Red Shirts Plan To Paralyse Bangkok, Topple Thai Government

[animatic]

Al Capone bought the whole Police department, the town council and two local judges of a town outside Chicago - was that town's administration legal?

It is an entirely fair comparison unless you consider buying a police department. a , town council and two judges superior to buying Government which controls all Police Departments in the country and justice/democracy (or the lack of it) for all.

Excellent posts Termad. You have very clearly and succinctly outlined some of the primary arguments in support of the 2006 coup.

Excellent example from Termad,

and excellent observation that he has made your points so well.

Perfect reasoning why Thaksin was taking out of the 2006 equation.

[rixalex]

would you make the journey to bangkok, risking life and limb, for 300 Baht? Even for the rural poor, that is nowhere near enough money to motivate somebody to do what the red shirts are doing.

As far as the danger is concerned, a lot of Thais ride around on motorbikes and seemingly don't give much thought to the "what if...". I think to some extent it's in the Thai nature to take the "she'll be right" attitude.

As far as the money is concerned, perhaps you need to live the life of a poor unemployed farm helper for a day to really appreciate the value of 300 baht. Some of these people really do have nothing. If they do have work, it may well be they are used to grafting a 14 hour day of manual labour for 100 baht or so. The thought of a little trip away to stand around not doing much for 300 baht a day may have more appeal than you can ever imagine.

Until they are recognised as having legitimate grievances, the problem is only going to get worse.

Sure they have legitimate grievances (as do a lot of other Thais who aren't protesting it should be added) but the problem is the movement they are involved with has nothing to do with those grievances - rather the grievance of one man and his money, or current lack thereof.

[rixalex]

My own feeling is that if a suspect refuses to show in court it should be deemed as an admission of guilt. Seems very fair.

You have obviously not seen much of the world.

You have obviously not have a crime commited against you where the main suspect has run away pending charges. Bet if you had, your view would be different.

[jdinasia]

I am rather happy to see the US asking the reds not to resort to violence

The US Embassy in Bangkok has issued a statement, calling for the red shirts protesters and their leaders who are scheduled to conduct a mass rally this weekend not to use violence and to exercise their right to assemble and protest peacefully. The statement also encouraged the Thai government to exercise suitable restraint.

"Thailand is a close friend and ally of the United States. And as a long-time friend, we are closely watching the current situation in Thailand. The United States believes that differences should be addressed through Thailand's democratic institutions and not through violence," read the statement.

The Nation

Full press release from the US Embassy:

"Statement on Planned Political Demonstrations

Thailand is a close friend and ally of the United States.

And as a long-time friend, we are closely watching the current situation in Thailand. The United States believes that differences should be addressed through Thailand's democratic institutions and not through violence.

Peaceful demonstrations are a hallmark of a democratic society. We call on protesters and their leaders to forswear the use of violence and to exercise their right to assemble and protest peacefully, in accordance with the law. We also encourage the Royal Thai Government to exercise appropriate restraint."

US Embassy

I think we can ALL agree with those sentiments!!

The problems come up IF the protesters fail to remain peaceful!

[jdinasia]

My own feeling is that if a suspect refuses to show in court it should be deemed as an admission of guilt. Seems very fair.

You have obviously not seen much of the world.

You have obviously not have a crime commited against you where the main suspect has run away pending charges. Bet if you had, your view would be different.

mine wouldn't! I am not opposed to trial in absentia. I am opposed to the concept that not appearing = guilt!

[rixalex]

I am not opposed to trial in absentia. I am opposed to the concept that not appearing = guilt!

Not sure there is that much difference. If you are going to try somebody who isn't there to defend themselves, the defendant i'm sure would consider it almost as unfair as simply being declared guilty.

Anyway, i'd be happy with it either way. Got to be better than simply allowing court cases to be put on hold - means there's little incentive for suspects to show up if they know they are guilty and about to be convicted.

[Sabre]

You have obviously not seen much of the world.

You have obviously not have a crime commited against you where the main suspect has run away pending charges. Bet if you had, your view would be different.

You have obviously not faced the prospect of a show trial, which was politically motivated and the outcome of which was predetermined (and please note, I am not trying to assert that Thaksin is innocent). There are numerous reasons why somebody might choose to run instead of 'face the music' though, and to call the act of running away an admission of guilt is just not a well-reasoned approach.

[rixalex]

There are numerous reasons why somebody might choose to run instead of 'face the music'

Numerous reasons? OK, go on then. Give me half a dozen.

P.S. Cowardice doesn't count.

[Sabre]

Are you sure about this 'fact'?

Yes sir, i am. Absolutely and 100% sure.

Best regards....

Thanh

Al Capone bought the whole Police department, the town council and two local judges of a town outside Chicago - was that town's administration legal?

What would that type of fallacious argument be called? inept comparison or just a straw-man?

Seems like a red-herring to me.

[Sabre]

There are numerous reasons why somebody might choose to run instead of 'face the music'

Numerous reasons? OK, go on then. Give me half a dozen.

P.S. Cowardice doesn't count.

Go and talk to any of the thousands of refugees who apply for asylum in a foreign country each year, because they are facing persecution by a corrupt and government-controlled judiciary in their own country. I'm sure they won't have indicated 'cowardice' on their request for asylum. Or maybe talk to Salman Rushdie, and ask him why he doesn't front up to the charges he faces under shariah law. Or talk to any member of the American military, and ask them why the USA refuses to ratify the international court of justice, which would allow them to be tried for war crimes in the Hague.

I'm sure they all have a pretty good reason not to front up to the charges they face, or might potentially face.

[rixalex]

Go and talk to any of the thousands of refugees who apply for asylum in a foreign country each year, because they are facing persecution by a corrupt and government-controlled judiciary in their own country. I'm sure they won't have indicated 'cowardice' on their request for asylum. Or maybe talk to Salman Rushdie, and ask him why he doesn't front up to the charges he faces under shariah law. Or talk to any member of the American military, and ask them why the USA refuses to ratify the international court of justice, which would allow them to be tried for war crimes in the Hague.

I'm sure they all have a pretty good reason not to front up to the charges they face, or might potentially face.

The three examples you give are not of people running from the courts. Political refugees run from governments or regimes, Salman Rushdie ran from a death sentence, and the American military hasn't actually run at all.

Thaksin ran, and he ran from the courts, nothing else.

Did he run when the court found in his favour in the past? Funnily enough, no. Is it really a mere coincidence that he runs the first time he loses? Of course not.

[frodo]

From a live update from George:

Men's excrement will b thrown at Abhisit, women's excrement against Suthep. And the "third sex" excrement against Prem. 32 minutes ago via web

These protesters are some vile and nasty people. Who would want to carry around bags of crap all day. Nasty! The only other animal that comes to mind that enjoys laying and rolling in crap is a swine. These protesters really seem to enjoy this.

[ratcatcher]

From a live update from George:

Men's excrement will b thrown at Abhisit, women's excrement against Suthep. And the "third sex" excrement against Prem. 32 minutes ago via web

These protesters are some vile and nasty people. Who would want to carry around bags of crap all day. Nasty! The only other animal that comes to mind that enjoys laying and rolling in crap is a swine. These protesters really seem to enjoy this.

Well, at least it shows that the Red Shirts are finally getting their sh*t together. Class act, all of 'em.

[Cayenne]

Go and talk to any of the thousands of refugees who apply for asylum in a foreign country each year, because they are facing persecution by a corrupt and government-controlled judiciary in their own country. I'm sure they won't have indicated 'cowardice' on their request for asylum. Or maybe talk to Salman Rushdie, and ask him why he doesn't front up to the charges he faces under shariah law. Or talk to any member of the American military, and ask them why the USA refuses to ratify the international court of justice, which would allow them to be tried for war crimes in the Hague.

I'm sure they all have a pretty good reason not to front up to the charges they face, or might potentially face.

The three examples you give are not of people running from the courts. Political refugees run from governments or regimes, Salman Rushdie ran from a death sentence, and the American military hasn't actually run at all.

Thaksin ran, and he ran from the courts, nothing else.

Did he run when the court found in his favour in the past? Funnily enough, no. Is it really a mere coincidence that he runs the first time he loses? Of course not.

The same could be said of some of the red's leaders. Didn't Jatuporn fled the scene when the gig was up last April? At least his comrades like Dr. Weng stood his ground and faced arrest like a man.

[animatic]

From a live update from George:

Men's excrement will b thrown at Abhisit, women's excrement against Suthep. And the "third sex" excrement against Prem. 32 minutes ago via web

These protesters are some vile and nasty people. Who would want to carry around bags of crap all day. Nasty! The only other animal that comes to mind that enjoys laying and rolling in crap is a swine. These protesters really seem to enjoy this.

Well, at least it shows that the Red Shirts are finally getting their sh*t together. Class act, all of 'em.

Just the fact that these people think this is even some sort of sense as a statement

shows their profound lack of subtle thought processes. Is it any wonder there has never been an

'after we crash the government we will do X' statement. Elections and democracy they say like catchphrases...

but do WHAT with them???

What does segregating fecal matter into source categories have to do with the targets they pick?

This has no discernible logic to it.

That the PTP acknowledges these people as their allies, and themselves can't even pick a PM candidate

if they were so inexplicably lucky to win a no-confidence vote, speaks volumes for PTPs inability

to RUN THE NATION should they inexplicably get back controls.

PPP proved without a doubt that the TRT 2nd string couldn't run the country properly.

Why should anyone think PTP, AKA TRT 3rd string can do it as well... which was very badly.

Has one PTP MP stepped up and said throwing faeces at our political opposites is a low class

and bad thing to do... Seemingly not so far.... again,

would you want these types of people controlling your lives indefinitely?

Not hardly.

Edited March 12, 2010 by animatic

[rogerdee123]

Aren't these red shirt s**t-throwing people lovely?

Aren't we all waiting with hopeful anticipation for them to shut down Bangkok and overthrow the Govt and bring back the Messiah so we can all live in paradise.

[Wolfie]

You think that sh*t is bad - if they bring Thaksin back, then watch the sh*t really fly!

[moo9]

You think that sh*t is bad - if they bring Thaksin back, then watch the sh*t really fly!

That's so true, then the real party will start!

There is no way for him to return. Too bad, too late.

[Publicus]

You think that sh*t is bad - if they bring Thaksin back, then watch the sh*t really fly!

That's so true, then the real party will start!

There is no way for him to return. Too bad, too late.

If Thaksin made his way back to Thai soil as the messiah he'd make his so-called anti drug campaign/killings look like child's play. Thaksin is responsible for anything that may happen this weekend and into next week. That it isn't enuff the court made a reasonable ruling concerning his loot says a great deal about what a Thailand again controlled by Thaksin would be. Hel_l.

Neither is there any comfort in the fact the army won't allow his return (except perhaps directly to the slammer - possibly).

Edited March 12, 2010 by Publicus

[LuckyLew]

There are numerous reasons why somebody might choose to run instead of 'face the music'

Numerous reasons? OK, go on then. Give me half a dozen.

P.S. Cowardice doesn't count.

Here are 6 reasons

1- He committed the crime and is scared of penalty

2- He is not guilty but fears he cannot get a fair trial

3- He has fleeced Thailand and now wants to see if he can fleece another country

4- He has a hot chick waiting for him in another country

5- Realized his wife is no longer pretty and is running from her

6- His kids are an enbarrasement to him and he is running form them

[frodo]

According to a report from the Bangkok Post, red leaders, again, are threatening the government. The demand this time is that if the government does not dissolve the House by Sunday, they will allow one million red shirts to scatter throughout Bangkok.

Very odd how the UDD/DADD and red shirts continually feel they are above the law, just like their master. I've read reports from various media that these same leaders are angry that they will be arrested and jailed if they break the law. They have no leadership, as evident in the opening statement. We will allow them to scatter, and from I see, create havoc once again. Even military generals who backed UDD/DADD have backed away as they also feel there is no leadership and goals will not be met.

This can turn very messy and these so called leaders can only blame themselves for what could happen, and by all rights, should be imprisoned for a very long time if events turn bad. Abhisit has been patient and thankfully will not bow down to hooligans.

Other reports on the forum have already indicated that they not only wish to paralyze Bangkok, but to disrupt people's lives. Motorcycle thugs have begun doing this already. They have been warned for many day's about the repercussions of their actions. I would hate to see what these might be. Som Num Na.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=3407399

(Edited for link)

Edited March 12, 2010 by frodo

[Publicus]

Red leaders are as cowardly as Thaksin himself is. They are always in the shadows lately and for good reason - they're already identified by the government, have been charged and are out on bail. One slip-up and they're in the slammer.

A rudderless mass of red people in Bangkok left to their own devices is a recipe for disaster. The hope of Thaksin & Crew seems to be anarchy, an anarchy they hope they can take advantage of, but it can only backfire on them and be of much detriment to the country.

Thaksin & Crew are recklessly rolling the dice and are doing so at the expense of the country. But what else is new?

[nakachalet]

Boats mobilised to transport red shirts from Ayutthaya

The red shirts from Ayutthaya will travel by more than 100 boats prying the Chao Phya to join the mass rally on Sunday, Pheu Thai MP Surachet Chaikosol said on Thursday.

An advance team will start arriving in Bangkok on Saturday but the main procession of long-tail boats and barges will begin the following day, he said.

The red shirts plan to their landing at Ta Phra Chan pier, he said. The pier is located next to Siriraj Hospital where His Majesty the King is staying.

-- The Nation 2010-03-11

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

there are plenty of dreamers even in crises....

many choose to believe that they can repeat what they did during the last violent prone outing....

let the dreamers keep on dreaming of their indestructable and invincible attitudes and arrogrance....

as farangs, we'll just wait on the sideline....

and see.... if their leaders including tuksin are as smart as their followers believe them to be....

the las vegas wager is giving 30/70.... which in thai--it could be interpreted as....

หมาเห่า ใบตองแห้ง meaning dogs are barking at swirling dry leaves....

what does that really mean now.... anyone....?

is there any taker in thailand....?

Edited March 12, 2010 by nakachalet

[caf]

Red leaders are as cowardly as Thaksin himself is. They are always in the shadows lately and for good reason - they're already identified by the government, have been charged and are out on bail. One slip-up and they're in the slammer.

A rudderless mass of red people in Bangkok left to their own devices is a recipe for disaster. The hope of Thaksin & Crew seems to be anarchy, an anarchy they hope they can take advantage of, but it can only backfire on them and be of much detriment to the country.

Thaksin & Crew are recklessly rolling the dice and are doing so at the expense of the country. But what else is new?

That's your view of course. no problem with that.

But using words like "are as cowardly as Thaksin himself" "A rudderless mass of red people" is not giving facts or opinions but tending to incite. you are not the only one of course.

"The hope of Thaksin & Crew seems to be anarchy, " same point as above, but additionally incorrect as that is not his stated aim

caf

[shawndoc]

Video of one red shirt attacking a civilian (pink shirt wearing) with a bullhorn.

Video Link

[huma79]

Anyone else following the Thai language tweet feeds? This just posted.. A little fight in Patum thani just posted

http://76.nationchannel.com/playvideo.php?id=84246

[frodo]

Video of one red shirt attacking a civilian (pink shirt wearing) with a bullhorn.

Video Link

My gosh, they've already started. Despite what the UDD/DADD leaders state, these are a violent group of people.

[Insight]

Video of one red shirt attacking a civilian (pink shirt wearing) with a bullhorn.

Video Link

My gosh, they've already started. Despite what the UDD/DADD leaders state, these are a violent group of people.

Truth Today

[hammered]

The problem with any march is that there are always lunatics like this idiot who lose it too quickly. The worse possible may be small numbers leaving the faithful feeling disheartened but maybe wanting to have a go.

[huma79]

live pictures coming in..

http://twitpic.com/1820fn

http://richardbarrow.snaplog.com/