Wounded red-shirt hardliner Kwanchai gets a big police guard en-route to ballot box

[webfact]

Wounded red-shirt gets a big police guard en-route to ballot box
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Red-shirt hardliner Kwanchai Praipana was carried in on a stretcher to cast a vote in Udon Thani yesterday amid thick security.

The core red-shirt leader survived a gun attack last month after an unknown number of assailants fired a hail of bullets at him while he was reading a newspaper at a radio station in his hometown in the far Northeast.

Kwanchai has played a leading role in mobilising government supporters under the umbrella of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).

More than 10 armed police from Udon Thani Muang district station led a motorcade to ensure security for Kwanchai, who was also protected by more than 20 guards of Khon Rak Udon Club.

The red-shirt leader drew attention from the public, as well as local and international media, which covered his mission to vote. He had to be helped to get out of the stretcher to get into the polling booth.

He said part of his "fight" for democracy was to have an election across the country and he wanted to see the country move forward. He said he felt ashamed that the poll could not be held in many areas, including Bangkok, because of "hooligans instigating turmoil".

-- The Nation 2014-02-03

[sammyD]

"hooligans instigating turmoil"

[noitom]

That vote was very expensive in staff paychecks.

[NongKhaiKid]

I wonder if he was wearing the Udon Thani police uniform he wore at a red rally in Bangkok to make the Udon contingent on duty there feel ' at home ' ?

The National Police Chief said if it was found he was wearing such a uniform he would be prosecuted but surprise, surprise it all went quiet. The defensive quote ' if he was wearing... ' went out the window with all the photos and new videos of him in uniform.

[noikrit]

How many other voters got preferential treatment ?????? ..... Many patients in Hospitals .......

[KhunAussie52]

I wonder if he was wearing the Udon Thani police uniform he wore at a red rally in Bangkok to make the Udon contingent on duty there feel ' at home ' ?

The National Police Chief said if it was found he was wearing such a uniform he would be prosecuted but surprise, surprise it all went quiet. The defensive quote ' if he was wearing... ' went out the window with all the photos and new videos of him in uniform.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658992-thailand-live-wednesday-7-aug-2013/page-3

Still on thai visa.....!!!!

[NongKhaiKid]

I wonder if he was wearing the Udon Thani police uniform he wore at a red rally in Bangkok to make the Udon contingent on duty there feel ' at home ' ?

The National Police Chief said if it was found he was wearing such a uniform he would be prosecuted but surprise, surprise it all went quiet. The defensive quote ' if he was wearing... ' went out the window with all the photos and new videos of him in uniform.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658992-thailand-live-wednesday-7-aug-2013/page-3

Still on thai visa.....!!!!

Thanks for that.

If memory serves he claimed the uniform had been given to him by someone in UdonThani Provincial Police who countered by saying it wasn't an 'actual ' uniform.

In many jurisdictions it's illegal to wear a police uniform without permission OR something so closely resembling such but TIT.

[whybother]

With 2 police allocated to each polling station, I wonder which polling stations missed out with so many police looking after Kwanchai.

[CiaranO]

Well done for making it to vote

[renaissanc]

Did the Chief of Police send him some flowers and chocolates as well? When Kwanchai is well again, will the Police take him around in a winner's motorcade like after the Super Bowl?

[JesseFrank]

Nominated for drama queen of the year.

[wonder6281]

<deleted>!!

[seajae]

so from this we can take it that red shirts get preferential treatment from police, were any of the protesters that were shot offered transport and police protection so they could also vote..........................I didnt think so. Here we see exactly what the thai police force is, a ptp and red shirt tool, pretty pathetic article showing everyone how stupid these groups are

[Scamper]

" He said part of his "fight" for democracy was to have an election across the country and he wanted to see the country move forward. He said he felt ashamed that the poll could not be held in many areas, including Bangkok, because of "hooligans instigating turmoil". "

​Kwanchai was the victim of a senseless, inexcusable attack. But as he was a supporter of the siege of Rathaprason in 2010 which truly was " hooligans instigating turmoil " his words ring hollow.

[rubl]

Any news on the 'unknowns' who ambushed k. Kwanchai?

[fab4]

so from this we can take it that red shirts get preferential treatment from police, were any of the protesters that were shot offered transport and police protection so they could also vote..........................I didnt think so. Here we see exactly what the thai police force is, a ptp and red shirt tool, pretty pathetic article showing everyone how stupid these groups are

"so from this we can take it that red shirts get preferential treatment from police, were any of the protesters that were shot offered transport and police protection so they could also vote"

Er, I think your missing the "point" of the protest - they were protesting against holding an election.

Why on earth would they be interested in going along, transport and police escort or not, to vote?

[wonder6281]

No wheelchairs there???