Reds under close scrutiny; borders closed

[Lite Beer]

Reds under close scrutiny; borders closed
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The military is going after prominent red shirts by issuing summons, raids, detention and the closure of some border crossings in the wake of Thursday's power seizure.

In Tak's Mae Sot district, dozens of gun-toting soldiers yesterday stormed into the house of Meena Paksae, or Chartchai Kua-angkulkachorn, to detain him for questioning.

Chartchai had earlier led a group of red shirts to a hospital and removed a pro-political reform banner.

Known to spearhead efforts to set up a red-shirt radio station in Tak, he has close ties with a red-shirt hardliner Wutthipong Kochthammakhun, known as "Go Tee".

Soldiers found a handgun in Chartchai's house.

Border-crossing points in Ubon Ratchathani and Nong Khai are now closed to most people. Thais are allowed to travel into Thailand while foreigners are allowed to leave.

No Thai citizen is allowed to leave Thailand via these border crossings and no foreigners are allowed to enter through them.

"Soldiers will be deployed at all piers along the Mekong River, too. We will also conduct patrols," a senior military officer added.

Sources said the military had practically closed the border crossings in a bid to prevent people summoned by the National Peace and Order Maintaining Council (NPOMC) from leaving the country.

According to the sources, Pichet Tabudda, a red-shirt leader and a red DJ, sneaked into Laos just before the power seizure. He was sighted at a famous cafe in Laos.

Pichet led some 30 red shirts to rally in front of a military base in Ubon Ratchathani on Wednesday.

The Suranaee Command yesterday announced that the Sai Taku border-trade checkpoint in Buri Ram would be closed indefinitely out of concern that some ill-intentioned people may try to smuggle weapons into Thailand to trigger violence.

The border-trade checkpoint in Mae Hong Son has been closed, too.

"We will reopen it when the situation returns to normal," said Colonel Amnaj Srimark, the chief of a military taskforce.

The NPOMC, led by Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, sprung into action on Thursday and announced a mission to quickly restore normalcy to Thailand.

The country had been struggling with political turmoil and violence for more than six months prior to the military intervention.

In Sa Kaew, soldiers yesterday strictly searched vehicles and people going in and out of the Aranyaprathet border crossing.

The military raided facilities where several red radio stations were based and seized equipment.

-- The Nation 2014-05-24

[EricBerg]

If those red leaders have broad support upcountry it will be difficult to find them. They then will be "resistance-heroes" if the shinas still have many fans.

[The stuttering parrot]

What's the go about not letting Thais out and not letting foreigners in?

That's going to bugger up a few travel plans and visa runs!

[antimedia]

If those red leaders have broad support upcountry it will be difficult to find them. They then will be "resistance-heroes" if the shinas still have many fans.

As Thais are basically opportunist and don't give a dam about anybody other than themselves and the handouts will become nonexistent the fan base will dwindle at a rapid pace.

[Snig27]

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If those red leaders have broad support upcountry it will be difficult to find them. They then will be "resistance-heroes" if the shinas still have many fans.

As Thais are basically opportunist and don't give a dam about anybody other than themselves and the handouts will become nonexistent the fan base will dwindle at a rapid pace.

A few words of deep seated racism there. You may be in the wrong country.

[noitom]

Wow! See if there papers are in order. They need their letters of transit.

[Now or Never]

I hope they find the 5 million Baht Jutapon was offering for Sutheps arrest and give it to the farmers that the Reds have ripped off and bullied.

[antimedia]

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

If those red leaders have broad support upcountry it will be difficult to find them. They then will be "resistance-heroes" if the shinas still have many fans.

As Thais are basically opportunist and don't give a dam about anybody other than themselves and the handouts will become nonexistent the fan base will dwindle at a rapid pace.

A few words of deep seated racism there. You may be in the wrong country.

Well i'll be! how dare anyone utter the truth in fear of reprisal by the wholly ones. Wake up junior, how do you manufacture racism from fact?

Edited May 24, 2014 by antimedia

[Now or Never]

If those red leaders have broad support upcountry it will be difficult to find them. They then will be "resistance-heroes" if the shinas still have many fans.

Red and Shin fans are disappearing like water down the sink as seen in their disastrous results at the recent Senate election.

The Red and Shin Terrorists now control about 35% of the Senate and would not be able to pass legislation if they controlled the

Lower House.

This time the Reds & Shins are really finished.

Their biggest mistake was bullying the farmers after they ripped them of in the rice pledging scam.

[Lee4Life]

What's the go about not letting Thais out and not letting foreigners in?

That's going to bugger up a few travel plans and visa runs!

I have seen foreigners coming in from Laos at NongKhai, but have heard of some Lao being turned away. It seems that it may be a case by case basis for the Lao, not sure about the foreigners.

[gabruce]

I hope they find the 5 million Baht Jutapon was offering for Sutheps arrest and give it to the farmers that the Reds have ripped off and bullied.

I wonder, since the army arrested Suthep, does that mean they get to collect the 5 million Baht from Jatuporn?

[love1012]

What's the go about not letting Thais out and not letting foreigners in?

That's going to bugger up a few travel plans and visa runs!

Good if theyre red shirt supporters then they can go home!!

[Hawk]

No yellows mentioned here. Yellows still allowed to leave the country I suppose, as the Malaysian border is open for escaping Yellows that's if the need ever arises which seems doubtful.

Its basically a purge of the country's red brigade isn't it? Cleanse the country of all those nasty red peasants and return to the former elistist times again when the rich stood on the poor.

Edited May 24, 2014 by Hawk

[NongKhaiKid]

What's the go about not letting Thais out and not letting foreigners in?

That's going to bugger up a few travel plans and visa runs!

I have seen foreigners coming in from Laos at NongKhai, but have heard of some Lao being turned away. It seems that it may be a case by case basis for the Lao, not sure about the foreigners.

I have just heard Jonathan Head on BBC World Service saying the land borders are closed, no Thais out and no foreigners in.

I doubt he's been to any of the crossing and is probably just quoting from the official edict.

How many people will be stranded in neighbouring countries ?

[larsjohnsson]

No yellows mentioned here. Yellows still allowed to leave the country I suppose, as the Malaysian border is open for escaping Yellows that's if the need ever arises which seems doubtful.

Its basically a purge of the country's red brigade isn't it? Cleanse the country of all those nasty red peasants and return to the former elistist times again when the rich stood on the poor.

Very true

[sonar6ca]

If those red leaders have broad support upcountry it will be difficult to find them. They then will be "resistance-heroes" if the shinas still have many fans.

As Thais are basically opportunist and don't give a dam about anybody other than themselves and the handouts will become nonexistent the fan base will dwindle at a rapid pace.

You and your fan club can leave any time, I am sure the paradise you all left behind will roll the red carpet on your return.

[rebelplatoon]

Let Pichet the red dj try some protesting in Laos, see how that will go down in a marxist, red state.

[rebelplatoon]

No yellows mentioned here. Yellows still allowed to leave the country I suppose, as the Malaysian border is open for escaping Yellows that's if the need ever arises which seems doubtful.

Its basically a purge of the country's red brigade isn't it? Cleanse the country of all those nasty red peasants and return to the former elistist times again when the rich stood on the poor.

Very true

No need for them to run. They had peaceful protests. They did not throw grenades, shoot people or said a part of the country would be under their rule. Guess the current leaders know that.

75% of the Thais are in favour of this coup. Says enough, people were fed up and terrified of the reds.

[zianlim]

So now all borders are close? and No Visa run anymore?? how about in sadao going to penang? Is this issues affect to get a new visa? OMG thailand whats going on?! Help I do have a plan to exit sadao going to penang next week. Any news of the borders?

[WhizBang]

Laos has famous cafes? Who knew.

[FangFerang]

If those red leaders have broad support upcountry it will be difficult to find them. They then will be "resistance-heroes" if the shinas still have many fans.

As Thais are basically opportunist and don't give a dam about anybody other than themselves and the handouts will become nonexistent the fan base will dwindle at a rapid pace.

The General said the farmers would be paid within 20 days. They will already have their subsidy, which you called a 'handout'.

All democracies and communist countries subsidize industries, America, China, Russia, Britain, even Brazil. Same same.

[FangFerang]

Laos has famous cafes? Who knew.

I knew. I have been to a few. The Laos people are quite kind and beautiful. Vientiane is lovely. The people in the countryside are much like the rural Thais -- sophisticated and uneducated.

It is a sad fact of modern views that the perception of sophistication is based on technology and wealth, and which cultural anthropologists laugh at kindheartedly.

[rreddin]

If those red leaders have broad support upcountry it will be difficult to find them. They then will be "resistance-heroes" if the shinas still have many fans.

There is something that has gone almost unmentioned about this coup. Much focus is about Thaksin and the redshirt movement, but there is another significant player. He left the country several days ahead of the coup. This player has his own private army of real soldiers who mainly come from Isaan.

[soalbundy]

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If those red leaders have broad support upcountry it will be difficult to find them. They then will be "resistance-heroes" if the shinas still have many fans.

As Thais are basically opportunist and don't give a dam about anybody other than themselves and the handouts will become nonexistent the fan base will dwindle at a rapid pace.

A few words of deep seated racism there. You may be in the wrong country.

He has a right to his opinion without you raising the racist card, '' Look Miss,he's a racist,a racist,he should get the cane''. Some people have freckles some have blond hair,some people are racist,some are ultra liberal,some are religious some are atheist.Who are you to say a person is not allowed this or that opinion.

[EricBerg]

If those red leaders have broad support upcountry it will be difficult to find them. They then will be "resistance-heroes" if the shinas still have many fans.

As Thais are basically opportunist and don't give a dam about anybody other than themselves and the handouts will become nonexistent the fan base will dwindle at a rapid pace.

The General said the farmers would be paid within 20 days. They will already have their subsidy, which you called a 'handout'.

All democracies and communist countries subsidize industries, America, China, Russia, Britain, even Brazil. Same same.

Subsidize up to 40-50% ABOVE international market prices? No country does that. Would be selfdestructing their economies.

[EricBerg]

If those red leaders have broad support upcountry it will be difficult to find them. They then will be "resistance-heroes" if the shinas still have many fans.

As Thais are basically opportunist and don't give a dam about anybody other than themselves and the handouts will become nonexistent the fan base will dwindle at a rapid pace.

"don't give a dam about anybody other than themselves"

The huge support from people all over the Kingdom after the Tsunami suggests otherwise...

[LivinLOS]

If those red leaders have broad support upcountry it will be difficult to find them. They then will be "resistance-heroes" if the shinas still have many fans.

As Thais are basically opportunist and don't give a dam about anybody other than themselves and the handouts will become nonexistent the fan base will dwindle at a rapid pace.

The General said the farmers would be paid within 20 days. They will already have their subsidy, which you called a 'handout'.

All democracies and communist countries subsidize industries, America, China, Russia, Britain, even Brazil. Same same.

Subsidize up to 40-50% ABOVE international market prices? No country does that. Would be selfdestructing their economies.

Percentages of farm income that is subsidy paid for from government.

Switzerland 73%

Norway 71%

Japan 58%

EU 35%

South Korea 64%..

http://newsweekly.com.au/article.php?id=1701

So if swiss farm subsidy is 73% market value is 27%.. Logically they are being subsidized 150% or so..

Edited May 24, 2014 by LivinLOS

[bkkfaranguy]

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No yellows mentioned here. Yellows still allowed to leave the country I suppose, as the Malaysian border is open for escaping Yellows that's if the need ever arises which seems doubtful.

Its basically a purge of the country's red brigade isn't it? Cleanse the country of all those nasty red peasants and return to the former elistist times again when the rich stood on the poor.

Very true

No need for them to run. They had peaceful protests. They did not throw grenades, shoot people or said a part of the country would be under their rule. Guess the current leaders know that.

75% of the Thais are in favour of this coup. Says enough, people were fed up and terrified of the reds.

While I agree the reds can be violent sometimes, you must have a very short memory or have not watched the news much in the last six months. You must have missed the stories, the gaurds beating a red and tossing him in the river to die, or the people being shot at for accidently running over there cones in the road, or the graffic film of a yellow supporter throwing a grenade into the police line, the policeman trying to kick it away only to have his foot blown off, these are just a few examples of many, so far from peaceful!

Or maybe you are just a troll?

Edited May 24, 2014 by bkkfaranguy

[Scamper]

There is no question that Prayuth is making real inroads regarding the dismantling of violent networks within the UDD. He clearly knows where to look, and he clearly knows what to do. The result of this is that much potential future violence is being stopped in its tracks, and that means that everyone is safer as a result.

[Thailand]

There is no question that Prayuth is making real inroads regarding the dismantling of violent networks within the UDD. He clearly knows where to look, and he clearly knows what to do. The result of this is that much potential future violence is being stopped in its tracks, and that means that everyone is safer as a result.

It was only the red faction that were prone to violence then?