Thai Troops Retreat In Face Of 80,000 Protesters

[webfact]

Thai troops retreat in face of 80,000 protesters

by Thanaporn Promyamyai

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thai troops withdrew from several security posts in the capital Saturday, under pressure from some 80,000 jubilant red-shirted protesters who mounted a new rally to demand fresh elections.

The "Red Shirts" loyal to ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra targeted seven points where soldiers have been stationed during two weeks of street demonstrations, including the city's zoo and Buddhist temples.

In the face of the massive flag-waving crowds of protesters, who arrived in cars, on motorbikes and on foot, the military agreed to retreat from positions in Bangkok's old quarter where the Reds' main rally base is situated.

Truckloads of soldiers were seen leaving four locations -- a royal racecourse, the zoo and two temples -- to cheers from protesters who turned the streets red with their colourful clothes and heart-shaped clappers.

Suthep Thaugsuban, the deputy prime minister in charge of national security, downplayed the withdrawal as an "adjustment" and said the troops would return later in the day.

"Right now they have to move out to avoid a confrontation," he said in a news conference from the army barracks on Bangkok's northern outskirts where the government is working from during the protests.

"Nobody loses face, but we just want to maintain law and order and resolve the situation," he said adding that the military had been ordered to be lenient and flexible with the demonstrators.

Women threw flowers at the departing troops while other demonstrators created a carnival-like atmosphere as they sang and danced to rock music blaring from trucks, and threw sweets into the crowds.

"They will return to their barracks. We understand each other as we are all common people. It is not just our victory but a victory for all the peasants," Reds leader Nattawut Saikua said through a loudspeaker.

The military has mounted a heavy security response involving 50,000 personnel for the demonstrations, which began on March 14 to pressure Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his administration to stand down.

Police estimated Saturday's crowd at 80,000, larger than a street parade a week ago that drew 65,000 people in a noisy but peaceful procession through Bangkok.

The route was scaled back for the latest event, which saw protesters fan out across the old city alone, in response to complaints about disruption in the teeming capital.

Hours before the latest rally, a small blast hit a government building in the latest of a series of about a dozen explosions that have been set off in Bangkok and surrounding areas in recent weeks.

Police said the blast went off outside the customs building in central Bangkok, shattering windows and damaging a van parked nearby, but causing no injuries.

The Reds, largely from poor northern areas, say Abhisit's government is illegitimate because it came to power with army backing in a 2008 parliamentary vote, after a controversial court ruling removed Thaksin's allies.

Thaksin, who was ousted in a coup in 2006 and lives in exile to avoid a jail sentence for corruption, regularly addresses his supporters by videolink and on Thursday urged them to intensify pressure on the government.

He also raised the prospect of a campaign of civil disobedience if Abhisit continues to reject demands to dissolve parliament.

The latest round of protests was triggered by a court ruling that seized 1.4 billion dollars of Thaksin's fortune. The self-made telecoms tycoon has slammed the asset seizure as "politically motivated".

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-03-27

Published with written approval from AFP.

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[ding]

Probably want to avoid provoking these types of people, giving them an excuse and justifying violence. Good on them.

[anotherpeter]

So what happens when the army decides not to back down in a particular situation?

Eventually, there is going to be violence.

And the reds will come up with some lame propaganda to say that it was Abhisit's fault.

[nickynomatesbkk]

80,000

No expert here but it looks far more than that.

[ovaltina]

So what happens when the army decides not to back down in a particular situation?

Eventually, there is going to be violence.

And the reds will come up with some lame propaganda to say that it was Abhisit's fault.

It is terribly sad, as Abhisit has been the most outspoken 'no violence' person so far, his comment when he heard of the blood-buckets idea was "I worry about their health, withdrawing blood in a medically unsafe way".

I just hope people remember this quiet, humble man and his words during this sad affair.

[Samuian]

Good preventive move!

What is the army supposed to do in the case some of the

soldiers are attacked or otherwise provoked,

maybe even taken for ransom?

Someone needs urgently a provocation, some wrong move and this is at "all cost" to be avoided!

[Nio]

The super admin just posted we are only allowed the first 3 sentences from any news source and a link to the rest

Did the rules for that change so a whole news story can be posted?

[george]

Related topic:

Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Updates - Saturday

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Bangkok-Red-...da-t350839.html

[webfact]

Red Shirt Leaders Declare Victory in Today’s Activities

BANGKOK: -- Leader of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship Veera Musikapong declared today’s red shirt march a victory after protesters were successful in forcing at least 90 per cent of the military personnel out of their stronghold in eight different locations. The announcement was made a little bit before 10 A.M. this morning when red shirt leaders declared that they would no longer tolerate the presence of military officials around their rally site.

Leaders of the DAAD announced that they would lead protesters to march to eight locations in the Rattanakosin Island to drive military personnel back to their army barracks.

The eight areas included Borwornniwet Temple, Tri Thossathep Temple, Makut Kasattriyaram Temple, Kae Nang Loeng Temple, Somanas Temple, the Nang Loeng Royal Turf Club, the Rajamangala University of Technology, Phra Nakhon Campus, and the Dusit Zoo.

A little while after the march started, footage of army trucks carrying military personnel were shown all over the Thai media. The trucks were transporting troops out of the various locations under orders from the Center for the Administration of Peace and Order.

It was later revealed that the government had decided that it would relocate military troops to another area to avoid confrontations with the demonstrators. Authorities confirmed that the troops would not be returning to their army barracks, but would be moved to an undisclosed location.

As of later in the afternoon, red shirt protesters started returning back to their main stage at the Pan Fah Bridge as leaders took to the stage to announce their victory.

Veera Musikapong went on to reveal that the rally would continue on into next week because protesters would wait to welcome the government as ministers try to convene next week’s Cabinet meeting at Government House on Tuesday.

Last week, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has said he hopes to hold next week’s Cabinet and Parliament meetings at their usual venues.

-- Tan Network 2010-03-27

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[anotherpeter]

80,000

No expert here but it looks far more than that.

Given that they were spread in several locations, it definitely wouldn't look anything like 80,000.

[webfact]

Suthep: Red Shirt pressure for troop withdrawal now eases; protesters, army shake hands

BANGKOK (TNA) -- Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Saturday that the Red Shirt movement forcing the withdrawal of Army contingents stationed near the anti-government rally site has now eased, as army personnel in eight high-risk locations left their assigned posts to return to barracks to avoid confrontation.

The deputy premier commented after the red-shirted United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protesters marched to temples, higher education institutions, and the zoo, where contingents of troops were stationed to provide security and demanded that they return to their barracks.

Mr Suthep, is his capacity as director of the Centre for the Administration for Peace and Order (CAPO), said that the military deployment is aimed at maintaining peace and order, but that the centre will adjust the number of military personnel to prevent any agitation from erupting into violence.

The CAPO director, who cut short the Democrat Party's general assembly in the seaside resort town of Hua Hin and returned to Bangkok to supervise the situation, said that up to the moment the situation was eased, asserting that the government can deal with the situation.

Metropolitan Police spokesman Maj-Gen Piya Uthayo said that no violence occurred during the Red Shirt's operation to force the military personnel out of the areas near the UDD rally site on Ratchadamnoen Avenue.

Gen Piya said that the army contingents stationing at The Royal Turf Club at Nang Loeng on Phitsanulok Road, Wat Tridhosthep on Prachatippatai Road, and Wat Bowon Niwet Wihan Ratchaworawihan on Phra Sumen Road had already withdrawn from the areas.

The spokesman said that 30 companies of police will replace the army units. Fourteen companies will be assigned to Ratchadamnoen Avenue, eight at Parliament, three at Dusit Zoo and the remaining five companies will be stationed elsewhere near the protest site.

CAPO and army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd earlier explained that the army contingents were deployed in the eight locations on standby to immediately handle any incident which might occur and most are unarmed, carrying only shields and batons, while the officers had only pistols.

Col Sansern urged the Red Shirt protesters not to view the military as their opponent, but that it is duty bound to provide overall security.

"To express our sincerity, if you (Red Shirts) are suspicious about their arms, send your representatives to verify it. This is CAPO's utmost sincerity," he said. The CAPO spokesman also urged the press report the facts of the situation to the public to avoid any distortion of the information and to prove the centre's good intentions.

It is reported that after the army decided to withdraw its troops in the eight locations, the Red Shirt protesters expressed their satisfaction by applauding and shaking hands with the army personnel. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-03-27

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[RobinHolmes]

I'm pleased there is no violence. I hope they get their way and get an election. Abhisit isn't a bad man, he just isn't elected.

[elliss]

Good preventive move!

What is the army supposed to do in the case some of the

soldiers are attacked or otherwise provoked,

maybe even taken for ransom?

Someone needs urgently a provocation, some wrong move and this is at "all cost" to be avoided!

this confirms ,,,, a weak goverment ..

on the positive side ....the thai bart would be even stronger ,

if there was not the , current political unrest .

[anotherpeter]

Good preventive move!

What is the army supposed to do in the case some of the

soldiers are attacked or otherwise provoked,

maybe even taken for ransom?

Someone needs urgently a provocation, some wrong move and this is at "all cost" to be avoided!

this confirms ,,,, a weak goverment ..

on the positive side ....the thai bart would be even stronger ,

if there was not the , current political unrest .

I don't know how you manage to get "weak government" out of any news item. I don't think you actually read the news, and just post "weak government" wherever you happen to wake up.

And if there was not the "current political unrest" (ie the reds went home and waited for the next election) the baht probably wouldn't change much against the $US, and the government doesn't really have much say on how it compares to the GBP, since Britain and Europe have got much bigger problems.

[MyFriend You]

So what happens when the army decides not to back down in a particular situation?

Eventually, there is going to be violence.

And the reds will come up with some lame propaganda to say that it was Abhisit's fault.

I was in Bangkok during October 1976, the protest started off much like this one, poor people protesting the hijacking of the government by a political party they didn't like, when the military finally got fed up with them throwing things at them, they opened fire, helicopters straffed the crowds, dozens, hundreds (no one really knows)wounded or killed - the protesters retailiated by hanging 11 pro-government supporters from telephone poles around the city, including an American soldier on leave who had just been severly cut with a banana knife, he used an opposition flag he found in a trash can as a bandage - they saw that as an insult and attacked & hung him - wrong place at the wrong time. I'm not normally a sky is falling kinda guy, but that demonstration started out peacfully as well..........I hope the Thai Army learned from past mistakes - the Govt was turned over to the Students after I believe. :D

[TheOldWolf]

The provokation failed. The reds scored an owngoal, but it looks like they get more and more desperate. How far can they push the army without anything happens? I think it is an scary situation right now.

[ray08]

So what happens when the army decides not to back down in a particular situation?

Eventually, there is going to be violence.

And the reds will come up with some lame propaganda to say that it was Abhisit's fault.

It is terribly sad, as Abhisit has been the most outspoken 'no violence' person so far, his comment when he heard of the blood-buckets idea was "I worry about their health, withdrawing blood in a medically unsafe way".

I just hope people remember this quiet, humble man and his words during this sad affair.

And people also remember during the Airport and Government house blockade what he said ????????????

[NativeBob]

Every weekend it costs money to dress and bring "protestors" from their provinces to Bkk. Who pays soon will run dry on cash, and whole banana revolution will fade ...

[BlackJack]

i am no expert but if bombs are going off in the main cities of Thailand and if the streets are being taken over by red yellow pink or green shirts then its time for some action

possibly starting with pulling the plug on the video feed from Dubai

or leaving the video feed and changing the audio feed to the cartoon channel

[TheOldWolf]

So what happens when the army decides not to back down in a particular situation?

Eventually, there is going to be violence.

And the reds will come up with some lame propaganda to say that it was Abhisit's fault.

It is terribly sad, as Abhisit has been the most outspoken 'no violence' person so far, his comment when he heard of the blood-buckets idea was "I worry about their health, withdrawing blood in a medically unsafe way".

I just hope people remember this quiet, humble man and his words during this sad affair.

And people also remember during the Airport and Government house blockade what he said ????????????

No i don´t, please remind me!

[Jimi007]

Good preventive move!

What is the army supposed to do in the case some of the

soldiers are attacked or otherwise provoked,

maybe even taken for ransom?

Someone needs urgently a provocation, some wrong move and this is at "all cost" to be avoided!

this confirms ,,,, a weak goverment ..

on the positive side ....the thai bart would be even stronger ,

if there was not the , current political unrest .

Hmm, I guess you would rather see the army not back down? Is violence a sign of a strong government?

[looping]

Red shirts should go back to school they're obviously in need of an education. Watching them makes a good case AGAINST democracy...sigh...

[gbswales]

So what happens when the army decides not to back down in a particular situation?

Eventually, there is going to be violence.

And the reds will come up with some lame propaganda to say that it was Abhisit's fault.

It is terribly sad, as Abhisit has been the most outspoken 'no violence' person so far, his comment when he heard of the blood-buckets idea was "I worry about their health, withdrawing blood in a medically unsafe way".

I just hope people remember this quiet, humble man and his words during this sad affair.

Sadly quiet humble men rarely achieve popular support - ordinary people look for the extraordinary (good or bad) in their politicians - this is the big mistake that people have been making all over the world for centuries - being wowed by performance rather than looking at the person underneath - will it ever change, in this media hyped world I doubt it - those who shout the loudest always get listened to!

[londonthai]

stationing military next to the protesters and around the temples might be seen as a provocation in a normal country, so good to hear they were withdrawn further away.

anyway, it suppose to be police and civilians working for the police, to maintain order in the city - it's their duty and they are properly trained to do so. Military is not needed in the town.

as to numbers of protesters today - if they were spread in 8 different location and if they were in each place in significant numbers, to put pressure on the commanding officer to move away from the old town, might mean that there were well over 80k

Edited March 27, 2010 by londonthai

[animatic]

I'm pleased there is no violence. I hope they get their way and get an election. Abhisit isn't a bad man, he just isn't elected.

He was elected by the Members Of Parliament with full quorum, and all duly elected in 2007.

All the oppositions attempts at votes of no confidence have failed miserably.

By the laws of the land, and all logic, he is a 'Properly Elected Prime Minister of Thailand'.

And he is not a bad man, which is a rarity in this seat it seams.

Edited March 27, 2010 by sabaijai

[krakatoa]

Time (actually well past time) to get out the rubber bullets and water cannons and put these red shirted psychopaths where they belong and that is the f^&*%$l- p765e.

A bunch of absolute lunatics holding the country to ransom. And to boot some of these redshirted fiends are being egged on and supported by their 'farang boyfriends'

I would probably do the same if I want rid of her.

Any other country in the world would employ 'blocking technology' to stop the square faced man inciting sedition and treason.

Maybe Abhisit is using the same strategy that Geo Bush Jnr employed when someone wanted to create mischief and brought down the twin towers.

That brought abought the extermination of Saddams two son's and his own hanging. Job well done but 3,000 innocents had to die to achieve the objective.

Is the same game being played out here ??

[webfact]

Veera: Tonight's target is Gov't House

BANGKOK: -- DAAD leader Veera Musikapong has announced that tonight protesters will pressure military personnel inside the Government House to return to their barracks.

Tomorrow, protesters will march to the Center for the Administration of Peace and Order at the 11th Infantry Regiment.

They claim that the military must return to the barracks.

-- Tan Network 2010-03-27

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[animatic]

Good preventive move!

What is the army supposed to do in the case some of the

soldiers are attacked or otherwise provoked,

maybe even taken for ransom?

Someone needs urgently a provocation, some wrong move and this is at "all cost" to be avoided!

this confirms ,,,, a weak goverment ..

on the positive side ....the thai bart would be even stronger ,

if there was not the , current political unrest .

Why is it weak? Because it doesn't run up and start a clash?

Because it allows a marginal toughness 'loss of face' versus the greater public good?

Seems like they are being tougher by not worrying about face,

and more about keeping things under control, and not playing

into their opponents increasingly desperate game plane.

It's been stronger by avoiding unnecessary violence.

Especially in light of the fact that the oppositions only viable option

for a real game changer changer, that they can manipulate to

their advantage, IS violence.

Theodore Roosevelt said: " Speak softly, but carry a big stick."

There may come a time to use the big stick, like last Songrkan was,

and yet there were MUCH bigger sticks to use and a small one was chosen...

Again a sign of strength OF CHARACTER,

it takes more brains and control to AVOID A FIGHT, or talk one down,

than to pick one....

Edited March 27, 2010 by animatic

[espinoza]

So what happens when the army decides not to back down in a particular situation?

Eventually, there is going to be violence.

And the reds will come up with some lame propaganda to say that it was Abhisit's fault.

Yes, I agree, but if so happens, it`s Thaksins fault.Or maybe not a fault.I think the criminal want Thailand to go to hel_l before he will change his mind.

Why does he not serve this two years ? Are this two years of his life so much more valueable than the thai people ?

[givenall]

i am no expert but if bombs are going off in the main cities of Thailand and if the streets are being taken over by red yellow pink or green shirts then its time for some action

possibly starting with pulling the plug on the video feed from Dubai

or leaving the video feed and changing the audio feed to the cartoon channel

Who is charge anyways