Wreath For House Speaker Sparks Red-Shirt Attack

[webfact]

REDS

Wreath for House Speaker sparks red-shirt attack

By The Nation

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra told Parliament yesterday that she had instructed her deputy, Chalerm Yoobamrung, to take care of the incident in which a group of red shirts assaulted two activists who presented a wreath in front of the Parliament for House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont.

Around noon, two men dressed like students stepped out of a taxi to place a wreath titled "To Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont who is sitting in the heart of Thaksin - from the Democratic Student Group" in front of the Parliament compound.

Their act was a protest against the Speaker for the way he conducted the session on Wednesday night in which quarrels broke out among parliamentarians during the policy debate.

A group of red shirts, who had been staging a rally in front of the Parliament since Tuesday in support of the government, were angered by the activists and tried to force them to take the wreath away.

Several surrounded the two activists. One red shirt hit the pair with a roll of hard paper and kicked them before other red shirts intervened.

One of the activists, Yutthapum Thanleng, 34, claimed he was a former student of Rajabhat Thonburi University, and said he had produced the wreath as a protest against Somsak. He and his companion did it of their own free will and the action had nothing to do with the university, he said.

"Nobody hired us - but we wanted House Speaker Somsak to perform his duty neutrally," he said, adding that the assault was a minor incident.

Opposition Democrat MPs called on the Speaker and the government to take responsibility for the incident.

In another incident, a group of journalists who work at the Parliament sent an open letter to Yingluck asking her to stop a challenge to press freedom after threats to hurt a reporter from Channel 7.

In the letter, the journalists said many had received a forwarded note that showed a picture and name of the Channel 7 reporter, who recently asked a tough question of the prime minister.

The note disclosed the reporter's name. "Remember her face and do something if you see her anywhere," it said.

The journalists said they regarded the note as a threat to their freedom and profession. The government should stop that threat, they said.

The Channel 7 reporter last week asked Yingluck whether she would amend the Constitution for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Yingluck was reportedly upset by the question and walked away from reporters.

-- The Nation 2011-08-26

[tominbkk]

This is just the beginning, folks. Wait til Thaksin is back. The dissapearing will begin.

[siampolee]

PTP Red Shirt demo(no)cracy is creeping up on us slowly but surely,

The Channel 7 reporter last week asked Yingluck whether she would amend the Constitution for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Yingluck was reportedly upset by the question and walked away from reporters.

A petulant little soul is she not, or wasn't her blue tooth working and so Brother No.1 couldn't answer for her ?

Should not the Red Shirts now change their colours to brown and wear magical Indian style symbol arm bands to see if they can replicate recent history?

[Siripon]

the red shirts haven't a clue about democracy and free speech, they're classic examples of a poor education.

And as for Jatupon and his bad language in Parliament, comparing an MP to an orangutan. He should be put in a zoo himself as an example of the 'missing link'.

[jonclark]

the red shirts haven't a clue about democracy and free speech, they're classic examples of a poor education.

And as for Jatupon and his bad language in Parliament, comparing an MP to an orangutan. He should be put in a zoo himself as an example of the 'missing link'.

The missing link - Good grief I'd hate to think anyone 'evolved' from Jatuporn. That would be a slur against humanity

[TheWalkingMan]

The note disclosed the reporter's name. "Remember her face and do something if you see her anywhere," it said.

I can smell the violence coming closer and closer.

TheWalkingMan

[Colin Yai]

The note disclosed the reporter's name. "Remember her face and do something if you see her anywhere," it said.

I can smell the violence coming closer and closer.

TheWalkingMan

Quite correct TWM the putrid stench of disorganization within the PTP and possible violence as a result of it is a distinct possibility !! Edited August 26, 2011 by Colin Yai

[lovetotravel]

Were these red shirts allowed to go free after the attack? I hope not. But I am sure they did.

[whybother]

Yay for Red Democracy.

Honestly, they've got no idea.

[Phuket Stan]

Wot !!!! No one "Hammering" away at the defence for these poor misguided red shirts...read "Thugs"

[janverbeem]

This is just the beginning, folks. Wait til Thaksin is back. The dissapearing will begin.

If Thaksin is smart enough,which he is in my opinion, he will stay away from Thailand as I have the feeling that he will not live long enough to enjoy his victory.

Unfortunately his ego will block him from being smart.

[geriatrickid]

Two troublemakers were caught making what is tantamount to a death threat, and people are condemning those that stopped the troublemakers?

Look at what happened;

Around noon, two men dressed like students stepped out of a taxi to place a wreath titled "To Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont who is sitting in the heart of Thaksin - from the Democratic Student Group" in front of the Parliament compound.

1. Dressed like students? Was it to give the impression that they were students so that students would be blamed?

2. Democratic Student Group? The group has not link to this event and it was a false cover set up to mislead the public to give the impression that students were upset.

3. A wreath? This is what is sent for funerals. Does one not understand the message? It was the equivalent of a message saying you are dead.

The fact of the matter is that 2 people concealing their identity and intending to mislead the public were caught in the act. Instead of blaming the people that stopped these 2 conmen, ask who these people were and who sent them. What was uncovered was the M.O. of the saboteurs and agent provocateurs that havebeen at the heart of the political violence in Thailand.

Edited August 26, 2011 by geriatrickid

[Buchholz]

In another incident, a group of journalists who work at the Parliament sent an open letter to Yingluck asking her to stop a challenge to press freedom after threats to hurt a reporter from Channel 7.

a sampling of previous incidents:

Channel 7 reporter Somphote Thoraksa and his crew, Nation News Agency reporter Sathien Viriyapongsa and Channel 9 crew were also forced by a group of demonstrators to leave the march for allegedly “under-estimating” the size of the demonstration.

The Thai Broadcast Journalists Association has condemned the “climate of fear and anxiety among journalists.”

“Red shirt” protesters threw plastic bottles at Channel 3 TV reporter Varunee Suesatsakulchai on 8 April as she was doing a live report

http://www.prachatai.com/english/node/1091

[kmj]

One red shirt hit the pair with a roll of hard paper 5555 now that's funny

[Buchholz]

Were these red shirts allowed to go free after the attack? I hope not. But I am sure they did.

If they didn't, I'm sure some PTP MP will utilize his parliamentary status to insure bail for the attackers.

.

[whybother]

Two troublemakers were caught making what is tantamount to a death threat, and people are condemning those that stopped the troublemakers?

Look at what happened;

Around noon, two men dressed like students stepped out of a taxi to place a wreath titled "To Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont who is sitting in the heart of Thaksin - from the Democratic Student Group" in front of the Parliament compound.

1. Dressed like students? Was it to give the impression that they were students so that students would be blamed?

2. Democratic Student Group? The group has not link to this event and it was a false cover set up to mislead the public to give the impression that students were upset.

3. A wreath? This is what is sent for funerals. Does one not understand the message? It was the equivalent of a message saying you are dead.

The fact of the matter is that 2 people concealing their identity and intending to mislead the public were caught in the act. Instead of blaming the people that stopped these 2 conmen, ask who these people were and who sent them. What was uncovered was the M.O. of the saboteurs and agent provocateurs that havebeen at the heart of the political violence in Thailand.

It's against the law to wear white shirts?

The fact of the matter is that two people were making a political statement. They didn't conceal their identity. They wore white shirts.

And the fact of the matter is that the red shirts did not allow them to make a political statement.

It's interesting to see that you are against free speech, GK.

Yay for Red Democracy.

[EvilDrSomkid]

GK, how much are the Red Shirts paying you to come to their defense every time they are criticized?

Your clear pro red shirt stance is unbecoming and I find many of your posts in their favor naive.

I shall no longer read your posts.

Calling protesters conmen? <deleted>.

[Buchholz]

Wot !!!! No one "Hammering" away at the defence for these poor misguided red shirts...read "Thugs"

It came less than an half hour later and two posts down from yours.

.

[Insight]

It's okay though because the big, shining red light of democracy that is Phua Thai have assigned the best upholder of truth and justice, Chalerm Yubamrung, to the case.

You ain't seen nothing yet.

[MunterHunter]

Two troublemakers were caught making what is tantamount to a death threat, and people are condemning those that stopped the troublemakers?

Look at what happened;

Around noon, two men dressed like students stepped out of a taxi to place a wreath titled "To Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont who is sitting in the heart of Thaksin - from the Democratic Student Group" in front of the Parliament compound.

1. Dressed like students? Was it to give the impression that they were students so that students would be blamed?

2. Democratic Student Group? The group has not link to this event and it was a false cover set up to mislead the public to give the impression that students were upset.

3. A wreath? This is what is sent for funerals. Does one not understand the message? It was the equivalent of a message saying you are dead.

The fact of the matter is that 2 people concealing their identity and intending to mislead the public were caught in the act. Instead of blaming the people that stopped these 2 conmen, ask who these people were and who sent them. What was uncovered was the M.O. of the saboteurs and agent provocateurs that havebeen at the heart of the political violence in Thailand.

So you support lynch-mob style attacks against these people, instead of letting the police and the courts deal with it according to the law of the land? Regardless of the 'message' these guys were delivering they should not be attacked and beaten for it. Detain them, arrest them and let the police deal with them.

I presume from your stance that you also condone the burning of the city by the red shirts last year? The burnign of various town halls? The attacks on the PM's car? And the use of guns and weapons by the red shirts (and before you try to discredit that, i had a gun pointed at my face by the red shirt 'guards' at ratchaprasong during the protest)

Whats next? White hoods, burning crosses and lynch-mob hangings? Welcome to the world of geriatrickid

[Ricardo]

In another incident, a group of journalists who work at the Parliament sent an open letter to Yingluck asking her to stop a challenge to press freedom after threats to hurt a reporter from Channel 7.

In the letter, the journalists said many had received a forwarded note that showed a picture and name of the Channel 7 reporter, who recently asked a tough question of the prime minister.

The note disclosed the reporter's name. "Remember her face and do something if you see her anywhere" it said.

Hopefully PM-Yingluck will shortly condemn this attempt at intimidation of the press, and will try to find who amongst her supporters is behind it, but added to the allegations of reporters being paid pre-election to write kind things about PTP, it doesn't look good for press-freedom or freedom-of-speech or tolerance.

What does this sort of thing say for the chances of reconciliation ?

I would accept that PM-Yingluck is unlikely to have been behind it herself, after all her response at-the-time was just to walk away from the press-conference, but it does suggest how little control she has over her supporters, and how little they understand the principles underlying democracy.

[Bagwan]

Two troublemakers were caught making what is tantamount to a death threat, and people are condemning those that stopped the troublemakers?

Look at what happened;

Around noon, two men dressed like students stepped out of a taxi to place a wreath titled "To Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont who is sitting in the heart of Thaksin - from the Democratic Student Group" in front of the Parliament compound.

1. Dressed like students? Was it to give the impression that they were students so that students would be blamed?

2. Democratic Student Group? The group has not link to this event and it was a false cover set up to mislead the public to give the impression that students were upset.

3. A wreath? This is what is sent for funerals. Does one not understand the message? It was the equivalent of a message saying you are dead.

The fact of the matter is that 2 people concealing their identity and intending to mislead the public were caught in the act. Instead of blaming the people that stopped these 2 conmen, ask who these people were and who sent them. What was uncovered was the M.O. of the saboteurs and agent provocateurs that havebeen at the heart of the political violence in Thailand.

That you could think that the laying of a wreath is a death threat is yet further proof that your mind is unhinged. That the two men involved wished to hide their identities merely underlines the reality of the violent vindictive nature of those currently in power. Throwing blood about is OK in your book then, but a symbolic gesture expressing the view that democracy (Ha! In Thailand?) has died - or that the Speaker's brain had, has be to answered by violence . Several versus two. How very Thai.

[whybother]

Where does it say that they tried to hide their identity?

How does a student dress? Black pants and a white shirt.

Does no one else where black pants and a white shirt?

It's hardly hiding your identity.

[thaihome]

...3. A wreath? This is what is sent for funerals. Does one not understand the message? It was the equivalent of a message saying you are dead.

The fact of the matter is that 2 people concealing their identity and intending to mislead the public were caught in the act. Instead of blaming the people that stopped these 2 conmen, ask who these people were and who sent them. What was uncovered was the M.O. of the saboteurs and agent provocateurs that havebeen at the heart of the political violence in Thailand.

In Asia, wreaths are sent for many occasions, weddings, business openings, and often as just a sign of welcome. Obviously there was a bit of sarcasm in choosing a wreath, but it certainly was not a death threat. That would only be from your western perspective.

Concealing their identities? Weren’t they identified by name in the article?

Another example of the UDD apologists continue their camping of diversion, misinformation, and half truths.

TH

[whybother]

A wreath is also used to commemorate the death of someone / something.

In this case, the Death of Democracy.

It's certainly not a death threat.

[Crushdepth]

Two troublemakers were caught making what is tantamount to a death threat, and people are condemning those that stopped the troublemakers?

Look at what happened;

Around noon, two men dressed like students stepped out of a taxi to place a wreath titled "To Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont who is sitting in the heart of Thaksin - from the Democratic Student Group" in front of the Parliament compound.

1. Dressed like students? Was it to give the impression that they were students so that students would be blamed?

2. Democratic Student Group? The group has not link to this event and it was a false cover set up to mislead the public to give the impression that students were upset.

3. A wreath? This is what is sent for funerals. Does one not understand the message? It was the equivalent of a message saying you are dead.

The fact of the matter is that 2 people concealing their identity and intending to mislead the public were caught in the act. Instead of blaming the people that stopped these 2 conmen, ask who these people were and who sent them. What was uncovered was the M.O. of the saboteurs and agent provocateurs that havebeen at the heart of the political violence in Thailand.

GeriatricKid apologising for the use of violence again. It's pathetic.

[Moruya]

Two troublemakers were caught making what is tantamount to a death threat, and people are condemning those that stopped the troublemakers?

Look at what happened;

Around noon, two men dressed like students stepped out of a taxi to place a wreath titled "To Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont who is sitting in the heart of Thaksin - from the Democratic Student Group" in front of the Parliament compound.

1. Dressed like students? Was it to give the impression that they were students so that students would be blamed?

2. Democratic Student Group? The group has not link to this event and it was a false cover set up to mislead the public to give the impression that students were upset.

3. A wreath? This is what is sent for funerals. Does one not understand the message? It was the equivalent of a message saying you are dead.

The fact of the matter is that 2 people concealing their identity and intending to mislead the public were caught in the act. Instead of blaming the people that stopped these 2 conmen, ask who these people were and who sent them. What was uncovered was the M.O. of the saboteurs and agent provocateurs that havebeen at the heart of the political violence in Thailand.

The Wreath was delivered to signify the death of impartiality in the house speaker.

Muppet

[jonclark]

The fact of the matter is that 2 people concealing their identity and intending to mislead the public were caught in the act. Instead of blaming the people that stopped these 2 conmen, ask who these people were and who sent them. What was uncovered was the M.O. of the saboteurs and agent provocateurs that have been at the heart of the political violence in Thailand.

Geriatrickid - That is a very good summation of the red shirt tactics - conceal, mislead and then resort to violence - well done, very succinct.

[Roachiebkk]

The note disclosed the reporter's name. "Remember her face and do something if you see her anywhere," it said.

I can smell the violence coming closer and closer.

TheWalkingMan

Quite correct TWM the putrid stench of disorganization within the PTP and possible violence as a result of it is a distinct possibility !!

Give them their way and Thaksin will be back to bring stability and law and order to the streets. He is like a beautiful 5' 2" saviour of all mankind, democracy is truly over rated, we need a good, hard strongman here....I think Gaddafi is available

[nicknostitz]

Unfortunately the report by the nation was not complete. The incident indeed took place. What though was not reported about here was what happened before the attempted laying of the wreath.

Several witnesses have stated that before the incident the two students have briefly conferred with a waiting Democrat Party MP before they have walked over to the gate to parliament. There is quite a bit of further evidence that this thing may have been a set up by agent provocateurs connected to the Democrat Party to provoke a violent reaction. Police is investigating the incident. Part reason of the over reaction of the Red Shirts was also that the wreath contained a large clock, and people feared that it may have contained a bomb. At the time most police officers were at the Farmers mob not far away from parliament, and could not get there on time to prevent the incident. Also most Red Shirt guards were not there yet.

The Red Shirts that were the last days at parliament were a mostly leaderless group. Over the last 3 days the Red Shirt guards have had a hard time to hold the protesters back. There were already several incidents that could have resulted in violence, if the Red Shirt guards would not have prevented their protesters from over-reacting, such as on the 22nd, when suddenly a small group of dog lovers protested in front of parliament, and ordinary Red Shirts believed that they may have been a group connected to Dr. Tul's group, which came a bit later (and was also protected by Red Shirt guards who kept the protesters on the other side of the road).

This was not an incident of organized violence, but originated from the fear of Red Shirts that the opposition may organize or support an attempt to block parliament again, as happened on Oct. 7, 2008. Unfortunately this paranoia was not just fueled by rumors but also by some local hardcore Red Shirt leaders, who are very disputed in the movement itself, and have been successfully prevented by moderate Red Shirt leaders from staging more stupid actions.

It will take some time to calm Red Shirts down. After 5 years of continuous conflict Red Shirts are still in fear that their opposition will resort again to unconstitutional measures to topple the government they have elected, and naturally their paranoia level is still very high. Incidents such as those show the need that all sides have to start toning down, so that there is a chance for moving politics off the streets and back into parliament. Which not just means the Red Shirts, but also the Democrat Party and the military - whose close connections to groups such as Dr. Tul's group and other more darker groups are not exactly productive to a peaceful conflict resolution.