Taxi shot up in Lumpini Park after argument with protest guards: driver

[webfact]

Taxi shot up in Lumpini Park after argument with protest guards: driver
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Several gunshots were fired at a taxi early yesterday morning, resulting in the driver being slightly injured after a bullet fragment grazed his forehead.

Following the shooting report at Bangkok's Lumpini Park Gate 1 at about 2.45am, police found the orange taxi with all its windows smashed, two tyres flat and bullet holes in a front door.

The driver, Narasak Pulma, 30, waited for police at the scene but his passenger left before police arrived.

The driver was treated at Police General Hospital.

Narasak told police that he took a drunken man from the Rama II area to the park, where the customer wanted to pick up a prostitute.

He said that while the man and the sex worker were negotiating a price, anti-government protest guards shouted out from the park for the taxi to go away, so the passenger shouted abuse at the guards.

A firecracker went off and was followed by several gunshots.

Narasak said he and the passenger then ran from the taxi.

Police planned to check CCTV footage.


-- The Nation 2014-03-10

[chooka]

Can't be true these guards are unarmed and peace loving guys, they don't even raise their voices. They throw rose petals to ward off unwanted guests.

[Robby nz]

Reported elsewhere that there is another side to that one.

It says that shots were fired from the rear seat of the taxi towards the protesters and someone returned fire.

The truth ? I don't know.

[Jessi]

Reported elsewhere that there is another side to that one.

It says that shots were fired from the rear seat of the taxi towards the protesters and someone returned fire.

The truth ? I don't know.

This is Thailand,TiT.

You will never know the truth.

[BeforeTigers]

Yeah. That's what happens in a lawless city.

[noitom]

One thing we can be sure of is that the passenger wasn't a farang. Had he been a farang, the Thai press would surely have stipulated this.

[Yunla]

I hope the taxi driver recovers from his injury with no lasting damage, and is able to return to driving his taxi soon.

These are the inevitable consequences of taking to the streets and demanding what is basically revolution, overthrow of a political system and kidnap of high level state persons etc. There are people out there who are quick to lose their cool when they feel they are part of some great historic moment and that they are the only true representatives of righteousness and justice. This is always the danger of taking politics away from the debating-floor and discussion-table, and onto the streets. It is a magnet for some very unstable violent extremist types who feel that "might is right" and words are superfluous. This of course applies to both sides of this directionless and grim factional squabble.

[celso]

Religion of peace.

[NCFC]

Reported elsewhere that there is another side to that one.

It says that shots were fired from the rear seat of the taxi towards the protesters and someone returned fire.

The truth ? I don't know.

I'd like to read those other reports. Can you post the links? Cheers

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[northernjohn]

Yeah. That's what happens in a lawless city.

It is only lawless because the police allow it.

[stargas]

There are people out there who are quick to lose their cool when they feel they are part of some great historic moment and that they are the only true representatives of righteousness and justice.

Indeed, there are, whether it was the taxi passenger that initiated the subsequent exchange of gunfire or the guards, both of these groups no doubt feel they are in some great historic moment and on the true side of righteousness.

[northernjohn]

I hope the taxi driver recovers from his injury with no lasting damage, and is able to return to driving his taxi soon.

These are the inevitable consequences of taking to the streets and demanding what is basically revolution, overthrow of a political system and kidnap of high level state persons etc. There are people out there who are quick to lose their cool when they feel they are part of some great historic moment and that they are the only true representatives of righteousness and justice. This is always the danger of taking politics away from the debating-floor and discussion-table, and onto the streets. It is a magnet for some very unstable violent extremist types who feel that "might is right" and words are superfluous. This of course applies to both sides of this directionless and grim factional squabble.

Well what you say should hold true but if you have been following this government from the time it took power you would know that there was no opposition allowed in Parliament.

The Opposition was powerless because the sitting government had the majority with out the support of any one else. Remember it was the grass roots people who started this it was not a company or another political party. The unity came after there was several groups out there protesting without a leader. Suthep came along and took the reins and brought them all together. The PTP now listen but it is to late. They have painted themselves into a corner from which they can not escape.

Lets face it when we have a PRIME MINISTER who does not condemn groups that support her for suggesting openly separation of the country and when she finally does it is done on Facebook only after the Army has taken steps to deal with this obviously illegal action. We have a government that is completely ineffective. They can not even pay their bills.

As for the shooting well as you can see there is another side to the story. Is it true will we ever know who knows.

The one thing that is consistent is the anti opposition leaders have had to hire their own guards as has been shown time and again the police will not protect them.

Who tells the police what to do? I am not talking about public ordering them I am talking about the real orders that they follow.

[diehard60]

WHEN are you people in Bangkok going to wake up to the fact that suthep and his thugs are killing inocent Thais for no reason at all. They are destroying what used to be a beautiful park but now is like the slums of old. Arrest them all ans evect them with force if neccessary.

[diehard60]

I hope the taxi driver recovers from his injury with no lasting damage, and is able to return to driving his taxi soon.

These are the inevitable consequences of taking to the streets and demanding what is basically revolution, overthrow of a political system and kidnap of high level state persons etc. There are people out there who are quick to lose their cool when they feel they are part of some great historic moment and that they are the only true representatives of righteousness and justice. This is always the danger of taking politics away from the debating-floor and discussion-table, and onto the streets. It is a magnet for some very unstable violent extremist types who feel that "might is right" and words are superfluous. This of course applies to both sides of this directionless and grim factional squabble.

Well what you say should hold true but if you have been following this government from the time it took power you would know that there was no opposition allowed in Parliament.

The Opposition was powerless because the sitting government had the majority with out the support of any one else. Remember it was the grass roots people who started this it was not a company or another political party. The unity came after there was several groups out there protesting without a leader. Suthep came along and took the reins and brought them all together. The PTP now listen but it is to late. They have painted themselves into a corner from which they can not escape.

Lets face it when we have a PRIME MINISTER who does not condemn groups that support her for suggesting openly separation of the country and when she finally does it is done on Facebook only after the Army has taken steps to deal with this obviously illegal action. We have a government that is completely ineffective. They can not even pay their bills.

As for the shooting well as you can see there is another side to the story. Is it true will we ever know who knows.

The one thing that is consistent is the anti opposition leaders have had to hire their own guards as has been shown time and again the police will not protect them.

Who tells the police what to do? I am not talking about public ordering them I am talking about the real orders that they follow.

Just because they are not in power that makes it right to kill and hurt innocent people???????

[kikoman]

Reported elsewhere that there is another side to that one.

It says that shots were fired from the rear seat of the taxi towards the protesters and someone returned fire.

The truth ? I don't know.

Again your feeble attempts to defend these defenseless actions by the protest guard.

!. the guards caused the confrontation, by attempting to order citizens to leave a public park!

2. The guards are not peaceful unarmed protesters.

3. the article stated when the gunshots started the occupations of the taxi ran, did a gun fire by itself from inside the Taxi.

Could you kindly, advise us to the other source you stated had a different version of the incident!

Cheers

Edited March 10, 2014 by kikoman

[Thai Bairn]

Again your feeble attempts to defend these defenseless actions

That's your forte surely, especially with regard to dead children.

[kikoman]

I hope the taxi driver recovers from his injury with no lasting damage, and is able to return to driving his taxi soon.

These are the inevitable consequences of taking to the streets and demanding what is basically revolution, overthrow of a political system and kidnap of high level state persons etc. There are people out there who are quick to lose their cool when they feel they are part of some great historic moment and that they are the only true representatives of righteousness and justice. This is always the danger of taking politics away from the debating-floor and discussion-table, and onto the streets. It is a magnet for some very unstable violent extremist types who feel that "might is right" and words are superfluous. This of course applies to both sides of this directionless and grim factional squabble.

Well what you say should hold true but if you have been following this government from the time it took power you would know that there was no opposition allowed in Parliament.

The Opposition was powerless because the sitting government had the majority with out the support of any one else. Remember it was the grass roots people who started this it was not a company or another political party. The unity came after there was several groups out there protesting without a leader. Suthep came along and took the reins and brought them all together. The PTP now listen but it is to late. They have painted themselves into a corner from which they can not escape.

Lets face it when we have a PRIME MINISTER who does not condemn groups that support her for suggesting openly separation of the country and when she finally does it is done on Facebook only after the Army has taken steps to deal with this obviously illegal action. We have a government that is completely ineffective. They can not even pay their bills.

As for the shooting well as you can see there is another side to the story. Is it true will we ever know who knows.

The one thing that is consistent is the anti opposition leaders have had to hire their own guards as has been shown time and again the police will not protect them.

Who tells the police what to do? I am not talking about public ordering them I am talking about the real orders that they follow.

What has your rant have to do with the protest guard instigating a confrontation by ordering people out of a public park, and then shooting up the taxi.

also that is the purpose of an election for the voters to pick those they want to rule the country, you are saying"The grassroots people started this by voting in a open and free election" that international observers stated was free of unfair corruption that effected the outcome such as vote buying!

Your logic sucks!!

Cheers

Edited March 10, 2014 by kikoman

[Yunla]

Well what you say should hold true but if you have been following this government from the time it took power you would know that there was no opposition allowed in Parliament.

The Opposition was powerless because the sitting government had the majority with out the support of any one else. Remember it was the grass roots people who started this it was not a company or another political party. The unity came after there was several groups out there protesting without a leader. Suthep came along and took the reins and brought them all together. The PTP now listen but it is to late. They have painted themselves into a corner from which they can not escape.

Lets face it when we have a PRIME MINISTER who does not condemn groups that support her for suggesting openly separation of the country and when she finally does it is done on Facebook only after the Army has taken steps to deal with this obviously illegal action. We have a government that is completely ineffective. They can not even pay their bills.

As for the shooting well as you can see there is another side to the story. Is it true will we ever know who knows.

The one thing that is consistent is the anti opposition leaders have had to hire their own guards as has been shown time and again the police will not protect them.

Who tells the police what to do? I am not talking about public ordering them I am talking about the real orders that they follow.

I was here in Bangkok in 2008 and 2010 during those protests too. I was fiercely critical of the redshirts for staying over three months, the incendiary "death to the elites, burn the city" etc. speeches and also I remember the offstage interview just before the serious violence in 2010, in which the redshirt leader said "deaths among our numbers can only further our cause." I was highly critical of all this - just as I am highly critical of Suthep's actions these past few months.

I have also taken issue with Yingluck since before she was elected, when she did her almost commando-roll to avoid the news cameras asking her for a pre-election quick interview on what she believes in. I have criticised Yingluck for failing to attend Parliament and for failing to be more gladitorial in the debate arena. I consider the PTP passport-for-crims, rice-scam, kids-tabs and amnesty-bill to be utterly corrupt on many levels.

But that doesn't change the fact that state changes have to come from consensus at state level. There is no monolith on a hilltop somewhere that says "this is how it must be", and the parliamentary system is highly augmentable to suit the problems of a given nation. They need locks and regulations to prevent abuse of power in parliament, but these changes have to come at state level. Simply taking to the streets and toppling the system, while promising that your new system will be far less corrupt - this is not a solution. These are also the promises given by all dictators in history.

The problem at state is lack of regulation of members post-election, corruption in both main parties. Neither of those problems will be solved by having street-battles. Those problems have to be solved at state level by consensus and by willingness to take emergency measures to augment and fortify existing systems, instead of just toppling them by street-based overthrow movements. The problem is that the willingness is not there, and this applies to the groups behind Suthep too. They don't want the corrupt and unregulated political machine retuned if it will affect their own interests.

Another obvious point is that if the Dems rebranded and started acting in ways that had mass-appeal, they could eventually win an election, especially now the PTP star is fading. But the Dems don't do that because they represent certain views and groups who do not want to compromise any more than PTP do.

Edited March 10, 2014 by Yunla

[stargas]

Reported elsewhere that there is another side to that one.

It says that shots were fired from the rear seat of the taxi towards the protesters and someone returned fire.

The truth ? I don't know.

Could you kindly, advise us to the other source you stated had a different version of the incident!

Cheers

If you are referring to the BP article, you should have a re-read as none of your 3 points are validated by it.

[ianf]

WHEN are you people in Bangkok going to wake up to the fact that suthep and his thugs are killing inocent Thais for no reason at all. They are destroying what used to be a beautiful park but now is like the slums of old. Arrest them all ans evect them with force if neccessary.

I don't think that there is evidence that 'suthep and his thugs' (sic) are killing innocent Thais. Protest should be allowed and Suthep has tried hard to keep this peaceful. Sadly, he is under attack from forces created by the person who has divided Thailand and is the cause of all of these problems. To 'evect' (sic) with force as you say is just ridiculous and will only add fuel to the fire. Not 'neccessary' (sic) at all. Educate yourself about the havoc that Thaksin has wreaked upon Thailand. Go see the violence and hatred at a red meeting. Listen to the hate-filled speeches by the moron Jaturporn. etc etc etc boring etc.

[djjamie]

Reported elsewhere that there is another side to that one.

It says that shots were fired from the rear seat of the taxi towards the protesters and someone returned fire.

The truth ? I don't know.

Again your feeble attempts to defend these defenseless actions by the protest guard.

!. the guards caused the confrontation, by attempting to order citizens to leave a public park!

2. The guards are not peaceful unarmed protesters.

3. the article stated when the gunshots started the occupations of the taxi ran, did a gun fire by itself from inside the Taxi.

Could you kindly, advise us to the other source you stated had a different version of the incident!

Cheers

Hang on. When it is a bomb or gun fire aimed at "enemies" of the PTP it is the PDRC especially when no one was hurt according to you. These attacks forced the PDRC into Lumpini park in the first place yet you still say it is the PDRC forcing themselves into a park.

Now we have a taxi driver (with no passenger as witness because he mysteriously disappeared) who after having bullets fired at him is slightly grazed and is telling the media and police his version of events while no one else can collaborate it. I am sure that there will be no CCTV footage of this either. Mark my words, if they were the PDRC guards that attacked you can bet your farm tractor (that has to be repossessed) that the police would find the CCTV footage to back their claims.

So you read an OP that tells a taxi drivers version of events with no other witnesses and you have no idea what this taxi drivers back ground is. No CCTV footage yet you are adamant that this is gospel while sitting on your front patio drinking coffee. YET during a red shirt rally in Phichit, former Pheu Thai Waipote Arpornrat threatened the NACC, saying the graft-busting agency would find “hell on earth” if it dared to rule against the prime minister and the next day a hand grenade was thrown into the NACC compound and going by your wisdom and sound deductive reasoning it was a PDRC protestor.

That's PTP logic right there.

[northernjohn]

I hope the taxi driver recovers from his injury with no lasting damage, and is able to return to driving his taxi soon.

These are the inevitable consequences of taking to the streets and demanding what is basically revolution, overthrow of a political system and kidnap of high level state persons etc. There are people out there who are quick to lose their cool when they feel they are part of some great historic moment and that they are the only true representatives of righteousness and justice. This is always the danger of taking politics away from the debating-floor and discussion-table, and onto the streets. It is a magnet for some very unstable violent extremist types who feel that "might is right" and words are superfluous. This of course applies to both sides of this directionless and grim factional squabble.

Well what you say should hold true but if you have been following this government from the time it took power you would know that there was no opposition allowed in Parliament.

The Opposition was powerless because the sitting government had the majority with out the support of any one else. Remember it was the grass roots people who started this it was not a company or another political party. The unity came after there was several groups out there protesting without a leader. Suthep came along and took the reins and brought them all together. The PTP now listen but it is to late. They have painted themselves into a corner from which they can not escape.

Lets face it when we have a PRIME MINISTER who does not condemn groups that support her for suggesting openly separation of the country and when she finally does it is done on Facebook only after the Army has taken steps to deal with this obviously illegal action. We have a government that is completely ineffective. They can not even pay their bills.

As for the shooting well as you can see there is another side to the story. Is it true will we ever know who knows.

The one thing that is consistent is the anti opposition leaders have had to hire their own guards as has been shown time and again the police will not protect them.

Who tells the police what to do? I am not talking about public ordering them I am talking about the real orders that they follow.

Just because they are not in power that makes it right to kill and hurt innocent people???????

Name one remember you are the one who said innocent not me.

[bkkjames]

Seems like a long way to go at 2am all pissed up looking for some action, surely around Rama 2 his needs could have been sorted? I would have fallen asleep by the time on got there...

[patayayaya]

One thing we can be sure of is that the passenger wasn't a farang. Had he been a farang, the Thai press would surely have stipulated this.

he woulda been the target more like it

[MaxLee]

Religion of peace.

Wrong, Religion and obsession with FACE

[MMarlow]

Reported elsewhere that there is another side to that one.

It says that shots were fired from the rear seat of the taxi towards the protesters and someone returned fire.

The truth ? I don't know.

Again your feeble attempts to defend these defenseless actions by the protest guard.

!. the guards caused the confrontation, by attempting to order citizens to leave a public park!

2. The guards are not peaceful unarmed protesters.

3. the article stated when the gunshots started the occupations of the taxi ran, did a gun fire by itself from inside the Taxi.

Could you kindly, advise us to the other source you stated had a different version of the incident!

Cheers

Try The Bangkok Post for a report.

[seajae]

Reported elsewhere that there is another side to that one.

It says that shots were fired from the rear seat of the taxi towards the protesters and someone returned fire.

The truth ? I don't know.

This is Thailand,TiT.

You will never know the truth.

hahahahaha, the truth, Thailand cant handle the truth

[petedk]

Seems like a long way to go at 2am all pissed up looking for some action, surely around Rama 2 his needs could have been sorted? I would have fallen asleep by the time on got there...

My thoughts too.

Not only that but he should have known it was a potentially dangerous area.

Also other reports say that gunfire came from within the taxi first. if that is true then he wasn't so drunk after all.

TIT and we'll never know what to believe.

[bkkjames]

Seems like a long way to go at 2am all pissed up looking for some action, surely around Rama 2 his needs could have been sorted? I would have fallen asleep by the time on got there...

My thoughts too.

Not only that but he should have known it was a potentially dangerous area.

Also other reports say that gunfire came from within the taxi first. if that is true then he wasn't so drunk after all.

TIT and we'll never know what to believe.

yea the taxi driver upon hearing, take me to rama 4, wittayu at 2am right outside the protest area to pick up girl is either thick or....full of it.

[rickirs]

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

Yeah. That's what happens in a lawless city.

It is only lawless because the police allow it.

The police are only allowed to do what the Court has allowed. Since the police cannot use any force against anybody associated with the anti-government protests, what's the point of being anywhere near the protesters like Lumpini Park? So innocent people will continue to be intimidated, injured, or killed by PDRC armed guards.