Situation in the capital is still tense after tear gas fired at protesters

[Lite Beer]

BLACK SUNDAY
Situation in the capital is still tense after tear gas fired at protesters

BANGKOK: -- Police fired tear gas at several sites at protesters trying to force their way into the Government House and Royal Thai Police headquarters on Sunday.

The protesters also besieged at least three television stations demanding they broadcast the protesters’ views. The stations’ executives organised a meeting with representatives of the protesters and they agree to meet their demands.

The protesters were seen trying to rip down concrete barriers outside the Government House but were pushed back by police who fired tear gas and water cannons.

The protesters who besieged in front of the police headquarters on Pathumwan road shouted and demanded that police stopped serving Yingluck government and Thaksin Shinawatra.

The government deployed more than 21,000 police and about 1,000 soldiers to protect 10 government installations from being occupied by demonstrators.

Pol Lt Col Kissana Phatsanacharoen, spokesman for the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order said, "We decided to deploy troops from the military to ensure the safety of key places including the airports, but they are without arms and have been instructed not to use force."

Meanwhile Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana said, "We understand that the protest leaders are trying hard to force the government to use violence in order to increase their support fortheir own benefit.

-- The Nation 23-12-01

[Bluespunk]

"The protesters also besieged at least three television stations demanding they broadcast the protesters views. The stations executives organised a meeting with representatives of the protesters and they agree to meet their demands."

Red, not red, govt, anti-govt, there appears to be no tolerance for any views of the other side. The stupidity and bigotry of all sides never fails to amaze me.

Edited December 1, 2013 by Bluespunk

[Bkkbound]

http://news.sky.com/story/1176026/thai-pm-flees-building-during-violent-protests

Fleeling to where? She is on the run now..

For those not able to view the UK sky news link; its reporting the Thai PM has fled the police sports club in which she was (hiding) based after protesters breached the security.

Edited December 1, 2013 by Bkkbound

[virtualtraveller]

Meanwhile Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana said, "We understand that the protest leaders are trying hard to force the government to use violence in order to increase their support fortheir own benefit.

Absolutely! It's a tactic straight out of the UDD copy book.

[pompeylad]

http://news.sky.com/story/1176026/thai-pm-flees-building-during-violent-protests

Fleeling to where? She is on the run now..

For those not able to view the UK sky news link; its reporting the Thai PM has fled the police sports club in which she was (hiding) based after protesters breached the security.

Let's pray and hope she keeps on running right back to the sands of Arabia

[samtam]

We seem to have a stalemate. The government is not rising to the bait, and the protesters demands seem unclear, or certainly something that cannot be delivered within the normal constitutional framework. Whilst I don't care for either side, the government seems to be playing this rather cleverly.

I could of course eat my words later, as the day or week progresses.

[ratcatcher]

http://news.sky.com/story/1176026/thai-pm-flees-building-during-violent-protests

Fleeling to where? She is on the run now..

For those not able to view the UK sky news link; its reporting the Thai PM has fled the police sports club in which she was (hiding) based after protesters breached the security.

"She is on the run now"

She is the Prime Minister and a Shinawatra and they do not flee.

She will merely move to another venue in a more secure area.

[djjamie]

We understand that the protest leaders are trying hard to force the government to use violence in order to increase their support fortheir own benefit

No their not. This must be a bit of terrorist spin for the gullible. When they attack Yinglucks' car, raid an ASEAN summit, threaten to blow up LPG truck, grenade attacked at Thai banks, attached Thai charity with grenades, stormed parliament, attached NPP and TPI buildings with M16 and grenades, stormed police hospital, stormed TV station, bomb attacked on electricity pylons, 2 police taken hostage, destroy CCTV cameras, dumped tyres on sky train tracks, using children as human shield THEN and only then will I believe they are trying to force the govt to use violence.

[Jingthing]

We seem to have a stalemate. The government is not rising to the bait, and the protesters demands seem unclear, or certainly something that cannot be delivered within the normal constitutional framework. Whilst I don't care for either side, the government seems to be playing this rather cleverly.

I could of course eat my words later, as the day or week progresses.

I agree it's a good tactic to not respond. Even if it fails from their POV, it would still have been worth a try. The parliament might still be dissolved, stalling tactics or not.

[brewsterbudgen]

Meanwhile Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana said, "We understand that the protest leaders are trying hard to force the government to use violence in order to increase their support fortheir own benefit.

Absolutely! It's a tactic straight out of the UDD copy book.

And fortunately the current governemment is showing more restraint. So far.

[Dogmatix]

Just saw some nasty shots on Channel 7 of protestors choking on tear gas and wounded with rubber bullets that piece the skin. The reporter was quoting medics saying the authorities have mixed a chemical in the water fired by the water cannons that causes extremely itching and bleeding from the nose.

Edited December 1, 2013 by Dogmatix

[Jingthing]

If that's true, the wall of restraint is crumbling ...

[millwall_fan]

Time to move the mechanics of government to Chiang Mai?

[Rob8891]

If that's true, the wall of restraint is crumbling ...

Understandable, I guess, and even commendable.....

At least they're (still) using non-lethal methods...... non-lethal in most cases, but sadly not always.

[Rob8891]

Time to move the mechanics of government to Chiang Mai?

No thanks. It's high season, don't you know.... There's no room at the inn.

[Jawnie]

Meanwhile Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana said, "We understand that the protest leaders are trying hard to force the government to use violence in order to increase their support fortheir own benefit.

Absolutely! It's a tactic straight out of the UDD copy book.

And fortunately the current governemment is showing more restraint. So far.

Agreed. PM Yingluck is handling the situation extremely well. The police must begin to protect government buildings - that is what they are supposed to do. The protesters don't have any right to repeatedly occupy government buildings. Right on, YL...you go, girl!!!

[Dogmatix]

Yingluck and her CAPO (di tutti CAPI) keep on repeating that they will abide by international standards of riot control. They have plenty of latitude to choose Chinese standards that permit the use of explosive tear gas grenades fired from shotguns and wooden staves used on farmers, Kyrgyzstani or Burmese standards that permit the massacre of minorities, Ukrainian or Russian standards that permit just about anything. Looking towards the Western world she could apply US standards as exemplified by the Ohio National Guard that successfully suppressed a peaceful protest at Kent State University in 1970 leaving 4 dead, or closer to home,take a leaf from the Korean book which permitted the massacre of 165 students at Gwangju University in order to restore order in 1980.

Which is to be Yingluck? Please don’t say you don't know anything about this but you have assigned officials to study the issue.

Edited December 1, 2013 by Dogmatix

[Dogmatix]

Meanwhile Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana said, "We understand that the protest leaders are trying hard to force the government to use violence in order to increase their support fortheir own benefit.

Absolutely! It's a tactic straight out of the UDD copy book.

And fortunately the current governemment is showing more restraint. So far.

You forget that the initial red shirt protests were handled with great restraint in 2009. When they returned in 2010 the government exercised the same constraint until Thaksin's black shirt squad fired on the soldiers causing fatalities. If the army had been ordered to take fire without being allowed to defend themselves, someone would have been put on trial for that without doubt.

Anyway tear gas, rubber bullets, water cannons, batons are not strictly non-lethal and can always be counted on to cause a death eventually, particularly in the hands of poorly trained police.

[Jawnie]

Yingluck and her CAPO (di tutti CAPI) keep on repeating that they will abide by international standards of riot control. They have plenty of latitude to choose Chinese standards that permit the use of explosive tear gas grenades fired from shotguns and wooden staves used on farmers, Kyrgyzstani or Burmese standards that permit the massacre of minorities, Ukrainian or Russian standards that permit just about anything. Looking towards the Western world she could apply US standards as exemplified by the Ohio National Guard that successfully suppressed a peaceful protest at Kent State University in 1970 leaving 4 dead, or closer to home,take a leaf from the Korean book which permitted the massacre of 165 students at Gwangju University in order to restore order in 1980.

Which is to be Yingluck? Please don’t say you don't know anything about this but you have assigned officials to study the issue.

By quoting all these so-called 'standards', which are really just straw-man quotes, you only reveal your complete bias. The Kent State shooting in the US occurred during a student demonstration and everyone now agrees that it should not have happened. Moreover, at the time immediately after that shootings, hundreds of college campuses in the US were shut-down by students protesting the shoots and there was also a big march on Washington DC. The entire affair brought a complete change in how police handle protesting crowds. PM Yingluck seems to have learned (as Abhisit did not) that non-violent, ie., non-shooting, methods of crowd control are infinity better.

[GeorgeO]

We understand that the protest leaders are trying hard to force the government to use violence in order to increase their support fortheir own benefit

No their not. This must be a bit of terrorist spin for the gullible. When they attack Yinglucks' car, raid an ASEAN summit, threaten to blow up LPG truck, grenade attacked at Thai banks, attached Thai charity with grenades, stormed parliament, attached NPP and TPI buildings with M16 and grenades, stormed police hospital, stormed TV station, bomb attacked on electricity pylons, 2 police taken hostage, destroy CCTV cameras, dumped tyres on sky train tracks, using children as human shield THEN and only then will I believe they are trying to force the govt to use violence.

Well said DJ. It seems that these clowns are rather forgetful of the tactics they used to get into power in the first place.

I'm just wondering how far away Jatuporn has managed to run so far, and I have no doubt that the rest of the clowns will also be running soon. This is people power, not weapons ... far, far stronger...!!

[farang000999]

So the protesters want to end democracy but have so far only given vague terms of how the new government will work?

Sounds reasonable.

You know, maybe they could have discussed the transition phase a little bit more extensively before shutting down the country...

[GeorgeO]

Yingluck and her CAPO (di tutti CAPI) keep on repeating that they will abide by international standards of riot control. They have plenty of latitude to choose Chinese standards that permit the use of explosive tear gas grenades fired from shotguns and wooden staves used on farmers, Kyrgyzstani or Burmese standards that permit the massacre of minorities, Ukrainian or Russian standards that permit just about anything. Looking towards the Western world she could apply US standards as exemplified by the Ohio National Guard that successfully suppressed a peaceful protest at Kent State University in 1970 leaving 4 dead, or closer to home,take a leaf from the Korean book which permitted the massacre of 165 students at Gwangju University in order to restore order in 1980.

Which is to be Yingluck? Please don’t say you don't know anything about this but you have assigned officials to study the issue.

By quoting all these so-called 'standards', which are really just straw-man quotes, you only reveal your complete bias. The Kent State shooting in the US occurred during a student demonstration and everyone now agrees that it should not have happened. Moreover, at the time immediately after that shootings, hundreds of college campuses in the US were shut-down by students protesting the shoots and there was also a big march on Washington DC. The entire affair brought a complete change in how police handle protesting crowds. PM Yingluck seems to have learned (as Abhisit did not) that non-violent, ie., non-shooting, methods of crowd control are infinity better.

"PM" (I use the term very loosely) Yingluck and her cronies are not under fire. Abhisit and his forces were...!!

Edited December 1, 2013 by GeorgeO

[transam]

Let's do it. End the farce.

And all go home and tick the/your box at the next election. Thats how it is done.

[NCFC]

Yingluck and her CAPO (di tutti CAPI) keep on repeating that they will abide by international standards of riot control. They have plenty of latitude to choose Chinese standards that permit the use of explosive tear gas grenades fired from shotguns and wooden staves used on farmers, Kyrgyzstani or Burmese standards that permit the massacre of minorities, Ukrainian or Russian standards that permit just about anything. Looking towards the Western world she could apply US standards as exemplified by the Ohio National Guard that successfully suppressed a peaceful protest at Kent State University in 1970 leaving 4 dead, or closer to home,take a leaf from the Korean book which permitted the massacre of 165 students at Gwangju University in order to restore order in 1980.

Which is to be Yingluck? Please dont say you don't know anything about this but you have assigned officials to study the issue.

well let's pray it's not Abhisit's standards

[cacruden]

Water cannons, rubber bullets are considered non-lethal force as opposed to live ammunition which is considered lethal force. Non-lethal force does not mean there will not be deaths, just that the force used is meant to be non-lethal (even in well trained hands). Any use of force can always be lethal - even protesters storming a building can be lethal if in the rush they knock over someone and they land the wrong way (same with water cannons).

BTW, The use of irritant in water is standard and is also considered non-lethal force in the same manner that tear gas is.

[MobileContent]

TS handles the situation very well. No need to call for new elections. If they win the vote again the kamnan from Surat Thani will be back on the streets.

Charge him in court !

[TexasRanger]

Great, so the tool is on TV asking people to stop work tomorrow, so much for victory day.

[Local Drunk]

Might want to look into who allowed the Reds to set up at RU when the nearest class room is less than 50 feet from the stadium. Have a chat with the Chancellors of that school and ask them why they allowed it to happen. Allowing Reds into RU is like sending Thaksin to Hat Yai....

It's stupid beyond belief and it's the admin of that school that needs to account for the deaths on both sides.

[Mentors]

dont worry, Suthep told on air some minutes ago the Mob is still peacefully.

Yes of course.

Maybe i see on TV the whole day nasty riot pictures from another city as Bkk.

[easybullet3]

Water cannons, rubber bullets are considered non-lethal force as opposed to live ammunition which is considered lethal force. Non-lethal force does not mean there will not be deaths, just that the force used is meant to be non-lethal (even in well trained hands). Any use of force can always be lethal - even protesters storming a building can be lethal if in the rush they knock over someone and they land the wrong way (same with water cannons).

BTW, The use of irritant in water is standard and is also considered non-lethal force in the same manner that tear gas is.

Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnok on Saturday reiterated that the govenrment would not use force to disperse the anti-government demonstrations, calling on protest leaders to negotiate an end to the political turmoil.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/685573-government-reiterates-will-not-apply-force-to-disperse-protesters/

Lol !!

Edited December 1, 2013 by easybullet3