What Do You Want Pm Abhisit To Do Now?

[Publicus]

All these baracades are kindling wood to 2-3 decent tanks, not as fighting platforms, but as armored bulldozers

These little bamboo thingies are toast in seconds not minutes.

So true, however reds could be possibly driving said tanks, so prob not a good idea. Not to mention blow a tank's tracks and its useless hunk of junk. Reds seem to do a good job with the APC(s).

Ultimately Abhisit will resign and the govt will fall, house dissolved and elections will be called. No way out of this I'm afraid.

Izzat info in the tea leaves, or visible in a crystal ball......someone's wet dream?

Now that I know the outcome of all of this it's just not fun any more.

[grandpops]

He will do his masters bidding and has been usurped by Thaugsabum.

Nice of them to let the PAD rally go ahead on Friday though. No problems there, no incitements, hardly worth even mentioning (which they havn't) that is illegal.

I am glad it is going ahead as double standards will be paraded to the world again.

notice the Terrorist spin is dying down now. Didn't impress anybody outside of The Nation!

[jdinasia]

Indeed. This should have been initiated a week or so back. I wonder what stops them? Perhaps images of red supporters on their knees dehydrated and gasping for water might play into the red leaders' plans of making them out to be the victims at the hands of a cruel government. Propoganda is such a large part of what is fueling this situation that i guess the government has to be careful of how their actions will be used against them.

Right... good idea... same same when yellows took over airport - cut off electric, cut off food, cut off sewerage, cut off water - I know you're going to hate me saying it but... you have to be evenhanded - if they had done it then everyone would support doing it now - I don't support it soley for that reason.

I don't hate you for saying that, but i am amazed that you do. A prior government deals with a situation poorly and so all future governments are beholden to do likewise, just in the interests of fair play?! It's laughable.

This has all been pointed out before --- just because a previous government was inept does not mean that all following governments must also choose to be inept.

The reds are violent (from the stage and on the streets) in a way that can't be compared with the PAD. but the red cheerleaders that blithely ignore the violence of the red leadership cry double standards all the time ....

[jdinasia]

All these baracades are kindling wood to 2-3 decent tanks, not as fighting platforms, but as armored bulldozers

These little bamboo thingies are toast in seconds not minutes.

So true, however reds could be possibly driving said tanks, so prob not a good idea. Not to mention blow a tank's tracks and its useless hunk of junk. Reds seem to do a good job with the APC(s).

Ultimately Abhisit will resign and the govt will fall, house dissolved and elections will be called. No way out of this I'm afraid.

Brit --- you haven't got a single prediction correct from the beginning of this ... if you had Thaksin would still be in power.

[jackr]

What Do You Want Pm Abhisit To Do Now

Shock and awe. Get in there, rip em out and spank their collective childish ass.

[britmaveric]

Brit --- you haven't got a single prediction correct from the beginning of this ... if you had Thaksin would still be in power.

Neither have you JD - think you said red shirts would be gone in less than a week.

Edited April 21, 2010 by britmaveric

[hammered]

Brit --- you haven't got a single prediction correct from the beginning of this ... if you had Thaksin would still be in power.

Neither have you JD - think you said red shirts would be gone in less than a week.

Dont worry guys neither have any of the analysts Thai or foreign in newspapers or on their little websites so everyone is in good company;)

[saintofsilence]

Within the next 48 hours we will know my prediction is the reds are gone gone gone . it will be worst than the last bout.

[britmaveric]

^I have a strange feeling - we will all be here arguing the same things next week because the situation will still be the same!

[jdinasia]

Brit --- you haven't got a single prediction correct from the beginning of this ... if you had Thaksin would still be in power.

Neither have you JD - think you said red shirts would be gone in less than a week.

Dont worry guys neither have any of the analysts Thai or foreign in newspapers or on their little websites so everyone is in good company;)

overall I have been dead-on far more often than I have been wrong. Brit is still holding out for 1 accurate prediction.

[Publicus]

^I have a strange feeling

We know .

(Yeh, it's a quote fragment but I just couldn't resist. )

Edited April 21, 2010 by Publicus

[Publicus]

From the Thai military and also from intellgence sources domestic and foreign comes the sober discovery that the colonel killed on April 10 and the two other equally high ranking army officers who were "maimed" by sophisiticated sniper fire were on the list of officers to receive top ranking positions in the coming October reshuffle, and whom were openly close to army deputy commander Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha who is slated to succeed Gen Anupong as Army Supreme Commander when Anupong exits to mandatory retirement in October (if Anupong isn't gone before then).

The conclusion is that the sophisiticated, precision hits of the three officers is as political as they were tactical. The three were hit by high powered sniper shots that were laser guided by "spot and shot" teams of Reds. The effective sniper shootings of the three top ranking and tracked to higher position officers also succeeded in breaking the military chain of command on April 10th, thus resulting in essentially leaderless troops who were reduced to firing at will and at random, producing more civilian casualties and deaths than otherwise likely would have occurred.

Worse, the targeted and precision shootings of the three indicates that the Reds had prior information concerning the specific tactical plans of the military on April 10, to include especially the plan of deployment and advance of the troop units, their specific formations and their locations both relative to the Redshirt mob to their front and to each other side by side. In other words, the Red military spot and shot teams knew exactly and precisely where each of the three officers would be in the troop and unit formations and movements.

This, among other factors and reasons, primarily accounts for the muted and reserved international reaction to the April 10 debacle which left 24 dead and almost a thousand wounded. The international 'community' to include the UN has remained largely silent - with the exception of the (perhaps unofficially designated spokesman) S Korean president - because of the "unclear" nature of the deaths and injuries and because of the "unclear" intentions, purposes and composition of the Redshirts beyond the facade presence of chubby women and paunchy men we see singing and smacking red clappers throughout the various mobs.

This is the new and present issue and problem to the army, Gen Anupong and PM Abhsist - how to move against the Redshirt positions and barricades when it's now clear and well known there are expert, precision 'spot and shot' Redshirt military sniper teams of an unknown number looking for senior and ranking army commanding officers. April 10 clearly showed that the Thai army decapitated is a mob of shooters in itself, a factor which seriously jeopardizes Abhisit's repeated promises to conduct the sweep operations to "international standards." Moreover, the army now knows the rules of engagement, which always have protected senior officers being shot, no longer apply, that Thaksin and his Redshirt captains directing the present Red mob have thrown out the rulebook and mean to realize the destruction of the government and the Thai state no matter what it takes and to do it now.

Edited April 22, 2010 by Publicus

[ThailandLovr]

Thanks for that analysis Publicus. Kinda scary, makes the outcome of all this highly uncertain.

[Jai Dee]

PUBLIC WARNING:

Advocating assasination of one side or the other will not be tolerated on the Forum.

Any more such discussion and the offending member(s) will be suspended and/or banned from the Forum.

[Publicus]

Thanks for that analysis Publicus. Kinda scary, makes the outcome of all this highly uncertain.

Kinda scary is right as I was reading Shawn Crispin last night, who's a long time Asia hand in journalism, who presented much of what I related here, based on his long time of reporting here and developing sources here. We really do need to have his reportage to consider in all of this bloody mess.

[animatic]

I also read the Shawn Crispoin article that Pub reduced a little bit for clarity.

This is pretty much a solid rational for this being MUCH more that a simple

'fight for Democracy by upstate disenfranchised poor farmers'. As sold by UDD.

This is clearly an all out war in the shadows for control of the ARMY FORCES OF THAILAND.

And thus control of the national direction and political system.

The UDD and Red Shirt Rally is a 'stalking horse' for these agents behind the scenes,

to create true disorder. Or more simply, via targeted neutralization,

reorder the military to better suit their control plans.

Certainly there is a big PR message coming out on both sides, but ultimately

this is about controlling the hierarchy of the army sooner than later.

Thaksin had been salting the army with his partisans for sometime,

the last few years those were being winnowed out or watched.

But those being watched, or reduced in promotional possibilities, are getting antsy,

and siding with Thaksin is their only hope for advancement / profit,

since they sided with the wrong horse in the past.

Now they want to shoot the other jockeys and let their horse limp in in a walk.

I imagine the other trainers and jockeys will have a response in kind.

Edited April 22, 2010 by animatic

[Brocher]

I think he should ask the UN to send peace keeping troops.... shit! I've just heard on the news that the Red Shirts have pinched my idea

[RussellHantz]

The Shawn Crispin article was quite good.

Another good read (listen) is the podcast from the ANU seminar from NM website.

http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/podcasts/pod...php?series=date

1 hour but very much worth the listen

[Brocher]

From the Thai military and also from intellgence sources domestic and foreign comes the sober discovery that the colonel killed on April 10 and the two other equally high ranking army officers who were "maimed" by sophisiticated sniper fire were on the list of officers to receive top ranking positions in the coming October reshuffle, and whom were openly close to army deputy commander Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha who is slated to succeed Gen Anupong as Army Supreme Commander when Anupong exits to mandatory retirement in October (if Anupong isn't gone before then).

The conclusion is that the sophisiticated, precision hits of the three officers is as political as they were tactical. The three were hit by high powered sniper shots that were laser guided by "spot and shot" teams of Reds. The effective sniper shootings of the three top ranking and tracked to higher position officers also succeeded in breaking the military chain of command on April 10th, thus resulting in essentially leaderless troops who were reduced to firing at will and at random, producing more civilian casualties and deaths than otherwise likely would have occurred.

Worse, the targeted and precision shootings of the three indicates that the Reds had prior information concerning the specific tactical plans of the military on April 10, to include especially the plan of deployment and advance of the troop units, their specific formations and their locations both relative to the Redshirt mob to their front and to each other side by side. In other words, the Red military spot and shot teams knew exactly and precisely where each of the three officers would be in the troop and unit formations and movements.

This, among other factors and reasons, primarily accounts for the muted and reserved international reaction to the April 10 debacle which left 24 dead and almost a thousand wounded. The international 'community' to include the UN has remained largely silent - with the exception of the (perhaps unofficially designated spokesman) S Korean president - because of the "unclear" nature of the deaths and injuries and because of the "unclear" intentions, purposes and composition of the Redshirts beyond the facade presence of chubby women and paunchy men we see singing and smacking red clappers throughout the various mobs.

This is the new and present issue and problem to the army, Gen Anupong and PM Abhsist - how to move against the Redshirt positions and barricades when it's now clear and well known there are expert, precision 'spot and shot' Redshirt military sniper teams of an unknown number looking for senior and ranking army commanding officers. April 10 clearly showed that the Thai army decapitated is a mob of shooters in itself, a factor which seriously jeopardizes Abhisit's repeated promises to conduct the sweep operations to "international standards." Moreover, the army now knows the rules of engagement, which always have protected senior officers being shot, no longer apply, that Thaksin and his Redshirt captains directing the present Red mob have thrown out the rulebook and mean to realize the destruction of the government and the Thai state no matter what it takes and to do it now.

VERY interesting and informative post but why on earth can't the government get those facts, especially about the sniper teams, disseminated to the world media? Their public relations skills are non existent while Thaksin has an army of PR people around the world beavering away on his behalf, spreading his lies and propaganda

[JohnLeech]

From the Thai military and also from intellgence sources domestic and foreign comes the sober discovery that the colonel killed on April 10 and the two other equally high ranking army officers who were "maimed" by sophisiticated sniper fire were on the list of officers to receive top ranking positions in the coming October reshuffle, and whom were openly close to army deputy commander Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha who is slated to succeed Gen Anupong as Army Supreme Commander when Anupong exits to mandatory retirement in October (if Anupong isn't gone before then).

The conclusion is that the sophisiticated, precision hits of the three officers is as political as they were tactical. The three were hit by high powered sniper shots that were laser guided by "spot and shot" teams of Reds. The effective sniper shootings of the three top ranking and tracked to higher position officers also succeeded in breaking the military chain of command on April 10th, thus resulting in essentially leaderless troops who were reduced to firing at will and at random, producing more civilian casualties and deaths than otherwise likely would have occurred.

........

VERY interesting and informative post but why on earth can't the government get those facts, especially about the sniper teams, disseminated to the world media? Their public relations skills are non existent while Thaksin has an army of PR people around the world beavering away on his behalf, spreading his lies and propaganda

Because these are NOT "facts" - they are wild speculation, at best.

All previous reports on the death of the colonel and the injuries to other two officers were very clear - they were the result of an M-79 grenade (an inaccurate weapon, as I have already commented). There was a lot of speculation about who fired it, some knowledgeable and/or informed, most simply absurd, but there were no reports that they were hit by sniper fire.

Now suddenly they were hit by "laser guided" sniper fire from ""spot and shot" teams of Reds" for motives that are "as political as they were tactical"??

What absolute and utter garbage.

Lasers are used to light up targets by the military in two main ways. Firstly, for laser guided munitions such as Cruise missiles and "smart" bombs, by a spotter on the ground for weapons fired from some distance away. Secondly to assist combat shooting at relatively short range, where there is little variation between the laser and the bullet track. While a laser designator could be used to point out an individual for a target it it could be counter-productive for a sniper team as it would not only give the target a warning that he was being targeted ("what's that little green spot on your chest?") but also identify the firer's position if seen. Outside of science-fiction there is no such thing as "laser guided" sniper fire - it is not even in the same category as the "super-power rifles" previously reported. Its simply garbage.

[C3C4]

Well there were some whining that Jingthing's reference to a POLL was wrong and biased.

Here's their chance to VOTE ONCE, and we can see what TVF people think of the situation.

So far lets just say, it appears 'Statistically significant'.

Vote once? That's no fun. Well I for one am voting early and frequently as they say in the Democratic stronghold of Chicago, Obama's hometown.

So far it does appear that most of the Farangs on this board are liberal European socialist CS's. Pity that.

Well, well - maybe there can be found evidence that there are weapons of "mass destruction" as well - that would fit in very nice.

[Publicus]

From the Thai military and also from intellgence sources domestic and foreign comes the sober discovery that the colonel killed on April 10 and the two other equally high ranking army officers who were "maimed" by sophisiticated sniper fire were on the list of officers to receive top ranking positions in the coming October reshuffle, and whom were openly close to army deputy commander Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha who is slated to succeed Gen Anupong as Army Supreme Commander when Anupong exits to mandatory retirement in October (if Anupong isn't gone before then).

The conclusion is that the sophisiticated, precision hits of the three officers is as political as they were tactical. The three were hit by high powered sniper shots that were laser guided by "spot and shot" teams of Reds. The effective sniper shootings of the three top ranking and tracked to higher position officers also succeeded in breaking the military chain of command on April 10th, thus resulting in essentially leaderless troops who were reduced to firing at will and at random, producing more civilian casualties and deaths than otherwise likely would have occurred.

........

VERY interesting and informative post but why on earth can't the government get those facts, especially about the sniper teams, disseminated to the world media? Their public relations skills are non existent while Thaksin has an army of PR people around the world beavering away on his behalf, spreading his lies and propaganda

Because these are NOT "facts" - they are wild speculation, at best.

All previous reports on the death of the colonel and the injuries to other two officers were very clear - they were the result of an M-79 grenade (an inaccurate weapon, as I have already commented). There was a lot of speculation about who fired it, some knowledgeable and/or informed, most simply absurd, but there were no reports that they were hit by sniper fire.

Now suddenly they were hit by "laser guided" sniper fire from ""spot and shot" teams of Reds" for motives that are "as political as they were tactical"??

What absolute and utter garbage.

Lasers are used to light up targets by the military in two main ways. Firstly, for laser guided munitions such as Cruise missiles and "smart" bombs, by a spotter on the ground for weapons fired from some distance away. Secondly to assist combat shooting at relatively short range, where there is little variation between the laser and the bullet track. While a laser designator could be used to point out an individual for a target it it could be counter-productive for a sniper team as it would not only give the target a warning that he was being targeted ("what's that little green spot on your chest?") but also identify the firer's position if seen. Outside of science-fiction there is no such thing as "laser guided" sniper fire - it is not even in the same category as the "super-power rifles" previously reported. Its simply garbage.

You're hollering and spewing forth at the wrong guy.......talk to the veteran journalist here in East Asia, Shawn Crispin, whom I mention in another of my posts above, because as I clearly note above my post is predicated on his story published yesterday in a news journal that is regionally focused. You can have the great pleasure and high privilege of blowing and blustering at a working journalist at a big time regional news journal that he's full of shyt about the stories he writes and the sources he has. You might even get off in bellowing to Mr. Crispin that he's been drawing a salary as a journalist on a fraudulent basis for a very long time now.

I wanted to post Shawn Crispin's story to this board but a Mod I'd consulted and I were unable to clarify whether that legally would be possble, so I faithfully and accurately paraphrased the information Crispin wrote except in a few instances when I presented verbatum a sentence or two Mr. Crispin himself wrote. Shall I look forward to being blowtorched by you for the latter too?

I'm sure you can find Shawn Crispin's contact information if you wish to do so.

[Neurath]

From the Thai military and also from intellgence sources domestic and foreign comes the sober discovery that the colonel killed on April 10 and the two other equally high ranking army officers who were "maimed" by sophisiticated sniper fire were on the list of officers to receive top ranking positions in the coming October reshuffle, and whom were openly close to army deputy commander Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha who is slated to succeed Gen Anupong as Army Supreme Commander when Anupong exits to mandatory retirement in October (if Anupong isn't gone before then).

The conclusion is that the sophisiticated, precision hits of the three officers is as political as they were tactical. The three were hit by high powered sniper shots that were laser guided by "spot and shot" teams of Reds. The effective sniper shootings of the three top ranking and tracked to higher position officers also succeeded in breaking the military chain of command on April 10th, thus resulting in essentially leaderless troops who were reduced to firing at will and at random, producing more civilian casualties and deaths than otherwise likely would have occurred.

........

VERY interesting and informative post but why on earth can't the government get those facts, especially about the sniper teams, disseminated to the world media? Their public relations skills are non existent while Thaksin has an army of PR people around the world beavering away on his behalf, spreading his lies and propaganda

Because these are NOT "facts" - they are wild speculation, at best.

All previous reports on the death of the colonel and the injuries to other two officers were very clear - they were the result of an M-79 grenade (an inaccurate weapon, as I have already commented). There was a lot of speculation about who fired it, some knowledgeable and/or informed, most simply absurd, but there were no reports that they were hit by sniper fire.

Now suddenly they were hit by "laser guided" sniper fire from ""spot and shot" teams of Reds" for motives that are "as political as they were tactical"??

What absolute and utter garbage.

Lasers are used to light up targets by the military in two main ways. Firstly, for laser guided munitions such as Cruise missiles and "smart" bombs, by a spotter on the ground for weapons fired from some distance away. Secondly to assist combat shooting at relatively short range, where there is little variation between the laser and the bullet track. While a laser designator could be used to point out an individual for a target it it could be counter-productive for a sniper team as it would not only give the target a warning that he was being targeted ("what's that little green spot on your chest?") but also identify the firer's position if seen. Outside of science-fiction there is no such thing as "laser guided" sniper fire - it is not even in the same category as the "super-power rifles" previously reported. Its simply garbage.

You're hollering and spewing forth at the wrong guy.......talk to the veteran journalist here in East Asia, Shawn Crispin, whom I mention in another of my posts above, because as I clearly note above my post is predicated on his story published yesterday in a news journal that is regionally focused. You can have the great pleasure and high privilege of blowing and blustering at a working journalist at a big time regional news journal that he's full of shyt about the stories he writes and the sources he has. You might even get off in bellowing to Mr. Crispin that he's been drawing a salary as a journalist on a fraudulent basis for a very long time now.

I wanted to post Shawn Crispin's story to this board but a Mod I'd consulted and I were unable to clarify whether that legally would be possble, so I faithfully and accurately paraphrased the information Crispin wrote except in a few instances when I presented verbatum a sentence or two Mr. Crispin himself wrote. Shall I look forward to being blowtorched by you for the latter too?

I'm sure you can find Shawn Crispin's contact information if you wish to do so.

His latest piece (23/04/) is pretty good also, even though the last paragraph is curiously punctuated by the word 'yawning' appearing incongruously an ungrammatically at the beginning of sentences!

[grandpops]

From the Thai military and also from intellgence sources domestic and foreign comes the sober discovery that the colonel killed on April 10 and the two other equally high ranking army officers who were "maimed" by sophisiticated sniper fire were on the list of officers to receive top ranking positions in the coming October reshuffle, and whom were openly close to army deputy commander Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha who is slated to succeed Gen Anupong as Army Supreme Commander when Anupong exits to mandatory retirement in October (if Anupong isn't gone before then).

The conclusion is that the sophisiticated, precision hits of the three officers is as political as they were tactical. The three were hit by high powered sniper shots that were laser guided by "spot and shot" teams of Reds. The effective sniper shootings of the three top ranking and tracked to higher position officers also succeeded in breaking the military chain of command on April 10th, thus resulting in essentially leaderless troops who were reduced to firing at will and at random, producing more civilian casualties and deaths than otherwise likely would have occurred.

........

VERY interesting and informative post but why on earth can't the government get those facts, especially about the sniper teams, disseminated to the world media? Their public relations skills are non existent while Thaksin has an army of PR people around the world beavering away on his behalf, spreading his lies and propaganda

Because these are NOT "facts" - they are wild speculation, at best.

All previous reports on the death of the colonel and the injuries to other two officers were very clear - they were the result of an M-79 grenade (an inaccurate weapon, as I have already commented). There was a lot of speculation about who fired it, some knowledgeable and/or informed, most simply absurd, but there were no reports that they were hit by sniper fire.

Now suddenly they were hit by "laser guided" sniper fire from ""spot and shot" teams of Reds" for motives that are "as political as they were tactical"??

What absolute and utter garbage.

Lasers are used to light up targets by the military in two main ways. Firstly, for laser guided munitions such as Cruise missiles and "smart" bombs, by a spotter on the ground for weapons fired from some distance away. Secondly to assist combat shooting at relatively short range, where there is little variation between the laser and the bullet track. While a laser designator could be used to point out an individual for a target it it could be counter-productive for a sniper team as it would not only give the target a warning that he was being targeted ("what's that little green spot on your chest?") but also identify the firer's position if seen. Outside of science-fiction there is no such thing as "laser guided" sniper fire - it is not even in the same category as the "super-power rifles" previously reported. Its simply garbage.

Are you saying its those pesky laser pens that hawkers sell.

The game would be if a policeman was targetted with a laser image of a big brested woman. Surely that would prove it;s not some kind of startrek weapon.

[rabo]

Thanks for that analysis Publicus. Kinda scary, makes the outcome of all this highly uncertain.

Kinda scary is right as I was reading Shawn Crispin last night, who's a long time Asia hand in journalism, who presented much of what I related here, based on his long time of reporting here and developing sources here. We really do need to have his reportage to consider in all of this bloody mess.

Very nice and well written, and scary. This picture is strongly supported by the April 10 bombings of 3 of the giant electrical pylons that feed Bangkok from the north, in an attempt to drop the city into darkness. (I have posted details elsewhere a couple of times). One can only wonder what else might have happened if all 7 of the bombs had detonated and the red team had been free to work in darkness. The C4 explosive devices were detonated by alarm-clock timers set to go off just before Saturday's armed clashes.

Also, today it was reported that a 22,000,000 liter gas storage facility was hit with an RPG grenade.

Edited April 22, 2010 by rabo

[rabo]

Because these are NOT "facts" - they are wild speculation, at best.

All previous reports on the death of the colonel and the injuries to other two officers were very clear - they were the result of an M-79 grenade (an inaccurate weapon, as I have already commented). There was a lot of speculation about who fired it, some knowledgeable and/or informed, most simply absurd, but there were no reports that they were hit by sniper fire.

Now suddenly they were hit by "laser guided" sniper fire from ""spot and shot" teams of Reds" for motives that are "as political as they were tactical"??

What absolute and utter garbage.

Lasers are used to light up targets by the military in two main ways. Firstly, for laser guided munitions such as Cruise missiles and "smart" bombs, by a spotter on the ground for weapons fired from some distance away. Secondly to assist combat shooting at relatively short range, where there is little variation between the laser and the bullet track. While a laser designator could be used to point out an individual for a target it it could be counter-productive for a sniper team as it would not only give the target a warning that he was being targeted ("what's that little green spot on your chest?") but also identify the firer's position if seen. Outside of science-fiction there is no such thing as "laser guided" sniper fire - it is not even in the same category as the "super-power rifles" previously reported. Its simply garbage.

LASER GUIDED BULLETS, US ARMY

Here's a picture of a US Army Laser Guided Bullet Rifle. These were first fired in early 2009.

Laser scopes (un-guided bullets) have been around for a long time to "improve the accuracy of long range sniper shots".

Most important though is that lasers woudl have been useful in taking out specific targets under the conditions present that night. A close in spotter with a laser could help to identify which personnel were to be hit, either with a sniper gun or grenade.

The exact details however are not important. The identity of the 3 senior military commanders targeted and killed is sufficient to make the conclusion it was well planned and more than just a tactical strike.

Edited April 22, 2010 by rabo

[Mamuang16]

Stopping Thailand's endless battle of the yellow and red shirts

Thursday, April 15, 2010

THE LATEST political crisis in Thailand is a particularly tragic instance of political blowback. Three times in the past four years, Thais opposed to the populist movement of Thaksin Shinawatra precipitated the downfall of democratically elected governments by creating chaos in the streets of Bangkok. Now the current government, backed by that same alliance of the middle class, business and traditional elites, has itself been cornered by the same tactics.

Last Saturday, the Thai army, which refused to act against the anti-Thaksin "yellow shirts" even when they shut down Bangkok's international airport, tried to disperse the pro-Thaksin "red shirts" from their month-old street camps. The result was the worst political violence in two decades, with 23 protesters and soldiers killed -- and a retreat by the security forces. That leaves the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva with few options other than what he and his coalition should have embraced in the first place: free elections.

Neither side in Thailand's class-based political conflict is a paragon of democracy. Mr. Thaksin, who now lives in exile, was a bad prime minister from 2001 to 2006. He violated press freedoms and allowed massive violations of human rights by security forces. The root of Thailand's years of conflict, however, is the unwillingness of the old establishment to accept that Mr. Thaksin has the support of the country's majority. After a military coup removed the populist leader in 2006, his supporters easily won the election that was eventually held in December 2007. After two more prime ministers were forced from office by demonstrations and questionable court rulings in late 2008, Mr. Abhisit brought the anti-Thaksin forces to power without calling a new election. He has resisted holding one since, for the obvious reason that Mr. Thaksin's supporters probably would win once again.

Mr. Abhisit is now suggesting that he could call an election at the end of this year. That stall is dangerous and unlikely to work. The army commander suggested Monday that it might be necessary to meet the protesters' demand that the parliament be dissolved and a new election called immediately. Meanwhile, Mr. Abhisit's party is under threat of being forced from office by a court order -- just like the past two pro-Thaksin prime ministers.

What ought to be clear by now is that anti-democratic tactics, from military intervention to street barricades to convenient court edicts, will not end Thailand's turmoil. The only solution is for both sides to accept that elections should decide who governs Thailand -- and that both winners and losers should respect basic political and civil rights.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...0041404391.html

[ThailandLovr]

Who was it in the U.S. who said, "I have just one question for Bin Laden: What are your coordinates?" The above remarks about laser guided weapons reminded me of that. "Excuse me Dr. Thaksin, what are ......"

[ChiangMaiFun]

Stopping Thailand's endless battle of the yellow and red shirts

Thursday, April 15, 2010

THE LATEST political crisis in Thailand is a particularly tragic instance of political blowback. Three times in the past four years, Thais opposed to the populist movement of Thaksin Shinawatra precipitated the downfall of democratically elected governments by creating chaos in the streets of Bangkok. Now the current government, backed by that same alliance of the middle class, business and traditional elites, has itself been cornered by the same tactics.

Last Saturday, the Thai army, which refused to act against the anti-Thaksin "yellow shirts" even when they shut down Bangkok's international airport, tried to disperse the pro-Thaksin "red shirts" from their month-old street camps. The result was the worst political violence in two decades, with 23 protesters and soldiers killed -- and a retreat by the security forces. That leaves the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva with few options other than what he and his coalition should have embraced in the first place: free elections.

Neither side in Thailand's class-based political conflict is a paragon of democracy. Mr. Thaksin, who now lives in exile, was a bad prime minister from 2001 to 2006. He violated press freedoms and allowed massive violations of human rights by security forces. The root of Thailand's years of conflict, however, is the unwillingness of the old establishment to accept that Mr. Thaksin has the support of the country's majority. After a military coup removed the populist leader in 2006, his supporters easily won the election that was eventually held in December 2007. After two more prime ministers were forced from office by demonstrations and questionable court rulings in late 2008, Mr. Abhisit brought the anti-Thaksin forces to power without calling a new election. He has resisted holding one since, for the obvious reason that Mr. Thaksin's supporters probably would win once again.

Mr. Abhisit is now suggesting that he could call an election at the end of this year. That stall is dangerous and unlikely to work. The army commander suggested Monday that it might be necessary to meet the protesters' demand that the parliament be dissolved and a new election called immediately. Meanwhile, Mr. Abhisit's party is under threat of being forced from office by a court order -- just like the past two pro-Thaksin prime ministers.

What ought to be clear by now is that anti-democratic tactics, from military intervention to street barricades to convenient court edicts, will not end Thailand's turmoil. The only solution is for both sides to accept that elections should decide who governs Thailand -- and that both winners and losers should respect basic political and civil rights.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...0041404391.html

good article - good bedtime reading material for the yellow posters who feel it 'may all be over soon'

[Publicus]

Stopping Thailand's endless battle of the yellow and red shirts

Thursday, April 15, 2010

THE LATEST political crisis in Thailand is a particularly tragic instance of political blowback. Three times in the past four years, Thais opposed to the populist movement of Thaksin Shinawatra precipitated the downfall of democratically elected governments by creating chaos in the streets of Bangkok. Now the current government, backed by that same alliance of the middle class, business and traditional elites, has itself been cornered by the same tactics.

Last Saturday, the Thai army, which refused to act against the anti-Thaksin "yellow shirts" even when they shut down Bangkok's international airport, tried to disperse the pro-Thaksin "red shirts" from their month-old street camps. The result was the worst political violence in two decades, with 23 protesters and soldiers killed -- and a retreat by the security forces. That leaves the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva with few options other than what he and his coalition should have embraced in the first place: free elections.

Neither side in Thailand's class-based political conflict is a paragon of democracy. Mr. Thaksin, who now lives in exile, was a bad prime minister from 2001 to 2006. He violated press freedoms and allowed massive violations of human rights by security forces. The root of Thailand's years of conflict, however, is the unwillingness of the old establishment to accept that Mr. Thaksin has the support of the country's majority. After a military coup removed the populist leader in 2006, his supporters easily won the election that was eventually held in December 2007. After two more prime ministers were forced from office by demonstrations and questionable court rulings in late 2008, Mr. Abhisit brought the anti-Thaksin forces to power without calling a new election. He has resisted holding one since, for the obvious reason that Mr. Thaksin's supporters probably would win once again.

Mr. Abhisit is now suggesting that he could call an election at the end of this year. That stall is dangerous and unlikely to work. The army commander suggested Monday that it might be necessary to meet the protesters' demand that the parliament be dissolved and a new election called immediately. Meanwhile, Mr. Abhisit's party is under threat of being forced from office by a court order -- just like the past two pro-Thaksin prime ministers.

What ought to be clear by now is that anti-democratic tactics, from military intervention to street barricades to convenient court edicts, will not end Thailand's turmoil. The only solution is for both sides to accept that elections should decide who governs Thailand -- and that both winners and losers should respect basic political and civil rights.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...0041404391.html

good article - good bedtime reading material for the yellow posters who feel it 'may all be over soon'

Could/would you kindly name three or four "yellow posters" so that I can become better informed as to whom each might be? Thx. (No reason to be concerned about my request as I'm certain my name isn't on your list. )