Red Shirt Leaders Flee As Thai Forces Surround Hotel

[webfact]

Red Shirt leaders flee as Thai forces surround hotel

by Thanaporn Promyamyai

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thai security forces surrounded a hotel Friday where leaders of the "Red Shirt" protest movement were holed up, but failed to make any arrests after the suspects fled, officials said.

Television footage showed one of the protest leaders climbing down a rope to escape from the SC Park Hotel as Red Shirt demonstrators massed outside.

Special forces surrounded the building, where "terrorists" and leaders of the red-clad protest movement were hiding, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban announced in a nationally televised address.

One Red Shirt leader, Arisman Pongruangrong, was seen descending a rope to leave the hotel in Bangkok's northern outskirts and the movement said all its leaders had managed to escape.

A government spokesman admitted that the operation was "unsuccessful."

Arisman, who led the protesters' storming of parliament earlier this month, told supporters by megaphone he had escaped an assassination attempt.

"He wanted to kill me. The policeman tried to kill me," Arisman told the assembled Red Shirts amid chaotic scenes outside the hotel.

The authorities, meanwhile, urged thousands of protesters massed in the commercial district to leave the area, warning that they were ready to take "decisive measures" following the worst civil violence in almost two decades.

"Innocent people should leave the protests because the authorities have to take decisive measures against terrorists," Suthep said.

Red Shirts later gathered outside the hotel, scuffling with riot police who were guarding the building.

"If today is the end, we're ready," Reds leader Nattawut Saikuar said from the rally stage in the commercial hub, urging protesters to go to the hotel.

The hotel is believed to be owned by fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, political icon of the red-clad protest movement that has been rallying for more than a month in Bangkok to demand immediate elections.

Arrest warrants have also been issued for leaders of the Red Shirt protesters, some of whom stormed parliament earlier this month.

The Reds charge that the government is illegitimate because it came to power in 2008 after a court ousted Thaksin's allies from power.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has blamed "terrorists" for inciting last weekend's violent street clashes, which left at least 23 people dead and more than 800 wounded.

Saturday's clashes erupted as the army tried unsuccessfully to clear an area in Bangkok's old city, sparking street battles involving soldiers, red-clad protesters and unidentified gunmen described as "terrorists" by the government.

The Reds have challenged the government's assertion that there were M16 and AK47 assault rifles among the protesters.

The army has said live shots were fired only in the air or by troops providing cover for soldiers who were themselves under fire.

The authorities have said they will not try to put down peaceful rallies but have urged the Reds to leave the commercial district, where they have disrupted traffic and caused major shopping centres to close.

Leaders of the red-clad movement have said there is no point in further talks, demanding immediate elections.

Negotiations last month between the two sides ended in stalemate after the Reds rejected the government's offer to hold polls at the end of the year.

The government, which imposed a state of emergency in Bangkok and surrounding areas a week ago, has accused Thaksin of stoking the unrest.

Eighteen civilians, including a Japanese cameraman, and five soldiers were killed in the clashes, with more than 800 injured, according to the Erawan emergency centre.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-04-16

Published with written approval from AFP.

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

Arisman flees arrest

[blackman]

the SC Park Hotel

http://www.scparkhotel.com/

this hotel is known to be owned by the fugitive Thaksin

it should be closed forthwith for harbouring wanted fugitives

if they refuse to close then cut the power, water supplies, revoke all the drink, dining and dancing licenses and arrest the management for aiding and abetting fugitives

send the staff home on full pay at the hotels expense

this is a message that should be relayed to all other hotels anywhere in the kingdom, that accept red shirts under arrest warrant as hotel guests

if the red leaders want to be at one with their red brethren then let them sleep on the floor in the street with them instead of bunking up in a 4* hotel

[londonthai]

good on them.

trying to arrest political leaders just a few hours after offering the next round of political talks, was a bad move from the government. Who is going to take them seriously?

ps great publicity for the hotel, they would be on every tv news around the world - advertising worth tens of millions $

Edited April 16, 2010 by londonthai

[grandpops]

Cretins.

The Government has managed to find a few top cops that will obey its rules.

The rank and file however are having second thoughts.

Like the Italians in the last war, they are capable of more fight than this. Trouble is, the rank and file are mostly red, their families are mostly red.

So much for the offer of talks. No more talks I say, starve the business community out now. All the yellow supporters backers are now loosing big money.

Obama was so concerned yesterday with the Thais running round screaming "Terrorist" that he held a press conference.... and announce a mission to Mars!

[Tod Daniels]

I thought the red leaders said "we are not afraid", "we have nothing to fear".

You can sure see the fear in Arisman's eyes as he dangles from that rope.

Note to Arisman; lose a few kilos, you could certainly stand to.. ..

What a bummer that the Police couldn’t catch them. ..

Oh well, back to the “dog and pony show”; err I mean the red mob rally; already in progress. …

[blackman]

good on them

shame on you

another red shirted bleeding heart who thinks lawlessness, murder and bully boy intimidation is acceptable

[CosmicSurfer]

As I said in the other closed thread....

Don't any of the security forces own a Helicopter???

Why wasn't the arrest and capture carried out by landing a Helicopter on the Roof???

Why weren't these guys taken out by AIR so as to avoid any confrontation with the crowd?

Why aren't all these incompetent watermelons FIRED immediately???

CS

[tonywebster]

the guy wearing the plastic britsh policemans helmet in that video, hilarious

Inept from top to bottom, either that or the police had no intention to arrest them and just went through the motions. Maybe the Government should recruit the yellow shirts that post on here, they seem to be the only ones with the vitriol to follow through, although they would probably not be so brave without the anonymity the computer gives them.

[Thai at Heart]

I thought the red leaders said "we are not afraid", "we have nothing to fear".

You can sure see the fear in Arisman's eyes as he dangles from that rope.

Note to Arisman; lose a few kilos, you could certainly stand to.. ..

What a bummer that the Police couldn’t catch them. ..

Oh well, back to the “dog and pony show”; err I mean the red mob rally; already in progress. …

Seems like the they don't much to fear from the law.

They are apparently UNTOUCHABLE. But then that simply means they have joined a rather large illustrious group of protesters of various colours that has been growing for the last couple of years.

[way2muchcoffee]

Cretins.

The Government has managed to find a few top cops that will obey its rules.

The rank and file however are having second thoughts.

Like the Italians in the last war, they are capable of more fight than this. Trouble is, the rank and file are mostly red, their families are mostly red.

So much for the offer of talks. No more talks I say, starve the business community out now. All the yellow supporters backers are now loosing big money.

Obama was so concerned yesterday with the Thais running round screaming "Terrorist" that he held a press conference.... and announce a mission to Mars!

So now you have joined the ranks of armed terrorists bent on sewing violence and mayhem in the streets of Bangkok? Good to know.

Edited April 16, 2010 by way2muchcoffee

[grandpops]

As I said in the other closed thread....

Don't any of the security forces own a Helicopter???

Why wasn't the arrest and capture carried out by landing a Helicopter on the Roof???

Why weren't these guys taken out by AIR so as to avoid any confrontation with the crowd?

Why aren't all these incompetent watermelons FIRED immediately???

CS

Ok I'll type slowly.

They

don't

want

to

catch

them.

Only a few at the top want to do the Governments dirty work. Big loss of face again for em!

[ianwuk]

It's a pantomime and everyone has free seats.

ianwuk

[tonywebster]

Cretins.

The Government has managed to find a few top cops that will obey its rules.

The rank and file however are having second thoughts.

Like the Italians in the last war, they are capable of more fight than this. Trouble is, the rank and file are mostly red, their families are mostly red.

So much for the offer of talks. No more talks I say, starve the business community out now. All the yellow supporters backers are now loosing big money.

Obama was so concerned yesterday with the Thais running round screaming "Terrorist" that he held a press conference.... and announce a mission to Mars!

So now you have joined the ranks of armed terrorists bent on sewing violence and mayhem in the streets of Bangkok? Good to know.

That is no way to talk about the army

Go on. call me a terrorist now as well because my opinion differs from yours

[saintofsilence]

good on them.

trying to arrest political leaders just a few hours after offering the next round of political talks, was a bad move from the government. Who is going to take them seriously?

ps great publicity for the hotel, they would be on every tv news around the world - advertising worth tens of millions $

Another intelligent alien

[petedk]

As I said in the other closed thread....

Don't any of the security forces own a Helicopter???

Why wasn't the arrest and capture carried out by landing a Helicopter on the Roof???

Why weren't these guys taken out by AIR so as to avoid any confrontation with the crowd?

Why aren't all these incompetent watermelons FIRED immediately???

CS

Did you see the list of captured weapons?

One of them was an anti-aircraft gun. Maybe they are afraid of being shot down.

[davelec]

As I said in the other closed thread....

Don't any of the security forces own a Helicopter???

Why wasn't the arrest and capture carried out by landing a Helicopter on the Roof???

Why weren't these guys taken out by AIR so as to avoid any confrontation with the crowd?

Why aren't all these incompetent watermelons FIRED immediately???

CS

Ok I'll type slowly.

They

don't

want

to

catch

them.

Only a few at the top want to do the Governments dirty work. Big loss of face again for em!

You are right, soon the only option the government will have is shooting their own people again (or trying to) as they are desperate to avoid defeat at an election.

[Juzrelax]

It's a real shame that the authorities can't get anything right. It's amazing how they continue to stuff everything up.

[way2muchcoffee]

Cretins.

The Government has managed to find a few top cops that will obey its rules.

The rank and file however are having second thoughts.

Like the Italians in the last war, they are capable of more fight than this. Trouble is, the rank and file are mostly red, their families are mostly red.

So much for the offer of talks. No more talks I say, starve the business community out now. All the yellow supporters backers are now loosing big money.

Obama was so concerned yesterday with the Thais running round screaming "Terrorist" that he held a press conference.... and announce a mission to Mars!

So now you have joined the ranks of armed terrorists bent on sewing violence and mayhem in the streets of Bangkok? Good to know.

That is no way to talk about the army

Go on. call me a terrorist now as well because my opinion differs from yours

This isn't about opinion tonywebster. Supporting this redshirt movement is supporting terrorists. Or would you prefer to call them freedom fighters?

[philw]

good on them.

trying to arrest political leaders just a few hours after offering the next round of political talks, was a bad move from the government. Who is going to take them seriously?

Yep.

Offer talks whilst planning arrests is only not exactly going to help win trust and discourse which is the only way to prevent more deaths.

Both side are wrong and the divide is steadily growing.

As a side note the police and military seem to be setting new world records for total incompetence...........

At some point they will sadly try again with even higher casualties......

Ph

[humfurry]

Forget about arresting them, just snipers to take them out at this time. They are bunch of terrorist that will not respect the law. And if any case they are cornered they will flee the country any ways. They care about their own interests more than the countries interests

I've talked to many Thais (women mostly who work in the Chidlom and Siam area and they feel just about the same as you do.

It seems their thinking is that the Reds are killing the economy so it's OK to kill the Reds.

That's a bit drastic in my opinion... but people here are losing their patience.

[danc]

the guy wearing the plastic britsh policemans helmet in that video, hilarious

Inept from top to bottom, either that or the police had no intention to arrest them and just went through the motions. Maybe the Government should recruit the yellow shirts that post on here, they seem to be the only ones with the vitriol to follow through, although they would probably not be so brave without the anonymity the computer gives them.

Very well put! The "ex CIA" is almost out there is his fatigues he gets so excited!

[KireB]

What a humiliation for Arisman! What a coward!

Please add the Cops tune:

" Bad boy, bay boy, what your gonna do? What you gonna do when they come for you?"

Edited April 16, 2010 by KireB

[Thai at Heart]

Suthep just finished a rather poker faced speech.

Did he say anything worth listening to?

[petedk]

Oh and don't forget at Rajaprasong they released balloons to stop the helicopters!!

I think someone needs to look at the military's budget.

[pornsasi]

good on them.

trying to arrest political leaders just a few hours after offering the next round of political talks, was a bad move from the government. Who is going to take them seriously?

ps great publicity for the hotel, they would be on every tv news around the world - advertising worth tens of millions $

Another intelligent alien

Better a right alien then a wrong farang

[Insight]

As I said in the other closed thread....

Don't any of the security forces own a Helicopter???

Why wasn't the arrest and capture carried out by landing a Helicopter on the Roof???

Why weren't these guys taken out by AIR so as to avoid any confrontation with the crowd?

Why aren't all these incompetent watermelons FIRED immediately???

CS

Seh Daeng has already been quoted as saying he's got enough fire power to take out a helicopter. Not that use of one even crossed the cops minds...

[noel2499rk]

It's a pantomime and everyone has free seats.

ianwuk

Agree the whole thing was hilarious, especially Arisaman being lowered out of the hotel on the rope, it reminded me of when you see farm animals being rescued from floods by helicopter, the way he looked so helpless and spinning around uncontrollably. :D

[pornsasi]

good on them.

trying to arrest political leaders just a few hours after offering the next round of political talks, was a bad move from the government. Who is going to take them seriously?

ps great publicity for the hotel, they would be on every tv news around the world - advertising worth tens of millions $

You dont understand LOL , Abhisit needs to arrest the red leaders in order to negociate with them . Else the reds leaders wont show up .

Slippery reds

[tonywebster]

Cretins.

The Government has managed to find a few top cops that will obey its rules.

The rank and file however are having second thoughts.

Like the Italians in the last war, they are capable of more fight than this. Trouble is, the rank and file are mostly red, their families are mostly red.

So much for the offer of talks. No more talks I say, starve the business community out now. All the yellow supporters backers are now loosing big money.

Obama was so concerned yesterday with the Thais running round screaming "Terrorist" that he held a press conference.... and announce a mission to Mars!

So now you have joined the ranks of armed terrorists bent on sewing violence and mayhem in the streets of Bangkok? Good to know.

That is no way to talk about the army

Go on. call me a terrorist now as well because my opinion differs from yours

This isn't about opinion tonywebster. Supporting this redshirt movement is supporting terrorists. Or would you prefer to call them freedom fighters?

Oh they are terrorists now? is that your opinion or did you borrow that opinion of the murderous abhisit trying to shift the blame, we have all seen the video of the army firing into the crowd. Did you support the yellows during their protest, if so I will throw that terrorist tag back at you every chance I get.

This is ourely about opinion, ,y opinion is different to your opinion, also i choose to use my head rather than just stereotype.

Good on them I say, hopefully they will keep showing this government as the inept fools they truly are, we are all seeing why they have failed to win the past 3 elections, useless, inept, unsupported etc etc etc