Thai Government Hints At Extending Emergency Rule

[webfact]

Thai government hints at extending emergency rule

BANGKOK (AFP) -- The Thai government indicated Friday that it is likely to extend a state of emergency in Bangkok imposed more than two months ago in response to mass anti-government protests.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is in charge of national security, rejected a demand from the opposition to lift the law for a by-election in the capital scheduled for July 25.

"It's impossible. In the past few weeks the Bangkok local election was held and went smoothly despite the existence of emergency law and it involved a bigger area than this by-election," he told reporters.

Abhisit invoked emergency rule in the protest-hit capital on April 7, banning public gatherings of more than five people and giving broad powers to the police and military.

The emergency decree, in place across about one third of the country, is due to expire on July 7 and the cabinet will decide whether to extend it next month based on the advice of security officials.

The two-month-long Red Shirt protests -- aimed at forcing immediate elections -- sparked outbreaks of violence that left a total of 90 people dead, mostly civilians, and nearly 1,900 injured.

Enraged protesters went on a rampage of arson after a deadly May 19 crackdown ended their rally. The unrest also spread outside the capital, particularly in the Reds' stronghold in the impoverished northeast.

Human rights campaigners have voiced concerns that the government's use of the sweeping emergency powers lacks transparency and violates freedom of expression -- a charge the government denies.

"The state of emergency was imposed to ensure that the unrest does not happen again," Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Friday at a gathering organised by the Thai Board of Investment.

"The state of emergency is not affecting foreign investors or violating human rights," he said.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-06-18

[gotlost]

Who would of guest.

[tigerbalm]

Abhisit invoked emergency rule in the protest-hit capital on April 7, banning public gatherings of more than five people and giving broad powers to the police and military.

Forget the gatherings of 5 or more people and your left with what.....oh i see

Edited June 18, 2010 by tigerbalm

[carnac]

Suits my buttock.

[ozzieman05]

Has anyone noticed with Emergency Rule in place there is very little happening on the protest scene

Who is it that want it removed

and for what reason

I have not met or spoken to any on ein the last month that says it is affecting there life style

To me it seems the only people whio are hurting under Emergency Rule are those who want to cause trouble

My 5 baht worth

[givenall]

Who would of guest.

Better be safe than sorry

[rubl]

Has anyone noticed with Emergency Rule in place there is very little happening on the protest scene

Who is it that want it removed

and for what reason

I have not met or spoken to any on ein the last month that says it is affecting there life style

To me it seems the only people whio are hurting under Emergency Rule are those who want to cause trouble

My 5 baht worth

Mostly true, I'm not effected by the E.R. either. Still it's a matter of principle I guess. The E.R. should no longer be necessary.

[chainarong]

While U have Emergancy Rule , don't expect record numbers of tourists arriving in the L.O.S. TAT.

Edited June 19, 2010 by chainarong

[LevelHead]

Has anyone noticed with Emergency Rule in place there is very little happening on the protest scene

Who is it that want it removed

and for what reason

I have not met or spoken to any on ein the last month that says it is affecting there life style

To me it seems the only people whio are hurting under Emergency Rule are those who want to cause trouble

My 5 baht worth

Mostly true, I'm not effected by the E.R. either. Still it's a matter of principle I guess. The E.R. should no longer be necessary.

Such blindness.

Well, I am not effected by "war on drugs" and shooting of nasty people - so that must have been good.

I am not effected by the death penalty in the USA, so that is good and it should be everywhere.

I am not effected by the Burmese Junta, so they must be good then.

Hey, Thaksin never effected me, so he was good too.

Emergency rule allows Thais and Foreigners to be arrested and thrown into prison with no charges being made against them and held there for 30 days. It is a political tool by dictators.

To say its fine just because "it does not effect me" is quite disgusting in my view.

[hkt83100]

Who would of guest.

Could someone please elaborate on this idiom, since to me as a non-english speaking guy it is not understandable?

[Anyse]

Who would of guest.

Could someone please elaborate on this idiom, since to me as a non-english speaking guy it is not understandable?

Actually, it is a bit of an illiterate's attempt to be cute. The word "guest" that this person used is a synonym for the word "guessed." "Guest" means someone who is a visitor to your home or country. "Guessed" is the past tense of the verb, "to guess." So, this is not an idiom; however, it is idiotic! LOL!

[Anyse]

Who would of guest.

Could someone please elaborate on this idiom, since to me as a non-english speaking guy it is not understandable?

Oh, while I concetrated on the word "guest," the use of the word "of" is also totally wrong. In English, when people say, "I would have done this." they actually sound like they are saying, "I would of done this." Again, it is a matter of a lack of literacy on the part of this poster. Hopefully, he/she will not do this any more so that you will no longer get confused by his statements in the future. All in all, he ought to have written, "Who would have guessed?" Yes, it is also a question, not a statement. Even the punctuation is poor! Gee, 3 errors in only four words. Who would have thought that this would happen when written by a native speaker of English? Hope that this helps you.!

[mca]

Oh, while I concetrated on the word "guest," the use of the word "of" is also totally wrong. In English, when people say, "I would have done this." they actually sound like they are saying, "I would of done this." Again, it is a matter of a lack of literacy on the part of this poster. Hopefully, he/she will not do this any more so that you will no longer get confused by his statements in the future. All in all, he ought to have written, "Who would have guessed?" Yes, it is also a question, not a statement. Even the punctuation is poor! Gee, 3 errors in only four words. Who would have thought that this would happen when written by a native speaker of English? Hope that this helps you.!

Sarcasm usually works when you haven't done the same thing yourself.

[cdnvic]

Back on topic please. (it's not about idioms or spelling)

[Anyse]

Oh, while I concetrated on the word "guest," the use of the word "of" is also totally wrong. In English, when people say, "I would have done this." they actually sound like they are saying, "I would of done this." Again, it is a matter of a lack of literacy on the part of this poster. Hopefully, he/she will not do this any more so that you will no longer get confused by his statements in the future. All in all, he ought to have written, "Who would have guessed?" Yes, it is also a question, not a statement. Even the punctuation is poor! Gee, 3 errors in only four words. Who would have thought that this would happen when written by a native speaker of English? Hope that this helps you.!

Sarcasm usually works when you haven't done the same thing yourself.

An obvious typo is not the same as the flat out use of incorrect words and puntuation. SImple as that!

[mca]

Oh, while I concetrated on the word "guest," the use of the word "of" is also totally wrong. In English, when people say, "I would have done this." they actually sound like they are saying, "I would of done this." Again, it is a matter of a lack of literacy on the part of this poster. Hopefully, he/she will not do this any more so that you will no longer get confused by his statements in the future. All in all, he ought to have written, "Who would have guessed?" Yes, it is also a question, not a statement. Even the punctuation is poor! Gee, 3 errors in only four words. Who would have thought that this would happen when written by a native speaker of English? Hope that this helps you.!

Sarcasm usually works when you haven't done the same thing yourself.

An obvious typo is not the same as the flat out use of incorrect words and puntuation. SImple as that!

I wasn't referring to the typo. Simple as that!

[hideki]

Reds planning revenge

Security intelligence warns of new round of anti-government rallies once emergency is lifted

Anti-government red shirts seeking revenge are expected to instigate fresh turmoil in Bangkok and the provinces after the government lifts the emergency decree, security agency sources said yesterday.

Some provincial leaders of the red shirts have also begun warning about a new round of anti-government activities and rallies in several provinces, including Chiang Mai where anti-government sentiment and movement still run strong, according to the security intelligence appraisal.

Some red-shirt leaders such as Srichan Chanong and Hansak Benchasripitak, who have not been arrested on any charges, have been moving around freely. Also, leaders of the Love Chiang Mai 51 group, and hardline red shirts such as Petchawat Wattanapongsirikul and Kanyapak Maneechak are still at large. Once the emergency is lifted, they expect to instigate violence as they have done earlier, according to the intelligence.

In Chaiyaphum, red-shirt leader Mongkon Nopchaiyaphum said he had already planned his anti-government movement and once the emergency decree is lifted, more than 1,000 protesters would converge at the Provincial Hall.

Source said the red-shirt leaders have already staged an underground movement, distributing news about the murder of Korat red leader Uan Buayai, saying Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva wants to get rid of all red leaders in every province to prevent them from staging protests. The move has enraged protesters who have vowed to put up strong resistance against the government.

A second generation red-shirt leader in Udon Thani said since their leaders have been arrested, they were now ready to take up the leading role after having been trained in red schools.

He said although he and other red leaders faced arrest, they would lead protesters to Bangkok to stage a new round of rallies. He said red-shirt leaders face all kinds of harassment, from telephone bugging to being hunted down.

Some red-shirt leaders had escaped abroad and are undergoing training that would provide them experience in anti-government rallies. They are ready to get back and stage rallies.

"This time our rally will be effective. It is dangerous, but we must do it," he said.

Jiranan Chantrawong, a red-shirt leader in Chiang Rai, supported the government move to lift the emergency, saying the red shirts in the province would not stage rallies because they believe the political turmoil has hurt the economy and badly affected the livelihood of the people.

She called on the government to soon hold general election so that the people are allowed to vote for parties they want to run the country.

Meanwhile, Democrat Party spokesman Dr Buranat Samutrak quoted an Asia Times Online report that hardcore red-shirt leaders such as Arisman Pongruangrong and Suporn Attawong would team up with Jakrapob Penkair to stage a militia movement from abroad.

The plan would be implemented by second generation red-shirt leaders with full financial backing from their foreign network, according to the report.

He said this plan was in line with that of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who wants to interfere in the country's internal affairs after the red chaos.

Burana said Thaksin planned to use wrong information to instigate turmoil in the country with claims about rapes in Wat Pathum Wanaram and police assaulting suspects, as well as the allegation that men in uniform are behind the murder of Korat red leader Uan Buayai.

He said Thaksin hopes to use these incidents in his defence at the International Court of Justice with the help of foreign publicists and lawyers he has hired to help him.

The spokesman urged the independent committee investigating the violence during the two months to come up with findings soon so that Thaksin cannot distort the truth surrounding the red chaos.

By THE NATION ON SUNDAY

Published on June 20, 2010

Reds planning revenge