Thailand Rejects Reds Ceasefire Call As Nonsense

[webfact]

Thailand rejects Reds ceasefire call as 'nonsense'

by Anusak Konglang

BANGKOK 2010 (AFP) -- Thailand on Tuesday rejected a call from anti-government protesters for a ceasefire to end deadly street clashes as "nonsense", as the UN warned the crisis could spiral out of control.

Columns of smoke billowed over central Bangkok from piles of tyres set ablaze by the "Red Shirt" protesters, and an explosion boomed from the conflict zone, where five days of violence have left 38 people dead and 279 wounded.

The Reds, who are campaigning for elections to replace the administration of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, are defying a Monday deadline to disperse from Bangkok's main shopping district, which they have occupied for two months.

Protest leaders have offered the government a truce but are demanding that troops withdraw before they go to the negotiating table, while the authorities insist the protesters must first disperse.

"This is nonsense," Suthep Thaugsuban, deputy prime minister in charge of security affairs, told reporters when asked to respond to the Reds' ceasefire proposal.

"The security forces are carrying out their duties in line with the authorities' orders," he said after troops moved in to seal the rally zone, triggering violent clashes with protesters on the perimeters of the camp.

"Our containment measures aim to stop the food supply, reduce the number of new protesters and put pressure on them to go home," he said, adding that an all-out crackdown to clear the camp was "our last resort".

A police spokesman said there were still about 5,000 protesters, including hundreds of women and children, at the fortified rally site and that large crowds have also gathered at three other locations in the city.

The escalating violence has turned parts of the city of 12 million into no-go zones as troops use live ammunition against protesters, who have blocked streets with burning tyres and fought back, mainly with homemade weapons.

The capital's two main train systems, the underground and the overhead monorail, were both closed for the fourth day in a row and schools and government offices have been shut to keep civilians off the streets.

On Tuesday a row of disused shophouses was set ablaze in the Din Daeng area just north of the Reds camp, one of the hot spots where troops have battled with the Reds in a bid to seal off the sprawling rally site.

Police said a 14-year-old boy had been arrested over the blaze, but said he had "nothing to do with the current political turmoil".

The Reds had proposed that the United Nations or another international agency broker negotiations to end the crisis -- an idea swiftly rejected by the government.

On Tuesday Reds leader Nattawut Saikuar said the movement was prepared to accept an offer by the head of Thailand's senate to mediate talks, but the government has not responded to the proposal.

The recent spate of heavy violence began after Abhisit shelved a plan to hold early elections, which the Red Shirts had initially agreed to, as negotiations towards a reconciliation "roadmap" broke down.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay called on both sides to negotiate an end to the violence, saying there was a high risk it could "spiral out of control" after the expiry of the Monday deadline.

"To prevent further loss of life, I appeal to the protesters to step back from the brink, and the security forces to exercise maximum restraint in line with the instructions given by the government," she said in a statement.

But on Tuesday protesters were in a defiant mood at their encampment, with hundreds doing their morning exercises in front of a stage where leaders rallied the crowd.

Authorities have said they would send the Red Cross to help evacuate the area of women, children and the elderly who want to leave, but that those who stay face two years in prison.

The Reds consider Abhisit's government illegitimate because it came to power in a 2008 parliamentary vote after a court ruling ousted elected allies of their hero, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Thaksin on Monday called on the government and his Red Shirt supporters to step back from a "terrible abyss" and start talks to end violence.

The two-month crisis has now left 67 people dead and about 1,700 wounded. Twenty-five people died in a failed army crackdown on April 10.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-05-18

Published with written approval from AFP.

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[lowbo]

yep, a slippery slope indeed... I suggest someone throw out an anchor to the various leaders in hopes of stopping their slide.

[Ulysses G.]

It IS nonsense. No one can trust their word anymore, because they keep stalling. They should have negotiated in good faith before things got hairy; they need to stand down, before things get even worse.

[Insight]

It IS nonsense. No one can trust their word anymore, because they keep stalling. They should have negotiated in good faith before things got hairy; they need to stand down, before things get even worse.

It's becoming more and more clearer they don't have the authority to stop the protests.

[Steely Dan]

Good! You can't negotiate with anarchist criminals who have been shown remarkable tolerance thus far. Their criminal mob have held the Country to ransom for long enough and their concern for human life is hypocritically one sided stemming only from the desire of their leaders to get an amnesty so they can go off and spend Thaksin's millions.

[gbswales]

To the reds - if it has not escaped your attention - you have won! - there are to be elections in November - but if the protest and violence continues then you are putting those at risk because you cannot hold fair elections in the immediate aftermath of something like these protests - the country needs time to settle down and reflect on the political choices in an atmosphere of calm....... oh wait or is fair and free elections really their aim? Maybe anarchy and a "triumphant return" by a "hero Thaksin" is what you really seek.

So you are thinking about the future of the thai people and that is an excuse for putting children into a dangerous situation......Thaksins tactics sound a little like Saddam's to me!

The thing that saddens me is that the end result of any election will be a "strong" leader and not a "fair" one - well remember this Abhisit's tactics have been aimed at risking lfe as little as possible - a "strong" PM would have marched in at the end of the first weekend and known that as far as the world and most people in the country are concerned a few hundred deaths would have been "yesterdays news" by now. Is that the kind of leadership Thai's really want?

[givenall]

yep, a slippery slope indeed... I suggest someone throw out an anchor to the various leaders in hopes of stopping their slide.

The only people that are fighting and destroying everything in their path are the Reds. So it is nonsense to call for Ceasefire. Some should tell them just stop. End of story

[MisterBeetle]

Good! You can't negotiate with anarchist criminals who have been shown remarkable tolerance thus far. Their criminal mob have held the Country to ransom for long enough and their concern for human life is hypocritically one sided stemming only from the desire of their leaders to get an amnesty so they can go off and spend Thaksin's millions.

Agreed! Crazy amounts of money!!

With the news now that Nattawut is supposedly one of the masterminds of all the violence...I wouldn't agree to any form of "Ceasefire" they come up with.

Give them an inch, they take a mile?

Who knows what they have planned next!

[Jingthing]

It IS nonsense. No one can trust their word anymore, because they keep stalling. They should have negotiated in good faith before things got hairy; they need to stand down, before things get even worse.

Agreed. The reds need to make a dramatic gesture to show their good faith now that they have totally darkened their name, even among previous supporters such as you. Best idea to the reds -- GO HOME. Then politely ask for early elections and pledge no more violence. Guess what? Abhisit will probably say yes.

[fasteddie]

Good! You can't negotiate with anarchist criminals who have been shown remarkable tolerance thus far. Their criminal mob have held the Country to ransom for long enough and their concern for human life is hypocritically one sided stemming only from the desire of their leaders to get an amnesty so they can go off and spend Thaksin's millions.

Where do you get such garbage? They want democratically elected governments to be left alone to rule without the elitist army backed thugs removing them from power and then slaughtering them in the streets when they protest. It's the government who are the criminals.

[lannarebirth]

It IS nonsense. No one can trust their word anymore, because they keep stalling. They should have negotiated in good faith before things got hairy; they need to stand down, before things get even worse.

It's becoming more and more clearer they don't have the authority to stop the protests.

It is becoming more and more clear the protests were never about improving the social and economic inequalities of many rural Thais. On the contrary it is that inequality that feeds the Red machine. Policies by this government designed to narrow social division are like kryptonite to a Red Shirt puyai. They have proven in the last three governments they can neither lead the country nor offer a loyal opposition. A difficult succession merely provides the opportunity for the violent power grab.

I am very concerned if this isn't dealt with soon the conflict will go to the provinces or even go regional. Cut off all the money!!!

Edited May 18, 2010 by lannarebirth

[sedeflonga]

Thanksin should be ashamed of what he did. I hope the government crackdown hard!

[MisterBeetle]

To the reds - if it has not escaped your attention - you have won! - there are to be elections in November - but if the protest and violence continues then you are putting those at risk because you cannot hold fair elections in the immediate aftermath of something like these protests - the country needs time to settle down and reflect on the political choices in an atmosphere of calm....... oh wait or is fair and free elections really their aim? Maybe anarchy and a "triumphant return" by a "hero Thaksin" is what you really seek.

So you are thinking about the future of the thai people and that is an excuse for putting children into a dangerous situation......Thaksins tactics sound a little like Saddam's to me!

The thing that saddens me is that the end result of any election will be a "strong" leader and not a "fair" one - well remember this Abhisit's tactics have been aimed at risking lfe as little as possible - a "strong" PM would have marched in at the end of the first weekend and known that as far as the world and most people in the country are concerned a few hundred deaths would have been "yesterdays news" by now. Is that the kind of leadership Thai's really want?

Well said!

[J*ames Arthur]

It IS nonsense. No one can trust their word anymore, because they keep stalling. They should have negotiated in good faith before things got hairy; they need to stand down, before things get even worse.

That sounds like an unrealistic outcome.

[sedeflonga]

Good! You can't negotiate with anarchist criminals who have been shown remarkable tolerance thus far. Their criminal mob have held the Country to ransom for long enough and their concern for human life is hypocritically one sided stemming only from the desire of their leaders to get an amnesty so they can go off and spend Thaksin's millions.

Where do you get such garbage? They want democratically elected governments to be left alone to rule without the elitist army backed thugs removing them from power and then slaughtering them in the streets when they protest. It's the government who are the criminals.

How about informing yourself before showing attitude? The government already gave in by having elections in Nov 14. The red are not interested in peace. They want chaos.

Think again...!

[featography]

It IS nonsense. No one can trust their word anymore, because they keep stalling. They should have negotiated in good faith before things got hairy; they need to stand down, before things get even worse.

I don't know what you were doing during hours and days that the initial negotiating was going on between the Reds and Abisit, but I sat glued to the tv with a friend who translated it to me. When each day was over, I asked what was agreed on? His answer was, no agreement. Abisit only know one word; NO.

This is not negotiating nor is it coming to a compromise. I don't speak Thai, but I do understand the international body/facial language, and what my friend says coincides with what I saw. Even he, who leans more towards yellow and definitely is not red, laughed and shook his head several times during the process at how unmoving Abisit was.

[givenall]

It IS nonsense. No one can trust their word anymore, because they keep stalling. They should have negotiated in good faith before things got hairy; they need to stand down, before things get even worse.

It's becoming more and more clearer they don't have the authority to stop the protests.

It is becoming more and more clear the protests were never about improving the social and economic inequalities of many rural Thais. On the contrary it is that inequality that feeds the Red machine. Policies by this government designed to narrow social division are like kryptonite to a Red Shirt puyai. They have proven in the last three governments they can neither lead the country nor offer a loyal opposition. A difficult succession merely provides the opportunity for the violent power grab.

I am very concerned if this isn't dealt with soon the conflict will go to the provinces or even go regional. Cut off all the money!!!

If you read an today’s article in MSNBC titles “Thai protests expose military rifts, incompetence”, you will know why this has gone so long, also it show not only the incompetence in military and police also in all the level of Government including PM office.

God help the Thai people, this may go on for years

[MisterBeetle]

Good! You can't negotiate with anarchist criminals who have been shown remarkable tolerance thus far. Their criminal mob have held the Country to ransom for long enough and their concern for human life is hypocritically one sided stemming only from the desire of their leaders to get an amnesty so they can go off and spend Thaksin's millions.

Where do you get such garbage? They want democratically elected governments to be left alone to rule without the elitist army backed thugs removing them from power and then slaughtering them in the streets when they protest. It's the government who are the criminals.

Another born again red sympathizer?

You must have been chatting to one of the protestors for too long mate. Thats what they have all been force fed to believe, unfortunately I think their leaders are more interested in creating havoc and getting a few million baht. Back to your cave fasteddie.

[ukinbkk]

Ahbisit, the good people of Bangkok have waited long enough while we have had our day to day lives interrupted by these terrorists who don't come in peace they come to cause havoc and chaos, death and injury whilst they preach the hate rhetoric for a stage in Chidlom. The army needs to put a swift end to this and give them a taste of their own medicine, yes go in with live rounds and wipe them out.

I hear that the main ring leaders are staying in some 5 star hotel eating issan sausage with little green chilies, I hope they sleep well tonight.

[Steely Dan]

Good! You can't negotiate with anarchist criminals who have been shown remarkable tolerance thus far. Their criminal mob have held the Country to ransom for long enough and their concern for human life is hypocritically one sided stemming only from the desire of their leaders to get an amnesty so they can go off and spend Thaksin's millions.

Where do you get such garbage? They want democratically elected governments to be left alone to rule without the elitist army backed thugs removing them from power and then slaughtering them in the streets when they protest. It's the government who are the criminals.

The reds have nothing whatsoever to do with democracy, they were offered elections on November 14th but preferred to engage in murder, arson and theft because this was what their deity Thaksin wanted. Look at their actions not their weasel words, they deserve all they get and I hope it comes soon.

[dobadoy]

Featography - You don't know who 'webfact' is and you don't know Thailand has a senate? These are two simple fact anyone hanging around either ThaiVisa or Thailand can pick up in ten minutes. Yet you think you are qualified to judge the relative accuracy of reports coming out of the BBC and CNN on a situation vastly more complex?

Hmm....maybe you've been 'trained' to believe that BBC/CNN always know what they're talking about...this conflict has proven to me quite the opposite. Their lack of local knowledge, context and one-sided 'colouring' of the situation has made me disgusted that I trusted these people for so long.

[earthpig]

To the reds - if it has not escaped your attention - you have won! - there are to be elections in November - but if the protest and violence continues then you are putting those at risk because you cannot hold fair elections in the immediate aftermath of something like these protests - the country needs time to settle down and reflect on the political choices in an atmosphere of calm....... oh wait or is fair and free elections really their aim? Maybe anarchy and a "triumphant return" by a "hero Thaksin" is what you really seek.

that is EXACTLY correct.

the reds are winning, and if this isnt stopped we'll have anarchy and devil thaksin will return.

the way to stop it is to grant a general amnesty to all Reds except OF COURSE to the devil himself.

you cant bring the Reds back inside the poltical system if their leaders are in jail AND the coup plotters and assissasins of sae daeng arent. double standards isnt what convinces people to return.

if the sunni tribal chiefs could be brought back into the fold in iraq, so can the reds in thailand. amnesty and internationally sponsored free and fair electins are the way to do that.

and every day the killing of innocents (and others) in places like Din Deang and Bon Kai continues, the goverment loses support.

abhisit is a very wise guy. IF he is still in charge, we will have amnesty, just as thailand granted it to the communists in 1976. its only a matter of time.

[featography]

It IS nonsense. No one can trust their word anymore, because they keep stalling. They should have negotiated in good faith before things got hairy; they need to stand down, before things get even worse.

Agreed. The reds need to make a dramatic gesture to show their good faith now that they have totally darkened their name, even among previous supporters such as you. Best idea to the reds -- GO HOME. Then politely ask for early elections and pledge no more violence. Guess what? Abhisit will probably say yes.

You assume Abisit has not lost face. Its gone too far with his stubborness, and the control others have over him. He is between a Rock and Hard place. Abisit only had one word during the negotiating with reds originally, and that was not yes, or ok, meet in the middle.

[sedeflonga]

To the reds - if it has not escaped your attention - you have won! - there are to be elections in November - but if the protest and violence continues then you are putting those at risk because you cannot hold fair elections in the immediate aftermath of something like these protests - the country needs time to settle down and reflect on the political choices in an atmosphere of calm....... oh wait or is fair and free elections really their aim? Maybe anarchy and a "triumphant return" by a "hero Thaksin" is what you really seek.

that is EXACTLY correct.

the reds are winning, and if this isnt stopped we'll have anarchy and devil thaksin will return.

the way to stop it is to grant a general amnesty to all Reds except OF COURSE to the devil himself.

you cant bring the Reds back inside the poltical system if their leaders are in jail AND the coup plotters and assissasins of sae daeng arent. double standards isnt what convinces people to return.

if the sunni tribal chiefs could be brought back into the fold in iraq, so can the reds in thailand. amnesty and internationally sponsored free and fair electins are the way to do that.

and every day the killing of innocents (and others) in places like Din Deang and Bon Kai continues, the goverment loses support.

abhisit is a very wise guy. IF he is still in charge, we will have amnesty, just as thailand granted it to the communists in 1976. its only a matter of time.

ABSOLUTELY AGREE!

[Wuffy]

It IS nonsense. No one can trust their word anymore, because they keep stalling. They should have negotiated in good faith before things got hairy; they need to stand down, before things get even worse.

Agreed. The reds need to make a dramatic gesture to show their good faith now that they have totally darkened their name, even among previous supporters such as you. Best idea to the reds -- GO HOME. Then politely ask for early elections and pledge no more violence. Guess what? Abhisit will probably say yes.

Agreed.

Want a Ceasefire? Pack your shit, Go home. Want the government to stop cracking down on you, STOP burning shit to the ground.

If the protest leaders have lost controle. GO HOME. This can only end in tears, now it's only a mater of how many we will end up crying over.

You had it, Right in your hands, exactly what you asked for AND MORE.

[oldgeezer]

Where do you get such garbage? They want democratically elected governments to be left alone to rule without the elitist army backed thugs removing them from power and then slaughtering them in the streets when they protest. It's the government who are the criminals.

Edited May 18, 2010 by oldgeezer

[Danny79]

How typical...

There was a deadline, the red shirts ignored it, knowing what would follow.

Now they ask for mercy...

Not so long ago there was an agreement about doing new elections, wasn't that what they asked for????

Now they still keep on acting like idiots...

I'm not choosing sides in the political debate, but I choose side for the 63.000.000 million thai people who will have to carry the concequences of this red shirt protest.

A couple of thousand people think they have to fight for what they believe is right,

while their eyes are closed to see that the one they are fighting for has stolen money from all the Thai citizens.

Think about the business that'll have really hard times thanks to them...

If they really wanted to have a peaceful sollution for their problems, they would have gone home already a long time ago and wait for the elections.

[sevenhills]

Good! You can't negotiate with anarchist criminals who have been shown remarkable tolerance thus far. Their criminal mob have held the Country to ransom for long enough and their concern for human life is hypocritically one sided stemming only from the desire of their leaders to get an amnesty so they can go off and spend Thaksin's millions.

Where do you get such garbage? They want democratically elected governments to be left alone to rule without the elitist army backed thugs removing them from power and then slaughtering them in the streets when they protest. It's the government who are the criminals.

Absolutely agree. This is a Military elected Government. End of story.

[hansnl]

Good! You can't negotiate with anarchist criminals who have been shown remarkable tolerance thus far. Their criminal mob have held the Country to ransom for long enough and their concern for human life is hypocritically one sided stemming only from the desire of their leaders to get an amnesty so they can go off and spend Thaksin's millions.

Where do you get such garbage? They want democratically elected governments to be left alone to rule without the elitist army backed thugs removing them from power and then slaughtering them in the streets when they protest. It's the government who are the criminals.

I presume you are referring to the war on drugs, Thaksin style?

[dave111223]

If you read an today’s article in MSNBC titles “Thai protests expose military rifts, incompetence”, you will know why this has gone so long, also it show not only the incompetence in military and police also in all the level of Government including PM office.

God help the Thai people, this may go on for years

100% agree, seriously shocking incompetence by the military. If the country's military can't even put down a 5000 person revolt, <deleted> would they do if they were ever called into a real combat situation with an invading force?

At this point i can't even see why Thailand even has a military?