30,000 red-shirts coming to Bangkok

[Skywalker69]

So Docno, You are saying that the Billions of baht that has been spent By the Thaksin clan for votes has been for naught. That the farmers aren't all rich now as Thaksin promised!

Also, please cite the specific occasion in which Thaksin promised the rice farmers they would become "rich" (again, based on the dictionary definition of that term).

And no, I don't believe that most rice farmers have living conditions or assets that would qualify them as being "rich".

Presuming farmers are part of "all Thai people"

March 14, 2011

Thaksin told his supporters, We must give the Pheu Thai Party a land slide victory in the next election so I can return to Thailand to solve the economic problems. I promise that I will make all Thai people rich within six months.

http://2bangkok.com/thaksin-a-continuing-menace.html

Also in TV

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/451374-thaksin-a-continuing-menace/

[webfact]

UPDATE:
Red shirts being mobilised for long rally
Olan Lertrudtanadumrongkul,
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- PRO-GOVERNMENT red-shirt leaders are mobilising supporters for a prolonged protest in case the Constitutional Court hands down a ruling tomorrow that is very bad for the government.

United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship chairwoman Thida Thavornseth said some 80,000 to 100,000 red shirts would rally today at Rajamangala Stadium in the lead-up to tomorrow's judicial decision on the charter amendment bill related to election of the Senate.

Thida told the red shirts to be restrained and not use violence before hearing the court's ruling.

However, another leader, Jatuporn Promphan, mobilised people.

"On November 20, the [court's] ruling could be extremely bad, moderately bad or slightly bad. There's no way that it will not be bad. But no matter how the ruling turns out, we red shirts will stick together to get through the obstacles," he said.

"It's up to the Constitutional Court's ruling. But I will tell the red shirts that once they come out from home, they'd better not set a date to return," he said.

Nisit Sinthuprai, another red shirt leader, said at least 100,000 people were ready to be the "first batch" to rally for about one week to 10 days. After that, a "second batch" of 100,000 protesters would take turns to protest.

Yesterday, about 200 police were dispatched to beef up security at the Constitutional Court in the Government Complex at Chaeng Wattana.

The so-called Democratic Force group was also rallying in front of the court - to provide moral support to the top court's judges.

Police put up barricades at the stairs up to the court and the front gate. Police also used prison vans to block the entrance to the court.

Nitirat leader Worachet Pakeerut said that in his view, the high court had no purview over the legislative mandate to amend the charter.

Worachet said the verdict might cite flawed voting procedures, such as a conflict of interest involving certain lawmakers or false votes cast by impostors, to derail the charter change.

He saw a very slim chance for the " worst-case" scenario - that the ruling party would face dissolution.

The most likely outcome was the court issuing an instruction for the government to rectify flawed procedures, he said.

In another scenario, the court might ban the bill's sponsors from holding office, which would be tantamount to a collapse of the coalition, he said, but he thought this was unlikely.


-- The Nation 2013-11-19

[Pimay1]

Thida told the red shirts to be restrained and not use violence before hearing the court's ruling.

But after the court's ruling all bets are off.

[gemini81]

Thida told the red shirts to be restrained and not use violence before hearing the court's ruling.

But after the court's ruling all bets are off.

Looks like a repeat plan of 2010: reds provoke violence, then play martyr. Gov't says they'll have to crackdown thus keeping Phuea Thai in, allowing Thaksin a glimmer of hope to return, saying he can manage it given the chance for reconciliation. Hope the army and real democrats, general public don't tolerate BS from these thugs.

Met Abhisit and got to chat with him last night at Siam Kapinski for news channel asia's interview with him- that man is the only qualified, rational and caring leader this country has to offer at this time or up to now. Hope he gets to return one day without red con artists using corruption and dishonesty as a ploy to shut down democracy and let a crony style oligarchy continue to eat away at this place.

[Joe Mamma]

Not going to help the local stock market or the tourism industry or the food industries or the country.

[Thai at Heart]

I have to keep repeating that the current government was DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED People may not like their policies but that's one of the consequences of living in a democracy

I don't like many of the policies of the current coalition government in UK but it is up to the opposition parties and the strength of public opinion to make the coalition change or modify their ppolicies.

They have a right to govern in the same way that PheuThai have a right to govern. Allowed that right and without rabble rousers like Suthep trying to oust the democratically elected government there would be no need for supporters of the government to rally to their support

I continue to be disappointed that so many posters whose home countries respect democracy somehow feel that Thailand is somehow different. Let the government be judged by it's actions during it's term in office and then, if it falls horribly short, elect a different government at the end of their electoral term

The current government in UK , with an election around the corner, is already trying to 'buy votes' by introducing 'populist policies' it's the way of the World

Keep repeating as much as you like - doesn't make things any different. Being democratically elected (even ignoring the not-so-democratic methodologies employed to see that happen) does not give a party carte blanche power. When it becomes impossible for the opposition to stop dubious laws, and the ability of the lower house to do so is withered and side tracked (the 50%+1 rule) then there is little the public can do except take to the streets. That is part of democracy, keep repeating that to yourself - in a democracy people have the right to protest. It is only in this way that corrupt governments do not end up as dictatorships. Comparing Thailand to the UK is far from a like-for-like comparison - there is no free press here, liable laws and their free/frivolous over use close down education and public debate, lies are continuous, there is no recourse on being bad (they even have criminals - and murder suspects - in the houses - and criminal charges have to be left until the end of session) - there is no comparison at all as there is no integrity, no effective oversight, no legitimate challenging press coverage, no independence of judiciary, police or military, and so on.

Under a parliamentary democracy, as long as they hold a majority, yes basically it does give them carte Blanche.

You are right but under a democracy it does not give them Carte Blanche. In a democracy it would be the people who elect the Prime Minister. Not Parliamentarians.

Really big difference.

The prime minister's vote in this system is no more important than anyone else's. The pm is not a president, their vote is just a vote.

So, no I don't see that as if any importance at all. Now if you were to say that party list MPs are a democratic aberration I would agree.

The parliament runs the country not the prime minister.

[belg]

x 500 baht per person per day

[Docno]

So Docno, You are saying that the Billions of baht that has been spent By the Thaksin clan for votes has been for naught. That the farmers aren't all rich now as Thaksin promised!

Also, please cite the specific occasion in which Thaksin promised the rice farmers they would become "rich" (again, based on the dictionary definition of that term).

And no, I don't believe that most rice farmers have living conditions or assets that would qualify them as being "rich".

Presuming farmers are part of "all Thai people"

March 14, 2011

Thaksin told his supporters, We must give the Pheu Thai Party a land slide victory in the next election so I can return to Thailand to solve the economic problems. I promise that I will make all Thai people rich within six months.

http://2bangkok.com/thaksin-a-continuing-menace.html

Sorry, I clicked through on that link and I don't see where that supposed quote comes from. When I click on the title to of the article, I get an error page.

That said, I think you need to be more selective about your sources. The site you linked to certainly doesn't seem like an objective or worthy news source; in fact, it comes across as rabidly anti-Thaksin (even having a report claiming that Thaksin has Cambodian citizenship, which I place in the same category as the anti-Obama "birther" movement in the US).

Anyway, what I did was to Google the statement "make all Thai people rich within six months". Interestingly, only 5 hits come up, all farang-oriented forums ... and they seem to point back at the link you gave (re 'Thaksin, a continuing menace'). No original news sources otherwise. That makes me highly suspicious. It's just like a tea-party friend of mine who likes sending me quotes to 'prove' that Obama is a Muslim or a Communist or both ... someone makes up a quote to vilify the man, then it gets passed around as if it's true with no-one checking the original source. I believe that's what we have here: an urban myth that some of us are swallowing without any fact checking.

[Docno]

So Docno, You are saying that the Billions of baht that has been spent By the Thaksin clan for votes has been for naught. That the farmers aren't all rich now as Thaksin promised!

Also, please cite the specific occasion in which Thaksin promised the rice farmers they would become "rich" (again, based on the dictionary definition of that term).

And no, I don't believe that most rice farmers have living conditions or assets that would qualify them as being "rich".

Presuming farmers are part of "all Thai people"

March 14, 2011

Thaksin told his supporters, We must give the Pheu Thai Party a land slide victory in the next election so I can return to Thailand to solve the economic problems. I promise that I will make all Thai people rich within six months.

http://2bangkok.com/thaksin-a-continuing-menace.html

Also in TV

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/451374-thaksin-a-continuing-menace/

Please see my response immediately above.

[Nickymaster]

Not going to help the local stock market or the tourism industry or the food industries or the country.

You are right. Look at it this way too. The last 2 years the government was able to run this country without any obstruction and they made a real mess out of it. They have betrayed the public over and over and on top of that have completely mismanagement this country. They are only interested in 2 things: buying votes through over the top populism, enriching their own family and friends. Thais, strangely enough, can accept this IF they ALSO do a good job for the country.

[kamahele]

The bus companies must be making a pretty penny with all of these protests. Every weekend when driving between BKK and Korat, I see loads of tour buses filled with protesters. At least someone is making money.

[webfact]

UPDATE:
Red Shirts holding mass rally today
By English News



BANGKOK, Nov 19 -- The leaders of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) have called a mass rally at at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok today and tomorrow to show the force of the people.

UDD leaders including Chairwoman Thida Thavornseth, Jatuporn Prompan, Weng Tojirakarn held an urgent press conference on Monday on the planned gathering.

Spokesman Woravut Wichaidit said the UDD gathering is designed to inform Red Shirt supporters about the Constitution amendment being considered in Parliament.

Mr Woravut said that the rally starts at noon today and will continue overnight until the Constitution Court gives its scheduled verdict tomorrow on the Constitution amendment bill related to election of Senators.

He said the rally has no scheduled ending, so the gathering would be prolonged and the UDD leaders will inform the Red Shirt supporters later on the planned ending date.

Mrs Thida said the gathering was aimed to show the force of people who support democracy. She asserted that the rally would be carried out peacefully as the UDD does not want any confrontation with other groups.

Mr Jatuporn said that the rally would not pressure the Constitution Court judges and there would be no confrontation. The date has set for Tuesday and Wednesday but would make decision again on the schedule. He hinted that the rally may not end in two days. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-11-19

[Spare]

If they are lucky, 300 might turn up.

[sscsamui]

If they are paid good they will show up. But i would guest most of them don't really know what the Constitution amendment bill related to election of Senators is about. Or how it will affect them...

[iJustWanttoKnow]

Not approriate. Even in your country, you have no right to comment on politcs if you do not vote.

And...especially in any foreign country - YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO COMMENT AND IT IS COMPLETELY INAPPRORIATE.

When you thing that the politics is any better in your country or any of the other things you may think are better in your country - then go back to your country.

We like it here because it is not our home country - for all the reasons we compliment and don't complain about.

we only have three choices in life:

1. accept it

2, deny it

3. change it - and this one ain't up to you in Thia politics.

Please remember you are only a guest in this country. Even in my home if the guests complain too much I will show them the door.

[smartconsulting]

Not approriate. Even in your country, you have no right to comment on politcs if you do not vote.

And...especially in any foreign country - YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO COMMENT AND IT IS COMPLETELY INAPPRORIATE.

When you thing that the politics is any better in your country or any of the other things you may think are better in your country - then go back to your country.

We like it here because it is not our home country - for all the reasons we compliment and don't complain about.

we only have three choices in life:

1. accept it

2, deny it

3. change it - and this one ain't up to you in Thia politics.

Please remember you are only a guest in this country. Even in my home if the guests complain too much I will show them the door.

Well said!

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[webfact]

Red-shirt supporters arriving at stadium



BANGKOK: -- Red-shirt supporters of the government began to arrive at the Rajmangala stadium at Hua Mark this morning in preparation for tomorrow’s meeting of the Constitutional Court to deliver a verdict on the constituency of the amendment of the Constitution regarding the composition of the Senate.

Traffic police warned motorists to avoid Ramkhahaeng road as now the stadium is crowded with red-shirt supporters, and expected it would be overcrowded by late this afternoon when red-shirt supporters from across the country will be arriving to join.

The red-shirt supporters led by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) leader Thida Thavornset earlier said the two-day rally in Bangkok would be peaceful and was meant to send a message that people’s power was the heart of governance and the government must be elected.

But observers said their arrival was tantamount to send a message to the Constitutional Court which is to pass its verdict on the amendment of the constitution on the composition of the Senate.

The amendment is supported by the ruling Pheu Thai party and seeks to require all senators to be elected instead of party elected and partly selected as prescribed in the existing charter. Opposition argues that such requirement of all elected senators will bring about what it called “husband-and-wife” Parliament.

But red-shirt leader in Udon Thani, the northeastern stronghold of the red-shirt supporters, has made clear they would not take part in Bangkok’s rally.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/red-shirt-supporters-arriving-stadium/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=red-shirt-supporters-arriving-stadium

-- Thai PBS 2013-11-19

[ratcatcher]

Not approriate. Even in your country, you have no right to comment on politcs if you do not vote.

And...especially in any foreign country - YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO COMMENT AND IT IS COMPLETELY INAPPRORIATE.

When you thing that the politics is any better in your country or any of the other things you may think are better in your country - then go back to your country.

We like it here because it is not our home country - for all the reasons we compliment and don't complain about.

we only have three choices in life:

1. accept it

2, deny it

3. change it - and this one ain't up to you in Thia politics.

Please remember you are only a guest in this country. Even in my home if the guests complain too much I will show them the door.

Thank you for the advice and warning.

Since Thailand is purported to be a democracy, I believe there still exists a quaint custom called "freedom of speech", (at least for the moment) .

Just because I do not vote there is no reason I can't discuss politics with my wife, friends both Thai & farang and TVF members. The whole of TVF is devoted to discussion and invariably the discussion will turn to subjects we have no control over but can comment on.

People can criticize the police, immigration, transportation and the government etc. Criticism can be constructive and useful. Sometimes it gets very negative.

BTW you aren't the first of many 'newbies' to say "If you don't like it here go back to where you came from".

I love it here and will continue to praise and criticize where due.

Edited November 19, 2013 by ratcatcher

[smartconsulting]

Not approriate. Even in your country, you have no right to comment on politcs if you do not vote.

And...especially in any foreign country - YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO COMMENT AND IT IS COMPLETELY INAPPRORIATE.

When you thing that the politics is any better in your country or any of the other things you may think are better in your country - then go back to your country.

We like it here because it is not our home country - for all the reasons we compliment and don't complain about.

we only have three choices in life:

1. accept it

2, deny it

3. change it - and this one ain't up to you in Thia politics.

Please remember you are only a guest in this country. Even in my home if the guests complain too much I will show them the door.

Thank you for the advice and warning.

Since Thailand is purported to be a democracy, I believe there still exists a quaint custom called "freedom of speech", (at least for the moment) .

Just because I do not vote there is no reason I can't discuss politics with my wife, friends both Thai & farang and TVF members. The whole of TVF is devoted to discussion and invariably the discussion will turn to subjects we have no control over but can comment on.

People can criticize the police, immigration, transportation and the government etc. Criticism can be constructive and useful. Sometimes it gets very negative.

BTW you aren't the first of many 'newbies' to say "If you don't like it here go back to where you came from".

I love it here and will continue to praise and criticize where due.

Praising and criticizing is not the problem but when you have foreigners right in there protesting with some of the Thais and throwing insults around on Thai visa then it gets a little stupid don't ya think?

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Henn]

So Docno, You are saying that the Billions of baht that has been spent By the Thaksin clan for votes has been for naught. That the farmers aren't all rich now as Thaksin promised!

Also, please cite the specific occasion in which Thaksin promised the rice farmers they would become "rich" (again, based on the dictionary definition of that term).

And no, I don't believe that most rice farmers have living conditions or assets that would qualify them as being "rich".

Presuming farmers are part of "all Thai people"

March 14, 2011

Thaksin told his supporters, We must give the Pheu Thai Party a land slide victory in the next election so I can return to Thailand to solve the economic problems. I promise that I will make all Thai people rich within six months.

http://2bangkok.com/thaksin-a-continuing-menace.html

Sorry, I clicked through on that link and I don't see where that supposed quote comes from. When I click on the title to of the article, I get an error page.

That said, I think you need to be more selective about your sources. The site you linked to certainly doesn't seem like an objective or worthy news source; in fact, it comes across as rabidly anti-Thaksin (even having a report claiming that Thaksin has Cambodian citizenship, which I place in the same category as the anti-Obama "birther" movement in the US).

No original news sources otherwise.

.

The source I linked to is 2Bangkok, which is none of what you ascribe to it.

It was translated from an original source, which, again, is none of what you ascribe to it, either, and is contained right in the thread that was linked earlier.

As per the earlier link regarding the forum thread:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682481-30000-red-shirts-coming-to-bangkok/page-7#entry7054117

Naewna Newspaper, Page 5, March 14, 2011

Attempt to discredit source: FAIL

.

Edited November 19, 2013 by Henn

[Henn]

Not approriate. Even in your country, you have no right to comment on politcs if you do not vote.

And...especially in any foreign country - YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO COMMENT AND IT IS COMPLETELY INAPPRORIATE.

Fair enough.

You should pass along your recommendations to Admin on closing the forum.

[virtualtraveller]

I think this is great, we have the whole country protesting at one place or another, ramp up the pressure on Yingluck, her mob precipitated this mess, see how she deals with it - hope her Skype connection is reliable.

[gemini81]

Not approriate. Even in your country, you have no right to comment on politcs if you do not vote.

And...especially in any foreign country - YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO COMMENT AND IT IS COMPLETELY INAPPRORIATE.

Fair enough.

You should pass along your recommendations to Admin on closing the forum.

IJUSTWANTTOKNOW can demonstrate by closing both his lips and account first, since we're not entitled to opinions, though some of us, ironically, are permanent residents who can apply for citizenship within 5 years..

[rebelplatoon]

AAaaw come on! If you'd live in small town Isaan and you'd get a chance for a bus ride with your friends and relatives. 500B in the pocket and free food and booze, being able to visit the Big Apple (KhrungThepMahanakorn) wouldn't you be the first on the bus? Great field trip for them farmers!

[Thait Spot]

30,000 red shirts came down to eat the fest

And when the som tun was over there were 30,000 less

Singing rice from the farmers

The taxman pays it all

And when his coffers are over

The rich will have sod all

To the tune of 4 and twenty virgins

[rebelplatoon]

What's this thing with people always saying "If you don't like it here go back"? Firstly, I like it here or I wouldn't be here. There is NO HEAVEN ON EARTH and all countries should strive for a better environment for all. Commentaries on the matter, if respectful or meant as a poke, are of course allowed. The nice thing about Thailand being the 'live and let live' mentality. If people listen or not, up to them. If they do, try some soul searching. And constantly take a good look at yourself (that would be a very Buddhist approach anyway). I always feel a bit like that night when a drunken Thai drove into the tail-gate of my mate's parked pick up truck. First he got angry, then he called the police, even though he was wrong by law. And then he said the inevitable: "If the Farang hadn't been in Thailand, I would not have hit his truck". Sheer logic. Of course he was wrong and silly us let him off the hook anyway. I think we should try to understand each other and where it needs improvement just keep on delivering little pin pricks. One day it will get through, although maybe not in our life-time. No place is perfect, don't fool yourselves. Not where ever you came from nor Thailand.

[hellodolly]

I wonder who's paying for this......

It would be fair to ask who is paying for the anti government rally? They sure are not sitting there spending their own money. Sorry i forgot its ok for the other side to be financed by faceless people with an agenda to send Thailand back into the dark ages

Yes it is a fair question.

but what yiou are trying to do is evade reality.

the anti government started with out a sponsor it just arose out of people able to add 2 +2 and get 4 for an answer. It got so big that it did need backers. that is who ever they are stepped in.

the red shirts on the other hand had a backer with no people so he hired an organizer to raise up the red shirts who would have stayed home with out him being clueless why bother demonstrating. But the chance for a all expenses paid trip to Bangkok and getting paid to do it well they just grabbed on to that idea.

So we have on one side indignant citizens deciding on their own enough is enough and on the other side people who are clueless about what is going on but are getting paid to protest.

[Docno]

Presuming farmers are part of "all Thai people"

March 14, 2011

Thaksin told his supporters, We must give the Pheu Thai Party a land slide victory in the next election so I can return to Thailand to solve the economic problems. I promise that I will make all Thai people rich within six months.

http://2bangkok.com/thaksin-a-continuing-menace.html

Sorry, I clicked through on that link and I don't see where that supposed quote comes from. When I click on the title to of the article, I get an error page.

That said, I think you need to be more selective about your sources. The site you linked to certainly doesn't seem like an objective or worthy news source; in fact, it comes across as rabidly anti-Thaksin (even having a report claiming that Thaksin has Cambodian citizenship, which I place in the same category as the anti-Obama "birther" movement in the US).

No original news sources otherwise.

.

The source I linked to is 2Bangkok, which is none of what you ascribe to it.

It was translated from an original source, which, again, is none of what you ascribe to it, either, and is contained right in the thread that was linked earlier.

As per the earlier link regarding the forum thread:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682481-30000-red-shirts-coming-to-bangkok/page-7#entry7054117

Naewna Newspaper, Page 5, March 14, 2011

Attempt to discredit source: FAIL

.

First, please look at the 'related topics' following the one in the link you initially gave... do you see a pattern? That site is about as 'fair and balanced' as Fox News. Anyway, this is just a minor point.

More importantly, please check this search: https://www.google.com/search?q=%22#q=%22I+will+make+all+Thai+people+rich+within+six+months%22 . You will see only 4-5 hits come up with that supposed quote "I will make all Thai people rich within six months"... all farang-oriented forums (basically this one and <URL Automatically Removed>). I am naturally curious as to why the Bangkok Post or the Nation, etc, etc., would not have reported on this.

Now, I am unable to locate the original Thai language version of the report because the ThaiVisa link you gave only cited the source and publication date (Naewna, March 14 2011). The English translation of the Naewna piece (if that is indeed accurate) was provided by the "Thai ASEAN News network", and again I cannot navigate to the original (translated) piece [and it does not come up in the Google search].

As much as you or anyone despises Thaksin, do you really believe any politician would claim that he could make all citizens "rich" within six months?? You may think that Thaksin is slimy and corrupt and self-serving etc etc, but he's not that stupid...

[GrantSmith]

Docno, I'll ask you to please refrain from slandering the good name of Fox News!

They do enough of that on their own...

[hellodolly]

30,000 red shirts. How about the yellow shirts?

there will be another catastrophe if 2 groups clash. Who might have bigger number of casualties?

There are not that many yellow shirts. Thye few that are there are just tagging along so they can push there Temple issue and ignore the ICJ ruling and not give the government a chance to negotiate on the remaining use less land.

But you do bring up an interesting point. Toothless as they are they could be the spark the red shirts need to set them off. There is a years old dislike between the two of them. Most of the Anti Demenstrators are people who just want a better Government.