Red-shirt core leader Kwanchai shot

[Baerboxer]

I doubt anti-government protesters would go to the North East to pick out a red shirt leader.

It's more likely to be related to some business deal that hasn't worked out.

You may be right

It is true that the yellow anti-government thugs have shown indisputable signs of cowardice.

After having seen their "tactics" to beat a lonely taxi driver, intimidate the media, surround and occupy buildings, or attacking a child... it looks indeed quite unbelievable that they would dare to leave their "safe zone" and venture into the north...

But who knows... Suthep is a finished man. They may have decided to "upgrade" again their strategy to gain power... By any means

The problem is that Suthep wants to fight people who don't want to fight, but prefer peace, democracy and elections instead... At least that is good news

Sent from my HTC One using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

As opposed to those brave, freedom fighting, justice loving red shirts.

You couldn't write a pantomime as good as this.

Edited January 22, 2014 by Baerboxer

[Baerboxer]

the gun-man was eating and he mistook an AK47 for his spoon......so it was an accident.

Could happen to anyone ,isn't it?

Good point - maybe he was cleaning the gun whilst dining and forgot to unload it. Easy mistake - happened not so long ago!

[AleG]

You may be right

It is true that the yellow anti-government thugs have shown indisputable signs of cowardice.

After having seen their "tactics" to beat a lonely taxi driver, intimidate the media, surround and occupy buildings, or attacking a child... it looks indeed quite unbelievable that they would dare to leave their "safe zone" and venture into the north...

But who knows... Suthep is a finished man. They may have decided to "upgrade" again their strategy to gain power... By any means

The problem is that Suthep wants to fight people who don't want to fight, but prefer peace, democracy and elections instead... At least that is good news

Sent from my HTC One using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Just a thought. If Suthep's boys wanted to shoot a red shirt, why would they drive all the way to Udon? I can think of half a dozen equally or more deserving candidates closer to BKK.

And of course he would have used one of his squads of "Yellow Shirt Terrorist Assassin Navy SEALSTM"(*) with silenced guns, not some yahoos firing like monkeys with an AK-47 from a block away.

(*) Batteries not included

Edited January 22, 2014 by AleG

[TechnikaIII]

Politics aside for just a moment .. It doesn't say much for the AK47, or the amateur who fired the shots. He poured 20 rounds into him? .. or at him.

[allan michaud]

Surprised no one's blamed the red shirts for doing this in an attempt to discredit the anti-government protesters!

Who would do such a thing! I mean, it's quite alright to suggest the BKK protesters kill each other, but the reds, never.

OTOH less than a year ago he had a major falling out with Thida. Not that she's a vindictive cow, mind.

We have to face reality here, either side is more than capable of having had him shot for any number of reasons. Snowballs chance in hell of us finding out the truth.

[lucjoker]

"Cambodian mercenaries" on the loose?

Bad news no one wants this.

Could be anyone, even down to wanting sympathy for the reds, it's done on both sides, Some Thais will do anything to try to swing the gate.

Shoot their own grandmother for her gold tooth. This small % of nutters here.

I think your supposition, implication and insinuation are uncalled for and intended only for negative political impact. A man, a human being, a leader, with a family has been senselessly. Let us all hope he survives, elections go forward and Thailand can get on with the business of the country and the people.

lets hope he gets what he deserves ,it's foul mouthed politicians who agitate small minds and start wars like this.

It's a pity the job was done with thai -accuracy , so a lot of dammage to the house !

[Emptyset]

Surprised no one's blamed the red shirts for doing this in an attempt to discredit the anti-government protesters!

Probably because it is as absurd as saying the grenade attacks on the anti government protesters is self inflicted for the same reason.

I haven't finished the whole thread and have seen this suggested several times. I find that unlikely. Many reds wouldn't be too sad to see him go but I doubt it was them. Could be anything though. A lot of local anti-govt people also hate him for obvious reasons. It's been a long running feud since he assaulted the PAD in 2008 and had his radio station torched in response (or maybe it was the other way around, can't remember offhand). I think if it was done by the opposition it's likely more a local thing rather than ordered by Suthep (or whoever) because he's not considered that significant on a national level.

But then I'd forgotten about the bounty he set for Suthep's arrest... I guess that's a possible motive.

[Andre0720]

This is a first report and first reports always get modified.

Still, it's no secret an assault rifle is far more powerful and devastating than a handgun, so this is a serious development. If the elite groupings are involved going after one of their own, broadly speaking, then none of them are safe.

And this is a bushwhacking, a targeted pickoff attempt, which begins to add an eeriness to the shadow boxing already going on.

Actually if it was an M16 which uses 5.56 NATO rounds then NO a 45 or 357 is more devastating. It's a larger slug.

Edit : it seems it was an AK47.. 7.62... much bigger slug

Sent from my XT1032 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Shows what you know about guns. The muzzle velocity of a .45 is less than 850 fps. Link.

The speed of a .357 magnum with a typical 158 gr bullet is about 1100 fps. Link

The speed of an M193 bullet fired from an M16 is 3,165 fps. Link

There is something called ballistic energy that cannot be matched by any handgun due in part to a short barrel requiring a fast burning powder that doesn't have time to get the bullet up to speed. The rifle will have a slightly slower burning powder and will accelerate the bullet all the way down the barrel.

Perhaps you could enlighten us on how air rarefaction and temperature would impact the speed of these bullets, and whether the victim would have been better or worse off living in a mountanous colder area?

[mca]

By the way, it is claimed the shooter sped off in the direction of Pibun Mangsahan which is in Ubon. Very strange.

It certainly is as it'd be like saying a New York shooter sped of in the direction of Mobile, Alabama.

[pacovl46]

Insider Red-Shirt job to blame it on the Yellow Shirts?

[Cuchulainn]

Insider Red-Shirt job to blame it on the Yellow Shirts?

Definitely!!

[JesseFrank]

The problem is that Suthep wants to fight people who don't want to fight,

It's a well known fact that cowards don't want to fight, because they're scared to lose.

[DrMe]

Doubt it. More like certain arms of the military have been instructed by their main sponsor (s) to commence the assassinations of the the main opposition members now that Suthep has been discarded as a raving loony.

I do recall a number of M16 rifles ''disappeared'' from an army base not so long ago...........

Possible, but the gun was AK-47

[JRSoul]

Politics aside for just a moment .. It doesn't say much for the AK47, or the amateur who fired the shots. He poured 20 rounds into him? .. or at him.

42 AT him, latest report 3 hits.

Don't knock the AK-47. Cheap, reliable, tough, easy to clean, full or semi-auto, reasonable accuracy. 100+ million made.

[Centrum]

getting a taste of his own medicine - serves him right

I'm not echoing your sentiments but.....for the conspiracy driven members,..

RT @tulsathit: Army chief Prayuth: We know who are causing violence. Stop now. via @WassanaNanuam

I wonder if....?

[Docno]

Surprised no one's blamed the red shirts for doing this in an attempt to discredit the anti-government protesters!

Ahem... that conspiracy theory was mooted two posts before yours. Nothing gets by TV members...

[chooka]

can any of you brave ppl tell me if its safe to go outside yet. i want to go to 7eleven and get some chocolate cake

Whist your out there grabbing your chocolate cake princess, can you grab me 3 six packs. You can stuff yourself with the cake and I can drink all the beer and maybe if the beer kicks in we can have a good night.

No handcuffs or kinky stuff as I need an escape route

[DrMe]

"20 rounds of shots from AK 47 assault rifle " from 100, some other sources say 50 meters and the target has been wounded on his leg, some other sources say arms .... the assassin should be either blind or non-professional... something not round here ....

[Oink]

Udon Thani-based Red Shirt leader shot

By Digital Content

UDON THANI, Jan 22 - The top Red Shirt leader in this northeastern province was shot this morning, but the injuries are not life threatening.

Hardline Red Shirt activist Kwanchai Praipana was reading a newspaper at the radio station of Khon Rak Udon group in the provincial seat when an unknown number of gunmen fired a hail of bullets at him.

He was wounded in his right arm and leg and was rushed to a nearby hospital.

His wife, Arporn Sarnkam, said Mr Kwanchai is not in critical condition as the bullets did not hit important organs.

Initial investigation found that an AK-47 assault rifle was used from about 100 metres from the station's fence.

Mr Kwanchai has played an active role in mobilising the supporters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) in the Northeast.

The Khon Rak Udon group chairman has organised several movements and forums in the region to support the Feb 2 general election in opposition to the anti-government People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC)'s demand for the resignation of the caretaker government and national reform before election. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-01-22

Hit by two 7.62 rounds and does not even need an IV drip or drains on the wounds. That sure is lucky.

Maybe the reason that the blanket was removed in the second photo was because he had to get up and go for a piss. No cardio monitor either.

[unanimosity]

"Cambodian mercenaries" on the loose?

So, you are suggesting Suthep is contracting Cambodians? Talk about a stretch....

[unanimosity]

can any of you brave ppl tell me if its safe to go outside yet. i want to go to 7eleven and get some chocolate cake

Call and have it delivered or send a local, they make a smaller target.

[chooka]

"20 rounds of shots from AK 47 assault rifle " from 100, some other sources say 50 meters and the target has been wounded on his leg, some other sources say arms .... the assassin should be either blind or non-professional... something not round here ....

WHO is the eye witness that stated that it was an AK47?

This case should be solved very quickly with an eye witness, describing the weapon so should be able to give some details as to the person firing.

[SICHONSTEVE]

Don't mess with the farmers.

I showed my wife his picture and she said "oh him"!!! Apparently he is an arrogant red shirt leader that says "bad words all the time".

No doubt it was some shady business he was involved in and he upset somebody who wanted him dead.

His hero is Thaksin Shinawatra so what goes around comes around - associate yourself with criminals and there's a good chance that you become somebody's target eventually as they chase the largest portion of the pie!!!

Have you noticed that all these Cosa Nostra bosses are probably obscenely rich for 3 or 4 years lying in seclusion (keeping a low profile) before they are gunned down by another mafia boss. I think personally, that I would rather enjoy my comfortable life and not be looking over my shoulder all the time.

[pumpuiman]

Suthep is backed by General Prawit Wongsuwan and General Anupong Paochinda as reported repeatedly in world media.

"Military sources say protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban is backed by two powerful retired generals, former Defense minister General Prawit Wongsuwan and former army chief General Anupong Paochinda. Both have a history of enmity with Thaksin and remain influential in the current military establishment."

one of many articles.....http://mobile.reuter...131215?irpc=932

Due to the military's desire for a reason to perform a coup, and with statements now being made that the army won't step in unless things get "out of control" I would guess the military is provoking the red shirts with bullets.

My opinion...bash away.

[citizen33]

A couple of posts seem to be hinting that the location of the wounds in the leg and arm mean that the assailant did not shoot to kill. I don't think this is credible if we are indeed talking about an AK47 set on either auto or burst at 100 metres, The wound in the thigh in particular could have been very serious. It seems that, like Khun Sondhi, Khun Kwanchai is a lucky man. I wish him and all the others hurt on both sides a full recovery.

[EyesWideOpen]

Udon Thani-based Red Shirt leader shot

By Digital Content

UDON THANI, Jan 22 - The top Red Shirt leader in this northeastern province was shot this morning, but the injuries are not life threatening.

Hardline Red Shirt activist Kwanchai Praipana was reading a newspaper at the radio station of Khon Rak Udon group in the provincial seat when an unknown number of gunmen fired a hail of bullets at him.

He was wounded in his right arm and leg and was rushed to a nearby hospital.

His wife, Arporn Sarnkam, said Mr Kwanchai is not in critical condition as the bullets did not hit important organs.

Initial investigation found that an AK-47 assault rifle was used from about 100 metres from the station's fence.

Mr Kwanchai has played an active role in mobilising the supporters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) in the Northeast.

The Khon Rak Udon group chairman has organised several movements and forums in the region to support the Feb 2 general election in opposition to the anti-government People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC)'s demand for the resignation of the caretaker government and national reform before election. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-01-22

Hit by two 7.62 rounds and does not even need an IV drip or drains on the wounds. That sure is lucky.

Maybe the reason that the blanket was removed in the second photo was because he had to get up and go for a piss. No cardio monitor either.

Nice catch. Does seem a bit odd, as in a regular hospital they are pretty quick to put

in a IV drip in with even a fairly minor injury, in case they need to put a drug into you

quickly. Two bullet holes would sure seem to warrant a drip.....

[BuddhaChile]

Deep prayers of healing - pray for a miracle - pray for this man's life.

[transam]

Deep prayers of healing - pray for a miracle - pray for this man's life.

Eh...........

[slipperylobster]

Just when I was nice in cozy here in Udon.... This thing is spreading far and wide.

[chooka]

10 pages of arguments over what calibre of ammunition was used and what type of firearm was used and not on single person was there. Who gives a flying <deleted>.

It was an assignation attempt and it could have been a stoning, who cares, someone tried to kill the guy and that is the story.