Thai PM Abhisit Vows To Retake Bangkok Protest Site

[webfact]

Thai PM vows to retake Bangkok protest site

by Thanaporn Promyamyai

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thailand's embattled premier vowed to clear Bangkok's commercial heart of anti-government Red Shirt protesters as he appeared on national television Sunday in a show of unity with his army chief.

But Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva did not say when security forces planned to regain control of the Red Shirts' vast protest site, which has been fortified with barricades made from truck tyres and sharpened bamboo poles.

The Reds, who are demanding elections to replace the government, have occupied the Ratchaprasong intersection for three weeks and fear a crackdown is looming after Abhisit rejected their offer of a compromise.

"There will be a retaking of Ratchaprasong but the process, the measures, how and when it will be done we cannot disclose because it depends on several things," said Abhisit.

"The main point now is not whether or not to disperse but how to solve the whole problem," added the premier, who has been holed up in a military barracks since street rallies erupted in mid-March.

The pre-recorded televised appearance by the premier and army chief General Anupong Paojinda was seen as an attempt to quash speculation of a rift between the two men on how to deal with the crippling political crisis.

Anupong said the military -- which mounted a 2006 coup that forced then-premier Thaksin Shinawatra out of power -- would follow government orders.

"We are an army for the nation, for the monarchy and for the people. We will do our job without taking sides," he said.

The highly influential army chief said Friday, however, that the use of force was no solution to the crisis, which has twice descended into deadly street violence this month, leaving 26 dead and hundreds injured.

When troops tried to sweep Reds out of Bangkok's historic area on April 10 they suffered a humiliating retreat and there is growing talk of "watermelon" soldiers -- green outside but red inside -- who support the protesters.

Anupong played down talk of a split within the army, which has been sending out mixed signals on how it prefers to handle the demonstrators, who are defying a state of emergency and a ban on rallies in the capital.

He admitted, however, that some serving troops apparently fought alongside the Red Shirts in the April 10 clashes.

Hopes for an agreement to end the long-running protests were dashed Saturday when Abhisit ruled out the Red Shirts' offer to disperse if parliament was dissolved in 30 days for elections in three months' time.

In response the Reds -- mostly rural and urban poor who support ex-premier Thaksin -- said they would prepare for a military offensive to clear their camp, which has forced hotels and malls to close.

"If Abhisit fails to crack down on us he will have to leave office, and if he succeeds in pushing us out using force, Reds rallies will break out in every region of the country," vowed leader Nattawut Saikuar.

There have been mounting incidents of open defiance against security forces in recent days. On Sunday some 1,000 Reds used a truck to block a main road into Bangkok and halt 500 police being drafted in aboard trucks.

In northeast Udon Thani province, another 150 police were prevented from travelling to the capital by a group of 1,000 protesters who blocked their way late Saturday.

Fears of a crackdown escalated earlier in the week amid warnings from the military that protesters would face live weapons fire in any new clashes.

After grenade blasts Thursday left one dead and scores injured at a pro-government rally, there are concerns over the risk of more conflict breaking out between Thailand's warring factions.

The elite-backed "Yellow Shirts," who vowed a week ago to take action if the government fails to deal with the rival Reds, plan to meet Monday to discuss their next step after their deadline expired.

Another pro-government group known as the "Multicoloured" contingent, who have been holding regular peaceful rallies, have said they will hold a major gathering on Friday.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-04-25

Published with written approval from AFP.

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[steven100]

Bring out the tanks !!

a few overhead shots will soon disperse the reds for sure !!

China didn't mess about with this type of activity and it's considered terrorism here as the reds are using grenades and whatever live weapons they can.

The government needs to send in special forces and grab the leaders ... that is the whole problem .. if there are no leaders to instigate the troops then it breaks down.

Thailand is now an embarassment to the world as shown on international TV. Thailands tourism has gone down the drain forever because of this ... Would you bring your family here for a holiday ?

The reds have made there bed .. now they must lie in it.

This is my opinion.

[Mekhong]

'The highly influential army chief said Friday, however, that the use of force was no solution to the crisis' so I guess the tanks and snipers option is out of the question. You never know though - the govt seem to say one thing one day and backtrack the next. Still think the best and simplest way is to cut off electricity and food / water supplies to the area - can't understand why they haven't done this already. There aren't going to be many people sitting around the stage if there's nothing to listen to and once they get hungry, people would have to leave. Makes sense doesn't it?

[Slaps]

'The highly influential army chief said Friday, however, that the use of force was no solution to the crisis' so I guess the tanks and snipers option is out of the question. You never know though - the govt seem to say one thing one day and backtrack the next. Still think the best and simplest way is to cut off electricity and food / water supplies to the area - can't understand why they haven't done this already. There aren't going to be many people sitting around the stage if there's nothing to listen to and once they get hungry, people would have to leave. Makes sense doesn't it?

They can't even stop lorry loads of tiers, it's all <deleted>, it's all a game, It's all been done before

[halfhead]

I prefer the yellow ones myself

[gemini81]

has anyone read the bangkok post columns or seen the news on the "mysterious" men in black? Who do you suppose they really are? They've been seen in and among the red shirt "barricades" so it would appear if they were foes there would've been a clash.

One has to wonder how all this can go on when it gets to sucha level as guys in black with machine gus can roam around like mercenaries and assassins.

Time to bring this to an end. The "formerly red shirts now known as colorless shirts" don't want a peaceful end, so I guess sooner or later here, they'll get what they're askin' for, maybe more than they bargained for.

[givenall]

'The highly influential army chief said Friday, however, that the use of force was no solution to the crisis' so I guess the tanks and snipers option is out of the question. You never know though - the govt seem to say one thing one day and backtrack the next. Still think the best and simplest way is to cut off electricity and food / water supplies to the area - can't understand why they haven't done this already. There aren't going to be many people sitting around the stage if there's nothing to listen to and once they get hungry, people would have to leave. Makes sense doesn't it?

Meanwhile a lot of businesses belonging to middle and ordinary classes are being destroyed, yet the rich are hardly affected. The Central, Paragon and alike will continue to get the rent from the shop owners, so they big money and companies don’t really care about the situation

[redparrot]

Didn't he say 3 weeks ago already that he would "retake" the protester sites? And someone please tell this boy that the police are responsible for dispersing the protesters, not the army.

[redparrot]

has anyone read the bangkok post columns or seen the news on the "mysterious" men in black? Who do you suppose they really are? They've been seen in and among the red shirt "barricades" so it would appear if they were foes there would've been a clash.

One has to wonder how all this can go on when it gets to sucha level as guys in black with machine gus can roam around like mercenaries and assassins.

Time to bring this to an end. The "formerly red shirts now known as colorless shirts" don't want a peaceful end, so I guess sooner or later here, they'll get what they're askin' for, maybe more than they bargained for.

The "men in black" are army rangers trained by General Chavalit, the now chairman of Pheua Thai, originally intended to guard Thailand's borders with Laos and Cambodia, as well as carry out missions in the deep South. When Surayud took over a few years ago, he disbanded the army rangers and they all lost their jobs. They're some of the best trained special forces in Thailand, and now it seems they're getting their job back. Bad move from Surayud.

[apex2000]

You people should be ashamed of yourselves.

We are talking about an ARMY possibly slaughtering civilians who are armed with just sticks and rocks for self-defence.

I'll bet none of you know the history of the Thammasat students who were slaughtered in 1976.

Have you seen the pictures or the video?

What is wrong with you people?

Are your business interests at stake or what?

You should be held as guilty as those who may possibly murder many innocent men, women, and children.

Why don't you go back to your home countries and kill your own people.

[gemini81]

Didn't he say 3 weeks ago already that he would "retake" the protester sites? And someone please tell this boy that the police are responsible for dispersing the protesters, not the army.

..that would be one embarrasing scene! The police back outta the way when they see a caravan of red, saw it with my own eyes. They give way and don't allow the rest of the traffic to proceed (around Siam the other week.)

Then again, a lot of police are or sympathize with the red shirts, due to low salaries and other factors.

There is such a large mob with such a craving for the mayhem, I think it'll take the military (since they've procrastinated doing much thus far)

[geriatrickid]

Bring out the tanks !!

Wow, there's someone that has no idea of what he's proposing or given much thought to the idea.

- The area is not conducive to the use of tanks. There are concrete obstacles, lightposts, traffic lights and narrow side streets that interfere with the mobility of a tank.

- There are building overhangs and overhead nooks that are conducive to dropping molotov cocktails onto the tanks.

- There are roadway grates and sewer covers conducive to the planting of IEDs

A tank is a difficult machine to operate. Tanks are not designed nor intended for the Bangkok urban layout. Visibility, particularly in the models Thailand has available is limited and there is a strong likelihood that when operated in a crowded area, the tanks would most likely run over friendly forces as well as the old grannies that cannot get out of the way.

Aside from that, sending tanks against a civilian populace won't go over too well.

[redparrot]

I think the main reason that the Army isn't doing anything is because they're waiting for the Democrats to be banned when the court decides that they've committed fraud. Abhisit and his cronies will then be banned from politics for 5 years.

Anupong is trying to play it smart. If the Democrats get banned, he'll jump over to the new Phuea Thai coalition.

[bobby906]

You people should be ashamed of yourselves.

We are talking about an ARMY possibly slaughtering civilians who are armed with just sticks and rocks for self-defence.

I'll bet none of you know the history of the Thammasat students who were slaughtered in 1976.

Have you seen the pictures or the video?

What is wrong with you people?

Are your business interests at stake or what?

You should be held as guilty as those who may possibly murder many innocent men, women, and children.

Why don't you go back to your home countries and kill your own people.

Have you not been following the news? -Sticks and rocks!!! -What about the M16's/Grenades/petrol bombs etc????

[redparrot]

Bring out the tanks !!

a few overhead shots will soon disperse the reds for sure !!

And shoot at what? Will the tank missile stop when it hits a red protester? Or will it continue until it finds some solid concrete where it gets stuck and detonates? Like ...Siam Paragon? Central World? The last thing Thailand needs are LIVE images on CNN showing the government shooting at their own high-class shopping centers.

Besides that, also the last thing Thailand needs are stinky tanks stuck in evening traffic.

[gemini81]

has anyone read the bangkok post columns or seen the news on the "mysterious" men in black? Who do you suppose they really are? They've been seen in and among the red shirt "barricades" so it would appear if they were foes there would've been a clash.

One has to wonder how all this can go on when it gets to sucha level as guys in black with machine gus can roam around like mercenaries and assassins.

Time to bring this to an end. The "formerly red shirts now known as colorless shirts" don't want a peaceful end, so I guess sooner or later here, they'll get what they're askin' for, maybe more than they bargained for.

The "men in black" are army rangers trained by General Chavalit, the now chairman of Pheua Thai, originally intended to guard Thailand's borders with Laos and Cambodia, as well as carry out missions in the deep South. When Surayud took over a few years ago, he disbanded the army rangers and they all lost their jobs. They're some of the best trained special forces in Thailand, and now it seems they're getting their job back. Bad move from Surayud.

Thats what I'd read and heard. Prolly right.Seeing a video on youtube in which everyone clears a path for them, they appear feared of course. I wasn't sure if that was in fact who they are, or mere hearsay. It is all becoming a blur of nonsense isn't it?

[ratcatcher]

You people should be ashamed of yourselves.

We are talking about an ARMY possibly slaughtering civilians who are armed with just sticks and rocks for self-defence.

I'll bet none of you know the history of the Thammasat students who were slaughtered in 1976.

Have you seen the pictures or the video?

What is wrong with you people?

Are your business interests at stake or what?

You should be held as guilty as those who may possibly murder many innocent men, women, and children.

Why don't you go back to your home countries and kill your own people.

Slow down a minute.

The army isn't going to slaughter civilians armed with "just sticks and rocks".

Have you not seen these guys in black among the Red Shirts (now any color to blend in). (ex Rangers) The Reds have been told to disperse and will be warned again many times prior to any military intervention.

Then, after those who wish to leave the scene have done so, the clearance can begin.

They have become terrorists by their recent actions and Thaksin condones this terrorist activity.

Time to shut them down, and thousands of Thais gathered at Victory monument this day would agree with me..

So it isn't quite "Lambs to the slaughter".

Also, whenever the move on these Rebels is made, you can be sure they will set fire to the barricades and do as much damage to local buildings as they can. It's probably their last stand.

Edited April 25, 2010 by ratcatcher

[gemini81]

You people should be ashamed of yourselves.

We are talking about an ARMY possibly slaughtering civilians who are armed with just sticks and rocks for self-defence.

I'll bet none of you know the history of the Thammasat students who were slaughtered in 1976.

Have you seen the pictures or the video?

What is wrong with you people?

Are your business interests at stake or what?

You should be held as guilty as those who may possibly murder many innocent men, women, and children.

Why don't you go back to your home countries and kill your own people.

Not wishing misfortune upon anyone, but there seems little other options. I hope you are aware that peace talks didn't work, they don't wanna negotiate, and that group is and has been downright violent, even unprovoked. And what sorta peaceful statement do their "defences" make? Certainly not a peaceful diplomatic solution!

They aren't gonna go home until they're kicked out, and maybe its too late, as they are losing their color so they can stealthily blend in with the population. This is about to become a zone where you can't avoid danger at all in the Big Mango.

[Chaimai]

You people should be ashamed of yourselves.

You should be held as guilty as those who may possibly murder many innocent men, women, and children.

Why don't you go back to your home countries and kill your own people.

Being a bit of a drama queen aren't we ?

You have come a long way since the 12th March when you said:-

"I'm not a 'red' - just an interested observer who has lived in the LoS for nearly 20 years"

[yoshiwara]

You people should be ashamed of yourselves.

We are talking about an ARMY possibly slaughtering civilians who are armed with just sticks and rocks for self-defence.

I'll bet none of you know the history of the Thammasat students who were slaughtered in 1976.

Have you seen the pictures or the video?

What is wrong with you people?

Are your business interests at stake or what?

You should be held as guilty as those who may possibly murder many innocent men, women, and children.

Why don't you go back to your home countries and kill your own people.

Just woke up and turned on the Red TV did you?

I'll bet you have bought the red line with one swallow.

[Familyonthemove]

has anyone read the bangkok post columns or seen the news on the "mysterious" men in black? Who do you suppose they really are? They've been seen in and among the red shirt "barricades" so it would appear if they were foes there would've been a clash.

One has to wonder how all this can go on when it gets to sucha level as guys in black with machine gus can roam around like mercenaries and assassins.

Time to bring this to an end. The "formerly red shirts now known as colorless shirts" don't want a peaceful end, so I guess sooner or later here, they'll get what they're askin' for, maybe more than they bargained for.

The "men in black" are army rangers trained by General Chavalit, the now chairman of Pheua Thai, originally intended to guard Thailand's borders with Laos and Cambodia, as well as carry out missions in the deep South. When Surayud took over a few years ago, he disbanded the army rangers and they all lost their jobs. They're some of the best trained special forces in Thailand, and now it seems they're getting their job back. Bad move from Surayud.

Thats what I'd read and heard. Prolly right.Seeing a video on youtube in which everyone clears a path for them, they appear feared of course. I wasn't sure if that was in fact who they are, or mere hearsay. It is all becoming a blur of nonsense isn't it?

Yep ... sounds reasonable to me as well ... I have to cut through the Red Shirt area to get to my office in Soi Chidlom from the Sky Train, and the guards at the main entry points and to the central area (next to Central World) where they hold the main rallies are serious looking guys dressed all in black. Everyone else seems very friendly and there'a a carnival-like atmoshere, but the guys in black seem much more serious and focussed .... though I'm no expert.

[webfact]

In advance: A general warning and some advise

Keep these Guidelines in mind....

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Warning-Advice-t342100.html

Given the highly inflammatory nature of some posts and posters in the News forum, we are currently instituting a zero tolerance policy with regards to posting inflammatory comments, comments advocating violence, trollish comments, and flames. You will receive an automatic posting rights suspension for this behavior in the News forum. Bear that in mind when posting.

Thx for your cooperation

[peteryeah]

You people should be ashamed of yourselves.

We are talking about an ARMY possibly slaughtering civilians who are armed with just sticks and rocks for self-defence.

I'll bet none of you know the history of the Thammasat students who were slaughtered in 1976.

Have you seen the pictures or the video?

What is wrong with you people?

Are your business interests at stake or what?

You should be held as guilty as those who may possibly murder many innocent men, women, and children.

Why don't you go back to your home countries and kill your own people.

Have you not been following the news? -Sticks and rocks!!! -What about the M16's/Grenades/petrol bombs etc????

How many of the red shirts are armed you think? You think they hand out Grenade launchers along with the shirt and hats? Most of them are civilians who have joined the protest and listen to one dimensional propaganda every waken hour for weeks. They are not an armed mass, there have been a few incidents with weapons. Please see the difference and think about it.

[ETatBKK]

You people should be ashamed of yourselves.

We are talking about an ARMY possibly slaughtering civilians who are armed with just sticks and rocks for self-defence.

I'll bet none of you know the history of the Thammasat students who were slaughtered in 1976.

Have you seen the pictures or the video?

What is wrong with you people?

Are your business interests at stake or what?

You should be held as guilty as those who may possibly murder many innocent men, women, and children.

Why don't you go back to your home countries and kill your own people.

an interesting opinion, I guess this forum could ‘accept’ opinion from all different perspective !

SAD that there are still many people have this ‘one-sided’ opinion, no wonder there are millions of red supporters ( or mai-me-see, mai-me-san ) still around in the country.

most of people ( Thai and including foreigners here ) don’t want to see violence - WE WANT PEACE !

but there are few protesters and their alliances are challenging the limits and they want to trigger violence, then the government will be blamed !

just my very stupid opinion.

[redparrot]

- Abhisit says that he will disperse the protesters, even if it means using force.

- Anupong says he won't use force, that the problems have to be solved politically.

Sounds to me like the army isn't listening to Abhisit anymore. Kind of like a puppet where the puppetmaster pulls on the empty strings after the little wooden hands fell off.

[jackr]

We are talking about an ARMY possibly slaughtering civilians who are armed with just sticks and rocks for self-defence.

I think one needs to wake up and smell the roses.

Bring out the tanks !!

Wow, there's someone that has no idea of what he's proposing or given much thought to the idea.

- The area is not conducive to the use of tanks. There are concrete obstacles, lightposts, traffic lights and narrow side streets that interfere with the mobility of a tank...

I think he was being flippant, although one would be useful for flattening the barricades. Better than climbing over, what what?

[bkksteviejai]

has anyone read the bangkok post columns or seen the news on the "mysterious" men in black? Who do you suppose they really are? They've been seen in and among the red shirt "barricades" so it would appear if they were foes there would've been a clash.

One has to wonder how all this can go on when it gets to sucha level as guys in black with machine gus can roam around like mercenaries and assassins.

Time to bring this to an end. The "formerly red shirts now known as colorless shirts" don't want a peaceful end, so I guess sooner or later here, they'll get what they're askin' for, maybe more than they bargained for.

The "men in black" are army rangers trained by General Chavalit, the now chairman of Pheua Thai, originally intended to guard Thailand's borders with Laos and Cambodia, as well as carry out missions in the deep South. When Surayud took over a few years ago, he disbanded the army rangers and they all lost their jobs. They're some of the best trained special forces in Thailand, and now it seems they're getting their job back. Bad move from Surayud.

Allegedly......

[crocodilexp]

We are talking about an ARMY possibly slaughtering civilians who are armed with just sticks and rocks for self-defence.

...

What is wrong with you people?

Are your business interests at stake or what?

Continuing chaos in Thailand and increasing oppression of the poor would not be against the interests of some expats, particularly those with ties to the nightlife, or in business with the Thai elites. Stricter regulation during the Thaksin years, as well as increasing assertiveness of the poor are unwelcome.

Quite a few Farang are full of frustration with the Thais and do not have much to feel superior about these days... let's see some slaughter and a ruthless dictatorship, and we'll all suddenly feel much better in comparison. Primary motivation of more than a few expats and visitors to Thailand is to <deleted> the phrai, so they do at some level identify with the amart.

[apex2000]

You people should be ashamed of yourselves.

We are talking about an ARMY possibly slaughtering civilians who are armed with just sticks and rocks for self-defence.

I'll bet none of you know the history of the Thammasat students who were slaughtered in 1976.

Have you seen the pictures or the video?

What is wrong with you people?

Are your business interests at stake or what?

You should be held as guilty as those who may possibly murder many innocent men, women, and children.

Why don't you go back to your home countries and kill your own people.

Not wishing misfortune upon anyone, but there seems little other options. I hope you are aware that peace talks didn't work, they don't wanna negotiate, and that group is and has been downright violent, even unprovoked. And what sorta peaceful statement do their "defences" make? Certainly not a peaceful diplomatic solution!

They aren't gonna go home until they're kicked out, and maybe its too late, as they are losing their color so they can stealthily blend in with the population. This is about to become a zone where you can't avoid danger at all in the Big Mango.

Yes, you are quite right. That is assuming that the 'they' you mention are the government. "they don't wanna negotiate" was the decision of AV and his cronies. They were offered the chance and refused. So, you are right. Thanks for the support.

[apex2000]

We are talking about an ARMY possibly slaughtering civilians who are armed with just sticks and rocks for self-defence.

...

What is wrong with you people?

Are your business interests at stake or what?

Continuing chaos in Thailand and increasing oppression of the poor would not be against the interests of some expats, particularly those with ties to the nightlife, or in business with the Thai elites. Stricter regulation during the Thaksin years, as well as increasing assertiveness of the poor are unwelcome.

Quite a few Farang are full of frustration with the Thais and do not have much to feel superior about these days... let's see some slaughter and a ruthless dictatorship, and we'll all suddenly feel much better in comparison. Primary motivation of more than a few expats and visitors to Thailand is to <deleted> the phrai, so they do at some level identify with the amart.

Nice guy.