Thailand's 'red shirts' gear up for a fight

[webfact]

Thailand's 'red shirts' gear up for a fight
BY AMY SAWITTA LEFEVRE AND AUBREY BELFORD
KHON KAEN/BANGKOK

(Reuters) - The clock is ticking for Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who faces impeachment within weeks, but her supporters are hatching plans to thwart any move to dismiss her, with some leaders assembling what amount to militias.

Yingluck has until later on Monday to defend herself before the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) against charges of dereliction of duty over a ruinously expensive rice-buying scheme.

If the commission recommends Yingluck's impeachment, and the Senate then seeks to remove her, it could be a tipping point for the pro-government "red shirts", who have mostly stayed out of the fray since anti-government protests first flared in November.

"We'll act when our democratically elected prime minister is kicked out by the elite," Suporn Attawong, a red shirt leader known by followers as "Rambo Isarn", told Reuters in Bangkok.

Leaders of the red shirt movement, formally called the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), say they are mustering recruits to be sent for military-style training in order to protect their own protesters if they go to the barricades.

Thailand's eight-year political crisis broadly pits the Bangkok elite and middle classes against the mostly rural supporters of Yingluck and her influential brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted as premier by the military in 2006.

The red shirts have upped the ante in recent days, sealing off entrances to the national anti-corruption agency. Grenades were thrown at the offices of the agency one night late last week, but no one was injured. [read more...]

Full story: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/30/us-thailand-protest-redshirts-idUSBREA2T0KS20140330

-- REUTERS 2014-03-31

[chooka]

I have the feeling that all hell will break loose

[Malone]

"We'll act when our democratically elected prime minister is kicked out by the elite," Suporn Attawong, a red shirt leader known by followers as "Rambo Isarn", told Reuters in Bangkok

Why didn't Rambo act when their democratically elected prime minister Samak was kicked out by the Chiang Mai elite in favor of the Chiang Mai elite's Somchai? Double Standards?

Leaders of the red shirt movement, formally called the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), say they are mustering recruits to be sent for military-style training in order to protect their own protesters if they go to the barricades.

Calling all men in black. Time to report for terroristic duty.

[geriatrickid]

This will go on until the next election , most likely in May. If PM Yingluck falls on her sword, there are several candidates that stand ready to take her place, with the most likely her sister. However, the big issue is the impeachment. As much as the current government can be criticized over the rice pledging program, in a functioning democracy, punishment would be meted out at the ballot box if merited and not by a judiciary legislating from the bench. If the corruption commission can show the PM was directly implicated in corruption, then fine, impeach the PM, and put her in jail. However, to date, there hasn't been any tangible evidence of her corruption and that's why the NACC had better be able to make a good case. If not, then a popular uprising against the judiciary and its puppet masters would be expected.

[NongKhaiKid]

I would suggest the reds don't need to gear up, they are in a permanent state of readiness and from the way some of their leaders speak just raring to go.

[Ricardo]

Isn't this old news, weeks old ?

And shouldn't the title read "Thaksin's red shirts". not "Thailand's red shirts" ?

[daveAustin]

"And he stressed that they would be unarmed, as stockpiling weapons would break the law."

Does this statement make anyone else cringe?

[northernjohn]

Well it looks like Thailand is going to have red shirt democracy.

Rule by the minority backed up with hired thugs and mercenaries.

Courts will be abolished and any other thing that they perceive in their pea brains or shall I say is inserted in their pea brains by Thaksin will disappear.

Defiantly not a good time for Thailand. They will be crushed by the army and Thailand will be allowed to return to democracy. The right to vote for the person of your choice with out intimidation by some red shirted bar fly.

[Yunla]

I've got my stockpiled dried rations and emergency medicines, in readiness for more of these "democratic" actions. And attending my prayer group almost daily, in the hopes that no more people will be injured or killed in this pointless circle of belligerency.

[Rich teacher]

The NACC will be held responsible if they make a hasty, biased decision. The rice scheme is ill-conceived and wasteful but it was clearly stated as an election promise. It must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt that there is clear evidence of corruption and that Yingluck could have been reasonably expected to be aware of it. The US farm subsidy, EU CAP policy, Japanese gentan policy and many others around the world are based on flawed economic reasoning, riddled with bureacracy, and waste billions of taxpayers money, but they are not reason to topple the governments or leaders. Another politically influenced decision by the NACC will incense the govt supporters who have understandably had enough of being disenfranchised.

[rhythmworx]

They should call in Chuck Norris to settle it.

I wonder where all this will end.

Edited March 31, 2014 by rhythmworx

[Malone]

However, to date, there hasn't been any tangible evidence of her corruption and that's why the NACC had better be able to make a good case. If not, then a popular uprising against the judiciary and its puppet masters would be expected.

One could reasonably construe that the terroristic uprising by the red shirt army would be expected even if the NACC makes an excellent case with irrefutable evidence against Thaksin's puppet.

[djjamie]

So the red shirts will come out fighting irrespective of any evidence that implicates yinglick. Even if the evidence is irrefutable and the NACC have absolutely no choice, but to find her guilty the red shirts won't respect that verdict and come out fighting. They say that yingluck is their democratically elected PM which is 100% correct, but does that mean she can act with impunity. Impunity is a word aptly used to describe the red shirts, not the PM. So the red shirts are really saying we don't care if she is guilty or not we will come out fighting. They are fighting not for, but against the democratic framework that is used throughout the world that hold people accountable…Don't forget that this is in the context that there is irrefutable evidence against yingluck.

They are fighting for democracy yet after the NACC ruling the case goes through the senate. Again we have the democratic pathway being exercised and due process being shown. This is all done democratically, but the red shirts don't like this democratic framework, they don't like this form of democracy so they will amass a street gang of 200 000 people with access to 10 million weapons to disrupt this democratic system to ensure they can have there elected, no matter if guilty or not, PM running the country.

Do the red shirts suggest Thailand turn their back on crime? How about giving the PM carte blanche to commit any crimes while Thailand and the rule of law turn a blind eye. Maybe the rule of lw should only be applied to DEM's and the PDRC and not the red shirts or the PTP. That is red democracy. They were falling all over themselves and salivating like rabid dogs (pun intended) when they thought the amnesty was going to absolve them, but stopped dead in their tracks when they knew the opposition would be absolved. They don't mind unaccountability if it involves them. Anyone else though is just not an option.

So show your true colors red shirts and bring our your street gang to fight against the principles of democracy and remember that even if the evidence is absolutely irrefutable the world will be watching you disrespect the rule of law and revolting in a bloody brutal armed terrorist uprising that I am sure the US ambassador will see as violent as opposed to the peaceful PDRC protests she described last week.

When you have 2 accused terrorists running the brutal terrorist organization then the outcome is already predetermined. They thrive on violence.

The below is an indication of the respect they have for principles.

"United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), say they are mustering recruits to be sent for military-style training"

UDD principle #3. To promote non-violence as our modus operandi for all activities.

Who would have thought a terrorist organization would have had principles and if they did is it any surprise that they break them…NO

Edited March 31, 2014 by djjamie

[rucus7]

Where will these recruits receive their military training? Or is this more about urban guerilla insurgency? Or just plain old saber rattling?

[lovetotravel]

This will go on until the next election , most likely in May. If PM Yingluck falls on her sword, there are several candidates that stand ready to take her place, with the most likely her sister. However, the big issue is the impeachment. As much as the current government can be criticized over the rice pledging program, in a functioning democracy, punishment would be meted out at the ballot box if merited and not by a judiciary legislating from the bench. If the corruption commission can show the PM was directly implicated in corruption, then fine, impeach the PM, and put her in jail. However, to date, there hasn't been any tangible evidence of her corruption and that's why the NACC had better be able to make a good case. If not, then a popular uprising against the judiciary and its puppet masters would be expected.

She is not facing a corruption charge. The former commerce minister and 14 other officials and businessmen have already been indicted for this. She is facing dereliction of duty charges for not properly overseeing the rice scam, as she was the person in charge.

[huanga]

So show your true colors red shirts and bring our your street gang to fight against the principles of democracy and remember that even if the evidence is absolutely irrefutable the world will be watching you disrespect the rule of law and revolting in a bloody brutal armed terrorist uprising that I am sure the US ambassador will see as violent as opposed to the peaceful PDRC protests she described last week.

Their two-prong attack would be to simultaneously send out the lap dog in Surapong to inform the world community that the escalation was the necessary steps to preserve demon-cracy!

[dcutman]

This will go on until the next election , most likely in May. If PM Yingluck falls on her sword, there are several candidates that stand ready to take her place, with the most likely her sister. However, the big issue is the impeachment. As much as the current government can be criticized over the rice pledging program, in a functioning democracy, punishment would be meted out at the ballot box if merited and not by a judiciary legislating from the bench. If the corruption commission can show the PM was directly implicated in corruption, then fine, impeach the PM, and put her in jail. However, to date, there hasn't been any tangible evidence of her corruption and that's why the NACC had better be able to make a good case. If not, then a popular uprising against the judiciary and its puppet masters would be expected.

As usual, GK spewing out misinformation, and your twisted ideal's of a democracy shows bright.

Your princess isnt being charged with corruption, she is being charged with dereliction of duty. Part of that neglect was allowing corruption to run rampant in this scam.

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling.

[Hawkman]

The NACC will be held responsible if they make a hasty, biased decision. The rice scheme is ill-conceived and wasteful but it was clearly stated as an election promise. It must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt that there is clear evidence of corruption and that Yingluck could have been reasonably expected to be aware of it. The US farm subsidy, EU CAP policy, Japanese gentan policy and many others around the world are based on flawed economic reasoning, riddled with bureacracy, and waste billions of taxpayers money, but they are not reason to topple the governments or leaders. Another politically influenced decision by the NACC will incense the govt supporters who have understandably had enough of being disenfranchised.

And if the corruption evidence is clear, will the red shirts accept this? Yingluck may well have not been involved in benefitting from the scam, but she may well have turned a blind eye and it did happen on her watch.

As a Prime Minister you have certain responsibilities and must take the heat if a thing on this scale happens during your time in office, just like any other democracy.

Do you think democratically Governments should just ignore balances and checks, court rulings and investigations just because they don't like them? Doesn't sound very democratic to me.

But when red shirts are fed propoganda that any investigations or decisions that are against them are all politically motivated then what chance does this country have of moving forward? They say they want democracy but only when it suits them.

Looks to the rest of us that red shirt supporters think their rulers can do and get away with anything they want and wish and saying a big hell to ethics, laws and rules.

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

Edited March 31, 2014 by Hawkman

[Mentors]

Come out and play -guerilla war is near.

And for the foreigners living here, check your Plan B.

Edited March 31, 2014 by Mentors

[Thait Spot]

This will go on until the next election , most likely in May. If PM Yingluck falls on her sword, there are several candidates that stand ready to take her place, with the most likely her sister. However, the big issue is the impeachment. As much as the current government can be criticized over the rice pledging program, in a functioning democracy, punishment would be meted out at the ballot box if merited and not by a judiciary legislating from the bench. If the corruption commission can show the PM was directly implicated in corruption, then fine, impeach the PM, and put her in jail. However, to date, there hasn't been any tangible evidence of her corruption and that's why the NACC had better be able to make a good case. If not, then a popular uprising against the judiciary and its puppet masters would be expected.

So the Shinawatra family are the only ones that can govern Thailand?

Or does nepotism rule these people so much that an amoeba with that surname will suffice?

[Rich teacher]

https://thaipoliticalprisoners.wordpress.com/2010/12/25/teflon-mark-and-the-nacc/

Teflon Mark and the NACC

Edited March 31, 2014 by Rich teacher

[Crushdepth]

This will go on until the next election , most likely in May. If PM Yingluck falls on her sword, there are several candidates that stand ready to take her place, with the most likely her sister. However, the big issue is the impeachment. As much as the current government can be criticized over the rice pledging program, in a functioning democracy, punishment would be meted out at the ballot box if merited and not by a judiciary legislating from the bench. If the corruption commission can show the PM was directly implicated in corruption, then fine, impeach the PM, and put her in jail. However, to date, there hasn't been any tangible evidence of her corruption and that's why the NACC had better be able to make a good case. If not, then a popular uprising against the judiciary and its puppet masters would be expected.

She is not facing a corruption charge. The former commerce minister and 14 other officials and businessmen have already been indicted for this. She is facing dereliction of duty charges for not properly overseeing the rice scam, as she was the person in charge.

A corruption charge may follow, depending on what turns up during the investigation into her negligence.

[huanga]

Come out and play -guerilla war is near.

And for the foreigners living here, check your Plan B.

Don't want to burst your bubble but I seriously don't think it's going to happen! The army is already keeping a vigilant eye on the Red's movement and I believe they will quash any Red camp that is providing "military training".

There might be more physical casualties coming its way. But, in my opinion, maybe this is what this country needs. Only by seeing some serious blood spilled on both sides will the "hot-heads" then back off and re-consider other options! Just look back to 2010 protest. Only after blood was spilled then two sides backed off and some form of "peace" returned and to prepare or simmer for the next boil!

Edited March 31, 2014 by huanga

[Crushdepth]

This will go on until the next election , most likely in May. If PM Yingluck falls on her sword, there are several candidates that stand ready to take her place, with the most likely her sister. However, the big issue is the impeachment. As much as the current government can be criticized over the rice pledging program, in a functioning democracy, punishment would be meted out at the ballot box if merited and not by a judiciary legislating from the bench. If the corruption commission can show the PM was directly implicated in corruption, then fine, impeach the PM, and put her in jail. However, to date, there hasn't been any tangible evidence of her corruption and that's why the NACC had better be able to make a good case. If not, then a popular uprising against the judiciary and its puppet masters would be expected.

A functioning democracy would not be run by an criminal fugitive and his family. In a real democracy a PM this useless would have been eaten alive by the media and sacked by her own party long ago. Probably wouldn't have been replaced by a relative, either.

Thailand cannot become a functioning democracy until rule of law is sorted out and that's got to start at the top.

[moe666]

This will go on until the next election , most likely in May. If PM Yingluck falls on her sword, there are several candidates that stand ready to take her place, with the most likely her sister. However, the big issue is the impeachment. As much as the current government can be criticized over the rice pledging program, in a functioning democracy, punishment would be meted out at the ballot box if merited and not by a judiciary legislating from the bench. If the corruption commission can show the PM was directly implicated in corruption, then fine, impeach the PM, and put her in jail. However, to date, there hasn't been any tangible evidence of her corruption and that's why the NACC had better be able to make a good case. If not, then a popular uprising against the judiciary and its puppet masters would be expected.

hehehehe you may want to talk to Bill Clinton about the ballot box and impeachment as he was charged by the House of Represenatives but found not guilty by the Senate. The last time I looked The US was considered a functioning democracy.

It would appear not taking steps to prevent a crime is as criminal as committing the crime. But we all know the rice scam was a well run corruption free program set up to raise the world price of rice but the interference of India and Vietnam were not figured into the equation. GK you wrote a very nice OP explaining all this and how the rice scam would work but nothing to date on what went wrong. We are all waiting for your informative post about what went wrong.

[djjamie]

 

This will go on until the next election , most likely in May. If PM Yingluck falls on her sword, there are several candidates that stand ready to take her place, with the most likely her sister. However, the big issue is the impeachment. As much as the current government can be criticized over the rice pledging program, in a functioning democracy, punishment would be meted out at the ballot box if merited and not by a judiciary legislating from the bench. If the corruption commission can show the PM was directly implicated in corruption, then fine, impeach the PM, and put her in jail. However, to date, there hasn't been any tangible evidence of her corruption and that's why the NACC had better be able to make a good case. If not, then a popular uprising against the judiciary and its puppet masters would be expected.

She is not facing a corruption charge. The former commerce minister and 14 other officials and businessmen have already been indicted for this. She is facing dereliction of duty charges for not properly overseeing the rice scam, as she was the person in charge.

 

Yes, a charge of negligence. Nothing to do with the direct involvement in corruption which is why she was only given a 49 page file from the NACC that referred to her case and not the extra 280 pages she requested that had nothing to do with her. Those other pages were the charge files for her other ministers and was a completely separate case. The fact alone that as chairwomen of the rice scheme she never attended one meeting and in itself indicated her lack of interest in the running of the scene stating that her ministers will answer questions on it and have the scheme under control. So what was she doing when the rice scheme meetings were being held with the seat at the head of the table empty. She as impersonating the foreign minister. She travelled to India, Cambodia, South Korea, China, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Maldives, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Turkey, Hong Kong, Germany, France, UK, Sweden, Belgium, Poland, Switzerland, Italy, Vatican City, Montenegro, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Australia, New Zealand and PNG, Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Burma, Vietnam, Singapore, Philippines and Malaysia.

In fact she travelled that much the opposition made mention of this in parliament and said that yingluck's responsibilities lay at home. One of those responsibilities being the rice scheme. The PTP of course denounced the DEM's for stating the obvious and rebutted that by saying that her overseas trips benefit investment. Again a good job for the foreign minister because as PM her responsibilities lay at home. The DEM's warned her. They warned the PTP that she was needed at home. The PTP knew better and demonized and denounced the DEM's for stating this. They demonized them as much as yingluck demonized Supa and investigated her for being a tool of the DEM's by even suggesting there was corruption in the rice scheme. Not a single word of thanks to Supa. As chairman of the scheme one may suggest she would investigate the scheme in case Supa was correct. No, she had Supa investigated instead. Absolutely deplorable. The thing is she would not be looking back and saying "I wish I listened to Supa now" Why? Because she knew there was corruption in the scheme and if she didn't then it was because she spent more time in Africa looking over her brothers mining interests which indicated negligence.

Will yingluck be replaced? Of course. Who will it be? Well I will tell you who it won't be. It won't be her sister. Because we know the PTP are at the pinnacle of truth telling and Prompong Nopparit denied Yaowapa Wongsawat is being prepared as a stand in should PM Yingluck Shinawatra meet with a political accident. The red apologists always state Prompong's statements of denial as absolute fact chiseled into stone. So if her sister is going to replace her then we can take all of Prompons other denials with a grain of salt too.

Pongthep Nopparit denied former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra had ordered the caretaker government to complete the Feb 2 election.
Prompong Nopparit denied on Friday that the party had pressured Somsak Kiatsuranont to resign as House speaker
Prompong Nopparit denied that Pheu Thai's competence to govern is being questioned
Prompong Nopparit denied the government was applying double standards
Prompong Nopparit denied a rumour that his party was behind the campaign against the "Bangkok shutdown".
Prompong Nopparit denied red shirts' harassment of some Democrat Party candidates had anything to do with the PTP

Edited March 31, 2014 by djjamie

[mijan24]

Where will these recruits receive their military training? Or is this more about urban guerilla insurgency? Or just plain old saber rattling?

They certainly need some type of training or better still issue them with glasses. Latest intellegince reports are that they have sought assistance from a well known mercenary. (pictured below) he will be issuing "penis cones" to all and sundry. The leader no other than Mr Dick will call his new force Undercover DH's which seems apprpriate in the land of hubs.

Grenades were thrown at the offices of the agency one night late last week, but no one was injured.

[Mentors]

Come out and play -guerilla war is near.

And for the foreigners living here, check your Plan B.

Don't want to burst your bubble but I seriously don't think it's going to happen! The army is already keeping a vigilant eye on the Red's movement and I believe they will quash any Red camp that is providing "military training".

There might be more physical casualties coming its way. But, in my opinion, maybe this is what this country needs. Only by seeing some serious blood spilled on both sides will the "hot-heads" then back off and re-consider other options! Just look back to 2010 protest. Only after blood was spilled then two sides backed off and some form of "peace" returned and to prepare or simmer for the next boil!

Maybe you are right. I think today even the Army is divided.

Its all about the unclear future.

And the unrest in the Deep South going on since the 80s. The Army can still not end this sad tragedy.

Edited March 31, 2014 by Mentors

[northernjohn]

The NACC will be held responsible if they make a hasty, biased decision. The rice scheme is ill-conceived and wasteful but it was clearly stated as an election promise. It must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt that there is clear evidence of corruption and that Yingluck could have been reasonably expected to be aware of it. The US farm subsidy, EU CAP policy, Japanese gentan policy and many others around the world are based on flawed economic reasoning, riddled with bureacracy, and waste billions of taxpayers money, but they are not reason to topple the governments or leaders. Another politically influenced decision by the NACC will incense the govt supporters who have understandably had enough of being disenfranchised.

You make accusations against other countries for completely different situations.

They pay their bills in a timely manor.

Who o wise one is going to pay the interest on the loans the rice farmers had to take to buy food for their families and more seed for planting. Or do you think that is not any thing to worry about? For that matter do you think?