Thai Government Hangs By A Thread

[neverdie]

After all, the government only seems to care about Bangkok. What happens in the rest of Thailand doesn't concern them.

Wow, you really do buy the red sales pitch hook, line and sinker.

surely it didnt take you this long to realise that was the case with red rainman?

[pimay11]

All it would take for this to stop is a single speech by Thaksin telling his lackeys to stop, that he really was guilty and received the justice he deserved. How about an apology from the demagogue for the misery he has caused, and submission to serving his jail time and other punishments?

But no, his selfishness and that of his followers will persist. An election would solve nothing. Whichever side loses will not accept it. Thaksin is the problem. Not the electoral process. All the bluster in the world by the Thaksin apologists will not change that fact.

All the red shirts have to do if they really want peace is to denounce their paymaster. But they would rather continue terrorizing the entire nation for their own selfish reasons.

Thaksin is not the problem

You want to tell the redshirts to shut up, stop getting involved in politics and go back to their ricefields........

Its not going to happen because this feudal system needs to change and will be changed.........the mood in Isaan is that it is now or never.

But think about how great this country can be if EVERYONE can reach their full potential and not just the chosen few..........

Though I realise then the Bangkok people may not find it so easy to get their slave labour anymore

Thaksin is the problem.

The red shirts should go home and GET INVOLVED in *politics*, not mob rule.

The people in Isaan should look at the corruption in their own back yards before they come to Bangkok to blame people here.

They should look at the corruption of their leaders, and after they have dealt with that, then they can come to Bangkok and complain about the corruption here.

Spot on. My wife's Aunt here in Esaan paid out over 40,000 Baht in voter bribes (500 Baht each) to become the Puyai Baan. It pays 4,000 Baht a month. Go figure.

[DP25]

Download anchor free or similar and watch rachaprasong live at uddthailand.com. For all these news updates that make it sound like the govt. is taking control, they red shirts are still on stage and there are still a good 70,000 people listening. Really want to see how they break up 70,000 people.

Since those 70,000 people only exist inside your head, I agree that it will be impossible for the government to break them up

[jdinasia]

I won't be hopping on the motorcycle or company van to go find out!

Nobody would expect that from you anyways, don't worry.

Well I am actually here (not only in Thailand but also in Chiang Mai) and within shouting distance of the main red base here ..... speaking of which I should walk outside and see if they are being loud again ....

[chadintheusa]

From the closed News Thread ------

THE NATION: Khaosod reports Reds have seized two buses.

Let me guess ... those will be "fake reds" like Arisman when he raided Parliament!

Real reds, Fake buses

[Jerrytheyoung]

Reuters have said that troops have shot live rounds at protestors at Phanfa bridge on BBC now.

apparently, one foreign journalist has been injuried by ball

[4223rhodes]

Reuters have said that troops have shot live rounds at protestors at Phanfa bridge on BBC now.

apparently, one foreign journalist has been injuried by ball

Quick, would someone please throw Abhisit a life preserver! He's going under fast...

[moresomekl]

The reds are using weapons to attack the army now.

Foreign reporter injured, one troop needs surgery

A foreign reporter was hit by a bullet and injured in the crackdown operation near Phan Fa bridge, Channel 9 reported.

Channel 9 reproted that 33 injured people were sent to the Bangkok Medical Department while 12 injured troops were sent to Phra Mongkut Hospital.

A troop needed an urgent operation as he was pieced at his neck by a sharpened bamboo stick.

The station reported that about 20 injured people were sent to the BMA Central Hospital.

-- The Nation 2010-04-10

Now the soldiers shoot at foreign reporters ? Good God

[chadintheusa]

Reuters have said that troops have shot live rounds at protestors at Phanfa bridge on BBC now.

apparently, one foreign journalist has been injuried by ball

If you insist on going to these areas you put yourself at risk. From what I've seen on TV some reporters are getting in some pretty unwise places.

[humfurry]

Can anyone tell me if this refers to the Chiang Mai City Hall or The Chiang Mai Provincial Headquarters, which is often mistakenly called "city hall"? edit: nevermind I see it says "province city hall" below.

Red-shirt Supporters in Chiang Mai Seize City Hall

Around 1,000 red-shirt protesters in Chiang Mai have managed to pass through the gate of the province city hall and seize the area in retaliation to the government's efforts to disperse the protesters in Bangkok.

-- Tan Network 2010-04-10

The Fake Nation

Bangkok Elite to Motorcade to Chaingmai.

17:15

In response to the Red Shirt seizure of city hall in Chaingmai the Bangkok elite are responding by sending a motorcade of BMW's, Mercedes, Range Rovers and Porsche's loaded with whitening cream, hair bleach and Emporium make up artists to persuade their northern brothers and sister that they are all the same.

The Fake Nation

Edited April 10, 2010 by humfurry

[anotherpeter]

Don't worry, the government won't care what happens in Chiang Mai or Khon Kaen. They have always only been concerned about Bangkok, not the rest of the country, so losing Chiang Mai and other cities won't matter to them.

hmmm when confronted by the things that the government has actually done (and made sustainable!) you resort to this ....

Oh yeah, so the government has now given proper and equal healthcare to its poor rural citizens? They can now walk into Bumrungrad to get treatment like the middle/upper class in Bangkok can? And the old people get proper pensions, so that they won't have to live off 100 Baht per month? And they increase the daily minimum wages of currently around 170 Baht (as low as 150 in some places)? Don't you think these people deserve more than 4500 Baht per month? (That's if they work Saturday and Sunday, too. No holiday).

You're disgusting.

What country in the world can you walk into a hospital like Bumrungrad and get free treatment? It even costs the middle and upper class a fortune.

None of these problems can be fixed overnight. They are problems that all western countries still have, and they can't even fix them.

Sure things can be improved, but it's going to take time, and it won't be done by protesting on the streets.

[noel2499rk]

Can anyone tell me if this refers to the Chiang Mai City Hall or The Chiang Mai Provincial Headquarters, which is often mistakenly called "city hall"? edit: nevermind I see it says "province city hall" below.

Red-shirt Supporters in Chiang Mai Seize City Hall

Around 1,000 red-shirt protesters in Chiang Mai have managed to pass through the gate of the province city hall and seize the area in retaliation to the government's efforts to disperse the protesters in Bangkok.

-- Tan Network 2010-04-10

The Fake Nation

Bangkok Elite to motorcade to Chaingmai.

17:15

In response to the Red Shirt seizure of city hall in Chaingmai the Bangkok elite are responding by sending a motorcade of BMW's, Mercedes, Range Rovers and Porsche's loaded with whitening cream, hair bleach and Emporium make up artists to persuade their northern brothers and sister that they are all the same.

The Fake Nation

:D

[jdinasia]

I won't be hopping on the motorcycle or company van to go find out!

in your peculiar case, you will need a special visa to go to Chiangmai and I think they will refuse it

yeah I guess I would need a visa to move outside of my house if the reds actually got control up here in Chiang Mai ... other than that ... it just takes moving a few feet.

[rainman]

Don't worry, the government won't care what happens in Chiang Mai or Khon Kaen. They have always only been concerned about Bangkok, not the rest of the country, so losing Chiang Mai and other cities won't matter to them.

hmmm when confronted by the things that the government has actually done (and made sustainable!) you resort to this ....

Oh yeah, so the government has now given proper and equal healthcare to its poor rural citizens? They can now walk into Bumrungrad to get treatment like the middle/upper class in Bangkok can? And the old people get proper pensions, so that they won't have to live off 100 Baht per month? And they increase the daily minimum wages of currently around 170 Baht (as low as 150 in some places)? Don't you think these people deserve more than 4500 Baht per month? (That's if they work Saturday and Sunday, too. No holiday).

You're disgusting.

What country in the world can you walk into a hospital like Bumrungrad and get free treatment? It even costs the middle and upper class a fortune.

None of these problems can be fixed overnight. They are problems that all western countries still have, and they can't even fix them.

Sure things can be improved, but it's going to take time, and it won't be done by protesting on the streets.

Did I say free treatment? I don't think so. But the people in the North and North-East aren't given the equal job opportunities so that they can make the money to afford this kind of treatment. They can't be fixed overnight, you're right. But there hasn't even been an attempt to fix the problem.

What about the old poor people? How long does it take to give them a proper pension? The army gets billions and billions in budgets to spend on bomb detectors that don't work and Zeppelin balloon toys, but they don't give a proper pension to their own senior citizens.

[bubba]

Live video coverage back on several channels now.

[otherstuff1957]

It's very bad news for everyone if the army has been using live ammunition. I've been saying all along that the first side that kills will lose the support of the majority of the Thai people.

[Jingthing]

Don't worry, the government won't care what happens in Chiang Mai or Khon Kaen. They have always only been concerned about Bangkok, not the rest of the country, so losing Chiang Mai and other cities won't matter to them.

hmmm when confronted by the things that the government has actually done (and made sustainable!) you resort to this ....

Oh yeah, so the government has now given proper and equal healthcare to its poor rural citizens? They can now walk into Bumrungrad to get treatment like the middle/upper class in Bangkok can? And the old people get proper pensions, so that they won't have to live off 100 Baht per month? And they increase the daily minimum wages of currently around 170 Baht (as low as 150 in some places)? Don't you think these people deserve more than 4500 Baht per month? (That's if they work Saturday and Sunday, too. No holiday).

You're disgusting.

What country in the world can you walk into a hospital like Bumrungrad and get free treatment? It even costs the middle and upper class a fortune.

None of these problems can be fixed overnight. They are problems that all western countries still have, and they can't even fix them.

Sure things can be improved, but it's going to take time, and it won't be done by protesting on the streets.

Peaceful protests are well and good. I sure hope the peace loving people who want reform in Thailand change their color and change their leadership though. Once you go terrorist, you can't go back. The reds are tainted forever.

[rixalex]

Abhisit spit on the Thai people by appointing Kasit as FM.

Not sure about your wording but I agree with the jist, although if we are going to talk about terrible appointments that did nothing for the country i guess we should probably mention the appointment of Somchai to the highest political position there is, and not forget who was responsible for that appointment.

[midas]

After all, the government only seems to care about Bangkok. What happens in the rest of Thailand doesn't concern them.

Wow, you really do buy the red sales pitch hook, line and sinker.

rixalex how much time have you spent in Isaan ?

What is relevant is that what rainman says is how many of Thai's in the rest of the country feel.

Actions speak louder etc

[moresomekl]

Reuters have said that troops have shot live rounds at protestors at Phanfa bridge on BBC now.

apparently, one foreign journalist has been injuried by ball

If you insist on going to these areas you put yourself at risk. From what I've seen on TV some reporters are getting in some pretty unwise places.

You are right , its better for reporters not to go to those risky areas so that soldiers can shoot at civilians with impunity .

Where r you from ? Uganda ?

Edit , typo

Edited April 10, 2010 by moresomekl

[humfurry]

Live video coverage back on several channels now.

Yeah... but is it fake coverage? Even fake girls look good after a few pints.

Cheers

[chadintheusa]

Seizing Chiang Mai city hall is a genius move. They can oust all the reds that work there. Maybe they can riot and burn their own homes down while they're at it.

[Slip]

Download anchor free or similar and watch rachaprasong live at uddthailand.com. For all these news updates that make it sound like the govt. is taking control, they red shirts are still on stage and there are still a good 70,000 people listening. Really want to see how they break up 70,000 people.

70,000 ???

There are more people there than have been at most of their rallies (except the first day?).

Anyone close to the scene that can verify these (inflated?) figures?

There are never 70,000 there during the hot sunny afternoon. But at night, numbers do get close to that. So while the army has managed to clear out most of the areas this afternoon, it will be an entirely different story tonight.

Source?

[yoshiwara]

Can anyone tell me if this refers to the Chiang Mai City Hall or The Chiang Mai Provincial Headquarters, which is often mistakenly called "city hall"? edit: nevermind I see it says "province city hall" below.

Red-shirt Supporters in Chiang Mai Seize City Hall

Around 1,000 red-shirt protesters in Chiang Mai have managed to pass through the gate of the province city hall and seize the area in retaliation to the government's efforts to disperse the protesters in Bangkok.

-- Tan Network 2010-04-10

The Fake Nation

Bangkok Elite to Motorcade to Chaingmai.

17:15

In response to the Red Shirt seizure of city hall in Chaingmai the Bangkok elite are responding by sending a motorcade of BMW's, Mercedes, Range Rovers and Porsche's loaded with whitening cream, hair bleach and Emporium make up artists to persuade their northern brothers and sister that they are all the same.

The Fake Nation

Your petty bourgeois knickers are showing.

[rainman]

Seizing Chiang Mai city hall is a genius move. They can oust all the reds that work there. Maybe they can riot and burn their own homes down while they're at it.

You really don't understand politics, do you?

[Netfan]

Don't worry, the government won't care what happens in Chiang Mai or Khon Kaen. They have always only been concerned about Bangkok, not the rest of the country, so losing Chiang Mai and other cities won't matter to them.

hmmm when confronted by the things that the government has actually done (and made sustainable!) you resort to this ....

Oh yeah, so the government has now given proper and equal healthcare to its poor rural citizens? They can now walk into Bumrungrad to get treatment like the middle/upper class in Bangkok can? And the old people get proper pensions, so that they won't have to live off 100 Baht per month? And they increase the daily minimum wages of currently around 170 Baht (as low as 150 in some places)? Don't you think these people deserve more than 4500 Baht per month? (That's if they work Saturday and Sunday, too. No holiday).

You're disgusting.

And in what country can a poor person walk into the best private hospital and get free care? A social security program was started and if you work and pay taxes here you will know that. Again, name a country that does not have a divide between rich and poor - should the minimum wage be higher - you will find that debated from the US to the EU. The fact is that this government has done things for the poor - what had Thaksin done in his five years - 30 baht health plan. Easier credit so the poor can get more in debt. And?.......... Any education reforms- he was Ed Minister after all. How much did minimum wage gp up under him? You are aware of the rubber tree scam? And as far as disgusting - weren't you the one who called the women who work as bar girls, most of whom are from Isaan, "street whores" not too long ago?

Edited April 10, 2010 by Netfan

[chadintheusa]

There are never 70,000 there during the hot sunny afternoon. But at night, numbers do get close to that. So while the army has managed to clear out most of the areas this afternoon, it will be an entirely different story tonight.

Source?

You expect a source? This is the internet, a place for wild speculation and baseless assertions. Facts have no place here.

[humfurry]

Download anchor free or similar and watch rachaprasong live at uddthailand.com. For all these news updates that make it sound like the govt. is taking control, they red shirts are still on stage and there are still a good 70,000 people listening. Really want to see how they break up 70,000 people.

70,000 ???

There are more people there than have been at most of their rallies (except the first day?).

Anyone close to the scene that can verify these (inflated?) figures?

There are never 70,000 there during the hot sunny afternoon. But at night, numbers do get close to that. So while the army has managed to clear out most of the areas this afternoon, it will be an entirely different story tonight.

Source?

Well they have to get to the rally site first. I think that may be a problem as the site seems blockaded.

[Jingthing]

Can we say now that the fat lady has sung yet in regard to the red siege of Bangkok? It appears the reds have lost, and that is a done deal. Too premature?

[rainman]

Can we say now that the fat lady has sung yet in regard to the red siege of Bangkok? It appears the reds have lost, and that is a done deal. Too premature?

I would say you're premature, yes:

TNN reported at 5:20 pm that troops at the Makkhawan Bridge have retreated to the Government House and the 1st Army Region.

A field reporter reported live by phone that protesters started blockades around the rally site, using vehicles.

Edited April 10, 2010 by rainman