Army top brass satisfied with peaceful shutdown protest

[Lite Beer]

Army top brass satisfied with peaceful shutdown protest

BANGKOK: -- The Army top brass have been happy and satisfied with the peaceful Bangkok Shutdown protests when no violence broke out.

The Army secretary-general Maj-Gen Polapat Wannapuk said the Army top brass have a meeting to assess the protest situation after People’s Democracy Reform Committee (PDRC) secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban started his Bangkok Shutdown protest rallies Monday to pressure and resignation of caretaker prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

The army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha did not attend the meeting but has designated his deputy Gen Udomdech Sitabutr to chair the meeting.

At the meeting all top brass were satisfied and happy with the peaceful protest and violence did not break out, he said.

But he said the deputy army chief ordered troops to stay alert with warning that protest marches by the anti-government protesters to blockade government offices could lead to confrontation with rival groups.

The Army has deployed soldiers to help the police guarding 37 key locations across the capital. All soldiers were unarmed.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/army-top-brass-satisfied-peaceful-shutdown-protest/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=army-top-brass-satisfied-peaceful-shutdown-protest

-- Thai PBS 2014-01-14

[poisonus]

Loving this...

Army can't fault the anti-gov protesters, and when the reds get fed up and come to town, the army will have 100% confirmation where Thailand's problems exist.

[Scamper]

Indeed, it has been very peaceful on the part of the protesters. And well organized and controlled. Hopefully the overnight attacks on them will cease.

[MunterHunter]

The Army is waiting for the reds to get involved and kick off with the violence, then we will see the Army spanking the militant reds (again)

[GazR]

Delegated to his deputy: Now that's what I call "satisfied".

The contrast with the terrorist actions of the Red Shirts and their Black Shirts couldn't be much plainer.

Kamnan Suthep? Sure he's crazy - like a fox. And he is building momentum IMO.

Go the Kamnan!

[GazR]

The Army is waiting for the reds to get involved and kick off with the violence, then we will see the Army spanking the militant reds (again)

Apart from a few crazies, few Red Shirt's would be willing to put their lives on the line for Thaksin again.

[poisonus]

The Army is waiting for the reds to get involved and kick off with the violence, then we will see the Army spanking the militant reds (again)

Apart from a few crazies, few Red Shirt's would be willing to put their lives on the line for Thaksin again.

It is amazing what 5000 baht will do to a person's judgement in this country.

[MunterHunter]

The Army is waiting for the reds to get involved and kick off with the violence, then we will see the Army spanking the militant reds (again)

Apart from a few crazies, few Red Shirt's would be willing to put their lives on the line for Thaksin again.

It is amazing what 5000 baht will do to a person's judgement in this country.

Lets hope that GazR's comment is true, we all know poisonus's comment is true... lets hope the Thaksin coffers dont get opened up again to support that violent mob.

[Cnxforever]

The Army is waiting for the reds to get involved and kick off with the violence, then we will see the Army spanking the militant reds (again)

talking to some red shirts ......it is not going to happen......no need to...they are just waiting it out!

People will soon get tired of Suthep!

[MunterHunter]

The Army is waiting for the reds to get involved and kick off with the violence, then we will see the Army spanking the militant reds (again)

talking to some red shirts ......it is not going to happen......no need to...they are just waiting it out!

People will soon get tired of Suthep!

You better hope that's the case...

... personally, i think the reds will 'tire' of him first and kick off a campaign of violence, masked drive-by shootings, throwing grenades at protest leaders houses etc...

... or perhaps they have already?

[metisdead]

An inflammatory insult post has been removed.

[seminomadic]

The Army is waiting for the reds to get involved and kick off with the violence, then we will see the Army spanking the militant reds (again)

talking to some red shirts ......it is not going to happen......no need to...they are just waiting it out!

People will soon get tired of Suthep!

And why may I ask were you talking to some RedShirts... you short of cash or just brains...

<deleted> does that mean, short of cash??? as if reds give cash to whiteys to listen to their opinions???

you sound one hell of a lot dumber than him, not least of all since you don't have the common sense to talk to locals on both sides when forming an opinion.

[napawan28]

[poisonus]

The Army is waiting for the reds to get involved and kick off with the violence, then we will see the Army spanking the militant reds (again)

talking to some red shirts ......it is not going to happen......no need to...they are just waiting it out!

People will soon get tired of Suthep!

Yeah?

RT@RichardBarrow: 8:43pm - RT @janniiiiw: Around 100 people gathering to support the 2 Feb elections in soi bearing

Bit late to set up a rally of support under these circumstances, unless of course they have a different motive.

Edited January 14, 2014 by poisonus

[Somtamnication]

Hasn't really started yet!!! Give it a few more days. Local businesses will be more and more pissed, guns will come out and the tanks start rolling.

[rreddin]

The Army is waiting for the reds to get involved and kick off with the violence, then we will see the Army spanking the militant reds (again)

Apart from a few crazies, few Red Shirt's would be willing to put their lives on the line for Thaksin again.

It is amazing what 5000 baht will do to a person's judgement in this country.

Lets hope that GazR's comment is true, we all know poisonus's comment is true... lets hope the Thaksin coffers dont get opened up again to support that violent mob.

If you want an intelligent comment on the situation, read this article http://bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/389422/we-need-reform-but-the-question-is-how-to-achieve-it Maybe you might learn something and refrain from spouting bilious garbage.

[Cnxforever]

The Army is waiting for the reds to get involved and kick off with the violence, then we will see the Army spanking the militant reds (again)

talking to some red shirts ......it is not going to happen......no need to...they are just waiting it out!

People will soon get tired of Suthep!

And why may I ask were you talking to some RedShirts... you short of cash or just brains...

I am sorry? Am I supposed to ask your permission as to who I am allowed to talk to?

Some of them are my friends not sure if this is a crime in this country - if yes please tell me!

Or are you one of those who can't wait to see violence hoping the red shirts will confront Suthep?

You will be disappointed!

As for the rest of your post - I will not stoop as low as you!

Happy demonstrating!

[geriatrickid]

Nice interpretation and attempt to go off on a tangent about Redshirts by some.

Here's a reality check.

1. The government strategy of restraint, a low profile and containment has worked so far.

2. The low turnout for the protests doesn't encourage the type of activities one would see if the numbers were larger. People have a different mentality when there is a large crowd, and folks who would normally be well behaved and peaceful can become violent in minutes. This is why crowd control tactics in countries where there are large protests specialize in tactics such as kettleing and picking offpeople in a crowd who are the most vocal.

3. The Redshirts are not a factor in these protests, nor do they need to even waste the time or effort to get directly involved. The old saying of give someone enough rope and he'll hang himself applies to the Suthep protestors.

4. The low turnout will discourage others from joining. People who were considering the long drive up from the south are going to say, bah, why bother, nothing is happening, no one's listening.

Human nature at play.

The vocal comments from some of Bangkok's trade and business groups is not helping Suthep. When the Ratchaprasong business association hires 1600 private security guards for its district and comes out and tells Suthep and his protestors to go away, it's a sign that some powerful people are not pleased.

[inutil]

This was the 'critical mass' protest. This was the real show of peaceful political force from Suthep. EVEN IF we suggest there were a few more people, it still was NOTHING like what he needed to show that his cause was anything other than marginal. It will blow out. The only things left are a stepping up or a stepping out if they want to reach that critical mass. Its not going to happen any other way. The reds WILL sit this out for the same reason they all went home after Ramkamhaeng. Why get involved when youre involvement allows Suthep to step closer to his goals. People arent stupid. They have the same view we all have. That view is this:

-Suthep has not hit his critical mass to show that he can shut down bangkok for anything other than a few days or a special occasion. And even only then a section of bangkok (one city with a heavy democrat lean). Since a massive part of his fanbase come from moderate democrat supporters, this will be hugely demotivating to their movement. The bubble is deflating.

-The government has shown absolute restraint in its policing and handling of protesters (something that maybe other governments could do with learning - hello kettling).

-The democrats have pinned their colors to Suthep and will pay the price in any future election (wasnt Abhisit praised for his words against the coup in 2006???). Should PTP put them on the spot and agree to go forward with the recommendations of the EC and re-start the election process (as well as delay it), they will take a wholloping now that the momentum for the protests seems to be dying away.

-The red constituencies are FURIOUS about the rice buying schemes. The democrats in those areas will be equally furious therefore at the central democratic party throwing away the opportunity to take some vital seats growing and stabilising their party in the North and east. This will come up, you mark my words.

- You cannot keep promising jam tomorrow without people eventually getting sick of hearing it. A populist party like PTP (who are maybe prone to this) are due a comeuppance with their core to ANYONE AT ALL who can show a bit of political nous. Maybe not this time around, but in roads are being made. The north is not a no-go area for opposition candidates.

- In refusing to contend the elections instead the democrats have reinforced the idea that no matter what, they only represent the interest of the elite and the south and have no other interest in the rural poor of the north and east of thailand. No matter if this is unfair and some of them may have had the best interests of thai democracy at heart, their track record in government and outside it will simply lock them out for a generation in certain areas of thailand NO MATTER who is promising them jam tomorrow. They will continue to insist that its all just vote buying (to amplify a message to their core constituency who ALREADY TURN OUT AND VOTE FOR THEM) and refuse any kind of responsibility in their failure to become a credible alternative government (by attracting swing voters), and this will wonderfully work to reinforce in the minds of anyone who votes against them in these regions that the Democrats believe that they shouldnt be allowed to have their voices heard: Lock out for a generation (at least).

- Literally the only way Suthep will now win is if the current government goes insane, or the red shirts annoy bangkok commuters any more than the yellow shirts already do with their whistling and blocking of traffic. A turn to violence on the part of the reds would be so self destructive and stupid as to defy belief. It wont happen. Nor will the government suddenly get draconian and impose martial law allowing the army an opportunity to insinuate that the country is descending into civil war.

The govt have done little more than insinuated (by their action) that these protesters are nothing more than a nuisance or an inconvenience. They have handled them as such. Theyve been allowed almost free reign of the city, and allowed to set up their protests free from a strong police presence. As such, instead of having something to smash against (the states authority through the police barricade), the only thing left to lash out at are businesses and lives of the people they purport to represent. This isnt an option of course without losing the moderates that make up the core of their support and accord them their legitimacy as a 'peoples revolution'. Theyve been frustrated at every turn.

So why on earth would the red shirts come blundering in and start a riot when they just need to sit this out and watch them either self destruct through violence, or just quietly skulk off back to their houses and lose the oxygen of publicity?

Either way, tomorrow is the next definite final deadline! Lets see what happens? Then its the weekend! And then after that its the run up to the election! hooray hooray! and the inevitable protests following the obvious return of PTP (should it happen). Jam packed schedules on 24 hour cable news!

[Spalpeen]

"Army top brass satisfied with peaceful shutdown....". Really? The army is 'satisfied' that a small number of troublemakers are trying to shut down the capital city of Thailand, and they have no intention of doing anything about it?

[espinoza]

The Army is waiting for the reds to get involved and kick off with the violence, then we will see the Army spanking the militant reds (again)

talking to some red shirts ......it is not going to happen......no need to...they are just waiting it out!

People will soon get tired of Suthep!

You better hope that's the case...

... personally, i think the reds will 'tire' of him first and kick off a campaign of violence, masked drive-by shootings, throwing grenades at protest leaders houses etc...

... or perhaps they have already?

You have a wrong attitude mate. Who told you any reds did it ???? I think the Benito Suthep organised it.

[espinoza]

"Army top brass satisfied with peaceful shutdown....". Really? The army is 'satisfied' that a small number of troublemakers are trying to shut down the capital city of Thailand, and they have no intention of doing anything about it?

Yes, the Thai way. To be number one. In any other country in the world the armed forces would kicked the home already, but not here. The armed forces here is not a goverment instrument, it lives it`s own life.

[espinoza]

This was the 'critical mass' protest. This was the real show of peaceful political force from Suthep. EVEN IF we suggest there were a few more people, it still was NOTHING like what he needed to show that his cause was anything other than marginal. It will blow out. The only things left are a stepping up or a stepping out if they want to reach that critical mass. Its not going to happen any other way. The reds WILL sit this out for the same reason they all went home after Ramkamhaeng. Why get involved when youre involvement allows Suthep to step closer to his goals. People arent stupid. They have the same view we all have. That view is this:

-Suthep has not hit his critical mass to show that he can shut down bangkok for anything other than a few days or a special occasion. And even only then a section of bangkok (one city with a heavy democrat lean). Since a massive part of his fanbase come from moderate democrat supporters, this will be hugely demotivating to their movement. The bubble is deflating.

-The government has shown absolute restraint in its policing and handling of protesters (something that maybe other governments could do with learning - hello kettling).

-The democrats have pinned their colors to Suthep and will pay the price in any future election (wasnt Abhisit praised for his words against the coup in 2006???). Should PTP put them on the spot and agree to go forward with the recommendations of the EC and re-start the election process (as well as delay it), they will take a wholloping now that the momentum for the protests seems to be dying away.

-The red constituencies are FURIOUS about the rice buying schemes. The democrats in those areas will be equally furious therefore at the central democratic party throwing away the opportunity to take some vital seats growing and stabilising their party in the North and east. This will come up, you mark my words.

- You cannot keep promising jam tomorrow without people eventually getting sick of hearing it. A populist party like PTP (who are maybe prone to this) are due a comeuppance with their core to ANYONE AT ALL who can show a bit of political nous. Maybe not this time around, but in roads are being made. The north is not a no-go area for opposition candidates.

- In refusing to contend the elections instead the democrats have reinforced the idea that no matter what, they only represent the interest of the elite and the south and have no other interest in the rural poor of the north and east of thailand. No matter if this is unfair and some of them may have had the best interests of thai democracy at heart, their track record in government and outside it will simply lock them out for a generation in certain areas of thailand NO MATTER who is promising them jam tomorrow. They will continue to insist that its all just vote buying (to amplify a message to their core constituency who ALREADY TURN OUT AND VOTE FOR THEM) and refuse any kind of responsibility in their failure to become a credible alternative government (by attracting swing voters), and this will wonderfully work to reinforce in the minds of anyone who votes against them in these regions that the Democrats believe that they shouldnt be allowed to have their voices heard: Lock out for a generation (at least).

- Literally the only way Suthep will now win is if the current government goes insane, or the red shirts annoy bangkok commuters any more than the yellow shirts already do with their whistling and blocking of traffic. A turn to violence on the part of the reds would be so self destructive and stupid as to defy belief. It wont happen. Nor will the government suddenly get draconian and impose martial law allowing the army an opportunity to insinuate that the country is descending into civil war.

The govt have done little more than insinuated (by their action) that these protesters are nothing more than a nuisance or an inconvenience. They have handled them as such. Theyve been allowed almost free reign of the city, and allowed to set up their protests free from a strong police presence. As such, instead of having something to smash against (the states authority through the police barricade), the only thing left to lash out at are businesses and lives of the people they purport to represent. This isnt an option of course without losing the moderates that make up the core of their support and accord them their legitimacy as a 'peoples revolution'. Theyve been frustrated at every turn.

So why on earth would the red shirts come blundering in and start a riot when they just need to sit this out and watch them either self destruct through violence, or just quietly skulk off back to their houses and lose the oxygen of publicity?

Either way, tomorrow is the next definite final deadline! Lets see what happens? Then its the weekend! And then after that its the run up to the election! hooray hooray! and the inevitable protests following the obvious return of PTP (should it happen). Jam packed schedules on 24 hour cable news!

Very good description of the current situation :-)

[englishoak]

This was the 'critical mass' protest. This was the real show of peaceful political force from Suthep. EVEN IF we suggest there were a few more people, it still was NOTHING like what he needed to show that his cause was anything other than marginal. It will blow out. The only things left are a stepping up or a stepping out if they want to reach that critical mass. Its not going to happen any other way. The reds WILL sit this out for the same reason they all went home after Ramkamhaeng. Why get involved when youre involvement allows Suthep to step closer to his goals. People arent stupid. They have the same view we all have. That view is this:

-Suthep has not hit his critical mass to show that he can shut down bangkok for anything other than a few days or a special occasion. And even only then a section of bangkok (one city with a heavy democrat lean). Since a massive part of his fanbase come from moderate democrat supporters, this will be hugely demotivating to their movement. The bubble is deflating.

-The government has shown absolute restraint in its policing and handling of protesters (something that maybe other governments could do with learning - hello kettling).

-The democrats have pinned their colors to Suthep and will pay the price in any future election (wasnt Abhisit praised for his words against the coup in 2006???). Should PTP put them on the spot and agree to go forward with the recommendations of the EC and re-start the election process (as well as delay it), they will take a wholloping now that the momentum for the protests seems to be dying away.

-The red constituencies are FURIOUS about the rice buying schemes. The democrats in those areas will be equally furious therefore at the central democratic party throwing away the opportunity to take some vital seats growing and stabilising their party in the North and east. This will come up, you mark my words.

- You cannot keep promising jam tomorrow without people eventually getting sick of hearing it. A populist party like PTP (who are maybe prone to this) are due a comeuppance with their core to ANYONE AT ALL who can show a bit of political nous. Maybe not this time around, but in roads are being made. The north is not a no-go area for opposition candidates.

- In refusing to contend the elections instead the democrats have reinforced the idea that no matter what, they only represent the interest of the elite and the south and have no other interest in the rural poor of the north and east of thailand. No matter if this is unfair and some of them may have had the best interests of thai democracy at heart, their track record in government and outside it will simply lock them out for a generation in certain areas of thailand NO MATTER who is promising them jam tomorrow. They will continue to insist that its all just vote buying (to amplify a message to their core constituency who ALREADY TURN OUT AND VOTE FOR THEM) and refuse any kind of responsibility in their failure to become a credible alternative government (by attracting swing voters), and this will wonderfully work to reinforce in the minds of anyone who votes against them in these regions that the Democrats believe that they shouldnt be allowed to have their voices heard: Lock out for a generation (at least).

- Literally the only way Suthep will now win is if the current government goes insane, or the red shirts annoy bangkok commuters any more than the yellow shirts already do with their whistling and blocking of traffic. A turn to violence on the part of the reds would be so self destructive and stupid as to defy belief. It wont happen. Nor will the government suddenly get draconian and impose martial law allowing the army an opportunity to insinuate that the country is descending into civil war.

The govt have done little more than insinuated (by their action) that these protesters are nothing more than a nuisance or an inconvenience. They have handled them as such. Theyve been allowed almost free reign of the city, and allowed to set up their protests free from a strong police presence. As such, instead of having something to smash against (the states authority through the police barricade), the only thing left to lash out at are businesses and lives of the people they purport to represent. This isnt an option of course without losing the moderates that make up the core of their support and accord them their legitimacy as a 'peoples revolution'. Theyve been frustrated at every turn.

So why on earth would the red shirts come blundering in and start a riot when they just need to sit this out and watch them either self destruct through violence, or just quietly skulk off back to their houses and lose the oxygen of publicity?

Either way, tomorrow is the next definite final deadline! Lets see what happens? Then its the weekend! And then after that its the run up to the election! hooray hooray! and the inevitable protests following the obvious return of PTP (should it happen). Jam packed schedules on 24 hour cable news!

Indeed, all it takes is a patient and credible opposition to take the time and stay sincere and they would pick up massive support I think. It won't however I think be the Dems, they don't have the will the staying power and most of all the sincerity towards all classes and regions and the people know it.

They do not forgive and do not forget that easy.

It is nice its quietened down but then again there seems to be an awful lot less about now since people have to get on with life and dont have time or finances to support an extended work break as Suthep seems to enjoy.

[77Dan]

Delegated to his deputy: Now that's what I call "satisfied".

The contrast with the terrorist actions of the Red Shirts and their Black Shirts couldn't be much plainer.

Kamnan Suthep? Sure he's crazy - like a fox. And he is building momentum IMO.

Go the Kamnan!

Did the Red Shirts try to storm Government House? Did they take over the finance ministry? Did they stop election candidates registering? Did they attack Yellow Shirts on a bus?

They were even aquitted of setting fire to Central World if I remember correctly.

The reality is that most protesters on both sides are peaceful but there is a hardcore element on both sides that aren't.

[tingtongteesood]

Reply 1 to 10 were good then suddenly the idiots joined in, such a shame they have to be tolerated....And thanks for that awesome photo at Victory Monument !!