Army notifies Bangkok of impending tank maneuver

[transam]

Breaking News::::::::::::::

All vehicles parked in Bangkok without Class 1 insurance .....to make for the hills.................. ............

[hellodolly]

It was reported on facebook last week that APC;s were on the move towards BKK.

This must be bad timeing if nothing else.

Surely they must have known what was going on with politics and could have scheduled their movements for a better time.

Lets hope it is 'nothing else' this country doesn't need more blood on the streets.

How could they possibly know what is going on?

The minister of defense dosen't know.

[Sunderland]

Because concrete and tar roads love army tanks driven on them. (Oh and btw if you don't like my length of input on this forum then you know what can go do mate.)

I think they will be transported on trucks. Drive the tanks but also a lot of wear on the chains, so I don't think the drive them across the country.

And I don't know why you would need tanks for a coup.

I'd be amazed if many of the tanks function properly anyway. Should park them next to the Hopewell Project and make it Bangkok's largest museum.

[hawker9000]

Interesting.

Not too normal I wouldn't think for tanks to be rolling around the city under their own steam (don't armor tracks kind of tear up asphalt pavement?). More normal perhaps if they're just being toted on the backs of tractor-trailers. The article mentions "on army vehicles" with respect to some of the movements, and not others.

Edited August 3, 2013 by hawker9000

[marell]

This is not routine. It's a show of force. But it's all getting so confusing...wish they'd also announce who exactly they're trying to scare.

[marell]

Because concrete and tar roads love army tanks driven on them. (Oh and btw if you don't like my length of input on this forum then you know what can go do mate.)

I think they will be transported on trucks. Drive the tanks but also a lot of wear on the chains, so I don't think the drive them across the country.

And I don't know why you would need tanks for a coup.

Primarily for psycholgical impact. Plus everybody knows you can't have a real coup without tanks.

[GrantSmith]

Coup? No tanks...

Arrrrrrrgh.. I'll get my coat...

[mjef]

Ok I think it's time to cancel my flight to Thailand on 21st! Or maybe I can wait to see it getting cancelled automatically! Which one do you suggest?! :-(

[cardholder]

 

Ok I think it's time to cancel my flight to Thailand on 21st! Or maybe I can wait to see it getting cancelled automatically! Which one do you suggest?! :-(

 

BOO !!

What does your embassy advise re travel to Thailand ?

[tetleythedog]

If anyone really believes that the mounting political protests, the upcoming amnesty bill, the tightened security around parliament and recent riot control drills, the imposition of the Internal Security Act, the mass deployment of police this weekend and the King and Queen moving to Hua Hin and now this are just coincidental, they need to read between the lines.

And quickly.

Arthur, anyone can see this is all just coincidence. Lol

As much as I would like to see this government ousted, I really do think that to facilitate this by any other means than the ballot box would be very unwise. Whether we like it or not, they came in as a democratically-elected government and they must be beaten in the same way.

It is clear that what they have done since coming into power has served only to demonstrate that they couldn't run a piss-up in a brewery, and also that their primary focus has consistently been on lining their own pockets, as well as bringing back the past master of that particular art.

I believe that we will have to rely upon the realization amongst those in the lower echelons that they have been betrayed by their leaders, ultimately at great financial cost to those who can least afford it. When the sh1t does eventually hit the fan, we are going to see massive loss of confidence in Thailand, followed by a mass exodus of foreign funds, the baht currency in freefall, revised GDP growth, heightened inflation, and, a resultant rapid rise in the CPI.

Clearly, the ones who will be affected the worst by all of this will be those on low incomes, the very people this government has blatantly used in its rise to power. Unfortunately, I see only blind faith amongst these very people, so the tendency amongst these "biggest losers" is likely to be to blame the opposition for all of this, and thus, we have a vicious circle of social partisan hatred and economic decline.

And the final nail in the coffin of tourism !

[h90]

Because concrete and tar roads love army tanks driven on them. (Oh and btw if you don't like my length of input on this forum then you know what can go do mate.)

I think they will be transported on trucks. Drive the tanks but also a lot of wear on the chains, so I don't think the drive them across the country.

And I don't know why you would need tanks for a coup.

Primarily for psycholgical impact. Plus everybody knows you can't have a real coup without tanks.

OK OK a coup without tanks is like christmas without christmas trees....

you need something for the front page of the newspapers as well....Thailand had a coup and one old tired man as photo doesn't look impressive.

[SCARLETIBIS1]

Breaking News::::::::::::::

All vehicles parked in Bangkok without Class 1 insurance .....to make for the hills.................. ............

According to the motor vehicle department test, tanks are allowed on highways but not automobiles with broken windshields.

Driving drunk is also premitted provided the alcohol the driver is drinking is 100 proof or higher.

Driving without a license is permitted provided the driver has no wallet.

Crossing double yellow lines is permitted only when there is an oncoming car coming in your direction preferable driven by a farong.

Cement trucks have NO restrictions whatsoever.

U turns are permitted ONLY where there is a no u turn sign and a policeman must be present to help stop traffic so when the person making the illegal u turn hits the curb and must back up that he isn't hit in his rear end because the idiot behind is usually too stupid to see that the idiot in front of him doesn't know how to even make an illegal u turn.

Edited August 3, 2013 by SCARLETIBIS1

[unanimosity]

2nd Chivalry Division King′s Guard

Oooh, how gallant!

They tip their hats and pull out chairs in combat.

[tomross46]

We have notified or told? no regard for the the damage they may cause to the roads of course...

A tank, like all tracked vehicles, puts less ground lb. per Sq. Ft. than a loaded 10 wheel truck. On a tank the weight is spread out over a larger area, where on a wheeled vehicle the ground pressure is in a smaller area, just under the tires. I would be more worried about the rail system than the roads.

[sunshine51]

Ok I think it's time to cancel my flight to Thailand on 21st! Or maybe I can wait to see it getting cancelled automatically! Which one do you suggest?! :-(

Come on over anyway!

[unanimosity]

Ok I think it's time to cancel my flight to Thailand on 21st! Or maybe I can wait to see it getting cancelled automatically! Which one do you suggest?! :-(

Vietnam is nice this time of year.

[unanimosity]

This is not routine. It's a show of force. But it's all getting so confusing...wish they'd also announce who exactly they're trying to scare.

Could it be to follow up with a report that during the exercise it was discovered that 60% of the tanks experienced some mechanical and operational difficulties and thus, it is going to be necessary to purchase 100 trillion baht worth of new tanks?

Edited August 3, 2013 by unanimosity

[retell]

I would be weary of foxes warning the chickens that they are just passing through.

and maybe a few conveniently " break down" in front of the royal palace

[unanimosity]

“This is not a preparation for a coup d’état”, she said....

The armour is on manouvers...yep...that's right...on manouvers.

There is no need to fear...not even if you see the armour rolling

along Sukhumvit and Silom...or in position in front of Parliament.

It's just "manouvers"...or so Chalerm told me...

What is Ladbrokes showing?

[Sayonarax]

Tanks have their own fear factor of.. don't mess with your government.

[GrantSmith]

Tanks have their own fear factor of.. don't mess with your government.

On he proviso that the armed forces are in support of said government...

[sunshine51]

“This is not a preparation for a coup d’état”, she said....

The armour is on manouvers...yep...that's right...on manouvers.

There is no need to fear...not even if you see the armour rolling

along Sukhumvit and Silom...or in position in front of Parliament.

It's just "manouvers"...or so Chalerm told me...

What is Ladbrokes showing?

Nothing specific yet...just the usual sports, vegas, casino etc stuff...

[waza]

“This is not a preparation for a coup d’état”, she said.

As anti-government protests were set to take place in Bangkok and fears about possible unrest returned to the capital city, many are whispering that the military might take advantage of the situation and put an end to the elected government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, similar to what happened to her brother Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra in September 2006.

If a coup was to occur, we would know whether Abhisit is a man of his word. He said that the only way he would serve as PM is if the Dems won an election. I don't believe they will with him as leader. He may be the best man they have, but even disaffected reds will never vote for him. If the Dems want to take advantage of the mess PTP have made he should step aside.

I am not in favour of a coup, but it looks like one might happen. I don't know how many of you read the Wikileaks document which purported to be a record of the conversation between the the U.S. ambassador to Thailand and Thaksin Shiniwatra. Thaksin is quoted as saying that he knew he could not return to Thailand while the King is still alive. So, is all this nonsense just a test balloon? LONG LIVE THE KING.

Last time the Dems weren't put in power by a coup, a caretaker government was. The Dems came to power after the general election when they formed a coalition government with other minor parties.

[SOTIRIOS]

....in this case, though.the heat is on the government....they have all bases covered....the housewife has her ear to the phone...finger on the button....

...waiting for word from an egomaniac scorned.......

.....support from 'friends' in Cambodia......

...and timed to coincide with anti-government protests....

This is a clear message to the government (at a vulnerable time), by the powers that they are in control and quite capabile taking control at any moment. The government must conceed to their wishes. You can see by the timing, the play here. It could not come at a much more obvious time for the government. The media, the papers and a clear demonstration "threat" by ther army. Who is in control of Thailand, not the govenrment thats for sure. The government is only an elected representation of the people..... what has that got to do with control. The ARMY, controled media, those that own and run the ARMY run Thailand. Always have, always will, 8 military cou's...... who do you think controls Thailand? Who ever controls the Army and that is NOT the government.

[harryfrompattaya]

The rumors of a coup has fueled the speculations that the sudden move to Hua Hin

by their majesties was to get them out of the city to avoid a repeat of the last

incident where a mob was converging on the hospital where their majesties

were staying.

How about this rumor Obama may take over Thailand. He is tied sending troops to the Mid East and needs a base against against North Korea

This was told to by a sex worker on Sol 6 so it must be true

[BlackJack]

the SET is reacting accordingly as well

usually people in the know pull their money out and then jump back in when the dust settles

[GentlemanJim]

As much as I would like to see this government ousted, I really do think that to facilitate this by any other means than the ballot box would be very unwise. Whether we like it or not, they came in as a democratically-elected government and they must be beaten in the same way.

It is clear that what they have done since coming into power has served only to demonstrate that they couldn't run a piss-up in a brewery, and also that their primary focus has consistently been on lining their own pockets, as well as bringing back the past master of that particular art.

I believe that we will have to rely upon the realization amongst those in the lower echelons that they have been betrayed by their leaders, ultimately at great financial cost to those who can least afford it. When the sh1t does eventually hit the fan, we are going to see massive loss of confidence in Thailand, followed by a mass exodus of foreign funds, the baht currency in freefall, revised GDP growth, heightened inflation, and, a resultant rapid rise in the CPI.

Clearly, the ones who will be affected the worst by all of this will be those on low incomes, the very people this government has blatantly used in its rise to power. Unfortunately, I see only blind faith amongst these very people, so the tendency amongst these "biggest losers" is likely to be to blame the opposition for all of this, and thus, we have a vicious circle of social partisan hatred and economic decline.

They cannot risk letting Thaksin back into the country with amnesty. They cannot and will not. The shinawatras will be in power as a dynasty for a long time, and will slowly dismantle the amart.

The victory will be complete. I don't like coups, and don't believe they should intervene, it is just that ptp insists on pardoning the guy. It's a step too far.

This is not routine. It's a show of force. But it's all getting so confusing...wish they'd also announce who exactly they're trying to scare.

Well as one who would be in favour of a coup, I can't help feeling the signature is all wrong. Consider for a moment the way this is being done. Maybe.....maybe

- the Shin Clan preparations have been very thorough in terms of putting the right people in the right positions. Their Majesties, like many heads of state don't just decide to go to Hua Hin, they would be advised to go for health benefits, tradition etc and perhaps security, so off they go. Bangkok is now clear. Thaksin moves 'his' army out on routine manouvers with the statement that has the whole country buzzing thinking 'ha ha watch out Yingluck and Thaksin a coup is in the making', but it is really a security cordon - for Thaksin and PTP. Let red foot soldiers in, keep anyone else out. Amnesty bill passed, Thaksin fly's into Bangkok the day after. Bam! Nothing anyone else can do. Check! (not quite mate!). Commence the break-up towards civil war. The Army fractures as those loyal officers realise what their 'exercise' and 'manouvers' are all about, big struggle at the top of the armed forces to maintain control of an organization that has always been loyal to monarchy only. The rally point of course for the people and loyal army is now in Hua Hin NOT Bangkok. Thaksin is deceitful, conniving and I just can't believe that he would fall for this again, he has been meticulous in his planning so far. The wolf in sheeps clothing could be wearing the red cloak this time !!!

Edited August 3, 2013 by GentlemanJim

[pedro01]

I can just picture some lone Chula student lad with nothing but a carrier bag in his hand facing off with the tanks.

Our own TianSiamEn square

Edited August 3, 2013 by pedro01

[bangkokpoppys]

Do you feel lucky punk?

I'll bet you're wondering - how many 300mm shells have you got left - did I shoot 5 or 6? Tell you what, in all this excitement, I kind of lost count myself. So the question you have to ask yourself is...!

[jcb2001]

This is not routine. It's a show of force. But it's all getting so confusing...wish they'd also announce who exactly they're trying to scare.

Agree, this could be YS and Pheu Thai trying to show they have control of the Army. If true, it is meant to demoralize the anti-gov't protesters. Sounds like Pheu Thai is trying to gain the upper hand before the protest starts.