'Respect my vote' - Thai election supporters speak out

[Scott]

Some off-topic posts have been deleted. More should be.

Please stay on-topic.

[icommunity]

Anti democracy protesters go home. You were misled, misguided by people whose objectives include seizing power to install their dictatorship regime. Exercise your voting right before it is too late. You have seen the government have been tolerance, exercising restraint, patience in the midst of baseless and unsubstantiated accusations and daily threats from PDRC leaders. The safety and the livelihoods of the people are their main concerned not their power that was gained through democratic means. I am sure the government will be compassionate and appeal for leniency . Send from my Mobile

Pro Government protesters go home. You were misled, misguided by people whose objectives include seizing power to install their dictatorship regime. Sell your rice before it is too late. You have seen government corruption without restraint, arrogance, and unconstitutional activities and daily threats from the PT leaders. Their bank accounts are their main concern and maintaining their power through a corrupted democratic means. I am sure that the government will vigorously prosecute any dissenters.

Goes both ways.

It doesn't actually - nobody installed a "dictatorship regime". YS is globally regarded as the properly elected PM of the country whether you like her or not. Simply stating stuff irrationally does not make it fact.

If you are so convinced that you are right and the people support you, go to the electorate and ask them to vote. Last time it happened the global community seemed fairly pleased with the cleanness of the election. I know it's important to the protest that it was not so, but it seems to have been the least purchased vote in Thai history.

Ferdinand Marcos also won "democratic" elections supported globally, and was beloved as a champion of the poor with his Populist policies until far too late, after he and his family had plundered the country beyond comprehension and committed untold human rights abuses and atrocities.

Seems to me that a heck of a lot of people know that the current PM is just a proxy for a criminal who ought to be standing trial in the Hague...I mean come on, what sort of novel idea was it to appoint as PM someone with absolutely zilch political experience, zilch knowledge of anything to do with running a country, someone who would certainly not be fit to stand as PM anywhere on the planet other than for the fact that she appears to be a stand in for someone else...and isn't it amazing, in this true democracy, that everyone PT picks to run the show is a family member or relative of one person? Suthep and his lot are horrid, but don't for a minute claim anything about a free democracy when on February 2, there will not be any type of government reform or new start, merely another term of one man and his clan cleaning up for themselves.

You are entitled to your opinions. Philippines does not have a political system with the King as the Head of State. Thailand's current problems are caused by the anxiety and fear of the 'old elites' and 'old military' who cannot adjust and accept the reality of the awakening of the people to their rights, duties and responsibilities in social, political and judicial arena. Especially during this period which I called the "peculiar transition" of power. It is the struggle for power and control.

[englishoak]

These white shirts carrying candles are actually whitewashed red shirts, aren't they?. There was a hysterical cartoon on Thai social media of a red buffalo being painted white.

Any red shirt or whitewashed red shirt carry any kind of a flame strikes fear and loathing into the hearts of Bangkokians who remember the burning of Central World and other buildings.

Anyway they can have their votes on 2 Feb but nothing will change.

Why do you assume only people who vote for PT wish to vote ? there are many other options and why shouldnt these people have a voice ?

You assume every single person that isnt in support of the protests is red ? WRONG there are many who dont support either who wish to vote.

[shiok]

'Respect my vote' - Thai election supporters speak out

by Apilaporn VECHAKIJ

BANGKOK, January 18, 2014 (AFP) - Angered by opposition protests seeking to thwart upcoming polls, a burgeoning pro-election movement in Thailand is taking a stand to demand their votes are respected, with candlelight vigils and Facebook campaigns.

Seeking a middle ground in a bitterly divisive political conflict, the kingdom's newest street activist group aims to challenge anti-government demonstrators who want to install an unelected "people's council" to run the country.

"We want to vote. We want to vote! - February 2, go to vote!," several hundred campaigners chanted while holding candles in a park in central Bangkok this week.

"Now Thai people don't listen to one another, so we want them to see the light instead," said one of the campaign organisers, who asked not to be named for fear of being targeted by the demonstrators.

"Our intention is to tell the protesters, 'please stop, because we have suffered enough'," added the activist, who helped to organise the rally through social media after seeing police officers wounded in the mass opposition demos gripping the city.

Opponents of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra have staged more than two months of street protests aimed at forcing her elected government from office and installing an appointed body to oversee loosely defined reforms such as an end to alleged vote buying.

They aim to curb the political dominance of Yingluck's billionaire brother, fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, whom they accuse of controlling the government from self-exile.

But a growing number of Thais are starting to speak out to insist that the protests are not in their name.

Several Facebook pages supporting the election and seeking a peaceful solution have been set up, following street violence in which eight people have been killed and hundreds wounded. People have posted photographs of themselves online holding signs which read "Respect My Vote".

The pro-election supporters are mostly Bangkok residents ranging from professors to university students, activists and celebrities, carrying out symbolic activities such as releasing white balloons and wearing white shirts as a sign of neutrality in the country's colour-coded political conflict.

Making voices heard

"The protesters have generalised that all Bangkokians are on their side, but we are the people who have been frustrated and pressured for a long time," said Patcharee Angkoontassaneeyarat, the administrator of one of the pro-election Facebook pages.

"The protests have gone beyond the limits of our patience. We also want to make our voices heard," added Patcharee, whose Facebook slogan "That's enough" has received more than 40,000 "likes".

Thailand has been rocked by years of often-violent demonstrations by rival protest movements -- notably the royalist "Yellow Shirts" and their arch-rivals the "Red Shirts", who are broadly supportive of Yingluck and her older brother, ousted former premier Thaksin.

The current protesters say Yingluck is a puppet for her brother who controls her two-year-old government from overseas, where he fled in 2008 to avoid going to jail for a corruption conviction.

Protests by the Yellow Shirts helped to eject Thaksin or his allies from power three times, while support from the Red Shirts swept Yingluck to power in 2011 following a deadly military crackdown on their pro-Thaksin street protests.

The opposition protesters now on the streets are a mixture of former Yellow Shirts, royalists, southerners, urban middle class and other Thaksin opponents.

Experts say a "third voice" is now spreading -- mainly though social media -- among people who oppose the protests.

"They are people not only in Bangkok but also in towns in other provinces who have been patient up to now, but one day they just could not stand it anymore," Puangthong Pawakapan, professor of political science at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University, told AFP.

Some of those who have dared to speak out in opposition to the anti-government protests have received a hostile response from friends who hold different views.

"They asked why didn't I help the country? Why didn't I blow whistles with them?" law student Amonteera Pratumtong told AFP while holding a flickering candle in her hand.

"I told them I can make my own choice."

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-01-18

those so called third voice are coward Reds pretending!!! esp the so called royal, she's voting against the King? big joke!

[shiok]

Oh wait, I forgot something. They didn't just shoot molotov coktails, but also homemade rockets.

Actual Article:

Riot police held their lines by using water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets to force back thousands of protesters attempting to storm government buildings by throwing rocks, homemade explosives and Molotov cocktails.

Source: TIME Magazine

Or this one, from THE GUARDIAN:

Note the whistle around his neck.

ugghhh.... ugly stuff. these idiotic yellow shirts should return to the Southern bus terminal, go home and try and get real jobs. And to all those yellow shirt protesters who donated cash to Suthep... congratulations... part of your money has probably gone to fund things like this.

doesn't proof they are yellow, oh you mean skin color?

[smutcakes]

I was Asoke again on the way home from work today at about 3pm, and once again literally no one at the protest site, about 100 max, and many of them looking old, weary and fed up. God knows how it has been allowed to go on for this long with so little support. I can only suppose they have given up on Asoke and are trying to concentrate on other protest areas.

It may be in their interest to condense into one protest site to give the impression that many people are supporting these protests. Somewhere like a bus stop would probably suffice.

[Bernard Flint]

I respect your right to vote, but not your intelligence to be a voter.

Because, as the current government has shown on many occasions, your vote is meaningless.

This current government has many times taken their "mandate from the people" .... your vote .... and then simply subverted the laws to their own self-interest.

Your opinions are of no importance to this government (or, or in my opinion, to any current Thai government or

political party).

So for voting for any of them .... okay I respect your vote.

But I will not respect your intelligence for allowing yourself to be fooled again and again by the crooks you elect and repeatedly re-elect with your meaningless vote,

sir

u are doing extremely well to know the voters, u are very ego oriented.Cheap hiv/aids treatment/ 40 baht hospital treatment are just 2 very good TRhaksin gifts to the people

[Mackie]

These white shirts carrying candles are actually whitewashed red shirts, aren't they?. There was a hysterical cartoon on Thai social media of a red buffalo being painted white.

Any red shirt or whitewashed red shirt carry any kind of a flame strikes fear and loathing into the hearts of Bangkokians who remember the burning of Central World and other buildings.

Anyway they can have their votes on 2 Feb but nothing will change.

If the election were to be delayed it would provide the Democrat party time to consider how its anti-democracy stance has repelled voters of its own support base. If the Democrats care, they would decide to participate in the electoral, democratic process. If the Democrats have abandoned democracy altogether, then that would be clear also. Presently, it looks that the Democrat party has abandoned democracy based on one person one vote, which is a long term negative for Thailand or for any country.

You're implying things once again. That's your personal opinion and could not be further from truth. I'll quote Abhisit. He is on record.

The leader of Thailand's main opposition party is trying to differentiate its positions from the demands of street demonstrations led by his one-time deputy, saying it isn't seeking to suspend the country's democracy.

"The Democrat Party stands nothing to gain from the coup d'etat. (It) stands to gain nothing even if the protestors win. We will not be assuming power. We will not accept any position in power. We do not have anything to gain from violence," Abhisit Vejjajiva, the leader of the Democrat Party told CNBC in an exclusive interview.

"We do not actually mind if we lose fair elections. And we've always accepted election results," he said.

Abhisit wanted to be clear his party's decision to boycott the election, set for February 2 in an unsuccessful effort by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to defuse the street protests, was not due to widely held expectations she and her party will be swept back into power.

"Even their private polling showed they were slipping. In fact, one poll that was released before dissolution (of parliament) had us ahead. But that's not the point," he said. "The problem occurred because the government betrayed the trust of the people," he said, citing the amnesty bill.

Representatives of the government did not immediately return emails requesting comment.

It couldn't be clearer. We will not be assuming power. We will not accept any position in power. We do not have anything to gain from violence. The amnesty bill.

[tezzainoz]

The voice of the people is now come out. Respect their rights to live and work without blocking their roads and building.

It seems to me like always your missing the truth

Every party is saying "RESPECT MY VOTE"

Just one side says lets do it now so we can give a, get back into Thailand to a Criminal who has run away from his fellow Country men

The Other side is saying lets have an election when "Our VOTES ARE REPECTED"

after the 180 days so the Criminals are are gone and Thailand has a chance for a fair election

I can see which sides your is on

[Nowhereman60]

These white shirts carrying candles are actually whitewashed red shirts, aren't they?. There was a hysterical cartoon on Thai social media of a red buffalo being painted white.

Any red shirt or whitewashed red shirt carry any kind of a flame strikes fear and loathing into the hearts of Bangkokians who remember the burning of Central World and other buildings.

Anyway they can have their votes on 2 Feb but nothing will change.

If the election were to be delayed it would provide the Democrat party time to consider how its anti-democracy stance has repelled voters of its own support base. If the Democrats care, they would decide to participate in the electoral, democratic process. If the Democrats have abandoned democracy altogether, then that would be clear also. Presently, it looks that the Democrat party has abandoned democracy based on one person one vote, which is a long term negative for Thailand or for any country.

You're implying things once again. That's your personal opinion and could not be further from truth. I'll quote Abhisit. He is on record.

The leader of Thailand's main opposition party is trying to differentiate its positions from the demands of street demonstrations led by his one-time deputy, saying it isn't seeking to suspend the country's democracy.

"The Democrat Party stands nothing to gain from the coup d'etat. (It) stands to gain nothing even if the protestors win. We will not be assuming power. We will not accept any position in power. We do not have anything to gain from violence," Abhisit Vejjajiva, the leader of the Democrat Party told CNBC in an exclusive interview.

"We do not actually mind if we lose fair elections. And we've always accepted election results," he said.

Abhisit wanted to be clear his party's decision to boycott the election, set for February 2 in an unsuccessful effort by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to defuse the street protests, was not due to widely held expectations she and her party will be swept back into power.

"Even their private polling showed they were slipping. In fact, one poll that was released before dissolution (of parliament) had us ahead. But that's not the point," he said. "The problem occurred because the government betrayed the trust of the people," he said, citing the amnesty bill.

Representatives of the government did not immediately return emails requesting comment.

It couldn't be clearer. We will not be assuming power. We will not accept any position in power. We do not have anything to gain from violence. The amnesty bill.

We??? Do you got a rat in your pocket?

[marcusd]

The anti-government motto "do as I say not as I do"

No I think you mean the GOVERNMENT MOTTO. They steal from the people. I respect their right to vote but what are they voting for? The same criminals that are there now.

A real change is required. A REAL CHANGE. Not the same rabble on both sides. But this is Thailand and no one can be bothered.

[Evolare]

ummm respect my vote is the redshirts...same as the or white shirts...walking with candles in the night 555

[northernjohn]

The anti government people are respecting your right to vote. All they are asking is that you respect Thailand and make an informed vote. Not one based on payments of money or promises that can not be fulfilled. Make a vote for a government that has a sustainable budget. Do not sell your grandchildren's tax money away to a proven mishandling of finical affairs government. Know what the issues are. Vote for a transparent government. One that can sell rice and tell you how much they sell it for.

I mean really folks they can make much todo about what they pay for it but have to keep it a secret what they sell it for.

Is that asking to much.

Particularly not one for a convicted criminal on the run in Dubai. This is a convicted criminal who was tried and convicted by his own party.

But if you don't make what they regard { rightly or wrongly} as an informed vote, then they will disregard it.

If you have some thing to say man up and say it. Leave the mysterious they alone. I wonder how many posts would disappear if the ones referring only to they were to be pulled. Who know s maybe some of my own. But I do try to let people know who I am talking about. Kind of like making meaningful statement right or wrong as compared to just babbling on about they. Or some fictitious group with out names called the Amara or some such silly name.

[northernjohn]

If the election were to be delayed it would provide the Democrat party time to consider how its anti-democracy stance has repelled voters of its own support base. If the Democrats care, they would decide to participate in the electoral, democratic process. If the Democrats have abandoned democracy altogether, then that would be clear also. Presently, it looks that the Democrat party has abandoned democracy based on one person one vote, which is a long term negative for Thailand or for any country.

You're implying things once again. That's your personal opinion and could not be further from truth. I'll quote Abhisit. He is on record.

The leader of Thailand's main opposition party is trying to differentiate its positions from the demands of street demonstrations led by his one-time deputy, saying it isn't seeking to suspend the country's democracy.

"The Democrat Party stands nothing to gain from the coup d'etat. (It) stands to gain nothing even if the protestors win. We will not be assuming power. We will not accept any position in power. We do not have anything to gain from violence," Abhisit Vejjajiva, the leader of the Democrat Party told CNBC in an exclusive interview.

"We do not actually mind if we lose fair elections. And we've always accepted election results," he said.

Abhisit wanted to be clear his party's decision to boycott the election, set for February 2 in an unsuccessful effort by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to defuse the street protests, was not due to widely held expectations she and her party will be swept back into power.

"Even their private polling showed they were slipping. In fact, one poll that was released before dissolution (of parliament) had us ahead. But that's not the point," he said. "The problem occurred because the government betrayed the trust of the people," he said, citing the amnesty bill.

Representatives of the government did not immediately return emails requesting comment.

It couldn't be clearer. We will not be assuming power. We will not accept any position in power. We do not have anything to gain from violence. The amnesty bill.

We??? Do you got a rat in your pocket?

I take it that is your way of admitting you have been wrong all along.

[whybother]

I was Asoke again on the way home from work today at about 3pm, and once again literally no one at the protest site, about 100 max, and many of them looking old, weary and fed up. God knows how it has been allowed to go on for this long with so little support. I can only suppose they have given up on Asoke and are trying to concentrate on other protest areas.

It may be in their interest to condense into one protest site to give the impression that many people are supporting these protests. Somewhere like a bus stop would probably suffice.

There are plenty of people there now. Also pictures of plenty of people at other sites.

With "so little support", we should be expecting the police to move in soon.

[JAG]

The anti government people are respecting your right to vote. All they are asking is that you respect Thailand and make an informed vote. Not one based on payments of money or promises that can not be fulfilled. Make a vote for a government that has a sustainable budget. Do not sell your grandchildren's tax money away to a proven mishandling of finical affairs government. Know what the issues are. Vote for a transparent government. One that can sell rice and tell you how much they sell it for.

I mean really folks they can make much todo about what they pay for it but have to keep it a secret what they sell it for.

Is that asking to much.

Particularly not one for a convicted criminal on the run in Dubai. This is a convicted criminal who was tried and convicted by his own party.

But if you don't make what they regard { rightly or wrongly} as an informed vote, then they will disregard it.

If you have some thing to say man up and say it. Leave the mysterious they alone. I wonder how many posts would disappear if the ones referring only to they were to be pulled. Who know s maybe some of my own. But I do try to let people know who I am talking about. Kind of like making meaningful statement right or wrong as compared to just babbling on about they. Or some fictitious group with out names called the Amara or some such silly name.

The same "they" that you refer to as "they" in your original post, which I quoted. No need to man up to anything, don't fall off your high horse!

[tingtongteesood]

( To the tune of the theme song from the original Transformers cartoon ) ''White shirters, red shirts in disguise ! Their mission, Taksin amnesties !''

Yeah, that rhyme is a little laboured I know but it's been a long day....

Edited January 18, 2014 by tingtongteesood

[Wombat6]

The voice of the people is now come out. Respect their rights to live and work without blocking their roads and building.

The opposite is also valid - 'respect my right to protest'.

Sure but they should not block government buildings and roads.

Tell that to the Rice farmers who haven't been paid by this Government. Show some empathy for them. !!

[rikkie]

The voice of the people is now come out. Respect their rights to live and work without blocking their roads and building.

The opposite is also valid - 'respect my right to protest'.

if you like to be a fascist you just do that i not respect somebody who protest 2 month with no result as to let there family loose money sumnumna

[Publicus]

These white shirts carrying candles are actually whitewashed red shirts, aren't they?. There was a hysterical cartoon on Thai social media of a red buffalo being painted white.

Any red shirt or whitewashed red shirt carry any kind of a flame strikes fear and loathing into the hearts of Bangkokians who remember the burning of Central World and other buildings.

Anyway they can have their votes on 2 Feb but nothing will change.

If the election were to be delayed it would provide the Democrat party time to consider how its anti-democracy stance has repelled voters of its own support base. If the Democrats care, they would decide to participate in the electoral, democratic process. If the Democrats have abandoned democracy altogether, then that would be clear also. Presently, it looks that the Democrat party has abandoned democracy based on one person one vote, which is a long term negative for Thailand or for any country.

You're implying things once again. That's your personal opinion and could not be further from truth. I'll quote Abhisit. He is on record.

The leader of Thailand's main opposition party is trying to differentiate its positions from the demands of street demonstrations led by his one-time deputy, saying it isn't seeking to suspend the country's democracy.

"The Democrat Party stands nothing to gain from the coup d'etat. (It) stands to gain nothing even if the protestors win. We will not be assuming power. We will not accept any position in power. We do not have anything to gain from violence," Abhisit Vejjajiva, the leader of the Democrat Party told CNBC in an exclusive interview.

"We do not actually mind if we lose fair elections. And we've always accepted election results," he said.

Abhisit wanted to be clear his party's decision to boycott the election, set for February 2 in an unsuccessful effort by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to defuse the street protests, was not due to widely held expectations she and her party will be swept back into power.

"Even their private polling showed they were slipping. In fact, one poll that was released before dissolution (of parliament) had us ahead. But that's not the point," he said. "The problem occurred because the government betrayed the trust of the people," he said, citing the amnesty bill.

Representatives of the government did not immediately return emails requesting comment.

It couldn't be clearer. We will not be assuming power. We will not accept any position in power. We do not have anything to gain from violence. The amnesty bill.

The statement does catch one's attention for its choice of words, its diction, especially for a Thai born and raised in the UK:

"The Democrat Party stands nothing to gain from the coup d'etat."

As in "the" coup d'état?

The coup d'état that's already happened? No, there hasn't been "the" coup d'état - not yet anyway, either by the military in the customary sense or by the judiciary in the more contemporary sense.

So, "the" coming coup d'état, as in "the" judicial one, i.e., another judicial coup d'etat that we can plainly see is in the works?

So which "the coup d'état" would that be?

And you say Yingluck lies, but do you claim Abhisit does not lie?

How many times have we heard politicians proclaim in the absolute, as Abhisit does in this quote? Abhisit is a politician. Or do you say Abhisit is special, not just another run of the mill politician because he only lies occasionally, less than your "average" politician, or that Abhisit only says little white lies, insignificant ones?

The web the anti-democracy people here weave is a complex one yet at its core so simple and easy to see through.

[whybother]

The statement does catch one's attention for its choice of words, its diction, especially for a Thai born and raised in the UK:

"The Democrat Party stands nothing to gain from the coup d'etat."

As in "the" coup d'état?

The coup d'état that's already happened? No, there hasn't been "the" coup d'état - not yet anyway, either by the military in the customary sense or by the judiciary in the more contemporary sense.

So, "the" coming coup d'état, as in "the" judicial one, i.e., another judicial coup d'etat that we can plainly see is in the works?

So which "the coup d'état" would that be?

And you say Yingluck lies, but do you claim Abhisit does not lie?

How many times have we heard politicians proclaim in the absolute, as Abhisit does in this quote? Abhisit is a politician. Or do you say Abhisit is special, not just another run of the mill politician because he only lies occasionally, less than your "average" politician, or that Abhisit only says little white lies, insignificant ones?

The web the anti-democracy people here weave is a complex one yet at its core so simple and easy to see through.

I think you'd be better off talking to the reporter about their choice of words. Abhisit most likely said what he did in Thai.

[Ajaan]

'Respect my vote' - Red Shirts speak out

You're sadly deluded if you think this movement is just Red Shirts and Thaksin supporters. It's huge, and it's all over the country...their rallies are drawing way more people than the steadily dwindling "Shutdown" Suthep crowds, which are down to just a few hundred at many of the sites. It's just not covered in most of the mainstream media...but it's huge. Go down to Benjasiri Park tomorrow night (the 19th) and see for yourself.

[Ulic]

Why is it those that demand and exercise there right to protest don't recognize other

peoples right to vote. " In essence I am marching in protest to take away your voting rights "

[Publicus]

The statement does catch one's attention for its choice of words, its diction, especially for a Thai born and raised in the UK:

"The Democrat Party stands nothing to gain from the coup d'etat."

As in "the" coup d'état?

The coup d'état that's already happened? No, there hasn't been "the" coup d'état - not yet anyway, either by the military in the customary sense or by the judiciary in the more contemporary sense.

So, "the" coming coup d'état, as in "the" judicial one, i.e., another judicial coup d'etat that we can plainly see is in the works?

So which "the coup d'état" would that be?

And you say Yingluck lies, but do you claim Abhisit does not lie?

How many times have we heard politicians proclaim in the absolute, as Abhisit does in this quote? Abhisit is a politician. Or do you say Abhisit is special, not just another run of the mill politician because he only lies occasionally, less than your "average" politician, or that Abhisit only says little white lies, insignificant ones?

The web the anti-democracy people here weave is a complex one yet at its core so simple and easy to see through.

I think you'd be better off talking to the reporter about their choice of words. Abhisit most likely said what he did in Thai.

Did you know the Abhisit interview was done on and by CNBC, which is a business news network in the United States that broadcasts in English?

Did you see the interview?

Read a text news account of it?

Did you know Thais don't use articles as a part of their language? Was the interviewer Thai or an American native speaker of English? Asian?

A complex web indeed that some weave. I mean, even your own people are cringing as that's quite a reach you made this time.

What's next?

[whybother]

Did you know the Abhisit interview was done on and by CNBC, which is a business news network in the United States that broadcasts in English?

Did you see the interview?

Read a text news account of it?

Did you know Thais don't use articles as a part of their language? Was the interviewer Thai or an American native speaker of English? Asian?

A complex web indeed that some weave. I mean, even your own people are cringing as that's quite a reach you made this time.

What's next?

I didn't realise it was from an English interview.

I just listened to it (http://www.cnbc.com/id/101343865), and he actually says "a" coup-d'etat, not "the" coup-d'etat.

[whybother]

'Respect my vote' - Red Shirts speak out

You're sadly deluded if you think this movement is just Red Shirts and Thaksin supporters. It's huge, and it's all over the country...their rallies are drawing way more people than the steadily dwindling "Shutdown" Suthep crowds, which are down to just a few hundred at many of the sites. It's just not covered in most of the mainstream media...but it's huge. Go down to Benjasiri Park tomorrow night (the 19th) and see for yourself.

The protest sites don't have thousands of people all day and night. Usually during the day, the protesters that are there are somewhere out of the sun. In the evenings they do get thousands at most of their sites. It was the same with the red shirt protests in 2010. During they day, it would be pretty empty, but at night they would get thousands, the difference being they only had one site.

In regard to the "Red Shirts speak out", they have said that they are changing from red to white shirts to go to these candle light protests.

Edited January 18, 2014 by whybother

[Publicus]

Did you know the Abhisit interview was done on and by CNBC, which is a business news network in the United States that broadcasts in English?

Did you see the interview?

Read a text news account of it?

Did you know Thais don't use articles as a part of their language? Was the interviewer Thai or an American native speaker of English? Asian?

A complex web indeed that some weave. I mean, even your own people are cringing as that's quite a reach you made this time.

What's next?

I didn't realise it was from an English interview.

I just listened to it (http://www.cnbc.com/id/101343865), and he actually says "a" coup-d'etat, not "the" coup-d'etat.

How's your hearing lately? I hope it's better than comprehension of what's been happening in Thailand during recent years and presently of Abhisit's role in the ongoing and never ending chaos.

Here's some of the cable to Washington by US former Thai Ambassador Ralph Boyce after a one-on-one interview with Abhisit as reported by Political Prisoners of Thailand.

Wikileaks: Abhisit welcomes the coup

April 6, 2012

Five years after the 2006 coup, this Wikileaks cable of 28 September 2006 shows that one of Abhisit’s main concerns was the fact that the ousted Thai Rak Thai Party might remain a political force and he worried that “TRT would be tempted to use the referendum on the next constitution to try to demonstrate popular opposition to the September 19 coup..."

The ambassador commented that:

Abhisit appears to be among the many in Bangkok who see the September 19 coup as a necessary step to rid the country of Thaksin. He did not appear particularly troubled by the current limitations on civil liberties and political party activities...

Abhisit seemed to feel that his party had been making ground on TRT, claiming there had been “a ‘massive shift’ in public perception of the Democrats, who were increasingly seen as having meaningful policies and ideas, caring for the poor, and being responsive to the people’s needs.” He went on to claim the party could make gains in the north and central region and might even be able to split the vote in the northeast.

http://politicalprisonersofthailand.wordpress.com/2012/04/06/wikileaks-abhisit-welcomes-the-coup/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Edited January 18, 2014 by Publicus

[diceq]

The fascist rats are clearly issue the issue at hand.

[VegasVic]

width=19 alt=whistling.gif pagespeed_url_hash=3700464609> I respect your right to vote, but not your intelligence to be a voter.

Because, as the current government has shown on many occasions, your vote is meaningless.

This current government has many times taken their "mandate from the people" .... your vote .... and then simply subverted the laws to their own self-interest.

Your opinions are of no importance to this government (or, or in my opinion, to any current Thai government or

political party).

So for voting for any of them .... okay I respect your vote.

But I will not respect your intelligence for allowing yourself to be fooled again and again by the crooks you elect and repeatedly re-elect with your meaningless vote,

Are you referring to the red shirts in Thailand or the democrats in the U.S.??? Kinda sounds like what Obama has done in the U.S. for the past 6 years

[whybother]

The anti government people are respecting your right to vote. All they are asking is that you respect Thailand and make an informed vote. Not one based on payments of money or promises that can not be fulfilled. Make a vote for a government that has a sustainable budget. Do not sell your grandchildren's tax money away to a proven mishandling of finical affairs government. Know what the issues are. Vote for a transparent government. One that can sell rice and tell you how much they sell it for.

I mean really folks they can make much todo about what they pay for it but have to keep it a secret what they sell it for.

Is that asking to much.

Particularly not one for a convicted criminal on the run in Dubai. This is a convicted criminal who was tried and convicted by his own party.

The USA is running a budget deficit just like Thailand.

Most European countries are running a budget deficit just like Thailand.

Can you point to how many countries in the world are running a "sustainable budget" ?

Why is the USA deficit (LOSS) going up every second, every minute, every hour, every day, every week................ perhaps you could teach them your sustainable budget idea ?

What is Obamacare ? Is this not like rice pledging ? Just throwing some freebies at some people ?

What about the Labour party in the UK ? Always running up massive losses, sorry, deficits by implementing more benefits and freebies to single mums, unemployed, immigrants etc... is that not vote buying ?

Why did Abhisit/Democrats borrow money from China and Japan during their term in power from 2008 and then start dishing out 2000 baht free cash to people under the guise of "ëconomic stimulus"... was that not vote buying ?

PTP are purely running a budget deficit, with a lot of money going into rice subsidies via the pledging scheme which is moving money from rich to poor - this is a common theme around the world, using subsidies, nothing illegal about it, most governments do it.

Could not have said it better myself. All the attempts to give benefits to the less fortunate are often truly needed but most of it is just vote buying. Give the masses some crumbs and they will keep you in power. Obamacare is surely an example of this. While no doubt health care reform was needed, the bill was railroaded through Congress without most of the members of Congress even reading it. Pure politics and nothing more. It happens everywhere. Obama's new tack is wealth inequality. The PTP figured out how to win the votes of the rural poor by simply looking at western countries. Deficit spending is what pays for the votes whether in Thailand or western countries. It is bad economics which eventually will lead to big problems. So Thailand is like everyone else in this regard.

It's not the subsidy that is the issue. It's the fact that a lot of the money is being siphoned off before it gets to the farmers.

Sent from my phone ...