Watchdog Slams Thai Army, Protesters Over Media Casualties

[jayjay0]

Denial it is then

Your inability to back up your claims with evidence is the problem. If you can then please do so. If you cannot then you lack credibility.

That is the way of the red shirts accuse every body else and deny your own part in it. Perhaps SOMO could explain how the soldiers were shot dead by unarmed peaceful protesters. Out of the 1900 injured how many were injured by gunshots. How many were soldiers? How come only 90 people killed by a army just shooting in to crowds of unarmed peaceful protesters. I would have thought the count would have been in the hundreds if not thousands. It dosent take much common sense to see through the false accusations put forth by the red shirts. But then again that is what they were paid to do. I would not be a bit surprised to find out some of these peaceful protesters also got pay checks from the yellow shirts at the airport.

[march]

Be interesting to see who really shot the reporters.

As opposed to the sniping incidents, when some of the grenade attacks occurred, it was easier to identify the perpetrators, like this media example:

An unidentified injured journalist is helped by fellow newsmen after a grenade launcher was fired by anti-government protesters during an operation to crackdown on the Red Shirt movement Wednesday, in Bangkok, Thailand.

http://www.sacbee.com/2010/05/19/2763228/military-moves-in-on-thai-red.html

[ding]

It's never ok to shoot journalists. But in the fog of war it's bound to happen. Especially in a civil unrest at that level.

Instead of deriding the victims it would be better to honor their guts for heading into a known danger, and giving us much needed info. In the states the press would not be free to report it, they'd be in chain link pens called "free speech zones".

I respect those folks much more than the hairdos that read the bogus news on TV and get paid million$ to act like bullies.

[LuckyLew]

Does not seem to matter what happens or where it happens

There is always some group that complains and comes up with

some self serving report condemning something or some group

of people.

IMO too many groups sitting at keyboards thousands of miles

away who have no clue what is going on or why it is going on,

then coming up with some self serving report.

Reporters who report on the front lines of any war or unrest know

the risks they are taking ... c'est la vie

[david555]

"Some of their accounts clearly show that Thai soldiers put civilian non-combatants, including journalists, in mortal danger and respected no rule of engagement," it said.

Is was a civil war. All the people knew the risk when they enter the war zone.

Please don't blame Mark's soldiers.

So true , because when they shot .... (executed)..... Sea deng while interviewing ...,they did not shot the interviewer ... that prouves it they only shoot at who to beeing ordred:whistling:

[asiawatcher]

Classic - an anonymous report of a complaint by a 'watchdog group'. It is real that slander or libel in Thailand gets you more jail time than murder! So maybe they hide behind it and yes the do-gooders need to be named. Loved the ink

But this business of who shot who? Unbelievable. There IS enough evidence on video of the passive street protesters depositing their M150 and Lipo-D, Red Bulls into the appropriate places! They even gave us the courtesy of stuffing the bottles with liquid and a rag and lighting it so perhaps they were thinking they would burn the remaining content and melt the bottle so we would not have had to pick them up along with the faeces, human waste they so wonderfully spread around the streets.

Then we had pest control strategically placing M79 pest bombs in cock roach nests. And to help us control the runnaway plague, they strategically placed some rubber walls and bamboo to confuse the exodus.

And when it was time after weeks of no conflict to help the passive protesters return home - they had made their point - some people were seen miraculously collapsing from lead poisoning. It was an unfortunate situation and no one was to blame.

So can we all get back on track? The land of smiles has no corruption, no sex industry and the people are all super friendly and polite - unless they wear a red shirt, ride a motorcycle, drive a car or are in politics, wear a uniform of any description and so on. And there are NO such things as double standards either - so there!

[Dodobird]

"Some of their accounts clearly show that Thai soldiers put civilian non-combatants, including journalists, in mortal danger and respected no rule of engagement," it said.

Is was a civil war. All the people knew the risk when they enter the war zone.

Please don't blame Mark's soldiers.

Has it been declared?

[tigerbalm]

"Some of their accounts clearly show that Thai soldiers put civilian non-combatants, including journalists, in mortal danger and respected no rule of engagement," it said.

Is was a civil war. All the people knew the risk when they enter the war zone.

Please don't blame Mark's soldiers.

Has it been declared?

NO...but it has been declared that the Election commission had a strong case to take to the Constitutional court regarding the Dissolving of the Democratic party over the alleged receiving of 285 Mil Bht from a well known company,that i would perceive as not being in the rule book.

Edited July 10, 2010 by tigerbalm

[animatic]

<br>

<br> But what the Reds get is an infinity more sinister labeling.<br>One that can not be ignored.<br>

<br>Of course not- but bear in mind that the reds do not have a professional army which is entrusted to ensure security of the nation. And to abide by certain international standards. While your point is well taken- it is pretty much meaningless in this context. Were these two professional armies facing off, then it would be a different story. <br>Unless you are suggesting that the unprofessionaolism of the reds justified the unprofessionalism of the army. (And, as I said in another post- I don't really agree that the army did behave unprofessionally for the most part- though there were a few glaring- and tragic- exceptions- in my opinion- but then, I'm pretty amature when it comes to knowing what to expect from an army in this situation).<br>

Still meaningful, because this was a legitimate army, under rules of engagement,

which of course are meant to limit how they can act,

confronting a shadow army in guerrilla mode; no rules and an obvious aim

to make the legitimate army look as bad as possible on the world stage.

And it's fairly obvious that the shadow army had former military personnel,

with knowledge of tactics and chain of command factors.

I am not saying the reds were totally unprofessional, many were,

but that their professionals hiding within had no rules of engagement to follow.

The army got sandbagged at the bridge, but that ambush didn't get the desired effect,

so the Reds had no choice but to up the ante until larger scale conflict broke out.

And even then that didn't get the desired effect. Government collapse and PTP taking control again.

Edited July 10, 2010 by animatic

[philw]

The goverment said that soldiers were authorized to use live rounds only in self defence.

Nearly all those shot were unarmed and the journalists most certainly were. Shooting one journalist multiple times shows they were intent on killing people not just disabling them. Either the goverment was lying or the soldiers disobeyed orders either way the authorities have a lot to answer for. There should be an enquiry to determine the truth but of course there won't be.

As an aside True Internet went down earlier today and their support line had a recorded message saying that due to the state of emergency high speed internet would not be available for a while. What were they up to? Perhaps just adding to the hundreds of blocked sites!

Of course you have no evidence to back up your claims.

I can just as easily say that nearly every injured protester was armed at a minimum with molotov cocktails and at worse with AK-47s and grenade launchers. Just saying something does not make it true.

The fact is that unless you were present at every injury, knew precisely who fired every shot, and kept meticulous notes, you cannot possibly make any claims about how many injured protesters were unarmed.

Obviously this is not possible and of course you know that.

However, I think the paucity of weapons displayed by the army and stated as being of red shirt origin, gives some credence to the belief that by far the greater majority of red shirts were not carrying firearms.

On another point why is there still no evidence of the 500 para military blackshirts ??

How come seemingly non were captured by the 32,000 soldiers in that area at that time ???

Strange is it not ?

[philw]

Denial it is then

Your inability to back up your claims with evidence is the problem. If you can then please do so. If you cannot then you lack credibility.

That is the way of the red shirts accuse every body else and deny your own part in it. Perhaps SOMO could explain how the soldiers were shot dead by unarmed peaceful protesters. Out of the 1900 injured how many were injured by gunshots. How many were soldiers? How come only 90 people killed by a army just shooting in to crowds of unarmed peaceful protesters. I would have thought the count would have been in the hundreds if not thousands. It dosent take much common sense to see through the false accusations put forth by the red shirts. But then again that is what they were paid to do. I would not be a bit surprised to find out some of these peaceful protesters also got pay checks from the yellow shirts at the airport.

Nice to see your clear admission above that "only" 90 Thai citizens were shot by the army acting on the instructions of the Government.

Truth will out !!

[whybother]

Denial it is then

Your inability to back up your claims with evidence is the problem. If you can then please do so. If you cannot then you lack credibility.

That is the way of the red shirts accuse every body else and deny your own part in it. Perhaps SOMO could explain how the soldiers were shot dead by unarmed peaceful protesters. Out of the 1900 injured how many were injured by gunshots. How many were soldiers? How come only 90 people killed by a army just shooting in to crowds of unarmed peaceful protesters. I would have thought the count would have been in the hundreds if not thousands. It dosent take much common sense to see through the false accusations put forth by the red shirts. But then again that is what they were paid to do. I would not be a bit surprised to find out some of these peaceful protesters also got pay checks from the yellow shirts at the airport.

Nice to see your clear admission above that "only" 90 Thai citizens were shot by the army acting on the instructions of the Government.

Truth will out !!

Clear??? Where is the government even mentioned?

Just seeing what you want to see???

[sbk]

Posts have been deleted.

If you cannot debate in a reasonable manner without resorting to baiting or flaming then do not post at all.

[Dodobird]

"Some of their accounts clearly show that Thai soldiers put civilian non-combatants, including journalists, in mortal danger and respected no rule of engagement," it said.

Is was a civil war. All the people knew the risk when they enter the war zone.

Please don't blame Mark's soldiers.

Has it been declared?

NO...but it has been declared that the Election commission had a strong case to take to the Constitutional court regarding the Dissolving of the Democratic party over the alleged receiving of 285 Mil Bht from a well known company,that i would perceive as not being in the rule book.

Just another smoke N mirror....

[selftaopath]

"Some of their accounts clearly show that Thai soldiers put civilian non-combatants, including journalists, in mortal danger and respected no rule of engagement," it said.

Is was a civil war. All the people knew the risk when they enter the war zone.

Please don't blame Mark's soldiers.

Civil war you say? I thought it was "peaceful demonstrations." Soldiers???? LOL oh please. Next will you call the Bloody Incompetent Boobs (BIB) protectors of people and property? Many believe the Thai soldiers and the so called police are not functional in their current calling, but rather like opportunists for personal economic gain.

[Democrat]

Be interesting to see who really shot the reporters.

As opposed to the sniping incidents, when some of the grenade attacks occurred, it was easier to identify the perpetrators, like this media example:

An unidentified injured journalist is helped by fellow newsmen after a grenade launcher was fired by anti-government protesters during an operation to crackdown on the Red Shirt movement Wednesday, in Bangkok, Thailand.

http://www.sacbee.co...n-thai-red.html

There have been bombs going off grenades going off for close on 3 years now. The blame is mostly 99% put on red shirts not neccessarily anti-govt protesters. Not one time have they charged someone. They have brought in a few suspects but they were far away from political nonsense and easily proven innocent. It just seems like a farce It seems they know who but will not do anything about it. So many incidents they are not that incompetent.

[difos57]

Denial it is then

Your inability to back up your claims with evidence is the problem. If you can then please do so. If you cannot then you lack credibility.

That is the way of the red shirts accuse every body else and deny your own part in it. Perhaps SOMO could explain how the soldiers were shot dead by unarmed peaceful protesters. Out of the 1900 injured how many were injured by gunshots. How many were soldiers? How come only 90 people killed by a army just shooting in to crowds of unarmed peaceful protesters. I would have thought the count would have been in the hundreds if not thousands. It dosent take much common sense to see through the false accusations put forth by the red shirts. But then again that is what they were paid to do. I would not be a bit surprised to find out some of these peaceful protesters also got pay checks from the yellow shirts at the airport.

Or perhaps SOMO can explain why the reds raided the hospital after the April 19th demonstration and stold the corpses. Was it to remove the red bullets out of the own demonstrators backs?

[philw]

Denial it is then

Your inability to back up your claims with evidence is the problem. If you can then please do so. If you cannot then you lack credibility.

That is the way of the red shirts accuse every body else and deny your own part in it. Perhaps SOMO could explain how the soldiers were shot dead by unarmed peaceful protesters. Out of the 1900 injured how many were injured by gunshots. How many were soldiers? How come only 90 people killed by a army just shooting in to crowds of unarmed peaceful protesters. I would have thought the count would have been in the hundreds if not thousands. It dosent take much common sense to see through the false accusations put forth by the red shirts. But then again that is what they were paid to do. I would not be a bit surprised to find out some of these peaceful protesters also got pay checks from the yellow shirts at the airport.

Or perhaps SOMO can explain why the reds raided the hospital after the April 19th demonstration and stold the corpses. Was it to remove the red bullets out of the own demonstrators backs?

Might have been to stop the army from destroying the evidence.........

Something for which they are believed to have form.

[difos57]

Your inability to back up your claims with evidence is the problem. If you can then please do so. If you cannot then you lack credibility.

That is the way of the red shirts accuse every body else and deny your own part in it. Perhaps SOMO could explain how the soldiers were shot dead by unarmed peaceful protesters. Out of the 1900 injured how many were injured by gunshots. How many were soldiers? How come only 90 people killed by a army just shooting in to crowds of unarmed peaceful protesters. I would have thought the count would have been in the hundreds if not thousands. It dosent take much common sense to see through the false accusations put forth by the red shirts. But then again that is what they were paid to do. I would not be a bit surprised to find out some of these peaceful protesters also got pay checks from the yellow shirts at the airport.

Or perhaps SOMO can explain why the reds raided the hospital after the April 19th demonstration and stold the corpses. Was it to remove the red bullets out of the own demonstrators backs?

Might have been to stop the army from destroying the evidence.........

Something for which they are believed to have form.

Why would the army need to hide the evidence. The reds were shooting at them and did you forget, murdered the soldiers. The army is here to protect us from the red thugs.

The reds can do a good job at destroying the eveidence themselves.. Is that why the reds covered all of the cameras, so they could stage this whole charade and blame it on the army. And then go crying to human rights.

A lot of reds are showing up dead. A dead body cannot talk and be a witness in court. Dead bodies have a habit of follwing your Toxin around.

[philw]

Or perhaps SOMO can explain why the reds raided the hospital after the April 19th demonstration and stold the corpses. Was it to remove the red bullets out of the own demonstrators backs?

Might have been to stop the army from destroying the evidence.........

Something for which they are believed to have form.

Why would the army need to hide the evidence. The reds were shooting at them and did you forget, murdered the soldiers. The army is here to protect us from the red thugs.

The reds can do a good job at destroying the eveidence themselves.. Is that why the reds covered all of the cameras, so they could stage this whole charade and blame it on the army. And then go crying to human rights.

A lot of reds are showing up dead. A dead body cannot talk and be a witness in court. Dead bodies have a habit of follwing your Toxin around.

Not MY Toxin or Thaksin.

Choose your words more carefully, it's good manners.

ph

[ianwuk]

They were in a 'life firing zone'. What did they expect?

ianwuk

[cdnvic]

Two unsubstantiated comments removed. Provide some evidence, otherwise it's just propaganda.