Supporters, Protesters Of Thaksin Clash At Central World

[sriracha john]

Source: The Nation - 25 August 2006

Edited August 25, 2006 by Jai Dee

[Old Man River]

By seeing the attacks on the PAD young and old, that alone did more damage to Thaksin in the eyes of his voters than you know. That was a very powerful suggestion that transcends class and levels of education.

There is another side to this. People upcountry who may have voted against the TRT will now be afraid to do so.

[hammered]

By seeing the attacks on the PAD young and old, that alone did more damage to Thaksin in the eyes of his voters than you know. That was a very powerful suggestion that transcends class and levels of education.

There is another side to this. People upcountry who may have voted against the TRT will now be afraid to do so.

The point is rather moot now that the news cycle has changed to the bomb thingy.

[Old Man River]

By seeing the attacks on the PAD young and old, that alone did more damage to Thaksin in the eyes of his voters than you know. That was a very powerful suggestion that transcends class and levels of education.

There is another side to this. People upcountry who may have voted against the TRT will now be afraid to do so.

The point is rather moot now that the news cycle has changed to the bomb thingy.

Agreed. However, the "bomb thingy" is much too muddy (internal) to ever get a true picture of.

[Jai Dee]

PAD requests policemen to inspect cases justly

The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) has submitted a book, requesting police officers to inspect cases without any bias.

In response to the case of the confrontation between Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s supporters and opponents at Siam Paragon and Central World, PAD key members, including Mr. Sondhi Limthongkul (สนธิ ลิ้มทองกุล) and Major General Chamlong Srimuang (จำลอง ศรีเมือง), led more than 200 PAD members to demand police officers to halt the prosecution against the premier’s opponents.

However, if the officers insist to sue these protesters, they should not perform such action to favour certain people. The PAD members said they are trying to request for a fair treatment from the authorities.

Moreover, the PAD has handed a VCD that recorded the confrontation event and the interview of the high-level authorities with the policemen.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 25 August 2006

[sriracha john]

300 PAD members rally at police headquarters

The People's Alliance for Democracy Friday organised a rally by some 300 people at the Royal Thai Police headquarters to demand police to take action against attackers of anti-Thaksin demonstrators.

The demonstrators led by PAD secretary-general Suriyasai Katasila gathered at the police head office.

After Suriyasai submitted a letter of complaint to the police head office, the demonstrators walked on Rama I Road to the Pathumvan police station.

They took about one hour for the march from the police head office to the police station, carrying banners in criticism of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and police.

They shouted "Thaksin get out" repeatedly during the march.

They arrived at the Pathumvan police station at 1 pm and Suriyasai led four demonstrators, who were attacked by Thaksin's supporters, to file complaint with police at the station.

The Nation

[Ricardo]

300 PAD members rally at police headquarters

The People's Alliance for Democracy Friday organised a rally by some 300 people at the Royal Thai Police headquarters to demand police to take action against attackers of anti-Thaksin demonstrators.

This is rather like asking turkeys to vote for Christmas, now that it has been clearly shown, that the attackers are indeed linked to the police.

The demonstrators led by PAD secretary-general Suriyasai Katasila gathered at the police head office.

After Suriyasai submitted a letter of complaint to the police head office, the demonstrators walked on Rama I Road to the Pathumvan police station.

They took about one hour for the march from the police head office to the police station, carrying banners in criticism of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and police.

They shouted "Thaksin get out" repeatedly during the march.

They arrived at the Pathumvan police station at 1 pm and Suriyasai led four demonstrators, who were attacked by Thaksin's supporters, to file complaint with police at the station.

The Nation

And throughout the whole PAD-organised demonstration, nobody was hurt or arrested, which is a nice contrast with recent TRT-organised events.

[sriracha john]

PAD REQUEST

'Cancel cases against us or book pro-PM group'

Alliance leaders present police with evidence of anti-Thaksin group being manhandled in front of police chief

The People's Alliance for Democracy yesterday asked the police to cancel all cases against them or else take legal action against the supporters of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

PAD leaders Sondhi Limthongkul, Chamlong Srimuang, Pibhop Dhongchai, Somsak Kosaisuk and spokesman Suriyasai Katasila, as well as 300 supporters, went to the Royal Thai Police headquarters where 200 officers had been deployed to keep order.

Barricades had been erected and metal-detectors and bag scanners were used to examine all visitors entering the building.

The PAD leaders gave police a picture of Colonel Ritthirong Thepjanda, the chief of Metropolitan Police Division 6, talking to two men manhandling anti-Thaksin protesters at CentralWorld during a clash on Monday.

They asked the police to take action against both the anti-Thaksin protesters and supporters equally.

The group also parked two amplifier-equipped pickup trucks in front of the police headquarters for PAD leaders to deliver speeches.

Sondhi said the car-bomb plot on Thursday had been fabricated because the power of the explosives had been exaggerated while the information from the police was confused.

Police charged the group for parking vehicles obstructing the traffic and unauthorised use of an amplifier.

PAD supporters later moved to the Pathum Wan police station to file more complaints for those injured in Thursday's clash and the previous confrontation at the Siam Paragon shopping centre on Saturday.

Police allowed only six people - those filing the complaints and their lawyers - into the building while people waiting outside sang songs and carried posters condemning the work of the police in controlling the clashes between anti and pro-Thaksin supporters.

- The Nation

[Ricardo]

In a possible move to derail plans by the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to stage a nationwide demonstration next week, the Interior Ministry yesterday ordered all provincial governors to thwart all future demonstrations against caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra or face severe disciplinary action.

The caretaker government signaled yesterday that harsh repercussions may await PAD demonstrations. Caretaker Interior Minister ACM Kongsak Wanthana yesterday reiterated that no police officers were involved in the violent clashes. However, at his monthly meeting with governors, conducted via video teleconference, ACM Kongsak instructed them to ensure that no anti-Thaksin protests occur in their province or they would face disciplinary action for incompetence.

- ThaiDay

http://www.ihtthaiday.com/IHT/ViewNews.asp...D=9490000107668

In case anyone missed it, there is an election campaign now underway in Thailand, and the outgoing government has just issued instructions to all provincial governors not to permit peaceful protests agains the acting caretaker PM or his party.

With no similar instructions regarding the TRT rallies, which will be expected, as part of the normal democratic process leading up to the elections.

How can the governers distinguish between a PAD anti-Thaksin rally, an anti-Thaksin rally organised by one of the many opposition-parties, or a spontaneous display of anti-Thaksin sentiment by the regular citizens ?

Surely this instruction will, if carried out, cause yet another unfair election, which may be ruled illegal under the constitution, and only extend the divisions within the country ?

Were there no lessons learned by the governing party, from the previous debacle, and the jailing of the EC-members ?

It will be a very interesting election campaign.

[John K]

Well we shall see, They need to go out and document this violation of rights. Then the people who use their official authority to violate rights can stand next in line behind Thaksin in court. I suspect the courts may have a good go at them seeing it was Thaksin. It only adds to the evidence that Thaksin will violate people to win and thus election laws. Sounds like a short cut to a red card to me.

However a campaign of truth about Thaksin, that certainly does not go against him, it only helps to clarify his lies better for the people who may have a difficult time understanding.

[Plus]

This particular order has not been reported in other English newspapers.

Thai Day has called it a day, by the way.

[John K]

oh ... 60-20-20?

[sriracha john]

As is common nowadays, this article crosses over a number of different threads.....

Police 'instructed to get tougher'

Top officers told to crack down on anti-Thaksin movement

The authorities plan to get tougher with the anti-Thaksin movement after instructions were given to police to strictly enforce the law when dealing with demonstrations, a security source said yesterday. The source said the advice came during a meeting of top police officers and security officers at the Metropolitan Police Bureau chaired by caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Wannasathit, in the wake of the ''foiled bomb plot'' on Thursday against caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Chamlong Iamchaengphan (sorry, but that almost reads like "I am a Chang fan"), an adviser to Pol Gen Chidchai on security matters, proposed that police strictly enforce the law during anti-Thaksin protests and ask the city to dismantle makeshift structures used in protests. He suggested that negligence of duty charges be filed against the city administration if it failed to cooperate, according to the source. Pol Gen Chamlong also proposed police initiate surveillance by dispatching ''rapid deployment forces'' armed with cameras to various locations to collect information for use in case of crimes. Will they utilize this surveillance obtained via video footage to arrest wrong-doers? because they haven't thus far in the Central World chaos... but then again, the cameras there didn't have "Property of Police Department" stickers on them. According to the source, Pol Gen Chidchai praised police for promptly taking action against people involved in the Central World incident in which three anti-Thaksin protesters were injured during a clash on Monday. Apparently he hasn't seen ANY of the aforementioned videos of Central World yet, which is odd, considering that he's a Deputy PM. Perhaps he's been too pre-occupied foiling assasination attempts.

Additional laughable comments from Chidchai continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/27Aug2006_news03.php

Edited August 27, 2006 by sriracha john

[Tony Clifton]

He has been informed of it, here he is on the phone.

[John K]

Yes good idea to close and merge with the new thread.

[sriracha john]

He has been informed of it, here he is on the phone.

who were they talking to???

well, it was 3-way conference call to these individuals:

[sriracha john]

Rights advocates demand action

Human rights advocates yesterday stepped up demands for the government to investigate and punish officials involved in a recent attack on anti-Thaksin Shinawatra activists. The advocates _ representing the Asian Human Rights Commission, the Working Group on Justice for Peace, the 1992 Black May Committee, the Students Federation of Thailand and Amnesty International _ said they would take the case to the Administrative Court and the UN Commission for Human Rights in Thailand if the government failed to make progress.

Three activists, a woman and two elderly men, were injured in the attack at a department store. It was alleged that the attackers were directed by a police officer.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/31Aug2006_news07.php

[sriracha john]

UPDATE

CENTRAL WORLD CLASH

The National Human Rights Commission will next week summon for questioning the police officers in charge of security during a clash at the Central World Plaza last month. Four people want to sue the police on duty there on the day in question. Rights commissioner Surasee Kosolnavin said the police officers guarding caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on that day would be summoned for questioning. Supporters of Mr Thaksin clashed with his opponents at the shopping complex on that day. The clash took place shortly after Mr Thaksin left the complex. The commission yesterday invited four people injured in the incident to give their accounts. They were identified as Wichai Aua-siyapan, Wasuporn Bunmee, Ittipol Sorrawit and Rittirong Likitprasertkul.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/07Sep2006_news16.php

[sriracha john]

The infamous "Man In Black"...

Pro-Thaksin thug faces jail

The man caught on film attacking people protesting against caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra at Central World could face more than 347 days of jail time because he had previously violated probation, a source from the Department of Corrections said yesterday.

Charan Chong-on, the man seen wearing sun-glasses while attacking anti-Thaksin protesters last month, reportedly broke his probation on six occasions , said the source, who asked not to be named.

Charan was previously arrested and sentenced to jail for gambling. He later received probation, 347 days before his sentence ended.

The probation office in Surat Thani, Charan's home province, told the department that he had broken probation in January. Probation officers had previously gone to his house only to discover that he had resumed his gambling and had not been home for a long time, the source said.

They gave him a second chance, but he remained missing until his face appeared in the news media, the source said. Probation officials concluded that he had violated his probation by failing to report to the probation office, stepping out of the designated area and gambling, the source said.

- The Nation

---------------------------------

Hopefully that nearly-a-year sentence will be added to the 10 years he receives for battery at Central World.

HOWEVER, this pro-Thaksin thug is obviously well-protected so..... we shall see.

Edited September 8, 2006 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Assault suspect to do time

A drug convict who had been released early will have to serve his remaining prison term of 347 days after he was found to have broken the terms of his parole by engaging in a scuffle with anti-government protesters last month, the Corrections Department said in a statement yesterday.

"Charan Chong-on is expected to report to his parole office and go back to his cell in Pak Phanang Prison in Nakhon Si Thammarat," the statement said.

The department yesterday revoked Charan's probation and required that he serve the rest of his jail term.

Charan stepped into the limelight after he dressed up like an undercover policeman and beat up protesters at Central World. The incident triggered criticism about the government's efforts to intimidate its opponents.

It also prompted police to check Charan's records, leading to the discovery of his parole violation.

Charan is presently a suspect in the police investigation into possible assault and disturbing the peace.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

Disturbing excerpts from:

Police deny role in assaults as upcountry rallies banned

Sound recordings revealed that a police colonel, identified as Pol Col Rithirong Thepchanda, a senior Metropolitan Police officer, instructed the men [Charan Chong-orn and Chaisit Lomah] to apprehend a protester.

The two men in the video surrendered to police on Tuesday, but were released after being interrogated and fingerprinted. Charan Chong-orn and Chaisit Lomah denied they were police officers and denied all wrongdoing.

- ThaiDay

http://www.ihtthaiday.com/IHT/ViewNews.asp...D=9490000107668

UPDATE

Seems like Colonel Rithirong has been bumped off the promotion list... awwwwwww.... what a pity :

PM intervenes in police reshuffle

Opposes promotion of officer 'scuffle' suspect

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont yesterday intervened in a police reshuffle and opposed the promotion of a senior city police officer who was alleged to have had a hand in provoking scuffles during an anti-Thaksin protest at a shopping complex in August. Gen Surayud yesterday called a meeting with national police chief Kowit Wattana at Government House to discuss the promotion of some senior police officers, said a source at the Thai Police Office. During the meeting, the prime minister expressed disagreement with the appointment of Ritthirong Thepchanda, chief of the Metropolitan Police Division 6, as deputy commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau. The officer was accused of inciting violence in the Aug 21 brawl between supporters and opponents of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/28Oct2006_news011.php

He was seen in a video talking to the attackers of the anti-Thaksin activists shortly before the scuffle in which three people were injured at CentralWorld shopping complex.

[John K]

Pro-Thaksin policeman cited in attack

BangkokPost.com

A police officer who turned a blind eye as hooligans attacked anti-Thaksin protesters in front of a luxury mall in downtown Bangkok last August has been found guilty of a gross disciplinary violation by the anti-graft panel.

Panthep Klanarongran, chairman of the National Commission to Counter Corruption, said Thursday afternoon that the commission had faulted Pol Col Ritthirong Thepchanta, superintendent of the Metropolitan Police Division 6, for dereliction of duty in the case.

He sadi testimony showed Pol Col Ritthirong failed to prevent the protesters from attack by pro-Thaksin supporters in front of Central World shopping complex lsat Aug 21.

One man was seriously injured in the political altercation, and several others received minor injuries. All those hurt were anti-Thaksin demonstrators.

Pol Col Ritthirong was seen in a video clip talking to some of the attackers before the assault occurred.

Despite the violent incident in front of many witnesses including the media, the police officer took no forceful action.

Instead, he received a promotion during the annual police reshuffle, which is controlled by the prime minister - Mr Thaksin at the time. He was appointed deputy commander of the Forensic Science Office effective last November.

The officer's promotion after the Sept 19 coup was disputed by Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, but then national police chief Pol Gen Kowit Wattana went ahead with the promotion. Earlier this week, the military junta dismissed Pol Gen Kowit - originally a Thaksin appointee.

Mr Panthep said the NCCC would recommend that the Office of the Attorney-General charge Pol Col Ritthirong with gross disciplinary violation in court.

[Pattayaman]

What goes around comes around for toxin and his thugs

[sriracha john]

1 down, several more thousands to go

[sriracha john]

CORRUPTION PROBE

Policeman 'ordered attacks on protesters'

Colonel faces sack after NCCC finds he abused power at Thaksin clash

A senior police officer was culpable of abuse of power for ordering his men to assault protesters shouting at then premier Thaksin Shinawatra last year, the chairman of the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) said yesterday.

Panthep Klanarongran said Police Colonel Ritthirong Thepchanda, a former Metropolitan Police superintendent, failed to protect innocent people during fights that erupted between supporters and opponents of Thaksin at CentralWorld shopping complex on August 21, although he was at the scene.

Instead, he said, Ritthirong told his officers to arrest Vichai Ua-piyaphan and Ritthirong Likhitprasertkul, who were among the anti-Thaksin protestors, leading to an assault on both protesters by the officers and some of Thaksin's supporters, who were believed to be policemen in civilian clothes.

The officer failed to arrest those who attacked the protesters, Panthep said.

The nine NCCC members were unanimous in the decision that the colonel had a case to answer. The clashes on August 21 occurred shortly after Thaksin departed CentralWorld. His attendance at the opening of the Digital Thai Knowledge Park was accompanied by tight security to prevent further trouble after an incident at a royal exhibition at Siam Paragon shopping mall a few days earlier, where a small anti-Thaksin group of protesters were attacked by Thaksin's bodyguards when they shouted at the prime minister.

Thaksin supporters and opponents sparred verbally outside the building. A man shouting "Thaksin, get out!" was punched by another in the crowd.

Police arrested three men during the skirmishes while arresting another three protesters.

Vichai and Ritthirong, who shouted anti-Thaksin messages, were charged with causing a public disturbance.

Meanwhile, acting police chief Seripisut Temiyavej said he was waiting for the NCCC's report on Pol Col Ritthirong. He said if it found the officer culpable, he would be dismissed.

- The Nation

-----------------------------------

The Thaksin Regime...

[sriracha john]

ANTI-THAKSIN PROTEST

Action urged against officer who stood by

The NCCC has urged disciplinary action against Pol Col Ritthirong Thepchanda, accused of dereliction of duty by turning a blind eye to attacks on anti-Thaksin activists outside a shopping complex in August last year. The results of the NCCC's investigation will be sent to acting police chief Seripisuth Temiyavej and then submitted for prosecution by the attorney-general. Pol Col Ritthirong was accused of failing in his duty by not intervening in the brawl between opponents and supporters of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra at CentralWorld on Aug 21 last year. Pol Col Ritthirong was caught on video talking to people who attacked anti-Thaksin protesters shortly before the scuffles broke out. NCCC spokesman Klanarong Chanthik said two men were seen manhandling two anti-Thaksin demonstrators, while the officer looked on. The assailants later surrendered to face assault charges. Both were known to have worked for a close aide of Mr Thaksin.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/09Feb2007_news02.php

[sriracha john]

CENTRALWORLD CLASH

Supporters of ousted PM on trial for assault on protesters

The prosecution is taking three supporters of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to court on assault charges in connection with clashes outside a shopping complex in August last year. Chaisit Loma, 42, and Sumeth Boonyarattaphan, 54, have been charged with assault and illegal detention, while Suksant Kaewklang, 27, has been charged with assault. They were accused of taking part in an assault on anti-Thaksin demonstrators outside CentralWorld on Aug 21. The trio were yesterday taken to the Pathumwan District Court to hear the charges.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/13Feb2007_news13.php

[hammered]

CENTRALWORLD CLASH

Supporters of ousted PM on trial for assault on protesters

The prosecution is taking three supporters of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to court on assault charges in connection with clashes outside a shopping complex in August last year. Chaisit Loma, 42, and Sumeth Boonyarattaphan, 54, have been charged with assault and illegal detention, while Suksant Kaewklang, 27, has been charged with assault. They were accused of taking part in an assault on anti-Thaksin demonstrators outside CentralWorld on Aug 21. The trio were yesterday taken to the Pathumwan District Court to hear the charges.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/13Feb2007_news13.php

It is good to see a start on these prosecutions. The attacks mentioned were filmed and were vicious assaults by fit men on the old, young and female and I doubt whether even pro-Thaksin people would not condemn them. What rarely gets mentioned, but those who were there to witness it will tell you, is that there were also quite a number of other unfilmed assaults on the anti-Thaksin people in central World. It was also well organised and coordinated. Unfortunately those who organised it and many of the other assailants will not be brought to justice as it will be very hard to find anyone who will go the police to make a statement. It is a shame more filming did not occur especially of the organiser.

Maybe now we will also see the prosecution of those who assaulted an ex-PM of Thailand. I think there are photos of that too. Then again will we also see the prosecution of those threatening to rape any woman in the Nation building, and will it even reach the guy in the gas station who it seems helped orchestrate this. Unfortunately too many of these thugs for hire and their organisers cannot be dealt with by the legal system as they enjoy too many connections and protections and unfortunately few even now trust the police to deal with anyone who had even the slightest connection to Mr. Thaksin. This is an image the police or those who have power over them have to deal with. Unfortunately the belated replacement of one single senior officer by the government has not done anything to dispel the idea of high ranking police being beholden to Mr. Thaksin and doing their best to protect him now.

[asd]

CENTRALWORLD CLASH

Anti-Thaksin activists outside a shopping complex in August last year.

Hello sriracha john

These men involved with CentralWorld clash.

Chaisit Loma (L) , 42 years old, has been charged with assault and illegal detention.

He is a supporter of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

From a standing position, the leg is swung upward into the target.

Charan Chong-on, the man seen wearing sun-glasses while attacking anti-Thaksin protesters last month. He was previously arrested and sentenced to jail for gambling.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Police Colonel Ritthirong Thepchanda, a former Metropolitan Police superintendent, failed to protect innocent people during fights that erupted between supporters and opponents of Thaksin at CentralWorld shopping complex on August 21, although he was at the scene.

Pol Col Ritthirong was caught on video talking to people who attacked anti-Thaksin protesters shortly before the scuffles broke out.

Despite the violent incident in front of many witnesses including the media, the police officer took no forceful action.

Edited February 15, 2007 by asd

[Tony Clifton]

:D

Boys in brown assuming their most lethal formation "The Headless Chicken"

Another formation, the "Corruption Ring"

The "Vulture Formation". Feeding on a previously preyed carcass.