Army against emergency decree during 'Bangkok shutdown'

[siampolee]

It would certainly seems as if the army are keeping clear of the situation and upholding their promise not to intervene in political matters.

Now what about the police?

Will the act, can they act are they willing to act,? They( the police) in truth should be the personnel who should be ensuring civil order, however with their image currently not so much tarnished as destroyed how can they act?

Now in the event of Jutuporns storm troopers being deployed upon the streets of Bangkok what action or what side would or could the police take?

When we look back at the inaction and bias of the police in the 2010 civil unrest we surely must question whether that scenario was due to bias or terror i.e.perhaps a fear of the Red Shirts and their leaders.

One is led to wonder why is the above situation existed and still exists, it because the police have a distorted sense of loyalty to an ex senior police officer who is a convicted bail jumping felon, or is it a fear of actually confronting the Red Shirts movement and of course the P.R.D.C. movement as well. .

Might there be a financial incentive involved? We have recently sen Yingluck presenting a''bonus''(bribe?) to the police for doing their duty . A duty that the police actually Receive a monthly salary for, so why was there a need for that ''bonus (bribe?) to be paid?

No doubt perhaps the police come a lot cheaper than the military and the sinecures and financial rewards to be awarded to the police generals are a lot less in numbers than those that would be necessary to placate and coerce the military into take action.

There is of course the problem that the military have far better ''bang bang toys'' than the police and the military tend to play a rougher tougher game than the police, also in the military the commission payments tend to filter downward to the bottom feeders as opposed to the police, hence the cost of buying the military is indeed a lot higher.

There could well be a grand master plan by the military that accounts for the current stance. The military sit back and watch the ensuing chaos that may result.,

Then in order to restore some semblance of normality , democratically, politically and civil order other influential people from the political, military, financial, business and civil groups sections of society step forward and speak out.

Thus we see coming into place a National Government or perhaps we should say ''A silent coup,'' with a fixed term of rule along with a balanced mandate and membership that will hopefully stabilise the situation and defuse the powder keg that currently has its fuse burning both rapidly and short.

The military could well be the stalking horse in this current state of affairs , perhaps that stalking horse might hopefully lead the nation back to democracy or what currently passes for democracy in Thailand and civil order and civil peace.

We are witnessing a dangerous game of chess with the people of Thailand as the pawns in that game. Those pawns being you and me, our kids and families too . T.V.F. members are all pawns on this gigantic chess board.

What will the end move be?, Fools mate or a complex checkmate or a deadlock or the board is upset and falls off of the table and is the set up so as the ruined game can be followed by another game to settle the matter?

We shall have to wait and see.

Edited January 3, 2014 by siampolee

[Baerboxer]

It is time for the people to stand up for the institutions that guard the rule of law, and indeed have been successful in keeping Thaksin away. In all likelihood, there will be no coup, as the massive presence of the people will show that change and reform can indeed be achieved through peaceful means. And that's a positive image.

The same "institutions" that have failed to arrest Suthep?

The "massive presence of the people"? Actually a small minority of Thai people & voters. "The people" already voted in TS & YL. The anti people Suthep gang want to use force not elections. They know they'd lose the democratic peaceful way.

That "change & reform can be achieved through peaceful means". What change? What reform? The wealthy middle class BKK protestors have achieved nothing so far except hurting the Thai economy, in particular shooting themselves in the feet. YL must be watching & laughing. No need for the Shins to do anything. Just watch & wait till the anti dems grow tired of pissing into the wind & quit.

Their only hope of victory is a coup.

Done nothing for the Thai economy. You have to be kidding. Your so called wealthy middle class protesters are the majority of people who actually pay tax in this country, those very same taxes which support the rice scam amongst a myriad of other corrupt schemes. Don't you think they have a right to be annoyed about this? I would not mind if I knew part of my taxes were actually improving the lot of the poor in a positive way but as it stands now many are not getting paid for their rice & will be forced off their land. The rice scam could turn out to be a huge land grab by the already rich & corrupt.

The army were conspicuous by their presence helping during the floods & they certainly have a much better relationship with the people than the police do & IMO their current stance is admirable.

Land grab by the rich and corrupt? Now that has a familiar ring to it...a case in Phuket comes to mind

Maybe you should investigate the activities of a certain Northern family, and their extended relations. Look back over when their doyen was making credit available with no interest payable for 3 years and who bought what when many defaulted as huge amounts became due.

An abject lesson is manipulation and greed for us all.

Or there again, simply continue with your biased comments.

[Tatsujin]

If you're listening, these recent statements tell you that the Army will NOT help prop up the Govt any longer and will do the bare minimum to support any actions they are asked to undertake in the future. That coup is coming if they don't step down.

[Prbkk]

If there was any doubt about where the army stood, it is now gone. Although the Thaksin-inspired Yingluck administration clearly wanted to box the army into the conflict for their own ends by the use of the emergency decree, the army is clearly not buying into it. Indeed, their presence would only escalate the crisis, as well as send alarm signals throughout the world. Even if the emergency decree is imposed, the army would only be armed with batons and shields, making their presence more symbolic. The police, of course, are under the direct control of the administration, but this is a situation that would be beyond their control. It is one thing to guard government house. It is quite another to quell a protest that extends from one end of the city to the other. And as the protest will be a peaceful march, any heavy-handedness on the part of the administration would look terrible, especially as this march will involve people from all walks of life. The media will be key in getting these images across to the country and the world at large. Of course, the UDD is back to the Thaksin playbook in the game of labels. When Thida refers to the " aristocrats " on the streets, one assumes she means the people of Thailand. Again, everyone is painted with a wide brush - and it's always the same terminology - " us " versus " them ". If Jatuporn and company descend onto this peaceful walk it will very likely not be peaceful, and could in fact precipitate the very thing they do not want - a coup. Most troubling is Jatuporn's typical yet dangerous rhetoric trying to place the NACC and Constitution Court in step with the protest movement. These are honourable, autonomous, and much-needed institutions. And inciting distrust of them is fraught with treachery. But it is the very system of checks and balances that the UDD and Thaksin have always been against. It is time for the people to stand up for the institutions that guard the rule of law, and indeed have been successful in keeping Thaksin away. In all likelihood, there will be no coup, as the massive presence of the people will show that change and reform can indeed be achieved through peaceful means. And that's a positive image.

I'm sure your post is well meant. However, to suggest that any protest will be peaceful ( and you make the prediction twice), ignores the fact that the last set of protests, saw roaming gangs of thugs attacking innocent bystanders and passengers on public transport, kerchiefed morons firing slingshots, catapults and guns at the police and others, the illegal occupation of government buildings and the destruction of property, cutting off water and electricity to essential government facilties, attempts to spray the police with fecal matter, as well as other acts of violence and thuggery. I would like to share your confidence that any future protest would be peaceful. Sadly the record of the past ones does not bode well.

[GrantSmith]

"A policeman demonstrates for members of the media yesterday how teargas canisters were hurled from the roof of a building in the Labour Ministry compound during a clash between police and protesters on December 26."

Wasn't that where the "policemen in black" were? Does this mean the police were hurling tear has canisters from the roof into the crowd below? Is that safe?

This is not teargas guns or even not shotguns!!!

Any further details to give credibility to suggest this is a recent photo?

[DiamondKing]

"A policeman demonstrates for members of the media yesterday how teargas canisters were hurled from the roof of a building in the Labour Ministry compound during a clash between police and protesters on December 26."

Wasn't that where the "policemen in black" were? Does this mean the police were hurling tear has canisters from the roof into the crowd below? Is that safe?

What ???? as opposed to firing them from a tear gas gun

[Bluespunk]

"A policeman demonstrates for members of the media yesterday how teargas canisters were hurled from the roof of a building in the Labour Ministry compound during a clash between police and protesters on December 26."

Wasn't that where the "policemen in black" were? Does this mean the police were hurling tear has canisters from the roof into the crowd below? Is that safe?

What ???? as opposed to firing them from a tear gas gun

I was wondering if can the BIB can throw accurately, when does canister go off- in the air or on impact, will it affect those outside target area, why would they need to be on roof to throw then- wouldn't it be more effective on the ground in front of target?

[GeorgeO]

If there was any doubt about where the army stood, it is now gone. Although the Thaksin-inspired Yingluck administration clearly wanted to box the army into the conflict for their own ends by the use of the emergency decree, the army is clearly not buying into it. Indeed, their presence would only escalate the crisis, as well as send alarm signals throughout the world. Even if the emergency decree is imposed, the army would only be armed with batons and shields, making their presence more symbolic. The police, of course, are under the direct control of the administration, but this is a situation that would be beyond their control. It is one thing to guard government house. It is quite another to quell a protest that extends from one end of the city to the other. And as the protest will be a peaceful march, any heavy-handedness on the part of the administration would look terrible, especially as this march will involve people from all walks of life. The media will be key in getting these images across to the country and the world at large. Of course, the UDD is back to the Thaksin playbook in the game of labels. When Thida refers to the " aristocrats " on the streets, one assumes she means the people of Thailand. Again, everyone is painted with a wide brush - and it's always the same terminology - " us " versus " them ". If Jatuporn and company descend onto this peaceful walk it will very likely not be peaceful, and could in fact precipitate the very thing they do not want - a coup. Most troubling is Jatuporn's typical yet dangerous rhetoric trying to place the NACC and Constitution Court in step with the protest movement. These are honourable, autonomous, and much-needed institutions. And inciting distrust of them is fraught with treachery. But it is the very system of checks and balances that the UDD and Thaksin have always been against. It is time for the people to stand up for the institutions that guard the rule of law, and indeed have been successful in keeping Thaksin away. In all likelihood, there will be no coup, as the massive presence of the people will show that change and reform can indeed be achieved through peaceful means. And that's a positive image.

I'm sure your post is well meant. However, to suggest that any protest will be peaceful ( and you make the prediction twice), ignores the fact that the last set of protests, saw roaming gangs of thugs attacking innocent bystanders and passengers on public transport, kerchiefed morons firing slingshots, catapults and guns at the police and others, the illegal occupation of government buildings and the destruction of property, cutting off water and electricity to essential government facilties, attempts to spray the police with fecal matter, as well as other acts of violence and thuggery. I would like to share your confidence that any future protest would be peaceful. Sadly the record of the past ones does not bode well.

Once again you demonstrate your very blinkered view.

When referring to the incidents that have occurred over recent weeks involving attacks and the destruction of property, perhaps you could also comment on the actions of your Red brothers in 2010, as well as the revelation only yesterday, from a senior Pol Gen, that the men on the rooftop and those seen damaging vehicles were, in fact, policemen.

[tragickingdom]

Prayuth should be sacked immediately. He should be send back to his cage. First of all he is one of the people who forced the constitution upon the majority of Thai people who wanted to keep the 1997 constitution. Now he is refusing to defend the constitution because the crap backfires on his royalists friends. Not only that, the man damages Thailand's standing. His budget should be cut for all the losses that Thailand and foreign businesses incurs because of Suthep's actions. 6 Billion dollars may not sound for an institution that invented Thailand's corruption problem. But for ordinary people it is.

The army bought fake bombscanners and Prayuth was the only one who defended the crap, he bought a Zeppelin instead of drones so his Southern Democrat party could tell their voters not to worry, insurgents could see the spy plane coming from Bangkok onwards. He bought aircraft carriers, murdered 90 citizens and wounded thousands more. Prayuth is unable to stop the insane violence in the South (the big example of how Thailand should be run by Suthep) and the list goes on.

Sack the man, the only reason he is at the top of the army is so he can be manipulated by Thugs.

[15Peter20]

Interesting to note that both Suthep and the red shirts are planning 'dry runs' of their planned demos this Sunday. If turnout is low for Suthep this Sunday, maybe there's still a chance of this madness not escalating on the 13th.

[aussieinthailand]

"

It is time for the people to stand up for the institutions that guard the rule of law, and indeed have been successful in keeping Thaksin away. In all likelihood, there will be no coup, as the massive presence of the people will show that change and reform can indeed be achieved through peaceful means. And that's a positive image.

The same "institutions" that have failed to arrest Suthep?

The "massive presence of the people"? Actually a small minority of Thai people & voters. "The people" already voted in TS & YL. The anti people Suthep gang want to use force not elections. They know they'd lose the democratic peaceful way.

That "change & reform can be achieved through peaceful means". What change? What reform? The wealthy middle class BKK protestors have achieved nothing so far except hurting the Thai economy, in particular shooting themselves in the feet. YL must be watching & laughing. No need for the Shins to do anything. Just watch & wait till the anti dems grow tired of pissing into the wind & quit.

Their only hope of victory is a coup.

Done nothing for the Thai economy. You have to be kidding. Your so called wealthy middle class protesters are the majority of people who actually pay tax in this country, those very same taxes which support the rice scam amongst a myriad of other corrupt schemes. Don't you think they have a right to be annoyed about this? I would not mind if I knew part of my taxes were actually improving the lot of the poor in a positive way but as it stands now many are not getting paid for their rice & will be forced off their land. The rice scam could turn out to be a huge land grab by the already rich & corrupt.

The army were conspicuous by their presence helping during the floods & they certainly have a much better relationship with the people than the police do & IMO their current stance is admirable.

First of all my friend, if you buy anything then you are paying tax,( VAT TAX), I think it safe to say that all people in Thailand are tax payers then,

Secondly, My wife has a small business and just makes a small living from it and she pays her annual tax, she is not "wealthy middle class"

The so-called uneducated northerners pay their taxes, and not many of them are "wealthy middle class" so just what are you saying?

And she and I alike are supremely pizzed off about this bloody mess Suthep has made, it has cost peoples lives, and hurt the economy so much money so many businesses' so much money, and he's telling people to shut down their businesses' and not to ask when they can open them as this is the last chance, do you think he would shut his own business and any others he has interest in??? NOT A CHANCE, he is a do as I say not what I do...

he should be locked up until he is a very old man.

[a99az]

Yet again the Army doing politics, very dangerious.

[Bluespunk]

Yet again the Army doing politics, very dangerious.

Yes, because everything is hunky-dory when suthep and PT do politics.

[Thai at Heart]

Who asked this lot their opinion anyway?

[Arif Khalil]

Out of all the banana republics in the world, Thailand seems to a have a surprisingly peaceful protest. Compare to the Arab Spring countries, South Americans, Eastern Europeans and Africans, the lost of lives and the disappearances or asassinations of key leaders are very minimal.

Also, why hasn't a coup been executed already? It is no secret now that the Army is behind Suthep, but what are they waiting for? I think it's the conscience that's getting to them. To topple the government in this day means to violate the rule of law. This administration was chosen by the majority. In Thailand there is only military coups. The Army could have easily topple the government. The Yingluck really has no firearms afterall. All they have is the people. Many will argue that votes were bought. But all votes are bought in Thailand since.... Buying votes are so common and accepted that many Thais are still questioning if it is wrong or not. Of course, you are not wondering that, you can buy an ipad.

This perfectly suggests that democracy doesn't belong to the world, not all countries have the ingredients to cook it. It seems chosen by the elite of these countries as a new playground for extended influence and that not going to make this world a better place...

[scorecard]

"A policeman demonstrates for members of the media yesterday how teargas canisters were hurled from the roof of a building in the Labour Ministry compound during a clash between police and protesters on December 26."

Wasn't that where the "policemen in black" were? Does this mean the police were hurling tear has canisters from the roof into the crowd below? Is that safe?

Further, do you believe the actions (acting) of the policeman is exactly how it really happened?

[Bluespunk]

"A policeman demonstrates for members of the media yesterday how teargas canisters were hurled from the roof of a building in the Labour Ministry compound during a clash between police and protesters on December 26."

Wasn't that where the "policemen in black" were? Does this mean the police were hurling tear has canisters from the roof into the crowd below? Is that safe?

Further, do you believe the actions (acting) of the policeman is exactly how it really happened?

Do I believe the BIB? Ha, ha, ha, good one.

[DGIE]

Jatuporn Promphan, a core leader of the red shirts, told a press conference that the time had come for the people, red-shirt protesters among them, to stand up and fight against what he called the elite's network, which planned to recruit southerners to oust the elected government.

Seizing Bangkok would lead to civil war, he said.

"We are ready but it depends when we will make a move. If we lose democracy, we don't know what will happen. This month is the month of 'make or break'. Please wait for a signal from us. We will fight under peaceful principles," he said.

Signal from who the red shirts are waiting for? It may be from the Ex PM?

[citizen33]

"A policeman demonstrates for members of the media yesterday how teargas canisters were hurled from the roof of a building in the Labour Ministry compound during a clash between police and protesters on December 26."

Wasn't that where the "policemen in black" were? Does this mean the police were hurling tear has canisters from the roof into the crowd below? Is that safe?

This is not teargas guns or even not shotguns!!!

Any further details to give credibility to suggest this is a recent photo?

This isn't the same building. It is a smaller tower near the corner of a larger building, but exactly where I'm unsure. There is quite a good analysis showing the larger Labour Ministry roof on Bangkok Pundit.

http://asiancorrespondent.com/author/bangkokpundit/

As to why the police might have been throwing down tear gas canisters from the Labour Ministry roof, look here.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692385-police-inspect-thai-labour-ministry-compound/

Edited January 3, 2014 by citizen33

[fab4]

"A policeman demonstrates for members of the media yesterday how teargas canisters were hurled from the roof of a building in the Labour Ministry compound during a clash between police and protesters on December 26."

Wasn't that where the "policemen in black" were? Does this mean the police were hurling tear has canisters from the roof into the crowd below? Is that safe?

Certainly safer than this

[GrantSmith]

This isn't the same building. It is a smaller tower near the corner of a larger building, but exactly where I'm unsure. There is quite a good analysis showing the larger Labour Ministry roof on Bangkok Pundit.

http://asiancorrespondent.com/author/bangkokpundit/

As to why the police might have been throwing down tear gas canisters from the Labour Ministry roof, look here.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692385-police-inspect-thai-labour-ministry-compound/

That's all well and good, however, the question that remains unanswered is that picture that was posted showing 2 police officers with automatic weapons on a roof a recent photo from the Min. of Labour or is it an older photo. It wasn't referenced (anywhere)in the Bangkok Pundit article.

[Bluespunk]

"A policeman demonstrates for members of the media yesterday how teargas canisters were hurled from the roof of a building in the Labour Ministry compound during a clash between police and protesters on December 26."

Wasn't that where the "policemen in black" were? Does this mean the police were hurling tear has canisters from the roof into the crowd below? Is that safe?

Certainly safer than this

Yawn.

[ManopY]

"A policeman demonstrates for members of the media yesterday how teargas canisters were hurled from the roof of a building in the Labour Ministry compound during a clash between police and protesters on December 26."

Wasn't that where the "policemen in black" were? Does this mean the police were hurling tear has canisters from the roof into the crowd below? Is that safe?

Certainly safer than this

And what do you think of this?

http://youtu.be/5gJ2CUXnuaw