Order Restored In Bangkok And Provinces: PM Abhisit

[ozzieman05]

A leader who brings a country through a bloody crisis is going to make significant gains in popularity. Abhisit is in charge. Thaksin will be fighting terrorism charges ...

Did you see in another thread that Thaksin is denying any involvement in the latest events

Did you really thing he would admit he did

pass me another glass of what you have been drinking

[tracer5050]

Many Thais whom did not like him ,Now she he will do what he need to for Thailand he has a lot of support now. Hes made thais pround again

[ozzieman05]

I don't think there can be reconciliation or peace unless Abhisit and Suthep resign from there current positions.

Too much blood has been spilled, Thais do not forgive and forget.

so you would rather peace be given a chance

or chaos continue as there is no other solution

Your choice please

I can’t wait to hear you solution to Thailands problems

[cyb]

The entire crack down was carried out with as little loss of life as could be expected given the heavy resistance the red radical faction put up once it started.

More and more munitions are being found in what were red rabble held areas. Most if not all the looting/violence videos are disenfranchised reds angered at their illustrious leaders surrender, venting their anger.

I think the country has a long way to go, but at least the P/M got thailand thru this so far, so let's see what he's gonna do to address the issues he freely admitted were valid during negotiations with the red-rabble leaders.

I listened to sock puppet red radio from the stage at Rachaprasong for nearly 5 solid days before this crackdown and NOT ONE SINGLE TIME did I hear anything that resembled talk of reconciliation, a call for peace, or a call for unity. All I heard was hate filled, violence inciting, divisive brain-washing to the red-rabble protestors.

They listened to it for nearly 8 solid weeks; of course they're a little brain washed in their way of thinking. Is it any wonder some of the more radical element wouldn't buy the surrender when it came and preferred instead to burn, loot and destroy anything they could get their grubby little mitts on?

The blame for this entire debacle deserves to be laid at the feet of the core red-rabble leaders (Jatuporn, Arisman, Suporn, Nattawut, Kwanchai, Wing-Nut Weng, et al), they could have stopped this WEEKS ago as Abhisit had already acquiesced to every 'demand' they'd made. Instead they made more and more unreasonable demands, so much so that Veera Musikapong finally just disappeared from the rally. The hard line leaders forced the governments hand in this; I hope they get what they deserve.

As an aside; I think the BMA is doing an incredible job in getting this city back on track and running again, they are the heroes now.

Just as the young soldiers who were tasked with a difficult job during the crackdown were the heroes during that time.

Is it me or is the T/V Forum now flooded with newbie members who've got a handful of posts yet have morphed somehow into thai political pundits? To a person they seem to be mindless foreign sock-puppet red-apologists, refusing to let something like FACTS get in the way of their red tinted posting penchants. Truly sad and pathetic. .. Take of your red goggles and try Google before you post mindlessness. (My ignore bin is filling up )

So only the views of so called senior' members count for anything do they? Doesn't it occur to you that the term 'newbie' refers to the forum only. There may well be so called 'newbie' members who have not only been living in Thailand a lot longer than you, but are also better informed and have a greater all round understanding.

I seriously doubt your statement silver, How long have you being living in Thailand?

What, you seriously doubt my statement that there may well be people who have lived in Thailand for longer than you and may be better informed than you? So you have lived here longer and are better informed than everyone else? I concede your authority on the matter and will never dare to question your word again.

Silver for your information, I am 54 this year and was born in Kanchanaburi. Does that answer you? You still have not answered my question how long have you lived in Thailand?

[Ulysses G.]

Is it me or is the T/V Forum now flooded with newbie members who've got a handful of posts yet have morphed somehow into thai political pundits? To a person they seem to be mindless foreign sock-puppet red-apologists, refusing to let something like FACTS get in the way of their red tinted posting penchants. Truly sad and pathetic. .. Take of your red goggles and try Google before you post mindlessness. (My ignore bin is filling up )

They are all pretty much the same guy - a former member who was obsessed with this stuff.

[ozzieman05]

The Reds had a point: Thailand is a very unequal society, with a handful of key families controlling so much of its commercial life - & pocketing the proceeds.

Of course they were used by the odious Thaksin - who must never be allowed to influence Thai polity again.

And they contained their fair share of violent nutters.

But their key point remains valid: Thailand is precipitously unequal.

Unless that is rectified, the Reds will rise again.

That might be the end of the present elite, even the end of civil peace.

Better to make a deal now, to bring about fairness.

Their are many homes on the gold Coast Australia sell for 11 million plus

owned by the rich elite

But you do not see us burning down Surfers Paradise do you

Hard work to get ahead never hurt anyone

[gemini81]

Every single Thai I know supports this man - I hope in the weeks and months ahead, he shows everyone a path towards peace, reconciliation and unity.

That's odd. Many of the poor Thais I encounter daily working at street cafes and convenience stores in Bangkok tell me they despise the SOB. One old woman who often serves me dinner took her sandal off and beat Abhisit's image as he was speaking on television.

That was because she most likely does not have a clue what is going on around her, Another brainwash victim

Not hardly. The woman's a news junkie and runs her cafe with pride and efficiency.

he can only think of one old poor woman as an example! Self-explanatory.

She was an ageing bar girl?

[ozzieman05]

Every single Thai I know supports this man - I hope in the weeks and months ahead, he shows everyone a path towards peace, reconciliation and unity.

I don't know what you are drinking but it must be strong. I have not met 1 Thai who supports this man, I have been to Udon, Korat, Khon Kaen and Non Kai in the last 12 months and have not met this SINGLE Thai you talk about. I can say I've met hundreds and not met a supporter of the present government. Maybe this 1 you met was hiding.

That’s funny

what year are you talking about

Thai wife talks to her parents every day, and also all her school friends

they all live in Issan villages

All hate the red shirts for stopping there money coming from Bangkok

Do not blame me, it was Thaskin that showed them money more inmportant than thinking

[cyb]

Every single Thai I know supports this man - I hope in the weeks and months ahead, he shows everyone a path towards peace, reconciliation and unity.

I don't know what you are drinking but it must be strong. I have not met 1 Thai who supports this man, I have been to Udon, Korat, Khon Kaen and Non Kai in the last 12 months and have not met this SINGLE Thai you talk about. I can say I've met hundreds and not met a supporter of the present government. Maybe this 1 you met was hiding.

That’s funny

what year are you talking about

Thai wife talks to her parents every day, and also all her school friends

they all live in Issan villages

All hate the red shirts for stopping there money coming from Bangkok

Do not blame me, it was Thaskin that showed them money more inmportant than thinking

That is a prime example of the diminishing support for Thaksin,

Silver where are you? I am waiting for your reply, What is the problem? You cannot beat me for years in Thailand?

My heart bleeds for you.

[ozzieman05]

Every single Thai I know supports this man - I hope in the weeks and months ahead, he shows everyone a path towards peace, reconciliation and unity.

You obviously don't know many Thais!!

Or maybe sangfroid you do not understand how much damage has been done in the last week that shows people in the north what a bunch or <deleted> they really are

Many people in the north have seen the truth and are no longer brainwashed

[cyb]

Every single Thai I know supports this man - I hope in the weeks and months ahead, he shows everyone a path towards peace, reconciliation and unity.

You obviously don't know many Thais!!

Or maybe sangfroid you do not understand how much damage has been done in the last week that shows people in the north what a bunch or <deleted> they really are

Many people in the north have seen the truth and are no longer brainwashed

So True ozzieman. So true.

[denissr]

The Reds had a point: Thailand is a very unequal society, with a handful of key families controlling so much of its commercial life - & pocketing the proceeds.

Of course they were used by the odious Thaksin - who must never be allowed to influence Thai polity again.

And they contained their fair share of violent nutters.

But their key point remains valid: Thailand is precipitously unequal.

Unless that is rectified, the Reds will rise again.

That might be the end of the present elite, even the end of civil peace.

Better to make a deal now, to bring about fairness.

A lot like the U.S, England, Oz and so on.

[way2muchcoffee]

Well if the red leaders and some of the hard core protesters are prosecuted under terrorism while the yellow shirt leaders and their protesters is walking around happily without charge.

The PAD didn't burn the airport to the ground when they left. The PAD didn't set 39 buildings on fire. The PAD didn't hire snipers to kill their own in order to make the government look bad. The PAD didn't injure 400-500 soldiers and police, killing 6 of them. The PAD didn't kill reporters and engage in a months long bombing campaign of terror throughout Bangkok.

In short, there is very little similarity in either the scope of the PAD protests or the damage they inflicted on others.

[cyb]

Well if the red leaders and some of the hard core protesters are prosecuted under terrorism while the yellow shirt leaders and their protesters is walking around happily without charge.

The PAD didn't burn the airport to the ground when they left. The PAD didn't set 39 buildings on fire. The PAD didn't hire snipers to kill their own in order to make the government look bad. The PAD didn't injure 400-500 soldiers and police, killing 6 of them. The PAD didn't kill reporters and engage in a months long bombing campaign of terror throughout Bangkok.

In short, there is very little similarity in either the scope of the PAD protests or the damage they inflicted on others.

The pads inconvenienced people to get their point across, Unlike the reds that caused the deaths of innocent people.

I would rather be inconvenienced than die.

Anyone that disagrees with that is devoid of human feelings and should be put to sleep inhumanely. jmho

Edited May 21, 2010 by cyb

[Jimmu]

Grey11 Spot on!

[Democrat]

The Reds had a point: Thailand is a very unequal society, with a handful of key families controlling so much of its commercial life - & pocketing the proceeds.

Of course they were used by the odious Thaksin - who must never be allowed to influence Thai polity again.

And they contained their fair share of violent nutters.

But their key point remains valid: Thailand is precipitously unequal.

Unless that is rectified, the Reds will rise again.

That might be the end of the present elite, even the end of civil peace.

Better to make a deal now, to bring about fairness.

The poor people in the north whatever color might be need better representation and they need regular town meetings where their concerns and problems can be addressed.

Right now the representation has the "what's in it for me" attitude, do their jobs ineffectually as they really don't care. Paid official is a good position.

Give these people effective voice, give them answers to their problems and they stop following the meglomaniacs that promise them the world while robbing them.

Very good but they should include, the poor people in the north east, and north west, as well as the south, and all other areas should also get fair representation. Because the attitude is in many places whether you are red, yellow, blue or no colour.

[xminator]

Once upon a time there was order in the 1000 year empire. Thats the kind of order Abhisits masters want now. Is that really the life people want to live? Perceived peace - if you behave by rules you have no influence to change?

[Democrat]

The PAD didn't burn the airport to the ground when they left. The PAD didn't set 39 buildings on fire. The PAD didn't hire snipers to kill their own in order to make the government look bad. The PAD didn't injure 400-500 soldiers and police, killing 6 of them. The PAD didn't kill reporters and engage in a months long bombing campaign of terror throughout Bangkok.

In short, there is very little similarity in either the scope of the PAD protests or the damage they inflicted on others. WHAT NONSENSE!

The pads inconvenienced people to get their point across, Unlike the reds that caused the deaths of innocent people.

I would rather be inconvenienced than die.

Anyone that disagrees with that is devoid of human feelings and should be put to sleep inhumanely. jmho

I DISAGREE WITH WHAT YOU HAVE WRITTEN! Not one person should have died. Not one road should have been blocked.

[expat8]

This deal was made days ago when the red leaders stepped down. The red leaders step down in exchange for new elections. Everybody saved face. If the PM keeps his word then the reds have no complaints. Assuming the elections are fair, we could be our path to a better Thailand. Isn't it needless to continue this bickering at this point? It's time for everybody to cool off.

Edited May 21, 2010 by expat8

[AskTheCPT]

"Order restored"

Tell that to the thousands (2000?) of people who lost their jobs

[BSJ]

There's an underlying smugness to quite a few posts in this thread. Something along the lines "Yer, those Reds got their arse kicked good".

I guess when your only got slingshots and Molotov cocktails eventually you do get your arse kicked when the other side has lots of guns, grenades, snipers and APC's!

But it ain't over! There is no sea change for millions of Thai's that want a better life for themselves and their families. The PM may talk of change, but words don't make for a better life for the average man on the street.

There has to be new clear programs to promote social justice, fairness in the workplace and some sort of safety net for people to fall back on in times of trouble.

Unlike the present system of limited services (should that be almost non-existent?) to the community and a basic meal at the Wot for the needy, a new system needs to be seen to be working in a fair and honest fashion.

Otherwise, the problems will fester under the surface only to blow up again in possibly worse ways.

[Britannia]

Every single Thai I know supports this man - I hope in the weeks and months ahead, he shows everyone a path towards peace, reconciliation and unity.

Why doesn't that surprise me? Being a member of PAD I should imagine you are quite cut off from the rest of the world.

Every decent Thai I know thinks he is the leader of the most evil government Thailand has known for decades.

Don't think the rest of the world doesn't know what went on in Thailand in the last few days. All the manipulation of the Thai press and the take over of Thai Visa Forums will not suppress the truth indefinitely.

The people of Thailand will learn the truth over time.

However, I too hope for reconciliation and unity, but that won't come through people like you.

Government officials in many Western countries have been interviewed since the Reds commenced trying to burn Bangkok to the ground and not one blames the present government. When the U.S. Ambassador to Thailand was asked if he thought Thaksin Shinawatra was behind the Red Shirts. He answered, "Yes I do. 200%. All the pro-Red Shirt bias, half-truths & lies put out by CNN & the BBC were corrected by their reporters toward the end of these riots, admitting for the first time that the Red Shirts were armed and in fact firing live ammunition, possessing Ak47S, M74 grenades & launchers, all supplied by Seh Daeng, stolen from the Thai Army. As the Reds arrested begin to squeal like pigs on who their financiers are in order to get lighter prison sentences, the whole world will know the whole story. As the huge stockpile of weapons that were recovered from the Red camp are shown to the whole work all will know they were terrorists working for Thaksin. You Red sympathisers will soon find that all that believe what you say are a buncy of brainwashed, uneducated peasants who will never be anything in their lives but followers, for sale the highest bidder, people like Thaksin.

You really are a stressed out, angry, vengeful person with hatred very high on your emotional priorities, Have you heard of meditation? I think maybe five years booked in to a Wat under the guidance of a good patient Arjun is highly recommended

[markhc]

Every single Thai I know supports this man - I hope in the weeks and months ahead, he shows everyone a path towards peace, reconciliation and unity.

And yet every single Thai I know wants democracy. How can an unelected prime minister be supported by so many people? I suspect it's because the people you mix with are the people that supported the court-based military-backed overthrow of the thrice-elected (landslide majority-elected) former government.

And a path towards peace? Towards unity? At least the Germans elected their fascist government in 1933. At least the Burma junta rigged their elections such that nobody else could be elected. This Thai government sets itself apart in not having been elected and slaying its own citizens in the streets.

[Democrat]

The Reds had a point: Thailand is a very unequal society, with a handful of key families controlling so much of its commercial life - & pocketing the proceeds.

Of course they were used by the odious Thaksin - who must never be allowed to influence Thai polity again.

And they contained their fair share of violent nutters.

But their key point remains valid: Thailand is precipitously unequal.

Unless that is rectified, the Reds will rise again.

That might be the end of the present elite, even the end of civil peace.

Better to make a deal now, to bring about fairness.

Their are many homes on the gold Coast Australia sell for 11 million plus

owned by the rich elite

But you do not see us burning down Surfers Paradise do you

Hard work to get ahead never hurt anyone

Yes about 200,000 of them you can go to many places in Sydney and NSW worth the same maybe another 500,000 thats 700,000 already. What do you mean by Hard Work, is that where the farmer goes out all day and works hard. He then gets a pittance for his labour(rice), the buyer or middlemen sell it to their friends, the govt, at a very good price. Why not sell it straight to the govt at a reasonable price MONEY. And if you want to check up on these middlemen just go to the HRC website.

But you are not burning down SP. I do not condone what was done. I would love to know the real facts about the looting and burning but that will never come out. And if the Army came out and started shooting your family you would. The difference of course, you would have razed it to the ground and left nothing.

[Honolulu]

A Thai friend has just come back to Australia with reports of 50 to 100 million baht payments each for the top red shirt leaders.

I'm really trying to determine if all of this violence is being bought by Thaksin, or if this is a true uprising of the people.

Can anyone supply evidence that monies are being paid ?

[citizen33]

Many people in the north have seen the truth and are no longer brainwashed

I would agree that it is a good thing if those in the North/NE who were "brainwashed" see the light, and I include those who indulged in the cult of personality that centred on Mr T. But, if we are seeking honest analysis, how are events really going to look from the standpoint of the rural people?

For a rank-and-file protester who spent most of his/her time in front of the main redshirt stage (and who moved between the two main sites), I'd imagine it goes something like this. In the beginning the protest resembles a carnival. There is a moment when they seem to be winning. Then Seh Deng is shot (they believe by the army, even if this is not true) and this changes everything. They hear that the push is coming and sure enough the shooting starts in the distance. They see photographs of the wounded on camp notice boards, and hear both their leaders' accounts and the Government warnings. The shooting gets closer. Perhaps they retreat to Wat Patham and endure what, from some accounts at least, is a terrifying few hours when they are not sure if they will live. As they make their way to the police buses, they see the smoke and are told of the arson and destruction.

For those watching from afar in the NE, there will have been both the TV reports and what they hear on the grapevine. They will know that Thai TV is not telling the whole story and may be sceptical. A few will have access to other satellite channels with disturbing coverage, which many on this board say is biased towards the red side. Later they hear that the bodies and the wounded are coming home. The realisation of the extent of the destruction starts to sink in, and they also hear the condemnation, though not much about the deaths that they know happened. What will be their overall judgement?

Do these people see a single truth clearly? Speaking for my own Isaan wife, currently in the UK, there has been a change of view She says she hates Thaksin and that the protesters were stupid, because the army will always use force on the people of Isaan so that they never had a chance. But she hates Abhisit too because she believes he ordered Thais to kill Thais, and most of the dead are on one side. The nation is still going to be deeply polarised and it is wishful thinking to believe that rural people will see things the same way as expats. I do believe this is another nail in Thaksin's coffin, but my view is that his influence had been waning for a while. I shall be watching with interest for evidence of the extent of his financial backing.

Edited May 21, 2010 by citizen33

[moe666]

As my girlfriend says, it never change for me and my family no matter who is in charge

[cyb]

The PAD didn't burn the airport to the ground when they left. The PAD didn't set 39 buildings on fire. The PAD didn't hire snipers to kill their own in order to make the government look bad. The PAD didn't injure 400-500 soldiers and police, killing 6 of them. The PAD didn't kill reporters and engage in a months long bombing campaign of terror throughout Bangkok.

In short, there is very little similarity in either the scope of the PAD protests or the damage they inflicted on others. WHAT NONSENSE!

The pads inconvenienced people to get their point across, Unlike the reds that caused the deaths of innocent people.

I would rather be inconvenienced than die.

Anyone that disagrees with that is devoid of human feelings and should be put to sleep inhumanely. jmho

I DISAGREE WITH WHAT YOU HAVE WRITTEN! Not one person should have died. Not one road should have been blocked.

Is that not what i have just said? Please read and understand.

[cyb]

As my girlfriend says, it never change for me and my family no matter who is in charge

The reason for that is, The masses cannot see a good thing if it jumped up and hit them in the face.

[cyb]

There's an underlying smugness to quite a few posts in this thread. Something along the lines "Yer, those Reds got their arse kicked good".

I guess when your only got slingshots and Molotov cocktails eventually you do get your arse kicked when the other side has lots of guns, grenades, snipers and APC's!

But it ain't over! There is no sea change for millions of Thai's that want a better life for themselves and their families. The PM may talk of change, but words don't make for a better life for the average man on the street.

There has to be new clear programs to promote social justice, fairness in the workplace and some sort of safety net for people to fall back on in times of trouble.

Unlike the present system of limited services (should that be almost non-existent?) to the community and a basic meal at the Wot for the needy, a new system needs to be seen to be working in a fair and honest fashion.

Otherwise, the problems will fester under the surface only to blow up again in possibly worse ways.

Do not all governments or prospective governments (in any country of the world) start off with words?

Then given the chance they prove their words true or untrue, By given the chance to do that.

That to me is the democratic way of doing things

Edited May 21, 2010 by cyb