Thailand's Red Shirts Fighting The Government - Profile

[webfact]

Thailand's Red Shirts fighting the government - Profile

by Thanaporn Promyamyai

BANGKOK (AFP) -- A group of 24 "Red Shirt" protest leaders said Saturday they would surrender to police next month after leading the street movement that is demanding immediate elections.

The red-clad group first formed in opposition to a coup in September 2006 that ousted their political icon Thaksin Shinawatra from power.

They are now rallying against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government, which they accuse of being elitist and undemocratic as it did not win power through a popular vote.

Here are profiles of the six main Red Shirt leaders:

Veera Musikapong, 61, is a veteran politician who has never shied from controversy, even if that meant twice serving time in prison. The law graduate was once part of the Democrat Party he now protests against.

Veera served as government spokesman and later held three deputy minister positions for the Democrats during the 1970s, during which time he was also jailed for nearly two years in 1977 for backing a failed military coup.

He was imprisoned again for a month in 1988 for insulting the country's monarchy during an electoral campaign and then left the Democrat Party after arguing about their next choice of party leader.

After briefly setting up his own political party, Veera joined another small party which later merged with Thai Rak Thai (Thais love Thais), the party of the Red Shirts' political hero, fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Veera was one of the founding members of the Red Shirts in 2007, following the coup that ousted Thaksin. He went on to host a pro-Thaksin television talk show with fellow leaders Jatuporn Prompan and Nattawut Saikuar.

Veera was banned from politics for five years for electoral fraud in 2007 along with several other pro-Thaksin MPs.

Jatuporn Prompan, 44, an MP from Thailand's south, is a political science graduate with a straight-talking style, who has always stayed close to the twice-elected former leader Thaksin.

He began his career with the then-popular Palang Dharma Party, of which Thaksin was also a member. He later joined Thaksin's populist Thai Rak Thai party and was appointed its spokesman.

Jatuporn first became an MP in 2007 for the People Power Party that absorbed most of the pro-Thaksin MPs when Thai Rak Thai was forcibly disbanded for electoral fraud.

When that party was also banned in late 2008, again on fraud charges, Jatuporn joined the new pro-Thaksin Puea Thai party and he remains an MP, which means he has parliamentary immunity from arrest.

Nattawut Saikuar, 34, is the more humorous voice of the Red Shirt movement, known as much for his jokes as his sharp tongue that has made him a seasoned political debater.

The masters graduate is also from Thailand's south and has been on debating teams ever since his school days, becoming well-known for his time on a television political debate show.

Nattawut served as deputy government spokesman during the administration of late prime minister Samak Sundaravej that followed a year of military rule after Thaksin was deposed in the 2006 coup.

He was promoted to be top spokesman during the following administration led by Thaksin's then-brother-in-law, Somchai Wongsawat.

Nattawut won a parliamentary seat in 2006, but failed to win election again during the 2007 post-coup poll.

Doctor Weng Tojirakarn, 59, has become known for his tendency to talk in terms of old Maoist guerrilla tactics that often confuse his audience.

The doctor fled into the jungle after a student-led communist uprising in 1976 where he lived for at least four years.

Weng played a key role in a campaign opposing the junta government that took power in a coup in April 1992 and led to violent street clashes a month later that became known as "Bloody May".

Weng joined the anti-Reds "People's Alliance for Democracy" in 2006 to oppose Thaksin's privatisation plans, but he quickly became a vocal opponent to the coup that deposed Thaksin in September that year.

Arisman Pongruangrong, 46, from Thailand's western Ratchaburi province, was a pop singer before entering the world of politics.

He led the Red Shirts to storm a regional summit in April 2009, forcing its closure as leaders escaped by helicopter and boat from coastal Pattaya city. A state of emergency was called there before riots took place in the capital.

Arisman took centre stage during the latest protests when he dramatically escaped a Bangkok hotel being surrounded by security forces by climbing down an electricity cable, claiming he had survived an assassination attempt.

Suporn Attawong, 46, is nicknamed "Rambo of Isaan" for his hard-core activist stance and because he comes from the northeast rural Isaan area, spiritual home to the Red Shirts.

He used to be an MP for northeast Nakhon Ratchasima province.

Suporn led a group of Reds to the interior ministry last April as Abhisit was about to declare a state of emergency and later attacked the prime minister's car as he left.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-04-18

Published with written approval from AFP.

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[RussellHantz]

Keep up the good work guys.

[baabaabobo]

So let me get this straight.

The six main Red Shirt leaders include:

- A veteran politician who has twice served time in prison. Once for backing a failed military coup and once for insulting the country's monarchy. Despite this and being banned from politics for five years for electoral fraud in 2007 he is a red shirt leader.

- Jatuporn Prompan,who has parliamentary immunity from arrest.

- Nattawut Saikuar who failed to win an election again during the 2007 post-coup poll.

- Doctor Weng Tojirakarn who has a tendency to talk in terms of old Maoist guerrilla tactics , fled into the jungle after a student-led communist uprising in 1976, involved in"Bloody May and joined the anti-Reds "People's Alliance for Democracy"

- An ex- pop singer who led the Red Shirts to storm a regional summit in April 2009 and who dramatically escaped a Bangkok hotel by climbing down an electricity cable, claiming he had survived an assassination attempt.

- And the"Rambo of Isaan" a hard-core activist who attacked the prime minister's car .

[benthai98]

So let me get this straight.

The six main Red Shirt leaders include:

- A veteran politician who has twice served time in prison. Once for backing a failed military coup and once for insulting the country's monarchy. Despite this and being banned from politics for five years for electoral fraud in 2007 he is a red shirt leader.

- Jatuporn Prompan,who has parliamentary immunity from arrest.

- Nattawut Saikuar who failed to win an election again during the 2007 post-coup poll.

- Doctor Weng Tojirakarn who has a tendency to talk in terms of old Maoist guerrilla tactics , fled into the jungle after a student-led communist uprising in 1976, involved in"Bloody May and joined the anti-Reds "People's Alliance for Democracy"

- An ex- pop singer who led the Red Shirts to storm a regional summit in April 2009 and who dramatically escaped a Bangkok hotel by climbing down an electricity cable, claiming he had survived an assassination attempt.

- And the"Rambo of Isaan" a hard-core activist who attacked the prime minister's car .

hmmm... Kinda explains a few things huh...?!

[cyberia]

Just to refresh your memory,

Nelson Mandela was a convicted felon and a terrorist backed by the communist regime of the Soviet Union.

He got himself educated on Marxism Leninism( hard core Marxism) in his prison cell on the Robben Island which some call the Robben Island "University" now

Nice profile for a Nobel prize winner?

Well, think again

[Thai at Heart]

Just to refresh your memory,

Nelson Mandela was a convicted felon and a terrorist backed by the communist regime of the Soviet Union.

He got himself educated on Marxism Leninism( hard core Marxism) in his prison cell on the Robben Island which some call the Robben Island "University" now

Nice profile for a Nobel prize winner?

Well, think again

Yes indeed. A truly heroic man. Funny how the awkward bits can be forgotten when the enemy is so obviously repugnant.

[slapout]

What is the background of the rest of the group? Has to be an improvement of those listed, might be a real potential head of the pack somewhere in the soi, excuse me, group. Talk about "Hello country bumpkins" You reap what you sow is probably appropriate. The position which gives immunity from arrest was probably a idea of a Policeman or ex policeman as the case were. Puts people on a equal footing without the bank balance normally required. Another check/question mark for some trade off by a far thinking or possibly 'cover your a..' Thailand savior.

[KhaoNiaw]

I know a few people like Weng who have been with both Yellows and Reds. There's not really any contradiction in that either. They hated a lot of what Thaksin was up to and protested against it, but will always fight against military intervention in politics.

[Jimmu]

Says it all really! Comparing these thugs to Mandela...

[animatic]

Just to refresh your memory,

Nelson Mandela was a convicted felon and a terrorist backed by the communist regime of the Soviet Union.

He got himself educated on Marxism Leninism( hard core Marxism) in his prison cell on the Robben Island which some call the Robben Island "University" now

Nice profile for a Nobel prize winner?

Well, think again

Yes indeed. A truly heroic man. Funny how the awkward bits can be forgotten when the enemy is so obviously repugnant.

Mandela was educated in it,

but did he apply radical Marxism to the country as head? No.

The communist regime in USSR backed any groups fighting against capitalist countries.

And with their backs to the wall I doubt if some support from any corner was unwelcome.

But did he turn S.A. into a Marxist nation. Nope.

I know about Marxisms, but doesn't mean more than 'I know about it'.

Weng is clearly a pragmatically opportunistic radical, willing to join any group for the moment.

4 years in the jungle, for ideology or just to save his ass, after helping cause unrest?

He is a classic S.E.A. Maosit agitator, and barring the possibility of communist take over,

he is essentially using his old skills to gain power, in what ever group he can fit into for the moment.

The fact ideology allows him to switch sides to what is convenient shows, the glaring bankruptcy of his ideology.

Veera is no less a grump old man who takes off if he doesn't get his way.

Didn't like the Dems leader, or didn't get included in the spoils list enough?

What ever, his own party try failed, he popped into this or that party for a spell,

never found a home. But now he finally has a party of sorts to work on,

except it is as morally bankrupt as anyin the land.

Another equal opportunity opportunist.

Why is there no Red manifesto, and no party ideas for the future?

Because they have not thought that far ahead, don't think it matters,

or just plain can't. If not for Thaksin's TV this guy would be nowhere.

Arisman and Suporn?

Politicians?, Leaders of society?

Not hardly, rabble rouser's and loose cannon trouble makers.

These two couldn't winnow a national budget to save our lives.

Arisman got adicted to the applause a long time ago

and now this is the ONLY way he can get his fix.

Nuttawat, just a talking head with sense of humor.

Again TV and repetition makes for a smallish star.

Any one with big money can make most anyone a TV star, and thus a trend setter or modifier.

If they are immoral enough a truly fine pitch master for the bosses product line.

Without waving the bosses flag too hard.

Jatupron... verbal loose cannon de jour, off the cuff instigator and antagonist, bully boy,

that this guy is still allowed to have MP immunity boggles the mind.

Why has he not been voted out of his chair by fellow MPs for malfeasance in office?

The Three Buddies of Truth Today:

If not for Thaksin's political shirt tails all these guys would have been scrabbling for traction.

But Thaksin offered them the counter PAD tv gig and they grabbed at it. And the possibility of a bigger payday.

[WillArzonia]

I know a few people like Weng who have been with both Yellows and Reds. There's not really any contradiction in that either. They hated a lot of what Thaksin was up to and protested against it, but will always fight against military intervention in politics.

Right, like K Veera, arrested for backing a failed coup attempt!

[animatic]

I know a few people like Weng who have been with both Yellows and Reds. There's not really any contradiction in that either. They hated a lot of what Thaksin was up to and protested against it, but will always fight against military intervention in politics.

Right, like K Veera, arrested for backing a failed coup attempt!

Round two coming up?

[Neurath]

Just to refresh your memory,

Nelson Mandela was a convicted felon and a terrorist backed by the communist regime of the Soviet Union.

He got himself educated on Marxism Leninism( hard core Marxism) in his prison cell on the Robben Island which some call the Robben Island "University" now

Nice profile for a Nobel prize winner?

Well, think again

Yes indeed. A truly heroic man. Funny how the awkward bits can be forgotten when the enemy is so obviously repugnant.

Mandela was educated in it,

but did he apply radical Marxism to the country as head? No.

The communist regime in USSR backed any groups fighting against capitalist countries.

And with their backs to the wall I doubt if some support from any corner was unwelcome.

But did he turn S.A. into a Marxist nation. Nope.

I know about Marxisms, but doesn't mean more than 'I know about it'.

Weng is clearly a pragmatically opportunistic radical, willing to join any group for the moment.

4 years in the jungle, for ideology or just to save his ass, after helping cause unrest?

He is a classic S.E.A. Maosit agitator, and barring the possibility of communist take over,

he is essentially using his old skills to gain power, in what ever group he can fit into for the moment.

The fact ideology allows him to switch sides to what is convenient shows, the glaring bankruptcy of his ideology.

Veera is no less a grump old man who takes off if he doesn't get his way.

Didn't like the Dems leader, or didn't get included in the spoils list enough?

What ever, his own party try failed, he popped into this or that party for a spell,

never found a home. But now he finally has a party of sorts to work on,

except it is as morally bankrupt as anyin the land.

Another equal opportunity opportunist.

Why is there no Red manifesto, and no party ideas for the future?

Because they have not thought that far ahead, don't think it matters,

or just plain can't. If not for Thaksin's TV this guy would be nowhere.

Arisman and Suporn?

Politicians?, Leaders of society?

Not hardly, rabble rouser's and loose cannon trouble makers.

These two couldn't winnow a national budget to save our lives.

Arisman got adicted to the applause a long time ago

and now this is the ONLY way he can get his fix.

Nuttawat, just a talking head with sense of humor.

Again TV and repetition makes for a smallish star.

Any one with big money can make most anyone a TV star, and thus a trend setter or modifier.

If they are immoral enough a truly fine pitch master for the bosses product line.

Without waving the bosses flag too hard.

Jatupron... verbal loose cannon de jour, off the cuff instigator and antagonist, bully boy,

that this guy is still allowed to have MP immunity boggles the mind.

Why has he not been voted out of his chair by fellow MPs for malfeasance in office?

The Three Buddies of Truth Today:

If not for Thaksin's political shirt tails all these guys would have been scrabbling for traction.

But Thaksin offered them the counter PAD tv gig and they grabbed at it. And the possibility of a bigger payday.

I've heard a rumour that Arisman is a court declared bankruptee. Rumour is that he owes more than THB 15,000,000. I suppose he might have a friend from overseas who can help a poor rouged performance artist at the dag end of a career.

[livingthedream]

And the 'majority' of Thais are willing to put their country in these safe hands?

Bring on peace and prosperity for all !

[Gambles]

Just to refresh your memory,

Nelson Mandela was a convicted felon and a terrorist backed by the communist regime of the Soviet Union.

He got himself educated on Marxism Leninism( hard core Marxism) in his prison cell on the Robben Island which some call the Robben Island "University" now

Nice profile for a Nobel prize winner?

Well, think again

I'm not sure what your point is - it seems to me that the people of Thailand really need a Mandela figure to lead them politically right now and I have only the slightest ideas of my own as to who that figure could be but frankly these are really not subjects for farangs to comment on or try to answer.........otherwise we simply display, loudly, our own ignorance

[hoilai]

Keep up the good work guys.

excellent job, the profiles, imean...

now, what about one on the old elites, the yellowshirt leaders who stranded thousands of farangs at the airport and the yellow shirt leaders who got away with "murder" and were never jailed, pettily fined, and are now behind the pink shirts and whatever?????

why are the red shorts now called terrorists when the yellow shirts who frightened the wits out of most farangs at the airport never called anything....

till today, no justice has been manifestly seen to be done to all farangs .....

make the yellow shirts pay first......then make the red shirts pay later and not pay forward....

[way2muchcoffee]

why are the red shorts now called terrorists when the yellow shirts who frightened the wits out of most farangs at the airport never called anything....

till today, no justice has been manifestly seen to be done to all farangs .....

make the yellow shirts pay first......then make the red shirts pay later and not pay forward....

The yellow shirts didn't attack and kill security forces with grenades and war weapons, make threats to burn various government buildings, or assassinate military commanders.

[shawndoc]

why are the red shorts now called terrorists when the yellow shirts who frightened the wits out of most farangs at the airport never called anything....

till today, no justice has been manifestly seen to be done to all farangs .....

make the yellow shirts pay first......then make the red shirts pay later and not pay forward....

The yellow shirts didn't attack and kill security forces with grenades and war weapons, make threats to burn various government buildings, or assassinate military commanders.

And was done under a PPP/PTP government 2 years ago. Why are we even talking about yellows in a thread about the current red shirt leaders?

[hoilai]

why are the red shorts now called terrorists when the yellow shirts who frightened the wits out of most farangs at the airport never called anything....

till today, no justice has been manifestly seen to be done to all farangs .....

make the yellow shirts pay first......then make the red shirts pay later and not pay forward....

The yellow shirts didn't attack and kill security forces with grenades and war weapons, make threats to burn various government buildings, or assassinate military commanders.

And was done under a PPP/PTP government 2 years ago. Why are we even talking about yellows in a thread about the current red shirt leaders?

the yellows must be mad to burn the various government building they occupy mostly and even more mad if they kill their own commanders who are again they themselves or one of their own.....

the reds have yet to be proven that they killed the commanders......

[khaosarnbuddy]

Mandela was educated in it,

but did he apply radical Marxism to the country as head? No.

The communist regime in USSR backed any groups fighting against capitalist countries.

And with their backs to the wall I doubt if some support from any corner was unwelcome.

But did he turn S.A. into a Marxist nation. Nope.

I know about Marxisms, but doesn't mean more than 'I know about it'.

I think every politician should be "forced" to read Karl Marx!

If they don't understand what he is talking about ( which is very likely ), they shouldn't even be allowed leading a country.

"Das Kapital" is a book written 100 years ago but still valid to a great extend to this very day.

IMHO more diverse education would be very helpful all over the worlds political enviroments.

[473geo]

A law graduate

A political Science graduate

A seasoned political campaigner and masters graduate

A doctor

A popular entertainer turned to politics

A former MP from the North

People see what they look for.....

[Tod Daniels]

the yellows must <SNIPPED OUT THE NONSENSE> (leaving actually nothing to the post ). ...

OMMFG: Another 42 post thai political pundit is born.!!

Back On Topic:

Quite the "motley crew" of illustrious red mob leaders there doncha think? (NOTE: abso-tively posi-lutely NO disrespect to the rock band of the same name intended and/or implied!! )

I've still yet to hear a single thing from any of the red loose screw leaders on what might happen after a lower house dissolution, IF by some wild stretch of the imagination the “Buea Thai Party” (purposely misspelled to be the engrish transcription of the thai word for "BORING" ) could form a coalition of a majority of MP's and there by get the mandate to lead the government. Not even one frickin' idea, and I've listened to and read the transcripts of the majority of the red-mob leaders speeches.

In fact other than the endless chant to "yoob sa-phaa" (ยุบสภา) or the disparaging "mung Abhisit" (มึง อภิสิทธิ์); I don't ever hear anything but hate filled, name-calling rhetoric from the red-mob ‘leaders’. (Of course that is ruling out the clueless Dr Weng, whose clearly 'lost the plot' and in his mind is still roaming the jungle somewhere near Kanchanaburi) .

Even when I had the chance to meet Veera Musikapong a few weeks ago, and spoke with him thru a much more fluent thai/english translator than my grasp of spoken thai is. (BTW: he totally bites in speaking anything resembling english) he had no vision for the future, no future policy, actually no foresight at all. Upon being asked some pointed questions he fell back on the old thai condescending standby "you don't understand thai culture". When I mentioned this was thai POLITICS, not culture, he found conveniently he had another appointment. Obviously he felt he had wasted enough of his superior intellect on a mere foreigner; one who actually knew something about recent thai political history. I guess I was asking questions the mindless-red-mob camped in front of the stage would never dream of asking their oh-so fearless leaders.

Sad really, as I believe the “redz” have some valid gripes, just as the ‘greenz’, the “yellowz”, the “dark bluez”, and now the "many colorz" do too. However anything I hear from the reds is just heavily recycled trash talk. I am NOT for or against any particular color and just point out mindless rhetoric when I see it.

Thaksin, Samak & Somchai did &lt;deleted&gt; all to resolve the wide disparity between the ‘prai’ (ไพร่) and the 'amataya' (อำมาตยา), and in fact the case could be argued that Thaksin did more to make the rift even bigger than he did to lessen it. Other than financially unsustainable pipe dreams designed to throw government money at the poor to garner support during voting time, I saw very little in the way of true reform to what was already a severely flawed system. Most of all the schemes put forward by Thaksin were already in place from the previous government, but that didn’t stop him from taking credit for them, did it? During Thaksin’s tenure as PM I saw more and more things designed to shut down the voice of any who dissented with his heavy handed control of the media, (litigating them into silence with multi million baht slander cases) the changing of foreign business laws, and the consolidation of power to himself nearly making him untouchable thru constitutional changes/rewrites.

Although not a strong suit here on T/V; if the truth be told Abhisit has, in his short term as PM implemented and attempted to implement far MORE things which are geared towards the poor than any of the TRT/PPP/PTP prime ministers EVER DID.

If the "Beua Thai Party" wouldn't block so much legislation and start running their "shadow government" like the Demz did when they held a minority things actually might get done. When the “Beau Thai” boycotted the lower house because, "the high security impinged their rights to free access" more legislation was voted on in a single day that in the previous 3 months. Wow, go figure.

BTW: I am an AMERICAN, and quite honestly don’t care one way or the other, (I follow thai politics and this situation because it’s interesting’.) The thais hafta work out the political problems and the huge social rift existing in thai society all by themselves. That doesn’t stop me from calling a spade a spade, instead of calling it a shovel, no matter what someone else says to call it.

One last thing; NO ONE in the current government came out and called all the red protestors "terrorists". (I believe the engrish papers are sorely lacking in their translation of thai to what passes for engrish in the daily ragz available here) They have repeatedly said that “terrorists had infiltrated the red-mob”, which by all accounts seems to be true. Well Kasit did refer to Thaksin a "bloody terrorist", but if the "fuu-shits", I mean the shoe fits. ..

[animatic]

A law graduate

A political Science graduate

A seasoned political campaigner and masters graduate

A doctor

A popular entertainer turned to politics

A former MP from the North

People see what they look for.....

Ah,

but greed and mental illness don't make class and education distinctions.

[Terminator]

Just to refresh your memory,

Nelson Mandela was a convicted felon and a terrorist backed by the communist regime of the Soviet Union.

He got himself educated on Marxism Leninism( hard core Marxism) in his prison cell on the Robben Island which some call the Robben Island "University" now

Nice profile for a Nobel prize winner?

Well, think again

Yes indeed. A truly heroic man. Funny how the awkward bits can be forgotten when the enemy is so obviously repugnant.

Mandela was educated in it,

but did he apply radical Marxism to the country as head? No.

The communist regime in USSR backed any groups fighting against capitalist countries.

And with their backs to the wall I doubt if some support from any corner was unwelcome.

But did he turn S.A. into a Marxist nation. Nope.

I know about Marxisms, but doesn't mean more than 'I know about it'.

Weng is clearly a pragmatically opportunistic radical, willing to join any group for the moment.

4 years in the jungle, for ideology or just to save his ass, after helping cause unrest?

He is a classic S.E.A. Maosit agitator, and barring the possibility of communist take over,

he is essentially using his old skills to gain power, in what ever group he can fit into for the moment.

The fact ideology allows him to switch sides to what is convenient shows, the glaring bankruptcy of his ideology.

Veera is no less a grump old man who takes off if he doesn't get his way.

Didn't like the Dems leader, or didn't get included in the spoils list enough?

What ever, his own party try failed, he popped into this or that party for a spell,

never found a home. But now he finally has a party of sorts to work on,

except it is as morally bankrupt as anyin the land.

Another equal opportunity opportunist.

Why is there no Red manifesto, and no party ideas for the future?

Because they have not thought that far ahead, don't think it matters,

or just plain can't. If not for Thaksin's TV this guy would be nowhere.

Arisman and Suporn?

Politicians?, Leaders of society?

Not hardly, rabble rouser's and loose cannon trouble makers.

These two couldn't winnow a national budget to save our lives.

Arisman got adicted to the applause a long time ago

and now this is the ONLY way he can get his fix.

Nuttawat, just a talking head with sense of humor.

Again TV and repetition makes for a smallish star.

Any one with big money can make most anyone a TV star, and thus a trend setter or modifier.

If they are immoral enough a truly fine pitch master for the bosses product line.

Without waving the bosses flag too hard.

Jatupron... verbal loose cannon de jour, off the cuff instigator and antagonist, bully boy,

that this guy is still allowed to have MP immunity boggles the mind.

Why has he not been voted out of his chair by fellow MPs for malfeasance in office?

The Three Buddies of Truth Today:

If not for Thaksin's political shirt tails all these guys would have been scrabbling for traction.

But Thaksin offered them the counter PAD tv gig and they grabbed at it. And the possibility of a bigger payday.

I've heard a rumour that Arisman is a court declared bankruptee. Rumour is that he owes more than THB 15,000,000. I suppose he might have a friend from overseas who can help a poor rouged performance artist at the dag end of a career.

he's got a few million around his neck too, what a frigging showman &lt;deleted&gt;...

[mca]

In the interests of fairness and balance the current Deputy PM is as dodgy as they come.

[Jimmu]

QUOTE (473geo @ 2010-04-18 12:44:02)

A law graduate

A political Science graduate

A seasoned political campaigner and masters graduate

A doctor

A popular entertainer turned to politics

A former MP from the North

People see what they look for.....

Actually, it's not what I see, which is decidedly unsavoury, but what I hear from these individuals that allows me to call them thugs. You should try listening to them...

[geriatrickid]

A law graduate

A political Science graduate

A seasoned political campaigner and masters graduate

A doctor

A popular entertainer turned to politics

A former MP from the North

People see what they look for.....

Ah,

but greed and mental illness don't make class and education distinctions.

Ah, but all seem to be significantly better educated than the angry failures in TVF that have heaped abuse and scorn on them. First the hate brigade, claimed they were uneducated rural bumpkins. Then they were political opportunists, and now the claim is hardcore political idealogues. Know what I see? People that have been working for their beliefs and making sacrifices for a long time. Ridicule them all you want, but they are tough, cunning and resourceful. Know what else,? They can go the distance and won't collapse in a whimpering heap like so many of the angry folks pretending to be ex special forces, decorated commandos, spooks and "experts". Know the enemy. Respect the enemy's strengths. Failure to do so, usually results in defeat, no matter how right one may think his side is.

[traderjm]

A law graduate

A political Science graduate

A seasoned political campaigner and masters graduate

A doctor

A popular entertainer turned to politics

A former MP from the North

People see what they look for.....

Ah,

but greed and mental illness don't make class and education distinctions.

Ah, but all seem to be significantly better educated than the angry failures in TVF that have heaped abuse and scorn on them. First the hate brigade, claimed they were uneducated rural bumpkins. Then they were political opportunists, and now the claim is hardcore political idealogues. Know what I see? People that have been working for their beliefs and making sacrifices for a long time. Ridicule them all you want, but they are tough, cunning and resourceful. Know what else,? They can go the distance and won't collapse in a whimpering heap like so many of the angry folks pretending to be ex special forces, decorated commandos, spooks and "experts". Know the enemy. Respect the enemy's strengths. Failure to do so, usually results in defeat, no matter how right one may think his side is.

You forgot to mention they are also wanted criminals that have all broken the law... regardless of their educations and/or other skills... this fact should be noted above all. They don't respect the law, yet they want the law to respect them. Funny that, huh?

[animatic]

In the interests of fairness and balance the current Deputy PM is as dodgy as they come.

Certainly he is old school Thai power broker.

[mca]

Methinks you're being too polite animatic mate. More along the lines of " Giving land titles to fat cat Phuket residents instead of the farmers they were supposed to go to leading to the dissolution of Parliament. "

He'd fit right in with Thaksin's posse.