Democrats Call For End To Intimidation Of Govt Critics By The Red Shirts

[Lite Beer]

Democrats call for end to intimidation of govt critics by the red shirts

By The Nation on Sunday

The Democrat Party yesterday claimed to have endured a "week of harassment" last week as senior opposition figures including Chuan Leekpai and Abhisit Vejjajiva, as well as other critics of the government, were subject to intimidation by red-shirt supporters of the government.

Democrat spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said the intimidation of former premiers Chuan and Abhisit, as well as an assault on two students involved in a protest, must not be allowed to happen again.

Democrat Party Trang MP Sathit Wongnongtoey said the party had assigned him to check with Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung on the progress of investigations into the alleged red-shirt attack on two students protesting outside Parliament on Thursday during the policy debate.

Sathit said he was confident Chalerm would be able to rein in the red shirts. However, he said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her Pheu Thai were responsible for the activities of red shirts, because she appointed them to carry out tasks related to political activities.

He urged the public to keep a watch for any double standard regarding the government's treatment of red shirts.

Democrat Party MP Kowit Tarana warned red shirts to behave appropriately, saying their leaders' rise to power does not give them impunity.

"The premier and her ministers preach reconciliation in press interviews, but take no action against those who assault people outside Parliament,'' Kowit said.

He said House Speaker Somsak Kiartsuranont cannot avoid responsibility, as the incident happened in front of Parliament. The speaker must take action to see that law and order is maintained, Kowit said.

Chavanond said the Democrats will next week name a shadow Cabinet to check the government.

"To ensure that we can effectively check the government, we will select members who have potential and competency and can fully devote their time to carrying out their duties to best of their ability,'' the spokesman said.

He criticised as inappropriate Pheu Thai's decision to appoint party deputy spokesman Wim Rungwattnachinda as secretary to the PM's office minister in charge of overseeing the media, due to allegations that Wim was involved in bribing reporters.

The Democrat spokesman also said the Pheu Thai-led government's policy to suspend contributions to the Oil Fund was a distortion of the ruling party's election campaign promises, and will not curb the rising cost of living as claimed.

Chavanond said the suspension of the contribution would put the Oil Fund Bt5 billion to Bt6 billion in debt, a burden that would ultimately have to be shouldered by the public. Democrat Party Bangkok MP Attawit Suwanpakdi said the prime minister promised during an election campaign event at Rajamangala Sport Stadium that the Oil Fund would be permanently scrapped in order to drastically reduce the cost of living. However, the government now says the contribution to the Oil Fund will be suspended for six months. Thus, Attawit said, prices of goods will not come down because the measure is temporary.

He said the drastic drop in the benzene price to Bt34.77 will affect sugar cane farmers, since the margin between benzene and benzene gasohol is only 23 satang. Many motorists will stop using gasohol, and prices of tapioca and sugar will plunge, he said.

The suspension of the contribution to the Oil Fund, he added, will affect the subsidy for LPG, which Attawit said was used by every household for cooking. Even though the diesel price has dropped by Bt3, the price of LPG will rise from Bt280 to Bt570 per 15 kg cylinder, he said.

-- The Nation 2011-08-28

[Buchholz]

Democrat Party MP Kowit Tarana warned red shirts to behave appropriately, saying their leaders' rise to power does not give them impunity.

That seems to be the gist of the Red Shirt sentiment.

.

[ratcatcher]

Democrat Party MP Kowit Tarana warned red shirts to behave appropriately, saying their leaders' rise to power does not give them impunity.

That seems to be the gist of the Red Shirt sentiment.

.

The way some of the red Shirt thugs operate makes me think Chairman Maew's Red Army is still around.

Edited August 28, 2011 by ratcatcher

[473geo]

Perhaps if the editorials made a little more effort to accentuate the fact that the violent element are actually a very small percentage of people who voted PTP, and as such, although the violent law breakers make headline news, their actions are not readily supported and are not representative of the majority of PTP voters.

May be if these editorials made more effort to explain the true detail and balance they may be perceived as being a little more constructive in the reconcliation process

Edited August 28, 2011 by 473geo

[whybother]

Perhaps if the editorials made a little more effort to accentuate the fact that the violent element are actually a very small percentage of people who voted PTP, and as such, although the violent law breakers make headline news, their actions are not readily supported and are not representative of the majority of PTP voters.

May be if these editorials made more effort to explain the true detail and balance they may be perceived as being a little more constructive in the reconcliation process

This wasn't an editorial. It was a report of claims by the Democrats.

Was anything mentioned about "people who voted PTP"?

Maybe if the red shirts weren't trying to stifle free speech, there would be more progress with reconciliation.

[Xangsamhua]

Democrat Party MP Kowit Tarana warned red shirts to behave appropriately, saying their leaders' rise to power does not give them impunity.

That seems to be the gist of the Red Shirt sentiment

.

Brownshirts.

[Buchholz]

Perhaps if the editorials made a little more effort to accentuate the fact that the violent element are actually a very small percentage of people who voted PTP

Then it shouldn't be too difficult to very quickly root them out of the organization, but then, that probably requires Yingluck's requisite "six months."

In the interim, perhaps stronger condemnation of the violence by those in charge of the Reds and PTP would be good, but then, that's not likely to occur when so many of the violent speeches were made by the many Red Leaders who are now PTP MP's.

[473geo]

Perhaps if the editorials made a little more effort to accentuate the fact that the violent element are actually a very small percentage of people who voted PTP, and as such, although the violent law breakers make headline news, their actions are not readily supported and are not representative of the majority of PTP voters.

May be if these editorials made more effort to explain the true detail and balance they may be perceived as being a little more constructive in the reconcliation process

This wasn't an editorial. It was a report of claims by the Democrats.

Was anything mentioned about "people who voted PTP"?

Maybe if the red shirts weren't trying to stifle free speech, there would be more progress with reconciliation.

Free speech is fine....report or editorial.....the media however must accept, and expect, to attract a reasonable amount of attention on the quality they deliver.........I suggest a little more effort to address the detail and balance of reports/editorials.......you find this request unreasonable?

[moe666]

Perhaps if the editorials made a little more effort to accentuate the fact that the violent element are actually a very small percentage of people who voted PTP, and as such, although the violent law breakers make headline news, their actions are not readily supported and are not representative of the majority of PTP voters.

May be if these editorials made more effort to explain the true detail and balance they may be perceived as being a little more constructive in the reconcliation process

It only takes one bad apple to ruin the barrel

There is another saying as well, You are know by the company you keep.

Edited August 28, 2011 by moe666

[whybother]

Free speech is fine....report or editorial.....the media however must accept, and expect, to attract a reasonable amount of attention on the quality they deliver.........I suggest a little more effort to address the detail and balance of reports/editorials.......you find this request unreasonable?

There was no suggestion that there were any PTP voters involved. Why would they need to point out that it was only a small percentage of PTP voters?

Do you really think that the quality (as bad as it generally is) would be any better with clarifications or disclaimers of every statement printed?

I expect the media to report on what happened. In this case they are reporting on what the Democrats are saying.

[janverbeem]

Perhaps if the editorials made a little more effort to accentuate the fact that the violent element are actually a very small percentage of people who voted PTP, and as such, although the violent law breakers make headline news, their actions are not readily supported and are not representative of the majority of PTP voters.

May be if these editorials made more effort to explain the true detail and balance they may be perceived as being a little more constructive in the reconcliation process

You are right about that,the majority of PTP voters are uneducated poor people from Isaan who wouldn't harm a fly but believed all the crap that PTP spawned to get out of their poverty,but in fact will be get deeper into it.

The violent elements however are the ones that are very close to the government and therefore are represent the motives of the one who are currently governing this country.

[lannarebirth]

Democrat Party MP Kowit Tarana warned red shirts to behave appropriately, saying their leaders' rise to power does not give them impunity.

That seems to be the gist of the Red Shirt sentiment.

.

The way some of the red Shirt thugs operate makes me think Chairman Maew's Red Army is still around.

It does remind one of that and if continues much longer and/or escalates, I wouldn't be surprised to see something like the Red Gaur rise to combat it. Dark days then.

[Crushdepth]

Perhaps if the editorials made a little more effort to accentuate the fact that the violent element are actually a very small percentage of people who voted PTP, and as such, although the violent law breakers make headline news, their actions are not readily supported and are not representative of the majority of PTP voters.

May be if these editorials made more effort to explain the true detail and balance they may be perceived as being a little more constructive in the reconcliation process

This wasn't an editorial. It was a report of claims by the Democrats.

Was anything mentioned about "people who voted PTP"?

Maybe if the red shirts weren't trying to stifle free speech, there would be more progress with reconciliation.

Free speech is fine....report or editorial.....the media however must accept, and expect, to attract a reasonable amount of attention on the quality they deliver.........I suggest a little more effort to address the detail and balance of reports/editorials.......you find this request unreasonable?

It's not the media's job to write propaganda for the government. They are *supposed* to criticise.

[lannarebirth]

Perhaps if the editorials made a little more effort to accentuate the fact that the violent element are actually a very small percentage of people who voted PTP, and as such, although the violent law breakers make headline news, their actions are not readily supported and are not representative of the majority of PTP voters.

May be if these editorials made more effort to explain the true detail and balance they may be perceived as being a little more constructive in the reconcliation process

You are right about that,the majority of PTP voters are uneducated poor people from Isaan who wouldn't harm a fly but believed all the crap that PTP spawned to get out of their poverty,but in fact will be get deeper into it.

The violent elements however are the ones that are very close to the government and therefore are represent the motives of the one who are currently governing this country.

Not reported in the Nation, but the motives of the new governemnt were made quite clear in a Bangkok Post article from yesterday. What evryone SHOULD be talking about today is the way the PTP has decided to restructure the Finance ministry so that all revenues are run through one man with longtime loyalties to Thaksin. I think all the goonishness is just something to divert attention away from the major heist that is about to take place.

[OzMick]

Perhaps if the editorials made a little more effort to accentuate the fact that the violent element are actually a very small percentage of people who voted PTP, and as such, although the violent law breakers make headline news, their actions are not readily supported and are not representative of the majority of PTP voters.

May be if these editorials made more effort to explain the true detail and balance they may be perceived as being a little more constructive in the reconcliation process

Are you equating " people who voted PTP" with "red shirts"? "..........the violent element are actually a very small percentage of people who voted PTP" but quite likely a much bigger percentage of the red shirts, don't you agree? So, as a service to the people who voted PTP, shouldn't the much more violent red shirts be reined in, as the article suggests?

[backtonormal]

Perhaps if the editorials made a little more effort to accentuate the fact that the violent element are actually a very small percentage of people who voted PTP, and as such, although the violent law breakers make headline news, their actions are not readily supported and are not representative of the majority of PTP voters.

May be if these editorials made more effort to explain the true detail and balance they may be perceived as being a little more constructive in the reconcliation process

"a little more effort" , "explain" and "true detail" remember what paper your reading then you will understand why you dont get the former. Saw a headline in said rag the other day (in bold red type) "ABHISIT PINS GOVERNMENT..." The man could not pin a tail on a donkey with a rip in his blindfold

[hanuman1]

The small number of idiots among the red shirt movement who evidently can't control themselves are bound to make the headlines. Not the hundreds of thousands (millions?) of others who are either a part of the movement or who sympathize in general terms with its grievances.

[spidermike007]

Perhaps if the editorials made a little more effort to accentuate the fact that the violent element are actually a very small percentage of people who voted PTP, and as such, although the violent law breakers make headline news, their actions are not readily supported and are not representative of the majority of PTP voters.

May be if these editorials made more effort to explain the true detail and balance they may be perceived as being a little more constructive in the reconcliation process

This wasn't an editorial. It was a report of claims by the Democrats.

Was anything mentioned about "people who voted PTP"?

Maybe if the red shirts weren't trying to stifle free speech, there would be more progress with reconciliation.

The Red shirts trying to stifle free speech? Are you aware of the press freedom Thailand enjoyed during the "reign" of the democrats? Here is a little sobering info, to shatter your illusion of "good guys". <p>

Thailand slips 23 places to 153rd

Thailand has slipped 23 places to the ranking of 153rd on the press freedom index after two foreign journalists were killed and 15 others wounded while covering the army's dispersing against the red shirts protesters in Bangkok, reported the 2010 World Press Freedom Index of Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF).

An Italian and a Japanese journalists were killed during the attempts to re capture the Ratchaprasong areas where the pro-Thaksin protesters had occupied for months.

The government's investigation into the murders could not find the killers.

Apart from Thailand, the press freedom in the Philippines worsened in the past year following the massacre of more than 30 journalists in Maguindanao last November and the reigning culture of impunity in the country.

The annual report showed the Philippines lost 34 places following the massacre of 57 people including journalists in Maguindanao province last year. The Philippines now ranks 156 in 178 countries surveyed, down from last year's ranking of 122.

The report also noted that despite a few murderers of journalists being brought to trial, "impunity still reigns in the Philippines."

A total of 137 Filipino media practitioners have been assassinated since 1986, according to statistics from the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines. Of that number, 100 killings happened during the nine-year presidency of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and only seven cases were solved with the conviction of suspects all of whom were trigger men.

The report showed that Asia's four Communist regimes, North Korea (177th place), China (171st), Vietnam (165thj) Laos (168th), are among the fifteen lowest-ranked countries of the 2010 World Press Freedom Index.

Six countries shared first place in the press freedom index namely Finland, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. The report said the 6 countries "set an example in the way they respect journalists and news media and protect them from judicial abuse."

Now, do you see what I am implying? The democrats are the last people in the world to be lecturing the red shirts about press freedom. They were under the total control of the military. That group wants press freedom less than you want a tropical disease. At least the reds are attempting to fight the status quo. that is a helluva lot more than what Abhisit did. He was an Uncle Tom for the powers that be.

[whybother]

The Red shirts trying to stifle free speech? Are you aware of the press freedom Thailand enjoyed during the "reign" of the democrats? Here is a little sobering info, to shatter your illusion of "good guys". <p>

Thailand slips 23 places to 153rd

Thailand has slipped 23 places to the ranking of 153rd on the press freedom index after two foreign journalists were killed and 15 others wounded while covering the army's dispersing against the red shirts protesters in Bangkok, reported the 2010 World Press Freedom Index of Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF).

An Italian and a Japanese journalists were killed during the attempts to re capture the Ratchaprasong areas where the pro-Thaksin protesters had occupied for months.

The government's investigation into the murders could not find the killers.

...

Now, do you see what I am implying? The democrats are the last people in the world to be lecturing the red shirts about press freedom. They were under the total control of the military. That group wants press freedom less than you want a tropical disease. At least the reds are attempting to fight the status quo. that is a helluva lot more than what Abhisit did. He was an Uncle Tom for the powers that be.

The press freedom index doesn't just relate to the government's role in press freedom, since a number of the press were actually injured (or possibly killed) by red shirt protesters.

And it seems that they are continuing along that vein with their threats to reporters that are asking Yingluck "difficult" questions.

[hanuman1]

The Red shirts trying to stifle free speech? Are you aware of the press freedom Thailand enjoyed during the "reign" of the democrats? Here is a little sobering info, to shatter your illusion of "good guys". <p>

Thailand slips 23 places to 153rd

Thailand has slipped 23 places to the ranking of 153rd on the press freedom index after two foreign journalists were killed and 15 others wounded while covering the army's dispersing against the red shirts protesters in Bangkok, reported the 2010 World Press Freedom Index of Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF).

An Italian and a Japanese journalists were killed during the attempts to re capture the Ratchaprasong areas where the pro-Thaksin protesters had occupied for months.

The government's investigation into the murders could not find the killers.

...

Now, do you see what I am implying? The democrats are the last people in the world to be lecturing the red shirts about press freedom. They were under the total control of the military. That group wants press freedom less than you want a tropical disease. At least the reds are attempting to fight the status quo. that is a helluva lot more than what Abhisit did. He was an Uncle Tom for the powers that be.

The press freedom index doesn't just relate to the government's role in press freedom, since a number of the press were actually injured (or possibly killed) by red shirt protesters.

And it seems that they are continuing along that vein with their threats to reporters that are asking Yingluck "difficult" questions.

And apologizing for it straight afterwards, as far as I can gather.

[whybother]

...

And it seems that they are continuing along that vein with their threats to reporters that are asking Yingluck "difficult" questions.

And apologizing for it straight afterwards, as far as I can gather.

Straight after a police complaint was made anyway.

[Buchholz]

The small number of idiots among the red shirt movement who evidently can't control themselves are bound to make the headlines. Not the hundreds of thousands (millions?) of others who are either a part of the movement or who sympathize in general terms with its grievances.

The violent elements have been with this "movement" for over 4 years now.

When exactly can the "millions" gain control over them?

Instead of condemning them and disassociating from them and barring them, we get the Red Shirt "movement" going to great lengths to assist them, eg. lawyers, bail, verbal defense, etc.

.

[Buchholz]

The democrats are the last people in the world to be lecturing the red shirts about press freedom. They were under the total control of the military. That group wants press freedom less than you want a tropical disease. At least the reds are attempting to fight the status quo.

To "fight the status quo", does that mean the Red Shirt will be protesting Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm's establishment of a "War Room" to curtail these freedoms?

Will they use their Parliament building rally to fight against it?

Will they be utilizing their Red Shirt Leader contacts, who are also PTP MP's, to derail his efforts and establish their "fight the status quo" agenda?

.

Edited August 28, 2011 by Buchholz

[hanuman1]

The small number of idiots among the red shirt movement who evidently can't control themselves are bound to make the headlines. Not the hundreds of thousands (millions?) of others who are either a part of the movement or who sympathize in general terms with its grievances.

The violent elements have been with this "movement" for over 4 years now.

When exactly can the "millions" gain control over them?

Instead of condemning them and disassociating from them and barring them, we get the Red Shirt "movement" going to great lengths to assist them, eg. lawyers, bail, verbal defense, etc.

.

Funny how your earlier posts made great capital in umpteen threads out of criticizing the fact that no reds would help bail out those in jail (look at how morally bankrupt they are - they don't even help their own kind out - etc etc ad nauseam), and now when they do you criticize them for assisting armed thugs.

Maybe you should have been praising the reds when they weren't offering to bail out those in jail, for keeping thugs off the streets.

Blind prejudice is winding your posts up in knots here, old chap.

Edited August 28, 2011 by hanuman1

[scorecard]

Perhaps if the editorials made a little more effort to accentuate the fact that the violent element are actually a very small percentage of people who voted PTP, and as such, although the violent law breakers make headline news, their actions are not readily supported and are not representative of the majority of PTP voters.

May be if these editorials made more effort to explain the true detail and balance they may be perceived as being a little more constructive in the reconcliation process

Are you equating " people who voted PTP" with "red shirts"? "..........the violent element are actually a very small percentage of people who voted PTP" but quite likely a much bigger percentage of the red shirts, don't you agree? So, as a service to the people who voted PTP, shouldn't the much more violent red shirts be reined in, as the article suggests?

And why don't we quickly see comment from the red leaders or the red rank and file to insist the thugs back off, plus some comments / insight from the red leaders / red rank and file about the importance of freedom of speech to build democracy?

Edited August 28, 2011 by scorecard

[tlansford]

Perhaps if the editorials made a little more effort to accentuate the fact that the violent element are actually a very small percentage of people who voted PTP, and as such, although the violent law breakers make headline news, their actions are not readily supported and are not representative of the majority of PTP voters.

May be if these editorials made more effort to explain the true detail and balance they may be perceived as being a little more constructive in the reconcliation process

You are correct...

But it is "The Nation". Their objective is not truth, facts, nor balance.

Cheers - Tom

[tlansford]

He urged the public to keep a watch for any double standard regarding the government's treatment of red shirts.

This is rich coming from a democrat. The Dem's *obviously* never had a double standard regarding the yellow shirts

And the Nation continues to willfully &lt;deleted&gt;-up the facts as we all now know that they were not 2 students, and in fact only one was a (apparently) 40 year-old graduate...

Great reading "By The Nation on Sunday"

Time to head for the sun...

[geriatrickid]

Perhaps if the editorials made a little more effort to accentuate the fact that the violent element are actually a very small percentage of people who voted PTP, and as such, although the violent law breakers make headline news, their actions are not readily supported and are not representative of the majority of PTP voters.

May be if these editorials made more effort to explain the true detail and balance they may be perceived as being a little more constructive in the reconcliation process

This wasn't an editorial. It was a report of claims by the Democrats.

Was anything mentioned about "people who voted PTP"?

Maybe if the red shirts weren't trying to stifle free speech, there would be more progress with reconciliation.

How can the report be credible when it describes the two people allegedly attacked as students? They were middle aged males claiming to represent a non existant group. Why doesn't the Nation investigate why these two instigators were claiming to be students and why they were using a bogus group name?

In respect to the redshirts, if these people are causing a disturbance, then it is a matter for the police to intervene and to remove those that are violent or that are breaking the law. If any of the MPs is being threatened, then he or she should pursue charges. As Bucholz says, if there are no charges, then the allegations are unsubstantiated.

[OzMick]

He urged the public to keep a watch for any double standard regarding the government's treatment of red shirts.

This is rich coming from a democrat. The Dem's *obviously* never had a double standard regarding the yellow shirts

And the Nation continues to willfully &lt;deleted&gt;-up the facts as we all now know that they were not 2 students, and in fact only one was a (apparently) 40 year-old graduate...

Great reading "By The Nation on Sunday"

Time to head for the sun...

He must have a hard life - yesterday he was only 34. I suppose being man-handled by a pack of thugs could do that to you.

[Deez]

Perhaps if the editorials made a little more effort to accentuate the fact that the violent element are actually a very small percentage of people who voted PTP, and as such, although the violent law breakers make headline news, their actions are not readily supported and are not representative of the majority of PTP voters.

May be if these editorials made more effort to explain the true detail and balance they may be perceived as being a little more constructive in the reconcliation process

If i such a small percentage then why dont they arrest them and be done with it? Small percentage my arse. Goes all the way to the top. Red shirts dont have the capacity to act without orders