Taxi drivers block roads at Victory Monument

[zeusbheld]

i don't get it.

all my rich thai friends are saying

"F** red shirts"

"red shirts are low class people"

"red sh**heads"

All of this anti-red anger - where was all this for the yellow shirt people?

Both colors have done enough damage yet the red ones are getting more resentment - let's keep the negativity low people

a) were you around when the yellow clapper clowns invaded the airport? this town positively seethed with resentment... and this is where

i don't get it---these clowns have torched buses, attacked the prime minister's motorcade, threatened to detonate two gas tanker trucks in the middle of ******* bangkok--and you want to keep the ******* negativity low? have these guys just not been loved enough, that you theory?? <facepalm>

[Chris]

What the (unfortunate) outcome of this may be is that both the yellow and red shirt will walk free. As both have killed the country their actions will be probably used as leverage to bring about a 'compromise'.

[zeusbheld]

cant prosecute the leaders of the reds till you've prosecuted the leaders of the yellows!

Both their sh*t stinks.

For me right now, the yellows still did more long term harm to Thailand.

i agree, but the implications and effects of chasing away the ASEAN conference remain to be seen.

[Cosmo]

cant prosecute the leaders of the reds till you've prosecuted the leaders of the yellows!

Both their sh*t stinks.

For me right now, the yellows still did more long term harm to Thailand.

No matter which color, action should be taken against them as they have severely damaged the country. On who did the greater damage...

I would say the red shirts. With scenes on BBC and CNN all day that resemble the Middle East with busses used as rams, threats to blow up gas tanks and such... I think that cancelled flights even though it was for over a week did less economic damage in the long run.

Lol, you got to be kidding me, right?

I suggest you read TonyP's comment above.

Personally, I believe both of the leaders (red and yellow) should be locked up.

An election should be called with the Thai King issuing a statement that all sides (political parties or otherwise) have to abide by the NEW election result.

After that, no political party, let alone any Thai person would dare to defy the King.

Just my two satang.

[zeusbheld]

i don't get it.

all my rich thai friends are saying

"F** red shirts"

"red shirts are low class people"

"red sh**heads"

All of this anti-red anger - where was all this for the yellow shirt people?

Both colors have done enough damage yet the red ones are getting more resentment - let's keep the negativity low people

OK yellow shirt did something bad before. yes

But have you seen they are around this time? no!!

From their announcement they won't come to fight with red shirt.. let Gov./ soldiers and police face it.

They establsihed a precedent - blocking access to public services, tear gas, projectiles, break and enter... all the same acts committied without any further prosecution, condemnation or accountability. All sounds too good to be true, why wouldn't the competition simply follow the same tactics. You can't have one rule for one person and another for someone else - isn't that the whole point of democracy?

true but only to a point.

at what point did the yellow clapper ***** threaten to blow up large ******* chunks of bangkok with gas trucks? i don't seem to recall the 'precedent' for that, remind me pls.

[Chris]

cant prosecute the leaders of the reds till you've prosecuted the leaders of the yellows!

Both their sh*t stinks.

For me right now, the yellows still did more long term harm to Thailand.

No matter which color, action should be taken against them as they have severely damaged the country. On who did the greater damage...

I would say the red shirts. With scenes on BBC and CNN all day that resemble the Middle East with busses used as rams, threats to blow up gas tanks and such... I think that cancelled flights even though it was for over a week did less economic damage in the long run.

Lol, you got to be kidding me, right?

I suggest you read TonyP's comment above.

Personally, I believe both of the leaders (red and yellow) should be locked up.

An election should be called with the Thai King issuing a statement that all sides (political parties or otherwise) have to abide by the NEW election result.

After that, no political party, let alone any Thai person would dare to defy the King.

Just my two satang.

Not at all. I too do say that all should be held accountable but first proclaiming that you are holier than a saint and will never resort to violence, but then going on a rampage, ramming busses and threatening to blow up tanker trucks shows they are worse in my opinion. Orders to attack the PM? What's next? Execution orders? This is nothing short of insurrection.

If they would have kept morals up high by holding peaceful assemblies or making a march around victory monument for a few hours and then returning to the government house that would have been different. They would have kept the support of a whole lot of people but all that support is out of the window now.

That is the problems with mobs that are just encited with violence without any clear goals or ideas of law and order. They think they can do whatever they want and as a result they break all laws and bring the public around against the group as a whole.

[tonyP]

i don't get it.

all my rich thai friends are saying

"F** red shirts"

"red shirts are low class people"

"red sh**heads"

All of this anti-red anger - where was all this for the yellow shirt people?

Both colors have done enough damage yet the red ones are getting more resentment - let's keep the negativity low people

OK yellow shirt did something bad before. yes

But have you seen they are around this time? no!!

From their announcement they won't come to fight with red shirt.. let Gov./ soldiers and police face it.

They establsihed a precedent - blocking access to public services, tear gas, projectiles, break and enter... all the same acts committied without any further prosecution, condemnation or accountability. All sounds too good to be true, why wouldn't the competition simply follow the same tactics. You can't have one rule for one person and another for someone else - isn't that the whole point of democracy?

true but only to a point.

at what point did the yellow clapper ***** threaten to blow up large f*cking chunks of bangkok with gas trucks? i don't seem to recall the 'precedent' for that, remind me pls.

Agreed that the degree of absurdity has had the bar raised but the precedent still remains the same - peaceful protest turns violent, violence escalates, things turn nasty, nobody can be held responsible.

I think the difference here is that the YCC was a lot more organised and better funded then the RCC and clearly better managed. The RCC has become a bit of an uncontrolable rable - perhaps we should just divide up the rest of the long weekends between the two, aristocratic holidays can go to the YCC and general population holidays can go to the RCC... the rest of us can sit back and watch the country burn, or get the f*ck out of dodge - personally, I am opting for the later!

[Chris]

At least with the tanker truck incident now people will have an excuse to carry signs that says Jatuporn MP = Terrorist

Lol. What goes around comes around. All are the same. I hope it will be contained by the end of Songkran and that steps will be taken to take the country forward because now it's the sick little brother of Asia. The economy and tourism is virtually over here after this great stunt!

[Cosmo]

cant prosecute the leaders of the reds till you've prosecuted the leaders of the yellows!

Both their sh*t stinks.

For me right now, the yellows still did more long term harm to Thailand.

No matter which color, action should be taken against them as they have severely damaged the country. On who did the greater damage...

I would say the red shirts. With scenes on BBC and CNN all day that resemble the Middle East with busses used as rams, threats to blow up gas tanks and such... I think that cancelled flights even though it was for over a week did less economic damage in the long run.

Lol, you got to be kidding me, right?

I suggest you read TonyP's comment above.

Personally, I believe both of the leaders (red and yellow) should be locked up.

An election should be called with the Thai King issuing a statement that all sides (political parties or otherwise) have to abide by the NEW election result.

After that, no political party, let alone any Thai person would dare to defy the King.

Just my two satang.

Not at all. I too do say that all should be held accountable but first proclaiming that you are holier than a saint and will never resort to violence, but then going on a rampage, ramming busses and threatening to blow up tanker trucks shows they are worse in my opinion. Orders to attack the PM? What's next? Execution orders? This is nothing short of insurrection.

If they would have kept morals up high by holding peaceful assemblies or making a march around victory monument for a few hours and then returning to the government house that would have been different. They would have kept the support of a whole lot of people but all that support is out of the window now.

That is the problems with mobs that are just encited with violence without any clear goals or ideas of law and order. They think they can do whatever they want and as a result they break all laws and bring the public around against the group as a whole.

If that is the case, then Ahbisit should call an election right away.

He would win for sure...wouldn't he?!? :roll:

[CIA_Andie]

Sh*t!!!! now they are getting closer to my home!!!! only 5 mins from my home :evil: :evil: :evil:

[CIA_Andie]

@ 7pm. The PM gonna interview live with CNN

[PeeMarc]

of course all seems rather obvious when we have access to wide coverage of info and the will to seek it out and try to understand. But the majority of voters in thailand neither have as much access to info or much will to seek it out beyond their own eyes. What will happen.,will just happen.

[Chris]

Cosmo,

All of us who don't wear blindfolds know why there is this red outrage now.... 76 billion reasons.

After 2 rigged elections, I'm not sure another one is the solution. The Samak administration got ample time to prove itself until it wanted to change the constitution to protect certain powers. Give the Abhisit administration some time to administer the country. It hasn't really done a bad job now has it?

You know what? That is why... Because they know that if the current administration kept on tackling the problems one-step-at-a-time ... after a year people would see that it was the good choice... but let me think... that would be bad for who? Thai people? No... Next choice... Ah.. I think I know.

I still remember well that there was a suggestion to make a government of national unity. The TRT/PPP/PT did not want to hear about it as it would diminish their power. Only later when they saw that they were no longer the one with the bargaining chip .... they changed their mind.

You can't have your cookie and eat it. As I've said before... The problem with Thailand is the overall lack of law enforcement.

So basically what you are saying is, let a convicted criminal encite the population to a point of overthrowing the government and nobody should take action? Just have another rounds of election? Now you have got to be kidding right? And honestly, I don't think that the violence would do PPP/PT/TRT any good honestly. People are sick with this terror.

I don't care who the next PM is or which party as long as it is one with a genuine interest in taking the country forward. Let's have an election a year from now after after giving the current administration a fair chance and tackle the current problems.

Honestly, I pity them. Thailand has been virtually kicked back to the Stone Age today.

[Cosmo]

Cosmo,

All of us who don't wear blindfolds know why there is this red outrage now.... 76 billion reasons.

After 2 rigged elections, I'm not sure another one is the solution. The Samak administration got ample time to prove itself until it wanted to change the constitution to protect certain powers. Give the Abhisit administration some time to administer the country. It hasn't really done a bad job now has it?

You know what? That is why... Because they know that if the current administration kept on tackling the problems one-step-at-a-time ... after a year people would see that it was the good choice... but let me think... that would be bad for who? Thai people? No... Next choice... Ah.. I think I know.

I still remember well that there was a suggestion to make a government of national unity. The TRT/PPP/PT did not want to hear about it as it would diminish their power. Only later when they saw that they were no longer the one with the bargaining chip .... they changed their mind.

You can't have your cookie and eat it. As I've said before... The problem with Thailand is the overall lack of law enforcement.

So basically what you are saying is, let a convicted criminal encite the population to a point of overthrowing the government and nobody should take action? Just have another rounds of election? Now you have got to be kidding right? And honestly, I don't think that the violence would do PPP/PT/TRT any good honestly. People are sick with this terror.

I don't care who the next PM is or which party as long as it is one with a genuine interest in taking the country forward. Let's have an election a year from now after after giving the current administration a fair chance and tackle the current problems.

Honestly, I pity them. Thailand has been virtually kicked back to the Stone Age today.

Chris,

Lets get this right...it was Sondhi who convinced people to rise up against an elected government...through protests and voilence...now if Thaksin had not rescued him (Sondhi) years ago, he would be a convicted criminal many years ago (btw, they were great buddies not so long ago).

And despite what you think of previous election results, Thaksin or his proxy won.....they were still able to win the last one with the odds stacked against them.

And given what has taken place over the last year, do you really think the red shirts would simply let Ahbisit govern for a few months, let alone a few years?!?

Like you, I don't care who rule Thailand...just want peace to return to Thailand...I would prefer to enjoy my holdays without violence in the streets or at the airports.

There is an easy solution to this problem, but one party does not want to go to the people for their judgement.

Guess which one that is?!?

[Chris]

The fact is that there is nothing undemocratic in legal manners against the current make-up of the government. All over the world when a party is dissolved its members can chose a new party and can decide who they want to align themselves with. It is not great but what should be done? Another 2 billion baht burden on its citizens? It would be better if parties convicted of rigging the elections have to pay the costs of an election. The country already lost 4 billion in that alone.

This is all about one thing.. Getting the convictions overruled.

Sure Sondhi and Thaksin were buddies before. I'm not saying that Sondi is such an example either. But look a bit further at what happened with the UBC partnership with the American investor and you can start to see a pattern.

Of course they won. The process is very simple. Steal a billion through an inflated EXIM loan to Burma, distribute 25% of it to the people and pretend to be a saint. The next treasure trove to be lined up for robbin' hood was EGAT.

Or rather on your simple question about would holding an election improve things?

No. It would send out the message that if your actions are violent enough, laws don't apply to you and you can get whatever you want and that is what I am getting at. This is not about who should be in charge but about if there is a rule of law left and do we want it to be part of our society?

Anyway, I will be out to do some food shopping now.

I think if more people start to see all parts of the picture and try to understand each other, a solution can be found and there is not a chance that people can easily be misled. As what was said before... most important is that people are completely informed.

For the rest, we as foreigners can just voice our opinion and hope that maybe we can offer an extra point of view.

Hope you all have a great New Year from now on. Stay safe!

[LakeGeneve]

Amazing the lengths the leaders of BOTH sides will go to protect their own "cookie jars".

You ain't seen me protecting mine yet, it makes the first scene of Saving Private Ryan look like Disneyland!

Are you trying to say that you would do a Full Monty, in the diving sense? That would indeed be scary for anyone threatening your assets.

[Cosmo]

The fact is that there is nothing undemocratic in legal manners against the current make-up of the government. All over the world when a party is dissolved its members can chose a new party and can decide who they want to align themselves with.

This is all about one thing.. Getting the convictions overruled. Nothing more, nothing less.

Sure Sondhi and Thaksin were buddies before. I'm not saying that Sondi is such an example either. But look a bit further at what happened with the UBC partnership with the American investor and you can start to see a pattern.

Of course they won. The process is very simple. Steal a billion through an inflated EXIM loan to Burma, distribute 25% of it to the people and pretend to be a saint. The next treasure trove to be lined up for robbin' hood was EGAT.

Or rather on your simple question about would holding an election improve things?

No. It would send out the message that if your actions are violent enough, laws don't apply to you and you can get whatever you want and that is what I am getting at. This is not about who should be in charge but about if there is a rule of law left and do we want it to be part of our society?

Anyway, I will be out to do some shopping now.

I think if more people start to see all parts of the picture and try to understand each other, a solution can be found and there is not a chance that people can easily be misled. As what was said before... most important is that people are completely informed.

For the rest, we as foreigners can just voice our opinion and hope that maybe we can offer an extra point of view.

Hope you all have a great New Year from now on.

It is funny how you mentioned about EGAT...here is what I found in an article in 2006 on Abhisit's vision for Thailand:

"The next part was Abhisit's showcase. He went over to the podium to share his vision about his leadership. In the short term, the Democrats would like the government to tackle the high oil and electricity prices and the rising cost of living. If PTT, whose debt-to-equity ratio has improved significantly due to its buoyant performance, were to pay more dividends to the government's coffers, the administration would be able to reduce the burden on the oil fund. The oil fund is currently carrying debts of Bt80-Bt90 billion due to its oil subsidies.

Since Egat is not going to be listed on the stock exchange - at least in the foreseeable future - it can afford not to push all the burden to the Thai consumers. For, as a state enterprise, Egat no longer has to pay any attention to the minimum return on investment or to shareholder interest".(Source: The Nation 30 May 2006).

I would contend that all parties in the present or past have got their hands in the cookie jar.

The fact remains Ahbisit is in government now...they have control on all the levers of power...for example, they have just passed a stimulus package worth $116 billion bahts - for the poor, for the students (more free education), tax cuts and free transport and utilities (source: The Nation 31 Jan 2009).

Oh, this does not include the proposed infrastructure spending, which has been estimated to cost up to $1.4 trillion bahts in the next 2 to 3 years!!!

How much more pork barrelling (or should I say bribing) can you get?!? :shock: :shock: :shock:

Call an election!!!

[Chatty]

i don't get it.

all my rich thai friends are saying

"F** red shirts"

"red shirts are low class people"

"red sh**heads"

All of this anti-red anger - where was all this for the yellow shirt people?

Both colors have done enough damage yet the red ones are getting more resentment - let's keep the negativity low people

OK yellow shirt did something bad before. yes

But have you seen they are around this time? no!!

From their announcement they won't come to fight with red shirt.. let Gov./ soldiers and police face it.

yeah they might be doing the smart thing by staying home.

but some say the blue militia are actually the yellow supporters.... mmm just a theory

lol what are you talking about

Blue Shirt, everyone knows that they work for Nawin Chidchop

I REALLY LOVE YOU THAKSIN!!

OK, I'm started my topic here but I really feel not so good about khun Cosmo comments but I don't wanna debate with him. Not because I will win or lose, it doesn't matter. Believe what you wanna believe. IF YOU THINK THAKSIN IS A MAN why he let his ppl fight alone, come and fight with them....

beej and MM. I hope I can hear something better than sarcastic... I don't think you know how to solve the problem.. just sitting behind computer and post something stupid here can't help.

[LakeGeneve]

At least with the tanker truck incident now people will have an excuse to carry signs that says Jatuporn MP = Terrorist

Lol. What goes around comes around. All are the same. I hope it will be contained by the end of Songkran and that steps will be taken to take the country forward because now it's the sick little brother of Asia. The economy and tourism is virtually over here after this great stunt!

Chris I think you have made some really good observations and comments today but I must respectfully disagree with the sentiments of the last sentence. I think in the midst of events we all have a tendency to over react and sometimes see the worst.

These currents events and whatever will follow over the coming days will have a huge impact on already very shaky investor confidence, consumers and the overall economy. The already pessimistic economic sentiment of most Thais is obviously going to increase given this violent start to the New Year.

Tourism will be hit hard again given today images esp in the asian market. However, it does rebound quickly as has been shown time and again. Today, we had images of farang enjoying a more subdued Songkran while down the road riots were taking place. I flew to Chiang Mai this morning and Songkran is a strong as ever with large numbers of tourists

Neither the economy or the tourism sector "is virtually over".

If this struggle go on for years, as it will, and becomes more violent, more extreme & desperate with leaders prepared to sacrifice their fellow Thais and the good of the country for their own cynical ends; and if we have incidents where foreigners are maimed or killed driving investors (eg. factories moved to Vietnam), residents and foreigners away; in the larger context of an ongoing reluctance to diversify the economy then I think we all would agree that the long term impact will most likely be devasting to the country.

[laragirl]

IF YOU THINK THAKSIN IS A MAN why he let his ppl fight alone, come and fight with them....

according to the news he will come back and fight. are you ready to welcome him?

[LakeGeneve]

IF YOU THINK THAKSIN IS A MAN why he let his ppl fight alone, come and fight with them....

according to the news he will come back and fight. are you ready to welcome him?

Both of you have made a really good point. He has been quoted as stating in the last 48 hrs that if the govt uses force against the red shirts he will personally return to intervene.

So one assumes he being a man of his word will be currently on a plane ready to disembark at the airport, be arrested and publically de-escalate the situation for the good of the country! :roll:

Seems to me he has added a few more potential charges to the list in the last week in his desperation to regain power by calling for his supporters to do anything that is necessary to overthrow the govt.

[babyoiy]

IF YOU THINK THAKSIN IS A MAN why he let his ppl fight alone, come and fight with them....

according to the news he will come back and fight. are you ready to welcome him?

Cant wait! :twisted:

[MisterMatlock]

IF YOU THINK THAKSIN IS A MAN why he let his ppl fight alone, come and fight with them....

according to the news he will come back and fight. are you ready to welcome him?

I'm assuming we're all talking about the "lead from the front" style Sondhi L perfected with the PAD... Let the women and elderly people be up front while he sat his finely coiffed ass at the back, out of harms way. Fact is, NONE of the leaders give a single, solitary droplet of liquid, rat **** about the little protesters of either the PAD OR the UDD. The ONLY thing they're interested in is making sure they get theirs (money). Whatever the peons are fighting for doesn't really interest the leaders. Get real.

[beej]

beej and MM. I hope I can hear something better than sarcastic... I don't think you know how to solve the problem.. just sitting behind computer and post something stupid here can't help.

Its not really my problem, and I can't do much to change whats happening. Yes I am siting behind my computer, and yes I am rambling on.

But I 100% believe that both the Yellow and Red leaders should go to jail for the damage they have done to Thailand, maybe they should go to trial at the same time.

[z123321MB]

IF YOU THINK THAKSIN IS A MAN why he let his ppl fight alone, come and fight with them....

according to the news he will come back and fight. are you ready to welcome him?

Have never seen anyone created such a big hated and separate thai people for two like this man did,