Army: Tanks Are For Children's Day, Not Coup

[sz1a]

Thailand bashing as usual. I remember many children's days in sweden and how cool it was to see tanks and military stuff!

[marcusd]

Tanks and artillery for Children's Day! What could be more perverse? Perhaps they should show graphic vids of what battle tanks and such do to towns and human flesh.

i don't kno about the tanks but I sure as hell know that some of the comments on here are more dangerous and lethal

[IAMSOBAD]

How totally irresponsible for the army to do this while the entire country braces for January 13 troubles.

Is there an adult anywhere in charge?

I feel 100% its preparation for a

Coup Coup Ka Choooooo

[Emster23]

"children are invited to ride on tanks or jet fighters." while adult children have tantrums.... maybe this is to teach kids to say "please" and "tank you".

Might want to consider this as "pre-positioning" for the coup I would think. Nice to have "the tools of democracy" close at hand.

[DocN]

Army: Tanks Are For Children's Day, Not Coup

...if you really think about it- this actually says more about the state of Thailand, than many, many other things

does it really Our kids have always enjoyed their school trips to army or air force. The soldiers always made sure kids had a great day out. Is it any better in west where you have toy guns bought for kids all time and internet war games.

Call me old fashioned, but I think it is better, kids learn, that conflicts can be solved without violence (weapons, army, guns, tanks)!

But that is just me, ol' leftwinger that i am!

I grew up without tanks, army and guns- and at least I think, I grew up to be a kind'a good human being!

[doglover]

I honestly had no idea there were any boys that would not be fascinated by tanks. Did some of you really never plays "guns", "cops & robbers", etc? Or have you only forgotten what it's like to be a child?

[JoeThePoster]

Army: Tanks Are For Children's Day, Not Coup

Okay, I gotta ask - what's on the menu for Valentines Day?

[khaowong1]

Army: Tanks Are For Children's Day, Not Coup

...if you really think about it- this actually says more about the state of Thailand, than many, many other things

The first time I seen this, I couldn't believe it. I knew right away, I wasn't in Kansas anymore.

[harrry]

Army: Tanks Are For Children's Day, Not Coup

Okay, I gotta ask - what's on the menu for Valentines Day?

roses in tank barrels?

[NovaBlue05]

When I think Childrens Day...I think tanks

Your welcome

[darren84310]

If ever you wondered why Suthep was in such a confident mood.... Now you know.

[mdmayes]

I could see one or two tank for this festival but a whole squad of tanks, helicopters, etc means they are getting ready to bring the army in on the 13th.

[DrTuner]

Army: Tanks Are For Children's Day, Not Coup

Okay, I gotta ask - what's on the menu for Valentines Day?

Must be the fighter jets. Aircraft carriers are reserved for Songkran.

[KuhnPaen]

Tanks in urban settings are usually a bad idea militarily (Stalingrad, Baghdad). From an intimidation standpoint--a great idea. Can't help but think there is another motive here.

[Mrgk]

Tanks in urban settings are usually a bad idea militarily (Stalingrad, Baghdad). From an intimidation standpoint--a great idea. Can't help but think there is another motive here.

Depends on the firepower of your opponents. Unless they have good antitank armaments (I.e. RPG-29 et al) heavy armor should do pretty well in close quarters-combat.

The Thai Royal Army doesn´t have much in the way of modern MBT:s though, but neither is a hypothetical opposition force likely to be armed with anything heavier than molotov coctails.

[noitom]

The Thai army is moving in tanks and troops. These Thais should just cut the horse manure and state the truth. Everyone knows that the Thai army will step in if protests get more dramatic and bring Thailand to a standstill.

[F4UCorsair]

Sure the tanks are for Children's Day. There's nothing kids like more than a shoot 'em up, usually cowboys and Indians, but Thai Army military............ anybody will do.

It's an ill wind that blows no good though, and accommodations prices, possibly even air fares, will come down to attract the tourists again.

Edited January 6, 2014 by F4UCorsair

[noitom]

I'm glad they are still setting this up for the weekend.

My sons love it. They get to climb all over tanks and

helicopters and stuff themselves with free goodies.

A great day out for the family every year.

This is a preposterous thing to be joyous about.

[webfact]

CHILDREN'S DAY
Tanks are out for kids, not coup: Army
Panya Thiosangwan,
Jeerapong Prasertpolkrung
The Nation



Children's day celebrations coincides with preparations for armed forces day

BANGKOK: -- MILITARY tanks and armoured vehicles are hitting Bangkok's roads - but not for a coup. The Army says they're rolling in for a military parade and preparations for the National Children's Day events.

This year, National Children's Day will fall on January 11.

The military parade, meanwhile, is scheduled to take place on January 18 to mark Thai Armed Forces Day.

Rehearsals for the military parade started yesterday morning.

Military tanks, armoured vehicles, and several military supplies from various military bases in nearby provinces such as Lop Buri and Saraburi have been moved to Bangkok.

"The moves are not for any coup plot," Maj Gen Wara Boonyasit said yesterday in his capacity as commander of the 1st Division, the King's Guard.

He spoke out to dismiss rumours the military was preparing to stage a coup.

Political tension in Thailand has been intensifying with anti-government demonstrators set to occupy 20 major intersections in Bangkok from January 13 onward.

As the political heat rises, word has spread that a military coup might again take place.

"No, the rumours are untrue," Wara said, "[The] parades have been planned since mid-2013."

However this year there's a twist.

Although military parades have been held to mark the Thai Armed Forces Day every year, the upcoming parade is special in that it marks the first time military vehicles are being used.

"The inclusion is in response to Royal Thai Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha's initiative to parade Thailand's modern military weapons and showcase the strength of its troops before the eyes of military attaches from various countries," Wara said.

He said the parades also intended to honour Prayuth and Supreme Commander Thanasak Patimaprakorn, who will retire at the end of September.

Royal Thai Army (RTA) deputy spokeswoman Sirijan Ngathong |said that on ThursdayJanuary 9, the RTA would be moving military vehicles from Ratchaburi, Prachin Buri |and Lop Buri to Bangkok as part |of the National Children's Day events.

"They will be exhibited at the 2nd Cavalry Division King's Guard and the Royal Thai Armed Forces headquarters," she said.

In a related development, PM's deputy secretary-general Thawat Boonfueng said it remained unclear whether the government would be able to hold activities for National Children's Day inside the Government House this year.

Normally, the government opens the Government House for children to enter and explore the place, even to sit at the prime minister's desk on National Children's Day.

The presence of anti-government demonstrators next to the Government House, however, has been a concern for officials.

"If the demonstrators don't agree to relocate, we won't be able to hold the activities for children at Government House," Thawat said, who is negotiating with demonstrators.


-- The Nation 2014-01-07

[kamahele]

A fun day for the children. While not all countries celebrate children day, most do have military displays for family visits. Kids and adults get to look at the equipment their tax dollars paid for and which they normally only get to see on tv and in the movies. It's good fun for the family. My dad who is in his 80's, still loves these exhibits.

[doremifasol]

just getting in some practice before the real thing...

Exactly my thoughts

[CelticBhoy]

I'm glad they are still setting this up for the weekend.

My sons love it. They get to climb all over tanks and

helicopters and stuff themselves with free goodies.

A great day out for the family every year.

This is a preposterous thing to be joyous about.

No it's not. It's a great day out for my three sons . . . . . and me.

Read previous posts and see how many different countries do

the same thing annually. It's a great way for the lads to get a hands

on with the BIG toys that they love.

[JohnP1752]

Will the kids sit on the tanks when they go into the streets to take over Bangkok? Is that the plan so no one shoots back at the army?

[bangon04]

"The convoys will travel along Petchakasem Road, Pin Klao-Nakhon Chaisri Road, Vibhavadi-Rang Sit Road, Paholyothin Road, and Chaeng Wattana Road, the army spokeswoman said, adding that the equipment will be similarly transported back to the barracks after the Children′s Day is over."

so are they announcing the route so that:

a) they are warning the redshirts NOT to get in the way?

they are hoping the redshirts WILL get in the way?

c) they will use a completely different route to avoid the redshirts who will try to get in the way?

[plazot11]

Yes, its a crazy world, Taksin play with puppets, and children with tanks...

What the hell has this article got to do with "Taksin" whoever "Taksin is. Suggest change non de plume to "Suthepspirit2014"

[MK1]

The army is right....the coup will not take place now.....it will be after the elections.....if they ever happen!

But then of course, there is also the emergency decree, as a last resort, that Yingluck continues to spin in hope that the people will believe her ...The tanks ultimately serve a dual-purpose should Yingluck fail and so far, since Bangkok is not safe for her including for her supporters, the likelihood of a Coup must be a distinct possibility, no matter how others wish to play down the risk.

Edited January 7, 2014 by MK1

[GentlemanJim]

Just picked my kid up from school and explained her while driving what democracy is. She asked because of all billboards. Not so difficult to underline that what the majority votes for, will be in power. And that opposition in Thailand better designs Social Security plans, or better pension offering, or more equal study possibilities to poorer areas, or psychiatric health care for abandoned people in the street: in order to gain some votes back............good plans being presented to the Government to be implanted. Thailand has meat enough on its bones to finance more Western styled, modern help to its people.

But no, Suthep and Abhisit dedicate their valuable time to destruct the roots of Thai society called Democracy, create bloodshed (AGAIN) and deform normal life for normal working persons. And they keep seeing Isan people as inferior vote selling cattle. Well, after 10 years Thailand I can tell you rural areas gained my deepest respect. They keep Thailand afloat with their labor. And I do not feel anything threathening from the Thaksin government towards me.

And there we have it. The continuation of the next Generation that is being poisoned by brain washed adults. I find your efforts to explain democracy and it's relationship to the current Government to your child utterly appalling and irresponsible. The reds created bloodshed and you dam_n well know it and if you don't then I suggest you get educated yourself before you try and educate indoctrinate your child. As long as people in Issan keep spouting the ill-informed tripe that you have then people from Issan will continue to be seen as 'inferior vote selling cattle' (your words!). Sadly due to Government corruption the rural areas have done little to keep 'Thailand afloat' in recent years as their main product from their back-breaking work - rice, has not made any positive contribution to the countries economy but has only led to the financial whirlpool it now finds itself in. All so the folks of Issan could enjoy an extra 200-500 baht for their vote. The fact that these folks would sell their country down the tubes for a weekend getting blind drunk puts it in to perspective really. No worries though, I am sure your kids will continue your legacy of brainwashing their kids also and the hamster wheel will continue to turn because of uneducated indoctrinated people who are willing to put corruption as the number 1 priority. Anyone offering their kids Thaksin, Jatuporn, Thida etc as role models wants their head testing.

By the way, nice line on what demands should be placed on the 'opposition party', doesn't it dismay you even a little that you have to rely on the opposition party to implement all those things? Surely the PTP should have been implementing those things instead of bankrupting the country and bringing in populist policies that anyone with a basic grade in maths would no are doomed to failure. There really is no hope for this country when I read rubbish like you posted, and what worries me is that you really believe it, so what chance do the uneducated illiterate masses in the North East have? Anyone with the resources and limited intelligence required to enter a post on a forum really should be able to work it out by now. Suthep is wrong, and don't fall into the error that because many of us hate Shinclan we must therefore support Suthep....we don't, but your support of Thaksin and endorsement of that to your child is pitiful.

Edited January 7, 2014 by GentlemanJim

[smoochy]

Will Don Muang have an airshow again this year? With this pollution, you would HEAR jets but not SEE jets.

[Jasun]

Hard to restore peace with pony rides and a jumping castle I guess.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Loles]

BUT ..... if they are here .....