Thread: Bangkok Protests 13th January 2014 - In Pictures

^Could well be right.

As I traveled into town today, enjoying the lack of traffic etc ......when we got to Pata, just before the Phra Pinkglao bridge , about 12 protesters boarded the bus , attempting to get to some protest site ( any would have sufficed ) They were clearly lost and in the conversation with the conductress , said they had just arrived in the city by chartered mini bus from Ratchburi. One of them leant against the seat in front of me and shot his mouth off at the other passengers and his colleagues.

" If Khun Suthep wins then we will all be rich "

or ' ta khun Suthep chanat , row ja rooay took kon '

What he meant or how he arrived at such a conclusion I cannot explain. I can only say that when he said ' row ' I hope it was inclusive of me. I was after all, on the same bus.

^Yup - it's complex and nonsensical.

Thrown in a blender full of broken mirrors and poured out into a cloudy glass.

That's why I think it's best to let it play out. See who has real heart and see who's only in it for cash and an easy ride.

Originally Posted by Bangyai

As I traveled into town today, enjoying the lack of traffic etc ......when we got to Pata, just before the Phra Pinkglao bridge , about 12 protesters boarded the bus , attempting to get to some protest site ( any would have sufficed ) They were clearly lost and in the conversation with the conductress , said they had just arrived in the city by chartered mini bus from Ratchburi. One of them leant against the seat in front of me and shot his mouth off at the other passengers and his colleagues.

" If Khun Suthep wins then we will all be rich "

or ' ta khun Suthep chanat , row ja rooay took kon '

Well, those that survive might be.

Good story though, really highlights the truth about many of those protesting.

According to wife if the Rice farmers are not paid around us soon, they will all be heading to BKK to protest against govt, funny thing is they all support PT.

PT could be heading for a good kicking if its true.

^Basically, whoever pays wins. Full stop.



Thaiocracy.

nothing at all to do with vote buying, its what the govt promised to pay rice farmers.

Originally Posted by Malcom

^Basically, whoever pays wins. Full stop.



Thaiocracy.

Seems to be two main strands to the protesters- those who want a Reform Council prior to elections (quite achievable, and I agree), and those that just want PT out, and Suthep's handpicked politburo in (new cronies for old). I daresay most of the hired goons are of the latter persuasion.

Originally Posted by Albert Shagnastier

Food - no protest can run without food.

Food- no Thai can run without food...more then 3 hours.


Nice pics Shaggy. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

Originally Posted by TonyBKK

Interesting isn't it how many former reds have switched sides this time around.

Can you please qualify that statement because it rather comes across as extreme propagandering fact creation...

Just a personal observation; last time around the motorcycle taxis and car taxi drivers were overwhelmingly in support of the Red Shirts.

In my neighborhood the same motocy and car taxis that were waving red flags 3 years ago are now wearing Thai flag whistle around their necks.

Could it be some of the former reds have finally realized this fight isn't actually about "democracy"?

Originally Posted by Malcom

30% Local motosai taxi drivers and other criminal scum in it for an easy pay per day.

That the reds were paid to protest last time around has been well documented.


Is there any evidence to support your claim that some of the current anti-government protesters are also being paid? Not saying it isn't happening, but your "pay per day" comment is the first I've heard it...

Originally Posted by sabang

Seems to be two main strands to the protesters- those who want a Reform Council prior to elections (quite achievable, and I agree), and those that just want PT out, and Suthep's handpicked politburo in (new cronies for old). I daresay most of the hired goons are of the latter persuasion.

This is just an after the fact soft approach rhetoric from the yellow nutters, they realised the "appointed" thingy was giving a propaganda backlash especially internationally.

But their real goals is unchanged, some pro Yellow western Journos have however picked up on it already like Drummond, and their reporting is now devoid of notions of abolishing the vote and democracy for an elite appointed dictatorship, essentially a coup, and is all about the wholly sensible sounding - merely asking for reform.

The Government have already agreed to setting up a reform committee, no sane Government would ever refuse something like that, but as it shows that is not enough to satisfy the driving forces behind the protests, it never was.

I hope it doesn't fool to many dimwits.

Tony, you gonna have to wiseup, mate. These folks like suthep, thaksin, banharn, newin etc, they are all cut from the same cloth, this is Thai politics... It's repeated cycles, all the Thais know how that works, why don't you chat to some of them? Some of these protesters are there for their beliefs and desire for change (a small %, imho), some are there because they want their side (the 'elites') to keep control, some are there because they are the underlings of sutheps southern patronage network, and some are folks who work in Bkk and want to earn a bit more money.

The whole point is the power struggle that lies underneath. Everything suthep says is a lie, it's all about getting his group getting hold of the purse strings, and the ultra-conservative royalists keeping control of the nation. Most of the protesters are fully aware of this, certainly the motorbike taxis and taxi drivers are fully aware of it, and they will play the game too for their own benefit. But, come voting time, it has been very clear, time after time, that PT supporters are the majority (and it's growing). If this wasn't true, if suthep really is so popular and there's a massive tide of change then luckily for them the election is coming, they will get power then they can make all these changes for the good of the nation and 'good' people... How strange then, that these 'millions', this massive change in support of suthep, won't allow elections... It's not rocket science mate...

Originally Posted by larvidchr

sane Government

^ Talk about an oxymoron!

Originally Posted by sabang

Seems to be two main strands to the protesters- those who want a Reform Council prior to elections .

They talk about this reform but the only reform that will be acceptable to them is one that sees the dissolution of Phua Thai. If after all this ' reform ' there is still Phua Thai then they will have wasted their time.

I have heard spokesmen for the protesters saying that democracy is not working because the uneducated peasants keep voting for a party that they think best serve their own interests but does little for the good of the country. This ignores the fact that every voter in every country always does this same thing. Even they do the same thing when they vote for the Democrats.

So....this reform. What is it ? New laws .........not needed , already a pile of anti corruption legistlation. Enforcement of the law ? Now you are talking. If the laws were enforced there would be no corruption. Good. So what date do they propose to start. If they are only going to start at a date in the future, then anyone who has been corrupt in the past can start with a clean sheet ......right ?

No ? So if they are going to have the start date as some time in the past , how far back do they want to go and will they enforce their reforms on everyone who has done wrong or just a selective few who they don't like.

And if after all the reforms and after eliminating Thaksin and his proxies the rural folk still don't vote for the Democrates and still vote for some other party that they still think will serve them best then the only reforms left that will work is either to shoot them all or have a military dictatorship .

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

Tony, you gonna have to wiseup, mate. These folks like suthep, thaksin, banharn, newin etc, they are all cut from the same cloth, this is Thai politics... It's repeated cycles, all the Thais know how that works, why don't you chat to some of them? Some of these protesters are there for their beliefs and desire for change (a small %, imho), some are there because they want their side (the 'elites') to keep control, some are there because they are the underlings of sutheps southern patronage network, and some are folks who work in Bkk and want to earn a bit more money.

The whole point is the power struggle that lies underneath. Everything suthep says is a lie, it's all about getting his group getting hold of the purse strings, and the ultra-conservative royalists keeping control of the nation. Most of the protesters are fully aware of this, certainly the motorbike taxis and taxi drivers are fully aware of it, and they will play the game too for their own benefit. But, come voting time, it has been very clear, time after time, that PT supporters are the majority (and it's growing). If this wasn't true, if suthep really is so popular and there's a massive tide of change then luckily for them the election is coming, they will get power then they can make all these changes for the good of the nation and 'good' people... How strange then, that these 'millions', this massive change in support of suthep, won't allow elections... It's not rocket science mate...

Dear Betty, I get it bro and have said as much on several occasions, so please, no need for the holier-than-thou condescension, ok?

[quote=TonyBKK;2635297]

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

Originally Posted by TonyBKK

You support suthep do you? How noble, idealistic, informed, educated...

There you go putting words in my mouth again. Where the hell did I say I support Suthep??

I think he's a right twat and one of the most corrupt pols out there and it's because the WORST politicians always seem to rise to the top here that Thailand will remain stuck in this never ending political stalemate.

Originally Posted by TonyBKK

Could it be some of the former reds have finally realized this fight isn't actually about "democracy"?

Great pics Alby.

Get us a quote on a bulletproof vest for your goodself, for when it all goes tits up bruv

Originally Posted by Dillinger

Get us a quote on a bulletproof vest for your goodself, for when it all goes tits up bruv

If it all goes tits up mate I'll be in the embassy garden with a gin and tonic before you can say red coup yellow coup

Originally Posted by Dillinger

bulletproof vest

Meh..

great photos - how long before we see you interviewed by the foriegn press ?

what colour shirt are your wearing ? or is it your favourite stained beer chang singlet ? though the cum stains now hardened may stop a 9mm round fired at 10 paces

Originally Posted by Albert Shagnastier

red coup yellow coup

cuckoo ?

Originally Posted by TonyBKK

Originally Posted by Malcom

30% Local motosai taxi drivers and other criminal scum in it for an easy pay per day.

That the reds were paid to protest last time around has been well documented.

Of course.

I find it a bit odd when someone makes a comment that xy and z are happening, and another posters starts jumping up and down that the other side did the same x amount of years ago.

Is there any evidence to support your claim that some of the current anti-government protesters are also being paid? Not saying it isn't happening, but your "pay per day" comment is the first I've heard it...

People from around my Moo Baan were being paid 800b a day in December. Picked up in the morning and returned in the evening. We don't have a lot of contact with the Thais in the Moo Baan so I'm not sure what the rate is now. My wife was asked if she would like to join them.

I'm afraid that you misunderstood my post.

Originally Posted by Yasojack

nothing at all to do with vote buying, its what the govt promised to pay rice farmers.

Originally Posted by Malcom

^Basically, whoever pays wins. Full stop.



Thaiocracy.

Originally Posted by Yasojack

According to wife if the Rice farmers are not paid around us soon, they will all be heading to BKK to protest against govt, funny thing is they all support PT.

PT could be heading for a good kicking if its true.

My office girl told me that she will get her payment for her rice 16 Jan