Bitter Thai Red Shirts Promise Further Rallies In North

[ETatBKK]

Nice to know this woman is happy that poor people in Bangkok (many of whom actually come from the same kind of background as her) have lost their jobs thanks to all the burning she is happy about. Seems nobody is picking up on all the poor that are suffering because of the red arson and violence. There is a big irony in that albeit a sad one. Bnagkok is not full; of only rich people and it is the poor who are suffering most from the attacks through lost work.

from the Thai TV these days, we see the most damages, are the real people who run their little shops for life on the street, and they loss everything overnight.

this is not the end, million hardworking grass root workers in Bangkok will face the damaged economy, later salary cut, even loss of jobs.

everyone suffers from this red rally, red riot; the most significant damages, and may be not recoverable, perhaps the grass root and the poor.

[DP25]

They didn't exactly make that a visible issue during their occupation.

That's because it wasn't an issue. This is damage control propaganda after the PR disaster for the reds in the Bangkok riot. They're last strategy failed so throw out a couple stories about the protests being about cheap rice and cooking oil to a non Thai speaking reporter and see if it sticks. Yet another manufactured story by the reds for the English speaking reporters

[jonclark]

Nice to know this woman is happy that poor people in Bangkok (many of whom actually come from the same kind of background as her) have lost their jobs thanks to all the burning she is happy about. Seems nobody is picking up on all the poor that are suffering because of the red arson and violence. There is a big irony in that albeit a sad one. Bnagkok is not full; of only rich people and it is the poor who are suffering most from the attacks through lost work.

I am sorry to say I agree with the woman from Chiang Mai, the Abhisit government is not legitimate, it rorted the normal electoral process.

It is also cynical, shameless and unprincipled. I believe Abhisit's objective is simply to hold on to power and he doesn't much mind at what cost.

But, would a government formed by Phue Thai MP's be mroe legitimate. Not a single Phue Thai MP was elected as a PT MP. They were all elected as People Power MPs - So technically in the last election PT got 0 votes as it didn't contest the election as the entity it is today.

[landofthefree]

Nice to know this woman is happy that poor people in Bangkok (many of whom actually come from the same kind of background as her) have lost their jobs thanks to all the burning she is happy about. Seems nobody is picking up on all the poor that are suffering because of the red arson and violence. There is a big irony in that albeit a sad one. Bnagkok is not full; of only rich people and it is the poor who are suffering most from the attacks through lost work.

Hmmm I wonder who exactly arranged this particular interview?

I think this would fit well under 'Are journalists biased?' asthe story is there just to make a political point. Why didn't the journalist interview more people? why just this one? Smells very fishy to me........

[Eileenchog]

Nice to know this woman is happy that poor people in Bangkok (many of whom actually come from the same kind of background as her) have lost their jobs thanks to all the burning she is happy about. Seems nobody is picking up on all the poor that are suffering because of the red arson and violence. There is a big irony in that albeit a sad one. Bnagkok is not full; of only rich people and it is the poor who are suffering most from the attacks through lost work.

Is there any evidence that these people did or did not get paid?

[Arjay]

What do you "redshirts" want? Communism, socialism, free 500 baht? First you elected a corrupt dictator with billions stashed in offshore accounts. Next you elected a series of puppets. Now possibly a "thug" to be the next prime minister. "Do you know who my father is"? Maybe Thailand can send all it's rice to North Korea!

[hammered]

Nice to know this woman is happy that poor people in Bangkok (many of whom actually come from the same kind of background as her) have lost their jobs thanks to all the burning she is happy about. Seems nobody is picking up on all the poor that are suffering because of the red arson and violence. There is a big irony in that albeit a sad one. Bnagkok is not full; of only rich people and it is the poor who are suffering most from the attacks through lost work.

I am sorry to say I agree with the woman from Chiang Mai, the Abhisit government is not legitimate, it rorted the normal electoral process.

It is also cynical, shameless and unprincipled. I believe Abhisit's objective is simply to hold on to power and he doesn't much mind at what cost.

But, would a government formed by Phue Thai MP's be mroe legitimate. Not a single Phue Thai MP was elected as a PT MP. They were all elected as People Power MPs - So technically in the last election PT got 0 votes as it didn't contest the election as the entity it is today.

If PTP win the no confidence vote and can get a confidence vote in favour of their chisen candidate Chalerm then it would be perfectly legitimate under laws pertaining to such things in Thailand as is the current administration and the two before it. Parliamnet choses the government in Thailand and the people chose parliament.

[taurus88]

Even the views expressed by most here are divided. Can't we have some compassion and try listening rather than trying to to be defensive?

[jonclark]

Nice to know this woman is happy that poor people in Bangkok (many of whom actually come from the same kind of background as her) have lost their jobs thanks to all the burning she is happy about. Seems nobody is picking up on all the poor that are suffering because of the red arson and violence. There is a big irony in that albeit a sad one. Bnagkok is not full; of only rich people and it is the poor who are suffering most from the attacks through lost work.

I am sorry to say I agree with the woman from Chiang Mai, the Abhisit government is not legitimate, it rorted the normal electoral process.

It is also cynical, shameless and unprincipled. I believe Abhisit's objective is simply to hold on to power and he doesn't much mind at what cost.

But, would a government formed by Phue Thai MP's be mroe legitimate. Not a single Phue Thai MP was elected as a PT MP. They were all elected as People Power MPs - So technically in the last election PT got 0 votes as it didn't contest the election as the entity it is today.

If PTP win the no confidence vote and can get a confidence vote in favour of their chisen candidate Chalerm then it would be perfectly legitimate under laws pertaining to such things in Thailand as is the current administration and the two before it. Parliamnet choses the government in Thailand and the people chose parliament.

Exactly, so despite neither abhisit nor PTP being directly voted in by an election in the ideal sense. Both would be and are legitimate forms of government according to the laws of the land. Wonder if the reds will come out to protest against PTP if they win the no confidence motion?? Anything less would be a violation of their double standard mantra.

[dhrobertson]

She wants cheap rice. Rice farmers want government subsidies. That's something a government can work with. They didn't exactly make that a visible issue during their occupation.

If she enjoys the comraderie of sleeping street, there are streets up north. Enjoy! Buildings to torch there too. Hope this insane mob stays home from now on, they were the worst house guests in the history of the world!

Abhisit has already given them a guaranteed price floor for their rice.

Keep up!

[Ulysses G.]

Nice to know this woman is happy that poor people in Bangkok (many of whom actually come from the same kind of background as her) have lost their jobs thanks to all the burning she is happy about. Seems nobody is picking up on all the poor that are suffering because of the red arson and violence. There is a big irony in that albeit a sad one. Bnagkok is not full; of only rich people and it is the poor who are suffering most from the attacks through lost work.

Yes, they mostly hurt poor people. The rich elite have plenty of money to still live comfortably, but the headline is what really gets me. This poor dupe has no idea of what will happen in the future. .

Edited May 24, 2010 by Ulysses G.

[ETatBKK]

in last 8 weeks, lot of ideas turned into opinions then turned into violence, and now all the truth and the un'truth' are visible in front of us.

surprised ! some people have a deep sleep over last 8 weeks, or they went somewhere beyond the human civilisation

[junglist]

Just shows the real problem. She is uneducated. The only way to fix this nation is by affordable health care and affordable education. This is the only way to stop the cycle of poverty.

[janderton]

World, outside?

the rural thai have no idea about life outside. Show them a map of the far east and they cant even identify thailand properly let alone the major cities. They dont even understand what a map is - cant visualise.

When I taught in a primary school I realised that they had never seen a world globe before, didn't know what it was, couldn't grasp the idea of a round earth and my thai supervisor advised against this path to knowledge as its never in the curriculum even in high school. This was quite a progressive school as they go btw

sad but true

well, but how long time has passed since Aristotle's (384-322 B.C) argumented for the "Earth's sphericity"

and Columbus first voyage (1492)?

probably within the next 1800 years rural thai folks (& teachers) will be aware of it.....

Edited May 24, 2010 by janderton

[cdnvic]

The legitimacy of the past elections are not the topic. That's been argued to death and nobody is changing anyones mind, just let it go already.

[lungmi]

Nice to know this woman is happy that poor people in Bangkok (many of whom actually come from the same kind of background as her) have lost their jobs thanks to all the burning she is happy about. Seems nobody is picking up on all the poor that are suffering because of the red arson and violence. There is a big irony in that albeit a sad one. Bnagkok is not full; of only rich people and it is the poor who are suffering most from the attacks through lost work.

I am sorry to say I agree with the woman from Chiang Mai, the Abhisit government is not legitimate, it rorted the normal electoral process.

It is also cynical, shameless and unprincipled. I believe Abhisit's objective is simply to hold on to power and he doesn't much mind at what cost.

Why do you repeat what your misused brain dictates? You don't want to see the facts. Study the Kalama-Sutta of Lord Buddha.

[whybother]

Exactly, so despite neither abhisit nor PTP being directly voted in by an election in the ideal sense. Both would be and are legitimate forms of government according to the laws of the land. Wonder if the reds will come out to protest against PTP if they win the no confidence motion?? Anything less would be a violation of their double standard mantra.

All the MPs have been voted in by an election. Even some PTP MPs were voted in during by-elections after the PPP executives were banned. All electorates are represented by elected MPs.

So, given that all MPs have been elected, any PM elected by the MPs is legitimate and any government formed is also legitimate.

If the no-confidence motion by the PTP is successful, doesn't this mean that the government will be dissolved, which will require a general election?

[deepskyfreak]

Nice to know this woman is happy that poor people in Bangkok (many of whom actually come from the same kind of background as her) have lost their jobs thanks to all the burning she is happy about. Seems nobody is picking up on all the poor that are suffering because of the red arson and violence. There is a big irony in that albeit a sad one. Bnagkok is not full; of only rich people and it is the poor who are suffering most from the attacks through lost work.

Spot on. And I wonder why nobody ever mentions the provincial elite, made up of rich landlords exploiting the farmers, corrupt local village leaders cashing in on every land deal and every construction approval in their Moo Baan or Tambon, local lottery kingpins, overly rich Nayok Tessamontris taking advantage of their positions, the odd police chief and his deputy riding fancy SUVs with money from some unknown sources, and, and, and....

I feel sorry for the red-shirt lady's trauma but, ordinary Bangkokians feel the same. Worse, they did not even choose to do something that would affect their lives - they were just runover by the events.

Edited May 24, 2010 by deepskyfreak

[dukkha]

The Trickle Down Effect......I am here in Melbourne Australia with my thai partner of 5 years. He is from Roi Et. His family is dirt poor, subsistence rice farmers. We received a phone call from his aunt who told him that she had an accident, yes they have a car, not the parents, the aunt, and that they needed money for repairs. My partner asked to send some money to them. It was a small amount of savings of his own. I explained that money is his. He replied, 'What will happen to me when you die?' 'I have nothing, who will look after me then?" An intelligent reply. I am a pensioner and we live on my pension. He said that in the past these same relatives looked after him when he had no money. He began as factory fodder in Bangkok at the age of 14 with only a primary school education and until I met him at age 27. He worked for a thai chinese company that paid him a pittance. He worked 6 days a week and through the night as a machinist. His overtime rate was around 7 baht an hour. His story is the same as thousands of Isaan unskilled labourers. He is a red shirt supporter openly. A deep dislike of Abhisit and a level of acclamation for Toxin whose populist policies we are all aware of. The aunt and her husband still work for the same company, have a small house rent free in the compound of the Thai Chinese factory owner. Both she and her husband have more than primary education and in my meetings with them they appeared comfortablly off. I became suspicous of the phone call. Why cant they ask the owner of the factory to help out with car repairs. The husband also owns a taxi. They are not stereotypical Isaan poor. I ask myself, was it a genuine request from the nephew who has a tourisf visa in my country and told them he had a few dollars. I understand his vulnerablility about his future. As a same sex couple he will not receive any benefits from my superannuation pension at my death. He will have to return to Thailand. I too would be feeling somewhat anxious about my future. I may have a few years left but there will be no bequest for him. He will be alone again like he was when we met and took him from his only meagre employment. I have cared for him, built a modest house in his village, assisted his parents with some financial hardship and other handouts. They have always been respectful and civil towards me. I cant help but think that there may have been no motor accident. The farang in far off Australia is supporting our nephew maybe he is good for some financial assistance. As to whether they were involved in the BKK crisis I will never know. My partner rang his father who said. 'Do not send money" A wise man. We went to the bank to transfer 100 AUD but could not as we had insufficient banking details. My partner settled down and now seems calm about the situation. I only tell the story as a probable example of the results of the crisis. Of course some of you may say you put your partner in this situation by removing him from a job of nearly 14 years. I am too old to be concerned what people think. It just seemed surreal to receive a phone call from Isaan at this time asking for money. It blew me away and of course the mind and the imagination reel, are these people in trouble due to the crisis. I tend to think "Yes"!

[hugoboss80]

Nice to know this woman is happy that poor people in Bangkok (many of whom actually come from the same kind of background as her) have lost their jobs thanks to all the burning she is happy about. Seems nobody is picking up on all the poor that are suffering because of the red arson and violence. There is a big irony in that albeit a sad one. Bnagkok is not full; of only rich people and it is the poor who are suffering most from the attacks through lost work.

I am sorry to say I agree with the woman from Chiang Mai, the Abhisit government is not legitimate, it rorted the normal electoral process.

It is also cynical, shameless and unprincipled. I believe Abhisit's objective is simply to hold on to power and he doesn't much mind at what cost.

So you mean the reds are legitimate? They are cynical, shameless and unprincipled burning and vandalise thailand properties. You shameless!

[hammered]

Nice to know this woman is happy that poor people in Bangkok (many of whom actually come from the same kind of background as her) have lost their jobs thanks to all the burning she is happy about. Seems nobody is picking up on all the poor that are suffering because of the red arson and violence. There is a big irony in that albeit a sad one. Bnagkok is not full; of only rich people and it is the poor who are suffering most from the attacks through lost work.

Spot on. And I wonder why nobody ever mentions the provincial elite, made up of rich landlords exploiting the farmers, corrupt local village leaders cashing in on every land deal and every construction approval in their Moo Baan or Tambon, local lottery kingpins, overly rich Nayok Tessamontris taking advantage of their positions, the odd police chief and his deputy riding fancy SUVs with money from some unknown sources, and, and, and....

I feel sorry for the red-shirt lady's trauma but, ordinary Bangkokians feel the same. Worse, they did not even choose to do something that would affect their lives - they were just runover by the events.

Argh but nobody talks about the real Ammat who can be found throughtout PTP and the red movement. The irony is that the red movement as an oranization is a double standards organization.

Power struggles promise people everything, use them up and then spit them out. Sad reality. The poor will always suffer most

[jitenshaman]

- Frustrated, homeless and bitterly disappointed -- this is the reality for "Red Shirt" Parichart Chanmanee as she returns to her northern hometown after two months of protesting in Bangkok.

The single mother-of-two made the long journey back by bus on Thursday after a deadly military crackdown forced the anti-government movement's leaders to surrender, sparking looting and major arson attacks by hardcore protestors.

As she came home angered by the protest's failure to bring about the government's downfall, the 52-year-old faced another blow: she was homeless, with her belongings thrown out for failing to pay rent while she was away.

Thrown out by whom, obviously not by the rich Bangkok people, must have been her rural Red land owners.

most of the poor farmers and others, the ones i assumed were at the rally, tend to have family homes (basic, but still theirs) as opposed to paying rent upcountry. I assume this woman just wanted democracy so much, she up and quit her job, went to rally for several months in Bangkok for no payment whatsoever, and pretty much just forgot about the fact that rent would be do each month? And of course her most likely red shirt supportive landlord rather than knowing that she was out there furthering the cause for democracy, decided to throw her out for not paying rent....this reeks of something far stronger than pla ra!

[senti]

Nice to know this woman is happy that poor people in Bangkok (many of whom actually come from the same kind of background as her) have lost their jobs thanks to all the burning she is happy about. Seems nobody is picking up on all the poor that are suffering because of the red arson and violence. There is a big irony in that albeit a sad one. Bnagkok is not full; of only rich people and it is the poor who are suffering most from the attacks through lost work.

I am sorry to say I agree with the woman from Chiang Mai, the Abhisit government is not legitimate, it rorted the normal electoral process.

It is also cynical, shameless and unprincipled. I believe Abhisit's objective is simply to hold on to power and he doesn't much mind at what cost.

What the hel_l is wrong with you people? You keep repeating this "legitimacy" thing all day long, yet you don't seem to even understand how election process works.

Argh. Did they really brainwash you that much?

It's okay if you don't like politicians in power. It really is. I pretty much hate all politicians in just about every country. But I don't go and whine retarded things all day long, and I don't torch building because I don't like them.

Is it so hard to accept that someone you don't like might be liked by others?

[Jingthing]

- Frustrated, homeless and bitterly disappointed -- this is the reality for "Red Shirt" Parichart Chanmanee as she returns to her northern hometown after two months of protesting in Bangkok.

The single mother-of-two made the long journey back by bus on Thursday after a deadly military crackdown forced the anti-government movement's leaders to surrender, sparking looting and major arson attacks by hardcore protestors.

As she came home angered by the protest's failure to bring about the government's downfall, the 52-year-old faced another blow: she was homeless, with her belongings thrown out for failing to pay rent while she was away.

Thrown out by whom, obviously not by the rich Bangkok people, must have been her rural Red land owners.

most of the poor farmers and others, the ones i assumed were at the rally, tend to have family homes (basic, but still theirs) as opposed to paying rent upcountry. I assume this woman just wanted democracy so much, she up and quit her job, went to rally for several months in Bangkok for no payment whatsoever, and pretty much just forgot about the fact that rent would be do each month? And of course her most likely red shirt supportive landlord rather than knowing that she was out there furthering the cause for democracy, decided to throw her out for not paying rent....this reeks of something far stronger than pla ra!

Most likely she was expecting a big money pay off to win parliament dissolution. That's why she risked it all. She lost. Now she's bitter. I can understand that. My suggestion to her, work your profession and stop believing in fairy tales.

[animatic]

Nice to know this woman is happy that poor people in Bangkok (many of whom actually come from the same kind of background as her) have lost their jobs thanks to all the burning she is happy about. Seems nobody is picking up on all the poor that are suffering because of the red arson and violence. There is a big irony in that albeit a sad one. Bnagkok is not full; of only rich people and it is the poor who are suffering most from the attacks through lost work.

I am sorry to say I agree with the woman from Chiang Mai, the Abhisit government is not legitimate, it rorted the normal electoral process.

It is also cynical, shameless and unprincipled. I believe Abhisit's objective is simply to hold on to power and he doesn't much mind at what cost.

But, would a government formed by Phue Thai MP's be mroe legitimate. Not a single Phue Thai MP was elected as a PT MP. They were all elected as People Power MPs - So technically in the last election PT got 0 votes as it didn't contest the election as the entity it is today.

A very valid question.

Let's also add that:

PPP had a caretaker PM, in Decmber 2008, and they could have,

maybe should have called the election that they scream for now....

That COULD have made PTP completely legitimate without question.

Now they must have an election or be subservient to another party,

a much more minor party it would seem, just to be able to have a

listed party as heading and forming a legal coalition.

PTP doesn't do subservient well...

They didn't think this far ahead in 2008... DUH!

I suspect this has a lot to do with their screaming for dissolution and a vote...

they don't have a party officialy listed. Add that to Thaksin needing Army List

and Budget control for patronage promising, sooner than later.

Edited May 24, 2010 by animatic

[lannarebirth]

- Frustrated, homeless and bitterly disappointed -- this is the reality for "Red Shirt" Parichart Chanmanee as she returns to her northern hometown after two months of protesting in Bangkok.

The single mother-of-two made the long journey back by bus on Thursday after a deadly military crackdown forced the anti-government movement's leaders to surrender, sparking looting and major arson attacks by hardcore protestors.

As she came home angered by the protest's failure to bring about the government's downfall, the 52-year-old faced another blow: she was homeless, with her belongings thrown out for failing to pay rent while she was away.

Thrown out by whom, obviously not by the rich Bangkok people, must have been her rural Red land owners.

most of the poor farmers and others, the ones i assumed were at the rally, tend to have family homes (basic, but still theirs) as opposed to paying rent upcountry. I assume this woman just wanted democracy so much, she up and quit her job, went to rally for several months in Bangkok for no payment whatsoever, and pretty much just forgot about the fact that rent would be do each month? And of course her most likely red shirt supportive landlord rather than knowing that she was out there furthering the cause for democracy, decided to throw her out for not paying rent....this reeks of something far stronger than pla ra!

She was likely counting on the 100,000 Baht that was promised to all who registered, "when he returns".

[KKvampire]

incredible how ignorant of who are poor in the south those red terror supporters are. Must be part of the education prblem the governemnt needs to address

[toptuan]

Nice to know this woman is happy that poor people in Bangkok (many of whom actually come from the same kind of background as her) have lost their jobs thanks to all the burning she is happy about. Seems nobody is picking up on all the poor that are suffering because of the red arson and violence. There is a big irony in that albeit a sad one. Bnagkok is not full; of only rich people and it is the poor who are suffering most from the attacks through lost work.

Is there any evidence that these people did or did not get paid?

[toptuan]

Saisunee meanwhile helped prepare food for the Red Shirts, and she said she sold her motorcycle, television set and a sewing machine to raise the money she needed to afford travel to the capital.

All that for a 600-baht bus ticket??

[OzMick]

Just shows the real problem. She is uneducated. The only way to fix this nation is by affordable health care and affordable education. This is the only way to stop the cycle of poverty.

Education is going to be a real problem if red heroes keep burning schools.