Deaths in Bangkok

[nkstan]

IMO,it is the Reds that are the confrontational side in this situation.Their leadership will say anything to incite and motivate!Although they put responsibility on the gov't and PM,in paricular,for not conceding to their demands.

It is like someone stealing and then blaming the person for leaving the item in sight!

I think it is ridiculous to assume that most of what the gov't reports is untrue.Their position is more ''official'' and will have to stand historical scrutiny!

On the other hand,the Reds leadership will deny responsibility in all areas at any cost because their intent is to incite and escalate the situation,while saying only negative things about the gov't,true or not.

I believe that all gov'ts,under emergency law,would close any station the was recruiting and inciting people to escalate the conflict!

I absolutely agree with the first part of KP's last post,but I am not sure about the latter part.I tend to believe that regardless of the destruction caused,economicly and physically,as soon as the smoke has cleared and settled with some relative stability,the tourists will flood back into Thailand for the girls ,weather and relatively lower costs,probably making up much of the losses.That has been the historical positon and of course the Thais will have inflated the prices to get back their losses,treating all falangs as tourists!

Another possibility for great concern about Thailand not recovering,might be the Southern extremists expanding their terrorist activities into Bangkok,Phuket and Pattaya.Suicide bombers would,IMO,dry up investment and tourism.Orphans and widows of Muslims in the South,would be great candidates for this,as hate is sown for perceived injustices that the extremist mullahs could exploit!

Of course,the sexpats and alcoholics would still show up,probably in our region versus the main centers!

[bumper]

April 22, 2010

This warden message alerts U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in
Thailand that explosions have occurred in the Silom/Sala Daeng area at
the Sala Daeng BTS Skytrain station causing a number of injuries,
including at least one fatality. The BTS system is closed and security
forces are working to secure the scene. The possibility of more such
attacks cannot be ruled out. U.S. citizens should avoid travel to and
lodging in this area and the areas in and around all demonstrations, if
possible. If U.S. citizens must travel to these areas, they should
exercise special caution and remain vigilant with regard to their
personal security. U.S. Embassy personnel who live around this area
have been advised to remain at home for the time being. U.S. citizens
are reminded to exercise caution and vigilance at all times.
Immediately report to law enforcement or security personnel any
unattended packages or bags or suspicious objects in public areas.

The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (aka UDD or
"red-shirts") continues to demonstrate in central Bangkok. The UDD may
change or expand their demonstration locations at any time. Various
other groups are engaging in pro-government or counter-demonstrations.
There have been several minor clashes between the UDD and other
demonstrators. These clashes may escalate with no warning. For areas
currently affected by demonstrations, please refer to local media.
These demonstrations are expected to continue in Bangkok indefinitely.

On Saturday, April 10, UDD and Royal Thai Government security forces
clashed in the Phanfa Bridge area, resulting in a number of fatalities.
The Royal Thai Government, under the order of Prime Minister Abhisit
Vejjajiva, is still operating under a State of Emergency in Bangkok and
surrounding areas, which grants special powers to the Royal Thai Police
and Army. It is unclear what additional steps the Royal Thai Government
may take under the State of Emergency.

U.S. citizens are reminded that even demonstrations intended to be
peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence with little
or no warning. U.S. citizens are urged to avoid the areas that may be
targeted for demonstrations and to exercise caution in their movements
around Bangkok.

[trubrit]

But please, to clear up your own speculation, can you tell us if TTN holds a public TV license, and is therefore entitled to broadcast free-to-air?

Jack. You do make the difference in our respective countries education system quite apparent .
Wonder why? is obviously a question even with the addition of :-" So of course I wouldn't know if they hold a public broadcasting license, or why would I ask the question .?
In passing . I had a little dog named Jack, he was a Russell terrier. He didn't know when to let go of his bone, consequently he used to get swung round and round all the time .All good fun though .

[jackspratt]

You are (on this rare occasion) quite correct Val - the education systems are very different.

In the Oz system we are taught, and quickly learn, that obfuscators and dissemblers have little credibility.

ps I understand that you have suffered quite a number of bites from Jack recently.

[trubrit]

ps I understand that you have suffered quite a number of bites from Jack recently.

Not recently. He swallowed a bone I fed him and died 20years ago .

[nkstan]

This might be interesting!

Home | Breaking News TAN network


Pro-red Actor Said to Confess All
UPDATE : 23 April 2010
Pro-red shirt actor Methee Amornwuthikul, who was arrested by the police yesterday for possession of military-registered weapon, has reportedly confess all according to the Department of Special Investigation director-general.

The director-general said the star told the authorities where weapons were stashed and who the men in black were.

[FrazeeDK]

nothing like a movie star/pop singer shooter wannabe that got caught with a "war weapon" and "confessed" to the police.. Based on some of the government news reports I'd take this one with a grain of salt.. And.. identified the "men in Black" Somebody tell Tommy lee Jones and Will Smith will to head for the hills.. SGT Nop's out to get them!!

Let's face reality. I see people walking in and out of the Red protest areas to include Lumpini with little hindrance. Surely there are dozens or more government people inside those areas constantly watching the situation.. I'm sure they know precisely who launched the M79 grenades down Silom last night.. The question is, why haven't the culprits been grabbed..??.

[parrot]

I'd be curious how many Thais (falangs as well) would welcome a coup at this point to put an end to the confrontation. I view any military intervention as a step back in any efforts at democracy. But I'm not so sure the general population would balk at the idea. It's an easy answer to their problems.....limits the bloodshed......and, of course, plays right into the hands of the military. Two steps forward........one step back.

[BobHelm]

I get the feeling that there is zero enthusiasm for that idea within the military parrot.
While the last coup 'got the job done' (i.e. got rid of Mr. T) it was hardly a blinding success & they seemed to become VERY keen to turn it back to the voters as soon as they had changed the constitution. I'm not sure that many in authority there would be willing to repeat the exercise without a very large push from the very top with a quite detailed plan of the way forward. i do not think will be forthcoming, because of health considerations as much as anything.
Therein lies the problem I think. The new constitution was just too successful in ensuring that no-one in Parliament got a working majority that Thailand has ended up in this mess. Even another election would probably end up with a very similar set of results & problems.

[nkstan]

I would think the alot of the gov't troops are Isaan lads that have alot of conflicting thoughts about the Reds!~They might even have relatives in the mob!

[bumper]

Well where does this leave everything?

RED SHIRTS RALLY
Army chief rules out the use of force

Army chief General Anupong Paochinda has ruled out the use of force to resolve the political predicament, Army deputy spokeswoman Colonel Sirichan Ngathong said on Friday.
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"The use of force to disperse the red shirts will cause untold damage and farreaching implications but the problem will not end," Sirichan quoted Anupong as telling the Army top generals during a twohour meeting.

Anupong deemed it necessary to bring about an understanding among Thai citizens, she said, adding the Army's role is to act as cushion to prevent the opposing sides from attacking one another.

The military will ensure the rule of law and unruly crowds would be penalised in accordance to relevant laws, she said.

In the Army assessment report, the predicament was instigated by concerted efforts designed to grab power and overthrow the monarchy, she said.

The top generals were instructed to relay Anupong's message urging the Army ranks not to get involved in the rallies, she said.

She stated that Anupong wanted the Army to play a critical role of bring about understanding as a way to heal the social divisions and that he also emphasised that the priority of the armed forces was to safeguard the country.

"Keeping the national interest in mind, the Army remains ready to help resolve the predicament via reasoning and not attacking fellow Thais," she quoted Anupong as saying.

[jackspratt]

Adding a bit more interest:

BTS' security cameras confirm M79 grenades fired from Lumpini Park: deputy BKK governor

Deputy Bangkok Governor Thirachon Manomaipibul said video records from security cameras of the BTS' Saladaeng station showed that m79 grenades were fired from the Lumpini Park Thursday night.

Thirachon said the security cameras of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration were crippled by red-shirt protesters who put black plastic bags over the camera or turned the cameras into the sky.

Thirachon said the BMA sought cooperation from the BTS to check feeds of its security cameras and saw that the grenades were fired from the direction of the Lumpini Park into the crowds on Silom Road.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/BT ... 27820.html

The report is from the Nation, so should be treated accordingly.

[bumper]

Well the no colors are back.

Asia Pacific News

Thousands rally in Bangkok to support embattled Thai PM
Posted: 23 April 2010 2102 hrs

Pro-government demonstrators wave flags and cheer during a rally in Bangkok
Well the no colors are back.

BANGKOK : Thousands of supporters of Thailand's beleaguered government rallied in Bangkok on Friday, calling for an end to weeks of protests by the rival Red Shirts, following fresh bloodshed in the capital.

Waving Thai and yellow flags in honour of an individual, about 5,000 demonstrators of all ages massed in the Royal Plaza square to show their backing for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, according to a police estimate.

"We love this country. We love an individual. We want peace back," said one of the rally organisers, Tul Sittisomwong, a hospital doctor.

"In the past, we kept quiet but now we are standing up to bring peace back to the country," he told AFP.

A rally by pro-government demonstrators in another part of the capital close to the financial district a day earlier was rocked by a series of grenade blasts that left one Thai woman dead and dozens injured, including foreigners.

The attacks came almost two weeks after a failed crackdown by the security forces on Red Shirt protesters in the capital's historic district ended with the loss of 25 lives.

Riot police with shields looked on as the pro-government demonstrators broke into the customary rendition of the national anthem amid a flurry of flag-waving.

"We love our individual. We don't like the Red Shirts because they are violent," said 33-year-old Nonglak Puengnoi, who left her work in an electronics company in Ayutthaya, north of the capital, early to drive to the rally with friends.

"I'm very sad for Bangkok. That's why we are here," she said. "I believe in my prime minister. I believe he has a good background."

British-born, Oxford-educated Abhisit has been sleeping and working at a military barracks for more than a month after the Reds occupied key parts of the capital in a campaign to topple his government.

"People believe that he is the cleanest prime minister for many years so we try to protect him," said another demonstrator, an architect who gave his name as P B Korn. "We hardly find people like him in Thai history."

The rival Reds, drawn from the ranks of the rural poor as well as increasing numbers of urban working class, say Abhisit's government is undemocratic and elitist. Many seek the return of ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Thaksin's fans hail his policies for the masses such as cheap healthcare, but Bangkok's powerful elite sees him as corrupt, authoritarian and a threat to the revered monarchy. - AFP/ms

[jackspratt]

Hopefully, some common sense is prevailing.

TV is reporting that the Reds have offered to negotiate further, and in fact those negotiations may be occurring at the moment. They were talking about a 30 day period to dissolve parliament, and elections 60 days later.

THE NATION: During his speech, Nuttawut said "This doesn't mean we are retreating" about as many times as the own goals that saved Man U this season.

Ex the Nation, via ThaiVisa.

[bumper]

Asia Pacific News

I tend to rely on this news more then others as it is not located in Thailand. Where things seem to stand today, no violence last night that I could locate. Maybe they will come to a compromise, seems odd to me seeing that the government agreeing to stop being the government, But, this Thailand. I will bet on Yellow shorts on the road before then end of a year. If the Government takes the deal.

Thai rivals mull compromise offer to end political crisis

Thai protesters make tentative peace overture

BANGKOK - Thailand's red-shirted protesters and the embattled government on Saturday deliberated over the first steps towards a peaceful solution to their long-running deadlock.

The world community has urged both sides on Thailand's political divide to find a compromise, after two bouts of clashes this month have left 26 dead and hundreds injured including demonstrators and security forces.

As fears grew of a crackdown to close down a vast "Red Shirts" encampment in the heart of Bangkok, and end weeks of crippling street rallies, the army chief said Friday that the use of force was no solution to the crisis.

"The best thing is to create understanding among the people. The army's job now is to take care of the people, and not allow Thais to attack each other," General Anupong Paojinda told a meeting of military top brass.

The Reds, who had been seeking snap elections to replace a government they condemn as illegitimate, shortly after softened their demands and said they would accept a dissolution of parliament in 30 days.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who came to power in a 2008 parliamentary vote after a court removed allies of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra who was ousted in a coup, was noncommittal on the Reds' offer.

"I am determined to solve the problem," he told reporters late Friday, adding that a political solution could not be reached amid threats and intimidation.

Abhisit, who has been holed up in a military barracks since last month because of the protests, added: "I have a duty to solve the problem. If I can't I should not be here."

Red Shirt leaders on Saturday calmed their supporters, some of whom were angry over the concessions.

"The new proposal does not mean we are retreating, in political terms we are on the offensive because otherwise the international community will put pressure on us," Jaran Ditsatapichai said.

"If we shut down the door for negotiation it will be bad for us," he said, adding that foreign diplomats who met with the Reds on Friday had urged them to find a solution to avoid a looming crackdown.

Jaran said the military was reluctant to disperse the rally -- a manoeuvre that would likely cause huge casualties -- and that a crackdown would be shelved during the current negotiating phase.

Other Reds leaders were irritated over Abhisit's response to their proposal, and said they would continue calling in supporters from their stronghold in the country's impoverished and rural north.

"Don't insult our Red Shirts' olive branch, we offered a compromise to avoid further loss of people's lives," Kwanchai Praipana said at the protest camp that has paralysed Thailand's main retail district for three weeks.

"We can fight for one more year, don't underestimate us, we will have more people willing to come and join us at this rally site," he said.

Abhisit condemned fresh violence on Thursday that saw a series of grenade blasts tear through a pro-government rally, saying the attacks, which left one dead and scores injured, "aimed to kill ordinary people".

Tensions have been high since April 10 clashes, sparked by a failed attempt to dislodge protesters from their original rally base in Bangkok's historic district, which triggered clashes that killed 25 and injured 800.

The deepening crisis, and earlier warnings from the army that protesters could face live weapons fire in any new clashes, triggered alarm at the United Nations and among foreign governments.

Many nations have issued urgent calls for restraint and warned their citizens to stay away from the protests or avoid Bangkok altogether.

Thai police sought Friday to push the Red Shirts from a confrontation zone on the edge of the financial district where they have clashed with hardline pro-government mobs.

The Reds stepped back but kept in place a fortified barricade made of truck tyres, sharpened bamboo staves and plastic sheeting doused with fuel, which forms the front line of their vast encampment.

The Reds, drawn from the ranks of the rural poor as well as the urban working class, mostly support Thaksin who now lives overseas to avoid a jail sentence for corruption.

- AFP/ir

[LannaJeff]

I'd be interested in what news sources others use and find relatively objective, or at least enlightening.
(I know it's tough!)

Appreciate the good links and quotes you've been posting here - keep 'em coming.

The first segment of this Al Jazeera report - about 9 mins - is quite good, for example, with respect to the media here:

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[bumper]

Just another source has to be big to make the L A times, have to look in the US world section, then the Asia section times is currently carrying two stories about Thailand. This one is about the grenade attack

http://www.latimes.com/news/custom/topo ... 0331.story

[parrot]

http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/bangkok-pundit-blog often offers insight into a variety of news sources.

[jackspratt]

Just another source has to be big to make the L A times, have to look in the US world section, then the Asia section times is currently carrying two stories about Thailand. This one is about the grenade attack

http://www.latimes.com/news/custom/topo ... 0331.story

Very shallow report from the LA Times - but what can you expect when it is written in New Delhi.

[bumper]

Agreed but if you would check the homicide section of the times, you would see a huge body count daily there. Your more safe in Bangkok the L.A. makes me happy I left it.

I bookmarked the other site.