Political un-rest and rally

[PeteC]

Something popped up yesterday but I can't find it today. It said the Red Shirts don't want Abahasit to appoint the next Army Commander as it would not be fair to any incoming government. I don't know the date by which he has to do this but I think it falls before he would dissolve parliament in the event of a Nov. 14 election.

It's a big deal concerning appointment of this commander, what Academy Class number he comes from, where his loyalty is concerning Red or Yellow or Blue etc. We had an article on here somewhere about this intrigue within the Army and that it's one of the root causes of all these problems. Pete

[buksida]

Yes, the army are pretty much split into two camps, those that are loyal to Mr T and his associates and those that are on the other side - there is so much more to this but of course we cannot discuss any of that on a public forum.

[STEVE G]

I seem to remember reading last week that the Army C-in-C, General Anupong has got five months left before he retires.

[moja]

I am sure I read somewhere that the change of Army C-in-C is due in October, which would be the five months already mentioned.

[cozza]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/thaksin ... nt-day/vdo

This video states that General Prayuth will be G.Anupong's replacement. Maybe a bit obvious to some, but informational none the less. It also claims that much political shifting has been going on in the North to gather support. Looks like the Dems are confident of a victory.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/20 ... 21460.html

This can obviously change though, but unlikely if the Dems stay until the end of September.

One thing that stood out to me was the ultimatum from Abhisit that the demonstrations had to end straight away...that doesnt look like it is going to happen. I think this will split some of the Reds, mainly who are tiring from protesting. It could weaken the demonstrations and cause it to wane or it could have the opposite effect and strengthen numbers taking it all back to square 1.

[sargeant]

You know when you get an itch and you try so hard to ignore it but then it gets to such a pitch you justs gorra scratch it
this is one of those occasions

The south is not Hua Hin, this town is a suburb of Bangkok,

Buksi firstly you have the map upside down
second there is a huge crease in it flatten it out and you will find between BKK and hua hin there is a whole world of cha am tah yang petchaburi and a few other hamlets in between

and while i understand what you mean it doesnt make voting 2 or 3 times to everybody elses one vote (its an option only available to the already rich)any less wrong than buying votes
they are both wrong wrong wrong
where we differ is i am not prepared to condemn one wrong without condemning the other

The voter registration system is largely whats wrong but neither side is going to change it as they both see disadvantages to themselves and they are both wrong to ignore it and that is why i think this problem will just rumble on explode rumble on explode ad nauseam

the present system is a map yellow BKK and south and red north it should be a patchwork of red and yellow all over the country.
if as i believe the demographics have changed so much in the last 10 years and what i proposed for a new registration system was adopted that patchwork would i believe happen
yes it would take a few elections to settle down but long term would even out the political playground and stop this tit for tat reaction to everything
that would also need the removal of the main obstacle because if that obstacle is not removed all other debates and ideas are moot

[buksida]

I'll disagree with your classification of south Thailand, the way I see it anywhere south of Surat is virtually a different country as Thaksin simply alienated them all during his tenure and focused solely on Issan while lining his own pockets - hence the divide there.

The other divide is a class one as we know and yes, I actually agree with the rest of your post.

[STEVE G]

BANGKOK, May 6 (AFP) - Thailand's pro-establishment "Yellow Shirts" Thursday called on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to stand down, criticising his reconciliation roadmap which envisages fresh elections in November.

The Yellows, who had previously backed Abhisit's embattled administration, accused the premier of bowing to the demands of the rival "Red Shirts" who have mounted weeks of crippling street protests to push for snap polls.

The group, formally known as the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), also accused Abhisit of conducting secret negotiations with representatives of the Reds' hero -- ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra who was ousted in a 2006 coup.

"We demand the prime minister reconsider and cancel the election date, and for the prime minister to step down and make way for another person," said Yellows spokesman Suriyasai Katasila.

The group said Abhisit should not have announced election plans for November 14, and vowed to oppose any attempt to change the constitution or grant an amnesty for politicians hit with bans after their parties were dissolved.

The five-point reconciliation process aims to settle those contentious issues, and end the crisis that has damaged Thailand's economy and its reputation as the "Land of Smiles".

Abhisit said Thursday he was ready to dissolve parliament in September, but refused to set the exact timeframe being demanded by the Reds before they dismantle their vast protest camp in Bangkok's top retail district.

Chamlong Srimuang, a core Yellow Shirts leader, said Thailand's problems would only worsen after the dissolution of the lower house, and subsequent elections.

"The prime minister has reconciled with terrorists by planning to dissolve the house, it's extremely bad for the country and the monarchy," he said.

Another Yellows leader Somsak Kosaisuk called on the government to decisively enforce the law against Red Shirts who have refused to leave their camp despite signing up to the roadmap.

Other figures in the movement accused Abhisit of abandoning those who have supported the government in its fight against Thaksin's allies.

Thailand is largely split between the mainly rural poor and urban working class Reds, and the Yellows, who blockaded Bangkok's two main airports in 2008, before a controversial court verdict removed Thaksin's allies from power.

Abhisit's government was then appointed in a parliamentary vote with the backing of the army -- triggering charges from the Reds that the administration is illegitimate and the puppet of Thailand's elites.

[charlesh]

Could they please change the date from Nov 14th. I was wanting to celebrate Prince Charles's and Yani's b/days. And by the way it is the UK's remembrance day too!! Damned inconsiderate !!!
PS is there any truth in Yani HELPING HIS COUNTRY MEN OUT OF THEIR ABYSS (Abhisit - joke) OF DEBT??
Almost like Takky Shining Wat - God that was another porcine flying by the window!
PPS Democracy is in its infancy here (and has been so for decades) - I look on it as a learning curve. Pity there are so many slow learners but they are not alone in the world arena!!!

[The understudy]

BANGKOK, May 6 (AFP) - Thailand's pro-establishment "Yellow Shirts" Thursday called on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to stand down, criticising his reconciliation roadmap which envisages fresh elections in November.

The Yellows, who had previously backed Abhisit's embattled administration, accused the premier of bowing to the demands of the rival "Red Shirts" who have mounted weeks of crippling street protests to push for snap polls.

The group, formally known as the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), also accused Abhisit of conducting secret negotiations with representatives of the Reds' hero -- ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra who was ousted in a 2006 coup.

"We demand the prime minister reconsider and cancel the election date, and for the prime minister to step down and make way for another person," said Yellows spokesman Suriyasai Katasila.

The group said Abhisit should not have announced election plans for November 14, and vowed to oppose any attempt to change the constitution or grant an amnesty for politicians hit with bans after their parties were dissolved.

The five-point reconciliation process aims to settle those contentious issues, and end the crisis that has damaged Thailand's economy and its reputation as the "Land of Smiles".

Abhisit said Thursday he was ready to dissolve parliament in September, but refused to set the exact timeframe being demanded by the Reds before they dismantle their vast protest camp in Bangkok's top retail district.

Chamlong Srimuang, a core Yellow Shirts leader, said Thailand's problems would only worsen after the dissolution of the lower house, and subsequent elections.

"The prime minister has reconciled with terrorists by planning to dissolve the house, it's extremely bad for the country and the monarchy," he said.

Another Yellows leader Somsak Kosaisuk called on the government to decisively enforce the law against Red Shirts who have refused to leave their camp despite signing up to the roadmap.

Other figures in the movement accused Abhisit of abandoning those who have supported the government in its fight against Thaksin's allies.

Thailand is largely split between the mainly rural poor and urban working class Reds, and the Yellows, who blockaded Bangkok's two main airports in 2008, before a controversial court verdict removed Thaksin's allies from power.

Abhisit's government was then appointed in a parliamentary vote with the backing of the army -- triggering charges from the Reds that the administration is illegitimate and the puppet of Thailand's elites.

Now The PM has finally came out with a so called solution to this whole Stalemate/Chaos that had been going on for the last 2 months and now The PAD (Persistent Agitating Dinosaurs) are blocking it!
I read between the lines and sense that the Thai Establishment/Elites that this road map don't fit in their plans to maintain the bottom to the Top regime that has been in Thai History for a long time. proetcting this outdated scheme means one thing "Thay are against any Changes which involve the in their eyes sacrate higher classes. In Fact The PAD don't need to go active again don't they? They have now their political arm which is The "New Politics Party!"
The Thai establishment/Elites have to Change there's no ther way!

Your's The understudy

[sargeant]

anywhere south of Surat is virtually a different country as Thaksin simply alienated them all during his tenure

i must agree with that wholeheartedly
but it was the number of muslims from that area that came and rallied and spoke on the stage in the early part of the demonstrations which probaby surprised even shocked me the most (i did not expect anyone south of bangkok) especially the old muslim lady that had to take her teeth out to speak she took them out and she was a real firebrand 80 year old
there is no doubt mr t had very little to nil consideration for that part of the country but then the elite have virtually ignored them as well and maybe they are only wanting fair equal democracy as well as the rest of the poor

it may be wishfull thinking on my part but i was hoping those speakers may have helped the debate to have bypassed the fixation on mr t turn him into a minor side issue and concentrated the effort into democracy and loosing the second d as the priority which hopefully seems to be the case now

[sargeant]

A vital point I missed
When I posted on this thread about rules dissolution electoral commission and days and dates I missed something
Thankfully the PAD have raised it and may explain why the demonstrators are still in BKK and not planting rice.

Mr A has announced dissolution between the 15th and 30th September

But if his own party force him to resign his successor could easily say his road map does not apply to him and as the new prime minister keep going to dec next year

I hope that doesn’t happen I dread to think of the results if it did

[buksida]

I read between the lines and sense that the Thai Establishment/Elites that this road map don't fit in their plans to maintain the bottom to the Top regime that has been in Thai History for a long time.

Agree, though it seems that it's not only PAD that are rejecting the road map:

Multi-colour leader Tul Sitthisomwon on Friday suggested for the postponement of the November 14 poll date in order to allow time for the completion of the reconciliation process.

Tul was speaking following his meeting with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

"The government is duty bound to implement the road map for reconciliation but the dissolution of Parliament should not be allowed to happen under pressure," he said.

He voiced support for any attempts to bring about reconciliation although he objected to setting the poll date before fence mending.

He said the decision by the multi-colours to carry on their rallies would hinge on whether the red shirts would accept the road map and disband their protest site.
The Nation

This lairy beach shirted group could start to be a contending force, especially if they start to gather numbers - obviously nobody has stepped up to 'sponsor' their appearance yet!

[PeteC]

It's becoming obvious PAD is nothing but a racist group that makes the white supremacists in the USA South in decades gone by look like amateurs! Pete

[hhfarang]

BANGKOK: -- A policeman was killed while seven policemen and two civilians were injured in a shooting and bomb attack on Silom Road and in front of Lumpini Park Friday night.

The two attacks were less than three hours apart.

The first attack occurred at 10.45pm just in front of Krung Thai Bank near Soi Saladaeng.

An assailant on a motorcycle opened fire and hit 3 policemen and 2 passerbys.

Pol Cpl Kannupan Lertchanpen was killed in the gun wound on his stomach.

The attack was on a small group of people protesting against red shirts at Saladaeng intersection. Police were keeping security there to prevent clashes between the two groups of protesters.

Firecracker explosions had been heard from Lumpini before the shooting.

Less than 3 hours later at 1.30am Saturday morning, at least three M79 grenades were fired at a police/soldier checkpoint near Lumpini gate 4, injuring 5 cops, 1 seriously.

The injured policemen were deployed from from Hangnam Sakorn, Chainat province. They were rushed to Rama and Chulalongkorn hospitals.

Police spokesman Pol Lt Gen Pongsatat Pongcharoen said police believed the grenades were M79.

He said the two attacks must be done by te same group of people who want to destabilise the situation.


-- The Nation 2010-05-08