Bangkok Protests Spread To Thailand's Northeast

[toptuan]

May I suggest that factual information about trouble in the provinces stay at the earlier thread here, and this thread be reserved for opinions and comments of a less objective nature?

Spreading the factual up-dates over many threads makes it so hard to keep up with the situation in the provinces. Please?

[Thaihog]

Thailand's conflict spreads to rural northeast

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Four provincial halls in Thailand's northeast, the heartland of anti-government protesters, have been torched as authorities struggle to halt violence in Bangkok from spreading, an official said Thursday.

"Red Shirts" campaigners in those areas were defying a state of a emergency that has been declared in 23 provinces as well as the capital Bangkok, said Manit Wattansen, permanent secretary at the interior ministry.

"Fire gutted four provincial halls almost simultaneously early Wednesday afternoon including in Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Mukdahan and Ubon Ratchthani," Manit told AFP.

He said that damage to the buildings had been significant, ranging from 20 to 40 percent of the infrastructure. The halls house the offices of the provincial governors as well as agencies like taxation and education.

"Authorities can control the situation to some extent, but there are still protests in Lampang and Chiang Mai," he said referring to northern towns.

A curfew on Bangkok, aimed at containing enraged protesters who went on the rampage when their rally base was shut down, was extended Wednesday to cover 23 provinces.

The extension mainly covered the protesters' heartland in the north and northeast of the kingdom, which has a total of 76 provinces.

In Udon Thani, thousands of protesters besieged the provincial hall before setting it ablaze, destroying parts of the ground floor.

There are fears that the overwhelming offensive against the Reds, who had occupied Bangkok's main shopping district for six weeks, will trigger trouble in the rest of the country.

Thailand is largely split between the Reds, whose supporters are mainly rural and urban poor, and the rival Yellows who are pro-establishment and detest the Reds' hero, ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra who was ousted in a 2006 coup.

<img src=http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/pics/afplogo.jpg target="_blank">

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-05-20

Published with written approval from AFP.

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

The Red shirt leaders in the local provinces are more than likely successful business men who will prosper with all the reconstruction work that will happen at a later date. I'm sure that they don't loose sleep over the torching of City Halls and department stores.....

[jcbangkok]

Better they burn their own city and resources than those of other cities.

[eddie61]

Interesting: In my opinion the police are their usually efficient self in their chosen profession..... Which is to squeeze easy cash out of motorists for non-existent traffic infringements. I came up from Pattaya the other day and the boys in brown were on the job as usual.

Enforce the law? Not a chance...That's dangerous and its hard work, man!

I hope that once the govt has broken the back of the red thug's it will move on to the brown thugs!

I'm so disappointed watching this video clip. I was born and raised in Khon Kaen. I watched local news yesterday, police and soldiers were just walking around. They didn't do anything to stop those silly red shirts!

Before this I thought my concept of the thai police was firmly anchored at the rocky bottom, but the things I've seen the last days plunged it down to the Earth's molten core.

For example yesterday, Asoke/Sukumvit intersection, right in front of the police kiosk in the corner one or two red shirt start piling tires and sticks to block traffic, there are three or four policemen standing right there, just watching and moving the traffic around the small burning barricade. No attempt whatsoever to stop them. Completely useless, they leave us at the mercy of any thug, anarchist or "protester" on the streets.

Then at Kohn Kaen, the same a police line standing idly while rioters burn down the government house, disgusting.

By the way, the title is wrong, it should be Northeast protests begin targeting their own hometowns. This protests wasn't initiated in Bangkok.

[Anyse]

Bloop,

How much more incoherent can you get? Explain what you are talking about. This is utter nonsense!

[crazyswede]

Any problem in Surin or Buriram??

Perhaps Khmer people have a bit more shall we say smarts.

Yes , they hate BKK/Thailand for ages´ all ready and dont fukcing care much!

[EarthAlien]

Interesting: In my opinion the police are their usually efficient self in their chosen profession..... Which is to squeeze easy cash out of motorists for non-existent traffic infringements. I came up from Pattaya the other day and the boys in brown were on the job as usual.

Enforce the law? Not a chance...That's dangerous and its hard work, man!

I hope that once the govt has broken the back of the red thug's it will move on to the brown thugs!

I'm so disappointed watching this video clip. I was born and raised in Khon Kaen. I watched local news yesterday, police and soldiers were just walking around. They didn't do anything to stop those silly red shirts!

Before this I thought my concept of the thai police was firmly anchored at the rocky bottom, but the things I've seen the last days plunged it down to the Earth's molten core.

For example yesterday, Asoke/Sukumvit intersection, right in front of the police kiosk in the corner one or two red shirt start piling tires and sticks to block traffic, there are three or four policemen standing right there, just watching and moving the traffic around the small burning barricade. No attempt whatsoever to stop them. Completely useless, they leave us at the mercy of any thug, anarchist or "protester" on the streets.

Then at Kohn Kaen, the same a police line standing idly while rioters burn down the government house, disgusting.

By the way, the title is wrong, it should be Northeast protests begin targeting their own hometowns. This protests wasn't initiated in Bangkok.

Agreed,... the issue with the boys in brown is fundamentally at the root of the extent of this entire calamity. It could have and should have been contained.

But the police situation we currently have is just an extension of the Thai "superficiality over substance" philosophy.

It's a government problem that Abhisit inherited. Hopefully his government will start to set things straight in the brown brigade otherwise the country will be plagued with problems for a long time to come.

One of the issues is the very poor salary the cops get. I recently had a conversation with a very senior government official about this and he said that whilst they've considered raising salaries to lift performance, they feel it still would't fix the corruption,... and so they tend not to even try or draw up any plan at all,..more of the "same same/mai ben arai" attitude that this country is infected with.

[kyb789]

For example yesterday, Asoke/Sukumvit intersection, right in front of the police kiosk in the corner one or two red shirt start piling tires and sticks to block traffic, there are three or four policemen standing right there, just watching and moving the traffic around the small burning barricade. No attempt whatsoever to stop them. Completely useless, they leave us at the mercy of any thug, anarchist or "protester" on the streets.

Then at Kohn Kaen, the same a police line standing idly while rioters burn down the government house, disgusting.

Don't drop your cigarette butt on the ground. Its a hefty fine.

[pittsburgh]

I can't believe the reds are burning Government buildings and places in Isan... This is where Isan people work and take care of the Isan People.

These Reds have the IQ of burt toast...... This is not how you achieve democracy...... So sad.... I Hope they don't come to Samui. It is so slow there now because of this Mess

what leads you to believe the Reds are trying to achieve democracy?

[kab123]

Does anyone have a list of these provinces under curfew?

According to the US State Dept.:

Bangkok metropolitan area

· Chiang Mai

· Chiang Rai

· Lampang

· Nan

· Nakhon Sawan

· Samut Prakan

· Chon Buri

· Nonthaburi

· Pathum Thani

· Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

· Khon Kaen

· Udon Thani

· Chaiyaphum

· Nakhon Ratchasima

· Si Sa Ket

· Kalasin

· Mukdaharn

We are in Ayutthaya. Heard on the two way that Ayutthaya Park Tesco was on fire. Can anyone confirm if anything is happening here?

[Bastle]

Interesting enough, this tells you that the Ban Nok's are not a bunch of idiots like the self proclaimed red leaders who knows only to sing, talented public speaker , trying to be gentleman in politics , not organized , no unity , coward , playing with emotions of the simple Ban Nok's feeling and worst of all committed slaying of red comrades.

First time mistake is not enough , these so called leaders have to commit twice.

There is this saying once beaten , twice shy , third better you die than we die.

This is so much love and respect the reds or the nation have for the big bullies and murderers alike.

Ban Nok's don't need academician , professors , pretty boy leaders or cowards to hold their nose up and follow them around.

They have their own head of province , under ground guerrillas warfare specialist and they have their own food and culture.

These groups of politicians, elites , bullies and murderer is going to have a hard time figuring out where and when there will be riots and burning of buildings and tires as a warning.

Thai nation don't need to pay protection fees to bullies for protection. The Red's are a bigger bully themselves.

More troubles is on the way until the bullies step down and hand the nation back to its people.

Bloop

Hmmm - is this "Bloop fella for real? Is he suggesting that the 99% of peaceful, hard-working Thais hand all the power over to the 0.1% of lawless thugs and their convicted, fugitive leader?

I think it is a little different from that, I think what most people here are saying is for the Red Shirts to just give up, and then get back to 90% of the people having nothing and making sure that the 10% continue to have everything, as they so JUSTLY deserve!!

[Bastle]

Does anyone have a list of these provinces under curfew?

According to the US State Dept.:

Bangkok metropolitan area

· Chiang Mai

· Chiang Rai

· Lampang

· Nan

· Nakhon Sawan

· Samut Prakan

· Chon Buri

· Nonthaburi

· Pathum Thani

· Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

· Khon Kaen

· Udon Thani

· Chaiyaphum

· Nakhon Ratchasima

· Si Sa Ket

· Kalasin

· Mukdaharn

We are in Ayutthaya. Heard on the two way that Ayutthaya Park Tesco was on fire. Can anyone confirm if anything is happening here?

Olin Soya Bean Oil, 47 Baht/Litre, limit, 3 bottles per customer, offer ends Sunday 9PM

[jesters]

Does anyone have a list of these provinces under curfew?

Hi all,

Me to!! does anyone know what provinces?? I'm in Malaysia at the moment, but I am due to fly to Udon Thani on 29th May which is just over a week now. Then car journey to Sakon Nakhon.

Dont drive a car with Bangkok registration number plate. you might be harassed by the local that has returned to their provinces..

[nipada]

Can't say I'm surprised by this latest development. How long before it's all out war?

How many people are protesting for the reds?

100,000 on their best day (when it WAS peaceful).

10,000 on most days after April 10 (after people saw the 'black shirts' and grenades used by the reds)

3,000 on their last day.

100's causing havoc around Bangkok.

100's causing havoc in the provinces of the red strong holds.

Of a country of 65,000,000 people, these are all VERY small numbers.

Now it is just lawless thugs causing havoc.

The one thing most of you have forgotton is that the so called demonstrators were being paid to do this how many of these scum wreaking havoc would have been there if no money was offered .Most of them came because they get more money than staying in there villages.

They only think about today never tomorrow .If they were genuine why destroy our own country (incidentially I am thai).The facts are corrution is rife the Police in general only about one thing and I have first hand experience of it.

[kimamey]

Does anyone have a list of these provinces under curfew?

Provinces under State Of Emergency (SOE) and Curfew:

Chonburi, Samut Prakan, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Si Sa Ket, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan, Lampang and Nakhon Sawan, Bangkok and Nonthaburi and parts of Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Ubon Ratchahani, Maha Sarakam, Roi-et, Nongbua Lumpoo, and Sakhon Nakorn, Kalasin and Ayutthaya

Provinces under State Of Emergency (SOE) and Curfew:

Chonburi, Samut Prakan, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Si Sa Ket, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan, Lampang and Nakhon Sawan, Bangkok and Nonthaburi and parts of Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Ubon Ratchahani, Maha Sarakam, Roi-et, Nongbua Lumpoo, and Sakhon Nakorn, Kalasin and Ayutthaya

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thailand-Imp...ts-t367273.html

[elcent]

-- The Nation

Two red shirts leaders; weng Tohjirakarn and Veera Musikapong, surrender to police on Wednesday at 1pm

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[jcbangkok]

For example yesterday, Asoke/Sukumvit intersection, right in front of the police kiosk in the corner one or two red shirt start piling tires and sticks to block traffic, there are three or four policemen standing right there, just watching and moving the traffic around the small burning barricade. No attempt whatsoever to stop them. Completely useless, they leave us at the mercy of any thug, anarchist or "protester" on the streets.

Then at Kohn Kaen, the same a police line standing idly while rioters burn down the government house, disgusting.

Don't drop your cigarette butt on the ground. Its a hefty fine.

Yes, much larger consequences than will be faced if you are part of a mob who steal and hold hostage billions of dollars in private and public property.

[dreamtime]

Most of the police are nothing more than traffic/ticketing cops. The rest of them won't do anything on their own unless they are ordered to do something. The gov. is about an inept as you can get. How else can you explain allowing thousands of people into your capital and letting them to setup shop completely untouched. Its beyond ridiculous.

I'm so disappointed watching this video clip. I was born and raised in Khon Kaen. I watched local news yesterday, police and soldiers were just walking around. They didn't do anything to stop those silly red shirts!

[toptuan]

Most of the police are nothing more than traffic/ticketing cops. The rest of them won't do anything on their own unless they are ordered to do something.

It's the downside of living in a hierarchical culture, where you don't make a move unless it's directed by your superiors. You never initiate anything on your own because it leaves you too exposed to criticism of trying to outdo your superior. A definite no-no in this culture.

Unfortunately, this cultural trait handicaps the normal work of keeping law and order in a fragmenting society.

[asiawatcher]

I'm so disappointed watching this video clip. I was born and raised in Khon Kaen. I watched local news yesterday, police and soldiers were just walking around. They didn't do anything to stop those silly red shirts!

Before this I thought my concept of the thai police was firmly anchored at the rocky bottom, but the things I've seen the last days plunged it down to the Earth's molten core.

For example yesterday, Asoke/Sukumvit intersection, right in front of the police kiosk in the corner one or two red shirt start piling tires and sticks to block traffic, there are three or four policemen standing right there, just watching and moving the traffic around the small burning barricade. No attempt whatsoever to stop them. Completely useless, they leave us at the mercy of any thug, anarchist or "protester" on the streets.

Then at Kohn Kaen, the same a police line standing idly while rioters burn down the government house, disgusting.

By the way, the title is wrong, it should be Northeast protests begin targeting their own hometowns. This protests wasn't initiated in Bangkok.

Well the simplest solution is to fire all the police over the rank of sergeant and induct the lower ranks into the army. Maybe then they will learn to take orders and restore law and order. Fortunately the army outnumbers the police but the police appear to be the smarter (and far more lazy) group. Just a thought to remove the corrupt asshol*s

[marquess]

For example yesterday, Asoke/Sukumvit intersection, right in front of the police kiosk in the corner one or two red shirt start piling tires and sticks to block traffic, there are three or four policemen standing right there, just watching and moving the traffic around the small burning barricade. No attempt whatsoever to stop them. Completely useless, they leave us at the mercy of any thug, anarchist or "protester" on the streets.

Then at Kohn Kaen, the same a police line standing idly while rioters burn down the government house, disgusting.

Don't drop your cigarette butt on the ground. Its a hefty fine.

That just about sums up law inforcement here!

[beau51]

Disaffected, uneducated, unemployable, lazy 'Baan Nork', oiled up on Lao Khao, and angry because the pipeline of handouts has dried up decide to burn their own homeland.

They would have been better off all along, following the Sufficiency Economy model, adopting some modern farming techniques, and investing those handouts in that, instead of spending the money on new pickups and motorcycles they can't pay for, and basically complaining all the time about their lot in life and blaming the invisible "elite".

Ironically, Abhisit has recently helped them all greatly, with farmer debt relief, by instituting free education and moving towards a social welfare society which he has publically advocated on numerous occasions.

Unfortunately, all of that takes time and effort, and therefore doesn't feed into the impatient Baan Nork's sense of entitlement, and need for instant gratification via handouts, without work.

During his 5 years in power, Thaksin created a monster, by giving these country folk easy money. The country is now reaping the "reward" for his largesse funded by tax-payers' money (largely Bangkok tax-payers, ironically).

If there is such a thing as karma, one hopes that Thaksin gets his just desserts for causing all of this.

[OzMick]

I don't give a shit if they want to destroy their own home just stay away from mine

if you are living in Thailand, you should care about what is gone on. or go away

It took you three and a half years to come up with that gem of wisdom? Most threads we get someone telling us as a farang our opinion doesn't matter!

[asiawatcher]

Disaffected, uneducated, unemployable, lazy 'Baan Nork', oiled up on Lao Khao, and angry because the pipeline of handouts has dried up decide to burn their own homeland.

They would have been better off all along, following the Sufficiency Economy model, adopting some modern farming techniques, and investing those handouts in that, instead of spending the money on new pickups and motorcycles they can't pay for, and basically complaining all the time about their lot in life and blaming the invisible "elite".

Ironically, Abhisit has recently helped them all greatly, with farmer debt relief, by instituting free education and moving towards a social welfare society which he has publically advocated on numerous occasions.

Unfortunately, all of that takes time and effort, and therefore doesn't feed into the impatient Baan Nork's sense of entitlement, and need for instant gratification via handouts, without work.

During his 5 years in power, Thaksin created a monster, by giving these country folk easy money. The country is now reaping the "reward" for his largesse funded by tax-payers' money (largely Bangkok tax-payers, ironically).

If there is such a thing as karma, one hopes that Thaksin gets his just desserts for causing all of this.

Another good post - seems the forum is getting thinking members at last LOL

[expat8]

I don't give a shit if they want to destroy their own home just stay away from mine

if you are living in Thailand, you should care about what is gone on. or go away

That's against human nature. It's easy not to give a sh-t about something you can do nothing about. That is the life of an expat in thailand.

[slapout]

No, I think more have decided to give their opinions due to recent events. They are what some call the silent uncounted.

[Artisi]

Rhetorical question: Can anyone tell me why the Red Shirts would want to destroy places where so many of them work and make their money? I am just so sick and tired of this fighting between the Red Shirts and Yellow Shirts. I have no doubt that most of the Thai people feel the same way and are completely sick of both sides.

I didn't realise that the Red Shirts and the Yellow Shirts are fighting each other, thanks for informing me of this very important fact

[OzMick]

On the subject of BIB, one reason that they don't interfere when they see lawbreakers is that they have to pay for their own bullets. I had a few rent-bikes parked outside a lady friend's bar. she rang me to tell me that a couple of thai lads were stealing fuel from the bikes, could I come down. Just outside my house were 2 police on a Phantom. They suggested that I report it to a police station 15km away, they couldn't help because they were on patrol. &lt;deleted&gt;!

One way to sort BIB, every officer has to re-apply for his job, and attach bank statements for himself and wife, all a/c's, for the last 3 years - any missed a/c's or forgeries get a mandatory jail sentence.

[toenail]

Burning down a beautiful historical building in their own province???? These people (Reds) are looking more and more irresponsible to even be able to vote rationally in a democratic election...

[toenail]

I'm so disappointed watching this video clip. I was born and raised in Khon Kaen. I watched local news yesterday, police and soldiers were just walking around. They didn't do anything to stop those silly red shirts!

********************************

This is a problem with the nature of the Thais... to avoid conflict...to not get involved. Just think how many Westerners wouldn't put up with thugs like this and try to take care of it themselves.(thugs attacking a government building or a shop?) I am not saying this as a negative personality trait, but it is just a difference in character. This can also be a negative trait for a Westerner.