Red Shirts Rally To Mark 2006 Coup, May Crackdown

[webfact]

'Red Shirts' rally to mark 2006 coup, May crackdown

by Thanaporn Promyamyai

BANGKOK (AFP) -- A thousand "Red Shirts" sang and laid flowers at a Bangkok prison Friday in the first of a series of rallies to mark four years since Thailand's last coup and four months since deadly protests ended.

The demonstrators, wearing their signature colour and singing the "Red in the Land" anthem, converged in front of the capital's remand prison, where key leaders are being held on terrorism charges related to April and May's unrest.

Police estimated that 1,000 people had taken part in the peaceful rally.

Jatuporn Prompan, a lawmaker from the opposition party Puea Thai and one of the movement's few leaders not in jail, led supporters in placing red roses outside the main prison gate.

"People came here today to show their feelings towards those who were imprisoned by injustice," he told reporters amid loud cheering.

All 19 senior Reds jailed for having key roles in the two-month protest, which brought Bangkok's retail heart to a standstill and left 91 dead, are held at the prison.

None has been convicted of any crime in relation to that protest.

The Reds, whose huge rally ended in a bloody army crackdown on May 19, plan to continue laying flowers every week at prisons where demonstrators are jailed, Jatuporn said.

Events to mark both the end of the protest and the 2006 coup that unseated fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra -- the hero of the mostly poor, working class Reds -- are set to be held throughout the weekend.

On Saturday a contingent will leave Bangkok heading for the northwestern city of Chiang Mai, where a coup anniversary rally on Sunday is expected to attract up to 1,000 protesters.

Also on Sunday, Reds are expected to gather at Bangkok's Ratchaprasong intersection that was the focus of their April-May protest to release 10,000 red balloons.

A command centre under the control of the army has been set up to keep an eye on the rallies, according to the Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES), which oversees emergency rule in response to the unrest.

"We are not concerned but there have been reports that there may be efforts to make trouble," said CRES spokesman Colonel Sunsern Kaewkumnerd.

Bangkok, which is still under a state of emergency along with six other provinces, will have one centre and another will be set up in Chiang Mai, although the decree has been lifted there.

Authorities are also planning to be out in force.

Sunsern said there would be about 900 police in charge of the Chiang Mai rally, while five companies of soldiers -- about 350 troops -- would be on standby.

In Bangkok, Colonel Songphol Watanachai of the Metropolitan Police said there would be about 100 checkpoints in the city and around 3,000 plain clothes and uniformed officers would be mobilised.

Deputy prime minister Suthep Thuagsuban said rally leaders had been briefed on what they are permitted to do during the demonstrations.

"If protesters cooperate, there is likely to be no problem," he said.

Sopa Soimalee, 38, a vegetable seller, said she was not afraid to join the prison protest and would be part of the weekend rallies.

"I will definitely go to Ratchaprasong this Sunday," she said. "We will do it peacefully."

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-09-17

[hammered]

Considering at least one of those banged up was on film calling for a burning, there is at elast one who isnt imprisoned by injustice. Unless of course you regard incitement to arson with potential to kill a perfectly reasonable activity. Still it is the words of the odious Jatuporn. Wonder if any of the government side MPs will bring his little skeleton up

[ratcatcher]

I guess one of the poo yai Red Shirts in Chiang Mai has a Red Rose farm. Someone up there is going to make good money. Maybe the fools should distribute something to eat at the prisons since chow there seems to be so bad? Can't eat flowers.

[givenall]

What is wrong with this picture? These people have their own uniform, flag national anthem, and they want their own government, etc, etc. Are these people Thai, or a new nation that want to take over Thailand.

Well all this is a wet dream of one person, Mr. T

[Piengrudee]

"None has been convicted of any crime in relation to that protest. - quote from Nation"; and they are in jail. Didn't Suthep told the Saudi that his police big shot should be treated as INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY BY THE COURT? Double standard or not? Can anyone answer?

[Insight]

A thousand? That's not the numbers two photographers on the ground reported back...

[rubl]

All 19 senior Reds jailed for having key roles in the two-month protest, which brought Bangkok's retail heart to a standstill and left 91 dead, are held at the prison.

None has been convicted of any crime in relation to that protest.

Why this sloppy journalism ? The last sentence should be something like:

None convicted, but all charged, denied bail, their process starting soon

[TallForeigner]

A thousand? That's not the numbers two photographers on the ground reported back...

Well, another well distributed newspaper in English was writing about 2'000 supporters. I have been there and my own estimate was in line with the higher estimate.

Here some more photos:

Khlong Prem; Sep 17, 2010

[Insight]

A thousand? That's not the numbers two photographers on the ground reported back...

Well, another well distributed newspaper in English was writing about 2'000 supporters. I have been there and my own estimate was in line with the higher estimate.

Here some more photos:

Khlong Prem; Sep 17, 2010

Amazing how your interest in the reds has grown since they occupied and burnt your district down a few months ago. All the people I know from that part of the city hate them for it.

[rubl]

A thousand? That's not the numbers two photographers on the ground reported back...

Well, another well distributed newspaper in English was writing about 2'000 supporters. I have been there and my own estimate was in line with the higher estimate.

Here some more photos:

Khlong Prem; Sep 17, 2010

The photo included here only shows a Friday normally busy street. The flickr photo's don't show much. With various quotes let's keep it at 200 - 2000 depending on time of day and location (two prisons in BKK).

[TallForeigner]

The photo included here only shows a Friday normally busy street. The flickr photo's don't show much. With various quotes let's keep it at 200 - 2000 depending on time of day and location (two prisons in BKK).

Normal busy street? Put down your bottle of Saeng Som and look again. Is it normal traffic when the flow of traffic stops with a big crowd of red shirts? Look downstream from the people there is no traffic any more - the road was blocked.

Maybe it will be normal in a few months time because MP Khun Jatuporn Prompan announced this morning that they want to do this same action once every week.

Amazing how your interest in the reds has grown since they occupied and burnt your district down a few months ago.

Well, writing a book about the action with first hand knowledge and good photos from the scene needs direct involvement. There is huge demand for it and I already sold hundreds of photos for good money.

[sevenhills]

"None has been convicted of any crime in relation to that protest. - quote from Nation"; and they are in jail. Didn't Suthep told the Saudi that his police big shot should be treated as INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY BY THE COURT? Double standard or not? Can anyone answer?

Definite double standards in my opinion, but the pro Government supportes here don't think so.

[IAMSOBAD]

Tallforeigner please copy and paste a copy of your work permit to sell photos and write books about red terrorists that you keep calling Kuhn!

If you want to use TV as your personal red propaganda website to make money I Demand to see your Thai Work Permit for this task.

I think the moderators at least should monitor the pro-antigovernment posts that are posted like News Facts by a TV member getting paid!

[Insight]

The photo included here only shows a Friday normally busy street. The flickr photo's don't show much. With various quotes let's keep it at 200 - 2000 depending on time of day and location (two prisons in BKK).

Normal busy street? Put down your bottle of Saeng Som and look again. Is it normal traffic when the flow of traffic stops with a big crowd of red shirts? Look downstream from the people there is no traffic any more - the road was blocked.

Maybe it will be normal in a few months time because MP Khun Jatuporn Prompan announced this morning that they want to do this same action once every week.

Amazing how your interest in the reds has grown since they occupied and burnt your district down a few months ago.

Well, writing a book about the action with first hand knowledge and good photos from the scene needs direct involvement. There is huge demand for it and I already sold hundreds of photos for good money.

Interesting. Here's an alternative account from somebody who isn't motivated by cash.

I drive along the road in that pic once a week making a trip to the in-laws. From what I recall about that part of the road the 100 people or so in the pic could easily fit onto the pavement. Bit careless spilling onto the stret like that, but what should we expect...?

[rubl]

The photo included here only shows a Friday normally busy street. The flickr photo's don't show much. With various quotes let's keep it at 200 - 2000 depending on time of day and location (two prisons in BKK).

Normal busy street? Put down your bottle of Saeng Som and look again. Is it normal traffic when the flow of traffic stops with a big crowd of red shirts? Look downstream from the people there is no traffic any more - the road was blocked.

Maybe it will be normal in a few months time because MP Khun Jatuporn Prompan announced this morning that they want to do this same action once every week.

You're right, Friday afternoon traffic is even worse. K. Tulsathit twittered he sat in front of office for 90 minutes. With only a bit of traffic in a street as shown you only need 20 people to cause mayhem.

As for k. Jatuporn, well I guess I have to buy stock in companies selling red roses

BTW as genuine Dutch uncle I don't need alcohol to speak double Dutch. I'm afraid I'm also more of a beer man, dislike the stronger stuff with the exception of a nice Islay malt

[TallForeigner]

Tallforeigner please copy and paste a copy of your work permit to sell photos and write books about red terrorists that you keep calling Kuhn!

If you want to use TV as your personal red propaganda website to make money I Demand to see your Thai Work Permit for this task.

I think the moderators at least should monitor the pro-antigovernment posts that are posted like News Facts by a TV member getting paid!

Someone is getting hysteric here; what stuff are you on?

What makes you believe that I want to use TV as my personal red propaganda website? How could one make money with that? Since when is documenting actual issues and pointing to photos about these issues in a thread where people discuss these issues propaganda? This section is about news and pointing to photos about news and giving a first hand estimate about the number of people at a news event is not propaganda. If you don't want to see actual photos about what is happening then you don't need to click the link - as simple as that.

However, calling MP Khun Jatuporn Prompan a terrorist is propaganda. Calling him MP Khun Jatuporn Prompan is nothing more than neutral and correct.

And by the way, stuff like working permits and other private documents are no one's business here. Who would be that stupid to post such documents onto such a website?

If you insist to see it we could meet in private and I could show it to you.

[TAWP]

The photo included here only shows a Friday normally busy street. The flickr photo's don't show much. With various quotes let's keep it at 200 - 2000 depending on time of day and location (two prisons in BKK).

Normal busy street? Put down your bottle of Saeng Som and look again. Is it normal traffic when the flow of traffic stops with a big crowd of red shirts? Look downstream from the people there is no traffic any more - the road was blocked.

Maybe it will be normal in a few months time because MP Khun Jatuporn Prompan announced this morning that they want to do this same action once every week.

Amazing how your interest in the reds has grown since they occupied and burnt your district down a few months ago.

Well, writing a book about the action with first hand knowledge and good photos from the scene needs direct involvement. There is huge demand for it and I already sold hundreds of photos for good money.

Hey, if I was/become bored I might prostitute myself too and make a photo-book of the events...but I would go one step further, 2 editions...if you catch my drift. Maximize the buyer market.

[mca]

Tallforeigner please copy and paste a copy of your work permit to sell photos and write books about red terrorists that you keep calling Kuhn!

If you want to use TV as your personal red propaganda website to make money I Demand to see your Thai Work Permit for this task.

I think the moderators at least should monitor the pro-antigovernment posts that are posted like News Facts by a TV member getting paid!

Have you been sniffing thinners?

[rubl]

Interesting. Here's an alternative account from somebody who isn't motivated by cash.

I drive along the road in that pic once a week making a trip to the in-laws. From what I recall about that part of the road the 100 people or so in the pic could easily fit onto the pavement. Bit careless spilling onto the stret like that, but what should we expect...?

I saw that page earlier today, I was following some on twitter. Interesting is "According to UDD leaders over 400 protesters are missing". The same rubbish was said after the 2009 Songkhran uproar, the PTP never managed to substantiate their claim. It's known that Thai easely 'disappear' for awhile to drop by again after a few months. Upcountry some 'missing' have already returned

[badgerbailey]

Tallforeigner please copy and paste a copy of your work permit to sell photos and write books about red terrorists that you keep calling Kuhn!

If you want to use TV as your personal red propaganda website to make money I Demand to see your Thai Work Permit for this task.

I think the moderators at least should monitor the pro-antigovernment posts that are posted like News Facts by a TV member getting paid!

IAMSOBAD please copy and paste a copy of your last mental health certificate to prove to us all on TV that you are not insane, please also post a recent drugs test to show that you are not on crack because posting nonsense like above will only lead other members to believe that you are radio rental.

[TAWP]

I think IAMSOBAD was just taking a dig at TallForeigner, since by the law the is correct...one cannot do free lancing photo job and article writing without having the proper work permit here.

[bulmercke]

"None has been convicted of any crime in relation to that protest. - quote from Nation"; and they are in jail. Didn't Suthep told the Saudi that his police big shot should be treated as INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY BY THE COURT? Double standard or not? Can anyone answer?

Piengrudee - good point.

Double standards.

But then this military-controlled government makes up the rules as they go along.

Nothing new there.

[IAMSOBAD]

I was making a point about tallforeigner bragging about First Hand news events that he seems to always slant with Red as heroes. Like his First Hand Victor Bout news.

It also turned into a PR piece on Jatuporn.

My point is... If you are really being paid and all of your work is Pro-Red...you have an agenda that doesnt belong here.

[rubl]

"None has been convicted of any crime in relation to that protest. - quote from Nation"; and they are in jail. Didn't Suthep told the Saudi that his police big shot should be treated as INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY BY THE COURT? Double standard or not? Can anyone answer?

Piengrudee - good point.

Double standards.

But then this military-controlled government makes up the rules as they go along.

Nothing new there.

In jail you have people who were convicted, but also people who have been charged and not granted bail, or who couldn't raise the bail money.

Having been charged you are 'more-or-less' seen as innocent till proven guilty, but depending on the charge you may be incarcerated for the time being. All this legally, in many countries.

Nothing new there

[IAMSOBAD]

Bailey you are very rude! Take a time out and stop breaking TV rules.

[Throatwobbler]

The photo included here only shows a Friday normally busy street. The flickr photo's don't show much. With various quotes let's keep it at 200 - 2000 depending on time of day and location (two prisons in BKK).

Normal busy street? Put down your bottle of Saeng Som and look again. Is it normal traffic when the flow of traffic stops with a big crowd of red shirts? Look downstream from the people there is no traffic any more - the road was blocked.

Maybe it will be normal in a few months time because MP Khun Jatuporn Prompan announced this morning that they want to do this same action once every week.

Amazing how your interest in the reds has grown since they occupied and burnt your district down a few months ago.

Well, writing a book about the action with first hand knowledge and good photos from the scene needs direct involvement. There is huge demand for it and I already sold hundreds of photos for good money.

In that Photo there doesn't seem to be that big a crowd of red shirts. My school has 2000 kids and they would take up a lot more room than that.

[Throatwobbler]

The photo included here only shows a Friday normally busy street. The flickr photo's don't show much. With various quotes let's keep it at 200 - 2000 depending on time of day and location (two prisons in BKK).

Normal busy street? Put down your bottle of Saeng Som and look again. Is it normal traffic when the flow of traffic stops with a big crowd of red shirts? Look downstream from the people there is no traffic any more - the road was blocked.

Maybe it will be normal in a few months time because MP Khun Jatuporn Prompan announced this morning that they want to do this same action once every week.

Amazing how your interest in the reds has grown since they occupied and burnt your district down a few months ago.

Well, writing a book about the action with first hand knowledge and good photos from the scene needs direct involvement. There is huge demand for it and I already sold hundreds of photos for good money.

Is you book going to include a foreword by Thaksin. I think he might like your observations. Not much to do with reality but hey who cares.

[bulmercke]

"None has been convicted of any crime in relation to that protest. - quote from Nation"; and they are in jail. Didn't Suthep told the Saudi that his police big shot should be treated as INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY BY THE COURT? Double standard or not? Can anyone answer?

Piengrudee - good point.

Double standards.

But then this military-controlled government makes up the rules as they go along.

Nothing new there.

In jail you have people who were convicted, but also people who have been charged and not granted bail, or who couldn't raise the bail money.

Having been charged you are 'more-or-less' seen as innocent till proven guilty, but depending on the charge you may be incarcerated for the time being. All this legally, in many countries.

Nothing new there

rubl - that's right.

And things are moving fast now.

The seemingly haphazard maneuverings of the leadership of the Peau Thai party within the last week - coupled with the public re-emergence of the Red-Shirts and their core leader today indicates a new and emboldened approach.

[sevenhills]

"None has been convicted of any crime in relation to that protest. - quote from Nation"; and they are in jail. Didn't Suthep told the Saudi that his police big shot should be treated as INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY BY THE COURT? Double standard or not? Can anyone answer?

Piengrudee - good point.

Double standards.

But then this military-controlled government makes up the rules as they go along.

Nothing new there.

Good to see, another intelligent poster

[Robby nz]

In a related development, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said state agencies were monitoring the movement of some foreign nationals,

Better duck T F they could be on to you.