Australian Man Arrested Over Thai Protests

[hughben]

Interesting the 'red shirts' were going to post his bail.

Fair play to them, I expected them to wash their hands of him

[cpofc]

lets clear it up once and for all shall we. Not that I have amything against the Irish whatsoever, but why should we take the rap, or rep for this idiot. If the Irish are willing to claim him, I say let them.

Army? SAS? This has still yet to be confirmed Personally i would be more inclined to believe in leprechauns.

The Irish Times - Monday, May 31, 2010

Irishman held in Bangkok prison over Red Shirt riots

CONOR LALLY

AN IRISHMAN is under arrest in a Bangkok prison while his role in the recent Red Shirt disturbances in the Thai capital, in which at least 85 people died, is being investigated.

Conor David Purcell made regular appearances addressing major Red Shirt rallies in Bangkok’s occupation zone during the weeks of rioting in which some protesters and the Thai army exchanged gun fire.

Mr Purcell, a 29-year-old graduate and teacher, claims to have been shot during the disturbances.

Most of his public speeches at the Red Shirt rallies were highly critical of the Thai regime and demanded “democratic elections now”.

He may now be charged with violating emergency decree laws imposed during the two-month Red Shirt protest in Bangkok. If convicted he would face a two-year sentence. However, it is possible he may face more serious charges that would carry much longer terms of imprisonment.

Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, has specifically mentioned Mr Purcell. He said the Irishman, who also holds an Australian passport, is suspected of having a broader role in the Red Shirt movement.

Mr Purcell, who has been under arrest for a week, is due in court again in Bangkok on Thursday. He has already appeared before Pathumwan Municipal Court in the city shackled in leg irons and barefoot, wearing an orange and brown prison issue uniform of shorts and shirts.

According to international media coverage of his court appearance, Mr Purcell shouted at the judge saying he did not recognise the authority of the court.

“I’m not under Thai law. I’m only obeying international law. I’m head of the red gang,” he is reported to have shouted.

Mr Purcell, who has been living in Australia in recent years, claims he was shot and wounded by the Thai army during the recent street disturbances and says he and people he was with were deliberately targeted with tear gas. He claims both of his hips have become infected in prison from his gunshot wounds.

The Irish Times understands Mr Purcell was born in Ireland and was brought up here. It appears he emigrated to Australia, settling in Perth, while still in his teens and claims to have been in the Australian army for seven years.

He also claims to have done “quite extensive” work with the Australian Special Air Service Regiment and to have trained with the Singapore and Malaysia armies.

It is not clear what part of Ireland he is from.

Footage of him addressing Red Shirt rallies has appeared on the internet in which he is heard speaking with a mix of Irish and Australian accents.

A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said the department was aware of Mr Purcell. The spokesman said Mr Purcell was being assisted by Australian consular services because he had travelled to Thailand on his Australian passport.

In an interview with the Sunday Bangkok Post , Mr Purcell said he studied political science at the University of Western Australia. He is believed to have spent a period teaching English in South Korea before going to Thailand late last year.

He describes himself as an admirer of former Thai president Thaksin Shinawatra’s, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and to whom the Red Shirts are loyal.

Mr Purcell claims to have become radicalised when he witnessed riots in Bangkok on April 10th that left 25 people dead.

“The criminality on that day was very similar to Bloody Sunday in Ireland,” he said.

In the interview with the Sunday Bangkok Post , which was given before he was wounded and arrested, he claimed to be working for the Red Shirts’ legal and public relations team and that he had an unspecified role acting as a go-between the Red Shirts and the Thai army

Edited June 5, 2010 by cpofc

[ozzieman05]

lets clear it up once and for all shall we. Not that I have amything against the Irish whatsoever, but why should we take the rap, or rep for this idiot. If the Irish are willing to claim him, I say let them.

Army? SAS? This has still yet to be confirmed Personally i would be more inclined to believe in leprechauns.

The Irish Times - Monday, May 31, 2010

Irishman held in Bangkok prison over Red Shirt riots

CONOR LALLY

AN IRISHMAN is under arrest in a Bangkok prison while his role in the recent Red Shirt disturbances in the Thai capital, in which at least 85 people died, is being investigated.

Conor David Purcell made regular appearances addressing major Red Shirt rallies in Bangkok’s occupation zone during the weeks of rioting in which some protesters and the Thai army exchanged gun fire.

Mr Purcell, a 29-year-old graduate and teacher, claims to have been shot during the disturbances.

Most of his public speeches at the Red Shirt rallies were highly critical of the Thai regime and demanded “democratic elections now”.

He may now be charged with violating emergency decree laws imposed during the two-month Red Shirt protest in Bangkok. If convicted he would face a two-year sentence. However, it is possible he may face more serious charges that would carry much longer terms of imprisonment.

Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, has specifically mentioned Mr Purcell. He said the Irishman, who also holds an Australian passport, is suspected of having a broader role in the Red Shirt movement.

Mr Purcell, who has been under arrest for a week, is due in court again in Bangkok on Thursday. He has already appeared before Pathumwan Municipal Court in the city shackled in leg irons and barefoot, wearing an orange and brown prison issue uniform of shorts and shirts.

According to international media coverage of his court appearance, Mr Purcell shouted at the judge saying he did not recognise the authority of the court.

“I’m not under Thai law. I’m only obeying international law. I’m head of the red gang,” he is reported to have shouted.

Mr Purcell, who has been living in Australia in recent years, claims he was shot and wounded by the Thai army during the recent street disturbances and says he and people he was with were deliberately targeted with tear gas. He claims both of his hips have become infected in prison from his gunshot wounds.

The Irish Times understands Mr Purcell was born in Ireland and was brought up here. It appears he emigrated to Australia, settling in Perth, while still in his teens and claims to have been in the Australian army for seven years.

He also claims to have done “quite extensive” work with the Australian Special Air Service Regiment and to have trained with the Singapore and Malaysia armies.

It is not clear what part of Ireland he is from.

Footage of him addressing Red Shirt rallies has appeared on the internet in which he is heard speaking with a mix of Irish and Australian accents.

A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said the department was aware of Mr Purcell. The spokesman said Mr Purcell was being assisted by Australian consular services because he had travelled to Thailand on his Australian passport.

In an interview with the Sunday Bangkok Post , Mr Purcell said he studied political science at the University of Western Australia. He is believed to have spent a period teaching English in South Korea before going to Thailand late last year.

He describes himself as an admirer of former Thai president Thaksin Shinawatra’s, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and to whom the Red Shirts are loyal.

Mr Purcell claims to have become radicalised when he witnessed riots in Bangkok on April 10th that left 25 people dead.

“The criminality on that day was very similar to Bloody Sunday in Ireland,” he said.

In the interview with the Sunday Bangkok Post , which was given before he was wounded and arrested, he claimed to be working for the Red Shirts’ legal and public relations team and that he had an unspecified role acting as a go-between the Red Shirts and the Thai army

Yes in Ireland to force a government to hold an election

is

Democratic

[RusticCharm]

Did you really need to quote the whole bloody post just to make a one line reply?

[elkangorito]

It's a strange topic.

Firstly, even though he holds Australian citizenship (a passport), he is essentially an Irishman.

Secondly, I was led to believe that he was a 'cut lunch commando' (reservist) & not a member of a permanent military force.

Edited June 5, 2010 by elkangorito

[Publicus]

Australian, Irishman - so what. Six of one, a half dozen of the other. 

Regardless, the government seems to believe it has more on him than only making speeches, so I suspect we'll be hearing more about Mr. Purcell. He seems crazy enuff to say all about anything he may have done.

[Rucharee]

It's a strange topic.

Firstly, even though he holds Australian citizenship (a passport), he is essentially an Irishman.

Secondly, I was led to believe that he was a 'cut lunch commando' (reservist) & not a member of a permanent military force.

Irish or Australian does not matter.

This man is a dangerous and evil well trained sniper, possibly the same guy that the Red hire to take out 6 people in Wat Pathum.

[ronniem]

It's a strange topic.

Firstly, even though he holds Australian citizenship (a passport), he is essentially an Irishman.

Secondly, I was led to believe that he was a 'cut lunch commando' (reservist) & not a member of a permanent military force.

Irish or Australian does not matter.

This man is a dangerous and evil well trained sniper, possibly the same guy that the Red hire to take out 6 people in Wat Pathum.

The following is from a Blog i found .. http://isaanstyle.blogspot.com/2010/05/conor-david-purcell-and-his-15-minutes.html

"Anonymous said... Hi all,

Conor served with Bravo and Charlie Companies of the 16th Battalion, Royal Western Australian Regiment. He served in my company. His claims to training with Singapore and Malaysian Armies are true as we trained with them whilst on full-time deployment with Rifle Company Butterworth in Penang.

His claims to working extensively with SASR however are a little embellished. Due to 16 and 11/28 battalions being the only infantry battalions in Western Australia, they do work as support playing enemy to SASR on occasions but never actually trained WITH them. He may however, have attended a selection course for SASR as many Reservists have. Some have been successful but if Conor did then he wasn't successful. Selection doesn't train you as a Trooper but puts you through a grueling few weeks to try and weed out any physical or mental weakness.

My experience with Conor has never been as a close friend but I have worked closely with him. He is, as someone mentioned earlier, mad as a cut snake in an eccentric kind of way. I do think he's the kind of bloke that wants to help but always seemed to go about it the wrong way by jumping on the band wagon before he knew the full story. While we were in Malaysia he tried to get involved in the local scene. A bit of a 'do gooder'.

Conor, stay out of this one mate. Don't be naive. "

Edited June 7, 2010 by ronniem

[mamborobert]

Just so we are all clear here 16 Battalion RWAR is a RESERVIST unit that has been deployed overseas in a SUPPORT capacity as volunteers.

Saying they worked in any meaningful way or on par with any foreign or domestic regular force is putting shine on a turd.

They also do occasional boardings of Indonesian fishing vessels.....anything they do is as support only. Reservists getting injured or killed is not good pr.

He is quite simply a prat who is gilding the lilly.

They wear kilts for <deleted> sake!. They are joke even amongst reservists.

[philw]

It's a strange topic.

Firstly, even though he holds Australian citizenship (a passport), he is essentially an Irishman.

Secondly, I was led to believe that he was a 'cut lunch commando' (reservist) & not a member of a permanent military force.

Irish or Australian does not matter.

This man is a dangerous and evil well trained sniper, possibly the same guy that the Red hire to take out 6 people in Wat Pathum.

Nonsense

ph

[tw25rw]

It's a strange topic.

Firstly, even though he holds Australian citizenship (a passport), he is essentially an Irishman.

Secondly, I was led to believe that he was a 'cut lunch commando' (reservist) & not a member of a permanent military force.

Irish or Australian does not matter.

This man is a dangerous and evil well trained sniper, possibly the same guy that the Red hire to take out 6 people in Wat Pathum.

To be a sniper you need a cool head, steady nerves and the ability to go unnoticed. The Irish guy is a madman attention seeker.

[hermida]

The Australian doesn't look like a happy camper...

Edited June 8, 2010 by hermida

[neverdie]

^{^ Perhaps all brawn and no brain. Not really brawn either, perhaps or just a few Kangaroos loose in the top paddock.}

[DanaDeLuxe]

I don't know if this has been posted before, if so sorry for double posting.

But if this really is a pic of the same guy wearing yellow colors, it for sure gives this story one more wicked twist:

Is this the same guy?

BTW the link has been found on the issan blg mentioned before in the comment section.

Isaan Style!: Conor David Purcell and His 15 Minutes of Fame, Thailand.

[souvenirdeparis]

Did you really need to quote the whole bloody post just to make a one line reply?

I understand these are the rules since I got posts deleted because of incomplete quotes; since then I myself copy the whole whatever post.

Edited June 8, 2010 by souvenirdeparis

[otherstuff1957]

Check out the shape of his ears. This is almost certainly the same fellow!

Part time yellow shirt, part time red shirt and full time loser.

[JSixpack]

Check out the shape of his ears. This is almost certainly the same fellow!

Part time yellow shirt, part time red shirt and full time loser.

Yes. Good observation.

[Rucharee]

Check out the shape of his ears. This is almost certainly the same fellow!

Part time yellow shirt, part time red shirt and full time loser.

Yes. Good observation.

Has he not rot yet?

Tough guy he must be.

[Neurath]

Check out the shape of his ears. This is almost certainly the same fellow!

Part time yellow shirt, part time red shirt and full time loser.

Yes. Good observation.

Purcell has very hairy forearms. The man in Yellow seems to be quite smooth skinned. Could be the photograph not showing the hair, could be that Purcell had previously shaved his forearms. Might well be a different person.

[animatic]

I think the yellow head band bloke is Jeff Savage.

6 in one hand, 3/4 of a dozen in the other.

[Rucharee]

I think the yellow head band bloke is Jeff Savage.

6 in one hand, 3/4 of a dozen in the other.

6 in one hand, 3/4 of a dozen in the other?

What you you mean by this statement?

[animatic]

I think the yellow head band bloke is Jeff Savage.

6 in one hand, 3/4 of a dozen in the other.

6 in one hand, 3/4 of a dozen in the other?

What you you mean by this statement?

The original quote is:

"Six in one hand half a dozen in the other."

Meaning; same thing, but different name.

In my sense I mean same thing for both,

but maybe one is a bit more or less than the other.

An alternate slang vernacular use is for '69'

simultaneous oral sex between two persons.

[BlueTerrace]

Check out the shape of his ears. This is almost certainly the same fellow!

Part time yellow shirt, part time red shirt and full time loser.

Yes. Good observation.

Purcell has very hairy forearms. The man in Yellow seems to be quite smooth skinned. Could be the photograph not showing the hair, could be that Purcell had previously shaved his forearms. Might well be a different person.

Also the guy in the yellow shirt gear is a bit more warty (around the cheeks and nose.

Still, the ear lobes are similar and its hard to tell.

[bprinceuk]

I think the yellow head band bloke is Jeff Savage.

6 in one hand, 3/4 of a dozen in the other.

Savage arms are covered in tattoos the guy in the yellow head band has none

[hideki]

Trial of Aussie to start in Thailand

Sydney Morning Herald

June 16, 2010 - 8:24PM

An Australian man is to face a Thai court on Thursday on charges of violating Thailand's emergency laws by addressing anti-government rallies in May.

Conor David Purcell, 30, from Perth in Western Australia, had been detained in late May over breaches of Thai immigration laws and was then charged under the emergency laws that include restrictions on assembly and controls over the media.

Purcell's lawyer, Siriporn Muangsrinun, said the public prosecutors were ready to present their case.

"We have a trial and the court will process the case," Siriporn told AAP.

Purcell could face up to two years in jail if found guilty.

She said public prosecutors would present evidence and witness testimony. It is uncertain how long the case will take before a verdict is handed down.

Siriporn said an earlier appeal for bail for Purcell had been rejected by the Supreme Court.

Purcell has been accused of addressing crowds of anti-government protesters who had occupied a prime commercial zone in Bangkok for more than six weeks.

Businesses lost millions of dollars in revenues when they were forced to close. After the rally was dispersed on May 19, anti-government rioters set fire to various buildings in the capital.

Clashes between the military and protesters left more than 80 dead and up to 2000 injured - both civilian and military - since the protests began in mid-March.

The protests had the backing of supporters of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who had been ousted from power in a 2006 military coup and later faced charges of corruption. Thaksin and his supporters have been seeking to make a return to power.

Purcell and a 49-year old Briton, Jeff Savage, have been charged with breaches of the emergency laws that came in force on May 7 after the so-called Red Shirt protesters invaded the Thai parliament.

[siampolee]

Can't understand the fuss.

These people threw their hats into the ring and joined in the campaign whole heartedly and certainly were exhorting onlookers and bystanders to participate in what was by then regarded as an illegal demonstration with a violent agenda said agenda was aimed at property and indeed people as subsequent actions proved beyond any shadow of doubt..

One must presume they were actually responsible for their actions and were motivated by a sense of belief in the cause ?

That being the case the two foreign participants must have been aware of the consequences of their actions. those who call the piper must also pay the piper.

I personally have no sympathy for the characters involved, they played the game, whether or not they considered the consequences we do not know, now the situation is that ''reality bites.''

[bacchanal]

Australian national Conor David Purcell arrives at the Pathumwan Municipal court in Bangkok June 17, 2010.

[hideki]

Aussie to stand trial over Thai protests

Updated 1 hour 34 minutes ago

Prosecutors in Thailand say an Australian man Conor David Purcell will stand trial for joining the Red Shirt protests in Bangkok.

He is charged with breaching the state of emergency by using speeches on the protest stage in central Bangkok to accuse soldiers of killing unarmed protesters.

The defence is expected to call key Red Shirt leader Dr Weng Tohjirakarn to speak in the Australia's favour, although he is in jail on terrorism charges.

The accused said he was trying to prevent violence by explaining military rules of engagement.

The trial is set for hearings in August and September.

If found guilty, Purcell faces a maximum sentence of two years.

However one of the prosecutors told the ABC it is likely he will be released if the government goes ahead with an amnesty for rank-and-file Red Shirts.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/06/17/2930014.htm?section=justin

Edited June 17, 2010 by hideki

[TAWP]

August? Wow, hope the time spent waiting for a trial counts against the penalty they get...

[cdnvic]

troll post removed