Political un-rest and rally

[PeteC]

Yahoo link works here

Yes, it's back now here in Thailand. Pete

[uncle tom]

Morning guys..

Has anything kicked off in HH..??

From here (Blighty) it's hard to know whether the arson spree was the last lash of the defeated, or the start of an escalation..

Take care!

Tom

[MrPlum]

Morning guys..

Has anything kicked off in HH..??

From here (Blighty) it's hard to know whether the arson spree was the last lash of the defeated, or the start of an escalation..

Take care!

Tom

Tom! Thank goodness someone is still out there. Getting desperate here. Stop. Running out of food. Stop. May be forced to shop at Tesco. Stop. Unable to avoid unruly mob at checkout. Stop. Can hear the sound of gunfire each night (wife says it's neighbours TV but I'm not convinced). Stop. Urgent you send lifetime Golf membership to Black Mountain or may not survive the week. Stop.

[buksida]

Yep, as MrP correctly stated the only time you'll be in danger in Hua Hin is when you're trying to cross Petchkasem on foot, trying to avoid being hit by a horse on the beach, or having to duck sliced golf balls out on the course.

And long may it remain that way.

Seems as though the violence and destruction is continuing in the North and Northeast specifically, Chiang Mai, Udon Thani, Mukdahan, Khon Kaen, and Ubon Ratchathani.

[pharvey]

[Aussie Mark]

Moderator Edit:- Discussion on Thai monarchy is strictly forbidden. Political topics are permitted however they will be closely monitored.

[pharvey]

Certainly emotional.......

[Takiap]

The UDD protesters set 27 building ablaze in Bangkok after the leaders surrendered. If that has not destroyed their credibility then nothing will, and that in itself would say a lot about the people of this country.

[The understudy]

Sitting here in L. A. jaw dropping freakin speechless in complete disbelief what The Red Demolition Patrol has done to Bangkok's Premier Shopping district.
How dare they... set ablaze Zen @ Centralworld which frequently ate faboulus Food @ the Food Loft Interantional Food Buffet there @ seventh Floor of Zen World, and I used to roam the Electronics Department as well. There's No other Mall which when you wallk and look for things the store music is a trendy mixture of Electronica & Grunch which showers you with good tunes.
How dare they... set ablaze and looted parts of Siam Square "The trendy Center point for Youth all over Bangkok. Thanks to you Red Thugs this place will not be the same as it used to be. Not in a long shot that's for sure!
How dare They... set ablaze Center One which is one one stop shop before heading otu to Hua Hin when I was still a Student during my last years?
How dare thery... try to burn down Platinum shopping Mall which is right next to The Condo where my relatives live. Luckily they have ascaped Bangkok to Hua Hin before just days as things get fruity!

I Hope you scum red fraction thugs will be seveerely punished for There acting like spoiled brats being denied of a few things behavior

Your's The understudy!!!!

[Nereus]

A lot of truth in these comments:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opin ... about-this

What would your government do about this?

This is going to be a long note, but I want my overseas friends to understand what has been happening here in Thailand.

I would like to present a case against the international media’s reporting on the situation in Thailand, particularly Bangkok.

Most of you will likely will be seeing only scenes of soldiers shooting or injured people being carried away on international TV channels for 30 seconds, but never get to know the background.

What if these protesters were in New York, Singapore, Tokyo or London?

The truth is, the Thai government has been too accommodating by withholding the use of force since the rally started two months ago (with the exception of the April 10 event, when the soldiers were ordered to move in without live ammunition and subsequently got slaughtered by unknown gunmen shooting from among the red shirt protesters).

The majority of us support the government in dealing with the terrorists hidden amongst the protesters. It held talks with the rally leaders and offered peace solutions to them 10 days ago.

The prime minister publicly urged the protesters to disperse for fear of violence created by the terrorists. But the plan wasn’t accepted.

So, it came time to block food and water supplies from entering the centre of the protest.

If the demonstrators were peaceful, they wouldn’t rush out to throw rocks, firecrackers and even bombs at the soldiers’ barricades — thus causing the soldiers to defend themselves by firing rubber bullets and live rounds.

It has been very frustrating for the law abiding citizens of Bangkok — we even voiced our dissatisfaction at the government for its failure to uphold the laws.

The situation was like Bangkok was being held for ransom. A lot of businesses got affected because it’s happening right in the middle of the major commercial area.

Again, think what your government would do if there were a large group of protesters blocking all traffic at Orchard Road in Singapore; Times Square in New York City; Ginza in Tokyo; or Knightsbridge in London. For two months.

They set up barricades to search through personal belongings of everyone travelling through the area.

Also think what your government would do if those protesters invaded a nearby hospital, causing doctors and nurses to evacuate patients — some of whom were newborn babies in incubators and those in ICU—to other hospitals.

And most important of all, think what would your government do if the protesters were found to have a large stockpile of M79 grenades, M16 and AK47 assault rifles.

Do you think your government would be as tolerant as the Thai government has till now been?

[Nereus]

Police? What Police?
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews ... y-monument

Rioters surround police at Victory Monument

Published: 20/05/2010 at 03:24 PM
Online news: Breakingnews
More than 100 anti-government protesters surrounded a team of a policemen deployed to oversee security at the Victory Monument on Thursday afternoon, reports said.

The demonstrators said they were concerned of their safety by claiming that two of the police officers were armed.

They also booed and shouted rudely at the police, and said they would remain at the Victory Monument regardless of the government's three-day curfew from 9pm to 6am.

At Bon Kai area on Rama IV road, troops had removed wires and roadblocks set up by the protesters. Officials had also repaired electricity transformers in the area.

...............................................

Regardless of the outcome, and whatever Government the country ends up with, the Governing Authority needs to have a ruthless overhaul of the complete security system, starting with the spineless Police.
It is all very well for the current Government to buy 20 armored Range Rovers, at around 10 Mil Baht each, to put their own worthless backsides in, while they do not have the trained people, or the equipment, to protect the Countries citizens. Nearly everyday we see on the International media civil unrest and disturbances. But we also see how the authorities in other countries deal with it. The world is no longer a place where "mai phen rai" has any place.

[Nereus]

Just one of the casualties:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews ... llion-baht

The damage caused by the fire at Centre One shopping mall at Victory Monument could be as high as one billion baht, Rattapol Kraijirachote, the managing director said on Thursday.

“More than 1,000 employees of about 300 shops inside Centre One are now jobless because of the arsonists," Mr Rattapol said.

The shopping centre was set ablaze by rioters yesterday and fire fighters were able to bring the fire under control only this morning.

[PeteC]

I think Thailand news in the international press is about to be eclipsed by the North Korea torpedo/ship sinking incident. They actually found the casing, shaft and propeller of the damn torpedo. A lot of saber rattling at the moment. Perhaps a good thing, let Thailand start to get it's house in order while the News hounds go sniff elsewhere. Pete

PS about Nereus's article: Strange indeed that policemen should be armed. Get the net and truck and clear the area of those people. I hope at the stroke of 20:00 hours that indeed happens.

[PeteC]

Just one of the casualties:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews ... llion-baht
“More than 1,000 employees of about 300 shops inside Centre One are now jobless because of the arsonists," Mr Rattapol said.

Well, put that in your pipe and smoke it Ma and Pa kettle up-country when daughter or son doesn't send home their contribution this month, or for many months to come. Multiply that by thousands more clerks and similar who are now also out of work. Is there a Red Shirt insurance fund to reimburse members for consequences such as these? Pete

[cozza]

I have noticed the Red supporters on this forum have been quiet...

I wonder if their views of support have changed in all that has unfolded, or is it much of the same excuses?