Red shirts confront PDRC protesters at Chaeng Wattana rally site

[pipkins]

It would be interesting to see thida, jatuporn, nattawut, and the Ubon man all interviewed together about the current revelations of the rice scam with an interviewer who pushed all of the for specific answers.

Unfortunately not going to happen.

It will happen in due course.

There is a battle on now against a planned military and judicial Coup attempt incase you didn't notice.

Government is in caretater mode and it is the EC refusing to pay them, so once they straighten that out, they'll know whose doors to knock on. Once they realise this and come back on side, you will then be back to saying how stupid and miss led they all are.

Bit of testing out of the defences today and they will be emboldened by this. Shame the army allowed the PRRC to start shooting. Must have been their side or why would the red side of sped off? Proof positive again of planned violence, Armed PRRC thugs and Army Collusion.

Need to re-open Bangkok now and I think a move is afoot....

[scorecard]

Seems people including Red Shirts are upset with their daily lives being destroyed by protesters. Even Red Shirts need to earn a living either driving vans or taxis.

Pity we didn't hear the same complaints a few years ago last time Bangkok was under siege . . .

thats a real waste of typing effort on your part. What a facile post.

there were thousands and thousands of complaints all over thai Visa for one. Are you really living in such a small cocoon? You either were not here or just posted a thought from your head without checking it... Go on say it again... there were no complaints a few years ago....... etc.

There were complaints and the army acted on them and came out and shot 90 people dead. Or did you forget that as well. Much as we don't want people ending up dead, it would be nice if the army, after 18 times of getting it wrong, finally realised that right was on the side of the portion of the country that respect democracy and only put politicians into government through election..... [insert thaksin bought votes here - I done it for you and It will vitrually double the length of your posting]

I often wonder why people set up accounts on here then say such bizarre things.

'such bizarre things' is your opinion. Others have other opinions and have every right to have other opinions.

So you seem to be saying that the army should take sides, and you have decided which side that should be.

'respect democracy' surely your not talking about the current / caretaker gov't.

Edited January 17, 2014 by scorecard

[Tatsujin]

Seems people including Red Shirts are upset with their daily lives being destroyed by protesters. Even Red Shirts need to earn a living either driving vans or taxis.

Pity we didn't hear the same complaints a few years ago last time Bangkok was under siege . . .

thats a real waste of typing effort on your part. What a facile post.

there were thousands and thousands of complaints all over thai Visa for one. Are you really living in such a small cocoon? You either were not here or just posted a thought from your head without checking it... Go on say it again... there were no complaints a few years ago....... etc.

There were complaints and the army acted on them and came out and shot 90 people dead. Or did you forget that as well. Much as we don't want people ending up dead, it would be nice if the army, after 18 times of getting it wrong, finally realised that right was on the side of the portion of the country that respect democracy and only put politicians into government through election..... [insert thaksin bought votes here - I done it for you and It will vitrually double the length of your posting]

I often wonder why people set up accounts on here then say such bizarre things.

I was referring to the "red" supporters on here ... but feel free to make up what you want.

[thailiketoo]

'such bizarre things' is your opinion. Others have other opinions and have every right to have other opinions.

So you seem to be saying that the army should take sides, and you have decided which side that should be.

'respect democracy' surely your not talking about the current / caretaker gov't.

The army already has taken sides and it was reported a couple of days ago on Reuters. Powerful forces revealed behind Thai protest movement.

[Robby nz]

That was me being sarcastic in response to the ludicrous theory that Thaksin is trying to engineer a coup. I do believe militant reds could be behind some or all of the attacks, but see no reason why it'd have to be ordered by Thaksin (see the BKK Post article yesterday that suggests hardcore reds are outside of his control), especially not in the service of a coup. That's just flat out ridiculous.

Probably a little less ridiculous than Suthep wanting a coup which is what the red ranters keep telling us.

A coup would benefit no one in this country not Suthep, not Yingluck, not Abhisit nor any political entity.

It would not benefit any sector of the people and it would not benefit the army.

Should it happen it would not be peaceful like last time for armed factions from all directions would come out and fight the army and each other, with a possibility that factions within the armed forces would revolt.

Not up front, but as we see now with hit and run bombings and shootings in the south and now BKK, the whole country would be like the south.

Those who are posting 'bring on a coup' should think a little for it would be open season on farang (they are all rich, take our women) anyone with any sort of a hate would be in for their chop.

Only one person who might think they would benefit from a coup to come back the peacemaker and great savior, but that wouldn't work either.

A coup is a no win situation and fortunately the army brass sees that.

[jpeg]

Today these Southern thugs when to the Printing office which was printing the ballots for the election. They turned off the power and water and forced the employees to leave under threats of bodily harm. Then you wonder why concern citizens of Bangkok are coming out and attacking these thugs. They are sick and tired of there criminal acts and will strike back with guerrilla warfare tactics Good luck to you in your effort rid the city of these thugs.

That's THREE 'thugs' in your usual rant post Not particularly becoming of a female poster calling herself 'Nowhereman' Another nutter on my 'ignored'

[shiok]

They announced on the sound truck that the rally at the Chaeng Wattana caused hardship to passenger van operators and local residents.

Theres the clue right there, this will be drivers and others who are fed up with their wages being affected by the protesters getting together, dosnt take a genius to know a lot of drivers and general lower paid jobs are done by red shirt supporters.

This was bound to happen at some point, you mess with normal peoples jobs and ability to earn they wont put up with it for long.

so YL should speed up her resignation and sacrifice for the nation that's the whole idea! Edited January 17, 2014 by shiok

[Emptyset]

That was me being sarcastic in response to the ludicrous theory that Thaksin is trying to engineer a coup. I do believe militant reds could be behind some or all of the attacks, but see no reason why it'd have to be ordered by Thaksin (see the BKK Post article yesterday that suggests hardcore reds are outside of his control), especially not in the service of a coup. That's just flat out ridiculous.

Probably a little less ridiculous than Suthep wanting a coup which is what the red ranters keep telling us.

A coup would benefit no one in this country not Suthep, not Yingluck, not Abhisit nor any political entity.

It would not benefit any sector of the people and it would not benefit the army.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think the army is particularly desperate to stage a coup. But I can't see how else Suthep can win. A coup certainly gets him what he wants. His good people in charge. And if the People's Council is achieved by military force or another route which I can't see, it's irrelevant. Resistance will come all the same.

[Scott]

A post with messed up quotes has been deleted.

Off-topic post also removed.

[MunterHunter]

A post with messed up quotes has been deleted.

Off-topic post also removed.

Do you wanna clean up all the name-calling and insults whilst you are there?

[Exsexyman]

I guess Thaksin needs that coup so bad

Haha, you really haven't got a clue how things work here have you, regarding which institutions support which party's etc. Still, you got to mention Thaksin, so that was a result for you! Better to remain silent and be thought a fool etc etc!

[GeorgeO]

Pity we didn't hear the same complaints a few years ago last time Bangkok was under siege . . .

It's totally different. In a democracy you vote for change. But the only thing you can do in a military dictatorship is to protest. To topple a dictatorship with violence is justified. To try to do so in a democracy is not.

This is a simple concept that all western governments understand.

So finally you agree with us that this is all about bringing down the current dictatorship, although you would have to accept that the violence is coming from the reds, not the anti-government protesters, wouldn't you?

[thailiketoo]

Pity we didn't hear the same complaints a few years ago last time Bangkok was under siege . . .

It's totally different. In a democracy you vote for change. But the only thing you can do in a military dictatorship is to protest. To topple a dictatorship with violence is justified. To try to do so in a democracy is not.

This is a simple concept that all western governments understand.

So finally you agree with us that this is all about bringing down the current dictatorship, although you would have to accept that the violence is coming from the reds, not the anti-government protesters, wouldn't you?

An elected government can't be a dictatorship by definition. It may be a corrupt government or a government that stole the election or a group of crooked politicians that got elected but not a dictatorship. Part of a dictatorship is not having elections. You can have a red vote payoff and a yellow vote payoff and a black vote payoff but it is still an election. The person that a military coup appoints is a dictator.

[Mackie]

Pity we didn't hear the same complaints a few years ago last time Bangkok was under siege . . .

It's totally different. In a democracy you vote for change. But the only thing you can do in a military dictatorship is to protest. To topple a dictatorship with violence is justified. To try to do so in a democracy is not.

This is a simple concept that all western governments understand.

So finally you agree with us that this is all about bringing down the current dictatorship, although you would have to accept that the violence is coming from the reds, not the anti-government protesters, wouldn't you?

An elected government can't be a dictatorship by definition. It may be a corrupt government or a government that stole the election or a group of crooked politicians that got elected but not a dictatorship. Part of a dictatorship is not having elections. You can have a red vote payoff and a yellow vote payoff and a black vote payoff but it is still an election. The person that a military coup appoints is a dictator.

That's hilarious. So Hitler was not a dictator then. Neither Marcos and many others. An elected government can start abusing power and turn any country into dictatorship.

[thailiketoo]

It's totally different. In a democracy you vote for change. But the only thing you can do in a military dictatorship is to protest. To topple a dictatorship with violence is justified. To try to do so in a democracy is not.

This is a simple concept that all western governments understand.

So finally you agree with us that this is all about bringing down the current dictatorship, although you would have to accept that the violence is coming from the reds, not the anti-government protesters, wouldn't you?

An elected government can't be a dictatorship by definition. It may be a corrupt government or a government that stole the election or a group of crooked politicians that got elected but not a dictatorship. Part of a dictatorship is not having elections. You can have a red vote payoff and a yellow vote payoff and a black vote payoff but it is still an election. The person that a military coup appoints is a dictator.

That's hilarious. So Hitler was not a dictator then. Neither Marcos and many others. An elected government can start abusing power and turn any country into dictatorship.

Hitler suspended elections and Yingluck wants to have an election. Ah there's the rub eh?

[lineofentry]

Tweedledee and Tweedledum agreed to have a battle, b'cause Tweedledee said Tweedledum had spoiled his brand new rattle.

[marinediscoking]

I guess Thaksin needs that coup so bad

give it a break! Thaksin has been otu of country for a few years now, suthep is the one that is causing all the problems. get a life and read once in awhle! you can't blame everything on Thaksin! you sound like and american left wing democrat! Blame Bush!

Seems like a very large percentage of people fell for that one - that comment was already identified as Sarcasm on the first page - i guess a lot of people just read a comment, hit reply and skip all the bits in the middle

Actually no, Thait spot never said he was being sarcastic, his next post was #53 which he said he wants a coup. So he did not skip the bits in the middle.

[longway]

One word, from one man and both sides would go home, without questioning, but there is only silence.

+1

-1

[djjamie]

I thought the red shirts had already changed their name to "The Third Hand"?

[casualbiker]

I thought the red shirts had already changed their name to "The Third Hand"?

are they not White shirts now releasing white balloons etc etc.

[djjamie]

Pity we didn't hear the same complaints a few years ago last time Bangkok was under siege . . .

It's totally different. In a democracy you vote for change. But the only thing you can do in a military dictatorship is to protest. To topple a dictatorship with violence is justified. To try to do so in a democracy is not.

This is a simple concept that all western governments understand.

So finally you agree with us that this is all about bringing down the current dictatorship, although you would have to accept that the violence is coming from the reds, not the anti-government protesters, wouldn't you?

An elected government can't be a dictatorship by definition. It may be a corrupt government or a government that stole the election or a group of crooked politicians that got elected but not a dictatorship. Part of a dictatorship is not having elections. You can have a red vote payoff and a yellow vote payoff and a black vote payoff but it is still an election. The person that a military coup appoints is a dictator.

With all due respect..What do you call a demagoguery populist govt that was voted in by an uneducated and uniformed majority that only adhered to the populist polices while staying silent on principles of democrat that the "majority" don't care about or are affected by. Then you have a minority, which happens to pay taxes and pay for a dictatorial majority in schemes that allow 30% of tax payers money to go into PTP pockets.

Before you answer, The person the military coup appointed is a person that allows democracy to continue while the dictatorial regime faltered.

Someone the military accepted that adhere to 15 principles of democracy or a demagogue that adhere to 1 principle of democracy and state "if you don't vote for us we won't help you (phuket)?

Muppets..Gullible muppets.

[chadintheusa]

Using firearms in retaliation to words, just a little excessive I think

Yes use the middle path, grenades. If you spend any time in Thailand you will find that the land of smiles has a very violent dark side just under the surface. The words being used aren't just debate but are very spiteful. Both sides are so entrenched that it would take very little to see the whole situation erupt into violence. I was in Nonthaburi during the 2010 events. Not much coverage was given to the barricades there at Thaicom but after the crack down their was looting and plenty of storefronts with bullet holes. This time around there is no guarantee that the army could remain unified in the event of a coup.

[chadintheusa]

That was me being sarcastic in response to the ludicrous theory that Thaksin is trying to engineer a coup. I do believe militant reds could be behind some or all of the attacks, but see no reason why it'd have to be ordered by Thaksin (see the BKK Post article yesterday that suggests hardcore reds are outside of his control), especially not in the service of a coup. That's just flat out ridiculous.

Probably a little less ridiculous than Suthep wanting a coup which is what the red ranters keep telling us.

A coup would benefit no one in this country not Suthep, not Yingluck, not Abhisit nor any political entity.

It would not benefit any sector of the people and it would not benefit the army.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think the army is particularly desperate to stage a coup. But I can't see how else Suthep can win. A coup certainly gets him what he wants. His good people in charge. And if the People's Council is achieved by military force or another route which I can't see, it's irrelevant. Resistance will come all the same.

We saw after 2006 that a military government wasn't particularly good. there is no legal mechanism to achieve the people's council that Suthep wants. Any election will return the PT to power because the Democrats are not running, and do not have a nation wide strategy to help the Thai people. Unfortunately that only leaves a coup, which could fail because of divisions in the military. There are people who would benefit from a coup because there are issues in play larger than simple democracy. The rice farmers are starting to rise up because they haven't been paid. Without a functional government if the Feb 2 election is subverted many more groups will get pretty irate in short order. Yingluck better make sure that there is money in the budget to keep paying people in uniforms.

[chadintheusa]

"An elected government can't be a dictatorship by definition." from djjamie's post

Saddam Hussein was elected, and got 100% of the vote. Having a rigged election doesn't give you the right to pillage the country. I realize that Thailand isn't in such an extreme system as Iraq was. But a dictator can be elected. Robert Mugabe, Hosni Mubarak, Kim Jong Il and Hugo Chavez were also elected. Elections are common tools that dictators use to give apparent legitimacy when they know that they can't lose the election. Don't be naive and think that an election makes your country a democracy.

[Thait Spot]

I guess Thaksin needs that coup so bad

Haha, you really haven't got a clue how things work here have you, regarding which institutions support which party's etc. Still, you got to mention Thaksin, so that was a result for you! Better to remain silent and be thought a fool etc etc!

I think you're the one with no clue whatsoever.

A coup benefits only the Shins

Suthep wants to win on his own

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Thait Spot]

Pity we didn't hear the same complaints a few years ago last time Bangkok was under siege . . .

It's totally different. In a democracy you vote for change. But the only thing you can do in a military dictatorship is to protest. To topple a dictatorship with violence is justified. To try to do so in a democracy is not.

This is a simple concept that all western governments understand.

So finally you agree with us that this is all about bringing down the current dictatorship, although you would have to accept that the violence is coming from the reds, not the anti-government protesters, wouldn't you?

An elected government can't be a dictatorship by definition. It may be a corrupt government or a government that stole the election or a group of crooked politicians that got elected but not a dictatorship. Part of a dictatorship is not having elections. You can have a red vote payoff and a yellow vote payoff and a black vote payoff but it is still an election. The person that a military coup appoints is a dictator.

I think this government is a perfect example of an elected dictatorship.

Despite their house majority they still ride roughshod over the opposition and ignore the electorate

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Mudcrab]

Seems people including Red Shirts are upset with their daily lives being destroyed by protesters. Even Red Shirts need to earn a living either driving vans or taxis.

do not be foolish they are paid around 500BHT per day to protest

Please post evidence for this claim. The people I know (so called yellow shirts, but in reality every day Thais sick of the current corrupt government) aren't getting paid a single baht...nor do they need it.

Edited January 18, 2014 by Mudcrab

[shiok]

Seems people including Red Shirts are upset with their daily lives being destroyed by protesters. Even Red Shirts need to earn a living either driving vans or taxis.

do not be foolish they are paid around 500BHT per day to protest

Please post evidence for this claim. The people I know (so called yellow shirts, but in reality every day Thais sick of the current corrupt government) aren't getting paid a single baht...nor do they need it.

I witness this too, people are so sick of the corrupt govt. they are not paid a single baht or need to be, so yes prove it if anyone says they are paid to protest, don't just spread malice!

[Ricardo]

To all the shin haters please tell me why the poor people of this country should not be given the same rights as those with wealth why should they not be allowed to vote the man in Dubai gave these people that vote and now we have the opposition trying to take it away from them and installing an unelected peoples council which will be run by the elite of Thailand every person deserves the chance to better themselves kun Suthep wants to change that if he has his way Thailand will become the new North Korea and if that ever happens we Falangs will be heading for the airports and borders in double time, the time has come for all parties to make dialogue and bring this craziness to a halt before others are killed and injured due to. Someone's self gratification . It is clear to me that by the amount who have been demonstrating that the majority of Thais are not prepared to go on the streets and want to choose by the ballot box on 2 February .

Thaksin gave the people the right to vote? Seriously?

What next? he cured cancer too?

What next ?

He made them all rich, within six months of his sister becoming PM, obviously !

[PREM-R]

An elected government can't be a dictatorship by definition. It may be a corrupt government or a government that stole the election or a group of crooked politicians that got elected but not a dictatorship. Part of a dictatorship is not having elections. You can have a red vote payoff and a yellow vote payoff and a black vote payoff but it is still an election. The person that a military coup appoints is a dictator.

I think this government is a perfect example of an elected dictatorship.

Despite their house majority they still ride roughshod over the opposition and ignore the electorate

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

If what you imagine is true then why did the Dems decline the opportunity to overthrow the government at the election in February? Suthep continues to tell us that "The People" are with him and they want change, well in a democracy, which Thailand is (at the moment), an election is the instrument of change. In reality, should the Dems be dissolved as a party for denying a significant minority of Thai people the opportunity to vote against PTP?