Bangkok: Huge Turnout Expected At Red-Shirt Rally Today

[Scott]

A number of posts have been deleted. Some are inflammatory; some off-topic. Replies to those posts have also been deleted.

Please be civil and stay on topic.

[TheCure]

The UDD is not the most violent political movement in Thailand.

On a national scale, which political movement is more violent?

.

The Royal Thai Army

[philw]

Does anyone have any reliable idea of how many people are actually there ?

And a reliable idea of the reactions of the people who live in the immediate vicinity ?

[gand]

We have been over this topic a hundred times. Get over it. The Thais have no clue what this symbol really means. To them it just means power.

A picture is worth a thousand words we are told. This particular image left me speechless,.

Do we now see the true face of the Red Shirt movement appearing led by a despotic character who resides outside of the Kingdom.

Graphic image courtesy of http://www.facebook....35060922&type=1

The Thai's may be clueless but their leaders are not.

sieg heil thaksin

[gemini81]

Judging from the above you arrived in Thailand in July 2005, correct? Now tell me who was PM in the period July 2005 up until the coup in September 2006. Thaksin Shiniwatra is the correct answer.

Wrong as usual!

Thaksin was a self appointed care taker Prime Minister at the time!

He was not Royally endorsed, and while he even admitted this and promised to step down, he hung onto it!

And then came September the 6th!

Get your facts right PhiPhiDon!

He likes to change facts and events, so he can apply as the first foreigner in Pheau Thai. He's doing good following after his mentors by constantly discrediting himself.

[tlansford]

Judging from the above you arrived in Thailand in July 2005, correct? Now tell me who was PM in the period July 2005 up until the coup in September 2006. Thaksin Shiniwatra is the correct answer.

Wrong as usual!

Thaksin was a self appointed care taker Prime Minister at the time!

He was not Royally endorsed, and while he even admitted this and promised to step down, he hung onto it!

And then came September the 6th!

Get your facts right PhiPhiDon!

so what was Sept the 6th?

[thaicbr]

Judging from the above you arrived in Thailand in July 2005, correct? Now tell me who was PM in the period July 2005 up until the coup in September 2006. Thaksin Shiniwatra is the correct answer.

Wrong as usual!

Thaksin was a self appointed care taker Prime Minister at the time!

He was not Royally endorsed, and while he even admitted this and promised to step down, he hung onto it!

And then came September the 6th!

Get your facts right PhiPhiDon!

so what was Sept the 6th?

The day after September the 5th.. doh.

tlansford Is it TRUE that you do not reside in Thailand.

sent from my Wellcom A90+

[OzMick]

There is no such thing as a free bus ride - somebody paid for it. The questions are whom and why? The answers may vary.

How we going with that strategy?

troll away ozmick - I'm not your brain. Take it out for a spin ... the exercise will do it some good.

You have repeatedly claimed that the democrats and RTA used a flawed strategy. I will fairly ask you for your better one, until you admit you don't have it.

And

"If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun." --The Dalai Lama

Explain again how that is out of context from your moral high ground

Do you even know or understand the context of that quote, or do you just like to throw it around as if it supports your violent attitudes?

The statement is pretty clear. Please show me a context that would alter it markedly.

"Not believing in force is the same as not believing in gravity." Leon Trotsky

"Any nation that decides the only way to achieve peace is through peaceful means is a nation that will soon be a piece of another nation." R.M.Nixon

Did the big boys beat you up in school?

Edited May 19, 2012 by OzMick

[TinoThailand]

We have been over this topic a hundred times. Get over it. The Thais have no clue what this symbol really means. To them it just means power.

A picture is worth a thousand words we are told. This particular image left me speechless,.

Do we now see the true face of the Red Shirt movement appearing led by a despotic character who resides outside of the Kingdom.

Graphic image courtesy of http://www.facebook....35060922&type=1

The Thai's may be clueless but their leaders are not.

sieg heil thaksin

http://www.thaivisa....-hitler-salute/

Do you believe the leaders print this T-shirts? C'mon. I see the same symbol today (so not the one from India) on a flag with the text: ARMY FORCE...

They don't know... They not even had highschool mostly. You can not even call people stupid if you not educate them at all.

[TinoThailand]

"A picture is worth a thousand words we are told. This particular image left me speechless"...

Specialy if you see what you want to see.

[noahvail]

Tino - are you in denial as to the evidence presented to your own eyes?

Or are you going to claim it was photoshopped? If so, please provide some evidence.

[Centrum]

Does anyone have any reliable idea of how many people are actually there ?

And a reliable idea of the reactions of the people who live in the immediate vicinity ?

I live in Pratunam. I went to Big C today about lunchtime and the crowd was fairly big then. As I walked home there were loads of buses pulling up full of red shirt supporters.

On the day of the largest protest 2 years ago, I would estimate there was way over 100,000. I don't expect it to be anywhere near that, but I'd safely suggest it will top 50,000.

I'll pop down for a look soon and get back.

It was weird in Big C this morning. Because of the heat, all areas of shade around the building were occupied with red shirts and everywhere you looked inside the shopping centre,

there were redshirts, lounging, browsing and even shopping.

I could only think to myself of the irony, today you're glad this place is here; two years ago you burnt it down.

[MaxwellsDemon]

I'm here right now, and I must say there's an awful lot of fistshaking coming from the very vocal speakers. No idea what they're saying, but the last memorial I went to didn't have 100,000 people cheering at every other line.

Also, I'd say this is barely 100,000, definitely not 200k. I've seen 100,000 people in a street before, and it was much bigger than this.

[gemini81]

I'm here right now, and I must say there's an awful lot of fistshaking coming from the very vocal speakers. No idea what they're saying, but the last memorial I went to didn't have 100,000 people cheering at every other line.

Also, I'd say this is barely 100,000, definitely not 200k. I've seen 100,000 people in a street before, and it was much bigger than this.

...and probably a lot brighter too. I heard they were expecting a total I.Q. of 30 per 100,000.

[MaxwellsDemon]

I'm here right now, and I must say there's an awful lot of fistshaking coming from the very vocal speakers. No idea what they're saying, but the last memorial I went to didn't have 100,000 people cheering at every other line.

Also, I'd say this is barely 100,000, definitely not 200k. I've seen 100,000 people in a street before, and it was much bigger than this.

...and probably a lot brighter too. I heard they were expecting a total I.Q. of 30 per 100,000.

Hmm, I don't know about that. Those 100,000 began a riot over a hockey game. I'd say they're on par. Maybe we could pit them against each other in a battle royale for the sale of evolution.

[rubl]

Where is a monsoon downpour when you need one?

In my area (Khet Dusit, Bangkok) the rain started five minutes ago. Don't know about Ratchaprasong

[TinoThailand]

Tino - are you in denial as to the evidence presented to your own eyes?

Or are you going to claim it was photoshopped? If so, please provide some evidence.

Is this the USA way now? Provide some evidence because I think in a groove?

Sir you need to calm down! I am calm... Oh tazed me to death already...

Don't repeat smart talks or they will end up not being smart anymore... Just be objective and THINK.

No it is not photoshopped, I see one today in the big mall in Chieng Mai with Army Force Written under it in a clothes/fasion store.

Does it mean the person who put it on is aware of the WWII and so on? No it will also not provide evidence your way.

I know dam well what I am talking about, I come from Rotterdam if you know the history of it I don't have to say much more.

[MaxwellsDemon]

Where is a monsoon downpour when you need one?

In my area (Khet Dusit, Bangkok) the rain started five minutes ago. Don't know about Ratchaprasong

It is definitely looming. Very darkly overcast, even before the sun set. Wouldnt be surprised if it breaks out any second now. Look for shelter of you don't have a (red) brolly!

[rubl]

The UDD is not the most violent political movement in Thailand.

On a national scale, which political movement is more violent?

The Royal Thai Army

Incorrect, neither the RTA (i.e. army) nor the RTP (i.e. police) is a political movement. Mind you, there's a rather interesting number of politicans who were/are in one of the two forces

[MaxwellsDemon]

Man I think I just jinxed 100,000 people with that post. It's pouring now. Hahahaa

[noahvail]

Tino - are you in denial as to the evidence presented to your own eyes?

Or are you going to claim it was photoshopped? If so, please provide some evidence.

Is this the USA way now? Provide some evidence because I think in a groove?

Sir you need to calm down! I am calm... Oh tazed me to death already...

Don't repeat smart talks or they will end up not being smart anymore... Just be objective and THINK.

No it is not photoshopped, I see one today in the big mall in Chieng Mai with Army Force Written under it in a clothes/fasion store.

Does it mean the person who put it on is aware of the WWII and so on? No it will also not provide evidence your way.

I know dam well what I am talking about, I come from Rotterdam if you know the history of it I don't have to say much more.

Indeed I did think. And when I read your comment, "Specialy if you see what you want to see." I was aghast at the disdain you showed to the previous poster.

And what makes you think it is "the USA way"? Good lord, take a pill, chill out...

At least you admit the shirt itself is real. The fact that you are from Rotterdam does not give you an exclusive right to the understanding of the meaning of the symbol. Bit of a high horse you're on, careful you don't fall off.

[theajarn]

I saw the 2 red shirt supporters leaving from Surat railway station yesterday. There must have been 100 people cheering and waving them goodbye, strangely none of them were wearing red shirts.

Ahh, so basically you are saying that the support for redshirts is a lot greater than the numbers that show up at any given rally.

Maybe this is an outward show of support whilst they are actually hiding away what they really feel.

Many people in the villages now dubbed "Red Villages" have to keep their true opinions to themselves, or suffer the consequences.

That is a very interesting comment. To think people would willingly go back to the old days of serfdom because of promises of a better life. It escapes me how people just 'accept it' as THE way to live. Alas, this is a result of generations of 'conditioning' from the Thai education system, concocted by Thai (or rather, pseudo-Thai politicians). Everyday I wish I can leave the country sooner.

[MaxwellsDemon]

I saw the 2 red shirt supporters leaving from Surat railway station yesterday. There must have been 100 people cheering and waving them goodbye, strangely none of them were wearing red shirts.

Ahh, so basically you are saying that the support for redshirts is a lot greater than the numbers that show up at any given rally.

Maybe this is an outward show of support whilst they are actually hiding away what they really feel.

Many people in the villages now dubbed "Red Villages" have to keep their true opinions to themselves, or suffer the consequences.

That is a very interesting comment. To think people would willingly go back to the old days of serfdom because of promises of a better life. It escapes me how people just 'accept it' as THE way to live. Alas, this is a result of generations of 'conditioning' from the Thai education system, concocted by Thai (or rather, pseudo-Thai politicians). Everyday I wish I can leave the country sooner.

I grew up in quite a rather privileged household, made an expat at the ripe young age of 3, and was given all the usual luxuries. As a result I am also very well educated and open minded and about as multicultural as one person can be, and a polygot in the making.

Yet I very often dream of having grown up in a little house on the prairie with a white picket fence and know nothing about the world outside a 100 mi radius.

Unfortunately you can't unlearn openmindedness.

The grass is greener on the other side, I guess.

[Lite Beer]

Thailand's 'Red Shirts' in mass Bangkok rally

Bangkok, May 19, 2012 (AFP) - Up to 40,000 "Red Shirt" supporters from across Thailand converged on central Bangkok Saturday to mark the second anniversary of a deadly crackdown on street protests, city police said.

A carnival of flag-waving Red Shirts, food vendors and the occasional monk, took over the retail heart of the city, where the 2010 protests in support of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra descended into the kingdom's worst violence in decades.

Police blocked traffic at the Ratchaprasong intersection, one of Bangkok's busiest junctions, as mainly rural working-class Red Shirts arrived en masse in coaches laid on by the movement.

"At 6pm (1100 GMT) there were around 40,000 people at Ratchaprasong," a Bangkok police spokesman said as the rally highlight -- a live video link with Red Shirt hero Thaksin -- approached.

Red Shirt leaders had anticipated between 100,000 and 200,000 people would attend the rally, which began with Buddhist prayers for those killed in the 2010 unrest and will end early Sunday.

More than 90 people, mostly civilians, died in the 2010 violence, which marked the culmination of a series of rival protests since a 2006 coup that toppled Thaksin, who now lives overseas to avoid arrest in Thailand.

The Red Shirts have called on the new government, led by Thaksin's sister Yingluck, to prosecute soldiers and officials responsible for causing the deaths and injuries, many to unarmed demonstrators.

So far no cases have been brought in connection with the violence and Yingluck's government has raised the prospect of an amnesty for those involved, prompting an outcry from human rights groups.

Red Shirt leader Thida Thavornseth stood on the stage -- framed by a banner proclaiming in Thai 'Our friends must not die in vain' -- and thanked the crowd for coming.

"Your numbers are a testament to the fact that our movement still exists and is getting stronger and stronger," she said.

The city's vast Central World shopping mall, which was set alight in the chaotic and bloody endgame to the 2010 protests, closed early as the crowd packed into the courtyard outside waiting for Thaksin's address.

"We love him," said Sunan Chansinng, who made the two-hour trip from Pattaya for the rally. "He cares about the poor and nobody else does in Thailand."

Thailand has seen a string of violent protests since 2005, involving the arch royalist and nationalist Yellow Shirts, the Red Shirts and several smaller factions.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2012-05-19

[phiphidon]

You wrote, " It's been 10 months now and I can tell you that this has been the absolute WORST 10 months of my previous 7 years here." Why? That amazes me that a political party can do anything in 10 months good or bad. So what happened to you that the party in power is responsible for?

As I recall the Red Tshirt Gang cried the worst when "nothing happened" in the first year under the previous administration. The point is that there were claims made by Thaksin that specifically gave time tables and which were promised in less than 10 months. Please re-read my post and reply specifically to the questions posed before skirting the issues and asking me what makes me sad about this pathetic government.

" It's been 10 months now and I can tell you that this has been the absolute WORST 10 months of my previous 7 years here."

Judging from the above you arrived in Thailand in July 2005, correct? Now tell me who was PM in the period July 2005 up until the coup in September 2006. Thaksin Shiniwatra is the correct answer.

Now this period, so we're told by the coup supporters, is where Thaksin finally lost it, was acting like an autocrat and the only saviour of democracy was (ironically) a coup to oust him. The subsequent years saw a disastrous military junta government who were politically inept, the Asian Financial Crisis, 2 more governments brought down, a military backed democrat party coalition with corrupt coalition partners installed, street demonstrations put down with Thais killing Thais,

And yet, the previous 10 months have been your worst here?

Absolutely. The downward spiral continues. I was actually hoping for good things after the "clone" was seated... but I was mistaken. My business has posted it's worst numbers in 6 years and no relief in sight. But I suppose you retirees who sit around and do little to nothing each day don't really resonate with the severity of the situation. So where is the Thaksin redemption promised? No where. It's all empty drivel and I am suffering tremendously because of all this Shinawatra stupidity and lunacy. He can deliver nothing to the masses and the sooner he evaporates the better off this country will be.

Ah so it's personal.

[rubl]

"Your numbers are a testament to the fact that our movement still exists and is getting stronger and stronger," she said.

The estimate of 40,000 seems reasonable and more-or-less as we've seen at some of the other major commemorations the last 1-1/2 years. Meanwhile the dear lady seems to have forgotten that she said '100,000 could attend' or her (left hand) k. Jatuporn's 200,000. The movement may visibly be stronger when the 92 deaths have been investigated properly and resulted in charges laid upon some people.

BTW surely "Our friends must not die in vain" must be an incorrect translation of the Thai text on the banner behind her. I hope it said "Our friends must not have died in vain". Furthermore I dare to assume that the 'friends' include ALL 92 victims?

Edited May 19, 2012 by rubl

[gand]

"At 6pm (1100 GMT) there were around 40,000 people at Ratchaprasong," a Bangkok police spokesman said as the rally highlight -- a live video link with Red Shirt hero Thaksin -- approached.

Red Shirt leaders had anticipated between 100,000 and 200,000 people would attend the rally, which began with Buddhist prayers for those killed in the 2010 unrest and will end early Sunday.

Didn't Thaksin, the red shirt zero, say he was going to stay out of politics?

"I definitely stay out of politics" : Thaksin

During the conference, he vows to stay out of politics and apologised to the people for their hardship caused by his involvement in the political conflict.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/02/28/headlines/headlines_30066726.php

[rubl]

Absolutely. The downward spiral continues. I was actually hoping for good things after the "clone" was seated... but I was mistaken. My business has posted it's worst numbers in 6 years and no relief in sight. But I suppose you retirees who sit around and do little to nothing each day don't really resonate with the severity of the situation. So where is the Thaksin redemption promised? No where. It's all empty drivel and I am suffering tremendously because of all this Shinawatra stupidity and lunacy. He can deliver nothing to the masses and the sooner he evaporates the better off this country will be.

Ah so it's personal.

Now really, dear phiphidon! I thought you knew not all posters here are sitting safely in their own country and feel the need to write rubbish about Thailand and it's political system

Edited May 19, 2012 by rubl

[MaxwellsDemon]

"At 6pm (1100 GMT) there were around 40,000 people at Ratchaprasong," a Bangkok police spokesman said as the rally highlight -- a live video link with Red Shirt hero Thaksin -- approached.

Red Shirt leaders had anticipated between 100,000 and 200,000 people would attend the rally, which began with Buddhist prayers for those killed in the 2010 unrest and will end early Sunday.

Didn't Thaksin, the red shirt zero, say he was going to stay out of politics?

"I definitely stay out of politics" : Thaksin

During the conference, he vows to stay out of politics and apologised to the people for their hardship caused by his involvement in the political conflict.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/02/28/headlines/headlines_30066726.php

Yes but the people love him, so he's only doing it for his dear friends, the people of Thailand. It's a great personal sacrifice.

[gand]

The red shirts will declare it a Huge success of course.