Thai government supporters vow to 'deal with' Bangkok protesters

[Lite Beer]

Thai government supporters vow to 'deal with' Bangkok protesters
BY AMY SAWITTA LEFEVRE

BANGKOK: -- (Reuters) - Supporters of Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra promised on Sunday to get tough with anti-government protesters paralyzing parts of Bangkok, raising tension in a protracted crisis hours after a deadly attack on a protest rally.

Leaders of the pro-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) vowed to "deal with" anti-government leader Suthep Thaugsuban, setting the scene for a possible confrontation between pro- and anti-government groups.

"This fight will be harder than any other ... You must think how we can deal with Suthep and those supporting him," Jatuporn Prompan, a UDD leader and senior member of the ruling Puea Thai Party, told thousands of cheering supporters in Nakhon Ratchasima, northeast of the capital.

It was unclear whether Jatuporn was calling for an armed struggle, but he was speaking just hours after gunmen shot at an anti-government protest stage and threw explosive devices in the Khao Saming district of the eastern province of Trat, killing at least one person and wounding 41.

Police had earlier put the death toll at two.

Anti-government protesters have blocked main Bangkok intersections for weeks with tents, tires and sandbags, seeking to unseat Yingluck and halt the influence of her billionaire brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, an ousted former premier regarded by many as the real power behind the government.

The protests are the biggest since deadly political unrest in 2010, when Thaksin's "red shirt" supporters paralyzed Bangkok in an attempt to remove a government led by the Democrat Party, now the opposition.

More than 90 people were killed and 2,000 wounded when Suthep, at the time a deputy prime minister, sent in troops.

Presenting a further headache for Yingluck, Thailand's anti-corruption body filed charges against her last week over a rice subsidy scheme that has left hundreds of farmers, her natural backers, unpaid.

Yingluck is due to hear the charges on Thursday.

The UDD, largely made up of Thaksin supporters based in the populous north and northeast, was formed in 2008 as a counter-force to the yellow-shirted anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy group.

The protests are the latest chapter in a political conflict that has gripped Thailand for eight years and broadly pits Bangkok's middle class and elite, and followers in the south, against rural backers of Yingluck and her brother.

UDD chairwoman Thida Tawornseth said Sunday's rally would consolidate plans to restore democracy after the opposition boycotted and disrupted elections this month, leaving the country under a caretaker government. On Saturday, she ruled out any plans for violence.

Four protesters and a police officer were killed on Tuesday when police attempted to reclaim protest sites near government buildings. Six people were wounded by a grenade on Friday.

Thaksin's enemies accuse him of republican aspirations, a charge he has frequently denied.

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/23/us-thailand-protest-idUSBREA1M02H20140223

-- Reuters 2014-02-23

[Just1Voice]

Ready or not, here comes the Civil War.

[bangkokheat]

this obviously has to get much worse before it gets better

[MikeOboe57]

Another Sportpalast speech by Jatuporn. Isn't he out on bail?

Sent from my GT-N5100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[northernjohn]

The government should step down immediately.

We have seen how there supporters support them in Trat last night. If it is to be a civil war it will be the actions of the government supporters.

[ourmanflint]

Whatever you may think of the PDRC movement, they have only ever flared up into violence, when provoked by others. They are light years away from the red plague in Thailand that uses violence for its own ends. I am disgusted that so many here can still seem to side with these red dogs. Shame on you all

[jaidam]

As if throwing grenades into the peaceful protests, shooting them from ministry rooftops, siccing Tarit and Chalerm's dogs of war on them wasn't already an attempt to "deal with them". Good greif, what an utter mess this Thaksin remuneration and blanket amnesty for all his crimes past,present and future has turned out to be.

[marcusd]

Everyone is getting anxious

Marcusd. Via tapatalk

[Boxclever]

The people are ready to rise up and fight this anti democratic fascist movement.

If there is further violence, Suthep and his thugs have no one to blame but themselves for trying to overthrow a democratically elected government.

[brewsterbudgen]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

The government should step down immediately.

We have seen how there supporters support them in Trat last night. If it is to be a civil war it will be the actions of the government supporters.

Whatever you may think of the PDRC movement, they have only ever flared up into violence, when provoked by others. They are light years away from the red plague in Thailand that uses violence for its own ends. I am disgusted that so many here can still seem to side with these red dogs. Shame on you all

As if throwing grenades into the peaceful protests, shooting them from ministry rooftops, siccing Tarit and Chalerm's dogs of war on them wasn't already an attempt to "deal with them". Good greif, what an utter mess this Thaksin remuneration and blanket amnesty for all his crimes past,present and future has turned out to be.

No bias in any of these posts then?

[AleG]

Ready or not, here comes the Civil War.

If it comes to that I expect a short one, between those willing going to war for the love of Thaksin and those that do it for the love of their country it will be a very mismatched attendance.

[FredNL]

Quote:

"Presenting a further headache for Yingluck, Thailand's anti-corruption body filed charges against her last week over a rice subsidy scheme that has left hundreds of farmers, her natural backers, unpaid."

Only hundreds of farmers getting unpaid. I thought the total was 1.4 million farmers didn't get paid in full.

Government is looking for 140 billion THB. Just divide 140,000,000,000 by the hundreds of farmers that didn't get paid. They all would be multi millionairs

[marcusd]

Whatever you may think of the PDRC movement, they have only ever flared up into violence, when provoked by others. They are light years away from the red plague in Thailand that uses violence for its own ends. I am disgusted that so many here can still seem to side with these red dogs. Shame on you all

it seems to me many here hide like rabbits in a burrow claiming to know and defend democracy. Is that true? Then why let the richest in this land corruptly state they rule for the poor? Seems to me Thaksin must be a bad man polarizing a nation this way

and why he hides in a desperate way because he can't visit many nations for rear of being imprisoned for theft.

So how can many,on here defend this as democracy???

Marcusd. Via tapatalk

[JRSoul]

Why isn't Jatuporn in court fighting terrorism charges? His case was delayed because his co-accused were sitting MPs, but parliament is no longer in session and hasn't been for some time. Wouldn't this case then be priority given its limited opportunity to proceed?

[Old Man River]

The court has ruled the protest is legal. If Reds attack protestors, the Royal Thai Police need to put a stop to it quickly. Every time they don't arrest perpetrators, they add credence to the PDRC's claim that the RTP needs to be overhauled. Even the Caretaker government is discussing things with the courts (Rule of Law).

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[Goat Roper]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

The government should step down immediately.

We have seen how there supporters support them in Trat last night. If it is to be a civil war it will be the actions of the government supporters.

Whatever you may think of the PDRC movement, they have only ever flared up into violence, when provoked by others. They are light years away from the red plague in Thailand that uses violence for its own ends. I am disgusted that so many here can still seem to side with these red dogs. Shame on you all

As if throwing grenades into the peaceful protests, shooting them from ministry rooftops, siccing Tarit and Chalerm's dogs of war on them wasn't already an attempt to "deal with them". Good greif, what an utter mess this Thaksin remuneration and blanket amnesty for all his crimes past,present and future has turned out to be.

No bias in any of these posts then?

Right as rain you are. Absolutely you are seeing things correctly.

[marcusd]

The people are ready to rise up and fight this anti democratic fascist movement.

If there is further violence, Suthep and his thugs have no one to blame but themselves for trying to overthrow a democratically elected government.

do you know what democracy is?. Maybe your name is PUTIN

Marcusd. Via tapatalk

[JRSoul]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

The government should step down immediately.

We have seen how there supporters support them in Trat last night. If it is to be a civil war it will be the actions of the government supporters.

Whatever you may think of the PDRC movement, they have only ever flared up into violence, when provoked by others. They are light years away from the red plague in Thailand that uses violence for its own ends. I am disgusted that so many here can still seem to side with these red dogs. Shame on you all

As if throwing grenades into the peaceful protests, shooting them from ministry rooftops, siccing Tarit and Chalerm's dogs of war on them wasn't already an attempt to "deal with them". Good greif, what an utter mess this Thaksin remuneration and blanket amnesty for all his crimes past,present and future has turned out to be.

No bias in any of these posts then?

Posters aren't allowed bias or to oppose criminality?

[Mosha]

The people are ready to rise up and fight this anti democratic fascist movement.

If there is further violence, Suthep and his thugs have no one to blame but themselves for trying to overthrow a democratically elected government.

There they go with the F word. Now remind me. Who has received threats to their wives when they protested about not being paid for their rice? Those making the threats are the fascists.

[ramrod711]

The police can't or won't protect the protesters, it seems that Jatuporn and the UDD are pushing for the army to intervene. I suppose it would divert attention from the rice scheme to a coup, and gavanize the red shirts.

[ourmanflint]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

The government should step down immediately.

We have seen how there supporters support them in Trat last night. If it is to be a civil war it will be the actions of the government supporters.

Whatever you may think of the PDRC movement, they have only ever flared up into violence, when provoked by others. They are light years away from the red plague in Thailand that uses violence for its own ends. I am disgusted that so many here can still seem to side with these red dogs. Shame on you all

As if throwing grenades into the peaceful protests, shooting them from ministry rooftops, siccing Tarit and Chalerm's dogs of war on them wasn't already an attempt to "deal with them". Good greif, what an utter mess this Thaksin remuneration and blanket amnesty for all his crimes past,present and future has turned out to be.

No bias in any of these posts then?

Of course there's bias, some here would actually like to see peaceful protests. I see that you are not one of them. What a charming fellow you must be

[ramrod711]

Why isn't Jatuporn in court fighting terrorism charges? His case was delayed because his co-accused were sitting MPs, but parliament is no longer in session and hasn't been for some time. Wouldn't this case then be priority given its limited opportunity to proceed?

Not if Tarit has anything to say about it.

[chainarong]

What we don't want is another Ukraine, although the out come there is about the same as everyone with morals wishes in Thailand , if you escalate this protester movement into a blood bath the piece will never return to Thailand this is entirely a different set of circumstances than what happened in 1992, it was the people versus the junta , this time it is people versus people, not a good look with red shirt idiots running the show.

[zydeco]

So, this is how the "reformed" and "peaceful" Tida the "ex" Communist responds on the day following a Red terror attack on peaceful protesters in which children were murdered.

RT@waanspeaking: UDD Thida: Reds "have 2 choices. If we don't win, they'll kill us. It's between death and victory." thairath.co.th/content/pol/40

RT@waanspeaking: UDD Thida: "From now on, Suthep will know what UDD is capable of."

These people are announcing the launch of a terrorist campaign.

Edited February 23, 2014 by zydeco

[Goat Roper]

Cash infused from Dubai

[Rich teacher]

This has been Suthep's strategy since the army refused to side with him. He now needs the reds to come out to confront him in order to bring out the troops. His despicable taunts and threats have been directed at the reds in order to provoke a reaction.

[Why ask]

The people are ready to rise up and fight this anti democratic fascist movement.

If there is further violence, Suthep and his thugs have no one to blame but themselves for trying to overthrow a democratically elected government.

Box? Unclever.

[Scamper]

In light of the unspeakable occurrence in Trat yesterday, the timing of Jataporn's words could not have been worse, nor more tasteless, especially as no reference was made to the tragedy - as it so clearly contrasts with the UDD's narrative. There is no question - if the methods of the UDD in 2010 are any indication - that we could be - at least potentially - on the cusp of civil strife and division on the streets not seen before in the country in many years. And if that happens, and these clashes occur, it is not clear if even the army would be able to restore control or peace. That is how potentially bad this could become. The problem with the Yingluck administration - from this arena alone - is that the administration has been viewed as being simply too closely aligned to the UDD to be able to be viewed as non-partisan. In the eyes of the public, the UDD and Pheu Thai have always been two sides of the same coin. And Yingluck's statements as of late have been jaw-dropping in what increasingly appears to be an effort to stoke the hatred within the UDD. She is hitting all the familiar UDD buttons - implying the NACC is politically motivated and is out to get her. The UDD have already been openly hostile to the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, the EC, the NACC, and now the Civil Court. Yingluck has fed into that narrative, in the most irresponsible manner possible, in her capacity as leader. If she is seen to have consciously fueled distrust within the UDD movement, she will ultimately be deemed responsible. It will have been the clearest abdication of her public responsibilities.

[geriatrickid]

The court has ruled the protest is legal. If Reds attack protestors, the Royal Thai Police need to put a stop to it quickly. Every time they don't arrest perpetrators, they add credence to the PDRC's claim that the RTP needs to be overhauled. Even the Caretaker government is discussing things with the courts (Rule of Law).

And what if the UDD has a legal protest? What if the UDD supporters come to Bangkok to make their views known? Why would their protest be any less legal than that of the PDRC?

The groundwork was laid when the lower court said the civil disorder caused by the PDRC was acceptable. The government's hands were tied. And now you want the government which was precluded from acting against the protestors who are violent, to act against possible UDD protestors who have yet to protest. Old saying: As ye sow, so shall yee reap.

[Why ask]

In light of the unspeakable occurrence in Trat yesterday, the timing of Jataporn's words could not have been worse, nor more tasteless, especially as no reference was made to the tragedy - as it so clearly contrasts with the UDD's narrative. There is no question - if the methods of the UDD in 2010 are any indication - that we could be - at least potentially - on the cusp of civil strife and division on the streets not seen before in the country in many years. And if that happens, and these clashes occur, it is not clear if even the army would be able to restore control or peace. That is how potentially bad this could become. The problem with the Yingluck administration - from this arena alone - is that the administration has been viewed as being simply too closely aligned to the UDD to be able to be viewed as non-partisan. In the eyes of the public, the UDD and Pheu Thai have always been two sides of the same coin. And Yingluck's statements as of late have been jaw-dropping in what increasingly appears to be an effort to stoke the hatred within the UDD. She is hitting all the familiar UDD buttons - implying the NACC is politically motivated and is out to get her. The UDD have already been openly hostile to the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, the EC, the NACC, and now the Civil Court. Yingluck has fed into that narrative, in the most irresponsible manner possible, in her capacity as leader. If she is seen to have consciously fueled distrust within the UDD movement, she will ultimately be deemed responsible. It will have been the clearest abdication of her public responsibilities.

Hear Hear!