Red Shirts To Rally At Bangkok Bank's Headquarters Friday

[webfact]

Red shirts to rally at Bangkok Bank's headquarters Friday

BANGKOK: -- The red-shirt movement is planning to stage a rally outside Bangkok Bank's headquarter on Silom Road on Friday afternoon to to expose the bank's alleged close ties with Privy Council chief Gen Prem Tinsulanonda.

Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship core leader Nattawut Saikua said his group would link the close ties between Bangkok Bank board and Prem and the fact that the bank owns a land which is now a golf course at Khao Soi Dao, Chanthaburi province.

The red shirts would also unveiled an allegation that a privy councillor with initial "A" owns a land in a forest reserve in Loei's Dan Sai District.

Nattawut also said the DAAD would also file a complaint with the Revenue Department to check tax records of Prem and has vowed to reveal more evidence on the cheques paid by the 'Group of 11' to the privy council chief.

Nattawut said he had evidence that the Group of 11 especially Kalyani Panchet of MCC Sithipol Group has consistently paid a number of cheques to Prem. "If the money is paid for charity or donations, why does she have to pay it indirectly through Prem,'' he said.

He said Wat Suan Kaew abbot Phra Phayom did not give him the copies of the cheques and urged his opponents not to blame the abbot.

-- The Nation 2010-02-17

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[Thai at Heart]

Who is the "Group of 11"?

This soap opera is getting better and better. Compulsive viewing.

[ratcatcher]

Who is the "Group of 11"?

This soap opera is getting better and better. Compulsive viewing.

Next headline something like this;

"Red Shirts to rally at Alpine Golf Club on Klong 5 ,Klong Luang, Pathum Thani

to protest illegal ownership by Shinawatra family""Red shirts demand property be returned to the Wat."

Edited February 17, 2010 by ratcatcher

[webfact]

Red Shirts target Bangkok Bank for high impact Friday protest

BANGKOK: -- (TNA) - On the heels of a government denial of blocking anti-government demonstrators from moving to the capital, pivotal United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) leader Nattawut Saikua announced a high-profile move into Bangkok's central business district with a rally planned for Friday at Bangkok Bank's Silom Road headquarters.

In an apparent attempt to raise the political temperature, the Red Shirt leader said the protesters will disclose information claiming that Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda unfairly favoured a group of businesspersons investing in a golf resort in the eastern province of Chanthaburi.

Gen Prem is a former prime minister and is the highest profile direct target of the Red Shirt demonstrators.

Thailand's minister of natural resources and environment earlier Wednesday denied an accusation that he has signed an order mobilising and arming thousands of forest rangers nationwide to the capital in an attempt to prevent the anti-government Red Shirts from gathering in Bangkok.

Jatuporn Prompan, opposition Puea Thai Party MP and core leader of the Red-Shirt United Front for

Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), earilier claimed that he has evidence to prove that Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitthi signed an order to mobilise 6,000 forest rangers with firearms to the capital to block the Red Shirts coming to rally here.

However, Mr Suwit dismissed the accusation as totally unfounded.

"How could he claim that he has got the signed order since I've never signed such an order? I hate violence and neither want to see any confrontation nor violence," Mr Suwit stated, adding that he has instructed all civil servants to remain impartial.

Combined units of police and military as well as civil defence volunteers are now closely manning key areas and buildings across the capital in the run-up to the Supreme Court's February 26 ruling whether or not to seize the assets worth Bt76 billion of convicted forme prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. About 200 checkpoints have been set up in Bangkok and adjacent areas.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Trairong Suwannakhiri dismissed reports that the government has allocated special funds to deter the anti-government activities during the so-called "10 dangerous days" leading to the February 26 court ruling.

Mr Trairong said the government does not need any special budget allocation as it can handle the situation by managing its normal budget. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-02-17

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[Credo]

I think the Shinawatra family should be allowed to keep the Alpine Golf Club. It could be the most expensive piece of property in Thailand---it may cost him 76 billion baht.

If someone wants to protest there, it should be the yellow shirts. (They've been strangely quiet lately).

[somluck]

Red Shirts are going for the puppet master. Let's see how this will play out.

[frodo]

Who is the "Group of 11"?

This soap opera is getting better and better. Compulsive viewing.

Next headline something like this;

"Red Shirts to rally at Alpine Golf Club on Klong 5 ,Klong Luang, Pathum Thani

to protest illegal ownership by Shinawatra family""Red shirts demand property be returned to the Wat."

If that were to actually happen, I would say the UDD or whatever name the reds have chosen, are indeed fair and seeking an end to all of this. However, their absolute refusal to even acknowledge this speaks volumes, and it isn't about fairness, democracy or whatever brand of crap they're trying to sell. It's only about one man and his lust for greed and total control. Reds have lost the plot and have no legitimacy.

[jdinasia]

Red Shirts are going for the puppet master. Let's see how this will play out.

Who is "the puppet master"?

[Insight]

When the reds attempted to move on Sathorn during Songkran they were moved on AFAIR (isn't that the area features in that infamous YouTube clip?).

Earlier still, when Thaksin was still in Thailand I remember him and his family came under verbal attacks while attempting to make a family visit to a shopping mall in Silom, if I recall correctly.

Have a feeling there'll therefore be some heat surrounding this gathering. Fingers crossed is passes without any major incident.

[peacefulwarrior]

Naice move... If anything could come out of the red-bashing, it's them coming back at the others with the corruption they want to conceal. The Counter Corruption Division is obviously not getting in the way of the big fish. Love to see them throw heaps of shaissa at each other until the PEOPLE get it that neither side has 'sympathies' for the public. It is just bears fighting for the best spot close to the honey-pot.

Btw. when finally are the Democrats being chopped for the 236m they took as a bribe, excuse me, 'party contribution' from some petrochemical co. ?

Maybe there is hope for this country, if the yellow's and red's are fully defrauded there has to be another movement, maybe one that cares about Thailand and is not all show. Get me here, I'm not for Thaksin nor for the yellow army of slimers.

How about green shirts? Complete government transparency, social programs, welfare, ey? Anyone into utopia anymore? We could be the first in the G20 *g*

[scorecard]

Quote: "Nattawut said he had evidence that the Group of 11 especially Kalyani Panchet of MCC Sithipol Group has consistently paid a number of cheques to Prem. "If the money is paid for charity or donations, why does she have to pay it indirectly through Prem,'' he said."

Well really nice democratic principles, people cannot give donations in the way they want to, they must do so in accordance with what the red shirts want. Why does this mirror the thug antics/attitudes of the CM red shirts?

Besides it's already been stated, and evidence produced by the son of the donor lady, that the cheques were written to a temple foundation or similar, and Gen Prem's name was not on the cheques.

[givenall]

Who is the "Group of 11"?

This soap opera is getting better and better. Compulsive viewing.

Bangkok Bank must be the place they get their payroll

[Thaihog]

Why is 'The Nation' a so called English newspaper riddled with grammatical mistakes every day, they are a bl**dy joke...

Does nobody proof read these days......

[EyesWideOpen]

Red Shirts are going for the puppet master. Let's see how this will play out.

Who is "the puppet master"?

Prem.....

[h90]

Red Shirts are going for the puppet master. Let's see how this will play out.

Who is "the puppet master"?

Prem.....

Don't be childish, Prem is 90 years old. He is in good health but anyone who has a 90 year old grandpa know how active someone with 90 can be.

[WeeGB]

Red Shirts are going for the puppet master. Let's see how this will play out.

Who is "the puppet master"?

Gerry Anderson - the creator of Thunderbirds, Stingray, Fireball XL5, Supercar etc - compulsive viewing on my DVD player for some of my younger nephews.

[somluck]

Red Shirts are going for the puppet master. Let's see how this will play out.

Who is "the puppet master"?

Prem.....

Don't be childish, Prem is 90 years old. He is in good health but anyone who has a 90 year old grandpa know how active someone with 90 can be.

There are a few other asian politicians who like Prem refuses to die off and still pulling the strings behind the shadows.....maybe its the preverse will to hold on to power that is keeping them alive. Examples Harry Lee and Matthatiar

[Samuian]

Who is the "Group of 11"?

This soap opera is getting better and better. Compulsive viewing.

Well let them keep going, wonder how long it may take them to arrive at their very own doors and at their boss' HQ!

Let me guess.....

I love their sense of humor and justness!

"Well there is one accused of theft, how can he be accused? Look, many, many others do steal to! So what?"

Let's see, in this country this could go a long, long way....

Edited February 18, 2010 by Samuian

[hammered]

As long as they rally peacefully and dont start inciting things the reds, like any other group, should be allowed to hold the demo and say what they want to. If questions are raised than Im sure if there is no substance to them those accused will have no problem rebutting them, or if outrageous fibs then court action can be taken. If one group starts asking questions it may also encourage other groups to ask. It isnt like there arent skeletons on all sides. Exposing more of the dirt would be a positive thing

[seanocasey]

i refuse to comment but to say there is a reason it is staring every thai in the face. is it that we are all blind.

[Thai at Heart]

As long as they rally peacefully and dont start inciting things the reds, like any other group, should be allowed to hold the demo and say what they want to. If questions are raised than Im sure if there is no substance to them those accused will have no problem rebutting them, or if outrageous fibs then court action can be taken. If one group starts asking questions it may also encourage other groups to ask. It isnt like there arent skeletons on all sides. Exposing more of the dirt would be a positive thing

Have to agree with you there.

I always wondered about a political fight happening on the basis that one side was corrupt and disloyal, and the other clean and loyal.

The odds that you can find one truly clean politician or person of power anywhere in the world let alone Thailand are pretty slim. Add in bomb detectors, national parks, and political donations and you can see that most of them are treading water on the moral high ground.

[hammered]

As long as they rally peacefully and dont start inciting things the reds, like any other group, should be allowed to hold the demo and say what they want to. If questions are raised than Im sure if there is no substance to them those accused will have no problem rebutting them, or if outrageous fibs then court action can be taken. If one group starts asking questions it may also encourage other groups to ask. It isnt like there arent skeletons on all sides. Exposing more of the dirt would be a positive thing

Have to agree with you there.

I always wondered about a political fight happening on the basis that one side was corrupt and disloyal, and the other clean and loyal.

The odds that you can find one truly clean politician or person of power anywhere in the world let alone Thailand are pretty slim. Add in bomb detectors, national parks, and political donations and you can see that most of them are treading water on the moral high ground.

We seem to be agreeing on a few things today

[somluck]

As long as they rally peacefully and dont start inciting things the reds, like any other group, should be allowed to hold the demo and say what they want to. If questions are raised than Im sure if there is no substance to them those accused will have no problem rebutting them, or if outrageous fibs then court action can be taken. If one group starts asking questions it may also encourage other groups to ask. It isnt like there arent skeletons on all sides. Exposing more of the dirt would be a positive thing

Have to agree with you there.

I always wondered about a political fight happening on the basis that one side was corrupt and disloyal, and the other clean and loyal.

The odds that you can find one truly clean politician or person of power anywhere in the world let alone Thailand are pretty slim. Add in bomb detectors, national parks, and political donations and you can see that most of them are treading water on the moral high ground.

i am waiting to hear the skeletons that will be coming out, Thaksin might actually looked like a choirboy after more corruption revelations being dished out

[Thai at Heart]

As long as they rally peacefully and dont start inciting things the reds, like any other group, should be allowed to hold the demo and say what they want to. If questions are raised than Im sure if there is no substance to them those accused will have no problem rebutting them, or if outrageous fibs then court action can be taken. If one group starts asking questions it may also encourage other groups to ask. It isnt like there arent skeletons on all sides. Exposing more of the dirt would be a positive thing

Have to agree with you there.

I always wondered about a political fight happening on the basis that one side was corrupt and disloyal, and the other clean and loyal.

The odds that you can find one truly clean politician or person of power anywhere in the world let alone Thailand are pretty slim. Add in bomb detectors, national parks, and political donations and you can see that most of them are treading water on the moral high ground.

We seem to be agreeing on a few things today

The moment that they decided to expunge a person who was on paper so popular connected and so wealthy, I could see that the whole house of cards was going to come tumbling down. The connection between politics and business in power on ALL sides of the political spectrum makes them ALL open to accusation. He who casts the first stone and all that, but then again we aren't in a Christian society so I wouldn't expect people in Thailand to think it is relevant.

If the political system in the UK is what Thailand is based on, it largely works because everyone knows what their legal role, and position is built up over centuries of precendent. The MP's, the House of Lords, the Privy Council, the Monarchy, the judiciary, civil service and the Armed forces and the police, know what they can and cannot do. It isn't perfect, but people who appear to be out of line or working for their own benefit get caught and dealt with by the law. This is essentially impossible in Thailand if you are powerful enough. Unfortunately, Thaksin's power wasn't enough, so all he has to do is pull the rug back on the conduct of others.

Thailand's system is so convoluted through trying to keep all the major players happy, that parts of the system are obviously politicised and used for gain when they should not be. People want these jobs not to serve the country, but to exercise their power of the system and to have their palms greased whilst they selectively exercise their power.

[hammered]

As long as they rally peacefully and dont start inciting things the reds, like any other group, should be allowed to hold the demo and say what they want to. If questions are raised than Im sure if there is no substance to them those accused will have no problem rebutting them, or if outrageous fibs then court action can be taken. If one group starts asking questions it may also encourage other groups to ask. It isnt like there arent skeletons on all sides. Exposing more of the dirt would be a positive thing

Have to agree with you there.

I always wondered about a political fight happening on the basis that one side was corrupt and disloyal, and the other clean and loyal.

The odds that you can find one truly clean politician or person of power anywhere in the world let alone Thailand are pretty slim. Add in bomb detectors, national parks, and political donations and you can see that most of them are treading water on the moral high ground.

We seem to be agreeing on a few things today

The moment that they decided to expunge a person who was on paper so popular connected and so wealthy, I could see that the whole house of cards was going to come tumbling down. The connection between politics and business in power on ALL sides of the political spectrum makes them ALL open to accusation. He who casts the first stone and all that, but then again we aren't in a Christian society so I wouldn't expect people in Thailand to think it is relevant.

If the political system in the UK is what Thailand is based on, it largely works because everyone knows what their legal role, and position is built up over centuries of precendent. The MP's, the House of Lords, the Privy Council, the Monarchy, the judiciary, civil service and the Armed forces and the police, know what they can and cannot do. It isn't perfect, but people who appear to be out of line or working for their own benefit get caught and dealt with by the law. This is essentially impossible in Thailand if you are powerful enough. Unfortunately, Thaksin's power wasn't enough, so all he has to do is pull the rug back on the conduct of others.

Thailand's system is so convoluted through trying to keep all the major players happy, that parts of the system are obviously politicised and used for gain when they should not be. People want these jobs not to serve the country, but to exercise their power of the system and to have their palms greased whilst they selectively exercise their power.

Agree again on a lot of that. There was good reason why in past nobody ever sought revenge of any menaingful kind on political rivals. Whether there was intially a deliberate attempt to destroy Thaksin or whether he misread or ignored messages or whether he was worse or not than another can be debated to death (especially on TV), however it was inevitably going tohappen at some point with someone. As Thailand has developed there have just become too mnay people feeding at the trough and many new ones who didnt know the old rules and Thailand as you point out doesnt have the UK style new rules in place. Too many people each getting less of a share as the numbers wanting it multiplied and increasing numbers who werent brought up being versed in the old rules of the game.

And now the whole conflict has potentially led to a position where all whether old or new to the trough are probably going to have to share a lot more with absolutely everyone in the country whatever outcome there is, which is kind of ironic.

[webfact]

UPDATE

Bangkok Bank headquarter will open one hour earlier

Bangkok Bank is opening its headquarter on Silom Road one hour earlier tomorrow, following news reports that there will be a protest in front of the building during 12am to 6pm.

The head office will then operate from 7.30am3.30.

In a statement, the bank also advised clients and others to avoid coming to the head office, and instead go to nearby offices for banking services. All communications channels at the head office are opened and will be manned as usual.

-- The Nation 2010-02-18

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[webfact]

Over 300 policemen to be deployed to keep security in front of Bangkok Bank head office Friday

BANGKOK: -- The Metropolitan Police will deploy 150 local policemen and 150 command police to keep security in front of the Bangkok Bank head office Friday when red-shirt protesters rally there.

Pol Maj Gen Piya Uthayo, the spokesman of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said the 300 policemen would also be reinforced by some officers from the 3rd, 8th and 9th Metropolitan Police Divisions.

Piya said the bureau expected that some 1,000 to 2,000 protesters would turn up at 10 am and would disperse in the evening.

-- The Nation 2010-02-18

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[bkkjames]

Over 300 policemen to be deployed to keep security in front of Bangkok Bank head office Friday

BANGKOK: -- The Metropolitan Police will deploy 150 local policemen and 150 command police to keep security in front of the Bangkok Bank head office Friday when red-shirt protesters rally there.

Pol Maj Gen Piya Uthayo, the spokesman of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said the 300 policemen would also be reinforced by some officers from the 3rd, 8th and 9th Metropolitan Police Divisions.

Piya said the bureau expected that some 1,000 to 2,000 protesters would turn up at 10 am and would disperse in the evening.

-- The Nation 2010-02-18

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

and let me guess they (reds) will head over to the SG Embassy after the Bank just because its nearby?

[Publicus]

Show up at 10 to go home at 6? Sounds like a full day's pay.

What are they gonna do for eight hours, play checkers?

Sounds more like a travelling circus.

[webfact]

UPDATE

Hundreds of police being deployed for Red Shirt protest at Bangkok Bank HQ

BANGKOK: -- (TNA) - Bangkok Metropolitan Police will deploy 550 police officers to maintain order as the anti-government Red Shirts led by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) plan to rally at the Bangkok Bank headquarters in the capital's central business Silom Road Friday afternoon.

Metropolitan police spokesman Maj-Gen Piya Uthayo said police will control the crowd and record both video footage and still pictures of the demonstration as evidence, while police and bomb squad units will inspect the rally venue before the protest begins.

The UDD rally at Bangkok Bank is aimed at disclosing information claiming that Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda unfairly favoured a group of businesspersons investing in a golf resort in the eastern province of Chanthaburi.

Gen Piya said a reserve force of metropolitan police will reach the scene within an hour if any emergency happens, while officers will also observe the movement from nearby tall buildings.

The police spokesman warned that protesters violating the law will be arrested.

No so-called 'third party' interlopers who plan to create disturbances have been indicated in intelligence reports, Gen Piya said, adding that the metropolitan police commander also instructed officers stationed at checkpoints across the capital to focus on the search for firearms, bombs and drugs.

Bangkok Bank senior executive vice president Teera Apaiwong said Thursday that the bank headquarters will open one hour earlier than normal on Friday, starting from 7.30am to 3.30pm to facilitate bank clients.

Mr Teera advised clients to use other branches' services instead to avoid the rally.

The Red Shirts earlier announced rallies against the government throughout the month to raise the political temperature and show their contempt for the government's asset seizure case against fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Thursday said that he has instructed security personnel to rehearse their response in handling the Red Shirt protesters Saturday at the 11 Infantry Battalion (King's Guards) in the Bangkok suburbs.

Mr Suthep said that he has also ordered security-related agencies to tighten security at financial institutions and the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), while the newly-established panel to evaluate the situation during this period has assigned the foreign affairs ministry to explain the situation ahead of the court verdict on Bt76 billion in frozen assets of ousted premier Thaksin to other countries.

Meanwhile, key Red Shirt leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) Jatuporn Prompan reaffirmed Thursday that Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suwit Khunkitti ordered the mobilisation of thousands of rangers nationwide in a bid to prevent the Red Shirts supporters from gathering in Bangkok.

Although Mr Suwit earlier dismissed the accusation as totally unfounded, Mr Jatuporn said that the plot did exist, with 3,000 rangers assigned to block UDD protesters, while another 3,000 are said to be helping military personnel to control the situation.

When the plan was exposed, said Mr Jatuporn, Mr Suwit decided to reduce the number of rangers to 3,000 and take them to a seminar in Kanchanaburi province on February 24 instead.

Following an interview with Army Maj-Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol who said he will form a people's armed force and train them to use firearms to serve as guards of the Red Shirt protesters, Supreme Commander Gen Songkitti Jakkabatra reasserted Thursday that no one may set up such an armed force, except army and police.

Gen Songkitti asserted that the formation of the armed force is illegal and that legal action will be taken against those are involved with the matter. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-02-18

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