Thread: Reds ready to counter Pitak Siam: Korkaew says anti-govt rally has Democrat links

Sondhi, Boonlert accused of rebellion | Bangkok Post: breakingnews

Action sought against Sondhi, Seh Ai

• Published: 30/10/2012 at 12:37 PM
• Online news:

A team of lawyers of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) on Tuesday asked the Crime Suppression Division police to take action against Sondhi Limthongkul, a co-leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), and Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit, alias Seh Ai, chairman of the Pitak Siam Group, for inciting rebellion and a coup.

The lawyers, led by Karom Polpornklang, said the UDD already filed a complaint with the CSD against the two on Jan 26 but no action had been taken.

Today, they reminded the CSD of the complaint and submit more evidence against them. The additional evidence included CDs of Sunday's rally of the Pitak Siam Group and reports on the rally on the internet and newspapers.

If the CSD takes no action after this visit, they would petition with Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew, the police chief, and Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung and might also file a petition with the Consitution Court, Mr Karom said.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

He said horse-racing is a form of gambling and the government should close down the Royal Turf Club.

I always wondered about that myself, is there some kind of bylaw that allows this place to exist? Surely no one is suggesting that there is no gambling going on if there is horse racing?

Yes it is 'legal' maximum bet is 'unlimited' supposedly, minimum allowed is only 50 baht though. It is only open to the public every second Sunday for horse racing - it is a private hi-so sports club, with very expensive membership fees and a long waiting list.

Chalerm asks Udon reds to stay put | Bangkok Post: breakingnews

Chalerm asks Udon reds to stay put

• Published: 30/10/2012 at 01:26 PM
• Online news:

There is no need for supporters of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) to travel to Bangkok to show opposition to the Pitak Siam group of Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung said on Tuesday.

Mr Chalerm was responding to a threat by Kwanchai Praipana, leader of the Rak Udon Group of Udon Thani, to lead red shirts to Bangkok to confront with Pitak Siam.

He said if the red-shirts were not satisfied they could protest symbolically at the provincial hall.

On Gen Boonlert's remark that his group would stage another rally soon, Mr Chalerm said he did not think the rally would develop into a siege of Government House.

Authorities would keep the rally under control, using internationally recognised standards for crowd control without use of weapons, he added.

Mr Chalerm declined to comment on Pheu Thai party list MP Korkaew Pikulthong's suggestion that the Royal Turf Club at Nang Loeng be closed. Mr Korkaew is also a co-leader of the UDD.

The deputy prime minister ruled out the possibility of a coup. He said he believed Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha's assurance that there would not be a coup, saying that the army chief is a reliable and straightforward person.

On the opposition's planned censure debate on Nov 25-26, Mr Chalerm said it would probabably target only Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and the main topic for the debate would be the rice-pledging scheme.

The censure would be symbolic and a formality because the government was not corrupt because the prime minister had ordered all projects be scrutinised, he added.

Nattawut: Rally a prelude to a coup | Bangkok Post: breakingnews

Nathawut: Rally a prelude to a coup

• Published: 30/10/2012 at 02:08 PM
• Online news:

Last Sunday's rally by the Pitak Siam Group led by Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit is a sign of another coup in the making, Deputy Commerce Minister Nathawut Saikuar said on Tuesday.

Mr Nathawut, a core member of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), called for the people to come out and show their standpoint of not joining the Siam Pitak Group.

He believed "a movement to topple the government" would continue to go on the offensive by lodging a petition with various agencies for a ruling to put the administration in disarray.

On the cabinet reshuffle, Mr Nathawut said the red shirts had not voiced any objection to it, but only raised some points for observation.

UDD core leader Jatuporn Prompan, who was not included in the reshuffle list, had not demaned a cabinet seat. He only raised some points as a reminder that the war was not yet over and moral support was important for warriors, Mr Nathawut said.

On Kwanchai Praipana's remarks that if former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was not brought home the red shirts would no longer support support the government, Mr Nathawut said it was only a personal opinion of the the Rak Udon Group leader.

He also disregarded Mr Kwanchai's threat to bring the red shirts to face the Pitak Siam Group, saying that a hasty move would be useless.

^ To be fair...this time he has a point as one of the Pitak Siam leaders clearly stated that he would like to see another coup.

Jatuporn rejects advisory position | Bangkok Post: breakingnews

Jatuporn rejects advisory position

• Published: 30/10/2012 at 02:38 PM
• Online news:

Red-shirt co-leader Jatuporn Prompan made it clear on Tuesday that he will not accept the post of adviser to the interior minister after being ignored for a seat on the cabinet.

He said this before attending a Pheu Thai Party meeting to elect a new party executive committee.

"I have talked to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra about the cabinet reshuffle and we have a good understanding.

"I have made clear to her my intention of not taking the post of adviser to the interior minister. I would rather stay with my fellow red-shirts to protect the government," Mr Jatuporn said.

The red-shirt leader said there was now a movement underway to topple the government, similar to the one which took only a little than a month to oust the government of Somchai Wongsawat.

He claimed he had information about the movement from "friends" who were once in the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) set up the Democrat-led government to quell the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protesters in 2010.

Mr Jatuporn said he had earlier warned those concerned not to underestimate the Pitak Siam group, which rallied at the Royal Turf Club on Sunday. The next time the group might come out in larger numbers, he added.

There were many forms which could be used by those behind the movement to bring down the government and they had control of independent organisations under the 2007 constitution, he said.

Thailand may see more rallies in near future - Xinhua | English.news.cn

Thailand may see more rallies in near future

English.news.cn
2012-10-30 1803

BANGKOK, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Thai politics is heated again as pro-government red shirts have threatened to hold mass rally across the country to show their support for the government after a newly-emerged group organized rally against the government on Sunday.

On Sunday, a group called Pitak Siam, meaning protecting Siam, gathered at the Royal Turf Club in Bangkok's Nang Loeng district and drew about 20,000 participants claimed by the organizer.

The group said to allow the government under Prime Minister Yingluch Shinawatra to continue would hurt the country, adding that it is not affiliated with any political 'colour' or parties.

After the rally, Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit, a retired officer and the core organizer, believed the campaign is gaining momentum and it is likely that the group will stage another rally soon.

The remarks from Gen Boonlert sparked fierce response from the red shirts who are supporters of the Pheu Thai-led government.

On Monday, a red-shirt core member Kwanchai Praipana announced that red-shirt supporters from 20 provinces in the northeast are ready to counter any further rallies led by the Pitak Siam group.

Korkaew Pikulthong, another red-shirt core leader, urged the government to be on alert and keep a close watch on these anti- government elements. He also suggested that the Royal Turf Club at Nang Loeng be closed in order to prevent future rallies by the Pitak Siam group.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said on Sunday the rally by Pitak Siam would not affect the government's work.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung said he had told police to review the tape recording of the Sunday rally to see if any defamatory remarks were made.

Chalerm also said on Tuesday that there is no need for supporters of the red shirts to travel to Bangkok to show opposition to the Pitak Siam group. However, if the red shirts were not satisfied they could protest symbolically at the provincial hall.

Regarding Gen Boonlert's remarks that the group would stage another rally soon, Chalerm said he was not worried about it as he did not think the rally would develop into a siege of the Government House.

Authorities would keep the rally under control, using internationally recognized standards for crowd control without use of weapons, he added.

Yellows and reds Busy but still a million miles apart - The Nation

Yellows and reds Busy but still a million miles apart

Avudh Panananda
The Nation October 30, 2012 1:00 am

Last Sunday was a particularly busy day due to the convergence of activities organised by different political stripes.

Pitak Siam, an offshoot of the yellow and multi-coloured shirts, organised an anti-government rally at the Royal Turf Club. The crowd surged to fill the 20,000-seat racetrack.

The lead organiser was Boonlert Kaewprasit. He is no stranger to politics but lacks experience in mobilising the masses.

The majority of the crowd were supporters of Santi Asoke, a religious group seen as the core ally of the yellow shirts.

Former national security chief Prasong Soonsiri and Democrat ally Pathompong Kesornsuk were main speakers to attract the crowds.

Chulalongkorn University economic lecturer Narong Phetprasert made a fiery speech condemning the government's intervention to try to boost the price of rice.

From 2001 to 2004, Narong was a staunch ally of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He helped to map out several populist policies, notably those related to the Village Fund and labour welfare.

During Thaksin's second term, he became disenchanted with populism, which he said had been abused as a vote-buying strategy rather than a genuine attempt to improve livelihoods for the people.

He took Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to task for squandering Bt300 billion in connection with the rice pledging scheme.

Out of some 20 million rice farmers, less than five million were small-scale farmers and only a fraction of them were beneficiaries of the scheme, he said. Narong questioned the justification for such big spending when only a small num?ber of farmers benefit.

In a separate rally, the People's Alliance for Democracy led the yellow shirts in Nakhon Si Thammarat to kick off a cam?paign to oppose the privatisation of PTT and the plunder of energy resources in the Gulf of Thailand.

While Pitak Siam leader Boonlert |highlighted corruption and flaws of populism, PAD leader Chamlong Srimuang chose to raise awareness about the |contentious allocation of resources in the energy sector.

Boonlert and Chamlong are like two sides of the same movement aimed at stoking a fire to burn down the government. Their fire may appear to flicker at the moment but it has the potential to become an inferno should the government make a mistake that fuels public discontent.

In Uttaradit, the red shirts launched a school to train political activists. Some 2,000 red shirts from the North are allegedly due to take part in the programme.

Red-shirt chairwoman Thida Thawornseth pledged to open five red schools across the country by the end of this year.

The first red school opened back in 2009, and that led to the red-shirt rally in 2010, triggering violence and bloodshed.

Amid the planned expansion of red schools, Thida made it clear her movement wanted to pave the way for a rewrite of the charter. To achieve this, the red shirts want to do everything in their power to destroy the bureaucratic polity, also known as the amart or elite, which is seen as the major obstacle to true democratic rule.

In Thida's red book, which spells out the guidelines for activism, the bureaucratic polity entails a vast network of people who oppose Thaksin.

Meanwhile, in Bangkok's Yannawa district, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva officiated at the opening of his party's school.

Since their defeat in the July 2011 |general election, the Democrats have |intensified efforts to mobilise the masses. Their main theme is to attack Thaksin's |populism as a misguided ploy for democracy. In the assessment of Democrat adviser Chuan Leekpai, populist policies are just pork-barrel politics.

Politicians of all stripes may be chanting reconciliation as their mantra. But each camp is fortifying its position and refuses to budge.

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Rough time ahead for Yingluck government | Bangkok Post: opinion

OPINION

Rough time ahead for Yingluck government

• Published: 30/10/2012 at 10:55 AM
• Online news: Opinion

The large turnout at the anti-government rally at the Royal Turf Club on Sunday caught both the government and the organiser, the Pitak Siam group led by retired soldier Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit, by surprise.


Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit (Photo by Patipat Janthong)

The club’s stadium was filled to capacity with the crowd estimated at 20,000, many of them members of the Santi Asoke movement led by Phra Bhodhirak and the multi-coloured group. It was the biggest gathering of anti-Thaksin people in recent years.

Gen Boonlert had earlier said that he would stop his anti-government campaign if Sunday’s crowd was fewer than 1,000. Bouyed by the unexpected high turnout, he and the other organisers are now thinking about a second rally in a month or so.

A staunch royalist, the retired general accused the government of inaction in dealing with people who were insulting the monarchy and openly called for a coup d’etat.

The leaders of another anti-Thaksin group, the yellow-shirt Peoples Alliance for Democracy (PAD), stayed away from Sunday’s rally but did not stop their members from joining the Pitak Siam gathering. PAD spokesman Panthep Wongpuapan said that the PAD would only stage a protest if the government tries to force through a so-called reconciliation bill which would grant amnesty to exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung earlier said with a trace of contempt that he would not rate Pitak Siam highly. But after Sunday’s show of force, he might have to think differently because Pitak Siam and its like are not the spent force he assumed them to be and remain a force to be reckoned with.


Kwanchai Praipana (Photo by Surapol Promsaka na Sakolnakorn)

On Monday, Udon Thani's red-shirt leader Kwanchai Praipana threatened to organise counter-protests against Pitak Siam. The radical leader of the Rak Udon group, which is affilicated with the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), also warned the Yingluck government of the likely negative consequences if it fails to bring Thaksin home during its four-year term in office.

Village headmen and kamnan have also threatened a mass protest if the government proceeds with a bill seeking to cap the terms of these local leaders to four years, instead of staying on until retirement at 60 years of age as it is now.

Having enjoyed a pleasant ride for more than a year, it appears that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her new cabinet have a rough time ahead in dealing with the different interest groups, in addition to the other social and economic problems which are bound to pop up.

Despite all the challenges and minus a coup, the government will be able to muddle through and complete its four-term term because of its overwhelming majority in the parliament. Only a self implosion as a result of its own self-destructive policies, such as the rotten rice pledging scheme and massive corruption, could bring this government to its knees.

They're whistlin' dixie- the military isn't interested in staging another coup. Hardly surprising, given the results of the last one.

Govt figures say red shirts' counter-rally plan pointless | Bangkok Post: news

Govt figures say red shirts' counter-rally plan pointless

• Published: 31/10/2012 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

Key government figures have dismissed red-shirt supporters' plan to hold counter-rallies against the Pitak Siam group, saying the move is unnecessary.

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung yesterday said there is no need for supporters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) to travel to Bangkok to show their opposition to the Pitak Siam (Protecting Siam) group led by Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit.

Mr Chalerm was responding to the threat by Udon Thani red-shirt leader Kwanchai Praipana, who announced on Monday that red-shirt supporters from 20 provinces are ready to counter any further anti-government rallies led by Pitak Siam. However, Mr Chalerm said if the red shirts were unhappy they could protest symbolically at provincial halls.

Gen Boonlert also said his group would stage another gathering soon. Mr Chalerm said he did not think the rally would develop into a siege of Government House.

Deputy Commerce Minister and red-shirt co-leader Nattawut Saikuar echoed Mr Chalerm's remark, saying any UDD counter-rallies could backfire as they might set the stage for political intervention by the old power clique.

Red-shirt co-leader Jatuporn Prompan also rejected Mr Kwanchai's threat to bring red shirts to Bangkok face off with Pitak Siam, saying such a hasty move would be pointless.

Meanwhile, UDD lawyers yesterday asked Crime Suppression Division police to take action against Sondhi Limthongkul, a co-leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), and Gen Boonlert for inciting rebellion and a coup. They submitted CDs of the Pitak Siam rally on Sunday and reports about the protest on the internet and in the media as evidence.


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No need for new protests | Bangkok Post: opinion

EDITORIAL

No need for new protests

• Published: 31/10/2012 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

It is a basic right of Thais to gather, petition their government and speak their mind on politics and most other subjects. Sunday's gathering at the Royal Turf Club was a peaceful demonstration of this core right. The crowd that filled many of the 20,000 seats at the horse-racing track was sometimes raucous, but never threatening. Yet the participants should ask if the country really needs another round of divisive politics _ and decide that the answer is "no".

The publicity-hungry leader of the latest anti-Thaksin Shinawatra, anti-government group is retired Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit. The general has infamously called for a military coup to overthrow the Yingluck Shinawatra government. "I'd love to see a coup," he told this newspaper just a little more than a week ago.

Thailand has no real need of more large-scale political protests for now. But it especially has no need of a military coup _ ever. It was encouraging to hear the army commander put down this mad proposal. Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha noted the government was elected, and then added: "Any government of this country is a legal entity." That is the correct answer, and the only legitimate one.

The call for a military coup is a telling measure of Pitak Siam (Protecting Siam), Gen Boonlert's overblown name for his group. Even before the first public protest by Pitak Siam, the leader was admitting the weakness of his appeal for turning out the government. Only with the guns of the military can he even hope to prevail over the Yingluck Shinawatra government. That says quite a lot about the power of his arguments against Ms Yingluck and her administration.

While it is the right of every concerned citizen to hold the government accountable, it is the duty of every serious citizen to do so at viewpoint, not gunpoint. Those who back Gen Boonlert's call for violence as valid or worthy should think again. The most recent coup, just six years ago, brought no improvement and much harm to the nation, its economy and its international accounting. Another one would be disastrous.

Ms Yingluck is partly right when she says the correct place to scrutinise the government is in parliament. There are many other avenues _ the media, public meetings, virtual groups such as through the internet. But it is not correct to scrutinise the government in the barracks. There is one proper place to overthrow a government and remove it from office _ the polling booth.

Two weeks ago, the president of the Privy Council, Gen Prem Tinsulanonda, issued a call for Thais to reconcile. Being a united nation does not mean universal agreement, or a country without criticism. But it means general acceptance by citizens of basic truths. In Thailand, all good citizens should believe in democratic principles, and in settling disputes through debate or at the ballot box.

Thailand has had its fill of street protests, and the weekend threat of the red shirts to "counter" Pitak Siam only revived the bad memories. Gen Boonlert needs to reform his new movement, and remove the support for military violence against his country. The red shirts have caused enough trouble on the streets, and should try to solve their grievances in peaceful ways. The important, protected right to public protest is not a call to use it without end.

Soldiers warned not to join rallies | Bangkok Post: breakingnews

Prayuth tells soldiers: Don't join rallies

• Published: 31/10/2012 at 11:29 AM
• Online news:

Soldiers taking part in political rallies is considered a disciplinary offence even though they may have the right to do so, national army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Wednesday.

"There are disciplinary regulations and soldiers must follow their commanders' instructions. If they commit a disciplinary offence they could be demoted or even discharged," Gen Prayuth said.

On the red-shirt supporters' plan to stage demonstrations to counter any further anti-government rallies led by the Pitak Siam group,

Red-shirt supporters from 20 provinces in the Northeast are ready to counter any further rallies led by the Pitak Siam group, he said it would not be a problem if both sides gather peacefully and stay within the democratic framework.

Gen Prayuth urged the general public not to support any sides that abuse the law.

He also called on officials not to comment on the investigation into the 91 deaths, mainly red-shirt protesters, in April and May of 2010.

The issue is now being handled by the justice system and commenting on it is considered unethical, he added.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Soldiers taking part in political rallies is considered a disciplinary offence even though they may have the right to do so

If the Chief of the Army can not spell it out in black and white ,

what hope do the regular soldiers have ?

Typical Nation misdirection.. buried in the middle of their propaganda piece...

The first red school opened back in 2009, and that led to the red-shirt rally in 2010, triggering violence and bloodshed.

Red Shirt schools in the NE are responsible for the violence in 2010... these guys can't even string together a lie that makes sense.

If The Nation disappeared, I'd never miss it.

Seh Ai: Government must go | Bangkok Post: news

Seh Ai: Government must go

• Published: 31/10/2012 at 04:34 PM
• Online news: Politics

There will definitely be another major anti-government rally aimed at bringing down the government by the end of November and up to one million people could be involved, Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit said on Wednesday.


Anti-government protest groups turn up in force at the Royal Turf Club on Oct 28, 2012. (Photo by Thiti Wannamontha)

Gen Boonlert, chairman of the Pitak Siam group, declined to comment on whether he would lead the protesters in a march to lay siege to Government House. He did not give a date for the rally, saying only that it would be in late November.

"Whoever wants to know how we will bring down the government and whether we will march to Government House should come and join our rally to see how things develop," said Gen Boonlert, also known as Seh Ai.

"If the people turn out in large numbers, we will go right to see the government and apply pressure on it. I want to know whether soldiers or police would dare to shoot the people, whether the red-shirts will come out, whether Thais will kill each other because of [fugitive former prime minister] Thaksin Shinawatra," he said.

He said between 900,000 and one million people would be needed in order to oust the government.

If the anti-government protesters turn out en masse and march from the Royal Turf Club, they would be well protected.

If people of a third-hand party were to show up, they could only be supporters of the government or Thaksin, he said.

Gen Boonlert said that by leading the people's rally he was not worried whether the red-shirts would file a lawsuit accusing him of inciting rebellion because "a coup is the only way to topple the government".

"If I had military power in hand, I would have staged a coup. I am now waiting to see how Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, the army chief, will react to my call. I am still confident he has not changed his stand or sided with the government.

"If a coup did take place, an interim government would be set up. If this was not acceptable to other countries, we could close the country. I don't know for how many years, but the closure should remain until all the bad politicians have been driven away. I have never seen a good politician. Soldiers are needed to take care of the country," Gen Boonlert said.

Asked who would be made prime minister if that happened, Gen Boonlert said there would be many suitable people for the post, but he would rather not name them.

"The most important thing to do first is to bring down the government. The people must help to accomplish this goal. Don't allow corruption to stay. It's no long tolerable," he said.

Gen Boonlert said he estimated the number of people at the anti-government on Oct 28 at the Royal Turf Club at 30,000, but the government's intelligence agencies put it around 7,000-8,000 to calm soldiers.

"I was very excited. I had never done anything like this in my life. But I had to do it to protect the high institution ... to topple the government. A large number of people showed up. They gave me the moral support needed to continue with this fight," said the 70-year-old retired general.

Gen Boonlert dismissed as untrue the red-shirts' speculation that Gen Surayud Chulanont - a privy councillor and chairman of the Royal Turf Club, and his classmate from Class 1 of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School - was behind the Oct 28 rally.


Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha (Photo by Pattanapong Hirunard)

He said the rally was engineered by only a few people and Gen Surayud was not involved.

"I have to thank Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung for coming to lunch with me. It was like a public relations event, and it drew tens of thousands of people to the rally," Gen Boonlert added.

Army commander-in-chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha warned that soldiers taking part in political rallies could face disciplinary action even though they may have the right to do so.

"There are disciplinary regulations and soldiers must follow their commanders' instructions. If they commit a disciplinary offence they could be demoted or even discharged," the national army chief said.

He was replying to questions about the red-shirt supporters' plans to stage demonstrations to counter any further anti-government rallies led by the Pitak Siam group.

He said it would not be a problem if both sides gather peacefully and stay within the democratic framework.

Gen Prayuth urged the general public not to support any side that abuses the law.

^ great, more coup-mongering...

Military will not step in to control protesters: Sukampol - The Nation

Military will not step in to control protesters: Sukampol

The Nation November 1, 2012 6:13 pm

Boonlert

The government will not need to seek help from the military to suppress the anti-government rally led by the Pitak Siam group because the police was capable enough to handle the situation.

Defence Minister Sukampol Suwannathat said Thursday that he spoke to police chief Gen Adul Saengsingkaew about the matter when the Pitak Siam or Protect Siam group, led by Boonlert Kaewprasit, held its first rally last Sunday.

At the rally last weekend, the group announced that it would hold another protest against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's government and might even gather in front of her office.

Sukampol said people had the right to protest provided they did it under the legal framework.

"Don't violate the law and do everything rationally. Be responsible for what you say. Since all [leaders of the protest] are over 60, please take it easy. Our country needs to move forward, otherwise we will be wasting time resolving unnecessary problems all the time," he warned.

^ Absolutely no need for the military...not only as they shouldn't be involved in such things, but also because this time the police will be available to assist/intervene....unlike 2010....

Originally Posted by The Nation

Military will not step in to control protesters:

Originally Posted by The Nation

The government will not need to seek help from the military

blog.acorn-is.com



colourchroma.wordpress.com



.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

He said between 900,000 and one million people would be needed in order to oust the government.

Right, so less than one sixtieth the population of Thailand to unconstitutionally topple a government.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

"If a coup did take place, an interim government would be set up. If this was not acceptable to other countries, we could close the country. I don't know for how many years, but the closure should remain until all the bad politicians have been driven away. I have never seen a good politician. Soldiers are needed to take care of the country," Gen Boonlert said.

Well, that says it all. He's barking mad.

^ Khmer Rouge had a trial run of something similar I believe

Mind you, eradicating all the politicians isn't that bad an idea - many people in many countries would support that.

Originally Posted by Gerbil

Mind you, eradicating all the politicians isn't that bad an idea - many people in many countries would support that.

and replace with ?

^ who knows?

Democracy may be the best system of government currently invented.

That doesn't mean that there may not be a better system, yet to be discovered.

so it's a good idea to eradicate all pollies even though you haven't an alternative ...............