Bangkok Mar 12-14

[drlovelife8]

One thing errr good, that came out of this whole mess, a lot more Thai's seem to be interested in Politics than before.... not so sure if thats a good thing or a bad thing though.

Don't worry it will pass. Since Luang Wichitwathakan to the October 1973 democracy movement to Kriangsak Chomanand, to Prem Tinsulanonda, to 1981 young turk and to... and to ....

We talk about it for somewhile, it's kind of fashion and we will be busy with something else.

I kinda agreed with beej ka P' Nicky. This time affected all Thai social classes and wont be easy forget. They might be talk about politics less when the time pass by but they will observe more and know what/how to deal with such an issue when the election season approaching them next time.

For me, only problem which to be concerned that how the govt would get those brainwashed violence tendency people in North and Issaan educated about what really democracy means

and I don't disagree with beej, Sis.

Do you remember the October 1973 democracy movement? Many university students got killed, and many of them had to leave the city. All those "Carabow" musics were banned. We can't play those "à¾Å§à¾×èêÕÇÔµ". The government burnt all books about "Communism" (and they even burnt books about "communication" or any book starts with "com...", by mistake of course) Many people were talking about politic by then but not for too long. Things were forgotten and we keep repeating the same mistake. Let's see what will happen in the next 5 years, shall we?

Speaking of brainwashed (that's a big word), IMHO, we are all brainwashed, Sis. more or less, with or without knowing/accepting it. I won't blame it on people in the North or Issaan, it won't be fair.

Will the same mistakes be repeated............ Well............. A great person once said:

"THE ONLY THING WE LEARN FROM HISTORY IS THAT WE DON'T LEARN FROM HISTORY"

If only this were not true!

[koolbreez]

http://atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/LE29Ae02.html

Another journalist with a scoop on the 'Men in Black'.

A very interesting read and much more believable than the fiction that other freelancer wrote about being in the snipers nest. I wonder if this article has been picked up at all by some of the OS press?

The Sarbil guy has a few great B&W shots on his website but I am surprised he only has 18 pics for the last 2 months posted. http://www.oliviersarbil.com/

This was a good read on the planning and conduct of the operation on the 19th by the Post Military Affairs reporter Wassana who is published every Thurs with some good suggestions at the end; http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/37773/operation-ratchaprasong-planned-as-urban-warfare

I agree with her conclusion that

The first reporter's dialog of his experience inside a military sniper team's operation, although highly questionable, is plausible on how they operated.

The second reporter's inside look at the Blackshirt contingent of the redshirt guards, is also very plausible on their operations, and he was probably there.

The final reporter's inclusion of a third element operating is spot on. There are 3 incedences, and maybe more, that can be directly contributed to their existance, and indescriminate style of killing to cause the most damage to the government, and incite the redshirts as much as possible.

The first being the killing of the Reuters journalist from Japan, when his filming was just about to pan to the spot that the shot to his chest came from. He didn't quite film who killed him, and a shot to the chest was no accident. In total 8 journalists were shot, 2 of them killed. Neither side had anything to gain by shooting plainly marked, and identidied, journalists. By identifying either side as shooting journalists, puts that side in a very bad light. In all incidences, except 2, neither side has been attributed to shooting journalists.

The second incident was the shooting of the solder on the motorbike. At first it was labeled as friendly fire, then discounted by Porntip as being friendly fire because of the direction of the shot. No redshirts were in the area the shot came from, and they were never accused of using sniper teams in their operations.

The third is the shooting of Seh Daung. He was shot at close range. This being assumed because of the reporter's description of what he heard (a loud bang) when he was shot. This happened at the most interior of the redshirt check points, 2 check points between the solders, and him, before you reached this point. It is possible that the military did this, but they would have operated from a distance, and a loud bang wouldn't have been heard, just a pop sound. He was shot with a .223 round (M16, 5.56, .223, what ever you want to call it), and only is heard as a loud bang at close distances, more than 30m and they just sound like a pop. The sniper rifles the military were using (.308 calibre) would have taken the whole back/side of his head out, not going in his temple, and coming out at the base of his neck. Also why would they only shoot him? Any of the leaders were targets. Take out the whole leadership, and you have no contention. They were all charged with terrorism, which carries the death penalty.

My opinion is that Seh Daung was trying to gain to much power from these demonstrations, and was taken out by this same third party, so he couldn't become politically active in the next elections. He wasn't playing by the rules Thaksin had orchestrated, thus he was eliminated.

These are just 3 incidences that in my opinion are atributed to this third party that was, and still is operating. Hired by Thaksin, and used by him in the past, to further his agenda. Why was Thaksin so sure the Central World fire was the work of professionals, and not redshirts? I'm pretty sure he doesn't have access to current forensics in Thailand to be so sure it wasn't redshirts.

1+!!

Many if not most people affiliate the men in black with the red shirts. After all I heard and saw, they may be financed by the same source but for sure had a different task during the riots!

The blackshirts that were prominant at the end of the demonstrations are not to be confused with the hired mercenaries that originally were identified as being dressed in black. They basically quit dressing in black after the group of redshirt guards took over that distinction. None of them have been caught.

A group of hard core redshirt guards started dressing in black to gain status, and notorioty. They are not the same original men dressed in black, one photographed with an AK47, and one fuzzily shown firing an M79 gernade launcher. Those are not the same hired professionals operating under Thaksin's orders, and having worked for him in the past. Most recently when JatuJak market was downsized to make room for JJMall, owned by Thaksin's son. This group convinced the revolting vendors to quit revolting.

[pandorea]

dump!

[PiAnt]

Blimp

[DJTX]

Just in...

U.S. lifts travel warning to Thailand for Americans

Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. State Department has lifted its travel warning on Thailand, saying safety has improved after political unrest.

A department statement issued Tuesday night said the travel warning for Americans issued last Thursday was no longer in effect ``due to improvements in safety and security conditions throughout the country.''

The advisory was the latest of several the U.S. has issued and lifted for the Southeast Asian country since demonstrations broke out in April.

The department noted the Thai government had lifted its nightly curfews on the streets of the capital and pulled its security forces from the streets on Sunday.

The security situation, the department said, apparently has returned to conditions of early April, when widespread demonstrations began against the government to bring back former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

[lizardo]

Australian launches tirade in Thai court BEN DOHERTY

May 28, 2010

BANGKOK: An Australian arrested over the Red Shirt protest, Conor Purcell, has refused to accept the authority of the Thai legal system, berating a judge in a Bangkok court.

Dressed in orange prison-issue shirt and shorts, barefoot and shackled in leg-irons, a furious Mr Purcell was led in to Pathumwan Municipal Court in Bangkok yesterday, protesting that he was being unlawfully held.

Visibly angry at his detention, Mr Purcell, 29, a former soldier, refused to stand when told and then yelled at the judge that he would not accept the court's right to try him. ''Nobody in this country has authority over me,'' he said.

Advertisement: Story continues belowHe brushed aside a representative from the Australian embassy who was asking him to be quiet and continued his tirade, shaking and pointing at the judge. ''I'm not under Thai law. I'm only obeying international law. I'm head of the red gang,'' he yelled.

Jeff Savage, a British man also arrested for his role in the protest, sitting next to Mr Purcell in court, burst into tears.

Mr Purcell's detention was continued by the judge until June 4, but as police continue to gather evidence, he has not yet been charged. He is expected to be charged with violating emergency decree laws imposed during the two-month Red Shirt protest. The maximum penalty is a two-year prison sentence.

But authorities said yesterday further investigations into his involvement with the Red Shirts were being conducted with a view to more serious charges.

The Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, mentioned Mr Purcell and Mr Savage specifically this week as being suspected of having broader roles in the Red Shirt movement. He said they were arrested for violating the state of emergency declared across Bangkok, ''and for their role on stage during the rally''.

The Red Shirt movement alleges the government is a puppet for Bangkok's military and wealthy elite figures

The aussie shouts and the brit bursts into tears.....terrible representation!

[funky_house]

You would think that these two would have the sense to show some humility, or regret in front of a Thai court. Looks like they are only making things worse for themselves if this report is true.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/may/27/jeff-savage-thailand-redshirts

Briton facing death penalty over redshirt riot breaks down in Thailand court

A Briton facing jail, or even the possibility of a death sentence, for his alleged part in redshirt rioting in Bangkok last week, broke down in tears in court today, saying his incarceration is distressing his elderly mother.

Jeff Savage is being detained under Thailand's emergency decree on allegations he incited, or participated in, violence and arson in the chaotic final hours of the anti-government protest, as troops moved in on demonstrators. Fifteen people were killed on the final day of the two-month protest in the middle of Bangkok.

Led into court barefoot, Savage was manacled in leg-irons, and wearing prison-issue orange shirt and shorts. He struggled with guards and insisted he was being blamed for the crimes of others.

"We're being scapegoated. Where's all the other people who were in the protest? … We're being made scapegoats. We're political prisoners."

But facing a judge for the first time since being arrested at the weekend, he broke down sobbing. "This is hurting my mother, she's 80 years old. Can't anybody help me?"

The British embassy is providing Savage, of Tonbridge, Kent, with consular assistance. The 48-year-old has not yet been charged, but Pathumwan municipal court in central Bangkok today heard that police investigations were continuing into his role with the redshirts.

At this stage he is expected to be charged with violating the emergency decree, which carries a two-year jail sentence, but the Guardian has been told authorities are looking to press further, more serious, charges.

Three more witnesses to Savage's behaviour in the final hours of the redshirts' protest will be interviewed in coming days, the court heard.

Video footage circulating on YouTube shows Savage in the days before the protest was ended apparently urging protestors to set fire to Central World shopping centre, the biggest mall in Thailand.

"We're gonna smash the ******* Central [World] Plaza … we're gonna loot everything, gold, watches, everything, and then we're gonna burn it to the ground," Savage says in the video.

Central World was later razed by redshirt protesters fleeing government troops, and a government spokesman has said a "white westerner was involved in the arson attack", seen at the building as the fire took hold.

Savage has confessed to being at the state-owned TV station Channel 3 building when it was torched on the same afternoon but says he did not help set it alight. He says he was not near Central World.

The head of Thailand's Department of Special Investigations – the equivalent to MI5 – has warned that those found guilty of arson could face the death penalty.

The DSI declined to comment on Savage's case specifically, but directed the Guardian to comments made earlier this week by the chief investigator.

"There are groups of people who are burning state offices and public places," Tharit Pengdit said. "The DSI would like to warn these people that they could face a death sentence."

Thailand's prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva singled out Savage as long-term member of the anti-government redshirts, and said authorities would continue their investigations into his involvement.

"In the case of the Briton, he's involved with the [redshirt] movement in Pattaya. In-depth investigations will be carried out to find out whether he had any other role."

Savage appeared in court alongside an Australian man Conor Purcell, who berated the judge, saying that the court had no authority to try him.

"Nobody in this country has authority over me. I'm not under Thai law. I'm only obeying international law. I'm head of the red gang," he yelled at the court, brushing off efforts by embassy officials to calm him down.

Purcell, who also claimed to have been beaten in prison, is facing similar charges to Savage. He is accused of inciting violence through a series of incendiary speeches made on the redshirts' main protest stage.

The redshirt movement opposes the Abhisit government, alleging that it is illegitimate and a puppet for the vested interests of Bangkok's military and wealthy elite. Two months of protests came to a brutal end last week, when Abhisit ordered troops to move on demonstrators. Fifteen people were killed in the crackdown, bringing to 88 the number of people killed over the course of the protest.

Both Savage and Purcell had their detentions in Bangkok remand prison extended under the emergency decree for another week. They will reappear in court on 4 June.

Led from the court, Savage was again defiant: "They won't gag us. This is a political case … they're charging me with a criminal case."

Looks like Lizardo read similar.

[English_Bob]

The aussie shouts and the brit bursts into tears.....terrible representation!

And I'm laughing my bollocks off...

The Aussie is in for a rude awakening... pretty soon he'll change his tune and be begging for leniency... lol maybe even a Royal Pardon. There's no way that 'I don't recognise the court's authority' is going to work here.

And the Brit? What a ****!

So macho when he was in his gang, with his big stick and his black headband... now facing a stretch inside and expulsion and sobbing about his poor old Mum being upset. Well, if his Mum had brought him up to respect the law, he wouldn't be in this boat now, would he?

[DJTX]

Just in...

U.S. lifts travel warning to Thailand for Americans

Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. State Department has lifted its travel warning on Thailand, saying safety has improved after political unrest.

A department statement issued Tuesday night said the travel warning for Americans issued last Thursday was no longer in effect ``due to improvements in safety and security conditions throughout the country.''

The advisory was the latest of several the U.S. has issued and lifted for the Southeast Asian country since demonstrations broke out in April.

The department noted the Thai government had lifted its nightly curfews on the streets of the capital and pulled its security forces from the streets on Sunday.

The security situation, the department said, apparently has returned to conditions of early April, when widespread demonstrations began against the government to bring back former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

It's catching on - from the UK:

Travel Summary

•We advise against all travel to the Preah Vihear (Khaoi Pra Viharn in Thai) temple area, due to violence in the area. See the Local Travel section of this travel advice.

•We advise against all but essential travel to, or through, the far southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla, due to the insurgency in these areas. See the Terrorism/Security section of this travel advice.

•Elsewhere in Thailand, the situation is generally calm following recent political and civil unrest. There have been no serious incidents of violence since 21 May. However there remains a risk that political developments may lead to further violence. You should follow news reports and be alert to any developments which might trigger public protests or unrest.

•The Government curfew in Bangkok and 23 other provinces expired on 29 May, but States of Emergency continue in Bangkok and the following provinces: Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Ayutthaya, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Nakhon Sawan, Nan, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Chaiyaphum, Nakhom Ratchasima, Si Saket, Ubon Ratchathani, Nong Bua Lumphu, Mahasarakham, Roi Et, Sakhon Nakhon, Kalasin, Muk Da Han and Samutprakarn. This prohibits gatherings of five or more people in some areas and may restrict travel. See Terrorism/Security section of this travel advice.

•You should avoid any demonstrations or large gatherings of people. If you become aware of any nearby violence you should stay indoors, monitor this travel advice and the local media. You should exercise caution, especially in the cities of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani and Udon Thani.

[English_Bob]

•You should avoid any large gatherings of people. If you become aware of any nearby violence you should stay indoors, monitor this travel advice and the local media. You should exercise caution, especially in the city of Bangkok

****... I went to Climax and it was PACKED!!! There was a bit of a punch-up nearby, but I couldn't stay inside cos the bar was closing.

(I should have called Dan Rivers for advice.)

[kaunitz]

This Aussie guy really makes me laugh! Which state authority would claim not to have the right to convict any criminal who commits his crimes in their country? 38%(!) of all inmates in Austria are not Austrians - what, if they also claimed that Austrian authorities had no right to put them on trial for crimes committed in Austria? Hope he rots in jail!

[steevolution]

scary day:

The level of discourse on Thai politics is such that it would be hard not to conclude that the "middle class" and comfortable classes= rich are so delusional as to render anything they say as utter nonsense.

The REDs may well fail now in their objectives or even for a few more years but in the end the whole system will be torn down and replaced with goodness only knows what. And all because the more comfortable people and richer people in Thailand are so greedy and shortsighted that they done want to spread the wealth of the nation even just a little bit more than is the case at present. More equity within society = more stability and with the brainless attitudes of so many of the PAD types it looks like long term disaster and conflict is unavoidable and inevitable.

it's a scary day when i agree with the besuited neofascist bootlicker.

yours in sport, St Eevolution.

[steevolution]

Boobs in Thailand:

Australian launches tirade in Thai court BEN DOHERTY

May 28, 2010

Visibly angry at his detention, Mr Purcell, 29, a former soldier, refused to stand when told and then yelled at the judge that he would not accept the court's right to try him. ''Nobody in this country has authority over me,'' he said.

He brushed aside a representative from the Australian embassy who was asking him to be quiet and continued his tirade, shaking and pointing at the judge. ''I'm not under Thai law. I'm only obeying international law. I'm head of the red gang,'' he yelled.

Jeff Savage, a British man also arrested for his role in the protest, sitting next to Mr Purcell in court, burst into tears.

has Purcell yet learned to bare his ass and grab his ankles on command?

has Mr. "fierce of countenace" found his hollidaying testicles?

say what you want about them, but they are representative representatives of "folangs in thailand", both in intellect and insight.

i'm sure they've been contacted and offered English teaching positions by reprehenspected institutions by now.

[steevolution]

WHO'LL EVER REALLY KNO?

These are just 3 incidences that in my opinion are atributed to this third party that was, and still is operating. Hired by Thaksin, and used by him in the past, to further his agenda. Why was Thaksin so sure the Central World fire was the work of professionals, and not redshirts? I'm pretty sure he doesn't have access to current forensics in Thailand to be so sure it wasn't redshirts.

Interesting questions. I 'suspect' that the blackshirts were at least indirectly financed by Thaksin but that is all. Why would they burn down Central, when the Chirathivat family were on his side while he was in control - say the sacking of the editor of the 'Bangkok Post -' or why would they attempt to burn down channel 3 while there was a Maleenont prominent in Thaksin's Government.

that Central World and an aged cinema burned, while Central Chidlom (where insurance money had already been collected) was buttoned up like a bionic turtle, is an extremely interesting situation.

i was SOOO looking forward to drinking coffee in a Starsucks that had been consecrated/burnedtoaf**kinblakkrisp by an angry mob...

life can be so litturd with disappointment.

yours in sport, St Eevolution.

[beej]

I ******* told you lot last month and you all laughed at me... a couple billion $$$ would make you do anything.... http://ow.ly/1V7dI

[LakeGeneve]

Two interesting political outcomes going on at the moment.

1) I had mentioned a few times in the thread that PT must expect electoral fallout after the reds rally in Bangkok. Undoubtedly, they will lose a number of BKK seats at the next election whenever it is held.

A possible indication of that backlash arises from the results of the first round of voting on Sunday with the BKK district council results in 14 districts. PT got slammed in many of the areas where they previously did well. The Dems took 10 of the 14 districts, PT 3 and they split the last.

The second day of voting in 35 other districts will occur at the end of Aug and many of those Districts are stronger for the Dems.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/38315/democrats-dominate-city-polls

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/06/08/politics/City-voters-give-a-welcome-boost-to-government-30131078.html

2) The 2nd outcome is the post censure motion party switching that seems to be about to happen. Puea Pandin seems about to lose upwards of 14 members from one faction that doesn't like BJT who may switch and join PT.

Meanwhile, PT may lose about 6 members to BJT. BJT has come out of the post censure period stronger and more confident it would seem. While PT appear a bit lost and leaderless.

Jumping horses mid race is all fairly normal practice for thai politics.

[CiaranM]

I f*cking told you lot last month and you all laughed at me... a couple billion $$$ would make you do anything.... http://ow.ly/1V7dI

we always laugh at U !!!!

[DJTX]

I f*cking told you lot last month and you all laughed at me... a couple billion $$$ would make you do anything.... http://ow.ly/1V7dI

SURPRISE, SURPRISE! Not... :evil:

[LakeGeneve]

Savage & Purcell had their detention extended on Sat.

One would think that by now Purcell would have wised up a little and realised that his outbursts are only going to maximise his opportunity for being charged with numerous serious offences. I wonder how the whole 'I don't recognise the authority of the Thai judiciary' line is going for him whilse he is walking around in prison chains?

Meanwhile, rights activist Somyot (Red News ed) is getting a lot of international support from respected orgs calling for his release. This coming after Chula Ajarn Suttachai was released last week following pressure from academics, activists and NGOs.

I wonder how many people are writing in for Savage and Purcell? :roll:

Court OKs holding Brit, Aussie 05/06/2010

The Criminal Court has extended the detention of an Australian and a Briton, as their actions during last month's red shirt protests are investigated, including allegations they incited violence.

Australian Conor Purcell, 30, and Briton Jeff Savage, 49, took part in the red shirt protests that occupied city streets for more than two months. They were detained for violating an emergency decree that was in effect during the protest, and face up to two years in prison if convicted.

The Criminal Court ruling yesterday allows authorities to hold them without formal charges for seven more days. Reporters were allowed to attend the hearing but could not take notes or pictures. Mr Purcell shouted as he left the court: "We've been held as part of an investigation. We've been charged for nothing. This is Thailand's presumption of innocence. I'm in chains."

The Australian, from Perth, allegedly made incendiary speeches inciting violence from the protesters' main stage. Mr Savage, who is from Kent, was shown in a video posted on YouTube purportedly shouting, "We're gonna smash the Central[World] Plaza, we're gonna loot everything, gold, watches, everything, and then we're gonna burn it to the ground." CentralWorld was among the innercity buildings torched in a series of arson attacks on May 19, after security forces stormed the protesters' main encampment, and the protest leaders surrendered.

Mr Savage claims he was not involved in the burning of the mall. He has acknowledged having been at state owned Channel 3 TV station when protesters set it on fire, but says he did not participate. Mr Purcell claims to have been beaten in prison, though his lawyer said he is in good health.

An outburst by Purcell did not save him or Savage (inset) from another seven days in detention.

Meanwhile, the Criminal Court yesterday approved a Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation request for a seven-day extension of activist Somyot Prueksakasemsuk's detention, said Mr Somyot's lawyer Krisadang Nutjaras. About 800 consumers, NGOs, civic groups and labour unions from around the world have delivered a petition to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva urging him to free Mr Somyot.

The Holland-based Clean Clothes Campaign has led a global online petition calling on the government to release Mr Somyot, who was arrested under the emergency decree on May 24 and is being held in solitary confinement at Adisorn military base in Saraburi.

The petition said extending Mr Somyot's detention violated international human rights and judicial law as no charges had been pressed against him and no proper inquiry session had been arranged during his detention.

[Karnie]

here we go, again!

[pandorea]

Savage & Purcell had their detention extended on Sat.

One would think that by now Purcell would have wised up a little and realised that his outbursts are only going to maximise his opportunity for being charged with numerous serious offences. I wonder how the whole 'I don't recognise the authority of the Thai judiciary' line is going for him whilse he is walking around in prison chains?

Meanwhile, rights activist Somyot (Red News ed) is getting a lot of international support from respected orgs calling for his release. This coming after Chula Ajarn Suttachai was released last week following pressure from academics, activists and NGOs.

I wonder how many people are writing in for Savage and Purcell? :roll:

I don't wonder. Sorry but I think he deserves that (maybe in chains is a bit overrated). A big mouth like him deserves consequences. I hope he learns next time if he's tired, go home and get some sleep instead of walking around with the mobs and yelling something stupid.

(are we on page 285 or 291? Kinda annoying!)

[beej]

British Thai rioter used to work as a royal porter

Buckingham Palace in London

KENT NEWS: A British man arrested during the rioting in Thailand used to work as a porter at Buckingham Palace, it has emerged today.

Jeff Savage, 48, who is originally from Tonbridge, was filmed with anti-government protesters, known as the Red Shirts, threatening to burn down the Central Plaza in Bangkok.

In a rant captured on video he said: “We are going to smash the Central Plaza to s*** and steal everything out of it and burn the f***** down.â€

Just 24 hours later the biggest shopping centre in Thailand was looted and burned to the ground, prompting the arrest of Mr Savage at his apartment at the beach resort Pattaya.

He has been held in a tough Thai prison for the last two weeks and could face the death penalty if convicted of rioting.

But before going travelling and then setting up home with a Thai wife in Pattaya, Mr Savage worked as a royal porter for four years, according to a national newspaper.

He is therefore the first former royal staff member to be facing the death penalty.

Mr Savage is reported to have joined the Palace staff in 1997, working in the kitchens before being promoted to the grade of general porter.

In this post the gently-spoken and popular employee was tasked with preparing state rooms for official functions like banquets.

A Palace insider said the Queen and other members of the Royal Family would certainly have known Mr Savage from this role.

When the Briton appeared in court in Bangkok for a brief hearing last week, he said he could not comment about his previous life as he had signed the Official Secrets Act.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman confirmed the Queen was aware of the situation, but declined to comment further.

[LakeGeneve]

^How interesting. Royal Porter turns Pattaya yob turns rioter turns cry baby in detention.

Some interesting stuff about Purcell here;

http://isaanstyle.blogspot.com/2010/05/conor-david-purcell-and-his-15-minutes.html

"Anonymous said... Hi all,

Conor served with Bravo and Charlie Companies of the 16th Battalion, Royal Western Australian Regiment. He served in my company. His claims to training with Singapore and Malaysian Armies are true as we trained with them whilst on full-time deployment with Rifle Company Butterworth in Penang.

His claims to working extensively with SASR however are a little embellished. Due to 16 and 11/28 battalions being the only infantry battalions in Western Australia, they do work as support playing enemy to SASR on occasions but never actually trained WITH them. He may however, have attended a selection course for SASR as many Reservists have. Some have been successful but if Conor did then he wasn't successful. Selection doesn't train you as a Trooper but puts you through a grueling few weeks to try and weed out any physical or mental weakness.

My experience with Conor has never been as a close friend but I have worked closely with him. He is, as someone mentioned earlier, mad as a cut snake in an eccentric kind of way. I do think he's the kind of bloke that wants to help but always seemed to go about it the wrong way by jumping on the band wagon before he knew the full story. While we were in Malaysia he tried to get involved in the local scene. A bit of a 'do gooder'.

Conor, stay out of this one mate. Don't be naive. "

[LakeGeneve]

Unsurprisingly, Jutuporn was released on bail after reproting to police today;

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/180585/red-mps-freed-other-red-leaders-detained

[pandorea]

In a rant captured on video he said: “We are going to smash the Central Plaza to s*** and steal everything out of it and burn the f***** down.â€

Just 24 hours later the biggest shopping centre in Thailand was looted and burned to the ground, prompting the arrest of Mr Savage at his apartment at the beach resort Pattaya.

He has been held in a tough Thai prison for the last two weeks and could face the death penalty if convicted of rioting.

I against death penalty. Even Arisaman and his fellows Red shirt leaders don't deserve death penalty, maybe 20-30 years in jail for burnt some buildings in BKK (with chains on) is enough. (but I can't see that will happen any day soon)

Savage was an idiot but he doesn't deserve death penalty. He was just an easy target in this case. The lesson learned, if you don't have "good connection", you shouldn't have big mouth, specially when it comes Red-Yellow shirts things.