Few Red-Shirts Cross Over For Thaksin

[webfact]

VIENTIANE

Few red-shirts cross over for Thaksin

The Nation

Only 22 of 62 reserved buses used to transport 1,000 or so supporters

VIENTIANE: -- Far fewer than expected red-shirt supporters were seen heading to the capital of Laos yesterday to welcome fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Slightly more than 1,000 red shirts took the bus to Vientiane compared to the 10,000 expected by the movement's leaders. Thaksin was in Laos to attend a religious ceremony, known as "baisi sukwan", held to give him moral support.

A source said that 62 buses had been reserved to carry the supporters, most from the Northeast, from Nong Khai to the Laotian capital. However, only 22 of the buses were actually used due to the far fewer-than-expected number of passengers.

In Vientiane, Thaksin yesterday participated in the religious ceremony performed by 129 Laotian and Thai monks at Wat That Luang amid tight security.

Several senior Laotian officials were also present at the ceremony and tied holy thread on Thaksin's wrists. The ceremony was held in the temple's main hall, which is normally reserved for state functions and government guests.

Promising to return

Thaksin said yesterday that this year's Songkran was the best because he had the chance "to get the closest to my country". He also expressed his gratitude to people concerned about his safety.

"I want to return home, but have to wait for politics to return to normal and for the country to get a bit better," Thaksin said.

"It will not be a very long wait. I will return to be with you," he told hundreds of his supporters, including several red-shirt leaders, gathered inside the temple's compound. Many in the crowd cheered, with some shouting "it's time to come home" and "we love Thaksin".

Tight security in Cambodia

In Bangkok, red-shirt leader and Pheu Thai Party MP Jatuporn Prompan said yesterday that security in Cambodia would be even tighter when Thaksin visits the country over the weekend.

The MP said security details consisting of some 4,500 men, including Cambodian police officers and red-shirt guards, would provide security for the former PM during his time in Cambodia.

Earlier, some red-shirt leaders had said that they had heard rumours of an assassination plot against Thaksin.

Lax immigration

In the border province of Sa Kaew yesterday, several groups of red-shirt supporters crossed the border into Cambodia.

An official in the Cambodian border town of Poipet said yesterday that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen had ordered immigration officials to provide special treatment to red-shirt supporters crossing over from Thailand.

The official, who requested anonymity, added that all immigration officials had been instructed to not search any red-shirt vehicles.

"The prime minister told the Cambodians to give a good welcome to the red shirts. He said all the Cambodians should treat the red shirts as their close relatives or true friends," the official said.

-- The Nation 2012-04-13

[metisdead]

Off topic posts and troll posts have been removed.

[MEL1]

"I want to return home, but have to wait for politics to return to normal and for the country to get a bit better," Thaksin said.

"It will not be a very long wait."

-------

He always does like to contradict himself in 2 sentences.

-mel.

[whybother]

There were really 100,000 people there. It's just that this coupist newspaper is hiding the true facts.

[craigt3365]

A few posts discussing moderation have been removed from view. If you don't agree with our moderation policy, please send a PM. Do not post in public. OK?

Thanks!!

[daboyz1]

There were really 100,000 people there. It's just that this coupist newspaper is hiding the true facts.

Don't get him started.

[Ricardo]

"I want to return home, but have to wait for politics to return to normal and for the country to get a bit better," Thaksin said.

There have been two elections, and this is the fourth elected-government, since the end of the military- appointed government of PM-Sorayud. Indeed things were plainly good enough for him to return back in the summer of 2008.

But now he can't return, until the country is better, and politics are normal ?

I feel this is a little-harsh, on his clone-sister PM-Yingluck, and his loyal PTP/Red-Shirts in-power, that nine months on from the election, they still haven't succeeded in making the country a little bit better ?

Perhaps his standards or expectations are too high !

Or possibly there is another unspoken requirement, for him to end his self-exile, as many might suspect ?

[maidu]

Is it just me, or do the folks in the photo all have fat faces?

In Vientiane, Thaksin yesterday participated in the religious ceremony performed by 129 Laotian and Thai monks at Wat That Luang amid tight security. Several senior Laotian officials were also present at the ceremony and tied holy thread on Thaksin's wrists. The ceremony was held in the temple's main hall, which is normally reserved for state functions and government guests.

Thaksin is to religion what MSG is to haute cuisine.

"I want to return home, but have to wait for politics to return to normal and for the country to get a bit better," Thaksin said.

Translation: "....when my sister and derierre-kissing Chalerm twist the laws and Constitution in every which way - to enable me to sneak back in without having to face justice."

Lax immigration: In the border province of Sa Kaew yesterday, several groups of red-shirt supporters crossed the border into Cambodia. An official in the Cambodian border town of Poipet said yesterday that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen had ordered immigration officials to provide special treatment to red-shirt supporters crossing over from Thailand. The official, who requested anonymity, added that all immigration officials had been instructed to not search any red-shirt vehicles. "The prime minister told the Cambodians to give a good welcome to the red shirts. He said all the Cambodians should treat the red shirts as their close relatives or true friends," the official said.

Whatever causes strife for Thailand, indirectly strengthens its sometimes-enemy Cambodia. Hun Sen appears to want to weaken Thailand, by providing the Great Polarizer Thaksin a soapbox to get Red Shirts all riled up. Will more shopping malls be torched in Bangkok, to show their enthusiam?

Meanwhile, Hun Sen is doing everything he can to stymie any progress with prosecuting his buddies who orchestrated the Khmer Rouge atrocities. What does Thaksin have to say about that? Nothing, of course. Indeed, when has Thaksin spoken about anything other than his self-aggrandizement?

[Insight]

Strange* how his support changes when he takes rather than gives.

*Not really.

[mowgus]

So....1000 red shirts go to see him in Laos.... and he has a security detail of 4500 men following him around? That's like 4.5 guards/supporter. Me thinks the reporting is a little 'off'. (no surprise)

[givenall]

Did the checks bounced?

[otherstuff1957]

I am the last person who would support Thaksin, but in all fairness I understand that the Lao border police were not as accomodating as the Cambodians, so most of his supporters chose to go to Cambodia rather than Lao.

[waza]

Hmmm I wonder how many of that 1000 were expats doing a cheap visa run?

Can you blame the Laos people being less accomodating after the last red shirt rally ended with burning buildings and looting

Edited April 13, 2012 by waza

[slapout]

The orginal article quoted the ex prime minister as saying there have been 4 attempts on his life (assination attempts) thus the change in venue of aircraft landing, small crownds etc.

I would venture to guess that he is not recieived any better by the Lao government than apparent support turn out. Maybe the several tens of thousands (forcast) will meet him in Cambodia, where he seems more in tune/welcome.

As far as the self claimed 4 attempts on his life, hell I have that on a weekly basis when I ride the family motor cycle in this country. He needs to get out more and experience the reality of living in Thailand, as should his sister. Jet setting around, holding photo sessions, having memory loses and/or being on the missing/absconded list seems to be a part of their family trait.

Its really a shame that birth control came into practical use so late in the evoluation of mankind.

[h90]

The orginal article quoted the ex prime minister as saying there have been 4 attempts on his life (assination attempts) thus the change in venue of aircraft landing, small crownds etc.

I would venture to guess that he is not recieived any better by the Lao government than apparent support turn out. Maybe the several tens of thousands (forcast) will meet him in Cambodia, where he seems more in tune/welcome.

As far as the self claimed 4 attempts on his life, hell I have that on a weekly basis when I ride the family motor cycle in this country. He needs to get out more and experience the reality of living in Thailand, as should his sister. Jet setting around, holding photo sessions, having memory loses and/or being on the missing/absconded list seems to be a part of their family trait.

Its really a shame that birth control came into practical use so late in the evoluation of mankind.

Castro is at 638, so 4 attempts sounds pathetic. The usual Thai prostitute that messes around with married men had more than 4 attempts when she reaches 20.

[Insight]

An official in the Cambodian border town of Poipet said yesterday that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen had ordered immigration officials to provide special treatment to red-shirt supporters crossing over from Thailand.

The official, who requested anonymity, added that all immigration officials had been instructed to not search any red-shirt vehicles.

Okay, that's worrying. I have it on a very good authority that many of the weapons used by the red/black side during April/May 2010 originated from Cambodia.

Given the number of "red guards" there, along with the low turnout, could this rally simply be a guise for an arms run? Stocking up ready for when the "political situation returns to normal"?

The date July has been mentioned over in the other English-language daily.

Hold fast, Thailand. Again.

Edited April 13, 2012 by Insight

[Curt1591]

Could it be that, for anyone but the leaders, and a few blind followers, Thaksin is nothing more than a poster child for either side?

[Thaddeus]

Did the photographer ask everyone to stand closer together.

[rkidlad]

The cheques didn't bounce. Most people who received them spent the money on getting wanke_red and eating well for the day.

[pimay11]

There were really 100,000 people there. It's just that this coupist newspaper is hiding the true facts.

Exactly and I'm sure the resident TVF troll will have photos proving this. Maybe even 300,000.

[rubl]

Another article from theNation. Pity the Laos governmenti s unlikely to give reasoning and / or their view of matters

"Thailand's ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra was given special protection when he arrived in the capital of Laos yesterday, amid rumours of an assassination threat against him, according to people close to the former leader.

Red-shirt leader Kwanchai Praipana, a coordinator of the red-shirts' trip to Laos during Thaksin's visit, said yesterday the ex-premier's plane was diverted from Vientiane's Wattay International Airport to a military airport at short notice.

"The Laotian authorities took Thaksin to Government House. They cited safety reasons and the need to provide special treatment for him," Kwanchai said.

He said the Laotian government kept Thaksin's schedules in Laos secret and even red-shirt leaders from Thailand were not informed about changes set by Laotian authorities.

"This is understandable. Their culture is different from ours. The rumours of an assassination threat may have worried the Laotian government so they provided special security measures," Kwanchai said."

http://www.asianewsn...29573&sec=1

The same article also mentions this for the night of the 11th. Any info on that ?

"Last night, Thaksin was scheduled to give a lecture on economic matters at a large riverside hotel in Vientiane located opposite the Thai province of Nong Khai. About 1,000 Laotian businesspeople and executives as well as some 300 Thai businesspeople were expected to attend."

Edited April 13, 2012 by rubl

[ramrod711]

The orginal article quoted the ex prime minister as saying there have been 4 attempts on his life (assination attempts) thus the change in venue of aircraft landing, small crownds etc.

I would venture to guess that he is not recieived any better by the Lao government than apparent support turn out. Maybe the several tens of thousands (forcast) will meet him in Cambodia, where he seems more in tune/welcome.

As far as the self claimed 4 attempts on his life, hell I have that on a weekly basis when I ride the family motor cycle in this country. He needs to get out more and experience the reality of living in Thailand, as should his sister. Jet setting around, holding photo sessions, having memory loses and/or being on the missing/absconded list seems to be a part of their family trait.

Its really a shame that birth control came into practical use so late in the evoluation of mankind.

I'm having a very hard time believing that someone would try to kill the Aung san suu kyi of thailand

1. © SUMMARY: Thaksin sees himself as the victim of a

\”palace coup\” and unironically compares himself to Aung San

Suu Kyy – the winner of democratic elections blocked from his

rightful office. In a discussion with a visiting Asia

expert, Thaksin said that he could not return as Prime

Minister \”as long as this King is alive\” but he confidently

predicted that his Thai Rak Thai party would continue to

dominate Thai politics. Thaksin accepted no responsibility

for the current political crisis, blaming everything on the

jealousy of a \”provincial\” royal family who feared that

Thaksin would supplant them in the hearts of the peasantry,

and on the machinations of \”courtiers\” who manipulated the

King.

[rubl]

I'm having a very hard time believing that someone would try to kill the Aung san suu kyi of thailand

1. © SUMMARY: Thaksin sees himself as the victim of a

\”palace coup\” and unironically compares himself to Aung San

Suu Kyy – the winner of democratic elections blocked from his

rightful office. In a discussion with a visiting Asia

expert, Thaksin said that he could not return as Prime

Minister \”as long as this King is alive\” but he confidently

predicted that his Thai Rak Thai party would continue to

dominate Thai politics. Thaksin accepted no responsibility

for the current political crisis, blaming everything on the

jealousy of a \”provincial\” royal family who feared that

Thaksin would supplant them in the hearts of the peasantry,

and on the machinations of \”courtiers\” who manipulated the

King.

From which democratic elections was k. Thaksin blocked? Those planned for October 2006 which he tried to make sure would give him "a rule for twenty years"?

To compare Thaksin with Aung San Suu Kyi is an insult to the lady, IMHO

[ramrod711]

I'm having a very hard time believing that someone would try to kill the Aung san suu kyi of thailand

1. © SUMMARY: Thaksin sees himself as the victim of a

\”palace coup\” and unironically compares himself to Aung San

Suu Kyy – the winner of democratic elections blocked from his

rightful office. In a discussion with a visiting Asia

expert, Thaksin said that he could not return as Prime

Minister \”as long as this King is alive\” but he confidently

predicted that his Thai Rak Thai party would continue to

dominate Thai politics. Thaksin accepted no responsibility

for the current political crisis, blaming everything on the

jealousy of a \”provincial\” royal family who feared that

Thaksin would supplant them in the hearts of the peasantry,

and on the machinations of \”courtiers\” who manipulated the

King.

From which democratic elections was k. Thaksin blocked? Those planned for October 2006 which he tried to make sure would give him "a rule for twenty years"?

To compare Thaksin with Aung San Suu Kyi is an insult to the lady, IMHO

I was trying to be funny, Please believe me when I say that I don't think that the comparison is valid in ANY way. I agree, absolutely that she should consider it an insult.

[how241]

Hard to know what to believe about the #'s of people there.

[gemini81]

"I want to return home, but have to wait for politics to return to normal and for the country to get a bit better," Thaksin said.

There have been two elections, and this is the fourth elected-government, since the end of the military- appointed government of PM-Sorayud. Indeed things were plainly good enough for him to return back in the summer of 2008.

But now he can't return, until the country is better, and politics are normal ?

I feel this is a little-harsh, on his clone-sister PM-Yingluck, and his loyal PTP/Red-Shirts in-power, that nine months on from the election, they still haven't succeeded in making the country a little bit better ?

Perhaps his standards or expectations are too high !

Or possibly there is another unspoken requirement, for him to end his self-exile, as many might suspect ?

In so many words, he is just too much of a coward to return, and fears his safety. Otherwise, just hoping to be an exception to the law. He has to find another excuse why he is too much of a p*ssy to face justice in his native home. He made it unfair himself with his own corruption and cronyism. Now he should sit in the feces he made.

[culicine]

If he's getting death threats in a foreign country, what chance does he have in Thailand? His life is always going to be under threat. never will he be able to walk the streets safely again. Seh Daeng was taken out quite easily, and I don't see Taksin being any safer were he to return.

[phiphidon]

Hmmm I wonder how many of that 1000 were expats doing a cheap visa run?

Can you blame the Laos people being less accomodating after the last red shirt rally ended with burning buildings and looting

The last red shirt rally ended as it started, peacefully. So did the one before that, and the one before that, etc. The army were not in attendance at these rallies.

When the army were last in attendance at a rally to break up the camp on the 19th May, the death toll rose to 14 on the day once the deaths in the Wat were taken into account.. Buildings were burned and looting took place, correct.

Edited April 13, 2012 by phiphidon

[TeddyFlyfisherDavis]

Maybe he has now found out just how popular he WISHED he were...hahahaha What a jack ass.

[Skywalker69]

What a patetic spieces of man he is.