'Hello, We Yellow Shirts Are Back!'

[webfact]

'Hello, we're back!'

By Pravit Rojanaphruk,

Panya Thiewsangwan

The Nation

Govt vows to get tough as yellow shirts officially turn on ex-ally Abhisit

While the number of protesters was far from their peak of the past few years, the yellow shirts provided all the other ingredients for a deja vu when they returned to their familiar spot near Government House yesterday. In fact, the Abhisit government must have felt something eerily familiar as it suggested it was not taking the seemingly peaceful protest for granted.

As big TV projectors sprang up, cooks started working and the sounds of "clappers" in the Makkhawan Bridge area revived old memories, government leaders immediately rejected the three main demands of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) concerning Thailand's territorial conflicts with Cambodia.

The three PAD demands are:

- Cancellation of the year 2000 memorandum of understanding with Cambodia;

- Thailand's withdrawal from the World Heritage Committee working on the Preah Vihear Temple management;

- Push "encroaching" Cambodians back.

The government vowed to get tough if peace is broken at any point in what the PAD promised would be a prolonged encampment.

"We simply can't yield to their demands," said Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban. "The demands will put national security in danger."

The Centre for Situation Monitoring (CSM), which has replaced the now-defunct Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation, believes that the PAD, and its splinter group - the Thai Patriots Network - which had been protesting to push for similar demands on the other side of Government House, were hell-bent on a protracted stay. Normal non-military surveillance has been in place in the area, but military units have been instructed to be ready for reinforcement requests.

The yellow crowd was estimated at between 2,500 and 3,000 protesters yesterday, but security officials expected the number could climb to 5,000 in the next few days.

The CSM decided that there was no need to invoke the Internal Security Act, which allows more stringent measures on crowd control, at the moment. However, the CSM does not rule out use of the law if things take a turn for the worse in the future.

Sondhi Limthongkul, on the yellow-shirt stage, reminded Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, "whose handsome look still fools many people", of the time when relentless PAD protests immobilised the Thaksin government and eventually triggered its downfall.

Abhisit can also be forgiven for shrugging off a promise by another PAD leader, Chamlong Srimuang, that protesters would behave themselves and "not go anywhere", at least for now.

"We apologise to the public if this protest is causing disturbances, but we are doing it for the country," Chamlong said in what could also sound eerily familiar. "We will not move anywhere in the first few days and we will immediately call off the protest if the demands are met."

The PAD leaders claim that this time they are out on the streets to defend 1.8 million rai of Thai soil from being encroached by Cambodia and condemned the Abhisit administration for not defending Thailand's national sovereignty.

As evening fell, the crowd began to swell and its less powerful leaders such as Praphan Koonmee began attacking Abhisit and the administration, claiming the government was selling out Thai soil along the border with Cambodia.

"Since I was born, I have never seen any prime minister speak harmfully to Thai people and his own country," Praphan told the crowd.

"You are fake!" he shouted, referring to Abhisit.

The movement's supporters, such as taxi driver Nattasun Thitiraet, told The Nation that the latest fight was more serious than the one against Thaksin Shinawatra because it was about national sovereignty.

"We'll purge it. This government is going to fall," he predicted. "The people will be roused."

Protester Nattasun, who is in his 50s, said Abhisit had simply let the PAD down. "He himself doesn't cheat but he allows people around him to do so. He doesn't do anything and simply wants to hang on as prime minister."

The yellow shirts are back. And if Thaksin Shinawatra could say anything to Abhisit, it could be: "Welcome to the party!"

-- The Nation 2011-01-26

[Jingthing]

I predict PAD won't topple the government. I'm really not feeling it. The Thaksin thing was very different, and a different time.

[whybother]

The PAD leaders claim that this time they are out on the streets to defend 1.8 million rai of Thai soil from being encroached by Cambodia

Where does this number come from? I thought they were fighting over 4 sqkm. (1.8 mil rai = 2,880 sqkm)

[AZBill]

They're back. Oh joy.

[likewise]

ok, time to start short selling the SET index

[rubl]

'Hello, we're back!'

That's nice. good to see you're still alive and healthy and can have fun.

Now please go home!

[geriatrickid]

A prophet sitting on a Bangla Rd bar stool once told me that what goes around comes around.

If only he could have told me the market was going to crash.

[jayjay0]

The PAD leaders claim that this time they are out on the streets to defend 1.8 million rai of Thai soil from being encroached by Cambodia

Where does this number come from? I thought they were fighting over 4 sqkm. (1.8 mil rai = 2,880 sqkm)

When you are making ridiculous demands you might as well base them on castle's in the sky.

[Thai at Heart]

They really are like a bunch of spoilt kids who throw their toys when they don't get what they want. Of course, the way to teach kids to not behave like this is to not indulge their behaviour. I hope to god that Abhisit can ignore the screaming kids, and maybe a corner in thai politics may have been turned.

[animatic]

They really are like a bunch of spoilt kids who throw their toys when they don't get what they want. Of course, the way to teach kids to not behave like this is to not indulge their behaviour. I hope to god that Abhisit can ignore the screaming kids, and maybe a corner in thai politics may have been turned.

Agreed 100%

[bitterbatter]

Can someone please explain what the big deal over the Cambodian land is. I know that there is a temple, what I thought was not very much land, and the theoretical idea that it could affect the maritime demarcation of border.

So what is really at stake here? Pride?

1.8 million rai? I never heard this before. Did the land swell or something?

Edited January 26, 2011 by bitterbatter

[animatic]

Can someone please explain what the big deal over the Cambodian land is. I know that there is a temple, not much land, and the theoretical idea that it could affect the maritime demarcation of border.

So what is really at stake here? Pride?

Face,

which is 'pride to the 9th power' for Asians.

Add to the the 7 decades of enforced uber nationalism ;

'we are better than all others who are not with us', That was used to

build a Thai People from a conglomeration of transient cultures at a crossroads spot.

They just can't get past their upbringing, because many refuse to let them try,

because that gives them power over others..

Edited January 26, 2011 by animatic

[metisdead]

A couple of posts with references to HM the King have been removed. Speculation, comments and discussion of either a political or personal nature are not allowed when discussing HM The King or the Royal family.

[h90]

The PAD leaders claim that this time they are out on the streets to defend 1.8 million rai of Thai soil from being encroached by Cambodia

Where does this number come from? I thought they were fighting over 4 sqkm. (1.8 mil rai = 2,880 sqkm)

It comes from the idea that it could affect the maritime demarcation of border. And there in the gulf are huge gas/oil fields. I don't really understand how it can affect the maritime border but it would explain the complete story.

[aaacorp]

Ahh long time not see.....

They really deserves the same correction the red had if they stay too long.

Even the Thai people living near the border do not want them fooling around...

[Foggy Bottom]

Just as long as they stay away from the bloody airports this time - I'm due out of here on Tuesday next week ... and I will not be denied my seat - we Brits are used to being heavily outnumbered (Crecy, Agincourt, Waterloo, Rorkes Drift to name just a few).

[whybother]

The PAD leaders claim that this time they are out on the streets to defend 1.8 million rai of Thai soil from being encroached by Cambodia

Where does this number come from? I thought they were fighting over 4 sqkm. (1.8 mil rai = 2,880 sqkm)

It comes from the idea that it could affect the maritime demarcation of border. And there in the gulf are huge gas/oil fields. I don't really understand how it can affect the maritime border but it would explain the complete story.

That was my initial thought to, but I didn't really think the "Thai soil" really fits with "maritime".

And I still don't see how the maritime demarcation fits with the temple area. The maritime disputes only started in the 70's (from what I understand).

[Huey]

I hope they come back and deal with the red shirt terrorists in a way the govt is not ready too.

[whybother]

Just as long as they stay away from the bloody airports this time - I'm due out of here on Tuesday next week ... and I will not be denied my seat - we Brits are used to being heavily outnumbered (Crecy, Agincourt, Waterloo, Rorkes Drift to name just a few).

They shouldn't even be allowed to set up camp.

[animatic]

The PAD leaders claim that this time they are out on the streets to defend 1.8 million rai of Thai soil from being encroached by Cambodia

Where does this number come from? I thought they were fighting over 4 sqkm. (1.8 mil rai = 2,880 sqkm)

It comes from the idea that it could affect the maritime demarcation of border. And there in the gulf are huge gas/oil fields. I don't really understand how it can affect the maritime border but it would explain the complete story.

That was my initial thought to, but I didn't really think the "Thai soil" really fits with "maritime".

And I still don't see how the maritime demarcation fits with the temple area. The maritime disputes only started in the 70's (from what I understand).

Tell that to China and Japan if maritime means their territory.

[ib1b4]

As some of the yellow shirt leaders said after taking over the two airports. "we do it to have a bit of FUN.

[oldoldgit!!]

Just as long as they stay away from the bloody airports this time - I'm due out of here on Tuesday next week ... and I will not be denied my seat - we Brits are used to being heavily outnumbered (Crecy, Agincourt, Waterloo, Rorkes Drift to name just a few).

Bit before my time Foggy, maybe army better shots after all the practice with the red shirts last year.

[h90]

The PAD leaders claim that this time they are out on the streets to defend 1.8 million rai of Thai soil from being encroached by Cambodia

Where does this number come from? I thought they were fighting over 4 sqkm. (1.8 mil rai = 2,880 sqkm)

It comes from the idea that it could affect the maritime demarcation of border. And there in the gulf are huge gas/oil fields. I don't really understand how it can affect the maritime border but it would explain the complete story.

That was my initial thought to, but I didn't really think the "Thai soil" really fits with "maritime".

And I still don't see how the maritime demarcation fits with the temple area. The maritime disputes only started in the 70's (from what I understand).

Well the soil: I would not nail it on that. But the temple is not exactly on the beach, so I really don't understand how the temple connects to the maritime demarcations. But it seems for all the Thais 100 % clear...lost in translation....

[jayjay0]

I got this map from another thread. No one had a answer for it yet.

The theoretical line from the temple demarcation tangents straight out to sea.

Thus, by changing the degree of the angle 1/2º it adds many kilos of seafloor as the triangle of deviation widens. 20 miles out this means a LOT of potential oil drilling sights directly over the deposit get added to the THAI side

Preah Vihear is in north near Laos, how can it affect maritime boundaries

[whybother]

<snip>

Preah Vihear is in north near Laos, how can it affect maritime boundaries

<snipped pic>

It can't. (edit: except for the comment below )

The only way it can affect things is if someone says "We gave you this, so you should give us that".

But there was also mention of "the French map", which is the one that was used for the 19xx (I forget the exact year at this hour - 50's I think) world court decision. If "the French map" is accepted, that means that this may also include "the French boundaries" for the maritime borders as well ... although I haven't seen a "French map" that shows the maritime borders.

Edited January 26, 2011 by whybother

[jayjay0]

<snip>

Preah Vihear is in north near Laos, how can it affect maritime boundaries

<snipped pic>

It can't. (edit: except for the comment below )

The only way it can affect things is if someone says "We gave you this, so you should give us that".

But there was also mention of "the French map", which is the one that was used for the 19xx (I forget the exact year at this hour - 50's I think) world court decision. If "the French map" is accepted, that means that this may also include "the French boundaries" for the maritime borders as well ... although I haven't seen a "French map" that shows the maritime borders.

So the french map might change all the borders then.

I guess they are just playing the nationalist card with the land around the heritage Wat because if they went for the sea lines that would lose the backing of the every day civilians and show there true selves.

Slime comes in two colors here in Thailand. I would be willing to bet that some of there backers are supporting both camps.

[asiawatcher]

"... "We apologise to the public if this protest is causing disturbances, but we are doing it for the country," Chamlong said in what could also sound eerily familiar. "We will not move anywhere in the first few days and we will immediately call off the protest if the demands are met."

What? You think anyone can believe you? You have now dragged yourselves down to the level of the Red Scum - so let the reds and yellows clash and allow us all to observe the outcome or is it the Reds now have common ground for Yellows to join and topple this administration? Just more of the same - Abhisit please just bring in the army and clear your streets and remove any possibility of threat and disruption to all citizens...

[SICHONSTEVE]

I predict PAD won't topple the government. I'm really not feeling it. The Thaksin thing was very different, and a different time.

I totally agree!!! I don't think that the PAD will be allowed anywhere near Government house or the 2 airports, which was fundamentally behind the ousting of Shinawatra due to the effect it was having on tourism and damage it was doing to the Thai economy.