Police to not carry weapons during Jan 13 protests

[transam]

There are 'third party' violent people on both sides. It is lazy thinking to say only one side has militaristic loons.

But, ALL these protests bring the numnuts out of the woodwork, regardless of country, the organizers ''should'' know this............

[slapout]

I hope the police have sense enough not to leave their weapons in their transport vehicles, a second time. That seems to be the thugs source of some of their arms, if you believe what the police say. Personally, I have about equal trust in the RTP as I have for the politicans.

It is too bad they seem to cooperate so well. if someone could manage to sow some hate and discontent between these two groups, supply them with weapons and a killing field, and jail the surviors, then Thailand could join in a true united celebration.

[FangFerang]

?

Edited January 12, 2014 by FangFerang

[FangFerang]

They'll leave the weapons to the men in black on the rooftops.

What a BS post. Both sides have their mercenaries.

Bad form! But good web form...

[Somtamnication]

They will carry their weapons next to their balls. People will think they are happy to see them.

[473geo]

There are 'third party' violent people on both sides. It is lazy thinking to say only one side has militaristic loons.

But, ALL these protests bring the numnuts out of the woodwork, regardless of country, the organizers ''should'' know this............

Of course there are people who bring violence uninvited, each side then blames the other, or in the case of Suthep and Abhisit use this as an excuse to escalate in order to achieve their own selfish ambitions.

Good on the current administration for keeping a watchful eye and not being attracted into confrontation

[transam]

There are 'third party' violent people on both sides. It is lazy thinking to say only one side has militaristic loons.

But, ALL these protests bring the numnuts out of the woodwork, regardless of country, the organizers ''should'' know this............

Of course there are people who bring violence uninvited, each side then blames the other, or in the case of Suthep and Abhisit use this as an excuse to escalate in order to achieve their own selfish ambitions.

Good on the current administration for keeping a watchful eye and not being attracted into confrontation

But, de-arming an armed police force is crazy. De-arm the military in combat next ?

[Emptyset]

There are 'third party' violent people on both sides. It is lazy thinking to say only one side has militaristic loons.

Yep. Even Nongkhaikid seems to believe that shots at the Thai-Japanese stadium were fired by a rogue unit of police 'men in black' on top of Labour Ministry, despite evidence to the contrary. The men in black were not police either. For those who believe this because Chalerm said it (and since when do you believe Chalerm?), please read his statements again carefully and you should be able to work out why he said they were police. The men in black in 2010 were controlled by people close to Thaksin in the military, not police - tho some individual members might have been police, no one knows who each individual member was except the ones who hired them.

I'm not saying that the police aren't behind some of the shootings at the protest site. In fact I think the ones carried out with AK47s might well be the police. But it doesn't even need to be organized by the govt. Could be at a local level. A lot of police are furious at the PDRC and if they get a chance, I'm sure they'd be more than willing to shoot. If the protesters next week are attacked by 'unknown assailants' (wearing black or otherwise), there's a good chance they are police. Problem is when people come across little clues, indications and link it all into a grand theory that then explains every event - ignoring evidence that contradicts the theory. Things are more complicated and one side is not behind all the violence, exactly as you say, FF.

[Cricketnut]

It's always the same crap. I just hope, that Khun Suthep and his crew, were smart enough, to put hidden cameras everywhere, because, of course, the ones the Government put up, never seem to work, when a protester gets shot.

If I was him, I would have patrols with radio, in and on every tall building, checking the area, at all times and staying in radio contact. The police aren't doing their job, so they will have to protect themselves, against violence.

oh so if anyone gets killed or injured it is the government's fault. I think shutting down a capital city and what will ensue, is slightly illegal. So let the police really do their job in protecting life and property, but that can't happen can it ? That's right cause all the police are a joke or corrupt? Let's be a little more objective can we....!?

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[473geo]

There are 'third party' violent people on both sides. It is lazy thinking to say only one side has militaristic loons.

But, ALL these protests bring the numnuts out of the woodwork, regardless of country, the organizers ''should'' know this............

Of course there are people who bring violence uninvited, each side then blames the other, or in the case of Suthep and Abhisit use this as an excuse to escalate in order to achieve their own selfish ambitions.

Good on the current administration for keeping a watchful eye and not being attracted into confrontation

But, de-arming an armed police force is crazy. De-arm the military in combat next ?

It is game of Bluff at the moment, let us suggest the demonstration day is past without serious incident, what then for Suthep? continue occupation of all the sites?

Make no mistake Suthep needs violence, otherwise the army will not come out. The current administration moves are to counter his expectation. The RTA also are players here, they too can not be seen to interfere without due cause, the current administration is foiling both of them with the softly softly approach ( not connected but I bet you remember that programme!)

Edited January 12, 2014 by 473geo

[Cricketnut]

I hope the police have sense enough not to leave their weapons in their transport vehicles, a second time. That seems to be the thugs source of some of their arms, if you believe what the police say. Personally, I have about equal trust in the RTP as I have for the politicans.

It is too bad they seem to cooperate so well. if someone could manage to sow some hate and discontent between these two groups, supply them with weapons and a killing field, and jail the surviors, then Thailand could join in a true united celebration.

I feel really sorry for you and this terrible post,abhorrent is a better word. Maybe someone should go home where life is ever so much better. In fact what are people doing like this in Thailand? Don't seem to be doing anything constructive, rather the opposite. Think the above post should be removed. All parties have their faults. Let's try and be an example in these times by living and acting accordingly.

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[Cricketnut]

They'll leave the weapons to the men in black on the rooftops.

The man in black who are policemen (police boss told so) and who are unarmed as can be seen on the published photos from a quadrocopter. The rifle with scope is 1 meter away...that counts as unarmed?

You are right. Not one single protestor has had a weapon, and if they did it was for self defense...

Yeah....right...

ahh if only more people on this forum were a little more informed such as fangferang!

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[Baerboxer]

Everyone shouts "Democracy", well these people have a legal, democratic and constitutional right to express their displeasure with the government that is driving their country to the edge of bankruptcy. All the people who scream about Suthep should take note of how things turned out in 2010, Arisman, Jatuporn, Nattawhut and company all got rich for their part in a display that was much worse than what we are seeing now. Democracy brings responsibility, it is a promise from the people we trust with our votes to carry out their duties for the good of the country, not for some runaway. With the farmers not being paid for the rice, the government passing bills in the middle of the night, nobody can assert that these people have earned the public trust.

The present government was voted in by the majority of Thai voters - that is Democracy. Yes they are a bunch of thieving corrupt besterds, whose only reason for getting into politics was to line there own pockets And Suthep was and is no different.

I would be delighted and so so happy for my adopted country if Suthep and his followers actually did achieve a total reform of the political system, but come on! Suthep's only agenda here is to rejoin feeding trough.

And if the majority of Thais want Thaksin & his policies back - well that's good reward for their own stupidity.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

No they were not! The were voted in by the largest minority of voters.

Why do people keep claiming that PTP were elected with a "landslide majority" when the real facts are so easy to check?

The PTP love of re-writing history - we come from election, we have majority, we want peace not power, my brother innocent - whatever next?

[Carl64]

They will be the only ones without guns!

[Baerboxer]

They'll leave the weapons to the men in black on the rooftops.

The man in black who are policemen (police boss told so) and who are unarmed as can be seen on the published photos from a quadrocopter. The rifle with scope is 1 meter away...that counts as unarmed?

You are right. Not one single protestor has had a weapon, and if they did it was for self defense...

Yeah....right...

ahh if only more people on this forum were a little more informed such as fangferang!

Sent from my i-mobile i-STYLE 8.2 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

you mean informed in that they post comments you happen to agree with?

[jackr]

It's always the same crap. I just hope, that Khun Suthep and his crew, were smart enough, to put hidden cameras everywhere, because, of course, the ones the Government put up, never seem to work, when a protester gets shot.

If I was him, I would have patrols with radio, in and on every tall building, checking the area, at all times and staying in radio contact. The police aren't doing their job, so they will have to protect themselves, against violence.

I sort, of agree, but the, only problem, is then, he'll end, up shooting, himself in, the foot, as his, side will, be doing, an equal, amount of, shooting, no doubt ,,,,

[jackr]

Anyway, this is all as backards innit? I mean, the police are a major minus-point of this great nation and they have guns by default shooting up the place when they feel like it. Now, at a time when they really need them, they go out half-cocked.

[kurtgruen]

They will carry their weapons next to their balls. People will think they are happy to see them.

No, people would know right away, because they have no balls and the rest of it, is much smaller, than even a Barretta

[473geo]

Anyway, this is all as backards innit? I mean, the police are a major minus-point of this great nation and they have guns by default shooting up the place when they feel like it. Now, at a time when they really need them, they go out half-cocked.

Wrong, they are assured this is a peaceful demonstration, so they will not 'really need them'..........unless the demonstrators run out of control.....over to you Suthep.....ball...your court....

[transam]

They will carry their weapons next to their balls. People will think they are happy to see them.

No, people would know right away, because they have no balls and the rest of it, is much smaller, than even a Barretta

A ''Beretta'' is quite a large side arm............Please do some homework...........

[bangon04]

Everyone shouts "Democracy", well these people have a legal, democratic and constitutional right to express their displeasure with the government that is driving their country to the edge of bankruptcy. All the people who scream about Suthep should take note of how things turned out in 2010, Arisman, Jatuporn, Nattawhut and company all got rich for their part in a display that was much worse than what we are seeing now. Democracy brings responsibility, it is a promise from the people we trust with our votes to carry out their duties for the good of the country, not for some runaway. With the farmers not being paid for the rice, the government passing bills in the middle of the night, nobody can assert that these people have earned the public trust.

The present government was voted in by the majority of Thai voters - that is Democracy. Yes they are a bunch of thieving corrupt besterds, whose only reason for getting into politics was to line there own pockets And Suthep was and is no different.

I would be delighted and so so happy for my adopted country if Suthep and his followers actually did achieve a total reform of the political system, but come on! Suthep's only agenda here is to rejoin feeding trough.

And if the majority of Thais want Thaksin & his policies back - well that's good reward for their own stupidity.

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Quite right. The majority of voters are genuinely too ignorant to vote, but in a democracy they have the absolute right to waste their votes if they want to. We get the government we deserve.

In my country the majority of voters are not only ignorant, they are also too lazy to exercise their voting rights, which were won for them over many hard years. In my country we also have the government we deserve, because the loudmouths and the activists are the ones who win when the "silent majority just cannot be a***d to do anything except complain later.

It seems that many grassroots Thais are content to live in a state of corruption, as long as they can see personal gain somewhere.

Therefore they have the government they deserve (and voted for in a democratic system)

[Commander Tamson]

Everyone shouts "Democracy", well these people have a legal, democratic and constitutional right to express their displeasure with the government that is driving their country to the edge of bankruptcy. All the people who scream about Suthep should take note of how things turned out in 2010, Arisman, Jatuporn, Nattawhut and company all got rich for their part in a display that was much worse than what we are seeing now. Democracy brings responsibility, it is a promise from the people we trust with our votes to carry out their duties for the good of the country, not for some runaway. With the farmers not being paid for the rice, the government passing bills in the middle of the night, nobody can assert that these people have earned the public trust.

The present government was voted in by the majority of Thai voters - that is Democracy. Yes they are a bunch of thieving corrupt besterds, whose only reason for getting into politics was to line there own pockets And Suthep was and is no different.

I would be delighted and so so happy for my adopted country if Suthep and his followers actually did achieve a total reform of the political system, but come on! Suthep's only agenda here is to rejoin feeding trough.

And if the majority of Thais want Thaksin & his policies back - well that's good reward for their own stupidity.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

No they were not! The were voted in by the largest minority of voters.

Why do people keep claiming that PTP were elected with a "landslide majority" when the real facts are so easy to check?

The PTP love of re-writing history - we come from election, we have majority, we want peace not power, my brother innocent - whatever next?

The largest minority of voters? Ah, that's alright then! Definitely should, in that case, be replaced by an unelected People's Committee; led of course by Chairman Suthep!

<deleted>

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[Halion]

As tomorrow draws ever closer we are being inundated with remarks and comments about this ethereal third party

I think that it does indeed exist and it is funded and managed by backers of the PTP of which they also have control over the RTP and related agency's and yet these instigators are still an unknown entity. Utter Hogwash , they are a mercenary group of thugs at the beck and call of their masters and are most certainly known at least at command level.

All this nonsense is simply a scare tactic and a mechanism to deflect direct responsibility when the shit hits the fan. If it does go off then person or persons unknown will have pushed the button and in won't be Suthep or his followers..

[Andre0720]

How about that...

Back home, in situations like this, they bring in more weapons.......

[473geo]

How about that...

Back home, in situations like this, they bring in more weapons.......

Ah yes but the chance of the PM and cabinet being pulled up on a murder charge in an attempt to terminate a political career is just a little less 'back home'!

Last major protest, when the installed goverment turned up with more weapons, this served to exacerbate the situation, went on to dramatically increase the death toll, and destruction of property, indeed a prime example of how not to handle a protest!

Definately a cool move by the current administration

[Cuchulainn]

They only primarily use them to show off to people when they're pissed out of their minds in a restaurant anyway.

[tingtongteesood]

Unarmed police, maybe some but not alll, I can't believe it. This is so that if there is violence the government and police can blame protestors, the fact they are lieing is neither here nor there apparently. Let's hope the protestors get the necessary evidence.

As ever threatening the 'third hand' will cause violence as they work for the government and they have been well paid to do so.

[tingtongteesood]

Everyone shouts "Democracy", well these people have a legal, democratic and constitutional right to express their displeasure with the government that is driving their country to the edge of bankruptcy. All the people who scream about Suthep should take note of how things turned out in 2010, Arisman, Jatuporn, Nattawhut and company all got rich for their part in a display that was much worse than what we are seeing now. Democracy brings responsibility, it is a promise from the people we trust with our votes to carry out their duties for the good of the country, not for some runaway. With the farmers not being paid for the rice, the government passing bills in the middle of the night, nobody can assert that these people have earned the public trust.

The present government was voted in by the majority of Thai voters - that is Democracy. Yes they are a bunch of thieving corrupt besterds, whose only reason for getting into politics was to line there own pockets And Suthep was and is no different.

I would be delighted and so so happy for my adopted country if Suthep and his followers actually did achieve a total reform of the political system, but come on! Suthep's only agenda here is to rejoin feeding trough.

And if the majority of Thais want Thaksin & his policies back - well that's good reward for their own stupidity.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

No they were not! The were voted in by the largest minority of voters.

Why do people keep claiming that PTP were elected with a "landslide majority" when the real facts are so easy to check?

The PTP love of re-writing history - we come from election, we have majority, we want peace not power, my brother innocent - whatever next?

The largest minority of voters? Ah, that's alright then! Definitely should, in that case, be replaced by an unelected People's Committee; led of course by Chairman Suthep!

<deleted>

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

PT got 30% which was the highest percentage but still way off the 51% needed to make a majority. Unfortunately Thaksin has control over a number of smaller parties too that joined with PT to make a coalition of crooks....

[recycler]

An no water for the fire brigade!

[geriatrickid]

Everyone shouts "Democracy", well these people have a legal, democratic and constitutional right to express their displeasure with the government that is driving their country to the edge of bankruptcy. All the people who scream about Suthep should take note of how things turned out in 2010, Arisman, Jatuporn, Nattawhut and company all got rich for their part in a display that was much worse than what we are seeing now. Democracy brings responsibility, it is a promise from the people we trust with our votes to carry out their duties for the good of the country, not for some runaway. With the farmers not being paid for the rice, the government passing bills in the middle of the night, nobody can assert that these people have earned the public trust.

The present government was voted in by the majority of Thai voters - that is Democracy. Yes they are a bunch of thieving corrupt besterds, whose only reason for getting into politics was to line there own pockets And Suthep was and is no different.

I would be delighted and so so happy for my adopted country if Suthep and his followers actually did achieve a total reform of the political system, but come on! Suthep's only agenda here is to rejoin feeding trough.

And if the majority of Thais want Thaksin & his policies back - well that's good reward for their own stupidity.

No they were not! The were voted in by the largest minority of voters.

Why do people keep claiming that PTP were elected with a "landslide majority" when the real facts are so easy to check?

The PTP love of re-writing history - we come from election, we have majority, we want peace not power, my brother innocent - whatever next?

Baerboxer you did not read what Commander Tamson wrote. He wrote;

The present government was voted in by the majority of Thai voters - that is Democracy

You responded with

Why do people keep claiming that PTP were elected with a "landslide majority" when the real facts are so easy to check?

Aside from the not addressing his point, you are incorrect in your assertion You have confused the PTP with the "government",, which is made up of the PTP and several other parties. Now, let's check the facts that are so easy to check;

1. The PTP won the most House of Representative 265 seats at 53%. This is indeed considered a landslide and a majority.

2. The PTP election result was made up of constituency seats and seats allocated due to proportional representation. You may not like this system, but this is the system that also awarded the Democrats 159 seats, And if you wish to criticize proportional representation, be careful because had it not been for proportional representation, the Democrats would have been reduced to an even smaller group. . Of the Democrats' total seats, approx. 27.7% were from proportional representation, whereas, the PTP received 23% of its seats from proportional representation. If we use your logic, the PTP has more legitimacy because of its higher share of the popular vote and constituency seats.

3. The government of Thailand does indeed represent a majority of Thailand's electorate. This is because the government is comprised of 5 distinct politxal "groups" representing a cross section of the country. The representation is as follows;;

PTP - 265 seats @ 53%

Chartthaipattana -19 seats @ 3.9%

Chart Pattana Puea Pandin - 7 seats @ 1.4%

Palang Con -7 seats @ 1.4%

Independent- 1 @ .1% approx.

This comes in at 59.8%

How then was Tamson "wrong"? Anything over 50% is defined as a majority. In elections this kind of result is indeed considered a "landslide" victory, albeit a marginal landslide.

Now, if I have the math wrong, please let me know. I look forward to your response in respect to the results that I posted.

Cheers.

Edited to add:

As an afterthought, in order to avoid the claim that this isn't a majority of the popular vote, the government represents approx. 54% of the popular vote, which is a majority

Edited January 12, 2014 by geriatrickid