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[1900]

animatic, on 2010-03-21 00:17:45, said:

So fighting corruption is a bad thing... nice attitude

What makes you think they fight corruption, their title?  Have you ever seen the header, free download?

[webfact]

Police seek two Men with militarystyle haircuts
By The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Grenades fired at Defence Ministry and anti-graft agency building site

Two men were involved in the firing of a grenade at the Defence Ministry on Saturday night, National Police Chief Pol Gen Patheep Tanprasert said yesterday after an hour-long meeting with investigators.

Patheep said police believed the attackers fired a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) from Soi Praeng Phoothorn. It landed in a community located behind the ministry.

The police chief dismissed links to another blast on Saturday night at a construction site where a new office for the National Anti-Corruption Commission is being built in Nonthaburi.

Patheep said bomb experts reported the bombs were the same type used by state agencies. He rejected a report that attackers were injured by the blast.

Police found a pick-up suspected to have been used in committing the crime parked 700 metres from Soi Praeng Phoothorn.

Inside the pick-up, police found a machine gun and 20 bullets, two red shirts, 28 11mm bullets, 3 M67 hand grenades, one RPG, one box of condoms, a t-shirt with the screen of the name Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Council chairman Kanawat Angsananiwat.

Police said the pick-up carried a fake licence plate. Ownership of the car had changed four times after it was stolen from a finance company.

A surveillance camera nearby showed that at 10.30pm, a man who was about 170-175cm high, with cropped hair short in a military style, wearing a black short-sleeved t-shirt, long trousers, and another man about 175-180cm, the same hairstyle and a hat, left the area where the pick-up was parked.

Sources said security had been beefed up on Saturday night after intelligence agents suspected a group of military men might stage acts of sabotage.

Kanawat denied any involvement in the incident and denied that he was a red-shirt sympathiser. He said he distributed thousands of shirts and had no idea why one was in the pickup truck.

Army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said "The Peace-keeping Operations Command did not blame any side for the attacks but voiced concern about disturbances triggered by the lack of cohesion among the red-shirt leaders."

In light of the explosions, which occurred after the red-shirt march, commanders suspected the grenade incidents were meant to heighten public fears and fuel political volatility, he said.

The authorities had expanded security checks from 50 high-risk targets to 141 targets located around the capital, he said.

The Army spokesman dismissed claims that soldiers staged the incidents to "frame" the red shirts and create a pretext to extend the enforcement of security measures, which are due to expire on Tuesday.

In regard to the red-shirt march, the authorities said the 65,000 protesters exceeded an earlier estimate because the Pheu Thai Party had mobilised supporters.

NACC secretary general Apinan Isarangura na Ayutthaya said an M-69 grenade was thrown into the compound of the new NACC building, but the anti-graft personnel had not moved to that site yet. He was uncertain whether the attack was linked to the political situation.

Red-shirt leader Weng Tojirakarn said the red shirts were not involved in the two incidents. He said the grenades were lobbed in such a professional manner he suspected soldiers had tossed them.


-- The Nation 2010-03-22

[animatic]

favre360, on 2010-03-21 13:12:55, said:

What's with the whole bomb thing?? Bombs typically do some serious damage. A 30cm hole?? Sounds more like a few firecrackers that rocked nonthaburi

A 30cm hole in dirt is a big firecracker.

A 30 cm hole in rebar'd cement is something entirely different.

Oh, and also remember how many body parts have been blown off
with simple firecrackers over the years.

An explosive is dangerous period.

[animatic]

kimamey, on 2010-03-21 15:58:53, said:

animatic, on 2010-03-20 17:17:45, said:

So fighting corruption is a bad thing... nice attitude

I suppose it depends who's corruption they are fighting. If it's someone you support and maybe they've been given a jail term for it then it's different.
In that case it's politically motivated and somehow it's not right to have them tried in court  .......... apparently.

The NCCC existed in Thaksins time too. He stonewalled it, and hassled it no end.
He clearly saw it as a threat to his aims. And as such totally it validated its existence.
And that 'hate the NCCC' attitude is part of Thaksins message to the REDS.

Yeah right it MUST be a political plot if Thaksin is a target.
Regardless if Dem Bkk Gov. Apirak and Dems and other party members are ALSO targeted...

Just so much blather to back up his arguments
for a personal exception from punishment, because he is popular.
~BULLSHIT of a very low grade and quality.

[granuaile]

bulmercke, on 2010-03-21 22:43:13, said:

Briggsy, on 2010-03-21 07:41:34, said:

The reds are changing to their image to a peaceful one to gain more popular support.

It would benefit their opponents to send a couple of foot soldiers to bizarrely hurl bombs into car parks (What's the point of that??) to discredit the red's attempt to change the public's perception of them.

Exactly. The red shirts won the day - big time - on Saturday.

So what better than a few 'bomb' attacks timed to go off shortly after the cessation of their protest - which chronologically will look like their work.

And then conveniently blame it on them.

Another false flag job by the government.

I don't think anyone can say for sure one way or another. And I agree Saturday's rally was a PR victory for the Red Shirts, I couldn't help but like those people marching. That said they were also instructed before the demonstration to avoid confrontations, to smile, to wave. I have a friend who supports the red shirts and she said if I came to her area of the country and said I like the dems I would not leave alive. So the smiles and good vibes were there during the march. Maybe a counter to the government's extremely tolerant approach. It was obvious too that it was about Thaksin not democracy or any ideology. The lady next to me kept telling me she loved Thaksin, there were people in the rally wearing Thaksin masks But that does preclude factions taking violent actions, either on their own or under the direction of those in charge.

[Ricardo]

webfact, on 2010-03-22 07:40:28, said:

Police seek two Men with militarystyle haircuts
By The Nation

<snip for brevity>

A surveillance camera nearby showed that at 10.30pm, a man who was about 170-175cm high, with cropped hair short in a military style, wearing a black short-sleeved t-shirt, long trousers, and another man about 175-180cm, the same hairstyle and a hat, left the area where the pick-up was parked.

Sources said security had been beefed up on Saturday night after intelligence agents suspected a group of military men might stage acts of sabotage.

Kanawat denied any involvement in the incident and denied that he was a red-shirt sympathiser. He said he distributed thousands of shirts and had no idea why one was in the pickup truck.

Army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said "The Peace-keeping Operations Command did not blame any side for the attacks but voiced concern about disturbances triggered by the lack of cohesion among the red-shirt leaders."

<snip again>

Red-shirt leader Weng Tojirakarn said the red shirts were not involved in the two incidents. He said the grenades were lobbed in such a professional manner he suspected soldiers had tossed them.


-- The Nation 2010-03-22

Cue for the Red-Shirt leaders to have a sudden attack of forgetfulness, deny their previous claims of having many supporters for their cause in the military, and generally run for cover.

[bulmercke]

granuaile, on 2010-03-22 08:57:41, said:

bulmercke, on 2010-03-21 22:43:13, said:

Briggsy, on 2010-03-21 07:41:34, said:

The reds are changing to their image to a peaceful one to gain more popular support.

It would benefit their opponents to send a couple of foot soldiers to bizarrely hurl bombs into car parks (What's the point of that??) to discredit the red's attempt to change the public's perception of them.

Exactly. The red shirts won the day - big time - on Saturday.

So what better than a few 'bomb' attacks timed to go off shortly after the cessation of their protest - which chronologically will look like their work.

And then conveniently blame it on them.

Another false flag job by the government.

I don't think anyone can say for sure one way or another. And I agree Saturday's rally was a PR victory for the Red Shirts, I couldn't help but like those people marching. That said they were also instructed before the demonstration to avoid confrontations, to smile, to wave. I have a friend who supports the red shirts and she said if I came to her area of the country and said I like the dems I would not leave alive. So the smiles and good vibes were there during the march. Maybe a counter to the government's extremely tolerant approach. It was obvious too that it was about Thaksin not democracy or any ideology. The lady next to me kept telling me she loved Thaksin, there were people in the rally wearing Thaksin masks But that does preclude factions taking violent actions, either on their own or under the direction of those in charge.

granuaile - yes - I also observed the red shirts marching on Saturday up close. Their behaviour was exemplary and they sure did their cause a lot of good that day. (The police incidentally also did a pretty good job keeping the traffic flowing as best as they could.)

Got talking to some red shirt by-standers along the route and they seemed to imply that the march and the movement was much more than just about Thaksin. Massve social and economic inequality - an undemocratically elected government - Abhisit being simply a mere puppet of the military and behind him being Prem and the ammats who really run the show.

[bulmercke]

Ricardo, on 2010-03-22 09:52:39, said:

webfact, on 2010-03-22 07:40:28, said:

Police seek two Men with militarystyle haircuts
By The Nation

<snip for brevity>

A surveillance camera nearby showed that at 10.30pm, a man who was about 170-175cm high, with cropped hair short in a military style, wearing a black short-sleeved t-shirt, long trousers, and another man about 175-180cm, the same hairstyle and a hat, left the area where the pick-up was parked.

Sources said security had been beefed up on Saturday night after intelligence agents suspected a group of military men might stage acts of sabotage.

Kanawat denied any involvement in the incident and denied that he was a red-shirt sympathiser. He said he distributed thousands of shirts and had no idea why one was in the pickup truck.

Army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said "The Peace-keeping Operations Command did not blame any side for the attacks but voiced concern about disturbances triggered by the lack of cohesion among the red-shirt leaders."

<snip again>

Red-shirt leader Weng Tojirakarn said the red shirts were not involved in the two incidents. He said the grenades were lobbed in such a professional manner he suspected soldiers had tossed them.


-- The Nation 2010-03-22

Cue for the Red-Shirt leaders to have a sudden attack of forgetfulness, deny their previous claims of having many supporters for their cause in the military, and generally run for cover.

Ricardo - some pretty skewed logic there! This country is controlled by the military. They are the puppet masters and Abhisit is their little puppet. They are opposed to the red shirts and are loyal to the powers that be that continue to contol the country.

Don't you think these two attacks late on Saturday are much more likely to be their handy work?

[ovaltina]

anotherpeter, on 2010-03-21 22:53:18, said:

ovaltina, on 2010-03-21 16:16:01, said:

animatic, on 2010-03-21 01:17:45, said:

So fighting corruption is a bad thing... nice attitude

Absolutely, the anti-corruption dept. are part of the ruling elite.
Infact, everybody except Thaksin is part of the ruling elite. Only him & his pet dog know how it feels to be poor & discriminated against.
Sadly, the only way forward for Thailand is to purge the back-room bribery & corruption, make things as transparent & non-corrupt as possible. By logic, it follows that the people throwing these bombs around are infact trying to move Thailand backward, into deeper corruption. But to be honest, most impartial & foreign commentators have been saying for years that Thaksin wants to eradicate anti-corruption measures, for the same reasons that any other convicted criminal would. It would be like fish voting for less water otherwise.

Correct.

Thaksin's part of the elite, he's just not ruling.

There is corruption in Thailand. No one can deny that. Bringing back Thaksin is not going to fix that. He's shown how corrupt he is.

Getting rid of Abhisit now probably can't fix it either. A small demonstration forcing out the current government does nothing for the reds stated aims of democracy.

I completely agree with that, particularly that any kind of overthrow of Abhisit when he is still starting out with reforms, is a bad thing and foolish. Ultimately he is, in my opinion, a sane human being and wants the best for Thailand. I see that as a good start for any leader, and it is only fair to allow the man a certain amount of time to make progress. I see the red's actions recently as extremely impatient. Progress takes time.
I watched a good Abhisit interview this morning talking to Haslinda Amin on bloomberg, and he pointed out that the last 1.5 years he had started a lot of 'help the poor' projects but they don't happen overnight. I understand his exasperation, it seems so obvious that he does not intend to punish poor people, and yet now there is blood buckets and grenades and stuff, just because some on-the-run-villain has told people that Abhisit is anti-poor.
I would say, Abhisit is very pro-action on helping poor people & reforming society for the better, and if he were given time & a bit of space to move in, people would be surprised.  
By contrast, to see total stubborn elitist inaction & supression of progress, look at the parallel news story of Catholic clerical sex-abuse, which has been argued about for decades & all we have managed to get out of the high echelons so far, is a flaccid "I'm sorry"  this week.

[TAWP]

rreddin, on 2010-03-21 13:49:30, said:

They are committed to seeing democratic change in their country and social justice for all, not just the rich. They have not forgotten the "yelolw shirts' " statement that rural votes should only count as half an urban vote.

Obfuscation since the PAD is not in the government and that bullet point, which btw was NOT half value vote*, was not a crucial point. Not like the bringing back a criminal politician is the Reds main aim in their propaganda.


* = The suggestion most brought up when trying to paint the yellows as anti democratic is the 70/30% suggestion of elected vs appointed (elected by their specific peers) from different social/merchant groups etc. One could say that the current setup with constituencies for MPs and proportional vote (with party lists filling the seats) having less value, i.e. making sure some regions (often smaller/poorer areas it seems) have higher Mp value than they would under the proportional vote. But I digress...

[webfact]

Half a million baht bounty on ex-policeman for firing RPG at Defence Ministry

BANGKOK: -- Police have issued the warrant of arrest and set Bt500,000 bounty on ex-policeman Lance Corporal Bandit Sithithum, 43, for charges related to using the rocket propelled launcher to attack the Defence Ministry on Saturday.

They have also distributed a facial profile of a second suspect who acted as Bandit's accomplice.

The RPG attack missed the intended target and its grenade hit a storefront causing physical damages.


-- The Nation 2010-03-24

[londonthai]

would be interesting to know mr bandit's political leanings and the paymaster, it would explain many questions in this discussion

[TAWP]

So they are looking for a Bandit. His parents named him well. ( http://www.merriam-w...ctionary/bandit )