Ousting Thaksin

[Jai Dee]

OUSTING THAKSIN: Sondhi sets his D-Day for Feb 4

Media mogul vows ‘it will be my first and last action. I will give my life to the struggle. It will dwarf October 14, 1973’. Media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul yesterday said he was willing to sacrifice his life to lead a “people’s power” uprising to oust Thaksin on February 4 at Sanam Luang.

As tensions rose in Sondhi’s ongoing tirade pitting his anti-Thaksin followers against government supporters, the tycoon said: “It will be my first and my last [action]. I will give my life to the struggle. It will dwarf October 14, 1973,” he said.

Sondhi called on the people to declare Thailand “free of Thaksin” by joining the demonstration in Sanam Luang and making it the “longest procession”.

Yesterday between 2,000 and 3,000 people arrived at the park early in the evening before Sondhi spoke. They sat squeezed together as a group tried to disrupt the show by loudly cheering and singing military fashion.

Sondhi’s team called on his supporters to keep calm and not be goaded by Thaksin supporters.

As the challengers sang louder, 200 riot police walked to circle them.

The group carried banners saying, “We love Thailand. Stop lying, cheating. Do not polarise society.”

Sondhi and Sarocha Pornudomsak then started the show. They apologised for the delay and accused Thaksin supporters of disrupting the event.

As they spoke, an anti –Sondhi group chanted: “Mai aw, mai aw” (“Don’t want, don’t want”), clapping and singing in a bid to break up the show.

Sondhi denied accusations he had deserted supporters during last Friday’s march to Government House. “I didn’t leave the crowd. I was following it.”

In the background firecrackers exploded “I want to honour Pol General Pratin Santiprapop,” said Sondhi of his supporter, who was there.

He said police had unlocked the gates of the Government House to trap anti-Thaksin groups inside.

He also slammed Thaksin’s Back Stage Show, saying the PM made a clown of himself and that only mentally impaired people or the insane would join his reality show.

He said Thaksin needlessly exposed his private life, showing himself putting on night cream and visiting the toilet.

Sondhi accused Natural Resources and Environment Minister Yongyuth Tiyapairat of being behind a move to disrupt his show.

Sarocha said the disrupters were each paid Bt750 each to come to Bangkok to spoil the show.

As Sondhi made he accusation, his attackers chanted, “It’s not true, it’s not true.”

Sondhi told them to switch to his side: “Don’t accept his dirty money. They cheated it from the country. It’s dirty money. Don’t serve the tyrant. It’s time to restore the country to be free of Thaksin.”

A man who lit firecrackers in an attempt to disrupt Sondhi was arrested and pulled away by police before Sondhi’s supporters moved to grab him.

When Sondhi learned of the speedy arrest, he asked supporters to applaud the police.

Sondhi then attacked the sale of Shin Corp shares, saying the Bt75-billion deal would be exempt from tax.

Sondhi said Thaksin has been thinking of selling the shares for several months ago as his government has lost popularity. He fears his assets may be seized in the future, said the tycoon.

Thaksin was also fearful for his future after His Majesty the King’s birthday speech, he said.

Reports of a possible Shin Corp share sale have been circulating from Japan to Singapore, he said. Thaksin was able to sell it in Singapore because he had acted as the island-state’s “agent”.

Sondhi also said Thaksin had helped Singapore to win the rights to lease Udon Thani Airport for 15 years, adding that Thaksin also allowed Singapore to use other places as military camps.

Since December 4, the PM has been frustrated, Sondhi said. He began to feel better on December 28 when he found he could wrap up the Shin deal.

Over the New Year, he flew his family to Singapore to clinch the agreement, he said.

Source: The Nation - January 21, 2006

[Butterfly]

Am I the only one to think that Thaksin will flee the country when things start to get nasty ?

[Jai Dee]

Media firebrand plans rally at Sanam Luang on Feb 4

After taking a break next week, media firebrand Sondhi Limthongkul will move the next Muang Thai Rai Sap Da (Thailand Weekly) talk show to Sanam Luang and petition His Majesty the King for political reforms. The people's rally on Feb 4 would be the ''first and last'' to be mobilised by him, Mr Sondhi told his audience which had shrunk by half at Lumpini park last night.

He said he planned to conclude the Feb 4 rally with a protest march to the Royal Plaza and submission of a petition to His Majesty through statesman and chief privy councillor Prem Tinsulanonda.

''It will be the first and last time I will mobilise the people. I alone will lead and make decisions. The people can trust me. And please, all of you who love and care for the country, please join the rally and make the Oct 14, 1973 uprising look like child's play.

''I'll mobilise 'squatters and drifters' across the nation to oust the erratic government that has robbed the country,'' he said, referring to remarks from government leaders that his supporters who turned up at his weekly talk show were largely squatters and homeless people.

Mr Sondhi also charged that the sell-off of Shin Corp, owned by the Shinawatra family, to Singapore's Temasek Holdings was tax-exempted, thus raising the share prices by 2-3 billion baht.

''The deputy chief of the Revenue Department has come out to say the sale is exempt from tax. The share value has increased to 70 billion baht. Yet, kao-man-kai [rice with steamed chicken] vendors in small alleys have to spread their dishes out for tax officials to count,'' he said.

Mr Sondhi said he decided to conclude last night's talk show earlier than usual out of his concern for the safety of his audience. A little more than 10,000 people turned up at the talk show last night, which began nearly half an hour late.

The low turnout indicated that the protest outside Government House last week might that have dealt a blow to Mr Sondhi's campaign.

The show was further spoiled when hundreds of men poured into Lumpini park in the late afternoon. They were obviously not Mr Sondhi's fans.

Sporting red head-bands and carrying banners denouncing Mr Sondhi, the men took up a section usually occupied by his supporters. The men, calling themselves the Rak Muang Thai (Love Thailand) group, kept chanting ''Sondhi Out! Sondhi Out!'' and singing a march song called ''Rak Muang Thai''.

More than 1,000 police were deployed to keep law and order.

An officer from the Lumpini police station said the men were employees of the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department. They were mainly from Chiang Rai and Nakhon Ratchasima provinces.

They were allegedly mobilised at the order of Natural Resources and Environment Minister Yongyuth Tiyapairat.

Things were under control until a loud bang caused by a lit firework triggered pandemonium.

A 40-year-old man was detained and whisked away before he could be lynched by the panicked crowds.

Mr Sondhi named two forestry officials whom he alleged to have mobilised the men in the Rak Muang Thai group to Lumpini park.

During the talk show, footage from the ''Backstage: the Prime Minister'' anti-poverty reality show at Roi Et's At Samat district was played for the audience, including the scene showing Prime Minister Thaksin applying rejuvenating cream before going to bed.

Deputy Thai Rak Thai leader Phumtham Wechayachai yesterday demanded Mr Sondhi's accountability following last week's march to Government House.

Mr Sondhi turned himself into a mob leader when he decided to march to Government House along with other protesters after his talk show, he said.

A group of protesters was arrested and accused of breaking into the compound. Mr Sondhi was nowhere to be seen when the break-in took place, he said and added that Mr Sondhi should abide by the law when expressing his democratic rights.

He also called on the public to see beyond Mr Sondhi's planned motion calling for a return of royal power to the monarchy via the Privy Council.

''People should look at the overall picture and decide for themselves. If they disagree with it, they should make a move,'' he said.

Source: Bangkok Post - Saturday January 21, 2006

[Bryan in Isaan]

Media firebrand plans rally at Sanam Luang on Feb 4

...

''It will be the first and last time I will mobilise the people. I alone will lead and make decisions. The people can trust me. And please, all of you who love and care for the country, please join the rally and make the Oct 14, 1973 uprising look like child's play.

''I'll mobilise 'squatters and drifters' across the nation to oust the erratic government that has robbed the country,'' he said, referring to remarks from government leaders that his supporters who turned up at his weekly talk show were largely squatters and homeless people.

...

Source: Bangkok Post - Saturday January 21, 2006

It sounds like Mr. Sondhi is losing it. At some point he will be whisked away by the men with the white jackets.

If he is planning to start a bloody revolution similar to Oct14,1973, I don't think his support base will be as strong as he thinks it is. What he said already ought to be enough to get him thrown in prison. Several times he has mentioned petitioning the king. If he has the audacity to actually do that, I think it will be his undoing.

Bryan

Edited January 21, 2006 by Bryan in Isaan

[ratcatcher]

Media firebrand plans rally at Sanam Luang on Feb 4

...

''It will be the first and last time I will mobilise the people. I alone will lead and make decisions. The people can trust me. And please, all of you who love and care for the country, please join the rally and make the Oct 14, 1973 uprising look like child's play.

''I'll mobilise 'squatters and drifters' across the nation to oust the erratic government that has robbed the country,'' he said, referring to remarks from government leaders that his supporters who turned up at his weekly talk show were largely squatters and homeless people.

...

Source: Bangkok Post - Saturday January 21, 2006

It sounds like Mr. Sondhi is losing it. At some point he will be whisked away by the men with the white jackets.

If he is planning to start a bloody revolution similar to Oct14,1973, I don't think his support base will be as strong as he thinks it is. What he said already ought to be enough to get him thrown in prison. Several times he has mentioned petitioning the king. If he has the audacity to actually do that, I think it will be his undoing.

Bryan

Although Khun Sondhi is charismatic and has some financial resources and probably some good backing, he is not in the same league as Thaksin who has truckloads of money, the armed forces and police at his beck and call and to all intents and purposes rules as a dictator.

His minions obey every order he utters without question and woe betide anyone who steps out of line.

As G.W.B. said "You are either against us or for us" . Thaksin uses his money to buy people and their loyalty. He is not respected but rather feared as a bully.

In this case it's Thaksin vs Sondhi and unless something really bizarre happens, Thaksin will win this round.

[bulmercke]

Media firebrand plans rally at Sanam Luang on Feb 4

...

''It will be the first and last time I will mobilise the people. I alone will lead and make decisions. The people can trust me. And please, all of you who love and care for the country, please join the rally and make the Oct 14, 1973 uprising look like child's play.

''I'll mobilise 'squatters and drifters' across the nation to oust the erratic government that has robbed the country,'' he said, referring to remarks from government leaders that his supporters who turned up at his weekly talk show were largely squatters and homeless people.

...

Source: Bangkok Post - Saturday January 21, 2006

It sounds like Mr. Sondhi is losing it. At some point he will be whisked away by the men with the white jackets.

If he is planning to start a bloody revolution similar to Oct14,1973, I don't think his support base will be as strong as he thinks it is. What he said already ought to be enough to get him thrown in prison. Several times he has mentioned petitioning the king. If he has the audacity to actually do that, I think it will be his undoing.

Bryan

I personally don't think Sondhi has anything to lose by calling for a "huge" rally in two weeks time. Although there is definitely a high probability that there will be some sort of incident and ensuing violence.

I reckon that for every concerned Thai citizen that actually turns up at Lumpini each week, there are many, many others who for whatever reasons: apathy, fear, employment etc. etc. who don't show, but are just as enthusiastic and supportive of Sondhi as those present.

I admire and respect him for having had the courage and temerity to stand up to this dreadful - self serving Prime Minister - come dictator.

Yes, some of his recent comments have been been imprudent and unnecessary, but, in the main, he has spoken the truth about this government's endemic corruption and cronyism.

Also, he has every right to petition the King, as you know. If anyone should be thrown in jail, it should be Thaksin and all his corrupt cohorts - and posthaste!

[Tarragona]

I reckon that for every concerned Thai citizen that actually turns up at Lumpini each week, there are many, many others who for whatever reasons: apathy, fear, employment etc. etc. who don't show, but are just as enthusiastic and supportive of Sondhi as those present.

I believe there are also many who might get behind a focused campaign on definite issues but are not prepared to follow Sondhi wherever he may take them. It seems to be more of a personal vendetta to him. "One dog fighting another dog" as a well-educated Thaksin-hating Thai colleague put it.

[Bryan in Isaan]

Thaksin does indeed have the power, influence and money to win against Sondhi. He is after all, the PM, head of the police and armed forces. Mr. Thaksin may be somewhat heavy handed, but that does not mean the entire country is against him. Sondhi has some interesting criticisms but he did himself a huge disservice to talk of violence rather than continuing to put forth ideas and maybe continuing to gain support. When one thinks of the 1973 uprising, bloodshed comes to mind. Most people don't want that or see it as necessary at this time, even if they are strongly against Thaksin. As Bulmerke said, Sondhi does indeed have the right to petition the King. That is one of the legal recourses he could have taken. After his recent statements he might not have as much standing before the King and might even get reprimanded. That would not be good for him politically.

Bryan

[Ricardo]

Can anyone confirm, whether the official uniform of the Forestry-Department rent-a-mob thugs, includes Brown Shirts ?

It is reassuring to see the other brown-shirted officers, of the Thai police, behaving so well in such a difficult situation - Good For Them !

[richard10365]

This guy is advocating violence saying it will dwarf October 14, 1973. How can anyone support someone who is telling his supporters to kill.

Don't they have laws in Thailand to safeguard the public and prevent lunitics from disrupting good order and dicipline of society in this fashion?

If he wants to give his life for his beliefs thats his business but he should not ask others to die along side him.

He should probably be committed to a mental institution.

[LaoPo]

Thaksin does indeed have the power, influence and money to win against Sondhi. He is after all, the PM, head of the police and armed forces. Mr. Thaksin may be somewhat heavy handed, but that does not mean the entire country is against him. Sondhi has some interesting criticisms but he did himself a huge disservice to talk of violence rather than continuing to put forth ideas and maybe continuing to gain support. When one thinks of the 1973 uprising, bloodshed comes to mind. Most people don't want that or see it as necessary at this time, even if they are strongly against Thaksin. As Bulmerke said, Sondhi does indeed have the right to petition the King. That is one of the legal recourses he could have taken. After his recent statements he might not have as much standing before the King and might even get reprimanded. That would not be good for him politically.

Bryan

Wise observation. We will see after Feb. 4.....what happens.

LaoPo

Edited January 21, 2006 by LaoPo

[Maestro]

...oust Thaksin

I believe strongly that Thailand is not a “banana republic”, that on the contrary is quite developed and for some time has had firm democratic institutions in place.

There are probably a number of countries, the world’s foremost democracies not excluded, where a sizeable portion of the population is not happy with the county’s leader (president, prime minister, etc.) yet it would be inconceivable to think of talk of “ousting” him in the USA, Italy, Germany, France, etc. other than by means of the next election.

Some countries with a constitutional monarchy have the advantage that the monarch may step in if things get out of hand and history shows that the incumbent monarch of Thailand has judiciously made use of this power.

On the whole, I believe in the dictum that “every country has the government it deserves” (Joseph Marie de Maistre) and that “a people survives in spite of its government”. Who is to say that a non-democratic change of government, in any country, will bring in a better government? Doesn’t majority rule mean that wherever there is a majority, there will also be a minority who has a differing opinion? Is this a reason to start a revolution or any other undemocratic change of government?

The majority of the Thai electorate who voted for the TRT party knew about the alleged misdeeds of the party's prominent politicians: they were widely reported in the local media before the last election.

I am not speaking in defence of any particular politician or of Thailand’s incumbent Prime Minister, but in defence of the democratic institutions and the respect for these institutions.

-------------------

Thailand

Edited for typing error.

Edited January 21, 2006 by maestro

[LaoPo]

1. This guy is advocating violence saying it will dwarf October 14, 1973. How can anyone support someone who is telling his supporters to kill.

2. Don't they have laws in Thailand to safeguard the public and prevent lunitics from disrupting good order and dicipline of society in this fashion?

If he wants to give his life for his beliefs thats his business but 3. he should not ask others to die along side him.

4. He should probably be committed to a mental institution.

1. you're so right here.

2. probably not.

3. agree...but there are so many naiv people outthere who will follow his call, I hope not though, that they are prepared to die with him.....that would be foolish of them, following a man who "is prepared to die, in order to 'oust' the PM"

...but like Napoleon already said: L' Histoire se repete" (History repeats itself). I hope this will not be the case on Feb. 4

4.

LaoPo

Edited January 22, 2006 by cdnvic

[ovenman]

I believe strongly that Thailand is not a “banana republic”, that on the contrary is quite developed and for some time has had firm democratic institutions in place.

Beg to differ regarding for some time. Thailand, after abandoning the absolute monarchy in 1932 has experienced many coups, takeovers, and forced resignations, with the last event being an uprising in May 1992.

[Mobi]

[On the whole, I believe in the dictum that “every country has the government it deserves” (Joseph Marie de Maistre) and that “a people survives in spite of its government”. Who is to say that a non-democratic change of government, in any country, will bring in a better government? Doesn’t majority rule mean that wherever there is a majority, there will also be a minority who has a differing opinion? Is this a reason to start a revolution or any other undemocratic change of government?

The majority of the Thai electorate who voted for the TRT party knew about the alleged misdeeds of the party's prominent politicians: they were widely reported in the local media before the last election.

I am not speaking in defence of any particular politician or of Thailand’s incumbent Prime Minister, but in defence of the democratic institutions and the respect for these institutions.

-------------------

Thailand

Edited for typing error.

I was here in 1973 and during many coups since (not always successful ones, I might add.) I think this regime will eventually get it’s just deserts, but not yet, and maybe not for a long time. No revolution is successful without the support of the military, and for the moment that’s not going to happen – although there are rumblings – but very low key. Thaksin has most of them pretty much wrapped round his fingers. Most of rural Thailand (i.e. a majority of the population) does not even read the newspapers – ever. The only news they see and hear is from government controlled radio and television. They are oblivious of much of what is really happening in their country. They vote for TRT and continue to vote for them because they know that’s their best bet for getting hand outs of one kind or another; it’s as simple as that. Speak to them – they will tell you. They know about all the local corruption and couldn’t give a toss – that’s the way it’s always been. So… they get the government they deserve?? Yes and no – you decide. Bangkok’s middle classes, and increasingly the academics and students know better – but it will take a while to get a head of steam and they are only a small part of the population. I think Sondhi is brave, but a bit of a clown. The PM holds all the cards, but even he is hedging his bets by selling Shin corp. One day he may well have to leave the country – but not yet. Let’s see.

[Maestro]

Beg to differ regarding for some time. Thailand, after abandoning the absolute monarchy in 1932 has experienced many coups, takeovers, and forced resignations, with the last event being an uprising in May 1992.

I wasn't thinking quite that far back, to the time of Prem, perhaps.

I went to Thailand for work in 1973 and during the first three years saw six changes of government, most, if not all, through a coup d’état. I do not wish a repetition of that for Thailand.

Let them who are disenchanted wait out the current term and in the meantime work on the electorate to vote differently next time. Or if the democratic process should indeed break down completely let them chose that other democratic instrument mentioned by Khun Sondhi: a petition to the king. There really is no need for a bloody (I mean that literally) revolution or a coup d’état.

--------------

Maestro

Edited January 21, 2006 by maestro

[Plus]

This guy is advocating violence saying it will dwarf October 14, 1973. How can anyone support someone who is telling his supporters to kill.

You got this completely wrong. In 1973 violence was perpetrated by government troops bullet spraying mostly unarmed students. You make it sound like it was the soldiers who were left lying in pools of blood around Sanam Luang.

[ovenman]

There really is no need for a bloody (I mean that literally) revolution or a coup d’état.

No, there isn't. I don't see that today's circumstances are really much different than the circumstances were just one year ago when Mr. Big and his band of TRT cronies were overwhelmingly voted in for a second term. While I personally wouldn't miss the Big guy if he were gone, I can't see that there is any pressing need to throw him out of office today or on 04 February as the case may be. What has changed really other than Sondhi making a lot of noise? As you say, let the system work.

[bulmercke]

This guy is advocating violence saying it will dwarf October 14, 1973. How can anyone support someone who is telling his supporters to kill.

You got this completely wrong. In 1973 violence was perpetrated by government troops bullet spraying mostly unarmed students. You make it sound like it was the soldiers who were left lying in pools of blood around Sanam Luang.

Sondhi is sometimes a little confused.....but no one.... absolutely no one..... is condoning or advocating violence against the government or it's supporters.

There will, without doubt, be violence on the fourth of February at Sanam Luang. Intelligence indicators say this

This will, without exception, be unfortunately be the case.

Between two and three thousand male "protestors" turned up at Lumpini Park Friday afternoon. Their course was set upon being an intimidating presence, and disrupting activities taking place at the park in support of Sondhi.

Many amongst their number were bewildered....having never ventured into Lumpini Park before...or even, in some cases, Bangkok.....

Sondhi's supporters....myself included....are made of sterner stuff.....

[penzman]

Am I the only one to think that Thaksin will flee the country when things start to get nasty ?

There's at least two uf us.

I'm curious to see if any cash from the sales of Shin will ever make it to Thailand

[richard10365]

This guy is advocating violence saying it will dwarf October 14, 1973. How can anyone support someone who is telling his supporters to kill.

You got this completely wrong. In 1973 violence was perpetrated by government troops bullet spraying mostly unarmed students. You make it sound like it was the soldiers who were left lying in pools of blood around Sanam Luang.

Sondhi is sometimes a little confused.....but no one.... absolutely no one..... is condoning or advocating violence against the government or it's supporters.

There will, without doubt, be violence on the fourth of February at Sanam Luang. Intelligence indicators say this

This will, without exception, be unfortunately be the case.

Between two and three thousand male "protestors" turned up at Lumpini Park Friday afternoon. Their course was set upon being an intimidating presence, and disrupting activities taking place at the park in support of Sondhi.

Many amongst their number were bewildered....having never ventured into Lumpini Park before...or even, in some cases, Bangkok.....

Sondhi's supporters....myself included....are made of sterner stuff.....

*************************************************************************

I disagree. He is absolutely condoning violence.

The man said he would give his life. He also said it would also dwarf October 14, 1973. He is planning a riot. He expects deaths from his riot. He should be held accountable for the deaths.

Sondhi is advocating, planning, and going to commit violence against the government. Only fools would follow him or think his plan is only about peace. He is taunting the government into a confrontation that he knows will only end in death. Where is the logic in that?

If you stick your hand in a fire you will get burned.

If he dies on that day his revolution will be talked about for a while and then forgotten. He would have wasted his life and the life of whoever joins him on his personal battle with the prime minister.

The whole idea is stupid.

Edited January 22, 2006 by richard10365

[chownah]

I think that Sondhi is hunting for a way to get himself out of this stupid situation he has made for himself....without losing face or admitting defeat. At least he has set a deadline for the ending of this nonsense....it seems to me that one way out would be to get the gov't to do something stupid...like being overly repressive and violent. If the gov't just keeps a cool head and firmly but not too firmly stop anything that Sondhi's followers start then Tahksin will probably be rid of Sondhi for good....or at least a few months. Sondhi is tired of this game and wants a change.

[Ricardo]

Forgive my ignorance, but I thought Sondhi was calling for a high turnout at his next planned meeting, and can't see, in the remarks attributed to him earlier, any mention of exhorting his supporters to become killers ? Killers of whom ? Am I missing something, said or written in Thai, but not yet quoted on TV ?

Is it really a sign of a strong democracy, that a government minister is organising and paying people to come down to Bangkok, to try to intimidate or break up a rally of people holding different opinions, through violence ?

And isn't the holding of these rallies, which may hinder the development of a political opposition in preparation for the next elections, a democratic right ? Democracy goes on all the time - not just in the run-up to an election.

I agree that Sondhi would be better to continue to reveal cases of massive corruption, which the government seem largely unable to deny or disprove, rather than moving to any demonstration on-the-streets. As a journalist - that is more his remit. But taking his programmes off-the-air, attempting to sabotage the power-supply to his meetings, sueing him for a billion baht, trying to block his allegations from reaching the people via VCD/radio/satellite-TV etc, these are all anti-democratic acts too.

Lastly like other posters I would sincerely hope that no bloodshed results from his, or the government's, actions.

[sriracha john]

Several times he has mentioned petitioning the king. If he has the audacity to actually do that, I think it will be his undoing.

Bryan

Also, he has every right to petition the King

good call...

CONSTITUTION OF THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND

CHAPTER III, Section 61

[sriracha john]

This guy is advocating violence saying it will dwarf October 14, 1973. How can anyone support someone who is telling his supporters to kill.

I don't recall seeing anywhere that he advocates killing anyone. Actually, it was the "other side" that did all the killing in 1973. I believe he desires a similar end result from the demonstration, hopefully without ANY bloodshed:

In October 1973 enormous demonstrations were held in Bangkok, demanding the end of military rule (2006 version- Thaksin rule). General Thanom Kittikachorn (2006 version - Thaksin) responded with force, and up to 70 demonstrators were killed in the streets — something not seen in Thailand for many years. This prompted King Rama IX to make his first intervention into politics by withdrawing his support for the military regime (2006 version - Thaksin regime), and on October 14, 1973 Thanom (2006 version - Thaksin) resigned and left the country.

[Phil Conners]

I think there is quite a few well educated, probably in UK, chinese-thai Toxin supporters posting on this thread, sometimes even pretending to be farangs.

Edited January 22, 2006 by madsere

[bulmercke]

It's interesting to note how the coverage of this impending rally differs in today's editions of The Post and The Nation;

The Post - "Sondhi's 'soft landing' mass rally" which seems to suggest that the underlying reason for this rally is that it will allow Sondhi a get-out option and will be a final chapter to his weekly rallies in Lumpini that appear to be fizzling out fast, for various reasons.

The Nation: "Clouds of doubt over Sondhi" expresses concern that the meeting could become violent. "Whether or not violence errupted depended on three factors - how well Sondhi managed the rally, the government's crowd control-measures and media restraint to not inflame the situation, he said." (Somkiat Pongpaiboon, of Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University)

[britainmal]

His name is actually Sontee and not Sondti. This guy is not a friend to foreigners. He is very anti-foreigner unlike Thaksin, which is Foreigner friendly. Was Thaksin Anti-foreigner before he was elected? I Think this guy(Sontee) is just trying to repeat history, so he can get into power quickly.

[sriracha john]

His name is actually Sontee and not Sondti. This guy is not a friend to foreigners. He is very anti-foreigner unlike Thaksin, which is Foreigner friendly. Was Thaksin Anti-foreigner before he was elected? I Think this guy(Sontee) is just trying to repeat history, so he can get into power quickly.

I think there is quite a few well educated, probably in UK, chinese-thai Toxin supporters posting on this thread, sometimes even pretending to be farangs.

Do you mean like the above example, madsere?

[Maestro]

I'm curious to see if any cash from the sales of Shin will ever make it to Thailand

To buy votes in the next election? I should hope not!

-----------------

Maestro