3591 replies to this topic
Posted 2008-08-26 10:16:56
 cmsally, on 2008-08-26 10:09:55, said:
As I have said before there is a lot more to this than meets the eye, and the signals are not good.
The outcome is going to depend a lot on how cohesive the PAD are and more importantly if they are fused to other interests or whether there are rifts there.
I hope there are a few cool, rational and well placed heads somewhere up there in Bangkok, because they will be needed.
The main hope is that there are a few who have not been factionalised and can take up the middle ground, but that's hard to say.
There is a lot at stake here, maybe more so than it appears.
A lot lot more and lets hope when the militray reshuffle list is passed on today, if it still happens, it reads the right way or maybe it will suddenly be ammended. The recent stuffing of the BoT board and DSI with overt Thaksin loyalists with conflicts of interest has not helped stabilise things but has worried more than just the PAD.
Posted 2008-08-26 10:18:42
PAD. People Against Democracy... Taking over tv stations? I though they are a law abiding mob.... I guess we can almost compare this to how Lennin or Hitler got into power back in the day.... Maybe a lot different today but still the same ideas are being used. Taking over tv stations, police station etc... Im dissappointed that some members on this forum are out there now supporting these people... Let's hope it will just be a minor event....
Posted 2008-08-26 10:19:00
Protesters seize NBT
BANGKOK: -- Supporters of People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) enclosed the National Broadcasting Service of Thailand (NBT), a government-run television station, on Tuesday morning, forcing it off the air to demand that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his cabinet be removed.
They reportedly entered the back entrance of the station and forced all the employees out of the venue.
The station briefly showed pictures of protesters breaking down the station before blacking out.
Police later arrested a group of 80 protesters, who were reportedly armed with two pistols, knives, and golf clubs.
But PAD core leader Sondhi Limthongkul denied that the men were carrying weapons, saying that it was the protest was done peacefully.
Other groups of protesters, meanwhile, invaded into the compound of the Transport Ministry and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. They, however, did not enter the government buildings.
Another group of PAD supporters also blocked roads around the Government House, forcing the government to cancel the weekly meeting at the site Tuesday.
Local media reported that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej called an urgent meeting with Supreme Commander Boonsang Niampradit and chiefs of armed forces at the army headquarters after the weekly cabinet meeting was called off.
-- Bangkok Post 2008-08-26
Anti-gov't protesters storm NBT television station, halt broadcast
BANGKOK: -- Hundreds of People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) demonstrators broke through the closed gates of the state-run NBT television station and stormed into the premises, halting all programs, as other groups of the PAD rallies at Government House and the Ministry of Finance to press the government to resign.
After breaking through the NBT gates, the protesters poured into the premises and seized the station. The government-sponsored channel was airing its morning news programme showing the moment the protesters stormed into the the station, for a moment only, as the station went off the air.
Earlier in the day, before dawn at about 5 am, a group of people raided in to the station to try to gain control of the facility. Police eventually regained control of the building and arrested 80 of the raiders.
Police also seized guns, knives, golf clubs and mild drugs from the trespassing protesters.
Meanwhile, Sondhi Limthongkul a core leader of PAD announced at the so-called democracy movements main protest venue at Makkawan Bridge on Ratchadamneon Nok Road that the anti-government protesters had already taken control of the NBT television broadcast facility and that more PAD supporters were heading to join the group at the government television station's compound.
Hundreds of anti-government protestors also rallied at Government House and blocked all gates to its premises in an attempt to bar the Samak government's ministers from attending the weekly Cabinet meeting.
The protestors also staged a demonstration at the Ministry of Finance and the Agriculture and Co-operatives Ministry, where the PAD has reportedly taken over the premises and asked the civil servants and senior officials to stop working.
-- MCOT/TNA 2008-08-26
Footage on NBT shows protesting breaking windows
A footage on NBT's special mobile unit showed protesters storming in NBT station and braking through doors while police watched helplessly.
-- The Nation 2008-08-26
Posted 2008-08-26 10:19:26
Peoples Alliance for Democracy?
Do they actually know what the words of their own name means? You've got a government in power that was voted in - fair enough this constitution thing might put an end to them anyway - but wanting to force out an elected government does not demonstrate truth in what PAD is supposed to stand for.. simply "we don't like this - let's change it through forceful protest"...!!
Edited by leebeeUK, 2008-08-26 10:24:17.
Posted 2008-08-26 10:20:24
george, on 2008-08-26 11:10:36, said: PAD orders NBT to relay ASTV broadcast
BANGKOK: -- People's Alliance for Democracy Sondhi Limthongkul on Tuesday announced at the main rally site that the PAD had gained a complete control of the NBT station following a raid.
Sondhi ordered the state-run station to relay the broadcast of his ASTV, a satallite television station.
Inspite of the raid, the NBT management was trying to continue broadcasting by mobile units but this was disrupted at periodic intervals.
-- The Nation 2008-08-26
I'm afraid they're going too far now.
The previous coup was a well orchestrated operation, today it looks like a desesperate move lead by desesparate people. But to achieve what ?
Most people, even in the democrat camp, don't support them anymore.
The only good side of these events is it's all going bo be soon over... I hope !
Edited by Pierrot, 2008-08-26 10:21:50.
Posted 2008-08-26 10:22:41
Los78, on 2008-08-26 10:18:42, said: PAD. People Against Democracy... Taking over tv stations? I though they are a law abiding mob.... I guess we can almost compare this to how Lennin or Hitler got into power back in the day.... Maybe a lot different today but still the same ideas are being used. Taking over tv stations, police station etc... Im dissappointed that some members on this forum are out there now supporting these people... Let's hope it will just be a minor event....
It is more about what is happening behind the scenes and away from the rally that will determine what happens. Though dramatic and maybe inflammatory the PAD demonstration is just a minor event in the real war, but it does send a message and it does distract from other players and issues.
Posted 2008-08-26 10:23:52
Quote Police later arrested a group of 80 protesters, who were reportedly armed with two pistols, knives, and golf clubs.
Hmmm
Quote But PAD core leader Sondhi Limthongkul denied that the men were carrying weapons, saying that it was the protest was done peacefully.
yeah right
Posted 2008-08-26 10:24:36
Didn't Sondthi deny earlier in the day that it was PAD raiding the NBT and now he announces they have taken over.
Seems a bit strange if my memory is correct.
What will now happen now, is everyone will be doing a quick rundown on what their personal situation is and who will best serve their interests and choose sides accordingly. Those who are useful to either side may "jump ship" if they see a winner emerging.
This has nothing to do with democracy and voice of the people. Anybody believing that is just volunteering themselves as a pawn in the power game.
This could set up to be one very nasty power game.
Posted 2008-08-26 10:25:09
grantbkk, on 2008-08-26 09:29:24, said: If this action by PAD causes the price of beer to rise in the capital there is going to be hel_l to pay!
I know that some here on Thai Visa want to compare this situation (perhaps a revolution) to famous communist coups around the world since the 1950's. I prefer to compare PAD to that once infamous German Army corporal, Adolf Hitler.
Be afraid. Be very afraid. The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) is using scare tactics to mold the opinion of the uninformed populace to their own ends. While complaining and pointing fingers at the elected government about anything and everything they refuse to negotiate on any subject and simply call for an end to present government rule. Sound familiar? Same thing happened two years ago which led to a coup d'état and the ousting of a seated, elected government.
This is nothing new. Many of us remember from our history lessons that back in the 1930’s Europe they had their own PAD saying exactly the same thing about the seated government. The Nazi Party used the economic hardships suffered by the Germans to grab power. Adolph Hitler and his ilk fooled the German people into joining their extreme and radical movement to overthrow the government.
Like the Nazi’s in Germany PAD has no business in a civilized Thai society. They are trampling on the peoples consciences and revising history to suit their own ends. These extreme, unconscionable leaders are master manipulators, preying on the weak, drunk with power and serve no constructive purpose. It is time to put an end to the madness and remove PAD and their self-serving leaders. They have had their fifteen minutes in the spotlight and have fooled innocent Thai people long enough.
IMHO
2 Timothy 2:23 :
Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.
Posted 2008-08-26 10:25:20
Are there any TV links to watch on the internet?
Posted 2008-08-26 10:25:49
I QUOTE: "Today's protest is an extraordinary one. We will do everything possible to make sure the state mechanisms stop working. But we will not do anything to cause trouble to the people," Mr Sondhi said.
Sure! Everytime the PAD protests they cause trouble for people. Schools have been forced to shut down, roads blocked so people can't get to work or worse yet, to hospital for emergency services. Protests are suitable in their appropriate place, but what the PAD is doing is shutting down people's ability to function. They're selfish plain and simple. I'm no Thaksin or Samak fan, but these people are going way to far and will spur bloodshed as a result of their extreme behavior.
Edited by skooldaze, 2008-08-26 10:27:20.
Posted 2008-08-26 10:26:49
StevieH, on 2008-08-26 10:08:28, said: with respect, likening the PAD to the third reich is so spectacularly misinformed as to be downright offensive.
Well said that man!
Anybody who chooses to refer to the deeply corrupt Taxin government, or his current puppet regime as democratically elected is also severely misinformed.
Taxin bought his way into power by wholesale vote purchase from the rural Thais. 1M Baht per village buys a lot of votes. He retained power the second time by7 simply threatening to demand repayment of the loans etc. every villager took out from his 1M Baht scheme. Democracy? My @ss!
Posted 2008-08-26 10:26:54
Boater, on 2008-08-26 10:25:20, said: Are there any TV links to watch on the internet? (ASTV)
Posted 2008-08-26 10:28:53
gymshark, on 2008-08-26 08:36:56, said: These people are a pain in the arse. Protests never solve anything.
Actually, sir, democracy is an uncomfortable feeling in the nether regions.
For which side, well, that is the question.
For the protesting side, I have a feeling they feel pain nor discomfort.
For the protested side, guess they don't like it, but that is the general idea behind the protest.
It is called, democracy.
Freedom of expression, freedom of gathering, freedom of protest.
Of course protests like this disrupt something, whatever.
Irritating for you, maybe, but I gather you are from elsewhere.
So, you have no alternative but to look and wonder at democracy at work.
So sorry.
How sad, never mind.
Posted 2008-08-26 10:29:32
hammered, on 2008-08-26 10:22:41, said: Los78, on 2008-08-26 10:18:42, said: PAD. People Against Democracy... Taking over tv stations? I though they are a law abiding mob.... I guess we can almost compare this to how Lennin or Hitler got into power back in the day.... Maybe a lot different today but still the same ideas are being used. Taking over tv stations, police station etc... Im dissappointed that some members on this forum are out there now supporting these people... Let's hope it will just be a minor event....
It is more about what is happening behind the scenes and away from the rally that will determine what happens. Though dramatic and maybe inflammatory the PAD demonstration is just a minor event in the real war, but it does send a message and it does distract from other players and issues.
Quite correct, the only hope is that the PAD will be seen to become merely troublesome and not a means to the end. If this happens be prepared to see its leaders in very hot water or maybe a long holiday in somewhere like China. In Thai politics what goes up must come down. The higher up it goes the further it has to fall. Or maybe they will just trip themselves up in the process, we shall see.
Posted 2008-08-26 10:30:08
Thai Protesters Storm TV Station in Bid to Oust Samak (Update2)
BANGKOK: -- Hundreds of Thai anti-government protesters stormed a state-run television station in Bangkok for a second time today, forcing it off the air, as part of efforts to drive out Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.
Wielding flags and wearing yellow scarves, demonstrators rocked the building's gate back and forth for about a minute before police retreated and they stormed the building, according to pictures broadcast on NBT before it went off air.
``We are going to protest all over town to oust Samak,'' said Parnthep Pongpourpan, an organizer. ``Samak has tried to stop our rallies so many times but he cannot. We expect that he will resign under the pressure.''
The People's Alliance for Democracy, a protest group that accuses the government of failing to support the country's monarchy, says it's holding a final effort to oust Samak today after three months of daily demonstrations. They plan to block roads, seize ministries and close Phuket and Hat Yai airports to to force out Samak, who they say is a nominee of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Earlier this morning, police detained 80 people and collected dozens of golf clubs and foot-long knives from protesters who tried to take over the station, said Surapol Thuanthong, a police spokesman. Police had managed to secure the office before the second wave of protesters.
Air Ventilation Shaft
``My instinct said I couldn't stay there any longer,'' Jirayu Huangsup, the NBT anchor who was on air before the station went blank, told Thai PBS channel. He escaped the building through an air ventilation shaft, he said.
Yesterday Samak warned that protesters would be ``dealt with'' if they acted violently today. He said a weekly cabinet meeting scheduled for today would proceed.
``We are compiling evidence for charges of an attempt to overthrow the government,'' Surapol told Thai PBS after the second break in. ``We have forces, but we will try to avoid more violence.''
A People's Alliance spokesman condemned the use of weapons and encouraged police to arrest those who break the law.
``Some people can claim they are from the People's Alliance and we don't have DNA tests to prove whether they are or not,'' said Parnthep Pongpourpan, a protest organizer. ``We request that policeman follow the law and arrest those people.''
The protests today could trigger another coup and lead to violence, said Somjai Phagaphasvivat, a political science lecturer at Bangkok's Thammasat University. Two years ago, protests by the same group led to a coup against Thaksin. The protesters are led by Sondhi Limthongkul, a former Thaksin business associate who fell out with him in 2005.
``We have a tale of two cities, and these two groups could never be reconciled,'' he said. ``The military may need to serve as the judge.''
-- Bloomberg 2008-08-26
Posted 2008-08-26 10:31:02
cmsally, on 2008-08-26 10:24:36, said: Didn't Sondthi deny earlier in the day that it was PAD raiding the NBT and now he announces they have taken over.
Seems a bit strange if my memory is correct.
What will now happen now, is everyone will be doing a quick rundown on what their personal situation is and who will best serve their interests and choose sides accordingly. Those who are useful to either side may "jump ship" if they see a winner emerging.
This has nothing to do with democracy and voice of the people. Anybody believing that is just volunteering themselves as a pawn in the power game.
This could set up to be one very nasty power game.
An excellent comment if you dont mind me saying so. It would seem though considering the combatants that there is probably only one side who will be able to win. That is not to say the other side cant draw it out for a bit longer yet. It is howver coming to a head and unless a temporary ceasefire can be agreed to allow time for talks, deals and defections it will probbaly be quite messy.
Posted 2008-08-26 10:31:24
Boater, on 2008-08-26 10:25:20, said: Are there any TV links to watch on the internet?
Yes - See my earlier post. It is HERE
Posted 2008-08-26 10:34:07
p1p, on 2008-08-25 20:26:49, said: StevieH, on 2008-08-26 10:08:28, said: with respect, likening the PAD to the third reich is so spectacularly misinformed as to be downright offensive.
Well said that man!
Anybody who chooses to refer to the deeply corrupt Taxin government, or his current puppet regime as democratically elected is also severely misinformed.
Taxin bought his way into power by wholesale vote purchase from the rural Thais. 1M Baht per village buys a lot of votes. He retained power the second time by7 simply threatening to demand repayment of the loans etc. every villager took out from his 1M Baht scheme. Democracy? My @ss!
I agree... Sadly this thread is full of similarly misinformed minds and posts.
Edited by wxpwzrd, 2008-08-26 10:34:56.
Posted 2008-08-26 10:34:39
No coup : Gen Anupong
BANGKOK: -- Army Commander in Chief Gen Anupong Paojinda reiterated on Tuesday that there will be no coup d'etat to quell the ongoing chaos caused by People's Alliance for Democracy-led protest.
The army will not get involved in the situation, he insisted. He was speaking after the protesters stormed into National Broadcasting Television office on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road on Tuesday morning.
-- The Nation 2008-08-26
Army chief: Soldiers won't stage a coup
BANGKOK: -- Army chief Anupong Paochinda vowed that soldiers will not stage a coup d'etat while anti-government group People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) rallied at important venues around Bangkok.
"Soldiers will not stage a coup," he said during a radio interview on Tuesday morning.
Gen Anupong also told people to stay calm and that they should not panic.
"It is police's authority to take care of the situation," he said. "Soldiers will not get involved."
-- Bangkok Post 2008-08-26
Posted 2008-08-26 10:36:11
p1p, on 2008-08-26 10:26:49, said: StevieH, on 2008-08-26 10:08:28, said: with respect, likening the PAD to the third reich is so spectacularly misinformed as to be downright offensive.
Well said that man!
Anybody who chooses to refer to the deeply corrupt Taxin government, or his current puppet regime as democratically elected is also severely misinformed.
Taxin bought his way into power by wholesale vote purchase from the rural Thais. 1M Baht per village buys a lot of votes. He retained power the second time by7 simply threatening to demand repayment of the loans etc. every villager took out from his 1M Baht scheme. Democracy? My @ss!
What has that to do with armed PAD thugs storming a TV station and ordering personal off their desks?
And if you watch TV news - you can clearly see the arms they carried during that raid.
If you read their "new politics", their position regarding the temple issue, and listen to their nationalistic rants - then comparison to Fascist and Nazi ideology is not too far off.
Just because they are against a corrupt government doesn't make their own philosophy any less fascist.
Posted 2008-08-26 10:38:30
george, on 2008-08-26 10:34:39, said: No coup : Gen Anupong
BANGKOK: -- Army Commander in Chief Gen Anupong Paojinda reiterated on Tuesday that there will be no coup d'etat to quell the ongoing chaos caused by People's Alliance for Democracy-led protest.
The army will not get involved in the situation, he insisted. He was speaking after the protesters stormed into National Broadcasting Television office on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road on Tuesday morning.
-- The Nation 2008-08-26
Ah so he is back from Malaysia. If the translation is correct an intereesting statement. "The army will not get involved in the situation, he insisted". Is that aimed at assuring of no coup or aimed at letting the government know no state of emergency? Or both?
Posted 2008-08-26 10:39:13
fuzedcon, on 2008-08-25 20:36:11, said: What has that to do with armed PAD thugs storming a TV station and ordering personal off their desks?
And if you watch TV news - you can clearly see the arms they carried during that raid.
If you read their "new politics", their position regarding the temple issue, and listen to their nationalistic rants - then comparison to Fascist and Nazi ideology is not too far off.
Just because they are against a corrupt government doesn't make their own philosophy any less fascist.
Well it could be said that the methods necessary for facing your enemy are determined by your enemy.
Posted 2008-08-26 10:39:50
There is only one word for the PAD. SCUM. People who do not understand how democracy work. people who prevent hundreds of thousands of people from going to work and make a living.
When ill the government and the courts seize the money used to pay these professional protestors. it is obvious that they have never ever worked themselves. They are for hire. Cutting electricity in a BTS station is not only illegal it is dangerous and endagers lives. They need to be sentenced to life inprisonment
Posted 2008-08-26 10:40:07
Protesters try to take Thai state TV off-air
BANGKOK: -- About 80 armed anti-government activists broke into the studios of Thai state broadcaster NBT on Tuesday to try to halt programming as a prelude to a major demonstration against the seven-month-old coalition.
Police arrested the group, who were armed with two pistols, golf clubs, sling shots and knives, NBT reported on air after the attempted disruption.
"Today is the people's revolution day, so we want NBT to stop broadcasting,"NBT chief Surayont Hoontasan quoted one of the protesters as saying.
"They shouted 'Get out, get out' at us repeatedly. All 150 of us were rounded up for a short while before police arrived and talked them down to the ground floor," newscaster Soifah Osukonthip said on air.
The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), a motley group of royalist businessmen and academics, is hoping to draw "hundreds of thousands" of people to Tuesday's rally outside Government House, their latest attempt to unseat the elected government.
Police say they are expecting only up to 35,000.
The stock market, which has shed nearly 23 percent since the PAD launched its campaign on May 25, is expected to fall, although analysts said it was as much to do with overnight weakness on Wall Street as the latest political events.
The baht also weakened to around 34.25 against the dollar in early trade, its weakest since November, compared to 34.09 on Monday evening.
The PAD denied any involvement in the raid on the television station by the group, who were wearing black and had their faces covered. NBT initially reported the group was about 40 strong.
"This is nothing to do with us," PAD leader Pibob Thongchai told Reuters. "We will have to wait for the results of the police investigation to find out who these people are."
National police spokesman Surapol Thuanthong said on Monday police would not confront the demonstrators, but would be backed up by fire trucks and ambulances. He did not say how many riot police would be deployed.
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, accused by the PAD of being a proxy for ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, said in a televised speech on Monday he was not threatened by the rally and would hold his weekly cabinet meeting as usual.
"If they break any law, they will be dealt with accordingly," Samak said.
However, a government minister said on Tuesday the venue for the cabinet meeting would have to be changed due to a protest blockade of the government headquarters.
After police detained the 80 protesters inside the NBT compound, PAD leaders at a semi-permanent protest venue in central Bangkok called on their followers to march on the broadcaster.
NBT briefly went off air after showing pictures of hundreds bursting through police lines.
-- Reuters 2008-08-26
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