Hana #9 First of all welcome to New Mandala and thank you for the effort
applied to your post.
You may not be aware that many contributors to NM have unrestricted access to news and information from any publicly available source. After that, only personal bigotry, academic tenure and retirement plans that include sunsets over the Mekong could possibly influence any views expressed here at NM. So sit back and relax beside the wellspring of truth.
Believe it or not, Kasit is now going after the diplomatic corps for lese majeste. The Wall St. Journal reports:
“On Thursday, the foreign minister censured some envoys for meeting last week with Red Shirt leaders.
“‘We do not want to see that happening again,’ Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya told reporters during a visit to Jakarta, Indonesia. Mr. Kasit said he had earlier met with the Philippine Ambassador Antonio V. Rodriguez, the dean of the Bangkok diplomatic corps, to express his concern.
“In a note to diplomats, Mr. Rodriguez said Mr. Kasit accused some ambassadors of voicing opposition to the constitutional monarchy and criticizing the government’s handling of the crisis. ”
Thailand: Reverse backward slide in freedom of expression
Thailand should reverse its recent backward slide in respect for freedom of expression, as illustrated by the sharp increase over the past ten months in cases under the lese majeste law.
In this regard, Amnesty International welcomes Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s establishment, as reported in December 2009, of a panel to scrutinise enforcement of the law.
Since April 2009, at least two Thai nationals have been convicted of lese majeste offences and imprisoned. Suwicha Thakhor and Darunee Chanchoengsilapakul are serving 10- and 18-year sentences respectively–although the latter case is presently on appeal. Hundreds of other active cases of alleged lese majeste remain.
Thailand’s lese majeste law prohibits any word or act which “defames, insults, or threatens the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent, or the Regent”. It supersedes the 2007 Thai Constitution in cases where they conflict, and goes beyond the permissible restrictions on freedom of expression provided for under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Thailand is a state party.
Many people charged under the lese majeste law, including Suwicha Thakhor, have also been charged under the 2007 Computer-related Crimes Act. This Act has led to a sharp increase in monitoring of the internet for lese majeste content: tens of thousands of websites have been blocked by the government in Thailand. This broad-ranging censorship of websites in itself constitutes a violation of the ICCPR. The Prime Minister further acknowledged in December that there were problems with the Act’s enforcement.
Amnesty International is also concerned with the characterization of the lese majeste law by the Minister of Justice as a matter of national security, and the subsequent decision in June 2009 to hold Darunee Chanchoengsilapakul’s trial behind closed doors on that basis. National security is indeed one of the grounds set out in the ICCPR on which a state may impose limitations on freedom of expression, but it may do so only pursuant to a publicly-proclaimed state of emergency which threatens the life of the nation. This has not been done–and is not the case–in Thailand.
Amnesty International has acknowledged the nation’s considerable progress–under the guidance of His Majesty the King, Bhumibol Adulyadej–in the advancement of human rights over the past several decades, making the recent roll-back in freedom of expression of even greater concern. In a speech given on the occasion of his birthday in December 2005, His Majesty the King stated that the lese majeste law was too strict, that its application caused harm to him as well as to Thailand, and that the lack of freedom to make fair criticism reflected poorly on the nation.
In that spirit, Amnesty International supports the Prime Minister’s new initiative, and encourages the Royal Thai government to amend the lese majeste law so that it complies with international law and standards.
Specifically, the government should abolish the law’s provision allowing any citizen to report another for alleged violation of the law. Pending this and all other necessary legislative changes, the government should suspend the use of the lese majeste law.
The government should also cease censorship of websites on the grounds of upholding the lese majeste law.
Background
According to Thailand’s Office of the Judiciary, in 2008–the last year for which statistics were available–authorities prosecuted 77 cases of lese majeste.
In addition to the two cases above, Thai national Boonyuen Prasertying was sentenced in November 2008 to 12 years’ imprisonment on lese majeste charges, later reduced to two years on appeal in November 2009.
Section 45 of the 2007 Constitution limits freedom of expression for purposes of “maintaining the security of State”, but such limitations must comply with Thailand’s obligations under the ICCPR.
END/
Public Document
****************************************
International Secretariat, Amnesty International, 1 Easton St., London WC1X 0DW, UK http://www.amnesty.org
David Brown #27
Regarding your comment on Thaksin’s bravery in introducing some controls on the military, would you care to let me know what was exactly was brave in his fast-tracking of his cousin Chaisit Shinawatra up the military chain of command, despite the presence of much more qualified officers? Just one example (amongst many) of his own meddling and interference to suit his own interests (he did the same police reshuffles, appointments to the various ‘independent’ agencies, etc etc).
I would kindly suggest that Mr Thaksin wasn’t at the forefront of any push to democratise state institutions or shake up the bureaucractic elite, more like just another strategem to build up and protect his own powerbase, cleverly played using the long tried and tested rules of the Thai political game…
The Nation News reported on 29 April, 20:22 hr., that an investigative team of the DSI has arrested Mr. Opas Raksakulthai a.k.a. Kong, from Rayong Province, and has brought him to the DSI office for further interrogation. He was charged for lese majeste for his posting on Facebook with harsh words that are slander of the supreme institution. Mr. Opas denied the charge, denying that he was not the person who created the web page, and the passage was added from another web page. Tomorrow at 9:30, Mr. Tharit Pengdit, the Director of the DSI will give more detials of the behaviors of this person.
I watched both Channel 3’s & 7’s lengthy reports on the whole encounter late last night. Both clearly had enough cameras in the right positions (and/or access to footage from other operators) that they could hardly have failed to record what happened to bring down the motorcycle troops – yet neither channel’s package included any of it and no mention was made of “friendly fire”.
No surprise that neither ran any of the “Spring News” footage given MICT’s ultra-swift move to block their website – but the continuing lack of official comment about the incident surely speaks volumes.
The Al Jazeera report includes a worrying element at 1:18 – 1:26. A figure in a now all-too familiar black balaclava is seen through some bushes on the roadway – and a close-up shot shows he’s carrying a pistol. Given how quick the government was to point the finger on involvement of such figures during the 10 April events (not to mention identify oh-so-quickly the firing point – however improbable the distance – of the 23 April grenade attacks on Silom), it seems noteworthy that there has been no talk of “ronin” or “third hand” this time. Most likely, the unit commanders behind the shield wall (toward which the motorcycle troops were headed) know full well it was a friendly fire screw-up – with the brass just deciding to say nothing in the hope that the embarrassing incident will go away.
Thanks to michael for the link to the more legible mindmap on BP. Along with Giles Ungpakorn who is labelled with a “book insulting the monarchy”, others who are related to Thaksin in some way, or have allegedly perpetrated various misdeeds, I was amused (although it’s really quite scary) to see Somsak Jeamteerasakul labelled as “thinker”. Now that sort of behavior should be stopped.
This video is being used by the pro-government group to put the blame to the “Men In Black” again, so the army or whoever hold responsibility can be free from accusation.
However, as I checked with Yahoo News: here are some vivid photo by journalists at the scene.
I notice that the soldiers who were on motorcycles didn’t wear any scarf to identify themselves, meanwhile the riot police wore pink scarf, and the army wore blue.
I can’t find the photo of “sniper” shooter hiding at the back of GMC truck. I wonder, is this right thing for the government to do this to its people. They even used the stopped cars to hide and yelled at the drivers.
Hi Tarrin, Abhisit as the head of the Prachathipat Party was elected and nominated prime minister in the seven-party coalition. Thailand’s political system is the so-called one dominant party system which centainly paves the way to any form of coalition. In the political history of Thailand we once experienced in the 1970’s MR Kukrit Pramoj was nominated prime minister in a coalition though his Kit Sangkhom Party won only 18 members of the parliament.
That Abhisit was not elected has been misleading the rural people in the North and the Northeast regions into joing the UDD. This should not have happened at all.
I never met or had any contact (in any shape or form) with either Thaksin or Pojamarn in my entire life. I’m completely at a lost while the chart connects me to Pojamarn. The only reason I can think of is I once wrote about the quite widely known fact that Thaksin is distantly related to Pridi Phanomyong because both married women from the “Na Pomphet” family. (Pridi’s wife, Phunsuk, and Pojamarn’s mother are sisters. Aphisit’s wife is also related to the Na Pomphet clan: she is a niece to Phunsuk). Perhaps government spies who’ve been following my writing read this, and concocted such a connection between me and Pojamarn, through my writing about her (and only once)!
about Thaksin and Fa Diew Kan:
This is what I know. Fa Diew Kan was founded by Thanapol Eiwsakul, a former TU student activist. He did this completely on his own, I can definitely assure you. But he happened to know another TU student activist friend named Thanathorn Chungrungruengkit, who happens to have an uncle named Suriya Chungrungruengkit, a politician supporter of Thaksin. As far as I know Thanathorn has NO political connection with his uncle (and by implication, with Thaksin). He’s still young (late 30s I think) and if it’s not for the death of his father a few years ago, would have spent his time as some kind of an independent activist (publisher, writer) like his friend Thanapol. But since his father died, he has to inherit and manage the family business fortune (manufacturing of pick-up truck). Because Thanapol isn’t rich, I’m sure he might have borrowed some money from his friend to start up the Fa Diew Kan. But contrary to rumors, Fa Diew Kan is NOT owned or financed by Thanathorn, much less, has any connection with his uncle Suriya or Thaksin, since there is NONE. Thanapol runs it on his own. (Apart from magazine and book publishing, which barely makes profit, Fa Diew Kan also does jobs of arranging exhibition and modern museum.) If there was some money given by Thanathorn, it’s just personal, short term help/lending from a friend who happens to be born to a rich family, but who sympathizes with left-wing causes of his friend.
“The fascination of this debacle is that both sides accuse each other of double-standards and both sides are guilty of same and both sides cannot compromise and are becomng increasingly polarised.”
Could you flesh this out for me a bit more ? Where are the Red Shirt “double standards”.
Yellow Shirt double standards are clear :
1) they seized three airports – but have not had a single conviction in court.
2) they advocate a voting system that would dis-enfranchise 50% of Thailand’s population – if that is not a double standard, then I don’t know what is.
But Red Shirt “double standards” ? Please do tell.
Seraphim #48, Your comment “how does a father look after his squabling children” goes directly to the heart of a true democracy: people in Thailand should not be considered ‘children’, but ‘citizens.’ The father/children metaphor is an age-old lynchpin of subservience and obedience that should have no place in any governance system purporting to be democratic. This metaphor, and Thais’ unquestioned acceptance of it — making it more than a mere figure of speech — is precisely what needs to be reevaluated.
To some extents, I agree that the Thaksin government was the first administration attempted to pursue the pro-global competitive vision. I read every report on Competitiveness Strategy that came out during his administration. My overall criticism on them is that they generally tried to do too much; too many industries classified as ‘having potentials to compete’. Policies recommended on the supply-side (education& training sector) were quite weak too. The Thai labour force actually need multi-programmes of training- upskilling or skill-matching alone are insufficient.
The failure to bring about a strategic policy which links the demands of industry with the supplies of ET, with constant product-spec upgrading/diversification, and the use of well distributed and adjusted human knowledge and skills, will be with Thailand for a long while. On manufacturing, soon or later, some visionaries will be able to see my point. I take a self-liberty to say it here- it may be time for Thais to forget manufacturing. Enough with decades of the economy of scale (the dream of the Orient Detriot is gone.) Thais are neither manufacturers nor technicians by nature. Look deep into our culture- the Thai competitive edge lies elsewhere.
Political ideologies aside, wasn’t Margaret Thatcher right to go for the Quid, not Pit?
I agree with R.N. England and others – there’s simply too much which fits with events, for whoever wrote this not to have pretty good insider knowledge.
One thing which did get me wondering however, was that part where the writer talks about interviewing hospitalised soldiers.
It would n’t be so difficult for Thai authorities to identify, to some extent, who was doing this. So it looks like this has come from some one, or some persons very high up, and very well-protected.
Do any of you think that the good people of Thailand are not already aware of the power and influence the military has here, past and present?
The military, through both their legal and illegal business activites, employs numerous civilians as well as there own; indeed, I would also argue that these activites also account for a sizeable chunk of the economy, both white and black.
Aside from the fear of dying should you speak out about this, people need to be pragmatic.
Afterall, working for such organisations does put food on the table.
We shouldn’t get into too much of a lather over this, especially as we are not in any positon to do anything about it.
Hla Oo #11 – yes what you say is true.
But it’s interesting that there has not been much ORGANISED working class support of the Red Shirts.
Little or no trade union backing, no strikes – other than against the threat of violent crackdown.
What little union or strike activity there has been was in support of the Yellow Shirts, ( indeed one prominent PAD leader is a former high-profile trade union leader) – and even before then against Thaksin’s privatisation plans, when Thaksin was PM.
Clearly some Red Shirts are now armed with conventional weapons – eg. the picture here of a man carrying a pistol, and the capture yesterday of a bag load of grenades thrown from a motor-bike (though this could have been a plant), and the capture of a police officer with a veritable arsenal after withdrawing huge amounts of baht in Zeer Rangsit.
These are not simply weapons of self-defence against a crackdown such as bamboo spikes and stones.
These are weapons of attack.
Certainly many Red Shirts are peaceful and non-violent, but unless they can demonstrate they’ve been set-up on this, the Red Shirts are going to lose a lot of sympathy because of this.
Personally I never support violent protest, and never get involved in Thai politics when there (what do those farang think they were doing getting up on stages in support of the PAD, and then the Re Shirts?).
Not my country. “Not my problem” as Thais say.
the man in black with a pistol next to the redshirt is interesting
I wonder if there were any others with such weapons?
also whether he used the gun?
the soldiers under friendly fire incident was amazing… were their “friends” in panic or aware of who they were?
misidentification in this “war” is an issue, for example apparently soldiers commandeered 40 motorbikes and uniforms from the Bangkok police to use in their nighttime terror patrols where two soldiers per bike are out on patrol to harrass/beatup suspected redshirts (in non-red clothes)
distinguishing police and soldiers is an issue for everyone and is important because it is used to evade and shift responsibility
I dont know you are Thai or not but anyway thank you for concern. I have seen this clip before you sent to me. I am not surprise with this student becuase (if you can understand Thai language clearly) some parts he confused in himself.
One thinng that I can prove for you or any foreigner here is, on the day of rally at Silom road by various colours shirts group I was there from the first day both afternoon and evening. Due to my office is in Silom and this rally is subject to “Protect Silom road from The Red Shirts”. Joiners are not only office men and ladies who work on along Silom or Sathorn but including Silom living people & nearby, whoever interesting to protect theirown democracy and totally diffirent thinking with The Red!
On the date of bomp onto BTS, that day my friend and I we joined the event in afternoon as usual but that day I had an appointment with client and decided to join the event alone and my friend told me that she could not join tonight. During wait for the BTS, there was annoucement informed that BTS has to close for while…then after 10minutes with another announcement informed BTS stop service due to some trouble at Saladaeng Station!
My friend known that I was on the way to the meeting with various color shirts group, she called and told me, there were bombs or fire works attack BTS! I couldn’t imagine if I took previous train before the train that I was stood on and wait for leaving Taksin, what will happened to me!! Who you think can do such a kind of this badly? Government? Soldier? Police? Red Shirt? 3rd party?
I don’t trust anyone if said it bomb from Government, soldier, police even Red or 3rd party. Why? because we have to prove before believe that why we have “Brain” for…!!
Anyway, I blaim to anyone or group whom did this to people who have no weapons. I have no weapon!! I am office lady. I am not Silom living but Silom is the place that has my school, my office! Silom is the business area and worth than allow terrorists to attack! Also Rajprasong or any area in Bangkok or Thailand!
In clip, this student said “I asked one of various color shirts joiner that where are you from? He replied me he from Lamlooka. I suddenly ensure that this rally was hiring and paid to the joiners because Lamlooka is far and why Lamlooka living can hear the rally, any concern with this rally!!”
Do you see or notice any funny??
Well, Why Lamlooka people cannot concern, if Lamlooka people are working on Silom road. Or if Lamlooka people interesting and agreed with various color shirts’s ideal. Is it impossible and unacceptable?
While, Red or Yellow shirts rally also came from many areas. Why if various color shirts cannot do so…I don’t see the point that he said the rally was hiring because joiners not Silom living!! Even himself he is not Bangkok people, he came from Nakornprathom or somewhere because his sentence of voice is not Bangkok!
I also observe that wherever Yellow or Various color shirts gather for rally, then it always bomb?? Why it never happened to The Red Rally?? This is always my question to my mind! I joined both Yellow and Various color Rally and I met attack with M79, one last year at Sanam Luang near Emerald buddha temple!
And I would like to ask The Red that what is your exactly problem with Democracy and system. I living in Japan for 12 years! Japan also have Homeless! Many Japanese has no job or working with daily wage! If they are really need for “Democracy” then they have to ask them back that what they are doing and it can call “Democracy” or not!?
Joy, if you would like to know the truth you better find another clip that better than the one you sent me…it’s nothing to prove, even to believe…sorry! I agreed that was another opinion but it’s funny!
Eventually, if you interesting then I can share you my FB address.
Truth is not just only watch, read or listen. BUT you have to go out and find by yourself!
Facebook 
Twitter 
Soundcloud 
Youtube 
Rss
Video of Thailand on the Verge
Hana #9 First of all welcome to New Mandala and thank you for the effort
applied to your post.
You may not be aware that many contributors to NM have unrestricted access to news and information from any publicly available source. After that, only personal bigotry, academic tenure and retirement plans that include sunsets over the Mekong could possibly influence any views expressed here at NM. So sit back and relax beside the wellspring of truth.
Suthep threatens arrests
Believe it or not, Kasit is now going after the diplomatic corps for lese majeste. The Wall St. Journal reports:
“On Thursday, the foreign minister censured some envoys for meeting last week with Red Shirt leaders.
“‘We do not want to see that happening again,’ Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya told reporters during a visit to Jakarta, Indonesia. Mr. Kasit said he had earlier met with the Philippine Ambassador Antonio V. Rodriguez, the dean of the Bangkok diplomatic corps, to express his concern.
“In a note to diplomats, Mr. Rodriguez said Mr. Kasit accused some ambassadors of voicing opposition to the constitutional monarchy and criticizing the government’s handling of the crisis. ”
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704302304575213651597476216.html?mod=WSJ_hps_MIDDLEThirdNews
The betrayal of human rights mandarins
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
PUBLIC STATEMENT
13 January 2010
AI Index: ASA 39/001/2010
Thailand: Reverse backward slide in freedom of expression
Thailand should reverse its recent backward slide in respect for freedom of expression, as illustrated by the sharp increase over the past ten months in cases under the lese majeste law.
In this regard, Amnesty International welcomes Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s establishment, as reported in December 2009, of a panel to scrutinise enforcement of the law.
Since April 2009, at least two Thai nationals have been convicted of lese majeste offences and imprisoned. Suwicha Thakhor and Darunee Chanchoengsilapakul are serving 10- and 18-year sentences respectively–although the latter case is presently on appeal. Hundreds of other active cases of alleged lese majeste remain.
Thailand’s lese majeste law prohibits any word or act which “defames, insults, or threatens the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent, or the Regent”. It supersedes the 2007 Thai Constitution in cases where they conflict, and goes beyond the permissible restrictions on freedom of expression provided for under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Thailand is a state party.
Many people charged under the lese majeste law, including Suwicha Thakhor, have also been charged under the 2007 Computer-related Crimes Act. This Act has led to a sharp increase in monitoring of the internet for lese majeste content: tens of thousands of websites have been blocked by the government in Thailand. This broad-ranging censorship of websites in itself constitutes a violation of the ICCPR. The Prime Minister further acknowledged in December that there were problems with the Act’s enforcement.
Amnesty International is also concerned with the characterization of the lese majeste law by the Minister of Justice as a matter of national security, and the subsequent decision in June 2009 to hold Darunee Chanchoengsilapakul’s trial behind closed doors on that basis. National security is indeed one of the grounds set out in the ICCPR on which a state may impose limitations on freedom of expression, but it may do so only pursuant to a publicly-proclaimed state of emergency which threatens the life of the nation. This has not been done–and is not the case–in Thailand.
Amnesty International has acknowledged the nation’s considerable progress–under the guidance of His Majesty the King, Bhumibol Adulyadej–in the advancement of human rights over the past several decades, making the recent roll-back in freedom of expression of even greater concern. In a speech given on the occasion of his birthday in December 2005, His Majesty the King stated that the lese majeste law was too strict, that its application caused harm to him as well as to Thailand, and that the lack of freedom to make fair criticism reflected poorly on the nation.
In that spirit, Amnesty International supports the Prime Minister’s new initiative, and encourages the Royal Thai government to amend the lese majeste law so that it complies with international law and standards.
Specifically, the government should abolish the law’s provision allowing any citizen to report another for alleged violation of the law. Pending this and all other necessary legislative changes, the government should suspend the use of the lese majeste law.
The government should also cease censorship of websites on the grounds of upholding the lese majeste law.
Background
According to Thailand’s Office of the Judiciary, in 2008–the last year for which statistics were available–authorities prosecuted 77 cases of lese majeste.
In addition to the two cases above, Thai national Boonyuen Prasertying was sentenced in November 2008 to 12 years’ imprisonment on lese majeste charges, later reduced to two years on appeal in November 2009.
Section 45 of the 2007 Constitution limits freedom of expression for purposes of “maintaining the security of State”, but such limitations must comply with Thailand’s obligations under the ICCPR.
END/
Public Document
****************************************
International Secretariat, Amnesty International, 1 Easton St., London WC1X 0DW, UK http://www.amnesty.org
Video of Thailand on the Verge
Hana – The more I hear about this type of post, the more I feel that Thailand needs change…..
“The deep political crisis within the Royal Thai Army officer corps”
David Brown #27
Regarding your comment on Thaksin’s bravery in introducing some controls on the military, would you care to let me know what was exactly was brave in his fast-tracking of his cousin Chaisit Shinawatra up the military chain of command, despite the presence of much more qualified officers? Just one example (amongst many) of his own meddling and interference to suit his own interests (he did the same police reshuffles, appointments to the various ‘independent’ agencies, etc etc).
I would kindly suggest that Mr Thaksin wasn’t at the forefront of any push to democratise state institutions or shake up the bureaucractic elite, more like just another strategem to build up and protect his own powerbase, cleverly played using the long tried and tested rules of the Thai political game…
The betrayal of human rights mandarins
Another lese majeste arrest today.
The Nation News reported on 29 April, 20:22 hr., that an investigative team of the DSI has arrested Mr. Opas Raksakulthai a.k.a. Kong, from Rayong Province, and has brought him to the DSI office for further interrogation. He was charged for lese majeste for his posting on Facebook with harsh words that are slander of the supreme institution. Mr. Opas denied the charge, denying that he was not the person who created the web page, and the passage was added from another web page. Tomorrow at 9:30, Mr. Tharit Pengdit, the Director of the DSI will give more detials of the behaviors of this person.
р╕гр╕зр╕бр╣Ар╕лр╕вр╕╖р╣Ир╕нр╕Др╕Фр╕╡р╕лр╕бр╕┤р╣Ир╕Щр╕пр╕нр╕╡р╕Бр╕гр╕▓р╕вр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕гр╕░р╕вр╕нр╕Зр╕Рр╕▓р╕Щр╣Вр╕Юр╕кр╕Хр╣Мр╣Гр╕Щр╣Ар╕Яр╕кр╕Ър╕╕р╣Кр╕Д
Thu, 2010-04-29 21:29
р╕Вр╣Ир╕▓р╕зр╕Фр╣Ир╕зр╕Щр╕кр╕│р╕Щр╕▒р╕Бр╕Вр╣Ир╕▓р╕зр╣Ар╕Щр╕Кр╕▒р╣Ир╕Щ р╕гр╕▓р╕вр╕Зр╕▓р╕Щр╣Ар╕бр╕╖р╣Ир╕нр╕зр╕▒р╕Щр╕Чр╕╡р╣И 29 р╣Ар╕бр╕йр╕▓р╕вр╕Щ 2553 р╣Ар╕зр╕ер╕▓ 20:22 р╕Щ.р╕зр╣Ир╕▓ р╕Кр╕╕р╕Фр╕ер╕╖р╕Ър╕кр╕зр╕Щр╕кр╕░р╕Бр╕Фр╕гр╕нр╕вр╕Бр╕гр╕бр╕кр╕нр╕Ър╕кр╕зр╕Щр╕Др╕Фр╕╡р╕Юр╕┤р╣Ар╕ир╕й (р╕Фр╕╡р╣Ар╕нр╕кр╣Др╕н) р╣Др╕Фр╣Йр╣Ар╕Вр╣Йр╕▓р╕Ир╕▒р╕Ър╕Бр╕╕р╕бр╕Хр╕▒р╕зр╕Щр╕▓р╕вр╕зр╕┤р╕ар╕▓р╕к р╕гр╕▒р╕Бр╕кр╕Бр╕╕р╕ер╣Др╕Чр╕в р╕лр╕гр╕╖р╕нр╕Бр╣Йр╕нр╕З р╕Ир╕▓р╕Бр╕Ир╕▒р╕Зр╕лр╕зр╕▒р╕Фр╕гр╕░р╕вр╕нр╕З р╣Вр╕Фр╕вр╣Гр╕Щр╕Вр╕Ур╕░р╕Щр╕╡р╣Йр╣Др╕Фр╣Йр╕Щр╕│р╕Хр╕▒р╕зр╕бр╕▓р╕кр╕нр╕Ър╕кр╕зр╕Щр╕Вр╕вр╕▓р╕вр╕Ьр╕ер╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕кр╕│р╕Щр╕▒р╕Бр╕Зр╕▓р╕Щр╕Фр╕╡р╣Ар╕нр╕кр╣Др╕нр╣Бр╕ер╣Йр╕з р╣Бр╕ер╕░р╣Бр╕Ир╣Йр╕Зр╕Вр╣Йр╕нр╕Бр╕ер╣Ир╕▓р╕зр╕лр╕▓р╕лр╕бр╕┤р╣Ир╕Щр╕Юр╕гр╕░р╕Ър╕гр╕бр╣Ар╕Фр╕Кр╕Кр╕▓р╕Щр╕╕р╕ар╕▓р╕Юр╕Ир╕▓р╕Бр╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╣Вр╕Юр╕кр╕Хр╣Мр╕Вр╣Йр╕нр╕Др╕зр╕▓р╕бр╣Гр╕Щр╣Ар╕Яр╕кр╕Ър╕╕р╣Кр╕Др╕нр╕▒р╕Щр╣Ар╕Ыр╣Зр╕Щр╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╕лр╕бр╕┤р╣Ир╕Щр╕кр╕Цр╕▓р╕Ър╕▒р╕Щр╣Ар╕Ър╕╖р╣Йр╕нр╕Зр╕кр╕╣р╕Зр╕Фр╣Йр╕зр╕вр╕Цр╣Йр╕нр╕вр╕Др╕│р╕нр╕вр╣Ир╕▓р╕Зр╕гр╕╕р╕Щр╣Бр╕гр╕З р╣Гр╕Щр╣Ар╕Ър╕╖р╣Йр╕нр╕Зр╕Хр╣Йр╕Щр╕Ьр╕╣р╣Йр╕Хр╣Йр╕нр╕Зр╕лр╕▓р╣Гр╕лр╣Йр╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╕Ыр╕Ор╕┤р╣Ар╕кр╕Шр╕зр╣Ир╕▓р╣Др╕бр╣Ир╣Др╕Фр╣Йр╣Ар╕Ыр╣Зр╕Щр╕Ьр╕╣р╣Йр╕Чр╕│р╣Ар╕зр╣Зр╕Ър╣Ар╕Юр╕И р╣Бр╕Хр╣Ир╕зр╣Ир╕▓р╣Бр╕нр╕Фр╕Вр╣Йр╕нр╕Др╕зр╕▓р╕бр╕бр╕▓р╕Ир╕▓р╕Бр╣Ар╕зр╕Ыр╣Ар╕Юр╕Ир╕нр╕╖р╣Ир╕Щ р╣Гр╕Щр╕гр╕▓р╕вр╕Зр╕▓р╕Щр╕гр╕░р╕Ър╕╕р╕зр╣Ир╕▓р╕Щр╕▓р╕вр╕Шр╕▓р╕гр╕┤р╕Х р╣Ар╕Юр╣Зр╕Зр╕Фр╕┤р╕йр╕Р р╕нр╕Шр╕┤р╕Ър╕Фр╕╡р╕Фр╕╡р╣Ар╕нр╕кр╣Др╕н р╕Ир╕░р╕Чр╕│р╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╣Бр╕Цр╕ер╕Зр╕гр╕▓р╕вр╕ер╕░р╣Ар╕нр╕╡р╕вр╕Фр╣Ар╕Бр╕╡р╣Ир╕вр╕зр╕Бр╕▒р╕Ър╕Юр╕др╕Хр╕┤р╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╕Ур╣Мр╕Вр╕нр╕Зр╕Ьр╕╣р╣Йр╕Хр╣Йр╕нр╕Зр╕лр╕▓р╕гр╕▓р╕вр╕Щр╕╡р╣Йр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕Фр╕╡р╣Ар╕нр╕кр╣Др╕нр╣Гр╕Щр╕зр╕▒р╕Щр╕Юр╕гр╕╕р╣Ир╕Зр╕Щр╕╡р╣Й р╣Ар╕зр╕ер╕▓ 09.30 р╕Щ.
Street fighting in Bangkok
I watched both Channel 3’s & 7’s lengthy reports on the whole encounter late last night. Both clearly had enough cameras in the right positions (and/or access to footage from other operators) that they could hardly have failed to record what happened to bring down the motorcycle troops – yet neither channel’s package included any of it and no mention was made of “friendly fire”.
No surprise that neither ran any of the “Spring News” footage given MICT’s ultra-swift move to block their website – but the continuing lack of official comment about the incident surely speaks volumes.
The Al Jazeera report includes a worrying element at 1:18 – 1:26. A figure in a now all-too familiar black balaclava is seen through some bushes on the roadway – and a close-up shot shows he’s carrying a pistol. Given how quick the government was to point the finger on involvement of such figures during the 10 April events (not to mention identify oh-so-quickly the firing point – however improbable the distance – of the 23 April grenade attacks on Silom), it seems noteworthy that there has been no talk of “ronin” or “third hand” this time. Most likely, the unit commanders behind the shield wall (toward which the motorcycle troops were headed) know full well it was a friendly fire screw-up – with the brass just deciding to say nothing in the hope that the embarrassing incident will go away.
Suthep threatens arrests
Thanks to michael for the link to the more legible mindmap on BP. Along with Giles Ungpakorn who is labelled with a “book insulting the monarchy”, others who are related to Thaksin in some way, or have allegedly perpetrated various misdeeds, I was amused (although it’s really quite scary) to see Somsak Jeamteerasakul labelled as “thinker”. Now that sort of behavior should be stopped.
Street fighting in Bangkok
This video is being used by the pro-government group to put the blame to the “Men In Black” again, so the army or whoever hold responsibility can be free from accusation.
However, as I checked with Yahoo News: here are some vivid photo by journalists at the scene.
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//100428/481/urn_publicid_ap_org3775e3cf0f3b42a7a4a6cf29476d88a8/
and
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//100428/481/urn_publicid_ap_org3501068484bc424495b94ace08b348b9/
and this one
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//100428/481/urn_publicid_ap_org_ce7f0c35f0d040cd92a470ca4e50698e/
I notice that the soldiers who were on motorcycles didn’t wear any scarf to identify themselves, meanwhile the riot police wore pink scarf, and the army wore blue.
I can’t find the photo of “sniper” shooter hiding at the back of GMC truck. I wonder, is this right thing for the government to do this to its people. They even used the stopped cars to hide and yelled at the drivers.
Clash at National Monument
Hi Tarrin, Abhisit as the head of the Prachathipat Party was elected and nominated prime minister in the seven-party coalition. Thailand’s political system is the so-called one dominant party system which centainly paves the way to any form of coalition. In the political history of Thailand we once experienced in the 1970’s MR Kukrit Pramoj was nominated prime minister in a coalition though his Kit Sangkhom Party won only 18 members of the parliament.
That Abhisit was not elected has been misleading the rural people in the North and the Northeast regions into joing the UDD. This should not have happened at all.
Suthep threatens arrests
To answer StanG:
about Thaksin and me:
I never met or had any contact (in any shape or form) with either Thaksin or Pojamarn in my entire life. I’m completely at a lost while the chart connects me to Pojamarn. The only reason I can think of is I once wrote about the quite widely known fact that Thaksin is distantly related to Pridi Phanomyong because both married women from the “Na Pomphet” family. (Pridi’s wife, Phunsuk, and Pojamarn’s mother are sisters. Aphisit’s wife is also related to the Na Pomphet clan: she is a niece to Phunsuk). Perhaps government spies who’ve been following my writing read this, and concocted such a connection between me and Pojamarn, through my writing about her (and only once)!
about Thaksin and Fa Diew Kan:
This is what I know. Fa Diew Kan was founded by Thanapol Eiwsakul, a former TU student activist. He did this completely on his own, I can definitely assure you. But he happened to know another TU student activist friend named Thanathorn Chungrungruengkit, who happens to have an uncle named Suriya Chungrungruengkit, a politician supporter of Thaksin. As far as I know Thanathorn has NO political connection with his uncle (and by implication, with Thaksin). He’s still young (late 30s I think) and if it’s not for the death of his father a few years ago, would have spent his time as some kind of an independent activist (publisher, writer) like his friend Thanapol. But since his father died, he has to inherit and manage the family business fortune (manufacturing of pick-up truck). Because Thanapol isn’t rich, I’m sure he might have borrowed some money from his friend to start up the Fa Diew Kan. But contrary to rumors, Fa Diew Kan is NOT owned or financed by Thanathorn, much less, has any connection with his uncle Suriya or Thaksin, since there is NONE. Thanapol runs it on his own. (Apart from magazine and book publishing, which barely makes profit, Fa Diew Kan also does jobs of arranging exhibition and modern museum.) If there was some money given by Thanathorn, it’s just personal, short term help/lending from a friend who happens to be born to a rich family, but who sympathizes with left-wing causes of his friend.
Suthep threatens arrests
Wheres Tim Sebastian @42 :
“The fascination of this debacle is that both sides accuse each other of double-standards and both sides are guilty of same and both sides cannot compromise and are becomng increasingly polarised.”
Could you flesh this out for me a bit more ? Where are the Red Shirt “double standards”.
Yellow Shirt double standards are clear :
1) they seized three airports – but have not had a single conviction in court.
2) they advocate a voting system that would dis-enfranchise 50% of Thailand’s population – if that is not a double standard, then I don’t know what is.
But Red Shirt “double standards” ? Please do tell.
Suthep threatens arrests
Seraphim #48, Your comment “how does a father look after his squabling children” goes directly to the heart of a true democracy: people in Thailand should not be considered ‘children’, but ‘citizens.’ The father/children metaphor is an age-old lynchpin of subservience and obedience that should have no place in any governance system purporting to be democratic. This metaphor, and Thais’ unquestioned acceptance of it — making it more than a mere figure of speech — is precisely what needs to be reevaluated.
Economic strategy and the roots of Thai political turmoil
Some interesting thoughts on this thread.
To some extents, I agree that the Thaksin government was the first administration attempted to pursue the pro-global competitive vision. I read every report on Competitiveness Strategy that came out during his administration. My overall criticism on them is that they generally tried to do too much; too many industries classified as ‘having potentials to compete’. Policies recommended on the supply-side (education& training sector) were quite weak too. The Thai labour force actually need multi-programmes of training- upskilling or skill-matching alone are insufficient.
The failure to bring about a strategic policy which links the demands of industry with the supplies of ET, with constant product-spec upgrading/diversification, and the use of well distributed and adjusted human knowledge and skills, will be with Thailand for a long while. On manufacturing, soon or later, some visionaries will be able to see my point. I take a self-liberty to say it here- it may be time for Thais to forget manufacturing. Enough with decades of the economy of scale (the dream of the Orient Detriot is gone.) Thais are neither manufacturers nor technicians by nature. Look deep into our culture- the Thai competitive edge lies elsewhere.
Political ideologies aside, wasn’t Margaret Thatcher right to go for the Quid, not Pit?
“The deep political crisis within the Royal Thai Army officer corps”
I agree with R.N. England and others – there’s simply too much which fits with events, for whoever wrote this not to have pretty good insider knowledge.
One thing which did get me wondering however, was that part where the writer talks about interviewing hospitalised soldiers.
It would n’t be so difficult for Thai authorities to identify, to some extent, who was doing this. So it looks like this has come from some one, or some persons very high up, and very well-protected.
“The deep political crisis within the Royal Thai Army officer corps”
And?
Do any of you think that the good people of Thailand are not already aware of the power and influence the military has here, past and present?
The military, through both their legal and illegal business activites, employs numerous civilians as well as there own; indeed, I would also argue that these activites also account for a sizeable chunk of the economy, both white and black.
Aside from the fear of dying should you speak out about this, people need to be pragmatic.
Afterall, working for such organisations does put food on the table.
We shouldn’t get into too much of a lather over this, especially as we are not in any positon to do anything about it.
Economic strategy and the roots of Thai political turmoil
Hla Oo #11 – yes what you say is true.
But it’s interesting that there has not been much ORGANISED working class support of the Red Shirts.
Little or no trade union backing, no strikes – other than against the threat of violent crackdown.
What little union or strike activity there has been was in support of the Yellow Shirts, ( indeed one prominent PAD leader is a former high-profile trade union leader) – and even before then against Thaksin’s privatisation plans, when Thaksin was PM.
Street fighting in Bangkok
Clearly some Red Shirts are now armed with conventional weapons – eg. the picture here of a man carrying a pistol, and the capture yesterday of a bag load of grenades thrown from a motor-bike (though this could have been a plant), and the capture of a police officer with a veritable arsenal after withdrawing huge amounts of baht in Zeer Rangsit.
These are not simply weapons of self-defence against a crackdown such as bamboo spikes and stones.
These are weapons of attack.
Certainly many Red Shirts are peaceful and non-violent, but unless they can demonstrate they’ve been set-up on this, the Red Shirts are going to lose a lot of sympathy because of this.
Personally I never support violent protest, and never get involved in Thai politics when there (what do those farang think they were doing getting up on stages in support of the PAD, and then the Re Shirts?).
Not my country. “Not my problem” as Thais say.
Street fighting in Bangkok
the man in black with a pistol next to the redshirt is interesting
I wonder if there were any others with such weapons?
also whether he used the gun?
the soldiers under friendly fire incident was amazing… were their “friends” in panic or aware of who they were?
misidentification in this “war” is an issue, for example apparently soldiers commandeered 40 motorbikes and uniforms from the Bangkok police to use in their nighttime terror patrols where two soldiers per bike are out on patrol to harrass/beatup suspected redshirts (in non-red clothes)
distinguishing police and soldiers is an issue for everyone and is important because it is used to evade and shift responsibility
Video of Thailand on the Verge
To Joy, Yes I am Thai and pround to be!
I dont know you are Thai or not but anyway thank you for concern. I have seen this clip before you sent to me. I am not surprise with this student becuase (if you can understand Thai language clearly) some parts he confused in himself.
One thinng that I can prove for you or any foreigner here is, on the day of rally at Silom road by various colours shirts group I was there from the first day both afternoon and evening. Due to my office is in Silom and this rally is subject to “Protect Silom road from The Red Shirts”. Joiners are not only office men and ladies who work on along Silom or Sathorn but including Silom living people & nearby, whoever interesting to protect theirown democracy and totally diffirent thinking with The Red!
On the date of bomp onto BTS, that day my friend and I we joined the event in afternoon as usual but that day I had an appointment with client and decided to join the event alone and my friend told me that she could not join tonight. During wait for the BTS, there was annoucement informed that BTS has to close for while…then after 10minutes with another announcement informed BTS stop service due to some trouble at Saladaeng Station!
My friend known that I was on the way to the meeting with various color shirts group, she called and told me, there were bombs or fire works attack BTS! I couldn’t imagine if I took previous train before the train that I was stood on and wait for leaving Taksin, what will happened to me!! Who you think can do such a kind of this badly? Government? Soldier? Police? Red Shirt? 3rd party?
I don’t trust anyone if said it bomb from Government, soldier, police even Red or 3rd party. Why? because we have to prove before believe that why we have “Brain” for…!!
Anyway, I blaim to anyone or group whom did this to people who have no weapons. I have no weapon!! I am office lady. I am not Silom living but Silom is the place that has my school, my office! Silom is the business area and worth than allow terrorists to attack! Also Rajprasong or any area in Bangkok or Thailand!
In clip, this student said “I asked one of various color shirts joiner that where are you from? He replied me he from Lamlooka. I suddenly ensure that this rally was hiring and paid to the joiners because Lamlooka is far and why Lamlooka living can hear the rally, any concern with this rally!!”
Do you see or notice any funny??
Well, Why Lamlooka people cannot concern, if Lamlooka people are working on Silom road. Or if Lamlooka people interesting and agreed with various color shirts’s ideal. Is it impossible and unacceptable?
While, Red or Yellow shirts rally also came from many areas. Why if various color shirts cannot do so…I don’t see the point that he said the rally was hiring because joiners not Silom living!! Even himself he is not Bangkok people, he came from Nakornprathom or somewhere because his sentence of voice is not Bangkok!
I also observe that wherever Yellow or Various color shirts gather for rally, then it always bomb?? Why it never happened to The Red Rally?? This is always my question to my mind! I joined both Yellow and Various color Rally and I met attack with M79, one last year at Sanam Luang near Emerald buddha temple!
And I would like to ask The Red that what is your exactly problem with Democracy and system. I living in Japan for 12 years! Japan also have Homeless! Many Japanese has no job or working with daily wage! If they are really need for “Democracy” then they have to ask them back that what they are doing and it can call “Democracy” or not!?
Joy, if you would like to know the truth you better find another clip that better than the one you sent me…it’s nothing to prove, even to believe…sorry! I agreed that was another opinion but it’s funny!
Eventually, if you interesting then I can share you my FB address.
Truth is not just only watch, read or listen. BUT you have to go out and find by yourself!