Thai Protesters Brace For Crackdown As Compromise Rejected

[webfact]

Thai protesters brace for crackdown as compromise rejected

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thailand's anti-government "Red Shirts" said Saturday they were braced for a crackdown to end their protest movement, after the prime minister rejected an offer to compromise on demands for snap polls.

"Abhisit has ordered a crackdown on protesters within 48 hours, that is the information I have learned," said Reds leader Nattawut Saikuar.

Nattawut did not say where the information came from but other Reds leaders said earlier Saturday they had learned from sympathisers in the army that troops were being mobilised despite ongoing negotiations.

Nattawut said the Reds would strip off the symbols of their allegiance -- the red T-shirts and other garb they have sported for weeks -- to help them fight back against the government.

"Abhisit has shut the door on all Thai people by rejecting our compromise," he said. "He will do anything to keep his position as prime minister."

He said they would stick to a policy of non-violence, but other Reds figures speaking on a stage at their massive encampment in the heart of Bangkok's retail district promised a "guerrilla war" against the government.

One leader also threatened to storm a giant shopping mall that lies within their rally base, which has paralysed the shopping hub for three weeks, saying that soldiers and police are hiding inside.

"We are ready to handle the government measures. No matter what shirt we wear, our hearts are red," said Jatuporn Prompan, warning that an offensive would trigger nationwide conflict.

"When the first blood is spilled here, the entire country will be the scene of bloodshed," he said.

Nattawut urged supporters, who are mostly drawn from the rural north but also include increasing numbers of the urban working class, to watch out for signs of the looming offensive.

This week one thousand Reds in the northern province of Khon Kaen blocked a military train loaded with armed soldiers and heavy equipment, and forced the army to give assurances it was not headed for Bangkok.

"I ask all of our Red Shirts people across the country to be alert to troop movement, and if we detect irregular movements we must stop them, like we did in Khon Kaen," he said.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-04-24

Published with written approval from AFP.

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[Jingthing]

So they are dropping the red shirts. We all know why, yes? So when the reds without red attack the Thai soldiers and the general public with lethal weapons, and they are filmed doing so, they can more conveniently deny responsibility.

[tominbkk]

Oh well, thank you to the Reds and Thaksin for destroying Thailand.

[Farangdong]

This is the end... my only friend... the end....

[RussellHantz]

A disappointing but unsurprising response from the biggest stubborn mule PM the world has ever seen.

[way2muchcoffee]

So they are dropping the red shirts. We all know why, yes? So when the reds without red attack the Thai soldiers and the general public with lethal weapons, and they are filmed doing so, they can more conveniently deny responsibility.

Precisely. This is a very disturbing development.

Guerrilla warfare? Threatening to loot CentralWorld?

"When the first blood is spilled here, the entire country will be the scene of bloodshed"

"We are ready to handle the government measures. No matter what shirt we wear, our hearts are red"

These are terrorist threats being made by the red shirt leaders. Some people might object to the word terrorist, but I don't know what else to call it. Insurrection perhaps? Any other suggestions?

Edited April 24, 2010 by way2muchcoffee

[metisdead]

A disappointing but unsurprising response from the biggest stubborn mule PM the world has ever seen.

Nope, that would be the other guy, Thaksin.

[animatic]

And they seem to intend ALL of Thailand...

"We are ready to handle the government measures. No matter what shirt we wear, our hearts are red," said Jatuporn Prompan, warning that an offensive would trigger nationwide conflict.

"When the first blood is spilled here, the entire country will be the scene of bloodshed," he said.

It would seem they plan attacks nationwide.

Not could, but WOULD, trigger nationwide attacks.

And this coming from a PTP Minister of Parliament.

Who actually has a voting mandate to Parliament.

High treason comes to mind.

[chadintheusa]

If they discard their signature red t-shirts we might need a new name for them. Any suggestions?

"The protesters formerly known as Reds" perhaps.

"Mallrats"

Edited April 24, 2010 by chadintheusa

[landofthefree]

Oh well, thank you to the Reds and Thaksin for destroying Thailand.

Abhisit will go down as the most educated Thai Prime Minister who (as often is the case with intelligent people) had no common sense whatsoever. He has already lost so why not just go for a good old British compromise where noone loses face. Where the buffalo smiley when you need it?

[Jingthing]

A disappointing but unsurprising response from the biggest stubborn mule PM the world has ever seen.

It is kind of hard to negotiate with terrorists. Not a good precedent really.

[Maejo Man]

A disappointing but unsurprising response from the biggest stubborn mule PM the world has ever seen.

I suppose everybody is entitled to their opinion

[473geo]

So they are dropping the red shirts. We all know why, yes? So when the reds without red attack the Thai soldiers and the general public with lethal weapons, and they are filmed doing so, they can more conveniently deny responsibility.

Blend in and not stand out...........a good strategy adapted all over the world by nature....known as camouflage Jing, to confuse the oppostion......not necessarily to attack them.........

[Jingthing]

And they seem to intend ALL of Thailand...

"We are ready to handle the government measures. No matter what shirt we wear, our hearts are red," said Jatuporn Prompan, warning that an offensive would trigger nationwide conflict.

"When the first blood is spilled here, the entire country will be the scene of bloodshed," he said.

It would seem they plan attacks nationwide.

Not could, but WOULD, trigger nationwide attacks.

And this coming from a PTP Minister of Parliament.

Who actually has a voting mandate to Parliament.

High treason comes to mind.

Treason, IF they lose.

[elcent]

lets recap the real Thai heroes, the vast majority especially in Bangkok, who try despite the hardship caused by the yellows and now the reds to continue with their lives as normal as possible. Cheers go out to them. You are not alone ...

[Jingthing]

So they are dropping the red shirts. We all know why, yes? So when the reds without red attack the Thai soldiers and the general public with lethal weapons, and they are filmed doing so, they can more conveniently deny responsibility.

Blend in and not stand out...........a good strategy adapted all over the world by nature....known as camouflage Jing, to confuse the oppostion......not necessarily to attack them.........

Are you suggesting the reds don't plan to CONTINUE to use violence? Oy vey.

[TEFLKrabi]

This is the end... my only friend... the end....

Thank you James Douglas Morrison. I can hear the music starting very soon.

[khaowong1]

A disappointing but unsurprising response from the biggest stubborn mule PM the world has ever seen.

I suppose everybody is entitled to their opinion

not according to the red shirts.

[ratcatcher]

A disappointing but unsurprising response from the biggest stubborn mule PM the world has ever seen.

No, that would be Neville Chamberlain who appeased Hitler. Abhisit is acting more statesmanlike against the Red Terrorists that now threaten civil war. It's not about democracy anymore but Thaksin's return to power (if he lives long enough) at any cost.

[jamieson]

A disappointing but unsurprising response from the biggest stubborn mule PM the world has ever seen.

Nope, that would be the other guy, Thaksin.

does not matter whoever it is now...

rejection is a hard pill to swallow....

anyone who has been to a bar beer knows that.

what's next?

send in the suicide squad?

[DP25]

So they are dropping the red shirts. We all know why, yes? So when the reds without red attack the Thai soldiers and the general public with lethal weapons, and they are filmed doing so, they can more conveniently deny responsibility.

Yeap. Now they won't even have to bring out their lame 'fake red' speeches next time they kill

[Jingthing]

When Thaksin said this is his final stand, THIS time, he really wasn't kidding. If I wasn't an atheist, I would say something like God save Thailand.

Edited April 24, 2010 by Jingthing

[freedom4life]

So they are dropping the red shirts. We all know why, yes? So when the reds without red attack the Thai soldiers and the general public with lethal weapons, and they are filmed doing so, they can more conveniently deny responsibility.

Precisely. This is a very disturbing development.

Guerrilla warfare? Threatening to loot CentralWorld?

"When the first blood is spilled here, the entire country will be the scene of bloodshed"

"We are ready to handle the government measures. No matter what shirt we wear, our hearts are red"

These are terrorist threats being made by the red shirt leaders. Some people might object to the word terrorist, but I don't know what else to call it. Insurrection perhaps? Any other suggestions?

Amazing how you determine/define what a freedom fighter is. What I suggest is that you do the same for your country...alas, highly doubtful.

[bangkokrick]

A disappointing but unsurprising response from the biggest stubborn mule PM the world has ever seen.

Nope, that would be the other guy, Thaksin.

I concur. Thaksin is very stubborn. He could call this off tonight, but won't because he is desperate to return to Thailand at any cost.

Cheers, Rick

[Dodobird]

So they are dropping the red shirts. We all know why, yes? So when the reds without red attack the Thai soldiers and the general public with lethal weapons, and they are filmed doing so, they can more conveniently deny responsibility.

Precisely. This is a very disturbing development.

Guerrilla warfare? Threatening to loot Central Department store?

"When the first blood is spilled here, the entire country will be the scene of bloodshed"

"We are ready to handle the government measures. No matter what shirt we wear, our hearts are red"

These are terrorist threats being made by the red shirt leaders. Some people might object to the word terrorist, but I don't know what else to call it. Insurrection perhaps? Any other suggestions?

the red bison bizarre....

[ThaiPauly]

Oh well, thank you to the Reds and Thaksin for destroying Thailand.

Abhisit will go down as the most educated Thai Prime Minister who (as often is the case with intelligent people) had no common sense whatsoever. He has already lost so why not just go for a good old British compromise where noone loses face. Where the buffalo smiley when you need it?

So what would you have him do.....give in to these thugs

[midas]

A disappointing but unsurprising response from the biggest stubborn mule PM the world has ever seen.

It is kind of hard to negotiate with terrorists. Not a good precedent really.

of course they could try offering them money ...now where did I hear that idea before

[way2muchcoffee]

So they are dropping the red shirts. We all know why, yes? So when the reds without red attack the Thai soldiers and the general public with lethal weapons, and they are filmed doing so, they can more conveniently deny responsibility.

Blend in and not stand out...........a good strategy adapted all over the world by nature....known as camouflage Jing, to confuse the oppostion......not necessarily to attack them.........

Evidently you didn't read the article completely. Jatuporn is making his intention to attack the opposition quite clear.

From Jatuporn:

"When the first blood is spilled here, the entire country will be the scene of bloodshed"

Edited April 24, 2010 by way2muchcoffee

[Rinrada]

Indeed it most disappointing.

Time for the British Government to step in and withdraw PM Abhisits........ British Passport.

[dobadoy]

"Abhisit has shut the door on all Thai people by rejecting our compromise," he said. "He will do anything to keep his position as prime minister."

He said they would stick to a policy of non-violence, but other Reds figures speaking on a stage at their massive encampment in the heart of Bangkok's retail district promised a "guerrilla war" against the government.

One leader also threatened to storm a giant shopping mall that lies within their rally base, which has paralysed the shopping hub for three weeks, saying that soldiers and police are hiding inside.

"We are ready to handle the government measures. No matter what shirt we wear, our hearts are red," said Jatuporn Prompan, warning that an offensive would trigger nationwide conflict.

"When the first blood is spilled here, the entire country will be the scene of bloodshed," he said.

Gandhi laid down by example the rules of engagement for non-voilent peaceful demonstrations; I don't think what you're hearing hear conforms to that. More evidence of the that red really is the Reds true color.

Edited April 24, 2010 by dobadoy