Thailand's army invokes martial law: military TV

[tigermonkey]

Hmmm .. Apparently 10 satellite television stations have been shut down including Bluesky ( Pdrc) and Asia Update ( Red Shirt ) and this is true. However, Bluesky Backup is still going strong - I was just watching, on my lunch break, some Thai in a pale blue shirt reading a speech, advocating seeking out the acting Ministers and "neutralizing" them.

What do you mean some Thai? Are there usually any other nationalities involved?

Sounds rather racist to me.

I didn't catch his name. Get off your high horse !!!

[Neeranam]

Hmmm .. Apparently 10 satellite television stations have been shut down including Bluesky ( Pdrc) and Asia Update ( Red Shirt ) and this is true. However, Bluesky Backup is still going strong - I was just watching, on my lunch break, some Thai in a pale blue shirt reading a speech, advocating seeking out the acting Ministers and "neutralizing" them.

What do you mean some Thai? Are there usually any other nationalities involved?

Sounds rather racist to me.

I didn't catch his name. Get off your high horse !!!

"Some man" would have been fine. Words say a lot about you.

Edited May 20, 2014 by Neeranam

[pmugghc]

Good analysis:

http://altthainews.blogspot.com/2014/05/thailand-military-move-is-not-coup.html?m=1

[stickylies]

Okay, any list of real restrictions and limitations that are in effect on our everyday lives?

no more farting

[tigermonkey]

Hmmm .. Apparently 10 satellite television stations have been shut down including Bluesky ( Pdrc) and Asia Update ( Red Shirt ) and this is true. However, Bluesky Backup is still going strong - I was just watching, on my lunch break, some Thai in a pale blue shirt reading a speech, advocating seeking out the acting Ministers and "neutralizing" them.

What do you mean some Thai? Are there usually any other nationalities involved?

Sounds rather racist to me.

I didn't catch his name. Get off your high horse !!!

"Some man" would have been fine. Words say a lot about you.

The man was Thai. Words also say a lot about you. You can still get off your high horse, and now also stop being judgemental.

[Prbkk]

Bluesky is blocked ( at least in Thailand).

[Neeranam]

The man was Thai. Words also say a lot about you. You can still get off your high horse, and now also stop being judgemental.

Be a man and admit your error. If you saw the news about the USA and never knew a politician's name, would you say "some American"?

[tigermonkey]

Bluesky is blocked ( at least in Thailand).

I receive Bluesky on 2 channels. Bluesky and Bluesky - Backup. While Bluesky is blocked, Bluesky - Backup is not..

[cheshiremusicman]

So it is 6 AM and I am watching CNN. No mention of it.. Let's try BBC.

You've got to be joking! The BBC are sxxt scared of reporting anything to do with Thailand; seems the country doesn't exist for them; but maybe, just maybe they will report this. The Australian network seem to have enough balls to report what's going on from what I've seen over the past few year, so thank goodness for impartial reporting!.

[tigermonkey]

The man was Thai. Words also say a lot about you. You can still get off your high horse, and now also stop being judgemental.

Be a man and admit your error. If you saw the news about the USA and never knew a politician's name, would you say "some American"?

I'd be afraid to use the phrase "some Man" for fear that some nutter would accuse me of sexism. No I would not say "some American". I would say "some guy from the States".

There is nothing wrong with my choice of words, except that you (for whatever reason) do not like them. People are all different.

[Neeranam]

The man was Thai. Words also say a lot about you. You can still get off your high horse, and now also stop being judgemental.

Be a man and admit your error. If you saw the news about the USA and never knew a politician's name, would you say "some American"?

I'd be afraid to use the phrase "some Man" for fear that some nutter would accuse me of sexism. No I would not say "some American". I would say "some guy from the States".

There is nothing wrong with my choice of words, except that you (for whatever reason) do not like them. People are all different.

yawn, it's like talking to a stone.

[boomerangutang]

...... my hat is off to him!

It looks more like a turban to me.

Yeah, you're right. It let's me unwind at the end of the day. OK, my turban is off to him!

Do you unwind the turban from the top of your head, or does the turban stand still and the head unwinds?

[louse1953]

I live a few hundred meters from an army camp and there are lots of military families in the area but I don't see any unusual activity.

I should say the camp is for basic training so the young soldiers aren't ready for much, they stand guard with M16s but the magazine is empty.

In 2006 it took several days before the camp responded to .the coup by stationing extra sentries with full packs and Hummers fitted with .50cals but no ammunition belts. I'd hate to think what was or wasn't in the packs.

Yeh,they are still kids.When we had the "war"with Cambodia afew years back,i was in 7/11 on route 24 and the army bus pulled in and all these lads piled out and started buy snacks,very polite as well.An army marches on its stomach after all.Meanwhile tanks and trucks rolled down the road.Very surreal.

[ve741]

The only real question is what impact does this have on the bar girl population and the poor ladyboys

Edited May 20, 2014 by ve741

[louse1953]

Maybe the Mil gov will reform the visa system, so we actually get a system that is fair, efficient, and works in everyone's best interestes?

You mean work in your interest dont you.I think petty visa issues would be the last thing on the Armies mind.Dont ever delude yourself that farangs are important in Thailand.

[lvr181]

Exactly my opinion is based on the fact that the Thai military has been incredibly "successful" in establishing peace in the far south with something like 5000 people killed for more than a decade now - they seem really qualified to try the same now all over Thailand!

5000? I thought it was in the hundreds?

Certainly there has been no real action to contain or reduce the violence in the south - a lack of political will? Or "mai pen rai"?

Edited May 20, 2014 by lvr181

[Robby nz]

Very constructive - not.

Don't think you'd have been keen messing with the guys in full combat attire operating at the motorway way junction near my house this morning, even with a few beers inside.

When was the last time someone attacked Thailand?

It would be great if those who post attacking the military took a few moments to look at what they actually do for this country.

Any time there is an emergency who is there to help ?, Be it flood the recent earthquake or anything else the military is always there.

Have you ever been in a military hospital in this country ? Probably don't even know they exist, they treat all comers including farang and have some of the top specialists in the country in all fields, these specialists are called on by public and private hospitals when needed.

They have a medical school and nursing collage that trains hundreds of doctors, dentists and nurses every year to a high standard.

If you don't believe that go have a look at one of the military hospitals in your area, if you are in BKK look at Pramonkutklau which I understand is the 5th or 6th biggest hospital in the country.

These hospitals, and there are many of them, must save the health budget billions each year.

They also train drivers, engineers, pilots and many others who get good jobs when they leave the military.

Sure there is waste of money with things like a submarine base, aircraft carrier and no doubt corruption along the way.

But they are not all bad and do a lot for the country.

Right now they are in the process of getting it out of the clutches of the criminal on the run and back on track.

Fair point on some of the services offered to the people of Thailand. I have visited a army hospital with my students so know of what you are speaking.

They are also alleged to be involved in human trafficking and there seems to be a lot of unusual wealth in the military as well to balance that out.

How do you explain the other coup's that have happened and always result in the removal of parties that represent the poor (badly in PT's case) and seem to never be concerned with the corruption of the other side?

If they get rid of this criminal (TS), do you suggest they install another of the right colour?

Do you really believe PT represented the poor ?

If so possibly you could tell that to the million or so rice farmers who have not as yet been paid because PT neglected to make provision for their payment before dissolving the house.

You could also explain how the Shin family fortune has increased 450% (as Thaksin told Forbes) in the period of PT administration.

I never said the military was squeaky clean in fact just the opposite I only brought some balance to the posts of those who are only out to vilify.

I suggested nothing, however I would suspect the military will arrange for general elections to be held as soon as possible.

That is as soon as they can be arranged to be free and fair with candidates from every party being able to campaign in their electorate without fear, with no intimidation or bribery of electors following through to clean balloting and vote counting, as is already allowed for in law.

In order to do this they will have to get the police used to actually doing their job which will I would imagine take considerable "hand holding" and possibly transfers to inactive posts as incentive.

I note the police chief is on the committee that will oversee the ML so I suspect he will be reminded that he should be serving all the people and not just a selected portion of the population.

[Thai at Heart]

Thai government not consulted about martial law: PM's aide

BANGKOK, May 20, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's embattled government was not consulted in advance by the military about the declaration of martial law but it is still in power, said the chief security adviser to Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan.

"The caretaker government still exists with Niwattumrong as caretaker prime minister. Everything is normal except the military is responsible for all national security issues," Paradon Pattanatabut told AFP.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-05-20

If there is a coup, this could be the shortest lived PM ship ever.

[3NUMBAS]

No soldiers on Sukhumvit Road.

any gallees ?

[3NUMBAS]

Hopefully ,this will focus opposing groups that there has to be a long term reconciliation

Lets face it, irrespective of the side of the political fence you sit on, if things were left to carry on the way they were going, one suspects there would have been bloodshed between opposing "forces" ...so one suspects the best thing that could have happened at this juncture is the Military to step in to serve as a buffer between "warring parties"

Now to me the only question is, is one or both of the aggrieved parties daft enough to try and take on the Military to prove a point ?

they promised an urban war like that in the south not a full blown riot ,that means car bombs by stealth in uptown areas

[boomerangutang]

let's hope the Reds don't decide resident farang are their enemies. If so, they've got some plum easy targets - all over pattaya, phuket, bkk.

Too bad there's no nuclear power plant in Thailand. Boy, that would be a juicy place to take over - to get media attention. P.u. trucks full of rowdies could drive right in, and if there was a security guard there, he'd probably wave politely, with a smirk on his face.

[englishoak]

Good analysis:

http://altthainews.blogspot.com/2014/05/thailand-military-move-is-not-coup.html?m=1

Tony Cartalucci is about as reliable as having an ex whore as a wife. Not a good analysis of anything just a rant by a paid minion.

Edited May 20, 2014 by englishoak

[blazes]

Has anyone noticed problems with incoming emails from abroad today? Like most people, I get the usual load of personal and junk mail and news summaries, throughout a normal day.

Today nowt, zero, nada, rien, ...since the TV morning mail that started off this thread.

And yet, by testing a "send" to my wife INSIDE the country, she got my email no problem. But her reply to me has not arrived in three hours. (Yet, my email to her would first have to go to my home country and be bounced back from there.)

Any techies willing to explain to this numpty?

[brewsterbudgen]

The BBC has very high and exacting standards which are monitored very closely.

Jonathan Head is an excellent reporter and you don't like him because he doesn't take any notice of the yellow propaganda and reports fairly and squarely. Good for him and proud of the BBC.

Because the BBC report objectively they are always criticised. Jonathan Head is an objective reporter.

So it is 6 AM and I am watching CNN. No mention of it.. Let's try BBC.

You've got to be joking! The BBC are sxxt scared of reporting anything to do with Thailand; seems the country doesn't exist for them; but maybe, just maybe they will report this. The Australian network seem to have enough balls to report what's going on from what I've seen over the past few year, so thank goodness for impartial reporting!.

It's been the lead item on BBC World News all day.

[Basil B]

Wounder what tomorrows head line will be? Police sue army for lose of income???

Amazingly the army imposes martial law without instruction from or consent of government, yet the army still lets the government continue. This could only happen in Thailand.

[casualbiker]

Wounder what tomorrows head line will be? Police sue army for lose of income???

Amazingly the army imposes martial law without instruction from or consent of government, yet the army still lets the government continue. This could only happen in Thailand.

That's because it's NOT A COUP!

Sent from my XT1032 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Piichai]

Hopefully ,this will focus opposing groups that there has to be a long term reconciliation

Lets face it, irrespective of the side of the political fence you sit on, if things were left to carry on the way they were going, one suspects there would have been bloodshed between opposing "forces" ...so one suspects the best thing that could have happened at this juncture is the Military to step in to serve as a buffer between "warring parties"

Now to me the only question is, is one or both of the aggrieved parties daft enough to try and take on the Military to prove a point ?

they promised an urban war like that in the south not a full blown riot ,that means car bombs by stealth in uptown areas

And when the military takes out a half-dozen or so Red leaders, it'll stop.

[tullynagardy]

And when the military takes out a half-dozen or so Red leaders, it'll stop.

aye because theyve been really good at that in the South

[leggo]

The BBC has very high and exacting standards which are monitored very closely.

Jonathan Head is an excellent reporter and you don't like him because he doesn't take any notice of the yellow propaganda and reports fairly and squarely. Good for him and proud of the BBC.

Because the BBC report objectively they are always criticised. Jonathan Head is an objective reporter.

So it is 6 AM and I am watching CNN. No mention of it.. Let's try BBC.

You've got to be joking! The BBC are sxxt scared of reporting anything to do with Thailand; seems the country doesn't exist for them; but maybe, just maybe they will report this. The Australian network seem to have enough balls to report what's going on from what I've seen over the past few year, so thank goodness for impartial reporting!.

It's been the lead item on BBC World News all day.

I have watched all the reports by Jonathan Head and I would certainly not agree that all his reports were objective, in fact I would say back at the beginning he was decidedly incorrect in his analysis of the situation.

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 2 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[stoneyboy]

The BBC has very high and exacting standards which are monitored very closely.

Jonathan Head is an excellent reporter and you don't like him because he doesn't take any notice of the yellow propaganda and reports fairly and squarely. Good for him and proud of the BBC.

Because the BBC report objectively they are always criticised. Jonathan Head is an objective reporter.

So it is 6 AM and I am watching CNN. No mention of it.. Let's try BBC.

You've got to be joking! The BBC are sxxt scared of reporting anything to do with Thailand; seems the country doesn't exist for them; but maybe, just maybe they will report this. The Australian network seem to have enough balls to report what's going on from what I've seen over the past few year, so thank goodness for impartial reporting!.

It's been the lead item on BBC World News all day.

I have watched all the reports by Jonathan Head and I would certainly not agree that all his reports were objective, in fact I would say back at the beginning he was decidedly incorrect in his analysis of the situation.

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 2 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

But he's the reporter not you,your just another arm chair critique.