Ex-Thai PM Thaksin To Address Rally In Cambodia

[hyperdimension]

so let me get this right, The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship is going to hold a rally in a country where democracy doesnt exist and dictatorship rules supreme to worship a fugitive former prime minister who resigned his position in a fit of pique and they don't feel a bit hypocritical?

I don't think the "pro-democracy" Red Schools that the useful idiots attended as part of their induction into the movement taught anything about the modern history of Cambodia, Hun Sen's background and how he came to power and has held firmly onto it since 1985. The question is, if they did know all the greusome details, would they still be avidly supporting Hun Sen's eternal friend?

[h90]

so let me get this right, The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship is going to hold a rally in a country where democracy doesnt exist and dictatorship rules supreme to worship a fugitive former prime minister who resigned his position in a fit of pique and they don't feel a bit hypocritical?

Well, all the communist countries before called themself "democratic". You have 1 leader and you can vote for him democratic every 5 years.....

[hyperdimension]

so let me get this right, The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship is going to hold a rally in a country where democracy doesnt exist and dictatorship rules supreme to worship a fugitive former prime minister who resigned his position in a fit of pique and they don't feel a bit hypocritical?

Well, all the communist countries before called themself "democratic". You have 1 leader and you can vote for him democratic every 5 years.....

There are opposition parties in Cambodia, such as Funcinpec and the Sam Rainsy Party, but Hun Sen has some special tactics that he uses against them. From To live and die with Hun Sen By Paul Vrieze:

Despite his political skills, Hun Sen did not shy away from using violence against political opposition. In 1997, he took over the government by force and the ensuing fighting killed about 100 people, mostly from the rival Funcinpec Party, according to a 2008 US Congressional Research Service (CRS) report, which referred to the takeover as an "unlawful seizure of power".

Before the military takeover, a grenade attack hit a peaceful opposition rally in Phnom Penh, which killed 16 children, men and women and wounded more than 100 others. Recent disclosures of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) probe into the attack, which was conducted because an American citizen was injured in the blast, were made under a Freedom of Information Act request filed by The Cambodia Daily, a local English-language newspaper.

The investigation, which was cut short due to intensifying threats to the FBI agent, found evidence that directly implicated Hun Sen's bodyguard unit and the CPP, while highly placed witnesses declined to cooperate with the FBI, according to the records disclosed to the newspaper. The US government reacted to the violent events of 1997 by banning direct aid to Cambodia for a decade. As the US Congressional Research Service noted, "The autocratic tendencies of Prime Minister Hun Sen have discouraged foreign investment and strained US-Cambodian relations."

Edited April 14, 2012 by hyperdimension

[animatic]

Because the video was released by the Cambodians after Abhisit's aidehad been arrested on the Cambodian side of the border.

Abhisit, as usual, had lied so proof positive had to be produced.

Simple really. You're still not up to speed.

The video that was released did not have anything on it about Abhisit sending them there. All it had was someone in the group apparently talking to an Abhisit aide, telling the aide where they were.

The video wasn't very good for the group, as they (or their spokespeople) had said that they didn't know they were in Cambodia.

Nonsense they were miles inside Cambodia and they were trying to provoke an international incident.

Funny now how all interest in the temple has gone isn't it?

Thousands of people fled their homes. The thai army used cluster bombs and it was all about oil really.

Suthep was in meetings with the cambodians to discuss ownership of certain potential oil fields by certain families.

But it wasn't anyone sent by Abhisit,

even if they foolishly called one of his aides while there.

He was from a PAD/Sondhi aligned nationalist group that wanted to get data on Cambodian encroachment on Thai lands... in their foolishness, they created and even great embarrassment for Thailand than the fight over the land.

But Abhisit did not send them to do this,

this was one of the points where PAD and the Dems were growing farther and farther apart. Ultimately a total rupture between them. This incident was certainly a breaking point for the Dems to stop tolerating PAD machinations.

Edited April 14, 2012 by animatic

[AleG]

I have been critical of "anti-democratic pro-coup human rights abusers". Abhisits government was a prime example.

There are other threads to discuss Abhisit and his supposed misdeeds. This thread is about Thaksin, Cambodia, Hun Sen and how welcoming he has been to the Red Shirts due no doubt to the close friendship between the two scumbags. You continue to attempt to derail the topic because you cannot get yourself to express your disapproval of either.

Cognitive Dissonance, he won't touch the issue with a barge pole.

[tlansford]

so let me get this right, The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship is going to hold a rally in a country where democracy doesnt exist and dictatorship rules supreme to worship a fugitive former prime minister who resigned his position in a fit of pique and they don't feel a bit hypocritical?

do you have an alternative country to suggest?

[h90]

so let me get this right, The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship is going to hold a rally in a country where democracy doesnt exist and dictatorship rules supreme to worship a fugitive former prime minister who resigned his position in a fit of pique and they don't feel a bit hypocritical?

Well, all the communist countries before called themself "democratic". You have 1 leader and you can vote for him democratic every 5 years.....

There are opposition parties in Cambodia, such as Funcinpec and the Sam Rainsy Party, but Hun Sen has some special tactics that he uses against them. From To live and die with Hun Sen By Paul Vrieze:

Despite his political skills, Hun Sen did not shy away from using violence against political opposition. In 1997, he took over the government by force and the ensuing fighting killed about 100 people, mostly from the rival Funcinpec Party, according to a 2008 US Congressional Research Service (CRS) report, which referred to the takeover as an "unlawful seizure of power".

Before the military takeover, a grenade attack hit a peaceful opposition rally in Phnom Penh, which killed 16 children, men and women and wounded more than 100 others. Recent disclosures of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) probe into the attack, which was conducted because an American citizen was injured in the blast, were made under a Freedom of Information Act request filed by The Cambodia Daily, a local English-language newspaper.

The investigation, which was cut short due to intensifying threats to the FBI agent, found evidence that directly implicated Hun Sen's bodyguard unit and the CPP, while highly placed witnesses declined to cooperate with the FBI, according to the records disclosed to the newspaper. The US government reacted to the violent events of 1997 by banning direct aid to Cambodia for a decade. As the US Congressional Research Service noted, "The autocratic tendencies of Prime Minister Hun Sen have discouraged foreign investment and strained US-Cambodian relations."

Also North Korea has an Opposition party.....

[phiphidon]

I have been critical of "anti-democratic pro-coup human rights abusers". Abhisits government was a prime example.

There are other threads to discuss Abhisit and his supposed misdeeds. This thread is about Thaksin, Cambodia, Hun Sen and how welcoming he has been to the Red Shirts due no doubt to the close friendship between the two scumbags. You continue to attempt to derail the topic because you cannot get yourself to express your disapproval of either.

Cognitive Dissonance, he won't touch the issue with a barge pole.

There is a radio programme for aussies called word for the day. It is a god slot thing and a word always turns out to be complete passages from the bible or whatever.

I think you are overusing your word of the day.

[phiphidon]

Arrived Cambodia yesterday.

There were at least 5 times the usual number of immigration officials compared to normal.

Didn't see any red shirts.

Driving into to Siem Reap the Cambodian authorities appear to have made an excellent job in selecting and preparing the rally site. Thousands of chairs, hundreds of police points and (I am told) 250 army personnel from Phnom Penh. The owner of our hotel said that any big hotel in town (ie 100+) was full with Thai bookings.

Didn't see any red shirts.

Pub Street very quite, at least 5 bars closed (for Songkran not because of the rally).

Saw, and spoke to, 10 red shirts from Saraburi/Korat. They didn't look look like rice farmers and they turned their noses up when I said that the central market had some excellent bplah rah !

Might journey out towards the rally site tonight to see what's what.

Don't bother mate, nobody turned up.

[Buchholz]

Critics Question Wisdom of Thai Red Shirt Gathering in Siem Reap

link to photo:

http://www.voanews.c...-147201375.html

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, right, receives a medal from Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, center, during the Medal Decoration ceremony at Cambodia Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, Monday, Sept. 19, 2011.

Cambodian officials are preparing to host a massive gathering of Thai political activists and supporters of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, in what critics say is a dangerous political gamble that could hurt relations with Thailand later on.

Up to 50,000 “red shirt” supporters of the former premier are expected to descend on the tourist town of Siem Reap over the weekend, provincial authorities said. Thaksin himself will attend for a Buddhist ceremony, as Thais and Cambodians celebrate the New Year.

“The red shirts will pay courtesy to Thaksin on April 14, and they will have a Buddhist ceremony with 260 monks from Angkor Wat on April 15,” Siem Reap Governor Sou Phearin told VOA Khmer. “Thaksin will have a water blessing before he leaves the country.”

Continues:

http://www.voanews.c...-147201375.html

VOA News - 12 April 2012

.

Edited April 14, 2012 by Buchholz

[Skywalker69]

Critics Question Wisdom of Thai Red Shirt Gathering in Siem Reap

link to photo:

http://www.voanews.c...-147201375.html

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, right, receives a medal from Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, center, during the Medal Decoration ceremony at Cambodia Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, Monday, Sept. 19, 2011.

Cambodian officials are preparing to host a massive gathering of Thai political activists and supporters of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, in what critics say is a dangerous political gamble that could hurt relations with Thailand later on.

Up to 50,000 “red shirt” supporters of the former premier are expected to descend on the tourist town of Siem Reap over the weekend, provincial authorities said. Thaksin himself will attend for a Buddhist ceremony, as Thais and Cambodians celebrate the New Year.

“The red shirts will pay courtesy to Thaksin on April 14, and they will have a Buddhist ceremony with 260 monks from Angkor Wat on April 15,” Siem Reap Governor Sou Phearin told VOA Khmer. “Thaksin will have a water blessing before he leaves the country.”

Continues:

http://www.voanews.c...-147201375.html

VOA News - 12 April 2012

.

Thanks for the link.

#“No one can hold power for good,” he said.#

And I think Thaksins time is running out, fast.

[gemini81]

so let me get this right, The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship is going to hold a rally in a country where democracy doesnt exist and dictatorship rules supreme to worship a fugitive former prime minister who resigned his position in a fit of pique and they don't feel a bit hypocritical?

do you have an alternative country to suggest?

How about Thailand where all this is about, where a leader is able to stand tall and preach to his crowd of followers. Or are we talking about a tyrant, an ex-dictator who has to resort to 3rd world countries, where fools, serfs, and peasants can unite, and hope for a handout?

[Buchholz]

Thaksin Shinawatra arrives at Siem Reap International Airport

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/pictures/videos/pictures/april-14-2012/thaksin-shinawatra-arrives-at-siem-reap-international-airport/articleshowpics/12663647.cms

Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra (L) shakes hands with a Cambodian government official upon his arrival at the Siem Reap International Airport in Cambodia, April 14, 2012.

Thailand's fugitive former premier Thaksin took some small but symbolic steps towards the fringes of his homeland on Wednesday after five years in self-exile and at the heart of a bitter and bloody power struggle. The visit is Thaksin's closest to Thailand.

(Reuters)

[phiphidon]

Critics Question Wisdom of Thai Red Shirt Gathering in Siem Reap

link to photo:

http://www.voanews.c...-147201375.html

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, right, receives a medal from Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, center, during the Medal Decoration ceremony at Cambodia Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, Monday, Sept. 19, 2011.

Cambodian officials are preparing to host a massive gathering of Thai political activists and supporters of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, in what critics say is a dangerous political gamble that could hurt relations with Thailand later on.

Up to 50,000 “red shirt” supporters of the former premier are expected to descend on the tourist town of Siem Reap over the weekend, provincial authorities said. Thaksin himself will attend for a Buddhist ceremony, as Thais and Cambodians celebrate the New Year.

“The red shirts will pay courtesy to Thaksin on April 14, and they will have a Buddhist ceremony with 260 monks from Angkor Wat on April 15,” Siem Reap Governor Sou Phearin told VOA Khmer. “Thaksin will have a water blessing before he leaves the country.”

Continues:

http://www.voanews.c...-147201375.html

VOA News - 12 April 2012

.

Yes apparently the critic was one Ken Sokha of the HRP, Human Rights Party, not to be confused with the independant Human Rights Organisation. Word was he cosied up with Hun Sen saying bad things about Sam Rainsy of the opposition Sam Rainsy party. Of course he denied it and presumably is no longer cosy with Hun Sen http://khmerization.blogspot.com/2011/05/hrp-clarify-so-called-secret-phone.html

[GentlemanJim]

well the word from journo's is that there may have been 10 000 there, so with 4500 security and any rent a crowd from Cambodia who will have been dragged in as a crowd for the Cambodian Prime Minister, true red shirt numbers were probably around 3- 4000. Bit of a way to go to get 10 million.

phiphidon

You're starting to become a bit of an embarrassment with your never ending diatribe in support of a convicted fugitive criminal. Thaksin is single handedly hindering any hope of progression for Thailand, and you can tell your Grandkids...you were part of it.

Justice has no expiry date! Thaksin will reap what he has sown.

Edited April 14, 2012 by GentlemanJim

[phiphidon]

Thaksin Shinawatra arrives at Siem Reap International Airport

http://economictimes...cs/12663647.cms

Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra (L) shakes hands with a Cambodian government official upon his arrival at the Siem Reap International Airport in Cambodia, April 14, 2012.

Thailand's fugitive former premier Thaksin took some small but symbolic steps towards the fringes of his homeland on Wednesday after five years in self-exile and at the heart of a bitter and bloody power struggle. The visit is Thaksin's closest to Thailand.

(Reuters)

"The visit is Thaksin's closest to Thailand" He would have been a whole lot closer if it hadn't been for all those people in the way

[GentlemanJim]

Thaksin Shinawatra arrives at Siem Reap International Airport

http://economictimes...cs/12663647.cms

Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra (L) shakes hands with a Cambodian government official upon his arrival at the Siem Reap International Airport in Cambodia, April 14, 2012.

Thailand's fugitive former premier Thaksin took some small but symbolic steps towards the fringes of his homeland on Wednesday after five years in self-exile and at the heart of a bitter and bloody power struggle. The visit is Thaksin's closest to Thailand.

(Reuters)

"The visit is Thaksin's closest to Thailand" He would have been a whole lot closer if it hadn't been for all those people in the way

so how many do you think there are?

[waza]

Thaksin Shinawatra arrives at Siem Reap International Airport

http://economictimes...cs/12663647.cms

Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra (L) shakes hands with a Cambodian government official upon his arrival at the Siem Reap International Airport in Cambodia, April 14, 2012.

Thailand's fugitive former premier Thaksin took some small but symbolic steps towards the fringes of his homeland on Wednesday after five years in self-exile and at the heart of a bitter and bloody power struggle. The visit is Thaksin's closest to Thailand.

(Reuters)

"The visit is Thaksin's closest to Thailand" He would have been a whole lot closer if it hadn't been for all those people in the way

so how many do you think there are?

hard to gauge but I think 10,000 may be generous

[phiphidon]

Thaksin Shinawatra arrives at Siem Reap International Airport

http://economictimes...cs/12663647.cms

Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra (L) shakes hands with a Cambodian government official upon his arrival at the Siem Reap International Airport in Cambodia, April 14, 2012.

Thailand's fugitive former premier Thaksin took some small but symbolic steps towards the fringes of his homeland on Wednesday after five years in self-exile and at the heart of a bitter and bloody power struggle. The visit is Thaksin's closest to Thailand.

(Reuters)

"The visit is Thaksin's closest to Thailand" He would have been a whole lot closer if it hadn't been for all those people in the way

so how many do you think there are?

I really don't care, you lot are the ones obsessed with numbers.

[MAJIC]

all these farlangs thinking they know better, it is for the thai people to decide the outcome of there own country, not just a hand full of farlangs that know nothing.

I wonder whether the Red Shirts actually know anything about the history of Cambodia, the Khmer Rouge, Hun Sen's background and how he came to power.

If they do know,I doubt it would mean anything to them,life is cheap in Asia.

[GentlemanJim]

Thaksin Shinawatra arrives at Siem Reap International Airport

http://economictimes...cs/12663647.cms

Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra (L) shakes hands with a Cambodian government official upon his arrival at the Siem Reap International Airport in Cambodia, April 14, 2012.

Thailand's fugitive former premier Thaksin took some small but symbolic steps towards the fringes of his homeland on Wednesday after five years in self-exile and at the heart of a bitter and bloody power struggle. The visit is Thaksin's closest to Thailand.

(Reuters)

"The visit is Thaksin's closest to Thailand" He would have been a whole lot closer if it hadn't been for all those people in the way

so how many do you think there are?

I really don't care, you lot are the ones obsessed with numbers.

Really? I thought it was the PTP leadership. 10 Million, to 50-60 000 4 days ago, then 30 000 then 10 000 and it was 1000 (with some creative thinking) in Laos, now we have an estimate from the Governor of Siem Reap saying 30 000 were in front of Thaksin tonight and with 4500 security and the crowds dragged in to support the Cambodian PM you will be lucky if the numbers reached 10 000,. What this clearly illustrates is that without paying for it, Thaksin actually has little support. Why the big crowds in Bangkok?....because people were paid to attend. And you support this shower?

Edited April 14, 2012 by GentlemanJim

[tlansford]

-- deleted due to quote limits --

"The visit is Thaksin's closest to Thailand" He would have been a whole lot closer if it hadn't been for all those people in the way

so how many do you think there are?

I really don't care, you lot are the ones obsessed with numbers.

Really? I thought it was the PTP leadership. 10 Million, to 50-60 000 4 days ago, then 30 000 then 10 000 and it was 1000 (with some creative thinking) in Laos, now we have an estimate from the Governor of Siem Reap saying 30 000 were in front of Thaksin tonight and with 4500 security and the crowds dragged in to support the Cambodian PM you will be lucky if the numbers reached 10 000,. What this clearly illustrates is that without paying for it, Thaksin actually has little support. Why the big crowds in Bangkok?....because people were paid to attend. And you support this shower?

the "paid to attend/vote/worship" crowd are just laughable...

breath in : that'll be 5 bhat

breath out : that'll be 5 bhat

...

[MAJIC]

Thaksin Shinawatra arrives at Siem Reap International Airport

http://economictimes...cs/12663647.cms

Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra (L) shakes hands with a Cambodian government official upon his arrival at the Siem Reap International Airport in Cambodia, April 14, 2012.

Thailand's fugitive former premier Thaksin took some small but symbolic steps towards the fringes of his homeland on Wednesday after five years in self-exile and at the heart of a bitter and bloody power struggle. The visit is Thaksin's closest to Thailand.

(Reuters)

"The visit is Thaksin's closest to Thailand" He would have been a whole lot closer if it hadn't been for all those people in the way

so how many do you think there are?

hard to gauge but I think 10,000 may be generous

And how many are Cambodians?

[GentlemanJim]

so how many do you think there are?

I really don't care, you lot are the ones obsessed with numbers.

Really? I thought it was the PTP leadership. 10 Million, to 50-60 000 4 days ago, then 30 000 then 10 000 and it was 1000 (with some creative thinking) in Laos, now we have an estimate from the Governor of Siem Reap saying 30 000 were in front of Thaksin tonight and with 4500 security and the crowds dragged in to support the Cambodian PM you will be lucky if the numbers reached 10 000,. What this clearly illustrates is that without paying for it, Thaksin actually has little support. Why the big crowds in Bangkok?....because people were paid to attend. And you support this shower?

the "paid to attend/vote/worship" crowd are just laughable...

breath in : that'll be 5 bhat

breath out : that'll be 5 bhat

...

I agree it is laughable, in this day and age as well....oh wait a minute, you are thinking 180 degrees out aren't you? So tell me do you think that people were not paid to attend the Bangkok rally? Is that what you truly think...we should be told. By the way if people were paid according to your rates I would have been there myself for the full duration.

[Skywalker69]

so let me get this right, The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship is going to hold a rally in a country where democracy doesnt exist and dictatorship rules supreme to worship a fugitive former prime minister who resigned his position in a fit of pique and they don't feel a bit hypocritical?

do you have an alternative country to suggest?

North-Korea

[Buchholz]

Link to Photo of Reds Shirts in Cambodia:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/slideshow/ALeqM5jZiEg1p_ycdoOIE4RHvEbseiOiEw?docId=CNG.0aed8735d1342bd2d8ddc08ead1bdb9b.8a1&index=0

A Thaksin Shinawatra supporter.

AFP

[waza]

Link to Photo of Reds Shirts in Cambodia:

http://www.google.co...b9b.8a1&index=0

A Thaksin Shinawatra supporter.

AFP

[pimay11]

Link to Photo of Reds Shirts in Cambodia:

http://www.google.co...b9b.8a1&index=0

A Thaksin Shinawatra supporter.

AFP

It is quite interesting that the red shirts use the foot clappers to show support for Thaksin at their rallies. As we all know, in Thai culture the head is the most sacred part of the body and the feet are the lowest and filthiest. One should never show the soles of the feet to anyone or use the feet to point to anything.

In the attached thumbnail Thaksin's photo is on the sole of the foot. I wonder why that is?

[phiphidon]

Link to Photo of Reds Shirts in Cambodia:

http://www.google.co...b9b.8a1&index=0

A Thaksin Shinawatra supporter.

AFP

It is quite interesting that the red shirts use the foot clappers to show support for Thaksin at their rallies. As we all know, in Thai culture the head is the most sacred part of the body and the feet are the lowest and filthiest. One should never show the soles of the feet to anyone or use the feet to point to anything.

In the attached thumbnail Thaksin's photo is on the sole of the foot. I wonder why that is?

No attached thumbnail so couldn't possibly tell you.

[whybother]

No attached thumbnail so couldn't possibly tell you.

2 posts above yours. In Waza's post that Pimay quoted.