PM Abhisit To Red-Shirts: Leave Today

[webfact]

RED RALLIES

PM to red shirts: Leave today

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva issued an ultimatum to the red shirts to leave the Rajprasong protest site by today after their failure to honour their commitment to end the protest despite Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban reporting to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) yesterday as demanded by them.

The government would step up measures to force them to leave the areas and such measures might also affect people who live and do business there, he said.

"If they have sincerely accepted the road map for national reconciliation as announced earlier, the protesters should go home by May 12 and we can discuss other matters in detail later," Abhisit told reporters.

A government source said the Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation would cut power and water supply in the Rajprasong area to force the protesters to leave.

Prime Minister Abhisit discussed the plan at the Cabinet meeting yesterday, asking ministers what to do if the protesters resisted the ultimatum. Most Cabinet members suggested that the deal on the road map should be off if the protesters did not accept it, and the government would not be bound to call an early election on November 14 as planned, the source said.

"I consider the end of the protest as a pre-requisite if they want to show their acceptance of the road map. If the protest continues, it means they say no to the road map," Abhisit said.

The five-point road map for national reconciliation is not a negotiable scheme and the protesters will have to accept it, he said.

Red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan said the protesters would not comply with the government's ultimatum and would stay on until Suthep really 'surrendered' to the police.

"We are not afraid of such pressure. After the death of many protesters, nothing can stop the red people," he said. "How can we stop as the murderers are walking freely."

The red shirts had announced on Monday that they would disperse from the business centre, which they have occupied for more than a month, as soon as Suthep turned himself over to the authorities. The red shirts have said he must take responsibility for the death of civilians during a clash between protesters and security officials on April 10.

Red-shirt leader Natthawut Saikua said Suthep's turning up at the DSI yesterday was unacceptable since the department has not yet begun the legal process against him.

The DSI has not yet made a file for Suthep's case, he said. The department so far has only five categories under its jurisdiction: terrorism, posing a threat to the state, hurting government officials, stealing official weapons, and lese majeste, Natthawut said, quoting records in the Royal Gazette.

Suthep's case would begin only if the committee for special cases agreed to take up his case into its jurisdiction, he said. His presence at the DSI yesterday did not meet the red shirts' condition to end the protest, Natthawut said.

The deputy prime minister did not meet DSI chief Tharit Pengdit as a suspect but as a boss who went there to inspect the office, said another leader Jatuporn.

"We cannot accept such play between Suthep and the DSI as fulfilling the condition to end the protest," he said.

What the protesters want Suthep to do is to surrender to the police as a suspect. He must be interrogated, give his fingerprint and obtain bail, Jatuporn said.

"If Suthep goes through the process, the red shirts will stop protesting and follow in his footsteps," Jatuporn said.

Abhisit said the red leaders have no right to set the condition for Suthep to surrender. Suthep did not need to see the DSI since the department has not yet issued any warrants for him. The PM said Suthep met the DSI chief yesterday just to show the government was willing to go through the justice system.

The government would set up independent bodies to look after all concerned matters, including the bloody incidents during the clashes in April, he said. Persons responsible for each of the incidents would be known only after completion of the investigation, he said.

-- The Nation 2010-05-12

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

Wednesday May 12 Red-Shirt rally live updates

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Bangkok-Red-...dn-t364264.html

[Thailand]

If they don't leave today they will cut off power and water?

Surely that should have been one of the first things that was done weeks ago!

The reds had won, now the reds have lost. What should have been a nailed on election victory in November has been thrown away by internal squabbling with "leadership" unable to commit to any real course of action and so many of them, "leaders", it was always going to be a disaster from a couple of weeks ago.

The government still remains inept and unable to rule the country.

Overall a very sad state of affairs.

[LuckyLew]

And if they do not leave today?

They are going to huff and puff and ...

well nothing really ... well maybe they

will set another deadline next week

Pure inaction in action

[ozzieman05]

The red shirts want justice and a democracy

Yet they now want a police state where someone is guilty until proven innocent

How about we say

Thaskin must go to the police first re the killiingg in the drug war

The Red shirt leaders must go to the police first re the killiingg in the drug war

etc etc etc

[jonclark]

Just out of curiosity - who's paying for the electricty and water currently being used by the reds. As far as i was aware you needed an address in order for a bill to be delivered. Hope the electricity isn't 'free' everyone else has to pay for their electricty including the reds - no double standards please.

[shawndoc]

They've got generators. I'd just assumed that's what they were using. And nobody in Thailand uses municipal water for drinking, so I'm assuming that's all trucked in.

And as we've seen the most militant of the reds eat and drink at McDonald's.

[MCos]

Is this heat wave making normally irrational people complete wanke_rs?

More likely the Red Shirt leaders have no real interest in contesting an election because they will not be able to cope with the responsibilty. For a start they must find credible leaders who quite transparently have the interests of the general population at heart rather than their own self interests. Then, of course, they will not be able to indulge in vote-buying, which is a lose lose for any upcountry politician. Not only will it be harder to get elected, but the locals who no doubt will have been looking forward to this handout (because that's the way it's always been) will not be happy. Of course that could always disguise the payments as "travel expenses" or some such gloss-over. Then once in power they will need to fight against all the things that they say, quite rightly, are wrong with the current system.

What has happened thus far is the easy part and it seems they are reluctant to progress to the next far more difficult step.

[dominique355]

"What the protesters want Suthep to do is to surrender to the police as a suspect. He must be interrogated, give his fingerprint and obtain bail, Jatuporn said."

Even if there has been no official case by the prosecutor and no arrest warrant issued? Why would he have to ask for bail without an arrest warrant?

Looks like the Red Shirts' idea of democracy and rule of law is a bit blurred.

[Robby nz]

"What the protesters want Suthep to do is to surrender to the police as a suspect. He must be interrogated, give his fingerprint and obtain bail, Jatuporn said."

Even if there has been no official case by the prosecutor and no arrest warrant issued? Why would he have to ask for bail without an arrest warrant?

Looks like the Red Shirts' idea of democracy and rule of law is a bit blurred.

The police chief has said that everything to do with the 10th April has been handed over to the DSI so if he did go to the police they would have to tell him to go to the DSI.

The reds idea is that if Suthep gets bail so should we but they seem to forget that most of them are already on bail and have breached their bail conditions.

All silly things to avoid keeping promises they have made.

[Dicktracy]

"What the protesters want Suthep to do is to surrender to the police as a suspect. He must be interrogated, give his fingerprint and obtain bail, Jatuporn said."

Even if there has been no official case by the prosecutor and no arrest warrant issued? Why would he have to ask for bail without an arrest warrant?

Looks like the Red Shirts' idea of democracy and rule of law is a bit blurred.

The police chief has said that everything to do with the 10th April has been handed over to the DSI so if he did go to the police they would have to tell him to go to the DSI.

The reds idea is that if Suthep gets bail so should we but they seem to forget that most of them are already on bail and have breached their bail conditions.

All silly things to avoid keeping promises they have made.

The leaders are all terrified now as they realise that they are ALL going to jail for a long time and Big Bubba is waiting there for them.... They are trying to get the Buffalos to stay in bangkok to protect them ... and now THAKSIN has sacked most of them and replaced them with new Red Leaders.... sure their asses are a twitching..... and amongst them, they are bitching.... Som nam na....!!!

[selftaopath]

If they don't leave today they will cut off power and water?

Surely that should have been one of the first things that was done weeks ago!

The reds had won, now the reds have lost. What should have been a nailed on election victory in November has been thrown away by internal squabbling with "leadership" unable to commit to any real course of action and so many of them, "leaders", it was always going to be a disaster from a couple of weeks ago.

The government still remains inept and unable to rule the country.

Overall a very sad state of affairs.

Cutting off water and power would have been a very big inconvenience/hardship for the poor RED "protesters." Now we can't have that now can we????? I mean...... geeze next it might be suggested that food and beer be restricted.

Same old tired story i.e. we'll go "tomorrow" or this is your last, very last, definitely last warning to go "tomorrow." For a country hel_l bent on this delusion of "saving face", i.e. not wanting to look at facts, it must not have the ability to realize what the civilized world's view of them is. WOW. Difficult to understand.

[shawndoc]

# While the core leaders (Weng, Veera, Jatuporn & Nattawut) are on 5M Baht / day each, I expect Seh Daeng, unlike them, is paid per person about 10 hours ago via web

* Reply

* Retweet

#

The rally is costing at least 70M Baht a day. Many #redshirts are paid nothing. about 10 hours ago via web

* Reply

* Retweet

#

This alarmed Thaksin (apparently) and so he has hiked the pay of the four core leaders to 5M Baht A DAY each about 10 hours ago via web

* Reply

* Retweet

#

Or, at least, cracks to develop, with at least half of the #redshirt leaders willing to call it a day about 10 hours ago via web

* Reply

* Retweet

#

On Saturday, the #redshirts came under huge pressure & this caused splits

Taken from http://twitter.com/WizardofWindsor

[Humungus]

If the protesters don't leave by May 12, what then, demand they leave by May 13? The reds are obviously playing games. They want Suthep to surrender to police, but not those police. They want an election and once they have a date it's all about the dissolution date. If you give them what they want they just come up with something else they want. It is obvious they are not serious about going home.

Suthep is a government leader tasked with enforcing the law. The reds are leading a violent mob accused of serious crimes. They don't deserve equal treatment. They don't deserve bail, some of them are already out on bail and have committed even more crimes. For public safety these people should be locked up because they can't be trusted to keep the conditions of their bail. They have proved they can't be counted on to turn themselves in to police or appear in court.

[granuaile]

The red shirts want justice and a democracy

Yet they now want a police state where someone is guilty until proven innocent

How about we say

Thaskin must go to the police first re the killiingg in the drug war

The Red shirt leaders must go to the police first re the killiingg in the drug war

etc etc etc

This is one of the most sensible comments I have heard on TV.

The redshirts attack police and when the government reacts they respond violently causing many deaths, most if not all. Then they want to accuse and charge the PM.

If they are so focused on justice, why got go back further and have justice for the many killed by Thaksin and accept responsibility for their own actions this year....

Thank you for that comment. If only it could happen...

[Samuian]

They need a showdown, they need a show of force, blood spilled, dead people in the eye of the world!

How many times they tried to taint this government?

It's about revenge of a very, very sore loser!

Nothing else, now this red shirt movement woke up some people who listened to their speeches

and promises.... people who think that a change, will change their lives...

[animatic]

"What the protesters want Suthep to do is to surrender to the police as a suspect. He must be interrogated, give his fingerprint and obtain bail, Jatuporn said."

Even if there has been no official case by the prosecutor and no arrest warrant issued? Why would he have to ask for bail without an arrest warrant?

Looks like the Red Shirts' idea of democracy and rule of law is a bit blurred.

And this statement, showing little understnding of the law,

is coming from someone who says he is a LAWMAKER in Thailand.

Jatuporn is a disgrace in the job of Minsiter of Parliament.

Where DID he get/buy his uni degree one wonderrs....

[Humungus]

Time for the PM to make some demands, how about Thaksin surrenders to Thai Police before we have an election?

[bendejo]

Is this heat wave making normally irrational people complete wanke_rs?

More likely the Red Shirt leaders have no real interest in contesting an election because they will not be able to cope with the responsibilty. For a start they must find credible leaders who quite transparently have the interests of the general population at heart rather than their own self interests. Then, of course, they will not be able to indulge in vote-buying, which is a lose lose for any upcountry politician. Not only will it be harder to get elected, but the locals who no doubt will have been looking forward to this handout (because that's the way it's always been) will not be happy. Of course that could always disguise the payments as "travel expenses" or some such gloss-over. Then once in power they will need to fight against all the things that they say, quite rightly, are wrong with the current system.

What has happened thus far is the easy part and it seems they are reluctant to progress to the next far more difficult step.

You give them too much credit. These are people doing a job, doing what the boss says. That's it. The whole thing about a political movement with an agenda, future vision, etc doesn't apply. Most of the assigned leaders aren't that bright, at least not in terms of politics and strategy: errand boys sent by a grocery clerk. Peaceful protesters don't carry grenade launchers.

I detest the way the people have been manipulated into thinking it is a political movement for their own good, but I think the great sobering came when the blood started to flow, thus the drop in numbers regardless of what they'd be paid if they survived. I also think the random grenade attacks served to keep their own numbers down -- really shot themselves in the foot on that one! And then the hospital raid, which at first I thought had to do with the impatience and paranoia of ingesting too much M-150, but I now think that it was a ruse for the reds to get their own gunmen up on the hospital roof. There has also been words floating around that the payout process is being diddled; wouldn't it be ironic if when the final payouts are done the rabble lynch the red leaders for skimming their take?

I'll be waiting for human interest stories to emerge, such as the redshirt woman who did the whole two months in the street and with the money she earned opened a business, bought a house etc.

[rabo]

The leaders are all terrified now as they realise that they are ALL going to jail for a long time and Big Bubba is waiting there for them.... They are trying to get the Buffalos to stay in bangkok to protect them ... and now THAKSIN has sacked most of them and replaced them with new Red Leaders.... sure their asses are a twitching..... and amongst them, they are bitching.... Som nam na....!!!

Remember a few weeks ago, everyone was terrified by the omnipotent reds running amuck everywhere and the government powerless to do anything? And now look at the red leaders shaking in there boots looking for a way out. Someone is being very cool, collected, and rational.

Abhisit should announce "Free amnesty for the first three leaders who spill the most info about Mr. Thaksin. Contest starts today! Results will be posted in one weeks time."

All eligible contestants must bring an original copy of a bail receipt issued not more than two weeks ago.

Edited May 12, 2010 by rabo

[Insight]

They need a showdown, they need a show of force, blood spilled, dead people in the eye of the world!

How many times they tried to taint this government?

It's about revenge of a very, very sore loser!

Nothing else, now this red shirt movement woke up some people who listened to their speeches

and promises.... people who think that a change, will change their lives...

Exactly.

Irony now however is many people are now frustrated with the govt for them taking so long to reach this stage! But that frustration looks like its been matched with red shirt supporters (or sympathisers?) frustrated with the leaders for not accepting the roadmap and election date.

I'm still positive after this ends the PM will walk away from it with more support than before.

[granuaile]

They need a showdown, they need a show of force, blood spilled, dead people in the eye of the world!

How many times they tried to taint this government?

It's about revenge of a very, very sore loser!

Nothing else, now this red shirt movement woke up some people who listened to their speeches

and promises.... people who think that a change, will change their lives...

If it does come to having to use force, I hope the government is unwavering and goes to whatever length is necessary to disperse and afterwards suppress (and outlaw) the reds... I know the US will scream, but there are plenty of banned groups in the US across a political spectrum and if I donate money to the wrong group even ostensibly a charity I can be arrested (I mean they even banned Cat Stevens). So let the rest of the world scream, Thailand has a right to protect itself from both external and internal enemies.

I just hope if it happens, the red leaders don't escape while the rank and file they have deceived pay for their actions...

[timekeeper]

The leaders are all terrified now as they realise that they are ALL going to jail for a long time and Big Bubba is waiting there for them.... They are trying to get the Buffalos to stay in bangkok to protect them ... and now THAKSIN has sacked most of them and replaced them with new Red Leaders.... sure their asses are a twitching..... and amongst them, they are bitching.... Som nam na....!!!

Remember a few weeks ago, everyone was terrified by the omnipotent reds running amuck everywhere and the government powerless to do anything? And now look at the red leaders shaking in there boots looking for a way out. Someone is being very cool, collected, and rational.

Abhisit should announce "Free amnesty for the first three leaders who spill the most info about Mr. Thaksin. Contest starts today! Results will be posted in one weeks time."

no need for that, just grab Veera

he is the weakest and will co-operate easily without amnesty

[Steely Dan]

They need a showdown, they need a show of force, blood spilled, dead people in the eye of the world!

How many times they tried to taint this government?

It's about revenge of a very, very sore loser!

Nothing else, now this red shirt movement woke up some people who listened to their speeches

and promises.... people who think that a change, will change their lives...

Exactly! Megalomaniacs only really care about money indirectly, using it as a tool to influence people. The red leaders may sleep in air-conditioned hotels at night, but they are looking at long prison sentences, or worse. Thaksin meanwhile gets to sip martinis by his swimming pool laughing at the mess he caused. This is ALL about revenge imho, the money comes a distant second, but there is enough of it to buy a motley collection of societies dregs and there are some ideological fools who turn up for free who Taksin probably looks down on even more.

A trickle down effect of one man's malignancy poisoning his home Country for revenge. If I wasn't an atheist I'd wish his soul damned for all eternity.

[basjke]

The leaders are all terrified now as they realise that they are ALL going to jail for a long time and Big Bubba is waiting there for them.... They are trying to get the Buffalos to stay in bangkok to protect them ... and now THAKSIN has sacked most of them and replaced them with new Red Leaders.... sure their asses are a twitching..... and amongst them, they are bitching.... Som nam na....!!!

Remember a few weeks ago, everyone was terrified by the omnipotent reds running amuck everywhere and the government powerless to do anything? And now look at the red leaders shaking in there boots looking for a way out. Someone is being very cool, collected, and rational.

Abhisit should announce "Free amnesty for the first three leaders who spill the most info about Mr. Thaksin. Contest starts today! Results will be posted in one weeks time."

All eligible contests must bring an original copy of a bail receipt issued not more than two weeks ago.

And after one week when they have all talked like parrots change the rule for the amnesty.That's what they are also doing daily

[Lopburi99]

OK, it's 10am. No sign of the Red's planning to leave. Now what. "You tell us by tonight you are leaving...or else!"

The Reds to announce they will have a press conference at 6pm? Actually make that 9pm.

Should be obvious they have no intention of leaving on their own. They could have made reasonable "conditions" for the gov't to meet if they did, and everybody would have been gone by now.

Ok Abhisit, now what?

As said on a different thread, "Grow a setta balls, Halls".

Edited May 12, 2010 by Lopburi99

[MacWalen]

They are not gonna leave. They need Ok from their boss and as the boss is not gaining anything they will not get Ok from him. They will think of reasons to stay making more and more people hate them.

[Familyonthemove]

On my daily commute via the Red Shirt camp I've noticed how the supplies of food, bedding and equipment seems to have increased over the past two days. No sign of a plan to leave.

Also seems to be more people and tighter security at the barricades?

And the karaoke politics over the open mic was even louder this morning .... must be hel_l if you live in the area.

Edited May 12, 2010 by Familyonthemove

[JacknDanny]

They are not gonna leave. They need Ok from their boss and as the boss is not gaining anything they will not get Ok from him. They will think of reasons to stay making more and more people hate them.

We all know they aint going to leave.

I think we should run a sweepstakes as to how many times they will now be warned/given final ultimatum/threatened/final final warnings????

It really is becoming silly.

The reds are are bunch of lying thugs, being controlled by an even bigger lying thug.

The Govt, although I think Abhisits heart is in the right place, are too weak.

Dont want it, but I think the only solution, let the army take over for coup number 1003!!!

Backward step, but better than having the country held to ransom.

Unfortunately Thai politicians are too corrupt and immature to be running a country

[brahmburgers]

OK, it's 10am. No sign of the Red's planning to leave. Now what. "You tell us by tonight you are leaving...or else!"

1. "Ok," says Abhisit, "this is the final warning - get out."

2. (following day). "This time I'm not kidding, you must get out today or I will do something serious."

3. (2nd following day) "Really guys. This is your last chance. I've got a plan. Get out now!"

. . . . . . . . . . . . . go back to #1 and repeat........

On my daily commute via the Red Shirt camp I've noticed how the supplies of food, bedding and equipment seems to have increased over the past two days. No sign of a plan to leave.

Also seems to be more people and tighter security at the barricades?

And the karaoke politics over the open mic was even louder this morning .... must be hel_l if you live in the area.

The most expensive real estate in Thailand, including some mega priced condos bought by farang, are in that area. Hate to report this, but I bought 10 rai (4 acres) of beautiful quiet secluded property with views and clean air and no traffic near a northern Thai town for - get this..... ....for less than it would cost to buy 4 sq.meters of a Bangkok condo. I did the numbers - send me a personal note if you'd like details.

Wanna do a trade? .......bwua, har har, (choke), yuk yuk, chortle......

Edited May 12, 2010 by brahmburgers