Red Shirts Plan To Paralyse Bangkok, Topple Thai Government

[Old Man River]

Yes I agree. I am wondering how to characterize the red threat of closing down the entire city. Civil disobedience is a form of peaceful protest. However, does a political faction have the right to shut down a great city indefinitely until they get everything they demand? I don't think so. I don't know of any government in the world that would not begin mass arrests of such protesters.

The current government has shown that it's fairly acceptable in Thai society to take over the government building for months and 2 international airports for over a week without being punished. Maybe they should get rid of the double standards, don't you think?

OK, they will start now.

[elcent]

The Million Man March turns into a few thousand....surprise, surprise.

Don't tell UDD supporters that...they are saying at least a million right now!

or maybe the rest of women and children are ordered to wait until Thaksin crosses the border and continue in a "Papa Mobil" to Bangkok together with the "in wait", and then seated on the throne of corruption. :D

Edited March 13, 2010 by elcent

[whiterussian]

Green is approx tourist industry - just under half 'service' sector.

Of that how many are offshore chains or listed companies. And what fraction are the farang run boozers and brothels?

I wonder if those pinky/red areas showing election results (voting for Thaksin stooge) are upset about something!?

Question is how long does it take to "re-educate" a nation, let alone introduce reform for the agro sector (ie: the majority of Thais)

Edited March 13, 2010 by whiterussian

[RegularReader]

Yes I agree. I am wondering how to characterize the red threat of closing down the entire city. Civil disobedience is a form of peaceful protest. However, does a political faction have the right to shut down a great city indefinitely until they get everything they demand? I don't think so. I don't know of any government in the world that would not begin mass arrests of such protesters.

The current government has shown that it's fairly acceptable in Thai society to take over the government building for months and 2 international airports for over a week without being punished. Maybe they should get rid of the double standards, don't you think?

Or maybe the yellow shirts are a special case, considering they brought the current government into power.

Put a sock in it Rainman. You continue to sprout forth with untruths and propaganda, as if it's straight out the script on stage at Phan Fa this evening.

You want the whole story ?

Animatic and a couple of others have already told you so many times already.

But, they might have the patience to tell you again.

I don't.

[frodo]

No wonder Weng and Jatuporn are spewing anger. According to the Nation:

Metropolitan Police estimates number of protesters at 40,000 at 7 pm

By 7 pm Saturday, the Metropolitan Police Bureau estimated that about 40,000 red-shirt protesters were rallying at the Pan Fah Bridge and on Rajdamnone Road.

Metropolitan Police spokesman Pol Maj Gen Piya Uthayo said the number was rising as more protesters were still arriving.

The Nation

A long way from 1,000,000 I would say.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/Metro...s-30124609.html

Go read the numbers that the highway police counted that have not yet reached Bangkok. There's a reason Abhisit is sleeping at the army barracks, in the house next to the coup leader Sonthi, with 4 helicopters (1 BlackHawk) on stand-by for emergency evacuation, in case the army base gets overrun by the red shirts. Source: Bangkok Post, today's edition.

The numbers thus far are ranging from 40,000 to 70,000. Somewhere in the middle, maybe 60,000?

Nat'l Peace Keeping Committee Estimates 50,000 Reds Have Arrived in Bkk

UPDATE : 13 March 2010

The National Peace Keeping Committee has estimated that around 50,000 red-shirt protesters have arrived in Bangkok for the planned mass rally on Sunday, March 14. It's expecting more red-shirt supporters from the north and northeast to arrive later tonight.

No change has been made to the security and riot-control protocols.

http://www.tannetwork.tv/tan/ViewData.aspx?DataID=1026178

Regarding Abhisit. He is the PM and has every right to be near evacuation. Most, if not all, world leaders have the same plans in the event of an emergency. If it's a military base, so be it. The reds track record is one of violence and mayhem. They did attack the government, led by Arisiman, in Pattaya last year, then went on to Bangkok attacking innocent and killing innocent citizens there. The history of the movement shows low regard for the law.

[Moonrakers]

Yes I agree. I am wondering how to characterize the red threat of closing down the entire city. Civil disobedience is a form of peaceful protest. However, does a political faction have the right to shut down a great city indefinitely until they get everything they demand? I don't think so. I don't know of any government in the world that would not begin mass arrests of such protesters.

The current government has shown that it's fairly acceptable in Thai society to take over the government building for months and 2 international airports for over a week without being punished. Maybe they should get rid of the double standards, don't you think?

Or maybe the yellow shirts are a special case, considering they brought the current government into power.

<deleted>, don't you half go on spouting the same old repetitive crap over and over like an old woman.

I am beginning to wonder if you are really just a chat bot.

[Tigs]

For all those claiming double standards and, 'why did this government allow the yellow shirts to do what they want, and why can't the poor red shirts have their turn at paralysing the city, blah blah boo hoo'!. It is a completely different government cabinet to the one that allowed the yellow shirt disaster. I for one am both glad and supportive of the present governments attitude to crack down hard on those who publically call for violence and destruction of property.

As for a 'true' democracy, well just what does that mean? Whatever it does mean perhaps a nation whose citizens are willing to sell their vote for two thousand baht is not ready for a 'true democracy' as nobody understands the concept. I almost pee'd myself laughing when I saw pictures of red shirts crying because Thaksin had lost half his money. <deleted>! I guess they are upset and think it unfair because it means they miss out on another 1500 baht each. It is the ringleaders who are whipping up poor uneducated people in to a frenzy. The sooner they are all rounded up and locked away the better IMHO

[elcent]

Green is approx tourist industry - just under half 'service' sector.

Of that how many are offshore chains or listed companies. And what fraction are the farang run boozers and brothels?

these figures are wrong as much as the tourist arrival. they also count the visa runners as new tourist arrivals.

The green chart is the direct contribution to tourism related businesses, but one must also consider of how many of former tourists pour funds of billions of Baht per year into all the other sectors. This is in fact one of the biggest contribution to the Nation's source of income.

[rainman]

Yes I agree. I am wondering how to characterize the red threat of closing down the entire city. Civil disobedience is a form of peaceful protest. However, does a political faction have the right to shut down a great city indefinitely until they get everything they demand? I don't think so. I don't know of any government in the world that would not begin mass arrests of such protesters.

The current government has shown that it's fairly acceptable in Thai society to take over the government building for months and 2 international airports for over a week without being punished. Maybe they should get rid of the double standards, don't you think?

Or maybe the yellow shirts are a special case, considering they brought the current government into power.

Put a sock in it Rainman. You continue to sprout forth with untruths and propaganda, as if it's straight out the script on stage at Phan Fa this evening.

You want the whole story ?

Animatic and a couple of others have already told you so many times already.

But, they might have the patience to tell you again.

I don't.

Untruths? Are you saying that the yellow shirts didn't take over the government building for months? Or they didn't take the 2 international airports hostage for over a week? Or they didn't bring the current government into power? Or that they're still running free 2 years after, without being in jail? Tell me, which one of my facts is untrue.

Edited March 13, 2010 by rainman

[Jingthing]

It is the REDS we are dealing with now. The yellows are NOT the topic. The reds are now threatening to entirely shut down Bangkok for as long as they need. Let us focus on the here and now, OK?

[rainman]

For all those claiming double standards and, 'why did this government allow the yellow shirts to do what they want, and why can't the poor red shirts have their turn at paralysing the city, blah blah boo hoo'!. It is a completely different government cabinet to the one that allowed the yellow shirt disaster.

The thing is ...there was really no government in place anymore. Surely, Thaksin's brother-in-law was PM after Samak, but the police and army didn't follow their orders anymore. Instead doing their jobs, the army and police decided to sit back and do nothing. Well, eventually they did something, but it was a coup, which served their personal interests, not the country's.

[yoshiwara]

Last Songkran the red leaders had the element of surprise and were arrogant enough to push the violence both in Bangkok and Jomtien. It was a big mistake.

Now the State has been not only able to prepare for this weekend's events, but point to the Songkran events as an indicator of what might happen if the Reds get out of control in order to organise forces.

Not an 'abstract' hypothetical will be the rallying call. And it has been effective so far.

The reds are pushing the line to their supporters that they are the 'resistance'. so they are now boxed in re taking the initiative to kick off a physical fight.

They want to. But they can't. Even so they want to force the issue. Thaksin certainly does.

Some of the skirmishing prior to the events has been to activate dissident army units.

Unfortunately the army supporters have turned out to be a small bunch of clowns.

It is possible that the reds will try to march on a government building and break down barricaded supports as the trigger to start a street battle.

The odds are that apart from the odd skirmish and maybe surprise bomb or two, the retreat will happen, the reds will declare a pyrrhic victory

and most important of all for participants, there will still some change from the 2000 baht to have a beer.

[RegularReader]

Yes I agree. I am wondering how to characterize the red threat of closing down the entire city. Civil disobedience is a form of peaceful protest. However, does a political faction have the right to shut down a great city indefinitely until they get everything they demand? I don't think so. I don't know of any government in the world that would not begin mass arrests of such protesters.

The current government has shown that it's fairly acceptable in Thai society to take over the government building for months and 2 international airports for over a week without being punished. Maybe they should get rid of the double standards, don't you think?

Or maybe the yellow shirts are a special case, considering they brought the current government into power.

Put a sock in it Rainman. You continue to sprout forth with untruths and propaganda, as if it's straight out the script on stage at Phan Fa this evening.

You want the whole story ?

Animatic and a couple of others have already told you so many times already.

But, they might have the patience to tell you again.

I don't.

Untruths? Are you saying that the yellow shirts didn't take over the government building for months? Or they didn't take the 2 international airports hostage for over a week? Or they didn't bring the current government into power? Or that they're still running free 2 years after, without being in jail? Tell me, which one of my facts is untrue.

No. You seem to have all the answers, you tell me instead ?

If you don't know the answers, I suggest you read the detailed explanations by knowledgable posters on this topic.

[whiterussian]

The green chart is the direct contribution to tourism related businesses, but one must also consider of how many of former tourists pour funds of billions of Baht per year into all the other sectors. This is in fact one of the biggest contribution to the Nation's source of income.

Hmmm... maybe. I think us farang flatter ourselves.

[mrtoad]

If you live in the south or Bkk you never see Thailand as it is.

Shame on all you ignorant fools who think you are far better than most Thai's, and I include you if you are Thai too.

I can see you have a vastly superior knowledge of Thailand in the North or North East comparison to all those that don't live in with that statement.

[mrtoad]

If you live in the south or Bkk you never see Thailand as it is.

Shame on all you ignorant fools who think you are far better than most Thai's, and I include you if you are Thai too.

BTW, is your occupation a Burglar?

Edited March 13, 2010 by mrtoad

[Tigs]

For all those claiming double standards and, 'why did this government allow the yellow shirts to do what they want, and why can't the poor red shirts have their turn at paralysing the city, blah blah boo hoo'!. It is a completely different government cabinet to the one that allowed the yellow shirt disaster.

The thing is ...there was really no government in place anymore. Surely, Thaksin's brother-in-law was PM after Samak, but the police and army didn't follow their orders anymore. Instead doing their jobs, the army and police decided to sit back and do nothing. Well, eventually they did something, but it was a coup, which served their personal interests, not the country's.

Well as the PM was Thaksins brother in law (how convenient was that!), then maybe it may give you a hint as to why you perceive that the army and police did 'nothing'! It also appears to me that over the last 12 months, things are moving on very well in Government, so I would hazard a guess that they (army/police) did infact act in the interests of the country. If anybody was in the political game for their own interests rather than the countries, it was 100% Thaksin and his extended family.

[otherstuff1957]

So the South and Bangkok aren't "real Thailand"? My wife's mother was from Bangkok and her father from the South. Their families are going to be disappointed to find out that they aren't really Thai.

Edited March 13, 2010 by otherstuff1957

[jdinasia]

Untruths? Are you saying that the yellow shirts didn't take over the government building for months? Or they didn't take the 2 international airports hostage for over a week? Or they didn't bring the current government into power? Or that they're still running free 2 years after, without being in jail? Tell me, which one of my facts is untrue.

Out on bail might be considered running around loose to some people I guess, but they are within the court's jurisdiction unlike your hero Thaksin who happens to be anywhere but where he should be (in jail!) They were at Gov't house because they had an injunction against being removed. They didn't take over 2 international airports for over a week, and the one that they protested at for more than a week was mostly due to the AOT abandoning it. You know the truth to all of this but your blind love for Thaksin just prevents you from admitting the truth publicly.

I am still waiting on your answer to who the real leader of the yellow shirts is, since everyone else knows it to be Sondhi L, Chamlong Srimuang and the other 7.

[ratcatcher]

Untruths? Are you saying that the yellow shirts didn't take over the government building for months? Or they didn't take the 2 international airports hostage for over a week? Or they didn't bring the current government into power? Or that they're still running free 2 years after, without being in jail? Tell me, which one of my facts is untrue.

Out on bail might be considered running around loose to some people I guess, but they are within the court's jurisdiction unlike your hero Thaksin who happens to be anywhere but where he should be (in jail!) They were at Gov't house because they had an injunction against being removed. They didn't take over 2 international airports for over a week, and the one that they protested at for more than a week was mostly due to the AOT abandoning it. You know the truth to all of this but your blind love for Thaksin just prevents you from admitting the truth publicly.

I am still waiting on your answer to who the real leader of the yellow shirts is, since everyone else knows it to be Sondhi L, Chamlong Srimuang and the other 7.

rainman is a savant and thus knows everything.

[mrtoad]

So the South and Bangkok aren't "real Thailand"? My wife's mother was from Bangkok and her father from the South. Their families are going to be disappointed to find out that they aren't really Thai.

According to our resident Thai expert from England Mr Robbing Homes - there is a whole chunk of the population that don't know the real Thailand. I am sure some of my friends, neighbours and work colleagues will be highly dissapointed to find out that they are't "real Thailand". I suppose though with this theory, Visa laws in the non real part of Thailand might be slightly different, and we might even be able to own land.

[elcent]

The green chart is the direct contribution to tourism related businesses, but one must also consider of how many of former tourists pour funds of billions of Baht per year into all the other sectors. This is in fact one of the biggest contribution to the Nation's source of income.

Hmmm... maybe. I think us farang flatter ourselves.

these are all watered statistics, ?how many farangs buy houses per year in their spouses names?

[jdinasia]

He WAS the Prime Minister of Thailand, he never got voted out of power the people who voted for him -

Apparently you do not know your modern Thai history. He WAS the PM. He (nobody else) dissolved parliament. The next elections failed to seat a government. The constitution did not allow for there to be a caretaker government for the total time there was one -- so the caretaker government was extra-constitutional. The military stepped in and took the reins and installed a government and created a new constitution (arguably less democratic than the 1997 constitution but with all the checks and balances needed to run a democracy in place) The junta installed government then called new elections.

Thaksin's party was disbanded for electoral fraud. Samak was tossed out but could have returned even with the BKK charges hanging over him. Somchai was knocked out when PPP was disbanded for electoral fraud. The current government was elected by the same MP's that elected Samak (Thaksin crony) and Somchai (Thaksin's brother-in-law).

Now -- your claim that nobody but those in Isaan or Northern Thailand know anything about Thailand is just silly. Then again I am posting from Chiang Mai and not England

[Tigs]

He WAS the Prime Minister of Thailand, he never got voted out of power the people who voted for him -

Apparently you do not know your modern Thai history. He WAS the PM. He (nobody else) dissolved parliament. The next elections failed to seat a government. The constitution did not allow for there to be a caretaker government for the total time there was one -- so the caretaker government was extra-constitutional. The military stepped in and took the reins and installed a government and created a new constitution (arguably less democratic than the 1997 constitution but with all the checks and balances needed to run a democracy in place) The junta installed government then called new elections.

Thaksin's party was disbanded for electoral fraud. Samak was tossed out but could have returned even with the BKK charges hanging over him. Somchai was knocked out when PPP was disbanded for electoral fraud. The current government was elected by the same MP's that elected Samak (Thaksin crony) and Somchai (Thaksin's brother-in-law).

Now -- your claim that nobody but those in Isaan or Northern Thailand know anything about Thailand is just silly. Then again I am posting from Chiang Mai and not England

Game, Set and Match! Next Thread!

[Old Man River]

It is being reported that Suthep will tomorrow discuss calling for a State of Emergency (SOE). If this happens it will be an indication that the military, who already have vast powers via the ISA, are waiting to see how Abhisit handles things.

[frodo]

It is being reported that Suthep will tomorrow discuss calling for a State of Emergency (SOE). If this happens it will be an indication that the military, who already have vast powers via the ISA, are waiting to see how Abhisit handles things.

Please excuse my ignorance, if you will, but what would a SOE do? Good? Bad?

I'm not trolling or trying to start a flame war, but I'm not sure what it would do in this case?

[granuaile]

No wonder Weng and Jatuporn are spewing anger. According to the Nation:

Metropolitan Police estimates number of protesters at 40,000 at 7 pm

By 7 pm Saturday, the Metropolitan Police Bureau estimated that about 40,000 red-shirt protesters were rallying at the Pan Fah Bridge and on Rajdamnone Road.

Metropolitan Police spokesman Pol Maj Gen Piya Uthayo said the number was rising as more protesters were still arriving.

The Nation

A long way from 1,000,000 I would say.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/Metro...s-30124609.html

Go read the numbers that the highway police counted that have not yet reached Bangkok. There's a reason Abhisit is sleeping at the army barracks, in the house next to the coup leader Sonthi, with 4 helicopters (1 BlackHawk) on stand-by for emergency evacuation, in case the army base gets overrun by the red shirts. Source: Bangkok Post, today's edition.

And you think the army will let that happen? Dream on.

However, I really couldn't find anything to backup your statements. The most I could glean about numbers is maybe another 20,000 maybe reaching 100,000 far short of 1,000,000. As for P.M. Abhisit sleeping in the army barracks, that seems prudent to me in a time of crises in order to direct things as it is the PEACEKEEPING CENTRE. Evacuation helicopters a prudent measure. Sleeping next to Sonthi. So what? Sonthi apparently has lived there for some time. Personally I like and respect General Sonthi, having him nearby I think is useful.

[granuaile]

Yes there is a good reason for that Rainman - the red shirts are DANGEROUS thugs. Why aren't you there? I'm sure they have some somtum and feces bags waiting for you. Bring your own homemade grenade launcher - the police impounded the ones they were gonna pass out to everyone.

Throwing a bag of poop is hardly violent. And the homemade grenade launchers are not proven to have been made for the red shirts, even the police said that. They could just as well have been made for the southern insurgency.

It isn't. If someone threw that at me I'd consider it an act of violence, perhaps even attempted murder. And I would likely react violently. If someone threw that at you I assume you'd just wipe it off with a smile?

And the homemade grenade launchers nothing proven but my bets would be on where general consensus suggests they were intended to go.

[elcent]

a state of emergency would ultimately lead to civil war. A little too late.

I must admit I expected only 30000 to participate. But now we see that we are near to a critical mass.

[rainman]

I wouldn't be worried about the red shirts using explosives in Bangkok. The army is scanning every vehicle coming into Bangkok with their GT200 bomb detectors:

And yes, that is an actual photo of the army scanning the red shirts for bombs at the checkpoint ...with the GT200 scanner in hand!