Thailand Vows 'All Means' To Prevent Violence

[webfact]

Thailand vows 'all means' to prevent violence

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Thailand's finance minister said Monday the government would take all means within the law to prevent violence as backers of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra prepare major protests.

Thaksin's supporters say they expect hundreds of thousands of people, many of them rural poor, to gather in Bangkok on Saturday in the wake of a court decision that seized 1.4 billion dollars of the deposed tycoon's fortune.

"There is a very small minority who is trying to cause instability through, frankly speaking, potentially violent acts," Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij told the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand.

Korn, in remarks videocast in Washington, said that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva respected the right to peaceful protest and would be "as patient as all governments need be."

But he said the government also fully intended to "use all means within its powers, within the laws of the country, to make sure that the property and safety of its citizens are protected."

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban earlier said he would ask the cabinet to invoke the Internal Security Act, which permits the army to help the police and gives the authorities powers to impose curfews and ban gatherings.

The protests by the so-called "Red Shirts" promise to be the biggest since last April, when up to 100,000 took to the streets against Abhisit. Ensuing riots left two people dead and derailed a major Asian summit.

Despite his fortune, Thaksin's support base is mainly in rural areas where the former prime minister is remembered for his populist measures including low-cost health care.

His opponents -- the "Yellows" -- comprise the Bangkok-based elites who view Thaksin as corrupt and disrespectful of Thai traditions. Thaksin has lived in exile since the military ousted him in a 2006 coup.

Korn said Abhisit's government has put a priority on assisting rural Thais, particularly farmers.

"We will continue to pursue these policies with a belief that over time, with our commitment and consistency, the majority of the population will appreciate the fact that this government fully intends to look after the well-being of all Thais," he said.

But he acknowledged that Abhisit has not bridged the political divide since taking office in December 2008, when a separate court decision removed Thaksin's allies from power.

"In fact, the situation in the next few years might indicate that in fact political differences have actually widened over the past year," Korn said.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-03-09

Published with written approval from AFP.

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[gotlost]

Thaksin's supporters say they expect hundreds of thousands of people, many of them rural poor

All the so called poor that I know in essan are to busy working to be involved.

[ManilaLover]

Thailand vows 'all means' to prevent violence

Not really in tune with the other today's headlines

[siampolee]

Sadly violence breeds violence and the course that Thaksin advocates along with is toadying little acolytes is a violent course.

A creed of hate based upon a megalomaniacs desire to enslave a nation for his own ends.

Remember the sayings ?

''Fight fire with fire. The end justifies the means. ''

Edited March 9, 2010 by siampolee

[LomSak27]

''Fight fire with fire. The end justifies the means.

Thailand vows 'all means' to prevent violence

Well Siampolee looks like the goverment has got its ducks in a line to justify it's own violence against the redshirts, happy now ?!

[siampolee]

LomSak77.

I am not happy with any violence my friend, nor am I happy with the prospect of a despotic regime being led by a man

with blood on his hands or by one of his acolytes whose children have blood on their hands.

The saying '' Fight fire with fire'' can apply to both sides.

Sadly though those who advocate the violence as a means to destroy a country and its government to further their own ambitions are of course over the hills and far away from the violence.

I presume that you wish to see Thailand turned into a second Beirut as the stance you take concerning public order seems to indicate that you are in favour of a mob rule scenario.

Of course one might expect one of the neighbouring countries to intervene as that particular regime seems to favour Thaksin and his policies. the cronyism displayed twixt Thaksin and Hun Sen is indeed a trifle worrying.

What a wonderful exercise in democracy that would be.

[LomSak27]

You really need to lay off the coffee so early in the morning, your creating enemies where none exist, yeeesh!

I would not be suprised if this goverment uses force, which of course the police and military refused to do in similar situation, I.E. Goverment House and Suvv Airport

***removed***

[siampolee]

LomSak77..

Perhaps if you looked at the scenario properly you might well see that the cause espoused by the ''Red Shirt group'' is not an unreasonable, certainly not in my view as well as yours it seems, there should and there will be in time a greater equality in society

However the avowed aims of the ''Red Shirt movement have been hijacked by a megalomaniac and his cronies intent on a retrieving one persons fortunes and the furthering of leading a nation to further their own ends.

These people are espousing a rhetoric of hate and violence to further their own ends using a political base they will destroy if they come to power.

Much like the French revolution where one terror replaced another.

The government using force is par for course, the idea is to preserve what may pass as public order and indeed the safety of people and property in general.

This happens around the world in case you hadn't noticed, you are or were of course in favour of the parking of gas tankers by multi occupancy buildings occupied by innocent people, the arson attacks on buses the general mayhem in pursuit of democracy such as it is here ?

After 20 years here I notice little has changed for the man and the woman and their families in the street or on the farm despite all the high blown rhetoric.

Edited March 9, 2010 by siampolee

[scotbeve]

Chiang Mai as well..All the money that posters think that Thaksin is putting up are either partially incorrect or completely incorrect as (from what I've seen / heard, the money is all donated by ALL classes in society

Thaksin's supporters say they expect hundreds of thousands of people, many of them rural poor

All the so called poor that I know in essan are to busy working to be involved.

[mythBuster]

This government look especially very good after the well being of their own. No difficult questions toward Anupong and other fat general as why they squandered billions on TV antenna's posing as scanners, useless tanks that are rotting away, an aircraft carrier and a leaking balloon of 350 million.

Suthep's head grows bigger everyday on TV and the men in uniform collect the proceeds of the illegal lottery which did not longer exist under Thaksin and whose two and three number lottery was spend on education not only for the poor but for everyone.

While rice prices have fallen, the cut that the factories and processing plants take have been increased. Drugs are rampant again on Thai schools, the economy is doing not too good in comparison with our neighboring countries and courts do not have any standards at all, let alone double standards.

If the government really wanted to lower the fences between the rich and the poor they would have had hammered out a deal with Thaksin, just like in the case with Choonhavan who was a real crook. In the meantime Banharn can keep all his stolen money because he switched alliances, Sanan keep on running his crooked racetracks were laundered money is used in illegal betting and Newin can keep on running his dirty emporium.

If the government was serious in solving problems and avoiding violence they would call a new election. It would be the very first time they could show the world that they really have a mandate to order the army to spy on people and to shoot in the streets. We have to remember that this government was never ever elected and is only legitimate in the eyes of the elite. abhsit may refer to the way democracies like England work and that you do not need a direct mandate but he forgets that in England hel_l would break loose when 60 parliamentarians would switch parties on the orders of a not so honest general.

Whatever spin doctor's doctrine they use, he should show leadership by calling elections. Problem solved.

[ronz28]

The government must govern enough to maintain the rule of law and prevent anarchy. I hope the government's response will be as measured in its application of force as it usually has been in the past. It appears the current government needs to do more to address the needs of the people to stop these frequent challenges.

[tischmibkk]

Unfortunately, it seems that some countries aren't made for democracy. Thailand very much seems to be one of them.

[asiawatcher]

This government look especially very good after the well being of their own. No difficult questions toward Anupong and other fat general as why they squandered billions on TV antenna's posing as scanners, useless tanks that are rotting away, an aircraft carrier and a leaking balloon of 350 million.

Suthep's head grows bigger everyday on TV and the men in uniform collect the proceeds of the illegal lottery which did not longer exist under Thaksin and whose two and three number lottery was spend on education not only for the poor but for everyone.

While rice prices have fallen, the cut that the factories and processing plants take have been increased. Drugs are rampant again on Thai schools, the economy is doing not too good in comparison with our neighboring countries and courts do not have any standards at all, let alone double standards.

If the government really wanted to lower the fences between the rich and the poor they would have had hammered out a deal with Thaksin, just like in the case with Choonhavan who was a real crook. In the meantime Banharn can keep all his stolen money because he switched alliances, Sanan keep on running his crooked racetracks were laundered money is used in illegal betting and Newin can keep on running his dirty emporium.

If the government was serious in solving problems and avoiding violence they would call a new election. It would be the very first time they could show the world that they really have a mandate to order the army to spy on people and to shoot in the streets. We have to remember that this government was never ever elected and is only legitimate in the eyes of the elite. abhsit may refer to the way democracies like England work and that you do not need a direct mandate but he forgets that in England hel_l would break loose when 60 parliamentarians would switch parties on the orders of a not so honest general.

Whatever spin doctor's doctrine they use, he should show leadership by calling elections. Problem solved.

Let it run its time - then let the votes be counted. We all know the system, what we don't want is violence again.

[asiawatcher]

LomSak77..

Perhaps if you looked at the scenario properly you might well see that the cause espoused by the ''Red Shirt group'' is not an unreasonable, certainly not in my view as well as yours it seems, there should and there will be in time a greater equality in society

However the avowed aims of the ''Red Shirt movement have been hijacked by a megalomaniac and his cronies intent on a retrieving one persons fortunes and the furthering of leading a nation to further their own ends.

These people are espousing a rhetoric of hate and violence to further their own ends using a political base they will destroy if they come to power.

Much like the French revolution where one terror replaced another.

The government using force is par for course, the idea is to preserve what may pass as public order and indeed the safety of people and property in general.

This happens around the world in case you hadn't noticed, you are or were of course in favour of the parking of gas tankers by multi occupancy buildings occupied by innocent people, the arson attacks on buses the general mayhem in pursuit of democracy such as it is here ?

After 20 years here I notice little has changed for the man and the woman and their families in the street or on the farm despite all the high blown rhetoric.

Here here - all true.

[TackyToo]

Unfortunately, it seems that some countries aren't made for democracy. Thailand very much seems to be one of them.

That’s exactly the way it is! However, democracy, besides socialism, capitalism and religion don’t work for any uneducated population. All these society models get corrupted by a few from so called elites and are used as perfect tools to repress the masses.

If you systematically keep the rural masses from knowledge and education, the will always follow the host with the most or the guy with the biggest muscles!

[anotherpeter]

This government look especially very good after the well being of their own. No difficult questions toward Anupong and other fat general as why they squandered billions on TV antenna's posing as scanners, useless tanks that are rotting away, an aircraft carrier and a leaking balloon of 350 million.

Suthep's head grows bigger everyday on TV and the men in uniform collect the proceeds of the illegal lottery which did not longer exist under Thaksin and whose two and three number lottery was spend on education not only for the poor but for everyone.

While rice prices have fallen, the cut that the factories and processing plants take have been increased. Drugs are rampant again on Thai schools, the economy is doing not too good in comparison with our neighboring countries and courts do not have any standards at all, let alone double standards.

If the government really wanted to lower the fences between the rich and the poor they would have had hammered out a deal with Thaksin, just like in the case with Choonhavan who was a real crook. In the meantime Banharn can keep all his stolen money because he switched alliances, Sanan keep on running his crooked racetracks were laundered money is used in illegal betting and Newin can keep on running his dirty emporium.

If the government was serious in solving problems and avoiding violence they would call a new election. It would be the very first time they could show the world that they really have a mandate to order the army to spy on people and to shoot in the streets. We have to remember that this government was never ever elected and is only legitimate in the eyes of the elite. abhsit may refer to the way democracies like England work and that you do not need a direct mandate but he forgets that in England hel_l would break loose when 60 parliamentarians would switch parties on the orders of a not so honest general.

Whatever spin doctor's doctrine they use, he should show leadership by calling elections. Problem solved.

I've asked in other threads but no one answers when I ask where I am wrong. From what I understand, the current government is elected and legitimate. Here is a time-line. Please correct it if I missed anything.

- Thaksin was the *Caretaker* PM because he couldn't form a government. He was removed from power by a coup (which is NOT democratic) partly because he was trying to change the laws so he could become (full) PM without having new elections.

- After the coup there was another election.

- The PPP got the most votes (or MPs) but not a majority. They had to form a coalition with smaller parties (some of which had campaigned saying that they would not form coalition with the PPP, but did anyway - some people suggest payment, but I don't know).

- The PPP got disbanded because the executives were convicted by the *courts* of election fraud in relation to buying votes. This was at the same time the the "yellow shirts" blockaded the airports. The "yellow shirts" did not bring down the PPP government.

- The Democrats then formed a coalition with the smaller parties to form government.

- There are some outstanding court cases in relation to *some* elected Democrat MPs, but not the executives or the party as a whole.

- There are scheduled to be elections towards the end of 2011.

Maybe you should be explaining to the non-elite that that is how democracy generally works (minus the coup of course).

Wait until the next election and vote for the party that you should think should be running the country. That doesn't mean voting for the guy that pays you the most money.

Bringing down the current government and bringing back a corrupt thief will not help this country.

[brd]

LomSak77..

Perhaps if you looked at the scenario properly you might well see that the cause espoused by the ''Red Shirt group'' is not an unreasonable, certainly not in my view as well as yours it seems, there should and there will be in time a greater equality in society

However the avowed aims of the ''Red Shirt movement have been hijacked by a megalomaniac and his cronies intent on a retrieving one persons fortunes and the furthering of leading a nation to further their own ends.

These people are espousing a rhetoric of hate and violence to further their own ends using a political base they will destroy if they come to power.

Much like the French revolution where one terror replaced another.

The government using force is par for course, the idea is to preserve what may pass as public order and indeed the safety of people and property in general.

This happens around the world in case you hadn't noticed, you are or were of course in favour of the parking of gas tankers by multi occupancy buildings occupied by innocent people, the arson attacks on buses the general mayhem in pursuit of democracy such as it is here ?

After 20 years here I notice little has changed for the man and the woman and their families in the street or on the farm despite all the high blown rhetoric.

Dear Friends,

We can cool down, when making plans the Gods are laughing said some one....it may be raining, the Bangkokians can be very supportive with the Government....the demonstrators can be lead discreetly when facing emptiness, etc...etc..

I have seen Mrs Thatcher ruining the Unions in UK all their finances were destroyed by her refusing any of their demands and NO BLOOD.

I have seen R.Reagan refusing the air controller on strike by firing all of them and NO BLOOD.

I am still waiting from N. Sarkozy in France to express a firm grip but he is enjoying the power, parading his wife, without having to sort out ANY issue in particular juggling around with all of them and I see daily demonstrations in streets, cars burnt, businesses destroyed, etc... etc...

Right now The Thai Government has managed to be a proper Government tightening its grip slowly but firmly. Eventually Mr. Thaksin is going to lose a fortune he acquired as a megalomaniac corrupting every one around with. are you sure money can buy people ? Hum, Hum !

If they reds need finances to express whatever let them express as oftne and as quickly as possible the money will run out quicker.

The Thai present Government knows better the possible targets than previously and can preventively protect them with the Police and the Army this time much better backing the Government.

It is frightening from exile a man like Thaksin can still bark and be listened to but he can not raise much money from his followers in case of need for a brutal comeback and can mainly bark.

.

[chantorn]

"Thailand vows 'all means' to prevent violence"

Does that include arrest all in RED shirt? What about RED disguise in YELLOW shirt?