Bangkok Police Station Besieged By Red Shirt Protesters After Arrest Of YouTuber

[webfact]

Thai 'Red Shirts' protest arrest of YouTuber: police

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thailand's anti-government "Red Shirt" protesters besieged a Bangkok police station after the arrest of a man who posted a YouTube video warning of violence in the capital, police said Sunday.

Around 200 supporters of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra -- mainly taxi drivers -- gathered in their vehicles outside the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) late Saturday in protest at the arrest of Phornwat Thongthanaboon, a CSD spokesman said.

Thai media said an arrest warrant was issued for Phornwat on charges of attempting to cause unrest and panic after he appeared in a YouTube video predicting bombs and unrest after last month's verdict on Thaksin's fortune.

A court seized 1.4 billion dollars of the ousted premier's assets on February 26. The next day, four grenades were fired at branches of the biggest Thai bank, two of which detonated causing damage but no casualties.

The "Red Shirts" now say they expect hundreds of thousands of anti-government demonstrators to gather in the capital on March 14.

The movement's leaders insist the rallies will be peaceful, although Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told Thai radio Saturday that intelligence reports indicated the possibility of a sabotage during the protests.

Phornwat, known as K Thong, is a close associate of Major General Khattiya Sawasdipol, an outspoken Thaksin loyalist and suspended senior army officer, who was charged last month with illegal arms possession after he was suspected of being linked to an attack on the national army headquarters.

Phornwat was found hiding in the back of Khattiya's van in the CSD compound along with seven pistols, 47 cartridges and a knife, the Bangkok Post reported.

"K Thong and Khattiya are at the CSD now. The investigating team arrived this morning," the CSD spokesman said, although he would not confirm the reported details of the arrest.

He said Khattiya faces a further charge of hiding his associate K Thong, who appeared on Thai TV Sunday denying the allegations against him.

Bangkok police also said Sunday that they had arrested a 23-year-old student suspected of the bank grenade attacks, but would not give further information.

Supporters of Thaksin, who was deposed in a 2006 coup and now lives abroad to escape a jail term for corruption, are holding a series of meetings beginning Sunday to motivate protesters across the country.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-03-07

Published with written approval from AFP.

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[BigC]

why do they have to do via youtube. already had to do with nearly 1year without the website. for another problem. hope they don't blam the web site

[animatic]

As I noted last night Gen. K. seems to have the telephone for the Taxi dispatcher on autodial

and can create a scene on demand anywhere in Bangkok.

Now next week that could also be a diversion,

or a blockade, or and actual attack. On call.

Where he wants it when he wants it...

Any bets on the number of arms in those taxis that were

NOT directed to be brought out for display... yet?

Sea Dueng may prove to be quite brutal this week if things progress

as can be expected based on early movements and signs of red action.

Team Thaksins desperation is palpable.

Edited March 7, 2010 by animatic

[tominbkk]

I was nearly caught right in the middle of that mess last night. Bunch of savage taxi drivers waving sticks at cars to make a uturn, which we did quickly. A big ugly mess. What animatic says, look how easy it was for them to paralyze a major road, all with a call or two from that lunatic.

[webfact]

Thaksin supporter Khattiya, close aide, still detained

BANGKOK (TNA) -- Two anti-government activists remain in police detention despite their attempts to be freed on bail.

Maj-Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol, a staunch supporter of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and his close asssociate Pornwat Thongsomboon, alias 'K-Thong' are still detained, while documents will be submitted to seek bail from a court on Monday.

Gen Khattiya and seven associates, including Mr Pornwat, have been in police custody for about 24 hours since late Saturday on charges of illegal possession of weapons.

Suspended from duty for an indefinite period, the controversial special general also faces charges for sheltering an accused person and using falsified motor vehicle registration plates.

Mr Pornwat was charged with using electronic media to incite unrest and threatening public order after uploading a video clip on the YouTube.com website a week ago.

In the video, he 'predicted' bombings and chaos which might "soon take place" in Bangkok, and in fact such happenings did occur the following day when a series of bombing incidents happened at Bangkok Bank branches in the capital and Samut Prakan province.

As police refused to release him and his associates, Gen. Khattiya told journalists that he would seek bail from the Criminal Court on Monday.

Crime Suppression Division (CSD) police said the United Front (Red Shirt) protesters could rally at their headquarters in line with the Constitution -- refraining from using violence.

Some members of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) gathered at CSD headquarters to show their moral support for two suspects.

The police detained the suspects when they arrived at CSD in a van to ask police about legal and bail proceedings relating to Mr Pornwat's case.

The police searched the van and found Mr Pornwat inside.

Hundreds of UDD members protested outside the CSD Saturday night, demanding that Gen Khattiya. and Mr Pornwat be released. They dispersed without violence but said they would gather there again on Sunday. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-03-07

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[Jingthing]

The red shirts rush to organize to defend a Thaksinista terrorist provocateur. The red shirts showing their true colors, yet again. Anyone who seriously believes they aren't out for violence soon is clearly delusional and/or part of the red shirt propaganda machine. I really don't believe most Thai people are so stupid as to believe the red shirts are a non-violent peaceful movement which has little to do with Thaksin. We have posters here posting the UDD propaganda announcements that are so full of big lies they would make Goebbels blush.

Edited March 7, 2010 by Jingthing

[animatic]

so full of big lies they would make Goebbels blush.

:D

Hail, hail, the gangs all here,

just need ed, Kattiya to call them,

Kattiya to call them

Hail hail the gangs all here,

whatchya gonna do with them?

Edited March 7, 2010 by animatic

[hammered]

It is making the UDD look silly and linked to people who issue threats by picketing for the release of these two. They should distancve themselves. Already this week in Korat a rally had a disappointing turnout. It certainly isnt going to help things by showing closeness to people who do talk violence. Most people attending a rally will want to feel secure it is to be peaceful and putting doubts in their minds by high profile demos in support of those who talk about such things is going to be off putting

This all needs to be ramped down and not up right now.

[Siripon]

How can any red shirt, peaceful democracy lover defend the goons of Seh Daeng and his sidekick K Thong?

Don't they feel like cringing?

These two makes Chalerm look like Mahatma Gandhi!

[Jingthing]

I would respect them a little bit more if they were HONEST about their violent intentions. That way at least they wouldn't be lying and also those who don't wish to put their lives at risk who are actually fooled into believing this is a peaceful movement can make an informed decision to STAY AWAY from the upcoming events.

[gemini81]

the taxi drivers aren't even evolved enough to be operating automobiles. time for the current government to get a bit stricter with these guys in red

[geriatrickid]

I know that for some people, Bangkok is the center of the universe, but outside of Bangkok, no one really is aware of what is going on. What is happening in Bangkok is a problem for Bangkok. As such, I don't think people outside of the district really care.

I'm not dismissing the events or playing them down, just that I think most people are going on there merry ways since they are not involved norr inconvenienced. I was talking to my friend from Phuket today and he is no fan of the red shirts, but he was oblivious as to what was happening.

This event is serious by western standards and a cause for worry for some, but within the context of what passes for politics in Thailand, perhaps this is nothing to worry about. Not to be snotty, but my friend has a point. I' don't hang around Bangkok and whatever happens isn't really going to disrupt my day.

[siampolee]

I am in tune to geriatrickids thinking.

We seem as if we are actually talking ourselves into a crisis that in essence is not that big an issue, truth is that many people do not regard Thaksin in a too favourable light .

The same people also are aware that the majority of Thai politicians are shall we say '' motivated by personal issues and gains rather than a genuine concern for others.''

What is noticable that over the years each time a crisis hits Thailand and an interim government is needed it is always the Democrats that are invited to step up to the base.

The debacle is cleared up and the political lowlife emerges out of the woodwork at the election promising '' a chicken in every pot and 500 baht for your vote.''

The gullible Thai folk fall for it every time, yes there is a chicken in every pot, trouble is it was the chicken that supplied the household with eggs. Now no chicken so no eggs, poor old Somchai has to go to the shop to buy his eggs.

That's the 500 baht gone, now what ?

And so the wheels keeps on turning powerd by Somchai and Porntip in the streets.

The debt bondage system sadly keeps the corrupt politicians in power and enriches them even more.

Edited March 8, 2010 by siampolee

[shawndoc]

He was only able to rally 200 protesters. Doesn't seem like he has the support he wants to project he has.

[connel707]

He was only able to rally 200 protesters. Doesn't seem like he has the support he wants to project he has.

This is why...