Redshirt threats get political tension boiling

[webfact]

Redshirt threats get political tension boiling
The Nation


Redshirt leader Jatuporn Promphan addresses local redshirt leaders during their meeting in Nakhon Ratchasima yesterday. Other key members of the redshirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) are also on the stage.

Redshirts warn of 'government-in-exile' in the north or Isaan, going into 'combat mode'

BANGKOK: -- Political tension and violence is intensifying as rival camps - the government and protesters - vow to step up their campaigns to bring about a swift victory.

The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) co-leader Natthawut Saikua suggested yesterday that the caretaker government set up an administration "in exile" in the North or Northeast, adding that the red-shirt movement or UDD was all set to go to 100-per-cent combat mode.

Natthawut was speaking during a "UDD war drum" meeting attended by 4,000 UDD members at the Liptapanlop Building at Chalerm Phra Kiat Sports Stadium in Muang district in Nakhon Ratchasima.

The meeting came up with 11 proposals for the caretaker government. They include: no stepping down, arresting People's Democratic Reform Committee chief Suthep Thaugsuban and PDRC co-leaders, and exercising civil disobedience against "unjust" rulings and decisions by independent agencies.

"The government must not be defeated. This is an order from the people,'' Natthawut said.

Meanwhile, PDRC co-leaders declared to end the game by launching an "onslaught" against the caretaker government and Shinawatra business empire.

Phra Buddha Issara, leader of the PDRC's Chaeng Wattana base, said he had arranged for 10 buses to transport protesters today to disrupt Shinawatra businesses, but did not reveal the targets.

PDRC spokesman Akanat Prompan said rapid-response teams would be sent to government offices to urge bureaucrats to stop working for the "Thaksin regime".

UDD chairwoman Thida Tavornseth said to protect democracy, the red shirts had to

fight against coup attempts, PDRC chief Suthep, plus independent agencies and the courts, which she claimed were unjust.

Jatuporn Promphan, another UDD leader, warned that when the time was right, major roads in Bangkok would turn into a sea of red when the UDD travels there.

"It will be our historically greatest struggle to preserve democracy,'' he said, claiming the reds would ensure no clashes or loss of life.

The reds were also considering calling a public boycott of the rival camp's business interests, he said.

"No one allows himself to be harassed without striking back. If we do not stand up and fight, it means we give our motherland to Suthep,'' he said.

Suriyasai Katasila, coordinator of the Green Politics group, said the country's political saga had entered its final chapter with violence expected to boil over.

The Thaksin regime had been shaken to its core. The PM was cornered and felt her life was in danger because the military had distanced itself and the police had buckled to public scrutiny.

"The red shirts' hard core is Thaksin's last resort plus his crony police officers helping him to carry out underground operations focusing on instigating unlimited violence,'' he said.


-- The Nation 2014-02-24

[JRSoul]

Who cares about threats? It's the ATTACKS that are the problem.

BTW Jatuporn and Nattiwhut should declare their conflict of interest. Both face lengthy jail sentences should this government be defeated and its delaying tactics and amnesties be nullified.

Edited February 23, 2014 by JRSoul

[Robby nz]

and exercising civil disobedience against "unjust" rulings and decisions by independent agencies.

This includes the NACC, courts and any others who dare challenge them.

Unfortunately their version of unjust would be anything that goes against PT or themselves regardless of how many laws they, Yingluck or any other PT members have broken.

[BoonToong]

Yep, keep inciting violence whilst innocent Thais continue to die. That'll work.

<deleted>

[uty6543]

I thought a coup would not happen this time but if there are more terrorist attacks I think there will be no other solution to the ongoing problems to protect the lives of all the people.

[leggo]

The deaths of two children is absolutely tragic and my heart goes out to their families. It is also an absolute disgrace and brings shame on Thailand as a whole. The perpetrator of these most heinous of all crimes need to be found and punished.

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 2 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Thait Spot]

Jatuporn's motherland, Surat Thani. Suthep's turf

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Bender]

till now the red shirt have been quite discreet. If they step in, it be interesting to see how thing will deteriorate quickly...

and i guess very quickly

[khunsuar]

and exercising civil disobedience against "unjust" rulings and decisions by independent agencies.

This includes the NACC, courts and any others who dare challenge them.

Unfortunately their version of unjust would be anything that goes against PT or themselves regardless of how many laws they, Yingluck or any other PT members have broken.[/quote

Anytime I see the word " front" used in a political party it is a fair gauge of its totalitarian leanings.what's dismaying is that as Buddhists, we've seem to have lost the precept of letting go of our attachments to views, insuring much more suffering.not only for ourselves but for those on the periphery damaged by our actions. Hate cannot be overcome with hate.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Chupup]

Jatuporn..........some roads in Bangkok will turn RED.................we will ensure No clashes or Violence ??

[Beetlejuice]

There are certain factions in these groups on all sides that seem their objectives are to bring this country into total chaos and civil war.

We only have to follow as to what has been happening in the Ukraine to see what could be the consequences.

The situation in Thailand is very dire at the moment, this political dispute could go in any direction, either soon being resolved or escalate into a much more serious situation, it`s really a 50/50 now based on a hope and a prayer.

Most Thais just want to continue on with business as usual and hopefully the leaders will someone see common sense and put a stop to this madness in the very near future.

[Chupup]

Seems like a sure fire way of ensuring a Coup

[whoisyourdaddy]

Government is backed into corner, all agency's are against the government , PM is in hiding and all over sudden red shirts become active .

Anyone else thinks darling brother is in full control now and is disparate ?

Even worse is red shirts celebrating the latest attacks and deaths.

Barbaric comes to mind

[fleeing]

"The government must not be defeated. This is an order from the people,'' Natthawut said.

The arrogance of this self-centred fanatic is unbelievable. What about the Thai people who do not support your fugitive boss in Dubai?

Meanwhile it would appear that the 'government' is defeating itself through it's own arrogance and ineptitude. Perhaps that should be a timely warning to Natthawaut et al to tone down the rhetoric and actually consider what has gone wrong, before dragging his remaining supporters into a vainglorious 'final battle' that would only lead to more conflict and bloodshed.

[JRSoul]

There are certain factions in these groups on all sides that seem their objectives are to bring this country into total chaos and civil war.

We only have to follow as to what has been happening in the Ukraine to see what could be the consequences.

The situation in Thailand is very dire at the moment, this political dispute could go in any direction, either soon being resolved or escalate into a much more serious situation, it`s really a 50/50 now based on a hope and a prayer.

Most Thais just want to continue on with business as usual and hopefully the leaders will someone see common sense and put a stop to this madness in the very near future.

The result here will be the same as Ukraine, the question is how long will it take and with how much loss of life.

BTW Beetles don't have 8 legs.

[Fryslan boppe]

"The red shirts' hard core is Thaksin's last resort..."

This quote another attempt to denigrate Electoral Democracy forces by suggesting they are devoid of political intent and are uni-dimensional... It is a form of Elitist arrogance implying they have the market cornered on Political awareness. Their coup-mongering friends with their shadowy supporters are self-servingly doing everything in their power to prevent majority-based governance in an Electoral Democracy, and has nothing to do with Thaksin or the performance of this Govt.

If there was a reference to Thaksin at this gathering in Korat yesterday, I missed it..I'm sure there was, but it was merely in passing....All I saw was a format whereby many regionally-based groups of the UDD/RS's, spoke in order throughout the day, exclaiming vociforously their refusal to buckle-under again, to anti-Democtats seeking to steal their voting selections.

This was not a case of UDD incitement...These were grass-roots voters demanding their votes be respected...It didn't take incitement by the UDD or PTP... These people spoke from the heart, many with fire in their eyes..It didn't take the UDD, or PTP to fire these people up....Suthep and his shadowy supporters with their street antics in BKK, plus their user-friendly courts and Independent agencies have done a very good job of that, all by themselves....In fact by the time Jatuporn and Nathawut spoke, it was later in the day, when many participants had already left.

It was noteworthy that unlike many of these gatherings when participants begin to drift home after Lunch. Yesterday the double-tiered levels of this Gymnasium remained packed throughout the day, listening to regional-based leaders of their own kind...No Centralized leadership needed. The PTP/UDD/RS resistance to Elitist anti-democrats is bottom-up, let no-one be confused about that.

The suggestion that the " PDRC co-leaders declared to end the game by launching an "onslaught" against the caretaker government and Shinawatra business empire" is folderol. Their onslaught is a crass challenge by an unelectable political minority against the majority in an Electoral Democracy. They are self-servingly challenging voter-majority selections, pretending it is against a caretaker Govt. A Govt. they are trying to characterize as having no electoral roots...It is those millions of roots they are up against, and those "majority" roots don't appreciate it, nor will accept it.

That was on prominent display in Korat yesterday.

Edited February 24, 2014 by Fryslan boppe

[ShannonT]

Who cares about threats? It's the ATTACKS that are the problem.

BTW Jatuporn and Nattiwhut should declare their conflict of interest. Both face lengthy jail sentences should this government be defeated and its delaying tactics and amnesties be nullified.

Abhisit and Suthep also face prison sentences if they are convicted of the murder charges.

Looks like both sides are trying to be in control of the judges.

Maybe the amnesty bill for both sides wasn't such a bad thing after all.

Better than pushing Thailand toward a civil war, for sure.

Edited February 24, 2014 by ShannonT

[chainarong]

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

I thought a coup would not happen this time but if there are more terrorist attacks I think there will be no other solution to the ongoing problems to protect the lives of all the people.

CIC Gen Prayuth is monitoring the situation, you are probably right in your estimation , if the violence escalates, options are limited, others that show interest will issue the go orders, long time Thai expats know what I mean.

Edited February 24, 2014 by chainarong

[Soutpeel]

Government is backed into corner, all agency's are against the government , PM is in hiding and all over sudden red shirts become active .

Anyone else thinks darling brother is in full control now and is disparate ?

Even worse is red shirts celebrating the latest attacks and deaths.

Barbaric comes to mind

Pretty sure thats a box of matches in Jatuporns pocket, I thought his mummy took the matches off him after the last time ?..

[whybother]

Who cares about threats? It's the ATTACKS that are the problem.

BTW Jatuporn and Nattiwhut should declare their conflict of interest. Both face lengthy jail sentences should this government be defeated and its delaying tactics and amnesties be nullified.

Abhisit and Suthep also face prison sentences if they are convicted of the murder charges.

Looks like both sides are trying to be in control of the judges.

Maybe the amnesty bill for both sides wasn't such a bad thing after all.

Better than pushing Thailand toward a civil war, for sure.

Where have you been for the last 6 months? It is because of the amnesty bill that Thailand is being pushed toward a civil war.

[ikurauni]

How come United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship supports Thaksin and Yingluck? Their definition of dictatorship must be different.

[ShannonT]

Who cares about threats? It's the ATTACKS that are the problem.

BTW Jatuporn and Nattiwhut should declare their conflict of interest. Both face lengthy jail sentences should this government be defeated and its delaying tactics and amnesties be nullified.

Abhisit and Suthep also face prison sentences if they are convicted of the murder charges.

Looks like both sides are trying to be in control of the judges.

Maybe the amnesty bill for both sides wasn't such a bad thing after all.

Better than pushing Thailand toward a civil war, for sure.

Where have you been for the last 6 months? It is because of the amnesty bill that Thailand is being pushed toward a civil war.

It appears you didn't understand my post.

Suthep and his followers rejected the amnesty bill and instead chose an undemocratic way to oust the government, blocking the city, ruining the economy, financially targeting companies that have nothing to do with Thaksin (AIS, Air Asia, Nestle, Maggi, Oishi, etc), creating more social division and effectively clearing the path to a civil war.

The amnesty bill would have wiped clean the actions of Thaksin, Suthep, Abhisit and others, which would have been a step back from the abyss, rather than a step ahead.

It's just my opinion. I know some people here have a hard time accepting that other people may have different opinions, so you are forgiven.

[noikrit]

Peaceful lot those RED SHIRTS ....

[fleeing]

"The red shirts' hard core is Thaksin's last resort..."

This quote another attempt to denigrate Electoral Democracy forces by suggesting they are devoid of political intent and are uni-dimensional... It is a form of Elitist arrogance implying they have the market cornered on Political awareness. Their coup-mongering friends with their shadowy supporters are self-servingly doing everything in their power to prevent majority-based governance in an Electoral Democracy, and has nothing to do with Thaksin or the performance of this Govt.

If there was a reference to Thaksin at this gathering in Korat yesterday, I missed it..I'm sure there was, but it was merely in passing....All I saw was a format whereby many regionally-based groups of the UDD/RS's, spoke in order throughout the day, exclaiming vociforously their refusal to buckle-under again, to anti-Democtats seeking to steal their voting selections.

This was not a case of UDD incitement...These were grass-roots voters demanding their votes be respected...It didn't take incitement by the UDD or PTP... These people spoke from the heart, many with fire in their eyes..It didn't take the UDD, or PTP to fire these people up....Suthep and his shadowy supporters with their street antics in BKK, plus their user-friendly courts and Independent agencies have done a very good job of that, all by themselves....In fact by the time Jatuporn and Nathawut spoke, it was later in the day, when many participants had already left.

It was noteworthy that unlike many of these gatherings when participants begin to drift home after Lunch. Yesterday the double-tiered levels of this Gymnasium remained packed throughout the day, listening to regional-based leaders of their own kind...No Centralized leadership needed. The PTP/UDD/RS resistance to Elitist anti-democrats is bottom-up, let no-one be confused about that.

The suggestion that the " PDRC co-leaders declared to end the game by launching an "onslaught" against the caretaker government and Shinawatra business empire" is folderol. Their onslaught is a crass challenge by an unelectable political minority against the majority in an Electoral Democracy. They are self-servingly challenging voter-majority selections, pretending it is against a caretaker Govt. A Govt. they are trying to characterize as having no electoral roots...It is those millions of roots they are up against, and those "majority" roots don't appreciate it, nor will accept it.

That was on prominent display in Korat yesterday.

While I, on some level, have to admire your devotion to the organisation, I have a few questions.

The amnesty bill that really got this latest conflict started again was condemned by rank and file red-shirts as well as anti-Thaksin protesters. Was there any discussion about the folly of trying to force through such a divisive piece of legislation?

There would appear to be wide-spread acceptance of the necessity of reform in Thai society. Did this meeting consider what kind of reforms would be beneficial to Thai society?

Surely all these grass-roots representatives are well aware that the actual participation in this incomplete election was woefully low. Was this discussed and seen as a problem?

The rice pledging scheme seems to be recognised by everyone except the government as a costly failure. Did they find it relevant to discuss that or how to possibly improve it in the future?

These aren't just trick questions. I am genuinely curious to learn that the UDD truly is a democratic organisation that defines it's policies based on the wishes and concerns of it's grass-roots members.

[fab4]

"The government must not be defeated. This is an order from the people,'' Natthawut said.

The arrogance of this self-centred fanatic is unbelievable. What about the Thai people who do not support your fugitive boss in Dubai?

Meanwhile it would appear that the 'government' is defeating itself through it's own arrogance and ineptitude. Perhaps that should be a timely warning to Natthawaut et al to tone down the rhetoric and actually consider what has gone wrong, before dragging his remaining supporters into a vainglorious 'final battle' that would only lead to more conflict and bloodshed.

This is the first major UDD meeting this year.

For ramping up the rhetoric may I refer you to the nightly rants of suthep from the stage which have been going on for months.

Just because the rants are not reported in the "quality" press doesn't mean the bile hasn't been spewing forth every day.

[whybother]

It appears you didn't understand my post.

Suthep and his followers rejected the amnesty bill and instead chose an undemocratic way to oust the government, blocking the city, ruining the economy, financially targeting companies that have nothing to do with Thaksin (AIS, Air Asia, Nestle, Maggi, Oishi, etc), creating more social division and effectively clearing the path to a civil war.

The amnesty bill would have wiped clean the actions of Thaksin, Suthep, Abhisit and others, which would have been a step back from the abyss, rather than a step ahead.

It's just my opinion. I know some people here have a hard time accepting that other people may have different opinions, so you are forgiven.

I understood your post perfectly, and it's clear you have no idea what's going on in Thailand.

The protesters don't support amnesty for any of those people. Even a lot of red shirts don't support amnesty for those people. People don't support the actions being wiped clean.

It is BECAUSE of the amnesty bill that Thailand is being pushed to the abyss.

[fab4]

Who cares about threats? It's the ATTACKS that are the problem.

BTW Jatuporn and Nattiwhut should declare their conflict of interest. Both face lengthy jail sentences should this government be defeated and its delaying tactics and amnesties be nullified.

Abhisit and Suthep also face prison sentences if they are convicted of the murder charges.

Looks like both sides are trying to be in control of the judges.

Maybe the amnesty bill for both sides wasn't such a bad thing after all.

Better than pushing Thailand toward a civil war, for sure.

Where have you been for the last 6 months? It is because of the amnesty bill that Thailand is being pushed toward a civil war.

No, that might have been the "cause" at the beginning but it has been hijacked since then and that is the reason that Thailand finds itself in this situation.

[lovetotravel]

Who cares about threats? It's the ATTACKS that are the problem.

BTW Jatuporn and Nattiwhut should declare their conflict of interest. Both face lengthy jail sentences should this government be defeated and its delaying tactics and amnesties be nullified.

Abhisit and Suthep also face prison sentences if they are convicted of the murder charges.

Looks like both sides are trying to be in control of the judges.

Maybe the amnesty bill for both sides wasn't such a bad thing after all.

Better than pushing Thailand toward a civil war, for sure.

Huge difference between the "political" charges against Abhisit and Suthep vs. the real charges pending against many of the PTP MPs in the caretaker government, as well as against the PM for a variety of corruption related items. Like comparing apples and oranges.

The DSI initiated the charges against Abhisit and Suthep. We all know the reputation of the DSI. Many feel these charges were brought about to force the two into supporting the amnesty bill. Obviously, that didn't work.

Abhisit is being charged just because he setup the CRES. Very dodgy reason. With that logic, Yingluck should be charged with the deaths of the protesters recently. Right? Dodgy again.

[whybother]

Who cares about threats? It's the ATTACKS that are the problem.

BTW Jatuporn and Nattiwhut should declare their conflict of interest. Both face lengthy jail sentences should this government be defeated and its delaying tactics and amnesties be nullified.

Abhisit and Suthep also face prison sentences if they are convicted of the murder charges.

Looks like both sides are trying to be in control of the judges.

Maybe the amnesty bill for both sides wasn't such a bad thing after all.

Better than pushing Thailand toward a civil war, for sure.

Where have you been for the last 6 months? It is because of the amnesty bill that Thailand is being pushed toward a civil war.

No, that might have been the "cause" at the beginning but it has been hijacked since then and that is the reason that Thailand finds itself in this situation.

Yes, it was the cause in the beginning. The amnesty bill is what started this. And the way that Thaksin was inserted into the bill and the way it was pushed through parliament is what gave the protesters reasons to extend the protests beyond the amnesty bill.

[ginjag]

Who cares about threats? It's the ATTACKS that are the problem.

BTW Jatuporn and Nattiwhut should declare their conflict of interest. Both face lengthy jail sentences should this government be defeated and its delaying tactics and amnesties be nullified.

Abhisit and Suthep also face prison sentences if they are convicted of the murder charges.

Looks like both sides are trying to be in control of the judges.

Maybe the amnesty bill for both sides wasn't such a bad thing after all.

Better than pushing Thailand toward a civil war, for sure.

Where have you been for the last 6 months? It is because of the amnesty bill that Thailand is being pushed toward a civil war.

No, that might have been the "cause" at the beginning but it has been hijacked since then and that is the reason that Thailand finds itself in this situation.

The only thing I do not understand with your posts is your refusal to understand the CAUSE, why do you not condemn it ???

The cause is the reason NOT the hijacking. DOH the hijacking was to stop it happening, surely you can see why. UNLESS you want all criminals (mainly Thaksin) pardoned. Who in the world pardons criminals unless all of them are innocent----highly unlikely.