^still ongoing.....
^still ongoing.....
B0b
I don't believe for one minute that Sondthi is going to get his way , except for maybe his revenge on mr't' . He will be sidelined as he has been in the past once t's proxies have been removed - the main problem I think is this infusion of cash t has just recieved.
and I don't think PAD went to udon to have pitched battles in the streets.
prosecuting corruption has only been happening since the King told the Judiciary to follow the rule of law - I am sure it was quite a surprise to many when mrs't' was convicted.
If you torture data for enough time , you can get it to say what you want.
More people join protest despite ban
At 10:30 am, more people still join the protests at the Government House.
Protesters arrived in groups of three or four people on the sides of Chamai Maruchet Bridge and Nakhon Pathom Road.
They carried foods supplies and water to give to the staff in charge of cooking.
nationmultimedia.com
I don't really want to get embroiled in the political arguement, and don't really think it's our place to do so.
The only reason for posting is out of frustration. 2 years ago PAD were successful in instigating a coup de tat, citing their reasons as they wanted a democratically elected government. They got what they wanted, but not the result they had hoped for, so are now kicking off again.
If they are successful in instigating another coup - which seems inevitable at the moment - what happens a few years down the track when they don't win again? What happens if they do win and all the Thaxin/ Samek supporters start protesting?
Seems to me, regardless of who's right or wrong, that they have created a vicious circle amongst themselves which may take generations to stop. It will only get worse when He who should not be mentioned passes on.
I have read many articles stating that Thailand will take 30-50 years to catch up with the west democratically, but with the current state of affairs I fear it will be a lot longer than that.
BUT - isn't that why most of us like it here, not being dictated to by a 'more civilised' government, not having to be PC all the time, being more relaxed, and being insulated from world affairs?
Give me this wild west any day over the UK. We ain't going to change it, so why bother trying.
I'm a resident CT (like yourself), albeit tenous. I have some stake in this country too.Originally Posted by chinthee
My wife is a daughter of the soil, and has family here.
She's already talking about some of our nephews and nieces going to university.
We're not involved with the Protaganists, but that doesn't mean we have no stake in the outcome.
Chaos is an abiding Buddhist principle.
True, prosecuting corruption properly is a very recent thing, that's why I think the process should be given time to prove it's effectiveness, if any. I find it peculiar that people should be howling about corruption at a time when it seems there is a reasonably serious effort to deal with problem. As for the last line in your post, this isn't the place to go into it in any detail but Thai history of the last 6 decades or shows that the most corrupt and greedy people in Thailand were appointed and supported by some in very high places. As many writers and commentators (both Thai and Foreign) have said, although their works are banned here, there is only one major issue blocking Thailand's transition to democracy and accountability.
Any ideas if this nonsense will effect international flights??? I leave on Sunday advice needed!!
Clarity is a western evil, you round eyed falang bastards.
DAAD disperses
September 2, 2008
The Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship dispersed its rally at Sanam Luanga at 10:40 am.
Its leaders thanked the demonstrators and announced the cease of demonstration by the group, saying the government was now in control after the state of emergency was announced.
DAAD demonstrators were handed out foods and many left Sanam Luang on buses.
nationmultimedia.com
smells like job done ?
.
But they won't be the ones getting hurt. This could get nasty, if it does then all of us who live here will be affected in some way, even just the instability caused but all this is having a bad effect. Many of us have Thai spouses and Children, these class warriors are buggering about with the lives of our families, our ability to make a decent living, our security, and the future of our kids, that affects us.
Lets not forget Mr & Mrs Thaksin are fugitives from Thai Justice, under this so called puppet Thaksin government- convicted under legal process, by the Judiciary. And the ardently pro- Thaksin faction in the Samak government has been sidelined.
The backers of the PAD want power, plain and simple. They will use any shallow pretext to try and get it, and if the Democratic system is overturned, as they want, they will have Power without Accountability.
Anyone think that the judiciary has its hands in the cookie jar too?
It's only of secondary relevance to speculate his motives CT. Perhaps they were purely out of cynical self interest. Perhaps a mixture of that, and an enlightened vision for the future of Thailand- gawd knows it needs more educated people here.Originally Posted by chinthee
But he did- and trying to wind back the clock for the sake of some anti-Democratic Oligarchs is a damn dangerous course, not to mention just plain wrong.
Perhaps he didn't mean it (damned if I know, he still hasn't called me to explain his motivations ) but he still succeeded, and that's more than any other Thai Leader has ever done. Most Thais I know here are Thaksin Supporters, not because they think he's some kind of saviour but because he's the only leader they've ever known who actually tried to help the people while helping himself. Most of their leaders have just robbed the country blind. Check out the annual reports published by the NSO and the Cabinet Office, they show year-on-year improvements in Education, Health Care, Housing, and Employment under Thaksin and that's what matters most to ordinary people. Thaksin taught people that their votes gave them power and that's why he's hated by people like the PAD leaders, they believe that Power is their prerogative and does not belong in the hands of the lower orders.
Wasn't it a pastry box?Originally Posted by britmaveric
Uh-oh
EC recommends dissolution of PPP
(BangkokPost.com) - The Election Commission (EC) announced Tuesday its decision to recommend the dissolution of the People Power party (PPP) for complicity in vote-buying by a party executive member Yongyuth Tiyapairat in the Dec 23 general election.
EC secretary-general Sutthipol Thaweechaikarn said that the vote was unanimous.
He added that the case will be forwarded to the attorney-general, who will be asked to forward the case to the Constitution Court within 30 days.
If the attorney-general thinks differently, the two agencies will form a joint committee to review the case.
The EC began considering the PPP's dissolution after the Constitution Court ruled early July that Mr Yongyuth, former PPP deputy leader, bought votes in last year's general election and disqualified him.
Double uh-oh
(BangkokPost.com) – Supreme Commander Boonsang Niampradit said he believes the state of emergency imposed at 7am Tuesday in Bangkok can partly solve political problem.
Gen Boonsang said soldiers will stand shoulder to shoulder with the people and the society, adding that he hopes that ongoing turmoil will not be as violent as October 14, 1973 or October 6, 1976 bloodsheds.
Asked if he thinks the situation will get out of control, Gen Boonsang said it depends on the people, who will have to think carefully what is good or bad for the country.
He also said that the pre-dawn clashes between anti-government group and the pro-government group that led to the death of one protester should not have happened, adding that he believes this is not the government’s attempt to stir unrest in order to lead to the imposition of the state of emergency.
going to need more than that to be convincing .adding that he believes this is not the government’s attempt to stir unrest in order to lead to the imposition of the state of emergency.
^ doesnt matter now - they have what they need and will act accordingly.
Situation round-up
Veera Prateepchaikul
The following is the round-up of the political turmoil, which led Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to impose the state of emergency, in Bangkok on Tuesday morning.
State of emergency declared in Bangkok
Prime Minister and Defence Minister Samak Sundaravej issued an order to declare the state of emergency in Bangkok from 7am today following a serious clash between protesters of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship of Thailand (UDDT) that left at least one person killed and about 40 injured.
The state of emergency was invoked under the Executive Decree for National Administration under an Emergency Situation. It is to remain effective until November 30.
Under the prime minister’s order, Army Chief Gen Anupong Paojinda, in his capacity as deputy director of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), has been appointed chairman of a committee for enforcement of the state of emergency and First Army commander Lt-Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha and Police Chief Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan his deputies.
The prime minister also issued another order prohibiting assembly of more than five people, publication of news which may cause panic or distort facts affecting law and order, and use of buildings or vehicles as specified by the army chief. People are subject to be moved out of certain areas as ordered by the army chief.
In a related development, army deputy spokesman, said Gen Anupong, chief enforcer of the emergency decree, would hold an urgent meeting of agencies concerned at the Army Headquarters at 10 am.
Those to attend the meeting include Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Kowit Watana, Police Chief Phatcharawat and First Army commander Lt Gen Prayuth.
Clash leaves at least one killed and 40 wounded
Several hundreds of UDDT members moved from Sanam Luang and broke through a police cordon to the intersection at the former army academy. At the time, PAD co-leader Somsak Kosaisuk called at the PAD stage for additional volunteer guards to put up resistance.
The clash between PAD and UDDT members took place 15 minutes after that. The two sides threw water bottles, soda bottles and rocks and used wooden sticks to hit each other in a melee. During the clash, five or six gun shots were heard. Two UDDT members were seriously wounded and rushed to Vajira hospital. No police were seen at the scene during the clash.
After the clash, Sondhi Limthongkul, a PAD leader, went up the stage and said the UDDT had attacked the PAD, causing a large number of wounded. He called for people around Bangkok including Chon Buri and Nakhon Pathom to come for PAD’s help. Mr Sondhi declared a civil war had started and that the protesters must be prepared to fight with everything they had in hands.
At 2am, Pol Gen Patcharawat, the national police chief, and his deputy Pol Gen Jongrak Juthanont, who is acting for the metropolitan police chief, and Metropolitan Police deputy chief Maj-Gen Suchart Muankaew arrived at the scene.
About 500 policemen, each holding only a plastic shield, were then deployed to separate the two sides.
Later at 3am, Pol Maj-Gen Suchart said altogether 22 companies of police had been deployed all over the area to prevent another clash.
The police were later reinforced by four companies of anti-riot soldiers from the First Army.
Dr Peerapong Saichua, deputy director of the Medical Department, said 19 people wounded in the clash, three of them seriously, were admitted to Vajira hospital. One of the seriously wounded identified as Narongsak Kothaisong, 55, died later. He was hit in the head with a hard object.
Three wounded were also admitted to the Bangkok General hospital, five to Ramathibodi hospital, six to Hua Chiew hospital, and one to Mission hospital. Forty ambulances were mobilized from hospitals in Bangkok and nearby provinces to the area.
Pongphet emergency centre reported differently that the protester, a native of Nakhon Ratchasima, who died had a gun shot wound in his chest.
It was latest reported at 5am that altogether 40 people were wounded. Twenty-five were admitted to Vajira, five to Ramathibodi, five to Hua Chiew, one to Mission, two to Bangkok General, one to Rajvithee, and one to Siriraj hospitals. One of the wounded died.
At 3.45am, the situation was still tense. While UDDT members gathered in front of the Army Headquarters, PAD protesters congregated at Makkhawan Rangsan bridge. Between them were anti-riot police and soldiers.
Minor clashes reportedly took place at several spots including at Nang Lerng intersection and in a soi near the Ratchadamnoen boxing stadium. The two sides threw Molotov cocktails at each other.
At the PAD stage, Suriyasai Katasila said in an interview with Thai PBS television station that Deputy Transport Minister Songsak Thongsri and Maj-Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol, alias She Daeng, were sighted among UDDT attackers. Mr Songsak and Maj-Gen Khattiya, however, said they were at the scene to observe the situation.
PM: PAD demonstrators must be moved out of Governnment House
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej held a press conference at the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, saying that with the state of emergency in force PAD demonstrators occupying his office must be moved out.
The 9am press conference was broadcast live nationwide.
Mr Samak said the clash that took place was beyond his expectation and that he stayed awake all night long to monitor the situation. His decision to declare the state of emergency came after two hours of consultation with authorities concerned.
He said a committee, chaired by Army Chief Gen Anupong Paojinda, will investigate the incident.
The prime minister pleaded for the people to be considerate, saying they should not base their opinion on hatred for him. He said it was deplorable that those who caused problems in the country have never been put to blame. Mr Samak also expressed disappointment with the 43 state enterprises which have announced to take measures against the government.
He pledged to bring the country back to normalcy as soon as possible. The incident may disrupt the gubernatorial election scheduled for Oct 5 but the Election Commission (EC) is expected to make changes as considered necessary, Mr Samak said.
In reply to a question by a foreign news correspondent, Mr Samak said it is necessary for authorities appointed by him to implement the state of emergency to move PAD protesters out of the Government House. “They have to go. They have no rights to stay in there,” Mr Samak said.
The prime minister said that a curfew or martial law will not be imposed. He pledged to take the responsibility for the situation in the country and reaffirmed that he will not resign.
Countries issue travel advisory
Overseas office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) revealed that Britain, Australia, Canada, South Korea and Japan have issued a travel advisory telling their citizens to be careful while traveling to Thailand.
Porntip Hirunket, secretary-general of the Tourism Council of Thailand, said the council has issued a statement calling for the government and the PAD to exercise restraint as the situation has severely affected tourism industry.
Sodsri: PPP dissolution could worsen situation
Sumeth Upanisakorn, an election commissioner, said the Election Commission (EC) will today decide whether or not to recommend dissolution of the People Power party (PPP) regardless of the current political situation.
He said the commission is duty-bound to perform its duty according to the law.
Sodsri Sattayatham, another election commissioner, held a different opinion. She said in the wake of the state of emergency the EC should defer its decision on the PPP dissolution case as it may no longer be an emergency matter. An EC resolution, no matter what it may be, could be taken by either side of the conflict to cause more problems, Mrs Sodsri said.
“In this situation, whatever can be avoided should be avoided. However, it depends on the EC to decide on this matter,’’ she added.
bangkokpost.net
That is insurection.Originally Posted by Mid
Treason, what penalty?
If the PAD doesn't come to it's senses, I fear there may well be civil war, or at least widespread riots.
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