Thai Government Hangs By A Thread

[4223rhodes]

I guess water cannon are OK, afterall as long as they are aimed at dehumanized protesters who disagree with you.

When you call for actual violence .. then your opinion CAN hurt people. (That may be why there is a rule against it on ThaiVisa.com)

I guess violence is OK, as long as it is aimed at dehumanized protesters who disagree with you.

there is no harm in civilized protest the harm happens when like in September the police fail to keep a group from being attacked or in October when the police attack a peaceful group with military ordinance

I guess military attacks by the MILITARY itself are OK as long as those attacks happen to dehumanized protesters who disagree with you.

I guess anything goes as long as you work your group in a frenzy by shouting "THAKSIN THAKSIN THAKSIN!" over and over and over. Chanting that makes anything the military/police do, just fine.

I guess threatining the derailing the BTS and destroying the stations is okay. I guess attacking soldiers with sharpened sticks is okay. I guess hiding behind women, children and monks while calling for violence is okay.

Why don't you guys stop guessing and just say how you feel? Show confidence in your thoughts! Just keep an open mind and an open heart.

[bubba]

I guess water cannon are OK, afterall as long as they are aimed at dehumanized protesters who disagree with you.

When you call for actual violence .. then your opinion CAN hurt people. (That may be why there is a rule against it on ThaiVisa.com)

I guess violence is OK, as long as it is aimed at dehumanized protesters who disagree with you.

there is no harm in civilized protest the harm happens when like in September the police fail to keep a group from being attacked or in October when the police attack a peaceful group with military ordinance

I guess military attacks by the MILITARY itself are OK as long as those attacks happen to dehumanized protesters who disagree with you.

I guess anything goes as long as you work your group in a frenzy by shouting "THAKSIN THAKSIN THAKSIN!" over and over and over. Chanting that makes anything the military/police do, just fine.

I guess threatining the derailing the BTS and destroying the stations is okay. I guess attacking soldiers with sharpened sticks is okay. I guess hiding behind women, children and monks while calling for violence is okay.

So don't use those lethal water cannon and it would have been better for the troops to open the gates, walk away and welcome the red shirts into the army base with free reign, including the armoury?

[rogerdee123]

Why so little live footage?

If you watch PTV, they switch to live coverage when something significant is happening, otherwise it is pretty boring watching it all the time.

[anotherpeter]

Yes tried to explain to anotherpeter so many times but it is always about Thaksin with him

so stuborn .

My gf tells me Thaksin had good heart but is not central , however she tells me they dont

want Abhisit in the country side .

If it's about the constitution, why not get involved in the discussions on fixing it?

If it's about democracy, why not accept an election in 9 months?

If it's about the poor, where are their policies to help the poor?

If it's about getting rid of corruption, ... it can't be that.

If it's not about Thaksin, then get rid of his posters, don't have him calling in, denounce him on stage.

Get a even one of those things going and you might be able to sway me. Until then, it's all about Thaksin.

[TheItaliann]

Why so little live footage?

I might suggest that we who live in Bkk and who are of western descent that the majority ot Thais just want to watch their soaps. Remember TV is not the exclusive right of Bangkok.

You would think there would be quite a few live balcony cameras? Why hasn't CNN gotten a room at a hotel with a vantage point? Very strange.

[chadintheusa]

One thing you won't see today is a single member of Thaksin's family facing the riot squad.

[pimay11]

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?

Ok please explain politics to us.

[moresomekl]

I guess water cannon are OK, afterall as long as they are aimed at dehumanized protesters who disagree with you.

When you call for actual violence .. then your opinion CAN hurt people. (That may be why there is a rule against it on ThaiVisa.com)

I guess violence is OK, as long as it is aimed at dehumanized protesters who disagree with you.

there is no harm in civilized protest the harm happens when like in September the police fail to keep a group from being attacked or in October when the police attack a peaceful group with military ordinance

I guess military attacks by the MILITARY itself are OK as long as those attacks happen to dehumanized protesters who disagree with you.

I guess anything goes as long as you work your group in a frenzy by shouting "THAKSIN THAKSIN THAKSIN!" over and over and over. Chanting that makes anything the military/police do, just fine.

I guess threatining the derailing the BTS and destroying the stations is okay. I guess attacking soldiers with sharpened sticks is okay. I guess hiding behind women, children and monks while calling for violence is okay.

Threathening and doing it for real are VERY VERY different things .

Never happen to you to threaten someone when you are angry ?

If Red shirts are shot at of course they defend themselves , its sad

but unavoidable . What do you expect ? .

Its the police hiding behind women . You are confused

Edited April 10, 2010 by moresomekl

[monkfish]

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pac...355.html.....at least it is NEWS and not armchair babble...

Thai troops fired live rounds and tear gas directly at protesters, known as "red shirts", at a bridge next to the regional UN headquarters, wounding at least one in the arm, a Reuters' photographer reported on Saturday.

I think Mt Abhisit should start packing his bags and booking a plane ticket if this is what the international press is saying

Don't think so!

THE NATION: Sansern said 2 military officers were injured form bullet. "Some protesters at KokWau intersection have got weapons."

Cheers, Rick

Mmm I think I know which news agency I trust.

Probably the Soldiers shot themselves just like they gassed themselves.

Cheers!!

[bubba]

Why so little live footage?

I might suggest that we who live in Bkk and who are of western descent that the majority ot Thais just want to watch their soaps. Remember TV is not the exclusive right of Bangkok.

You would think there would be quite a few live balcony cameras? Why hasn't CNN gotten a room at a hotel with a vantage point? Very strange.

There has been some times when they stations switched back to regular programming, but there has always been live coverage when something was happening. Live video on right now from several areas around Ratchaprasong (TNN Truevisions 7 and NBT Truevisions 5 ). Nothing really going on though.

[humfurry]

Why so little live footage?

I might suggest that we who live in Bkk and who are of western descent that the majority ot Thais just want to watch their soaps. Remember TV is not the exclusive right of Bangkok.

You would think there would be quite a few live balcony cameras? Why hasn't CNN gotten a room at a hotel with a vantage point? Very strange.

Good point. They don't expect enough blood to warrant the expense of prime location balconies and news teams? Just guessing.

[TheItaliann]

One thing you won't see today is a single member of Thaksin's family facing the riot squad.

Will you see the TV Generals holding riot gear? Will members of the Democrats party be dispersing protesters?

You fail.

[4223rhodes]

One thing you won't see today is a single member of Thaksin's family facing the riot squad.

Do you really want to see Thaksin's daughter squaring off with Abhisit's daughter in a WWF match?

[bangkokrick]

See the reds on TV attacking, kicking punching civilians now. How sad. You are losing big time so go home. Are your lives only worth 500 Baht a day?

Cheers, Rick

[MellowYellow]

BTW --- MellowYellow --- I actually answer issues ... you will note that KJP did not.

I'll just put it out there.

I do NOT specifically support any ole poster that happens to support the reds.

-Some have been disgraceful in either their blatant ignorance of retarded calls to violence from some red leaders or apologizing/rationalizing them.

-Others have been highly selective with the truth regarding history.

I would submit that reasonable people could say the same about others on the government side as well.

w/o naming names, there have been calls for machinegunning protesters, using live ammunition, and a general insane bloodlust from many.

You as one of the more prolific posters on the other side would do well to occasionlly nudge them into reality as well.

[cdnmatt]

You would think there would be quite a few live balcony cameras? Why hasn't CNN gotten a room at a hotel with a vantage point? Very strange.

Probably because Thailand is under a state of emergency, and broadcasting live footage of the protests could be deemed harmful to national security, and hence, very illegal right now.

Edited April 10, 2010 by cdnmatt

[rogerdee123]

The military is under the control of all the news stations, and they are not keen on live footage of the crackdown, especially the troops retreating from Makkawan. Meanwhile, Al Jazeera and Reuters are reporting around 100 injured from the clashes near Pan Fa, and that troops were firing on protesters with live ammunition. Two journalists hospitalised, one with a gunshot wound to the leg.

FYI .... the ammo with rubber bullets is considered "live" ammunition. And yes indeed they were firing rubber bullets.

If I'm not mistake no one has been killed and the most seriously injured are soldiers. Including two officers who were reportedly shot with real bullets. hmmm .... wonder who fired those?

It looks like the military is conducting a very well disciplined and effective operation with minimum injuries inflicted ... so far. Let's hope it stays this way.

[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.

You really don't understand politics, do you?

Ok please explain politics to us.

Please do, I know I'd be perfectly content if all these protesters went back and made trouble in their home towns instead of here. (once you've explained politics I can maybe give you a lesson in sarcasm)

Edited April 10, 2010 by chadintheusa

[humfurry]

What I'm seeing on TV is that journalist are standing on the front lines as the army is firing rubber bullets. Not very smart. ( I think it was recorded footage) NTB

Edited April 10, 2010 by humfurry

[hammered]

The military is under the control of all the news stations, and they are not keen on live footage of the crackdown, especially the troops retreating from Makkawan. Meanwhile, Al Jazeera and Reuters are reporting around 100 injured from the clashes near Pan Fa, and that troops were firing on protesters with live ammunition. Two journalists hospitalised, one with a gunshot wound to the leg.

FYI .... the ammo with rubber bullets is considered "live" ammunition. And yes indeed they were firing rubber bullets.

If I'm not mistake no one has been killed and the most seriously injured are soldiers. Including two officers who were reportedly shot with real bullets. hmmm .... wonder who fired those?

It looks like the military is conducting a very well disciplined and effective operation with minimum injuries inflicted ... so far. Let's hope it stays this way.

It seems insane that the reds tried to storm an army base and then shot at troops. The watermelons will be a lot less after this. Up to now red strategy had been good. Now it seems to be unravelling

Edited to add: kudos to the health ministry for updating all on injuries

Edited April 10, 2010 by hammered

[moresomekl]

Don't think so!

THE NATION: Sansern said 2 military officers were injured form bullet. "Some protesters at KokWau intersection have got weapons."

Cheers, Rick

Mmm I think I know which news agency I trust.

Probably the Soldiers shot themselves just like they gassed themselves.

Cheers!!

Could be friendly fire yes if its true in the first place . No one knows

[Jerrytheyoung]

Mmm I think I know which news agency I trust.

Probably the Soldiers shot themselves just like they gassed themselves.

Cheers!!

A friendly shot.... It is a US speciality, ... But Thai Army is trained by US specialists, is not it?

[chadintheusa]

The military is under the control of all the news stations, and they are not keen on live footage of the crackdown, especially the troops retreating from Makkawan. Meanwhile, Al Jazeera and Reuters are reporting around 100 injured from the clashes near Pan Fa, and that troops were firing on protesters with live ammunition. Two journalists hospitalised, one with a gunshot wound to the leg.

FYI .... the ammo with rubber bullets is considered "live" ammunition. And yes indeed they were firing rubber bullets.

If I'm not mistake no one has been killed and the most seriously injured are soldiers. Including two officers who were reportedly shot with real bullets. hmmm .... wonder who fired those?

It looks like the military is conducting a very well disciplined and effective operation with minimum injuries inflicted ... so far. Let's hope it stays this way.

I know that Al Jazeera is usually the gold standard of journalism, but you'd be shocked how often reporters get their facts wrong.

[pimay11]

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pac...355.html.....at least it is NEWS and not armchair babble...

Thai troops fired live rounds and tear gas directly at protesters, known as "red shirts", at a bridge next to the regional UN headquarters, wounding at least one in the arm, a Reuters' photographer reported on Saturday.

I think Mt Abhisit should start packing his bags and booking a plane ticket if this is what the international press is saying

I suggest him flying to Montenegro . They specialise in ext thai PM

Of course everyone on the planet believes Aljazerra news channel. Of course no babble from these people ever.

[MellowYellow]

I guess threatining the derailing the BTS and destroying the stations is okay. I guess attacking soldiers with sharpened sticks is okay. I guess hiding behind women, children and monks while calling for violence is okay.

You will have to sell your strawman arguments somewhere else. I'm not buying.

I have NOT advocated violence and have CONDEMNED the previous red issued threats of violence.

As or women and children. That is a card straight out of the PAD airport seizure playbook.

[bangkokrick]

What I'm seeing on TV is that journalist are standing on the front lines as the army is firing rubber bullets. Not very smart. ( I think it was recorded footage) NTB

I just saw that. What a dick brain!

Cheers, Rick

[animatic]

Just walked south down Ratchaprarop from Soi Rangnam all the way to the front of Central World. No sign of police or troops anywhere. A huge, HUGE crowd of Reds there stretching north from the intersection all the way up to Pratunam and beyond. Pushing these guys out at this point in time would be, well, pointless. They'd need at least 20000 troops! There'd no doubt be thousands of injuries and probably many deaths. As far as NUMBERS go, it's a much different situation here than over at Makkhawan. Hopefully the Thai leaders are not stupid enough to try anything down there now. I'm guessing they'll try something in the middle of the night when many folks go home.

Well I just got a report from someone, whom I trust as a accurate observer,

who is right there, right now, and he totally contradicts this assessment.

I think by starting the fights at the satellite locations the army drew most of the real nutters out to those locations,

leaving more of a rear guard camp follower group back at central. Easier to deal with, without the hard cases involved too.

I bet getting back to Centralk will be harder tonight that before too.

PS they have 30,000 troupes at least. More likely 50k.

4 am seems a time to catch more than a few alseep at the switch,

and make for a generally cooler days work. well lit area.

Edited April 10, 2010 by animatic

[chadintheusa]

One thing you won't see today is a single member of Thaksin's family facing the riot squad.

Do you really want to see Thaksin's daughter squaring off with Abhisit's daughter in a WWF match?

only if it's mud wrestling.

[MellowYellow]

OK. The most enraging thing about this thread right now IS............................................................

Someone keeps posting with broken quote tags!!!!!!!!

Pls. It is easy. Just make it look like this.

bunch o words...........

[yoshiwara]

OK. We can play!

I guess anything goes as long as you work your group in a frenzy by shouting "THAKSIN THAKSIN THAKSIN!" over and over and over. Chanting that makes anything the military/police do, just fine.

You certainly don't have to shout 'Thaksin, Thaksin, Thaksin',

But we know he is pulling your strings.

People forget that as a strategist he has his weaknesses.

That's why he is in Montenegro.

And not in Thailand.

Suddenly you do not like force when it is used against the Thaksin reds.

But last year the reds were quite happy to use baseball bats and hijacked tankers.

Sorry, your hero Thaksin now says it wasn't the reds.

Fancy that.

Yesterday your team were arrogant.

Violence in the interests of 'democracy' was OK.

Today they drink teargas cocktails.