Red Shirts To Rally At Bangkok Bank's Headquarters Friday

[Insight]

2Bangkok.com has an update with some interesting photos. It does look a bit sparse.

"Truth Today"

[bkkjames]

From the book The Art of War and Peace - "He who hath the high ground is better positioned to win a battle of spits bombs, garbage grenades and feces firecrackers."

Faeces firecrackers.

Ah yes, where would we be without a few nice little parcels of faeces.

Add the firecrackers. Hmmmm.

This is a real book or just one that you made up? It sounds awesome.

Steve - it's a book I am writing for my 9 month old son - complete with crayons and pop up characters.

[bkkjames]

The Nation just said that Bangkok Bank HQ has suspended all services....

Friday at 3:30pm, sounds about normal.

[webfact]

UPDATE

Thaksin protesters shut down Thailand's largest bank

BANGKOK: -- (AFP) - Thousands of protesters forced Thailand's biggest bank to close its headquarters Friday, raising tensions one week before a court ruling on the fortune of ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Bangkok Bank shut its head office for the day and sent 3,000 staff home because of the rally by Thaksin's supporters, who say the bank has ties to a royal aide whom they blame for the 2006 coup that toppled their idol.

Police said around 1,500 demonstrators had gathered in Bangkok's Silom business district. The protest movement, known as the Red Shirts because of their signature clothing, said 10,000 attended.

"Bangkok Bank is a capitalist institution which has destroyed our democracy," Red Shirt speaker Worawuth Wichaidit told the assembled crowd from a stage.

The Red Shirts said former prime minister Prem Tinsulanonda, who is now the chief adviser to Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, used to be Bangkok Bank's chief adviser and continues to have ties to it.

They accuse Prem of masterminding the September 2006 putsch. Telecoms tycoon Thaksin is now living abroad to avoid a two-year jail term imposed in absentia in 2008 for corruption relating to a land deal.

"Prem is the one who has caused our country to collapse," Worawuth added.

Thailand's Supreme Court is due to rule on February 26 on whether the 2.2-billion-dollar fortune of Thaksin, frozen in the months after the coup, can be seized by the authorities.

The government has deployed 20,000 extra security forces around the country ahead of the verdict in case protests turn violent. Last weekend a bomb was defused a bomb near the court while a grenade exploded near government offices.

The Red Shirts have said they plan to hold further rallies against the government of current Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Riots by the movement in April last year left two people dead.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-02-19

Published with written approval from AFP.

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[jdinasia]

UPDATE

Thaksin protesters shut down Thailand's largest bank

BANGKOK: -- (AFP) - Thousands of protesters forced Thailand's biggest bank to close its headquarters Friday, raising tensions one week before a court ruling on the fortune of ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Bangkok Bank shut its head office for the day and sent 3,000 staff home because of the rally by Thaksin's supporters, who say the bank has ties to a royal aide whom they blame for the 2006 coup that toppled their idol.

Police said around 1,500 demonstrators had gathered in Bangkok's Silom business district. The protest movement, known as the Red Shirts because of their signature clothing, said 10,000 attended.

"Bangkok Bank is a capitalist institution which has destroyed our democracy," Red Shirt speaker Worawuth Wichaidit told the assembled crowd from a stage.

The Red Shirts said former prime minister Prem Tinsulanonda, who is now the chief adviser to Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, used to be Bangkok Bank's chief adviser and continues to have ties to it.

They accuse Prem of masterminding the September 2006 putsch. Telecoms tycoon Thaksin is now living abroad to avoid a two-year jail term imposed in absentia in 2008 for corruption relating to a land deal.

"Prem is the one who has caused our country to collapse," Worawuth added.

Thailand's Supreme Court is due to rule on February 26 on whether the 2.2-billion-dollar fortune of Thaksin, frozen in the months after the coup, can be seized by the authorities.

The government has deployed 20,000 extra security forces around the country ahead of the verdict in case protests turn violent. Last weekend a bomb was defused a bomb near the court while a grenade exploded near government offices.

The Red Shirts have said they plan to hold further rallies against the government of current Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Riots by the movement in April last year left two people dead.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-02-19

Published with written approval from AFP.

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

These public statements against Prem are certainly putting the Reds on some shaky ground!

[RegularReader]

UPDATE

Thaksin protesters shut down Thailand's largest bank

BANGKOK: -- (AFP) - Thousands of protesters forced Thailand's biggest bank to close its headquarters Friday, raising tensions one week before a court ruling on the fortune of ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Bangkok Bank shut its head office for the day and sent 3,000 staff home because of the rally by Thaksin's supporters, who say the bank has ties to a royal aide whom they blame for the 2006 coup that toppled their idol.

Police said around 1,500 demonstrators had gathered in Bangkok's Silom business district. The protest movement, known as the Red Shirts because of their signature clothing, said 10,000 attended.

"Bangkok Bank is a capitalist institution which has destroyed our democracy," Red Shirt speaker Worawuth Wichaidit told the assembled crowd from a stage.

The Red Shirts said former prime minister Prem Tinsulanonda, who is now the chief adviser to Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, used to be Bangkok Bank's chief adviser and continues to have ties to it.

They accuse Prem of masterminding the September 2006 putsch. Telecoms tycoon Thaksin is now living abroad to avoid a two-year jail term imposed in absentia in 2008 for corruption relating to a land deal.

"Prem is the one who has caused our country to collapse," Worawuth added.

Thailand's Supreme Court is due to rule on February 26 on whether the 2.2-billion-dollar fortune of Thaksin, frozen in the months after the coup, can be seized by the authorities.

The government has deployed 20,000 extra security forces around the country ahead of the verdict in case protests turn violent. Last weekend a bomb was defused a bomb near the court while a grenade exploded near government offices.

The Red Shirts have said they plan to hold further rallies against the government of current Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Riots by the movement in April last year left two people dead.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-02-19

Published with written approval from AFP.

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

These public statements against Prem are certainly putting the Reds on some shaky ground!

I think they are made "under instruction", more than from any real "belief.

[Insight]

Well that AFP article will do wonders for their international credibility.

"Bangkok Bank is a capitalist institution which has destroyed our democracy," Red Shirt speaker Worawuth Wichaidit told the assembled crowd from a stage.

What on earth do they teach people in these red shirt schools!?! (Thanks to WEARTH we already have some indication)

[webfact]

UPDATE

PRO-THAKSIN PROTEST

Gen Prem causes Thailand to collapse : red shirts

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok Bank's headquarters on Silom Road suspended services at noon for safety reasons on Friday after red shirted protesters started their rally in front of the building.

The bank shut its head office for the day and sent 3,000 staff home before noon.

The rally was held a week before the Supreme Court delivers a verdict on whether to seize the Bt76-billion-assets of fugitive ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra.

Police halted traffic near the bank's headquarters at about 10.40am as about 300 protesters started a noisy rally and their leaders took to the stage to criticise Privy Councillor Chief Gen Prem Tinsulanond and his alleged connections with the bank's executives.

Speaking via a megaphone, a red shirt leader said that Bangkok Bank is a capitalist institution which has destroyed the country's democracy.

He also claimed that Prem used to be Bangkok Bank's chief adviser and continues to have ties to it. "Prem is the one who has caused our country to collapse," he said.

Security around the bank was tightened before the rally, with some 800 soldiers and police deployed. Barricades were put up in the morning. Before services were suspended, customers were asked to enter the bank by a side gate.

Security guards screened customers to make sure that they really were clients. The bank's automatic machines were also suspended.

-- The Nation 2010-02-19

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[hammered]

Well that AFP article will do wonders for their international credibility.

"Bangkok Bank is a capitalist institution which has destroyed our democracy," Red Shirt speaker Worawuth Wichaidit told the assembled crowd from a stage.

What on earth do they teach people in these red shirt schools!?! (Thanks to WEARTH we already have some indication)

That is fairly amusing especially if you consider the family name of the person who spoke it.

Most analysis including socialist analysis equates capitalism and democracy together.

[bkkjames]

Well that AFP article will do wonders for their international credibility.

"Bangkok Bank is a capitalist institution which has destroyed our democracy," Red Shirt speaker Worawuth Wichaidit told the assembled crowd from a stage.

What on earth do they teach people in these red shirt schools!?! (Thanks to WEARTH we already have some indication)

That is fairly amusing especially if you consider the family name of the person who spoke it.

Most analysis including socialist analysis equates capitalism and democracy together.

yes especially in China and Singapore.

[hammered]

Well that AFP article will do wonders for their international credibility.

"Bangkok Bank is a capitalist institution which has destroyed our democracy," Red Shirt speaker Worawuth Wichaidit told the assembled crowd from a stage.

What on earth do they teach people in these red shirt schools!?! (Thanks to WEARTH we already have some indication)

That is fairly amusing especially if you consider the family name of the person who spoke it.

Most analysis including socialist analysis equates capitalism and democracy together.

yes especially in China and Singapore.

I did say most;)

[steveromagnino]

"Bangkok Bank is a capitalist institution which has destroyed our democracy," Red Shirt speaker Worawuth Wichaidit told the assembled crowd from a stage. "Prem is the one who has caused our country to collapse," he said.

Big call to suggest the country has collapsed....when we are actually financially performing about the same and certainly no worse than most of our peers at the moment.

Edited February 19, 2010 by steveromagnino

[hammered]

"Bangkok Bank is a capitalist institution which has destroyed our democracy," Red Shirt speaker Worawuth Wichaidit told the assembled crowd from a stage. "Prem is the one who has caused our country to collapse," he said.

Big call to suggest the country has collapsed....when we are actually financially performing about the same and certainly no worse than most of our peers at the moment.

I think th ecollapse is still easy to sell upcountry where drought and bad crops have caused problems. Although the government have introduced shcemes it will take time to filter through as will the now demand for workers in say the Eastern seaboard where enough workers cant be found as before after losing OT many returned to the provinces and as yet havent returned. In many ways time or longetivity of the government is crucial to all sides as a recovery is well on the way but not filtered through to the bottom yet. Apart from the PTP and Democrats there may also be a few army officers who fancy taking the credit when it does hit home, so some competiton for being in power in the next year or so.

[h90]

2Bangkok.com tells that there were most probably less than 1000 people.

Someone seen it? It seems it was pretty small, or?

[Cayenne]

Police said around 1,500 demonstrators had gathered in Bangkok's Silom business district. The protest movement, known as the Red Shirts because of their signature clothing, said 10,000 attended.

I went there at 5pm. No way can there be 10,000 people. They just had enough people to cover one side of the street on BBL side. Probably 1000 people max and even then the numbers were getting smaller. Typical of them to inflate their numbers.

Edited February 19, 2010 by Cayenne

[TAWP]

Well that AFP article will do wonders for their international credibility.

"Bangkok Bank is a capitalist institution which has destroyed our democracy," Red Shirt speaker Worawuth Wichaidit told the assembled crowd from a stage.

What on earth do they teach people in these red shirt schools!?! (Thanks to WEARTH we already have some indication)

The color of red has a reason...

[webfact]

UPDATE

Red Shirt protest forces early business closure in Bangkok's busiest district

BANGKOK: -- (TNA) - Thailand's largest commercial bank Bangkok Bank, was forced to close its headquarters in the capital's Silom business district earlier than usual on Friday, along with nearby business offices as anti-government protesters led by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) rallied against some bank executives' ties with Privy Council president Gen Prem Tinsulanonda.

Bangkok Bank's executives earlier had decided to open the bank headquarters one hour earlier than normal, at 7.30am rather than 8.30 am to facilitate bank clients, but they later decided to close the bank altogether at noon out of concern for the safety of their clients and bank employees.

Other office buildings in Silom Road reportedly closed earlier than usual Friday, while premier girl's school Saint Joseph Convent closed for the safety of its students.

Saladaeng and Narathiwas intersections on Silom Road were also closed, paralysing traffic in the area. Commuters were advised to use the underground and elevated mass transit systems for their convenience.

UDD leader Nattawut Saikua questioned the tax payment of Privy Council president Gen Prem Tinsulanonda, saying that the movement will protest near his home in Bangkok's Bang Khen district next week. The Red Shirt leader has accused the Privy ouncil head of suspicious transfers of house documents to conceal the property's real owner.

The Red Shirt leaders also accused Gen Prem of unfairly favouring a group of businesspersons investing in a golf resort in forest reserve land of the eastern province of Chanthaburi.

Another key Red Shirt leader, Jatuporn Prompan, told reporters that the group will not rally before the February 26 court verdict on the frozen assets case of ousted convicted ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, as it does not want to become target of the government.

The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions is scheduled to rule whether or not to seize the Bt76 billion frozen assets of convicted former prime minister on February 26.

Mr Jatuporn however announced that a mass rally will be held after the court decision, but before the no-confidence debate which will be initiated by the opposition Puea Thai party soon.

Mr Nattawut said some Thaksin lovers may turn up at the Supreme Court to express their love and support for the ousted premier. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-02-19

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[junkofdavid2]

...the yellow shirts. (They've been strangely quiet lately).

Maybe they don't have 'the numbers' compared to the Red Shirts? And would 'lose face' if they tried to group en masse?

[RegularReader]

...the yellow shirts. (They've been strangely quiet lately).

Maybe they don't have 'the numbers' compared to the Red Shirts? And would 'lose face' if they tried to group en masse?

More to the point they have lost their relevance in the game and their importance to their patrons.

Further the main players have moved on - whereas the reds are stuck with Thaksin, Jakropob, Jaturporn, Arisaman and the wild cards Panlop and Se Deang on the sides.

[h90]

...the yellow shirts. (They've been strangely quiet lately).

Maybe they don't have 'the numbers' compared to the Red Shirts? And would 'lose face' if they tried to group en masse?

Well, the red brought less than 1000.....

If I demonstrate against Japan slaughter Wales I get more people....

[bigtime]

...the yellow shirts. (They've been strangely quiet lately).

Maybe they don't have 'the numbers' compared to the Red Shirts? And would 'lose face' if they tried to group en masse?

Well, the red brought less than 1000.....

If I demonstrate against Japan slaughter Wales I get more people....

now you leave the Welsh out of this! lol

[onnut]

It was a very small turn out in Silom, a big huu haa over nothing. I reckon next week will be different though!

[shawndoc]

...the yellow shirts. (They've been strangely quiet lately).

Maybe they don't have 'the numbers' compared to the Red Shirts? And would 'lose face' if they tried to group en masse?

The yellow shirts were largely protesting that the PM(s) had strong ties to Thaksin and was essentially a puppet. Now that the current PM has no ties to Thaksin, there's no real strong motivator for them to protest.

So as those close to Thaksin lost power, the yellow shirts began to fade away, and the red shirts have grown seeking the return of that power. Now that it is becoming less likely that Thaksin will be able to return to power any time soon, even the reds appear to be on the wane. They used to be able to fill a stadium on short notice, yet today could only manage to conjure up 1,500. They've also been making all sorts of crazy statements, which to me smacks of desperation and a desperate attempt to try and stir up their former supporters.

[webfact]

RED SHIRTS RALLY

Protest forces Bangkok Bank to shut HQ

By PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK

THE NATION

Published on February 20, 2010

BANGKOK: -- Violence was lurking just beneath the surface at yesterday's red-shirt rally by the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD) in front of Bangkok Bank's headquarters on Silom Road.

Shortly after 2pm, a group of 100 red shirts and security personnel ran towards the Silom-Narathiwat intersection, apparently chasing some people.

Some onlookers said a yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) member attacked a red car and ran away.

Another said a group of PAD supporters attacked a red-shirted man. But nobody, police included, seemed to know for certain.

The anger and hatred for the PAD and the old elite was very visible.

One man, wearing a red necktie abusively ranted against the yellow shirts and Privy Council president General Prem Tinsulanonda, with words too rude to be published. By the same token, the PAD also cannot stand the red shirts.

A columnist at ASTV-Manager Daily newspaper, under the pen-name "krong leb", wrote in yesterday's edition that people in the Silom area and elsewhere should chase away the red-shirt demonstrators with water.

"May I advise [readers] to use peaceful methods. Those in high-rise buildings or on pedestrian bridges should simply splash water on those who are causing trouble to the nation without having to curse them."

Water, by the way, is often used by Thais to splash against felines or canines caught in a vicious fight.

Bangkok Bank was targeted by the protesters yesterday for its supposed link with Prem, against whom the red shirts have a major grouse. Prem is honorary chairman of the advisory board of this old and influential bank.

Red-shirt leader Weng Tojirakarn told the 2,000 or so red-shirt demonstrators in front of the bank yesterday afternoon that Prem, being the chief adviser of HM the King, should resign from all posts in various companies such as the bank and the CP group.

He said these are profit-maximising corporations that looked after their own good and ran counter to the spirit of the privy council.

"All they do is profit maximisation and how can you just sit there?" Weng told the crowd through the loudspeaker.

Senior Bangkok Bank executives have also been accused of encroaching on forest-reserve land in Khao Soi Dao forest in Chanthaburi province that is now a golf course.

Even magazines like Thailand Tatler flaunt the special relationship between Prem and the bank's owner.

In its latest list of 500 famous hi-so people, Prem is listed as enjoying "the backing of his friends, including [bangkok Bank] banker Chatri Sophonpanich".

The bank, along with at least three other banks in the Silom Road strip from Soi Convent to the Narathiwat-Silom intersection were shut along with other businesses.

However, one Bangkok Bank staffer, by the name of Vorajit, did not appear disturbed by the rally.

He stood in front of the main entrance to the bank, heavily guarded by police officers and security guards, to chat with his colleagues while observing the protest.

"They don't really threaten us. They're just on stage," Vorajit said. "I'm not afraid. They're not really pressuring us. It's more like a show of force for them."

With nearly 3,000 demonstrators gathering by late afternoon, the show of force was not that impressive, but the hatred and risk of violence is there, lurking just beneath the surface as the crowd and its leaders gear up towards Thaksin Shinawatra's judgement day next Friday.

Meanwhile, Santi Vilassakdanont, president of the Federation of Thai Industries, said he did not expect the red shirts' rally outside the bank's head office to turn violent. He viewed peaceful street protests as an indicator of Thailand's democratic progress.

Thira Abhaiwongse, vice president of Bangkok Bank, insisted that the bank's management had no connections with the Khao Soi Dao golf course in Chanthaburi as alleged by the red shirts.

-- The Nation 2010-02-20

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[hammered]

The accusation of profit maximisation thrown at Bangkok Bank can equally be thrown at any of the businesses that support the red side too. Capitalist enterprises tend to do this. Things at the moment seem bogged down with little dynamism or forward momentum on any side. Prem and companies we dont like approach is at least a year old.

Who knows if there really is violence lurking below the surface or not. The big rally after Feb 26 announced yesterday but without date will be more interesting.

[thaiedward]

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 hope we're not the only folk to know this.

[animatic]

Righty O,

so they think their puyai boss Thaksin wasn't

trying to maximize profits at ALL his companies? HA!

Yes this 'red' is there for a reason; get the poor to believe someone is against them actively.

While trying to generate numbers for their rallies... not working it seems.

And then they the purposely paper over Thaksins faults, while trying to shift the argument

to others using a socialist model gambit. Hypocracies of the highest water.

[scorecard]

Righty O,

so they think their puyai boss Thaksin wasn't

trying to maximize profits at ALL his companies? HA!

Yes this 'red' is there for a reason; get the poor to believe someone is against them actively.

While trying to generate numbers for their rallies... not working it seems.

And then they the purposely paper over Thaksins faults, while trying to shift the argument

to others using a socialist model gambit. Hypocracies of the highest water.

And another example of the reds' own double standards.

Has anybody seen a date for the red rally at the alpine golf course?

[Thai at Heart]

Is an interesting question though as to whether members of the Privy Council should sit on the boards of companies?

[NativeBob]

...However, one Bangkok Bank staffer, by the name of Vorajit, did not appear disturbed by the rally.

He stood in front of the main entrance to the bank, heavily guarded by police officers and security guards, to chat with his colleagues while observing the protest.

"They don't really threaten us. They're just on stage," Vorajit said. "I'm not afraid. They're not really pressuring us. It's more like a show of force for them."

Who wrote this ****?  

"...But there was one brave janitor named Somboon Monghol-ogly, he stood with his eyes open, mouthfull of sticky rice and clean hands wide open. He spoke with our correspondent about recent developments at golf courts, money and property transactions and hi-so parties with top17 officials" 

"The Nation" obviously looses good style.

PS There are few army trucks behind massage parlors near MenJay junction. With armed personnel. Thu Feb 24,2010

Edited February 25, 2010 by NativeBob