar to what Newt Gingrich and Ken Starr were doing, with blessings from the Republicans, when they were hel_l-bent on using every ugly trick to bring down the Clinton presidency.

These must be tough times for Abhisit. I hate to say it, but there needs to be some strong medicine, perhaps in the form of a crackdown and arrests, of Red Shirt leaders.

I'm a hippie from way back, and have always disliked police-state dynamics, but the Red Shirt leaders smell blood and are circling for the kill. It's beyond Thaksin now. Thaksin has been relegated to Humpty Dumpty or the fake Wizard behind the curtain (W.of Oz).

If it looks, smells, acts like treason, it must be treason. The Red leaders, like Thaksin himself, are willing to bring Thailand (its tourism, its economy, its people) to its knees to further their agenda.

[frodo]

the Red Shirt leaders are turning up the heat.

It's similar to what Newt Gingrich and Ken Starr were doing, with blessings from the Republicans, when they were hel_l-bent on using every ugly trick to bring down the Clinton presidency.

These must be tough times for Abhisit. I hate to say it, but there needs to be some strong medicine, perhaps in the form of a crackdown and arrests, of Red Shirt leaders.

I'm a hippie from way back, and have always disliked police-state dynamics, but the Red Shirt leaders smell blood and are circling for the kill. It's beyond Thaksin now. Thaksin has been relegated to Humpty Dumpty or the fake Wizard behind the curtain (W.of Oz).

If it looks, smells, acts like treason, it must be treason. The Red leaders, like Thaksin himself, are willing to bring Thailand (its tourism, its economy, its people) to its knees to further their agenda.

Well said!

[animatic]

the Red Shirt leaders are turning up the heat.

It's similar to what Newt Gingrich and Ken Starr were doing, with blessings from the Republicans, when they were hel_l-bent on using every ugly trick to bring down the Clinton presidency.

These must be tough times for Abhisit. I hate to say it, but there needs to be some strong medicine, perhaps in the form of a crackdown and arrests, of Red Shirt leaders.

I'm a hippie from way back, and have always disliked police-state dynamics, but the Red Shirt leaders smell blood and are circling for the kill. It's beyond Thaksin now. Thaksin has been relegated to Humpty Dumpty or the fake Wizard behind the curtain (W.of Oz).

If it looks, smells, acts like treason, it must be treason. The Red leaders, like Thaksin himself, are willing to bring Thailand (its tourism, its economy, its people) to its knees to further their agenda.

Well said!

While the reddened rank and file average Somchai's are probaly well meaning,

there are ringers, agitators for the leaderss, and just plain malintentional wackos in the mix.

Not to mention unreconstructed real old school reds hoping to grab a slice if thengs go pearshaped.

Thaksin as created a monster, and if and when he loses control there will be hel_l to pay.

Seeing how Songkran was handled it sounds less scary that this may need to be handeled similarly.

This time the red leaders do NOT get out on bail with 'promises to not cause trouble'...

That is a lie to the courts quite obviously... keel haul the bastards,

and then treat the non-violent red rank and file with some respect.

All violent reds, AND others, can go to the Bkk Hilton tout de suite.

2 setang

Been subjected to FoxNews this week... Just nauseating on all counts.

Might get Veera a Nattawat gigs there,

they would fit right in, and get them outa here too.

Edited August 22, 2009 by animatic

[cyrus]

If I remember the requirement for a royal pardon is the request must be submitted by the relative of the 'criminal' .. Secondly, the criminal must be serving his term, next, the criminal must acknowledge that he is guilty. Royal pardon should not be in connection with politics.

I don't remember seeing any news report that his ex-wife or kids name were on the petition for royal pardon .. and the rest you know.

What a bummer!

[Kna]

Where the petition will rot? Well, just for the sake of argument alone, let's forget that it's illegal and won't be send to HM ever.....

Now we have around 3.6 millions signatures that need to be check if they are genuine or not before the Gov can move forward to the next procedure. Let's do the simple math, shall we?

For all the hassle that need to verified that the signatures are really genuine since it's suppose the be present to HM no mistake is allowed. So... with all the man power we can spare we can do about 50 signatures per day (we need to verified the man who signed do existed, sign the petition on their own will.. yada..yada..)

So the time need to finish this verification process will takes.... 3,600,000/50 = 72,000 days

One week has 5 work days and one month has 4 weeks so one month = 4*5 = 20 days

So one year has 240 work days.... estimated time the verification process to be complete are..... 72,000/240 = 300 years

So..... all the red shirts please sit tight and be a good boy/girl. it will be done soon....

Now I guess someone can tell me where the petition will rot, no?

[Netfan]

UDD rally against govt Aug 30

BangkokPost.com 21/08/2009 at 02:48 PM

The pro-Thaksin United front for Democracy against Dictatorship plans a mass anti-government demonstration on Sunday week, UDD core leader and Puea Thai party list MP Jatuporn Promphan said on Friday afternoon.

The red-shirts will gather at the Royal Plaza about 1pm on Aug 30 and after that UDD leaders will lead the crowd to Government House to call on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve the House, Mr Jatuporn said.

“The premier has no leadership and the Democrat-led coalition government has failed in its efforts to tackle the pressing problems facing the country,” he said.

If Mr Abhisit does not call a general election, the UDD would launch signature collecting campaign seeking his impeachment.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/15...ovt-next-sunday

-- Bangkok Post 21 Aug 2009

I guess they missed the big speech this week about unity Don't know how they did that- it was in all the papers, on all the stations. Or maybe the reds just don't care what anyone, no matter who it is, says anymore.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

The Reds are twisting the knife into the economy. <deleted> for ?

[rixalex]

The Reds are twisting the knife into the economy. <deleted> for ?

Square head.

[cdnvic]

It's natural for passions to run high when talking politics, but please refrain from expletives in open forum. Thanks.

1 post deleted.

[mc2]

Red-shirt people to hold mass rally on Aug 30

The red-shirt people will hold a mass rally on August 30 to demand the government to dissolve the House.

Natthawut Saikua, a red-shirt leader, said the red-shirt people would gather at the Royal Plaza at 1 pm before marching to the Government House.

He said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has no potential to develop and solve the country's problems. He alleged that the prime minister also lacked leadership so, his government should not be allowed to go on running the country.

The Nation

-- The Nation .

Edited August 23, 2009 by mc2

[webfact]

UDD rally against govt Aug 30

BangkokPost.com 21/08/2009 at 02:48 PM

The pro-Thaksin United front for Democracy against Dictatorship plans a mass anti-government demonstration on Sunday week, UDD core leader and Puea Thai party list MP Jatuporn Promphan said on Friday afternoon.

<snip>

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/15...ovt-next-sunday

-- Bangkok Post 21 Aug 2009

I guess they missed the big speech this week about unity Don't know how they did that- it was in all the papers, on all the stations. Or maybe the reds just don't care what anyone, no matter who it is, says anymore.

IMHO the last sentence in your post is very sad and very true!!!

[Insight]

On the other side, if the rest of the country feels the same way about what was meant by the comments about unity as they do in bhan Insight, the rally has the potential to really backfire on Thaksin. Broad stroke, but not unlikely.

[justanothercybertosser]

The Reds are twisting the knife into the economy. &lt;deleted&gt; for ?

At a recent ISIS conference both the heads of the Thai American Chamber of Commerce and the Thai British Chamber of Commerce have clearly stated that the single biggest blow to the economy was the airport occupation, and not the Red Shirt protests.

The petition drive has no effect on the economy whatsoever.

[catmac]

The Reds are twisting the knife into the economy. &lt;deleted&gt; for ?

Simply following the example set by the boys in yellow?

Quite amazing to read all the posts condemning the reds for bringing the economy to a standstill. Especially those from posters who were noticeably silent (or even supportive) when the yellows stepped up their campaign to destroy the previous Government by any means possible, even to the extent of closing the country off to the rest of the world via their airport takeover. How come that wasn't "twisting the knife into the economy"?