Red Shirts Are Back In Bangkok

[sanooki]

All afternoon, from our apartment, several blocks away from Big C in Ladprao, we heard the sounds of grating voices on loudspeakers. I figured it was just the election trucks going around again, but my wife insisted she thought it was the Reds assembled out at Big C.

So we walked over to get some Som Tom and do a little shopping. Sure enough, there's a big stage set up at one end of the parking lot out front. They've got half the parking lot blocked off with their own vendors where the usual food and clothing stalls are set up.

Walking into the center to shop, we had to endure blaring loudspeakers that could still be heard inside. What is next?

The first photo shows a display with a couple effigies, apparently the innocent people killed by the soldiers, a toy tank and a dangling machine gun. Many people were sporting those Glock shirts again.

The second photo has a T-shirt stand. One of the shirts says Red never dies, another has a smiling photo of Jatuporn.

The third photo shows the stage, with their new banner claiming their love for Bangkok. I'm standing there thinking, yep they love this town alright, for lunch with some barbecue sauce.

[gotlost]

Was the emergency decree lifted in Bangkok?

[Jingthing]

Their crack arsonists have itchy fingers again?

[sanooki]

Was the emergency decree lifted in Bangkok?

I was wondering that too, since I haven't been following things as closely lately. But I can't find any reporting that it has been lifted in BKK.

Of course the decree didn't seem to stop them too well last time, either...

[scorecard]

And jatuporn proclaimed today that there would be no more red shirt activities in Bangkok.

Edited August 24, 2010 by scorecard

[BB1950]

And jatuporn proclaimed today that there would be no more red shirt activities in Bangkok.

And you believe Jatuporn???

Last I heard the Emergency Decree was lifted in the North (Chang Mai, etc..). But it was going to be maintained in Bangkok for a while longer, due to security threats.

[Xonax]

Was the emergency decree lifted in Bangkok?

No, but the BIB was not replaced!

[howzat]

ED not lifted. Maybe somebody from CRES reading these posts

[bulmercke]

The movement will develop and grow again - that's for sure. Next year should be interesting.

Incidentally I heard from a colleague at work that there were quite a few Red-Shirts gathered near Ratchadamnoen a couple of Sundays ago but didn't see any media reporting of the event.

[sanooki]

The movement will develop and grow again - that's for sure. Next year should be interesting.

Incidentally I heard from a colleague at work that there were quite a few Red-Shirts gathered near Ratchadamnoen a couple of Sundays ago but didn't see any media reporting of the event.

I find it curious too that I am apparently the only one who noticed this event. There was zero press coverage, even this website had none of the usual tweets or Facebook entries. The authorities did nothing about it.

More likely they are ignoring these events and hoping they will go away on their own? Perhaps the government is noticing, but quietly filing away evidence for keeping the SOE in place? There is a pretty large police presence a short distance away, under the highway viaduct. I am positive they were listening that whole day.

I get it that the Thai people are much more tolerant. But, from my admittedly western conditioning, it seems like it would be better to step in and lay down the law earlier. I really don't want to see the same thing happen again as happened a few months ago.

I guess it's none of my business, just reporting what I saw. Bending and not cracking down is likely the wiser play here.

[sanooki]

Red-shirts Cancel Protest at Privy Council Chief's Home

The red-shirt group has canceled plans to protest and wear black at Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda's home, on the occasion of his birthday today. They were asked by the police to refrain from the protest.

The group will instead gather at Imperial Lardprao, the headquarters of their People Channel, at 1 P.M.

Ok, this post was interesting, as I had been up on the floors where the radio station had been, a month ago, and it looked like they had cleared most everything out of there and closed down.

If the station is still up there, it would make sense this would be a remaining stronghold. Also, it appears the police prefer demonstrations to be held here. Oh, goody...