Pro-thaksin Group Considers Bangkok Airport Protest

[churchill]

Jan. 19 (Bloomberg) -- Supporters of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra are considering staging a protest at Bangkok’s international airport, the scene of a 2008 blockade that helped topple the government.

“We are working the pros and cons and we will finalize this in a meeting later” this week, Sean Boonpracong, a spokesman for the group, said by phone in Bangkok today. The protests “will not be like” those organized by an anti-Thaksin group that closed Bangkok’s airports for eight days and helped push the country into recession, he said.

Read more: www.bloomberg.com

- 2010-01-19

[Rooo]

Moved to news.

[webfact]

Red shirts may rally at main entrance to Suvarnabhumi next week

Natthawut Saikua, a red-shirt leader, said Tuesday that red-shirt protesters may rally at the main entrance to the Suvarnabhumi International Airport next week.

Natthawut said the red-shirt leaders will hold a meeting this week to discuss whether to hold the rally outside the airport to pressure the government to speed up a case against the People's Alliance for Democracy for having seized the airport during their protest against the Somchai Wongsawat government.

Natthawut said the rally would be peaceful and would last about one hour.

-- The Nation 2010-01-19

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[NADTATIDA1]

"Natthawut said the rally would be peaceful and would last about one hour."

One hour!!

So they will not be dining then?

[Ricardo]

So the red-shirts want the government to interfere with the courts, and speed up one/some cases, but not to interfere in the ones against their self-exiled leader, where his continued absence delays the serving of justice.

Wonder did anyone ever explain the meaning of the phrase 'double-standards' to these guys ?

Perhaps better for the government not to be seen to interfere, and just let justice take its course, whoever the defendants might be, methinks.

[animatic]

Double Standards in Red Speak is anything

that doesn't benefit them first and foremost.

[DocHolliday]

They are running out of ideas.... Same old story, same old cra_p. I read they "may" consider. If theses reds have some brain left I would suggest to forget about this "peaceful" demonstration because it might be the final nail in their leaders coffin.

The red brethren became untrustworthy including their beloved sponsor. Who is going to take that announcement serious?

Edited January 19, 2010 by DocHolliday

[bobonzo]

Will this madness ever end ?

[Dustybin]

Go for it reds.

The precedent has already been set following the yellows occupation.

Its acceptable , no comeback, no accountability.

[Thailand]

Go for it reds.

The precedent has already been set following the yellows occupation.

Its acceptable , no comeback, no accountability.

But must go for maximum disruption and cost the country billions in lost revenue and credibility to ensure no comeback, no accountability route.

[givenall]

How stupid are these people anyways. Even if they topple Abisit government, one like him will be put in place. They need to think what is really going on. It is really Mr. T. change leader and then we will talk

[ballpoint]

Go for it reds.

The precedent has already been set following the yellows occupation.

Its acceptable , no comeback, no accountability.

But that was under an ineffective government that had lost control of the civil and military powers. When this government does what the PPP one should have done and removes any protestors disrupting the running of the airport (and I don't mean kicking out any group peacefully sitting in a corner somewhere), should it even be allowed to get to that stage, then I bet we'll see the hypocrisy of the posters who continually bleat about how the yellows were allowed to shut down the airport here.

[Dustybin]

Go for it reds.

The precedent has already been set following the yellows occupation.

Its acceptable , no comeback, no accountability.

But that was under an ineffective government that had lost control of the civil and military powers. When this government does what the PPP one should have done and removes any protestors disrupting the running of the airport (and I don't mean kicking out any group peacefully sitting in a corner somewhere), should it even be allowed to get to that stage, then I bet we'll see the hypocrisy of the posters who continually bleat about how the yellows were allowed to shut down the airport here.

It was the democratically elected government of the day.

The junta gun, and the institutions, set the tone

[way2muchcoffee]

The junta gun, and the institutions, set the tone

Except there were no guns on Junta Day. Only tanks covered with garlands by the smiling and grateful people of Thailand.

Edited January 19, 2010 by way2muchcoffee

[mca]

Except there were no guns on Junta Day. Only tanks covered with garlands by the smiling and grateful people of Thailand.

All 60 million of them.

[ballpoint]

It was the democratically elected government of the day.

The junta gun, and the institutions, set the tone

It may have been the democratically elected government of the day, coming to power in the same elections that now give Abhisit his mandate incidentally, so either both are democratic or both are not, but it lacked any authority. Its leader was a spineless puppet (I thoroughly disliked Samak, but at least he was his own man) who spent more time hiding from everyone than running the country. Its cabinet spent more time trying to bring Thaksin back than running the country. It was later found to be illegal by the election commission. And it couldn't handle the protest at the airport. It always makes me laugh when the red supporters go on and on about how the yellows were allowed to do this and that, when it was your own government that allowed them to do so. If someone invades your home then grow some balls and throw them out. If said balls don't grow then complaining that the owner of the house next door does throw you out when you try and move into his is just pathetic bleating.

[infernalman7]

Closing the airport this time will absolutely destroy this country's credibility and economy altogether.

BUT I agree that they have all the rights to do so given that the yellow shirters didn't get any punishment whatsoever.

[Dustybin]

It was the democratically elected government of the day.

The junta gun, and the institutions, set the tone

It may have been the democratically elected government of the day, coming to power in the same elections that now give Abhisit his mandate incidentally, so either both are democratic or both are not, but it lacked any authority. Its leader was a spineless puppet (I thoroughly disliked Samak, but at least he was his own man) who spent more time hiding from everyone than running the country. Its cabinet spent more time trying to bring Thaksin back than running the country. It was later found to be illegal by the election commission. And it couldn't handle the protest at the airport. It always makes me laugh when the red supporters go on and on about how the yellows were allowed to do this and that, when it was your own government that allowed them to do so. If someone invades your home then grow some balls and throw them out. If said balls don't grow then complaining that the owner of the house next door does throw you out when you try and move into his is just pathetic bleating.

One was the product of votes, the other the product of guns, .

Easy for you to say, sitting behind said guns.

[Credo]

It seems like there are some interesting times ahead.

I was planning on leaving for a holiday around the end of Feb. I think, I'll re-think that plan.

[Steve2UK]

Go for it reds.

The precedent has already been set following the yellows occupation.

Its acceptable , no comeback, no accountability.

But that was under an ineffective government that had lost control of the civil and military powers. When this government does what the PPP one should have done and removes any protestors disrupting the running of the airport (and I don't mean kicking out any group peacefully sitting in a corner somewhere), should it even be allowed to get to that stage, then I bet we'll see the hypocrisy of the posters who continually bleat about how the yellows were allowed to shut down the airport here.

In passing, isn't there something of a disconnect here? Have to agree with the first sentence - allowing (from memory) that the police were somewhere between inept and unenthusiastic in their efforts and the military declined to follow orders...... so that the already conspicuously weak and inept Somchai government was hung out to dry........ which begs the question of just what physical means were available to the then PPP government to actually do what they "should have done" (maybe Somchai leading a posse of clerks and typists to the airports to dislodge PAD)? But this subject is an old battlefield trampled many times and it's unlikely anyone will change their views of events on it now.

Viewed as a stunt/gesture/theatre, one can see the notional logic of now staging a "point-making" rally/protest at the airport - but it's so fraught with complications and potential repercussions as to make the event self-defeating. Given how things are, there will almost certainly be more such nonsensical suggestions; if nothing else, they keep the attention where UDD/PT seem to want it to be.

[Hardback]

It's gotten so messy that even if an election were held nothing would change. The military have their power back and they wont let it go.

[Scott]

I wonder if any great politicians will emerge from this airport adventure who find it great fun.

[ballpoint]

In passing, isn't there something of a disconnect here? Have to agree with the first sentence - allowing (from memory) that the police were somewhere between inept and unenthusiastic in their efforts and the military declined to follow orders...... so that the already conspicuously weak and inept Somchai government was hung out to dry........ which begs the question of just what physical means were available to the then PPP government to actually do what they "should have done" (maybe Somchai leading a posse of clerks and typists to the airports to dislodge PAD)? But this subject is an old battlefield trampled many times and it's unlikely anyone will change their views of events on it now.

Surely any government that is unable to do what it should due to civil disobediance, and is unable to clear a group of people out of an airport, has lost the right to be a government? It's a very tricky question, as there's no precedence for it in any modern democracy. (And still isn't as Thailand is far from being a modern democracy). It was certainly a major political crisis and wasn't helped by the government of the time putting more resources into absolving Thaksin than solving it. Indeed, had they gotten on with the job in hand from the very start, the crisis probably would never had happened.

Viewed as a stunt/gesture/theatre, one can see the notional logic of now staging a "point-making" rally/protest at the airport - but it's so fraught with complications and potential repercussions as to make the event self-defeating. Given how things are, there will almost certainly be more such nonsensical suggestions; if nothing else, they keep the attention where UDD/PT seem to want it to be.

And it keeps Pavlov's dogs, old, new and reincarnated, salivating with ecstacy here on TV. (Not aimed at you).

[whatchamacallit]

Oh NOT AGAIN GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-(

[phetpeter]

Closing the airport this time will absolutely destroy this country's credibility and economy altogether.

BUT I agree that they have all the rights to do so given that the yellow shirters didn't get any punishment whatsoever.

Hold on the Yellow shirts, did not shut the airports down. It was the yellow bellied managerment who crapped themselves and pulled the plug.

That was proven before the yellow shirts had fully entered the terminal. and they until closure made way for passengers to continue on their journeys. That stopped when the plug was pulled and aircraft refused permission to land or take-off. just in case the yellow shirts got on the runway???? which they didnt. They stayed in the terminal main concourse.

[geriatrickid]

Double Standards in Red Speak is anything

that doesn't benefit them first and foremost.

The only one with double standards seems to be you.

You are the first person to say that the populace has a right to protest.

What part of the statement do you not understand?

We will not disrupt, we will not seize, we will not be anywhere near” the terminal building at Suvarnabhumi airport,

Unlike your friends that seized the airports and held the nation hostage, this group has stated it will not do that. The double standard is that it is ok for the people that share your views to run amuck, but it is not alright for those that disagree to express their sentiments.

It seems that in your world, some pigs are more equal than others.

[geriatrickid]

The junta gun, and the institutions, set the tone

Except there were no guns on Junta Day. Only tanks covered with garlands by the smiling and grateful people of Thailand.

I believe that it was grateful entrenched privileged residents of Bangkok. The last time I looked at a map of Thailand, there were other areas aside from Bangkok that make up the nation. You know, places like Surin, Isaan and Chiang Mai.

[Insight]

Go for it reds. After it pretty much annihilated any remaining popularity of the tolerated-at-best yellow-shirts, I'd love to see how it bolsters support for the already heavily disliked red shirt pro-Thaksin militia.

[animatic]

It was the democratically elected government of the day.

The junta gun, and the institutions, set the tone

It may have been the democratically elected government of the day, coming to power in the same elections that now give Abhisit his mandate incidentally, so either both are democratic or both are not, but it lacked any authority. Its leader was a spineless puppet (I thoroughly disliked Samak, but at least he was his own man) who spent more time hiding from everyone than running the country. Its cabinet spent more time trying to bring Thaksin back than running the country. It was later found to be illegal by the election commission. And it couldn't handle the protest at the airport. It always makes me laugh when the red supporters go on and on about how the yellows were allowed to do this and that, when it was your own government that allowed them to do so. If someone invades your home then grow some balls and throw them out. If said balls don't grow then complaining that the owner of the house next door does throw you out when you try and move into his is just pathetic bleating.

One was the product of votes, the other the product of guns, .

Easy for you to say, sitting behind said guns.

Thaksin was told stay away from the job, no shots were fire that I remember.

Thaksin was allowed to come back and had full freedoms.

His wife was convicted, and he split for China and then London,

just before he was convicted, and didn't bother to appeal the ruling.

No guns were used to hold them against their will or restrict their freedoms of movement.

Potjamin is currently a totally free woman in Thailand, no guns at her back now.

Samak was elected the courts didn't shoot him.

Somchai was elected the courts didn't shoot him.

Newin split from Thaksin after the meeting Potjamin his wife split from him...

No guns forced them to move. Only Chalerm and Noppadon stayed on.

Newin decided to join the Dems and form a coalition.

By ALL accounts MONEY was the only weapon used that day.

Classic Thais style. Not a gun was seen.

The guns only came out when your red shirt biddies rioted over Songkran.

And then the force was quite limited and controled on the governments side...

your friends screwed the pooch.

But that's another story.

[Sparkles]

Will this madness ever end ?

NO ! Not while Thaksin is stoking the fire.Take him out of the equation and it would.