Political un-rest and rally

[BaaBaa.]

2K?

I might tell the GF to get herself and the family mobile!

[STEVE G]

Apparently the Mother-in-law is already there so that could spell the end for the government if she decides to get involved!

[BaaBaa.]

Apparently the Mother-in-law is already there so that could spell the end for the government if she decides to get involved!

Well purely by coincidence my GFs mother is going to visit her son-in-laws sister who's over holidaying at her place in Pattaya tomorrow.

Hhhhmmmmmmmm!

[buksida]

I see Thaksin is making quick use of the money he got back:

Red shirts handing out cash to 'find democracy'
Standing in a big crowd, a woman ticked off a name as a man standing beside her handed out two Bt1,000 notes to another woman in a red shirt. Others in the queue were heard shouting out their names.

This image was captured on video by a Nation correspondent in Nakhon Phanom, where protesters were preparing to leave for Bangkok tomorrow. Around 500 red-shirt protesters, led by Pheu Thai's Nakhon Phanom MP Chavalit Vichayasut, gathered at the city pillar and performed a rite to ensure victory before they headed to the capital. Fifty buses were arranged for the protesters.

The video clip showed a man announcing that every person joining the rally would get Bt2,000 on the way to Bangkok and another Bt2,000 on the way back.

Full Story and Video: The Nation

EDIT: Just noticed the videos are on the previous page also!

[PeteC]

Here's the latest as of about noon on Saturday. Really nothing exciting. Pete

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews ... on-bangkok

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews ... on-the-way

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews ... t-up-stage

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews ... id-rallies

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews ... to-bangkok

[PeteC]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/1 ... to-bangkok

[Super Joe]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/1 ... to-bangkok

Extract from this article ... "Pick-up trucks, vans and buses travelled from Pak Chong district of Nakhon Ratchasima province gathered at Krua Wang Noi restaurant, owned by Puea Thai MP Surasak Pancharoenworakul"
Happy days ....
.



.
Even the US Admnistration are sending over a delegation, but judging by his shirt Obama will be 'doing a Thaksin' ...

Red-Shirts.jpg (34.48 KiB) Viewed 1119 times

SJ

[PeteC]

Dawn here on the big day. Nothing new or exciting overnight Saturday. Pete

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews ... -red-alert

[PeteC]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/3 ... -high-noon

[PeteC]

This is a good editorial and sums things up in a nut shell. As he says, most don't want violence but it will only take a handful to set things off. The government will not do what the Red Shirts want today. It then becomes a question of what the Red Shirts leaders will do, fold the tent or up the stakes. Pete

http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opin ... nally-here

Opinion » Opinion
Day of reckoning is finally here

* Published: 14/03/2010 at 12:00 AM
* Newspaper section: News Bangkok Post

As I'm writing this, the red shirts are pouring into Bangkok. Jatuporn Prompan, one of the three core leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), promises a million red shirts by noon on Sunday.

But that number is unlikely. More probable, according to reports, the number should be about 100,000, give or take a few, which is more than enough to paralyse the city of Bangkok.

All through the past week, the red shirt UDD has been on a publicity campaign, passing out leaflets, promising a peaceful demonstration. Appearing on television programmes, pledging the philosophy of non-violence. Speaking via their own media channels, declaring a movement of democracy.

But is confrontation between the red shirts and the government's security personnel avoidable? And if there's a confrontation, is violence avoidable?

Whether I agree with the movement or not is a non-issue here. After all, if we aspire towards true democracy, then we must learn to live with differences, whether we like it or not.

The UDD promises a peaceful protest and I shall give them the benefit of the doubt. In truth, I sincerely believe that the majority of the red shirts want only to stage a peaceful rally and that violence is not in their agenda.

However, in a crowd of 100,000, it only takes a few hundred to wreak havoc.

The ''bad elements'' or the violent minority exist in any movement - whether within the red shirts, the yellow shirts, the army or even the government.

Images from April 2009 are still fresh in my mind: Weapon-wielding red shirts breaking into the Royal Cliff Hotel in Pattaya and chasing away Asean leaders. Busses set on fire and chaos reigning the capital city during the Songkran holidays. Angry men and women wielding axes and machetes, throwing rocks and punches all over Bangkok. A mob out of control attacked the prime minister's car.

The purpose of the gathering of the red shirts this weekend is to topple the government, forcing the prime minister to resign or to dissolve the parliament and call a general election.

Can this be done without chaos and violence?

Mr Jatuporn has given the government the deadline of Monday, March 15, to dissolve the parliament. The question then becomes: What will Mr Jatuporn and the red shirts do to force the issue?

Let's face the truth. A peaceful song and dance sort of rally will not get the result. The UDD has to push the government, to create a situation so the government would no longer have control of the city. And if the government doesn't have control, then the prime minister will be forced to resign.

For this to occur, the red shirts have to paralyse Bangkok - take over the streets and stage sit-ins and block traffic. If they are successful in bringing Bangkok to a halt, then that means they have taken control of the city. The city would be at their mercy.

If they take control of the city, then Prime Minister Abhisit loses control of the city. In which case, according to Thai political decorum, he will have to tender his resignation and there will be a parliamentary election.

Given the growing friction between coalition partner the Bhumjaitai Party and the ruling Democrats, the prime minister may not get the votes in the parliament - if Newin Chidchob and his faction defected back into the arms of Thaksin Shinawatra.

House Speaker Chai Chidchob, Newin's father, has said publicly that there is such a possibility. In his exact words: ''Newin might return to embrace Thaksin.''

If such is the case, the Puea Thai party may take power. But if he wins the votes and retains his position, what then will the UDD do? Will they resort to desperate measures?

But we are getting ahead of ourselves here. The critical issue is today, Sunday, March 14.

To topple the Abhisit government and usher the Puea Thai party into power is the agenda of Thaksin Shinawatra's three lieutenants: Jatuporn Prompan, Nattawut Saikua and Veera Muksikpong.

They must deliver. But how will they deliver? They promise a peaceful protest, but words are just that, words. Images from April 2009 show that they are capable of otherwise.

Violence doesn't even have to appear intentional. In a tense situation, in a confrontation, any number of things can trigger violence. And if it gets to that, the Abhisit government must take control of the situation and pacify the red shirts as quickly and with as little bloodshed as possible, if they hope to remain in power.

Though with that said, whoever ends up the victor in this political conflict, it is the humble opinion of this writer that neither side of the conflict is worth a single drop of Thai blood. Neither is the answer to Thailand's progress and development as a democracy.

[Super Joe]

But is confrontation between the red shirts and the government's security personnel avoidable? And if there's a confrontation, is violence avoidable?
However, in a crowd of 100,000, it only takes a few hundred to wreak havoc.

Think it's inevitable unfortunately, like a football (soccer) match it's only takes 1 or 2% to ruin the whole event and grab the headlines. That's all that will be shown around the world in the news clips, I bet. Maybe if it happens, and I really hope it doesn't to help restore Thailand's image a bit (yeah I know, what image), and for the sake of tourism etc, but if it does maybe it will de-value the Baht a fair bit and disprove the old saying .... 'violence never solves anything'

Given the growing friction between coalition partner the Bhumjaitai Party and the ruling Democrats, the prime minister may not get the votes in the parliament - if Newin Chidchob and his faction defected back into the arms of Thaksin Shinawatra.

Might look something like this then ...

nevin_kingmaker.jpg (20.69 KiB) Viewed 1030 times

SJ

[PeteC]

Someone else please watch The Nation web site for updates please. The sites hangs up for me when it hits on a mandatory link "addsplusone.com. It hangs there and the story never opens. Been doing this for 3 days now. They may discover it once they see they've had no readers! Pete

[Takiap]

I think if there is violence it will be quite limited. After all, there is already talk about imposing a state of emergency, which in turn would give the generals the right to restore law and order.

I know nothing about politics and I don't really give a toss either, but for what it's worth, let's just say the reds have a million supporters, of which many are not really supporters, in that they have simply been paid to attend. In a country with more than 60 million people, 1 million is but a single grain of salt in an ocean. My point is this.......why should the vast majority be forced into accepting the opinion of such a small minority. And, if the reds are really in search of a peaceful ending, then surely they could simply wait until it's actually time for general elections rather than damage their "beloved" country even more.

If the reds do manage to bring about change, the yellows will more than likely get fired up again, and so the cycle starts again......and again......and again.

If you ask me, it's all become quite boring, much like watching the same movie over and over again.

2000 baht to stand around in a red shirt for a day? Hell, I'd do that.....it's enough for 50 large Changs down at my local.

[Nereus]

Someone else please watch The Nation web site for updates please. The sites hangs up for me when it hits on a mandatory link "addsplusone.com. It hangs there and the story never opens. Been doing this for 3 days now. They may discover it once they see they've had no readers! Pete

I am in Bangkok at the moment. (don`t ask!) The Nation web site seems to be working ok from here, but it is just the same BS that is on the Bangkok Post site.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/

Where I am in Phrakhanong I can see both Sukhumvit Rd. and the Expressway. The traffic is just like it is at Songkhran--just about zilch, it is almost spooky! It was similar yesterday, and I just wonder what the cost is to business in general. My Granddaughter wants to go to the Zoo, so I have told her she can see it on TV today! There is a big furniture show on at Muang Tong Thani that I would like to go and see, and although there is Expressway all the way, I am mot going to risk getting caught up in some huge traffic jam.

I cannot see this demonstration ending today, and I think that most of next week will see a lot of business places closed, at least the first couple of days in the week. All to achieve what?

[hhfarang]

Thanks for that Nereus... as our man in Bangkok, please keep us informed of anything that comes across your radar!