Bid to sign up 100,000 democracy guards

[Lite Beer]

RED SHIRTS
Bid to sign up 100,000 democracy guards
The Sunday Nation

A man attempts to calm down pro-government red shirts during a confrontation with a group of anti-government protesters in Nakhon Ratchasima yesterday, where registration of the red shirts

BANGKOK: -- Govt supporters say 10,000 have registered and more sought

The number of volunteer "guards to protect democracy" is expected to be at least 100,000 at the end of the month, red-shirt leader Suporn Atthawong said yesterday.

He said over 10,000 volunteers had signed up after the first day of registration in Maha Sarakham on March 1. Meanwhile, leaders of the red-shirts in 20 provinces in the Northeast have been told to recruit at least 1,000 volunteers a province by the end of this month, so that at least 50,000 volunteers register in the Isaan region.

Combining with volunteers from other areas, the number of the red guards should reach 100,000, said Suporn, who is also caretaker deputy secretary general to the prime minister.

The red-shirts' volunteer guards are not an armed force, and have no plan for any part of the country to secede, but they are a group that supports democracy. But Suporn said they needed physical training to strengthen their bodies as well as learning how to "provide security" effectively. Importantly, they must be disciplined to be under the law, he said.

Suporn said he would sue any person who accuses the red volunteer guards of wanting to secede.

Applicant Lun Biakratoke said he volunteered to campaign to "protect democracy". He said he felt sorry for Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra enduring tension from political opponents.

Boonnak Sopudsa said he applied as he wanted to "restore democracy" in the country.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee protesters had a war of words with pro-government United Front for Democracy supporters for about 20 minutes near the red guards' registration venue.

A line of barricades and 50 police officers was between the two groups.

The war of words took place when a PDRC procession of 300 people returned from provincial police region 3 command to its rally base at the Thao Suranaree Monument and past the red shirts' registration venue. About 200 red shirts were there. The PDRC's truck stopped and moved on after 20 minutes.

PDRC spokesman Akanat Promphan said yesterday the PDRC would kickstart a national reform process with the forums joined by academics and the people.

The forums, which would be held at the PDRC rally site within Lumpini Park, and would involve three parts.

Resolutions proposed in the academic forum and the "people's assembly" forum would be presented to the "people’s council and people's government", he said.

Each group of participants - academics and members of the public - would discuss six issues for national reform at different times.

Tomorrow’s programme would be on poverty eradication, while the talk on Wednesday would be on fighting corruption, and on Friday they would discuss decentralisation of power. Next Monday (March 17) the topic would be restructuring of the police, while political reform would be discussed on Wednesday week, and bureaucratic reform on Friday March 21, he said.

-- The Nation 2014-03-09

[BeforeTigers]

Yeah, that totally doesn't sound like a militia.

And what is their charge; protecting the kingdom from a bunch of people standing around in the street who have literally accomplished exactly nothing?

Where were they the day the prtestors actually did their single act of productive sedition: Feb. 2?

These people seem to want nothing if not a war.
All the talk about democracy is as much a farce as the other faction calling themselves "Democrats".

Edited March 8, 2014 by BeforeTigers

[Bangmod]

What a bunch of……...

preparing a Lanna peoples army to protect a corrupt institution.

Do they not need to go to work like "normal people do/??

[tezzainoz]

to protect a democracy

the first thing they need to be taught is

WHAT IS A DEMOCRACY

[Yunla]

Ah yes. Private armies run by criminal tycoons. Just what we need!

[LuckyLew]

Most of them probably would not be able to define true democracy nor would that recognize it if it bit them on the back side

[Robby nz]

And Yingluck is there amongst them saying 'its nothing to do with Thaksin I am in charge'

Obviously this army has her blessing.

[quagmirefg]

Suporn, Caretaker Deputy Secretary General to the Prime Minister's comments are just more comments from the current Government's Officials to further the conflict instead of attempting to resolve it.

YL and the PTP need to rein in these wildcats from going out and "Opening Mouth and Inserting Foot".

These type of comments and/or actions coming from current Caretaker persons only lessen the government's credibility.

100,000 persons as security volunteers is an Extreme number rivaling many countries Armies or Police forces.

Edited March 8, 2014 by quagmirefg

[JRSoul]

How much is the sign-on fee?

[Yunla]

How much is the sign-on fee?

Your soul.

[Noi657]

100,000 x 500 baht per day =

[thesetat2013]

Since when did the REDS ever need security forces? Nobody has been dropping grenades there or doing drive by shootings. Plain and simple this is the recruitment of a paid army. The RTA better do something about it soon too before their numbers swell and they become an overwhelming force.

They speak of discipline to be under the law yet the Reds have never shown respect for any law that goes against them.

They say that they dont want to secede yet they have continuously shown this is their plan. Including providing a safe haven for YL to rule.

In any other civilised country in the world this type of action would be stopped immediately by the military or trained police. Just as surely the leader would be abhorred and outraged and speaking out against this publically. But, this is not a civilised democratic country and the leaders are most likely encouraging this behind the scene as well as financing it.

A call to speak out against for what you believe is right is not the same thing as a recruitment post seeking young men for (security)

Sent from my GT-S5310 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Fryslan boppe]

"The number of volunteer "guards to protect democracy" is expected to be at least 100,000 at the end of the month, red-shirt leader Suporn Atthawong said yesterday"

It is nice to see them get something right....By referencing the "protection of Democracy" and getting off this PAD-Dem kick to whitewash themselves.

By only characterizing their coup-mongerism as being "anti-Govt", and those opposed as being "pro-Govt", serves their misleading anti-Democracy agenda which they try to hide. Embarrassed by their own motivations.

[chooka]

Saw a convoy of pickups and buses yesterday in Chiangmai on the outer ring road heading south. Waving the red flags.

[Thait Spot]

"The number of volunteer "guards to protect democracy" is expected to be at least 100,000 at the end of the month, red-shirt leader Suporn Atthawong said yesterday"

It is nice to see them get something right....By referencing the "protection of Democracy" and getting off this PAD-Dem kick to whitewash themselves.

By only characterizing their coup-mongerism as being "anti-Govt", and those opposed as being "pro-Govt", serves their misleading anti-Democracy agenda which they try to hide. Embarrassed by their own motivations.

Sieg heil

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[sweatalot]

Now would be time for a police crackdown.

But as police is not on the side of democracy

The military is the last straw.

They have to step in asap

[moe666]

Over run with private armies hehehehe I think more like wanabees running around on the weekend playing at army, you do like to stretch the truth.

[stargas]

Cannon fodder is an informal term for combatants who are regarded or treated as expendable in the face of enemy fire. The term is generally used in situations where combatants are forced to deliberately fight against hopeless odds (with the foreknowledge that they will suffer extremely high casualties) in an effort to achieve a strategic goal.

[smedly]

Looks like Thaksins administration is all but over and he needs a new approach

This sort of organised polarised organisation could be quite dangerous - all in the name of democracy - right ?

Haven't heard the reconciliation buzz word much these days, it seems Thasksin has abandoned that one too

The government better get a handle on this before it gets out of hand - oh wait

[looping]

RED SHIRTS

Bid to sign up 100,000 democracy guards

The Sunday Nation

Meanwhile, leaders of the red-shirts in 20 provinces in the Northeast have been told to recruit at least 1,000 volunteers a province by the end of this month, so that at least 50,000 volunteers register in the Isaan region.

-- The Nation 2014-03-09

And there it is: Red shirt leaders have been TOLD to recruit at least 1000 VOLUNTEERS by the end of the month.

I wonder if the UN is reading this.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Blackmirage2013]

".... they need physical training to strengthen their bodies..."

Hahahaha.... as if a few weeks of exercising will offset 30 years of sitting around drinking beer, being lazy, smoking and womanizing....

What a joke. I RARELY see a Thai exercising for more than a few weeks before taking an extended break for the rest of their lives.

[binjalin]

well the fascists have done it - care to condemn ALL such 'guards'???

I DO

both sides setting up 'guards' is separatist and should be condemned by all democrats (small 'd')

but no doubt the 'yellows huggers' on here will condemn this but elevate the yellow PDRC 'guards' to 'fighting for freedom' which is cr*p of course

Edited March 9, 2014 by binjalin

[kurtgruen]

Volunteers my a%$. First they rip them off for their rice and now that the farmers don't have money to pay their debts, they pay them a few baht to come out and demonstrate (Chiang Mai yesterday) or to become"Guards".

The Armed Forces better get on top of this, before we end up having another crisis like Nepal did.

A bus got blown up by Maoists, in front of my bus, when I was there in November, during the elections.

Most of these red guys, are just misguided and misinformed poor people from the North and Isaan, being manipulated by Thaksin and his clan of New Money, but it is an unequally yoked alliance as they have some leaders who are Maoists, too. Those will do anything to bring down the established rule of this Country, in hopes of creating Chaos and opening a door for Communism.

They smell blood now, because of what they anticipate to happen in a few years.

As for me, I am hoping that the military will step in soon, before this gets any more out of hand. Otherwise, it will not end peacefully, if this is allowed to continue, I think

[Moruya]

Since when did the REDS ever need security forces? Nobody has been dropping grenades there or doing drive by shootings. Plain and simple this is the recruitment of a paid army. The RTA better do something about it soon too before their numbers swell and they become an overwhelming force.

They speak of discipline to be under the law yet the Reds have never shown respect for any law that goes against them.

They say that they dont want to secede yet they have continuously shown this is their plan. Including providing a safe haven for YL to rule.

In any other civilised country in the world this type of action would be stopped immediately by the military or trained police. Just as surely the leader would be abhorred and outraged and speaking out against this publically. But, this is not a civilised democratic country and the leaders are most likely encouraging this behind the scene as well as financing it.

A call to speak out against for what you believe is right is not the same thing as a recruitment post seeking young men for (security)

Sent from my GT-S5310 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Clearly clue less, what do you call the attempted assassination of a red shirt leader, the gun fight in Bangkok on the election eve, the throwing of a tortured red shirt guard into the river bound hand and foot, the list goes on and on the red shirts have suffer more casualties that PDRC.

Why do you think the US is over rum=n by private armies?

But you are correct the type of PDRC peaceful protest would not have been allowed in the US as those activities fall under the domestic terrorism law and are dealt with swiftly and severely, not protected by the legal community and courts!

TIT

Cheers

Your penultimate paragraph, whilst very short and majuscular, is this a statement about yourself?

Cheese

[BSJ]

A militia by any other name is a militia. And don't be fooled by their pictures without guns and grenades. There all just over the border....or here already!

[StealthEnergiser]

The army needs take action now on this group and any police that won't co operate should be charged for agreeing with separation of the country.

Red shirt leaders should be arrested now , the army also needs to contact the army in Dubai and advise them what the man in the sand is doing , let them take him into a cell for 48 hours intense interrogation.

After that put him under 24 hour guard with no communications allowed no phones tv or internet.

Yingluck should be arrested immediately for not taking any action , they have enough evidence to show she is supporting this new movement.

This will get right out of hand if not and all these red shirts that have been brainwashed by their leaders who sit on the sand and others in frog ponds will be armed and dangerous.

Only way to stop this is by using very very strong enforcement now.

Edited March 9, 2014 by StealthEnergiser

[chooka]

well the fascists have done it - care to condemn ALL such 'guards'???

I DO

both sides setting up 'guards' is separatist and should be condemned by all democrats (small 'd')

but no doubt the 'yellows huggers' on here will condemn this but elevate the yellow PDRC 'guards' to 'fighting for freedom' which is cr*p of course

Yes you are right, both sides have been and are doing exactly the same things but it is only bad if their wear red.

[Spartakos]

Wow they will have to round up every village idiot north of bangkok to get the army for Taki, if only they would do it for some ponzy scheme those leaders might become rich.

[kurtgruen]

well the fascists have done it - care to condemn ALL such 'guards'???

I DO

both sides setting up 'guards' is separatist and should be condemned by all democrats (small 'd')

but no doubt the 'yellows huggers' on here will condemn this but elevate the yellow PDRC 'guards' to 'fighting for freedom' which is cr*p of course

Yes you are right, both sides have been and are doing exactly the same things but it is only bad if their wear red.

Rubbish! The Anti-Government Protesters have never advocated separating the Country. We all know who Suthep supports. He doesn't want to separate the Country, he wants to get rid of the Thanksin Clan and their cronies, which is a totally different story.

Their guards, have been there to protect against outside violence against the Anti-Government Protesters and that's it. NOT to try and secede from the Nation or to intimidate peaceful anti-Government protesters, like the Red Shirts have advocated publicly.

Now the Red Shirt leaders are changing their wording, but not their actions. (I guess maybe they are getting a little scared about getting a noose around their neck?) They change the wording, but a private army, is still a private army, no matter what name you want to give it.

Their intentions seem quite clear.

If the Military doesn't step in, before this thing grows bigger, it might get very ugly, fast

[Mister Fixit]

to protect a democracy

the first thing they need to be taught is

WHAT IS A DEMOCRACY

Mmm, I think to protect a democracy, first you have to HAVE a democracy ...