Protesters Clash At Thaksin’s House

[cdnvic]

POLITICAL DRAMA: Protesters clash at Thaksin’s house

Published on December 25, 2005

Pro-democracy groups and Egat unions demand PM’s resignation. A crowd of 200 protesters marched to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s residence on Charan Sanitwong 69 Road in the early hours of yesterday morning to demand an end to the Egat privatisation plan.

Some of the demonstrators, mostly from pro-democracy groups and Egat Plc employees, also demanded the prime minister’s resignation, accusing him of mismanaging the country’s affairs.

The protesters had attended the talk show of media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul at Lumpini Park on Friday evening and afterwards travelled to the premier’s house on the other side of Bangkok, arriving after midnight.

However, they were blocked at the entrance to the soi by anti-riot police forces and could not reach the premier’s residence despite several attempts.

Thaksin, who had been inspecting the flood situation in the South, reached home not long before the protesters reached there.

“The march is a gesture of protest against the Thaksin government,” said protest organiser Anusorn Som-on.

Anusorn said many people were disappointed with Thaksin, particularly with his plan to privatise Egat, the state-run electricity company.

“We want Thaksin to explain the Egat privatisation,” he said. “We also demand that he return his power to the King in order for His Majesty to bestow it back to the people.”

The protesters camped on the sidewalk throughout the night and made several attempts to cross the police barricades. No casualties were reported.

Earlier on Friday, a group of about 200 anti-Sondhi Chiang Rai residents tried to disrupt his talk show, prompting an exchange of words with his supporters at Lumpini Park.

Members of the rival groups were seen engaging in fisticuffs, but no complaints were lodged with police.

Former Thai Rak Thai MP Pichet Chuamuangphan organised the Chiang Rai group’s trip to Bangkok.

Commenting on the incidents, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva called for calm, saying opposing sides were entitled to air their opinions and should not allow the debate to degenerate into violence.

Prime Minister Thaksin hit back at the increasing criticism he faces in his weekly radio address yesterday, accusing his critics of having ulterior motives.

“Lately I have been bombarded with criticism and I don’t know what to do or say as my critics try to fault me,” he said. “But I am not disheartened because they have agendas against me,” he added.

“My critics are attacking out of frustration that I stand in the way of their cheating, or that I refused to grant television concessions, or that they lost their Cabinet positions,” he said.

Thaksin said he would not waver in his determination to serve the public, pointing out that he was elected by almost 20 million voters.

He said he would carry on his fight to protect the public interest and root out corruption, regardless of what critics said.

Reacting to Thaksin’s comments, Abhisit said the prime minister might have misrepresented his critics.

“It is true that some critics might have hidden agendas, but the majority of criticism has been made with good intentions,” he said.

Thaksin’s arrogance would attract even more opponents, the Democrat leader said.

He urged Thaksin to try to rebut allegations rather than discredit his critics.

“Many leading figures, non-governmental organisations and academics have been questioning the government on myriad issues. They are acting out of concern for the country and not because of grudges,” he said.

The Nation

[sriracha john]

"Demonstrators clash with riot police in front of a road leading to the premier’s residence on Charan Sanitwong 69 Road."

and here I thought they were just wanting in to wish him a Merry Christmas...

[cdnvic]

The official press release tomorrow will read;

"Early new years party hosted by PM a great success, thousands attend."

cv

[sonnyJ]

Come on guys.

It's Christmas.

Merry Christmas Khun Thaksin.

I had to say that.

[marshbags]

Come on guys.

It's Christmas.

Merry Christmas Khun Thaksin.

I had to say that.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You are taking the P*** of course.

May he and his band of thieves and cronies get the BAD Karma they deserve as soon as posible.

[Ricardo]

The official press release tomorrow will read;

"Early new years party hosted by PM a great success, thousands attend."

cv

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

and all enjoyed the free fried-chicken on-offer, doing their patriotic bit , to help reduce the frozen-chicken mountain

[penzman]

A sure sign that the end is near.

Soon the man will realize he forgot his parachute

[dr_Pat_Pong]

The official press release tomorrow will read;

"Early new years party hosted by PM a great success, thousands attend."

cv

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[sierra01]

Another wheel come off the wagon, how many has he got left?

[ilyushin]

He bought 20 million votes. Looks like they want a refund!

War drums!!! Let the show begin!

Edited December 25, 2005 by ilyushin

[Sandstone Art]

“My critics are attacking out of frustration that I stand in the way of their cheating,

or that I refused to grant television concessions, or that they lost their Cabinet

positions,” he said.

Those that are not sucessful in their cheating ways because of the PM are the causing those malicious remarks

[penzman]

I saw Mr. Moonface on tv tonight in front of a huge crowd. He's now imitating Sondhi and working up his TRT (Thai Robs Thai) crowd trying to make jokes and putting down people criticizing him. He also compared Sondhi to a dog that won't stop barking. I don't know but the dogs on my street usually bark when something's wrong...

Watch out for Sondhi on January 14th. He will be revealing new scandals involving the usual Thai Robs Thai cast.

Edited December 25, 2005 by penzman

[dr_Pat_Pong]

I saw Mr. Moonface on tv tonight in front of a huge crowd. He's now imitating Sondhi and working up his TRT (Thai Robs Thai) crowd trying to make jokes and putting down people criticizing him. He also compared Sondhi to a dog that won't stop barking. I don't know but the dogs on my street usually bark when something's wrong...

Watch out for Sondhi on January 14th. He will be revealing new scandals involving the usual Thai Robs Thai cast.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[ProfessorFart]

Its all going the same way as 1973 and 1976.

This is just the start. If neither steps backwards things are going to get nasty. Very nasty.

Edited December 26, 2005 by ProfessorFart

[sriracha john]

The cartoon character just keeps providing funny material:

Bloomberg News

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra rejected demands by protesters, who attempted to enter his downtown Bangkok home, seeking his resignation over plans to sell shares in a power utility.

”I'm the one who will decide when to resign or dissolve the House, and if I don't, no one will,„ he told a gathering of a taxi drivers' group supporting him. ”Let's meet in three years,“ he said, when the next general elections are to be held.

[sriracha john]

Its all going the same way as 1973 and 1976.

This is just the start. If neither steps backwards things are going to get nasty. Very nasty.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You may very well be right... from a similar thread:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=55029&hl=

Says ‘sore losers’ will die before he gives up power.

Don’t worry – I’ll still be here even after your death,” Thaksin said.

Let the gunfire begin...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[ilyushin]

"The excessive increase of anything causes a reaction in the opposite direction."

Plato

[sonthaya]

Let's hope he is going soon, nobody needs him.

[jrincon17]

Let's hope he is going soon, nobody needs him.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

We want Thaksin to explain the Egat privatisation,” he said. “We also demand that he return his power to the King in order for His Majesty to bestow it back to the people

i sure hope this happens , something tells me that he has a heart , unlike taxin