Thread: Bangkok: Soldiers rally against ASTV-Manager

Originally Posted by thehighlander959

ASTV and to a lesser extent the PAD leadership are playing a very dangerous game here. This would not be the first time that the Thai military have taken things into there own hands.

Lets not forget the Thai military are above the law in this countryand have been for many years. Prayuth needs to talk to these guys and explain to them that they cannot take things into there own hands with the worldwide media watching, however I will not hold my breath...

I trust those intelligent enough to know that false political philosophies have nothing to do with anything....yet, many will imagine this to be.

The massacres and assassinations of 1932, 1933, 1941, 1945, 1955, 1957, 1963, 1971, 1973, 1976 [the decade of the 70s], 1986, 1992, [a good portion of the 90s], and 2010....had little to do with make-believe political squabbling. As the made-up political divisions/oppositions are created for sake of image.

There is only one factor for loyalty in Thailand.

Dems urge troops to sue, not protest | Bangkok Post: news

Dems urge troops to sue, not protest

Rallying in uniform 'improper', says MP

• Published: 14 Jan 2013 at 00.00
• Newspaper section: News

Soldiers should seek legal action rather than stage protests if they feel insulted by the media, Democrat list-MP Ong-art Klampaibul said yesterday.

He was commenting after troops staged rallies on Friday and Saturday outside the office of the ASTV Manager newspaper.

They were angered by the newspaper's criticisms of army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha.

The paper's comments were sparked by a difference in opinion between the army chief and ASTV Manager over the pending ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the territorial dispute between Thailand and Cambodia over the Preah Vihear temple.

An opinion piece published on Friday on the ASTV Manager website compared Gen Prayuth to "a woman on her period" and said he had failed in his duties as army chief.

It made the comment in response to Gen Prayuth's criticisms of the newspaper on Thursday for arguing the ICJ does not have the jurisdiction to rule on the border dispute.

Mr Ong-art said it was improper for the soldiers to protest in uniform and their rallies, while peaceful, could be viewed as acts of intimidation.

He said the media's right to free expression should not be restricted by anyone.

The right of the media to present news and opinion is guaranteed by the constitution, he said.

However, he said the media itself is not above the law and anyone who is insulted by the media should rely on legal proceedings to protect their rights.

The soldiers should look at legal channels to protect themselves rather than resort to threats or intimidation, Mr Ong-art said.

He said he believed the protests only represented the views of a small number of soldiers, and did not reflect the position of the army as a whole.

Gen Prayuth on Saturday ordered his troops to call off the protest.

Lt Gen Phaiboon Khumchaya, commander of the First Army Region, said he granted the soldiers permission to stage the protest, but told them to avoid breaking any laws and to respect others' rights. The troops did not resume their protest yesterday.

Lt Gen Phaiboon insisted the rallies were not meant to intimidate the media.

He said the soldiers' morale had been damaged by the ASTV Manager article and they were merely acting to protect their superior.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Adul Kiewbariboon

Is a smart man .

As is ...........

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Democrat list-MP Ong-art Klampaibul

The FACT that the soldiers were in uniform IS intimidation which IS exactly what it was designed to be

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Lt Gen Phaiboon Khumchaya, commander of the First Army Region, said he granted the soldiers permission to stage the protest, but told them to avoid breaking any laws and to respect others' rights.

The troops did not resume their protest yesterday. Lt Gen Phaiboon insisted the rallies were not meant to intimidate the media.

Lt Gen Phaiboon speaks with a forked tongue .

and now the $64 question ,

what disicplinary action will Lt Gen Phaiboon face ?

Prayuth 'sorry', won't confront Sondhi
14 Jan 2013

Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha has apologised for using strong words to describe the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy, but refused to respond to nasty criticism from PAD co-leader Sondhi Limthongkul.

Gen Prayuth said on Monday he was sorry he spoke harshly and inappropriately when he reacted to a broadcast on the pro-PAD ASTV-Manager TV channel about the Thai-Cambodian border dispute around Preah Vihear temple ruins.

He also said the soldiers who protested in front of the ASTV-Manager office on the weekend acted on their own and gathered in their off-duty time and did so because they wanted to protect the army's pride and their commander in chief.

There was no intention on their part to threaten the media. The soldiers wanted to express their feelings about an inaccurate report which had damaged their morale, he added

He refused to respond to comments made by Mr Sondhi, saying he did not want to quarrel with anyone. He admitted he felt angry and saddened by the comments, but would keep his emotions in check.

"We're all Thais here. If I insulted anyone, I apologise,” said Gen Prayuth.

The army chief on Sunday ordered the soldiers to stand down from their quiet protest outside ASTV-Manager.

The rally was sparked by a difference in opinion between the army chief and ASTV-Manager over the pending ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the dispute between Thailand and Cambodia over ownership of disputed land immediately adjoining the Preah Vihear temple.

Mr Sondhi, whose company owns ASTV-Manager, branded the general a failure, saying he had proven himself incapable of tackling the problems falling under his responsibility, including the violence in the South and the territorial dispute with Cambodia.

Mr Sondhi also said he would not apologise for his newspaper's stand. He claimed many soldiers and officers also believed Gen Prayuth had failed to stand up for the army against its critics.

bangkokpost.com

Originally Posted by Gen Prayuth

He also said the soldiers who protested in front of the ASTV-Manager office on the weekend acted on their own and gathered in their off-duty time

One : They WERE in UNIFORM .


Two : see below .

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Lt Gen Phaiboon Khumchaya, commander of the First Army Region, said he granted the soldiers permission to stage the protest,

Originally Posted by Mid

The army chief on Sunday ordered the soldiers to stand down from their quiet protest outside ASTV-Manager.

Thought they acted on their own and gathered in their off-duty time.

^
Even though they acted on their own and had permission from there subordinate commander what ever the feck that means, as there Supreme Military Commander he has the right to order them to stand down. Lt. General Phaiboon is a bit different as he authorized this demonstartion he should be court- martialled for bringing the Army into disrepute.... Lets wait and see what happens

^
Even though they acted on their own and had permission from there subordinate commander what ever the feck that means, as there Supreme Military Commander he has the right to order them to stand down. Lt. General Phaiboon is a bit different as he authorized this demonstartion he should be court- martialled for bringing the Army into disrepute.... Lets wait and see what happens and as per usual nothing. Its the Thai way and everyones fear of the military.

Originally Posted by thehighlander959

as there Supreme Military Commander he has the right to order them to stand down.

I'll accept that seeing as how they were IN UNIFORM .

Army chief apologises to ASTV-Manager daily
January 14, 2013

Army Chief General Prayuth Chanocha Monday issued a public apology to the ASTV-Manager daily for his men holding a rally outside the paper's offices on Friday and Saturday.

He said he was also sorry about his moodiness recently, adding that he had ordered an investigation into the protest led by the men in uniform and hoped his sub-ordinates would be "patient".

The move came after ASTV-Manager daily called Prayuth "lousy" for his stance in relation to the Thai-Cambodian border dispute.

Prayuth was speaking to reporters after he attended an event celebrating the First Area Army's 103th anniversary where many military officers came to give him moral support.

nationmultimedia.com

Really? He apologised to ASTV? Good grief. Was he told to do so? I wonder. I'm no fan of Prayuth, but I am on his side on this one. He must be pissed off after their personal insults. I find this quite incredible.

Originally Posted by Tom Sawyer

Really? He apologised to ASTV? Good grief. Was he told to do so? I wonder. I'm no fan of Prayuth, but I am on his side on this one. He must be pissed off after their personal insults. I find this quite incredible.

He was also apologetic for his moodiness.

A sensitive guy.

^
He is not that sensitive he commands the biggest money making machine in Thailand with all there legal and illegal outside the MOD businesses.
ASTV will be made to pay for this one way or the other by the Thai military, you can take that to the bank believe me. He has lost a bit of face and they never forget.

Prayuth apologises to ASTV-Manager daily - The Nation

Prayuth apologises to ASTV-Manager daily

Panya Thiosangwan
The Nation January 15, 2013 1:00 am

Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday issued a public apology to the ASTV-Manager daily over his men holding a rally outside the paper's offices on Friday and Saturday.

He said he was also sorry about his moodiness recently, adding that he had ordered an investigation into the protest led by the men in uniform and hoped his subordinates would be "patient".

The move came after ASTV-Manager daily called Prayuth "lousy" for his stance in relation to the Thai-Cambodian border dispute.

Prayuth was speaking to reporters after he attended an event celebrating the First Area Army's 103th anniversary where many military officers came to give him moral support.

"I must apologise to the society for my irritating behaviour, but I speak like a soldier. I may have spoken harshly, but you know it is my habit.

"As for soldiers who went to the ASTV-Manager office, I had their actions investigated and have learned that they asked for permission [before going].

"Also they did this outside office hours, so they have not done anything wrong. They were not instructed to go but were hurt that their colleagues had been injured or lost their lives [when protecting the country in Thai-Cambodian border skirmishes] but the Army is still being unfairly blamed," Prayuth said.

The Army chief had earlier told soldiers to not join the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) rally related to the Preah Vihear because he said soldiers' position should be clear and neutral.

When asked what he thought about ASTV owner and PAD co-leader Sondhi Limthongkul's harsh words against him, Prayuth said they both know what is appropriate. "I will never bar ASTV reporters from doing their job, and when I mentioned the newspaper, I did not blame any particular person. I apologise if my 'soldier-like' remarks [made the newspaper] feel insulted."

Yesterday, ASTV-Manager thanked Prayuth for his apologies in a message posted on its website.

It said it appreciated the military for protecting the country from the threats of political ideology as well as the violence in the South, and for its help during the 2011 flood crisis.

However, it will continue scrutinising the military and would also listen to criticisms along the principles of mutual respect.

In response to the Thai Journalists Association's statement in relation to the issue, the Army said yesterday that it was too soon to judge that the military was intimidating the media and that the officers had only gathered to "show their concern".

-----
One battle the Army chief wants to avoid - The Nation

Burning Issue

One battle the Army chief wants to avoid

Avudh Panananda
The Nation January 15, 2013 1:00 am

File photo : Gen Prayuth

The row between General Prayuth Chan-ocha and Sondhi Limthongkul is a complex power game.

Many may have thought that the Army chief is trying to gag the People's Alliance for Democracy leader. But the issue of press intimidation is just the tip of the iceberg.

For two consecutive days last week, about 50 to 100 soldiers protested near the office of ASTV Manager Media Group.

They voiced their loyalty to Prayuth and attacked Sondhi's media outlets for being critical of their Army chief.

ASTV-Manager retaliated by writing that the rallies were attempts to try to intimidate the press. The Thai Journalists Association issued a statement voicing concern for press freedom.

A large number of prominent figures shied away from commenting on the matter.

Red-shirt leader Thida Thawornseth made cautious and supportive remarks for the protesting soldiers, however.

The pro-red media outlets gave scant attention to the rallies while the mainstream press duly reported on the military's involvement in the bullying tactics.

Regardless of the impact on press freedom, Prayuth opted to send a clear message to Sondhi.

Last Thursday he made an inspection trip to the Si Sa Ket border areas, opposite Cambodia's Preah Vihear Temple.

In responding to a question about the planned January 21 rally on the border dispute, he gave an emotional reply.

"Are you the government? If you are, then I will listen. But I don't know what to do because you are not."

Although he made reference to the PAD, he framed his reply as if he was speaking directly to Sondhi.

Based on his remarks, it is clear he is in the middle of crucial negotiations with the PAD. And he wants to reject whatever proposal it has advanced to him.

Further, the proposal is so sensitive to the fate of the government that he had no choice but to make his reply public in order to dispel any doubts on how he would steer the Army.

Since 2005, the PAD has been crusading to build up the ultra-nationalist sentiment over the border dispute with Cambodia.

It has sought to woo the military to back its agenda in regard to the border and anti-Thaksin issues. And it will not hesitate to destroy characters it see as standing in its way.

Former Army chief General Anupong Paochinda was a "good and patriotic" soldier until he fell from Sondhi's grace.

Prayuth used to be a darling of the yellow shirts. The PAD and its media mouthpiece started to question his leadership after he appeared to get cosy with the pro-Thaksin government.

It is noteworthy that as Prayuth and Sondhi are drifting apart, the red shirts have made an about-turn to support the Army chief.

Preceding the Prayuth-Sondhi row, the International Court of Justice had scheduled April to hear final arguments from Thailand and Cambodia before handing down the legal interpretation of its 1962 verdict on the temple later this year.

PAD strategists had hoped to use the dispute as a catalyst to bring down the government. But Prayuth has poured cold water any plan to snare the Army in the PAD's struggle with the government.

The Prayuth-Sondhi row took a curious turn with the appearance of the protesting soldiers. The men in uniform were subordinates of First Army Region commander Lt General Paiboon Kumchaya, seen as a Thaksin ally. The pro-Thaksin camp would certainly try to burn any bridges between Prayuth and the PAD. And Prayuth was slow to stop the rallies as he was reluctant to antagonise the people who have a crucial say on his retirement next year.

Originally Posted by [B]Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha[/B]

Also they did this outside office hours, so they have not done anything wrong.

They were in UNIFORM you ......................

So are the cops sitting in the jewelery shops..

and .....................

Originally Posted by Mid

Also they did this outside office hours, so they have not done anything wrong.



They were in UNIFORM you ......................

Hypothetically, wonder if it would have made any difference if these jokers were dressed in street clothes, less attired in an officialdom presence?

Originally Posted by Rural Surin

wonder if it would have made any difference if these jokers were dressed in street clothes

of course it would of ,

nobody would have looked twice , just another small group of nutters ..........

and the powers to be ARE well aware of that .

This just might be a "shot across the bows for Sondhi and the PAD" It seems that there is no love lost between the Army and Sondhi, I believe they already have made one attempt to take him down, although everyone said it was rogue military, am not sure I buy that.
I am beginning to think Sondhi may have outlived his usefullness to the Amart and HI-So. If I was him I would be watching my back and my front, I am sure that the military won,t make the same mistake twice.
One in the chest double tap to the head at close range gameover Mr. Sondhi...