PM urged to condemn attack by red shirts

[Lite Beer]

ANTI-GOVT PROTEST
PM urged to condemn attack by red shirts
Somroutai Sapsomboon,
Pimnara Pradubwit,
Praphan Jindalertudomdee
The Nation on Sunday

CHIANG MAI: -- After assault on white masks in Chiang Mai, Suriyasai warns these acts would aggravate tension

Green Politics Group coordinator Suriyasai Katasila yesterday called on Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and red-shirt leaders to make public their stance on the attack against anti-government protesters by red shirts.

About 200 red shirts on Friday allegedly assaulted and beat up a small group of white-masked people in this northern city. Video clips and pictures of the assault have been shared in social media stirring widespread criticism.

Unless they support such actions, they must express their opposition, stop and prevent as well as punish the people who did so, he said.

"If you continue to allow this [the assault by the red shirts], it will lead to tension, violence and even political change," he added.

Police were present but did not try to stop the red shirts from attacking the white-masked demonstrators, who rallied at the Health Park behind Chiang Mai University before the attack. Some 200 red shirts had gathered at the Grand Waroros Hotel before moving to attack the white masks.

V for Thailand Facebook page, which mobilises the white-masked protesters, called on its supporters to gather today at 1pm in front of the Royal Thai Police headquarters. The group would stand "quietly" at 2pm.

Amid concerns of a clash, the group said there would be 300 volunteer guards. Meanwhile, the allies of the white masks would also rally in many provinces at the same time.

Democrat MP Nutt Bantadtan, also the party's deputy spokesman, said the problem of political division among Thais had worsened, especially after Pheu Thai Party MPs mobilised people against the white-masked group.

He called on police officers to put more efforts into keeping peace and order at rallies.

Nutt was referring to a press conference of Pheu Thai MPs Sunai Julpongsathorn, Worachai Hema, and Sanguan Pongmanee that accused the anti-government Thai Spring group led by former Assets Examination Committee member Kaewsun Atibodhi of being involved in money extortion.

Pheu Thai MPs Sanguan, Worachai, Sunai, Chavalit Vichayasuthi and Krumanit Sangpoom on Friday announced at a press conference they would hold 100 rallies nationwide to expose the anti-government movements and the attempt to topple the government.

Pheu Thai deputy spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard said the government was worried about the intensification of the white masks' rally in Chiang Mai and there are some people who disagree with them.

"I want to send a message to the three groups. Whether you want to rally wearing white masks or not, it is your right. But the government is concerned and does not want to see violence. Any group wanting to protest must be careful. Real life on the street is unlike in the cyber world as there are both people who agree and disagree," he said, adding that protesters needed to avoid provocation.

He said he did not believe the red shirts would have hurt any people as police officers had already taken care of the event.

On social media, while many argued in support of both sides, a lot of users called for reconciliation and respect for people having different opinions.

A survey by Abac Poll revealed yesterday that almost 55 per cent of respondents said they were against any anti-government political group calling for a military coup.

-- The Nation 2013-06-16

[ianf]

Shades of the early days of national socialism in Germany eh? Now Thaksin's mobs are showing their support for democracy! Nazi Style! Bring it on!

Edited June 15, 2013 by ianf

[jonclark]

Once again The Royal Thai Police - EPIC FAIL - (in doing their job professionally).

Cowards in brown.

[chooka]

Hardly looks like an attack but more like a staged event. You have six people wearing red clothing and one with a mask. Everyone seems to be in party mood with happy smiling faces. Look at the pic, that is definitely staged. The guy in red is smiling and the little woman in the stripes is apparently being held back by the invisible man.

[NongKhaiKid]

Hardly looks like an attack but more like a staged event. You have six people wearing red clothing and one with a mask. Everyone seems to be in party mood with happy smiling faces. Look at the pic, that is definitely staged. The guy in red is smiling and the little woman in the stripes is apparently being held back by the invisible man.

Staged or not this is one that Yingluck will avoid like the plague except maybe the standard " the reds can protest providing they don't break the law " but no condemnation, even a comment, when they do. If she's out and about today she won't be wearing high heels as they are not suitable for running away from the media.

However it's reported this morning that anti-government groups have been warned regarding their behaviour in public. There should be no surprise at the double standards and dissent protesters should stay home and not provoke the reds into " legal " acts of violence.

There would be no problems in Thailand if people would only stop protesting against the government.

[waza]

A worrying escalation, shades of 2005 when the yellows needed to form a volunteer guard to try and protect themselves from Thaksins death squads..........

"Amid concerns of a clash, the group said there would be 300 volunteer guards. Meanwhile, the allies of the white masks would also rally in many provinces at the same time."

[jackr]

How democratic of the Pheu Thai deputy spokesman... hypocrisy reigns supreme. If they're sincere they should ban the wearing of red in public. They're in power, what more do they want!

Everyone seems to be in party mood with happy smiling faces. Look at the pic, that is definitely staged.

The only genuine smile I can see is the dude with the mask. The 'smiley' red is donning one of those fake ones.

[dcutman]

Hardly looks like an attack but more like a staged event. You have six people wearing red clothing and one with a mask. Everyone seems to be in party mood with happy smiling faces. Look at the pic, that is definitely staged. The guy in red is smiling and the little woman in the stripes is apparently being held back by the invisible man.

Not sure how you came to this conclusion.

There is another video of the Red Shirts burning posters and banners of white masks. I thought that staring fires was appropriate(typical behavior) of Reds Shirts.

Edited June 16, 2013 by dcutman

[Sunderland]

Hardly looks like an attack but more like a staged event. You have six people wearing red clothing and one with a mask. Everyone seems to be in party mood with happy smiling faces. Look at the pic, that is definitely staged. The guy in red is smiling and the little woman in the stripes is apparently being held back by the invisible man.

Not sure how you came to this conclusion.

There is another video of the Red Shirts burning posters and banners of white masks. I thought that staring fires was appropriate(typical behavior) of Reds Shirts.

Another few episodes like this without condemnation from the government and it will surely start to escalate out of control.

Wearing a red shirt, or any other colour shirt for that matter, should not give immunity to acts of vandalism and violence.

What can be done though? A developing and corrupt ridden country with an equally corrupt police force ... it will take at least one more generation to get out of the mess the population have created for themselves in the last decade.

[rametindallas]

Like Dr. Frankenstein's Monster, Dr. Thaksin has created a force he cannot control. The PT government will not criticize them because they are afraid to get on the Red Shirt mob's wrong side. As with her speech defending the rights of Thai citizens to protest the Constitutional Court as long as they didn't break the law, she should now make the same speech defending the White Mask groups' right to peacefully protest the government to inoculate herself against 'double standards'. She can make this speech without chastising the Red Shirts but she is too afraid and also, her brother hasn't approved it. As a student of history, these are the same tactics used by Herr Hitler's Brown Shirts to suppress opposition. Absolutely shameful the way the Red Shirt mob grows more emboldened each day. Reconciliation is just code for bringing Dr. Thaksin back all white-washed unless they do something to rein in these Red Mobs. The Red Shirts in Chiang Mai are easily the most violent of all the Red Shirts; something for them to be 'proud' of.

[rametindallas]

Hardly looks like an attack but more like a staged event. You have six people wearing red clothing and one with a mask. Everyone seems to be in party mood with happy smiling faces. Look at the pic, that is definitely staged. The guy in red is smiling and the little woman in the stripes is apparently being held back by the invisible man.

Take off your RED glasses. NO ONE is smiling in the photo. Are you the kind of guy who will piss on me and then tell me it's raining?

[rametindallas]

Hardly looks like an attack but more like a staged event. You have six people wearing red clothing and one with a mask. Everyone seems to be in party mood with happy smiling faces. Look at the pic, that is definitely staged. The guy in red is smiling and the little woman in the stripes is apparently being held back by the invisible man.

Not sure how you came to this conclusion.

There is another video of the Red Shirts burning posters and banners of white masks. I thought that staring fires was appropriate(typical behavior) of Reds Shirts.

Another few episodes like this without condemnation from the government and it will surely start to escalate out of control.

Wearing a red shirt, or any other colour shirt for that matter, should not give immunity to acts of vandalism and violence.

What can be done though? A developing and corrupt ridden country with an equally corrupt police force ... it will take at least one more generation to get out of the mess the population have created for themselves in the last decade.

This behavior will end when Dr. Thaksin is too old and feeble to give orders any more. He is behind 100% of the divisive strife in Thailand.

[A Member]

More and more there are those in the reds who believe they can do as they like and don't need to wait for instructions. They also know if the go well over the top there is no way anyone in the government or PTP will criticise them far less condemn so that must mean they are not doing anything wrong.

A monster has been created and they are notoriously hard to control which is going to cost PTP dearly but more especially the country will really suffer and the root cause of all of this is sitting safely well away from it all.

[Curt1591]

A few years back, just before the coup, the yellow, white,..., whatever shirts went protesting in the streets. They were then met with angry opposition. The whatever shirts don't do well in the streets. I think the coup was staged to protect their butts by pre-empting the "big rally" the yellow shirts had planned the following day

Now these clowns are hiring an army of 300 guards to "protect" them. More likely, they have been hired to escalate the situation. But, if they want another coup, they will have to move their act to Bangkok.

[Roadman]

The rate at which the Maoist Red mob surged to all out full on violent shows what this country is in for under Thaksin. The Isaan vote brought and paid for by the RED Maoist thugs who basically call the political shots in the Isaan electorates. Thailand's credibility is going to take another hit (add to the rice incompetence, non compliance to world bodies, Moody's) if the puppet PM does not take a stand on this, especially after her Mongolia speech on the wonders of democracy in her beloved Thailand. If there is silence then it is just another step to full on dictatorial rule.

[chooka]

Hardly looks like an attack but more like a staged event. You have six people wearing red clothing and one with a mask. Everyone seems to be in party mood with happy smiling faces. Look at the pic, that is definitely staged. The guy in red is smiling and the little woman in the stripes is apparently being held back by the invisible man.

Take off your RED glasses. NO ONE is smiling in the photo. Are you the kind of guy who will piss on me and then tell me it's raining?

Thank you for accusing me of wearing red glasses but I am definitely not a red shirt supporter nor am I a yellow shirt supporter. Personally I think they are as bad as each other. I sit on the fence and watch and haven't taken sides. It appears that you have chosen you side. Maybe it is easier to make an observation if you do not have bias opinion.

If you have noticed some of my other posts I condemn both sides on certain issues.

[bigbamboo]

Shades of the early days of national socialism in Germany eh? Now Thaksin's mobs are showing their support for democracy! Nazi Style! Bring it on!

I was thinking the same thing.

The PM needs to make a statement on this and fast, if only to clarify her position.

[petedk]

Shades of the early days of national socialism in Germany eh? Now Thaksin's mobs are showing their support for democracy! Nazi Style! Bring it on!

I was thinking the same thing.

The PM needs to make a statement on this and fast, if only to clarify her position.

I don't know about the PM but according to Bangkok Post today Peu Thai Deputy spokesman Anuson Lamsaat said that the government is concerned about the clashes and that any one causing violence in today's rallies would be punished.

Let's hope that there isn't any violence but it'll be interesting to see in the future (because I am sure there will be more clashes) whether the police deal with the demonstrators in a fair way whether they are red, yellow, white masks or whatever. I think I know the answer.

[rametindallas]

Hardly looks like an attack but more like a staged event. You have six people wearing red clothing and one with a mask. Everyone seems to be in party mood with happy smiling faces. Look at the pic, that is definitely staged. The guy in red is smiling and the little woman in the stripes is apparently being held back by the invisible man.

Take off your RED glasses. NO ONE is smiling in the photo. Are you the kind of guy who will piss on me and then tell me it's raining?

Thank you for accusing me of wearing red glasses but I am definitely not a red shirt supporter nor am I a yellow shirt supporter. Personally I think they are as bad as each other. I sit on the fence and watch and haven't taken sides. It appears that you have chosen you side. Maybe it is easier to make an observation if you do not have bias opinion.

If you have noticed some of my other posts I condemn both sides on certain issues.

Spin your earlier comments as you will, but when you state 'Everyone seems to be in a party mood with happy smiling faces.", you are denying the violence of the Red Shirts and you are taking the side of the Red Shirts who are trying their best to stop other Thai people from exercising their constitutional rights. Deny all you want but if you can't see the violent nature of the Red Shirt mob you truly are wearing RED glasses.

I don't support any political group in Thailand. I am against Thailand being destroyed by a man in Dubai who wants to be the Hun Sen of Thailand and who has the money, the political network, and the will to continue that quest.

[lemonjelly]

Nothing worse than aggressive old Thai grannies who shuffle off to the temple after a fight.

[lemonjelly]

Hardly looks like an attack but more like a staged event. You have six people wearing red clothing and one with a mask. Everyone seems to be in party mood with happy smiling faces. Look at the pic, that is definitely staged. The guy in red is smiling and the little woman in the stripes is apparently being held back by the invisible man.

Take off your RED glasses. NO ONE is smiling in the photo. Are you the kind of guy who will piss on me and then tell me it's raining?

Thank you for accusing me of wearing red glasses but I am definitely not a red shirt supporter nor am I a yellow shirt supporter. Personally I think they are as bad as each other. I sit on the fence and watch and haven't taken sides. It appears that you have chosen you side. Maybe it is easier to make an observation if you do not have bias opinion.

If you have noticed some of my other posts I condemn both sides on certain issues.

Spin your earlier comments as you will, but when you state 'Everyone seems to be in a party mood with happy smiling faces.", you are denying the violence of the Red Shirts and you are taking the side of the Red Shirts who are trying their best to stop other Thai people from exercising their constitutional rights. Deny all you want but if you can't see the violent nature of the Red Shirt mob you truly are wearing RED glasses.

I don't support any political group in Thailand. I am against Thailand being destroyed by a man in Dubai who wants to be the Hun Sen of Thailand and who has the money, the political network, and the will to continue that quest.

Good grief..... have we Red and Yellow forum members taking a pop at each other here now ?......... give it a rest guys

[NongKhaiKid]

Shades of the early days of national socialism in Germany eh? Now Thaksin's mobs are showing their support for democracy! Nazi Style! Bring it on!

I was thinking the same thing.

The PM needs to make a statement on this and fast, if only to clarify her position.

The PM, the government and PTP have successfully painted themselves into a corner and I bet they never considered it would happen far less see it coming. They let the reds lose to suit their purposes and the reds got the taste of doing what they like and now it's a matter of course for them. The powers that be still need them but are losing control and criticism is out of the question. Physician heal thy self.

[waza]

Hardly looks like an attack but more like a staged event. You have six people wearing red clothing and one with a mask. Everyone seems to be in party mood with happy smiling faces. Look at the pic, that is definitely staged. The guy in red is smiling and the little woman in the stripes is apparently being held back by the invisible man.

Not sure how you came to this conclusion.

There is another video of the Red Shirts burning posters and banners of white masks. I thought that staring fires was appropriate(typical behavior) of Reds Shirts.

So poignant having Thaskin's smiling face on the sound truck, while it shouts instruction to incite the mob mentality.

Red democracy in action.

Edited June 16, 2013 by waza

[foxteen]

People become slaves of political will.I am not against any political party.I'm against public policy useless, malicious and harmful..Let's hope we don't see any violence on a democratic society

[chooka]

Hardly looks like an attack but more like a staged event. You have six people wearing red clothing and one with a mask. Everyone seems to be in party mood with happy smiling faces. Look at the pic, that is definitely staged. The guy in red is smiling and the little woman in the stripes is apparently being held back by the invisible man.

Take off your RED glasses. NO ONE is smiling in the photo. Are you the kind of guy who will piss on me and then tell me it's raining?

Thank you for accusing me of wearing red glasses but I am definitely not a red shirt supporter nor am I a yellow shirt supporter. Personally I think they are as bad as each other. I sit on the fence and watch and haven't taken sides. It appears that you have chosen you side. Maybe it is easier to make an observation if you do not have bias opinion.

If you have noticed some of my other posts I condemn both sides on certain issues.

Spin your earlier comments as you will, but when you state 'Everyone seems to be in a party mood with happy smiling faces.", you are denying the violence of the Red Shirts and you are taking the side of the Red Shirts who are trying their best to stop other Thai people from exercising their constitutional rights. Deny all you want but if you can't see the violent nature of the Red Shirt mob you truly are wearing RED glasses.

I don't support any political group in Thailand. I am against Thailand being destroyed by a man in Dubai who wants to be the Hun Sen of Thailand and who has the money, the political network, and the will to continue that quest.

Ok for the sake of peace I will chose a side just for you. O.K I chose Yellow and I hope that is in line with your thinking. Now I am going to have some redshirt supporter attack me and for the sake of peace I will have to chose red. It is not easy to sit on the fence when both sides are against you.

I looked at the pic again in the op and I still can't see any evidence of violence from either side a little to and fro from both sides but no violence.

[rametindallas]

Ok for the sake of peace I will chose a side just for you. O.K I chose Yellow and I hope that is in line with your thinking. Now I am going to have some redshirt supporter attack me and for the sake of peace I will have to chose red. It is not easy to sit on the fence when both sides are against you.

I looked at the pic again in the op and I still can't see any evidence of violence from either side a little to and fro from both sides but no violence.

"I looked at the pic again in the op and I still can't see any evidence of violence from either side a little to and fro from both sides but no violence."

So those two 'peaceful' Red Shirts the two policeman are holding back and the little guy in the stripped shirt in his best Bruce Lee pose are demonstrating their 'peaceful' intentions? The guy in the white mask is moving away while putting his arm up in a defensive posture, why? If the Reds aren't displaying any violent actions what does he seem to be protecting himself from?

Calling yourself a 'Yellow supporter does nothing for me as I think the Yellows who invaded Government House and occupied the airport should all be in jail. When you say you are a fence- sitter, you are being disingenuous and insulting what little intelligence I may have. I'm done arguing with you.

[pmugghc]

More and more there are those in the reds who believe they can do as they like

They won the election! That's their mindset.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[lupin]

Hardly looks like an attack but more like a staged event. You have six people wearing red clothing and one with a mask. Everyone seems to be in party mood with happy smiling faces. Look at the pic, that is definitely staged. The guy in red is smiling and the little woman in the stripes is apparently being held back by the invisible man.

Same group of people.. still look like party mode to you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPAdhYMHXVY

[yoshiwara]

Ok for the sake of peace I will chose a side just for you. O.K I chose Yellow and I hope that is in line with your thinking. Now I am going to have some redshirt supporter attack me and for the sake of peace I will have to chose red. It is not easy to sit on the fence when both sides are against you.

I looked at the pic again in the op and I still can't see any evidence of violence from either side a little to and fro from both sides but no violence.

"I looked at the pic again in the op and I still can't see any evidence of violence from either side a little to and fro from both sides but no violence."

So those two 'peaceful' Red Shirts the two policeman are holding back and the little guy in the stripped shirt in his best Bruce Lee pose are demonstrating their 'peaceful' intentions? The guy in the white mask is moving away while putting his arm up in a defensive posture, why? If the Reds aren't displaying any violent actions what does he seem to be protecting himself from?

Calling yourself a 'Yellow supporter does nothing for me as I think the Yellows who invaded Government House and occupied the airport should all be in jail. When you say you are a fence- sitter, you are being disingenuous and insulting what little intelligence I may have. I'm done arguing with you.

I'm not. When push comes to shove he is a red apologist with nice little orange flecks to set off the nicely-designed shirt. At weekends a spot of yellow, but autumn fashion is somewhat ambiguous prior to the runway shows.

[rixalex]

Thank you for accusing me of wearing red glasses but I am definitely not a red shirt supporter nor am I a yellow shirt supporter. Personally I think they are as bad as each other. I sit on the fence and watch and haven't taken sides. It appears that you have chosen you side. Maybe it is easier to make an observation if you do not have bias opinion.

If you have noticed some of my other posts I condemn both sides on certain issues.

Some people seem to think that by taking the stance that both sides are as bad as each other, that must automatically make their position neutral. It does not. In terms of violence, intimidation and destruction, the red shirt movement has been responsible for a lot more than any other group (this incident being a prime example of how they operate).

Failing to acknowledge the differences that separate the red shirt movement from others, and attempting as you are, to label them all as bad as each other, is just a backhanded attempt at playing down what the red shirts are guilty of. It is the sort of approach i have observed in quite a number of people who were once vocal in their support of the reds, and who still deep down have their sympathies in that direction, but who have realized that actually defending the red shirts has become too difficult a task with all that they have done in the last few years, and so instead they take a different approach, that of attempting to distribute the blame out equally on all sides.