PDRC to move its protest venue to Ratchadamnoen on Monday

[wandasloan]

Only channel 11 and NBT not complied with the demands.

Monday will install an interim government .

Which only one man has voted for.

It's not one man one vote .

It's one vote one man.

Things are declining rapidly.

Very sad day for los

Well, you might feel better to know that Monday will NOT see an interim government. The military have already told the former Democrat Party bagman to shove off, and will announce this by Monday at the latest. Of all possible actions, this is one that is off the list.

.

[Morch]

After their once again final push they will return to Lumpini park as they don't have the numbers. The park is the perfect place to set up thousands of tents and tarps to make a hundred people look like thousands under the camouflage.

It's always interesting. The 11th final push has already failed, although it won't be official until Monday when the "independent organisations" Suthep is courting all refuse his overtures officially. The only bet I'll make is that for the 11th time he lied and won't turn himself in or give up the cause.

Suthep has completely lost the plot. He no longer has any way of knowing whether he has won. He should have declared victory last week and gone out with massive glory, back home to count his money. He's like a freewheeling car on a downslope, some momentum left and the wheels turning but no way to start the engine again. He doesn't even know where the finish line is. He's not going to get *his* neutral government, his very final chance is sunk as of Monday. He's for certain not going to get the reform he wanted five months ago.

And the red shirts have no way of knowing when THEY have won, also. Their only goal at the moment is NOT to give up the depleted cabinet seats of power. So they will be able to measure a loss — the whole cabinet is gone — but they can't even *define* a victory. They're like the Americans in Vietnam.

The government.... I don't know. I suppose they can hang on and hang on but their hope for a comprehensive election is obviously impossible, thanks to those courts that won't throw in with Suthep but at the same time won't make any helpful judgements. Their finding that if "some" of the election is disrupted then the whole election is invalid has a pretty obvious knock-on - NO election will ever again be valid.

Unless and until these dopes get so exhausted they all have to sue for peace. That will cause major cardiac attacks in the High Dudgeon Brigade of ThaiVisa, but hard cheese.

.

Thank you, interesting post.

If it's 9th time, 12th or 23ed....doesn't matter much as far as hardcore PDRC goes, they're in for the ride. So Suthep can spin this to the best of his ability. Other supporters are probably somewhat tired of the show by now, perhaps he misjudged their resilience and commitment.

I do wonder if he's free to go home, though. In terms of lost face he probably missed his chance to ride into the sunset, and as you point out - hard to see him fully getting his way. The demonstrations have been somewhat pathetic for some time now, with real plays going elsewhere (mostly the legal stuff). What's keeping him? Does he truly believe himself to be Neo? Do his backers press him to go on?

That everyone has no good way to gauge a victory may have a positive sides. For one, they could all spin things for internal consumption, thus keeping their "troops" in line. Second, a bargain is easier to make if everyone thinks they got something or that the other side lost something.

A military coup or an imminent threat of a coup, might push the sides to some sort of agreement - but that's a rather risky path to take. Not a big coup fan, myself.

[MickGC]

That's what civilised people do.....clean up after their mess.

Any chance of the reds taking any notice?

I think, generally speaking, that civilised people first and foremost do not go to other people's homes to make a mess at all. What you're extolling seems a little less than civilised - they come into my home, chase me out or restrict my movements, then justify it by saying they've cleaned it up. I'm not sure "civilised" is the word we're groping for in this second case.

Or are you saying they were invited into the park?

Well, the Reds certainly were not invited onto Utthayan Road. The only thing out here is the religious park and residences, which the UDDers are blasting their speeches into via loudspeakers. I can even hear them a little bit on the other side of my house, and I'm over 1 km away from the nearest loudspeaker--about 3 km away from the main stage. So, why have the Reds invaded a residential district where they most definitely are not wanted? This is not at all a Red area. Taweewattana and Salaya are about as far from Red as you can get. I'd say by your very definition that makes the Reds decisively uncivilized.

All I can say is you are a NIMBY sir. So it's ok by you that the clean, educated PDRC protesters have inconvenienced other parts of BKK for the past 6 months with their endless loud music, speeches, road closures etc. Would you be happy if it was them legally protesting in your back yard rather than the unwashed, uneducated rabble from the north.

[wandasloan]

Thank you, interesting post.

If it's 9th time, 12th or 23ed....doesn't matter much as far as hardcore PDRC goes, they're in for the ride. So Suthep can spin this to the best of his ability. Other supporters are probably somewhat tired of the show by now, perhaps he misjudged their resilience and commitment.

I do wonder if he's free to go home, though. In terms of lost face he probably missed his chance to ride into the sunset, and as you point out - hard to see him fully getting his way. The demonstrations have been somewhat pathetic for some time now, with real plays going elsewhere (mostly the legal stuff). What's keeping him? Does he truly believe himself to be Neo? Do his backers press him to go on?

That everyone has no good way to gauge a victory may have a positive sides. For one, they could all spin things for internal consumption, thus keeping their "troops" in line. Second, a bargain is easier to make if everyone thinks they got something or that the other side lost something.

A military coup or an imminent threat of a coup, might push the sides to some sort of agreement - but that's a rather risky path to take. Not a big coup fan, myself.

I have never liked coups, and (full disclosure) I am not a fortune teller by trade.

That said, I truly strongly fervently believe that a military coup would be the worst possible step this country could take. There are no great options looming. I think an election is the least worst. But I really believe a coup is worst of the worst. It would do no good at all, none. It would do enormous harm to the economy and to foreign relations, probably bringing foreign sanctions. It would CAUSE an upsurge in violence. It would harden the political positions, making any kind of compromise totally impossible. The very idea that the entire military, fully deployed, could stop violence is laughable. It would cause it.

The military cannot run the country. They have proved it and proved it and proved it. The years 2006-7 were a disaster in all possible ways. Literally, I cannot imagine anything worse for Thailand than a coup. I hope several times a day that posturing army commander is too intimidated and too selfish to have a coup.

About Suthep going home. Weirdly, 200 people from Surat Thani showed up at the reds' rally today. They got treated well of course, special speakers in the southern dialect and all, heh. Kind of like the yellows who show up in Chiang Mai, I guess.

I actually like to see a bit of this. The "red village" idea and the "no reds allowed here" are very creepy to me. That whole intimidation thing where Suthep said *all* of TV had to broadcast only what Comrade Kim Il-Su.... er, only what the bagman himself decreed is equally creepy and scary.

.

Edited May 11, 2014 by wandasloan

[rubl]

I have never liked coups, and (full disclosure) I am not a fortune teller by trade.

That said, I truly strongly fervently believe that a military coup would be the worst possible step this country could take. There are no great options looming. I think an election is the least worst. But I really believe a coup is worst of the worst. It would do no good at all, none. It would do enormous harm to the economy and to foreign relations, probably bringing foreign sanctions. It would CAUSE an upsurge in violence. It would harden the political positions, making any kind of compromise totally impossible. The very idea that the entire military, fully deployed, could stop violence is laughable. It would cause it.

The military cannot run the country. They have proved it and proved it and proved it. The years 2006-7 were a disaster in all possible ways. Literally, I cannot imagine anything worse for Thailand than a coup. I hope several times a day that posturing army commander is too intimidated and too selfish to have a coup.

About Suthep going home. Weirdly, 200 people from Surat Thani showed up at the reds' rally today. They got treated well of course, special speakers in the southern dialect and all, heh. Kind of like the yellows who show up in Chiang Mai, I guess.

I actually like to see a bit of this. The "red village" idea and the "no reds allowed here" are very creepy to me. That whole intimidation thing where Suthep said *all* of TV had to broadcast only what Comrade Kim Il-Su.... er, only what the bagman himself decreed is equally creepy and scary.

Why wouldn't 200 people from Surit Thani be treated well? Even k. Jatuporn and k. Nattawut come from down South. All this assuming those 200 were red-shirts?

BTW the stations could continue with their 'normal' programs. Channel 3, 5 and 7 normally seem to divide time between all parties, but NBT for sure is the government propaganda channel (nbt.prd.co.th I think)

PS

"BANGKOK, 9 May 2014 (NNT) – The Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) has forbidden all media outlets from publicizing messages that could be deemed supportive of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), threatening serious action against violators."

http://thainews.prd.go.th/centerweb/newsen/NewsDetail?NT01_NewsID=WNPOL5705090010013

Edited May 11, 2014 by rubl

[smedly]

If Thaksin doesn't get his way he will destroy Thailand by any means rather than lose face again - that is certain

The fact that he is orchestrating all of this from abroad means the coward is untouchable, he will get to keep his billions and the Thai people and the country will be in ruins

and since some people are discussing the word coup - I don't see it that way at all, I see the army general bring some order to this kayos and acting in the name of His Majesty the KING

Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha has shown nothing but the utmost integrity and restraint the last 6 months - the man deserves a medal

Edited May 11, 2014 by smedly

[pkspeaker]

Do I have a source for what? There was a report posted in this forum that Yingluck was asking the council of state to advise; the CC ruling did not mention the Defense Minister.. would they really have forgot to dismiss her for that one? The govts offices are at that location i noted..what don't you belive?

BTW did you notice that Yingluck is still the Defense Minister? Funny how the CC 'forgot' to tell her she is sacked from the DM portfolio ??

She still works at the Office of the Permanent Secretary of Defense; The government does not seem to be under intimidation by the military as long as CAPO is non-confrontational, letting the PDRC shoot itself in the foot by pulling stunts like televsions station takeovers, while maintaining the levers of power.

Do you have a source for this? I find it very diffic... no, I take that back, I need a source or I just don't believe it. I don't believe it at all, but one reason I don't believe it is that the ex-foreign minister, who a poster claimed was saying he was still foreign minister, has departed the scene and the deputy foreign minister in charge of foreign affairs went to the Asean summit in Burma. Surapong out, poor old clueless Phongthep to Naypyitaw.

If it's true, though, which I'm sure you will prove with a credible source, there should be an urgent suit brought to the Constitutional Court so they can make their ruling even clearer than it was.

Until then, it's just one TV poster.

.

[pmugghc]

Well, the Reds certainly were not invited onto Utthayan Road.

Yes, actually they were. You can find out by whom, but not from me. If you catch my drift, which you probably won't but others will. There are some subjects off limits here, and not because they appeared in the Bangkok Post. That was a second clue, by the way. Almost all Thais would know, though, if you dare ask.

Interesting, thanks. So the clues point to someone powerful living in the neighborhood, who perhaps has been flying planes (since the air force provides mobile restrooms), is supporting the UDD? Edited May 11, 2014 by pmugghc

[heybruce]

If Thaksin doesn't get his way he will destroy Thailand by any means rather than lose face again - that is certain

The fact that he is orchestrating all of this from abroad means the coward is untouchable, he will get to keep his billions and the Thai people and the country will be in ruins

and since some people are discussing the word coup - I don't see it that way at all, I see the army general bring some order to this kayos and acting in the name of His Majesty the KING

Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha has shown nothing but the utmost integrity and restraint the last 6 months - the man deserves a medal

"If Thaksin doesn't get his way he will destroy Thailand by any means rather than lose face again - that is certain"

Do you have evidence for this, or does your certainty come from your "Thaksin is the boogieman" theory?

"The fact that he is orchestrating all of this from abroad means the coward is untouchable, he will get to keep his billions and the Thai people and the country will be in ruins"

He's orchestrating the PDRC movements? Wow, does Suthep know this? Or is Suthep one of Thaksin's lackeys?

But of course a military coup will fix everything. After all, the last coup gave Thailand its current constitution, and look how well that has worked.

[Mentors]

Seems that a VERY BIG CHANGE is ahead, and not in favour of the Yellow Mob.

[pmugghc]

Seems that a VERY BIG CHANGE is ahead, and not in favour of the Yellow Mob.

Some would argue it's not a change, it's been this way for a few years.

[Morch]

That's what civilised people do.....clean up after their mess.

Any chance of the reds taking any notice?

I think, generally speaking, that civilised people first and foremost do not go to other people's homes to make a mess at all. What you're extolling seems a little less than civilised - they come into my home, chase me out or restrict my movements, then justify it by saying they've cleaned it up. I'm not sure "civilised" is the word we're groping for in this second case.

Or are you saying they were invited into the park?

Well, the Reds certainly were not invited onto Utthayan Road. The only thing out here is the religious park and residences, which the UDDers are blasting their speeches into via loudspeakers. I can even hear them a little bit on the other side of my house, and I'm over 1 km away from the nearest loudspeaker--about 3 km away from the main stage. So, why have the Reds invaded a residential district where they most definitely are not wanted? This is not at all a Red area. Taweewattana and Salaya are about as far from Red as you can get. I'd say by your very definition that makes the Reds decisively uncivilized.

All I can say is you are a NIMBY sir. So it's ok by you that the clean, educated PDRC protesters have inconvenienced other parts of BKK for the past 6 months with their endless loud music, speeches, road closures etc. Would you be happy if it was them legally protesting in your back yard rather than the unwashed, uneducated rabble from the north.

The PDRC demonstrated around our Bangkok place a few times, so did the Democrat Party.

Can't say it was fun - noisy, traffic jams, people parking their cars in silly places, favorite street food vendors vanishing or too busy, surely guards.

The res-shirts came around a couple of times, one of them for the blood pouring thing (which was indeed somewhat gruesome).

Not much fun either - noisy, traffic jams, people parking their cars in silly places, favorite street food vendors vanishing or too busy, surely guards.

Main difference - the area looks less like a dump after the PDRC/Democrat gatherings. It's not THAT big a deal, really, as the BMA cleans up in a day or two. But still nicer if they'd take the time to do it themselves like the other side (the BMA guys show up regardless, btw). Good for PR and good for educating the general populace about keeping the country clean.

Both sides had their turns occupying protest site (not nearby, thankfully) for weeks and months, and I don't envy people living nearby, it's a nuisance no matter which color you prefer. Cleaning up might no be a serious issue, but perhaps it is a gesture worth adopting as standard.

[wolf5370]

is this as well as or instead of the final final push that finishes today? 3 day final victory push total success was it?

Despite being a Bangkok elitist putch, They are finding it difficult to get any traction at all even in the areas they live.

A big country exists outside of Bangkok and it does not look like they are going to let them succeed this time.

Did you mean a pusch? dear?? as for no traction - maybe they could buy a tractor...........the rest wasn't very good English so i didn't understand

If you don't understand this, it's possible you are non-educated, or an islander who speaks/understands only one language .

Maybe he doesn't speak German - or know his Swiss history

[ClutchClark]

That's what civilised people do.....clean up after their mess.

Any chance of the reds taking any notice?

Going to call BS on that one mate. I have never seen a protest where the protesters return to the site to clean up their mess...this is an excellent example of civic responsibility and the consideration that all those camped at Lumpini have displayed under difficult circumstances since this started.

I run frequently at Lumpini and have always found everyone there to be considerate and cooperative towards me. I am apolitical in Thailand affairs but these protesters now volunteering to clean up after themselves is worth some respect. I wish I was not away on business at the moment or I would be over there helping.

Good on ya PDRC!

[ClutchClark]

That's what civilised people do.....clean up after their mess.

Any chance of the reds taking any notice?

I think, generally speaking, that civilised people first and foremost do not go to other people's homes to make a mess at all. What you're extolling seems a little less than civilised - they come into my home, chase me out or restrict my movements....

Your home is In Lumpini Park?

If not then what are you blathering on about?

[gangrel]

There has been a conspicuous dirge of reporting on the red shirt rally of millions and millions. Not even by Khaosod. The UDD appears to have fallen completely under the radar. Meanwhile, the PDRC - true to form - are cleaning up their rally location, establishing a model that the UDD will clearly never follow. CAPO still manages to broadcast on only one of five channels, while Pheu Thai buckles down on their only remaining ambition - to keep the Senate from opening - apparently indefinitely.

The UDDers rally has really flopped. Over at the BP, there is a video of a drone in flight and you can see how small the crowd was/is, as it flies over the crowd and back to the main stage. Pause the video at the 40 second mark and you'll see that there aren't even 10,000 there.

moderator deleted post

didn't the Rouge promise 1.0 million people ?...... .....so not even a quarter of the people they promised turned up to listen to Robert Amsterdam, who is a foreigner getting involved in Thai politics and talking on a stage, which I believe is illegal, so why hasn't he been arrested and deported, same as the Indian PR ?....I am sure CAPO and an minister for ear medicine will mobilise all resources to arrest this law breaker and deport him...bet he hasn't even got a work permit...

Amsterdam already has criminal charges pending in Thailand.

[webfact]

ANTI-GOVERNMENT CAMPAIGN
PDRC shuts Lumpini rally site, heads for final battle
KESINEE TAENGKHIAO,
NUNTIDA PUANGTHONG
THE NATION


PDRC secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban makes a speech at the rally site of the Students and People Network for Thailand
Suthep to set up 'office' in Government House compound

BANGKOK: -- THE PEOPLE'S Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) will today end its rally at Lumpini Park and move all rally sites to Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge.

PDRC secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban last night made the final speech on the stage at the park.

Suthep yesterday made a speech at the Chamai Maruchet rally site of the Students and People Network for Thailand's Reform and advised the demonstrators that he would lead the march to Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge near Government House today.

After reaching the new rally site, he said he would lead the demonstrators to Parliament to observe a special meeting of the Senate to see if the new Senate Speaker would nominate a non-partisan prime minister for His Majesty's endorsement.

Suthep said he would set up his new office inside the Santi Maitree Building in the Government House compound.

He would make future statements from his new office and would hold meetings with any group that came to meet him. Protesters would not be allowed inside the compound, only some PDRC staff involved.

Suthep said the latest round of rallies would be the final battle. If the PDRC won by pushing for real reforms, he would return to live in Surat Thani but if he loses, people could visit him in jail.

Meanwhile, Phra Buddha Issara, the monk who is leading the PDRC rally outside Government Complex on Chaeng Wattana Road, cancelled all activities yesterday.

He rested behind the rally stage after he was injured by a water canon and teargas during a clash with police at the Royal Thai Police Club on Friday.

The Chaeng Wattana rally stage had only music shows yesterday. The PDRC protesters, who had occupied the country's five main television stations, returned to their rally sites yesterday.

Chumphon Junsai and Chitpas Kridakorn, who led the PDRC protest at MCOT (Channel 9) and returned to Lumpini Park, said MCOT had cooperated with protesters.

Buddhipongse Punnakanta, who led protesters at Channel 7 and returned to Lumpini Park, will protest at Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge on Rajdamnoen Avenue today.

Nathapol Teepsuwan, who led protesters at Channel 3 on Rama IV Road, said the demonstrations at the TV stations were not a threat to the media and the protesters had not intruded into restricted areas.


-- The Nation 2014-05-12

[chooka]

ANTI-GOVERNMENT CAMPAIGN

PDRC shuts Lumpini rally site, heads for final battle

KESINEE TAENGKHIAO,

NUNTIDA PUANGTHONG

THE NATION

PDRC secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban makes a speech at the rally site of the Students and People Network for Thailand

Suthep to set up 'office' in Government House compound

BANGKOK: -- THE PEOPLE'S Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) will today end its rally at Lumpini Park and move all rally sites to Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge.

PDRC secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban last night made the final speech on the stage at the park.

Suthep yesterday made a speech at the Chamai Maruchet rally site of the Students and People Network for Thailand's Reform and advised the demonstrators that he would lead the march to Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge near Government House today.

After reaching the new rally site, he said he would lead the demonstrators to Parliament to observe a special meeting of the Senate to see if the new Senate Speaker would nominate a non-partisan prime minister for His Majesty's endorsement.

Suthep said he would set up his new office inside the Santi Maitree Building in the Government House compound.

He would make future statements from his new office and would hold meetings with any group that came to meet him. Protesters would not be allowed inside the compound, only some PDRC staff involved.

Suthep said the latest round of rallies would be the final battle. If the PDRC won by pushing for real reforms, he would return to live in Surat Thani but if he loses, people could visit him in jail.

Meanwhile, Phra Buddha Issara, the monk who is leading the PDRC rally outside Government Complex on Chaeng Wattana Road, cancelled all activities yesterday.

He rested behind the rally stage after he was injured by a water canon and teargas during a clash with police at the Royal Thai Police Club on Friday.

The Chaeng Wattana rally stage had only music shows yesterday. The PDRC protesters, who had occupied the country's five main television stations, returned to their rally sites yesterday.

Chumphon Junsai and Chitpas Kridakorn, who led the PDRC protest at MCOT (Channel 9) and returned to Lumpini Park, said MCOT had cooperated with protesters.

Buddhipongse Punnakanta, who led protesters at Channel 7 and returned to Lumpini Park, will protest at Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge on Rajdamnoen Avenue today.

Nathapol Teepsuwan, who led protesters at Channel 3 on Rama IV Road, said the demonstrations at the TV stations were not a threat to the media and the protesters had not intruded into restricted areas.

-- The Nation 2014-05-12

Wasn't the "FINAL BATTLE" last Friday? Now he is organising another Final Battle, give it up you stupid moronic little worm you have had more final battles than dinners and haven't won a single one. A Final is just that, the end, finish, the decider. You can't keep having finals until you win, you have more chance of winning an election than a final battle you lunatic and laughing stock of Thailand.

[wandasloan]

Why wouldn't 200 people from Surit Thani be treated well? Even k. Jatuporn and k. Nattawut come from down South. All this assuming those 200 were red-shirts?

While you're out today, pick up an irony detector, yours is broken.

Amsterdam already has criminal charges pending in Thailand.

It would be easier to list the people who do not (yet) have criminal charges pending. Actually, and this statement is valid until Thursday, the only prominent name that occurs to me is Yingluck Shinawatra.

.

Edited May 11, 2014 by wandasloan

[Eric Loh]

That's what civilised people do.....clean up after their mess.

Any chance of the reds taking any notice?

Difference is that the BMA is cleaning up the PDRC mess and the BMA not cleaning any UDD mess.

[Thait Spot]

That's what civilised people do.....clean up after their mess.

Any chance of the reds taking any notice?

Difference is that the BMA is cleaning up the PDRC mess and the BMA not cleaning any UDD mess.

Credit where credit's due - Suthep has always cleaned up after his own mess.

Take your head out of the sand sometimes.

[fab4]

If Thaksin doesn't get his way he will destroy Thailand by any means rather than lose face again - that is certain

The fact that he is orchestrating all of this from abroad means the coward is untouchable, he will get to keep his billions and the Thai people and the country will be in ruins

and since some people are discussing the word coup - I don't see it that way at all, I see the army general bring some order to this kayos and acting in the name of His Majesty the KING

Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha has shown nothing but the utmost integrity and restraint the last 6 months - the man deserves a medal

I'm not sure there's room, all those campaign medals see, Bangkok 2010, Cambodia 2011, Bangkok 2013/2014

[Morch]

That's what civilised people do.....clean up after their mess.

Any chance of the reds taking any notice?

Difference is that the BMA is cleaning up the PDRC mess and the BMA not cleaning any UDD mess.

Not from what I have witnessed.

The BMA arrives regardless if protestors clean or not, btw.

I am not sure the BMA is charged with cleaning everywhere in Bangkok, though.

So perhaps this would not apply to some venues, like the Rajamangala Stadium.

If it is a street protest (or park, as the case may be), they BMA will clean it for sure.

By your logic Ratchaprasong should have been drowning in garbage by now.

Instead, it was cleaned by the people of Bangkok and BMA workers.

[CanInBKK]

That's what civilised people do.....clean up after their mess.

Any chance of the reds taking any notice?

I think, generally speaking, that civilised people first and foremost do not go to other people's homes to make a mess at all. What you're extolling seems a little less than civilised - they come into my home, chase me out or restrict my movements....

Your home is In Lumpini Park?

If not then what are you blathering on about?

Umm, I can't speak for wandasloan but my interpretation is that the PDRC is being lauded for cleaning up a mess which they shouldn't have created in the first place - up until now, nobody has been able to show that the PDRC have been paying for the use of Lumpini Park (yes, it's a "public" park but this does not extend to overnight stay). You should probably take off your yellow tinted glasses and be more objective.

[Morch]

Thank you, interesting post.

If it's 9th time, 12th or 23ed....doesn't matter much as far as hardcore PDRC goes, they're in for the ride. So Suthep can spin this to the best of his ability. Other supporters are probably somewhat tired of the show by now, perhaps he misjudged their resilience and commitment.

I do wonder if he's free to go home, though. In terms of lost face he probably missed his chance to ride into the sunset, and as you point out - hard to see him fully getting his way. The demonstrations have been somewhat pathetic for some time now, with real plays going elsewhere (mostly the legal stuff). What's keeping him? Does he truly believe himself to be Neo? Do his backers press him to go on?

That everyone has no good way to gauge a victory may have a positive sides. For one, they could all spin things for internal consumption, thus keeping their "troops" in line. Second, a bargain is easier to make if everyone thinks they got something or that the other side lost something.

A military coup or an imminent threat of a coup, might push the sides to some sort of agreement - but that's a rather risky path to take. Not a big coup fan, myself.

I have never liked coups, and (full disclosure) I am not a fortune teller by trade.

That said, I truly strongly fervently believe that a military coup would be the worst possible step this country could take. There are no great options looming. I think an election is the least worst. But I really believe a coup is worst of the worst. It would do no good at all, none. It would do enormous harm to the economy and to foreign relations, probably bringing foreign sanctions. It would CAUSE an upsurge in violence. It would harden the political positions, making any kind of compromise totally impossible. The very idea that the entire military, fully deployed, could stop violence is laughable. It would cause it.

The military cannot run the country. They have proved it and proved it and proved it. The years 2006-7 were a disaster in all possible ways. Literally, I cannot imagine anything worse for Thailand than a coup. I hope several times a day that posturing army commander is too intimidated and too selfish to have a coup.

About Suthep going home. Weirdly, 200 people from Surat Thani showed up at the reds' rally today. They got treated well of course, special speakers in the southern dialect and all, heh. Kind of like the yellows who show up in Chiang Mai, I guess.

I actually like to see a bit of this. The "red village" idea and the "no reds allowed here" are very creepy to me. That whole intimidation thing where Suthep said *all* of TV had to broadcast only what Comrade Kim Il-Su.... er, only what the bagman himself decreed is equally creepy and scary.

.

Yes, the Army is certainly not up to the task of running the show, and once their foot is in the mud would be hard to pull it out or clean the mess.

The military, or at least most of them, are obviously not keen actually running the country, they are well aware that it's a mess and that they stand to gain nothing from it. Much better for them too if this can be sorted without resorting to a coup. Then again, I don't think they'll let things go too far if there's too much open violence between the two sides, as this could easily deteriorate the situation.

And yes, a bit more patience and acceptance of each other would do the Thais a world of good. Even listening to what a rival side says without getting aggressive this would a big step forward.

Edited May 12, 2014 by Morch

[johnno2]

That's what civilised people do.....clean up after their mess.

Any chance of the reds taking any notice?

But forcing free to air TV stations to carry their dear leader's inane ramblings and causing fear within the building they occupied and caused trafffic mysery for hundreds of thousands is ok? You're more concerned about the mess left behind?

Perhaps you should read about the ecological damage they have caused in Lumpini Park - even taking a dump in the lake...yes... glad to see your priorities are right.

before you gabble any more you might like to remember 2010 when your red shirts burnt down and smashed up channel 3 - so tired of your double standards

hear hear, some people here are just like empty vessels. i've been to lumpini twice with my wife while the PDRC rallies have been on and the place is always clean. how many times have you been to lumpini during the rallies BKKBrit? Are you speaking from experience or just being any empty vessel and making noise for the sake of it?

[Morch]

That's what civilised people do.....clean up after their mess.

Any chance of the reds taking any notice?

I think, generally speaking, that civilised people first and foremost do not go to other people's homes to make a mess at all. What you're extolling seems a little less than civilised - they come into my home, chase me out or restrict my movements....

Your home is In Lumpini Park?

If not then what are you blathering on about?

Umm, I can't speak for wandasloan but my interpretation is that the PDRC is being lauded for cleaning up a mess which they shouldn't have created in the first place - up until now, nobody has been able to show that the PDRC have been paying for the use of Lumpini Park (yes, it's a "public" park but this does not extend to overnight stay). You should probably take off your yellow tinted glasses and be more objective.

Well, you can't really stay overnight and block any public area in the city, but allowances are made for demonstrations (and not only political ones). Guess it's part of being the capital.

Not aware that the PDRC are paying to use the park, and guess they are not (or will not). Is it even possible to rent the park as venue for such events? If so, wonder what the BMA charges.

Not so much praises for the PDRC, rather would have liked both to tone their demonstrations down a bit, and yes - clean some

before they leave. It's not a big deal, true, also not a big deal for them to do.

[smedly]

Thank you, interesting post.

If it's 9th time, 12th or 23ed....doesn't matter much as far as hardcore PDRC goes, they're in for the ride. So Suthep can spin this to the best of his ability. Other supporters are probably somewhat tired of the show by now, perhaps he misjudged their resilience and commitment.

I do wonder if he's free to go home, though. In terms of lost face he probably missed his chance to ride into the sunset, and as you point out - hard to see him fully getting his way. The demonstrations have been somewhat pathetic for some time now, with real plays going elsewhere (mostly the legal stuff). What's keeping him? Does he truly believe himself to be Neo? Do his backers press him to go on?

That everyone has no good way to gauge a victory may have a positive sides. For one, they could all spin things for internal consumption, thus keeping their "troops" in line. Second, a bargain is easier to make if everyone thinks they got something or that the other side lost something.

A military coup or an imminent threat of a coup, might push the sides to some sort of agreement - but that's a rather risky path to take. Not a big coup fan, myself.

I have never liked coups, and (full disclosure) I am not a fortune teller by trade.

That said, I truly strongly fervently believe that a military coup would be the worst possible step this country could take. There are no great options looming. I think an election is the least worst. But I really believe a coup is worst of the worst. It would do no good at all, none. It would do enormous harm to the economy and to foreign relations, probably bringing foreign sanctions. It would CAUSE an upsurge in violence. It would harden the political positions, making any kind of compromise totally impossible. The very idea that the entire military, fully deployed, could stop violence is laughable. It would cause it.

The military cannot run the country. They have proved it and proved it and proved it. The years 2006-7 were a disaster in all possible ways. Literally, I cannot imagine anything worse for Thailand than a coup. I hope several times a day that posturing army commander is too intimidated and too selfish to have a coup.

About Suthep going home. Weirdly, 200 people from Surat Thani showed up at the reds' rally today. They got treated well of course, special speakers in the southern dialect and all, heh. Kind of like the yellows who show up in Chiang Mai, I guess.

I actually like to see a bit of this. The "red village" idea and the "no reds allowed here" are very creepy to me. That whole intimidation thing where Suthep said *all* of TV had to broadcast only what Comrade Kim Il-Su.... er, only what the bagman himself decreed is equally creepy and scary.

.

The military, or at least most of them, are obviously not keen actually running the country, they are well aware that it's a mess and that they stand to gain nothing from it. Much better for them too if this can be sorted without resorting to a coup. Then again, I don't think they'll let things go too far if there's too much open violence between the two sides, as this could easily deteriorate the situation.

And yes, a bit more patience and acceptance of each other would do the Thais a world of good. Even listening to what a rival side says without getting aggressive this would a big step forward.

agree with what you said and I'll also add if CAPO gets power hungry again and starts abusing people like they seem to be poised to do, my opinion of CAPO is that it should be disbanded and it's members arrested for abuse of power and misappropriation of funds - the EC should withdraw funding immediately

[ClutchClark]

That's what civilised people do.....clean up after their mess.

Any chance of the reds taking any notice?

I think, generally speaking, that civilised people first and foremost do not go to other people's homes to make a mess at all. What you're extolling seems a little less than civilised - they come into my home, chase me out or restrict my movements....

Your home is In Lumpini Park?

If not then what are you blathering on about?

Umm, I can't speak for wandasloan but my interpretation is that the PDRC is being lauded for cleaning up a mess which they shouldn't have created in the first place - up until now, nobody has been able to show that the PDRC have been paying for the use of Lumpini Park (yes, it's a "public" park but this does not extend to overnight stay). You should probably take off your yellow tinted glasses and be more objective.

Oh no. Are you American? It sounds very American to see the world in such simple-minded terms of "us-them". I am apolitical here in Thailand politics, not my country and not my problem.

I simply asked if he lived in Lumpini Park since he said it was his "home".

Too typical of an american to see everything from a hostile & presumptive political perspective.

[gangrel]

That's what civilised people do.....clean up after their mess.

Any chance of the reds taking any notice?

I think, generally speaking, that civilised people first and foremost do not go to other people's homes to make a mess at all. What you're extolling seems a little less than civilised - they come into my home, chase me out or restrict my movements....

Your home is In Lumpini Park?

If not then what are you blathering on about?

Umm, I can't speak for wandasloan but my interpretation is that the PDRC is being lauded for cleaning up a mess which they shouldn't have created in the first place - up until now, nobody has been able to show that the PDRC have been paying for the use of Lumpini Park (yes, it's a "public" park but this does not extend to overnight stay). You should probably take off your yellow tinted glasses and be more objective.

Your red tinted glasses are showing.

Both yellow and red messes shouldn't have been created in the first place.

The only difference is that yellows are being acknowledged as at least cleaning up their mess.

If wandasloan is being challenged for the feeble comparison to her home, probably best not to try and step in and attempt to defend it and just let her take it on the chin for her foolishness. Otherwise, you end up stepping in something else that you have to scrape off your shoes.