'People's Army' promises peaceful protest

[Lite Beer]

ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTEST
'People's Army' promises peaceful protest
The Sunday Nation

Captain Songklod Chuenchupol

BANGKOK: -- The People's Army has called for a peaceful demonstration today at Lumpini Park while red-shirt leaders have vowed to mobilise several thousands of government supporters in a show of force against anti-government protesters.

The public park is not in the three Bangkok districts where the Cabinet last week imposed the Internal Security Act.

The anti-government People's Army yesterday revealed the names of 30 high-ranking officials, including military men, who back the group in its campaign to bring down the Thaksin regime.

The group, led by Admiral Chai Suwannaphap, Thaikorn Polsuwan and General Preecha Iamsupan, held a press conference announcing the names of supporters. These include former Army chief General Wimol Wongwanit, former supreme commander General Saiyud Kerdphol, former Air Force chief ACM Kan Pimanthip, and Admiral Bannawit Kengrian. Prasong Soonsiri, former chief of the National Security Council, would act as adviser.

Thaikorn said the supporters included other high-ranking officials, from the police and military whose names could not be revealed because they were still in office.

He said the group would wait and see how the situation develops before deciding whether they should hold a sit-in rally. "If there is any violence, it will be either caused by the government or a third-party group,'' he said.

The group dismissed Prime Minister Yingluck's plea yesterday to achieve national reconciliation, saying the government was not sincere in bringing about reconciliation.

Meanwhile, about 30 anti-government protesters led by Captain Songklod Chuenchupol converged outside the Pheu Thai headquarters, calling on the ruling party to remove an amnesty bill from deliberation in Parliament.

He said Yingluck's statement yesterday was just a time-buying tactic.

Red-shirt leader weng Tojirakarn announced yesterday the start of the red-shirts' campaign against the bureaucratic polity, by ordering leaders to mobilise 20,000 people from each province across the country to converge at the Rajamangala National Stadium.

Nisit Sinthuprai, another red-shirt leader, said he expected at least 500,000 government supporters to be mobilised for a gathering at the stadium. He told the red shirts in all provinces to be ready.

In a related development, the Campaign for Popular Democracy has announced its opposition to the government's imposition of the Internal Security Act as it violated the constitutional right to hold a protest. It also opposed an amnesty bill proposed by Pheu Thai MP Worachai Hema, saying it believes the law would help Thaksin Shinawatra return home without being punished. The agency urged the government to lift the security law and withdraw Worachai's bill or Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra must take responsibility for any violence that may take place.

The group said Yingluck's proposal for national reconciliation yesterday would be true only if the government served the people, and not Thaksin.

Also yesterday, the Thai Journalists' Association and the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association issued a joint statement, affirming press freedom and called on the authorities to allow media workers to enter all the rally areas safely for news coverage. This was in response to the ISA coming into effect from last Thursday to August 10.

-- The Nation 2013-08-04

[NongKhaiKid]

Maybe it's just too early on a Sunday morning but this was heavy going as a read with so many names of people, military ranks and organisations plus probably fanciful figures. The reds usual 100,000 attending has gone back up to 500,000 and if the call only went out yesterday good luck getting 20,000 from every province into Bkk by today.

[Thai at Heart]

Just watching blue sky channel now. A sea of plastic chairs which are all red colour.

Was a little confused who was speaking until the showed Suthep on screen. No unified t shirt colours. This is obviously the "come as you are" shirts

[bigbamboo]

So a small number of PA protestors promise a peaceful demonstration and the red shirts promise a large show of force.

I wonder if the police are concentrating their resources on the wrong group?

[GeorgeO]

So a small number of PA protestors promise a peaceful demonstration and the red shirts promise a large show of force.

I wonder if the police are concentrating their resources on the wrong group?

Of course they are, and we should also keep a close eye on which group will feel the brunt of their repressive action once the fighting starts.

This is, sadly, the beginning of the turmoil that I have been predicting in my recent comments. If the police do not maintain control over the red shirt opposition, then we could see a mini civil war unfolding today.

I am, however, confident that Thais do not have the stomach for a protracted period of civil unrest, as they have greater focus on commerce, so nothing should be allowed to come in the way of this.

The time is, however, right for a vote of no confidence in this government, and I believe that given the numerous areas in which it has failed miserably, there are sufficient numbers in all other opposing parties to finally bring this government down.

[Thai at Heart]

So a small number of PA protestors promise a peaceful demonstration and the red shirts promise a large show of force.

I wonder if the police are concentrating their resources on the wrong group?

Of course they are, and we should also keep a close eye on which group will feel the brunt of their repressive action once the fighting starts.

This is, sadly, the beginning of the turmoil that I have been predicting in my recent comments. If the police do not maintain control over the red shirt opposition, then we could see a mini civil war unfolding today.

I am, however, confident that Thais do not have the stomach for a protracted period of civil unrest, as they have greater focus on commerce, so nothing should be allowed to come in the way of this.

The time is, however, right for a vote of no confidence in this government, and I believe that given the numerous areas in which it has failed miserably, there are sufficient numbers in all other opposing parties to finally bring this government down.

They are focused on commerce. I think you will find that is principally a Thai Chinese trait. The rice mess is about to unravel completely and Thaksin is going to lose a lot of friends in the process.

He needs his amnesty to get back before there is an election, which I don't think he can be 100% sure he will win.

[Sunderland]

I stand to be proven wrong, but the news report is more sensational than anywhere close to the truth. Expect a small number of 1,000-2,000 anti-government protesters today, and an equally small, if not smaller, number of red shirts.

At this stage it is the chiefs pumping out their chests at each other, but the mass of indians aren't that interested in a civil war.

[15Peter20]

People's Army. The leader already making excuses for violent behavior (blaming others before anything has even happened).

This group is clearly counting on a show of brute force. Seem like trouble makers to me. Hope I am proved wrong.

[whybother]

People's Army. The leader already making excuses for violent behavior (blaming others before anything has even happened).

This group is clearly counting on a show of brute force. Seem like trouble makers to me. Hope I am proved wrong.

Wasn't it Chalerm a couple of months ago warning anti-government protesters not to protest because "third parties" were going to cause trouble?

Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[backtonormal]

Check out the culprits. All ex PAD supporters, then Pitak Siam npw The peoples army. Ex commander in Chiefs of the army and air force. Loyalty to Prem and Privvy and their paymasters. Rent a mob

[15Peter20]

ooops. see post 13 below.

Edited August 4, 2013 by 15Peter20

[Thai at Heart]

Check out the culprits. All ex PAD supporters, then Pitak Siam npw The peoples army. Ex commander in Chiefs of the army and air force. Loyalty to Prem and Privvy and their paymasters. Rent a mob

Exactly. It's the same old bunch in a new packaging.

[15Peter20]

People's Army. The leader already making excuses for violent behavior (blaming others before anything has even happened).

This group is clearly counting on a show of brute force. Seem like trouble makers to me. Hope I am proved wrong.

Wasn't it Chalerm a couple of months ago warning anti-government protesters not to protest because "third parties" were going to cause trouble?

Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Absolutely - I agree - these leaders of the mischievously and inaccurately named 'People's Army' are about as competent and trustworthy as Chalerm.

[lee b]

The guy in the brown shirt, looks like hes up for kicking off right now haha

[15Peter20]

The guy in the brown shirt, looks like hes up for kicking off right now haha

Indeed...looks like just the kind of guy who'd take a chair to a hanging corpse. Thammasat '76, anyone?

In the interests of balance though, he may equally be a lovely family man who just happened to be controlling an uncomfortable bout of wind as the shot was taken.

[Emptyset]

The guy in the brown shirt, looks like hes up for kicking off right now haha

Indeed...looks like just the kind of guy who'd take a chair to a hanging corpse. Thammasat '76, anyone?

In the interests of balance though, he may equally be a lovely family man who just happened to be controlling an uncomfortable bout of wind as the shot was taken.

That's Captain Pookem. I think he's a complete nutjob lol, but also quite amusing. He's the guy that threatened Sombat with a grenade if he held a talk show on December 5. Also negotiated with the police on behalf of the PAD during the 08 protests. Believe he claims to have had a fist fight with Seh Daeng at one point too, which is pretty funny, given their similarity (Pookem has apparently been training some of his own 'ronin' for this protest). But I think he was discharged from the military... in any case, I don't support what he stands for or his actions, but it's almost hard to dislike the guy. There's a sincerity that shines through the madness that makes him stand out from the cynics manipulating things for their own benefit.

Edited August 4, 2013 by Emptyset

[siampolee]

Red-shirt leader weng Tojirakarn announced yesterday the start of the red-shirts' campaign against the bureaucratic polity, by ordering leaders to mobilise 20,000 people from each province across the country to converge at the Rajamangala National Stadium.

Nisit Sinthuprai, another red-shirt leader, said he expected at least 500,000 government supporters to be mobilised for a gathering at the stadium. He told the red shirts in all provinces to be ready.

Interesting comments from the Red Shirt leadership, somewhat provocative in my view as it would seem as if those characters are focused on the stifling of free speech, however it would seem as if the Red Shirt leadership is split into at least two factions when one reads the comments made. Whether or not the logistics involved in both gathering together and then moving their presumed support base to Bangkok is a feasible matter remains to be seen

The leadership of The Peoples Army certainly has some interesting names in its leadership team.,One can only but presume that the leadership have the loyalty of their respective military and police rank and file personnel in their current cause. Of course they too have the problem of ensuring that their supporters can relied upon for wholesale support and that they can be moved into place if needed

Indeed an interesting time which at the moment seems to be a relatively stable peaceful atmosphere, whether or not the situation stays the same remains to be seen.

It takes but one small spark to ignite an enormous destructive conflagration, hopefully this being.the rainy season that spark will not ignite the fuse that leads to the tinderbox of that volatile pile of combustible materials that seems to be in place at the moment.

Time alone will tell.,

Certainly it would seem looking at the names of those who have come out into the open regarding The Peoples Army leadership assorted interests have united into a common front coupled with their, vested interests much like the Red Shirt movement on their side of 'twill be interesting to see,which way will the public support go.

As has already been quoted this action would seem to be the beginning of the end game,

Will the Thai nation and its peoples emerge as winners or losers will there be civil unrest, will there be a spectacular peaceful rally with but one side emerging as the outright winners or will we be subjected to a prolonged blood letting linked to an orgy of property destruction and a wholesale anarchy campaign to resolve the matter and the subsequent future of Thailand and its peoples?

The cards are in the Sabot let us see who will emerge as the winner in the casino of the current power struggle here in Thailand.

[15Peter20]

The guy in the brown shirt, looks like hes up for kicking off right now haha

Indeed...looks like just the kind of guy who'd take a chair to a hanging corpse. Thammasat '76, anyone?

In the interests of balance though, he may equally be a lovely family man who just happened to be controlling an uncomfortable bout of wind as the shot was taken.

That's Captain Pookem. I think he's a complete nutjob lol, but also quite amusing. He's the guy that threatened Sombat with a grenade if he held a talk show on December 5. Also negotiated with the police on behalf of the PAD during the 08 protests. Believe he claims to have had a fist fight with Seh Daeng at one point too, which is pretty funny, given their similarity (Pookem has apparently been training some of his own 'ronin' for this protest). But I think he was discharged from the military... in any case, I don't support what he stands for or his actions, but it's almost hard to dislike the guy. There's a sincerity that shines through the madness that makes him stand out from the cynics manipulating things for their own benefit.

In that case, lets hope all the seating is cleared away before people start getting shirty.

[asatonyc]

The government has already shown its true colors, everything has already been planned. They have already been assimilated or forced there way into key positions to maintain their control to achieve what they want. It's sad to accept it but I doubt this protest will change what has been in play since Yingluck took office. What these protest will achieve is just more lost of life and further divide the people. There is no easy way to deal with this situation. This government is a government for themselves, not a government for the people. It was quite brilliant of them to trick, force and buy their way into office. I can only hope that those who were tricked, forced or bought will have learned their lesson, unlikely though since this is the second time round. I also hope that the anti-government and the small amount of government for the people will quite deluding themselves and see that the Thaksin govenment is and has always seemed to be one step ahead of them. Eventually the good people of Thailand will have to take the gloves off and make a stand against the bad. When and if that time comes, the question will be ethics not laws or religion. It will be a question of what can you can stomach, what can you live with, will you be able to live with yourselves afterwards. Corruption has been a part of Thailand and most third world countries, some can rise above, some just survive, and some rest in ruins. Some think that this the beginning of the end, that this is the start of a civil war in Thailand. Some people believe and hope that the military will step in once there is violence. I personally think the time for civil war is not upon us. I don't want to hope that some one will save us, I want to know that after the war we will save ourselves, that we will be better and stronger for it, that's the only reason that a war is worth all the cost it imposes. Honestly, I don't think Thailand is ready. I'm hoping that the next generation of Thailand will see corruption and rise above for the benefit of the nation. I wouldn't mind rising and fighting for the next generation to take over and make a difference, but not our present government to just play musical chairs and be in the same situation a few years from now. I think that the protesters should concentrate more on public awareness of what this government has done, is doing and will do; than protesting government buildings of people who already know and obviously don't care. We are all assuming that this government isn't evil, that if enough people show up they will step down. They'll step down for sure, but only after they take everything they want. The only way the Thaksin government was over thrown last time was with the military and even they didn't do it when he was in he country. So, protest and stage demonstrations but please don't forget to educate people, because obivously a lot of people still don't know, otherwise this government would not be in office. If you've already done everything you can to inform the people and the Thaksin government is still around, then what can you do, except teach you children better for a brighter future.

[15Peter20]

According to this guy who is currently on the ground at Lumphini, the 'People's Army' currently consists of about 1,500 people. Pics etc here:

http://twitter.com/photo_journ

[tallfarang]

Just got back from Lumpini. Not much of an opposition to amnesty bill if crowd size is any indicator. Definitely less than 2000 people there.

[diehard60]

Looks like another coup is coming soon.

[Publicus]

Looks like another coup is coming soon.

If things verge on violence there will be a coup.

Then there'll be violence in opposition to a coup.

A coup is not the solution.

[Publicus]

Red-shirt leader weng Tojirakarn announced yesterday the start of the red-shirts' campaign against the bureaucratic polity, by ordering leaders to mobilise 20,000 people from each province across the country to converge at the Rajamangala National Stadium.

Nisit Sinthuprai, another red-shirt leader, said he expected at least 500,000 government supporters to be mobilised for a gathering at the stadium. He told the red shirts in all provinces to be ready.

Interesting comments from the Red Shirt leadership, somewhat provocative in my view as it would seem as if those characters are focused on the stifling of free speech, however it would seem as if the Red Shirt leadership is split into at least two factions when one reads the comments made. Whether or not the logistics involved in both gathering together and then moving their presumed support base to Bangkok is a feasible matter remains to be seen

The leadership of The Peoples Army certainly has some interesting names in its leadership team.,One can only but presume that the leadership have the loyalty of their respective military and police rank and file personnel in their current cause. Of course they too have the problem of ensuring that their supporters can relied upon for wholesale support and that they can be moved into place if needed

Indeed an interesting time which at the moment seems to be a relatively stable peaceful atmosphere, whether or not the situation stays the same remains to be seen.

It takes but one small spark to ignite an enormous destructive conflagration, hopefully this being.the rainy season that spark will not ignite the fuse that leads to the tinderbox of that volatile pile of combustible materials that seems to be in place at the moment.

Time alone will tell.,

Certainly it would seem looking at the names of those who have come out into the open regarding The Peoples Army leadership assorted interests have united into a common front coupled with their, vested interests much like the Red Shirt movement on their side of 'twill be interesting to see,which way will the public support go.

As has already been quoted this action would seem to be the beginning of the end game,

Will the Thai nation and its peoples emerge as winners or losers will there be civil unrest, will there be a spectacular peaceful rally with but one side emerging as the outright winners or will we be subjected to a prolonged blood letting linked to an orgy of property destruction and a wholesale anarchy campaign to resolve the matter and the subsequent future of Thailand and its peoples?

The cards are in the Sabot let us see who will emerge as the winner in the casino of the current power struggle here in Thailand.

Thailand's problem is that is hasn't any Aung San Suu Kyi or Nelson Mandella.

It's a curse Thailand has inflicted upon itself, as Thai culture and civilization are incapable of producing a uniquely Thai leader who advocates democracy, peace, unity.

The old institutions are moribund, the culture remains selfish, pernicious

[bigbamboo]

Red-shirt leader weng Tojirakarn announced yesterday the start of the red-shirts' campaign against the bureaucratic polity, by ordering leaders to mobilise 20,000 people from each province across the country to converge at the Rajamangala National Stadium.

Nisit Sinthuprai, another red-shirt leader, said he expected at least 500,000 government supporters to be mobilised for a gathering at the stadium. He told the red shirts in all provinces to be ready.

Interesting comments from the Red Shirt leadership, somewhat provocative in my view as it would seem as if those characters are focused on the stifling of free speech, however it would seem as if the Red Shirt leadership is split into at least two factions when one reads the comments made. Whether or not the logistics involved in both gathering together and then moving their presumed support base to Bangkok is a feasible matter remains to be seen

The leadership of The Peoples Army certainly has some interesting names in its leadership team.,One can only but presume that the leadership have the loyalty of their respective military and police rank and file personnel in their current cause. Of course they too have the problem of ensuring that their supporters can relied upon for wholesale support and that they can be moved into place if needed

Indeed an interesting time which at the moment seems to be a relatively stable peaceful atmosphere, whether or not the situation stays the same remains to be seen.

It takes but one small spark to ignite an enormous destructive conflagration, hopefully this being.the rainy season that spark will not ignite the fuse that leads to the tinderbox of that volatile pile of combustible materials that seems to be in place at the moment.

Time alone will tell.,

Certainly it would seem looking at the names of those who have come out into the open regarding The Peoples Army leadership assorted interests have united into a common front coupled with their, vested interests much like the Red Shirt movement on their side of 'twill be interesting to see,which way will the public support go.

As has already been quoted this action would seem to be the beginning of the end game,

Will the Thai nation and its peoples emerge as winners or losers will there be civil unrest, will there be a spectacular peaceful rally with but one side emerging as the outright winners or will we be subjected to a prolonged blood letting linked to an orgy of property destruction and a wholesale anarchy campaign to resolve the matter and the subsequent future of Thailand and its peoples?

The cards are in the Sabot let us see who will emerge as the winner in the casino of the current power struggle here in Thailand.

Thailand's problem is that is hasn't any Aung San Suu Kyi or Nelson Mandella.

It's a curse Thailand has inflicted upon itself, as Thai culture and civilization are incapable of producing a uniquely Thai leader who advocates democracy, peace, unity.

The old institutions are moribund, the culture remains selfish, pernicious

Agree. Thailand badly needs a Mandela.... not a Hun Sen.

[Chrisswe]

"Bangkok people's Army" = Democratic Party , PAD and old military coup maker's. They will never com to power through leagel election , therefore they run to street's this poor jealous people's !!!!

[backtonormal]

"Bangkok people's Army" = Democratic Party , PAD and old military coup maker's. They will never com to power through leagel election , therefore they run to street's this poor jealous people's !!!!

Before these people would have just paid the army to get their crowd back in power. Now that thaksin is holding Prems gonads over some wiki leaks cable he cant do what hes done for years. That is the sole reason we keeping seeing all these different pressure groups with the same rent a mob in attendance. Once one fails miserably they create another and when the Peoples army fail you will see another..with the same faces.

Life is a sh144er when you cant have all your own way anymore..

Welcome to a lifetime in the cheap seats for those that once ruled and dictated in this country. They are a dying breed...thank xxxx

Edited August 8, 2013 by metisdead

[h90]

"Bangkok people's Army" = Democratic Party , PAD and old military coup maker's. They will never com to power through leagel election , therefore they run to street's this poor jealous people's !!!!

Well which party in Thailand ever came due to legal election to power (which means without full scale vote buying)?

I guess non in at least 20 years, or more.