Pretty in pink: Thai Army chief proposes curtains for bunkers

[webfact]

ARMY
Pretty in pink: Army chief proposes curtains for bunkers
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- In response to the caretaker premier's concerns that the presence of soldiers' bunkers may impact the image of the Thai capital, Army chief Prayuth Chanocha has suggested the bunkers be decorated with flowers or pink curtains.

Prayuth said he will consider improving the look of the bunkers but stressed they were still needed to provide protection for the people.

Caretaker premier Yingluck Shinawatra recently expressed her concerns during a meeting with Prayuth and other top brass about the issues. She asked them to consider improving the bunkers and do something about the presence of soldiers carrying weapons in the capital.

When asked about the premier's concerns, Prayuth jokingly said he might have to think about decorating the bunkers with flowers or hanging pink curtains.

Referring to soldiers carrying weapons, he said it was necessary and explained that the bunkers were necessary to shield them from the public eye.

"Soldiers have to be strong. They cannot show weakness," he said.

The army has deployed the soldiers to the capital after a series of violent incidents during the antigovernment protests, which resulted in deaths and injuries on both sides.

Prayuth added that the army did not take sides, neither the protesters nor the government. "We provide safety and protection to ensure that no violence happens," he said.


-- The Nation 2014-03-06

[webfact]

Bangkok Bunkers To Be Decorated In Pink: Army Chief
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK: -- Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army has suggested that troops checkpoints in Bangkok might be redecorated to convey a friendly appearance. "We may place flowers on them and install some pink curtains," Gen. Prayuth Chan-Ocha told reporters today.

His remark came after a number of citizens complained that they felt intimidated by various "bunkers" manned by army troops in downtown Bangkok.

The bunkers - mostly composed of sandbags and green camouflaging nets - have been constructed around the perimeter of the protest sites of the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) in recent weeks.

Army officials insisted that the soldiers were not armed, except for a few officers who were permitted to carry handguns, and their presence was aimed to maintain public safety amid the spree of almost-nightly attacks on protest sites.

Nevertheless, the troops deployment drew criticism from pro-government supporters who view the army as siding with PCAD protesters, and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has recently expressed her concern that presence of soldiers in financial districts of Bangkok may damage the country's image.

Gen. Prayuth said he accepted these complaints, but also asked the public to understand the army.

"We have to build the bunkers to shelter the soldiers, because the soldiers were not armed," Gen. Prayuth said.

He added, "We will make the bunkers look more friendly. But soldiers are soldiers. Do you want us to look weak and humble and neat like traditional dancers?"

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1394093980&section=11&typecate=no


-- Khaosod English 2014-03-06

[dinom]

...gotta love his sense of humor.

[EyesWideOpen]

No need to spend time looking for funny things. Just read the Thai news.......

[seajae]

my god, is this woman serious, she wants the army bunkers to have pink cutains and soldiers to not carry weapons, what a wacko. I can see it now, the reds attack the army and they throw flowers at them in defence while the reds blow them away with the weapons yl takes away from the army.

Someone needs to stop this woman before she totally screws the country, sorry, she has already done that, make that, someone needs to stop here before she turns everyone into "pretties" like her.

[Fryslan boppe]

"Prayuth added that the army did not take sides, neither the protesters nor the government"

Really?....tell that to the people who witnessed their actions at R'song in 2010.

Tell that to the elected Govt. they mutinied against, in refusing to deal with the airporters challenging an elected Govt.

Talk is cheap.

Ostriching about the alleged presence of military elements within coup-monger ranks is also disengenuous.

Its going to take a lot more than the bromides mentioned in this quote, to dispel the notion of the military being no better than an outside occupation force displayed at R'song. Also with its' self-appointed primary role to protect the Elitist elements of society does not go over well.

Right now the biggest problem for the military is to show they are not participative in these protests. Why they are hanging around this thing is beyond me. Demonizing the Police does not provide a rationale. That is just coup-monger speak, seeking ongoing participation of their friends in the military..

If there is ever any dispute or challenge to the military, it never comes from the Elitist side of the Political divide....That alone says a lot.

You can be assured that being disrespectful to the Prime Minister by dismissing her concerns about appearances of his military, does not go unnoticed by those who have elected her to be Prime Minister. They quite correctly expect her to advance their trust and not let some General dismiss it.

Edited March 6, 2014 by Fryslan boppe

[Rob8891]

"Prayuth added that the army did not take sides, neither the protesters nor the government"

Really?....tell that to the people who witnessed their actions at R'song in 2010.

Tell that to the elected Govt. they mutinied against, in refusing to deal withyt? the airporters challenging an elected Govt.

Talk is cheap.

Ostriching about the alleged presence of military elements within coup-monger ranks is also disengenuous.

Its going to take a lot more than the bromides mentioned in this quote, to dispel the notion of the military being no better than an outside occupation force on display at R'song. Also with its' self-appointed primary role to protect the Elitist elements of society does not go over well..

If there is ever any dispute or challenge to the military, it never comes from the Elitist side of the Political divide....That alone says a lot.

You can be assured that being disrespectful to the Prime Minister by dismissing her concerns about appearances of his military, does not go unnoticed by those who have elected her to be Prime Minister.

Yup, you're right. Talk is cheap. You sure get your money's worth. It's a pity you missed the humour in this topic. Edited March 6, 2014 by Rob8891

[Thaddeus]

http://youtu.be/7-2jLLMdEBw

[icommunity]

According to the NATION's report.

-----Prayuth added that the army did not take sides, neither the protesters nor the government. "We provide safety and protection to ensure that no violence happens," he said.-----

IMO, soldiers should always be on the side of a government to reinstate law and order and the enforcement of rule of law.

-----The army has deployed the soldiers to the capital after a series of violent incidents during the antigovernment protests, which resulted in deaths and injuries on both sides.-----

Did the army's deployment of soldiers in the capital in consultation and cooperation with the CMPO? Was it at the order of a government and/or CMPO?

The army has certainly make it very hard and has impeded law enforcement agencies to reinstate law and order and the enforcement of rule of law.

Edited March 6, 2014 by icommunity

[monkey4u]

Would that make them pretty in pink ??

The time has come for the woman to retire or seek medical help

[JoeThePoster]

Don't forget to issue Hello Kitty armbands to all soldiers manning the bunkers.

[casindonet]

They are the militry for god sake....what next? Change their uniforms to hello kitty?

Sent from my GT-I9200 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[neverdie]

Talk is cheap.

Indeed it is.

[uty6543]

Perhaps she would be happier with red curtains.

[neverdie]

Clearly the chief is just taking the piss to see which media outlet is stupid enough to write a story about this.

The only curtains that the army guys in these check points are interested in are meat curtains, maybe that's what he's talking about ?

[JRSoul]

According to the NATION's report.

-----Prayuth added that the army did not take sides, neither the protesters nor the government. "We provide safety and protection to ensure that no violence happens," he said.-----

IMO, soldiers should always be on the side of a government to reinstate law and order and the enforcement of rule of law.

-----The army has deployed the soldiers to the capital after a series of violent incidents during the antigovernment protests, which resulted in deaths and injuries on both sides.-----

Did the army's deployment of soldiers in the capital in consultation and cooperation with the CMPO? Was it at the order of a government and/or CMPO?

The army has certainly make it very hard and has impeded law enforcement agencies to reinstate law and order and the enforcement of rule of law.

Well if they stop sociopathic animals from launching grenades into crowds, and save one child's life, it will all be worthwhile, right?

[Terry McEjut]

Perhaps she would be happier with red curtains.

Or beef curtains.

[bkkjames]

Such a loss of face, perhaps another week up north is in order.

Sent from my LG-P970 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[MMarlow]

my god, is this woman serious, she wants the army bunkers to have pink cutains and soldiers to not carry weapons, what a wacko. I can see it now, the reds attack the army and they throw flowers at them in defence while the reds blow them away with the weapons yl takes away from the army.

Someone needs to stop this woman before she totally screws the country, sorry, she has already done that, make that, someone needs to stop here before she turns everyone into "pretties" like her.

My god, someone really can't read, can they?

[MMarlow]

Would that make them pretty in pink ??

The time has come for the woman to retire or seek medical help

"Would that make them pretty in pink ??"

Hey, that's good! Wonder why they didn't think of putting it in the headline?

[Soutpeel]

my god, is this woman serious, she wants the army bunkers to have pink cutains and soldiers to not carry weapons, what a wacko. I can see it now, the reds attack the army and they throw flowers at them in defence while the reds blow them away with the weapons yl takes away from the army.

Someone needs to stop this woman before she totally screws the country, sorry, she has already done that, make that, someone needs to stop here before she turns everyone into "pretties" like her.

Er she didnt actually make that suggestion, the general is taking the piss out her

[h90]

According to the NATION's report.

-----Prayuth added that the army did not take sides, neither the protesters nor the government. "We provide safety and protection to ensure that no violence happens," he said.-----

IMO, soldiers should always be on the side of a government to reinstate law and order and the enforcement of rule of law.

-----The army has deployed the soldiers to the capital after a series of violent incidents during the antigovernment protests, which resulted in deaths and injuries on both sides.-----

Did the army's deployment of soldiers in the capital in consultation and cooperation with the CMPO? Was it at the order of a government and/or CMPO?

The army has certainly make it very hard and has impeded law enforcement agencies to reinstate law and order and the enforcement of rule of law.

No the solders should protect the country. It is not the private army of the government.

To have an army that follows every crazy politician is very dangerous.

[Pimay1]

According to the NATION's report.

-----Prayuth added that the army did not take sides, neither the protesters nor the government. "We provide safety and protection to ensure that no violence happens," he said.-----

IMO, soldiers should always be on the side of a government to reinstate law and order and the enforcement of rule of law.

-----The army has deployed the soldiers to the capital after a series of violent incidents during the antigovernment protests, which resulted in deaths and injuries on both sides.-----

Did the army's deployment of soldiers in the capital in consultation and cooperation with the CMPO? Was it at the order of a government and/or CMPO?

The army has certainly make it very hard and has impeded law enforcement agencies to reinstate law and order and the enforcement of rule of law.

The army has certainly make it very hard and has impeded law enforcement agencies to reinstate law and order and the enforcement of rule of law.

I take it that you are referring to Thaksin's watermellon police right?

[icommunity]

According to the NATION's report.

-----Prayuth added that the army did not take sides, neither the protesters nor the government. "We provide safety and protection to ensure that no violence happens," he said.-----

IMO, soldiers should always be on the side of a government to reinstate law and order and the enforcement of rule of law.

-----The army has deployed the soldiers to the capital after a series of violent incidents during the antigovernment protests, which resulted in deaths and injuries on both sides.-----

Did the army's deployment of soldiers in the capital in consultation and cooperation with the CMPO? Was it at the order of a government and/or CMPO?

The army has certainly make it very hard and has impeded law enforcement agencies to reinstate law and order and the enforcement of rule of law.

The army has certainly make it very hard and has impeded law enforcement agencies to reinstate law and order and the enforcement of rule of law.

I take it that you are referring to Thaksin's watermellon police right?

Wrong. It is not funny.

[webfact]

Army bunkers to be adjusted to look more friendly



BANGKOK: -- Bunkers set up by the army in Bangkok especially around protest sites will be adjusted to look more friendly probably decorated with flowers and covered with pink curtain, Army Commander-in-Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha said jokingly today (Thursday).

He made the above remark in response to a complaint from caretaker Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra that the existing bunkers might impact on the country’s image.

He said that the army would try to make the bunkers look less fearsome. However, he insisted that soldiers are always soldiers and should not behave like a Likae entertainer.

The army chief defended that the deployment of troops at 76 locations in Bangkok was not intended to provide special protection to any particular group of people but to prevent violent incidents in certain areas prone to violence.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/army-bunkers-adjusted-look-friendly/


-- Thai PBS 2014-03-06

[Dr Bruce]

Why are they still protecting the protest sites when the protest sites have been closed down?

[Thai at Heart]

I think this is commonly called "Taking the mickey"

[icommunity]

According to the NATION's report.

-----Prayuth added that the army did not take sides, neither the protesters nor the government. "We provide safety and protection to ensure that no violence happens," he said.-----

IMO, soldiers should always be on the side of a government to reinstate law and order and the enforcement of rule of law.

-----The army has deployed the soldiers to the capital after a series of violent incidents during the antigovernment protests, which resulted in deaths and injuries on both sides.-----

Did the army's deployment of soldiers in the capital in consultation and cooperation with the CMPO? Was it at the order of a government and/or CMPO?

The army has certainly make it very hard and has impeded law enforcement agencies to reinstate law and order and the enforcement of rule of law.

Well if they stop sociopathic animals from launching grenades into crowds, and save one child's life, it will all be worthwhile, right?

Of course, it is worthwhile to save the life of a child but this is not what I was stressing. What is worrying is that the army's inaction and actions has resulted even the death of children and prompted me to mention that "The army has certainly make it very hard and has impeded law enforcement agencies to reinstate law and order and the enforcement of rule of law.".

The dem's pdrc/pcad rallies/demonstrations had put the children in danger:

[icommunity]

The way in which the NATION reported on the pink colour and flowers has made the army chief's remarks in response to caretaker's complaint looks very childish, unprofessional and uncalled for.

[TVGerry]

The way in which the NATION reported on the pink colour and flowers has made the army chief's remarks in response to caretaker's complaint looks very childish, unprofessional and uncalled for.

A childish and unprofessional response for a childish and unprofessional caretaker PM.