Trouble at rubber farmers rally was staged: Thai press

[webfact]

Trouble at rally was staged: press
Kampanart Khantrakul,
Anan Kongcharoen
The Nation
Prachuap Khiri Khan



Unknown 'third force' set media vehicles alight and attacked police; protesters remained peaceful, media sources say

BANGKOK: -- Reporters from various news groups covering the rubber farmers' protest believed an unknown "third hand" is working to instigate violence and attacked press vehicles this week.

Journalists who witnessed clashes on Phet Kasem Road in Bang Saphan in Prachuap Khiri Khan province said they heard fire-cracker explosions and gunfire - which caused them to flee for safety at 1am on Friday morning.

Sombat Limpajeerawong, a 50-year-old reporter for Thai PBS, said he didn't believe police or rubber farmers were behind the latest drama as police were only armed with shields and had no teargas. Plus, he said the protesters were peaceful.

"I believe a third hand is behind [these incidents]… I and [police] officers were no different. We had to hide in a rubber plantation."

Pimporn Yurueng, 35, who works for TV Channel 3 in Prachuap Khiri Khan, shared a similar view.

She said police were hit with rocks and acid and retreated to a nearby rubber plantation and she said there would have been more violence if police had struck back.

"I was afraid. I didn't know what happened but I think the attackers were not farmers but a third party."

Nation Multimedia Group reporter Apichart Hongsakul said the young men who attacked police do not appear to be farmers and they were well equipped with home-made weapons including metal pipes and home-made explosives.

The Thai Journalists Association (TJA) and Thai Broadcast Journalists Association (TBJA) issued a joint statement yesterday condemning the attacks on press vehicles covering rubber farmers' protest at 1.30am yesterday by an unknown group as a threat to the carrying out of press duties.

Molotov cocktails were hurled at press vehicles belonging to TV Channel 3, Thai PBS and Daily News newspaper in the dark of the night, damaging it. The TPBS car was also hit by unknown people earlier.

The two associations made five-point demands to all parties in the statements. They called on all sides to exercise and respect rights under the Constitution, to be tolerant, not resort to violence and to seek a peaceful resolution via dialogue.

Second, to be fair to all sides, an impartial fact-finding committee should be set up by the National Human Rights Commission to find out those responsible for the attack.

Third, the associations stressed that the press was not a party to the conflict and should not be subject to threats that may affect its duty to inform the public.

Fourth, the bodies urged the media to be impartial, and last but not least, they reiterated the right of members of the public to take the press to court or petition the press council if they think a particular media group is not fairly carrying out its duties.


-- The Nation 2013-09-07

[Yunla]

I was afraid. I didn't know what happened but I think the attackers were not farmers but a third party.

Re; "I was afraid" and I don't know what happened/ who were attacking us. What that person described is exactly the way certain international powers want everyone to be living fulltime, in every nation.

Destabilisation, attacking the press, intimidating the police, union-busting, etc. and doing so covertly, is the MO of the people pulling Thaksin's strings. They want economic and sovereign-status breakdown, lawlessness and chaos in all nations that border China and Russia, as part of their final domination plan.

[Chittychangchang]

could do with some rubber on them tyres

[mikemac]

Nation Multimedia Group reporter Apichart Hongsakul said the young men who attacked police do not appear to be farmers and they were well equipped with home-made weapons including metal pipes and home-made explosives.

Has redshirts written all over it ! Bet they were on 500 a day.

[Emptyset]

Nation Multimedia Group reporter Apichart Hongsakul said the young men who attacked police do not appear to be farmers and they were well equipped with home-made weapons including metal pipes and home-made explosives.

Has redshirts written all over it ! Bet they were on 500 a day.

Haha. Much more likely a politician with the initial "S".

[geriatrickid]

Nation Multimedia Group reporter Apichart Hongsakul said the young men who attacked police do not appear to be farmers and they were well equipped with home-made weapons including metal pipes and home-made explosives.

Has redshirts written all over it ! Bet they were on 500 a day.

No it doesn't.

Seems more like the yellowshirt/Democrat type of instigation.

[geriatrickid]

Nation Multimedia Group reporter Apichart Hongsakul said the young men who attacked police do not appear to be farmers and they were well equipped with home-made weapons including metal pipes and home-made explosives.

Has redshirts written all over it ! Bet they were on 500 a day.

Haha. Much more likely a politician with the initial "S".

Nothing to be gained by the PTP if there is violence.

[Emptyset]

Haha. Much more likely a politician with the initial "S".

Nothing to be gained by the PTP if there is violence.

Exactly. And by 'S' I refer to a prominent Democrat MP from Surat Thani. Of course, no one would put this kind of stunt above PT, but in this case it would hardly make sense, and 'S' certainly has his own history in this area.

Edited September 7, 2013 by Emptyset

[Moruya]

 

 

Nation Multimedia Group reporter Apichart Hongsakul said the young men who attacked police do not appear to be farmers and they were well equipped with home-made weapons including metal pipes and home-made explosives.

 

 

Has redshirts written all over it ! Bet they were on 500 a day.

 

 

Haha. Much more likely a politician with the initial "S".

 

 

 

Nothing to be gained by the PTP if there is violence.

One eyed as usual. The red cyclops strikes again.

Violence could be the excuse the police need to smash up the rallies.

Violence could be used to discredit the rallies.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[waza]

This whole situation has the stench of hypocracy and discrimination about it. The governments appeasement of northern farmers and disinterest with their southern cohorts is indicative of this governments perpetuation of a North/ South divide in this country. As these disenfrachised groups become more vocal and their demand ignored they will become more radical.

PTP reconcilliantion at its finest.

[scorecard]

Nation Multimedia Group reporter Apichart Hongsakul said the young men who attacked police do not appear to be farmers and they were well equipped with home-made weapons including metal pipes and home-made explosives.

Has redshirts written all over it ! Bet they were on 500 a day.

Haha. Much more likely a politician with the initial "S".

Nothing to be gained by the PTP if there is violence.

Not true g'kid and you know it.

Your view, as always, the paymaster and all his (paid) hangers on can't do any wrong.

[mikemac]

No it doesn't.

Seems more like the yellowshirt/Democrat type of instigation.

The rubber farmers' protests are directed at the government, gk. Why the heck would the Democrats want to disrupt that protest. A-la the redshirts trying to disrupt the Democrats rallys, or anyone who protests against the PTP for that matter.

Have you had your coffee this morning ???

Nothing to be gained by the PTP if there is violence.

A classic line. Keep them coming mate.

[scorecard]

This whole situation has the stench of hypocracy and discrimination about it. The governments appeasement of northern farmers and disinterest with their southern cohorts is indicative of this governments perpetuation of a North/ South divide in this country. As these disenfrachised groups become more vocal and their demand ignored they will become more radical.

PTP reconcilliantion at its finest.

I'm also wondering whether the N / NE rubber farmers have been 'encouraged' by the local red schools to be quiet. No proof, just wondering.

[Orac]

No it doesn't.

Seems more like the yellowshirt/Democrat type of instigation.

The rubber farmers' protests are directed at the government, gk. Why the heck would the Democrats want to disrupt that protest. A-la the redshirts trying to disrupt the Democrats rallys, or anyone who protests against the PTP for that matter.

Have you had your coffee this morning ???

Nothing to be gained by the PTP if there is violence.

A classic line. Keep them coming mate.

Clearly a fanciful idea that a group of protesters or a political group behind them would escalate a situation with violence including targetting members of the press so as to cause trouble for the current government - can't think where anybody could get such an idea from.

[Ricardo]

Perhaps southern-terrorists, seeking to gain publicity, or provoke an over-the-top response from the authorities ?

[SOTIRIOS]

.....figure it out.....look at how opponents have geen dealt with.....these people are ruthless........

[sungod]

Nation Multimedia Group reporter Apichart Hongsakul said the young men who attacked police do not appear to be farmers and they were well equipped with home-made weapons including metal pipes and home-made explosives.

Has redshirts written all over it ! Bet they were on 500 a day.

No it doesn't.

Seems more like the yellowshirt/Democrat type of instigation.

Certainly agree with you there, however no one can blame them for employing the same tactics used by the reds on numerous occasions, history has proved it to be a winning formula.!!!

[backtonormal]

I was afraid. I didn't know what happened but I think the attackers were not farmers but a third party.

Re; "I was afraid" and I don't know what happened/ who were attacking us. What that person described is exactly the way certain international powers want everyone to be living fulltime, in every nation.

Destabilisation, attacking the press, intimidating the police, union-busting, etc. and doing so covertly, is the MO of the people pulling Thaksin's strings. They want economic and sovereign-status breakdown, lawlessness and chaos in all nations that border China and Russia, as part of their final domination plan.

Everyone has the right to an opinion but whats in your pipe.....links please

[billd766]

It was the mysterious "third hand" group of the "faceless" ammart of whichever side.

[backtonormal]

This whole situation has the stench of hypocracy and discrimination about it. The governments appeasement of northern farmers and disinterest with their southern cohorts is indicative of this governments perpetuation of a North/ South divide in this country. As these disenfrachised groups become more vocal and their demand ignored they will become more radical.

PTP reconcilliantion at its finest.

I'm also wondering whether the N / NE rubber farmers have been 'encouraged' by the local red schools to be quiet. No proof, just wondering.

Just wondering.....the mind is a wonderful thing..some links in your wonderings would be nice

[rosst]

The real victim here is Thailand, a serious lack of proof, leading to all sorts of uncertainties and accusations. In a country where all police seem to be armed, I cannot understand how these thugs acted with impunity.

I think it was only last year, the government was paying people to plant rubber trees and supporting them for some years, correct me if I am wrong?? This was what I heard from a friend of mine up here in Isaan.

[WhizBang]

Nothing to be gained by the PTP if there is violence.

One eyed as usual. The red cyclops strikes again.

Violence could be the excuse the police need to smash up the rallies.

Violence could be used to discredit the rallies.

BINGO

[Scott]

Off-topic and troll posts and replies have been deleted.

[wolf5370]

This whole situation has the stench of hypocracy and discrimination about it. The governments appeasement of northern farmers and disinterest with their southern cohorts is indicative of this governments perpetuation of a North/ South divide in this country. As these disenfrachised groups become more vocal and their demand ignored they will become more radical.

PTP reconcilliantion at its finest.

I'm also wondering whether the N / NE rubber farmers have been 'encouraged' by the local red schools to be quiet. No proof, just wondering.

Just wondering.....the mind is a wonderful thing..some links in your wonderings would be nice

Surely if he had links - evidence - then it would hardly be wondering would it?

[ChrisY1]

These are Red tactics.....tried and proven.....keep watching 'cos there's sure to be more coming

[ggold]

Nation Multimedia Group reporter Apichart Hongsakul said the young men who attacked police do not appear to be farmers and they were well equipped with home-made weapons including metal pipes and home-made explosives.

Has redshirts written all over it ! Bet they were on 500 a day.

Haha. Much more likely a politician with the initial "S".

That's what Chalerm used to say when he was trying to accuse an opposition politician of misdeeds! "a politician with the initial" mind you he had an excuse!

[geriatrickid]

This whole situation has the stench of hypocracy and discrimination about it. The governments appeasement of northern farmers and disinterest with their southern cohorts is indicative of this governments perpetuation of a North/ South divide in this country. As these disenfrachised groups become more vocal and their demand ignored they will become more radical.

PTP reconcilliantion at its finest.

You have conveniently neglected to acknowledge the large sums of money pledged to the southern growers and processors,

Why is Songkhla quiet? This is the 2nd largest rubber producing region and where most of the processing occurs. Yet, the protests have been few and far between.

Care to adjust your conspiracy allegation in light of that reality, or do you just want to cling to the hatred of PTP no matter what?

[Insight]

Nation Multimedia Group reporter Apichart Hongsakul said the young men who attacked police do not appear to be farmers and they were well equipped with home-made weapons including metal pipes and home-made explosives.

Has redshirts written all over it ! Bet they were on 500 a day.

Haha. Much more likely a politician with the initial "S".

Insinuations made using initials. Where have we seen this before?

[johnnie20110]

This whole situation has the stench of hypocracy and discrimination about it. The governments appeasement of northern farmers and disinterest with their southern cohorts is indicative of this governments perpetuation of a North/ South divide in this country. As these disenfrachised groups become more vocal and their demand ignored they will become more radical.

PTP reconcilliantion at its finest.

I'm also wondering whether the N / NE rubber farmers have been 'encouraged' by the local red schools to be quiet. No proof, just wondering.

"Persuaded" was the term used in this possible explanation.

Pheu Thai Party Spokesman Prompong denied the government played any role in the shooting.

Prompong also denied a report that the government had made a 200 million baht offer to rubber farmers in Issan and the North to cancel their planned protest.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665091-thai-protester-shot-dead-at-rubber-farmer-rally/?view=findpost&p=6780809

[Gulfsailor]

This whole situation has the stench of hypocracy and discrimination about it. The governments appeasement of northern farmers and disinterest with their southern cohorts is indicative of this governments perpetuation of a North/ South divide in this country. As these disenfrachised groups become more vocal and their demand ignored they will become more radical.

PTP reconcilliantion at its finest.

You have conveniently neglected to acknowledge the large sums of money pledged to the southern growers and processors,

Why is Songkhla quiet? This is the 2nd largest rubber producing region and where most of the processing occurs. Yet, the protests have been few and far between.

Care to adjust your conspiracy allegation in light of that reality, or do you just want to cling to the hatred of PTP no matter what?

Although the general rubber farmer is better of than the general rice farmer in Thailand, their grievances are real. Rubber prices have declined by as much as 60% in the past 18 month. The rubber processors could keep their margin intact though, by just paying less to the farmers. Although right now it seems even they are starting to worry. Hence the threat of Songkhla processors and farmers to block Sadao border wirh Malaysia next week, if government does not up their proposal. A threat far more serious than any blockade so far, and even Yingluck personally commented on it. So please wait until next week, then see if your Songkhla argument still holds water.