Thai Protesters Brace For Crackdown As Compromise Rejected

[chadintheusa]

You won't see the army clearing the protesters anytime soon. Their previous attempt on April 10 was a failure for them and the reds finest hour. It gave them the attention they were craving and the opportunity to violently attack the army. Since that time we have clearly seen that this is not a peaceful movement. They sit behind barricades sharpening spears calling for blood from their stage. When they aren't busy trying to intimidate the PM or those who live and work in the neighborhood they intimidate their own to keep them in line. Without another violent clash with the government they will run out of steam eventually. They can no longer leave their main base in large numbers and they've dropped their signature red to hide their dwindling numbers. The PM seems willing to let them implode on their own. One the imminent crackdown they claimed was coming doesn't appear they will come up with another set of lies to tell their congregation. They will claim victory and that they've scared the PM, make more threats, and look more crazy.

(I said that they would make more threats, Nation TV has received a bomb threat this afternoon)

Red shirts violently attacking the army on the 10th April ?

Any footage ?

Seems instead that it was the army shooting live ammo at the reds

http://www.france24.com/en/20100411-exclus...-thailand-crack

As you can see pro reds will continue to deny that the red protesters have done anything wrong at all. We've all seen footage from that day, we all know that soldiers were killed. We've seen them fighting with the riot squads. I didn't mention shooting in my original post, but yes soldiers were shot, and hundreds of soldiers were injured. They didn't do it to themselves. The pro reds can continue to deny any wrongdoing and blame everyone else, but that isn't convincing anyone who doesn't share their bias. I know they will deny that the grenades fired at the Sala Daeng station came from them. They are desperate to blame everyone else. They have been lied to by their leaders and they lie to us here. I'm sorry that they are so filled with venom. Please take your red shirts off, then go home, participate in the next election, find some positive way to contribute to your nation.

[kentucky]

When a governement in any democratic country start to block medias (TV , radios, papers) and internet sites it usualy signals the beginning of the end for that government

dam_n, there goes the Australian Government then!

It's actually regarded as more intrusive than Thailand... but its certainly not alone as it applies to a whole lot of other nations:

quote

Level of Internet censorship

Pervasive

Burma, Cuba, Egypt, Iran, North Korea, People's Republic of China, Syria, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam

Substantial

Australia, Bahrain, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen

Nominal

Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Ireland, India, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Slovenia, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States of America

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_censorship

unquote

Right , many of those censorship pertain to moral grounds , f.e porn especially child porn , or religious ground . Not the same as censoring your political opposition

Do any other countries block hate speech websites? Seditious websites? Criminal activity advocacy websites?

Anyway, I eagerly await your analytical breakdown then on just which sites are being blocked for which reasons by which countries.

As such, Thailand is regarded as nominal, same as a whole host of other nations.

[rabo]

IN respect to the question of a society's responsibility to control lawlessness

and I quote -

"The Crime Control Model is based on the proposition that the repression of criminal conduct is by far the most important function to be performed by the criminal process. The failure of law enforcement to bring criminal conduct under tight control is viewed as leading to the breakdown of public order and thence to the disappearance of an important condition of human freedom."

I think this quote leaves very little question as to what Prime Minster Abhisit and the Thai authorities must rightfully do.

End of story.

Oh, who's words are these?

[dukkha]

This totally ridiculous.

Only one group will attach the army during the crackdown and whole world already knows that.ir doesn’t matter if they are wearing Red shirt, white, or no shirt at all. As I see no one will condom the army for bring order to this country, when and if they are able

'Condom the Army'....this is the only interesting post I have read among all the farangs and their opinions about a country they were not born in, nor raised in, nor have any affinity other than spare time to give opinions as to what they deem to be the problems facing Thailand...yes I know a typo...Condemn The Army.....if a civil war breaks out lots of farangs will not have a nano second to become armchair socio-political commentators which they seem to revel in so much...

maybe you are referring to the red veiled threats towards expats who who do not support the Thaksin agenda.

I wasnt Yoshi, but an interesting comment you make.......would like to know more concerning the 'veiled' threats and where they were made from neath the veil....farangs seem to think they have some invincibility in all of this mayhem, however when people run 'amok', who knows who will be the target, may not only be crossfire or collateral, try Rhodesia et alii....Dukkha.

[pimay11]

Some insight for you on how the 2007 constitution came to pass

The government distributed hundreds of thousands of copies of the 2007 constitution prior to the vote.

People voted.

The referendum passed with a majority vote and the constitution was put into effect.

Under martial law yes . Still 10 millions thais voted against it . Very courageous of them

This means 85% of the population approved it. Very courageous of them. Martial law does not apply when you are in a private voting booth.

[kenai]

Just some numbers from wiki : "On August 19, 2007, a referendum was held in which 59.3% of the voters voted in favor of the constitution."

If the Reds were really the majority of Thailand then this constitution would never have passed.

The junta imposed laws for this referendum...

Criticism of it was made illegal etc etc..

just some text from wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Constitution_of_Thailand

Permanent Constitution for the Kingdom of Thailand was drafted by a committee established by the military junta that abrogated the previous 1997 Constitution. On August 19, 2007, a referendum was held in which 59.3% of the voters voted in favor of the constitution. The current constitution succeeded the former supreme law of Thailand, the 2006 Interim Constitution.

The military junta-appointed Constitution Drafting Assembly unanimously approved the draft in July 2007, despite a lot of public controversy about several clauses.[1] The junta passed a law making it illegal to publicly criticize the draft.[2] The junta also ran a successful promotion campaign leading up to the referendum.

Sooo.... the Thais that didn't like it didn't vote for it.

How can anyone justify a government that restricts public debate amongst its citizens on an issue as important as their constitution prior to vote? The citizens of have been brain washed long enough.

[brahmburgers]

From : Thai Rath Editorial Page 3, April 22, 2010.

Rewritten by Pornchai Sereemongkonpol

Conducted by Khon Kaen university, the 'Isan poll' which was published on April 19 revealed 51.1 percent of the survey participants s support the call for House dissolution, as demanded by the DAAD, while the rest is against it. The gap in the number of Isan people who are in favor of the House dissolution ultimatum and the number of those who are against it is very narrow. The gap is said to be almost statistically insignificance. The result of this poll can be considered a true voice since it comes from Isan people who have spoken for themselves.

Kinda tells who is telling the truth.

then why not have an election now......if this is correct " the puppet " shouldnt have anything to worry about should he ?

No one, including the Dems, are spooked by the prospect of an election. Reasonable people are essentially saying they don't want to be bullied in to having one soon. They don't want their agenda dictated by a drunk mob who have barricaded themselves in Bangkok. A mob which harbors combat trained people with lethal weapons who have no qualms about using those weapons in an instant.

I agree with posters who say Abhisit and security forces should have acted sooner and not allowed the mob to get entrenched. As soon as authorities saw stages being erected, and sound systems set up at major intersections, they should have moved the rabble out - perhaps to a large empty field somewhere in the outskirts of Bkk. I bet there will be a lot of new lessons (hopefully learned) about effective crowd control after this mess is over.

This PM has to be respected he would have more respect internationally than any other Thai politician , He has handled a difficult situation thoughtfully and tactfully.

I hope he gets through and is given the respect he deserves. Dealing with mafia , thugs and terrorists and inside spies he is calm and looks at the situation for the benefit of the majority of thai people.

90 percent of the red army are only there because they are getting paid . IF Thailand loses him over this it will put them back another 10 years. Anyway well done PM keep the good work up .

Let me add, many are there also because they're not allowed to leave. Many reports of Reds wanting to leave, but not being allowed to, via taunts of 'traitor' and refusal by Red minders to to give back ID cards - which were taken earlier.

[kentucky]

IN respect to the question of a society's responsibility to control lawlessness

and I quote -

"The Crime Control Model is based on the proposition that the repression of criminal conduct is by far the most important function to be performed by the criminal process. The failure of law enforcement to bring criminal conduct under tight control is viewed as leading to the breakdown of public order and thence to the disappearance of an important condition of human freedom."

I think this quote leaves very little question as to what Prime Minster Abhisit and the Thai authorities must rightfully do.

End of story.

Oh, who's words are these?

Thaksin's criminal justice doctoral thesis?

[pimay11]

It is amazing to see so many opinions about which criminal group has the most merit.

This is a lose lose situation here and the best you can hope for is the situation dissolves through apathy.

There isn't a single good option in the current stable of political candidates.

The lunatics have run the asylum for as long as anyone can remember.

Those of you with heated opinions really need to have a good look at the side you support and ask yourself why you pick that team.

You are spot on about the lunatics running the asylum. Hopefully they will dispurse and Bangkok can become normal again. But I think they have come to far to turn back now. It appears the leaders especially J, A and N have a death wish not to mention Dr. W. The worse part is they are willing to take some of these Isaan folks down with them. Sad but true.

[rabo]

OK, Sorry, forgot the name.

In respect to the question of a society's responsibility to control lawlessness

and I quote -

"The Crime Control Model is based on the proposition that the repression of criminal conduct is by far the most important function to be performed by the criminal process. The failure of law enforcement to bring criminal conduct under tight control is viewed as leading to the breakdown of public order and thence to the disappearance of an important condition of human freedom."

--- Mr. Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra (thesis)

I think this quote leaves very little question as to what Prime Minster Abhisit and the Thai authorities must rightfully do.

End of story.

Edited April 25, 2010 by rabo

[kenai]

The acts of media censorship and intimidation are affecting the Internet and the list of banned websites is growing even longer. On the orders of the state of emergency administrative centre, the Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies (MICT) today approved the closure of another 350 websites, in addition to the 190 sites blocked last week and the 36 that were blocked on 7 April.

Do any other countries block hate speech websites? Seditious websites? Criminal activity advocacy websites?

Anyway, I eagerly await your analytical breakdown then on just which sites are being blocked for which reasons by which countries.

As such, Thailand is regarded as nominal, same as a whole host of other nations.

REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS

"The acts of media censorship and intimidation are affecting the Internet and the list of banned websites is growing even longer. On the orders of the state of emergency administrative centre, the Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies (MICT) today approved the closure of another 350 websites, in addition to the 190 sites blocked last week and the 36 that were blocked on 7 April."

"This brings the number of closed websites to 2,500. Most of the sites now banned had links with the “Red Shirts” and carried photos and video of their demonstrations, but some were independent news websites."

"Reporters Without Borders urges the authorities to restore access to the censored news websites without delay and to close media only after verifying that they contain calls for violence and after following the normal judicial procedures."

How can anyone defend a government that censors its citizens?? I know other countries do it but there is nothing right about political censorship. I do not defend Thaksin nor violence by redshirts.

also - I would like to thank the yellow supporters without whom im sure this site would have been blocked some time ago.

Edited April 25, 2010 by kenai

[Sheryl]

A number of posts have been edited or deleted and the key participants in the recent flamefest (all sides) are about to take a posting holiday.

Zero tolerance for:

personal insults

racial/ethnic slurs (and yes, that includes ones that some segments of Thai society use against others)

accusations - if you think someone is trolling, use the report function

and lastly zero tolerance for advocating violence

[humfurry]

Well done Tomaz Bodzner. you caught out the propaganda machine. It has indeed been covered in a large Tarp all week.

Now I hope we don't have to look at these on every post again today.

Any apologies?

I don't really feel an apology is necessary given the state of play there yesterday....

That's what it looks like when I pass by in the morning and little heavier when I leave work. I avoid the area at night so I can't comment on the evening numbers. But it sorta suggests that if there is a surge in the evening that it's from the locals.

Edited April 25, 2010 by humfurry

[evanson]

It is amazing to see so many opinions about which criminal group has the most merit.

This is a lose lose situation here and the best you can hope for is the situation dissolves through apathy.

There isn't a single good option in the current stable of political candidates.

The lunatics have run the asylum for as long as anyone can remember.

Those of you with heated opinions really need to have a good look at the side you support and ask yourself why you pick that team.

You are spot on about the lunatics running the asylum. Hopefully they will dispurse and Bangkok can become normal again. But I think they have come to far to turn back now. It appears the leaders especially J, A and N have a death wish not to mention Dr. W. The worse part is they are willing to take some of these Isaan folks down with them. Sad but true.

Not.Going.To.Happen. The likeable but spineless Abhisit has allowed that ship to sail.

[rixalex]

I agree with posters who say Abhisit and security forces should have acted sooner and not allowed the mob to get entrenched. As soon as authorities saw stages being erected, and sound systems set up at major intersections, they should have moved the rabble out - perhaps to a large empty field somewhere in the outskirts of Bkk. I bet there will be a lot of new lessons (hopefully learned) about effective crowd control after this mess is over.

Yes i also agree although perhaps it's easy to say that in hindsight. Peaceful demonstrations should always be allowed and the government was i think anxious to not give the red side any reason to start complaining about lack of free speech, hence why they allowed some lee-way in the early stages. Of course though when you give an inch, people often end up taking a mile.

[mitrapaap]

OK, Sorry, forgot the name.

In respect to the question of a society's responsibility to control lawlessness

and I quote -

"The Crime Control Model is based on the proposition that the repression of criminal conduct is by far the most important function to be performed by the criminal process. The failure of law enforcement to bring criminal conduct under tight control is viewed as leading to the breakdown of public order and thence to the disappearance of an important condition of human freedom."

--- Mr. Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra (thesis)

I think this quote leaves very little question as to what Prime Minster Abhisit and the Thai authorities must rightfully do.

End of story.

Amazing! Absolutely amazing. I wondered many times what Taksin would do in this (Abhisist's) situation. Well, I prefer not even to guess...

[barnsworth]

Just some numbers from wiki : "On August 19, 2007, a referendum was held in which 59.3% of the voters voted in favor of the constitution."

If the Reds were really the majority of Thailand then this constitution would never have passed.

The junta imposed laws for this referendum...

Criticism of it was made illegal etc etc..

just some text from wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Constitution_of_Thailand

Permanent Constitution for the Kingdom of Thailand was drafted by a committee established by the military junta that abrogated the previous 1997 Constitution. On August 19, 2007, a referendum was held in which 59.3% of the voters voted in favor of the constitution. The current constitution succeeded the former supreme law of Thailand, the 2006 Interim Constitution.

The military junta-appointed Constitution Drafting Assembly unanimously approved the draft in July 2007, despite a lot of public controversy about several clauses.[1] The junta passed a law making it illegal to publicly criticize the draft.[2] The junta also ran a successful promotion campaign leading up to the referendum.

In an editorial, the [competitor to The Nation] noted,

Martial law is in place across half the country. That is the harsh reality of today, and it is not an environment that would be conducive to a free and fair referendum. Any referendum carried out under the current repressive climate and alleged forced voting cannot be used to chart the path of the future of a democracy.[58]

Just two little points. The "junta" as you call it, was welcomed by the people with flowers, and what is wrong about running a succsessful promotion campaign? Isn't that the daily bred for politics? Guess they didn't do any vote buing like Taksin and his fellows. So imagine Taksin and his friends did only promotion campaign but not vote buing they would not be successful.

What you should have noticed was that the Army was welcomed by the people of Bangkok, who were glad that once again, they had come to their rescue and overthrown a government that they (Bangkok elites) didn't vote for.

The State of Emergency lasted ages in the North and it was illegal to critisise them and it was only the vested interested in Bangkok that were happy.... Hence all this.

I would expect the middle class people in Bangkok to be upset now. They are fearful of democracy pure and simple.

Thats all.

Edited April 25, 2010 by barnsworth

[Insight]

2Bangkok.com has just updated its summary of the situation. Again, well worth a read.

[mitrapaap]

Just some numbers from wiki : "On August 19, 2007, a referendum was held in which 59.3% of the voters voted in favor of the constitution."

If the Reds were really the majority of Thailand then this constitution would never have passed.

The junta imposed laws for this referendum...

Criticism of it was made illegal etc etc..

just some text from wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Constitution_of_Thailand

Permanent Constitution for the Kingdom of Thailand was drafted by a committee established by the military junta that abrogated the previous 1997 Constitution. On August 19, 2007, a referendum was held in which 59.3% of the voters voted in favor of the constitution. The current constitution succeeded the former supreme law of Thailand, the 2006 Interim Constitution.

The military junta-appointed Constitution Drafting Assembly unanimously approved the draft in July 2007, despite a lot of public controversy about several clauses.[1] The junta passed a law making it illegal to publicly criticize the draft.[2] The junta also ran a successful promotion campaign leading up to the referendum.

In an editorial, the [competitor to The Nation] noted,

Martial law is in place across half the country. That is the harsh reality of today, and it is not an environment that would be conducive to a free and fair referendum. Any referendum carried out under the current repressive climate and alleged forced voting cannot be used to chart the path of the future of a democracy.[58]

Just two little points. The "junta" as you call it, was welcomed by the people with flowers, and what is wrong about running a succsessful promotion campaign? Isn't that the daily bred for politics? Guess they didn't do any vote buing like Taksin and his fellows. So imagine Taksin and his friends did only promotion campaign but not vote buing they would not be successful.

What you should have noticed was that the Army was welcomed by the people of Bangkok, who were glad that once again, they had come to their rescue and overthrown a government that they (Bangkok elites) didn't vote for.

Thats all.

Majority is majority. If the majority votes for red, then not a single red will be intrested to question why and how.

So just accept it, the reds are not the majority of Thailand.

[rabo]

IN respect to the question of a society's responsibility to control lawlessness

and I quote -

"The Crime Control Model is based on the proposition that the repression of criminal conduct is by far the most important function to be performed by the criminal process. The failure of law enforcement to bring criminal conduct under tight control is viewed as leading to the breakdown of public order and thence to the disappearance of an important condition of human freedom."

I think this quote leaves very little question as to what Prime Minster Abhisit and the Thai authorities must rightfully do.

End of story.

Oh, who's words are these?

Thaksin's criminal justice doctoral thesis?

Yes, here is a reference to a site that claims to have obtained the real thesis, they said there are various versions floating around Bangkok. They do a little analysis looking into the "mind" of Mr. T but have a downloadable scan.

http://us.asiancorrespondent.com/bangkok-p...n-s-ph.d-thesis

Edited April 25, 2010 by rabo

[evanson]

I agree with posters who say Abhisit and security forces should have acted sooner and not allowed the mob to get entrenched. As soon as authorities saw stages being erected, and sound systems set up at major intersections, they should have moved the rabble out - perhaps to a large empty field somewhere in the outskirts of Bkk. I bet there will be a lot of new lessons (hopefully learned) about effective crowd control after this mess is over.

Yes i also agree although perhaps it's easy to say that in hindsight. Peaceful demonstrations should always be allowed and the government was i think anxious to not give the red side any reason to start complaining about lack of free speech, hence why they allowed some lee-way in the early stages. Of course though when you give an inch, people often end up taking a mile.

Does Thai Government use 'Intelligence' same as CIA, MI5? Given that it was obvious to a bloody one eyed horse the 'red shirts' aka Taksins paid henchmen/dupes were not going to slink away back to the farm after ther 'please sir, will you dissolve the house NOW?' was understandably rebuffed, what the hel_l did they think would happen next!?

Taksin couldn't give a toss if they all were blown/shot to hel_l, what does he have to lose? Everything to win by their digging in, no matter what.

The Goverment have shown crass stupidity and in my view, gross dereliction of duty in protecting the majority of the electorate.

[barnsworth]

I agree with posters who say Abhisit and security forces should have acted sooner and not allowed the mob to get entrenched. As soon as authorities saw stages being erected, and sound systems set up at major intersections, they should have moved the rabble out - perhaps to a large empty field somewhere in the outskirts of Bkk. I bet there will be a lot of new lessons (hopefully learned) about effective crowd control after this mess is over.

Yes i also agree although perhaps it's easy to say that in hindsight. Peaceful demonstrations should always be allowed and the government was i think anxious to not give the red side any reason to start complaining about lack of free speech, hence why they allowed some lee-way in the early stages. Of course though when you give an inch, people often end up taking a mile.

We all saw this as the PAD dispersal by the police was halted by the Army and the behind the scenes elite.

That was the inch the PAD were given and the Airport was the mile they took.

The Junta constitution allows for protests only because that would make PAD protests legal if the Democrats somehow fail to get in every time.

[animatic]

Just some numbers from wiki : "On August 19, 2007, a referendum was held in which 59.3% of the voters voted in favor of the constitution."

If the Reds were really the majority of Thailand then this constitution would never have passed.

The junta imposed laws for this referendum...

Criticism of it was made illegal etc etc..

just some text from wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Constitution_of_Thailand

Permanent Constitution for the Kingdom of Thailand was drafted by a committee established by the military junta that abrogated the previous 1997 Constitution. On August 19, 2007, a referendum was held in which 59.3% of the voters voted in favor of the constitution. The current constitution succeeded the former supreme law of Thailand, the 2006 Interim Constitution.

The military junta-appointed Constitution Drafting Assembly unanimously approved the draft in July 2007, despite a lot of public controversy about several clauses.[1] The junta passed a law making it illegal to publicly criticize the draft.[2] The junta also ran a successful promotion campaign leading up to the referendum.

Sooo.... the Thais that didn't like it didn't vote for it.

How can anyone justify a government that restricts public debate amongst its citizens on an issue as important as their constitution prior to vote? The citizens of have been brain washed long enough.

Well actually the army said :

They wanted a constitution in place as soon as possible, to return to civilian rule,

and then let the civilians modify that charter between themselves.

The army wanted out ASAP.

So what was the 1st thing certain civilians tried to do. Write in blanket pardons

and get out of jail free cards for Thaksin's TRT and Thaksin.

That is NOT what was meant by modifying a charter for ALL the Thai people,

And this of course is a basic structural problem in the Thai Political World,

that of course brought the PAD back out of stasis to protest, leading to Oct 7th

Gov house and the airport.

During which time the Reds grew more and more violent.

Next time Charter amendment comes up all were aboard for discussion including PTP,

but Thaksin personally pulls the plug. Again not a charter re-write for all the people.

There is a functioning charter in place, not so far from 1997, but 1997 loop holes filled up.

This is voted on by the majority of Thai voters knowing IT CAN BE MODIFIED.

But the main problem as ALWAYS been the Political Classes fight for the trough and power.

Not the fight to improve the lot of the average Thai Somchai and Pornlada.

A rather pathetic excuse for parliamentarians...

[snorkelador]

You won't see the army clearing the protesters anytime soon. Their previous attempt on April 10 was a failure for them and the reds finest hour. It gave them the attention they were craving and the opportunity to violently attack the army. Since that time we have clearly seen that this is not a peaceful movement. They sit behind barricades sharpening spears calling for blood from their stage. When they aren't busy trying to intimidate the PM or those who live and work in the neighborhood they intimidate their own to keep them in line. Without another violent clash with the government they will run out of steam eventually. They can no longer leave their main base in large numbers and they've dropped their signature red to hide their dwindling numbers. The PM seems willing to let them implode on their own. One the imminent crackdown they claimed was coming doesn't appear they will come up with another set of lies to tell their congregation. They will claim victory and that they've scared the PM, make more threats, and look more crazy.

(I said that they would make more threats, Nation TV has received a bomb threat this afternoon)

Red shirts violently attacking the army on the 10th April ?

Any footage ?

Seems instead that it was the army shooting live ammo at the reds

http://www.france24.com/en/20100411-exclus...-thailand-crack

You forgot all this footage. Maybe just an honest mistake on your side or have you really never seen those clips before?

http://clipnabber.com/video/ztF6hUryt88-th...in-bangkok.html

http://clipnabber.com/video/c7oKenp6ZLw-79.html

http://clipnabber.com/video/NnLf0GgYTu4-boom.html

[koosdeboer]

You won't see the army clearing the protesters anytime soon. Their previous attempt on April 10 was a failure for them and the reds finest hour. It gave them the attention they were craving and the opportunity to violently attack the army. Since that time we have clearly seen that this is not a peaceful movement. They sit behind barricades sharpening spears calling for blood from their stage. When they aren't busy trying to intimidate the PM or those who live and work in the neighborhood they intimidate their own to keep them in line. Without another violent clash with the government they will run out of steam eventually. They can no longer leave their main base in large numbers and they've dropped their signature red to hide their dwindling numbers. The PM seems willing to let them implode on their own. One the imminent crackdown they claimed was coming doesn't appear they will come up with another set of lies to tell their congregation. They will claim victory and that they've scared the PM, make more threats, and look more crazy.

(I said that they would make more threats, Nation TV has received a bomb threat this afternoon)

Red shirts violently attacking the army on the 10th April ?

Any footage ?

Seems instead that it was the army shooting live ammo at the reds

http://www.france24.com/en/20100411-exclus...-thailand-crack

You forgot all this footage. Maybe just an honest mistake on your side or have you really never seen those clips before?

Maybe pornsasi can tell us why the redshirts cover the security camera's. For me that is prove that they have a lot to hide.

http://clipnabber.com/video/ztF6hUryt88-th...in-bangkok.html

http://clipnabber.com/video/c7oKenp6ZLw-79.html

http://clipnabber.com/video/NnLf0GgYTu4-boom.html

[agord]

The authoritarian farangs who post here are likely to get what they are drooling for - a massacre.

So the Reds threaten this, that & the other? So what else power have the poor got? They have been blocked from the ballot, they got no machine guns, tanks or artillery, & little money.

Their crooked 'leader' is removed by the equally crooked mafiosi of BKK.

What they got left but protest & verbals?

Whenever democracy raises its head in Thailand, the answer from BKK is a massacre. If the rednecks read a little history, they would know this. But authoritarians don't want to know. They don't want democracy, they want 'peace, law & order' - like you get in a prison or a graveyard. The residents there have limited ability to disturb the fun of expat wrinklies. The latter will be able to smile on in the Land of Smiles.

Others, pray for a miracle. OGT

I agree with you .

I have been reading the foreign press (CNN,BBC ,Le Monde, Amnesty international and others ) for last 5 weeks on the BKK events , nowhere , not a single time have i seen the red shirt movement described as a terrorist movement .

Those who called the red shirts terrorists and call for their physical anhilation are best described as cretins

Edit: Typo

So what do you call people who think it's a good idea to bring 1 million glass bottles to BKK with the intent of filling them up with petrol and for those that try and stop them "will disappear from this world"? hmmm? What would you call people who steal grenade launchers and assault rifles from the military? What would you call these people in your own country? Are you for real?!

Filling the bottle with what ? Sarsi or red bull ? Its hot you know .

Seriously because a few idiots , Arisman , Sae Daeng are asking to burn

Bangkok or sack shopping malls does not mean the immense majority of red

will do it . Bangkok is not on fire , shopping malls are not sacked .

As for stealing weapons of war , perhaps those were abandoned by soldiers

how can they steal those tell me ? And i heard that weapons were returned

to the army or police .

Dont oversimplify

How do they steal weapons? How do they stop a train full of soldiers? I think you are in denial my friend maybe Bangkok is not burning but a grenade being launched into a crowd waiting for the train?

And FYI not ALL of the weapons were returned according to the military. Wake up! The names you mention, the few "idiots" are the leadership of this mafia. Sure shopping malls are not on fire and not open either. Normal people are AFRAID to be in BKK, use the BTS/MRT so what do we call that when a group of thugs uses "terror" to achieve their goals = we call it terrorism!

[kissdani]

OK, Sorry, forgot the name.

In respect to the question of a society's responsibility to control lawlessness

and I quote -

"The Crime Control Model is based on the proposition that the repression of criminal conduct is by far the most important function to be performed by the criminal process. The failure of law enforcement to bring criminal conduct under tight control is viewed as leading to the breakdown of public order and thence to the disappearance of an important condition of human freedom."

--- Mr. Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra (thesis)

I think this quote leaves very little question as to what Prime Minster Abhisit and the Thai authorities must rightfully do.

End of story.

Amazing! Absolutely amazing. I wondered many times what Taksin would do in this (Abhisist's) situation. Well, I prefer not even to guess...

Dissolution of the parliament and a snap-election?

Thai snap-election set for April 2, 2006

Friday, February 24, 2006

In the face of mounting pressure and a hostile political climate in urban areas, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has announced the dissolution of the lower house, the House of Representatives of the country's parliament.

The move follows an audience earlier today with the King at the Dusit Palace and is despite defiant statements yesterday that the PM would neither step down nor dissolve parliament. An increasing number of voices have questioned Thaksin's suitability to hold the office of Prime Minister, with a petition to the Constitutional Court and a student-led petition for his impeachment contributing to the political uncertainty.

...

http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Thai_snap-elec...r_April_2,_2006

[animatic]

I have also seen it and walked through it it is huge and well organised. Noone could dispere this number of people without massive casualties. Abhisit's statement about removing it but he is not going to say how or when made me laugh. Why cant he accept that he has already lost and if he really believes the red shirts are a tiny minority call elections to see if he has a popular mandate to be the Thai Prime Minister?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Some red posters here should really seek some psychological assistance quickly. Delusions are a sign that you have overdone the jaa baa a bit.

BKjohn, why do you denigrate posts by people who actually were on site last night?

it is obvious that trying to remove a massive number of highly energized, angry people risks horrifying casualties, on both sides.

and in order to prevent this from happening, indeed what is so unreasonable about calling for elections?

Hmm?

What is unreasonable is forcing the election on a timetable the street action people decide,

not the government and/or parliament as a whole in discussion. Giving in to the violent pressure group,

is the slippery slope to NEVER, EVER AGAIN having stable government POSSIBLE in Thailand,

including the Red leaning government THEY want, because all groups will think they can do

the same again and again and...

[pimay11]

MCOT: Seh Daeng: UDD leaders are wise to tell supporters not to wear red. UDD should take decisive action b/f Apr30. Army doesn't have enough troops to disperse rally

Does anyone have any speculation as why this guy has not been detained already and not allowed to spue this garbage?

[animatic]

I guess after Abhisit named Chavalit with the head of the army sat next to him, this will come to a head quickly one way or another

and as they do, perhaps an early red objective:

The protesters have threatened more aggressive measures, including laying siege to Central World, the second-largest shopping complex in Southeast Asia, next to the stage at their main protest site.

"If you want Central World shopping mall back safely, you must withdraw army forces out of the nearby Rajaprasong area immediately," said Jatuporn Prompan, a protest leader.

April 25, 2010

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/worl...icle7107569.ece

Why this guy doesn't have a march hare and a drunken mouse in a teapot

next to him 24/7 is a mystery for the ages.