Thailand to impose security law for Thaksin protests

[frodo]

I wonder how Bnagkok residents are going to react to this demo. It is the first big one since Songkhran last year.

LOL- I expect the Red Shirt Terrorists will receive the same warm welcome they did last year

LOL...just like their master...cowards!

[scorecard]

It is needed. Well done.

Stop talking rubbish, this is thailand and the thai,s have a right to demonstrate how they chose fit,this is one sure way of over reaction, when will us farang just keep our mouths shut and mind our own business,

He's not talking rubbish at all.

And by the way, can we assume you don't believe in freedom of speech.

Funny, that was one of thaksins tools, intimidate people so that they are frightened to comment.

So guess we know where your coming from.

[vicco]

It is needed. Well done.

Stop talking rubbish, this is thailand and the thai,s have a right to demonstrate how they chose fit,this is one sure way of over reaction, when will us farang just keep our mouths shut and mind our own business,

No reasonable government in the world would sit back and allow free rein to a violent terrorist movement massing in their capital. If you actually believe the red shirts are a peaceful movement, I would agree with you. However, I think the proof is overwhelming that they are a violent movement willing to do anything to achieve their goals. That is simply not acceptable.

Really.......obviously you don't have much experience with violent terrorist groups! What overwhelming proof? Oh...those hand grenades that somebody decided to throw at the Bankok bank?....of course who else could possibly have done that? For any government to bring in such draconian measures under these circumstances appears as a blatant abuse of power...and if they do it..the reds will just gain more membership than ever. It just goes from dumb to dumber.... even if the reds have a few hotheads (as most political movements do) they are not even close to being a terrorist organization...95% or more of them are just people who want a fair shake from the ruling parties.

The leaders of the reds have appealed daily for peaceful protest...hardly terrorist tactics....but of course if somebody wants to make them look bad just go out and break a few bank windows....burn a bus...or whatever comes to mind...the reds will be blamed regardless. I just hope for everybody's sake the government can keep its head, not over react, keep the army in their barracks and let the reds chant and rave...sing their songs, eat their sticky rice and go home again.... that would be a win win.

[Jimi007]

Surely this must weaken the Baht!!!!

What makes you think that? Logic? Not here in LOS!

[clausewitz]

I find it amazing that so many people believe the yellow shirts blocking the international airport is 'acceptable'. If it is okay to do, why did Abhisit tell the red shirts not to block the airport or they would be removed by force? While at the same time, the trial against the yellow shirts is barely moving forward. DOUBLE STANDARDS.

The yellow shirts did not attack people, did not ride by on motorcycles shooting dead residents opposing them, did not sewt up gasoline trucks in front of low-income housing and threaten to explode it, did minimal damage to the airports themselves (my flight out was in fact on time just a few days after it ended). Whether it was right or wrong is not for me to judge but there was a world of difference between what the yellow shirts did and what the red shirts did a few months later. A world of difference.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...newsid=30087406

Man injured in shooting with PAD guards

A man was shot and injured early Sunday after he and his friends drove to the Makkhawan Bridge and shouted abusive words at guards of the People's Alliance for Democracy.

The guards claimed that the group started firing at them first but the five men told police that one of them simply raised their middle finger and shouted abusive words against the PAD guards and they chased after them and fired at them.

The injured man was identified as Jaroon Deetour, 22. He was shot once on his right shoulder and rushed to the Vajira Hospital.

Four other men in the car were taken into custody by police from Nangloeng Police station

They told police that they went to drink on a pub on Khao San Road and they got lost while returning home in Samut Prakan and Jaroon later drove to the Makkhawan Bridge and Jaroon lowed the window and raised his middle finger to the PAD guards.

No PAD guards were arrested.

The Nation

'PAD guards' arrested with bombs

Police Sunday arrested two men, who confessed to be PAD guards, after a lot of bombs and other weapons were found on them.

The two - Thanit Khanurai, 28, and Watana Kijpithaksin, 22, were arrested while riding a motorcycle on the Ratchasima Road in Dusit district at 2:50 pm.

Police found a bag with 3 M67 grenades, 22 ping pong bombs, 1 homemade bomb, 4 shotgun ammunitions, a samurai sword, and three sling shots.

Police also found id cards of PAD guards on them.

Watana told police that he was hired by another PAD guard, identified only as Nok, to carry the bag from a spot under the Rajawat Bridge to put into a garbage bin in front of the Rajdamnone Boxing Stadium.

Source: The Nation - 10 November 2008

I admit the yellowshorts did try socery and not violence for a short time:

Has anyone got the link to the PAD shooting the pistol while his comrade holds up a picture of the royals? Anyway this might help to understand the PAD mentality:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/11/10...on_30087963.php

PAD saves the nation from supernatural attack

ON OCTOBER 29, Sondhi Limthongkul gave a speech from the People's Alliance for Democracy stage, broadcast over ASTV, about a new front in his fight to "save the nation". He said:

"For many years in the past, the powers of many sacred things including the spirit of the City Pillar, the Equestrian Statue of King Rama V, Phra Sayam Thewathirat, and the Emerald Buddha, have been suppressed by evil people using magic. 'Suppress' does not mean destroy, because sacred objects cannot be destroyed, as they have too much power. But 'suppress' means not allowing them to emit their power, by encircling them. This is true. So we have just finished rectifying this in the last two to three weeks. Like at the statue of the Emerald Buddha.

"Behind it there is a stone. Evil-minded people had allied with some in the Royal Household Bureau to allow a Khmer adept to go behind the Emerald Buddha and take the stone away, because that stone is the important thing for emitting power."

A few weeks ago, anti-government agitator Sondhi Limthongkul, whose People’s Alliance for Democracy has occupied key official buildings for four months in an effort to topple a government he considers illegitimate, accused his opponents of employing wizardry to channel the statue’s protective forces their way. And to reverse that alleged sorcery, he deployed his own mystics to encircle the statue with used sanitary napkins (collected from the PAD’s rank-and-file) to form a shield of menstrual blood. Bangkok's Bizarre Power Struggle

Newsweek By Jamie Seaton and George Wehrfritz

Many Thais believe that a 100-year-old bronze likeness of King Rama V located in downtown Bangkok emits powerful magic. That is why, fully a century after it was cast in Paris, the likeness has become the object of struggle between top government leaders and a band of rightists seeking to oust them. A few weeks ago, anti-government agitator Sondhi Limthongkul, whose People's Alliance for Democracy has occupied key official buildings for four months in an effort to topple a government he considers illegitimate, accused his opponents of employing wizardry to channel the statue's protective forces their way. And to reverse that alleged sorcery, he deployed his own mystics to encircle the statue with used sanitary napkins (collected from the PAD's rank-and-file) to form a shield of menstrual blood.

A month later, unidentified vandals smashed numerous statues at Phanom Rung, one of the shrines he visited, purportedly to nullify Thaksin's powers. Sondhi frequently denounces one of Thaksin's allies as a "Khmer wizard" and was caught on video recently clad in priestly white robes as he sprinkled holy water at a government complex occupied by PAD demonstrators and called on Thais to resist "evil magic." Bangkok-based political scientist Chris Baker says supernaturalism ebbs and flows in Thailand, but "at times of crisis these things bubble to the surface."

They did so dramatically this week when the PAD, mounting what it called its "final offensive" to oust a democratically elected government led by Thaksin's brother-in-law from power, seized Bangkok's international airport in an effort to thwart Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat's return from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru. Thousands of club-wielding thugs stormed the terminal and blocked traffic on the main airport expressway, stranding thousands of tourists, businessmen and triggering flight cancellations across Asia. "We sympathize with the passengers but this is a necessary move to save the nation," PAD leader Sondhi said.

The PAD hopes its violent street actions will muster enough power to oust political opponents it can't beat at the ballot box. Comprised mainly of conservative militarists, Bangkok's old elite and royalists who see Thailand's democracy as a threat to its monarchy, the anti-government coalition lost the last election but now seeks to reverse that result by claiming that the victorious People Power Party stole the contest – a claim for which there is scant supporting evidence. What really irks them is that the PPP is unabashedly pro-Thaksin and draws on his immense popularity in rural Thailand to dominate national polls. Their fear is that the party – should it ever fully consolidate power – would quickly return Thaksin to office despite his recent conviction on corruption charges stemming from his 2000-2006 rule.

The PAD's methods are extreme. They've turned occupied government buildings into tent camps guarded by golf club-wielding thugs. They've closed several airports – Bangkok International is merely the latest – and urged state-owned airlines, power and transport companies to stage general strikes. Sondhi, a media tycoon-turned political raconteur, claims his movement is solely aimed at defending Thailand's monarchy against a secret anti-royalist plot by Thaksin and his allies (who deny the claims and profess loyalty to the throne). The PAD advocates a limited form of democracy that, in essence, would disenfranchise rural voters who Sondhi has claimed "lack intelligence and wisdom." His supporters believe their campaign has a supernatural subtext. Sondhi "uses [mystical] ceremonies to protect people," says one female PAD supporter who is college-educated and works in an architectural firm in Bangkok. "I believe the spirits can help us sixty percent of the way, but that we must do the rest ourselves."

But try this clip if you want to see the yellowshirts at their best:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbnFPhExOTw

[elcent]

<<< for convenient viewing

[hammered]

Yes both colour coded teams have murdered, beaten, terrorized, abused and intimidated people and both indoctrinated without any thought of encouraging free thought.

However, this current round is about the red side with the yellow one sitting it out on the sidelines.

[Danger]

No need for a coup. They built one right into their dang constitution!

[elcent]

Yes both colour coded teams have murdered, beaten, terrorized, abused and intimidated people and both indoctrinated without any thought of encouraging free thought.

However, this current round is about the red side with the yellow one sitting it out on the sidelines.

don't bes ure about that, they may have changed tactics and pull the strings from the background. They yellows try to work a way out to avoid justice.

[Sao Jiang Mai]

Serious escalation in tension seen on this forum too! There are double standards on both sides: PAD/airport, DAAD/songkran; Alpine land and Surayudh land; Thaksin's corruption, corruption of thousands of politicians before him; lies, distortions, propaganda, biased media. How any of us can sit on a high horse and think that our side is blameless and point fingers at the other is beyond me! We all have our prejudices, but how can we have a dialogue if we can't even admit to them? Government needs to work towards an election - free, fair and open to nationwide campaigning, and until that can happen, then I don't think a minority group has the right to topple the government, the anti 'eilite' need to continue peaceful, lawful efforts without disruption of the entire nation or causing harm to innocents, which are the majority of Thais. This is all very worrying. More and more I think many are understanding that there are genuinely real grievances that many reds haev against the establishment, but using Thaksin as a mascot is not doing them any favours, and the violent elements in the red movement should be cut out. Government are going to have to make sure that they do not use any voilence at all or they will lose all credibility. Scary times.

[anotherpeter]

Yes both colour coded teams have murdered, beaten, terrorized, abused and intimidated people and both indoctrinated without any thought of encouraging free thought.

However, this current round is about the red side with the yellow one sitting it out on the sidelines.

don't bes ure about that, they may have changed tactics and pull the strings from the background. They yellows try to work a way out to avoid justice.

The reds will blame any violence on yellows dressing up as reds. The Yellows have probably done there fair share of blaming too.

[granuaile]

I find it amazing that so many people believe the yellow shirts blocking the international airport is 'acceptable'. If it is okay to do, why did Abhisit tell the red shirts not to block the airport or they would be removed by force? While at the same time, the trial against the yellow shirts is barely moving forward. DOUBLE STANDARDS.

The yellow shirts did not attack people, did not ride by on motorcycles shooting dead residents opposing them, did not sewt up gasoline trucks in front of low-income housing and threaten to explode it, did minimal damage to the airports themselves (my flight out was in fact on time just a few days after it ended). Whether it was right or wrong is not for me to judge but there was a world of difference between what the yellow shirts did and what the red shirts did a few months later. A world of difference.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...newsid=30087406

Man injured in shooting with PAD guards

A man was shot and injured early Sunday after he and his friends drove to the Makkhawan Bridge and shouted abusive words at guards of the People's Alliance for Democracy.

The guards claimed that the group started firing at them first but the five men told police that one of them simply raised their middle finger and shouted abusive words against the PAD guards and they chased after them and fired at them.

...

"The guards claimed that the group started firing at them first but the five men told police that one of them simply raised their middle finger and shouted abusive words against the PAD guards and they chased after them and fired at them."

This hardly lends support to any attempt to discredit the PAD as terrorists. The guards fired in self defense, and even if the account given by the red shirts is accurate there is a big difference between driving by residents opposing the red shirts occupying and harming their neighborhood shooting and killing two of the residents, threatening to blow up gasoline trucks in front of residential housing, attacking the P.M.'s car and beating the driver, attacking diplomats attending a summit, need I go on....

[humfurry]

No reasonable government in the world would sit back and allow free rein to a violent terrorist movement massing in their capital

They're not a terrorist movement.

A MESSAGE TO THE GOOD PEOPLE OF BANGKOK AND INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITIES

On Friday the 12th of March, a campaign aimed at ending the age of the Thai military dictatorship and restoring freedom, democracy and justice to our beautiful nation will begin. At this very moment, hundreds of thousands of people from all across our country not already in Bangkok are preparing to make their way to the capital, in defiance of a regime that has proven its willingness to commit violence and strip away the human rights of those who speak against it.

These people have peace in their hearts, but change also. Some wear red shirts, and some do not. Some of them march in support of a democratically elected leader who, for good or evil, was brought down by design of the military, not the will of the people. And yet others come too, some of whom used to wear yellow, who marched against what they perceived to be an authoritarian regime but have since witnessed far worse injustices.

These people are united by a few key beliefs. The belief in our constitutional monarchy. The belief in the power of non-violent change. The belief in double-standards-free justice. And the belief that, as Thai citizens, they deserve to have their voices heard and their concerns addressed. These people are united under the banner of the United front for Democracy against Dictatorship, or the UDD. And they are not to be feared- because if you believe in these things, then you are one of them as well.

This campaign will be the largest ever seen in Thai history. It is aimed at forcing the Abhisit regime (and the shadow government that supports it) to recognise what they are doing to our country and respond by dissolving parliament and calling for free and fair, internationally monitored elections- nothing more, nothing less. You might be forgiven for your scepticism that a non-violent campaign could achieve what we are seeking, but I would ask you to consider how the Indian nation was born. It was thanks to a peaceful struggle led by a man called Mahatma Gandhi, and was successful in liberating the Indian nation from the rule of the British Empire.

We are convinced that for the coming struggle we need no guns, bullets or blades, but only solidarity and sincerity in our hearts. We have learned from the mistakes of the past, and will allow no repeat of them. We will stand together, we will remain vigilant against troublemakers, and we will take care to ensure that no foreigner is harmed or intimidated. We will stare defiantly down the barrels of the guns of the soldiers who remain loyal to the men who wish us to remain silent and submissive, and we will embrace with open arms those who wish to put down their weapons and join us. We will make the Abhisit government make a final choice between democracy and dictatorship.

The junta knows that it will not survive a fair election, and it fears our demands, and wants you to fear us too. It wants you to ignore us, prevent us, or worse- stand by as we are arrested or cut down for exercising our democratic rights. But you should not. Because beneath every red shirt is a Thai citizen, and within their chests beats a heart that, like every other Thai, wants prosperity, wants freedom, wants respect and wants to see Thailand become the nation its citizens deserve.

On the 12th of March, the peaceful struggle for Thailand's future will begin. The UDD calls for every person in Bangkok who has realised what our nation is in danger of becoming to welcome us as friends, to come onto the street and to join us in our call for change in Thailand.

They should learn to walk on pavement (sidewalks) first.

[anotherpeter]

Serious escalation in tension seen on this forum too! There are double standards on both sides: PAD/airport, DAAD/songkran; Alpine land and Surayudh land; Thaksin's corruption, corruption of thousands of politicians before him; lies, distortions, propaganda, biased media. How any of us can sit on a high horse and think that our side is blameless and point fingers at the other is beyond me! We all have our prejudices, but how can we have a dialogue if we can't even admit to them? Government needs to work towards an election - free, fair and open to nationwide campaigning, and until that can happen, then I don't think a minority group has the right to topple the government, the anti 'eilite' need to continue peaceful, lawful efforts without disruption of the entire nation or causing harm to innocents, which are the majority of Thais. This is all very worrying. More and more I think many are understanding that there are genuinely real grievances that many reds haev against the establishment, but using Thaksin as a mascot is not doing them any favours, and the violent elements in the red movement should be cut out. Government are going to have to make sure that they do not use any voilence at all or they will lose all credibility. Scary times.

Well said. Covers pretty much everything. Oh... except 'terrorists'.

[cup-O-coffee]

No reasonable government in the world would sit back and allow free rein to a violent terrorist movement massing in their capital. If you actually believe the red shirts are a peaceful movement, I would agree with you. However, I think the proof is overwhelming that they are a violent movement willing to do anything to achieve their goals. That is simply not acceptable.

Now we're calling the people who live here terrorists; simply for having the courage to show up and stand toe to toe for their beliefs? This is not a view that I would care to embrace if the Thai people were to find out that they are seen as terrorists by farangs.

That same belief was also mentioned in 1776. It was also the little guys who were feeling the heel of government on their necks back then. One spark will ignite any situation that is a sure-fire setup to be flammable. The scary thing is that anybody can make themselves out to appear as anybody, or to be affiliated with any group if this is the case; and whether or not it is true.

Another thing is the media coverage when this rally hits; will the cameras pan in to single things out to support an agenda, or pan out and show things happening with objectivity?

I simply hope it gets sorted out in a civil manner, but methinks not. The wound has to be lanced before it can be cleansed; and the wound runs deep; and the doctors seem to be more interested in teeing off on the 18th green.

[lucjoker]

Tensions rise. I just hope when this is all over the Thai people get what they want.

2 groups of politicians,the current and the Tx-group ,

all toghether a few hundred sharks,

they have a problem with eachother :they all like the power

to fraude en to steal .It's that simple.

Since they are to cowerd to do the fighting themselves,they

arrouse the simple people,and make it look as if the people have

a problem !

To succeed in this ,they only have to give then little money and they

will put on whatever t-shirt collour you can imagine !

Sadly,by this time ,the people believe the "pep-talk" from the agitators,

who speak to them day and night ,indoctrinating and brainwashing them up

to the point they are even ready to kill !

This is how politicians fight there wars, they let others fight and die .

In the end ,they will make peace,the politicians all survive,.....the poor

simple people's houses are burned and manny will be dead......but that

no problem for the sharks !

[givenall]

It is needed. Well done.

It is interesting that everyone refer to this as Thaksin rally not uud or democracy rally

[SeanMoran]

No reasonable government in the world would sit back and allow free rein to a violent terrorist movement massing in their capital. If you actually believe the red shirts are a peaceful movement, I would agree with you. However, I think the proof is overwhelming that they are a violent movement willing to do anything to achieve their goals. That is simply not acceptable.

Now we're calling the people who live here terrorists; simply for having the courage to show up and stand toe to toe for their beliefs? This is not a view that I would care to embrace if the Thai people were to find out that they are seen as terrorists by farangs.

That same belief was also mentioned in 1776. It was also the little guys who were feeling the heel of government on their necks back then. One spark will ignite any situation that is a sure-fire setup to be flammable. The scary thing is that anybody can make themselves out to appear as anybody, or to be affiliated with any group if this is the case; and whether or not it is true.

Another thing is the media coverage when this rally hits; will the cameras pan in to single things out to support an agenda, or pan out and show things happening with objectivity?

I simply hope it gets sorted out in a civil manner, but methinks not. The wound has to be lanced before it can be cleansed; and the wound runs deep; and the doctors seem to be more interested in teeing off on the 18th green.

Yes. This is is bigger than Thailand alone, but that happens to be the stage on which it will happen. This is about the battle between human beings and the elite. This will be a peaceful battle against apartheid, basically. I remember there being some other battle somewhere else sometime else, but I'm sure nobody else would remember back then, so lets get on with the show, folks.

---o0o---

Let them eat cake.

Edited March 8, 2010 by SeanMoran

[tooninthai]

It seems to me that the actions that occurred last year in Pattaya and Bangkok, as well as statements made by some of their members along with grenade attacks and the planting of bombs in the city within the city in the past few months justify the label of terrorists. These are not just peaceful opponents of the government but a group, factions of which have engaged in and advocated violence to topple the government.

'Factions' do not make the Red shirts terrorists.

[ding]

No reasonable government in the world would sit back and allow free rein to a violent terrorist movement massing in their capital. If you actually believe the red shirts are a peaceful movement, I would agree with you. However, I think the proof is overwhelming that they are a violent movement willing to do anything to achieve their goals. That is simply not acceptable.

Oh no! I agree with both of you... my brain hurts.

[greasergirl]

just my rubbish five cents

born Berlin I'm Farang all life time even in Europe

blowing my trumpet, if anybody tells me a Farang has to keep his mouth shut

Never ever

ISA is "martial law in a particular area." true

Remember China, 10 years ago Tijamen

human rights, a glance of it blown away

I've been there and anyhow i did got the pictures and story out to the world

the tear down of the Berlin wall has been a true act to have human rights implemented

in one of the half of Germany. ...maybe not true at all today.....

calling my roots I'm more as ashamed about Israel, just another wall.....

hard boiled Jewish are no way better as hard boiled Arabs, just hard boiled idiots.

Today nothing u can read in European media about Asia other

than polished financial dreams

let us put this in twitter and round the globe

blowing away human rights starts all the time like this...

let us send the image of hard boiled idiots out to the

sleeping part of the world

Gina

[z9999]

Democracy is nothing more than majority rule, plain and simple. If that is what you propose, just hope that you remain a member of the majority and not become a member of the minority. Democracy works best when there are more takers than givers, but begins to crumble quickly once the givers capacity to give diminishes to the point it fails to satisfy the takers. Once wealth has been distributed equally the politicians then have to seek refuge taking with them a major portion of the nations wealth.

[sedeflonga]

"Applauds"

[ratcatcher]

It is needed. Well done.

Stop talking rubbish, this is thailand and the thai,s have a right to demonstrate how they chose fit,this is one sure way of over reaction, when will us farang just keep our mouths shut and mind our own business,

No reasonable government in the world would sit back and allow free rein to a violent terrorist movement massing in their capital. If you actually believe the red shirts are a peaceful movement, I would agree with you. However, I think the proof is overwhelming that they are a violent movement willing to do anything to achieve their goals. That is simply not acceptable.

ISA is not suitable for a democratic country. It affects the freedom of ordinary people and the armies will abuse their power by using ISA. If there is violent that carry out by any individual, use the existing laws and courts. Don't you have that laws and courts? ISA is above the court. Why using ISA to put the army above the courts? Stupid.

I am Canadian. In 1982, Canadian chartered of rights and freedom was established in the ground to protect Canadians being abused by Canadian government. For example, using ISA to control people without the court system. Canadian government recognized the biggest abusive organization is itself (Canadian government = politicians). Therefore, the chartered of rights and freedom is placed above ALL LAWS (old and new). No one and no government can use or create a new law to bully Canadians. Cheer!

Thai people have to learn how to abolish ISA. How many times in Thai history that your own government (politicians) created new laws to bully you guys? ISA is rubbish to a democratic country. BELIEVE your existing laws and courts are sufficient to DEAL and PUNISH the wrongdoers. No reason to use ISA (Internal Security Act) as a political tool to abuse Thai and increase their power by putting the courts and laws in one single party - the army. Army's main duty is to protect invasion of other country. NOT to Attend Thai ! Wrong job functions and waste of tax payers' money. Wake up Thai and Be strong to fight for your rights. MAKE ISA HISTORY by choosing the right government. Canadian government dare to create the chartered in 1982 to REDUCE its power and to INCREASE the power of people (Canadian). Canadian government clearly stated that IT IS THE BIGGEST BULLY IF NOT UNDER CONTROL. Therefore Canadian Chartered of Rights and Freedom becomes so important for Canadians. We are safe from being abused by our own government (politicians).

Believe me, your existing Thai laws and court system are sufficient to run the country smoothly. As smooth as Thai silk. No need to put the whole country in the hand of your chief army. Ask them to get out from democracy. Use your police, existing laws and judges to run the country. Arrest the wrongdoers and punish them through court system by Thai judges. No machine guns na krap.

I do not belong to red or yellow or whatever the color of the group. I am Canadian. My issue is democracy and I always believe Thai police, existing laws and courts are enough to make Bangkok or Thailand safe. No need ISA. It is a toy that Thai politician like to play. I pray for your safety and recovery after the ISA in economic losses. The more ISA is implemented, the poor becomes poorer. The rich becomes richer. When you lose your job and cannot pay for installment because of ISA's negative impact in economy, the rich Thai who has a lot of cash will buy your property at very good price. ISA is good for rich Thai. If I was a rich Thai, i would think it is the best opportunity for me to buy and invest when ordinary people suffer and cannot pay installment. Do you want ISA? Good luck. Well, the rich Thai, get ready for your cash in your account to standby for cheap cheap investments.

Pray for all Thai. Be safe. No one dies, no one badly hurt.

As a Canadian you are also aware that 40 years ago Pierre Trudeau invoked the War Measures Act against the FLQ, the

terrorist organization seeking independence for Quebec among other things. Canada too has had it's major unrest at the Federal level somewhat similar to what is happening here.

However, since I am no fan of Thaksin or his henchmen leading the Red army, it is probably necessary for the present Thai government to take precautions.

If Thaksin was out of the picture and it was a genuine movement to really improve the lives of the rural and urban poor, then I would probably be a red sympathizer. However since this massive upcoming crusade is really all about Thaksin Shinawatra regaining his power and money, then I believe it is doomed to fail.

Get rid of Thaksin and the hyaenas that surround him and then the so called 'grass roots' movement might gain some credibility.

IMHO of course.

[elcent]

[TerraPosse]

Some people would do well refraining to label everyone who disagrees with them (and their idea of an ideal retirement destination) a terrorist or terrorist movement.  Gosh, would some of those here frothing about get a grip. 

If your inflationary use of the word terrorist is applied to everyone opposing those in power then by heck count me in as well. 

Some of the posters on here are really a spin doctors dream come true as far as keeping people in fear, divisions and servitude.  This announcement is a complete over-reaction by the government (and probably on the orders of the military).  If, as many on here seem to suggest, the many of this country are held to ransom by the few than there is an easy way to settle the argument once and for all...at the ballot box.

Ohh, hang on...

It seems to me that the actions that occurred last year in Pattaya and Bangkok, as well as statements made by some of their members along with grenade attacks and the planting of bombs in the city within the city in the past few months justify the label of terrorists. These are not just peaceful opponents of the government but a group, factions of which have engaged in and advocated violence to topple the government.

What 'seems' to you justified also makes the label meaningless.  A few burned cars, thrown hand grenades or home made bombs don't make no civil war.  Sorry to burst your bubble but it doesn't even make the front page of any international news network because these things are business as usual in many developing countries.  All the red-shirt rallies I can remember since last years Sonkhran were pretty peaceful.  But since you make 'terrorists' such an all encompassing term, you may also want to take a good hard look at how many 'terrorists' and their movements benefited from your tax-money in the past if you are really that concerned. 

Some of you really seem to have lived a very sheltered life which leads me to the question if you have been so mollycoddled all your life why would you move to a Third World country where things can well, go pear-shaped on the double? 

Any society with a wealth gap as enormous as Thailand and most other developing countries have an equally large potential of social unrest.  When triggered unfortunately these rarely bring about change by just marching peacefully through the streets waving banners and singing 'Kumbaya'.  You should have thought about that before moving here (or anywhere else really).  

Imposing martial law which the ISA pretty much is, is a complete overreaction that will do nothing to address the fundamental issues of wealth and power distribution in this country.  Sure, all the 'law-and-order' types on here will be happy now that 'normality' has been restored and they can carry on drinking their shanties whilst watching the sundown from their verandas without the fear some mob might trample over their manicured lawns. 

[cup-O-coffee]

Tensions rise. I just hope when this is all over the Thai people get what they want.

2 groups of politicians,the current and the Tx-group ,

all toghether a few hundred sharks,

they have a problem with eachother :they all like the power

to fraude en to steal .It's that simple.

Since they are to cowerd to do the fighting themselves,they

arrouse the simple people,and make it look as if the people have

a problem !

To succeed in this ,they only have to give then little money and they

will put on whatever t-shirt collour you can imagine !

Sadly,by this time ,the people believe the "pep-talk" from the agitators,

who speak to them day and night ,indoctrinating and brainwashing them up

to the point they are even ready to kill !

This is how politicians fight there wars, they let others fight and die .

In the end ,they will make peace,the politicians all survive,.....the poor

simple people's houses are burned and manny will be dead......but that

no problem for the sharks !

This is sadly a truism throughout history, whenever governments turn into oligarchies and no longer represent the interests of the people whose backs they are standing on. Since voting seems to haved turned into an opiate for the masses, and the voters are beginning to realize this, I submit the question, "How would it be possible for the little guy to go about expressing his or her pent up frustration any other way than to rally under the nose of government; as a means to gently warn those people of things to come if the status quo does not make a turnabout?".

Additionally, I simply cannot paint every protesting red-shirted Thai with a broad brush and make them all out to be so ignorant as to follow the "agitators" so much like lemmings. Could this form of agitating simply be a more blunt way of getting out some of the truth? How else will these people come to realize that the water is heating up and they must act before it gets to hot to be able to move; i.e. frog soup.

When the military is pushed forward in lieu of politics with the threat of martial law, it tells me that the bridge has collapsed and that there is no interest in negotiations and seeking a solution. I sincerely believe that a government that represents the people has a moral and ethical responsibility, duty and obligation to make this issue top priority; over anything else; seeing as these are their own people and that this is a matter of national urgency for the well-being of the people, and not the convenience of the oligarchs.

[Jingthing]

Again, someday, somehow Thailand has to get beyond the rule of the angry mob. Maybe the time is now, and the man to make this stand is Abhisit. Then again, maybe not.

[mca]

Depressingly I really can't see an end to any political turmoil in the near future. The genie of " The blokes I don't like are in power so I'm going to make as much frigging fuss as I can until they're out " has been released from the bottle and I don't know what it will take to put the stopper back in.

I'm talking about all sides here.

[IanForbes]

Of course it affects our business and I am very concerned about that but anyway, it's not our country and if we can not accept the Thai people they do what they want (any color they are), we have to do our business in another place.

Conversely we have to accept the right of the Thai government to take appropriate measures to deal with potential violence and other acts detrimental to the country. I don't do business here, I don't work her, I just live here, so it may have minimum impact on me personally. But I remember how it impacted Thai friends last year. Why do you think that residents of neighborhoods started fighting back against the demonstrators last April? Because they were disrupting the lives of those living here, physically assaulting people, attacking mosques,.... on and on... that is why I think this is a good step for the government. They are not telling people not to demonstrate, but letting them know that they are preparing to do what is necessary to maintain order. Just like any other country. In the U.S. Seh Daeng and his cohorts would have been arrested long before this, their political movement labeled terrorist, and any material support for it a criminal act. I think that it is wise to implement the ISA, and the the Thai government has that right.

I have to agree. Recently, in Vancouver BC, we had the winter Olympics. Draconian measures were taken to assure that all events went off as planned with no security problems. I forget what the cost was, but someone said a billion dollars for security alone.

When there is the potential for violence, then the government must act in a Draconian fashion. A number of years ago, our Canadian Prime Minister at the time, Pierre Elliot Trudeau, called for martial law when a terrorist group associated with the Quebecois government party captured and eventually murdered one of the two government officials. The perpetrators were eventually caught and imprisioned, but were later released after serving a few years in prison. I'm not sure how the family of the murdered man feel about that situation, but I know how I would feel.

I can't say I've seen any government anywhere in the world that was worth pocket change, but there are a few that are a bit better than others. It always comes down to money and power.

I feel sorry for farangs who have invested in Thailand, but they should have known what the country was like prior to investing. Although I was in Thailand during the shut down of the airport, and the other protest uprisings, it didn't effect me other than changing my travel plans a few times. However, had I been STUCK in the airport for those 2 weeks I might have an entirely different point of view.