Thai Govt Likely To Enforce State Of Emergency On Top Of ISA

[george]

Govt likely to enforce state of emergency on top of ISA

BANGKOK: -- The government will likely enforce a state-of-emergency decree today to cope with the escalating security problem in Bangkok after tens of thousands of provincial protesters arrived in the city yesterday.

A state of emergency, which would be on top on the current implementation of the Internal Security Act (ISA), would empower the military to fully take charge of the situation.

Under the ISA, soldiers can only help the police in maintaining law and order.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is expected to hold an emergency Cabinet meeting before the emergency decree is used, according to a senior government source.

Red shirts rallying for "democracy" yesterday threatened a mass march on Abhisit's hold-out if he does not dissolve the House of Representatives by noon today.

Tens of thousands of protesters gathering from across the country at the main rally stage on Rajdamnoen Avenue were prepared to lay siege to the Army's 11th Infantry Regiment on Phaholyothin, where the premier is temporarily billeted and manning a "war room".

Many demonstrators from the Northeast, North and other parts of the country arrived in Bangkok yesterday, with their numbers expected to swell past 100,000 today, said Tawil Pliensri, secretary-general of the National Security Council.

Jatuporn Promphan, a key leader of the anti-government movement, said that at this stage they had no plan to march to Government House, Parliament House or the house of Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda. Natthawut Saikua, the red-shirt spokesman, said today would see more arrivals from central, eastern and western provinces as well as from around Bangkok.

"We're still confident the count will reach 1 million," he said.

Veera Musikapong, another leader, will address the rally today and deliver an ultimatum for Abhisit to dissolve the House and call a snap election.

"If Abhisit ignores our demand, we'll step up the protest by marching on Bangkok's streets and urge more people to join our campaign for House dissolution," Natthawut said.

The red shirts expect a successful conclusion before the week is out.

"Altogether, we do not plan to stay more than seven days. I guess we could have a victory within four days," Jatuporn said.

Korkaew Pikulthong, another leader, said disbanding the House was the only solution to the current crisis, nothing less.

"If Abhisit resigns, then Chuan Leekpai, chairman of the Democrat Party's advisory council, would likely be his replacement. In this case, we will continue to protest. We want the government to return power to the people via a new election.

"If there are more than 500,000 protesters, I think Abhisit will have to dissolve the House and every party should reach an understanding to accept the outcome of the new poll so that the country can move forward.

"Representatives of all the stakeholders, including General Prem, president of the Privy Council, Abhisit, General Anupong [Paochinda, Army chief], Sonthi Limtongkul [of the yellow-shirt movement] as well as General Chavalit [Yongchaiyudh, chairman of the Pheu Thai Party] and Veera Musikapong and Thaksin Shinawatra should also enter into this agreement," he said.

Police plan to dispatch 3,700 reinforcements to keep law and order during the red shirts' show of force in Bangkok.

Metropolitan Police spokesman Maj-General Piya Uthayo said police estimated some 40,000 red shirts had assembled in Bangkok yesterday, with more to join last night and today.

Authorities would be on guard for any sabotage during the night, he said.

Acting Government Spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said a huge turnout by the red shirts was still not beyond expectations.

Authorities would exercise special care around the protest site, mainly on Rajdamnoen Avenue, and the residences of important figures in order to prevent any unfortunate incidents.

Abhisit expects the build-up of protesters to peak today.

Authorities now will focus on preventing any extreme incidents, he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said authorities would use no force as long as the protesters did not break the law.

If they started blocking roads or breaking into government buildings or trashing private property, authorities would disperse the troublemakers, he added.

-- The Nation 2010-03-14

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[bulmercke]

What a difference twenty-four hours makes. This time yesterday the total number of red shirts in BKK at each of the six meeting points was reported as being woefully low (well less than 10,000 ).

Now with intelligence reporting that there has been a massive increase in numbers over the last twenty-four hours the government - or sources close to it - are reporting that a state of emergency may be declared sometime tomorrow on top of the ISA.

It's still a peaceful demonstration. Up to now there have been absolutely NO reports of violence.

What are the government scared of? Numbers.

Edited March 13, 2010 by bulmercke

[Jingthing]

You clearly don't read the news. The red shirted leaders have made it clear they intend to cripple the city of Bangkok INDEFINITELY by blocking major roads. Is that what you call peaceful, disturbing the lives of millions of people, and potentially crippling the entire country? Get real.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Yes, it's puzzling. ISA was already waving a red flag at a bull (you know there's a pun in there just begging to be made), but full martial law will seriously scare business and tourists away and for no good reason. Possibly the military wants it, and Abhisit doesn't have much choice other than to accept?

[Jingthing]

Yes, it's puzzling. ISA was already waving a red flag at a bull (you know there's a pun in there just begging to be made), but full martial law will seriously scare business and tourists away and for no good reason. Possibly the military wants it, and Abhisit doesn't have much choice other than to accept?

Hearing the red shirts spin is really like visiting Cloud Cuckoo Land. Do you seriously think it is acceptable for the red shirts (as they said themselves they intend to) to block all the major roads of Bangkok indefinitely? Yes or no? If you were leader of a country, can you say you would allow that? If you say yes, I think you are a total liar. No leader would allow that. I know you want Abhisit to cave, but why should he?

Edited March 13, 2010 by Jingthing

[yoshiwara]

Some may be wondering why the reds don't just wait for the next round of elections in 2011 without all this hoo-ha.

It is because Thaksin cannot face the thought that he may not be dictating events.

Sunday is the day he hopes to make a decisive push, but this time the the other side are ready.

The reds are heading for a brick wall and will either disperse or be dispersed.

No doubt they are hoping to capture a public building and challenge the State forces to get them out.

Oh, and get ready for the accusations of state brutality.

Just like last Songkran the residents of Bangkok will not be too keen to have reds using their neighbouthoods as a war zone.

And then in their frustration the red basball bats will come out.

Attacking the locals. Again.

[mazeltov]

It's still a peaceful demonstration. Up to now there have been absolutely NO reports of violence.

What are the government scared of? Numbers.

looks like that. would it be something evidently otherwise, i am sure that The Nation would had provide a more propagandistic support.

[Yimmy]

The red shirted leaders have made it clear they intend to cripple the city of Bangkok INDEFINITELY

Or at least until their cash payments runout.

Takes a lot of Banknotes for a paid mob to cripple a city indefinitely.

[rainman]

All that just to hold on to power. If the government is so sure that it has the backing of the majority, it should have held elections a long time ago. If they had held elections right after Thaksin was removed, the Democrats could have even won a majority and would have had a legit mandate of the people, but now they're just seen as desperately holding on to power.

[Jingthing]

It seems like the one who most seriously cannot cope with being out of power is the megalomaniac in this drama -- THAKSIN. He wants it back at ANY price. No matter that he is destroying Thailand. Frankly, he is outrageous. The majority of people in Thailand clearly want this man to be stopped. The government if they can succeed soon in crushing the Thaksinista movement forever will indeed be doing the will of the people.

Edited March 13, 2010 by Jingthing

[bulmercke]

You clearly don't read the news. The red shirted leaders have made it clear they intend to cripple the city of Bangkok INDEFINITELY by blocking major roads. Is that what you call peaceful, disturbing the lives of millions of people, and potentially crippling the entire country? Get real.

QUOTE(from article):"Veera Musikapong, another leader, will address the rally today and deliver an ultimatum for Abhisit to dissolve the House and call a snap election."

And why not? This is not a democratically elected government. I don't support the red shirts - but having said that you must surely have some concerns about how this governemt came to power in the first place.

Further the army acted extra-judicially in their support last April. I.E. Din Daeng.

[mommysboy]

It's still a peaceful demonstration. Up to now there have been absolutely NO reports of violence.

What are the government scared of? Numbers.

looks like that. would it be something evidently otherwise, i am sure that The Nation would had provide a more propagandistic support.

must be numbers, yet that flies in the face of official reporting! strange that

[IvanDobsky]

It's still a peaceful demonstration. Up to now there have been absolutely NO reports of violence.

What are the government scared of? Numbers.

looks like that. would it be something evidently otherwise, i am sure that The Nation would had provide a more propagandistic support.

with Arisman's vitriol, we should wait until the demo is over to be sure that it will stay peaceful

[Jingthing]

You clearly don't read the news. The red shirted leaders have made it clear they intend to cripple the city of Bangkok INDEFINITELY by blocking major roads. Is that what you call peaceful, disturbing the lives of millions of people, and potentially crippling the entire country? Get real.

QUOTE(from article):"Veera Musikapong, another leader, will address the rally today and deliver an ultimatum for Abhisit to dissolve the House and call a snap election."

And why not? This is not a democratically elected government. I don't support the red shirts - but having said that you must surely have some concerns about how this governemt came to power in the first place.

Further the army acted extra-judicially in their support last April. I.E. Din Daeng.

Actually, Abhisit was democratically elected. Why not a snap election? Is that your idea of democracy that an angry mob can demand an election anytime they fancy? Under threat of basically destroying the economy of the entire country by blocking the capital indefinitely? I won't use the T word, but I want to.

Edited March 13, 2010 by Jingthing

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Yes, it's puzzling. ISA was already waving a red flag at a bull (you know there's a pun in there just begging to be made), but full martial law will seriously scare business and tourists away and for no good reason. Possibly the military wants it, and Abhisit doesn't have much choice other than to accept?

Hearing the red shirts spin is really like visiting Cloud Cuckoo Land. Do you seriously think it is acceptable for the red shirts (as they said themselves they intend to) to block all the major roads of Bangkok indefinitely? Yes or no? If you were leader of a country, can you say you would allow that? If you say yes, I think you are a total liar. No leader would allow that. I know you want Abhisit to cave, but why should he?

You're talking about something that hasn't even happened yet. If it does, the government is expected to weigh people's rights to protest against the inconvenience caused, and may take action at that time. You're fantasising about the future. The last thing I read from the UDD mentioned that the protests would last for 7 days. Not sure how much UDD press releases you read, you seem happy with the spin that gets served by some newspapers.

[rainman]

The sad thing is that most people on this board don't even understand that this isn't about Thaksin. And yes, you may counter my statement saying it's all about Thaksin. That's alright, because for most people it's too early to see what this is really about.

Edited March 13, 2010 by rainman

[Jingthing]

You are wrong Winnie. They want to win quick, but there are press reports that the reds are saying AS LONG AS IT TAKES (even a year)! Might as well nip this cancer in the bud. They aren't reasonable.

[Publicus]

It's not in this statement by the government, but in other statements late Saturday by authorities their latest estimates of Redshirts that eventually will gather tomorrow are now upwards of 100,000. That this is the Reds final, quick action last gasp strategy, I'd say that's a critical mass that could span throughout Bangkok to shut the city down, and I think this is the conclusion of the government itself.

Given the unreliability of the police, it well may be necessary, not simply desirable or precautionary given the rhetoric of the Reds to disable Bangkok, to turn to the army. I've stated before that a state of emergency might imply the makings of a coup, but I say might. Gen Anupong during his recent visit to the Pentagon was given the clear picture of the Obama administration and there's no doubt as the the position of the EU, Japan, the PRC, Australia et al regarding another coup. So this is unlikely as the army could finally have it out with the Reds; indeed the government knows the Red leaders, has them on bail, and the Red leaders who have consequently been in the shadows are not likely to run to the front of the action to declare themselves the chiefs of the new order, especially given that the army clearly is under Gen Anupong's control.

The fact is that in the present circumstance, and given the Reds declared necessary short timeframe of several days to destroy the government, the army should be able to be the effective authority to battle in the short term of 4 -7 days to rout the Reds, bring the situation under control and to finally foil Thaksin in his obssessive lust for power, glory and personal dictatorial control over Thailand. The fact is Thaksin could only realize his mad ambitions over the dead bodies of Gen Anupong and the likes of Gen Prem, while the reverse is more likely to be the case, at least politically as the expression applies to Thaksin.

State of Emergency it must be if matters are to become clear and settled over the next four to seven days.

Edited March 13, 2010 by Publicus

[kurtgruen]

Some may be wondering why the reds don't just wait for the next round of elections in 2011 without all this hoo-ha.

It is because Thaksin cannot face the thought that he may not be dictating events.

Sunday is the day he hopes to make a decisive push, but this time the the other side are ready.

The reds are heading for a brick wall and will either disperse or be dispersed.

No doubt they are hoping to capture a public building and challenge the State forces to get them out.

Oh, and get ready for the accusations of state brutality.

Just like last Songkran the residents of Bangkok will not be too keen to have reds using their neighbouthoods as a war zone.

And then in their frustration the red basball bats will come out.

Attacking the locals. Again.

Now there is a good thought...waiting for the next election, which is only a year away. There is no good reasons for all this crap right now. You want democracy to work like it is supposed to, then waiting for the next election would have been the thing to do.

I hope that the government manages to handle this situatioon and doesn't give in to a bunch of thugs, because I sure don't want a bunch of red thugs running the Country into the ground

[IvanDobsky]

The sad thing is that most people on this board don't even understand that this isn't about Thaksin. And yes, you may counter my statement saying it's all about Thaksin. That's alright, because for most people it's too early to see what this is really about.

yeah, nothing to do with him

so little to do with him that you mentioned him twice

nothing to with T or his money, honest guv, here's some money to agree with me

[Basil B]

They really ought to remember the 13th April last year.

I was in Bangkok on the 12th, early afternoon I was on the walk way watching the goings on below, red shirts, mainly the grannies and mamas "rent-a-mob" from the poor villages playing loud music, blowing whistles and dancing in the road stopping the traffic, then some thug in a red shirt with a base ball bat came up on the walk way and ordered everybody off.

Later that afternoon I saw on TV again thugs in red shirts standing on top of an armoured personnel carrier with Molotov Cocktails ordering the troops out, the one thing I know about Thai's you do not make them loose face, the army lost face big time and the 13th was history, some tear gas and a few live rounds and the "rent-a-mob" could not get out of Bangkok fast enough.

[bulmercke]

You clearly don't read the news. The red shirted leaders have made it clear they intend to cripple the city of Bangkok INDEFINITELY by blocking major roads. Is that what you call peaceful, disturbing the lives of millions of people, and potentially crippling the entire country? Get real.

QUOTE(from article):"Veera Musikapong, another leader, will address the rally today and deliver an ultimatum for Abhisit to dissolve the House and call a snap election."

And why not? This is not a democratically elected government. I don't support the red shirts - but having said that you must surely have some concerns about how this governemt came to power in the first place.

Further the army acted extra-judicially in their support last April. I.E. Din Daeng.

Actually, Abhisit was democratically elected. Why not a snap election? Is that your idea of democracy that an angry mob can demand an election anytime they fancy? Under threat of basically destroying the economy of the entire country by blocking the capital indefinitely? I won't use the T word, but I want to.

Last year the Election Committee found the PPP party guilty of election fraud. And very conveniently the Democrat party was given a free reign to form a coalition government in their place. This was all by design.

This was wrong. Very wrong. A snap election should have been held in this situation - just like in the west - but it wasn't.

There appeared to be covert collusion between the courts and the opposition.

All I say is let the red shirts have their day. And in the process - let true democracy have a say - whether that be through civil obedience - peaceful and non-violent - or through civil disobedience - or whatever -

[mca]

Is that your idea of democracy that an angry mob can demand an election anytime they fancy?

Which is equaled by the idea of democracy that the army can pull a military coup anytime they fancy against anyone they fancy.

[shawndoc]

Last year the Election Committee found the PPP party guilty of election fraud. And very conveniently the Democrat party was given a free reign to form a coalition government in their place. This was all by design.

You're right, it was by design. Although not some ridiculous conspiracy theory like you suggest, but because that is how parliamentary systems work. Several groups that had formed a coalition government with the PPP decided to leave the coalition to separate themselves from the corruption of the PPP and decided to form a new coalition with the Democrats. That is how the system is designed, and how it is done in countries throughout the world.

Remember, the PPP were never the majority, they teamed up with smaller factions and formed a coalition government. The Democrats did the same. That is how a parliamentary system works.

[prancer]

Abhisit was not elected by the people in any general election. He won a special vote in the Parliament after the PPP was dissolved. Even he has said in recent interviews he knows there should be new elections.

[granuaile]

What a difference twenty-four hours makes. This time yesterday the total number of red shirts in BKK at each of the six meeting points was reported as being woefully low (well less than 10,000 ).

Now with intelligence reporting that there has been a massive increase in numbers over the last twenty-four hours the government - or sources close to it - are reporting that a state of emergency may be declared sometime tomorrow on top of the ISA.

It's still a peaceful demonstration. Up to now there have been absolutely NO reports of violence.

What are the government scared of? Numbers.

Actually the government has been consistently estimating up to 100,000 or more (far less than the 1,000,000 threatened). Yesterday les than 10,000 showed up, that was never touted by the government as the final number. My guess is they can muster no more than 60-70,000.

The demonstrations last Songkran were initially peaceful, and with the redshirts threatening to "paralyze" Bangkok, inciting violence and sedition, I think this is just the calm before the storm.

And guess what. I don't think the government is scared at all. They are letting the redshirts build the momentum to be the instruments of their own destruction, giving them all the rope they need. But when and if the redshirts try to repeat the murders, mayhem, and and other actions of last April the government will be prepared this time. And if that means giving more power and options to the military, then so be it. None of my Thai friends here have an issue with that. So don't bet on the government being scared darling. They're prepared.

[yoshiwara]

Is that your idea of democracy that an angry mob can demand an election anytime they fancy?

Which is equaled by the idea of democracy that the army can pull a military coup anytime they fancy against anyone they fancy.

A very poor argument. First the coup was specifically targetted against Thaksin, not 'anybody'. Second, all the reds have to do is disassociate themselves from Thaksin and thirdly your attempt to whitewash any red violence in advance is silly. Shouting democracy from inside the pocket of Thaksin is not very impressive.

[mca]

My main concern is that if it goes off big time the army aren't going to differentiate between mad Somchai lobbing a few out of a home made M-79 and red granny having a day out and a bit of money in her pocket and a stomach full of somtam.

History has shown that the Thai security services aren't particularly bothered where their bullets end up. Why would they be? They're never accountable anyway.

[granuaile]

QUOTE(from article):"Veera Musikapong, another leader, will address the rally today and deliver an ultimatum for Abhisit to dissolve the House and call a snap election."

And why not? This is not a democratically elected government. I don't support the red shirts - but having said that you must surely have some concerns about how this governemt came to power in the first place.

Further the army acted extra-judicially in their support last April. I.E. Din Daeng.

I see. So you fault the army for moving in and poreventing the disaster that would have occurred if the redshirts had successfully exploded a gasoline tanker in front of residential housing at Dindaeng last April. That seems to be what you are saying. That rather than the army acting to prevent more murders by the redshirts they should have allowed it. Sorry, the real world doesn't work that way, and people here were very happy when the redshirts were run out of BKK.

As for democratically elected, this government was formed just like the redshirt governments, by forming coalitions. The parties in the coalition were composed of individuals elected, so how was it not democratically elected.

[rainman]

Abhisit was not elected by the people in any general election. He won a special vote in the Parliament after the PPP was dissolved. Even he has said in recent interviews he knows there should be new elections.

Reminds me of the little kid that had cake smeared all over his face and fingers, admitted that eating the cake would be wrong but still denied eating the cake.