Red Shirt leaders pledge non-violent campaign

[webfact]

Red Shirt leaders pledge non-violent campaign

BANGKOK: -- (TNA) - Key leaders of the anti-government 'Red-Shirt' United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) on Tuesday promised the group would adhere to peaceful means, dismissing reports of a planned armed group to fight for their political agenda.

Key UDD leader Veera Musikapong told a media briefing that the Red Shirts will carry on their political ideology--to fight against dictatorship and to support creative democracy through peaceful means and measures, he said.

Mr Veera said he wanted to clarify that the UDD had no plan to set up an armed group, but would instead fight what he dubbed "the war of ideology," to attain democracy and fight against "double-standards" in the political arena.

Another key UDD leader, Nattawut Saikua, charged the government of exploiting state-owned media outlets to cast a bad light on the Red Shirts by influencing the public to have the impression that the February 26 court ruling on fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's Bt76.6 billion (US$2.3 billion) frozen assets would lead to violence by the pro-Thaksin Red Shirts.

Security-concerned agencies have deployed thousands of military and police across the capital and in 38 provinces to monitor the move of Mr Thaksin supporters, Mr Nattawut said, adding that 200 check-points were also set up to maintain security during February 8-15.

Mr Nattawut said he did not understand why the government rushed to implement such security measures with 250 UDD key supporters being kept under close tabs as the UDD has yet to announce its plan or set a date for its major rally.

He said, however, that the UDD will hold a mini rally at National Police Headquarters on Wednesday, at the Office of the National Counter-Corruption Commission on Friday and at the Election Commission office on Monday, aiming to pressure for progress on the investigation of key cases.

He declined to mention the conflict with Gen Panlop Pinmanee, retired deputy chief of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) and a member of the opposition Puea Thai Party, saying each should do their respective duties.

Gen Panlop announced on Friday that he would not join any move with Red Shirt activists after his idea about the people’s army was shunned by Mr Jatuporn who earlier said the planned establishment of the people’s army is not related to the Red Shirts.

Meanwhile, Mr Thaksin, who was ousted in a bloodless coup in September 2006, wrote in his ‘Twitter’ social networking website thanking his supporters who expressed concerns regarding the conflict among the key Red Shirt leaders.

He assured his supporters there was no cause for concern as both sides agreed to bury their hatchets awaiting the upcoming "big task".

Mr Thaksin declined to elaborate on the task, saying only that it would be good for the country and deliver a promising future for Thailand’s youth. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-02-09

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[givenall]

What changed? These guys are used to talk from both sides their mouth. I hope they are telling the truth, but I am confident the government is ready for them if they decide to repeat last year anarchy

[britmaveric]

Go on reds, give them hel_l!

[WAERTH]

Go on reds, give them hel_l!

So if I loose business and money because of the red shirt mayhem; just like last year; I can send you a bill and you will take care of my losses ????

[exon]

Go on reds, give them hel_l!

So if I loose business and money because of the red shirt mayhem; just like last year; I can send you a bill and you will take care of my losses ????

Even more serious, innocent residents have died from red actions in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

//deleted by Admin//

and to yokel on like their deaths is some sort of joke besmirches the deceased's families and friends.

[Meridian007]

//deleted by Admin//

^Bad taste. I hope we will be able to be flippant and amused about this by the end of the month. Sadly, I doubt it. I hope that the reds are telling the truth, but this "big task" makes it sound like there is still trouble planned for the next few weeks.

[britmaveric]

Even more serious, innocent residents have died from red actions in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

I think you mean yellow actions - quite a few deaths have occurred by their hands... including occupation of govt buildings, airports and full blown corruption, kidnapping and murder.

Edited February 9, 2010 by britmaveric

[ballpoint]

Call me Mr Cynical, but how many of the red leaders' proclamations actually turn out to be true? It would be very nice if this one were to do so, but I have the feeling they're covering their <deleted> (that's asses to the American members). If violence does break out we'll be flooded with the same "it wasn't the red shirts, it was infiltrators, who tried to make out they were red shirts by wearing black shirts, who started the violence" posts we saw following Songkhran. And this time they'll be able to add "anyway, it can't have been the red shirts, Veera and Nattawut said so days/weeks ago".

[ballpoint]

Even more serious, innocent residents have died from red actions in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

I think you mean yellow actions - quite a few deaths have occurred by their hands... including occupation of govt buildings, airports and full blown corruption, kidnapping and murder.

Yes, the redshirt actions, including killing people trying to defend their homes and livelihoods, and beating those who didn't agree with them, were rather yellow.

[britmaveric]

Happy you agree that yellows are responsible for Thailand's problems.

[exon]

Even more serious, innocent residents have died from red actions in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

and to yokel on like their deaths is some sort of joke besmirches the deceased's families and friends.

I think you mean yellow actions

No, I mean red actions in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. If you are that unfamiliar with the situation in Thailand that you are unaware of those deaths, then perhaps you should read up more before making flippant remarks that disrespect the dead.

This is a thread about what the reds are doing.

Edited February 9, 2010 by exon

[britmaveric]

^no this thread is about the corrupt yellows causing problems for thailand and its people. The reds are here for Thailand and its future. Anything less is disrespecting those honorable red souls who died fighting for democracy and freedom.

//deleted by Admin//

[RKASA]

Go on reds, give them hel_l!

So if I loose business and money because of the red shirt mayhem; just like last year; I can send you a bill and you will take care of my losses ????

If you lost because of that then you must have lost a lot more during the airport closing and government house rape. Unless you sold hot dogs at the road blocks. A few days of local mayhem is nothing compared to that mess which cost the nation millions of baht by the hour and went on for weeks. I am not supporting the mayhem just pointing out the fact that your spin don't add up, your problem should be with both and more so with the yellow because they are not done yet ether. .

[exon]

this thread is about the corrupt yellows causing problems for thailand

you may wish to read the thread title

Red Shirt leaders pledge non-violent campaign

On a positive note, at least you've stopped making "bad taste" jokes that meridian mentioned. Inciting violence with "give them hel_l" during a time in this country when things are very delicate for those of us living here is indeed, "bad."

[britmaveric]

^unfortunately what anyone says here on TV will have little bearing to the lads in the street.

[Hardback]

These things never end well. I certainly hope that cooler heads prevail here.

[britmaveric]

There is one way for it to end well.....

[webfact]

one post and replies to it deleted. Several edited

If you have nothing to contribute but flaming and insulting remarks you better don't post

to avoid a long suspension.

[jdinasia]

^no this thread is about the corrupt yellows causing problems for thailand and its people. The reds are here for Thailand and its future. Anything less is disrespecting those honorable red souls who died fighting for democracy and freedom.

//deleted by Admin//

Who were they? and what democracy did they die for? The one Thaksin said was unimportant? like in this thread that has some truly memorable quotes by him .....

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thaksin-demo...Goal-t4293.html

[Thailand]

Hopefully they mean what they say but in any group or faction Red/Yellow etc there is the occasional hothead- these are the ones that need to be controlled.

Peaceful demos would also be appreciated by ALL the people in Thailand, may not suit some of the TV agitators or some newspapers- good news is bad news.

Fingers crossed it all runs off smoothly.

On the 26th Thaksin gets his money back and then distributes it to the poor and needy which would smack everybody in the eye-oops there goes a flying pig.

[PeaceBlondie]

Red stands for Thaksin. Time to rally behind some one else.

[jdinasia]

Red stands for Thaksin. Time to rally behind some one else.

Welcome Back!

Yes, the Reds will have no credibility until Thaksin returns to Thailand and serves his jail sentence and answers all the outstanding charges against him that cannot proceed whilst he is in Dubai.

[boris52]

The yellow shirts are the true enemies of Thailand.

[petebkk]

I'm afraid there will be violence once again, given the present government policy, dysfunctional police force, etc..

From what these Reds do and say in public, violence seems to be an argumentative tool they're most comfortable with, no matter what they say.

We've seen their fine works even before last year's Songkran (ex. Prem's house, Udonthani, sporadic attacks at yellow shirt demonstrations, lynching an old man in the middle of the street in Chiangmai, etc.)

[jdinasia]

I'm afraid there will be violence once again, given the present government policy, dysfunctional police force, etc..

From what these Reds do and say in public, violence seems to be an argumentative tool they're most comfortable with, no matter what they say.

We've seen their fine works even before last year's Songkran (ex. Prem's house, Udonthani, sporadic attacks at yellow shirt demonstrations, lynching an old man in the middle of the street in Chiangmai, etc.)

I am afraid I agree with you on most everything in that post other than laying this at the government's feet.

The reds coming out with statements from Sae Daeng threatening judges and other officials, and then the "People's Army of Thailand" thing would suggest that the government would be remiss not to consider public safety and political stability prior to the Feb 26th decision by the court. Even if the reds didn't have a proven track record of violence going back to Sep. '06, it is only prudent to be prepared. We can only hope that this government has learned from previous ones and will not use faulty tear gas etc. if violence should break out!

[scorecard]

^no this thread is about the corrupt yellows causing problems for thailand and its people. The reds are here for Thailand and its future. Anything less is disrespecting those honorable red souls who died fighting for democracy and freedom.

//deleted by Admin//

1. You must be on something powerful which creates fantasies.

2. Suggest you do some research about the last 20 years of Thai politics, at least.

3. Wonder if you might like to realize that it's not black OR white - it's not your red or your yellow.

Some contributors have to time for either group, but they can clearly see that the red shirts are not what they claim.

Reds claim they are fighting for democracy, that's total rubbish. When has any of their leaders given a speech about the processes of democracy?

When has any of their leaders mentioned the absolute damage Thaksin did to democracy and in fact his close to successful attempts to set up a one man dictatorship with no elements or respect whatever for the basic universal pillars of democracy, and when have the red leaders mentioned that we must fight people like this to establish and maintain democracy?

[how241]

My Thai g/f who watch the "red shirt" channel on TV says that there will be no violence on Friday, no matter what the court rules. I hope she is correct.

[siampolee]

Perhaps the comments made on February 24th 2010 in the Nation by Chalerm may well indicate the current state of the ''Red Shirt Organisation."

It would seem as if the many headed hydra monster Red Shirt leadership is incapable of actually organizing anything at this moment in time due to a number of factors, internal strife, confused political aims linked to assorted splinter groups, inept organizational abilities, a lack of funding.

Possibly last but not least Somchai and Porntip on the street have actually realised that this protest is not about democracy in its many varied forms.

They have come to see that it is all about the mobilisation and the manipulation of the masses by one man and his toadying acolytes to preserve his ill gotten gains both financially and power wise.

The Thai people are not ''sheeple'' they are at last seeing the truth.

Edited February 25, 2010 by siampolee

[shawndoc]

1. You must be on something powerful which creates fantasies.

Might want to check your sarcasm detector.

/Or was it satire?

[Cayenne]

While the Red Shirt leaders will claim non-violence for PR purposes, the "truth today" (pun intended) is that they really can't control the various factions that have sprouted under them (i.e. Chiangmai 52, Red Siam, etc.) which can possible evolve into something similar to terrorist cells (heck, we even see Red Shirt schools now "educating" their followers). The leader's only defense if something goes violently wrong is to claim these splinter groups are not a part of the overall movement.