Thai Protesters Skirmish With Police In Tourist Hub

[webfact]

Thai protesters skirmish with police in tourist hub

by Thanaporn Promyamyai

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Anti-government Thai protesters scuffled with riot police in Bangkok's tourist district Tuesday, while a grenade exploded outside the ruling party's offices, fanning tensions in the capital.

The red-shirted supporters of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra threw plastic bottles and pushed against police barricades, paralysing Bangkok's shopping and hotel district for a fourth day in a bid to topple the government.

"We are ready to fight and die here," Red Shirt leader Nattawut Saikuar said with a raised fist on a rally stage.

"The government put pressure on us but we are staying put. Now we will retaliate with our own offensive," he said, vowing to "break every checkpoint" in the capital.

A grenade exploded outside Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's party headquarters, slightly injuring two policemen, in the latest unexplained attack since the rallies began in mid-March. Abhisit was not present at the time.

Processions of red-shirted protesters on motorcycles and in pick-up trucks swarmed the streets of central Bangkok, pouring into the business district from their rally base in the tourist heartland.

The Reds, mostly from the rural poor north, want snap elections, arguing that Abhisit's government is illegitimate because it came to power through a parliamentary vote in 2008 after a court stripped Thaksin's allies of power.

"We will not end our demand for house dissolution. I'm not afraid of being arrested," said Noolah Ungpao, a 50-year-old farmer from the country's northeast.

Riot police earlier surrounded tens of thousands of protesters who have been rallying in the city's commercial centre since Saturday.

But the authorities reassured the public that they were not planning to crack down on the demonstrators, and later called off the police.

Abhisit, in a nationally televised press conference, said the security forces had attempted to restore order but later withdrew to avert confrontation because of the large number of protesters.

He pledged "to enforce the law and restore normalcy as soon as possible".

The protests, which drew tens of thousands of people, were largely peaceful with both sides saying they wanted to avoid violence.

There were no reports of injuries during the scuffles and tourists seemed mostly unperturbed.

"Our plans have been disrupted for the past three days but I enjoy taking pictures of them," Mario Taramidis, a 44-year-old dentist from Cyprus, said of the demonstrators.

"We have no right to be annoyed. We're just here for a few days. It's their lives. They have to do what they want to do," he added.

The military has mounted a heavy security response, deploying 50,000 personnel at one point to try to contain the protests, which drew as many as 100,000 people on the first day on March 14.

The Reds' gathering in the tourist hub has been banned under a strict security law that could land the protesters with a year in jail.

But the government wants to avoid a repeat of last April's clashes with Red Shirts that left two people dead, six months after riot police took on the rival Yellow Shirts in bloody scenes outside parliament.

Thai society is deeply divided between the Reds, who accuse Abhisit's government of being elitist and army-backed, and the Yellow Shirts, supporters of the country's establishment who accuse Thaksin of gross corruption.

Thaksin, a billionaire former telecoms tycoon, lives abroad to avoid a jail term for graft at home.

Abhisit said that if the situation did not improve he might cancel a trip to Washington for a nuclear security summit on April 12-13 and curtail his planned attendance at a summit of Southeast Asian leaders in Hanoi this week.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-04-06

Published with written approval from AFP.

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[givenall]

It is time to bring Thaksin back. DO you think if he was a PM he would put up with kind of crap? Some government is better than no government as it is obvious right now

[otherstuff1957]

If Thaksin was the PM and the protesters were against him, the body count was probably be in the triple digits already.

That is the main reason that he is NOT the PM now,

[Insight]

The main weapon the reds had today was that blatantly doctored clip of Abhisit, and pretty large numbers of people, many of them old, wearing red "Truth Today" shirts. The irony (and shame).

What can Abhisit do against a crowd of aged, manipulated people? Perhaps a PR campaign to explain exactly how this clip was produced may help. Not that it'll may ever reach their attention.

[siampolee]

It would be interesting if the opinions of those that were murdered in the ''war on Drugs and the Tak Bai massacre and of course a prominent Muslim lawyer could voice them.

Indeed Thaksin had and it seems still has his own unique version of DEMOCRACY

In all of my twenty years here I had never seen such a despotic regime like Thaksins regime.

The truth along with honesty and concern for other were not endangered species they were extinct,

Indeed the current rhetoric and actions of the puppet leaders of the Red Shirt Brigade are proving that the exhumation of '' The truth, honesty and the concern for others'' must be re interred post haste forever under their brand of DEMOCRACY.

Edited April 6, 2010 by siampolee

[hunglikea]

It wold be interesying if the opinions of those that were murdered in the ''war on Drugs and the Tak Bai massacre and of course a prominent M......

Whatever you were trying to say I think cannot be answered because as you stated they are already dead.

EDIT;

For some reason only some of your post was shown, which is why I replied thus.

Edited April 6, 2010 by hunglikea

[scorecard]

The main weapon the reds had today was that blatantly doctored clip of Abhisit, and pretty large numbers of people, many of them old, wearing red "Truth Today" shirts. The irony (and shame).

What can Abhisit do against a crowd of aged, manipulated people? Perhaps a PR campaign to explain exactly how this clip was produced may help. Not that it'll may ever reach their attention.

And jatuporn will tell his followers that it's all lies and unfortunately they will believe him. No win.

Wonder what jatuporn's response will be when he'schallenged inside parliamane about this.

I'm optimistic that the day will come when jatuporn and his murky gang will fall adapt, it's impossible that there would not be tension amongst them, they all have their own beliefs and opinions and methods. Concensus is just not possible and If one or a couple of them feel they arenot being listened to or not being respected by the other members of this murky gang, they the pressure cooker will blow!

And/or somebody else will come into this situation who has the clout to say it as it is.

Have you noticed chavalit hasn't been seen or heard for nearly two weeks.

Edited April 6, 2010 by scorecard

[freedom4life]

If Thaksin was the PM and the protesters were against him, the body count was probably be in the triple digits already.

That is the main reason that he is NOT the PM now,

Interesting...that must be a true assumption eh Watson?

[freedom4life]

It is time to bring Thaksin back. DO you think if he was a PM he would put up with kind of crap? Some government is better than no government as it is obvious right now

I think you are suggesting to bring back Thaksin in order to stop the nonsense caused by Thaksin's supporters under instructions from Thaksin.

Good thinking Batman.

This is all the making of Thaksin, not the unofficial, military-installed-gov't at present. Even better thinking Robin!

[Insight]

The main weapon the reds had today was that blatantly doctored clip of Abhisit, and pretty large numbers of people, many of them old, wearing red "Truth Today" shirts. The irony (and shame).

What can Abhisit do against a crowd of aged, manipulated people? Perhaps a PR campaign to explain exactly how this clip was produced may help. Not that it'll may ever reach their attention.

And jatuporn will tell his followers that it's all lies and unfortunately they will believe him. No win.

"Truth Today" :s

Can only speculate the discussions which are happening behind the scenes right now. Suppose they'll be camping out at Silom tonight ready to greet people going to work tomorrow.

[hunglikea]

It is time to bring Thaksin back. DO you think if he was a PM he would put up with kind of crap? Some government is better than no government as it is obvious right now

I think you are suggesting to bring back Thaksin in order to stop the nonsense caused by Thaksin's supporters under instructions from Thaksin.

Good thinking Batman.

This is all the making of Thaksin, not the unofficial, military-installed-gov't at present. Even better thinking Robin!

Do you really, honestly understand what absolute claptrap you have written?

[freedom4life]

It would be interesting if the opinions of those that were murdered in the ''war on Drugs and the Tak Bai massacre and of course a prominent Muslim lawyer could voice them.

Indeed Thaksin had and it seems still has his own unique version of DEMOCRACY

In all of my twenty years here I had never seen such a despotic regime like Thaksins regime.

The truth along with honesty and concern for other were not endangered species they were extinct,

Indeed the current rhetoric and actions of the puppet leaders of the Red Shirt Brigade are proving that the exhumation of '' The truth, honesty and the concern for others'' must be re interred post haste forever under their brand of DEMOCRACY.

So, the present form of gov't is a democratically elected one, yes? I wonder why Abhisit was going to the U.S.? He said he may have to cancel taking the trip there. Interesting..perhaps to get instructions or aid from a well prepped dictator(who is still illegally occupying the white house) who knows how to handle dissidents perhaps? You best wake-up to the REALITY of the way the world is really running..democracy..what horse shit.

[dobadoy]

It would be interesting if the opinions of those that were murdered in the ''war on Drugs and the Tak Bai massacre and of course a prominent Muslim lawyer could voice them.

Indeed Thaksin had and it seems still has his own unique version of DEMOCRACY

In all of my twenty years here I had never seen such a despotic regime like Thaksins regime.

The truth along with honesty and concern for other were not endangered species they were extinct,

Indeed the current rhetoric and actions of the puppet leaders of the Red Shirt Brigade are proving that the exhumation of '' The truth, honesty and the concern for others'' must be re interred post haste forever under their brand of DEMOCRACY.

Good post siampolee. I first came here in 1995 and remember well the fear that Thaksin's premiership inculcated during 2004-2006. Good knows why anyone would want him back, unless of course they thought the 30baht health care scheme was of such great magnanimity that all other social, political, business and human rights abuses should be forgiven.

[freedom4life]

It is time to bring Thaksin back. DO you think if he was a PM he would put up with kind of crap? Some government is better than no government as it is obvious right now

I think you are suggesting to bring back Thaksin in order to stop the nonsense caused by Thaksin's supporters under instructions from Thaksin.

Good thinking Batman.

This is all the making of Thaksin, not the unofficial, military-installed-gov't at present. Even better thinking Robin!

Do you really, honestly understand what absolute claptrap you have written?

Sure, but I understand even more where people like you are coming from.

[rainman]

If Thaksin was the PM and the protesters were against him, the body count was probably be in the triple digits already.

That is the main reason that he is NOT the PM now,

Do you have evidence of Thaksin ever using violence against protesters? Or is that simply a fantasy of yours.

[Jingthing]

It would be interesting if the opinions of those that were murdered in the ''war on Drugs and the Tak Bai massacre and of course a prominent Muslim lawyer could voice them.

Indeed Thaksin had and it seems still has his own unique version of DEMOCRACY

In all of my twenty years here I had never seen such a despotic regime like Thaksins regime.

The truth along with honesty and concern for other were not endangered species they were extinct,

Indeed the current rhetoric and actions of the puppet leaders of the Red Shirt Brigade are proving that the exhumation of '' The truth, honesty and the concern for others'' must be re interred post haste forever under their brand of DEMOCRACY.

So, the present form of gov't is a democratically elected one, yes? I wonder why Abhisit was going to the U.S.? He said he may have to cancel taking the trip there. Interesting..perhaps to get instructions or aid from a well prepped dictator(who is still illegally occupying the white house) who knows how to handle dissidents perhaps? You best wake-up to the REALITY of the way the world is really running..democracy..what horse shit.

My president (the best US president of my lifetime by far) Barack Hussein Obama INVITED Abhisit to come, that's why. I am very sorry that thanks to the red shirt thugs, he probably will not be able to attend. I hope the white house can reschedule him at a later date after the mercenary Thaksinistas go back to the farm.

I must say when you compare Abhisit to Thaksin or one of the various Thaksin puppets, he certainly makes a fantastically better impression when matched with a great leader like Obama.

The USA, of course a democratic nation with international credibility clearly recognizes PM Abhisit as the 100 percent LEGITIMATE leader of Thailand. Thaksin couldn't even get a visa there now!

The fact that he has accepted the invitation of US President Barack Obama to visit Washington from 12-14 April, despite the volatile political situation at home, also confirms that he is confident of his political control and that the military is still on his side. More importantly, his government didn't hesitate to take advantage of Obama's invitation. Abhisit believes that this invitation can be construed as the United States having full trust in his government and recognizing its legitimacy.

http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?opti...&Itemid=185 Edited April 6, 2010 by Jingthing

[freedom4life]

It would be interesting if the opinions of those that were murdered in the ''war on Drugs and the Tak Bai massacre and of course a prominent Muslim lawyer could voice them.

Indeed Thaksin had and it seems still has his own unique version of DEMOCRACY

In all of my twenty years here I had never seen such a despotic regime like Thaksins regime.

The truth along with honesty and concern for other were not endangered species they were extinct,

Indeed the current rhetoric and actions of the puppet leaders of the Red Shirt Brigade are proving that the exhumation of '' The truth, honesty and the concern for others'' must be re interred post haste forever under their brand of DEMOCRACY.

Good post siampolee. I first came here in 1995 and remember well the fear that Thaksin's premiership inculcated during 2004-2006. Good knows why anyone would want him back, unless of course they thought the 30baht health care scheme was of such great magnanimity that all other social, political, business and human rights abuses should be forgiven.

What's wrong with you sheople here? The point is there is an unofficial, military-installed gov't calling the shots. The reds want a fair and democratic election...regardless who wins.

[bubba]

It would be interesting if the opinions of those that were murdered in the ''war on Drugs and the Tak Bai massacre and of course a prominent Muslim lawyer could voice them.

Indeed Thaksin had and it seems still has his own unique version of DEMOCRACY

In all of my twenty years here I had never seen such a despotic regime like Thaksins regime.

The truth along with honesty and concern for other were not endangered species they were extinct,

Indeed the current rhetoric and actions of the puppet leaders of the Red Shirt Brigade are proving that the exhumation of '' The truth, honesty and the concern for others'' must be re interred post haste forever under their brand of DEMOCRACY.

So, the present form of gov't is a democratically elected one, yes? I wonder why Abhisit was going to the U.S.? He said he may have to cancel taking the trip there. Interesting..perhaps to get instructions or aid from a well prepped dictator(who is still illegally occupying the white house) who knows how to handle dissidents perhaps? You best wake-up to the REALITY of the way the world is really running..democracy..what horse shit.

What a completely ignorant statement. If you had even a modicum of knowledge about current events, or perhaps knew how to use Google, you would know that Abhisit had planned for months on attending the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, along with more than 40 other heads of state.

So you were wondering why Abhisit was going to Washington? Now you know....

[TAWP]

So, the present form of gov't is a democratically elected one, yes? I wonder why Abhisit was going to the U.S.? He said he may have to cancel taking the trip there. Interesting..perhaps to get instructions or aid from a well prepped dictator(who is still illegally occupying the white house) who knows how to handle dissidents perhaps? You best wake-up to the REALITY of the way the world is really running..democracy..what horse shit.

Are you saying that Obama is a dictator that is ilegally occupying the White House?

Red Shirts now house classic Red Necks in their camp too...

[ironhut]

"My president (the best US president of my lifetime by far) Barack Hussein Obama..."

The only respect you gain from that comment is being able to find your way around the computer as a 15 month old toddler. Baby, you have much to learn.

[freedom4life]

It would be interesting if the opinions of those that were murdered in the ''war on Drugs and the Tak Bai massacre and of course a prominent Muslim lawyer could voice them.

Indeed Thaksin had and it seems still has his own unique version of DEMOCRACY

In all of my twenty years here I had never seen such a despotic regime like Thaksins regime.

The truth along with honesty and concern for other were not endangered species they were extinct,

Indeed the current rhetoric and actions of the puppet leaders of the Red Shirt Brigade are proving that the exhumation of '' The truth, honesty and the concern for others'' must be re interred post haste forever under their brand of DEMOCRACY.

So, the present form of gov't is a democratically elected one, yes? I wonder why Abhisit was going to the U.S.? He said he may have to cancel taking the trip there. Interesting..perhaps to get instructions or aid from a well prepped dictator(who is still illegally occupying the white house) who knows how to handle dissidents perhaps? You best wake-up to the REALITY of the way the world is really running..democracy..what horse shit.

My president (the best US president of my lifetime by far) Barack Hussein Obama INVITED Abhisit to come, that's why. I am very sorry that thanks to the red shirt thugs, he probably will not be able to attend. I hope the white house can reschedule him at a later date after the mercenary Thaksinistas go back to the farm.

I must say when you compare Abhisit to Thaksin or one of the various Thaksin puppets, he certainly makes a fantastically better impression when matched with a great leader like Obama.

The fact that he has accepted the invitation of US President Barack Obama to visit Washington from 12-14 April, despite the volatile political situation at home, also confirms that he is confident of his political control and that the military is still on his side. More importantly, his government didn't hesitate to take advantage of Obama's invitation. Abhisit believes that this invitation can be construed as the United States having full trust in his government and recognizing its legitimacy.

http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?opti...&Itemid=185

Hahaha..legitimate and recognized gov't by obamanation? Of course he does, the illegally positioned fraud in the white house will accept such a gov't-like attracts like. Goodness-no wonder the world is in such a mess-blind leading the blind while holding a lantern and walking in darkness..approaching a cliff.

Edited April 6, 2010 by freedom4life

[jdinasia]

It would be interesting if the opinions of those that were murdered in the ''war on Drugs and the Tak Bai massacre and of course a prominent Muslim lawyer could voice them.

Indeed Thaksin had and it seems still has his own unique version of DEMOCRACY

In all of my twenty years here I had never seen such a despotic regime like Thaksins regime.

The truth along with honesty and concern for other were not endangered species they were extinct,

Indeed the current rhetoric and actions of the puppet leaders of the Red Shirt Brigade are proving that the exhumation of '' The truth, honesty and the concern for others'' must be re interred post haste forever under their brand of DEMOCRACY.

Good post siampolee. I first came here in 1995 and remember well the fear that Thaksin's premiership inculcated during 2004-2006. Good knows why anyone would want him back, unless of course they thought the 30baht health care scheme was of such great magnanimity that all other social, political, business and human rights abuses should be forgiven.

What's wrong with you sheople here? The point is there is an unofficial, military-installed gov't calling the shots. The reds want a fair and democratic election...regardless who wins.

Hmmmm which one of our returnees is this one?

[brianb1944]

It is time to bring Thaksin back. DO you think if he was a PM he would put up with kind of crap? Some government is better than no government as it is obvious right now

I have to agree, the whole situation is farcical, police and Army are hamstrung by Govt lack of will to enforce the law, rubbish about large numbers are just that, water cannon and tear gas would soon send the protester scurrying off. As it is, they are flaunting their supremacy over authorities.

[freedom4life]

It would be interesting if the opinions of those that were murdered in the ''war on Drugs and the Tak Bai massacre and of course a prominent Muslim lawyer could voice them.

Indeed Thaksin had and it seems still has his own unique version of DEMOCRACY

In all of my twenty years here I had never seen such a despotic regime like Thaksins regime.

The truth along with honesty and concern for other were not endangered species they were extinct,

Indeed the current rhetoric and actions of the puppet leaders of the Red Shirt Brigade are proving that the exhumation of '' The truth, honesty and the concern for others'' must be re interred post haste forever under their brand of DEMOCRACY.

Good post siampolee. I first came here in 1995 and remember well the fear that Thaksin's premiership inculcated during 2004-2006. Good knows why anyone would want him back, unless of course they thought the 30baht health care scheme was of such great magnanimity that all other social, political, business and human rights abuses should be forgiven.

Yes...great post....cough cough...

Edited April 6, 2010 by freedom4life

[siampolee]

Strange is not that Thaksin is not welcome in the U.S yet Abhisit is ?

Bush as far as I can recall was involved in a somewhat questionable scenario in his trek to the Presidential position.

Obama as I recall was elected without any strange vote counting antics.

[traderjm]

Sure, but I understand even more where people like you are coming from.

You do understand the irony of your name on here right?

Another for the ignore list....

[bKkRk]

Living 100m from Pratunam intersection, perhaps I am a bit jaded at this point. That said, I firmly support democracy, and I support the Reds right to civil disobedience UP AND TO THE POINT that it infringes upon the civil liberties of other citizens.

Enough is enough. I have to wonder if some of your red stained brains comprehend the concept of civil disobedience WITHIN the context of the rule of LAW.

I have been down in the protests every day and every night since Saturday. What else can I do? I hear the blaring rhetoric in my bedroom from 0600 to 2300! On Sunday, I was taking pictures near the stage when some Isaan p*ssy-whipped farang says "Why don't you join in instead of just taking pictures?" To which, I rightly replied that I don't take a political side in a country of which I'm not a citizen. I received a water bottle thrown at me, but he was too much of a p*ssy to really make a stand. Perhaps he knew in his heart that his stance was too weak.

It's time to lock these psychopaths up. I can speak Thai, and I listen to their rhetoric unwillingly at all hours while I am home. What may have had some minor semblance of just cause at it's roots has morphed into a travesty of humanity and mob rule mentality.

I wish the best for these sorely mislead people, but for their leaders...

[brianb1944]

What's wrong with you sheople here? The point is there is an unofficial, military-installed gov't calling the shots. The reds want a fair and democratic election...regardless who wins.

No it isnt' it is a constitutionally legal Govt. Iif you have no idea what you arte talking about, you should keep it to yourself

[rainman]

I have been down in the protests every day and every night since Saturday. What else can I do? I hear the blaring rhetoric in my bedroom from 0600 to 2300! On Sunday, I was taking pictures near the stage when some Isaan p*ssy-whipped farang says "Why don't you join in instead of just taking pictures?" To which, I rightly replied that I don't take a political side in a country of which I'm not a citizen. I received a water bottle thrown at me, but he was too much of a p*ssy to really make a stand. Perhaps he knew in his heart that his stance was too weak.

Or maybe he was just not a violent person like you, even though you probably insulted him with the same elitist and high-on-your-horse words you wrote above?

[freedom4life]

Strange is not that Thaksin is not welcome in the U.S yet Abhisit is ?

Bush as far as I can recall was involved in a somewhat questionable scenario in his trek to the Presidential position.

Obama as I recall was elected without any strange vote counting antics.

Yes..perhaps Thaksin is not an american-lap-dog and perhaps Abhisit is?

I agree..as most if not all are.

As I recall he hasn't shown proof that he is a natural born citizen of the country(as John McCain had to before running), which is required law by the Constitution. A top navy officer has just refused orders coming from Commander in Chief(obamanation) on the grounds that he is not president officially/legally. I guess he and several others like him are mistaken, too. He is just as corrupt as them come..especially when he was governor. Of course you only going by what the mainstream dictates to you. Gobble Gobble...