Anti-Riot Squads Prepared For Red And Yellow Rallies In Bangkok

[webfact]

Anti-riot squads prepared

By The Nation

'Zero tolerance' to be shown if rival groups try to blockade state offices

Yesterday's red-shirt protest was a curtain raiser for tomorrow's convergence of red and yellow rallies, police said, who warned that they would show "zero tolerance" if protesters try to blockade Parliament or government offices.

They also advised the rival camps to act with restraint, and stay within their respective rally sites in order to avoid possible clashes.

National police chief General Wichean Potephosree chaired a video conference with top officers in charge of crowd control and those from the Metropolitan Police Bureau. Wichean wanted to ensure security measures and that anti-riot forces are prepared to keep peace at both groups' rally sites.

The red shirts are due to rally at Democracy Monument while the yellow shirts will protest at Makkhawan Bridge, near Government House. The two rally sites are about two kilometres apart on Rajdamnoen Avenue.

The national police chief issued an instruction for traffic police to keep road lanes open for motorists. He said police must ensure access to government offices and prevent any confrontation between the rival groups.

For yesterday's rally, police were tasked with keeping peace during the red shirts' march from Ratchapra-song to Democracy Monument. The procession bypassed Phitsanulok Road where a splinter group of the yellows, the Thai Patriots Network, is staging a protest.

Police estimate about 15,000 yellow shirts will show up for tomorrow's protest.

Anti-riot forces would be deployed as a precaution to prevent any attempt to seize or blockade Government House, Parliament or other agencies.

Police spokesman Maj General Prawuth Thawornsiri said protesters should not block roads or rally in the streets because this would cause inconvenience to the public.

Protesters should also be mindful about noise and activities near schools and hospitals, he said.

Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said he suspected the yellow-shirt protest might be staged as a pretext for the military to intervene and re-impose a state of emergency.

Emergency rule was enforced from April last year after the red shirts massed in Bangkok, then rioted.

Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan and red-shirt leader Thida Thawornseth took part in yesterday's rallies, which kicked off at Ratchaprasong and ended at Democracy Monument.

The rallies were part of activities held twice a month to mark the crackdown on red shirts last year.

In his rally speech, Jatuporn said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva had sought to upstage the red protest via his televised address to the nation last night.

Abhisit outlined the government role in bringing home the five Thais detained in Cambodia for illegal entry.

He pledged utmost effort to assist the two remaining Thais.

But Jatuporn said he viewed the PM's speech as a distraction from the "plight" of the red shirts.

-- The Nation 2011-01-24

[newermonkey]

The reds have already made their point and demonstrated their agenda, which is to bring down whatever government is in power no matter good or bad, so they can get control of the money and hand it out to a bunch of useless lazy citizens, when the money has gone and the country in in complete ruination they will find someone else to blame.

"What a bunch of dangerous loonies"

Bangkokians are well sick of them and I would not be surprised if residents start to form vigilante groups soon.

[Emptyset]

The reds have already made their point and demonstrated their agenda, which is to bring down whatever government is in power no matter good or bad, so they can get control of the money and hand it out to a bunch of useless lazy citizens, when the money has gone and the country in in complete ruination they will find someone else to blame.

"What a bunch of dangerous loonies"

They've only protested against one government so how do you know their agenda is to bring down "whatever" government? Also, I think the police are being quite ridiculous here. The possibly of a clash between red and yellow is minimal as the only red group protesting is Somyot's June 24 group and I doubt there'll be more than a 100 of them. Can't imagine 100 red shirts attacking several thousand PAD or vice versa. I'm surprised The Nation didn't think to mention this in the article to reassure people, or are they that clueless? The way the article presents things seems to suggest that The Nation thinks there will be a full on red rally, which is not the case.

Bangkokians are well sick of them and I would not be surprised if residents start to form vigilante groups soon.

Well, red shirts = Puea Thai you know and PT lead the Democrats in Bangkok according to the recent ABAC poll. Although this poll has Dems beating PT in the North, so I tend to think the results got switched.

[spidermike007]

These troublemakers must be stopped at all costs. It is astonishing to me that whenever I get into a taxi, the driver is complaining about the lack or tourism. Where are the farengs, they ask? I never hesitate to point out that his beloved red shirts are scaring the hell out of them. Creating the appearance of instability. Thailand must stop these people at all costs. Though many have good intentions, and are hard working Issan folk, they are being used by the great dictator, and do not even realize it. Stop them at all costs. Do not allow this to happen. Shut them down from the start. Had they done that with a show of force in April, this whole episode may have only lasted a week or two.

[londonthai]

more complicated than that.

it's about a change from feudal to more advanced economic and social relations, possibly beyond capitalism. Most of the countries had those changes in forms of revolutions or they came after wars (many after the world wars).

These troublemakers must be stopped at all costs. ... Thailand must stop these people at all costs. ... Stop them at all costs. ... Shut them down from the start.

at the cost of 100 dead, 2k injured and few hundred in cells is a high cost. With the authoritarian mindset of the rulling elite (feudalists with the military) there would be more of the same in the future.

but tomorrow's demo is about yellows by the government house (estimated 15k) and not reds by the monument (estimated 100), so barking at the wrong tree

Edited January 31, 2011 by Scott
Inappropriate quote edited out/Scott

[Bagwan]

Yeah, the security forces are ready to meet any trouble but only in about two months after the advent.

Dealing with both red and yellow shirt leaders reminds me of several Chief and Petty Officers I encountered whose mantra was "Don't appeal to my better nature, lad. I haven't got one".

[OzMick]

at the cost of 100 dead, 2k injured and few hundred in cells is a high cost. With the authoritarian mindset of the rulling elite (feudalists with the military) there would be more of the same in the future.

but tomorrow's demo is about yellows by the government house (estimated 15k) and not reds by the monument (estimated 100), so barking at the wrong tree

Feudalism - do you actually understand the term? Isaan may be largely an agricultural based economy, but a good percentage of Thais own their own land, they have the right, and do, leave to improve their lot, and the only oath of fealty (to perform compulsory military service for their landlord) seems to be to an escaped convicted criminal.

Their problem is capitalist in nature; too many people employed to produce low value goods. Giving the keys to the blood-bank back to the vampire ain't going to fix that.

But it's a great buzzword, and if it makes you feel better about supporting a pack of morons trying to commit financial suicide, keep right on spinning.

[beijingbob]

I really wish all these upright Bangkok farangs would get off their bar stools put their drinks and little ladies down and take a trip and see the real Thailand. Not the lala land

Of endless fun and girls they live in but see the real hardship of the poor.

They will find people so desperate to get out of poverty they will follow anything or anyone that gives them hope. They see nothing in this government but useless rhetoric that never delivers, they seems to be no hope for their plight.

All they see is the double standards the corruption selfishness of the elite that buy their justice and position.

I dislike Thaksin, but I am glad to see the red shirt movement continue to defend and try to champion the disposed and destitute and downtrodden of Thai society.

My advice to anyone is to leave your preconceptions of right and wrong at the arrivals gate. Keep your head down your mouth shut and smile.

We all know that a change is gonna come!

So let the reds and yellows determine Thailand’s future direction, hopefully it can be resolved but the ballot box and not the bullet.

And if you find you don’t like what happens on the street of Bangkok then leave.

Go try Beijing and Shanghai and find out what its like to really live under a totalitarian regime. Coz there isn’t much fun to be had up there in the land of Phlegm.

[rubl]

I really wish all these upright Bangkok farangs would get off their bar stools put their drinks and little ladies down and take a trip and see the real Thailand. Not the lala land Of endless fun and girls they live in but see the real hardship of the poor.

... end removed (and size/font setting as well)

Why start with an insult? Many foreigners posting here live and work in Thailand, not even necessarily in Bangkok. Lots of oversea posters. All with an opinion like you, but mostly more politely formulated.

Look in the mirror, count to ten and try a to-the-point post without starting with an insult.

[Sao Jiang Mai]

I don't quite understand this...why would you tell people to leave if they or their businesses or loved ones are inconvenienced at best, and in danger at worst, from protests. I am Thai and I have never understood it when people tell foreigners to leave if they don't like something. Everyone is allowed to have an opinion and living somewhere should not silence you to its faults or force you to put on rose tinted glasses and not want to get involved. This is a forum for opinions, so let them fly. I would like to believe that if I lived somewhere else I too would be welcome to my opionions about that place.

I really wish all these upright Bangkok farangs would get off their bar stools put their drinks and little ladies down and take a trip and see the real Thailand. Not the lala land

Of endless fun and girls they live in but see the real hardship of the poor.

They will find people so desperate to get out of poverty they will follow anything or anyone that gives them hope. They see nothing in this government but useless rhetoric that never delivers, they seems to be no hope for their plight.

All they see is the double standards the corruption selfishness of the elite that buy their justice and position.

I dislike Thaksin, but I am glad to see the red shirt movement continue to defend and try to champion the disposed and destitute and downtrodden of Thai society.

My advice to anyone is to leave your preconceptions of right and wrong at the arrivals gate. Keep your head down your mouth shut and smile.

We all know that a change is gonna come!

So let the reds and yellows determine Thailand’s future direction, hopefully it can be resolved but the ballot box and not the bullet.

And if you find you don’t like what happens on the street of Bangkok then leave.

Go try Beijing and Shanghai and find out what its like to really live under a totalitarian regime. Coz there isn’t much fun to be had up there in the land of Phlegm.

[asiawatcher]

These troublemakers must be stopped at all costs. It is astonishing to me that whenever I get into a taxi, the driver is complaining about the lack or tourism. Where are the farengs, they ask? I never hesitate to point out that his beloved red shirts are scaring the hell out of them. Creating the appearance of instability. Thailand must stop these people at all costs. Though many have good intentions, and are hard working Issan folk, they are being used by the great dictator, and do not even realize it. Stop them at all costs. Do not allow this to happen. Shut them down from the start. Had they done that with a show of force in April, this whole episode may have only lasted a week or two.

Would tend to agree with you - the issues of people not coming falls largely on red coloured protests but if the yellows join the melee then TAT may as well shelve the budget for this year. Thailand just does not seem to get it - they rely heavily on so many spending money here and yet they continue to piss on tier own country's international perspective! T.i.T. I would like to see the sea of REDS removed when they form - disruptive and violent - these are not peaceful protests and mob rule has never been acceptable in any society.

[truethailand]

I really wish all these upright Bangkok farangs would get off their bar stools put their drinks and little ladies down and take a trip and see the real Thailand. Not the lala land Of endless fun and girls they live in but see the real hardship of the poor.

... end removed (and size/font setting as well)

Why start with an insult? Many foreigners posting here live and work in Thailand, not even necessarily in Bangkok. Lots of oversea posters. All with an opinion like you, but mostly more politely formulated.

Look in the mirror, count to ten and try a to-the-point post without starting with an insult.

Why dont you concentrate of the main jist of the post. What is said is undeniably correct. A change is gonna come

PS. there is nothing wrong with a little chicklet on a bar stool

[easton]

Yellow shirts = Republicans

Red shirts = Democrats

Is that basically what we have here in simplistic terms?

[timekeeper]

I really wish all these upright Bangkok farangs would get off their bar stools put their drinks and little ladies down and take a trip and see the real Thailand. Not the lala land

Of endless fun and girls they live in but see the real hardship of the poor.

They will find people so desperate to get out of poverty they will follow anything or anyone that gives them hope. They see nothing in this government but useless rhetoric that never delivers, they seems to be no hope for their plight.

All they see is the double standards the corruption selfishness of the elite that buy their justice and position.

I dislike Thaksin, but I am glad to see the red shirt movement continue to defend and try to champion the disposed and destitute and downtrodden of Thai society.

My advice to anyone is to leave your preconceptions of right and wrong at the arrivals gate. Keep your head down your mouth shut and smile.

We all know that a change is gonna come!

So let the reds and yellows determine Thailand's future direction, hopefully it can be resolved but the ballot box and not the bullet.

And if you find you don't like what happens on the street of Bangkok then leave.

Go try Beijing and Shanghai and find out what its like to really live under a totalitarian regime. Coz there isn't much fun to be had up there in the land of Phlegm.

i have been to rural Thailand

i saw good roads, good communications, almost everyone has a mobile phone, i saw big screen Tv's, lots new and nearly pick up trucks and quite a few Benz & BMW

i saw lots of houses, big and small. i saw lots and lots of new and nearly new motorbikes

i saw 7-11's selling stuff at the same prices as in Lala land areas

i saw lots of fat bellies, vast tables of food, lots of beer and whisky drinking, lots of food giving to Monks

i saw lots of money being spent in markets

i saw people paying motorbike taxis to travel a few hundred meters instead of walking

i was told of free hospital treatment, free electric, free water, free schools, free books and uniforms, free computers for schools, grants for students

i heard of pensions of 500 baht a month for old folks

what i did not see was these rural poor trying to drag themselves out of poverty by any means possible

(which presumably includes taking Thaksin's 500 baht a day to be part of a revolutionary terrorist organization)

i looked everywhere for them, but could not find them

maybe they are all living high on the hog from the money sent home by the little ladies on bar stools........

change has already come to Thailand at the hands of Abhisit.

it would get even better if convicted criminals like Thaksin and his band of paid and brainwashed red revolutionaries would let him get on with it

just think how much money the red revolution cost Thailand ?

then think how many hospitals, schools, dams, reservoirs and kilometers of road the money would have built?

how many improvements could have been made if Thaksin had not looted the countries coffers?

how much even if he and his family had just paid his taxes on the AIS deal?

oh sorry, i forgot he changed the law to avoid doing just that

how public spirited of him......

there is a parliamentary system in place to install a government

be patient, use it........

[Macmundi]

Someone give Jatuporn a banana and tell him to shut his trap.

[SomTumTiger]

Yellow shirts = Republicans

Red shirts = Democrats

Is that basically what we have here in simplistic terms?

If you are comparing the Yellows and Reds to American Political parties, then I'm not sure the "terms" are the only things that are "Simple".

[Scott]

One inappropriate post removed and replies to it have been edited.

[jillwilliams999]

The Yellow & Red should go to Egypt, where their action would be much appreciated. Not here in Thailand.