The Redshirts are Coming

[urleft]

Well Crap, these people were going Batsh*t last April.     This made the Drudge Report again and the New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/04/world/asia/04thailand.html


BANGKOK — Antigovernment protesters who have camped out on the streets of Bangkok for the past three weeks raised the stakes in their mass demonstrations on Saturday, converging on the heart of Bangkok’s shopping district and vowing to remain until new elections are called.

Tens of thousands of protesters, including many families with small children, took over a main intersection, blocking roads leading to upscale shopping malls and five-star hotels and demanding that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva of Thailand take action soon.

“We will remain here until the government declares that Parliament is dissolved,” said Veera Musikapong, one of the leaders of the protesters, who are known as the Red Shirts.

The government, which until Saturday had tried to take a conciliatory tone, ordered the demonstrators out of the area.

The Thai Foreign Ministry said the government would follow a “multistep approach, from light to heavier measures,” in what appeared to be a turning point in its handling of the crisis, the latest chapter of four years of political turmoil.

On Tuesday the Thai cabinet extended the use of a law that allows the military to clear out protesters and make arrests. Mr. Abhisit said Saturday that protesters had exceeded the limits of their constitutional right to demonstrate and that the government would negotiate or use legal means to oust them.
 ......

Hope they don't ruin my Holiday.      Less than a week to go.

[urleft]

They are still at it!!!!!       

Protesters move into banned areas

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/173835/protesters-move-into-banned-areas


Published: 6/04/2010 at 04:31 PM
Online news: Local News

Thousands of red-shirt protesters poured into no-go zones declared by the government on Tuesday afternoon, reversing an earlier decision to stay away from the areas to avoid possible clashes with security forces

A red convoy comprising motorcycles and trucks moved into Silom and Sathon roads in defiance of the government  ban. Security units were deployed in front of important buildings on Silom Road including the Bangkok Bank headquarters and the CP building.

"From now we will be taking  the offensive," red-shirt leader Natthawut Saikua told the crowd. "Let our people from Pan Fa Bridge march to all 11 banned 11 roads immediately. If there is anything blocking us, break in peacefully."

The convoy was led by another core leader Suporn Attawong.

The demonstrators took about 20 minutes to travel from Henry Dunant intersection to Sala Daeng before reaching Silom.

The march to Bangkok's financial district began about two hours after Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd, spokesman of the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) announced on television that authorities would not use force to disperse protesters from the Ratchaprasong area.

Thousands of riot police and troops initially blocked the protesters from joining the convoy, but they later backed away and let the protesters enter the banned areas.

Most shops and department stores in the area were closed. Today is Chakri Day, a public holiday, but large stores would normally remain open.

Back at Ratchaprasong, another red leader Weng Tojirakarn ordered red-shirt guards to take control of four fire engines and an army humvee brought in to the area by the authorities.

Mr Weng said the action was intended to deny police and troops use of the vehicles to disperse  the mass rally at the heart of Bangkok's commercial area.

"We [the red-shirts] will not destroy state property but we will deny them access to the vehicles," he said.

Government spokesman Panithan Wattanayakorn said the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) on Tuesday approved summons warrants for up to 10 red-shirt core leaders.

If the UDD leaders do not report personally to the authorities then arrest warrants would be issued, he said.

"The UDD core members, if they are found, will be arrested immediately because they have, by their actions, openly committed offences.

"The CAPO legal team is looking into the details of the law before taking legal action against the red-shirt leaders," Mr Panitan said. There are no names on the warrants yet.

[Admin]

Red shirts besiege Thai Parliament 
The Nation: 7 Apr 2010

Red shirts besiege Parliament

Red-shirt protesters started besieging the Parliament at 11 am Wednesday.

Following the arrival of the protesters, officials closed all gates.

Cabinet members and some officials who attended the weekly Cabinet meeting inside the Parliament compound could not leave the compound.

Parliament President Chai Chidchob informed the MPs during a House meeting that some 700 protesters were staging a blockade of Parliament and many more could join them.

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Abhisit red-faced
By Tulsathit Taptim
The Nation
Published on April 7, 2010

Red shirts swarm Silom as premier's gentlemanly strategy looks to be on the verge of backfiring

New tactics versus old policies, and the result was arguably the best day so far for the red shirts and definitely the worst for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

The day started off with a reverse of that situation. Government troops surrounded the rally site and seemed in a good position to block the protesters from leaving the Rajprasong area to carry out their threats to roam 11 prohibited Bangkok roads. Then the red shirts announced the 11-road plan was cancelled and for some unknown reason the security forces pulled out from some key strategic positions.

The rest is history. The red shirts immediately revived their 11-road plan and within a couple of hours the Silom area was swarmed, to the embarrassment of Abhisit and his peacekeeping war room. Like predators smelling blood, the masses at Rajprasong, scattered in the morning, ballooned back to their roaring peak.

All of a sudden, Abhisit found himself in his most precarious state since the red-shirt rally began more than three weeks ago. Bangkokians' frustration was palpable - and so was the red shirts' renewed confidence. Also, for the first time, the prime minister must have started questioning the loyalty of the police and some in the military.

Conspiracy theorists, though, could not yet jump to the conclusion that yesterday's setback should be totally blamed on police and military commanders who might be looking the other way. Some reports suggested it was Abhisit himself who didn't want to go all out against the rally. Supple-menting this scenario was a comment by former Democrat Party leader and ex-prime minister Chuan Leekpai, who said the government must not experiment with security measures at the expense of people's lives.

Unprecedented happening

Experiment is somewhat the correct word. What's happening is unprecedented. The location is a tourist and business hub, so when it is crammed with tens of thousands of people, the use of force could easily result in the bloodiest tragedy. Rioting at Rajprasong could also cause far greater business damage than at the traditional political rally site of Rajdamnoen Avenue.

During a subdued TV address yesterday afternoon, Abhisit and top security officials admitted that the crowd was too big to use force against, although they insisted that protest leaders' "distortion and lies" about planned government cruelty had brought more red sympathisers to the area. Abhisit told Bangkokians he was as frustrated and dissatisfied as they were, but insisted that patience and prudence were the key to resolving the situation.

Abhisit will cut short his visit to Vietnam for an Asean summit later this week. He also said that if the political situation did not improve, he would cancel his official trip to attend the "World Nuclear Conference" to be held on April 12-13 in Washington DC.

While doomsayers may be quick to state that his days are numbered, Abhisit arguably had it worse a year ago, when the same red shirts ran amok amid similar rumours about police and some military officers backstabbing him. Sources at the National Peacekeeping Operations Centre confirmed there were some conflicts, but insisted the government's apparent inaction had more to do with Abhisit's and Army chief Anupong Paochinda's unwillingness to have their hands tainted with blood.

Morever, the red shirts came better prepared strategically this time and Abhisit's enemies also appeared more flexible, ready to experiment with new tactics.

The premier has been leaning against the ropes, letting the red shirts unleash blow after blow. His gentlemanly strategy has won some praise but is on the verge of backfiring, if it has not backfired already. For many days now, Abhisit has preached patience, respect for human rights and the need to follow internationally accepted norms on political protests step by step.

Yesterday though, his press conference failed to drive home the principles that he sought to emphasise. As a pro-government rally at Chatuchak Park let out a sigh of frustration, his dilemma was just about to get worse, because the red shirts were to announce their next move at 10 am today.

[Admin]

Thai PM declares State of Emergency 
Bangkok Post: 7 Apr 2010

State of emergency declared

Bangkok Post
Published: 7/04/2010 at 07:03 PM

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Wednesday evening declared a state of emergency under the executive degree for administration in emergency situations in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, and some districts of Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom and Ayutthaya.

The state of emergency took effect immediately after it was announced.

Mr Abhisit announced the move in a live nationwide television broadcast from the Centre for Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) at the 11th Infantry Regiment in the presence of the cabinet members.

The prime minister said the decision was reached at a special cabinet meetingthis afternoon after a number of the red shirts of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) broke into the parliamentary compound, forcing cabinet members, including himself, and MPs attending a House meeting to flee for safety.

He said the government had tried to control the situation by invoking the Internal Security Act in Bangkok and nearby provinces, but to no avail as the red-shirts had continued to step up their activities and resorted to violence in violation of the law and the constitution.

Their activities had greatly affected people's lives and their work, as well as the national economy and Thailand's image in the eyes of the world community.

Mr Abhisit said a centre for solving the emergency situation had been set up, with Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is in charge of security affairs, as director. The centre is empowered to take action under the emergency law and enforce various orders ssued under the law.

Other members of the centre include the defence minister, the permanent secretary for defence and the commanders of all the armed forces and the Royal Thai Police Office.

He said the main objectives in imposing the state of emergency were to return the situation to normal as soon as possible, to stop any attempt to disseminate false information in a way to incite division, to more effectively take legal action against the protest leaders, and to enable other measures to be taken more effectively.

The prime minister said the government, in declaring the state of emergency, does not aim to crack down on innocent people, but wants to maintain the sanctity of the law.

He promised that all measures to be taken would be in line with international standards of practice.

Meanwhile, the UDD called on all of their red-shirt supporters to get together on Friday and try to topple the Democrat-led government.

After Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared a state of emergency in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and some areas in Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom and Ayutthaya on Wednesday evening, UDD leader Nattthawut Saikua declared that the protesters will not leave their rally sites at Bangkok's Phan Fa bridge and Ratchaprasong intersection.

"I ask all the red-shirts in the city and nearby provinces to join forces at Phan Fa and Ratchaprasong. We'll fight against the guns with our bare hands.

"The red-shirts in other provinces can converge on their respective city halls," Mr Natthawut said.

More red-shirt supporters had gradually travelled to Phan Fa and Ratchaprasong while the group had increased the number guards and raised the security level, he said.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/173946/state-of-emergency-declared

[Admin]

Foreigners told to avoid red rallies 
Bangkok Post: 9 Apr 2010

Foreigners told to avoid rallies

Foreign residents and tourists are being warned to avoid areas where the red shirt demonstrations are taking place.

Acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said yesterday foreigners were still free to travel, but they should stay away from the protest sites for their own protection.

He said the state of emergency declared by the government on Wednesday appeared to be having little immediate effect on foreign residents and tourists.

The decision to declare the emergency was to ensure peace, stability and a return to normalcy as soon as possible, he said.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/35805/foreigners-told-to-avoid-rallies

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Govt takes hands-off approach
Police granted warrants for red shirt leadership

The government is taking a step by step approach to end the red shirt rally, with crowd dispersal its last resort.

Off the air About 700 angry red shirts try to enter the Thaicom satellite station in Pathum Thani’s Lat Lum Kaeo district yesterday to demand that the People Channel satellite television station be put back on air. The group was blocked by more than 1,000 soldiers sent to guard the compound.

The government yesterday shut down the People Channel television station, the main communications channel of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), stepped up its public relations campaign, set up checkpoints, and provided transport to demonstrators who wanted to return home.

The Crime Suppression Division held talks to seek arrest warrants for 14 red shirt leaders for violating the emergency decree, a police source said.

Among the red shirt leaders facing arrest are Veera Musikhapong, Jatuporn Prompan, Natthawut Saikua, Weng Tojirakarn, Arisman Pongruangrong, Kwanchai Praipana, Wiputhalaeng Pattanaphumthai, Wisa Khanthap and Yosvaris Chuklom, better known as comedian Jeng Dokjik.

The Centre for Public Administration in Emergency Situations last night also reminded demonstrators of the ban on gatherings of more than five people that went into effect with Wednesday's emergency decree.

The emergency law covers Bangkok and Nonthaburi and parts of Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom and Ayutthaya.

The government moves are aimed at deterring demonstrations, which are entering their fifth week, to press Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva into quickly dissolving the lower house.

The prime minister yesterday expressed his determination to end the rally, but called on the public to be patient with how the issue was handled.

He reiterated that he had no intention of using force against the UDD.

"I would like to stress that using force is not the main objective of the government," he said on television last night.

"The main goal is to return [occupied] areas to the public."

A government source said authorities had yet to move in to break up the rallies as they wished to avoid bloodshed.

"Breaking up the rally needs to be timed right," the source said.

Sansern Kaewkamnerd, spokesman for the Centre for Public Administration in Emergency Situations, said crowd dispersal could send the situation spiralling out of control.

Col Sansern said the tactics used to date were bearing fruit because the crowds at the Ratchaprasong intersection had dwindled.

As of 1pm yesterday, the crowd had shrunk to 3,000 people and the number of demonstrators at Phan Fa Bridge had fallen to 2,500. However, thousands of protesters did return last night to Ratchaprasong to join the UDD leaders.

The UDD leaders yesterday vowed to defy the emergency rule restrictions and intensify their campaign against the government.

Mr Natthawut, a key UDD figure, told supporters to gather today at 9am at Phan Fa Bridge and Ratchaprasong intersection for a march to 10 unspecified destinations. He asked those with vehicles to bring them along.

"This is our last message to the prime minister," Mr Natthawut said.

"If he refuses to return the mandate to the people, he will not have a chance to play the role of the prime minister who makes sacrifices. He will be the prime minister pushed to the corner."

In many northeastern provinces, a stronghold for supporters of convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the leader of the red shirts, no more than 100 people were found yesterday taking part in protests.

Security was tight at provincial halls, believed to be the main targets for attack by the red shirts if the government decides to use force against their colleagues in Bangkok.

In Udon Thani, red shirt leader Kwanchai Praipana urged people to register and join the protest in Bangkok. The campaign failed to attract much of a crowd.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/35804/govt-takes-hands-off-approach

[jimmyreindeer]

Where Thailand is going to? I hope peace for Thailand!

อยากเห็นคนไทย รักกันได้อย่างเดิม 

http://weloveking.org/content.php?id=6

[Admin]

Video from yesterday:
There are explosions and what sounds like gunshots. All the Thais have their radios on and the sound of screaming leaders is heard everywhere. In the distant background, you can hear the masses chanting and shouting. There are protesters and rioters in the streets. The police and army are out in force and ambulances and cop cars are blazing back and forth.

[jimmyreindeer]

  More videos: http://www.thai-faq.com/thai-news/chaos-bangkok-red-shirt-protesters-take-over/

[nookiebear]

The death toll is now being quoted as at least 20.............

[urleft]

This is FYI for those that may be interested.  The Post title "The Redshirts are coming"  is almost a historical quote in America.  Any Yank reading this post would immediately know the original phase was "The Red-Coats are coming! The Red-Coats are coming!" 

It comes from the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere (almost) and can be seen here:  http://www.ordination.org/midnight.htm

There is also a famous poem which most school kids were taught when I was growing up called Paul Revere's Ride by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow:  http://poetry.eserver.org/paul-revere.html