Bangkok: Taxi driver beaten unconscious by anti-govt protesters

[mac1970]

Time to get some international visibility and concerns about safety in Thailand, more is better. When it starts to hurt someone's backpocket hard enough this non-sense will end or at least they start talks behind scenes(money rules and there is nothing worse than bad business).

[justathought]

most taxi drivers are from Isaan and they support Thaksin. I noticed in the past 2 months they are now afraid to say this. This country is turning more and more towards authoritarian rule.

[catmac]

Disgraceful attack on a man trying to earn a living but its a sign of the sheer contempt that the hi so protesters show for the rest of the Thai Population. The government must stand firm against this thuggery and intimidation.

How many shop and hotel workers lost their living because of the reds at Central?

Sheer contempt by the reds for their fellow working class gang.

Difference was, the reds were paid to be there and if they say Hi So, the media is immediately on their side.

Please tell me how thaksin, with his billions and overseas education, and yingluck, with her millions worth of watches, handbags, etc, Chalerm with his pink Bentley, and the rest of their gang, are not the Elite?

Getting pretty desperate now for some way to gloss over the present thuggery, eh? I don't remember shop workers and hotel workers being beaten to a pulp by the red-shirts, but if the Suthep lie machine now says that was the case, I suppose we'll have to accept it!

I hope the foolish pro-Suthep posters here are feeling proud of the bloodshed and carnage that these thugs have unleashed on the real people of Thailand, or were they fooled by Suthep's clever use of the old grannies and fun day outers that he used in the earlier marches to give the impression that his lot were the real people? Now, of course, we see Suthep's real "brown shirts" siezing the streets and bludgeoning anybody who gets in their way. A lesson from history perhaps?

[sniffdog]

Obviously the protestors must have been in the pay of the man in Dubai. There can be no other explanations for the Nation media outlets and their foreign lapdogs

Am I missing something here? They were anti-government protestors. Why would they be paid by Thaksin?

[edwinchester]

Same same Red taxi driver got hack in the head, it was isolated and much regretted, but that does not stop the "People" struggle.

Well putting aside the "red" taxi driver comment for another day I feel sure you'd hold the same stance of an "isolated and much regretted" incident in the " people's struggle" if it were a member of your family flat out in the street.

We all have family members that was killed in the Wars.

My grandfather was killed by a village mob accused of being a communist (not true, he wasn't).

Yes it happened. My grandmother have to raised the kids single handed.

All was forgiven, but not forgotten. It is part of the struggle to eradication of communism for the better of all.

Anyone who uses the 'can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs' has lost the argument for good.

Sent from my GT-I9003 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[BringMeSunshine]

Something I wonder about as the country slowly descends into mob rule, will farangs become targets for their rage? I keep hearing that many Thais hate us and only put up with us because we spend money. I don't know how true this is or even what percentage hate us if it is true but something to think about perhaps.

I walked among the crowd at Metropolitan police headquarters a few weeks ago, I could hear people say "farang this & farang that..."

It might have been ****Thai language removed**** pa​ lang - energy, power, strength - a staple phrase in rousing political speeches . .

(btw, I posted this yesterday and it got deleted - What? Too inflammatory?

Edited December 27, 2013 by metisdead
Thai language edited out of post. This is an English language forum, English is the only acceptable language, except in the Thai language forum where Thai language is allowed.

[catmac]

meanwhile poor taxi was in a critical condition the yellow thugs were...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNfdJRtm21w#t=48

honestly looks at these bast#### at the end of the clip

Thanks for the video clip, Bender. It makes it a bit harder for the Suthep-huggers to claim that it didn't happen.

If those middle-aged thugs shown smashing up the taxi and looting the interior are "students", then I'm Father Christmas. Just street thugs, no doubt being paid by the Dear Leader, or just enjoying the freedom to kill and maim that the the Dear Leader's antics have given them.

[catmac]

The poor guy went into a coma and died ......

All those in the clip smashing up his car whilst hes bleeding out are cowardly filth, this was not a flash point zone nor a riot or anything but supposed protesters peacefully blockading a road, yes right ... this guy was trying to work and basically got killed for driving a F###### taxi.

Dont even dare to try and justify it,

Oh but they will, englishoak, they certainly will! Indeed if you look at this thread already, the Suthep apologists have sunk to a new low in their fanaticism. And that's just the posts that haven't been wlsely deleted for their obscene sniggering at the poor devil left dying in the street.

[newcomer71]

Something I wonder about as the country slowly descends into mob rule, will farangs become targets for their rage? I keep hearing that many Thais hate us and only put up with us because we spend money. I don't know how true this is or even what percentage hate us if it is true but something to think about perhaps.

I walked among the crowd at Metropolitan police headquarters a few weeks ago, I could hear people say "farang this & farang that..."

It might have been พลัง pa​ lang - energy, power, strength - a staple phrase in rousing political speeches . .

(btw, I posted this yesterday and it got deleted - What? Too inflammatory?

There's a rule on the forum where all problems inherent moderation are prohibited on the forum, you should have asked with a pm to any moderator the reason of post deleting.

[onomataho]

Something I wonder about as the country slowly descends into mob rule, will farangs become targets for their rage? I keep hearing that many Thais hate us and only put up with us because we spend money. I don't know how true this is or even what percentage hate us if it is true but something to think about perhaps.

I walked among the crowd at Metropolitan police headquarters a few weeks ago, I could hear people say "farang this & farang that..."

It might have been พลัง pa​ lang - energy, power, strength - a staple phrase in rousing political speeches . .

(btw, I posted this yesterday and it got deleted - What? Too inflammatory?

I did not hear this ("falang") in the speeches, but in the crowd. .

What I heard was people in the tightly packed crowd commenting on the fact that a "falang" was at their party & "look, he's taking photos." There did not seem to be malice to it, rather, just a tone of surprise.

The comparison with the 2010 UDD rally is probably not valid as the red shirts were "living" at Ratchaprasong. The Suthep-led folks were obviously just out for the Sunday afternoon. The big Siam malls were all closed, too, which may have pissed a few people off.

Anyways, the fact that I am a farang is pointed out to me on a regular basis...

[kkerry]

There is a report earlier this morning on the news site we can't quote from that names the taxi driver and reports, according to a facebook page, how he is now in a stable condition in Phra Mongkut Hospital after having a rusty nail removed from the side of his head. Let's hope he survives what looks like a life threatening attack.

[newcomer71]

fire into the crowd and watch them scatter like the cowards they are!

More instability on display.

Do you have to point out and quote any violence post around? Not that smart, I'd say.

[Robby nz]

Talking to the mrs now on the phone and she tells me one of the protesters died in hospital 3am this morning.

He was shot in the liver and had an operation which used up over 100 units of blood but could not be saved.

Says many of the protesters were badly beaten by the cops,

Also she talked to the nurse who's vehicle was attached by the cops, the girl was very shocked but wants to carry on helping people.

[I knew this would happen]

I thought Thai rak Thai........

[siampolee]

Have any of you ever been involved in demonstrations as either a demonstrator or as a member of a peace keeping force be it police or in some cases in some countries the military trying to keep opposing factions apart whilst also trying to preserve ones own good looks and hopefully return home to ones family uninjured.? That situation applies to all involved

Having been involved as a member of the police in demonstrations within the U.K. I can assure you that emotions do run high with all sides as may be involved. The same applied in the Northern Ireland situation too. We look around the world and we see the same behavior patterns irrespective of what nation or culture that may be involved. Mobs breed a dangerous rush of adrenalin,, witness the delights of a football crowd.

The actions of the taxi driver in approaching the area were to be honest no doubt totally innocent, however his subsequent actions in remonstrating with the hostile crowd were not to my mind and no doubt many others minds the most sensible or practical line of action. One needs to remember that the taxi drivers were it was claimed ardent supporters of Thaksin hence no doubt the demonstrators were somewhat suspicious of the drivers aims.

The subsequent sequence of events were and indeed are tragic and to my mind needless, However the question remains,. Where were the police?

The police haven't haven't come too well in the public's view regarding their smashing of motor cycles and cars and the terrorizing of a woman as clearly shown on Channel 7 news this morning. The police as a government force are supposed to be well trained and disciplined. Indeed this is not the case here currently, we saw as said on Channel 7 the same thuggish behavior as many claim that the anti government demonstrators indulge in.

The whole tragedy is that all the mayhem deaths injuries and damage are due to one creature who has stirred up public feeling into a maelstrom of hate on all sides to further its own ends.

There is no excuse nor can there be for wanton brutality and gratuitous violence, however the fire of human emotions has been lit and it is now burning out of control on all sides in a conflagration that is endangering and slowly engulfing the social fabric of Thailand and its peoples, look around the world. All demonstrations carry the same tragic hallmark of hate, and violence. it is going to get worse before it gets better , the sooner the fuel source on all sides is extinguished the better , Hopefully then like a Phoenix democracy and honesty will arise from the ashes of the fires of hate, self interest, nepotism, corruption and the pursuit of personal power for one creature.,

[Maha Sarakham Marty]

fire into the crowd and watch them scatter like the cowards they are!

More instability on display.

Do you have to point out and quote any violence post around? Not that smart, I'd say.

Just noting the proliferation of death threat-like posts on this thread.

If that is uncomfortable to read them being highlighted, I'd say that's a good thing.

[englishoak]

There is a report earlier this morning on the news site we can't quote from that names the taxi driver and reports, according to a facebook page, how he is now in a stable condition in Phra Mongkut Hospital after having a rusty nail removed from the side of his head. Let's hope he survives what looks like a life threatening attack.

That is the BEST news ive heard for weeks here if correct.

[mca]

Same same Red taxi driver got hack in the head, it was isolated and much regretted, but that does not stop the "People" struggle.

Well putting aside the "red" taxi driver comment for another day I feel sure you'd hold the same stance of an "isolated and much regretted" incident in the " people's struggle" if it were a member of your family flat out in the street.

We all have family members that was killed in the Wars.

My grandfather was killed by a village mob accused of being a communist (not true, he wasn't).

Yes it happened. My grandmother have to raised the kids single handed.

All was forgiven, but not forgotten. It is part of the struggle to eradication of communism for the better of all.

Apparently the guy was annoyed that he couldn't get through and rightfully (and sadly as has been proven stupidly) made his thoughts known which resulted in him getting a kicking so rather than some romantic notion of the eradication of anything it's the commonplace Thai mob mentality when their blood lust is up. Same as that poor mentally disturbed chap at Erawan shrine, the red shirt/yellow shirt/every couour of the rainbow shirt or the bloke at Makkasan Airport Link who got a hiding for taking a picture of a taxi who refused to take him where he wanted to go.

[Briggsy]

I have to say he looks dead in the photo. How awful. Beaten like that by a mob. Hope I am wrong.

[Robby nz]

Confirmation of what the MRS told me an hour ago.

Second fatality, 30 year old man, dies of chest wounds after police-protester clash at Thai-Japanese sports stadium; 38 still in hospital /MCOT

[Boxclever]

Poor guy, they beat him with a lump of 4 x 2 as well!

Yellow thugs!

[xminator]

Let us study today's lesson and plan to improve our protest. Thanks for no killing, no burning today, unlike in 2010: Suthep told protesters.

Life in a parallel reality must be wonderful.

[Nemesis7]

Sad, he is just trying to earn money for his survival.

[belg]

thai governement better ask

10.000 baht per visitor for insurance, in case you got beaten by that kind of mob

[klikster]

Get out now Farang. While u still can. It's gonna be a bloodbath.

Not where I live.

[Asiantravel]

Peaceful protest! (Yeah, yeah ...in 2010...red shirts thugs...blah blah blah...)

Yes indeed and don't forget the fundamental difference. Whatever the red shirts did in 2010, they were fighting for their legitimate right to vote and for democracy.

These protesters are using violence to prevent ordinary people from having the right to vote and are sabotaging democracy. It's disgusting

[outsider]

Even if the taxi driver was a red sympathiser... SO BLOODY WHAT? If Khaosod's article is accurate, then the taxi driver had every right to ask or request to be let through. After all, he was only trying to make a living, driving a taxi and, who are these thugs to stop people from making a few baht? In hindsight, maybe the taxi driver shouldn't have lost it and started scolding the mob. It's a herd mentality out there now - you piss off one, you piss off all. Still, he shouldn't be beaten like that. Democracy my f*****g arse. It is no longer a democracy when you stop someone from doing something completely legal and within his/her own rights. There is no more high ground. These thugs are fast approaching the same level of their red counterparts in 2010.

I don't like the red thugs, and I don't condone the mob behaviour of the current crop either. Or the closure of the airport in 2008. All this while, I have said that at least, the current swarm hasn't started burning anything yet. But at the rate things are going, or deteriorating, I'd say the leaders had better arrest the situation, before the protesters turn into nothing but a swarm of stinking maggots.

[Thait Spot]

The poor guy went into a coma and died ......

All those in the clip smashing up his car whilst hes bleeding out are cowardly filth, this was not a flash point zone nor a riot or anything but supposed protesters peacefully blockading a road, yes right ... this guy was trying to work and basically got killed for driving a F###### taxi.

Dont even dare to try and justify it,

I am really serious when i say that if that poor taxi driver was a relation of mine, i would personally hunt down the instigator of this crime. His name is Suthep, and make him pay the ultimate price for what he has done.

It appears that the dead taxi driver got better.

Now let's see all the gossip believing, kangaroo court but cases on here retract their useless blame game posts.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[chuang]

So as the suthep council said it's a peaceful protest.....f#$%^@ you...

[Fookhaht]

Suthep's "peaceful-protest-followers" begin to show their true colors.

I feel disgusted at all the so-called "intellectuals" at universities like mine who have backed this sheep-in-wolve's-clothing over the past months, including signing statements of support for this anti-democracy fascist movement. Wonder if any of those academics studied the history of the rise of fascism in Germany prior to WW2? The parallels are multiplying.