Red-Shirt Leaders Ready For Million-Man March

[hammered]

I think that you're confused over the word School. The Red Shirt schools are basically training schools for Red Shirt members.

I understand that part of the course taught deals with the subject of the Elite, the wealth that they have and the hidden power that they have over Thai People.

They also discuss the role of the Military in recent Thai history, teach Modern Thai history, politics and the principals of a parliamentary democracy. According to a writer in the Bangkok Post the number of people who have attended these schools and returned to their villages/towns to give talks to their friends and neighbours is growing at an exponential rate. I think that it would therefore be very unwise to pooh pooh the numbers that they will be able to assemble for their rally.

Wow ... So by Elite you mean they are teaching about Thaksin and his wealth and hidden power? Modern Thai History means that they are teaching about how their leader promised wealth but delivered a higher debt load to the farmers? How their leader manipulated the system and was corrupt on a scale never before seen in Thailand? They are teaching about how Thaksin has used Sae Daeng in the modern military history class? Principals of a Parliementary democracy class teaches that the Democrats are there legally and have the right and duty to run the government until the coalition fails or this term of parliament is finished? Maybe recent military history and parliamentary democracy class are joined into one class to discuss Thaksin dissolving parliament to try and cover his tail and protect TRT from being dissolved and how the military stepped in after the next elections failed to seat a government.

Hmmmmwhy do I think instead they are 'teaching' something far less honest?

I just want to know if they teach about the exploitation and oppression practiced by the local robber barons who happen by and large to be local PTP MPs or their main backers

[PeaceBlondie]

It's easy - you just get the million people who paid a million baht for the Thai Elite Card... that was 1500 people.

[brahmburgers]

I feel they will be doing well if they manage to get 100,000. One million is pie in the sky stuff.

I think the prior time they announced a million man march, there were two guys setting up a sound system on a stage, and four tuk tuk drivers playing checkers on the curb. The designated speaker was off looking for kow pat mu in a plastic bag.

[scorecard]

I think that you're confused over the word School. The Red Shirt schools are basically training schools for Red Shirt members.

I understand that part of the course taught deals with the subject of the Elite, the wealth that they have and the hidden power that they have over Thai People.

They also discuss the role of the Military in recent Thai history, teach Modern Thai history, politics and the principals of a parliamentary democracy. According to a writer in the Bangkok Post the number of people who have attended these schools and returned to their villages/towns to give talks to their friends and neighbours is growing at an exponential rate. I think that it would therefore be very unwise to pooh pooh the numbers that they will be able to assemble for their rally.

Wow ... So by Elite you mean they are teaching about Thaksin and his wealth and hidden power? Modern Thai History means that they are teaching about how their leader promised wealth but delivered a higher debt load to the farmers? How their leader manipulated the system and was corrupt on a scale never before seen in Thailand? They are teaching about how Thaksin has used Sae Daeng in the modern military history class? Principals of a Parliementary democracy class teaches that the Democrats are there legally and have the right and duty to run the government until the coalition fails or this term of parliament is finished? Maybe recent military history and parliamentary democracy class are joined into one class to discuss Thaksin dissolving parliament to try and cover his tail and protect TRT from being dissolved and how the military stepped in after the next elections failed to seat a government.

Hmmmmwhy do I think instead they are 'teaching' something far less honest?

I just want to know if they teach about the exploitation and oppression practiced by the local robber barons who happen by and large to be local PTP MPs or their main backers

Nice points.

Also, if they are really teaching: the broad principles, the benefits, the mechanisms, the processes, the things which can endanger solid democracy, then why aren't they showing all of this to a much bigger audience, in many different formats:

- Lessons, with highly credible unbiased speakers talking about the concepts etc., not personalities.

- Books

- Printed handouts

- Appearances on TV, surely there would be many TV programs that would welcome this type of discussion

- Website

Surely all of the above would be consistent with their stated aims of being the champions of democracy.

So exactly what are they doing in these UDD 'schools', why is there no information? Is there perhaps a reason why there is no information?

[otherstuff1957]

The latest article in the 'Newspaper than cannot be mentioned' gives a figure of 100,000 protesters. If the numbers are close to that, the next weekend should be interesting in Bangkok.

[Squigy]

Why One Million Men (Man) Why not 10 million men and women and kids???

[Terminator]

I feel they will be doing well if they manage to get 100,000. One million is pie in the sky stuff.

well we all know how good they are with numbers...

[Ricardo]

Hmmmmwhy do I think instead they are 'teaching' something far less honest?

Experience & track-record ?

[SomTumTiger]

It will be about 20,000. same as always. Nothing will happen, go about your business.

[hammered]

It will be about 20,000. same as always. Nothing will happen, go about your business.

I dunno these guys have a lot of support and this is the big one. Plus money will be used to increase base numbers. All in all it could be quite big although exactly how big remains to be seen.

Big demos are very hard for organisers to control too.

[jdinasia]

It will be about 20,000. same as always. Nothing will happen, go about your business.

I dunno these guys have a lot of support and this is the big one. Plus money will be used to increase base numbers. All in all it could be quite big although exactly how big remains to be seen.

Big demos are very hard for organisers to control too.

There are quite a few people that are named in the assets case. and a LOT of Baht. I guess they would be willing to invest quite a bit to buy a mob in advance of the ruling. The problem like Hammered suggests will be in controlling a large crowd (100k+) of people that would accept money to demonstrate for Thaksin.

[SomTumTiger]

You say potato, etc. I doubt the numbers you guys are throwing about will materialize, regardless. There just aren't enough paid goons to be had this time of year.

[hammered]

You say potato, etc. I doubt the numbers you guys are throwing about will materialize, regardless. There just aren't enough paid goons to be had this time of year.

Drought helps. There are a lot of people looking to work for daily wages. The reds also have a lot of people who wont want money. Their core is potentially a lot bigger than 20K if they can assemble it in one place. Organization will be a factor too

[otherstuff1957]

Maybe not 100,000 paid goons, but if you drum up 50,000 true believers and 50,000 paid goons and throw in a few greedy landlords ready for some undercover urban clearance... we may have Songkran Mark II!

[jdinasia]

I am guessing that if the funding comes through that they will get between 80k and 180k people. I am also betting that after day 2 that 1/2 the numbers disappear if there are that many. Hammered is right that the logistics will make it unmanageable.

Getting 50k+ for a nightime event at a stadium ... no problem ... maintaining the health and safety for 80K+ for days? ...

[SomTumTiger]

As long as they are peaceful, they can protest, in whatever numbers they can draw. The moment things turn violent, i say hose em down. The army did a pretty (and nonviolent) job of crowd dispersal in April. I imagine they will be capable of similar efforts this go round, if need be.

[Samuian]

Alright then get buses load 'em with dummies, dressed in red shirts and rally them around throughout the country!

This way it needs only about 20.000 people with a driving license and ah; yes, 20.000 Buses!

[SomTumTiger]

Don't let the reds know about the buses, they'll start drooling... How many did the burn last time? 14? Wonder who got the bill for that.

[johncitizen]

while each of the 459 red-shirt schools will be providing between 1,000 and 2,000 people

Using schools, & presumably the school children, to achieve political goals is stooping as low as it gets.

Do these people not care about what they are brainwashing the youth of this country with?

Shame, shame, shame.

Yes... like how the schoolkids are forced to sing nationalistic anthems, chant the praises of certain individuals, and get frequent pep-talks and lectures from visiting ladies in military uniform.

But your indignation is misplaced. These schools are aimed at providing adult education to red-shirt activists, giving them english lessons so they might better communicate with foreign journalists, political history lessons and I would also guess lots of handy hints on how to circumvent roadblocks and resist interrogation

[h90]

Maybe not 100,000 paid goons, but if you drum up 50,000 true believers and 50,000 paid goons and throw in a few greedy landlords ready for some undercover urban clearance... we may have Songkran Mark II!

my guess: 3000 commies, 10.000 true Thaksin believers from Upcountry (most women 50+ age) 50.000 paid goons, maybe because it is the last chance they can make it 75.000.

If worst come worst 120.000 in total peek than people start to go their own way, drink go sleeping, etc etc.. If either hot or raining they are down to 20.000 on the second day. 5.000 on the third day.

Everything depends on the money....

[otherstuff1957]

^ and the weather

[brahmburgers]

What are these schools that have been mentioned herein? Some sort of training for Red Shirt novices to learn how things happen in Thai halls of power?

Prison is also a school of sorts, when you figure people go in there relatively naive, and come out very adept at illegal endeavors.

As for organizing a rally. Since money is easy to come by for Red Shirt organizers, simply hire the most popular music bands and a few glitzy celebrities, and that will help ensure a high turn-out. If the food services are good (and the bathrooms, and the places to sleep), then that will add to the allure. Politicizing and posturing would seem to be secondary to the items mentioned above - when if comes to attracting crowds.

....oh, and don't forget to mention how everyone, particularly the struggling farmers in the North and NE) - will have more money if Thaksin is acquitted - and mention it often. People respond well to promises of debt reduction and attaining an easier/richer life.

Edited February 13, 2010 by brahmburgers

[siampolee]

We should of course remember the demonstration that Thaksin ordered a while back when he called on all his supporters to send their wives and children along to support him whilst he still was in power.

The tactical (or tactless) next move made was that Thaksin sent his wife and his children to Hong Kong and elsewhere out of the way. Stand up for me and I will shout from the outside of the arena.

Indeed wonderful principles.

All these protesters are but cannon fodder in the campaign to protect Thaksin and his cronies avowed aim to pillage Thailand for as much as they can in their never ending campaign to line their own pockets upon their hoped for return to power.

The label may be different but it is the same old formula.

The (ample)rich get (ample) richer, however Somchai and Porntip from the streets will end up living on the streets.

[animatic]

^ and the weather

Oh but isn't the air force preparing to make storms over the reds heads?

That's the latest bit of reddened paranoia that I heard...

[brahmburgers]

We should of course remember the demonstration that Thaksin ordered a while back when he called on all his supporters to send their wives and children along to support him whilst he still was in power.

The tactical (or tactless) next move made was that Thaksin sent his wife and his children to Hong Kong and elsewhere out of the way. Stand up for me and I will shout from the outside of the arena.

Indeed wonderful principles.

All these protesters are but cannon fodder in the campaign to protect Thaksin and his cronies avowed aim to pillage Thailand for as much as they can in their never ending campaign to line their own pockets upon their hoped for return to power.

The label may be different but it is the same old formula.

The (ample)rich get (ample) richer, however Somchai and Porntip from the streets will end up living on the streets.

Good post. Right on the mark.

[lucjoker]

The rich try to steel where they can,even from themselves.

if it comes to a clash of powers,Both rich-clans look for poor people

to fight for them.Since the poor are kept stupid,it's easy to make the kill

for you,give them a few bath and a lot of promisses and they will do

wahtever you want !

This is the way EVERY war was and is and will be fought !

Quiete simple !

[lucjoker]

Epilogue: when the battle is over,neither the winner nor the loser

wants to loose face ! So they have to look for a scapegoat ,a thirt party

to blame !

Guess who will be the thirt party ?!

The ones who bring in the bad influence,the guys who steel their nice daughters,

who live in the nice houses,who dont ever work ,pays for cars cash ,calls them stupid,

.................Yes ,"they" will pay for it .

Be prepared.

[stkyricesf]

If the march is peaceful, at least think of the possibilities for the economy for Bangkok.

Street vendors should make a killing.

[Donnyboy]

The rich try to steel where they can,even from themselves.

if it comes to a clash of powers,Both rich-clans look for poor people

to fight for them.Since the poor are kept stupid,it's easy to make the kill

for you,give them a few bath and a lot of promisses and they will do

wahtever you want !

This is the way EVERY war was and is and will be fought !

Quiete simple !

nice try but no

King Harold 1066 @ Hastings

Richard III @ Bosworth

and probably countless others from Europe and Asia( King Naresuan) I dont think they were poor

[lucjoker]

The rich try to steel where they can,even from themselves.

if it comes to a clash of powers,Both rich-clans look for poor people

to fight for them.Since the poor are kept stupid,it's easy to make theM kill

for you,give them a few bath and a lot of promisses and they will do

wahtever you want !

This is the way EVERY war was and is and will be fought !

Quiete simple !

nice try but no

King Harold 1066 @ Hastings

Richard III @ Bosworth

and probably countless others from Europe and Asia( King Naresuan) I dont think they were poor

Did i say The rich are poor?

Did i say the winner is poor?The poor NEVER win,there is always some rich guy behind the curtain !Who will

collect the profit,the poor can get a free tombstone ,if they are lucky !

Only those who risk their lives are poor (in money and brains)

The rich knights are well protected and the first to flee.(unless their ego made them stupid and die for it)