All Red-Shirt Appointees Are Qualified, Ex-Security Guard Says

[webfact]

All red-shirt appointees are qualified, ex-security guard says

By Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

Aree Grainara, chief security guard for the red-shirt Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship, (DAAD) looks comfortable in his new role as secretary to the interior minister - but he insists he's still a red-shirt and would not rule out the possibility of red shirts taking to the streets in the tens of thousands again.

"As long as the country is not yet democratic, we never know. There's still hierarchy," said Aree in his spacious new office at his first day of work.

Red shirts will give the Pheu Thai government time to work for a while, he said, in reference to the new ruling party, which is now populated by a number of red-shirt political appointees, himself included.

One key challenge for the government, Aree told The Nation and two other reporters from its sister publications, would be whether the truth behind the deaths of 92 persons in April and May 2010 would emerge and whether those responsible would be punished.

"It's impossible [to ignore]. The law must be the law. Those who lost [loved ones] must receive justice. The wrongdoers must be punished. The government must make the truth known, or else there won't be peace."

Last year, on May 19, as red-shirt leaders gave themselves up and arsonists attacked nearby buildings, Aree decided to escape from the authorities and possible terrorism charges.

"I decided not to turn myself in [to the police] as long as the emergency decree remained in force, because there wouldn't be justice until it was lifted," Aree, now dressed comfortably in a suit and tie, said. He threw away his mobile phone and refrained from visiting family members in Nakhon Si Thammarat while hiding in Bangkok until the lifting of the emergency decree nine months later. Among his advisers were some police officers.

"We demonstrated, calling for what is right - but in the end we got body bags," he recalled.

In his new job, Aree said he is well aware of criticism, or even ridicule, from people who think he's not fit for the new job. He described at length how many ministerial advisory posts he held in the past, including his stints as an MP candidate. Also, added Aree, he was a former academic counsellor at Ramkhamhaeng University and had advised some 300 student groups while at the university.

"Every red shirt who has been appointed [to a government position] is qualified," Aree insists.

Aree is less committal when asked about what he thinks of issues confronting the Interior Ministry such as the call for provincial governors to be elected instead of being appointed by the powerful and conservative ministry. "I have no idea yet. We must look at various impacts," he said, adding governors ought to be more efficient and turn their workplace into "one-stop services" for the public.

Though in a considerably important position now, Aree, 58, is still facing terrorism charges as a result of his role in last year's events. In a sign of confidence, Aree said he doesn't know what the maximum penalty is. The case is still being reviewed by the Office of the Attorney General.

-- The Nation 2011-09-06

[jonclark]

"As long as the country is not yet democratic, we never know. There's still hierarchy,"

What a knob, a democracy and a heir achy are not mutually exclusive. All countries have those who are more equal than others. Wonder if he includes the monarchy as part of his hierarchy?

I think what he means to say is

'As long as the country is not yet communist, we never know. There is still hierarchy.'

said Aree in his spacious new office

Ooops looks like you're part of the heir achy - Knob head !!

[siampolee]

Aree Grainara, chief security guard for the red-shirt Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship, (DAAD) looks comfortable in his new role as secretary to the interior minister - but he insists he's still a red-shirt and would not rule out the possibility of red shirts taking to the streets in the tens of thousands again.

So from the above comment one could come to the belief that Aree is saying if we don't get our own way we will again engage in behaviour designed to disrupt society and ignore the law.

Hardly a democratic ideal nor a pose that would enhance re-conciliation either.

Aree is less committal when asked about what he thinks of issues confronting the Interior Ministry such as the call for provincial governors to be elected instead of being appointed by the powerful and conservative ministry. "I have no idea yet. We must look at various impacts," he said, adding governors ought to be more efficient and turn their workplace into "one-stop services" for the public.

This comment is indeed interesting as it concerns internal policies, yet here we have a " security guard" commenting on matters that in truth according to his claimed position are nothing to do with him nor his his fellow ''security guards."

So as a "security guard'' Aree and his men( and women too I presume) must look at the policy of how provincial governors are to be appointed in the future.

Is it possible that a " security guard" has the power to veto elected M.P.s and their decisions ?

Seems as if the shape of democracy and indeed its label under the current government is slowly turning into a mandate for a controlled totalitarian state for the benefit of Brother No. 1 and his family and their paid acolytes.

Edited September 6, 2011 by siampolee

[mca]

"As long as the country is not yet democratic, we never know. There's still hierarchy," said Aree in his spacious new office at his first day of work.

"I decided not to turn myself in [to the police] as long as the emergency decree remained in force, because there wouldn't be justice until it was lifted," Aree, now dressed comfortably in a suit and tie,

I think the Nation is becoming more like the Sun without tits or Mystic Meg every day.

[Bakseedaa]

"As long as the country is not yet democratic, we never know. There's still hierarchy," said Aree in his spacious new office at his first day of work.

"I decided not to turn myself in [to the police] as long as the emergency decree remained in force, because there wouldn't be justice until it was lifted," Aree, now dressed comfortably in a suit and tie,

I think the Nation is becoming more like the Sun without tits or Mystic Meg every day.

What is the Sun, apart from that Big Orange thing in the sky.... pray explain ...!

[REM]

These red shirts are sounding more and more like Pol Pot, Kim Jung Ill, and other dictators who fought for 'democracy', hiding murderous regimes behind words like equality, democracy, and freedom. The reds should say these things after they refuse two million baht of carpet and big offices. Watch out Thailand, a big storm is brewing. SE Asia is known for this. Farang, get your passports ready!

Edited September 6, 2011 by REM

[OzMick]

He doesn't know what the maximum penalty for terrorism is? Really? My guess would be an "Advance to Go" for your next re-incarnation.

[Thaddeus]

If you have no ability to control dogs, breeding pit bulls may be a mistake.

[mca]

"As long as the country is not yet democratic, we never know. There's still hierarchy," said Aree in his spacious new office at his first day of work.

"I decided not to turn myself in [to the police] as long as the emergency decree remained in force, because there wouldn't be justice until it was lifted," Aree, now dressed comfortably in a suit and tie,

I think the Nation is becoming more like the Sun without tits or Mystic Meg every day.

What is the Sun, apart from that Big Orange thing in the sky.... pray explain ...!

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/

[OzMick]

What is the Sun, apart from that Big Orange thing in the sky.... pray explain ...!

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/

How do you get to Page 3?

[Robby nz]

Talked to a friend the other day who is having trouble getting papers he needs from a Thai Govt department....because there are new people in charge who dont seem to know what they are doing.

Wonder if the new people are wearing red shirts?

[Thai at Heart]

What is the Sun, apart from that Big Orange thing in the sky.... pray explain ...!

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/

How do you get to Page 3?

Shhhhh. Or Big Brother will block it for perverting young innocent Thai minds.

[mca]

What is the Sun, apart from that Big Orange thing in the sky.... pray explain ...!

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/

How do you get to Page 3?

www.page3.com

Reading the headline in the thread initially I thought they'd asked the opinion of some uncle who got fired from his job at an apartment block for rolling up pissed as a fart.

[Thaddeus]

Talked to a friend the other day who is having trouble getting papers he needs from a Thai Govt department....because there are new people in charge who dont seem to know what they are doing.

Wonder if the new people are wearing red shirts?

More likely to be new graduates.

[hanuman1]

"As long as the country is not yet democratic, we never know. There's still hierarchy," said Aree in his spacious new office at his first day of work.

"I decided not to turn myself in [to the police] as long as the emergency decree remained in force, because there wouldn't be justice until it was lifted," Aree, now dressed comfortably in a suit and tie,

I think the Nation is becoming more like the Sun without tits or Mystic Meg every day.

I disagree strongly with your tit-less assertion.

Many's the time I have read articles penned by Nation reporters and ended up thinking 'What a tit!'.

[mca]

You got me there.

[Buchholz]

Also, added Aree, he was a former academic counsellor at Ramkhamhaeng University and had advised some 300 student groups while at the university.

The academic counsellor providing advise to another group...

Aree (center with white ballcap)

The Nation

http://www.oknation.net/blog/nun2504/2011/03/11/entry-12

he insists he's still a red-shirt and would not rule out the possibility of red shirts taking to the streets in the tens of thousands again.

with him leading his academic charges once again as above.

.

[Thai at Heart]

"As long as the country is not yet democratic, we never know. There's still hierarchy," said Aree in his spacious new office at his first day of work.

"I decided not to turn myself in [to the police] as long as the emergency decree remained in force, because there wouldn't be justice until it was lifted," Aree, now dressed comfortably in a suit and tie,

I think the Nation is becoming more like the Sun without tits or Mystic Meg every day.

I disagree strongly with your tit-less assertion.

Many's the time I have read articles penned by Nation reporters and ended up thinking 'What a tit!'.

Indeed, one could argue that if the Nation raised the level of its investigative journalism to that of the Sun, it may be an improvement.

[whybother]

He's going to lead the people on the streets against ... errm ... himself ....

[thaihome]

Different spelling, but the same guy.

TH

Human Rights Watch | May 2011

Descent into Chaos

Page 44

In addition to the Khattiya recruits, most Red Shirt Guards from broader groups were recruited and commanded by the network of activist-turned-politician, Ari Krainara.(51) The Red Shirt Guards underwent rudimentary training in crowd control and other public order functions and received UDD-issued identity cards.52 Their main role at the protest sites was to maintain public order and protect UDD leaders. Working in rotating shifts, they helped keep the protest camps well organized.53 Most Red Shirt Guards were not visibly armed. On some occasions they helped to calm violent confrontations and even protected soldiers and police from being attacked by angry UDD protesters, as was the case when soldiers retreated after being attacked by heavily armed militias on April 10. Nevertheless, Human Rights Watch found cases of Red Shirt Guards involved in low-level violence, especially when manning checkpoints around the UDD rally sites.

(51) Ari Krainara was elected a member of Parliament in 2006 from the Thai Rak Thai Party in Nakhin Sri Thamarat province.

Following the September 2006 coup, he joined with others to build the anti-coup network that ultimately became the UDD,

mobilizing in particular former and current student activists from Ramkhamhaeng University

Edited September 6, 2011 by thaihome

[scorecard]

He doesn't know what the maximum penalty for terrorism is? Really? My guess would be an "Advance to Go" for your next re-incarnation.

Quote from the guard: "It's impossible [to ignore]. The law must be the law. Those who lost [loved ones] must receive justice. The wrongdoers must be punished. The government must make the truth known, or else there won't be peace."

So to ensure no double standards they will of course be demanding justice for the families of those assassinated in the paymasters war on drugs and for the families of those who suffocated to death in the tak bai incident.

Such a shame we don't have investigative journalists in Thailand who are brave enough to challenge people like this during interviews.

And of course easy to understand why they never probe, nobody would be game under the chalerm rules.

Edited September 6, 2011 by scorecard

[craigt3365]

One key challenge for the government, Aree told The Nation and two other reporters from its sister publications, would be whether the truth behind the deaths of 92 persons in April and May 2010 would emerge and whether those responsible would be punished.

"It's impossible [to ignore]. The law must be the law. Those who lost [loved ones] must receive justice. The wrongdoers must be punished. The government must make the truth known, or else there won't be peace."

It will be interesting to see what happens when red shirts are charged with some of the deaths...so far, they won't accept any responsibility.

[OzMick]

Different spelling, but the same guy.

TH

Human Rights Watch | May 2011

Descent into Chaos

Page 44

In addition to the Khattiya recruits, most Red Shirt Guards from broader groups were recruited and commanded by the network of activist-turned-politician, Ari Krainara.(51) The Red Shirt Guards underwent rudimentary training in crowd control and other public order functions and received UDD-issued identity cards.52 Their main role at the protest sites was to maintain public order and protect UDD leaders. Working in rotating shifts, they helped keep the protest camps well organized.53 Most Red Shirt Guards were not visibly armed. On some occasions they helped to calm violent confrontations and even protected soldiers and police from being attacked by angry UDD protesters, as was the case when soldiers retreated after being attacked by heavily armed militias on April 10. Nevertheless, Human Rights Watch found cases of Red Shirt Guards involved in low-level violence, especially when manning checkpoints around the UDD rally sites.

(51) Ari Krainara was elected a member of Parliament in 2006 from the Thai Rak Thai Party in Nakhin Sri Thamarat province.

Following the September 2006 coup, he joined with others to build the anti-coup network that ultimately became the UDD,

mobilizing in particular former and current student activists from Ramkhamhaeng University

".....soldiers and police from being attacked by angry UDD protesters, as was the case when soldiers retreated after being attacked by heavily armed militias on April 10."'

This will have to be re-written. All such events have been purged from the the Red Shirt history of the time.

[Buchholz]

One key challenge for the government, Aree told The Nation and two other reporters from its sister publications, would be whether the truth behind the deaths of 92 persons in April and May 2010 would emerge and whether those responsible would be punished.

"It's impossible [to ignore]. The law must be the law. Those who lost [loved ones] must receive justice. The wrongdoers must be punished. The government must make the truth known, or else there won't be peace."

It will be interesting to see what happens when red shirts are charged with some of the deaths...so far, they won't accept any responsibility.

How's this wash with the Pheu Thai Party-proposed amnesty?

I'd presume that in the interest of double-standard-avoidance, it would exonerate everyone, both Red Shirt and military, over alleged offenses.

.

[hammered]

Different spelling, but the same guy.

TH

Human Rights Watch | May 2011

Descent into Chaos

Page 44

In addition to the Khattiya recruits, most Red Shirt Guards from broader groups were recruited and commanded by the network of activist-turned-politician, Ari Krainara.(51) The Red Shirt Guards underwent rudimentary training in crowd control and other public order functions and received UDD-issued identity cards.52 Their main role at the protest sites was to maintain public order and protect UDD leaders. Working in rotating shifts, they helped keep the protest camps well organized.53 Most Red Shirt Guards were not visibly armed. On some occasions they helped to calm violent confrontations and even protected soldiers and police from being attacked by angry UDD protesters, as was the case when soldiers retreated after being attacked by heavily armed militias on April 10. Nevertheless, Human Rights Watch found cases of Red Shirt Guards involved in low-level violence, especially when manning checkpoints around the UDD rally sites.

(51) Ari Krainara was elected a member of Parliament in 2006 from the Thai Rak Thai Party in Nakhin Sri Thamarat province.

Following the September 2006 coup, he joined with others to build the anti-coup network that ultimately became the UDD,

mobilizing in particular former and current student activists from Ramkhamhaeng University

".....soldiers and police from being attacked by angry UDD protesters, as was the case when soldiers retreated after being attacked by heavily armed militias on April 10."'

This will have to be re-written. All such events have been purged from the the Red Shirt history of the time.

Seriously the report should be read by all. It is probably to date the most exhaustive neutral report into what happened and there are things that neither thaksinista or anti-thaksinistas will like

[Emptyset]

Different spelling, but the same guy.

TH

Human Rights Watch | May 2011

Descent into Chaos

Page 44

In addition to the Khattiya recruits, most Red Shirt Guards from broader groups were recruited and commanded by the network of activist-turned-politician, Ari Krainara.(51) The Red Shirt Guards underwent rudimentary training in crowd control and other public order functions and received UDD-issued identity cards.52 Their main role at the protest sites was to maintain public order and protect UDD leaders. Working in rotating shifts, they helped keep the protest camps well organized.53 Most Red Shirt Guards were not visibly armed. On some occasions they helped to calm violent confrontations and even protected soldiers and police from being attacked by angry UDD protesters, as was the case when soldiers retreated after being attacked by heavily armed militias on April 10. Nevertheless, Human Rights Watch found cases of Red Shirt Guards involved in low-level violence, especially when manning checkpoints around the UDD rally sites.

He was also involved in a fight with Seh Daeng: 'In the last few days before he was shot, some Red [shirt] Guards came under the control of Seh Daeng. A few days before, there was a fight between Seh Daeng and Ari, the head of Red [shirt] Guard security, and he pushed Ari down. Then there were problems within the Red Shirt leadership—some like Veera wanted to make a deal with the government and to stop the demonstrations, but the crowd and hard-line leaders like Seh Daeng, Arisman, and Jatuporn wanted to continue the protests.'

Edited September 6, 2011 by Emptyset

[Buchholz]

The academic counsellor providing advise to another group...

Aree (center with white ballcap)

The Nation

http://www.oknation.net/blog/nun2504/2011/03/11/entry-12

He was also involved in a fight with Seh Daeng: 'In the last few days before he was shot, some Red [shirt] Guards came under the control of Seh Daeng. A few days before, there was a fight between Seh Daeng and Ari, the head of Red [shirt] Guard security, and he pushed Ari down.

Hard to imagine the peaceful-looking academic would be involved in a fight.

.

[gl555]

A thug and an animal dressed nicely in a suit is still a thug and an animal.

[Buchholz]

A thug and an animal

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l570/rightie1/820183-1.jpg

Red Shirt Chief Security Guard Aree (foreground) and accomplice

dressed nicely in a suit

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l570/rightie1/12-1.gif

Secretary to the Interior Minister Aree (front row left in silver tie) entering Parliament

is still a thug and an animal.

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l570/rightie1/820183-1.jpg

[lannarebirth]

"Red-shirt ex-security guard"

So some head breaking goon says that all his other head breaking goon mates are well qualified for whatever position they may ne holding. Yeah, who wouldn't believe that story?