Warning to impose "martial law" welcomed by both sides of divide

[NanLaew]

It is entirely logical that the army should step in to protect the constitution that THEY carefully drafted and so generously offered for a public referendum in 2007... whilst under Martial Law. In a similar manner, under Martial Law they can ensure that the Thai people will vote freely for the candidates of their choice that the Army wants to win.

For those new to this rodeo (or short on memory), the 2006 army regime masqueraded under various monikers that included "Administrative Reform Group under the Democratic System with the King as the Head of State" or the "Council for Democratic Reform under the Constitutional Monarchy". Do these sound bone-achingly, wearyingly familiar by now?

After a couple of years hard work where they handily managed to get 'Get Out Of Jail Cards' for themselves enshrined in their absolute dogs <deleted> of a Constitution, they handed off the ball to the Democrats to get into the end-zone but the Dems didn't have a playbook (never had, never will) whilst the wily, savvy and populist opposition was p!ssing all over them... THREE TIMES.

And so it came to pass that THREE TIMES, the Constitutional Court has decided that they didn't like the people's choice for elected government. Regardless of what they named themselves and how ever many were banned from politics, they would come back stronger than ever which must have been infuriating with all that money that was bunged to various 'secret' army groups (and Sonthi) to disrupt, disable and smear the kick-ass and populist opposition. Sadly, lacking any <deleted> themselves, the CC only manages to tweak Thaksin's balls instead of castrating him.

Thaksin deserves a death by a thousand cuts for all the grief he has caused.I hope other members of his family have more guts than him.If Yinny does some soft time she truely will be a heroine to her fans,and bro will be shown up for what he is.

Whooooshhh!!!

Please quantify and clarify this 'grief'.

Thanks

[billd766]

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The shinaclan will welcome martial law. It gives them the opportunity to run out of the country and seek asylum abroad with their stolen billions, claiming the hunt for them is politiclly motivated.. It happened before and seems to work for the big bad guy in Dubai.

Not Quiet so , Thaskin was given a good behaviour bond to attend the Beijing Olympic games and return to Thailand , however he's passport was not entered as such , he got back to H.K. took a BA to London and pleaded that he wouldn't get a fair trial, he left he's millions behind which was frozen , he's assets were all un frozen when the PTP got into power and was issued with a new passport also. Some of the blame must also be given to the democrats, for allowing the lying Pri!!k to leave in the first place.

Actually he left under a PPP government run by his brother in law Somchai.

A song from Sly and the Family Stone called "We are family" springs to mind.

[nidieunimaitre]

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The shinaclan will welcome martial law. It gives them the opportunity to run out of the country and seek asylum abroad with their stolen billions, claiming the hunt for them is politiclly motivated.. It happened before and seems to work for the big bad guy in Dubai.

Not Quiet so , Thaskin was given a good behaviour bond to attend the Beijing Olympic games and return to Thailand , however he's passport was not entered as such , he got back to H.K. took a BA to London and pleaded that he wouldn't get a fair trial, he left he's millions behind which was frozen , he's assets were all un frozen when the PTP got into power and was issued with a new passport also. Some of the blame must also be given to the democrats, for allowing the lying Pri!!k to leave in the first place.

Actually he left under a PPP government run by his brother in law Somchai.

A song from Sly and the Family Stone called "We are family" springs to mind.

Your political ideas are COMPLETELY wrong: "We are family" is NOT a Sly song, it is a song by SISTER SLEDGE.

Do some research before you post silly political statements!

[than]

Who has the authority to declare martial law?

The government?

The army?

Perhaps that answering this question will lead to yet another judicial battle?

Chef of Army has authority to impose ML, not the Government

[billd766]

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The shinaclan will welcome martial law. It gives them the opportunity to run out of the country and seek asylum abroad with their stolen billions, claiming the hunt for them is politiclly motivated.. It happened before and seems to work for the big bad guy in Dubai.

Not Quiet so , Thaskin was given a good behaviour bond to attend the Beijing Olympic games and return to Thailand , however he's passport was not entered as such , he got back to H.K. took a BA to London and pleaded that he wouldn't get a fair trial, he left he's millions behind which was frozen , he's assets were all un frozen when the PTP got into power and was issued with a new passport also. Some of the blame must also be given to the democrats, for allowing the lying Pri!!k to leave in the first place.

Actually he left under a PPP government run by his brother in law Somchai.

A song from Sly and the Family Stone called "We are family" springs to mind.

Your political ideas are COMPLETELY wrong: "We are family" is NOT a Sly song, it is a song by SISTER SLEDGE.

Do some research before you post silly political statements!

What are you? Some kind of musical nasty? Who cares?

What silly political statement did I make? Did Thaksin leave under Somchais governance or not?

Edited May 17, 2014 by billd766

[nidieunimaitre]

Actually he left under a PPP government run by his brother in law Somchai.

A song from Sly and the Family Stone called "We are family" springs to mind.

Your political ideas are COMPLETELY wrong: "We are family" is NOT a Sly song, it is a song by SISTER SLEDGE.

Do some research before you post silly political statements!

What are you? Some kind of musical nasty? Who cares?

What silly political statement did I make? Did Thaksin leave under Somchais governance or not?

The silly political statement you made was about Sly and the family stone.

Google humour, and stop taking yourself so seriously, after all, this subforum is the electronic form of a barstool conversation.

Greetings from The Musical Nasty.

[Tom420]

It's a pity these goons are playing Monopoly with real people's lives.

Implying that is not what the vast majority of governments around the world do anyway, the US is far worse for using it's people as pawns

[khunken]

Personally I think that martial law - in Bangkok - wouldn't be such a bad thing. As CAPO and the police have had no intention to find and arrest those doing the shooting and grenade throwing at the protestors, if it gets CAPO out of the scene, there's a good chance that the attacks will stop.

I still vividly remember when the army replaced the police on the streets in my area in 2010, how they were welcomed and extortion (among other things) stopped.

[TinoThailand]

Just like in the west, great!

[BeforeTigers]

After seeing that video of PDRC militai literally ramming trucks into standing lines of police outside of the Air Force HQ, and then to enter with no military resistance an official military post with the Prime Minister inside is it not embarassingly obvious that the military has already chosen to oppose the government?

Martial law would mean nothing but the initiation of a new fascist era.

If I am wrong I welcome your explanation.

[emiubon]

go back and look in the past of this people and you will find that they are blood related, by marriage,cousin from the past and also recently.

The Show Must Go On.

[sustento]

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

The shinaclan will welcome martial law. It gives them the opportunity to run out of the country and seek asylum abroad with their stolen billions, claiming the hunt for them is politiclly motivated.. It happened before and seems to work for the big bad guy in Dubai.

Not Quiet so , Thaskin was given a good behaviour bond to attend the Beijing Olympic games and return to Thailand , however he's passport was not entered as such , he got back to H.K. took a BA to London and pleaded that he wouldn't get a fair trial, he left he's millions behind which was frozen , he's assets were all un frozen when the PTP got into power and was issued with a new passport also. Some of the blame must also be given to the democrats, for allowing the lying Pri!!k to leave in the first place.

Actually he left under a PPP government run by his brother in law Somchai.

A song from Sly and the Family Stone called "We are family" springs to mind.

I think you're a little confused. Sly and the Family Stone sang 'It's a Family Affair' from the album 'There's a Riot Going On' which does seem quite appropriate

[max72]

They all agree. So where is the problem ? This was the Suthep's mobsters of assassins target. Martial law, repression and massacres against anybody who dares to say a word. Every country deserves what it has. Thailand will not be a democracy for any foreseeable future, simply there is nothing here

which resembles democracy, in any part of the country. It is only a continous jumping from bad to worse to even worse to the worst....

Edited May 17, 2014 by max72

[hagler]

It is worth bearing in mind that once Martial Law is formally declared most insurance policies are invalidated.

[Civil War]

Prayuth must be one stupid idiot.

He has allowed his warning to be totally twisted and hijacked by the pro-gov (pro-terrorist) camp.

Anyone with an iota of intelligence can see they are taking the urine out of the army.

Talk about putting words into his mouth.

They had really better watch their mouths now, because I am sure those with a little education will be on the phone to Prayuth to explain what Surapong is actually doing.

Surapong now has place the cross hairs onto his forehead..... Nice to see he has decided to become a martyr for the red shirt terror campaign... If he so welcoming of military intervention, then let's have it. I can't wait to see his dumb lizard like expression when it happens, and I also can't wait to see what happens when the red shirts 'cross the Chao praya) into BKK for a civil war on the command of Jattuporn and Nattawut.

[Civil War]

It is worth bearing in mind that once Martial Law is formally declared most insurance policies are invalidated.

Nobody from the military threatened or even mentioned martial law.... They threatened to stop the government killing people with their red shirt militia.

They will attack CAPO and the UDD and crush any response.

How does that amount to martial law?????

[rebelplatoon]

Martial law means reason, diplomacy and understanding have lost from force.

As I read it it s welcomed by a caretaker government that s holding onto power and after many calls won t sit down and talk. A red militia supported with money from a fugitive that wants a showdown. And Suthep after being constantly frustrated due to his out of this world demands.

Inspite of what people say here the Dems have been looking for solutions and are willing to talk. Have even offered, if it helps, not to let their leader join the next elections.

SIT DOWN AND TALK!! DO IT FOR THE PEOPLE!! DO IT FOR THAILAND!!

[geriatrickid]

Who has the authority to declare martial law?

The government?

The army?

Perhaps that answering this question will lead to yet another judicial battle?

The only way it could work would be for a military coup to take place..and then announce martial law. That would lessen the blame for either side....for calling them in.

The other way is for the government to make the request, and to "refer" it to the appropriate judicial body for a legal opinion. The request can be reviewed and an opinion offered which is a defacto endorsement by the court. This would be done in consensus with the police and the military.

Unfortunately, this willing embrace of martial law is exactly what the extremists wanted. No one wins when such draconian measures are gladly accepted on a national level . It means that the rule of law has collapsed and that the supposed pillars of civil society have crumbled. The willing acceptance of martial law is the lazy person's way out of an impasse and only papers over an underlying crisis. The problems go quiet, only to come back more aggressive than ever. It's like syphilis. Untreated it becomes latent only to manifest itself at a later period in a more deadly form. It's time the political factions quit with the rhetoric and sat down in a national constitutional congress and resolved the issues once and for all. Let the people elect representatives, then take the representatives and lock them in a meeting room, letting them out only for sleep and hygiene reasons, and tell them they will remain locked up until they hammer out a consensus. After a week or so they will come up with a consensus.

[Publicus]

It is worth bearing in mind that once Martial Law is formally declared most insurance policies are invalidated.

Nobody from the military threatened or even mentioned martial law.... They threatened to stop the government killing people with their red shirt militia.

They will attack CAPO and the UDD and crush any response.

How does that amount to martial law?????

Gen Prayuth has made clear in previous statements that if the Army has to come out both sides will be put under lock and key, militants on both sides.

Meanwhile the government will remain in place.

Suthep may well make the weekend of May 25 into a very ugly time and event, at which point Gen Prayuth would have to introduce some sort of apocalypse.

Once martial law is imposed no one really knows what may come of it or when it might end, so it's a roll of the dice for the country as a whole. I see Suthep and the PDRC as the bigger losers under an "honest" application of martial law. The government however would have to be nervous too.

[Publicus]

I been living here over 10 years and seen it all .I liked it myself when the military took control last time.Nice peaceful time for a change without the circus of a so called government. Well at least IMO. Also not having the men in brown screwing with the internet what we should see.

yes I recall that all the censorship was turned off and Surayud told that people who can handle a computer can also build there own opinion.

The government acted a lot more democratic than any elected government. The only mistake was that they were too kind and thought that Thaksin will be peaceful. Would they seized all his money and properties we wouldn't be in troubles now.

I think they all liked to get the finger in the pie.How ironic but true the military much more Democatic then a so called elected government.

Your posts above read like PR to justify military rule and control and that a military dictatorship is a nice sweet and gentle state of affairs, so wonderful for the country and its so benign and benevolent to its people.

Below is some of the Wiki account of the 1992 battle between the people for democracy versus the military dictators in which thousands of Thai people were killed or suffered severely from the vile armed assault of Special Operations Forces of the Army against them in the streets of Bangkok. Some of the place names identified in the battles of the time have a familiar ring to them today.

On February 23, 1991, Army Commander Suchinda Kraprayoon overthrew the government of Chatichai Choonhavan. The coup-makers, who called themselves the National Peace-Keeping Council (NPKC), appointed Anand Panyarachun as Prime Minister. Gen Suchinda said he conducted the coup to end a "parliamentary dictatorship."

May 18, 1992

By midnight two fire engines had been set on fire, and the situation was spiralling out of control. Some 700 troops had been called in and the fighting fanned out from Phan Fa Bridge. At 12:30 AM Suchinda declared a state of emergency, making gatherings of more than ten people illegal. The government urged people to go home, as hospitals in the area were already receiving the injured, including four with gunshot wounds who died that night.^[2]

Chamlong remained near Phan Fa Bridge and the nearby Democracy Monument. About 4:00 AM, soldiers threatened the nearly 40,000 protesters by firing M16 rifles into the air. An hour and a half later, they began firing again. By the morning, the army brought in more troops, and crowds grew larger at other sections of the city.

Early on the afternoon of May 18th, Suchinda publicly accused Chamlong of fomenting violence and defended the government’s use of force. Shortly afterward, troops firing continuously in the air moved in to surround Chamlong. He was handcuffed and arrested.

However, the crowds did not disperse, and the violence escalated. After government troops secured the area around Phan Fa Bridge and the Democracy Monument, protests shifted to Ramkhamhaeng University in the east of the city. By evening of 19 May, some fifty thousand people had gathered there.

The violence resulted in 52 officially acknowledged deaths, hundreds of injuries, and many disappearances. Over 3,500 people were arrested; hundreds of them were women and children. Many arrested claimed to have been tortured; some were beaten, left to sit in sweltering sunlight, soaked in gasoline and threatened with immolation, and left to go hungry.

Suchinda was later appointed Chairman of Telecom Asia (today known as True), a company which received a concession to install 2 million telephone lines in Bangkok during the Anand government. Anand later became Chairman of Saha-Union Group, which had received an Independent Power Producer concession during his government.

http://en.wikipedia....Black_May_(1992

[hagler]

It is worth bearing in mind that once Martial Law is formally declared most insurance policies are invalidated.

Nobody from the military threatened or even mentioned martial law.... They threatened to stop the government killing people with their red shirt militia.

They will attack CAPO and the UDD and crush any response.

How does that amount to martial law?????

I am not concerned with who wins or loses what is coming up in the Kingdom. I am not Thai and I have no say in how the country is run and nor do I wish to have. Please forgive me if you misunderstood my intentions with the post. ( you must be a Thai national afterall if you have such strong views on things happening in your country and I understand your worries)

I am concerned however at the potential losses of some assets, both business and personal that the imposition of martial law within the Kingdom could bring with the voidance of insurance policies and was just sending a reminder to other prople who may be in the same position to take some steps to mitigate any potential losses.

Best of luck with the political issues in your country and heres hoping it all turns out for the best for you and your fellow countrymen.

[Thaiberius]

It is worth bearing in mind that once Martial Law is formally declared most insurance policies are invalidated.

Nobody from the military threatened or even mentioned martial law.... They threatened to stop the government killing people with their red shirt militia.

They will attack CAPO and the UDD and crush any response.

How does that amount to martial law?????

I am not concerned with who wins or loses what is coming up in the Kingdom. I am not Thai and I have no say in how the country is run and nor do I wish to have. Please forgive me if you misunderstood my intentions with the post. ( you must be a Thai national afterall if you have such strong views on things happening in your country and I understand your worries)

I am concerned however at the potential losses of some assets, both business and personal that the imposition of martial law within the Kingdom could bring with the voidance of insurance policies and was just sending a reminder to other prople who may be in the same position to take some steps to mitigate any potential losses.

Best of luck with the political issues in your country and heres hoping it all turns out for the best for you and your fellow countrymen.

Well put. Many choose to bury their heads in the sand regarding this question. Even the dear old BBC, who are known for not being particularly outspoken, openly talk of civil war in recent broadcasts from Bangkok. It is not beyond the realms of possibility that there will be many farang casualties of any financial restrictions placed upon foreigners in the event of martial law.

Whatever ones political affiliation in Thailand, I hope the current conflicts can be resolved in peace but I fear the longer this situation lasts, the more likely there will be more deaths. The military, as they outlined yesterday, will not allow further bloodshed.

[EricBerg]

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The shinaclan will welcome martial law. It gives them the opportunity to run out of the country and seek asylum abroad with their stolen billions, claiming the hunt for them is politiclly motivated.. It happened before and seems to work for the big bad guy in Dubai.

Not Quiet so , Thaskin was given a good behaviour bond to attend the Beijing Olympic games and return to Thailand , however he's passport was not entered as such , he got back to H.K. took a BA to London and pleaded that he wouldn't get a fair trial, he left he's millions behind which was frozen , he's assets were all un frozen when the PTP got into power and was issued with a new passport also. Some of the blame must also be given to the democrats, for allowing the lying Pri!!k to leave in the first place.

Actually he left under a PPP government run by his brother in law Somchai.

A song from Sly and the Family Stone called "We are family" springs to mind.

I think you're a little confused. Sly and the Family Stone sang 'It's a Family Affair' from the album 'There's a Riot Going On' which does seem quite appropriate

That family thing feeling is exactly what the missunderstood fugitive, Jatuporn, Amsterdam and all their bad guy friends try to sell the redshirt supporters. Yet many farmers are left behind broke while more of the shinamafia leaders will live the rich life in Dubai and other places... untill they are chased, arrested and brought to the courts.

[billd766]

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

The shinaclan will welcome martial law. It gives them the opportunity to run out of the country and seek asylum abroad with their stolen billions, claiming the hunt for them is politiclly motivated.. It happened before and seems to work for the big bad guy in Dubai.

Not Quiet so , Thaskin was given a good behaviour bond to attend the Beijing Olympic games and return to Thailand , however he's passport was not entered as such , he got back to H.K. took a BA to London and pleaded that he wouldn't get a fair trial, he left he's millions behind which was frozen , he's assets were all un frozen when the PTP got into power and was issued with a new passport also. Some of the blame must also be given to the democrats, for allowing the lying Pri!!k to leave in the first place.

Actually he left under a PPP government run by his brother in law Somchai.

A song from Sly and the Family Stone called "We are family" springs to mind.

I think you're a little confused. Sly and the Family Stone sang 'It's a Family Affair' from the album 'There's a Riot Going On' which does seem quite appropriate

You are right and I was wrong. My apologies to you. You could put it down to old age and you would not be far wrong.

[billd766]

Who has the authority to declare martial law?

The government?

The army?

Perhaps that answering this question will lead to yet another judicial battle?

The only way it could work would be for a military coup to take place..and then announce martial law. That would lessen the blame for either side....for calling them in.

The other way is for the government to make the request, and to "refer" it to the appropriate judicial body for a legal opinion. The request can be reviewed and an opinion offered which is a defacto endorsement by the court. This would be done in consensus with the police and the military.

Unfortunately, this willing embrace of martial law is exactly what the extremists wanted. No one wins when such draconian measures are gladly accepted on a national level . It means that the rule of law has collapsed and that the supposed pillars of civil society have crumbled. The willing acceptance of martial law is the lazy person's way out of an impasse and only papers over an underlying crisis. The problems go quiet, only to come back more aggressive than ever. It's like syphilis. Untreated it becomes latent only to manifest itself at a later period in a more deadly form. It's time the political factions quit with the rhetoric and sat down in a national constitutional congress and resolved the issues once and for all. Let the people elect representatives, then take the representatives and lock them in a meeting room, letting them out only for sleep and hygiene reasons, and tell them they will remain locked up until they hammer out a consensus. After a week or so they will come up with a consensus.

It is not often that I agree with what you say but this time I agree 100%.

[Thaiberius]

Are we missing a Sister Sledge here?