Thai Protesters Brace For Crackdown As Compromise Rejected

[humfurry]

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.

I think that you're trying his intellect with that one. Use something a bit more contemporary with pictures and sound so that he gets the gist, perhaps a movie? The first one that comes to my mind is Dumb and Dumber. Any other suggestions?

[jackspratt]

I have driven from near Udon Thani to Cha Am today, via Highway 2.

If a few buses of police were held up in Udon, it is not going to make much difference. We passed probably 50-70 full police mini-buses, together with about 6 large black police trucks in a several different convoys between Korat and Saraburi.

In addition, we went through probably 4 large police road blocks where all pickups with more than a couple of adults in the back (red shirts or not) were being searched, plus vehicle and drivers licence details being taken, and being input to some form of electronic device about the size of 2 iPhones. The road blocks were a mixture of police and army. In addition to the road blocks, in 3 or 4 places between Udon and Korat the road had been narrowed to a single lane, and army guys were noting and taking details of all "likely" vehicles which went past (without any search).

There was also a large red shirt road block just south of where the Kumpuwapi road comes out on Highway 2, but nothing after that.

Did not see any easily identifiable red shirts in vehicles heading south, but did pass two vehicles returning home with red shirts between Kumpuwapi and Nong Han.

With a farang driving the car, we were waved through on each occasion - easily the most hassle free drive south I have had in 3 years.

[Redsunset]

I'm coming to the conclusion that nothing is going to happen.... the red shirts will eventually get bored, homesick, tired and just go home. As they leave, eventually the police will just pick off the leaders like swooping your net through the water, then picking out the tropical fish you want.

This has got to be the most anti-climactic protest in the history of mankind.

Edited April 25, 2010 by Redsunset

[Redsunset]

Thai red shirt protest 2010.....

....All talk and no action.... the most interesting, but stupidest event of this protest has got to go to actor Arisman for his 007 impersonation.... a pot bellied, over the hill Bond, sliding down an electical power cord into the loving hands of his upcountry lovers. Sad, really.

[Skywalker69]

I have driven from near Udon Thani to Cha Am today, via Highway 2.

If a few buses of police were held up in Udon, it is not going to make much difference. We passed probably 50-70 full police mini-buses, together with about 6 large black police trucks in a several different convoys between Korat and Saraburi.

In addition, we went through probably 4 large police road blocks where all pickups with more than a couple of adults in the back (red shirts or not) were being searched, plus vehicle and drivers licence details being taken, and being input to some form of electronic device about the size of 2 iPhones. The road blocks were a mixture of police and army. In addition to the road blocks, in 3 or 4 places between Udon and Korat the road had been narrowed to a single lane, and army guys were noting and taking details of all "likely" vehicles which went past (without any search).

There was also a large red shirt road block just south of where the Kumpuwapi road comes out on Highway 2, but nothing after that.

Did not see any easily identifiable red shirts in vehicles heading south, but did pass two vehicles returning home with red shirts between Kumpuwapi and Nong Han.

With a farang driving the car, we were waved through on each occasion - easily the most hassle free drive south I have had in 3 years.

Good news, thanks!

[dinooz]

A red roadblock? what authortity do they have to man a roadblock? I voted "wait and see" and seems as time ticks away the reds are losing credibility and will eventually lose any support they once had ,PM isnt as silly and gutless as some make out,and his "wisdom" will eventualy prevail and the country will return to some form of normlicity,he will sort the pressing industrial probs near Rayong,organise a budget,coughs..Reshuffle army..grins and then and only then will he announce elections and the way the reds have exposed themselves, will win with a majority that cant be contesteted with " mob rule" and if allowed to govern will bring Thailand closer to being a developed country..this man is Thailands last chance

[enginerevision]

[bapak]

Why does everyone seem to go home at 6pm every day at this site?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Bangkok-Red-....html&st=25

Is there no news in the evening?

[barnsworth]

I have driven from near Udon Thani to Cha Am today, via Highway 2.

If a few buses of police were held up in Udon, it is not going to make much difference. We passed probably 50-70 full police mini-buses, together with about 6 large black police trucks in a several different convoys between Korat and Saraburi.

In addition, we went through probably 4 large police road blocks where all pickups with more than a couple of adults in the back (red shirts or not) were being searched, plus vehicle and drivers licence details being taken, and being input to some form of electronic device about the size of 2 iPhones. The road blocks were a mixture of police and army. In addition to the road blocks, in 3 or 4 places between Udon and Korat the road had been narrowed to a single lane, and army guys were noting and taking details of all "likely" vehicles which went past (without any search).

There was also a large red shirt road block just south of where the Kumpuwapi road comes out on Highway 2, but nothing after that.

Did not see any easily identifiable red shirts in vehicles heading south, but did pass two vehicles returning home with red shirts between Kumpuwapi and Nong Han.

With a farang driving the car, we were waved through on each occasion - easily the most hassle free drive south I have had in 3 years.

All of which is endearing the northerners to the elite cause.

It;s one thing to re-inforce with units from the north, it's another to get them to shoot anybody.

[bartlaz]

(sorry for my english)

There is something i can't understand:

i want to make it clear first that i don't support reds neither yellows. I'm for peace and democracy

So, am i stupid or i've missed something?

i understand why some thais are yellow but i don't understand why many farangs are yellow and post defamatory messages against reds calling them terrorists.

i don't know who is the good and the bad,

-what i know is 4 years the reds govern the country and the yellow took the country after a coup d'etat.

-after 1 year or so the reds win the new DEMOCRATIC elections.

-1 year later the yellow take the govern again because the occupy and block the airport.

-reds ask for new elections using the yellow strategy: occupying

so reds are terrorists? if yes, it means yellow are terrorist as well. used the same strategy. if yes it means someone don't know what is terrorism

yellows are democratic?

what i think is: good or not the reds won the elections in a democratic way but the yellow took govern in an undemocratic way.

if in my country would happen something like that, and i were red, i would be very angry and disappointed.

So many posts make me confused. someone could explain why they support yellows and call reds terrorists? I DON'T UNDERSTAND

[Neurath]

This particular ploy was used by Thaksin in the hope that an election victory would lessen the courts appetite for pursuing a popularly elected leader. That strategy had already worked for him once in his assets concealment case. Judges interviewed later said they ignored the facts of the case and ruled in the majority "not guilty" because they believed he had a popular mandate to govern and they didn't want to rock the boat. That particular dereliction of duty is responsible for just about every problem that has followed.

And so began Prime Minister Thaksin's unsystematic efforts to undo, evade, elide and destroy the proper functioning of the document whose whole purpose to ensure the legitimacy of elected governments. Legitimacy is not (just) getting the most votes - it is getting them and governing under a system of laws which are in place to ensure legitimacy. Even Richard Nixon found this out.

The appalling political infantalism in Thailand is in crucial respects a result of the fact that legitimacy hasn't come from laws or votes but from on high. With a lacunae there, the medieval barons fight it out for supremacy. The idea that everyone must be equal under the law is a counter-cultural notion in Thailand - the main game is making sure that others are under it and you are above it. Joining the police force helps I'm told.

Great post. I'm no Thaksin fan, but he was really no worse than what went before and what goes on now. There are multiple layers in Thai society, and the higher up the tree you are, the less the law applies. If you're high enough ( like Chalerm's family) you can get away with public murder. Thaksins problem was that he was nouvau riche, and although he might of had the wealth, he didnt' have the breeding to join the club. So they blackballed him. The rest is history.

Another of his problems is that he pulled the wrong pigs from big Sow's Teats - CP, BB, Kasikorn etc.-who then had to stand by, initially aghast but later livid, as other piglets got fat sucking on the State with all the cronyistic fervor Mr. Thaksin had earlier exemplified in getting and expanding his telecom concessions in the first place. None of the pigs wants to be runt of this litter, so they all donned shirts of different color and, incongruously, they all put on the ill-fitting suits of purveyors of "democracy".

I think it was Machiavelli who advised the Prince thus: "kill their sons, rape their women, but do not touch their money".

[Mosha]

So yesterday, I tell her the red leaders have told their people not to wear red. She is as I type, watching the events on tv. "Oh now they change shirts" she says. I reply in an exasperated tone. "I told you that yesterday!". Her response, "OK I no talk with you."

Edited April 25, 2010 by Mosha

[Jingthing]

(sorry for my english)

There is something i can't understand:

i want to make it clear first that i don't support reds neither yellows. I'm for peace and democracy

So, am i stupid or i've missed something?

i understand why some thais are yellow but i don't understand why many farangs are yellow and post defamatory messages against reds calling them terrorists.

i don't know who is the good and the bad,

-what i know is 4 years the reds govern the country and the yellow took the country after a coup d'etat.

-after 1 year or so the reds win the new DEMOCRATIC elections.

-1 year later the yellow take the govern again because the occupy and block the airport.

-reds ask for new elections using the yellow strategy: occupying

so reds are terrorists? if yes, it means yellow are terrorist as well. used the same strategy. if yes it means someone don't know what is terrorism

yellows are democratic?

what i think is: good or not the reds won the elections in a democratic way but the yellow took govern in an undemocratic way.

if in my country would happen something like that, and i were red, i would be very angry and disappointed.

So many posts make me confused. someone could explain why they support yellows and call reds terrorists? I DON'T UNDERSTAND

You think in simple black and white. It is a complex situation. Most of us who are anti-red here are NOT pro yellow. Some people like you want to force people who express anti-red sentiment into the pro yellow box. That is completely wrong. As far as tactics and violence, I am sorry, the reds have crossed lines of violence and threats into bona fide terrorism by anyone's definition. Of course not all red shirts are terrorists, but they are now associated with a movement that has used terrorist tactics and continues to threaten to use more of them if they don't get their way. In fact, some of their actual leaders have spoken terrorist speech. Do you understand now? Edited April 25, 2010 by Jingthing

[bartlaz]

This particular ploy was used by Thaksin in the hope that an election victory would lessen the courts appetite for pursuing a popularly elected leader. That strategy had already worked for him once in his assets concealment case. Judges interviewed later said they ignored the facts of the case and ruled in the majority "not guilty" because they believed he had a popular mandate to govern and they didn't want to rock the boat. That particular dereliction of duty is responsible for just about every problem that has followed.

And so began Prime Minister Thaksin's unsystematic efforts to undo, evade, elide and destroy the proper functioning of the document whose whole purpose to ensure the legitimacy of elected governments. Legitimacy is not (just) getting the most votes - it is getting them and governing under a system of laws which are in place to ensure legitimacy. Even Richard Nixon found this out.

The appalling political infantalism in Thailand is in crucial respects a result of the fact that legitimacy hasn't come from laws or votes but from on high. With a lacunae there, the medieval barons fight it out for supremacy. The idea that everyone must be equal under the law is a counter-cultural notion in Thailand - the main game is making sure that others are under it and you are above it. Joining the police force helps I'm told.

Great post. I'm no Thaksin fan, but he was really no worse than what went before and what goes on now. There are multiple layers in Thai society, and the higher up the tree you are, the less the law applies. If you're high enough ( like Chalerm's family) you can get away with public murder. Thaksins problem was that he was nouvau riche, and although he might of had the wealth, he didnt' have the breeding to join the club. So they blackballed him. The rest is history.

that's exactly what happened. one more problem about Thaksin: he tried to open the country to foreign investments (especially Singapore). That means the high layer loose power and control of the country and people. That killed Thaksin

[hoilai]

GROSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[barnsworth]

A red roadblock? what authortity do they have to man a roadblock? I voted "wait and see" and seems as time ticks away the reds are losing credibility and will eventually lose any support they once had ,PM isnt as silly and gutless as some make out,and his "wisdom" will eventualy prevail and the country will return to some form of normlicity,he will sort the pressing industrial probs near Rayong,organise a budget,coughs..Reshuffle army..grins and then and only then will he announce elections and the way the reds have exposed themselves, will win with a majority that cant be contesteted with " mob rule" and if allowed to govern will bring Thailand closer to being a developed country..this man is Thailands last chance

It's only the Army road blocks keeping this from being enormous today.

Now they know what to expect they are to counter. Just reading the news feed on a non yellow paper.

Based on the model that stopped the train of reinforcements and the police convoy today.

Bangkok is a long way to go for a convoy as noticable as this. They will be easy to stop if there is an escalation.

Anymore "Facts" from the Nation?

More later.

[Jingthing]

comment 132

catch22 date : 25/04/2010 time : 13.16

http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/catch22

Game Over -- Thaksin Shinnawatra is Dead

Posted by Piset , Reader : 516 , 07:46:15

Sunday 25 April

At the moment, I am still waiting for further confirmation.

The latest information I have received indicated yet, the Shinnawatra family is contacting with Thai government for permission to return the body of Thaksin Shinnawatra to Thailand for Funeral.

The latest news from Bangkok indicated that at least 3 of the Red shirt leaders are not at Rajaprasong now, they may have got into the U.S. Embassy compound seeking political asylum.

If so, the game is over.

Perchace a rumour or is it fact

That's quite a rumor. In any case, why my government would give asylum to red leaders is beyond me. Well, actually, I can think of a good reason. If it helps Thailand avoid civil war, it would be worth it. The link supplied is rather bogus as well ... Edited April 25, 2010 by Jingthing

[Insight]

A red roadblock? what authortity do they have to man a roadblock? I voted "wait and see" and seems as time ticks away the reds are losing credibility and will eventually lose any support they once had ,PM isnt as silly and gutless as some make out,and his "wisdom" will eventualy prevail and the country will return to some form of normlicity,he will sort the pressing industrial probs near Rayong,organise a budget,coughs..Reshuffle army..grins and then and only then will he announce elections and the way the reds have exposed themselves, will win with a majority that cant be contesteted with " mob rule" and if allowed to govern will bring Thailand closer to being a developed country..this man is Thailands last chance

It's only the Army road blocks keeping this from being enormous today.

Now they know what to expect they are to counter. Just reading the news feed on a non yellow paper.

Based on the model that stopped the train of reinforcements and the police convoy today.

Bangkok is a long way to go for a convoy as noticable as this. They will be easy to stop if there is an escalation.

Anymore "Facts" from the Nation?

More later.

"elite" "yellow"

Give it a rest. Your PR vocab is 6 weeks out of date.

[hoilai]

comment 132

catch22 date : 25/04/2010 time : 13.16

http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/catch22

Game Over -- Thaksin Shinnawatra is Dead

Posted by Piset , Reader : 516 , 07:46:15

Sunday 25 April

At the moment, I am still waiting for further confirmation.

The latest information I have received indicated yet, the Shinnawatra family is contacting with Thai government for permission to return the body of Thaksin Shinnawatra to Thailand for Funeral.

The latest news from Bangkok indicated that at least 3 of the Red shirt leaders are not at Rajaprasong now, they may have got into the U.S. Embassy compound seeking political asylum.

If so, the game is over.

abhisit's been beheaded and his head is hanging from a lamp-post outside central world......

anupong paochinda is pilloried outside the dusit thani hotel awaiting beheading.....

check www. the nation.com and bangkokpost.com.

Perchace a rumour or is it fact

[Born2lag]

My intel on the ground has just reported live from Silom - a violent crackdown is apparently in progress right now as around 250-300 military vehicles have started to block all entering roads to the area leading to the protest venue.

Other intel confirms that orders have been given to crack down in around 30 min from now and that it's likely going to get very violent. Military has also setup snipers on high rise buildings and I would expect the Third Hand to be around as well in these places armed with the usual grenade launchers.

If you are in the area avoid windows and balconies - it's safer to look out of your door that look down from a window.

In spite of court orders that brought an injunction against a government crackdown and numerous peace offers, Abhisit is showing his real color: stay in power no matter what to protect the guy in the back pulling the strings.

Media have gone silent, Red Shirt sites are down - only some radio stations are left.

Dictatorship has come out in force again ...

http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/maxheadro...0/04/25/entry-1

Is this for real?

[Jingthing]

Enforcing the law against an illegal occupation protest of a group that has already committed acts of terror means the government doing so is a dictatorship? OK, whatever ... Seems to me this is civilization and the rule of law against terrorists/anarchists, etc.

Edited April 25, 2010 by Jingthing

[elcent]

... tourist campaign slogan should be and ended up with winner "Come visit Montenegro. Your car is already here!"

The same you could say about Thailand visiting Cambodia ...

[Jingthing]

Rumors are flying fast and thick tonight, yes indeedy.

[barnsworth]

comment 132

catch22 date : 25/04/2010 time : 13.16

http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/catch22

Game Over -- Thaksin Shinnawatra is Dead

Posted by Piset , Reader : 516 , 07:46:15

Sunday 25 April

At the moment, I am still waiting for further confirmation.

The latest information I have received indicated yet, the Shinnawatra family is contacting with Thai government for permission to return the body of Thaksin Shinnawatra to Thailand for Funeral.

The latest news from Bangkok indicated that at least 3 of the Red shirt leaders are not at Rajaprasong now, they may have got into the U.S. Embassy compound seeking political asylum.

If so, the game is over.

abhisit's been beheaded and his head is hanging from a lamp-post outside central world......

anupong paochinda is pilloried outside the dusit thani hotel awaiting beheading.....

check www. the nation.com and bangkokpost.com.

Perchace a rumour or is it fact

Why not find (if there is one) an english language newspaper website from Bangkok. I heard a rumour that there is a very interesting article on the front page about the men in black.

I'll check.

[Neurath]

My intel on the ground has just reported live from Silom - a violent crackdown is apparently in progress right now as around 250-300 military vehicles have started to block all entering roads to the area leading to the protest venue.

Other intel confirms that orders have been given to crack down in around 30 min from now and that it's likely going to get very violent. Military has also setup snipers on high rise buildings and I would expect the Third Hand to be around as well in these places armed with the usual grenade launchers.

If you are in the area avoid windows and balconies - it's safer to look out of your door that look down from a window.

In spite of court orders that brought an injunction against a government crackdown and numerous peace offers, Abhisit is showing his real color: stay in power no matter what to protect the guy in the back pulling the strings.

Media have gone silent, Red Shirt sites are down - only some radio stations are left.

Dictatorship has come out in force again ...

http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/maxheadro...0/04/25/entry-1

Is this for real?

What on earth are you talking about? Nothing's going on...

Mushrooms probably. The entry was written at 2.45 p.m. I was at the Saladaeng intersection at that time. I didn't see this guy's 'intel' or his crackdown.

[siampolee]

My intel on the ground has just reported live from Silom - a violent crackdown is apparently in progress right now as around 250-300 military vehicles have started to block all entering roads to the area leading to the protest venue.

Other intel confirms that orders have been given to crack down in around 30 min from now and that it's likely going to get very violent. Military has also setup snipers on high rise buildings and I would expect the Third Hand to be around as well in these places armed with the usual grenade launchers.

If you are in the area avoid windows and balconies - it's safer to look out of your door that look down from a window.

In spite of court orders that brought an injunction against a government crackdown and numerous peace offers, Abhisit is showing his real color: stay in power no matter what to protect the guy in the back pulling the strings.

Media have gone silent, Red Shirt sites are down - only some radio stations are left.

Dictatorship has come out in force again ...

Wild rumours flying about concerning everyone and everything at the moment.

Seems as if what may pass as the truth is about as rare as hens teeth.

Perhaps it's the Waccky Baccy posting syndrome at work

[KKvampire]

CLEAR THE AREA , WHATEVER IT TAKES

[SiamNilsson]

[jefro]

Rumors are flying fast and thick tonight, yes indeedy.

RATCHAPRASONG, APRIL 25, 2010: United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protesters in Bangkok today swapped their trademark red clothing for clothing of many colors ahead of a massive securty crackdown expected to commence in the early hours of Monday morning.

As tens of thousands of democracy supporters flocked to the Ratchaprasong rallying point dressed in normal street wear, large bundles of clothes were delivered to the stage by red-shirt sympathizers for distribution to those with only red clothes.

At the same time tens of thousands of police from all corners of the country were converging on Bangkok, reportedly armed with shotguns, in preparation for what protest leaders have been told will be a massive crackdown commencing around dawn tomorrow morning.

By early evening UDD leaders had received information that a huge force of almost 90,000 police and soldiers had been assembled for a massive final crackdown attempt.

At his evening media briefing core UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan said 214 units of soldiers had been positioned close to the Ratchaprasong intersection in preparation to dispersing the protesters.

Mr. Jatuporn said the government has assembled a massive force of “more than 40,ooo soldiers and 44,000 police” to crackdown on the red-shirts, with information indicating the police will be the first wave of security forces to move against the protesters, with the army bringing up the rear.

UDD co-leader Natthawut Saikua told protesters the decision to change out of their distinctive red clothing was based on information that more than 200 Thai soldiers were patrolling Bangkok on motorbikes mimicking the brutal tactics of the Iranian Basji, confronting red-shirt supporters traveling to or from the Ratchaprasong rally site and beating them.

For photographs of red-shirt protesters receiving multi-color clothing see: Red-shirt protest photos from April 25, 2010

[elcent]

aren't these black soldiers those that carried out the order to kill anybody they see fit in the war on drugs? hmmm