Chulalongkorn University Is A Hot Spot

[webfact]

PRO-THAKSIN RALLIES

Chula is a hot spot

By THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The red shirts' threat to stage a rally at Chulalongkorn University today to counter an emerging movement calling for political peace forced the latter to switch the venue for its gathering to Lumpini Park and prompted the university to shut itself down for three days.

Political volatility yesterday shifted to Chulalongkorn as it seemed the "pro-peace" demonstrators might have to hold a rally a few metres away from the visiting supporters of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

The red shirts, frustrated and under pressure following failed negotiations with the government, vowed to visit the university's campus in the afternoon to demand the same right to demonstrate there as the growing anti-red network calling themselves pro-peace.

The university, concerned about the safety of students and its personnel, announced yesterday evening that the campus would be closed from last night through to Monday morning.

This led to anxiety that the anti-red and red-shirt demonstrators might be only a few metres apart this afternoon.

CAUSING JITTERS

Red-shirt leader Natthawut Saikua said the protesters going to Chulalongkorn today would be a group of "medium size, neither big nor small", but the red shirts' plan to stage their first-ever demonstration at an academic institution immediately caused jitters.

Moreover, the red shirts made it clear yesterday that they regarded the other side as being "a government tool" created to weaken or discredit them.

"Pink" leaders told The Nation last night that their demonstration would go ahead, even if that meant the demonstrators would have to gather outside Chulalongkorn's main gates on Phya Thai Road.

"Of course, we are concerned," said a "pink" leader, Tri-dao Apaiwong, an Arts Faculty lecturer at the university. "But we have resolved to go ahead with the plan. We can't let fear keep us from getting up and doing something about this situation."

The "pink" movement, however, decided late last night to have its members gather at Lumpini Park to join a parallel assembly of hundreds of businessmen affected by the ongoing political crisis.

Hundreds of policemen and soldiers were about to be deployed inside the campus last night after the red-shirt leaders pulled no punches in attacking the institution as the "servant of the elite".

Despite the red shirts' criticism, the "pink" movement seemed to be gaining momentum in its efforts to seek support from academics, businessmen and civic-society organisations.

The movement's proclaimed mission of seeking an immediate and peaceful end to the political confrontation has considerably resonated with a lot of Bangkokians frustrated with the red shirts.

The red shirts' scepticism about the "pink" movement was somewhat ironical, considering their major complaint was that they were regarded as Thaksin's "tools" rather than a pure political force yearning for democracy.

"We would like to make a plea to the red shirts," said Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd, Army spokesman and also spokesman of the Peacekeeping Operations Centre, which is in charge of coping with the red-shirt protests.

"Nobody has tried to stop you from voicing your opinions. You are demanding democracy, so you must first learn to respect other people's rights and not to intimidate others who want to exercise their rights in the same way as you."

He said the government would do its best to prevent confrontation today.

The "pink" campaign will be taking place on the eve of another red "D-day", when another massive red gathering is expected although it remains a secret what the protest leaders are planning to do.

The red shirts' suspicion of the "pink" movement may have a lot to do with a prevailing sentiment in the latter group that the government should not dissolve the House of Representatives now as demanded by the pro-Thaksin protesters.

The no-dissolution advocates have cited the risk of denting investor confidence as well as the unresolved Map Ta Phut issue as reasons.

Thaksin, meanwhile, did not make his usual phone-in yesterday. Red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan said Thaksin was ill again. Earlier in the day, Thaksin tweeted that he was in Dubai and in good health and spirits.

"It's funny to read news stories about me having cancer and getting bald," Thaksin said in one tweet.

His phone-ins have revolved around the same old issues over the past few days, as he kept calling on his supporters not to give up, while attacking the government for being insincere.

-- The Nation 2010-04-02

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[Publicus]

It's understandable that people in Bangkok are sick and tired of the Reds running about every weekend when traffic is heavy and many people are busy catching up from the previous week and setting up for the upcoming week while getting some partying in between.

But this massing of two groups of the citizenry in Bangkok is discomforting. I mean, first the Reds came. Now the people are organizing to counter the Reds. The two groups are getting located and relocated physically closer to one another.

Previously it was either the Yellows or the Reds in the streets at different times months apart, never or rarely the two simultaneously. Now they're both in the streets as things are heating up from a slow burn.

[Nuchanart]

If I start a "ThaiVisa Magenta shirt group". Will there be followers?

[anotherpeter]

Moreover, the red shirts made it clear yesterday that they regarded the other side as being "a government tool" created to weaken or discredit them.

Pot ... Kettle ... Black

Edit: Oh, sorry, the red protests are NOT about Thaksin or funded by Thaksin or anything to do with Thaksin, are they?

Edited April 2, 2010 by anotherpeter

[Nuchanart]

Tri-dao Apaiwong is very beautiful. I don't mind changing from what ever colour to PINK just for her. Just google for her image.

http://www.whoweeklymagazine.com/people_co...eople&id=63

Some of us may be familiar with sweet, doe-eyed Dao-Tridao Apaiwong, acting coach and presenter on several TV shows. Tridao told WhO? that she’s been lucky not to have had too many serious problems. She can see the positive side of the world simply because she is enjoying life.

“A little chameleon can change its color, which means it isn’t fastened to its own self. So it can make adjustments to any situation, right? (laughing). However, its real identity is always the same…just like we never lose our individuality.”

Edited April 2, 2010 by Nuchanart

[frodo]

Moreover, the red shirts made it clear yesterday that they regarded the other side as being "a government tool" created to weaken or discredit them.

Pot ... Kettle ... Black

Edit: Oh, sorry, the red protests are NOT about Thaksin or funded by Thaksin or anything to do with Thaksin, are they?

Why should anyone ever think that, anotherpeter? They say it's not about Thaksin, and we must believe them.

The reds are the epitome of truth, justice, and democracy. Only they have the right to protest and allow the voices to be heard. Any group or individual that dares to think different are nothing but sacrilegious fools and must be castigated for their actions. Red democracy in action.

[scorecard]

It's understandable that people in Bangkok are sick and tired of the Reds running about every weekend when traffic is heavy and many people are busy catching up from the previous week and setting up for the upcoming week while getting some partying in between.

But this massing of two groups of the citizenry in Bangkok is discomforting. I mean, first the Reds came. Now the people are organizing to counter the Reds. The two groups are getting located and relocated physically closer to one another.

Previously it was either the Yellows or the Reds in the streets at different times months apart, never or rarely the two simultaneously. Now they're both in the streets as things are heating up from a slow burn.

Many people have predicted that their would be a natural evolution - the public at large become a force to be reckoned with.

I predict that the 'public at large' group will in fact fairly quickly become enormousand push the red shirts aside.

On a different angle we now see the reds making strong criticizm of Chula. university. If the reds keep this up they will burn all of their bridghes.

In any strategy teaching, class 101 includes 'don't burn your bridges'.

Edited April 2, 2010 by scorecard

[ratcatcher]

Moreover, the red shirts made it clear yesterday that they regarded the other side as being "a government tool" created to weaken or discredit them.

Pot ... Kettle ... Black

Edit: Oh, sorry, the red protests are NOT about Thaksin or funded by Thaksin or anything to do with Thaksin, are they?

Yes Peter, that's quite correct. It has absolutely nothing to do with Thaksin or Thaksin's money or Thaksin's generosity or

Thaksin's....it's all to do with , as Thaksin has explained ad nauseam, "Twue democacy".

[Meridian007]

Here we see the "Red Democracy" in action again. In Issan, in Chiang Mai, and now Bangkok, the red shirts have displayed a mentality of "We will do whatever we want, and you must accept and allow us to do so because it is our democratic right!"

As soon as another group shows up with a different opinion, the reds will intimidate or use violence to silence this opposition. Is this the "freedom" and "democracy" that you, (red shirt/Thaksin) apologists really want to live under? Perhaps you would enjoy a trip to Myanmar, or North Korea!

(And before any you jump in, accusing me of being PAD or something, by red shirt I mean the leadership of the reds who make the decisions and plans, including inciting mobs like we saw earlier this week forcing the military out of areas where they were merely stationed in as a precaution to control any violence similar to Black Songkran.

I am an apologist for the people who have been duped into following the red shirt movement, either by "gifts" of small money now, or the promise of larger money in the future. This is what democracy means to many of these people who only care about whether they have enough money to feed their families. While it is terrible that this and earlier governments still allow so many of their citizens to live in such abject poverty, it is worse to use the desperation of these people, (many of whom are women and children), to pay them for their use as "cannon fodder" for a greedy old man's money grabbing.)

Edited April 2, 2010 by Meridian007

[mazeltov]

If I start a "ThaiVisa Magenta shirt group". Will there be followers?

considering the fact that magneta is not a colour an amazing idea, but then, i don't wanna be part of anything.

maybe you can get some further inspiration from the furry shirts, they also came recently forward to be not below politics anymore.

[sungod]

I'm a vehicle for Tri-dao Apaiwong and whatever she preaches, however on a serious note I think we let the reds do what they want now within reason, from what I can see, protesting against a peaceful democratic protest is the first signs of self destruct and lack of strategy.

[pedro01]

This is a turn that makes me nervous, although on the bright side, I do have ringside seats, having a 25th floor office with a glorious view of Lumpini Park.

The hyporcrisy of the red shirts in this case is amazing. They can exercise their right to gather, yet anyone else that does is a government stooge and gets warned off.

They planned to march on Chula if people gathered within the University grounds- will they now March on Lumpini ? If they do - is there any doubt to the outcome ?

[Meridian007]

I'm a vehicle for Tri-dao Apaiwong and whatever she preaches, however on a serious note I think we let the reds do what they want now within reason, from what I can see, protesting against a peaceful democratic protest is the first signs of self destruct and lack of strategy.

Only if you make the assumption that this is government initiated. I think that the population of Bangkok is fed up with the red protest, with its lack of clear, achievable goals. They are just causing annoyance for anyone who has to get from the west end of town, to the east. If there was any sincerity in their stated goal of democracy, they would push for constitutional and judicial change now, and wait for the elections next year. As it is, they are just creating a media circus, so I can see why the people want to protest against the reds.

Edited April 2, 2010 by Meridian007

[mazeltov]

Tri-dao Apaiwong is very beautiful. I don't mind changing from what ever colour to PINK just for her. Just google for her image.

http://www.whoweeklymagazine.com/people_co...eople&id=63

Some of us may be familiar with sweet, doe-eyed Dao-Tridao Apaiwong, acting coach and presenter on several TV shows. Tridao told WhO? that she’s been lucky not to have had too many serious problems. She can see the positive side of the world simply because she is enjoying life.

“A little chameleon can change its color, which means it isn’t fastened to its own self. So it can make adjustments to any situation, right? (laughing). However, its real identity is always the same…just like we never lose our individuality.”

is that the pink shirt movement mission statement?

i was expecting something like Rosana Tositrakul, but her postmodern bubble flair, that sounds sounds like it has potential. i will stay tuned.

and does she twitter? where can i follow? does she rally daily or only on weekends?

[dobadoy]

Nothing new in red-shirt policy - thaksin was an intimidator of all those who opposed him, so are his proxies.

No surpirses here.

[ratcatcher]

If I start a "ThaiVisa Magenta shirt group". Will there be followers?

considering the fact that magneta is not a colour an amazing idea, but then, i don't wanna be part of anything.

maybe you can get some further inspiration from the furry shirts, they also came recently forward to be not below politics anymore.

JFYI Magneta is not a word and not a colour, hiowever magenta is a purplish-pink color)

[spacemand]

I am not into who's who and who is right or wrong but I know this in the last caouple of months I have heard news now and then about the protests in Bangkok, when the airport were occupied it were on the news here in Denmark almost daily and it had a much more negative impact than the current protests have. If you put last Aprils and the current negative press together it will not even get close to the negative press and impect it had when the airport were occupied.

Moreover, the red shirts made it clear yesterday that they regarded the other side as being "a government tool" created to weaken or discredit them.

Pot ... Kettle ... Black

Edit: Oh, sorry, the red protests are NOT about Thaksin or funded by Thaksin or anything to do with Thaksin, are they?

[mazeltov]

This is a turn that makes me nervous, although on the bright side, I do have ringside seats, having a 25th floor office with a glorious view of Lumpini Park.

The hyporcrisy of the red shirts in this case is amazing. They can exercise their right to gather, yet anyone else that does is a government stooge and gets warned off.

They planned to march on Chula if people gathered within the University grounds- will they now March on Lumpini ? If they do - is there any doubt to the outcome ?

nothing will happen, enjoy the sunshine.

and don't judge to quickly about any team here without questioning the sources of your information.

[mazeltov]

If I start a "ThaiVisa Magenta shirt group". Will there be followers?

considering the fact that magneta is not a colour an amazing idea, but then, i don't wanna be part of anything.

maybe you can get some further inspiration from the furry shirts, they also came recently forward to be not below politics anymore.

JFYI Magneta is not a word and not a colour, hiowever magenta is a purplish-pink color)

okay a typo,

but magenta is not a colour - old meme.

[webfact]

This topic subject is about Chulalongkorn rally....

Thank you

[givenall]

It is time to do something about these arrogant and stupid people that only have one goal. To bring a corrupt man back into power

[mazeltov]

It is time to do something about these arrogant and stupid people that only have one goal. To bring a corrupt man back into power

i don't think it is just about Thaksin and not the goal of that movement. anyway, how they could do that - bring Thaksin back into power?

[anotherpeter]

It is time to do something about these arrogant and stupid people that only have one goal. To bring a corrupt man back into power

i don't think it is just about Thaksin and not the goal of that movement. anyway, how they could do that - bring Thaksin back into power?

They can do that by getting into government, changing the laws, exonerating Thaksin and bringing him back.

The reds want government dissolution now, so that they can get into government and change the appropriate laws.

They also want to be in control of the upcoming army reshuffle so they can put Thaksin's people at the top. Then they have control over everything.

[Insight]

The unions have just publicly distanced themselves from the UDD movement (by a few hundred rai)...

[webfact]

Chula lecturers, govt supporters visit PM to show moral support

BANGKOK: -- A doctor and lecturer of Chulalongkorn University let a group of government's supporters to visit Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva at the Government House to show their moral support.

The group was led by Doctor Tul Sitthisomwong, a lecturer of Chulalongkorn's Faculty of Medicine.

About 10 academics and medical personnel from Ramathibodi Hospital accompanied Tul to meet the prime minister at 8 am.

The so-called group of Jamjuree Rakchart or Chulalongkorn community led by Panjama Siripichitsuppapol met the prime minister at 8:30 am.

Tul denied that his group was linked to the People's Alliance for Democracy and the military.

-- The Nation 2010-04-02

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[Thai at Heart]

The unions have just publicly distanced themselves from the UDD movement (by a few hundred rai)...

On the basis that they are staunchly anti-Thaksin that is hardly a surprise.

It is one of the beautiful contradictions of Thailand that to be a unionised train driver or desk jockey for Thai Airways. is perceived as a position of privilege.

[moresomekl]

It is time to do something about these arrogant and stupid people that only have one goal. To bring a corrupt man back into power

i don't think it is just about Thaksin and not the goal of that movement. anyway, how they could do that - bring Thaksin back into power?

They can do that by getting into government, changing the laws, exonerating Thaksin and bringing him back.

The reds want government dissolution now, so that they can get into government and change the appropriate laws.

They also want to be in control of the upcoming army reshuffle so they can put Thaksin's people at the top. Then they have control over everything.

Laws are not retroactive , they dont apply retroactively meaning to felonies or crimes comitted before they were enacted . If Thaksin comes back he will have to serve 2 years in jail regardless of the governement in power . Unless he gets a pardon from HM .

[cmsally]

The unions have just publicly distanced themselves from the UDD movement (by a few hundred rai)...

On the basis that they are staunchly anti-Thaksin that is hardly a surprise.

It is one of the beautiful contradictions of Thailand that to be a unionised train driver or desk jockey for Thai Airways. is perceived as a position of privilege.

So true Don't forget it was also Chula doctors that refused to treat police after they broke up PAD protests.

[anotherpeter]

It is time to do something about these arrogant and stupid people that only have one goal. To bring a corrupt man back into power

i don't think it is just about Thaksin and not the goal of that movement. anyway, how they could do that - bring Thaksin back into power?

They can do that by getting into government, changing the laws, exonerating Thaksin and bringing him back.

The reds want government dissolution now, so that they can get into government and change the appropriate laws.

They also want to be in control of the upcoming army reshuffle so they can put Thaksin's people at the top. Then they have control over everything.

Laws are not retroactive , they dont apply retroactively meaning to felonies or crimes comitted before they were enacted . If Thaksin comes back he will have to serve 2 years in jail regardless of the governement in power . Unless he gets a pardon from HM .

That doesn't stop laws being enacted that enables Thaksin to not serve his jail time, or just having his sentence commuted for time spent in exile. Basically, the government in power can do what they want. There is always a way when large amounts of money are involved.

Edited April 2, 2010 by anotherpeter

[moresomekl]

It is time to do something about these arrogant and stupid people that only have one goal. To bring a corrupt man back into power

i don't think it is just about Thaksin and not the goal of that movement. anyway, how they could do that - bring Thaksin back into power?

Its not about Thaksin per say , its about the money (500 bahts per day , 15,000 bahts per month ) the red rank and file get every day from him .

Like a salary ...

By now you should know Thaksin mindset which is to buy everybody , in support of his lust for power

As for the reds , poor people always have poor choices . Cant blame 'em

Edited April 2, 2010 by moresomekl