PM Abhisit's Minefield

[webfact]

ANALYSIS

PM Abhisit's minefield

By Somroutai Sapsomboon

Tulsathit Taptim

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- EC's decision on Democrats adds to multi-pronged pressure faced by PM

In the midst of the political chaos - a situation closer to anarchy, in fact - the Election Commission has dropped a bombshell.

The decision to seek the dissolution of the ruling Democrat Party could not have come at a worse time, from half the nation's perspective at least, but that was probably what the other half of Thailand felt late in 2008, when the People Power Party (PPP) was dissolved right in the middle of the Suvarnabhumi Airport crisis.

So, what's the deal? Why did the EC all of a sudden choose to make an already complicated situation even more so? The real answer could be a complex one - or perhaps not.

Less than two days after the bloodiest political violence in two decades and two hours after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva had vowed to dig himself out of the jam, the EC decided to twist the knife.

Pro-Democrat pessimists see the EC's move as a warning that if Abhisit stubbornly tries to fight on, he might end up "dead on the prime minister's chair", like Somchai Wongsawat before him.

Play safe, dissolve the House and give your party a chance, goes this theory. In other words, if Abhisit chooses to wait until a Constitution Court ruling comes, a guilty verdict would surely hand over power to the Pheu Thai Party camp. It would be automatic, without the need for a general election.

While this theory suggests some kind of a conspiracy - either among the commissioners themselves or between the EC and the Attorney-General's Office, which has to approve the Democrat case and send it to the Constitution Court - another theory is much more straightforward: the commissioners, seeing the political winds starting to shift, could be simply trying to save themselves.

The red shirts besieged the EC headquarters last week and threatened to come back if there was no progress on the long-delayed Democrat case. However, the possibility of another menacing red-shirt rally may not be as scary as the threat of a legal clampdown similar to the one that sent "pro-Thaksin" commissioners to jail a few years ago. Election commissioners may have a prestigious job but, politically and legally speaking, they are among the most vulnerable.

Perhaps the real motive was a simple "Let's pass the buck to the Attorney-General's Office." The latter will have to make a decision within 30 days on what to do with the case. It can pass it to the Constitution Court or tell the EC the case holds no ground, in which case the commission will have to choose whether to drop it or reaffirm the case and be the prosecutor itself.

The real question is whether Abhisit has the luxury of time to wait for those possible developments. The red shirts are still occupying the Rajprasong intersection and are literally calling for his head. The Army, in its attempt to distance itself from Saturday's bloodbath by blaming "politics", seems to be drifting further apart from the government. Coalition allies, meanwhile, are getting increasingly restless.

The increasing pressures - from the red shirts, the Army, coalition allies and the EC - must now be staggering. However, how their different agendas help or make things worse for the Democrats remains to be seen.

The Army wants to make sure the annual reshuffle - to go into effect in October - is not meddled with. Abhisit's allies want to amend the charter first to give themselves better chances in a new election before the prime minister dissolves the House. The red shirts want a House dissolution now.

To add to the complexities, Pheu Thai - the parliamentary arm of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra that is allegedly trying to shake itself from his shadow - does not want to amend the Constitution.

Assuming Abhisit manages to scrape through the highly acrimonious and dangerous aftermath of the bloodshed, he will have three months or so if the dissolution process against the PPP in 2008 is anything to go by. The PPP case stopped for one month at the Attorney-General's Office, and it then took the Constitution Court less then two months to come up with a devastating verdict.

The dust is still up in the air. All of a sudden, Abhisit faces a bigger crisis than did Samak Sundaravej, Somchai Wongsawat and, in many aspects, even Thaksin Shinawatra. Even if he manages to navigate the current minefield, the EC's decision means what awaits him on the other side could be something just as deadly.

-- The Nation 2010-04-14

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[geriatrickid]

However, the possibility of another menacing red-shirt rally may not be as scary as the threat of a legal clampdown similar to the one that sent "pro-Thaksin" commissioners to jail a few years ago. Election commissioners may have a prestigious job but, politically and legally speaking, they are among the most vulnerable.

Bit by bit, the admissions are coming out.

Once again the Thaksin haters will have to go into denial mode and lie. I cannot wait for Anotherpeter to show up and claim that Thaksin was not overthrown and that there was no intereference in respect to the Thaksin proceedings.

[OILMAN13]

It's amazing what a billion can buy these days. A whole country. Thailand R.I.P.

[princejohnjay]

Hahaha...those that claims to be clean seem to be the worse..kettle calling pot black. Nemesis has caught up with Abhisit. He should have been firm when dealing with Thaksin. Abhisit is inteligent but Thaksin is smarter. It's all over for Mr. Abhisit, his days as a PM is being counted right now. hmmmm...I call it politics without experience.

[anotherpeter]

However, the possibility of another menacing red-shirt rally may not be as scary as the threat of a legal clampdown similar to the one that sent "pro-Thaksin" commissioners to jail a few years ago. Election commissioners may have a prestigious job but, politically and legally speaking, they are among the most vulnerable.

Bit by bit, the admissions are coming out.

Once again the Thaksin haters will have to go into denial mode and lie. I cannot wait for Anotherpeter to show up and claim that Thaksin was not overthrown and that there was no intereference in respect to the Thaksin proceedings.

Once again, comments from you saying that the law doesn't matter.

[Paul123456]

The writer seems to be into conspiracy theories - I wonder if he has considered: the court just did their job, made a decision based on the facts presented and pushed forward the date due to the current political chaos.

Not really all that complicated.

It does produce a "minefield" for Abhisit to tackle though - I agree. He is in for a very hard decision making time.

[animatic]

However, the possibility of another menacing red-shirt rally may not be as scary as the threat of a legal clampdown similar to the one that sent "pro-Thaksin" commissioners to jail a few years ago. Election commissioners may have a prestigious job but, politically and legally speaking, they are among the most vulnerable.

Bit by bit, the admissions are coming out.

Once again the Thaksin haters will have to go into denial mode and lie. I cannot wait for Anotherpeter to show up and claim that Thaksin was not overthrown and that there was no intereference in respect to the Thaksin proceedings.

Your reply makes little sense.

The 'Pro-Thaksin EC members" were convicted and jailed fro failing to properly run the 2006 election,

and showing obvious bias towards TRT. They were convicted and uncharacteristically jailed for this.

So whet interference are you claiming?

The current EC members may or may not have been scared into action by the red invasion of their offices,

but if they suspect that Reds will suddenly take power... then they would have reason to think their asses

would be early to the chopping block.

[brahmburgers]

The opinion paper is full of idioms. It's alarmist. Idioms are ok to spice up a text, but they can be overdone.

Many of the idioms refer to death. Some examples of going overboard in order to sell more newspapers:

PM Abhisit's minefield

By Somroutai Sapsomboon

Tulsathit Taptim

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- EC's decision on Democrats adds to multi-pronged pressure faced by PM

In the midst of the political chaos - a situation closer to anarchy, in fact - the Election Commission has dropped a bombshell.

....

Less than two days after the bloodiest political violence in two decades and two hours after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva had vowed to dig himself out of the jam, the EC decided to twist the knife.

Pro-Democrat pessimists see the EC's move as a warning that if Abhisit stubbornly tries to fight on, he might end up "dead on the prime minister's chair", like Somchai Wongsawat before him.

The real question is whether Abhisit has the luxury of time to wait for those possible developments. The red shirts are still occupying the Rajprasong intersection and are literally calling for his head.

Note from BB: if a person is 'literally calling for his head' , then that person is calling for that person to be beheaded. If the word 'literally' is not used, then it's just a colorful idiom.

..... Even if he manages to navigate the current minefield, the EC's decision means what awaits him on the other side could be something just as deadly.

Ok Nation writers, do the reporting, use descriptive language, but please don't go so far as to say people want Abhisit beheaded.

[10027586]

You have 100k people outside your office telling you to give a verdict quickly. Later they show a tendency towards violence. People die. You have family to look after and you've seen that they will go after people indiscriminately, and the state has no power to stop grenade attacks or kidnappings. What are you going to do?

[blackman]

DEADLY CLASHES

Hunt is on for armed terrorists: Suthep

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Deputy PM alleges culprits linked to core DAAD leaders.

Strict measures have been taken to deal with armed terrorists among the redshirt protesters, while the police has launched an investigation into the use of warweapons on soldiers and protesters during the clash on Saturday night.

A police team has been set up to hunt down the men carrying automatic rifles, who in media footage were seen mixing in with the redshirt protesters during clashes at the Khok Wua intersection, Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban, who oversees internal security, said.

"We can't let these terrorists walk free on the streets.

Whoever they are, or work for, they must be arrested," he said, adding that the red shirts were in possession of hundreds of assault rifles that they either confiscated from soldiers or troops had left behind while retreating.

He said the redshirt movement wanted to change the country's system, and did not care about government rule.

Suthep, who is also director of the Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation, alleged that these armed terrorists were connected to core leaders of the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship, adding that some of them had previously worked as guards at various protest sites.

"Once those leaders are arrested terrorism charges might be put against them," he added.

so the tide is turning, the reds who initially blamed the government entirely for the deaths of the red supporters, have now, in a vain attempt to try to cover themselves as this thing unravels, have had to concede that there was a 'third hand' at work amongst them whilst still denying all advance knowledge of any plot to kill reds

this has been revealed despite the reds trying to close down the media, supress evidence, offer no help to authorities to bring these people to justice and trying to explain away about these 'men in black' being simply guards & confiscated weapon carriers to red storage sites

its a media war they have lost, a battle lost to the ordinary people of Thailand that know the difference between right and wrong

ordinary people have had the courage to identify these men in black

in fact the outraged ordinary peoples response has been so prolific that within 72 hours of the massacre its now become common knowledge who the men in black are.

its only a matter of time before they are found and reported to the authorities by those same people

Se Daeng is furious they have been identified and is now publicly threatening that the hunters may become the hunted

so its a tense time for the red leaders and especially for the mercenaries themselves

all the parties involved in this plot, know it will only take the capture of one of them to bring down this entire red deception

the mercenaries should already know that because of their own sloppy work they have become a target themselves simply to shut them up

the red leaders will be advocating that they ought be shut up and fast, to protect them so they cannot implicate them or their paymasters

they know if one of these people is captured and talks to the government, this is all over for the reds movement forever

even the most ardent red supporter would not stand for their own people being shot to make a political point

if the truth comes out, the red leaders who conspired with sa daeng and the mercenaries in this massacre will not need to be arrested by the government

they will be killed by their own people

Abhisit should make some moves to help the mercenaries, the reds and Thailand out of this dilemma:

the government should offer a bounty of 20 million baht to the first mercenary to be handed over to the government

they should be interogated and be made to tell who, what, where and when.

if they were to hand themselves in voluntarily then the mercenaries should be offered amnesty, big money and a new identity, if they will tell them everything they know and testify against their bosses

i realise this is an unpleasant scenario but when when considers whats at stake, its a prudent move

the alternative is not attractive for the mercenaries

the hunt is on for them by some very determined people out to avenge the death of their colleagues

they could surrender to the authorities and reap the benefits of a settlement and amnesty or they will eventually be killed by their own people to keep them quiet

in their line of work, they should know this already

if not someone should make them aware of whats likely to happen and quick before they dissapear................ permanently.

[geriatrickid]

However, the possibility of another menacing red-shirt rally may not be as scary as the threat of a legal clampdown similar to the one that sent "pro-Thaksin" commissioners to jail a few years ago. Election commissioners may have a prestigious job but, politically and legally speaking, they are among the most vulnerable.

Bit by bit, the admissions are coming out.

Once again the Thaksin haters will have to go into denial mode and lie. I cannot wait for Anotherpeter to show up and claim that Thaksin was not overthrown and that there was no intereference in respect to the Thaksin proceedings.

Your reply makes little sense.

The 'Pro-Thaksin EC members" were convicted and jailed fro failing to properly run the 2006 election,

and showing obvious bias towards TRT. They were convicted and uncharacteristically jailed for this.

So whet interference are you claiming?

The current EC members may or may not have been scared into action by the red invasion of their offices,

but if they suspect that Reds will suddenly take power... then they would have reason to think their asses

would be early to the chopping block.

Nice spin. I offer that the charges were politically motivated. Will you respect a court verdict if the current commissioners are convicted when the Red Shirts take power?

Change is coming.

Who knows, maybe it will visit you on Samui.

Hey Mr. poet, consider this scenario;

Them -knock, knock

You- Who's there?

Them- It is us.

You- Who's that?

Them- Justice. Come fly with us.

You -Oh noooooooooooooooooo. The poor people have found me and i am doomed. wahhhhhhhhhh.

[geriatrickid]

However, the possibility of another menacing red-shirt rally may not be as scary as the threat of a legal clampdown similar to the one that sent "pro-Thaksin" commissioners to jail a few years ago. Election commissioners may have a prestigious job but, politically and legally speaking, they are among the most vulnerable.

Bit by bit, the admissions are coming out.

Once again the Thaksin haters will have to go into denial mode and lie. I cannot wait for Anotherpeter to show up and claim that Thaksin was not overthrown and that there was no intereference in respect to the Thaksin proceedings.

Once again, comments from you saying that the law doesn't matter.

Where did I write that? But thanks for showing up on cue.

Feeling queasy yet?

Nervous?

The Red Shirts are coming

[LuckyLew]

You have 100k people outside your office telling you to give a verdict quickly. Later they show a tendency towards violence. People die. You have family to look after and you've seen that they will go after people indiscriminately, and the state has no power to stop grenade attacks or kidnappings. What are you going to do?

He propose a crackdown on ...........

Before Thailand becomes a hub for ...........

[anotherpeter]

However, the possibility of another menacing red-shirt rally may not be as scary as the threat of a legal clampdown similar to the one that sent "pro-Thaksin" commissioners to jail a few years ago. Election commissioners may have a prestigious job but, politically and legally speaking, they are among the most vulnerable.

Bit by bit, the admissions are coming out.

Once again the Thaksin haters will have to go into denial mode and lie. I cannot wait for Anotherpeter to show up and claim that Thaksin was not overthrown and that there was no intereference in respect to the Thaksin proceedings.

Once again, comments from you saying that the law doesn't matter.

Where did I write that? But thanks for showing up on cue.

Feeling queasy yet?

Nervous?

The Red Shirts are coming

I am feeling queasy. The idea of these "democratic" reds being in charge of Thailand makes me sick. Red leaders talking about "acceptable losses". Red leaders that threaten violence against any opposition.

Thailand isn't perfect under the current administration, but it was moving forward.

The reds aren't interested in moving forwards. They only want to go back to the corruption of Thaksin.

It will be a HUGE step backwards with the current reds in power and the return of Thaksin.

[rreddin]

The writer seems to be into conspiracy theories - I wonder if he has considered: the court just did their job, made a decision based on the facts presented and pushed forward the date due to the current political chaos.

Not really all that complicated.

It does produce a "minefield" for Abhisit to tackle though - I agree. He is in for a very hard decision making time.

Given the present circumstancs, it is most likely that the court did its job. There is no way that the A-G is not going to support the case against the democrat party. Bureacracy is the universal constant. The Mandarins are protecting their position and will leave it to the courts to make the final decision.

Where does that leave Khun Abhisit? My guess is that he will try to hold out untill the Attorney General makes a decision on the case. If the A-G supports the case as I believe they will do, then Abhisit will disolve Parliament and resign as PM. I doubt very much he will risk his party being dissolved and the government being handed over to his political foes. In the meantime, watch out for the emergence of a new political party.

[lensta]

DEADLY CLASHES

Hunt is on for armed terrorists: Suthep

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Deputy PM alleges culprits linked to core DAAD leaders.

Strict measures have been taken to deal with armed terrorists among the redshirt protesters, while the police has launched an investigation into the use of warweapons on soldiers and protesters during the clash on Saturday night.

A police team has been set up to hunt down the men carrying automatic rifles, who in media footage were seen mixing in with the redshirt protesters during clashes at the Khok Wua intersection, Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban, who oversees internal security, said.

"We can't let these terrorists walk free on the streets.

Whoever they are, or work for, they must be arrested," he said, adding that the red shirts were in possession of hundreds of assault rifles that they either confiscated from soldiers or troops had left behind while retreating.

He said the redshirt movement wanted to change the country's system, and did not care about government rule.

Suthep, who is also director of the Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation, alleged that these armed terrorists were connected to core leaders of the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship, adding that some of them had previously worked as guards at various protest sites.

"Once those leaders are arrested terrorism charges might be put against them," he added.

so the tide is turning, the reds who initially blamed the government entirely for the deaths of the red supporters, have now, in a vain attempt to try to cover themselves as this thing unravels, have had to concede that there was a 'third hand' at work amongst them whilst still denying all advance knowledge of any plot to kill reds

this has been revealed despite the reds trying to close down the media, supress evidence, offer no help to authorities to bring these people to justice and trying to explain away about these 'men in black' being simply guards & confiscated weapon carriers to red storage sites

its a media war they have lost, a battle lost to the ordinary people of Thailand that know the difference between right and wrong

ordinary people have had the courage to identify these men in black

in fact the outraged ordinary peoples response has been so prolific that within 72 hours of the massacre its now become common knowledge who the men in black are.

its only a matter of time before they are found and reported to the authorities by those same people

Se Daeng is furious they have been identified and is now publicly threatening that the hunters may become the hunted

so its a tense time for the red leaders and especially for the mercenaries themselves

all the parties involved in this plot, know it will only take the capture of one of them to bring down this entire red deception

the mercenaries should already know that because of their own sloppy work they have become a target themselves simply to shut them up

the red leaders will be advocating that they ought be shut up and fast, to protect them so they cannot implicate them or their paymasters

they know if one of these people is captured and talks to the government, this is all over for the reds movement forever

even the most ardent red supporter would not stand for their own people being shot to make a political point

if the truth comes out, the red leaders who conspired with sa daeng and the mercenaries in this massacre will not need to be arrested by the government

they will be killed by their own people

Abhisit should make some moves to help the mercenaries, the reds and Thailand out of this dilemma:

the government should offer a bounty of 20 million baht to the first mercenary to be handed over to the government

they should be interogated and be made to tell who, what, where and when.

if they were to hand themselves in voluntarily then the mercenaries should be offered amnesty, big money and a new identity, if they will tell them everything they know and testify against their bosses

i realise this is an unpleasant scenario but when when considers whats at stake, its a prudent move

the alternative is not attractive for the mercenaries

the hunt is on for them by some very determined people out to avenge the death of their colleagues

they could surrender to the authorities and reap the benefits of a settlement and amnesty or they will eventually be killed by their own people to keep them quiet

in their line of work, they should know this already

if not someone should make them aware of whats likely to happen and quick before they dissapear................ permanently.

Of course Suthep Thaugsuban is going to try and save his ass by pointing the finger at the Reds. He sure as hel l doesn't want to take responsibility for the deaths of 21 paople on Saturday. I have no doubt that he will come up with some dubious evidence that links the terorists with the Red leadership.

[bangkokrick]

However, the possibility of another menacing red-shirt rally may not be as scary as the threat of a legal clampdown similar to the one that sent "pro-Thaksin" commissioners to jail a few years ago. Election commissioners may have a prestigious job but, politically and legally speaking, they are among the most vulnerable.

Bit by bit, the admissions are coming out.

Once again the Thaksin haters will have to go into denial mode and lie. I cannot wait for Anotherpeter to show up and claim that Thaksin was not overthrown and that there was no intereference in respect to the Thaksin proceedings.

Once again, comments from you saying that the law doesn't matter.

Where did I write that? But thanks for showing up on cue.

Feeling queasy yet?

Nervous?

The Red Shirts are coming

I am feeling queasy. The idea of these "democratic" reds being in charge of Thailand makes me sick. Red leaders talking about "acceptable losses". Red leaders that threaten violence against any opposition.

Thailand isn't perfect under the current administration, but it was moving forward.

The reds aren't interested in moving forwards. They only want to go back to the corruption of Thaksin.

It will be a HUGE step backwards with the current reds in power and the return of Thaksin.

I agree Peter. It makes me wonder why any farang who lives in Thailand would want Thaksin to return. He has been discouraged from entering to numerous Countries and in fact banned from entering the UK and Germany. This guy has a long memory and there will for sure be a payback in one way or another upon his return.

In my opinion he was not and is not the right man to take Thailand forward.

Cheers, Rick

[Thormaturge]

So the Red shirt movement, with which Thaksin has no official connection, has done the same to Abhisit that the Yellow shirt movement, with which Abhisit had no official connection, did to Thaksin.

Abhisit should not be entirely surprised, but maybe he is.

Thaksin may be many things, but stupid isn't one of them.

[10027586]

Thaksin may be many things, but stupid isn't one of them.

Not stupid perhaps, but a dangerous psychopath who'll do anything for money and power certainly. We should ALL be concerned about that.

[RussellHantz]

Thaksin may be many things, but stupid isn't one of them.

Not stupid perhaps, but a dangerous psychopath who'll do anything for money and power certainly. We should ALL be concerned about that.

Thaksin isnt a dangerous psychopath, he is just a man seeking justice

[blackman]

DEADLY CLASHES

Hunt is on for armed terrorists: Suthep

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Deputy PM alleges culprits linked to core DAAD leaders.

Strict measures have been taken to deal with armed terrorists among the redshirt protesters, while the police has launched an investigation into the use of warweapons on soldiers and protesters during the clash on Saturday night.

A police team has been set up to hunt down the men carrying automatic rifles, who in media footage were seen mixing in with the redshirt protesters during clashes at the Khok Wua intersection, Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban, who oversees internal security, said.

"We can't let these terrorists walk free on the streets.

Whoever they are, or work for, they must be arrested," he said, adding that the red shirts were in possession of hundreds of assault rifles that they either confiscated from soldiers or troops had left behind while retreating.

He said the redshirt movement wanted to change the country's system, and did not care about government rule.

Suthep, who is also director of the Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation, alleged that these armed terrorists were connected to core leaders of the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship, adding that some of them had previously worked as guards at various protest sites.

"Once those leaders are arrested terrorism charges might be put against them," he added.

so the tide is turning, the reds who initially blamed the government entirely for the deaths of the red supporters, have now, in a vain attempt to try to cover themselves as this thing unravels, have had to concede that there was a 'third hand' at work amongst them whilst still denying all advance knowledge of any plot to kill reds

this has been revealed despite the reds trying to close down the media, supress evidence, offer no help to authorities to bring these people to justice and trying to explain away about these 'men in black' being simply guards & confiscated weapon carriers to red storage sites

its a media war they have lost, a battle lost to the ordinary people of Thailand that know the difference between right and wrong

ordinary people have had the courage to identify these men in black

in fact the outraged ordinary peoples response has been so prolific that within 72 hours of the massacre its now become common knowledge who the men in black are.

its only a matter of time before they are found and reported to the authorities by those same people

Se Daeng is furious they have been identified and is now publicly threatening that the hunters may become the hunted

so its a tense time for the red leaders and especially for the mercenaries themselves

all the parties involved in this plot, know it will only take the capture of one of them to bring down this entire red deception

the mercenaries should already know that because of their own sloppy work they have become a target themselves simply to shut them up

the red leaders will be advocating that they ought be shut up and fast, to protect them so they cannot implicate them or their paymasters

they know if one of these people is captured and talks to the government, this is all over for the reds movement forever

even the most ardent red supporter would not stand for their own people being shot to make a political point

if the truth comes out, the red leaders who conspired with sa daeng and the mercenaries in this massacre will not need to be arrested by the government

they will be killed by their own people

Abhisit should make some moves to help the mercenaries, the reds and Thailand out of this dilemma:

the government should offer a bounty of 20 million baht to the first mercenary to be handed over to the government

they should be interogated and be made to tell who, what, where and when.

if they were to hand themselves in voluntarily then the mercenaries should be offered amnesty, big money and a new identity, if they will tell them everything they know and testify against their bosses

i realise this is an unpleasant scenario but when when considers whats at stake, its a prudent move

the alternative is not attractive for the mercenaries

the hunt is on for them by some very determined people out to avenge the death of their colleagues

they could surrender to the authorities and reap the benefits of a settlement and amnesty or they will eventually be killed by their own people to keep them quiet

in their line of work, they should know this already

if not someone should make them aware of whats likely to happen and quick before they dissapear................ permanently.

Of course Suthep Thaugsuban is going to try and save his ass by pointing the finger at the Reds. He sure as hel l doesn't want to take responsibility for the deaths of 21 paople on Saturday. I have no doubt that he will come up with some dubious evidence that links the terorists with the Red leadership.

there will be no need for Suthep to try save his ass when they have 'terrorist' in custody, and they will get one in custody, mark my words

the mercenary will be the one pointing the finger at the red leadership and his evidence will be incontravertable

soon he will have no choice but to turn himself in and cut a deal, he is likely already a target for assassination by the red leaderships militia

if he wants to live he will be far safer with the government than with the reds

if i were one of them i would be on the phone to Suthep making a deal right now.

Edited April 14, 2010 by blackman

[Neurath]

Thaksin may be many things, but stupid isn't one of them.

Not stupid perhaps, but a dangerous psychopath who'll do anything for money and power certainly. We should ALL be concerned about that.

Thaksin isnt a dangerous psychopath, he is just a man seeking justice

Is that a denominated currency?

[blackman]

Thaksin may be many things, but stupid isn't one of them.

Not stupid perhaps, but a dangerous psychopath who'll do anything for money and power certainly. We should ALL be concerned about that.

Thaksin isnt a dangerous psychopath, he is just a man seeking justice

as Thailand seeks justice from him

[Throatwobbler]

However, the possibility of another menacing red-shirt rally may not be as scary as the threat of a legal clampdown similar to the one that sent "pro-Thaksin" commissioners to jail a few years ago. Election commissioners may have a prestigious job but, politically and legally speaking, they are among the most vulnerable.

Bit by bit, the admissions are coming out.

Once again the Thaksin haters will have to go into denial mode and lie. I cannot wait for Anotherpeter to show up and claim that Thaksin was not overthrown and that there was no intereference in respect to the Thaksin proceedings.

Once again, comments from you saying that the law doesn't matter.

Where did I write that? But thanks for showing up on cue.

Feeling queasy yet?

Nervous?

The Red Shirts are coming

Everyone should be nervous about that. An angry Thaksin coming back, looking for revenge. Doesn't sound like a good idea to me

[ChiangMaiFun]

Thaksin may be many things, but stupid isn't one of them.

Not stupid perhaps, but a dangerous psychopath who'll do anything for money and power certainly. We should ALL be concerned about that.

you're a trained Psychiatrist now? leave his state of mind to the professionals

[EYETRONBKK]

However, the possibility of another menacing red-shirt rally may not be as scary as the threat of a legal clampdown similar to the one that sent "pro-Thaksin" commissioners to jail a few years ago. Election commissioners may have a prestigious job but, politically and legally speaking, they are among the most vulnerable.

Bit by bit, the admissions are coming out.

Once again the Thaksin haters will have to go into denial mode and lie. I cannot wait for Anotherpeter to show up and claim that Thaksin was not overthrown and that there was no intereference in respect to the Thaksin proceedings.

Well well it seems that the anti-corruption court (EC) have shifted their attention lately to some other crooks

[lensta]

DEADLY CLASHES

Hunt is on for armed terrorists: Suthep

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Deputy PM alleges culprits linked to core DAAD leaders.

Strict measures have been taken to deal with armed terrorists among the redshirt protesters, while the police has launched an investigation into the use of warweapons on soldiers and protesters during the clash on Saturday night.

A police team has been set up to hunt down the men carrying automatic rifles, who in media footage were seen mixing in with the redshirt protesters during clashes at the Khok Wua intersection, Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban, who oversees internal security, said.

"We can't let these terrorists walk free on the streets.

Whoever they are, or work for, they must be arrested," he said, adding that the red shirts were in possession of hundreds of assault rifles that they either confiscated from soldiers or troops had left behind while retreating.

He said the redshirt movement wanted to change the country's system, and did not care about government rule.

Suthep, who is also director of the Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation, alleged that these armed terrorists were connected to core leaders of the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship, adding that some of them had previously worked as guards at various protest sites.

"Once those leaders are arrested terrorism charges might be put against them," he added.

so the tide is turning, the reds who initially blamed the government entirely for the deaths of the red supporters, have now, in a vain attempt to try to cover themselves as this thing unravels, have had to concede that there was a 'third hand' at work amongst them whilst still denying all advance knowledge of any plot to kill reds

this has been revealed despite the reds trying to close down the media, supress evidence, offer no help to authorities to bring these people to justice and trying to explain away about these 'men in black' being simply guards & confiscated weapon carriers to red storage sites

its a media war they have lost, a battle lost to the ordinary people of Thailand that know the difference between right and wrong

ordinary people have had the courage to identify these men in black

in fact the outraged ordinary peoples response has been so prolific that within 72 hours of the massacre its now become common knowledge who the men in black are.

its only a matter of time before they are found and reported to the authorities by those same people

Se Daeng is furious they have been identified and is now publicly threatening that the hunters may become the hunted

so its a tense time for the red leaders and especially for the mercenaries themselves

all the parties involved in this plot, know it will only take the capture of one of them to bring down this entire red deception

the mercenaries should already know that because of their own sloppy work they have become a target themselves simply to shut them up

the red leaders will be advocating that they ought be shut up and fast, to protect them so they cannot implicate them or their paymasters

they know if one of these people is captured and talks to the government, this is all over for the reds movement forever

even the most ardent red supporter would not stand for their own people being shot to make a political point

if the truth comes out, the red leaders who conspired with sa daeng and the mercenaries in this massacre will not need to be arrested by the government

they will be killed by their own people

Abhisit should make some moves to help the mercenaries, the reds and Thailand out of this dilemma:

the government should offer a bounty of 20 million baht to the first mercenary to be handed over to the government

they should be interogated and be made to tell who, what, where and when.

if they were to hand themselves in voluntarily then the mercenaries should be offered amnesty, big money and a new identity, if they will tell them everything they know and testify against their bosses

i realise this is an unpleasant scenario but when when considers whats at stake, its a prudent move

the alternative is not attractive for the mercenaries

the hunt is on for them by some very determined people out to avenge the death of their colleagues

they could surrender to the authorities and reap the benefits of a settlement and amnesty or they will eventually be killed by their own people to keep them quiet

in their line of work, they should know this already

if not someone should make them aware of whats likely to happen and quick before they dissapear................ permanently.

Of course Suthep Thaugsuban is going to try and save his ass by pointing the finger at the Reds. He sure as hel l doesn't want to take responsibility for the deaths of 21 paople on Saturday. I have no doubt that he will come up with some dubious evidence that links the terorists with the Red leadership.

there will be no need for Suthep to try save his ass when they have 'terrorist' in custody, and they will get one in custody, mark my words

the mercenary will be the one pointing the finger at the red leadership and his evidence will be incontravertable

soon he will have no choice but to turn himself in and cut a deal, he is likely already a target for assassination by the red leaderships militia

if he wants to live he will be far safer with the government than with the reds

if i were one of them i would be on the phone to Suthep making a deal right now.

I have no doubt the goverment will parade someone as one of the terrorists but and it is a big but whether it is actually someone that was responsible for the carnage that took place or just a convenient scape goat is very open to question.

[blackman]

DEADLY CLASHES

Hunt is on for armed terrorists: Suthep

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Deputy PM alleges culprits linked to core DAAD leaders.

Strict measures have been taken to deal with armed terrorists among the redshirt protesters, while the police has launched an investigation into the use of warweapons on soldiers and protesters during the clash on Saturday night.

A police team has been set up to hunt down the men carrying automatic rifles, who in media footage were seen mixing in with the redshirt protesters during clashes at the Khok Wua intersection, Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban, who oversees internal security, said.

"We can't let these terrorists walk free on the streets.

Whoever they are, or work for, they must be arrested," he said, adding that the red shirts were in possession of hundreds of assault rifles that they either confiscated from soldiers or troops had left behind while retreating.

He said the redshirt movement wanted to change the country's system, and did not care about government rule.

Suthep, who is also director of the Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation, alleged that these armed terrorists were connected to core leaders of the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship, adding that some of them had previously worked as guards at various protest sites.

"Once those leaders are arrested terrorism charges might be put against them," he added.

so the tide is turning, the reds who initially blamed the government entirely for the deaths of the red supporters, have now, in a vain attempt to try to cover themselves as this thing unravels, have had to concede that there was a 'third hand' at work amongst them whilst still denying all advance knowledge of any plot to kill reds

this has been revealed despite the reds trying to close down the media, supress evidence, offer no help to authorities to bring these people to justice and trying to explain away about these 'men in black' being simply guards & confiscated weapon carriers to red storage sites

its a media war they have lost, a battle lost to the ordinary people of Thailand that know the difference between right and wrong

ordinary people have had the courage to identify these men in black

in fact the outraged ordinary peoples response has been so prolific that within 72 hours of the massacre its now become common knowledge who the men in black are.

its only a matter of time before they are found and reported to the authorities by those same people

Se Daeng is furious they have been identified and is now publicly threatening that the hunters may become the hunted

so its a tense time for the red leaders and especially for the mercenaries themselves

all the parties involved in this plot, know it will only take the capture of one of them to bring down this entire red deception

the mercenaries should already know that because of their own sloppy work they have become a target themselves simply to shut them up

the red leaders will be advocating that they ought be shut up and fast, to protect them so they cannot implicate them or their paymasters

they know if one of these people is captured and talks to the government, this is all over for the reds movement forever

even the most ardent red supporter would not stand for their own people being shot to make a political point

if the truth comes out, the red leaders who conspired with sa daeng and the mercenaries in this massacre will not need to be arrested by the government

they will be killed by their own people

Abhisit should make some moves to help the mercenaries, the reds and Thailand out of this dilemma:

the government should offer a bounty of 20 million baht to the first mercenary to be handed over to the government

they should be interogated and be made to tell who, what, where and when.

if they were to hand themselves in voluntarily then the mercenaries should be offered amnesty, big money and a new identity, if they will tell them everything they know and testify against their bosses

i realise this is an unpleasant scenario but when when considers whats at stake, its a prudent move

the alternative is not attractive for the mercenaries

the hunt is on for them by some very determined people out to avenge the death of their colleagues

they could surrender to the authorities and reap the benefits of a settlement and amnesty or they will eventually be killed by their own people to keep them quiet

in their line of work, they should know this already

if not someone should make them aware of whats likely to happen and quick before they dissapear................ permanently.

Of course Suthep Thaugsuban is going to try and save his ass by pointing the finger at the Reds. He sure as hel l doesn't want to take responsibility for the deaths of 21 paople on Saturday. I have no doubt that he will come up with some dubious evidence that links the terorists with the Red leadership.

there will be no need for Suthep to try save his ass when they have 'terrorist' in custody, and they will get one in custody, mark my words

the mercenary will be the one pointing the finger at the red leadership and his evidence will be incontravertable

soon he will have no choice but to turn himself in and cut a deal, he is likely already a target for assassination by the red leaderships militia

if he wants to live he will be far safer with the government than with the reds

if i were one of them i would be on the phone to Suthep making a deal right now.

I have no doubt the goverment will parade someone as one of the terrorists but and it is a big but whether it is actually someone that was responsible for the carnage that took place or just a convenient scape goat is very open to question.

it might be difficult to introduce an imposter with the correct credentials and a verified money trail after they have been publicly named

if it was that easy i would turn myself in and make a lucrative amnesty deal, with a book rights and a movie package

Black masked gunmen from weekend bloodshed identified

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Names of armed gunmen in black firing at authorities during the 10 April bloodshed have been identified by the Democrat party.

Democrat Party Spokesperson MD Buranaj Smutharaks stated that black clad gunmen spotted during the recent bloody clash between authorities and the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) have been given names.

Security officials have been tasked with making the apprehension of the gunmen a priority. The discovery of the interlopers has lended an increased sense of unease to the already tense situation.

MD Buranaj used footage of the gunmen to indicate that they were trained and sent in disguised to exacerbate the engagement of authorities and protesters.

The spokesperson has asked all sectors cooperate and inform authorities immediately if have any information as to the whereabouts of the gunmen.

-- NNT 2010-04-14

[KKvampire]

Yes.. RIP Thailand. One person waiting to be the next President when a certain day comes and mixture of Red and Yellows amongst others ready fight to the Death with weapons that seep easily over Thailands Borders

[tominbkk]

Thaksin isnt a dangerous psychopath, he is just a man seeking justice

Nah, he's really nuts, Idi Amin nuts. I predict mass genocide when and if Thaksin assumes the head of nation. He needs the pressure released from his skull.