Thai Protesters Target Bangkok's Tourist Centre

[MellowYellow]

way2muchcoffee, thank you for you reference to laws that were written. However, another aspect that must be considered is the legitimacy of the law and the reasons for the application. If the laws are capriciously applied or if they are applied by an illegitimate power, then the law may be deemed to have no validity. There are some that will argue that the current government has come about as a result of an illegal act, a military coup, and therefore has no authority. I won't go down that route, because we'll just disagree and there has to be some semblance of maintaining order or else anarchy will reign. Please note however, that the USA had Jim Crow laws and there was a sign in the park where my family would play that read No Dogs and No Chinese. The sign came down after the Communists took the city.

Let's look at what you wrote;

Section 62: There has been no armed assembly. Peace and order is in place, as evidenced by the lack of destruction to property and the peaceful comportment of the rally goers.

Section 63: The rally has not disrupted the administration of the country nor the consistency in the provision of

public services. The quality of public services continues to be crappy.

In respect to the need to protect the people it can be argued that the Red shirts are the people. they are the ones that keep the country running by the sweat of their brow. They are the ones that are paying the "tribute" to the Bangkok elite by way of usury, rice distribution monopolies and restricted land ownership.

More cherry-picking. Not quoting the full article and just saying things like "without arms" while the whole article states when that "right" may be abridged.

The "illegitimate" government horse won't run since this government didn't come about from a coup. It came about from a vote in Parliament.

http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/12/17/pol...cs_30091207.php

Khamnoon Sitthisamarn, a columnist and editor at the paper, wrote on Monday that the new "political phenomena" with Abhisit as PM "was genuinely a PAD victory!" The editor, who is also an appointed senator, how-ever did admit in his column that this was an "Anuphong-style coup d'etat."

Your very own Democrat Senator published in your very own daily propaganda rag.

[moresomekl]

Convicted ex-Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra will not be invited to Cambodia during the red shirts' protest to prevent him from using the country as a base to criticise Abhisit government, Cambodia's PM Hun Sen said Sunday.

As long as the red shirts hold mass rally in Thailand, Thaksin, an economic adviser to Hun Sen and the Khmer government, will not invited as guest of Cambodia.

Thai Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban said Hun Sen conveyed the message during their meeting on the sideline of mekong Summit in Hua Hin.

Hun Sen's message surprised many. It is because Hun Sen had angered Thai government by appointing Thaksin as economic adviser and the appointment led to the downgrading of the mutual ties.

Hun Sen himself had criticised Abhisit government, saying that his government is not willing to deal with Abhisit government. He even challenged Abhisit to dissolve the House and hold a snap election.

-- The Nation 04/04/2010

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

this must be a slap in the face for Thaksin

Interesting that it is Suthep doing the talking with Hun Sen and not the bungling Kasit. Good sign.

The niceties of protocol (Hun Sen is their PM) have some charm in that instance .

Maybe Kasit should be sent to talk to the protesters , he has some experience in

the matter i believe

[elcent]

The niceties of protocol (Hun Sen is their PM) have some charm in that instance .

Maybe Kasit should be sent to talk to the protesters , he has some experience in

the matter i believe

Pleeeease NO, he will enjoy it again as long as it leads to destruction of private and public property.

[ChiangMaiThai]

I work in the tourism field and this protest is costing me plenty of money. But its not my country. So I won't judge. What I will say is that clearly anyone who supported the yellow shirts can hardly complain about the reds moving to the center of Bangkok. After all, the yellows were the ones who shut down an international airport. And to watch the army rush in here to clear the reds out so quickly would be the height of double standards.

[elcent]

I work in the tourism field and this protest is costing me plenty of money. But its not my country. So I won't judge. What I will say is that clearly anyone who supported the yellow shirts can hardly complain about the reds moving to the center of Bangkok. After all, the yellows were the ones who shut down an international airport. And to watch the army rush in here to clear the reds out so quickly would be the height of double standards.

The gov could lease some FEMA camps in the US of A. Both leaderships the reds and the yellows. They are not occupied yet.

[lannarebirth]

I work in the tourism field and this protest is costing me plenty of money. But its not my country. So I won't judge. What I will say is that clearly anyone who supported the yellow shirts can hardly complain about the reds moving to the center of Bangkok. After all, the yellows were the ones who shut down an international airport. And to watch the army rush in here to clear the reds out so quickly would be the height of double standards.

You don't think 3 weeks is long enough?

[otherstuff1957]

Hunsen or his advisors may have watched Aphiset's speeches and Thaksin's phone-ins. I wouldn't be surprised if he decided to hedge his bets after comparing the two!

Edited April 4, 2010 by otherstuff1957

[jdinasia]

I work in the tourism field and this protest is costing me plenty of money. But its not my country. So I won't judge. What I will say is that clearly anyone who supported the yellow shirts can hardly complain about the reds moving to the center of Bangkok. After all, the yellows were the ones who shut down an international airport. And to watch the army rush in here to clear the reds out so quickly would be the height of double standards.

You don't think 3 weeks is long enough?

Actually the AOT shut down Suwannaphoom and the PPP government on Oct 7th certainly sent the police to deal with the PAD. So if you want no double standards then it would make sense to send in the police and have them use RDX laced Chinese military ordinance to do it. (I am not suggesting that this is what should be done, water cannon etc would be adequate.)

[Sunderland]

Forgive my ignorance. I know who most of the red shirt leaders are, but who is the tall gadgie from the 'Village People' with the cap and the moustache? He seems to get up on stage a lot and was a regular on stage at Sanam Luang when the UDD were protesting there about the PAD's occupation of Government House.

[Sunderland]

This live video site's kind of cool also...as it give you up to 6 different, simultaneous video feeds all on your screen at the same time...

http://www.sanamluang.tv/

Wonder if we will get it in HD soon ...

[elcent]

Forgive my ignorance. I know who most of the red shirt leaders are, but who is the tall gadgie from the 'Village People' with the cap and the moustache? He seems to get up on stage a lot and was a regular on stage at Sanam Luang when the UDD were protesting there about the PAD's occupation of Government House.

not sure, but I think to know of whom you're talking. I think he's a comedian.

maybe FROM "Villa CAFE"?

Edited April 4, 2010 by elcent

[MellowYellow]

NOTE: Deleted photos and smileys from original post to save space....<deleted> does being in Bangkok have to do with anything? Does not being in Washington DC mean I can't have / express an opinion on US politics or not being in Moscow mean I can't have an opinion about the bombings in Russia? You're making no sense.

i do have a couple of questions for you though - but they require thought, so I'm not really expecting an answer...Do you support the Red call for guerilla groups in Thailand? What about the ethics of Jatuporn, who apparently has immunity from prosecution, asking poor farmers to stay and be arrested for the benefit of a convicted thief on the run?

Perhaps direct your question to jdinasia who continually thinks he takes some great moral highground because he is IN Thailand and he reads Thai.

In fact he recently accused me of not living here with ZERO knowledge to try and win some cheap point in an argument.

Start paying attention to your groupthink cabal's own posts and smell the hypocrisy.

[OzMick]

saw many North and North-Easterners today in food stalls far away from the main scenes. Nobody wore red though, but they all came from the very poor category. it was an unusual sight in these places. they behaved all nicely and I'm pretty sure that these are not trouble makers of any kind, they just want their pleas heard and acted on. I don't think that they have Thaksin at heart but their own survival.

I think it's probably good to have the hard core Thakinesians exposed as well as the hard core PADards. It's time to separate those from public and the country can move on. Give the needy a fair chance.

Thaksin does nothing else than to have them bend over backwards time and again. Somebody please tell them.

Tears came to my eyes when I saw them today. Most are young any looked ill and skinny.

Nice comment

I'd send you both pictures of my gf's mother from Si Song Kram, but I left my wide angle lens at home. Every woman here over 40 looks decidedly porky, bloody heartbreaking!

I've been living with the poorest of the poor, you tell me.

No, and yes. No, I live in southern Thailand, and quite comfortably, ta. Yes, the gf's family are relatively poor, certainly not middle class. They are also quite well fed, adequately housed, have their transport, and seem reasonably happy. I will discuss the political situation with them this week, and though we view things differently, I expect the conversation to be respectful and polite.

I don't subscribe to the help the poor starving peasants line - it sounds a little commie, which is great in theory and never worked in practice, despite what Michael Moore would have us believe.

my father told me once "If <deleted> was worth buying, poor people would be born without an anus. (paraphrased)" What he meant was that there will always be poor; if you try to help them they will blow their opportunities through sloth or other vices. Those who really want to improve their lot will find a way to do so. Joining the Red Shirts might seem the way, but it's pure delusion.

[TheItaliann]

The very bottom line is that the poor people are tired of the middlemen stealing from them. You have to admit that the red shirts have not taken over government buildings nor have they closed the airport.

Please. Send them to take over the government house and airport. Those targets have very little effect on most of the country. They are high profile, largely symbolic targets that affect a small percentage of the country directly. I didn't agree when the yellows did that either, but at least that was not serious.

Yeah who needs a functioning international airport.

[jdinasia]

NOTE: Deleted photos and smileys from original post to save space....<deleted> does being in Bangkok have to do with anything? Does not being in Washington DC mean I can't have / express an opinion on US politics or not being in Moscow mean I can't have an opinion about the bombings in Russia? You're making no sense.

i do have a couple of questions for you though - but they require thought, so I'm not really expecting an answer...Do you support the Red call for guerilla groups in Thailand? What about the ethics of Jatuporn, who apparently has immunity from prosecution, asking poor farmers to stay and be arrested for the benefit of a convicted thief on the run?

Perhaps direct your question to jdinasia who continually thinks he takes some great moral highground because he is IN Thailand and he reads Thai.

In fact he recently accused me of not living here with ZERO knowledge to try and win some cheap point in an argument.

Start paying attention to your groupthink cabal's own posts and smell the hypocrisy.

How many times have you mentioned me in posts not directed to me or not including quotes of my posts? And all just because you were caught out a few times? Obsessed much? If you don't like my posts or me correcting factual errors please feel free to use the ignore function

[MellowYellow]

Actually the AOT shut down Suwannaphoom and the PPP government on Oct 7th certainly sent the police to deal with the PAD. So if you want no double standards then it would make sense to send in the police and have them use RDX laced Chinese military ordinance to do it. (I am not suggesting that this is what should be done, water cannon etc would be adequate.)

How many times do you have to trot out the same OLD lie and have have it shoved back at you before you give it up?

The PAD has completely taken control of Suvarnabhumi Airport so any airline that wants to take off or land must seek permission from us directly,'' said Chaiwat Sinswuwong, one of the leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy.

http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/r...newsid=30089746

Chamlong Srimuang, a co-leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, woke up protesters inside the Government House complex at 6 am Saturday, telling them to get ready to travel to the Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

The protesters were told to board buses at the Nang Lerng Racecourse at 7 am.

The were told to bring along foods and drinking water.

And we can get to your hypocrisy RE: police violence momentarily.

[TheOldWolf]

I work in the tourism field and this protest is costing me plenty of money. But its not my country. So I won't judge. What I will say is that clearly anyone who supported the yellow shirts can hardly complain about the reds moving to the center of Bangkok. After all, the yellows were the ones who shut down an international airport. And to watch the army rush in here to clear the reds out so quickly would be the height of double standards.

The same old song again and again. Remember the airport...remember the yellow shirts....This is about Bangkok today and not repeat the same misstake...

[Netfan]

NOTE: Deleted photos and smileys from original post to save space....<deleted> does being in Bangkok have to do with anything? Does not being in Washington DC mean I can't have / express an opinion on US politics or not being in Moscow mean I can't have an opinion about the bombings in Russia? You're making no sense.

i do have a couple of questions for you though - but they require thought, so I'm not really expecting an answer...Do you support the Red call for guerilla groups in Thailand? What about the ethics of Jatuporn, who apparently has immunity from prosecution, asking poor farmers to stay and be arrested for the benefit of a convicted thief on the run?

Perhaps direct your question to jdinasia who continually thinks he takes some great moral highground because he is IN Thailand and he reads Thai.

In fact he recently accused me of not living here with ZERO knowledge to try and win some cheap point in an argument.

Start paying attention to your groupthink cabal's own posts and smell the hypocrisy.

Perhaps you should let your little red brother stand up for himself instead of being his daddy. he never did answer my other questions, can you do that for him?

[ChiangMaiThai]

I work in the tourism field and this protest is costing me plenty of money. But its not my country. So I won't judge. What I will say is that clearly anyone who supported the yellow shirts can hardly complain about the reds moving to the center of Bangkok. After all, the yellows were the ones who shut down an international airport. And to watch the army rush in here to clear the reds out so quickly would be the height of double standards.

You don't think 3 weeks is long enough?

Actually the AOT shut down Suwannaphoom and the PPP government on Oct 7th certainly sent the police to deal with the PAD. So if you want no double standards then it would make sense to send in the police and have them use RDX laced Chinese military ordinance to do it. (I am not suggesting that this is what should be done, water cannon etc would be adequate.)

So by your logic, the red shirts didn't shut down Big C, and Gaysorn, the owner's did! I'm aware that AOT made the decision to close down operations. That might have been because there were thousands of protesters blocking entry and eventually even in the control towers. LOL... please post a link for us to see the photos and video of police arresting the yellow shirts. Also, please post a link to show the jail terms that each received.

[MellowYellow]

NOTE: Deleted photos and smileys from original post to save space....<deleted> does being in Bangkok have to do with anything? Does not being in Washington DC mean I can't have / express an opinion on US politics or not being in Moscow mean I can't have an opinion about the bombings in Russia? You're making no sense.

i do have a couple of questions for you though - but they require thought, so I'm not really expecting an answer...Do you support the Red call for guerilla groups in Thailand? What about the ethics of Jatuporn, who apparently has immunity from prosecution, asking poor farmers to stay and be arrested for the benefit of a convicted thief on the run?

Perhaps direct your question to jdinasia who continually thinks he takes some great moral highground because he is IN Thailand and he reads Thai.

In fact he recently accused me of not living here with ZERO knowledge to try and win some cheap point in an argument.

Start paying attention to your groupthink cabal's own posts and smell the hypocrisy.

How many times have you mentioned me in posts not directed to me or not including quotes of my posts? And all just because you were caught out a few times? Obsessed much? If you don't like my posts or me correcting factual errors please feel free to use the ignore function

LOL. I understand you are getting disturbed. I keep calling out your lies and hypocrisy.

My reccomendation: Lie less, especially when the lies are blatant and easily disproved.

Also be less hypocritical.

I have still not sunk to your and your groupthink mates level of personal attack.

And now for more hypocrisy regarding you advocacy of violence...

[MellowYellow]

NOTE: Deleted photos and smileys from original post to save space....<deleted> does being in Bangkok have to do with anything? Does not being in Washington DC mean I can't have / express an opinion on US politics or not being in Moscow mean I can't have an opinion about the bombings in Russia? You're making no sense.

i do have a couple of questions for you though - but they require thought, so I'm not really expecting an answer...Do you support the Red call for guerilla groups in Thailand? What about the ethics of Jatuporn, who apparently has immunity from prosecution, asking poor farmers to stay and be arrested for the benefit of a convicted thief on the run?

Perhaps direct your question to jdinasia who continually thinks he takes some great moral highground because he is IN Thailand and he reads Thai.

In fact he recently accused me of not living here with ZERO knowledge to try and win some cheap point in an argument.

Start paying attention to your groupthink cabal's own posts and smell the hypocrisy.

Perhaps you should let your little red brother stand up for himself instead of being his daddy. he never did answer my other questions, can you do that for him?

Wait? So what are you advocating?

It is ok to comment from afar if someone agrees with you but NOT if they disagree with you?

[jdinasia]

I work in the tourism field and this protest is costing me plenty of money. But its not my country. So I won't judge. What I will say is that clearly anyone who supported the yellow shirts can hardly complain about the reds moving to the center of Bangkok. After all, the yellows were the ones who shut down an international airport. And to watch the army rush in here to clear the reds out so quickly would be the height of double standards.

You don't think 3 weeks is long enough?

Actually the AOT shut down Suwannaphoom and the PPP government on Oct 7th certainly sent the police to deal with the PAD. So if you want no double standards then it would make sense to send in the police and have them use RDX laced Chinese military ordinance to do it. (I am not suggesting that this is what should be done, water cannon etc would be adequate.)

So by your logic, the red shirts didn't shut down Big C, and Gaysorn, the owner's did! I'm aware that AOT made the decision to close down operations. That might have been because there were thousands of protesters blocking entry and eventually even in the control towers. LOL... please post a link for us to see the photos and video of police arresting the yellow shirts. Also, please post a link to show the jail terms that each received.

You are aware that the court cases against the PAD are ongoing, right? Oh, you weren't?

[jdinasia]

I work in the tourism field and this protest is costing me plenty of money. But its not my country. So I won't judge. What I will say is that clearly anyone who supported the yellow shirts can hardly complain about the reds moving to the center of Bangkok. After all, the yellows were the ones who shut down an international airport. And to watch the army rush in here to clear the reds out so quickly would be the height of double standards.

You don't think 3 weeks is long enough?

Actually the AOT shut down Suwannaphoom and the PPP government on Oct 7th certainly sent the police to deal with the PAD. So if you want no double standards then it would make sense to send in the police and have them use RDX laced Chinese military ordinance to do it. (I am not suggesting that this is what should be done, water cannon etc would be adequate.)

So by your logic, the red shirts didn't shut down Big C, and Gaysorn, the owner's did! I'm aware that AOT made the decision to close down operations. That might have been because there were thousands of protesters blocking entry and eventually even in the control towers. LOL... please post a link for us to see the photos and video of police arresting the yellow shirts. Also, please post a link to show the jail terms that each received.

But no, the management company running Gaysorn and Big C etc closed them down. I am sure they will sue the Red leadership just like AOT and Thai Air have sued the leaders of the PAD. Yes, that means King Power etc could claim damages against the AOT since AOT management failed to do their duty.

[ChiangMaiThai]

You are aware that the court cases against the PAD are ongoing, right? Oh, you weren't?

How many months have gone by? How many arrests have been made? How many yellows are in jail for laying siege to an international airport? And as I just PM'd you, if marching en mass to the airport and causing AOT to shut down operations is a reasonable method for voicing political dissent, then is it okay for the reds to head over there tonight? Or is it only okay of you wear yellow?

[ChiangMaiThai]

I work in the tourism field and this protest is costing me plenty of money. But its not my country. So I won't judge. What I will say is that clearly anyone who supported the yellow shirts can hardly complain about the reds moving to the center of Bangkok. After all, the yellows were the ones who shut down an international airport. And to watch the army rush in here to clear the reds out so quickly would be the height of double standards.

The same old song again and again. Remember the airport...remember the yellow shirts....This is about Bangkok today and not repeat the same misstake...

Mistake... Yeah. Woops, how did we let thousands of people lay siege to the international airport - for three weeks, costing the country billions and then fail to arrest anyone. Everyone makes mistakes I guess.

[Jerrytheyoung]

No, and yes. No, I live in southern Thailand, and quite comfortably, ta. Yes, the gf's family are relatively poor, certainly not middle class. They are also quite well fed, adequately housed, have their transport, and seem reasonably happy. I will discuss the political situation with them this week, and though we view things differently, I expect the conversation to be respectful and polite.

I don't subscribe to the help the poor starving peasants line - it sounds a little commie, which is great in theory and never worked in practice, despite what Michael Moore would have us believe.

my father told me once "If <deleted> was worth buying, poor people would be born without an anus. (paraphrased)" What he meant was that there will always be poor; if you try to help them they will blow their opportunities through sloth or other vices. Those who really want to improve their lot will find a way to do so. Joining the Red Shirts might seem the way, but it's pure delusion.

I cannot subscribe to your comments.

I have been lucky: my father was the second son in a family of 6, poor family of workers (black furnaces- North of France) his mother widowed beginning of second world war, family house bombed.... But my father, in spite a poor health, has been a hard worker and he has gotten a nice education, because it is accessible to everybody in France and it is free for good students and also because there is a quality control and a standardisation throughout all France (Maybe not perfect but at least limiting the gaps)

I have received a good education, I was not bad also during my schooling time and I can be considered as a middle Class man in my Country. I have never forgotten my origins, I remember my parents helping around them poor immigrants coming from Portugal, I remember the solidarity between poor people and the obsession to give a good education to their Children

Today, my in-laws are one of the poorest family in their North Eastern village, but they are dignified, they do their best to send the children to the best school available (unfortunately, the quality is not very good and the chances of the children are certainly less than the Bankokian middle Classs ones): same behavior than my Parents and great parents.

Please respect the poor people, your post is unacceptable.

[Netfan]

Wait? So what are you advocating?

It is ok to comment from afar if someone agrees with you but NOT if they disagree with you?

Interesting. Why is it that no red supporter will answer the questions: Do you support the Red agenda of calling for guerilla groups in Thailand? Is it ethical for a person with immunity to put his (poor) followers in a position to be arrested and fined, knowing nothing can happen to him? And, do you support the Red idea of a "New Thai State"? Yes or no will do fine.

[LuckyFive8888]

Who is in Bangkok, who isn't in Bangkok? What's the difference? I know occasional visitors who know much more about Thailand than people who have lived here for many years. I am more skeptical of the long time Bangkok residents who have never been out of Bangkok and then proclaim themselves to be Thai political as well as cultural experts. Yellow shirts, red shirts, they both have their champions and I'd wager that their champions are just as corrupt as the next politician. Money is power and people with money are usually respected (maybe feared) no matter how they got their money. Does anyone know of any politician who has been jailed for taking bribes?

bribery is a major recipe not only in thai politics but everywhere in the world. companies, businessman, contractors, etc. are all trying to get their way through channels via bribery to win projects, partnership, jobs, etc. we have heard it with big companies like daimler just recently that they also have done so (willingly) to bribe their way in many countries. having said that, everybody in the political arena get their share and some piece of the cake.

[BKKer2010]

I work in the tourism field and this protest is costing me plenty of money. But its not my country. So I won't judge. What I will say is that clearly anyone who supported the yellow shirts can hardly complain about the reds moving to the center of Bangkok. After all, the yellows were the ones who shut down an international airport. And to watch the army rush in here to clear the reds out so quickly would be the height of double standards.

The same old song again and again. Remember the airport...remember the yellow shirts....This is about Bangkok today and not repeat the same misstake...

Mistake... Yeah. Woops, how did we let thousands of people lay siege to the international airport - for three weeks, costing the country billions and then fail to arrest anyone. Everyone makes mistakes I guess.

Do the Reds and their supporters not only have no platform (except Thaksin) but also no excuse for their actions except to go back in time and believe the government should once again make the same mistakes they made previously?

[BKKer2010]

I work in the tourism field and this protest is costing me plenty of money. But its not my country. So I won't judge. What I will say is that clearly anyone who supported the yellow shirts can hardly complain about the reds moving to the center of Bangkok. After all, the yellows were the ones who shut down an international airport. And to watch the army rush in here to clear the reds out so quickly would be the height of double standards.

The same old song again and again. Remember the airport...remember the yellow shirts....This is about Bangkok today and not repeat the same misstake...

Mistake... Yeah. Woops, how did we let thousands of people lay siege to the international airport - for three weeks, costing the country billions and then fail to arrest anyone. Everyone makes mistakes I guess.

But the question is ... should they make the same mistake again?