Red-shirt core leader Kwanchai shot

[Siripon]

A violent and aggressive man, Kwanchai has successfully managed to build up a list of enemies over the years.

Originally from Supanburi, he moved to Khonkaen after a dispute, working as a DJ he was then forced to move again to

Udon. He's currently facing a two and a half year jail sentence for the vicious attack he led on the PAD in Udon's park some years ago. The case is now in the final court, the Supreme Court.

He openly despises other red shirt leaders like Nattawut and Jatuporn, he claims they don't have a base of supporters unlike himself whom he claims could rustle up thousands at 'the blow of a whistle', to quote his own words.

His house looks rather nice, it looks like Thaksin took good care of him but as the police said today, the motive could be personal or political.The police checked cars in Nong Khai on their way to Laos but have come up with nothing yet.

[NanLaew]

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

7 eleven sells six packs now?

I must get back there ASAP. So many changes in such a short time.

[NanLaew]

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 Peoples 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.....

First it's the CSI wannabe's.

Now it's House aficionados turn???!!!

[mausplan]

Not being a total cynic but has anyone seen the actual wounds. When Jautporn announced it the BS meter went off the scale.

[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.

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.....

Due to the lack of blood this must be post opp and they have stitched what is left of his arm and leg back on.

If it was at Bangkok Hospital and you had insurance, you would not be able to get in the room for equipment. But there is no ICU equipment there, no IV, just a bit of plastic tube.. I think he is having a nap!!

[diceq]

Not being a total cynic but has anyone seen the actual wounds. When Jautporn announced it the BS meter went off the scale.

No I am sure it's just a big conspiracy with the hospital involved.

[msealey]

Hmmm does this stink of jilted wife with younger lover trying to cash in on insurance payout to anyone else?

[bangkokpoppys]

"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.

well put..and a small % is a lot of individuals.

[JesseFrank]

The way I read the news article is, 3 carefully targeted shots at his arm and leg and make sure not to hit any vital organs, then unload the gun on automatic on the concrete post.

I bet you smash your head to the wall because you hadn't thought I would discover the scam

[scorecard]

"Cambodian mercenaries" on the loose?

Why do you say that g'kid?

Are you suggesting that a Thai person / group would never do this, especially to an important person?

[dundee48]

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.

Who are you? Braveheart?

More like breakfart.

[transam]

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.

Hmmmmmmmm, more like the cement post was the target.......

[Emster23]

I'm waiting for someone to blame USA. Everything bad in world is fault of USA, isn't it?

[pantareiyingluck]

Another shooting incident performed by cowards. Like the sniper from Dusit Thani's roof in 2010. Perhaps our Thai Human Right Watcher has an opinion......

[JRSoul]

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.

Oh man, you are cracking me up.

Assignation - an appointment to meet someone in secret, typically one made by lovers.

It seems someone wanted to f##k him, but in a different way.

[scorecard]

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.

I'll bite.......... what rubbish.

[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.

Oh man, you are cracking me up.

Assignation - an appointment to meet someone in secret, typically one made by lovers.

It seems someone wanted to f##k him, but in a different way.

Really so now it is a crime of passion, someone else said it was a bad business deal, another it was Thaksin to shift blame on Suthep. Oh well a crime of passion, Thaksin or business deal anything to clear the current political crisis and Suthep.

[mikemac]

No doubt we shall be hearing that of course Suthep was the man behind the shooting of course

However it would be wise to recall the fate of a prominent member of the Red Shirts in 2010 who was shot in the head and of course subsequently died as a result, that action was taken no doubt as a warning to others to toe the line and not become mavericks.

One is led to wonder whether this latest shot Red Shirt leader is paying the penalty for not toeing the line and perhaps being seen as a maverick too.

This shooting could be as a result of his failure to drum up a decent resistance to the current P.R.D.C. protesters or as a warning to others regarding their profile politically.

There is of course the option of a black flag operation, minions are easily sacrificed and we are all well aware of what respect the Red Shirt pawns can expect and indeed the respect actually received from from their foreign based sponsor..

There are many avenues of suspect open regarding this particular shooting, many cul de sacs. However there is but one clear route leading to the truth and without a doubt we shall never see that route traveled.

Anyone being shot is unacceptable, simple as that.

Your skill for conspiracy theory's are quite good, as is your fiction writing, have you put any thought into writing a novel?

Anyone who "likes" a rubbish comment like the above by just another red flag waving zealot is as thick as the writer of said comment. Like away, drongos !

[JRSoul]

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.

Oh man, you are cracking me up.

Assignation - an appointment to meet someone in secret, typically one made by lovers.

It seems someone wanted to f##k him, but in a different way.

Really so now it is a crime of passion, someone else said it was a bad business deal, another it was Thaksin to shift blame on Suthep. Oh well a crime of passion, Thaksin or business deal anything to clear the current political crisis and Suthep.

Don't ask me, you wrote it.

[silent]

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...........

Agatha? Agatha Christie? Where have you been since they finally put your favourite murder she wrote fan away in the nuthouse. (The ex mother-in-law).

[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.

Oh man, you are cracking me up.

Assignation - an appointment to meet someone in secret, typically one made by lovers.

It seems someone wanted to f##k him, but in a different way.

Really so now it is a crime of passion, someone else said it was a bad business deal, another it was Thaksin to shift blame on Suthep. Oh well a crime of passion, Thaksin or business deal anything to clear the current political crisis and Suthep.

Don't ask me, you wrote it.

ah no you were the one speaking about lovers, I never mentioned it. A secret appointment, one made by lovers??? Read your post. I never mentioned any such thing.

Time to put the beer down, get the girl/boy of your lap, close the lap top and call a taxi.

[Artisi]

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.

Wow, what absolute riveting information but who really cares?

[Artisi]

RT @RichardBarrow: Two bullets hit Kwanchai, others hit this concrete pillar (Via @Chu_SpringNews) http://t.co/aK3XxC5VMg

Looks more like 3 hits to me, but it will survive.

[JRSoul]

Oh man, you are cracking me up.

Assignation - an appointment to meet someone in secret, typically one made by lovers.

It seems someone wanted to f##k him, but in a different way.

Really so now it is a crime of passion, someone else said it was a bad business deal, another it was Thaksin to shift blame on Suthep. Oh well a crime of passion, Thaksin or business deal anything to clear the current political crisis and Suthep.

Don't ask me, you wrote it.

ah no you were the one speaking about lovers, I never mentioned it. A secret appointment, one made by lovers??? Read your post. I never mentioned any such thing.

Time to put the beer down, get the girl/boy of your lap, close the lap top and call a taxi.

If you go back to the original post quoted, you wrote "It was an assignation attempt.........." Too many posts to carry forward, I had to delete it.

Assignation - an appointment to meet someone in secret, typically one made by lovers.

BTW I doubt killing a Udon red shirt hood would rate as assassination, more like vermin control.

[AleG]

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.

Oh man, you are cracking me up.

Assignation - an appointment to meet someone in secret, typically one made by lovers.

It seems someone wanted to f##k him, but in a different way.

Really so now it is a crime of passion, someone else said it was a bad business deal, another it was Thaksin to shift blame on Suthep. Oh well a crime of passion, Thaksin or business deal anything to clear the current political crisis and Suthep.

Don't ask me, you wrote it.

Try again with some cartoon sound effects, maybe it'll click then.

[Artisi]

Said it weeks ago ... Suthep needs a civil war.

In case you didn't know, Kwanchai is a very outspoken Red Shirt who has made many threats, even to his own clan. I said it months ago, if Kwanchai doesn't stop criticizing the big Red leaders he might get into trouble. He is a bit a a loose canon. Trust me that Mr. Control-Freak-Thaksin doesn't like loose cannons.

My bet is that Thaksin needs the army to come out more than anybody else. He will never get back into Thailand that is fairly clear by now. The only thing he is still worried about is his ability to visit other countries. That is getting more difficult now that he is the reason this protest has become so large after Yingluck thought it was a good idea to whitewash her criminal brother. Now Thaksin is fighting for his freedom abroad. If there would be a coup he could say that Democracy killing army is trying to get rid of me. That might give him some sympathy in Uganda and Nicaragua.

Lets hope for Thailand's benefit that in the very near future the fugitive is in fact only accepted in Uganda or Nicaragua - he certainly deserves to be in such comfortable surroundings.

[iancnx]

I'm waiting for someone to blame USA. Everything bad in world is fault of USA, isn't it?

It's true the USA are the root of all evil........ Along with those ME countries and the axis of.... What?

Ok you started it. I'm British, hate lapdog British Foreign Policy licking uncle SAMs hot dog whilst sucking the last of the ME Johnny Walker from the wells of scared places unmentionable.

We are in Thailand, and the level of lawlessness here is amoebic compared to other global regions!

The shooting is horrible. I hate violence. But, in the big global picture lets just take a moment........

[Boss]

Ofcourse the rice farmers are pis... what else can their leaders expect ?

[Artisi]

The curious thing is that the other paper is reporting the discovery by Police of 30 M16 casings near the fence, and Khaosod, 7.62mm casings.

probably neither know what they are talking about .....

Certainly nothing new.

[smileydude]

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

http://inagist.com/all/425842809556320257/

More info.. looks like he may have made enemies locally as his radio station was bombed in August.

Sent from my XT1032 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Sorry have to disagree. Assault rifles like the M-16 5.56mm 40 g rounds travel at over 3000 ft/sec compared to 900-1400 for .45 or .357 rounds in 3-4" barrels. The force in Joules plus the fact that the rounds fragment and tumble upon entering flesh causes devastating tissue injury/damage way beyond what most civilian rounds can cause.

Nobody deserves to be shot for political reasons but when you mess with the bull you get the horns.

Politics in Thailand is dangerous and always gets personal.

Edited January 22, 2014 by smileydude