Thai Forces Use Tear Gas, Water Cannon Against Protesters

[Maestro]

Tear gas fired at Thai protesters

--

Maestro

[kissdani]

The only person that has lost is Abhisit.

- He banned the TV station PTV, yet it's back up against his will.

- He issued nearly 30 arrest warrants for red shirt leaders, yet they're seen on national television chatting and even laughing with high ranking police offers.

Talk about losing face.

I agree with rainman here. The PR battle over violence has now been replaced by the PR battle over who is in charge of the country. All around me are ordinary Thai people who supported Abhisit's compromising attitude last week but now look at him contemptuously as either lacking courage or lacking power. Don't underestimate the significance of what happened today.

Unless he pulls off a masterstroke real soon, I fear the Reds have won this battle. I fear more what happens after that.

That is my take on it as well.

I still don't see Thaksin coming back in though. He remains a threat to those that many in the military would give their lives for.

It is not a victory for the Reds and in no way a sign that Thaksin now have a foot in the door for a comeback.

It is a chess move in the ongoing reconciliation process.

It dismantles one of the Reds main claim: Abhisit is a puppet by the army. Not true, nor is the army against the people.

Abhisits fading power is something what they would get anyway. In the donation scandal the EC will rule the democrats dissolution. Let it look as a victory for the reds, but to get back in the boat they have to drop their head too.

The EG decision dismantles another Red claim: double standard and politically motivated courts. That is not true, the courts are not against the Reds, but punish violations of the law regardless of the delinquents shirt color.

The present situation and the development in the last couple of years demonstrate only one thing, the incapability of the current parliamentary system.

Thailand needs a reform, a reform that is similar to what the PAD called New Politics. The concept is not bad, nor anti-democratic. The pressure and activities of the PAD wasn't maybe the best moves to introduce the idea of New Politics, but that should be not a obstacle to rethink and review the concept of New Politics and its capability to provide a solution and bring the country forward.

After the dissolution of the Democrats we will see a government of national unity, all parties together. That government will enact a couple of reforms. New Politics is one of it.

Edited April 9, 2010 by kissdani

[britmaveric]

New Politics = Old Politics.... SAME SAME!

[Jingthing]

Here is an interesting cover that appeared on the most recent copy of "Red Power" magazine today.

In English, the caption says The Russian Revolution - The mob toppling the royal figure early in 20th century - History will not forgive us if we do not seize the power at this moment

Gotta love it, considering how many commie phobic Americans (the kind that seriously believe Obama is a socialist) are backing the red insurgents.

[grandpops]

80,000 cops

60,000 protesters

.... and yet still the protesters have the upper hand....

Out of the 80,000 cops, 79,999 are "poor Thais" (aka. red shirts). Ever wondered why they always step aside when the red shirts come through? Why they're laughing and smiling with them?

I saw that on Al Jazeera. The troops were walking away through the redshirt hordes. Redshirts joking cheering clapping. Soldiers smiling, laughing with them, high fiving!!

Elite, jingythingy etc got to realise most soldiers here conscripts from poor northern families.

Thaksin Anguish Network had some beanpole rattling on about the army not obeying Abhisit, obviously not realising which end puppet strings are operated from. All the while the three vacuaous airheads were looking worried about the prospect of their saturday afternoon shopping for Gucci and preening themselves may be out the window.

Checked ASTV and as I was the only one watching, there were not debating anything. They asked me to SMS them when I was sitting comfortably and they would resume some show about some historical middle class uprising at some airport.

At least the 40 odd thousand post by jingythingy, JDintheaiport and Amnesiatic were not in vain.... or were they!

Good link for you when Thaksin comes back www.getonaplanecausetakkiesback.com/cheapflights/iran

[Neurath]

Sometimes threats to the security of the nation come from within. So it is perfectly reasonable for the army to assist in protecting its citizens.

Like the 101st airborne division:

From Wikipedia:

The Little Rock Nine were a group of African-American students who were enrolled in Little Rock Central High School in September 1957, as a result of The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in the historic Brown v. Board of Education case. Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus, in direct opposition to the Court's ruling, activated and deployed the Arkansas National Guard to support the segregationists on 4 September 1957. The sight of a line of soldiers blocking nine black students from attending high school immediately polarized the city. Attorneys from the U.S. Justice Department requested an injunction against the governor's deployment of the National Guard from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas in Little Rock. Judge Ronald Davies granted the injunction and ordered the governor to withdraw the National Guard on 20 September.^[11]

As a result, elements of the division's 1st Airborne Battle Group, 327th Infantry (bearing the lineage of the old Company A, 327th Glider Infantry Regiment) were ordered to Little Rock by President Eisenhower to enforce the court injunction during the crisis. The division was deployed from September through November 1957, when they were relieved by the U.S. Marshals.

[elcent]

When Suthep as the head dismisses cops and a few army generals from their posts, not just inactive posts, things will turn quickley. No more smilies and BS games. Some can even face charges of treason.

[anotherpeter]

With the billions that Abhisit has borrowed from the World Bank, I'm surprised they haven't yet made his daily TV pool speeches Pay-Per-View.

How does the Thai borrowings compare to most other countries borrowings? About the same or less?

[sotsira]

World NewsThailand: Time for Fresh Elections ( 0) Print This ShareThisBy Giles Ji UngpakornPolitical Writings on Thailand Friday, Apr 9, 2010

After the military-backed Democrat Party Government of Abhisit Vejjajiva declared a state of emergency and issued arrest warrants for pro-democracy Red Shirt leaders, the Government has attempted to close down all internet and satellite media or websites which don’t tow the government line.

Since late March the Red Shirts have been holding peaceful and disciplined protests in Bangkok. They have not destroyed anything or held weapons of any kind. Their demands are for the dissolution of parliament and immediate fresh elections. The military-backed Government is totally opposed to elections, since the Democrat Party has never ever won a majority.

The Red Shirt protests are in stark contrast to the Yellow Shirt PAD demonstrators in 2008. The PAD used violence and carried weapons. They occupied and wrecked Government House and seized and shut down the international airports. No one has been punished for these criminal acts. The PAD demand that the democratic space be reduced because they believe that the majority of the people do not deserve the vote. The Democrat Party has worked hand in hand with the PAD and the army. Yet Hans van Baalen Dutch MEP, President of the Liberal International, supports the military backed government in Thailand and claims that a crackdown on Red Shirts would defend the Rule of Law in Thailand.

Abhisit justifies his state of emergency on the grounds that the Red Shirts are blocking shopping centres! This is a lie, one of many lies told by the Thai Prime Minister. Another lie is that the Red Shirt media is advocating violence. They have done nothing of the kind. Yesterday’s brief invasion of the parliament grounds by Red Shirts was in response to CS gas canisters being thrown at the peaceful crowd outside.

Today the Red Shirts went to their satellite TV station to ask for it back, yet foreign media like the BBC claim wrongly claim that the Red Shirts were trying to “occupy” the satellite station. What they wanted was for the transmissions to be reinstated.

The Red Shirts are a mass movement of workers and peasants. They are demanding a restoration of Democracy. Most support former PM Taksin because his government introduced Thailand’s first ever universal health care scheme and pro-poor policies. Foreign media often incorrectly portray the Red Shirts as rural people. They are poor people from urban and rural areas, including Bangkok. They represent the vast majority of Thai citizens. They proudly call themselves “serfs” in a class war with the authoritarian elites.

Record of the Abhisit Government

The Democrat Party took over the Government after:

• Continuously criticising the Taksin Government for using state funds for the poor

• Refusing to take part in the elections of 2006 because they knew they would lose

• A military coup in September 2006

• A military Constitution was introduced in 2007 which decreased the democratic space

• They lost the December 2007 election

• They supported the PAD violent demonstrations which seized Government House and closed down the international airports

• The Royalist Courts were used twice to dissolve Red Shirt parties which won majorities

• Corrupt politicians were bullied and bribed by the army to change sides and support the Democrat Party

Political Writings on Thailand

Edited April 9, 2010 by sotsira

[rainman]

With the billions that Abhisit has borrowed from the World Bank, I'm surprised they haven't yet made his daily TV pool speeches Pay-Per-View.

How does the Thai borrowings compare to most other countries borrowings? About the same or less?

I don't know how they stack up to other countries, but what I do know is that Thaksin managed to pay off all debts to the World Bank while he was PM. Shortly after Abhisit took over, he started plunging Thailand into debt again. For what? Thailand isn't a poor country. Sure, most Thai people aren't rich, but the government is.

[10027586]

Rainman, do you even look at the news in the rest of the world? Are you aware that Abhisit is not in fact satan? Most of the world's economy is wrecked and countries a lot richer than Thailand now find themselves in a shedload of debt. The debt is more likely due to global economic factors than anything else.

[yoshiwara]

World NewsThailand: Time for Fresh Elections ( 0) Print This ShareThisBy Giles Ji UngpakornPolitical Writings on Thailand Friday, Apr 9, 2010

After the military-backed Democrat Party Government of Abhisit Vejjajiva declared a state of emergency and issued arrest warrants for pro-democracy Red Shirt leaders, the Government has attempted to close down all internet and satellite media or websites which don’t tow the government line.

Since late March the Red Shirts have been holding peaceful and disciplined protests in Bangkok. They have not destroyed anything or held weapons of any kind. Their demands are for the dissolution of parliament and immediate fresh elections. The military-backed Government is totally opposed to elections, since the Democrat Party has never ever won a majority.

The Red Shirt protests are in stark contrast to the Yellow Shirt PAD demonstrators in 2008. The PAD used violence and carried weapons. They occupied and wrecked Government House and seized and shut down the international airports. No one has been punished for these criminal acts. The PAD demand that the democratic space be reduced because they believe that the majority of the people do not deserve the vote. The Democrat Party has worked hand in hand with the PAD and the army. Yet Hans van Baalen Dutch MEP, President of the Liberal International, supports the military backed government in Thailand and claims that a crackdown on Red Shirts would defend the Rule of Law in Thailand.

Abhisit justifies his state of emergency on the grounds that the Red Shirts are blocking shopping centres! This is a lie, one of many lies told by the Thai Prime Minister. Another lie is that the Red Shirt media is advocating violence. They have done nothing of the kind. Yesterday’s brief invasion of the parliament grounds by Red Shirts was in response to CS gas canisters being thrown at the peaceful crowd outside.

Today the Red Shirts went to their satellite TV station to ask for it back, yet foreign media like the BBC claim wrongly claim that the Red Shirts were trying to “occupy” the satellite station. What they wanted was for the transmissions to be reinstated.

The Red Shirts are a mass movement of workers and peasants. They are demanding a restoration of Democracy. Most support former PM Taksin because his government introduced Thailand’s first ever universal health care scheme and pro-poor policies. Foreign media often incorrectly portray the Red Shirts as rural people. They are poor people from urban and rural areas, including Bangkok. They represent the vast majority of Thai citizens. They proudly call themselves “serfs” in a class war with the authoritarian elites.

Record of the Abhisit Government

The Democrat Party took over the Government after:

• Continuously criticising the Taksin Government for using state funds for the poor

• Refusing to take part in the elections of 2006 because they knew they would lose

• A military coup in September 2006

• A military Constitution was introduced in 2007 which decreased the democratic space

• They lost the December 2007 election

• They supported the PAD violent demonstrations which seized Government House and closed down the international airports

• The Royalist Courts were used twice to dissolve Red Shirt parties which won majorities

• Corrupt politicians were bullied and bribed by the army to change sides and support the Democrat Party

Political Writings on Thailand

Only an old-time neo-Stalinist would write such nonsense.

The idea that the reds are a workers and peasants organisation without having one class demand is a contradiction in terms.

And as for the statement that the reds are a peaceful movement, well no-one believes that even the the most abject red apologist.

There is only one reason for wanting the government out now and that is for Thaksin to get his personalised mafia hands on the army appointments.

The next thing our Thaksin apologist here will be telling us is that Thaksin's anti-gay bigotry is a reflection of the heroic worker's and peasant forces.

More national socialist than international socialist.

More brown shirt than red shirt.

Not that you would know the difference.

[rainman]

Rainman, do you even look at the news in the rest of the world? Are you aware that Abhisit is not in fact satan?

Where did I write that Abhisit is satan? You're ridiculous.

[britmaveric]

^I think Abhisit is just over his head and has been used/abused. Not Satan indeed. He probably wishes he never took the job.

[mrukman]

After reading these post's there appears to be a lot of thai I presume calling for the Reds to disband because of the damage there doing to Thailands infrastructure and the damage there doing to there tourism industry.

Excuse me but when the upper and Elite ( the yellow shirts) brought the country to its knees when they closed down the airports and trapped tourists inside there hotels. Why wasn't there a State of Emergency declared then or a clamp down and closure of TV stations.

Let me assure you yummie the yellow protesters damaged your reputation and cost you more in lost tourism then this present protest.

[twschw]

Excuse me but when the upper and Elite ( the yellow shirts) brought the country to its knees when they closed down the airports and trapped tourists inside there hotels. Why wasn't there a State of Emergency declared

Just to refresh your memory:

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej Tuesday announced the state of emergency in Bangkok following a clash between the pro and anti-government supporters early in the morning.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/State-Emerge...ok-t209966.html

[yoshiwara]

After reading these post's there appears to be a lot of thai I presume calling for the Reds to disband because of the damage there doing to Thailands infrastructure and the damage there doing to there tourism industry.

Excuse me but when the upper and Elite ( the yellow shirts) brought the country to its knees when they closed down the airports and trapped tourists inside there hotels. Why wasn't there a State of Emergency declared then or a clamp down and closure of TV stations.

Let me assure you yummie the yellow protesters damaged your reputation and cost you more in lost tourism then this present protest.

Translation: I want a green light for whatever the reds do because I am a Thaksin cheerleader.

[thailien8]

Walking thru the redshirts' encampment, I was impressed by all the stuff for sale. Red shirts, bandannas, plastic clappers, much more; all must-have stuff to be in with the red crowd. It seems that Takki has found another way to make money from his supporters, now that he can no longer over-charge them for their mobile phone calls.

[britmaveric]

Walking thru the redshirts' encampment, I was impressed by all the stuff for sale. Red shirts, bandannas, plastic clappers, much more; all must-have stuff to be in with the red crowd. It seems that Takki has found another way to make money from his supporters, now that he can no longer over-charge them for their mobile phone calls.

Kewl souvenirs for the tourists!

[Rinrada]

^I think Abhisit is just over his head and has been used/abused. Not Satan indeed. He probably wishes he never took the job.

Tend to agree.

Must admit that I dont really dislike the guy (Mr Mark)but always get the impression that his No 2 Mr Thuggi is really running the charade.

Love to see the back of him...Thugsu by name and by nature..........cringing

The well known and often quoted "dark forces"are of course still pulling the strings but ..........MKJ

[MAJIC]

I notice some Pro Red Posters on TV want the Reds to win and Abhisit to step down,but do not want to see Thaksin come

back, and all this time they didnt see that this mess has only been about bringing him back to Power in the first place.

Its known as: Shooting ones self in the foot,Head in the sand,Blind visionaries.....................................

Som Num Naa!!!!!!

[learningcurveasia]

state of emergency should not be used against the cornerstone of the democratic process - independent mass media.

It is martial law. It is temporary. If this media is used to incite violent insurgency and promote a violent rebellion, it bloody well SHOULD be shut down. The speech from the red leaders became illegal speech. Not all speech is legal, even in the west.

Utter UTTER nonsense - never happens in my country even when you get extreme Muslims saying death to Americans and Europeans - this is absolutely the last thing nthey should have done - muzzle free speach - everyone will see Abhisit as an Army Puppet

Impressive diatribe, POLL tax riots come to mind, but if this shit occurred? think a bit before you post the "In my country" speech.

wake up n smell the coffee.thing have been allowed to continue in a civilised manner, not so by the opposition, enough already, heavy hand is needed to restore a respect of authority.not ultra violent but enough to send te message, before it gets ugly and ALL join in.

Thailand has a pack dog mentality in respect of the general population, never see a one on one disturbance etc. when tere is no respect in asia there is no respect...period

[Maestro]

Thai forces use tear gas as protesters storm TV station

Click on image below to see video:

Thai security forces used tear gas and water cannons Friday as thousands of "Red Shirt" protesters stormed a television station to try to put an anti-government channel back on air.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-04-09

Published with written approval from AFP.

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[TheOldWolf]

state of emergency should not be used against the cornerstone of the democratic process - independent mass media.

It is martial law. It is temporary. If this media is used to incite violent insurgency and promote a violent rebellion, it bloody well SHOULD be shut down. The speech from the red leaders became illegal speech. Not all speech is legal, even in the west.

Utter UTTER nonsense - never happens in my country even when you get extreme Muslims saying death to Americans and Europeans - this is absolutely the last thing nthey should have done - muzzle free speach - everyone will see Abhisit as an Army Puppet

Impressive diatribe, POLL tax riots come to mind, but if this shit occurred? think a bit before you post the "In my country" speech.

wake up n smell the coffee.thing have been allowed to continue in a civilised manner, not so by the opposition, enough already, heavy hand is needed to restore a respect of authority.not ultra violent but enough to send te message, before it gets ugly and ALL join in.

Thailand has a pack dog mentality in respect of the general population, never see a one on one disturbance etc. when tere is no respect in asia there is no respect...period

¨When was the last time that the capital of your country (what ever it is) hade tens och thousands running around like a mob, threatning, lieing, don´t obay the law???

[learningcurveasia]

state of emergency should not be used against the cornerstone of the democratic process - independent mass media.

It is martial law. It is temporary. If this media is used to incite violent insurgency and promote a violent rebellion, it bloody well SHOULD be shut down. The speech from the red leaders became illegal speech. Not all speech is legal, even in the west.

Utter UTTER nonsense - never happens in my country even when you get extreme Muslims saying death to Americans and Europeans - this is absolutely the last thing nthey should have done - muzzle free speach - everyone will see Abhisit as an Army Puppet

Impressive diatribe, POLL tax riots come to mind, but if this shit occurred? think a bit before you post the "In my country" speech.

wake up n smell the coffee.thing have been allowed to continue in a civilised manner, not so by the opposition, enough already, heavy hand is needed to restore a respect of authority.not ultra violent but enough to send te message, before it gets ugly and ALL join in.

Thailand has a pack dog mentality in respect of the general population, never see a one on one disturbance etc. when there is no respect in asia there is no respect...period

also, when these rioting masses are "allowed" to steal equipment from the security forces it becomes a joke, 7000 soldiers cannot contain 15-20,000 protesters? duh? why?

[Siam Simon]

^I think Abhisit is just over his head and has been used/abused. Not Satan indeed. He probably wishes he never took the job.

Quite. But he was so naive to take the job in such a contrived circumstance in the first place. What a waste of a young, talented and fairly honest politician . I hope his sinister political masters show considerably more sense with Korn and the other up-and-comers on the Demo side of the political divide. If Thaksin's influence is to return to government, Buddha knows Thailand needs a strong and credible opposition.

[Siam Simon]

Utter UTTER nonsense - never happens in my country even when you get extreme Muslims saying death to Americans and Europeans - this is absolutely the last thing nthey should have done - muzzle free speach - everyone will see Abhisit as an Army Puppet

Impressive diatribe, POLL tax riots come to mind, but if this shit occurred? think a bit before you post the "In my country" speech.

wake up n smell the coffee.thing have been allowed to continue in a civilised manner, not so by the opposition, enough already, heavy hand is needed to restore a respect of authority.not ultra violent but enough to send te message, before it gets ugly and ALL join in.

Thailand has a pack dog mentality in respect of the general population, never see a one on one disturbance etc. when there is no respect in asia there is no respect...period

also, when these rioting masses are "allowed" to steal equipment from the security forces it becomes a joke, 7000 soldiers cannot contain 15-20,000 protesters? duh? why?

Your learning curve needs improving. If said soldiers and their masters wanted to 'contain' some protestors they would've done. Geddit?

[VegasVic]

Thai forces use tear gas as protesters storm TV station

Click on image below to see video:

Thai security forces used tear gas and water cannons Friday as thousands of "Red Shirt" protesters stormed a television station to try to put an anti-government channel back on air.

<img src=http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/pics/afplogo.jpg target="_blank">

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-04-09

Published with written approval from AFP.

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

This is the clip that will be played around the world, and the headline will read "Thai government uses military force to stifle pro Democracy movement" I think Mr. Abhisit is having second thoughts about taking their station off the air, as it has led to the water cannons and gassing the red shirts that were just trying to get their word out! If more of this type of governement bullying tactics are employed I would not be surprised to see this situation escalate and people from all over the countryside that are sympathetic to the erd shirts converge upon Bangkok, then Abhisit will be faced with a real million man protest and not the 80,000 or so that he is currently trying to deal with

[VegasVic]

¨When was the last time that the capital of your country (what ever it is) hade tens och thousands running around like a mob, threatning, lieing, don´t obay the law???

It's happenening in my country right now Except we don't have tens of thousands running around like a mob, threatening, lieing, and not obeying the law (in our case it is the U.S. Constituion) we only have a majority in the Capital building and one guy in the White House (who thinks he is the second coming) acting that way, however given their power right now these 300+ people are doing more damage to the United States of America than 80,000 protesters could ever do to Thailand

[chainarong]

state of emergency should not be used against the cornerstone of the democratic process - independent mass media.

Many now would be convinced, in thailand and abroad, that thailand really is an authoritarian regime state, ruled by the army and police, with disregard to laws

What you say is true my friend, but this is for all of Asia, not only Thailand , police carry 3 rubber, 1live ammo in indonesia, a life is not regarded as important to the big part of town, power is, an agreement with the millitary when democratic elections ( I say that with no pun intended) were first held in Thai , was that all heads of departments would still be Generals, now who runs Thailand ,the first move is to get rid of the Generals, I'd like to see that.