Thailand heats up

[JUNKHO]

From the Photos and Video area -

PAUL215
Those Thai security officers definitely need to work on their trigger restraintThey have been practicing restraint for awhile. And many of them sympathize with the people they will eventually "whop up on".

The effort by the "red shirts" to provoke a violent confrontation will probably be successful very soon. I am not Thai, but I have relatives there and also friends and possibly some enemies. I think it is a great country, but they have "nutjobs" on the political fringes just like other countries. The "kaun chao bahn" (common people) are always the ones that end up paying the price. Unfortunately, this time will be no different.

BANGKOK—Thai soldiers and police fought pitched battles Saturday night with anti-government demonstrators in streets enveloped in tear gas, but troops later retreated and asked protesters to do the same. Five people were killed, including a journalist, according to hospital officials. Nearly 500 were wounded.

more at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304170204575175294130710482.html?mod=WSJ_article_MoreIn

[Alex G]

Here we go again. How often do they do this? Is is some kind of national tradition?

[JUNKHO]

Here we go again. How often do they do this? Is is some kind of national tradition?

Like I said, I am not Thai so am not the one to answer, but IMO it is not tradition. Rather a variation on a theme played out by those who wear their politics on their sleeves everywhere. Sort of like a normal progression from media discussion and on-line/blog announcements to the next level which is curb-side demonstration and on to confrontation and on to ......

[sepia]

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Military shoot down people.
:-( RIP TO THAI PEOPLE :-(
Sorry, if repost.

[dava]

4 soldiers died.. This isnt protesting anymore, using molotovs and live rounds against the army, they got what they deserved.

[hulaku]

WARNING GRAPHIC (http://img638.imageshack.us/i/img5989e.jpg/)
WARNING GRAPHIC (http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/3793/img5988w.jpg)
WARNING GRAPHIC (http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/1989/dsc5467i.jpg)
Military shoot down people.
:-( RIP TO THAI PEOPLE :-(
Sorry, if repost.

Why doesnt HH Bhumibol Adulyadej intervene?

[JUNKHO]

4 soldiers died.. This isnt protesting anymore, using molotovs and live rounds against the army, they got what they deserved.

I don't think anyone will end up getting what they deserve. If you meant the protesters, because some in their midst are using molotovs and live rounds it still is not deserved. All of the ones throwing bottle bombs or using rounds will not suffer retaliation. Some will be innocent in this regard.

And of course the soldiers don't deserve it - they are carrying out an operation for the government.

The entire situation is not deserved but nothing will stop it or change it for the time being apparently.

+ Rest in Peace to the soldiers and others who have paid and will pay the ultimate price +

[dava]

Why doesnt HH Bhumibol Adulyadej intervene?

Cause the sad truth is that he is barely clinging on to his life.. he has been bedside in the hospital for months now..

In my view, its a complicated situation. The lower classes are right to ask for more, Thailand has the largest income inequality in SE-Asia and Mr. Abhisit has not been elected.
On the other hand, crippling the country is not the way to go and I think Mr.Abhisit is doing a fair and decent job for everyone.

Thaksin was eager to throw money around but neither that is the solution. I have Thai friends here in Europe who are studying on scholarships from the Thaksin-era. They got 6 years to obtain their 3years-college-degree, no strings attached. Needless to say that many take the opportunity to stay here for 6 years, getting 900euro each month (a decet middleclass salary in bkk). Rumours go that the current protesters are also on the payroll of Thaksin.

[hulaku]

Cause the sad truth is that he is barely clinging on to his life.. he has been bedside in the hospital for months now..
Sorry didnt know that. I have great respect and reverence for HH Bhumibol Adulyadej. May he get well soon. What about Prince Vajiralongkorn?


In my view, its a complicated situation. The lower classes are right to ask for more, Thailand has the largest income inequality in SE-Asia and Mr. Abhisit has not been elected.
On the other hand, crippling the country is not the way to go and I think Mr.Abhisit is doing a fair and decent job for everyone.

Thaksin was eager to throw money around but neither that is the solution. I have Thai friends here in Europe who are studying on scholarships from the Thaksin-era. They got 6 years to obtain their 3years-college-degree, no strings attached. Needless to say that many take the opportunity to stay here for 6 years, getting 900euro each month (a decet middleclass salary in bkk). Rumours go that the current protesters are also on the payroll of Thaksin.
Thaksin is obviously behind this.

[sepia]

4 soldiers died.. This isnt protesting anymore, using molotovs and live rounds against the army, they got what they deserved.


Thai military make situations to seize power themsleves and/or whether to coup?

Thai military kill Thai peoples and Reauter Reporter.
- Nine killed as Thai troops try to clear protest camps http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8612783.stm
- 8 killed in Bangkok protests http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/04/10/thailand.protests/index.html?hpt=C1
- ******* journalist killed in Bangkok protests http://www.*******.com/article/idUSTRE6391OO20100410

[Scousemouse]

Sepia, the military were responding to the acts of a deadly violent minority amongst the protestors if I'm not mistaken? What else were they supposed to do? And why would the military be preparing for a coup when the incumbent (who is not a dictator, such language is a little ridiculous) is on their 'side' as it were?

Can I ask, just out interest, what you think of Thaksin? Do you believe he is behind this?

[commandonat]

WARNING GRAPHIC

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Military shoot down people.

RIP TO THAI PEOPLE

Sorry, if repost.



As the result people also can see it in news. army open fire for self protection. And no any stupid reason that soldier would shoot to kill Thai people while hundred of cameraman and journalist are in same street.

so get back to your pantip board and stop trolling in this forums kid.

[dttk0009]

Sepia, the military were responding to the acts of a deadly violent minority amongst the protestors if I'm not mistaken? What else were they supposed to do? And why would the military be preparing for a coup when the incumbent (who is not a dictator, such language is a little ridiculous) is on their 'side' as it were?

Can I ask, just out interest, what you think of Thaksin? Do you believe he is behind this?
Thaksin is basically the figurehead of the red shirts. He regularly phones in and makes public announcements and gives them orders. This most recent 'revolution for democracy' came just after his assets within Thailand were seized due to having obtained them through corrupt means. He's doing everything he can to get his party back in the big chair so that he can reclaim his money and then some. A lot of the protesters are paid to be there, typically 500 baht a day, which is a small fortune as most of them are from the very poor, rural northern provinces of the country.
It also has to be pointed out that the military in Thailand acts somewhat individually and is not really entirely under jurisdiction of the government, which is why they have shown so much restraint and refrained from cracking down on them for the last 5 weeks which is how long they have already been protesting for. After the government shut down the red's only source of media, their tv channel, they sieged the Thaicom building (satellite). A day later the police and military attempted to break through the front lines to arrest the leaders and that's when the violence began. There's a good amount of people in Bangkok who support their cause, although in my eyes, it is just smoke and mirrors. Thailand's politics have been a chessboard for the uber-elite class for some time now, and it will continue to be so. This is the real stranglehold on the country that keeps causing coup after coup after coup. Greed for power and wealth. The monarchy has been the sole solid link in keeping things from turning completely haywire here.

[Scousemouse]

Hey Dttk0009; thanks for the background. I asked though really because I have not talked to many people who are so clearly in support of the red shirts so would be interesting to see how Sepia sees things... from what I hear your take on the situation is indeed right... this is less about poor vs rich but about, as you say, elites vs elites with one side claiming affinity with the poor while no doubt caring not that much about them... it's all very sad. I still consider Thailand home, as I grew up there and my parents still live there so really is as I say sad to see this happen... hopefully somehow it sorts itself out however I can't see how this happens.

[dttk0009]

Hey Dttk0009; thanks for the background. I asked though really because I have not talked to many people who are so clearly in support of the red shirts so would be interesting to see how Sepia sees things... from what I hear your take on the situation is indeed right... this is less about poor vs rich but about, as you say, elites vs elites with one side claiming affinity with the poor while no doubt caring not that much about them... it's all very sad. I still consider Thailand home, as I grew up there and my parents still live there so really is as I say sad to see this happen... hopefully somehow it sorts itself out however I can't see how this happens.
All good. Where did you go to school here? I grew up in Thailand as well. :) The reds rally up a lot of foreign support because they boast it as a fight for democracy, which is why we see so many foreigners standing behind them. It's a knee jerk reaction. The military in Thailand, however, is also not exactly known for showing restraint or discrimination when it comes to shooting at civilians, one simply needs to look at some footage and history of the last 4 decades of this country.
Eyewitness accounts from Saturday stated that violence escalated after both sides saw their own injured. The way it sounds it just snowballed. I'm staying away from all the hot zones until things get better. 800 injured sounds quite serious.

[Scousemouse]

BPS mate... yourself?

It's hard not to look at it and think that perhaps indeed many of the 'reds' are indeed fighting for a real course and should have some support but then as in any Thai politics (not unlike anywhere in the world of course) one never knows the truth behind it all.... I think personally as a non-Thai all I can do really is observe, try and understand both sides and just hope that somehow it works out in Thailand's best interest... one day perhaps.

[dttk0009]

BPS mate... yourself?

It's hard not to look at it and think that perhaps indeed many of the 'reds' are indeed fighting for a real course and should have some support but then as in any Thai politics (not unlike anywhere in the world of course) one never knows the truth behind it all.... I think personally as a non-Thai all I can do really is observe, try and understand both sides and just hope that somehow it works out in Thailand's best interest... one day perhaps.
I'm definitely in the peanut gallery. Getting involved in Thai politics is the last thing I want to do. It's a Thai issue that needs to be resolved by Thai people.
I went to ISB. I suppose that makes us rivals, haha.

[acosta]

this clearly shows democracy has to work with national traditions.

you never expect a real western style democracy in asian countries. my friends just called in and said she's so afraid by the current situation in Bangkok.

[dttk0009]

Here's a guy who went down to the area where the protests happened. He's got some pretty intense footage of the protesters throwing grenades and molotov cocktails. It starts getting serious about 3 minutes into the video. It appears that the military was firing shots into the air almost exclusively. Seeing that grenade go off was pretty shocking. The reds have raided military compounds and armed themselves quite heavily recently.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztF6hUryt88

Edit - You can hear the calming music the military played while all this is going on. Quite haunting.

[Scousemouse]

I'm definitely in the peanut gallery. Getting involved in Thai politics is the last thing I want to do. It's a Thai issue that needs to be resolved by Thai people.
I went to ISB. I suppose that makes us rivals, haha.

Agreed mate; far to complicated anyways to decide who to support... are you in BKK now? How's today been? What I see happening is this goes on for a bit, an election is called at some point, once again a variant of Thaksin's party gets into power, and then the yellow shirts reappear... hopefully the tragic events of yesterday however mean both sides feel a new sense of urgency to talk.

Rivals indeed mate! I know quite a few ISB people actually... you know Kelsey Atwood by any chance? Slim I know what with their being thousands of you but worth trying!

Edit: dttk: was just about to watch that actually mate; it's in three parts I believe...

[dttk0009]

Agreed mate; far to complicated anyways to decide who to support... are you in BKK now? How's today been? What I see happening is this goes on for a bit, an election is called at some point, once again a variant of Thaksin's party gets into power, and then the yellow shirts reappear... hopefully the tragic events of yesterday however mean both sides feel a new sense of urgency to talk.

Rivals indeed mate! I know quite a few ISB people actually... you know Kelsey Atwood by any chance? Slim I know what with their being thousands of you but worth trying!

Edit: dttk: was just about to watch that actually mate; it's in three parts I believe...
Yeah I'm still here, working now. Today's been relatively quiet from where I am, then again I'm trying pretty hard to avoid the danger zones. :P I personally think it'll get worse before it gets better, but I'm hoping for the best.
PM'd you regarding the off topic stuff.

[IraGlacialis]

Sorry didnt know that. I have great respect and reverence for HH Bhumibol Adulyadej. May he get well soon. What about Prince Vajiralongkorn?
People aren't, in general, that much of a fan of the Prince. He is pretty much considered a complete cad and nothing much more.
Princess Sirindhorn is the one everybody seems to love and hope to ascend the throne.

Hopefully this will blow over like the last few protests.
Apparently, death toll has risen to 20.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8612783.stm