Two Bomb Attacks Rocks Bangkok, Nonthaburi

[granuaile]

30K Reds are peacefully protesting in Bangkok, so it makes sense that they would send a couple of guys to throw a grenade at some none-target in Nonthaburi...

Actually such a two-pronged push would not be out of reason. Just as the IRA and the INLA in Ireland had both a clandestine military wing and a more open political wing (Sinn Fein and the Irish Republican Socialist Party respectively).

It is neither irrational or a bad strategy if one supports their agenda. Despite all the smiling faces yesterday (and I took nearly 400 photos) a friend of mine who is in a Northeastern province and a redshirt supporter told me if I came to that area and said I liked Abhisit and the dems I don't leave alive. So all the smiles, waves, and peacefulness of yesterday's rally may be very superficial. Also, for my friend it is all about Thaksin.

A hired mob of ill informed, largely uneducated, insular, zenophobic provinchals - not really a very enlighted crowd are they? ! Tak Sin's cornpone rent-a-mob What a joke! It's not country and I really don't care eighter way but I am leaning yellow more everyday!

Well my oldest and closest Thai friends lean yellow, so that influences me a lot. Still, while I express an opinion, I think it is all up to the Thai people.

I don't think xenophobic is really accurate to describe them, it seems more that there is a deep regional divide. Almost all of my friends in the South lean yellow, most of my friends in the North lean red (but for Thaksin unfortunately), and my friends here in Bangkok generally lean yellow. But I am not sure any of them are really xenophobic. Watching the rally yesterday, many people yelled "Welcome," "I/we love you," and "Hello madam." The woman next to me wanted to tie a red string around my arm - I accepted the string but declined to tie it around my wrist.

Personally, I sympathize yellow because the friends that have always been there for me lean that way. To me they are not elite, though some of them may be. I never ask them. Most are not. They are the ones who came to visit me in the hospital, the ones who invite me to Buddhist ceremonies in their home and other family activities, who want to try to find me a job (something I am resisting because quite frankly I love retirement). By and large they supported the coup and wish elections had not been held (actually I agree elections were premature). But there are elements in the reds I could support if they renounced unnecessary violence. And the people yesterday, well, I hope they get home safely. And despite my friends who sympathize with Red Shirts I hope Abhisit stands firm, because a return to Thaksin and his supporters is not good. And that is what will happen if Abhisit gives. I think Abhisit is honest and intelligent, and I hope he carries the day.

[granuaile]

30K Reds are peacefully protesting in Bangkok, so it makes sense that they would send a couple of guys to throw a grenade at some none-target in Nonthaburi...

Actually such a two-pronged push would not be out of reason. Just as the IRA and the INLA in Ireland had both a clandestine military wing and a more open political wing (Sinn Fein and the Irish Republican Socialist Party respectively).

It is neither irrational or a bad strategy if one supports their agenda. Despite all the smiling faces yesterday (and I took nearly 400 photos) a friend of mine who is in a Northeastern province and a redshirt supporter told me if I came to that area and said I liked Abhisit and the dems I don't leave alive. So all the smiles, waves, and peacefulness of yesterday's rally may be very superficial. Also, for my friend it is all about Thaksin.

Seems a bit extreme for expressing an opinion.

It isn't about expressing an opinion. And I certainly am not saying I condone it (or don't in some contexts). It is about strategy to win.

Lenin, in his essay "Left Wing Communism An Infantile Disorder" criticized those who rejected using the democratic process completely, rather noting that all tools should be used. Thaksin is no Leninist, but strategy is strategy.

[OzMick]

UPDATE

Blast outside Defence Ministry

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A bomb launched from an M79 last night exploded in front of a shophouse next to the Defence Ministry's headquarters in Bangkok, injuring a garbage collector who was working nearby.

Another explosive was last night thrown into the new offices of the National Anti-Corruption Commission in Nonthaburi province, which are still under construction.

-- The Nation 2010-03-21

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

As the M-79 is quite an accurate weapon in trained hands, we will have to assume it's retaliation for the garbage collector's business dealings!

[bkksteviejai]

30K Reds are peacefully protesting in Bangkok, so it makes sense that they would send a couple of guys to throw a grenade at some none-target in Nonthaburi...

Actually such a two-pronged push would not be out of reason. Just as the IRA and the INLA in Ireland had both a clandestine military wing and a more open political wing (Sinn Fein and the Irish Republican Socialist Party respectively).

It is neither irrational or a bad strategy if one supports their agenda. Despite all the smiling faces yesterday (and I took nearly 400 photos) a friend of mine who is in a Northeastern province and a redshirt supporter told me if I came to that area and said I liked Abhisit and the dems I don't leave alive. So all the smiles, waves, and peacefulness of yesterday's rally may be very superficial. Also, for my friend it is all about Thaksin.

Got stuck in Ramkamheng with the mrs's doing some shopping...she decided to watch and cheer them on etc etc, some dissenting remarks from a few people walking by, I didn't see anyone getting strung up from the lamp post, they all left alive surprise surprise.

[jackspratt]

A hired mob of ill informed, largely uneducated, insular, zenophobic provinchals - not really a very enlighted crowd are they? ! Tak Sin's cornpone rent-a-mob What a joke! It's not country and I really don't care eighter way but I am leaning yellow more everyday!

Remind me again who you are talking about here.

[george]

UPDATE:

Two Thai blasts after huge anti-govt parade: police

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Two small explosions hit Bangkok and a nearby province a few hours after tens of thousands of anti-government protesters held a peaceful parade through the capital, police said Sunday.

A grenade attack targeted a new National Counter Corruption Commission office in Nonthaburi province just northwest of Bangkok, on Saturday night, Major General Prawut Thavornsiri told AFP.

He said the building was damaged but nobody was injured.

"The second bomb exploded on a road near the defence ministry after 10:00pm. It wounded one Bangkok rubbish collector. A car was also found near the area, and police are investigating," he added.

Prawut said the rubbish collector's injuries were not serious. It was not clear who was behind the attacks.

Earlier Saturday the so-called "Red Shirts", who support ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, bolstered their waning week-long rally to topple the government with a huge convoy across Bangkok, which swelled to 65,000 people.

Under a strict security law enforced for the demonstration, a 50,000-strong security force has been deployed across the city and surrounding areas.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has spent most of the rally holed up in an army barracks in Bangkok's northern outskirts due to security fears. He has stood firm against protesters' demands for elections.

Red Shirt leaders on Saturday refused talks offered by the government, saying they would only speak directly to Abhisit himself.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-03-21

Published with written approval from AFP.

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[maeowyai]

I do not wish to condone the attacks, but why do the local media persist with these daft headlines?

To most of the English speaking world bombs suggest devices which are detonated remotely, not thrown over a gate or at a wall. I believe the word usually used is 'grenades'.

Sorry to ruffle feathers but I live in Bangkok and the in-laws live in Nonthaburi. None of us felt any kind of rocking sensation.

Shame that the media don't focus a lot more on the 'bomb' attacks that actually rock the lives of many people in southern Thailand on a daily basis.

I agree. It's another inappropriately sensationalist heading.

[favre360]

What's with the whole bomb thing?? Bombs typically do some serious damage. A 30cm hole?? Sounds more like a few firecrackers that rocked nonthaburi

[rreddin]

30K Reds are peacefully protesting in Bangkok, so it makes sense that they would send a couple of guys to throw a grenade at some none-target in Nonthaburi...

Actually such a two-pronged push would not be out of reason. Just as the IRA and the INLA in Ireland had both a clandestine military wing and a more open political wing (Sinn Fein and the Irish Republican Socialist Party respectively).

It is neither irrational or a bad strategy if one supports their agenda. Despite all the smiling faces yesterday (and I took nearly 400 photos) a friend of mine who is in a Northeastern province and a redshirt supporter told me if I came to that area and said I liked Abhisit and the dems I don't leave alive. So all the smiles, waves, and peacefulness of yesterday's rally may be very superficial. Also, for my friend it is all about Thaksin.

A hired mob of ill informed, largely uneducated, insular, zenophobic provinchals - not really a very enlighted crowd are they? ! Tak Sin's cornpone rent-a-mob What a joke! It's not country and I really don't care eighter way but I am leaning yellow more everyday!

You are of course welcome to your opinions, offensive as they are to many of the Thais that I know. It may surprise you to several of my Thai friends read this forum. You will be even more surprised to learn that they raised the funds needed for a party of them to go the the demonstration in Bangkok. Furtheremore, they are receiving more voluntary donations so that they can go back. Nobody is paying them to go. They go because they believe in their cause.

They are committed to seeing democratic change in their country and social justice for all, not just the rich. They have not forgotten the "yelolw shirts' " statement that rural votes should only count as half an urban vote.

Yes, Thailand is xenophobic, but that is as a result of decades of government/military propoganda bolstered by the education system. Every Thai, irrespective of their political affiliation, has been taught that their country is number 1 and mut be protected from the adverse influences of foreigners. Adverse influences such as your post.

[Thailand]

A hired mob of ill informed, largely uneducated, insular, zenophobic provinchals - not really a very enlighted crowd are they? ! Tak Sin's cornpone rent-a-mob What a joke! It's not country and I really don't care eighter way but I am leaning yellow more everyday!

Remind me again who you are talking about here.

[gemini81]

30K Reds are peacefully protesting in Bangkok, so it makes sense that they would send a couple of guys to throw a grenade at some none-target in Nonthaburi...

They have some violent factions. No mystery there.

confirmed, time and time again. doesn't require Sherlock to piece together deductive reasoning.

[kimamey]

So fighting corruption is a bad thing... nice attitude

I suppose it depends who's corruption they are fighting. If it's someone you support and maybe they've been given a jail term for it then it's different.

In that case it's politically motivated and somehow it's not right to have them tried in court .......... apparently.

[ovaltina]

So fighting corruption is a bad thing... nice attitude

Absolutely, the anti-corruption dept. are part of the ruling elite.

Infact, everybody except Thaksin is part of the ruling elite. Only him & his pet dog know how it feels to be poor & discriminated against.

Sadly, the only way forward for Thailand is to purge the back-room bribery & corruption, make things as transparent & non-corrupt as possible. By logic, it follows that the people throwing these bombs around are infact trying to move Thailand backward, into deeper corruption. But to be honest, most impartial & foreign commentators have been saying for years that Thaksin wants to eradicate anti-corruption measures, for the same reasons that any other convicted criminal would. It would be like fish voting for less water otherwise.

[jts-khorat]

I find it offensively misleading how local media call attacks with a grenade "bomb attacks". They are not.

A bomb attack is a large amount of explosives detonating, causing a massive amount of damage.

[anotherpeter]

So fighting corruption is a bad thing... nice attitude

Absolutely, the anti-corruption dept. are part of the ruling elite.

Infact, everybody except Thaksin is part of the ruling elite. Only him & his pet dog know how it feels to be poor & discriminated against.

Sadly, the only way forward for Thailand is to purge the back-room bribery & corruption, make things as transparent & non-corrupt as possible. By logic, it follows that the people throwing these bombs around are infact trying to move Thailand backward, into deeper corruption. But to be honest, most impartial & foreign commentators have been saying for years that Thaksin wants to eradicate anti-corruption measures, for the same reasons that any other convicted criminal would. It would be like fish voting for less water otherwise.

Correct.

Thaksin's part of the elite, he's just not ruling.

There is corruption in Thailand. No one can deny that. Bringing back Thaksin is not going to fix that. He's shown how corrupt he is.

Getting rid of Abhisit now probably can't fix it either. A small demonstration forcing out the current government does nothing for the reds stated aims of democracy.

[BigC]

I do not wish to condone the attacks, but why do the local media persist with these daft headlines?

To most of the English speaking world bombs suggest devices which are detonated remotely, not thrown over a gate or at a wall. I believe the word usually used is 'grenades'.

Sorry to ruffle feathers but I live in Bangkok and the in-laws live in Nonthaburi. None of us felt any kind of rocking sensation.

Shame that the media don't focus a lot more on the 'bomb' attacks that actually rock the lives of many people in southern Thailand on a daily basis.

perhaps some people from the "english" speaking world do not know the existence of ping-pong bombs

thought ping pong bombs were made in Pat pong. might be wrong.

[BigC]

I find it offensively misleading how local media call attacks with a grenade "bomb attacks". They are not.

A bomb attack is a large amount of explosives detonating, causing a massive amount of damage.

so what form of a non bomb is a grenade ???

also why r u affended. did u do it ? just for the record i am not accusing just asking a question based on the mis understood comment of this person above

[bulmercke]

The reds are changing to their image to a peaceful one to gain more popular support.

It would benefit their opponents to send a couple of foot soldiers to bizarrely hurl bombs into car parks (What's the point of that??) to discredit the red's attempt to change the public's perception of them.

Exactly. The red shirts won the day - big time - on Saturday.

So what better than a few 'bomb' attacks timed to go off shortly after the cessation of their protest - which chronologically will look like their work.

And then conveniently blame it on them.

Another false flag job by the government.

[BigC]

who knows. all i know is that it has kicked off and now it is war and propa gander is part of war. so i think i will just take a seat back and watch. i imagine that as time goes on and the reds get tired and fustrated. thats when they might start getting a bit fired up/ just a guess. i mean they are losing blood every day that can't be good for stamina

[BigC]

I find it offensively misleading how local media call attacks with a grenade "bomb attacks". They are not.

A bomb attack is a large amount of explosives detonating, causing a massive amount of damage.

if a grenade is not a bomb then a bullet is not a bullet a gun is not a gun a lap top is not a lap top and i am not really here. soemthings is wrong. i am affened i feel bad for greandes that ave worked so hard at killing people and causing mass damage over the years killed loads of people and been detonated by a pin to not be labelled as a bomb.

[1900]

So fighting corruption is a bad thing... nice attitude

What makes you think they fight corruption, their title? Have you ever seen the header, free download?

[webfact]

Police seek two Men with militarystyle haircuts

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Grenades fired at Defence Ministry and anti-graft agency building site

Two men were involved in the firing of a grenade at the Defence Ministry on Saturday night, National Police Chief Pol Gen Patheep Tanprasert said yesterday after an hour-long meeting with investigators.

Patheep said police believed the attackers fired a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) from Soi Praeng Phoothorn. It landed in a community located behind the ministry.

The police chief dismissed links to another blast on Saturday night at a construction site where a new office for the National Anti-Corruption Commission is being built in Nonthaburi.

Patheep said bomb experts reported the bombs were the same type used by state agencies. He rejected a report that attackers were injured by the blast.

Police found a pick-up suspected to have been used in committing the crime parked 700 metres from Soi Praeng Phoothorn.

Inside the pick-up, police found a machine gun and 20 bullets, two red shirts, 28 11mm bullets, 3 M67 hand grenades, one RPG, one box of condoms, a t-shirt with the screen of the name Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Council chairman Kanawat Angsananiwat.

Police said the pick-up carried a fake licence plate. Ownership of the car had changed four times after it was stolen from a finance company.

A surveillance camera nearby showed that at 10.30pm, a man who was about 170-175cm high, with cropped hair short in a military style, wearing a black short-sleeved t-shirt, long trousers, and another man about 175-180cm, the same hairstyle and a hat, left the area where the pick-up was parked.

Sources said security had been beefed up on Saturday night after intelligence agents suspected a group of military men might stage acts of sabotage.

Kanawat denied any involvement in the incident and denied that he was a red-shirt sympathiser. He said he distributed thousands of shirts and had no idea why one was in the pickup truck.

Army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said "The Peace-keeping Operations Command did not blame any side for the attacks but voiced concern about disturbances triggered by the lack of cohesion among the red-shirt leaders."

In light of the explosions, which occurred after the red-shirt march, commanders suspected the grenade incidents were meant to heighten public fears and fuel political volatility, he said.

The authorities had expanded security checks from 50 high-risk targets to 141 targets located around the capital, he said.

The Army spokesman dismissed claims that soldiers staged the incidents to "frame" the red shirts and create a pretext to extend the enforcement of security measures, which are due to expire on Tuesday.

In regard to the red-shirt march, the authorities said the 65,000 protesters exceeded an earlier estimate because the Pheu Thai Party had mobilised supporters.

NACC secretary general Apinan Isarangura na Ayutthaya said an M-69 grenade was thrown into the compound of the new NACC building, but the anti-graft personnel had not moved to that site yet. He was uncertain whether the attack was linked to the political situation.

Red-shirt leader Weng Tojirakarn said the red shirts were not involved in the two incidents. He said the grenades were lobbed in such a professional manner he suspected soldiers had tossed them.

-- The Nation 2010-03-22

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[animatic]

What's with the whole bomb thing?? Bombs typically do some serious damage. A 30cm hole?? Sounds more like a few firecrackers that rocked nonthaburi

A 30cm hole in dirt is a big firecracker.

A 30 cm hole in rebar'd cement is something entirely different.

Oh, and also remember how many body parts have been blown off

with simple firecrackers over the years.

An explosive is dangerous period.

[animatic]

So fighting corruption is a bad thing... nice attitude

I suppose it depends who's corruption they are fighting. If it's someone you support and maybe they've been given a jail term for it then it's different.

In that case it's politically motivated and somehow it's not right to have them tried in court .......... apparently.

The NCCC existed in Thaksins time too. He stonewalled it, and hassled it no end.

He clearly saw it as a threat to his aims. And as such totally it validated its existence.

And that 'hate the NCCC' attitude is part of Thaksins message to the REDS.

Yeah right it MUST be a political plot if Thaksin is a target.

Regardless if Dem Bkk Gov. Apirak and Dems and other party members are ALSO targeted...

Just so much blather to back up his arguments

for a personal exception from punishment, because he is popular.

~BULLSHIT of a very low grade and quality.

[granuaile]

The reds are changing to their image to a peaceful one to gain more popular support.

It would benefit their opponents to send a couple of foot soldiers to bizarrely hurl bombs into car parks (What's the point of that??) to discredit the red's attempt to change the public's perception of them.

Exactly. The red shirts won the day - big time - on Saturday.

So what better than a few 'bomb' attacks timed to go off shortly after the cessation of their protest - which chronologically will look like their work.

And then conveniently blame it on them.

Another false flag job by the government.

I don't think anyone can say for sure one way or another. And I agree Saturday's rally was a PR victory for the Red Shirts, I couldn't help but like those people marching. That said they were also instructed before the demonstration to avoid confrontations, to smile, to wave. I have a friend who supports the red shirts and she said if I came to her area of the country and said I like the dems I would not leave alive. So the smiles and good vibes were there during the march. Maybe a counter to the government's extremely tolerant approach. It was obvious too that it was about Thaksin not democracy or any ideology. The lady next to me kept telling me she loved Thaksin, there were people in the rally wearing Thaksin masks But that does preclude factions taking violent actions, either on their own or under the direction of those in charge.

[Ricardo]

Police seek two Men with militarystyle haircuts

By The Nation

<snip for brevity>

A surveillance camera nearby showed that at 10.30pm, a man who was about 170-175cm high, with cropped hair short in a military style, wearing a black short-sleeved t-shirt, long trousers, and another man about 175-180cm, the same hairstyle and a hat, left the area where the pick-up was parked.

Sources said security had been beefed up on Saturday night after intelligence agents suspected a group of military men might stage acts of sabotage.

Kanawat denied any involvement in the incident and denied that he was a red-shirt sympathiser. He said he distributed thousands of shirts and had no idea why one was in the pickup truck.

Army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said "The Peace-keeping Operations Command did not blame any side for the attacks but voiced concern about disturbances triggered by the lack of cohesion among the red-shirt leaders."

<snip again>

Red-shirt leader Weng Tojirakarn said the red shirts were not involved in the two incidents. He said the grenades were lobbed in such a professional manner he suspected soldiers had tossed them.

-- The Nation 2010-03-22

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

Cue for the Red-Shirt leaders to have a sudden attack of forgetfulness, deny their previous claims of having many supporters for their cause in the military, and generally run for cover.

[bulmercke]

The reds are changing to their image to a peaceful one to gain more popular support.

It would benefit their opponents to send a couple of foot soldiers to bizarrely hurl bombs into car parks (What's the point of that??) to discredit the red's attempt to change the public's perception of them.

Exactly. The red shirts won the day - big time - on Saturday.

So what better than a few 'bomb' attacks timed to go off shortly after the cessation of their protest - which chronologically will look like their work.

And then conveniently blame it on them.

Another false flag job by the government.

I don't think anyone can say for sure one way or another. And I agree Saturday's rally was a PR victory for the Red Shirts, I couldn't help but like those people marching. That said they were also instructed before the demonstration to avoid confrontations, to smile, to wave. I have a friend who supports the red shirts and she said if I came to her area of the country and said I like the dems I would not leave alive. So the smiles and good vibes were there during the march. Maybe a counter to the government's extremely tolerant approach. It was obvious too that it was about Thaksin not democracy or any ideology. The lady next to me kept telling me she loved Thaksin, there were people in the rally wearing Thaksin masks But that does preclude factions taking violent actions, either on their own or under the direction of those in charge.

granuaile - yes - I also observed the red shirts marching on Saturday up close. Their behaviour was exemplary and they sure did their cause a lot of good that day. (The police incidentally also did a pretty good job keeping the traffic flowing as best as they could.)

Got talking to some red shirt by-standers along the route and they seemed to imply that the march and the movement was much more than just about Thaksin. Massve social and economic inequality - an undemocratically elected government - Abhisit being simply a mere puppet of the military and behind him being Prem and the ammats who really run the show.

[bulmercke]

Police seek two Men with militarystyle haircuts

By The Nation

<snip for brevity>

A surveillance camera nearby showed that at 10.30pm, a man who was about 170-175cm high, with cropped hair short in a military style, wearing a black short-sleeved t-shirt, long trousers, and another man about 175-180cm, the same hairstyle and a hat, left the area where the pick-up was parked.

Sources said security had been beefed up on Saturday night after intelligence agents suspected a group of military men might stage acts of sabotage.

Kanawat denied any involvement in the incident and denied that he was a red-shirt sympathiser. He said he distributed thousands of shirts and had no idea why one was in the pickup truck.

Army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said "The Peace-keeping Operations Command did not blame any side for the attacks but voiced concern about disturbances triggered by the lack of cohesion among the red-shirt leaders."

<snip again>

Red-shirt leader Weng Tojirakarn said the red shirts were not involved in the two incidents. He said the grenades were lobbed in such a professional manner he suspected soldiers had tossed them.

-- The Nation 2010-03-22

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

Cue for the Red-Shirt leaders to have a sudden attack of forgetfulness, deny their previous claims of having many supporters for their cause in the military, and generally run for cover.

Ricardo - some pretty skewed logic there! This country is controlled by the military. They are the puppet masters and Abhisit is their little puppet. They are opposed to the red shirts and are loyal to the powers that be that continue to contol the country.

Don't you think these two attacks late on Saturday are much more likely to be their handy work?

[ovaltina]

So fighting corruption is a bad thing... nice attitude

Absolutely, the anti-corruption dept. are part of the ruling elite.

Infact, everybody except Thaksin is part of the ruling elite. Only him & his pet dog know how it feels to be poor & discriminated against.

Sadly, the only way forward for Thailand is to purge the back-room bribery & corruption, make things as transparent & non-corrupt as possible. By logic, it follows that the people throwing these bombs around are infact trying to move Thailand backward, into deeper corruption. But to be honest, most impartial & foreign commentators have been saying for years that Thaksin wants to eradicate anti-corruption measures, for the same reasons that any other convicted criminal would. It would be like fish voting for less water otherwise.

Correct.

Thaksin's part of the elite, he's just not ruling.

There is corruption in Thailand. No one can deny that. Bringing back Thaksin is not going to fix that. He's shown how corrupt he is.

Getting rid of Abhisit now probably can't fix it either. A small demonstration forcing out the current government does nothing for the reds stated aims of democracy.

I completely agree with that, particularly that any kind of overthrow of Abhisit when he is still starting out with reforms, is a bad thing and foolish. Ultimately he is, in my opinion, a sane human being and wants the best for Thailand. I see that as a good start for any leader, and it is only fair to allow the man a certain amount of time to make progress. I see the red's actions recently as extremely impatient. Progress takes time.

I watched a good Abhisit interview this morning talking to Haslinda Amin on bloomberg, and he pointed out that the last 1.5 years he had started a lot of 'help the poor' projects but they don't happen overnight. I understand his exasperation, it seems so obvious that he does not intend to punish poor people, and yet now there is blood buckets and grenades and stuff, just because some on-the-run-villain has told people that Abhisit is anti-poor.

I would say, Abhisit is very pro-action on helping poor people & reforming society for the better, and if he were given time & a bit of space to move in, people would be surprised.

By contrast, to see total stubborn elitist inaction & supression of progress, look at the parallel news story of Catholic clerical sex-abuse, which has been argued about for decades & all we have managed to get out of the high echelons so far, is a flaccid "I'm sorry" this week.

[TAWP]

They are committed to seeing democratic change in their country and social justice for all, not just the rich. They have not forgotten the "yelolw shirts' " statement that rural votes should only count as half an urban vote.

Obfuscation since the PAD is not in the government and that bullet point, which btw was NOT half value vote*, was not a crucial point. Not like the bringing back a criminal politician is the Reds main aim in their propaganda.

* = The suggestion most brought up when trying to paint the yellows as anti democratic is the 70/30% suggestion of elected vs appointed (elected by their specific peers) from different social/merchant groups etc. One could say that the current setup with constituencies for MPs and proportional vote (with party lists filling the seats) having less value, i.e. making sure some regions (often smaller/poorer areas it seems) have higher Mp value than they would under the proportional vote. But I digress...