20,000 Monks Tipped To Join Red-shirt Rally On March 12

[fatfather]

Maybe the background is that it makes sense to puff up this story. Make all the people believe that monks support the riot, 20.000 or more, let everybody fear that one million will be on the road and and and..... But in a few days you'll know that there was nothing, or nothing close to what was anticipated. The Reds will be seen as a blunt sword, politically outed. I think it's a good tactics, let's wait what will happen...

At moment it's all speculation and chain rattling.

[jamesjdaly]

Set yourselves on fire!

[JackSterling]

I just will stay at home and water my 20 new bamboo trees in my garden. I will make sure all the dogs get fed and also well watered.. The off to the market to buy some food and back home to watch a few DVD's.. I will be checking in here too see what excitement is is going down.. Thank you George and everyone for a really great place to vent and discover... Thai Visa..

[SeanMoran]

"By the way, the OP speaks of them being concerned at "Imbalance". Had anyone spotted that if you mix red and yellow you get ORANGE! Perhaps the monks have excellent balance after all!"

I think in Thailand if you mix red and yellow you end up with a disaster!

Disaster, Yes! We tried it a year ago at http://orangecafe.comli.com/ and it wasn't long before it ended in disaster, but you can see the remnants of what was once a peaceful and sensible concept if you look at the waste that the whole orange concept ended up as without the acknowledgement of the Temple. It is only with the true support of the Temple that anything will succeed here from now on. Even the riches of Thaksin couldn't do it alone.

[fredcyber]

What is undeniable is that there are huge imbalances in Thai society and whether it is this time or another time there will be civil war unless something is done to address the real underlying issues.

At the moment I see nothing other than a determination by those in power to maintain the status quo.

In the long run this is not a viable strategy.

[Grey11]

Update:

PM Abhisit said Saturday that potentially terrorist attacks or sabotage aimed at creating unrest are not unrealistic.

That is exactly what the Thaksin Reds want - the army to engage them by shooting or clubbing a few of them - in order to overthrow the government and get their man Thaksin back in Power. The Reds will push as much as they can to make themselves look like victims when they in fact instigated the violence. The monks - always seen by me as a symbol of peace - joining these mobs of Reds really is disappointing. They are joining a mob that wants warfare. As long as Thaksin is alive, Thailand cannot rest in peace nor will other countries have enough faith in any government to locate industries in Thailand. The poor (Reds) are only hurting themselves. Sadly, I don't think the vast majority of them have enough education to know what they are doing - especially taking up with a traitor (Thaksin) who has joined the thuggish Cambodian government.

[neverdie]

I actually posted before and said these reports just sound like more 'Media Propagander' but my post doesnt seem to have stuck....my fat fingers again.

[RegularReader]

What is undeniable is that there are huge imbalances in Thai society and whether it is this time or another time there will be civil war unless something is done to address the real underlying issues.

At the moment I see nothing other than a determination by those in power to maintain the status quo.

In the long run this is not a viable strategy.

...and the other side : little more than a strategy to get back one man's money and power.

I would say the imbalance on the red side could be overwhelming in causing its own demise.

Get rid of him and maybe there's a chance they can legitimately propagate a new "status quo"... as you call it

Edited March 6, 2010 by RegularReader

[angiud]

You can't buy monks. That's a major part of the difference in this.

:D

[SeanMoran]

What is undeniable is that there are huge imbalances in Thai society and whether it is this time or another time there will be civil war unless something is done to address the real underlying issues.

At the moment I see nothing other than a determination by those in power to maintain the status quo.

In the long run this is not a viable strategy.

Separation of Church and State? No, it's rather the opposite here in this Kingdom.

[Thormaturge]

If Abhisit had any political sense he would call an election to give his government a mandate.

Of course he won't because he knows he would lose.

That is the underlying problem.

The government has no moral authority and the seizure of Thaksin's assets is perceived to be little more than theft by a very large number of people. I mean, millions of poor people were expecting Thaksin to use that money to buy their votes and now it has been taken from them!

[mca]

Its times like this we ask..

]What would Sifu Do ??

Shoot out the tyres on the protesters E-tans?

[Acharn]

Monks supporting the same movement that spawned Black Songkran. Its a pure propaganda farce. Shame!

Does it maybe suggest that you have a wrong idea about what happened in the "Black Songkran" incident? No, I forgot, it's impossible you could be misled.

[SeanMoran]

If Abhisit had any political sense he would call an election to give his government a mandate.

Of course he won't because he knows he would lose.

That is the underlying problem.

The government has no moral authority and the seizure of Thaksin's assets is perceived to be little more than theft by a very large number of people. I mean, millions of poor people were expecting Thaksin to use that money to buy their votes and now it has been taken from them!

This must be the objective of the UDD. An election where every Thai citizen of adult age can vote. If Thaksin does his two years honestly, then the outcome is incontravertable, but due to his procrastination in owning up to the bush justice that nobody finds all that palatable, it's really about an election for a government with a stand-in PM until Thaksin has shown that he has the balls to go with all the rhetoric, and then maybe Thailand can go on, but the PAD will not achieve anything in the way of demolcratic progress, and that's just the way it is. There is compromise for boith sides, and that is where it might be sensible at this time, so far from September 19m 2549 to listen to the saffron voice that can be read about and seen but not heard.

[mca]

You can't buy monks. That's a major part of the difference in this.

Actually Khon Kaen's Night Market has a promotion on at the moment that if you buy 2 Abbots they throw in a novice for free.

[markokang]

Nothing to see here. Move along.

HEY! LOOK! Free tourist visas!

Don't forget the free insurance:)

[Erich]

this doesn't sound like it's for real, since when do monks assist in disruptive behavior related to politics? I would think they would be completely detached from that kind of thing.

i'm a farang but I ask myselfe what have the monks to do with politiks ? Are this real monks or fake ones ???

[gemini81]

this doesn't sound like it's for real, since when do monks assist in disruptive behavior related to politics? I would think they would be completely detached from that kind of thing.

Not at all! Buddhist monks were at the front and centre of the pro-democracy rallies in Burma as well.

good point. think for example, the history of protests in Tibet...and some of their rather extreme demonstrations.

Wonder why they don't make some amendments when these "protests" here are always violent and come from groups whose threats and bribes have a reputation that precedes them. They have a long way to go to get everything stable. Coups and takeovers have to stop to have some sort of stability. Sheesh, just look at history and learn, or so you would think.

[RegularReader]

If Abhisit had any political sense he would call an election to give his government a mandate.

Of course he won't because he knows he would lose.

That is the underlying problem.

The government has no moral authority and the seizure of Thaksin's assets is perceived to be little more than theft by a very large number of people. I mean, millions of poor people were expecting Thaksin to use that money to buy their votes and now it has been taken from them!

It must be the heat that brings out the "wise words" to Abhisit - or is it that time of day when the PR Machine gets to work in Europe ?

I think Abhisit is showing rather astute political understanding.

He's not following the well trodden paths of former Thai PMs

And, it is this which is continually throwing Thaksin and the Reds off their plans.

They are in fact having to now second guess him - just like the red leaders have to second guess the Man from Dubai.

Edited March 6, 2010 by RegularReader

[Bottlerocket]

Update:

Security tightened at Bangkok's government offices ahead of planned mass rally

BANGKOK: -- Combined Thai army and police forces have tightened security at government offices in Bangkok ahead of a planned major demonstration by anti-government movement of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) next weekend in a bid to pressure the coalition government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to bring about massive political change.

Checkpoints have been set up in Bangkok round the clock while suspicious-looking vehicles were searched, particularly those passing Government House, Parliament, the Supreme Court, the horse racing stadium and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Assistant national police chief, Pol Lt-Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen, as Royal Thai Police spokesman, is to meet with police officials nationwide Sunday afternoon via video conference about the movements of the UDD protesters.

Meanwhile, Bangkok Metropolitan Police on Tuesday will announce traffic measures in effect during the demonstrations in the capital next weekend, when Red Shirt demonstrators say they will bring thousands of vehicles to block the roads.

Red Shirt UDD protesters nationwide will begin moving to Bangkok on March 12 and will gather at Sanam Luang on the morning of March 14. The movement leaders have said that one million protesters would join the protest in an attempt to bring about either the dissolution of parliament, or the departure of the Abhisit government as the political change the movement desires.

-- TNA 2010-03-06

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

I didn't realize you could buy Chang Beer t-shirts at government offices.

[RegularReader]

Update:

Security tightened at Bangkok's government offices ahead of planned mass rally

BANGKOK: -- Combined Thai army and police forces have tightened security at government offices in Bangkok ahead of a planned major demonstration by anti-government movement of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) next weekend in a bid to pressure the coalition government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to bring about massive political change.

Checkpoints have been set up in Bangkok round the clock while suspicious-looking vehicles were searched, particularly those passing Government House, Parliament, the Supreme Court, the horse racing stadium and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Assistant national police chief, Pol Lt-Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen, as Royal Thai Police spokesman, is to meet with police officials nationwide Sunday afternoon via video conference about the movements of the UDD protesters.

Meanwhile, Bangkok Metropolitan Police on Tuesday will announce traffic measures in effect during the demonstrations in the capital next weekend, when Red Shirt demonstrators say they will bring thousands of vehicles to block the roads.

Red Shirt UDD protesters nationwide will begin moving to Bangkok on March 12 and will gather at Sanam Luang on the morning of March 14. The movement leaders have said that one million protesters would join the protest in an attempt to bring about either the dissolution of parliament, or the departure of the Abhisit government as the political change the movement desires.

-- TNA 2010-03-06

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

I didn't realize you could buy Chang Beer t-shirts at government offices.

Well spotted "Baldrick"...

[RegularReader]

Update:

Security tightened at Bangkok's government offices ahead of planned mass rally

BANGKOK: -- Combined Thai army and police forces have tightened security at government offices in Bangkok ahead of a planned major demonstration by anti-government movement of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) next weekend in a bid to pressure the coalition government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to bring about massive political change.

Checkpoints have been set up in Bangkok round the clock while suspicious-looking vehicles were searched, particularly those passing Government House, Parliament, the Supreme Court, the horse racing stadium and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Assistant national police chief, Pol Lt-Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen, as Royal Thai Police spokesman, is to meet with police officials nationwide Sunday afternoon via video conference about the movements of the UDD protesters.

Meanwhile, Bangkok Metropolitan Police on Tuesday will announce traffic measures in effect during the demonstrations in the capital next weekend, when Red Shirt demonstrators say they will bring thousands of vehicles to block the roads.

Red Shirt UDD protesters nationwide will begin moving to Bangkok on March 12 and will gather at Sanam Luang on the morning of March 14. The movement leaders have said that one million protesters would join the protest in an attempt to bring about either the dissolution of parliament, or the departure of the Abhisit government as the political change the movement desires.

-- TNA 2010-03-06

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

I didn't realize you could buy Chang Beer t-shirts at government offices.

Well spotted "Baldrick"...is that because it's "beer o'clock" ?

[ThaksinKharma]

The numbers being thrown out for this upcoming wannabe national disruption is a small % of the total population of Thailand and the monk participation when compared to total is even less. Come, bleed or blister comes to mind as far as the red shirt innuendo/threats recently, and the answer will be apparent over the next few days.

guess its better not to underestimate the influence of the monks. Every THAI except maybe, the chinese-thai population is in one way or another connectet to the monks!

anyway, there are not many farangs which understand Thailand and its politcs, neither do I. There are things going on here WE NEVER understand 100%

I will not even place any bet that Abhisit is primeminister in a couple of month, there was a government change while another former pm was out

of town, who my fellow members saw that coming before?

For some reason, I have the words, "Abhisit, the tribe has spoken." running through my head.

Yes, in the last episode of the season, they say, "Abhisit, the tribe has spoken. You are the sole survivor."

People have been predicting his demise "this month" for the past 15 months.

Meanwhile, the economy improves and people tire more and more of the red mess.

[animatic]

Let's remember that most people become monks for a spell in Thailand.

It's a rite of passage for most men and many women like first sex with willing partner,

and your Army service. Just part of growing into adulthood here.

Many people take to the orange robe when they screw up so badly in life they MUST;

to make penance or merit, live down shame, or diminish risk of going to jail.

Politicians underlings and government dysfunctionaries do it regularly.

Monks come from all over the country, easy to find 20,000 monks with Issan roots,

who are temporarily in robes say 6 month stint, and came along to support the family cause.

Next point is many monk groups have 'secular patrons', of which Thaksin made a large point of being

for several influential temples or sects, build a temple and the head man speaks well of you,

like a Village headman, but ecclesiastical. And those groups are not so stupid as to wish the taps

to remain closed indefinitely. Monks maybe simple in daily needs,

but sects projects still call for long green cash to build with.

Last point is:

When have many monks NOT had a

" genuine feeling of unhappiness amongst the monks at the way things stand in Thailand..." ???

This is pretty much the normal state for monks.

All monks by their very nature pray for improvement in the peoples lives,

and deploy any bad conditions NOW, and not yesterday.

Since when does a violent lug, failed pop star, like Arisman speak for monks?

How many Monks support Arissman beating his Surat Thani PTP branch head for daring to ask

for promised reimbursement for elections funding denied after they didn't WIN BIG

in Sutheps own neighborhood.

Arissman is the new Jatuporn II...

a bile duct with legs and teeth parading as a leader.

Edited March 6, 2010 by animatic

[nickynomatesbkk]

Any monks involved will be a concern for the government and will hike up to a new level.

I do know if any single monk is hurt pushed or compromised the weight of public support will shift dramatically.

The use of the word monk paints a picture of respect.

Not all monks in saffron robes are real these days.

What will happen will happen.

[SeanMoran]

The numbers being thrown out for this upcoming wannabe national disruption is a small % of the total population of Thailand and the monk participation when compared to total is even less. Come, bleed or blister comes to mind as far as the red shirt innuendo/threats recently, and the answer will be apparent over the next few days.

guess its better not to underestimate the influence of the monks. Every THAI except maybe, the chinese-thai population is in one way or another connectet to the monks!

anyway, there are not many farangs which understand Thailand and its politcs, neither do I. There are things going on here WE NEVER understand 100%

I will not even place any bet that Abhisit is primeminister in a couple of month, there was a government change while another former pm was out

of town, who my fellow members saw that coming before?

For some reason, I have the words, "Abhisit, the tribe has spoken." running through my head.

Yes, in the last episode of the season, they say, "Abhisit, the tribe has spoken. You are the sole survivor."

People have been predicting his demise "this month" for the past 15 months.

Meanwhile, the economy improves and people tire more and more of the red mess.

Dead men tell no tales.

Are you pleased that the AUD which was buying 22 THB 15 months ago now buys 29?

I'm not sure what you mean by "economy improving". Improving for whom?

[SiriusBlack1]

And so it begins -- again.

Good luck to the Red Shirts.

Would elaborate if I could.

[ballpoint]

Any monks involved will be a concern for the government and will hike up to a new level.

I do know if any single monk is hurt pushed or compromised the weight of public support will shift dramatically.

The use of the word monk paints a picture of respect.

Not all monks in saffron robes are real these days.

What will happen will happen.

Alternately, the first footage of a monk hurling a molotov cocktail, or a paving stone, at police, or even just standing beside red shirts doing so and doing nothing to stop it, will do damage to the sangkha. Any abbot allowing his monks to do anything other than peaceful protest well behind the front lines will be guilty of serious misjudgement. Of course, they may just all sit together somewhere and chant, or more likely, bugger off to Panthip Plaza for a bit of shopping.

[animatic]

Update:

Security tightened at Bangkok's government offices ahead of planned mass rally

BANGKOK: -- Combined Thai army and police forces have tightened security at government offices in Bangkok ahead of a planned major demonstration by anti-government movement of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) next weekend in a bid to pressure the coalition government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to bring about massive political change.

Checkpoints have been set up in Bangkok round the clock while suspicious-looking vehicles were searched, particularly those passing Government House, Parliament, the Supreme Court, the horse racing stadium and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Assistant national police chief, Pol Lt-Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen, as Royal Thai Police spokesman, is to meet with police officials nationwide Sunday afternoon via video conference about the movements of the UDD protesters.

Meanwhile, Bangkok Metropolitan Police on Tuesday will announce traffic measures in effect during the demonstrations in the capital next weekend, when Red Shirt demonstrators say they will bring thousands of vehicles to block the roads.

Red Shirt UDD protesters nationwide will begin moving to Bangkok on March 12 and will gather at Sanam Luang on the morning of March 14. The movement leaders have said that one million protesters would join the protest in an attempt to bring about either the dissolution of parliament, or the departure of the Abhisit government as the political change the movement desires.

-- TNA 2010-03-06

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

I didn't realize you could buy Chang Beer t-shirts at government offices.

Well spotted "Baldrick"...is that because it's "beer o'clock" ?

Clearly this was Sanam Luang, the Night bazaar, in that picture,

as mention in the OP, so they are doing and inspection of the rally site.

[ThaksinKharma]

Wat Thammakai is viewed with disfavour by many Thais. The previous abbot was famous for ordering 5 star breakfasts, the teachings advise that the more you give, the better the next life will be.

Sia Song, the notorious stock market investor is still a frequent visitor, perhaps advising on which stocks or property to buy.

The temple has long been associated with Thaksin, both are obsessed with money.

Thank you for that additional information, Siripon.

It certainly can account for their behavior...

5 star breakfasts, indeed.

Temple corruption.

Thaksin is making his kharma already worse than it is.