Anti-govt rallies: Thai Police search for weapons amid claims of armed men

[webfact]

ANTI-GOVERNMENT RALLIES
Police search for weapons amid claims of armed men
The Nation

Deputy PM says 2 Cambodians found with guns in South; students' tents searched

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnog has confirmed reports that armed men are now among protesters rallying against the government.

"Police have already arrested two Cambodians for carrying guns at a the protest site of rubber farmers in Prachuap Khiri Khan," he said yesterday, adding that it was of serious concern to the government.

Yesterday, about 20 policemen searched several tents at the Bangkok-based rally led by the Students and People's Network for Thailand's Reform, but no weapons were found at the site.

Pracha was speaking after PM's deputy secretary-general Suporn Atthawong mentioned the presence of war weapons at anti-government rally sites.

There are now many rallies against the Yingluck Shinawatra-led government. Former Democrat MP Suthep Thaugsuban leads one of the biggest rallies in Bangkok.

The Democrat Party's deputy spokeswoman Mallika Boonmeetrakool, who apparently doubted Suporn's words, demanded that authorities make arrests within two days, if they could prove weapons were at the rally site.

"Otherwise, we will hold that the current government has lost its legitimacy to maintain peace and order in the country," she said.

As of press time, Pracha offered no details on the arrests made in Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit, meanwhile, said he had received information that hundreds of hardcore protestors in the southern provinces of Surat Thani, Chumphon, Songkhla and Nakhon Si Thammarat, were being mobilised to join the Suthep-led rally.

"If there is any violence, Suthep and his gang must take responsibility," Prompong said.

Ekanat Prompan, a spokesman for the Suthep-led rally at the Democracy Monument, said dozens of thousand people had signed their petition to impeach 310 MPs who voted in support of the amnesty bill.

Whistle-blowers

The highly controversial blanket-amnesty bill sailed through the House of Representatives at dawn on November 1, prompting public outrage. Thousands of people have since taken to the streets to show their dissatisfaction.

The Yingluck-led government has tried to appease the public by announcing that it will scrap the bill. Suthep, however, has continued his protest and called for more anti-Thaksin people to come forward. Yingluck is a younger sister of Thaksin Shinatwatra, the former prime minister who lost power following the 2006 military coup.

Suthep also urged people to show their dissatisfaction of the government by blowing whistles in the presence of government figures and Cabinet members.

Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang faced a large number of whistle blowers yesterday at a hotel in Nakhon Si Thammarat where he was presiding over a seminar.

Whistle blowers were also present at the Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport, when Chaturon boarded his flight. He also faced whistle blowers at a hotel in Bangkok.

Saksarit Sriprasart, a core member of the Student and People's Network for Thailand's Reform in Trang, urged local residents to blow whistles at Deputy Prime Ministers Niwatthumrong Boonsongpaisan and Kittiratt Na Ranong, who were scheduled to join a seminar in Trang between November 22 and November 24.

Yingluck, who is also defence minister, said she had recognised whistle blowing was a form of expression.

-- The Nation 2013-11-18

[JRSoul]

Newsflash for Pracha - the armed men reported amongst protesters were plain-clothes police.

Yingluck said she had recognised whistle blowing was a form of expression, but does she realise that what they are expressing is disgust with her, her brother and their corrupt government?

[Thai at Heart]

Why would Cambodians be against yingluck?

This makes no sense.

[Thait Spot]

Intimidation in yet another form for a peaceful protest

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[ChrisY1]

"If there is any violence, Suthep and his gang must take responsibility," Prompong said.

Nothing to do with the authorities not taking any action????....These people have "selective" memories as we all know.

[NongKhaiKid]

Justification for increasing action against protestors and all in the name of protecting the government and their plans as dictated from Dubai, SORRY I mean all in the name of national security, peace and order.

[worgeordie]

The Government is grasping at any kind of straw to blacken

the protesters,as they are protesting peacefully ,unlike the

marauding Red shirts,the Government cannot use force to

stop them,

regards Worgeordie

[Thainy Tim]

"If there is any violence, Suthep and his gang must take responsibility," Prompong said.

If there is any violence, the government and the police must take responsibility. It also depends which way the guns are being pointed.

Cambodians found with guns at the rubber farmer rally? Well we all know who is pally with the Cambodians don't we?

[Local Drunk]

Newsflash for Pracha - the armed men reported amongst protesters were plain-clothes police.

Yingluck said she had recognised whistle blowing was a form of expression, but does she realise that what they are expressing is disgust with her, her brother and their corrupt government?

Newsflash for Pracha - the armed men reported amongst protesters were plain-clothes police.

I was at Democracy Monument week before last and was warned by a very well connected friend of mine to be very careful because there were indeed plain clothes cops mixed with the protesters as well as PTP thugs. I was camped on the monument proper as it was high ground for photography. Around 2:am I went to one of the bus toilets and while I was returning to the monument I heard this menacing voice say, "Thaksin Shinawatra is coming back to Thailand". I turned and and saw a man reposed in a mosquito tent on the periphery of the monument. I looked at him and he repeated, "Thaksin Shinawatra is coming back to Thailand". It creeped me out to the point that I collected my gear and left.

No way of knowing for sure, but the vibe I got suggests he was probably a cop.

[fab4]

Newsflash for Pracha - the armed men reported amongst protesters were plain-clothes police.

I was at Democracy Monument week before last and was warned by a very well connected friend of mine to be very careful because there were indeed plain clothes cops mixed with the protesters as well as PTP thugs. I was camped on the monument proper as it was high ground for photography. Around 2:am I went to one of the bus toilets and while I was returning to the monument I heard this menacing voice say, "Thaksin Shinawatra is coming back to Thailand". I turned and and saw a man reposed in a mosquito tent on the periphery of the monument. I looked at him and he repeated, "Thaksin Shinawatra is coming back to Thailand". It creeped me out to the point that I collected my gear and left.

No way of knowing for sure, but the vibe I got suggests he was probably a cop.

So let me get this right, a thai is camped out by the monument (under a mosquito net - a bit more detail to add to the story) and decides to tell the first ferang he sees walking past him in english and in a menacing voice "Thaksin Shinawatra is coming back to Thailand" and then repeated himself all the while giving off the vibe of a cop.

Mmm yeah right, it just sounds true to me. So you didn't think of sharing this "interesting" encounter just after it happened on the forum, I mean it sounds quite noteworthy and a definite improvement on "my wifes friend went to the rally and"

Edited November 18, 2013 by fab4

[h90]

Why would Cambodians be against yingluck?

This makes no sense.

So the police can crackdown on the evil armed protestors.

Plant 5 armed Cambodian within and claim all the protestors are terrorists.

[Local Drunk]

Newsflash for Pracha - the armed men reported amongst protesters were plain-clothes police.

I was at Democracy Monument week before last and was warned by a very well connected friend of mine to be very careful because there were indeed plain clothes cops mixed with the protesters as well as PTP thugs. I was camped on the monument proper as it was high ground for photography. Around 2:am I went to one of the bus toilets and while I was returning to the monument I heard this menacing voice say, "Thaksin Shinawatra is coming back to Thailand". I turned and and saw a man reposed in a mosquito tent on the periphery of the monument. I looked at him and he repeated, "Thaksin Shinawatra is coming back to Thailand". It creeped me out to the point that I collected my gear and left.

No way of knowing for sure, but the vibe I got suggests he was probably a cop.

So let me get this right, a thai is camped out by the monument (under a mosquito net - a bit more detail to add to the story) and decides to tell the first ferang he sees walking past him in english and in a menacing voice "Thaksin Shinawatra is coming back to Thailand" and then repeated himself all the while giving off the vibe of a cop.

Mmm yeah right, it just sounds true to me. So you didn't think of sharing this "interesting" encounter just after it happened on the forum, I mean it sounds quite noteworthy and a definite improvement on "my wifes friend went to the rally and"

Thank you very much Fab4 and the why of why I didn't share it earlier is because this seemed to be just the thread to tell it.

Cheers, LD

[Scott]

Off-topic posts and replies deleted.

[rubl]

In related news we have 30,000 red-shirts coming to the rescue

[indyuk]

Like most foreigners I watch the political rallies and protest marching with with great interest yet from afar. I continue to be baffled at the motivation and enthusiasm of the Thai people involved.

In the thoughts and discussions of millions of Thai people there seems to be bewildering level of hatred and rude behavior. It is the incantation of such negativity and hatred that the protesters stoop down to when rallying. This is important because the reality is that the vast majority of Thai protesters seem to have virtually no idea, in any measurable sense, as to WHY they are protesting. So why do the come?

At the centre of the propaganda that wills these unnecessary events into being is PM Thaksin, one of the most charismatic and productive prime minister as Thailand ever had, and yet also perhaps the most controversial.

Co-opting the anti-Thaksin, and now the anti-Shinawatra family, are legions of yesteryear Democrats mourning their loss of grip on the decades of their own corruption and the wealth it brought their Dynastic families.

What is at work here? After all these years since anti-Jek mania ended, surely this repeating crusade against anyone that is not a Democrat (or perhaps Siamese), is it Political or racism?

The leader of the erstwhile Democrat Mob is of course PM Abhisit a Thai darling of Thailand's Elite and the owner of well documented misdemeanors that are leading him exorably toward trial for many crimes, at least one of which is capital.

PM Thaksin on the other hand was clumsily dragged down and eventually brought to trial and conviction of crimes against the nation, that he'd so efficiently led. Thaksin's trial remains conspicuous on several counts; The accused was not present, the prosecutor possessed no tangible evidence of the alleged crime, The Bench appeared to be aware of the judgment in advance of the trial, Thaksin was convicted of a crime that he did not commit, and the sentencing was punitive, including the proposed sequestration sum in excess of Bt45 Billion.

What the World wondered is what was the orchestrator PM Abhisit's objective, in this abusive pursuit of a Giant of a businessman (Thaksin) who had served Thailand so well.

But what really puzzles the foreign community is; from where did Khun Abhisit acquire such immense power to enable him to crush a son of Thailand (Thaksin), a man of twice his stature and integrity.

Edited November 18, 2013 by indyuk

[rubl]

Minor correction. It's either former PM Thaksin, self-exiled former PM Thaksin or just criminal fugitive golf caddy Thaksin.

The rest of the post i'll try to ignore as it seems to be based on events in a parallel universe, one with rosy tints.

Like most foreigners I watch the political rallies and protest marching with with great interest yet from afar. I continue to be baffled at the motivation and enthusiasm of the Thai people involved.

In the thoughts and discussions of millions of Thai people there seems to be bewildering level of hatred and rude behavior. It is the incantation of such negativity and hatred that the protesters stoop down to when rallying. This is important because the reality is that the vast majority of Thai protesters seem to have virtually no idea, in any measurable sense, as to WHY they are protesting. So why do the come?

At the centre of the propaganda that wills these unnecessary events into being is PM Thaksin, one of the most charismatic and productive prime minister as Thailand ever had, and yet also perhaps the most controversial.

Co-opting the anti-Thaksin, and now the anti-Shinawatra family, are legions of yesteryear Democrats mourning their loss of grip on the decades of their own corruption and the wealth it brought their Dynastic families.

What is at work here? After all these years since anti-Jek mania ended, surely this repeating crusade against anyone that is not a Democrat (or perhaps Siamese), is it Political or racism?

The leader of the erstwhile Democrat Mob is of course PM Abhisit a Thai darling of Thailand's Elite and the owner of well documented misdemeanors that are leading him exorably toward trial for many crimes, at least one of which is capital.

PM Thaksin on the other hand was clumsily dragged down and eventually brought to trial and conviction of crimes against the nation, that he'd so efficiently led. Thaksin's trial remains conspicuous on several counts; The accused was not present, the prosecutor possessed no tangible evidence of the alleged crime, The Bench appeared to be aware of the judgment in advance of the trial, Thaksin was convicted of a crime that he did not commit, and the sentencing was punitive, including the proposed sequestration sum in excess of Bt45 Billion.

What the World wondered is what was the orchestrator PM Abhisit's objective, in this abusive pursuit of a Giant of a businessman (Thaksin) who had served Thailand so well.

But what really puzzles the foreign community is; from where did Khun Abhisit acquire such immense power to enable him to crush a son of Thailand (Thaksin), a man of twice his stature and integrity.

[Bagwan]

Like most foreigners I watch the political rallies and protest marching with with great interest yet from afar. I continue to be baffled at the motivation and enthusiasm of the Thai people involved.

In the thoughts and discussions of millions of Thai people there seems to be bewildering level of hatred and rude behavior. It is the incantation of such negativity and hatred that the protesters stoop down to when rallying. This is important because the reality is that the vast majority of Thai protesters seem to have virtually no idea, in any measurable sense, as to WHY they are protesting. So why do the come?

At the centre of the propaganda that wills these unnecessary events into being is PM Thaksin, one of the most charismatic and productive prime minister as Thailand ever had, and yet also perhaps the most controversial.

Co-opting the anti-Thaksin, and now the anti-Shinawatra family, are legions of yesteryear Democrats mourning their loss of grip on the decades of their own corruption and the wealth it brought their Dynastic families.

What is at work here? After all these years since anti-Jek mania ended, surely this repeating crusade against anyone that is not a Democrat (or perhaps Siamese), is it Political or racism?

The leader of the erstwhile Democrat Mob is of course PM Abhisit a Thai darling of Thailand's Elite and the owner of well documented misdemeanors that are leading him exorably toward trial for many crimes, at least one of which is capital.

PM Thaksin on the other hand was clumsily dragged down and eventually brought to trial and conviction of crimes against the nation, that he'd so efficiently led. Thaksin's trial remains conspicuous on several counts; The accused was not present, the prosecutor possessed no tangible evidence of the alleged crime, The Bench appeared to be aware of the judgment in advance of the trial, Thaksin was convicted of a crime that he did not commit, and the sentencing was punitive, including the proposed sequestration sum in excess of Bt45 Billion.

What the World wondered is what was the orchestrator PM Abhisit's objective, in this abusive pursuit of a Giant of a businessman (Thaksin) who had served Thailand so well.

But what really puzzles the foreign community is; from where did Khun Abhisit acquire such immense power to enable him to crush a son of Thailand (Thaksin), a man of twice his stature and integrity.

Do yo0uplan to return to your own planet any time soon?

[GrantSmith]

Like most foreigners I watch the political rallies and protest marching with with great interest yet from afar. I continue to be baffled at the motivation and enthusiasm of the Thai people involved.

In the thoughts and discussions of millions of Thai people there seems to be bewildering level of hatred and rude behavior. It is the incantation of such negativity and hatred that the protesters stoop down to when rallying. This is important because the reality is that the vast majority of Thai protesters seem to have virtually no idea, in any measurable sense, as to WHY they are protesting. So why do the come?

At the centre of the propaganda that wills these unnecessary events into being is PM Thaksin, one of the most charismatic and productive prime minister as Thailand ever had, and yet also perhaps the most controversial.

Co-opting the anti-Thaksin, and now the anti-Shinawatra family, are legions of yesteryear Democrats mourning their loss of grip on the decades of their own corruption and the wealth it brought their Dynastic families.

What is at work here? After all these years since anti-Jek mania ended, surely this repeating crusade against anyone that is not a Democrat (or perhaps Siamese), is it Political or racism?

The leader of the erstwhile Democrat Mob is of course PM Abhisit a Thai darling of Thailand's Elite and the owner of well documented misdemeanors that are leading him exorably toward trial for many crimes, at least one of which is capital.

PM Thaksin on the other hand was clumsily dragged down and eventually brought to trial and conviction of crimes against the nation, that he'd so efficiently led. Thaksin's trial remains conspicuous on several counts; The accused was not present, the prosecutor possessed no tangible evidence of the alleged crime, The Bench appeared to be aware of the judgment in advance of the trial, Thaksin was convicted of a crime that he did not commit, and the sentencing was punitive, including the proposed sequestration sum in excess of Bt45 Billion.

What the World wondered is what was the orchestrator PM Abhisit's objective, in this abusive pursuit of a Giant of a businessman (Thaksin) who had served Thailand so well.

But what really puzzles the foreign community is; from where did Khun Abhisit acquire such immense power to enable him to crush a son of Thailand (Thaksin), a man of twice his stature and integrity.

Did you type that with a straight face or was it composed during the convening for your morning bowel movement?

[Robby nz]

Wonder if the police in the south are searching for those who fired grenades at the homes of the rubber farmers leaders?

Or has that been forgotten in the quest for finding weapons among the anti Govt protestors?

[jdinasia]

It is obvious that Indyuk has either not been in Thailand very long or has no sense of historical relevance. All one needs to do is the merest bit of research to see that corruption was brought to a whole new level under Thaksin. Thaksin the man that stated in public that "Democracy is not my goal.:

[cornishcarlos]

"Saksarit Sriprasart, a core member of the Student and People's Network for Thailand's Reform in Trang, urged local residents to blow whistles at Deputy Prime Ministers Niwatthumrong Boonsongpaisan and Kittiratt Na Ranong, who were scheduled to join a seminar in Trang between November 22 and November 24"

Won't those dates conflict with when they are supposed to be in parliament to face the impeachment proceedings ?

[liddelljohn]

I have visited over the last few years , yellow Shirt , red shirt and the recent multi party rallies and the only times I have seen illegal weapons is at Red shirt rallies and i have also seen the Black shirts at the red shirt rallies they are armed thugs ,,

Taksin did some good things , the 30 Baht healthcare was one but he also did many evil things alot of people died under his auspicis and ultimately wants supreme power for himself , he is a menace to thailand ,,

But the Doomocrats and other old parties are also hopelessly corrupt and out of touch with reality ,,, Thailand is in for some dangerous times .

[Emptyset]

Newsflash for Pracha - the armed men reported amongst protesters were plain-clothes police.

I was at Democracy Monument week before last and was warned by a very well connected friend of mine to be very careful because there were indeed plain clothes cops mixed with the protesters as well as PTP thugs. I was camped on the monument proper as it was high ground for photography. Around 2:am I went to one of the bus toilets and while I was returning to the monument I heard this menacing voice say, "Thaksin Shinawatra is coming back to Thailand". I turned and and saw a man reposed in a mosquito tent on the periphery of the monument. I looked at him and he repeated, "Thaksin Shinawatra is coming back to Thailand". It creeped me out to the point that I collected my gear and left.

No way of knowing for sure, but the vibe I got suggests he was probably a cop.

Well, this is definitely one of the more amusing anecdotes I've seen. Although it's certainly a leap to assume he's a coup. More likely a drunk lol. Or a nut. I suspect some of these protests on whichever side can often be a lightning rod for screwballs & malign cranks, even though most of the protesters tend to be perfectly decent. Are you sure he wasn't saying 'Thaksin Shinawatra is *not* coming back to Thailand'? I mean that would make more sense.

When the red shirts claimed a third hand in 2010 btw, I thought that - whilst it was no doubt true they would've been infiltrated by security forces, because no intelligence service worth their salt wouldn't people in their - if there really were 'yellow shirt thugs' in their midst trying to cause trouble, then other protesters who more often than not likely all know each other, would spot them, quell the trouble and turf them out. So why the worry about 'PTP thugs'? There's as yet zero evidence of this other than your friend's say so. And despite his connections, I would bet such comments are more likely based on rumour than any solid intelligence. (As I say, you hear exactly the same from red shirts, except it's the other side which have infiltrated the protests).

[Artisi]

Like most foreigners I watch the political rallies and protest marching with with great interest yet from afar. I continue to be baffled at the motivation and enthusiasm of the Thai people involved.

In the thoughts and discussions of millions of Thai people there seems to be bewildering level of hatred and rude behavior. It is the incantation of such negativity and hatred that the protesters stoop down to when rallying. This is important because the reality is that the vast majority of Thai protesters seem to have virtually no idea, in any measurable sense, as to WHY they are protesting. So why do the come?

At the centre of the propaganda that wills these unnecessary events into being is PM Thaksin, one of the most charismatic and productive prime minister as Thailand ever had, and yet also perhaps the most controversial.

Co-opting the anti-Thaksin, and now the anti-Shinawatra family, are legions of yesteryear Democrats mourning their loss of grip on the decades of their own corruption and the wealth it brought their Dynastic families.

What is at work here? After all these years since anti-Jek mania ended, surely this repeating crusade against anyone that is not a Democrat (or perhaps Siamese), is it Political or racism?

The leader of the erstwhile Democrat Mob is of course PM Abhisit a Thai darling of Thailand's Elite and the owner of well documented misdemeanors that are leading him exorably toward trial for many crimes, at least one of which is capital.

PM Thaksin on the other hand was clumsily dragged down and eventually brought to trial and conviction of crimes against the nation, that he'd so efficiently led. Thaksin's trial remains conspicuous on several counts; The accused was not present, the prosecutor possessed no tangible evidence of the alleged crime, The Bench appeared to be aware of the judgment in advance of the trial, Thaksin was convicted of a crime that he did not commit, and the sentencing was punitive, including the proposed sequestration sum in excess of Bt45 Billion.

What the World wondered is what was the orchestrator PM Abhisit's objective, in this abusive pursuit of a Giant of a businessman (Thaksin) who had served Thailand so well.

But what really puzzles the foreign community is; from where did Khun Abhisit acquire such immense power to enable him to crush a son of Thailand (Thaksin), a man of twice his stature and integrity.

Guess you have Idi Amin on a pedestal as well, as the savour of Uganda.

[Emptyset]

It is obvious that Indyuk has either not been in Thailand very long or has no sense of historical relevance. All one needs to do is the merest bit of research to see that corruption was brought to a whole new level under Thaksin. Thaksin the man that stated in public that "Democracy is not my goal.:

What sort of research would you propose doing? Presumably a good place to start would be to look at the corruption indicators provided by recognized & impartial international organizations. See this Bangkok Pundit post for details of how corruption fell under Thaksin according to those indicators: "I have a post at Washington Post’s new Postglobal entitled “Just How Corrupt Was Thaksin?” – their choice of words not mine. I looked Transparency International’s CPI and the World Bank’s Control of Corruption indicators. Both show that corruption has fallen under Thaksin – CPI ‘s figures shows that Thailand is perceived as less corrupt whereas the World Bank figures show that the Control of Corruption has improved."

I don't think it's such an easy thing to assess. What I will say is that many commentators and academics seem to think that though Thaksin was probably personally more corrupt than several other PMs during recent times, he managed to control corruption more effectively than other governments both within his cabinet and party, and, crucially, he cut bureaucratic corruption, which arguably has more of an effect than political corruption anyway, given the vast number of bureaucrats. Voranai was just saying the same thing the other day in the Post in fact. But anyway, if you have any other links to impartial sources that you think could shed more light on this, I'd be very interested to read them.

Edited November 18, 2013 by Emptyset

[JRSoul]

It is obvious that Indyuk has either not been in Thailand very long or has no sense of historical relevance. All one needs to do is the merest bit of research to see that corruption was brought to a whole new level under Thaksin. Thaksin the man that stated in public that "Democracy is not my goal.:

What sort of research would you propose doing? Presumably a good place to start would be to look at the corruption indicators provided by recognized & impartial international organizations. See this Bangkok Pundit post for details of how corruption fell under Thaksin according to those indicators: "I have a post at Washington Post’s new Postglobal entitled “Just How Corrupt Was Thaksin?” – their choice of words not mine. I looked Transparency International’s CPI and the World Bank’s Control of Corruption indicators. Both show that corruption has fallen under Thaksin – CPI ‘s figures shows that Thailand is perceived as less corrupt whereas the World Bank figures show that the Control of Corruption has improved."

I don't think it's such an easy thing to assess. What I will say is that many commentators and academics seem to think that though Thaksin was probably personally more corrupt than several other PMs during recent times, he managed to control corruption more effectively than other governments both within his cabinet and party, and, crucially, he cut bureaucratic corruption, which arguably has more of an effect than political corruption anyway, given the vast numbher of bureaucrats. Voranai was just saying the same thing the other day in the Post in fact. But anyway, if you have any other links to impartial sources that you think could shed more light on this, I'd be very interested to read them.

condensed version - Thaksin didn't like to share the pillage.

[Thai at Heart]

Why would Cambodians be against yingluck?

This makes no sense.

So the police can crackdown on the evil armed protestors.

Plant 5 armed Cambodian within and claim all the protestors are terrorists.

Why claim they are Cambodians? That is the one bunch who would probably be pro thaksin

[Muhendis]

"Police have already arrested two Cambodians for carrying guns at a the protest site of rubber farmers in Prachuap Khiri Khan,"

I don't think so.

Where's the finger pointing trophy photo?

[bigbamboo]

Like most foreigners I watch the political rallies and protest marching with with great interest yet from afar. I continue to be baffled at the motivation and enthusiasm of the Thai people involved.

In the thoughts and discussions of millions of Thai people there seems to be bewildering level of hatred and rude behavior. It is the incantation of such negativity and hatred that the protesters stoop down to when rallying. This is important because the reality is that the vast majority of Thai protesters seem to have virtually no idea, in any measurable sense, as to WHY they are protesting. So why do the come?

At the centre of the propaganda that wills these unnecessary events into being is PM Thaksin, one of the most charismatic and productive prime minister as Thailand ever had, and yet also perhaps the most controversial.

Co-opting the anti-Thaksin, and now the anti-Shinawatra family, are legions of yesteryear Democrats mourning their loss of grip on the decades of their own corruption and the wealth it brought their Dynastic families.

What is at work here? After all these years since anti-Jek mania ended, surely this repeating crusade against anyone that is not a Democrat (or perhaps Siamese), is it Political or racism?

The leader of the erstwhile Democrat Mob is of course PM Abhisit a Thai darling of Thailand's Elite and the owner of well documented misdemeanors that are leading him exorably toward trial for many crimes, at least one of which is capital.

PM Thaksin on the other hand was clumsily dragged down and eventually brought to trial and conviction of crimes against the nation, that he'd so efficiently led. Thaksin's trial remains conspicuous on several counts; The accused was not present, the prosecutor possessed no tangible evidence of the alleged crime, The Bench appeared to be aware of the judgment in advance of the trial, Thaksin was convicted of a crime that he did not commit, and the sentencing was punitive, including the proposed sequestration sum in excess of Bt45 Billion.

What the World wondered is what was the orchestrator PM Abhisit's objective, in this abusive pursuit of a Giant of a businessman (Thaksin) who had served Thailand so well.

But what really puzzles the foreign community is; from where did Khun Abhisit acquire such immense power to enable him to crush a son of Thailand (Thaksin), a man of twice his stature and integrity.

Mussolini was the most productive and charismatic leader Italy ever had but he still failed.

Mr Amsterdam would be proud of you though.

edit typo

Edited November 18, 2013 by bigbamboo

[thaicbr]

I'm still wondering WHY any Cambodians would give a fart about rubber prices in Thailand and why 2 would be carrying guns.

Unless they are some of the ones that were suggested before to be hiding out in a temple up north waiting to cause trouble

NAH not possible as they were not there..

ps: have they found the guns that the Deputy PM Police General whatshisname said were in Bangkok?

Edited November 18, 2013 by thaicbr