Anti-govt 'Bangkok March' continues for 4th day

[webfact]

Anti-govt 'Bangkok March' continues for 4th day
By English News

BANGKOK, March 27 - Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban today led the fourth day of his movement's Bangkok march to urge people to come all out on Saturday to display the people's power against a new general election before national reform.

Mr Suthep's 15km route started from On-nuj Skytrain station and moved along Sukhumvit, Ekamai, Petchaburi, Thonglor, and Rajdamri roads before ending at the Lumpini Park rally site.

Security for him was tight as he was welcomed and cheered by supporters on both sides of the roads.

Mr Suthep's march began only hours after three M79 grenades were fired into a rally site of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) on Chaeng Wattana Road where Buddhist monk Phra Buddha Issara has led demonstrators at Chaeng Wattana site for months.

One grenade fell about 100 metres from the monk's shelter, while two others fell into a nearby army base.

No one was injured from the explosions.

Mr Suthep is PDRC secretary general and has led the rally at Lumpini. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-03-27

[londonthai]

he must be desperate for money, which suddenly stopped coming to him from the rich rubber plantation owners from the south. Running the show on the streets use to cost over 10m b/day, with downsizing to Lumpini, still it might be well into millions. Security guards are leaving him because of the drastic wage reduction from 2k down to 300b/day.

Edited March 27, 2014 by londonthai

[Mango Bob]

Why are they not reporting the size of the crowd? You also got to remember that over 1,000 are body guards (w/ weapons) and should not be posted in the tally. We wouldn't want paid protesters counted now would we.

[catmac]

Why are they not reporting the size of the crowd? You also got to remember that over 1,000 are body guards (w/ weapons) and should not be posted in the tally. We wouldn't want paid protesters counted now would we.

Come on now Bob, take away the paid thugs (sorry, I meant "bodyguards") and all the other Southerners here on a paid "holiday", and there would be very, very few really commited protesters. The whole thing has become a total farce, not to mention the 850th "final" effort!

[greg71]

WIth all this walking he does you would think he would be losing weight .He should be the new poster boy for fitness .

[Nickymaster]

Why are they not reporting the size of the crowd? You also got to remember that over 1,000 are body guards (w/ weapons) and should not be posted in the tally. We wouldn't want paid protesters counted now would we.

Come on now Bob, take away the paid thugs (sorry, I meant "bodyguards") and all the other Southerners here on a paid "holiday", and there would be very, very few really commited protesters. The whole thing has become a total farce, not to mention the 850th "final" effort!

A complete farce? That must be the reason Yingluck is hiding most of the time.

[Scamper]

The only argument that UDD supporters can come up with when looking at these pictures is " how many people are there ? ". That's it. They can't talk about it being violent, because it isn't. It looks peaceful and serene. Fine - they won't talk about that. The rally sites are under constant grenade attacks. UDD supporters won't talk about that. Army posts that are close to PDRC sites are now under grenade attacks as well. UDD supporters won't talk about that. All that spoils their narrative. No, it's down to " how many people are there ? " And guess what ? It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if there are a hundred thousand. It doesn't matter if there are one thousand. It doesn't matter if there are only five people. The courts are where it's at. And the courts - through the constitutional process - are determining the path forward.

[Mango Bob]

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

Scamper, on 27 Mar 2014 - 13:09, said:

The only argument that UDD supporters can come up with when looking at these pictures is " how many people are there ? ". That's it. They can't talk about it being violent, because it isn't. It looks peaceful and serene. Fine - they won't talk about that. The rally sites are under constant grenade attacks. UDD supporters won't talk about that. Army posts that are close to PDRC sites are now under grenade attacks as well. UDD supporters won't talk about that. All that spoils their narrative. No, it's down to " how many people are there ? " And guess what ? It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if there are a hundred thousand. It doesn't matter if there are one thousand. It doesn't matter if there are only five people. The courts are where it's at. And the courts - through the constitutional process - are determining the path forward.

I want to know for my own selfish reasons. I don't give a about the UDD. Someone has to feed the masses and Jesus isn't around anymore to feed them.

Edited March 27, 2014 by Mango Bob

[art vandelay]

bit hot for walking around bangkok at the moment

[webfact]

POLITICS
Rally leader Suthep urges people to join Saturday rally

BANGKOK: -- Rally leader Suthep Thaugsuban and hundreds of his supporters on Thursday led his protesters in a march to urge people to join a mass rally on Saturday to display the people's power against a Thaksin Regime and Yingluck's caretaker government.

Suthep called for the national and political reform before a new general election. He left the Lumpini main rally site and marched to On-nuj Skytrain station, Sukhumvit, Ekamai, Petchaburi, Thonglor, and Rajdamri roads before returning to the Lumpini rally site.

Security for him was tight as he was welcomed and cheered by supporters on both sides of the roads.


-- The Nation 2014-03-26

[rickirs]

Fourth day of the movement march? Which day was the Final Push or is it still to come? I wish Suthep would make his day of victory a little more definitive so we can mark it on the calendar.

[flashbrown99]

Sent from my iPod touch using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[brewsterbudgen]

The only argument that UDD supporters can come up with when looking at these pictures is " how many people are there ? ". That's it. They can't talk about it being violent, because it isn't. It looks peaceful and serene. Fine - they won't talk about that. The rally sites are under constant grenade attacks. UDD supporters won't talk about that. Army posts that are close to PDRC sites are now under grenade attacks as well. UDD supporters won't talk about that. All that spoils their narrative. No, it's down to " how many people are there ? " And guess what ? It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if there are a hundred thousand. It doesn't matter if there are one thousand. It doesn't matter if there are only five people. The courts are where it's at. And the courts - through the constitutional process - are determining the path forward.

The far lower numbers attending these latest marches just show the declining interest in the PDRC and a generally feeling of disenchantment with all sides.

You are being rather naive however if you think the courts are unbiased in this matter and that decisions reached by them will somehow bring a resolution.

Edited March 27, 2014 by brewsterbudgen

[Tokay]

Why are there never any "bombs" when they walk through the city like that?

[Baerboxer]

The only argument that UDD supporters can come up with when looking at these pictures is " how many people are there ? ". That's it. They can't talk about it being violent, because it isn't. It looks peaceful and serene. Fine - they won't talk about that. The rally sites are under constant grenade attacks. UDD supporters won't talk about that. Army posts that are close to PDRC sites are now under grenade attacks as well. UDD supporters won't talk about that. All that spoils their narrative. No, it's down to " how many people are there ? " And guess what ? It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if there are a hundred thousand. It doesn't matter if there are one thousand. It doesn't matter if there are only five people. The courts are where it's at. And the courts - through the constitutional process - are determining the path forward.

The far lower numbers attending these latest marches just show the declining interest in the PDRC and a generally feeling of disenchantment with all sides.

You are being rather naive however if you think the courts are unbiased in this matter and that decisions reached by them will somehow bring a resolution.

Equally it would be a very naive person to believe PTP are innocent, have done no wrongs and really support democracy and justice. Plenty of examples to show the opposite.

Understandable that the majority of Thais are disenchanted. Return to the old amart elites who will restrict the country's development and opportunities to preserve their very privileged position or go with PTP and watch them place themselves above the law, rob the country blind, openly lie, manage ineptly, and install their own dictatorship, The old feudal hierarchical leeching, or the rule of one family for its, and a few chosen cronies benefit. What a choice!

No wonder voter turnout is low. They have no credible progressive democratic choice. How do you like your corruption sir, discrete or in your face?

Edited March 28, 2014 by Baerboxer

[brewsterbudgen]

I agree. There is disenchantment with all sides. But the solution has to be democratic.

Sent from my GT-S7270L using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Baerboxer]

The only argument that UDD supporters can come up with when looking at these pictures is " how many people are there ? ". That's it. They can't talk about it being violent, because it isn't. It looks peaceful and serene. Fine - they won't talk about that. The rally sites are under constant grenade attacks. UDD supporters won't talk about that. Army posts that are close to PDRC sites are now under grenade attacks as well. UDD supporters won't talk about that. All that spoils their narrative. No, it's down to " how many people are there ? " And guess what ? It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if there are a hundred thousand. It doesn't matter if there are one thousand. It doesn't matter if there are only five people. The courts are where it's at. And the courts - through the constitutional process - are determining the path forward.

The far lower numbers attending these latest marches just show the declining interest in the PDRC and a generally feeling of disenchantment with all sides.

You are being rather naive however if you think the courts are unbiased in this matter and that decisions reached by them will somehow bring a resolution.

You are right. PTP, their leader and all minions have shown they don't a monkey's about the law, the courts or what anyone thinks. The RTP/DSI selectively enforce the law at the best of times and certainly won't go against PTP, on anything.

PTP won't stop or give in just because a court makes a judgement. One PTP leader will say they will respect it, one will say they must examine it carefully, whilst another will announce that their armed militia wing will not accept it and incite them to violent acts against anyone who does. This confusion of mixed messages has been used by their great thinker many times. The latest twist is getting No.1 cousin to lobby the international community and UN to garner support for an illegal "pro-democracy" uprising or rebellion. As if any other government really believes him !

Not a good sign. Thaksin has proven before that he will use any means and methods to get what he wants - which is absolute autocracy.

[Baerboxer]

I agree. There is disenchantment with all sides. But the solution has to be democratic.

Sent from my GT-S7270L using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I agree - and those elected must abide by all democratic principles and respect the law. Being elected does not put you above the law, or make your corruption legal.

The checks and balances, laws, enforcement of laws, judgement based on laws, and operations of the government all need to be fair, transparent and apply to all.

PTP talk about reforming the courts, the checks and balance of independent agencies, putting all under the government! No mention of reforming the highly inept and corrupt law enforcement agencies.

Suthep and his supporters want "reforms" which include the "temporary" suspension of democracy. But apart from the appointment of a non elected council to rule, their reforms are a tad vague.

Given this scenario how would you propose moving forward with a democratic solution?

[brewsterbudgen]

I agree. There is disenchantment with all sides. But the solution has to be democratic.

Sent from my GT-S7270L using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I agree - and those elected must abide by all democratic principles and respect the law. Being elected does not put you above the law, or make your corruption legal.

The checks and balances, laws, enforcement of laws, judgement based on laws, and operations of the government all need to be fair, transparent and apply to all.

PTP talk about reforming the courts, the checks and balance of independent agencies, putting all under the government! No mention of reforming the highly inept and corrupt law enforcement agencies.

Suthep and his supporters want "reforms" which include the "temporary" suspension of democracy. But apart from the appointment of a non elected council to rule, their reforms are a tad vague.

Given this scenario how would you propose moving forward with a democratic solution?

I agree. But to somehow imply that Suthep and his backers are not corrupt, or even less corrupt than those on the other side is naive.

Sent from my GT-S7270L using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[wolfmanjack]

The only argument that UDD supporters can come up with when looking at these pictures is " how many people are there ? ". That's it. They can't talk about it being violent, because it isn't. It looks peaceful and serene. Fine - they won't talk about that. The rally sites are under constant grenade attacks. UDD supporters won't talk about that. Army posts that are close to PDRC sites are now under grenade attacks as well. UDD supporters won't talk about that. All that spoils their narrative. No, it's down to " how many people are there ? " And guess what ? It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if there are a hundred thousand. It doesn't matter if there are one thousand. It doesn't matter if there are only five people. The courts are where it's at. And the courts - through the constitutional process - are determining the path forward.

The far lower numbers attending these latest marches just show the declining interest in the PDRC and a generally feeling of disenchantment with all sides.

You are being rather naive however if you think the courts are unbiased in this matter and that decisions reached by them will somehow bring a resolution.

Maybe you are right.

Then again maybe the far lower numbers are because most people are smart enough to avoid areas where they are likely to get their asses blown off by a grenade.