Thailand's Thaksin Texts Mass Rallying Cry

[webfact]

Thailand's Thaksin texts mass rallying cry

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Fugitive former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra issued a rallying cry to thousands of supporters Wednesday, sending text messages ahead of an anti-government rally this weekend.

Leaders of the so-called "Red Shirt" movement say they expect up to 600,000 demonstrators to start gathering in the capital from Friday, after last month's court ruling confiscating 1.4 billion dollars of Thaksin's fortune.

"On (March) 14, come and gather to bring back our lost democracy and justice for future Thai generations," the twice-elected tycoon, deposed in a coup in 2006, said to subscribers to his text messaging service.

Thaksin, who made his fortune in telecommunications, has also been egging on his supporters via videolink and his Twitter page from self-imposed exile in Dubai, where he is living to avoid a jail term for graft.

The government predicts that only 100,000 protesters will gather for the rally's main day on Sunday, but it is invoking a tough security law and has vowed to use "all means" to stop any violence.

On Wednesday current Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva chaired a meeting with ministers, top armed forces and security officials to discuss plans for controlling the rally.

"Intelligence showed that there will be sabotage," he told reporters afterwards. "The public does not need to panic but please be cautious."

The Internal Security Act will be in force between March 11 and 23, allowing authorities to deploy troops on the streets during the rallies and to impose curfews and ban gatherings.

Under the law the government also banned farm vehicles from the capital in an apparent bid to block the movement of protesters from Thaksin's heartland in the rural north.

Security officials said at least 30,000 troops and police would be deployed or on standby along with thousands more civilian security volunteers, although final numbers had yet to be determined.

The government has also prepared safe houses for senior figures.

The country remains deeply divided between largely poor supporters of the populist Thaksin, who was deposed in a military coup in 2006, and those among the Bangkok-based elites who view him as corrupt.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-03-10

Published with written approval from AFP.

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

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[ScubaBuddha]

Hmm..I wonder if this is why texts were taking up to an hour to be delivered this morning. Maybe they are screening tests. I'm sure the government can stop them if they want.

[steveromagnino]

Hmm..I wonder if this is why texts were taking up to an hour to be delivered this morning. Maybe they are screening tests. I'm sure the government can stop them if they want.

no point.

The Thaksin messages are on par with the ads for viagra and cheap pharmaceuticals and offers of making money in Nigeria thanks to some government contract oversight somewhere.

I enjoy receiving them, it makes me feel like I'm wanted.

Whereas the ads for erectile disfunction....I kind of feel like someone is sending me a message........

[costalot]

Hmm..I wonder if this is why texts were taking up to an hour to be delivered this morning. Maybe they are screening tests. I'm sure the government can stop them if they want.

no point.

The Thaksin messages are on par with the ads for viagra and cheap pharmaceuticals and offers of making money in Nigeria thanks to some government contract oversight somewhere.

I enjoy receiving them, it makes me feel like I'm wanted.

Whereas the ads for erectile disfunction....I kind of feel like someone is sending me a message........

Maybe the other half??

[gotlost]

Up to 600,000 people, what happened to the 1,000,000 planned?

[SM7WGP]

You know they have a hard time with the mathematics in the country

[ballpoint]

Up to 600,000 people, what happened to the 1,000,000 planned?

They were including the voices in Seh Daeng's head, but he's agreed not to take part now. If Jatuporn stays away they'll be down to 200,000.

[chantorn]

Thaksin = the SMS leader.

[Tony121]

The just over half a million march ?

[Netfan]

Funny, I thought the red movement wasn't about Thaksin. That's what I've been reading from UDD defenders here, anyway. So this is shocking news. Are the 600,000 about democracy or Thaksin?

[steveromagnino]

Funny, I thought the red movement wasn't about Thaksin. That's what I've been reading from UDD defenders here, anyway. So this is shocking news. Are the 600,000 about democracy or Thaksin?

wear a red shirt at the rallies with a Thaksin go to jail I love democracy shirt and see how long you last :-)

They talk up peaceful...mostly women.....pro democracy.....but let's face it, much of that is a load of rot.

Anyhow, I get to test this theory, as one of the red shirts meeting points is near my house....last time just daring to walk around that area was enough to be phyically threatened by 2 red shirt thugs...this time....I'm not going unprotected. Let's see how tough these thugs are aye.

They were weak and soft in Dindaeng...methinks they are cowards in this part of town too.

I'm looking forward to some football riot action if needed*, to protect my streets from people who don't belong. The only thing is since the average IQ of some of the thuggish red shirters** is so low, perhaps clonking them in the head will raise, and not lower their IQ.

* I'm joking of course. Violence never solved anything. As the red shirters should have learned last year, but probably didn't

** I base at least some of this conclusion on the fact that for the most part they represent the least successful component of the Thai population with the worst education record (not the poorest necessarily, there is some terrible poverty in the south also) as well as the most stupid demands one has ever heard for what constitutes a democracy. Also their farang supporters on this board and the general poor reasoning and blanket statements used by their leaders which are lapped up unquestioningly seems to suggest either mental deficiency at a minimum or being braindead.

[davee58]

Hmm..I wonder if this is why texts were taking up to an hour to be delivered this morning. Maybe they are screening tests. I'm sure the government can stop them if they want.

no point.

The Thaksin messages are on par with the ads for viagra and cheap pharmaceuticals and offers of making money in Nigeria thanks to some government contract oversight somewhere.

I enjoy receiving them, it makes me feel like I'm wanted.

Whereas the ads for erectile disfunction....I kind of feel like someone is sending me a message........

Electile disfunction surely...

[Rideau]

In other words, Thaksin says "come die for me, you fools!"

[SomTumTiger]

In other words, Thaksin says "come die for me, you fools!"

Spot on.

[jonclark]

Are you sure the taksins texted rally cry didn't read - "Give me my money back you bast**ds."

If Taksin texted all the reds in the rally, does that mean:

1) he has all their phone numbers

2) how much does it cost to text 600'000 people from Dubao?

3) If i get a text can text him back with "<deleted> off"?

[animatic]

Twisted tycoon Thaksin tweets Thai twits thrice, telling tales towards terrorizing together.

Tearing twixt twofold termination to triumphant totalitarianism, then turning, timid, twined tail trapped,

treacherous troupe torpedoed, tonieness trammeled, trustworthiness trashed,

titular tribe tadpoles tumbled to tarnished turpitude. Truly.

Edited March 10, 2010 by animatic

[chantorn]

Up to 600,000 people, what happened to the 1,000,000 planned?

More like 60 people.

[brahmburgers]

I can imagine him texting the court justices in 2001:

I'm not rich, all my money gone before I entered politic. If my chauffeur rich too, then honest mistake. So sorry.

To the devoted thousands in 2002:

I'm too rich to be corrupted.

texting the court justices in 2010:

I'm not rich, all my money go to friend, or go somewhere, I don't know.

Again to the devoted Red Shirts:

I'm so rich, that I can show everybody how make more money and not pay debts.

[jonclark]

Really texting his supporters- it's like some lover sick teenager seeking reassurance that he's still loved

[mazeltov]

Really texting his supporters- it's like some lover sick teenager seeking reassurance that he's still loved

he didn't send me a message, but Abhisit did. how would you that interpret?

[landofthefree]

Funny, I thought the red movement wasn't about Thaksin. That's what I've been reading from UDD defenders here, anyway. So this is shocking news. Are the 600,000 about democracy or Thaksin?

wear a red shirt at the rallies with a Thaksin go to jail I love democracy shirt and see how long you last :-)

They talk up peaceful...mostly women.....pro democracy.....but let's face it, much of that is a load of rot.

Anyhow, I get to test this theory, as one of the red shirts meeting points is near my house....last time just daring to walk around that area was enough to be phyically threatened by 2 red shirt thugs...this time....I'm not going unprotected. Let's see how tough these thugs are aye.

They were weak and soft in Dindaeng...methinks they are cowards in this part of town too.

I'm looking forward to some football riot action if needed*, to protect my streets from people who don't belong. The only thing is since the average IQ of some of the thuggish red shirters** is so low, perhaps clonking them in the head will raise, and not lower their IQ.

* I'm joking of course. Violence never solved anything. As the red shirters should have learned last year, but probably didn't

** I base at least some of this conclusion on the fact that for the most part they represent the least successful component of the Thai population with the worst education record (not the poorest necessarily, there is some terrible poverty in the south also) as well as the most stupid demands one has ever heard for what constitutes a democracy. Also their farang supporters on this board and the general poor reasoning and blanket statements used by their leaders which are lapped up unquestioningly seems to suggest either mental deficiency at a minimum or being braindead.

I'm not a red shirt supporter but if you could take Thaksin out of the equation I would find their brand of politics much more palatable than the current Government's. Maybe its something to do with me being British and always wanting to support the underdog. I notice our Ambassador Quentin suggested a good old British compromise that would be acceptable to both parties, I am sure he was implying elections which maybe is a solution but I am sure this current Government dont want to have them. I wonder why?

[steveromagnino]

I'm not a red shirt supporter but if you could take Thaksin out of the equation I would find their brand of politics much more palatable than the current Government's. Maybe its something to do with me being British and always wanting to support the underdog. I notice our Ambassador Quentin suggested a good old British compromise that would be acceptable to both parties, I am sure he was implying elections which maybe is a solution but I am sure this current Government dont want to have them. I wonder why?

er....

no economic policy

no education policy

no foreign policy

no real policy on anything

but

they want 'democracy'

they want to change a constitution voted for by the majority of Thais and revert back to an arguably better constitution that they ignored themselves when in power

they want to (completely unrelated) rewind the clock and forgive all politicians who cheated in the past and broke the law even when the rule of the law (for someone who has studied it) appears to be have been applied in a fairly objective manner

they want an election (ok this one I agree with, but in good time)

Apparently it is fine for Thaksin to call elections randomly (which he did in 2006 after stepping down as PM, and then cheating in it by paying parties to stand against him, but being unable to win the election even standing unopposed (because some of his MPs couldn't get voted in even standing against no one, due to the different thresholds applied in the 1997 constitution regulations) and then refuse to recognise the result.......then it is ok for him to be unable to be elected in by a majority in the most recent election...form a coalition...but that it is unacceptable for the 2nd largest party to do the same after his proxy party is caught cheating AGAIN...and now we should suddenly listen to him that we want an election?

No giving in to convicted common criminals hiding abroad... but unless he buys up the jao pors who stand for the opposite of democracy, there is not a chance Thaksin's proxy would win the next election. 1 million protesters? That's not even 2% of the population...and now they are suggesting they can't even get 600,000 people (less than 1%).

There will be an election soon enough.

[animatic]

Yes soon enough an election will be here, mean time the existing functional government

will continue to serve out it's term and get things done.

[givenall]

Funny, I thought the red movement wasn't about Thaksin. That's what I've been reading from UDD defenders here, anyway. So this is shocking news. Are the 600,000 about democracy or Thaksin?

Do you also believe in tooth fairy?

[tooninthai]

These texts have been going on for weeks. I do not see a problem with people subscribing if that is their wish. Or are some of you going to deny people their right to subscribe s well as their right to demonstrate?

As for the 1,000,000 or 1,000 I notice it is the press that has been bandying these numbers about.

[jonclark]

Really texting his supporters- it's like some lover sick teenager seeking reassurance that he's still loved

he didn't send me a message, but Abhisit did. how would you that interpret?

Dunno - Depends what he said. But, I'd probably ask how he got my number? and if he has the number for Burger King and a good plumber as I'm hunger and the toilets broken.

[moo9]

My company is considering to invest a not small sum of money in Thailand, creating and securing jobs for Thais (rather well paid).

When everything goes wrong they will decide for another SEA country and then thank you Mr. Fh***sin. Another crime against the people of Thailand!

[jdinasia]

These texts have been going on for weeks. I do not see a problem with people subscribing if that is their wish. Or are some of you going to deny people their right to subscribe s well as their right to demonstrate?

As for the 1,000,000 or 1,000 I notice it is the press that has been bandying these numbers about.

The press has been "bandying" those numbers about because those are the numbers that are stated by the participants and the principals of the groups involved. It would be rather poor reporting to not mention it.

Just like when someone claims the reds are a peaceful group it would be poor reporting to not mention the history of violence associated with them.

[Chaimai]

he didn't send me a message, but Abhisit did. how would you that interpret?

Wrong number, obviously. Not rocket science.

[Jingthing]

My company is considering to invest a not small sum of money in Thailand, creating and securing jobs for Thais (rather well paid).

When everything goes wrong they will decide for another SEA country and then thank you Mr. Fh***sin. Another crime against the people of Thailand!

Maybe its time for Thais to start protesting at UAE embassies to pressure them to send the criminal fugitive home to face his crimes like a man.