Bangkok Traffic Police Preparing For A Tough Saturday

[webfact]

Police preparing for a tough Saturday

By Mayuree Sukyingcharoenwong,

Naya Jaikawang

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Traffic policemen at all stations in Bangkok have been instructed to put more effort into controlling heavy congestion anticipated on Saturday when antigovernment protestors start their campaign to 'meet and greet' capital residents and Bangkokbased red shirts.

Late yesterday redshirt leaders said they were also considering disruption to underground train services and the BTS.

Traffic areas of most concern are Pratunam and the Rama I intersection, covering Siam Centre and Siam Paragon malls, as congestion is common in these areas, said Pol MajGeneral Phanu Kerdlarpphol, who oversees traffic management in Bangkok.

The officer said he hoped protest leaders would coordinate with police on areas red shirts planned to converge on or march in, but they have not been heard from so far.

He said rallies in small groups, of the kind expected on Saturday, were easier to handle than a largescale march of the type red shirts conducted in their protests on March 14.

Police would negotiate with protest leaders to free up some areas they have occupied on Rajdamnoen Avenue and the Royal Plaza to make way for the annual Red Cross fair events from March 30 to May 7.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship (DAAD)'s Saturday campaign for redshirt demonstrators to "meet and greet" Bangkok people is a plan in disguise to disrupt traffic and blockade city streets and force negotiations with the government, according to a highlyplaced DAAD source.

"The disruption is needed because middleclass people like Bangkok residents are naturally reluctant to express themselves, unless their lives are affected," the source explained.

Whether mass transport, like underground trains and the BTS service should also be disrupted, is being discussed among DAAD leaders.

"If our campaign can be heightened to that level, the government must do something to respond," the source added.

In the campaign on Saturday, redshirt vehicles will spread through city streets joined by more mobilised from the provinces. They will converge at the rally point at the main protest site at Phan Fa Lilas Bridge, before travelling enmasse throughout Bangkok.

-- The Nation 2010-03-19

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[WAERTH]

Great the Thai economy hasn't lost enough money in this latest round of the "hilbillies visiting town". Next time the relatives ask for money I tell them to call on Thaksin as mybusiness has lost over a 100.000 baht already and I cannot afford to sponsor supporters of the person whom is negatively affecting my income.

Maybe time to vent my anger on the nearest redshirt I encounter.

W

[Wolfie]

Whether mass transport, like underground trains and the BTS service should also be disrupted, is being discussed among DAAD leaders.

Now if they disrupt these services, the Reds might not have to worry about the Army/Police doing violence to them... they would have to worry about the Bangkok Residents doing violence to them!

[WAERTH]

Most notably this foreign Bangkok resident ...

[mca]

BANGKOK: -- Traffic policemen at all stations in Bangkok have been instructed to put more effort into controlling heavy congestion

Good job the protests aren't being held round my way because if a traffic cop put any less effort into controlling heavy congestion he'd most probably be suffering from narcolepsy.

[mauiguy90]

Wait a minute! Are you saying the traffic police aren't effective and maybe sleeping on the job? Not disagreeing, just asking....

BANGKOK: -- Traffic policemen at all stations in Bangkok have been instructed to put more effort into controlling heavy congestion

Good job the protests aren't being held round my way because if a traffic cop put any less effort into controlling heavy congestion he'd most probably be suffering from narcolepsy.

[mca]

If they based the criteria on the ability to read a copy of Thai Rath, ogle the girls walking by and completely ignore a pedestrian having an epileptic fit (as genuinely viewed by myself some years ago) then they're the epitome of professionalism

[khunjamespittman]

Great the Thai economy hasn't lost enough money in this latest round of the "hilbillies visiting town". Next time the relatives ask for money I tell them to call on Thaksin as mybusiness has lost over a 100.000 baht already and I cannot afford to sponsor supporters of the person whom is negatively affecting my income.

Maybe time to vent my anger on the nearest redshirt I encounter.

W

Is it really necessary to insult people. Surely you must be capable to express you unhappiness in a civil tongue.

Please try it. People will respond in a like manner.

[webfact]

UDD to stage major rally on 20 March

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) is planning to stage a major rally in Bangkok on 20 March, according to UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan.

Puea Thai MP Jatuporn Prompan disclosed today that the group will hold a major mass demonstration this weekend in their attempt to bring down the Abhisit Vejjajiva government.

He said that whenever Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva enters the Parliament building or the Government House, the UDD supporters will immediately beseige the areas without intruding the premises, in order to directly voice their demand.

Meanwhile, Opposition Puea Thai Party MP Nattawut Saikua announced that the UDD group is closely following the movement of the Prime Minister and will stage protests in his presence to demand House dissolution and pressure him to step down.

He insisted that the UDD will neither use violence nor trespass upon any establishements during the rallies.

He said the UDD has evaluated the government’s attitude towards their prolonged rallies and found the government was buying time to weaken the protesters.

The pro-Thaksin protesters have staged their mass demonstration in Bangkok since 12 March.

-- NNT 2010-03-19

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[moo9]

"Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship (DAAD)'s Saturday campaign for redshirt demonstrators to "meet and greet" Bangkok people"

Most of the real Bangkok people would great them by a certain part of the body!!!

[bendejo]

Great the Thai economy hasn't lost enough money in this latest round of the "hilbillies visiting town". Next time the relatives ask for money I tell them to call on Thaksin as mybusiness has lost over a 100.000 baht already and I cannot afford to sponsor supporters of the person whom is negatively affecting my income.

...

There you go! Now you have an all-purpose, Thai bs quality excuse for brushing off requests for money, should carry you through the monsoon.

[bkkjames]

Great the Thai economy hasn't lost enough money in this latest round of the "hilbillies visiting town". Next time the relatives ask for money I tell them to call on Thaksin as mybusiness has lost over a 100.000 baht already and I cannot afford to sponsor supporters of the person whom is negatively affecting my income.

...

There you go! Now you have an all-purpose, Thai bs quality excuse for brushing off requests for money, should carry you through the monsoon.

Exactly, notice all the red shirt flag waving taxis and t-shirts sellers in the city whinging about "Mai me Farang".

[mrtoad]

How tedious, I think patience with the Red Shits will be getting thinner and thinner.

[jonclark]

"The disruption is needed because middleclass people like Bangkok residents are naturally reluctant to express themselves, unless their lives are affected," the source explained.

Right that's it I want to express myself. I'm gonna chuck yellow paint (cause i can't find yellow blood) all over them there reds and tell them to "go home" (in more colourful terms). I assume that's the sort of act self expression the reds are expecting as our lives are disprupted.

[TheLaughingMan]

"The disruption is needed because middleclass people like Bangkok residents are naturally reluctant to express themselves, unless their lives are affected," the source explained.

Ya... I'm pretty sure they will begin to express that they want the red shirts to get the fuc_k out of their way! How on earth do they think disrupting people will make them express themselves in a way positive to thier cause? How does that work?

Edited March 19, 2010 by TheLaughingMan

[ballpoint]

Apart from those bloody ridiculous incidents, this years red protest has generally followed the same pattern as last year's Songkran one did at the start. Peaceful protest, giving notice of where they'd be so that they're easily avoided. The problem is, last year they then started getting in the faces of the Bangkok residents, and trouble started. Of course, they wouldn't follow those same tactics this year would they? After all, they're only calling for their supporters to spread out about the city, block a few roads, maybe the skytrain and MRT too, get a reaction from the Bangkok citizens. They wouldn't use the same tactics that backfired so spectacularly on them last year and led to deaths and injuries, very real threats made against peoples' homes and livelihoods, and destruction to public property? Would they???

[webfact]

Chaos planned for Bangkok tomorrow

Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul

BANGKOK: -- Key United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) leader Jatuporn Prompan has told the media at the red-shirt rally site at Phan Fa Bridge that a special joint police and military operation has been planned for tomorrow, Saturday, in an attempt to discredit the red-shirt movement.

According to Mr. Jatuporn a team of 100 police and military personnel have been formed to infiltrate the red-shirt protesters and create an incident at the Stock Exchange of Thailand during the groups planned motorcade through Bangkok.

Mr. Jatuporn said the operation was being mounted by the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) and information of the proposed operation had been provided by a member of the police force who had been assigned to participate.

He also said the UDD had been informed that the Ministry of the Interior (MoI) were planing to mobilize its “blue-shirts” to infiltrate the protesters and create other incidents throughout the city.

‘We will have 3,000 red-shirt guards accompanying us as we move around Bangkok and if anyone tries to create a disruptive situation we will subdue them, detain them, and hand them over the authorities he said.

Mr. Jatuporn also said that if there was an evidence to prove the MoI was involved in attempting to create a civil disturbance the red-shirts will move to the office of Sino Thai Engineering and Construction on Sukhumvit Soi 21.

Sino Thai is largely owned by family members of former acting Thai Prime Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul, Thailand’s current Minister of the Interior.

According to Mr. Jatuporn, resident around Bangkok’s Grand Palace have also informed the UDD that the have been approached by military personnel and asked to create a conflict with red-shirt protesters to “prove their loyalty to and love for the King”.

Mr. Jatuporn said the latest information should be a cause for concern by all peace-loving Thais and only demonstrated the desperate situation the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva saw itself in.

“This government is desperate. It is fearful of the red-shirts as it see’s we are not going to go away and that every day more and more people are joining us in our fight for democracy.

“This morning Abhisit said he was willing to negotiate with us. Well we are willing to negotiate with, him but only after he has announced his intentions to dissolve parliament and return the power to the people.

Until then we will keep on rallying and protesting. We will stay here for one year if we have to”, Mr Jatuporn said.

Earlier in the morning another core UDD leader, Weng Tochirakarn, said the UDD will put 20,000 cars onto the streets of Bangkok on Saturday in a convoy stretching 80km long to, “protest against the aristocratic elite” in Bangkok and the government.

Mr. Weng invited residents of Bangkok and nearby provinces to join the mass rally to send a decisive message to the government.

“The red-shirts have won the hearts of people worldwide as the anti-government rally over the past week has been peaceful as we said it would be”, he said.

Shortly after Mr Jatuporn addressed the media another key UDD leader, Veera Musikhapong, showed foreign media representatives a text message purporting to be from deposed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The message said, “I am now back in Dubai. As you can see information about my being banned from returning is a lie. Thank you to everyone helping spread our message for democracy over the internet and through other media channels”.

A check of the sending telephone number showed the message appeared to have originated in Dubai.

-- thaivisa.com 2010-03-19

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[frodo]

Chaos planned for Bangkok tomorrow

“The red-shirts have won the hearts of people worldwide as the anti-government rally over the past week has been peaceful as we said it would be”, he said.

-- thaivisa.com 2010-03-19

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

World wide?

Edited March 19, 2010 by frodo

[NALAK]

the joys of living in the capitol of a country in many parts of the world. at least they are not bombing the hel_l out of the place as the IRA did, having said that it worked for the IRA. the ballot box does not work here occupiying airport does. as the minister said it was good fun, free air con and free food. why anybody comes here to try and run a business is beyond me, wheres the sence in opening a business in one of the most unstable regions in the world. maybe try palestine, afganistan or iraq, probably more chance of succeding than here.

Edited March 19, 2010 by NALAK

[jdinasia]

“This government is desperate. It is fearful of the red-shirts as it see’s we are not going to go away and that every day more and more people are joining us in our fight for democracy.

More and more? Funding for the reds dropped and so did the numbers. A new round of funding has started and still the numbers dwindle.

This bodes ill in that I seriously doubt that Bangkok residents will stand still for a deliberate sabotage of their ability to go about their daily business. For the folks that choose to compare apples to oranges, this isn't even close to the same thing that started as the airport fiasco in 2008. That was intended to catch Somchai as he landed and put the screws to him. Instead the AOT handed over the keys and took a runner.

The reds are trying to hurt the average Thai city dweller. The yellows were after the government.

[SantiSuk]

Time for Bangkok to turn the other cheek. The Red shirts have clearly lost already so why not be good humoured in victory. It would have been far more than any 100,000 baht loss, and potentially far longer lasting, if the Reds had really been able to make a decent showing.

[JatujakShopper]

Great the Thai economy hasn't lost enough money in this latest round of the "hilbillies visiting town". Next time the relatives ask for money I tell them to call on Thaksin as mybusiness has lost over a 100.000 baht already and I cannot afford to sponsor supporters of the person whom is negatively affecting my income.

Maybe time to vent my anger on the nearest redshirt I encounter.

W

Is it really necessary to insult people. Surely you must be capable to express you unhappiness in a civil tongue.

Please try it. People will respond in a like manner.

I didn't find the original poster's tone insulting at all but your condescending one certainly is, Miss Manners. How about some sympathy for someone whose business has been hurt by this fiasco?

[bluedog]

"The officer said he hoped protest leaders would coordinate with police on areas red shirts planned to converge on or march in, but they have not been heard from so far."

Now why would they want to do that if they want to cause chaos? And this guy is in charge of the police? Well that about sums it up, no wonder they cannot sort out the traffic in a daily basis.

[brianb1944]

Is it really necessary to insult people. Surely you must be capable to express you unhappiness in a civil tongue.

Please try it. People will respond in a like manner.

What are you dribbling about? I can see no gratuitis insults, and it seems perfectly reasonable to expect family support, not red shirt support, when family is being supported. Or is that too convoluted for this time of day. (Its 5 o'clock somewhere)

Edited March 19, 2010 by brianb1944

[camerata]

"The disruption is needed because middleclass people like Bangkok residents are naturally reluctant to express themselves, unless their lives are affected," the source explained.

What planet is this guy on? It was the urban middle class who got screwed by Thaksin, and they definitely don't want him or his proxies back.

Maybe the red-shirts should read this...

[blazes]

ttwhy are so many of the responses here so predictable? So much schoolyard "so there" type comments. Or, how this affects MY business...how dare they?

Why not deal with issue? Should the Reds simply wait for an election they will win and then wait for the military to try another coup when they don't like the legislation the Reds introduce? Should they simply sit, resigned, under a palm tree and let nature take its course? or are people not allowed to attempt some means of taking control of their own lives, even if it causes hardships to others in the meantime (like holding up the traffic (more than usual) in Bkk?

What do posters to this thread think the Reds should do? Presumably the answer witll be "they should shut up and go home and let me get on with making some beer money".

But these Thaivisa threads are always interesting to read, to see how much sheer ignorance and selfishness there exists out there. It is a good wake-up call for someone like me who tends to think that education etc in the Western world is inherently progressive in its effects.

BB

[ballpoint]

Chaos planned for Bangkok tomorrow

"The red-shirts have won the hearts of people worldwide as the anti-government rally over the past week has been peaceful as we said it would be", he said.

-- thaivisa.com 2010-03-19

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

World wide?

The red leaders announce their new information officer. They hope to buy him a new shirt once the next fund transfer from Thaksin comes in.

[bkkjames]

ttwhy are so many of the responses here so predictable? So much schoolyard "so there" type comments. Or, how this affects MY business...how dare they?

Why not deal with issue? Should the Reds simply wait for an election they will win and then wait for the military to try another coup when they don't like the legislation the Reds introduce? Should they simply sit, resigned, under a palm tree and let nature take its course? or are people not allowed to attempt some means of taking control of their own lives, even if it causes hardships to others in the meantime (like holding up the traffic (more than usual) in Bkk?

What do posters to this thread think the Reds should do? Presumably the answer witll be "they should shut up and go home and let me get on with making some beer money".

But these Thaivisa threads are always interesting to read, to see how much sheer ignorance and selfishness there exists out there. It is a good wake-up call for someone like me who tends to think that education etc in the Western world is inherently progressive in its effects.

BB

Tit for tat as they say. You affect people's business in Bangkok and elsewhere and we can choose to vote with our wallets. Next one to ask me to buy them a drink or a tip will politely get, ask your leaders for a tip.

You see all those folk working in hotels, restaurants and similar that are emptying out, when they get laid off because business is bad they can ask for some Truth Today.

[chillibilly]

Great the Thai economy hasn't lost enough money in this latest round of the "hilbillies visiting town". Next time the relatives ask for money I tell them to call on Thaksin as mybusiness has lost over a 100.000 baht already and I cannot afford to sponsor supporters of the person whom is negatively affecting my income.

Maybe time to vent my anger on the nearest redshirt I encounter.

W

How about both parties???? Remember, the smiling Yellows closed down the international airport??? Both parties can go down the toilet and let the average Thai (who is too busy working) to get their wish...and that is get things back to normal.

[granuaile]

Chaos planned for Bangkok tomorrow

“The red-shirts have won the hearts of people worldwide as the anti-government rally over the past week has been peaceful as we said it would be”, he said.

-- thaivisa.com 2010-03-19

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

World wide?

Well I don't think they will get a very positive response from BKK residents, but at least if I have to stay home tomorrow I'll save a little money 5555