Thailand To Consider Amnesty For Red-Shirts Leaders

[elcent]

it seems more like red leaders using the media occasion to hit back at govt rather than discussing Road Map.

less than 20 seconds ago via TweetDeck

EXACTLY!

Prediction: Dispersal by force in about ten days maybe 15.

[frodo]

Now Nuttawut is preaching freedom: "People must have rights to travel, peacefully assemble (w/out arms) & to receive info"

Rather a shame he is unable to take a leaf out of his own book and allow free access to the public in the illegally occupied red Shirt Brigade areas

DEMOCRACY to my drumbeat only. Brothers 1-4 have spoken.

Or allow others to speak without being attacked, such as Dr. Tul. Perhaps he forgot about ASEAN last year when his thugs attacked Abhisit and others. Freedom to travel? Freedom to speak or assemble? Not from the reds. They haven't changed a bit...they're still terrorists.

[dobadoy]

All sounds like posturing to me. No compromise can work unless both sides can claim that they won and the other side lost.

I was at Camp Red today about midday, and there didn't seem like much of an appetite for a fight from the half-soaked, half-steamed deadbeat stragglers I saw. Looked to me like everyone was hoping to go home (alas, some idiot was shouting at 120 decibels through the loudspeakers 'the police must throw away their guns; they must be punished for killing the people' - I didn't see anyone listening though).

Edited May 4, 2010 by dobadoy

[Gold2005]

Having been personally affected by this as a foreigner and a Thai tax payer and worker here I am so pleased to even hear some potentially good news. Well done for everyone and I hope this works and brings this country back onto the road of peace. To avoid more conflict it is so much better to compromise, talk and show compassion. Violence is no good for anyone and I think the PM has actually done a very good job of an incredibly difficult and complex situation. Easy for us armchair experts but just imagine what it was like to deal with. Good luck for Thailand ! I wish all sides peace and prosperity. I know it is early days but the glimmer of hope is so much better than the doom and gloom of conflict. Whatever it takes to bring back peace and stability. Certainly the Wests tough uncompromising attitude to our counrties problems with other nations has not worked and being so dam_n one minded has only brought more problems for us. So if the sides can compromise and agree we should all be happy. I hope and prey this works and it will be a great credit to Thailand to resolve their problems. Good luck and I am hoping for more good news !!

Edited May 4, 2010 by Gold2005

[frodo]

Abhisit Vejajiva. I wish to confirm once again the process will not settle all 5 items amnesty to offenders ครับ

Translated from Abhisit's FB

[elcent]

In fact the situation is more dangerous now again. Some of the militants will probably try to keep it up and launch a few attacks. The red leaders haven't distanced themselves from them.

I'd say - critical

[siampolee]

They the majority of uninterested Thais demanded that the Red Shirt Brigade must show its sincerity towards political reconciliation by halting all kinds of intimidation towards the uninvolved innocents.

They must also accept the consequences of their actions.

[siampolee]

That weird Aussie dude, Conor David Purcell, should have no amnesty either.

One wonders if the protection and any amnesty as may be enacted would be extended to the idiot ? Somehow I doubt it.

I feel that he could indeed be in for a long term visa free sojourn in Thailand.

[noahvail]

That weird Aussie dude, Conor David Purcell, should have no amnesty either.

One wonders if the protection and any amnesty as may be enacted would be extended to the idiot ? Somehow I doubt it.

I feel that he could indeed be in for a long term visa free sojourn in Thailand.

Wasn't he seen on stage holding a bar mat?

[jcbangkok]

it seems more like red leaders using the media occasion to hit back at govt rather than discussing Road Map.

less than 20 seconds ago via TweetDeck

EXACTLY!

Prediction: Dispersal by force in about ten days maybe 15.

Before the end of this weekend.

[MacWalen]

Judging by 5% jump in the value of Thai stocks today one might think that things will improve now. The elections are promised and people can go home, no need to cause trouble anymore. The picture with swastika is a killer. I do not know if they are aware of what Hitler did. If this kind of thing is not nipped in the bud it can only become ugly.

I am becoming hopeful that it can get only better now.

[frodo]

Judging by 5% jump in the value of Thai stocks today one might think that things will improve now. The elections are promised and people can go home, no need to cause trouble anymore. The picture with swastika is a killer. I do not know if they are aware of what Hitler did. If this kind of thing is not nipped in the bud it can only become ugly.

I am becoming hopeful that it can get only better now.

They can and should go home, but unfortunately, the leaders are now saying otherwise. They're staying

[animatic]

Red leaders seem split toward Road Map. Veera and Nuttawut more receptive but Jatuporn , who received loud cheers from crowds, is v aggrssiv

1 minute ago via TweetDeck

Sure Jatuporn has parliamentary immunity, for now so he can be aggressive and break nearly any law. His day will come.

Yeah, well he doesn't have 6.3mm immunity and some people do NOT like his act.

Not saying anyone should do this, but I would NOT be surprised if he exited the scene

earlier than he planned. 2¢

[animatic]

it seems more like red leaders using the media occasion to hit back at govt rather than discussing Road Map.

less than 20 seconds ago via TweetDeck

EXACTLY!

Prediction: Dispersal by force in about ten days maybe 15.

Or ten days ON the 15th...

when they said they would turn themselves in...

Do they really want to turn themselves in... to roadkill.

[jcbangkok]

In order for Thailand to move forward ... there can be no amnesty, no rewards and sever penalties for those who blatantly broke the law when it comes to violence, hurting Thailand and the people of Thailand in an attempt to force change or overthrow the government. Elections will be meaningless unless these people are prosecuted and the people of Thailand see this is not only not the way to change but a guaranteed way to lose your freedoms and possibly life.

There has been a coup almost for every 4 year election cycle in the last 75 or so years. So, if you think the PM is serious about change then you will realize there can be NO amnesty. But they certainly are not going to go after those for simply being part of the mob unless they are still there in the coming days. The PM has made it clear over the last weeks he had a goal of clearing out all but the hardcore group from the mob to avoid injury and loss of life to those simply sucked up into this mess. So, guess what, that time is now. If the reds don't take the offer unconditionally then troops move in and the vast majority of Thailand will approve this and the PM will gain more popularity.

The reds lost. They could have walked away as winners when the PM offered this almost same exact deal when he agreed to talk to them live on TV and they refused to negotiate and instead have gone onto put 60k+ people out of work, cause untold economic damage to Thailand as well as many deaths and hundreds of injuries. All for what??? To take a deal they were offered at the start of this mess.

The lawless red mob has nothing to offer and nothing to negotiate with and the PM would only lose credibility if he talks with the anymore except to tell them how it is and how it is going to be.

Amnesty is a very helpful feature of an offer in a situation like this. Any deal will require it. It should also cover Abisit himself and the Army and police for April 10th and 29th. It could also cover the yellows for their acts at the airport in 2008. Without it, the reds will not accept any deal and we probably are going to move to much more instability and violence.

In my opinion, Thailand has changed forever and people in Bangkok better figure it out soon before this gets totally out of hand. Cut a deal. It will cost some money and some people will lose face but the alternative is drawn out insurrection like in the South spiraling down into more and more violence begetting more violence. Think Beirut, Belfast, Bosnia. Is that what you want?

As I said NO Amnesty, no reward or free pass for violent thugs. Regretfully there is not a society that has existed who didn't realize force is sometimes needed. At this point it looks like none of us have to feel to bad about force being used against the hardcore red mob members because in the next couple days the rest will be going home. There will be no outcry in Thailand or internationally if the authorities are forced to move in against these thugs to uphold the law and restore rights to the population.

Finally Thais are going to "start" to understand that the gov't and the international community will not side with lawless mobs bent on violence and intimidation.

[animatic]

That weird Aussie dude, Conor David Purcell, should have no amnesty either.

One wonders if the protection and any amnesty as may be enacted would be extended to the idiot ? Somehow I doubt it.

I feel that he could indeed be in for a long term visa free sojourn in Thailand.

Wasn't he seen on stage holding a bar mat?

Likely see young Conor booted out and shipped home as a head case...

Hard to tell with him standing next to Jatuporn, but then again...

[lannarebirth]

In fact the situation is more dangerous now again. Some of the militants will probably try to keep it up and launch a few attacks. The red leaders haven't distanced themselves from them.

I'd say - critical

More dangerous for Abhisit personally anyway. He will have enemies from all sides now, many who wouldn't mind at all if he were "dispatched".

[siampolee]

jcbangkok

As I said NO Amnesty, no reward or free pass for violent thugs. Regretfully there is not a society that has existed who didn't realize force is sometimes needed. At this point it looks like none of us have to feel to bad about force being used against the hardcore red mob members because in the next couple days the rest will be going home. There will be no outcry in Thailand or internationally if the authorities are forced to move in against these thugs to uphold the law and restore rights to the population.

Finally Thais are going to "start" to understand that the gov't and the international community will not side with lawless mobs bent on violence and intimidation.

If an amnesty was granted Thailand will indeed become the laughing stock of the world and the door is open to anarchy.

The leaders of the Red Shirt Brigade, brothers 1-4 must have realised that their actions would have a consequence no matter which way those actions went.

Possibly their plan is to stage a grand last defiant stand by sacrificing the rank and file members of the Red Shirt Brigade whilst they, their cowardly leaders brothers 1-4 make good their escape in the ensuing melee.

[Phuket Stan]

That weird Aussie dude, Conor David Purcell, should have no amnesty either.

One wonders if the protection and any amnesty as may be enacted would be extended to the idiot ? Somehow I doubt it.

I feel that he could indeed be in for a long term visa free sojourn in Thailand.

Wasn't he seen on stage holding a bar mat?

Likely see young Conor booted out and shipped home as a head case...

Hard to tell with him standing next to Jatuporn, but then again...

He is actually Irish born but Australians being good hearted gave him a new home,hope and an education...they certainly have to tighten up on their screening

[elcent]

He is actually Irish born but Australians being good hearted gave him a new home,hope and an education...they certainly have to tighten up on their screening

by the letter of law and as a foreigner he's committing insurgency.

[bangkokjohn]

jcbangkok

As I said NO Amnesty, no reward or free pass for violent thugs. Regretfully there is not a society that has existed who didn't realize force is sometimes needed. At this point it looks like none of us have to feel to bad about force being used against the hardcore red mob members because in the next couple days the rest will be going home. There will be no outcry in Thailand or internationally if the authorities are forced to move in against these thugs to uphold the law and restore rights to the population.

Finally Thais are going to "start" to understand that the gov't and the international community will not side with lawless mobs bent on violence and intimidation.

If an amnesty was granted Thailand will indeed become the laughing stock of the world and the door is open to anarchy.

The leaders of the Red Shirt Brigade, brothers 1-4 must have realised that their actions would have a consequence no matter which way those actions went.

Possibly their plan is to stage a grand last defiant stand by sacrificing the rank and file members of the Red Shirt Brigade whilst they, their cowardly leaders brothers 1-4 make good their escape in the ensuing melee.

Encouraging the government to move in and kill many red shirts is a terrible idea. It will be seen as similar to Tiananmen Square and the current government will lose all credibility in Thailand and internationally. Red shirts would probably respond will protracted urban insurgency - car bombs, assassinations, kidnappings. It's all ready happening in The South thanks to Thaksin's stupidity in 2004.

Elections and amnesty for all saves lives, creates a new coalition government and give us back the peaceful place we all love. What is not to like?

[Tigs]

Elections and amnesty for all saves lives, creates a new coalition government and give us back the peaceful place we all love. What is not to like?

Because the nano second the next elections are over, the yellows will be out on the street with the motivation of 'anything you can do I can do bigger and better', and we are back at stage one. If the PM holds elections right now, it is effectively with a gun held to his head. Democracy?? Helloooo!

Amnesty for what? For inciting violence, corruption, murder, overthrow, stealing of weapons etc etc etc. You have to be kidding. All an amnesty does is make sure they can do it all again next time and believe me if a line is not drawn in the sand by Abshivit now, this country will go further down the tubes than it already is.

[jdinasia]

Elections and amnesty for all saves lives, creates a new coalition government and give us back the peaceful place we all love. What is not to like?

What's not to like?

Hmmmmmm

How about the fact that when you have an amnesty for the violent crimes that you send the message to the next violent mob that there is no penalty for your violence. There are crimes that CANNOT be accepted. I would submit that amongst those crimes are treason, inciting a crowd to violence, armed insurrection and others like terrorism.

I agree to a general amnesty for unlawful assembly.

[xminator]

If an amnesty saves the country of more trouble, why not? Better to have such an amnesty on the table, then under the table as with the yellow-shirts...

[elcent]

If an amnesty saves the country of more trouble, why not? Better to have such an amnesty on the table, then under the table as with the yellow-shirts...

never mind as long as they can keep up with restitution. But I doubt that thugs want to pay up for all the damage they have made. Either way, even with an amnesty there's still civil law that can be used by any individual affected.

[ratcatcher]

Elections and amnesty for all saves lives, creates a new coalition government and give us back the peaceful place we all love. What is not to like?

What's not to like?

Hmmmmmm

How about the fact that when you have an amnesty for the violent crimes that you send the message to the next violent mob that there is no penalty for your violence. There are crimes that CANNOT be accepted. I would submit that amongst those crimes are treason, inciting a crowd to violence, armed insurrection and others like terrorism.

I agree to a general amnesty for unlawful assembly.

What's not to like?"

What a strange question.

If you care to view the video on Utube, you may understand why an amnesty for cretins like Arisman spewing his hate filled vitriol is simply out of the question.

Bear in mind this whole episode was about one man and one purpose. Thaksin and his desire for a return to power.

You tube ใครฆ่าประชาชน - แม้ว vs. มาร์ค (with subtitles)

Edited May 4, 2010 by ratcatcher

[elcent]

I don't understand the reaction and praise for the army spokesman Abhisit. This option comes 7 weeks to late. Logically, he had no chance than to give in for this public demand. He even admitted that he's not happy of the way he came to power.

[elcent]

RIP: A 70-yr-old patients whose heart stopped beating while being moved from Chula hospital passed away at 2pm today. via @js100radio.

about 1 hour ago via TweetDeck

[Tigs]

If an amnesty saves the country of more trouble, why not? Better to have such an amnesty on the table, then under the table as with the yellow-shirts...

So do you think that the USA should have an amnesty for Osama and his bunch of merry Al Qaida men? That would save a lot of trouble wouldn't it?

"Just lets shake hands and forget it all eh. Forget 9/11 and all that it was nothing really, it's better we are just good buddies"

The concept of amnesty for these red leaders is just out of the question. I am sure they will be off the hook when the reds get voted in in November anyway, but until then, as charges could include terrorism and some of them are already in breach of previous bail conditions, I sincerely hope that none of them get bail and walk out, ready to break bail conditions for a second time.

Edited May 4, 2010 by Tigs

[ChiangMaiFun]

In order for Thailand to move forward ... there can be no amnesty, no rewards and sever penalties for those who blatantly broke the law when it comes to violence, hurting Thailand and the people of Thailand in an attempt to force change or overthrow the government. Elections will be meaningless unless these people are prosecuted and the people of Thailand see this is not only not the way to change but a guaranteed way to lose your freedoms and possibly life.

There has been a coup almost for every 4 year election cycle in the last 75 or so years. So, if you think the PM is serious about change then you will realize there can be NO amnesty. But they certainly are not going to go after those for simply being part of the mob unless they are still there in the coming days. The PM has made it clear over the last weeks he had a goal of clearing out all but the hardcore group from the mob to avoid injury and loss of life to those simply sucked up into this mess. So, guess what, that time is now. If the reds don't take the offer unconditionally then troops move in and the vast majority of Thailand will approve this and the PM will gain more popularity.

The reds lost. They could have walked away as winners when the PM offered this almost same exact deal when he agreed to talk to them live on TV and they refused to negotiate and instead have gone onto put 60k+ people out of work, cause untold economic damage to Thailand as well as many deaths and hundreds of injuries. All for what??? To take a deal they were offered at the start of this mess.

The lawless red mob has nothing to offer and nothing to negotiate with and the PM would only lose credibility if he talks with the anymore except to tell them how it is and how it is going to be.

'The Reds Lost'? don't think so.... haha