Red Shirts Plan To Paralyse Bangkok, Topple Thai Government

[jitenshaman]

Various people have said the present government is a legitimate government. With a scheduled election (legitimate) being sidelined by the coup everything that came after the coup is tainted with the same poison....including the Dec 07 elections. The country needs free elections without the military involved to leave the past behind.

It is a joke to say that elections in which people are paid to vote are free and fair. The coup and subsequent government was not democratic nor free and fair, and Thaksin's government was never free or fair either. For the Red Shirts movement to be based on gaining "democracy" for Thailand is nothing but a hypocritical joke, and unfortunately one that has polarized the country and cost innocent lives.

[moo9]

It is true, both yellow and red are minorities in the country. The problem is that the ordinary, working Thais do not care or are too busy or simply not interested in politics and just want their quiet and relaxed life without mobs in the streets etc.

The problem about elections in Thailand is, that those elections are never free, secret and direct. A lot of money and bribes exchange hands which leads to certain results.

To me, Thailand is by far not ready for democracy, due to the lack of qualified and clean politicians and the lack of a general certain level of education, especially in the rural areas.

If you want to achieve a stable political system it would be the first step to improve education, but that's a long term approach, which will not help in the actual situation.

No easy way out I am afraid.

[Samuian]

.....edited to shorten...

It is a joke to say that elections in which people are paid to vote are free and fair. The coup and subsequent government was not democratic nor free and fair, and Thaksin's government was never free or fair either. For the Red Shirts movement to be based on gaining "democracy" for Thailand is nothing but a hypocritical joke, and unfortunately one that has polarized the country and cost innocent lives.

seconded!

That his "entourage" left Thailand the last couple of days,

speaks volumes, that they anticipate something big,

why are they going into hiding, what could be the plan?

Bloodshed?

What would it take to topple a government, ti "clean the board"?

Without parliamentarian means?

Well, well, well... we'll see soon!

one ray of hope is that factions are turning against each other,

away from each other and that money supply runs dry!

[Thai at Heart]

Found this nestling in the nationblogs.

http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/thanong/2010/03/10/entry-1

http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/thanong/2010/03/09/entry-1

A little wordy, but interesting.

[Colabamumbai]

They said that they were short of money and could not get the large support of people that they wanted, so I imagind that they do not have enough money to go around.

[siampolee]

An interesting scenario has just arisen in the fact that the leader of The House Chai Chibchob has offered to mediate twixt the involved factions.

Interesting to note that the stock Market is actually climbing in value.

There may well be a chink or three in the armour surrounding the Red Shirts both financially and loyalty wise, many opposing factions and a realization that people are not as gullible as the leaders of the Red Shirts ( read Thaksin) may think.

People get a little peeved when they see the tribe of their absentee leader and his acolytes (Chalerm) running away to safety while the rank and file are in line for a severe smacking.

[mazeltov]

Various people have said the present government is a legitimate government. With a scheduled election (legitimate) being sidelined by the coup everything that came after the coup is tainted with the same poison....including the Dec 07 elections. The country needs free elections without the military involved to leave the past behind.

Bingo.

that is the point. and the lesson to learn is that coups are bad for a civil society and that coup supporters or those who benefit from it cannot claim Win and that they are decent and legit and trying to get away with it.

and that it take an awful long time until the damage done by the Coup is repaired.

[TAWP]

Various people have said the present government is a legitimate government. With a scheduled election (legitimate) being sidelined by the coup everything that came after the coup is tainted with the same poison....including the Dec 07 elections. The country needs free elections without the military involved to leave the past behind.

Bingo.

that is the point. and the lesson to learn is that coups are bad for a civil society and that coup supporters or those who benefit from it cannot claim Win and that they are decent and legit and trying to get away with it.

and that it take an awful long time until the damage done by the Coup is repaired.

Nonsense. What you are saying is that even if a government is legit you will reserve yourself the right to 'out' any government you don't like if they are not the one you support, no matter how they got there.

[Thai at Heart]

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/...w-30124471.html

PRO-THAKSIN RALLIES

PM vows not to condone a coup; willing to step down

Who is managing this mess. Why would he say such a thing? A statement like this is an absolute red rag to a bull. If he goes, it all comes tumbling down.

[moo9]

The motto of the demonstration "Topple the Government" is already anti democratic!

The same refers more or less to the yellow protests before, however there was clear evidence, that Thaksin had cheated the country before. That will not authorize a group of protesters to "topple" a government by seizing the airport or provoking a coup, but at least the yellow had my sympathy, although I did not support all their actions.

Now the Red leaders clearly express that they will break through police control posts and will topple the government by all means. In my eyes a clear infringement of constitutional rights and duties and laws.

No other country in the world would tolerate this argumentation and the open appeal for public unrest (try it in China - a people's republic - or Russia!)!

Other countries would use teargas and water guns without any warning, and that would happen in so called civilized and well democratic countries.

I think this all goes to far and Thaksin is raping the word freedom, just for his own benefit. The problem is however that there is no single guy with such charismatic influence to stop him.

[moo9]

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/...w-30124471.html

PRO-THAKSIN RALLIES

PM vows not to condone a coup; willing to step down

Who is managing this mess. Why would he say such a thing? A statement like this is an absolute red rag to a bull. If he goes, it all comes tumbling down.

I was also very shocked to read this. He declares his defeat even before the party starts?

My fear is that the reds will run thorugh Bangkok like through a melting piece of butter (as seen in the past). Security forces without weapons (even no water guns, tear gas). What should those poor guys do against furious buffalos?

[Thai at Heart]

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/...w-30124471.html

PRO-THAKSIN RALLIES

PM vows not to condone a coup; willing to step down

Who is managing this mess. Why would he say such a thing? A statement like this is an absolute red rag to a bull. If he goes, it all comes tumbling down.

I was also very shocked to read this. He declares his defeat even before the party starts?

My fear is that the reds will run thorugh Bangkok like through a melting piece of butter (as seen in the past). Security forces without weapons (even no water guns, tear gas). What should those poor guys do against furious buffalos?

Something must be going on in the background.

He must know that in this situation he CAN'T say something like this, so there has to be a very important reason to say it. If the reds are allowed to run amok, it is I believe that Abhisit isn't willing to have blood on his hands because of the conduct of the so called "peace keepers".

[moo9]

Mai pen rai ... sometimes I think, it does not matter Abhisit / Thaksin, whoever.....

The problems will stay the same, the rich stay rich, the poor stay poor. Som na na....

[Moonrakers]

He might step down to prevent a coup, but does that mean that he Dem's will relinquish power? Perhaps that is what he is thinking.

[Thai at Heart]

Mai pen rai ... sometimes I think, it does not matter Abhisit / Thaksin, whoever.....

The problems will stay the same, the rich stay rich, the poor stay poor. Som na na....

if Abhisit can't survive this one I think we can expect a pretty bumpy ride.

[frodo]

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/...w-30124471.html

PRO-THAKSIN RALLIES

PM vows not to condone a coup; willing to step down

Who is managing this mess. Why would he say such a thing? A statement like this is an absolute red rag to a bull. If he goes, it all comes tumbling down.

I was also very shocked to read this. He declares his defeat even before the party starts?

My fear is that the reds will run thorugh Bangkok like through a melting piece of butter (as seen in the past). Security forces without weapons (even no water guns, tear gas). What should those poor guys do against furious buffalos?

Something must be going on in the background.

He must know that in this situation he CAN'T say something like this, so there has to be a very important reason to say it. If the reds are allowed to run amok, it is I believe that Abhisit isn't willing to have blood on his hands because of the conduct of the so called "peace keepers".

Can't blame Abhisit for not wanting blood on his hands. If the reds, and i say again if, run amok and begin their terrorizing, murdering people, hurling moltov's, etc., they will certainly be deserving of whatever consequences are given to them. They have been warned numerous times about this. It's in their hands now, and how they want it to play out is really up to them. They can protest peacefully as is their right. Destruction, mayhem, and murder are not a constitutional right, though some seem to think this is the case.

Abhisit and Suthep has been very fair about this and have called for peace, unlike the a few UDD leaders who are saying the opposite and want confrontation.

[webfact]

Red shirts to march at noon Friday, confrontation expected

BANGKOK: -- Friday at midday, the red shirt will commence marching from across the country and plan to overcome every checkpoint in order to reach Bangkok, rally organiser Jatuporn Promphan said on Thursday.

A crucial place to watch is the checkpoint at Pratunam Phra In in Ayutthaya where four battalions of security forces have been deployed to block the red shirts, Jatuporn said.

"The red shirts plan to break through if the security forces try to stop them and the event will be broadcast live via the People's Channel," he said.

The crackdown on the red shirts, if happened, would speed up the government's downfall, he said.

-- The Nation 2010-03-11

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[mazeltov]

Various people have said the present government is a legitimate government. With a scheduled election (legitimate) being sidelined by the coup everything that came after the coup is tainted with the same poison....including the Dec 07 elections. The country needs free elections without the military involved to leave the past behind.

Bingo.

that is the point. and the lesson to learn is that coups are bad for a civil society and that coup supporters or those who benefit from it cannot claim Win and that they are decent and legit and trying to get away with it.

and that it take an awful long time until the damage done by the Coup is repaired.

Nonsense. What you are saying is that even if a government is legit you will reserve yourself the right to 'out' any government you don't like if they are not the one you support, no matter how they got there.

where is the nonsense?

i am saying Coups are bad. having an unpredictable outcome and it is better for the sake of a civil society to refrain from such acts.

that the current situation can't not be seen and interpreted without taking the 2006 coup into consideration.

and isn't only the coup, if i look at the certain members in the cabinet of this government i can spot role models or blue print cases how mob actions in the street get later, after the 'victory' rewarded.

the legitimacy of this government is flawed and spoiled.

[webfact]

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]

[webfact]

Red Shirts Threaten to Close Bkk Rds if PM Doesn't Dissolve Parliament

Leaders of the DAAD have come out and threatened to close down Bangkok roads if the prime minister doesn't dissolve Parliament by March 14 to 15.

-- Tan Network 2010-03-11

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[Insight]

Quoting Thai At Heart et al...

Can't blame Abhisit for not wanting blood on his hands. If the reds, and i say again if, run amok and begin their terrorizing, murdering people, hurling moltov's, etc., they will certainly be deserving of whatever consequences are given to them. They have been warned numerous times about this. It's in their hands now, and how they want it to play out is really up to them. They can protest peacefully as is their right. Destruction, mayhem, and murder are not a constitutional right, though some seem to think this is the case.

Abhisit and Suthep has been very fair about this and have called for peace, unlike the a few UDD leaders who are saying the opposite and want confrontation.

The other English language paper is running a similar story with a more accurate summary of what was said. It states that Abhisit later went on to say that he didn't believe his resignation or a dissolution would help the situation.

Highly irresponsible reporting by The Nation.

[sloopy]

I think this all goes to far and Thaksin is raping the word freedom, just for his own benefit. The problem is however that there is no single guy with such charismatic influence to stop him.

Ultimately there is only ONE person who should be responsible for having blood on his hands. He is the same person who is holding the country to ransom and the stark irony is that he claims it is for the sake of democracy. What a hypocrite.

[Thai at Heart]

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]

They going to get the Navy involved too?

[frodo]

Boats mobilised to transport red shirts from Ayutthaya

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]

Perhaps it is true then about Siriaj Hospital being a hot spot as posted on another thread. Say's a lot about another long term goal of the boss in Dubai, and does contradict Chalerm's statements a few days ago regarding the hospital.

This part can get rather messy.

[michaelc]

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]

They going to get the Navy involved too?

That's a fairly provocative place to land under the circumstances.

[Thai at Heart]

Quoting Thai At Heart et al...

Can't blame Abhisit for not wanting blood on his hands. If the reds, and i say again if, run amok and begin their terrorizing, murdering people, hurling moltov's, etc., they will certainly be deserving of whatever consequences are given to them. They have been warned numerous times about this. It's in their hands now, and how they want it to play out is really up to them. They can protest peacefully as is their right. Destruction, mayhem, and murder are not a constitutional right, though some seem to think this is the case.

Abhisit and Suthep has been very fair about this and have called for peace, unlike the a few UDD leaders who are saying the opposite and want confrontation.

The other English language paper is running a similar story with a more accurate summary of what was said. It states that Abhisit later went on to say that he didn't believe his resignation or a dissolution would help the situation.

Highly irresponsible reporting by The Nation.

If that is what he said, indeed it is ridiculous reporting.

As for molotovs and murdering. They did burn up some stuff last time and despite what the UDD claim, it appears that no one was killed by the army. I trust that that is the plan this time.

[Insight]

Think it's becoming clear they are intending on provoking the people of Bangkok, along with the military, into a reaction.

To what purpose will this serve?

[Jingthing]

Think it's becoming clear they are intending on provoking the people of Bangkok, along with the military, into a reaction.

To what purpose will this serve?

This is a big crap shoot for them. The last one? We can hope. Clearly they want to get media of the government doing bad things to the protesters (even if provoked as it no doubt will be). Then their plan is to rile up more of the people against the government and also to gain international support of people who don't know the real truth about Thaksin. They imagine they are like the Iranian protesters that most of the world supports. Of course they are not, but that's the propaganda they are going for.

[Thai at Heart]

Think it's becoming clear they are intending on provoking the people of Bangkok, along with the military, into a reaction.

To what purpose will this serve?

Depends if their intent is to protest or to cause chaos. If the "people of Bangkok" have any sense they will stay well out of it. Reds v Populous with the Army in the middle in confrontation would get way out of control very very quickly. If that happens, the army will find it very difficult to control the situation.

If the army keep their poise they should be able to handle anything that comes their way much like Songkran last year.

As to what they hope to achieve, if the chaos is bad enough, I would imagine that Abhisit would step down and dissolve Parliament, and I bet the army isn't going to let that happen.

Never, ever, ever, no way. The army says what goes in this town right now and he is definitely the least worst option by a very wide margin.

[michaelc]

Boats mobilised to transport red shirts from Ayutthaya

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]

Perhaps it is true then about Siriaj Hospital being a hot spot as posted on another thread. Say's a lot about another long term goal of the boss in Dubai, and does contradict Chalerm's statements a few days ago regarding the hospital.

This part can get rather messy.

The contents of the other thread are getting around now. Its a major provocation to be landing next to HM The King, and could easily get things out of hand regardless of thew reliability of that threads contents. Could be a major clash right there.