Thai Army Chief Worried By Red Shirt Rally At Constitution Court

[gl555]

Shouldn't the PM and her government also be concerned, and speak out against, pressure on the independence (such as it is) of the judicial-system from a pressure-group like this, or are their Skyped-instructions to let the Red-Shirts get on with it unhindered ?

Whatever happened to Fighting-for-Justice & No-Double-Standards ?

Or is there real concern about whether/what the Constitutional Court might rule ?

At least the bombs and grenades are not flying, yet ...

The PM has actually spoken out FOR the protests!

they are pro-government protesters.

No. They're pro Thaksin 'peaceful' protestors. A government doesn't consist of the ruling party alone.

[gl555]

Protest leader Pongpisit Kongsena, alias Lek Bandon, said the Red Shirts would protest there until all the judges resign. The protesters are ready to intensify the protest if their demands are not met.

There are a few weeks left before the rice planting starts in the NE. Perfect time to get the red busses rolling.

This is what they did in 2010. They started off with "legitimate peaceful protests" and then each time they were ignored, they intensified their protests, right up to them bringing out their armed militia.

No no, you don't get it. They were always peaceful but the security officials (of which 20 were killed by them) made them act like hooligans...

Yes they were so peaceful they had armed men in their ranks.

[Robby nz]

Didn't our lovely PM Yingluck say something like "the law must be obeyed" when the Siam Pitak. group came out.

Hence the need for 50,000 cops in full riot gear.

But now she and her Govt have come out and supported a group who are clearly breaking the law by threatening judges who are only doing their job.

[Just1Voice]

He has every right to be worried but it's a waste of breath to call on the red shirts to obey the law as for so many of them they have become the law.

Both the reds and yellows are the same except they wear different coloured shirts.

Don't think so, as it wasn't the Yellows who burnt Bangkok or threaten violence all the time if they do not get their way

You are absolutely right. All the "Peaceful Yellow Patrots" of Thailand did was blockade Parliament House, and immediate erect barbed wire and other forms of blockage, arm themselves with whatever they could get to fight off the cops who might try to disperse them, totally ransack Parliament house, including breaking into a secure room and steal important goverment documents, computers, and whever else they could get their hands on.

Then they "peacefully" occupied the airports, where, once again, they use barbed wire and other things to block all entrances and exits, stationing guards armed with everything from pistols and rifles, to nail spiked clubs, bringing the airport, and the nation, to a standstill, costing billions of dollars. Once at the airport a group of them armed with guns, charged a police truck, shooting out the tires, the windows, and everything else they could put a bullet in, and later shot at a tv news truck, thinking it was a another police truck.

One of them ran over a police man, then backed up over him again just to make sure he was dead. Yes,he was arrested and convicted, but his stentence was suspended because, as the judge stated: "He was just upset and didn't mean to do it". Maybe they will use that same logic on the Reds in their convictions. At first I was somewhat in favor of the actions of the Yellow Shirts until Somchi opened his mouth and made the statement about the rural people being too stupid to vote, and shouldn't be allowed to, and then started some research. If he had his way, the only people in Thailand who would be allowed to vote are those with at least a Bachelor's Degree. No degree, you are too stupid to vote. Parliament would be 70% appointed, and only 30% elected. That killed any and all feelings of support for them.

As for the Red Shirts, again, I was in agreement with some of their arguments & demands, but that went downhill when they were offered early elections - one of their primary demands - and then turned them down, and I full agree they stepped over the line when the "peaceful demonstration" resulting in the burning of BKK and the violence that soon followed.

I am not a fan, by any means, of either group. Both are manipulated by bigger powers, and true democracy is the last thing on their minds. The only "democracy" they want is Their Democracy, which is not a democracy at all.

Edited April 30, 2013 by Just1Voice

[tragickingdom]

A good reason to oust this piece of work too. Prayuth and the rule of law is a contradiction in terms. Since when can Prayuth threaten protestors with the law? Is he a policeman?

Yingluck should show courage and immediately sack any soldier that oversteps his mandate. Prayuth better explain the kickbacks he and his men received from the bomb scanner/annex not working golf ball scanner and explain too why the crap is still used.

[Pi Sek]

Two opposing groups of Thai political protesters outside a court. Clashes are inevitable.

Personally I think the govt has a duty to do exactly the opposite of what they are doing (supporting threats against the judges). I think the police, or the army if the government decides the police can't handle it, HAVE to step in... under instruction from the govt. They should have made this order last week.

However, the govt is not actually calling the shots, Thaksin is. And what Thaksin wants is the judges threatened. That's illegal and undemocratic, and the historical role of army coups in Thai politics suggests that another one might be on the way to "restore order", even if everyone (including Prayuth) knows a coup would be problematic to say the least.

[animatic]

There was a period after the coup when the courts, finally freed from the intimidation of the Thaksin regime, actually showed some independence. Now, with undoubtably the urging of Mr. Dubai, they are threatening the court. Thaksin continues to be the great cancer for this country.

Do you have one shred of proof or evidence about this? In any case, anyone can say anything about the courts, right....it's a democracy, right? Thaksin haters: broken record, broken record, broken record....but never a spit of truth.

Thaksin lovers: broken record, broken record, broken record....but never a spit of truth.

We are inThailand, why were you so illogically expecting truth from politicians?

Edited April 30, 2013 by animatic

[jackspratt]

There was a period after the coup when the courts, finally freed from the intimidation of the Thaksin regime, actually showed some independence. Now, with undoubtably the urging of Mr. Dubai, they are threatening the court. Thaksin continues to be the great cancer for this country.

Do you have one shred of proof or evidence about this? In any case, anyone can say anything about the courts, right....it's a democracy, right? Thaksin haters: broken record, broken record, broken record....but never a spit of truth.

I thought at the time this showed a fair bit independence:

Supreme Court sentences to six-months in jail lawyer in Pastry Gate

BANGKOK:

-- The Supreme Court sentenced to six months in jail a legal team of

ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra over what is called "the Pastry

Gate," in which a supreme court official was given a pastry box filled

with Bt2 million in cash.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/196627-supreme-court-sentences-to-six-months-in-jail-lawyer-in-pastry-gate/

[Roadman]

Shouldn't the PM and her government also be concerned, and speak out against, pressure on the independence (such as it is) of the judicial-system from a pressure-group like this, or are their Skyped-instructions to let the Red-Shirts get on with it unhindered ?

Whatever happened to Fighting-for-Justice & No-Double-Standards ?

Or is there real concern about whether/what the Constitutional Court might rule ?

At least the bombs and grenades are not flying, yet ...

Shouldn't the police be voicing their concern, not the army.

Or are they standing off again?

Strong reason to believe the police will just stand by on the sidelines and watch as they did in previous Red confrontations. Mr. T has total control over the police. The Thai people can only trust the judges and the army to protect their country. I fear the only path to save the country is through a coup now.

Correct in that the only protection the country has is the Army even with all its faults. Likewise the only protection that the peoples courts have even with all their faults is the Army. However another coup is not going to gain anything unless the Army this time deals to the real problem being the terrorist criminal in Dubai. In all probably the Thai Army would be better to just dispatch a couple of their best to Dubai to deal to the problem there.

Pleasing to hear the good general come out and give the Red thugs a friendly warning. Thaksin would be wise to heed that he is starting to step on dangerous ground. This time around I can see the Thai Army coming down a lot swifter and harder on the Red thugs. Thailand is a constitutional monarchy which is something the Shinwatras would be wise to heed in spite of having the worthless police force on their pay roll.

[Lite Beer]

Democrat Party urges Thais to support Constitution Court judges

Bangkok, 30 April 2013, (NNT) Democrat Deputy Speaker Ramet Rattanachaweng has urged the public to throw their weight behind the 9 Constitution Court judges, while imploring Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to intervene in the United front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD)'s ongoing demonstration against the judges.

According to the deputy speaker, the premier's national reconciliation plan declared on 23rd of August 2011 regarding the law and justice system reform is a failure, saying all the government has done so far is pushing for a constitution amendment that would only benefit only a certain group of people, not the country as whole.

What the government has been doing is contrary to what it said it would do, improving the justice system, by allowing the UDD to intimidate the Constitution Court judges. He urged the public not to turn a blind eye on the situation, and to show their support for the judges during the critical period. Mr. Ramet finally asked Ms. Yingluck to clearly indicate her stance on the issue.

-- NNT 2013-04-30

[Thai at Heart]

Shouldn't the PM and her government also be concerned, and speak out against, pressure on the independence (such as it is) of the judicial-system from a pressure-group like this, or are their Skyped-instructions to let the Red-Shirts get on with it unhindered ?

Whatever happened to Fighting-for-Justice & No-Double-Standards ?

Or is there real concern about whether/what the Constitutional Court might rule ?

At least the bombs and grenades are not flying, yet ...

Shouldn't the police be voicing their concern, not the army.

Or are they standing off again?

Strong reason to believe the police will just stand by on the sidelines and watch as they did in previous Red confrontations. Mr. T has total control over the police. The Thai people can only trust the judges and the army to protect their country. I fear the only path to save the country is through a coup now.

Correct in that the only protection the country has is the Army even with all its faults. Likewise the only protection that the peoples courts have even with all their faults is the Army. However another coup is not going to gain anything unless the Army this time deals to the real problem being the terrorist criminal in Dubai. In all probably the Thai Army would be better to just dispatch a couple of their best to Dubai to deal to the problem there.

Pleasing to hear the good general come out and give the Red thugs a friendly warning. Thaksin would be wise to heed that he is starting to step on dangerous ground. This time around I can see the Thai Army coming down a lot swifter and harder on the Red thugs. Thailand is a constitutional monarchy which is something the Shinwatras would be wise to heed in spite of having the worthless police force on their pay roll.

More fool the idiots who didn't put a super majority clause in the constitution. However, I have a feeling that even if that super majority was achieved, the army, the courts and the blue rinse brigade from Bangkok would still have a problem with it.

[smedly]

the simple solution to all of this would be a ruling by the CC that as with a referendum - a two thirds majority vote is required in the house to pass charter and constitution changes - this is how it is done all over the world - if this was the case none of these changes would even be on the books as from the get go it would be realised they would never get through the house - everything would be sorted and this lunacy would stop - solved

as for the OP

I'd call this a very clear heads up - this government is now trying to overthrow the very backbone of democracy - Law - courts - judges - and the justice system, YS recent speech is a brainwashing exercise to try and justify this crazy unlawful stand against the courts - dangerous territory indeed - the government has overstepped their authority and they don't even know it - how sad is that

[khunken]

The army chief has a few skeletons in the cupboard over the bomb 'detectors' (& Krue Be & Tak Bai) but so have many other ministries including the police. DSI won't really investigate as it may lead to Mr T.

However, the current army chief has some way to go before getting (down) to the Chaisit Shinawatra level of leadership. He told demonstartors in no uncertain terms to stay off the streets (along with soi dogs) during an APEC 'conference' (photo-op) in Bangkok. No need to ask who was in power then.

[kimamey]

Aren't the red shirts interfering themselves by demanding the resignation of the judges as the judge's position isn't down to them. Or am I just being too picky?

[bigbamboo]

Democrat Party urges Thais to support Constitution Court judges

Bangkok, 30 April 2013, (NNT) Democrat Deputy Speaker Ramet Rattanachaweng has urged the public to throw their weight behind the 9 Constitution Court judges, while imploring Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to intervene in the United front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD)'s ongoing demonstration against the judges.

According to the deputy speaker, the premier's national reconciliation plan declared on 23rd of August 2011 regarding the law and justice system reform is a failure, saying all the government has done so far is pushing for a constitution amendment that would only benefit only a certain group of people, not the country as whole.

What the government has been doing is contrary to what it said it would do, improving the justice system, by allowing the UDD to intimidate the Constitution Court judges. He urged the public not to turn a blind eye on the situation, and to show their support for the judges during the critical period. Mr. Ramet finally asked Ms. Yingluck to clearly indicate her stance on the issue.

-- NNT 2013-04-30

This is all very strange. In most democracies the courts have power over the politicians not the other way round.

[GentlemanJim]

The Army Chief should not even need to comment........., because the Army chief should not even have to be asked.........because the crowd should not be there..............because the POLICE should disperse them in exactly the same way as they did Siam Pitak......because the POLICE should be maintaining stable, objective law and order in the city.

[khunken]

The Army Chief should not even need to comment........., because the Army chief should not even have to be asked.........because the crowd should not be there..............because the POLICE should disperse them in exactly the same way as they did Siam Pitak......because the POLICE should be maintaining stable, objective law and order in the city.

Because the police are told what to do by the likes of Chalerm - not the epitome of law & order.

[backtonormal]

The Army Chief should not even need to comment........., because the Army chief should not even have to be asked.........because the crowd should not be there..............because the POLICE should disperse them in exactly the same way as they did Siam Pitak......because the POLICE should be maintaining stable, objective law and order in the city.

Because the police are told what to do by the likes of Chalerm - not the epitome of law & order.

Please come to the other thread...we're waiting

[Greer]

A good reason to oust this piece of work too. Prayuth and the rule of law is a contradiction in terms. Since when can Prayuth threaten protestors with the law? Is he a policeman?

Yingluck should show courage and immediately sack any soldier that oversteps his mandate. Prayuth better explain the kickbacks he and his men received from the bomb scanner/annex not working golf ball scanner and explain too why the crap is still used.

I think he just knows that the current police leaders are not going to uphold the law of the land - but he didn't "threaten" as such, he merely made a simple statement that the rule of law would be enforced - do you support the immediate sacking of anyone who admits or even allows that the rule of law should be enforced against law-breakers?

The bomb detector thing is bad yes, but not limited in any way to Thailand, and yet I don't hear howls of protest against all the governments around the world that were taken in by the scam in EXACTLY THE SAME WAY.

That the army chief should respond in this way when asked, would be perfectly correct anywhere, except that anywhere else, he would be certain of the support of the police, whereas in this country, he is not.

[Greer]

The Army Chief should not even need to comment........., because the Army chief should not even have to be asked.........because the crowd should not be there..............because the POLICE should disperse them in exactly the same way as they did Siam Pitak......because the POLICE should be maintaining stable, objective law and order in the city.

TOTALLY AGREE! This hits the nail right on the head - one hit - dead centre!

[waza]

"About 200 red-shirts continued their rally in front of the Constitution Court for the third day on Wednesday, demanding the nine court judges ..."

In the past the Redshirts have show a violent record with counter protest groups and the RTP have done little to control them, while acting with a heavy hand with the others.

Metropolitan and anti-riot police have been deployed to provide security for the judges and protect the court compound.

"Meanwhile, some 100 activists of the so-called Homeland Protection Organisation of Thailand and the group "Thais Love Peace" group also appeared outside the court to show their support for the nine judges".

Hopefully this statement will encourage both group to protest in accordance with the law and without violence and for the RTP to maintain control.

Edited April 30, 2013 by waza

[Robby nz]

Could it be that Thaksin is provoking this because actually wants the army to step in so he can say that they are doing the same again as when he was sent packing.

Remember he now has an armed faction who are no doubt ready to step in and cause as much trouble as possible.

I would think if the army did come and clear the reds out from in front of the courthouse to protect the judges then PT would be screaming coup even though they were only doing the job the police refuse to do and in one isolated instance.

And of course that would give the red armed faction an excuse to start big trouble which only the army could control.

Not a nice situation developing.

[jackspratt]

the simple solution to all of this would be a ruling by the CC that as with a referendum - a two thirds majority vote is required in the house to pass charter and constitution changes ............

Is that what the Constitution requires?

[Chrisswe]

For sure we all umderstand that , that's your power crony!!

[Stradavarius37]

Red, Yellow, Green, Brown, or pinstripped - they are all idiot humps who deserve each other.

[MunterHunter]

This is a veiled threat to the government to pull back their dogs, or else... The government can go too far and a coup détat is not impossible. Dr. Thaksin always goes too far only to pull back at he last moment. One of these days, if he is not careful, he will pull back too little too late.

Last time i did that, i ended up with a lovely Daughter

[thaicbr]

the simple solution to all of this would be a ruling by the CC that as with a referendum - a two thirds majority vote is required in the house to pass charter and constitution changes ............

Is that what the Constitution requires?

Unfortunately the constitution is unclear about this. It details how to amend sections but not how to replace. That's one of the constitution courts jobs to give a reference for any grey areas.

Sent from my i-mobile i-STYLE Q6

[Bluespunk]

He has every right to be worried but it's a waste of breath to call on the red shirts to obey the law as for so many of them they have become the law.

Both the reds and yellows are the same except they wear different coloured shirts.

Don't think so, as it wasn't the Yellows who burnt Bangkok or threaten violence all the time if they do not get their way

They are both fascists who can only tolerate their own point of view. True the reds have been more destructive but the yellows would do the same if they had their own stormtroopers.

[Bluespunk]

Shouldn't the PM and her government also be concerned, and speak out against, pressure on the independence (such as it is) of the judicial-system from a pressure-group like this, or are their Skyped-instructions to let the Red-Shirts get on with it unhindered ?

Whatever happened to Fighting-for-Justice & No-Double-Standards ?

Or is there real concern about whether/what the Constitutional Court might rule ?

At least the bombs and grenades are not flying, yet ...

The PM has actually spoken out FOR the protests!

they are pro-government protesters.

They are intolerant fascists.

[smedly]

it is hard to believe that the PM of a country would actually support a protest against the courts and justice system - there is something fatally wrong with that

quite hard to believe - she must be a laughing stock throughout the world and certaintly makes a complete mockery of Thailand