Secession talk leaves red-shirt movement vulnerable to clampdown

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
Secession talk leaves red-shirt movement vulnerable to clampdown
Supon Thanukid
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- It took the red shirts a long time to mobilise people in support of the government, with the anti-government protest starting four months ago.

The mobilisation came after the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), led by Suthep Thaugsuban, had led a sustained attack against the government.

Red-shirt leaders remain the same, including Jatuporn Promphan, Nuttawut Saikuar, Thida Thavonseth, Weng Tojirakarn and Weerakarn Musigapong. The areas of mobilisation are in the North and the Northeast.

The red shirts have rallied in the so-called red-shirt capital, Udon Thani, and then in Kalasin, Maha Sarakham and Khon Kaen.

This week, the mobilisation will take place in the northern provinces and will convene in Chiang Mai.

However, the ghost from the first convention on February 23 in Nakhon Ratchasima still haunts the red shirts.

That is when it was announced that 200,000 men could be recruited "to protect democracy" and be ready to come to Bangkok any time.

Then there was caretaker Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan's comment that people should be aware that there are at least 10 million guns in the hands of Thais and these people cannot be insulted.

These comments have stunned many people.

But the idea floated by red-shirt leaders that the North could secede from the rest of the country has been amplified and taken seriously by many people.

After the military said secession talk would result in serious charges being laid, the leaders denied partition was seriously discussed.

Rak Chiang Mai 51 leader Petchawat Wattanapongsirikul firstly admitted it had been discussed, before saying the talk centred on the Assembly for the Defence of Democracy Lanna, which would fight for democracy, and not the partitioned state the People's Democratic Republic of Lanna.

But the fact remains that banners calling for a separate state have been erected in many public locations in northern provinces.

Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha told his younger brother Lt-General Preecha, the commander of the Third Region Army, to file complaints with police against people promoting the secession movement and people were warned that the offence could result in a death sentence or life imprisonment.

That resulted in a banner with a pro-secession message and bearing the name of Pathum Thani-based red shirt leader Wuthipong Kotchathamkhun, aka Ko Tee, being erected in Bangkok's Don Muang district on Wednesday.

Wuthipong said the banner was a reaction to injustice in society.

The anti-government camp did not let the opportunity to weigh into the issue slip away.

Suthep accused caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and government agencies of negligence in their response to the secessionist movement.

Yingluck said: "If there will be any investigation into this matter, I'd like the investigation to be done with all parties. I don't want to be doubted or accused of selective conduct."

It seemed she did not want to offend anyone, but her position means she has to be decisive.

Instead of devising ways to beat

the PDRC, the red shirts opened themselves up for attack just by floating an idea.


-- The Nation 2014-03-07

[ChrisY1]

Yinglucks' refusal to openly speak out against the red shirt individuals or groups who promote secession, is quite amazing.

Such a blatant rejection of the crown....and with serious penalties to guilty offenders...it is clearly totally irresponsible of her and an utter embarrassment for the country.

[Luk Mhee]

Then there was caretaker Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan's comment that people should be aware that there are at least 10 million guns in the hands of Thais and these people cannot be insulted.

And then again we have people who love and will die for the country like the army, navy, and air force waiting patiently for the arrival of the “10 million guns”

Edited March 7, 2014 by Luk Mhee

[moe666]

Red Shirts and PTP the groups who just keep on giving entertainment we do not have to pay for.

[aussieinthailand]

Yinglucks' refusal to openly speak out against the red shirt individuals or groups who promote secession, is quite amazing.

Such a blatant rejection of the crown....and with serious penalties to guilty offenders...it is clearly totally irresponsible of her and an utter embarrassment for the country.

ChrisY1, geezzz man you really do like to push your agenda don't ya, Y/L has on several ocasions said publiclly that she supports a compleate Thailand and called on not to promot any seperation of the country, SO

[Fryslan boppe]

The fact this article was written by a PAD-Dem, sticks out very clearly, so permit me to bring some reality into it, and correcting some selected quotes below:

>"Secession talk leaves red-shirt movement vulnerable to clampdown"

Red Shirt Movement?....So does this headline suggest the Democratic and Parliamentary system of Thailand, and those protecting it against coup-mongers, are subject to "clampdown"

Seems that way to me.

Some wishfull thinking by the anti-democracy and Elitist crowd isn't it?

>" It took the red shirts a long time to mobilise people in support of the government, with the anti-government protest starting four months ago"

No it didn't.

The UDD/RS are heavily politicized and can be mobilized on a moment's notice. They can be mobilized at any time, in a place and date of their choosing. If the PAD-Dem's think they are a dormant Movement, reacting only to the excesses of Suthep and the shadowy supporters he is fronting for, shows their ostriching MO.

> "The areas of mobilisation are in the North and the Northeast"

Again some wishful thinking by the PAD-Dem's. Whenever rallies are held in Bangkok, the crowd swells manyfold in the evening when the BKK people arrive. They try to limit the size and reach of this pro-Democracy and pro-electoral Movement at their own peril...

>"These comments have stunned many people".....

Hogwash.

Trying to fabricate an issue to incite the coup-mongers is seen for what it is...Laughable how they try to present a pristine, holier-than-thou stance for themselves and all the incendiary things spewed from the coup-monger stage the last several months. But jump on every utterance from the Pro-Democracy people in order to further their coup-intentions.

>"The anti-government camp did not let the opportunity to weigh into the issue slip away."

Of course not...What would one expect from these people...They are off on such a ridiculous political tangent with this anti-electoral s..., they need to grasp and foment any issue they can, to provide cover for their true intentions.

And what is this misdirection about "anti-Govt. and Pro-Govt." characterization all about?...Again trying to validate themselves by hiding their coup-intentions?...They are ashamed of their own motives and try to hide them.

>"...the red shirts opened themselves up for attack just by floating an idea.."

Red Shirts?...Using affinity clothing colours is a convenient way of deep-sixing the pro- and anti-Govt. characterization......Wouldn't want the International community to peg them for what they are, would we.

The unelectable coup-mongers will use every pretext, fabricated or otherwise, to attack the pro-Democracy crowd.....Just not in Parliament.

Anyway, just some rejoinders to PAD-dem's pontifications..

Edited March 7, 2014 by Fryslan boppe

[lovetotravel]

Yinglucks' refusal to openly speak out against the red shirt individuals or groups who promote secession, is quite amazing.

Such a blatant rejection of the crown....and with serious penalties to guilty offenders...it is clearly totally irresponsible of her and an utter embarrassment for the country.

ChrisY1, geezzz man you really do like to push your agenda don't ya, Y/L has on several ocasions said publiclly that she supports a compleate Thailand and called on not to promot any seperation of the country, SO

She's also said she's against corruption. Doesn't take orders from her brother. Blames the protesters for the failure of the rice pledging scam. Etc. Etc. Etc.

Hard to believe a word she, or her government, says. Sorry, but that's the truth.

[Jip99]

The wife's sister remains loyal to Thaksin/PTP/Yingluk/red shirts and has been told that any secession banners were 'planted' by Suthep.

Oh, and Suthep's protests are the reason that the farmers have not been paid.

Remarkable how easy it is for propaganda to work in Thailand.

[aussieinthailand]

Yinglucks' refusal to openly speak out against the red shirt individuals or groups who promote secession, is quite amazing.

Such a blatant rejection of the crown....and with serious penalties to guilty offenders...it is clearly totally irresponsible of her and an utter embarrassment for the country.

ChrisY1 you really think that or it just sit's well with your dislike of her or you just like to bull sh*ti people????? credibility,,, none.....

I can't understand how some people can say YL has not opposed any seperation of the country, it's on public record....

[northernjohn]

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Red Shirts and PTP the groups who just keep on giving entertainment we do not have to pay for.

Unfortunately the people of Thailand have to pay for it.

Yinglucks' refusal to openly speak out against the red shirt individuals or groups who promote secession, is quite amazing.

Such a blatant rejection of the crown....and with serious penalties to guilty offenders...it is clearly totally irresponsible of her and an utter embarrassment for the country.

ChrisY1, geezzz man you really do like to push your agenda don't ya, Y/L has on several ocasions said publiclly that she supports a compleate Thailand and called on not to promot any seperation of the country, SO

Yes she has after the fact by several days and then it was done on Facebook.

I don't know what kind of a country you come from where a leader has to think about it for several days and then go on Facebook but here in Thailand it is in keeping with the inability to Govern a Nation.

A real leader would have had a press conference immediately denouncing the separatist's and relieving any of her ministers who had showed support of it immediately.

Not sat around and wait for the Army to make the first move to defend the Country from self seeking moron's and their blind followers.

[northernjohn]

Yinglucks' refusal to openly speak out against the red shirt individuals or groups who promote secession, is quite amazing.

Such a blatant rejection of the crown....and with serious penalties to guilty offenders...it is clearly totally irresponsible of her and an utter embarrassment for the country.

ChrisY1 you really think that or it just sit's well with your dislike of her or you just like to bull sh*ti people????? credibility,,, none.....

I can't understand how some people can say YL has not opposed any seperation of the country, it's on public record....

Yes it is on record how she delayed speaking out against it and at the same time tried to implicate her opponents who in four months of opposition to her have never implied in any way that the country should be divided in to two different countries much less set out to raise an army of 600,000.

You just look at her physical good looks and forget about the rotten person behind them. I suppose you defend the rice scam also.

Edited March 7, 2014 by northernjohn

[JRSoul]

"Red-shirt leaders remain the same, including Jatuporn Promphan, Nuttawut Saikuar, Thida Thavonseth, Weng Tojirakarn and Weerakarn Musigapong."

Well it's not like they are elected is it? Selected and paid by Thaksin to run his Ministry of Lies.

[smileydude]

There is actually a conspiracy theory floating around that the man in Dubai wants to rid himself of people who know too much thats why Seh Daeng, and Kwanchai got the bullet and to clean up the PTP image by letting the red shirt hard core elements implode themselves.

Disowning them would look disloyal.

Why not let them shoot themselves in the foot with comments like secession?

I think its a bit too late to try to clean up your image don't you think Thakky?

[Thait Spot]

The fact this article was written by a PAD-Dem, sticks out very clearly, so permit me to bring some reality into it, and correcting some selected quotes below:

>"Secession talk leaves red-shirt movement vulnerable to clampdown"

Red Shirt Movement?....So does this headline suggest the Democratic and Parliamentary system of Thailand, and those protecting it against coup-mongers, are subject to "clampdown"

Seems that way to me.

Some wishfull thinking by the anti-democracy and Elitist crowd isn't it?

>" It took the red shirts a long time to mobilise people in support of the government, with the anti-government protest starting four months ago"

No it didn't.

The UDD/RS are heavily politicized and can be mobilized on a moment's notice. They can be mobilized at any time, in a place and date of their choosing. If the PAD-Dem's think they are a dormant Movement, reacting only to the excesses of Suthep and the shadowy supporters he is fronting for, shows their ostriching MO.

> "The areas of mobilisation are in the North and the Northeast"

Again some wishful thinking by the PAD-Dem's. Whenever rallies are held in Bangkok, the crowd swells manyfold in the evening when the BKK people arrive. They try to limit the size and reach of this pro-Democracy and pro-electoral Movement at their own peril...

>"These comments have stunned many people".....

Hogwash.

Trying to fabricate an issue to incite the coup-mongers is seen for what it is...Laughable how they try to present a pristine, holier-than-thou stance for themselves and all the incendiary things spewed from the coup-monger stage the last several months. But jump on every utterance from the Pro-Democracy people in order to further their coup-intentions.

>"The anti-government camp did not let the opportunity to weigh into the issue slip away."

Of course not...What would one expect from these people...They are off on such a ridiculous political tangent with this anti-electoral s..., they need to grasp and foment any issue they can, to provide cover for their true intentions.

And what is this misdirection about "anti-Govt. and Pro-Govt." characterization all about?...Again trying to validate themselves by hiding their coup-intentions?...They are ashamed of their own motives and try to hide them.

>"...the red shirts opened themselves up for attack just by floating an idea.."

Red Shirts?...Using affinity clothing colours is a convenient way of deep-sixing the pro- and anti-Govt. characterization......Wouldn't want the International community to peg them for what they are, would we.

The unelectable coup-mongers will use every pretext, fabricated or otherwise, to attack the pro-Democracy crowd.....Just not in Parliament.

Anyway, just some rejoinders to PAD-dem's pontifications..

Leaving aside your usual hot air, punctuated with nonsensical statements such as "They are off on such a ridiculous political tangent with this anti-electoral" and "Using affinity clothing colours is a convenient way of deep-sixing the pro- and anti-Govt. characterization" that really make no sense to anyone who understands English, perhaps you can explain some things to me.

What is an army of 200,000 with 600,000 more for?

What are 10 million guns needed for?

Do you really deny that certain UDD members have called for secession?

Do you agree that secession is illegal?

Have you seen any UDD comments condemning secession?

[Jean Pierre Jacquot]

Let us be honest here.

Breathing leaves the Red Shirt movement vulnerable to clampdown.

Certainly in the case of oxygen thieves like Thida, Weng, Arisman, Kwanchai, Jatuporn and KohTee.

I understand why you stopped the list at just 6 names. It would take a considerable amount of time to type in the 15-16 million Thai names of like minded Reds.

15-16 Million like minded Reds? You are totally outdated my dear, that was maybe 3 years ago but now data shows clearly that the majority of Thais want Yingluck to step down immediately! So finally respect the will of the people!

It is the reds who are non-democratic in not respecting the will of people!

[GeorgeO]

Yinglucks' refusal to openly speak out against the red shirt individuals or groups who promote secession, is quite amazing.

Such a blatant rejection of the crown....and with serious penalties to guilty offenders...it is clearly totally irresponsible of her and an utter embarrassment for the country.

ChrisY1, geezzz man you really do like to push your agenda don't ya, Y/L has on several ocasions said publiclly that she supports a compleate Thailand and called on not to promot any seperation of the country, SO

AIT, you provide us with yet another example of the typical spin by a Red Shirt apologist; she said nothing until it became clear that there was insufficient support for the call for secession, some five days after we saw the banners flying in Chiang Mai ... where she was actually located at the time...!!

What she has done since then is nothing more than back-pedalling, so don't try to make out that she is the poor little innocent caught in the middle of this...!

Edited March 7, 2014 by GeorgeO

[ManofReason]

Yinglucks' refusal to openly speak out against the red shirt individuals or groups who promote secession, is quite amazing.

Such a blatant rejection of the crown....and with serious penalties to guilty offenders...it is clearly totally irresponsible of her and an utter embarrassment for the country.

ChrisY1, geezzz man you really do like to push your agenda don't ya, Y/L has on several ocasions said publiclly that she supports a compleate Thailand and called on not to promot any seperation of the country, SO

AIT, you provide us with yet another example of the typical spin by a Red Shirt apologist; she said nothing until it became clear that there was insufficient support for the call for secession, some five days after we saw the banners flying in Chiang Mai ... where she was actually located at the time...!!

What she has done since then is nothing more than back-pedalling, so don't try to make out that she is the poor little innocent caught in the middle of this...!

"she said nothing until it was clear that there was insufficient support for the call"

Suthep has had insufficient support for 3 and a half months now - still no word from him.

Edited March 7, 2014 by ManofReason

[Blackmirage2013]

Yes indeed! This is exactly the excuse that Prayuth was looking for! So, to Ko Te and any one with the same thoughts of splitting the country.... let this be a lesson for you! Sometimes keeping your chimpanzee mouth shut and not blabbing about how you will do this and that is the smart thing to do.... but given you are ignorant and hopeless, you kotexxxxx, deserve to be departed if our buddy Satish is deported!!!!

[Blackmirage2013]

Now, let the tanks roll!!! Prayuth must protect Bangkok from the traitors!!!! Between KOTE and THIDA.... is there even a single-celled aemeoba's brain there???!!!

[than]

YL and PT loose control on Reds factions ........

[BuddyPinkham]

Yinglucks' refusal to openly speak out against the red shirt individuals or groups who promote secession, is quite amazing.

Such a blatant rejection of the crown....and with serious penalties to guilty offenders...it is clearly totally irresponsible of her and an utter embarrassment for the country.

ChrisY1, geezzz man you really do like to push your agenda don't ya, Y/L has on several ocasions said publiclly that she supports a compleate Thailand and called on not to promot any seperation of the country, SO

Oh really? How many days did it take her to make a public statement? And it was the day AFTER the Army Chief called for an investigation into those RS that spouted the rhetoric. And then the next day she is calling for a RE-SHUFFLE of the Army? HAHAHAHAHA! You ( AussieInThailand) are way out of your league here!

Edited March 7, 2014 by BuddyPinkham

[djjamie]

Let us be honest here.

Breathing leaves the Red Shirt movement vulnerable to clampdown.

If breathing went against the constitution then yes it would.

It's not beyond belief that should Suthep gets his way, there could be a clause inserted into the constitution denying the right to breathe to anyone who doesn't vote for the Democrats.

It is the sort or foolishness the Yellows would need in order to win a post coup election. Assuming of course Suthep doesn't just remove from the constitution elections and the right to vote all together - which most Dictators are apt do).

I wasn't talking about what Suthep might, could, would, should, did, didn't do. That is speculation.

Going by your argument I could say that if Suthep gets his way he will remove all corruption and would ensure all principles of democracy were adhered too. Of course that would just be speculation too though being speculative it is as believable as your statement.

I am stating that if breathing was against the constitution it would be illegal.

[Prbkk]

Secession talk is just a red herring. No one wants it or believes it will happen. Just a distraction trying to deflect attention away from the main game.

[PepperMe]

Instead of devising ways to beat the PDRC, the red shirts opened themselves up for attack just by floating an idea.

Sorry but as far as I am concerned, this is just another confirmation that these people are 'buffalo'.

[ManofReason]

Instead of devising ways to beat the PDRC, the red shirts opened themselves up for attack just by floating an idea.

Sorry but as far as I am concerned, this is just another confirmation that these people are 'buffalo'.

No need to devise a way to beat the PDRC, it's already fading away into nothingness by itself.

The yellows are the ones making a big song and dance about secession because without this issue they have nothing.

The have lost every single confrontation with Yingluck to date reducing them to a hollow empty unsupported embarrassment.

All they can do now is try frantically to build straw men that they can then attempt to knock down.

Could somebody please remind Suthep to turn the lights out once the 6 wheelchairs seniors are safely on their way back to the south.

This contest is over.

[MunterHunter]

All this talk of seperation is just the Red Shirts attempt at pushing a coup...

they want a coup, they need a coup, they are desperate for a coup...

... thats the only way they will get any sympathy from the international community when they lose their seat of power...

any other way they are forced out will uncover the rampent corruption and lies they have been telling for the past couple of years.

[Thait Spot]

Secession talk is just a red herring. No one wants it or believes it will happen. Just a distraction trying to deflect attention away from the main game.

I wouldn't be too sure about that just yet. A lot of players are silent. Sitting on the fence or approving?

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[metisdead]

Troll posts and replies have been removed.

Off topic posts and replies have been removed.

[Scamper]

Indeed, the secession movement has backfired enormously on the UDD. But now the UDD/Pheu Thai are spinning off in all directions. Some have receded from their claims, while others - like Ko Tee - have clamped down and revved up their efforts. It is especially troubling that the former Yingluck administration refuses to recognize the problem. Chalerm incredulously says the evidence does not exist. And yet, the very rally this article quotes - that of February 23 - where none other than ex-interior minister Charupong condoned the platform of the UDD's rally, which among other things called for secession - proves that this movement is a very serious threat indeed. When Pheu Thai refuses to acknowledge this threat, then that in effect means that no charges are laid. That is why Ko Tee is openly defying Prayuth. Ko Tee and the secessionist movement is backing Prayuth into a very difficult space, because Prayuth is sworn to protect the unity of the country. He can't turn a blind eye to this.

Edited March 7, 2014 by Scamper

[almafudd]

The fact this article was written by a PAD-Dem, sticks out very clearly, so permit me to bring some reality into it, and correcting some selected quotes below:

>"Secession talk leaves red-shirt movement vulnerable to clampdown"

Red Shirt Movement?....So does this headline suggest the Democratic and Parliamentary system of Thailand, and those protecting it against coup-mongers, are subject to "clampdown"

Seems that way to me.

Some wishfull thinking by the anti-democracy and Elitist crowd isn't it?

>" It took the red shirts a long time to mobilise people in support of the government, with the anti-government protest starting four months ago"

No it didn't.

The UDD/RS are heavily politicized and can be mobilized on a moment's notice. They can be mobilized at any time, in a place and date of their choosing. If the PAD-Dem's think they are a dormant Movement, reacting only to the excesses of Suthep and the shadowy supporters he is fronting for, shows their ostriching MO.

> "The areas of mobilisation are in the North and the Northeast"

Again some wishful thinking by the PAD-Dem's. Whenever rallies are held in Bangkok, the crowd swells manyfold in the evening when the BKK people arrive. They try to limit the size and reach of this pro-Democracy and pro-electoral Movement at their own peril...

>"These comments have stunned many people".....

Hogwash.

Trying to fabricate an issue to incite the coup-mongers is seen for what it is...Laughable how they try to present a pristine, holier-than-thou stance for themselves and all the incendiary things spewed from the coup-monger stage the last several months. But jump on every utterance from the Pro-Democracy people in order to further their coup-intentions.

>"The anti-government camp did not let the opportunity to weigh into the issue slip away."

Of course not...What would one expect from these people...They are off on such a ridiculous political tangent with this anti-electoral s..., they need to grasp and foment any issue they can, to provide cover for their true intentions.

And what is this misdirection about "anti-Govt. and Pro-Govt." characterization all about?...Again trying to validate themselves by hiding their coup-intentions?...They are ashamed of their own motives and try to hide them.

>"...the red shirts opened themselves up for attack just by floating an idea.."

Red Shirts?...Using affinity clothing colours is a convenient way of deep-sixing the pro- and anti-Govt. characterization......Wouldn't want the International community to peg them for what they are, would we.

The unelectable coup-mongers will use every pretext, fabricated or otherwise, to attack the pro-Democracy crowd.....Just not in Parliament.

Anyway, just some rejoinders to PAD-dem's pontifications..

Hey mate you need to shorten your responses.

Far too much gibberish text here for us farangs...