Thailand's Suthep Blames Heartless People For Political Turmoil

[webfact]

CENSURE DEBATE

Suthep blames 'heartless people' for political turmoil

By Kittipong Thavevong

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Monday night said the recent political turmoil resulted from a well-planned plot by "heartless people" aimed at returning to power.

He said there were three groups of people involved in a movement responsible for the acts of terror - protest leaders who incited hatred, armed men who attacked government forces and protesters, and financiers who funded the training of armed men.

Suthep dismissed allegation by opposition Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Prompan during Monday's House censure debate that the government set up violence and weapon discoveries in a bid to frame the red shirts for the turmoil that left more than 80 people dead and over a thousand others injured.

"All of these are a well-planned plot by a movement in which Jatuporn is an important part," Suthep said.

He said that he became aware about those people's cruelty after the incident on April 10, in which 21 civilians and five soldiers were killed and several hundreds more were injured.

"People with common sense can decide for themselves that what happened at the Khok Wua intersection could not be set up by the authorities. Only those heartless people could do it. They could even kill innocent people who sided with them and were lured into their movement," Suthep said.

He explained that the government forces ended their operation aiming at dispersing the crowd at sundown but they could not leave the area because they were blocked by the red shirts. Later, hooded armed men began their attacks, firing 15 grenades and rifle shots at the troops and protesters.

Jatuporn, a key opposition debater, is also a leader of the red shirts taking part in a two-month-long anti-government rally in Bangkok that ended with severe riots and torching of several buildings in Bangkok and some other provinces.

On the first day of censure debate against the government on Monday, the opposition focused their attack on Suthep and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Suthep, in response to Jatuporn's allegation, said the charge of terrorism against Jatuporn and other protest leaders and some politicians resulted from their behaviour and connection with the movement over the recent months.

"I regret that innocent citizens were used by heartless people like Jatuporn and his cohorts. ... These people caused massive sin and deep wound for Thailand," said the deputy premier, who is in charge of security affairs.

Suthep said Jatuporn could not deny responsibility for the torching of buildings after he and some other protest leaders gave themselves in to police. He said that after repeatedly preaching violence to protesters, some leaders told their followers before their surrender that "Our fight is not over yet. You can now act freely on your own."

"People in general know what the leaders wanted to mean," Suthep said.

He also rejected Jatuporn's claim that the weapons recently displayed by the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation did not belong to the red shirts. Suthep said part of the weapons was seized from red shirt leaders and their colleagues.

"You seem to think that other people are so stupid you can dupe as you like," Suthep said.

House Speaker Chai Chidchob adjourned the meeting at 2 am, one hour behind the time earlier agreed by the coalition and opposition whips. He also scheduled to meeting to resume at 8.30 am on Tuesday.

-- The Nation 2010-06-01

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

Violent protesters must face court, Abhisit insists

By KITTIPONG THAVEVONG

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai MPs demand that the PM and Suthep take responsibility for casualties on April 10 and May 19

The prime minister yesterday rejected opposition allegations that his government was hunting down politicians with links to the red shirts in a bid to get rid of political rivals.

During yesterday's censure debate, there were occasional protests by Democrat MPs against what they described as distortions, half-truths or outright lies.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said political parties and people with good intentions should participate in reconciliation, while those who used violence should face the law for their actions.

"We will have to separate between people who used weapons and innocent protesters," he said during yesterday's censure debate.

The prime minister was responding to criticism from Pheu Thai that he had failed to follow his own advice given to then-prime minister Somchai Wongsawat following the violent police crackdown on yellow shirt protesters in October 2008.

At that time, Abhisit had told Somchai to be responsible for the crackdown and stop blaming it on the protesters. Pheu Thai MPs asked the prime minister to do the same thing now after the bloody incidents on April 10 and May 19 that left more than 80 people dead and more than 1,000 injured.

The prime minister replied that the incidents in 2008 and this year were different as during the latest conflict heavily armed men were fighting government troops and firing at protesters.

"The government does not accuse innocent people. We blame the armed terrorists who fought officials and hurt innocent people. ... We have to look at the complete picture," he said.

Pheu Thai MP Suchart Lainam-ngoen accused the government of ordering troops to suppress the protesters, adding that he believed this would lead to widespread hatred towards the military.

He also showed pictures of Buddhist monks among the red-shirt protesters being handcuffed, which he said was "cruel for Buddhists".

Democrat MP Atthaporn Ponlaboot said the question was why did the monks have to be arrested. And Akom Engchuan, another Democrat MP, said opposition MPs had failed to explain the protest was in fact not peaceful.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban responded that the four monks referred to by opposition MP Suchart were arrested while being among red-shirt protesters clashing with troops at the Bangkok Cable building. He said at that time shots were being fired from upper floors at the approaching troops.

Suthep said it was difficult for officials to tell the difference between real monks and men with shaven heads wearing saffron robes. He showed pictures of a protester dressed as a monk one day and being arrested on another day in layman's dress and with weapons.

Pheu Thai MP Arunee Arunya accused the prime minister of "ordering the massacre of people" and called on him to apologise. Suthep said he did not think the prime minister would apologise because "it was the terrorists who killed people".

Worawat Uaapinyakul, a Pheu Thai MP for Phrae, described the dispersal of protesters as "the most violent suppression of people in history". He also displayed video clips of soldiers firing shots to support his claim that they had fired at protesters.

Sirichok Sopha, a Democrat MP and a close aide of the PM, said Worawat failed to mention the voice of an al-Jazeera reporter speaking in English in the footage, describing the incident as an exchange of gunfire between troops and red-shirt guards.

Democrat Bangkok MP Thana Chirawinit said Worawat's claim was suspicious because it was the same opposition MP who, during last year's House debate, had played an audio clip of the prime minister purportedly ordering the killing of protesters in April last year. The clip was found by experts to have been edited in many parts.

Some other videos and photos Worawat displayed during the censure debate was also met with scepticism by government MPs who suspected they might have been edited or were inaccurate.

Suthep said Worawat appeared to tell a story from pictures of different incidents and taken on different days. For example, the opposition MP showed a photo of a military sniper when he accused troops of firing at protesters on April 10 and May 19. The deputy premier said the photo in question was taken on May 15.

-- The Nation 2010-06-01

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[Ulysses G.]

It is more than obvious that the protesters caused the violence whether they participated in it, or not. Furthermore, they have ruined all credibility by turning down the PM's peace deal and rioting and burning down buildings all over the country.

I was sympathetic towards them before they showed their true colors, but actions speak louder than lies, spin and phoney justifications. After all this, they need to abandon violence and violent leaders and try to change things legally and peacefully.

Edited June 1, 2010 by Ulysses G.

[asiawatcher]

Violent protesters must face court, Abhisit insists

By KITTIPONG THAVEVONG

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai MPs demand that the PM and Suthep take responsibility for casualties on April 10 and May 19

The prime minister yesterday rejected opposition allegations that his government was hunting down politicians with links to the red shirts in a bid to get rid of political rivals.

During yesterday's censure debate, there were occasional protests by Democrat MPs against what they described as distortions, half-truths or outright lies.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said political parties and people with good intentions should participate in reconciliation, while those who used violence should face the law for their actions.

"We will have to separate between people who used weapons and innocent protesters," he said during yesterday's censure debate.

The prime minister was responding to criticism from Pheu Thai that he had failed to follow his own advice given to then-prime minister Somchai Wongsawat following the violent police crackdown on yellow shirt protesters in October 2008.

At that time, Abhisit had told Somchai to be responsible for the crackdown and stop blaming it on the protesters. Pheu Thai MPs asked the prime minister to do the same thing now after the bloody incidents on April 10 and May 19 that left more than 80 people dead and more than 1,000 injured.

The prime minister replied that the incidents in 2008 and this year were different as during the latest conflict heavily armed men were fighting government troops and firing at protesters.

"The government does not accuse innocent people. We blame the armed terrorists who fought officials and hurt innocent people. ... We have to look at the complete picture," he said.

Pheu Thai MP Suchart Lainam-ngoen accused the government of ordering troops to suppress the protesters, adding that he believed this would lead to widespread hatred towards the military.

He also showed pictures of Buddhist monks among the red-shirt protesters being handcuffed, which he said was "cruel for Buddhists".

Democrat MP Atthaporn Ponlaboot said the question was why did the monks have to be arrested. And Akom Engchuan, another Democrat MP, said opposition MPs had failed to explain the protest was in fact not peaceful.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban responded that the four monks referred to by opposition MP Suchart were arrested while being among red-shirt protesters clashing with troops at the Bangkok Cable building. He said at that time shots were being fired from upper floors at the approaching troops.

Suthep said it was difficult for officials to tell the difference between real monks and men with shaven heads wearing saffron robes. He showed pictures of a protester dressed as a monk one day and being arrested on another day in layman's dress and with weapons.

Pheu Thai MP Arunee Arunya accused the prime minister of "ordering the massacre of people" and called on him to apologise. Suthep said he did not think the prime minister would apologise because "it was the terrorists who killed people".

Worawat Uaapinyakul, a Pheu Thai MP for Phrae, described the dispersal of protesters as "the most violent suppression of people in history". He also displayed video clips of soldiers firing shots to support his claim that they had fired at protesters.

Sirichok Sopha, a Democrat MP and a close aide of the PM, said Worawat failed to mention the voice of an al-Jazeera reporter speaking in English in the footage, describing the incident as an exchange of gunfire between troops and red-shirt guards.

Democrat Bangkok MP Thana Chirawinit said Worawat's claim was suspicious because it was the same opposition MP who, during last year's House debate, had played an audio clip of the prime minister purportedly ordering the killing of protesters in April last year. The clip was found by experts to have been edited in many parts.

Some other videos and photos Worawat displayed during the censure debate was also met with scepticism by government MPs who suspected they might have been edited or were inaccurate.

Suthep said Worawat appeared to tell a story from pictures of different incidents and taken on different days. For example, the opposition MP showed a photo of a military sniper when he accused troops of firing at protesters on April 10 and May 19. The deputy premier said the photo in question was taken on May 15.

-- The Nation 2010-06-01

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

It would be interesting to see if the 'monks' were in fact that or just plants by the red shirts who shaved their heads, donned robes and smuggled arms in under robes, thus incontested. Certainly if they 'were' monks, they were dissing their faith as politics does not move in the ranks of Buddhism or does it?

Edited June 1, 2010 by asiawatcher

[SomTumTiger]

While I don't like him as much as others - I agree with Suthep.

[TheLaughingMan]

There is a thread here talking about 4 "legit" monks that blocked and fought against military with the red shirts after a red shirt sniper killed a military man and the military were trying to move in to apprehend him (monks blocked their way). The monks were actually monks but after being arrested were defrocked by superior monks who would not tolerate such unbuddhist behaviour. Apparently.

[basjke]

It seems to be childrens day again at government house.

[hardy1943]

It seems to be childrens day again at government house.

[/quote

I never knew it changed

[animatic]

Children's Day:

'The Bad Seed' has bred and spread across the planet.

[SomTumTiger]

One who has been remarkably silent the past few weeks is that Chaivalit. I wonder how bad he feelings, having gotten caught up with all the Thaksin-lovers in their campaign of hate. Pretty bad I bet.

I don't speak Thai - but the calm measured responses of the Cabinet ministers, in comparision is the rantings and ravings of the PTP MP's was quite startling. Hopefully the electorate will never allow these guys back in power.

Latest figure from a Nation column today was that the Red backers spent about 20 billion baht on their latest "red coup" attempt. Bet they are feeling some checkbook pains now lol.

[brahmburgers]

Worawat Uaapinyakul, a Pheu Thai MP for Phrae, described the dispersal of protesters as "the most violent suppression of people in history".

I already knew Thais were abysmal at their knowledge of history, but this just took it to a lower rung on the dumb ladder.

It would be interesting to see if the 'monks' were in fact that or just plants by the red shirts who shaved their heads, donned robes and smuggled arms in under robes, thus incontested. Certainly if they 'were' monks, they were dissing their faith as politics does not move in the ranks of Buddhism or does it?

I saw one set of photos which clearly showed a man dressed in monks robes (on the back a motorbike driven by man dressed as a Red) and the same man wearing military fatigues, sitting a table with several Red Shirts. There are probably other similar photo comparisons of other men. Where were the 10,000 monks that Red leaders promised would join them?

Deny, lie, deny, lie, cast blame elsewhere, falsely accuse others, deny and lie some more. That has always been Thaksin's modus operandi, and that will doubtless be the Reds strategy for dealing with accusations. Expect more of the same, ad nauseum.

If the Reds leaders and Puey Thai honchos were surgeons and Thailand was the patient, they would be regularly tearing open nearly healed wounds and rubbing salt and dirty sand in them.

Any tiny bit of respect Thais may have had for their politicians has wafted away on the breeze of ill intentions.

[SomTumTiger]

Worawat Uaapinyakul, a Pheu Thai MP for Phrae, described the dispersal of protesters as "the most violent suppression of people in history".

I already knew Thais were abysmal at their knowledge of history, but this just took it to a lower rung on the dumb ladder.

It would be interesting to see if the 'monks' were in fact that or just plants by the red shirts who shaved their heads, donned robes and smuggled arms in under robes, thus incontested. Certainly if they 'were' monks, they were dissing their faith as politics does not move in the ranks of Buddhism or does it?

I saw one set of photos which clearly showed a man dressed in monks robes (on the back a motorbike driven by man dressed as a Red) and the same man wearing military fatigues, sitting a table with several Red Shirts. There are probably other similar photo comparisons of other men. Where were the 10,000 monks that Red leaders promised would join them?

Deny, lie, deny, lie, cast blame elsewhere, falsely accuse others, deny and lie some more. That has always been Thaksin's modus operandi, and that will doubtless be the Reds strategy for dealing with accusations. Expect more of the same, ad nauseum.

If the Reds leaders and Puey Thai honchos were surgeons and Thailand was the patient, they would be regularly tearing open nearly healed wounds and rubbing salt and dirty sand in them.

Any tiny bit of respect Thais may have had for their politicians has wafted away on the breeze of ill intentions.

Sounds like Red TV members strategy as well - lol.

[wordchild]

Jutaporn has done the Dems and their allies a massive favour;his reported claims such as the govt burned down Central World and the blackshirts had nothing to do with the reds are risable, and will be seen as such by most Thais (incl by many reds ). I am not Sutheps biggest fan but his was a pretty good performance and he showed up Jutaporn for what he is,an ignorant bully. PT are going to be decimated at the next election after this farce, and they probably now realize this. Newins group will make big inroads into their position in parts of Isarn and they will be reduced to their heartland areas of KK and CM. I would guess you will see some split in the party with those who have always wanted to maintain some distance from the extremists emerging more as a faction and maybe spliting away, joining Newins group?Meanwhile the Dems standing has been enhanced by this and they should be able to ,at least, consolidate their position outside Isarn and also make a few gains here and there,enough to ensure they are the largest party in the house. Abhisit maybe tempted to call a November election after all!

Edited June 1, 2010 by wordchild

[SomTumTiger]

Jutaporn has done the Dems and their allies a massive favour; claims such as the govt burned down Central World and the blackshirts had nothing to do with the reds are risable, and will be seen as such by most Thais. I am not Sutheps biggest fan but this was a pretty good performance and he showed up Jutaporn for what he is,an ignorant bully. PT are going to be decimated at the next election after this farce, and they probably now realize this. Newins group will make big inroads into their position in large parts of Isarn and they will be reduced to their heartland areas of KK and CM. I would guess you will see some split in the party with those who have always wanted to maintain some distance from the extremists emerging more as a faction and maybe spliting away, joining Newins group?Meanwhile the Dems standing has been enhanced by this and they should be able to ,at least, consolidate their position outside Isarn and also make a few gains here and there,enough to ensure they are the largest party in the house. Abhisit maybe tempted to call a November election after all!

The sentiments are nice - but Jatuporn didn't speak yesterday - he is going to talk today apparently.

[Insight]

Jutaporn has done the Dems and their allies a massive favour; claims such as the govt burned down Central World and the blackshirts had nothing to do with the reds are risable, and will be seen as such by most Thais. I am not Sutheps biggest fan but this was a pretty good performance and he showed up Jutaporn for what he is,an ignorant bully. PT are going to be decimated at the next election after this farce, and they probably now realize this. Newins group will make big inroads into their position in large parts of Isarn and they will be reduced to their heartland areas of KK and CM. I would guess you will see some split in the party with those who have always wanted to maintain some distance from the extremists emerging more as a faction and maybe spliting away, joining Newins group?Meanwhile the Dems standing has been enhanced by this and they should be able to ,at least, consolidate their position outside Isarn and also make a few gains here and there,enough to ensure they are the largest party in the house. Abhisit maybe tempted to call a November election after all!

The sentiments are nice - but Jatuporn didn't speak yesterday - he is going to talk today apparently.

He opened his mouth and noises came out in front of an audience yesterday, but I'd also question whether it was actually "speaking".

I personally prefer the blubbering mess he was on stage during the last moments of the official protest, getting a real ear-bashing from aged women who had realised that after two months of listening to the same crap day in, day out no stipend would be coming their way.

/edit - here it is:

Edited June 1, 2010 by Insight

[Phuket Stan]

Jutaporn has done the Dems and their allies a massive favour; claims such as the govt burned down Central World and the blackshirts had nothing to do with the reds are risable, and will be seen as such by most Thais. I am not Sutheps biggest fan but this was a pretty good performance and he showed up Jutaporn for what he is,an ignorant bully. PT are going to be decimated at the next election after this farce, and they probably now realize this. Newins group will make big inroads into their position in large parts of Isarn and they will be reduced to their heartland areas of KK and CM. I would guess you will see some split in the party with those who have always wanted to maintain some distance from the extremists emerging more as a faction and maybe spliting away, joining Newins group?Meanwhile the Dems standing has been enhanced by this and they should be able to ,at least, consolidate their position outside Isarn and also make a few gains here and there,enough to ensure they are the largest party in the house. Abhisit maybe tempted to call a November election after all!

The sentiments are nice - but Jatuporn didn't speak yesterday - he is going to talk today apparently.

Jatuporn spoke late last night...it was more like huffing and puffing

How come the Pheua Thai MPs no longer wear red ties...awnsers on the back of a used wet bus ticket please

[SomTumTiger]

Jutaporn has done the Dems and their allies a massive favour; claims such as the govt burned down Central World and the blackshirts had nothing to do with the reds are risable, and will be seen as such by most Thais. I am not Sutheps biggest fan but this was a pretty good performance and he showed up Jutaporn for what he is,an ignorant bully. PT are going to be decimated at the next election after this farce, and they probably now realize this. Newins group will make big inroads into their position in large parts of Isarn and they will be reduced to their heartland areas of KK and CM. I would guess you will see some split in the party with those who have always wanted to maintain some distance from the extremists emerging more as a faction and maybe spliting away, joining Newins group?Meanwhile the Dems standing has been enhanced by this and they should be able to ,at least, consolidate their position outside Isarn and also make a few gains here and there,enough to ensure they are the largest party in the house. Abhisit maybe tempted to call a November election after all!

The sentiments are nice - but Jatuporn didn't speak yesterday - he is going to talk today apparently.

Jatuporn spoke late last night...it was more like huffing and puffing

How come the Pheua Thai MPs no longer wear red ties...awnsers on the back of a used wet bus ticket please

Ahh - I stand corrected - just read through the Nation news tweets - Looks like Suthep verbally b%tch slapped Jatuporn for quite a while afterwards, and no one rose to object . Certainly deserved.

[hammered]

Suthep in his ultra laid back manner dealt the fiery Jatuporn a lot of body blows last night.

[landofthefree]

Suthep in his ultra laid back manner dealt the fiery Jatuporn a lot of body blows last night.

Empathy is not a well known Thai trait, empathy and Heartlessness are very similar in many ways. Heartless is a great word for Suthep to use as there seems to be a definite connection between Thailand's rich people and heartlessness which is exactly what all of these problems are about. I, of course, include Thaksin as a heartless person but also Abhisit and all of the other Amart who keep their snouts in the trough while not caring about the less wealthy. I think the the Thai version of Buddhism, and other parts of their culture including their obsession with money and everything to do with it and where people are forced to look up to the Ammart also contribute to making Thai people heartless.

[Chinavet]

Jutaporn has done the Dems and their allies a massive favour;his reported claims such as the govt burned down Central World and the blackshirts had nothing to do with the reds are risable, and will be seen as such by most Thais (incl by many reds ). I am not Sutheps biggest fan but his was a pretty good performance and he showed up Jutaporn for what he is,an ignorant bully. PT are going to be decimated at the next election after this farce, and they probably now realize this. Newins group will make big inroads into their position in parts of Isarn and they will be reduced to their heartland areas of KK and CM. I would guess you will see some split in the party with those who have always wanted to maintain some distance from the extremists emerging more as a faction and maybe spliting away, joining Newins group?Meanwhile the Dems standing has been enhanced by this and they should be able to ,at least, consolidate their position outside Isarn and also make a few gains here and there,enough to ensure they are the largest party in the house. Abhisit maybe tempted to call a November election after all!

Good insight, and I think a likely scenario. A different scenario might eventually be measured by the certain death toll of canvassers when electioneering does start.

[landofthefree]

Jutaporn has done the Dems and their allies a massive favour;his reported claims such as the govt burned down Central World and the blackshirts had nothing to do with the reds are risable, and will be seen as such by most Thais (incl by many reds ). I am not Sutheps biggest fan but his was a pretty good performance and he showed up Jutaporn for what he is,an ignorant bully. PT are going to be decimated at the next election after this farce, and they probably now realize this. Newins group will make big inroads into their position in parts of Isarn and they will be reduced to their heartland areas of KK and CM. I would guess you will see some split in the party with those who have always wanted to maintain some distance from the extremists emerging more as a faction and maybe spliting away, joining Newins group?Meanwhile the Dems standing has been enhanced by this and they should be able to ,at least, consolidate their position outside Isarn and also make a few gains here and there,enough to ensure they are the largest party in the house. Abhisit maybe tempted to call a November election after all!

Good insight, and I think a likely scenario. A different scenario might eventually be measured by the certain death toll of canvassers when electioneering does start.

You guys just don't get it do you? Thaksin is the only Thai PM to have won 2 consecutive elections Abhisit has not won one. Abhisit is scared of holding a general election as he knows he will lose. There is no way he will call one until he absolutely has to. This will be great for the opposition Phue Thai party as they will have time to regroup and win the next election which will probably reslult in another coup as the Amart don't like the less well off running the country and here we go again who know who will occupy what but it will happen again it always does in Thai politics, welcome to Thailand and Thai politics!

[givenall]

While I don't like him as much as others - I agree with Suthep.

It is very silly to listen to the Red Shirt leaders trying to defend themselves.

I had to listen to them every night for 30 days, and all the said kill, burn, etc. etc. so just go and look at thousands of video and article to see these people trying to destroy Thailand

[tb86]

Jutaporn has done the Dems and their allies a massive favour;his reported claims such as the govt burned down Central World and the blackshirts had nothing to do with the reds are risable, and will be seen as such by most Thais (incl by many reds ). I am not Sutheps biggest fan but his was a pretty good performance and he showed up Jutaporn for what he is,an ignorant bully. PT are going to be decimated at the next election after this farce, and they probably now realize this. Newins group will make big inroads into their position in parts of Isarn and they will be reduced to their heartland areas of KK and CM. I would guess you will see some split in the party with those who have always wanted to maintain some distance from the extremists emerging more as a faction and maybe spliting away, joining Newins group?Meanwhile the Dems standing has been enhanced by this and they should be able to ,at least, consolidate their position outside Isarn and also make a few gains here and there,enough to ensure they are the largest party in the house. Abhisit maybe tempted to call a November election after all!

Good insight, and I think a likely scenario. A different scenario might eventually be measured by the certain death toll of canvassers when electioneering does start.

You guys just don't get it do you? Thaksin is the only Thai PM to have won 2 consecutive elections Abhisit has not won one. Abhisit is scared of holding a general election as he knows he will lose. There is no way he will call one until he absolutely has to. This will be great for the opposition Phue Thai party as they will have time to regroup and win the next election which will probably reslult in another coup as the Amart don't like the less well off running the country and here we go again who know who will occupy what but it will happen again it always does in Thai politics, welcome to Thailand and Thai politics!

haha are you saying that the ptp are not ruling elite or "amart" i mean come on, how long have you been living here, a week?

[Rucharee]

While I don't like him as much as others - I agree with Suthep.

It is very silly to listen to the Red Shirt leaders trying to defend themselves.

I had to listen to them every night for 30 days, and all the said kill, burn, etc. etc. so just go and look at thousands of video and article to see these people trying to destroy Thailand

Show me a heartless people that can walks with his/her 2 feet.

What an idiot.

[animatic]

Suthep in his ultra laid back manner dealt the fiery Jatuporn a lot of body blows last night.

Quiet, consitent, insitent and accurate, vs. loud, abrasive, obnoxious and propaganda laden.

Jatupron has been standing on loose sand at the best of times, but Suthep has quietly been

pouring more water on the pit of his fabrication and mendacity. Quicksand is quite unforgiving.

Edited June 1, 2010 by animatic

[jonclark]

Jutaporn has done the Dems and their allies a massive favour;his reported claims such as the govt burned down Central World and the blackshirts had nothing to do with the reds are risable, and will be seen as such by most Thais (incl by many reds ). I am not Sutheps biggest fan but his was a pretty good performance and he showed up Jutaporn for what he is,an ignorant bully. PT are going to be decimated at the next election after this farce, and they probably now realize this. Newins group will make big inroads into their position in parts of Isarn and they will be reduced to their heartland areas of KK and CM. I would guess you will see some split in the party with those who have always wanted to maintain some distance from the extremists emerging more as a faction and maybe spliting away, joining Newins group?Meanwhile the Dems standing has been enhanced by this and they should be able to ,at least, consolidate their position outside Isarn and also make a few gains here and there,enough to ensure they are the largest party in the house. Abhisit maybe tempted to call a November election after all!

Good insight, and I think a likely scenario. A different scenario might eventually be measured by the certain death toll of canvassers when electioneering does start.

You guys just don't get it do you? Thaksin is the only Thai PM to have won 2 consecutive elections Abhisit has not won one. Abhisit is scared of holding a general election as he knows he will lose. There is no way he will call one until he absolutely has to. This will be great for the opposition Phue Thai party as they will have time to regroup and win the next election which will probably reslult in another coup as the Amart don't like the less well off running the country and here we go again who know who will occupy what but it will happen again it always does in Thai politics, welcome to Thailand and Thai politics!

How many votes did PTP get in the last election 0 - It is becoming increasingly obvious that PTP is far more radical and extreme than the People Power which got the largest slice of the pie in the last election. It is not beyond possibility that PTP extreme antics have scared away previous People Power voters. I wouldn't use past successes as an indicator of future success.

[oceano]

nonsense post.

bye

Edited June 1, 2010 by oceano

[animatic]

Yesterday an MP of PTP show a picture( real not fake) of some " black man" that shoot whit the soldier.....CNN show 100 video of soldier shoot at civilian unarmed, Aljazeera show a lot of pic same CNN.

Some red they wrong and they must pay( i agree whit you all), some soldier they wrong and...? They kill a reporter from my country whit TWO...TWO bullet, ONE in the stomach and ONE in the heart, there are many people can say that bullet come from the soldier...but no one word about and about the other reporter killed and about the first video from CNN( of course they are lier and they doctored all video) tha show one young man inside the red camp whit the BRAIN on the road...no weapon, no bomb nothings around him.

Oceano.

Sadly your country man didn't think of the colors of the day.

Red for protesters, and Black for the most violent faction of the protesters.

Green Armbands for press, and Camouflage for most in the army.

Sadly your countryman waded in wearing 'black' and no armband,

I saw the picture of him on a stretcher, equally sadly he got in a cross fire,

and in the smoke haze and confusion, likely was mistaken for a violent faction of the protestors.

The ones seen using grenade launchers, which can easily resemble

a long lens camera, under such conditions. He was an accidental death IMO,

but one that might have been avoided if he had dressed differently.

All too sad, but that is my analysis of why it happened.

If he was American or French, I would still have the same opinion on the cause.

That there were army out of uniform is not in dispute.

That doesn't mean that they were out to kill innocents.

They can as easily be counter terrorism squad members

dealing with the known snipers in the buildings,

and not being as easy to pick out as army as they searched buildings.

By the way the the guy in white with the army in that video did NOT carry a sniper rifle.

This video in no way does more than prove there were plain clothes with the army,

which they said could be the case.

Edited June 1, 2010 by animatic

[wordchild]

Jutaporn has done the Dems and their allies a massive favour;his reported claims such as the govt burned down Central World and the blackshirts had nothing to do with the reds are risable, and will be seen as such by most Thais (incl by many reds ). I am not Sutheps biggest fan but his was a pretty good performance and he showed up Jutaporn for what he is,an ignorant bully. PT are going to be decimated at the next election after this farce, and they probably now realize this. Newins group will make big inroads into their position in parts of Isarn and they will be reduced to their heartland areas of KK and CM. I would guess you will see some split in the party with those who have always wanted to maintain some distance from the extremists emerging more as a faction and maybe spliting away, joining Newins group?Meanwhile the Dems standing has been enhanced by this and they should be able to ,at least, consolidate their position outside Isarn and also make a few gains here and there,enough to ensure they are the largest party in the house. Abhisit maybe tempted to call a November election after all!

Good insight, and I think a likely scenario. A different scenario might eventually be measured by the certain death toll of canvassers when electioneering does start.

You guys just don't get it do you? Thaksin is the only Thai PM to have won 2 consecutive elections Abhisit has not won one. Abhisit is scared of holding a general election as he knows he will lose. There is no way he will call one until he absolutely has to. This will be great for the opposition Phue Thai party as they will have time to regroup and win the next election which will probably reslult in another coup as the Amart don't like the less well off running the country and here we go again who know who will occupy what but it will happen again it always does in Thai politics, welcome to Thailand and Thai politics!

How many votes did PTP get in the last election 0 - It is becoming increasingly obvious that PTP is far more radical and extreme than the People Power which got the largest slice of the pie in the last election. It is not beyond possibility that PTP extreme antics have scared away previous People Power voters. I wouldn't use past successes as an indicator of future success.

Thaksins election victories were achieved on the back of an unusual set of alliances and shared interests and with some key business backers.He could not have achieved them with just the core northern vote. Those conditions are unlikely to be repeated again.Especialy as the Isarn vote will be split because of Newin (who has done rather well out of all this). At the next election the most likely scenario (as things stand) will be no party with an overall majority but with the Dems as the largest party.

Edited June 1, 2010 by wordchild

[tonywebster]

Thaksins election victories were achieved on the back of an unusual set of alliances and shared interests and with some key business backers.He could not have achieved them with just the core northern vote. Those conditions are unlikely to be repeated again. At the next election the most likely scenario (as things stand) will be no party with an overall majority but with the Dems as the largest party.

Obviously the dems don't think so or they would be calling an election now