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[bulmercke]

spot on sri racha john - Thaksin and his cohorts absolutely don't want anything to "kick-off" on Saturday. In fact, as has been mentioned earlier, he and his "esteemed" wife have been in damge control exercise  for the last few days.

These are very, very clever people we are talking about, and just like everything else that they have to deal with on a day - to - day basis, they're are taking account of stock....and making the best possible decision with the information at their disposal at that particular moment. (which is quite considerable)

Saturday is going to be a massive damage limitation exercise......i.e. the police and government and provincial governors, and who else, will do their up-most to make sure that as few people as possible will be able to get to the pre-arranged meet! And if they're lucky enough to make it there, they will be met with unprecedented numbers of police officers, charged with an order to maintain order at any cost!

Politically, Jaruwan's reinstatement and other political overtures in the last few days support this.

What Thaksin wants......Thaksin gets......

BUT.....having said all of this.....there could definitely be developments in the next few days which are not to his advantage!

These are volatile days for Thaksin and Thailand!

[Dradam]

Remember after the subway bombings when Taksin issued the warning for Thai citizens to avoid the UK because it is too dangerous.  Perhap Blair should return the favor.  It would quickly send a message for Taksin to behave this weekend.

Many Thai people are afraid to go to the US because they perceive that it is too dangerous.  They think Americans live under the constant threat of terrorist attacks.

[Rob W]

Lucky me I get the regular email updates from the embassy  
Anyway hot off the press.....
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thailand


This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Summary, Terrorism/Security, Crime, and Natural Disasters sections. The overall level of the advice has not changed.
etc
etc
etc
etc
  ah !

A large political rally is scheduled for 4 February 2006 at King Rama V monument in the vicinity of the national zoo and Parliament buiding in Bangkok. This could cause congestion and disruption. You should avoid large crowds and demonstrations.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There ya go
They get there in the end

[sriracha john]

bulmercke, on 2006-02-03 00:33:49, said:

spot on sri racha john - Thaksin and his cohorts absolutely don't want anything to "kick-off" on Saturday. In fact, as has been mentioned earlier, he and his "esteemed" wife have been in damge control exercise  for the last few days.

These are very, very clever people we are talking about, and just like everything else that they have to deal with on a day - to - day basis, they're are taking account of stock....and making the best possible decision with the information at their disposal at that particular moment. (which is quite considerable)

Saturday is going to be a massive damage limitation exercise......i.e. the police and government and provincial governors, and who else, will do their up-most to make sure that as few people as possible will be able to get to the pre-arranged meet! And if they're lucky enough to make it there, they will be met with unprecedented numbers of police officers, charged with an order to maintain order at any cost!

Politically, Jaruwan's reinstatement and other political overtures in the last few days support this.

What Thaksin wants......Thaksin gets......

BUT.....having said all of this.....there could definitely be developments in the next few days which are not to his advantage!

These are volatile days for Thaksin and Thailand!

Here's an a nice article that supplements what you are saying:

Government going for broke to undermine Sondhi’s rally

Backlash from Shin deal has PM, Pojaman scrambling to placate critics ahead of media mogul’s Saturday assembly. The government is obviously worried about the rally to be spearheaded by media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul, whose sole mission is to force Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra out of office. It has done everything it can to ensure fewer people join the rally.

What the government fears most is not the revelations by Sondhi that will make people take to the street to oust it from office, but the consequences of its own actions. The massive Shin Corp sale has been the talk of the town and the enormous amount of money involved has raised many eyebrows. Why did the family members of Thaksin Shinawatra pay only Bt25 million in value added tax from the Bt73 billion sale.

Thaksin, who is usually swift to answer every question in order to display his decisiveness and efficiency, kept his lips sealed before and after the Shin sale and has refused to address the tax issues surrounding it.

However, as the heavy media scrutiny into the tax-evasion allegations against him strengthened, Thaksin caved in. Yesterday he had his lawyer Suvarn Valaisathien answer questions from the media - for no other reason than to diminish the public’s desire to join Sondhi supporters’ because of alleged irregularities in the historic deal.

Although Suvarn’s press conference still leaves knots to be untangled, it will not change the minds of people intending to go to the Royal Plaza.

More damning evidence that the government is concerned about the gathering was to suddenly reinstate Khunying Jaruvan Maithaka as auditor-general.

Even though Thaksin had denied all along that he had nothing to do with the saga involving the auditor-general, on January 26 he sent a letter to State Audit Commission chairman Norachai Sripimol asking him to reinstate Jaruvan. It was not the first time that Thaksin has given such conflicting statements. Despite saying that he was not involved in the controversy, he had earlier telephoned Jaruvan in an attempt to lobby her to leave the post.

Why did Thaksin suddenly change his mind on Jaruvan? The answer is easy: to reduce the “level of mercury’’ in the anti-Thaksin groups. Jaruvan lit the fire concerning Royal powers that has been used by Sondhi’s allies to try and oust Thaksin. Reinstating Jaruvan will remove the allegation that the government challenged Royal powers.

The next move showing the government wants to reduce the public anger was to cut red tape in the selection of the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC).

The government supported the move to reconvene the Parliament to resolve the NCCC nomination process. The Election Commission’s (EC) disqualification of MPs will also be announced this week, as the government has been attacked for alleged interference in independent bodies such as the EC.

Political analysts believe the juicy political news that some Bangkok MPs will get red cards will reduce the media coverage of Shin Corp deal, which has taken up significant newspaper space.

Pojaman, Thaksin’s wife, is obviously in hot water over the rally to oust Thaksin as she called a meeting of Thai Rak Thai Party leaders at Ban Phitsanulok to block Sondhi’s supporters. At the meeting it was decided that the Interior minister would order governors across the country to stop provincial people from joining the rally.

If Thaksin survives the political uprising led by Sondhi on Saturday, he may be in for another court battle on charges of asset concealment or tax evasion in connection with Shin sale.

[shergar]

Ireland doesn't have an embassy in Bangkok so we are definitely not going to get a warning. Therefore, it must be safe for us Paddies.

[lung]

  
moin...  
on which tv-channel they bring some LIVE  or
can i look with google-earth ? whats the data's ?

but... when something happen they have next week a VCD  

REVOLUTION     

[penzman]

lung, on 2006-02-03 04:47:41, said:

  
moin...  
on which tv-channel they bring some LIVE   or
can i look with google-earth ? whats the data's ?

but... when something happen they have next week a VCD  

REVOLUTION     

Any ASTV Channel (Sondhi's) will surely brodcast the event live. Unless someone decides once again that they don't have permission to broadcast a live event like they did for one of his road shows ...

[marshbags]

The following is from an email on safety in Thailand issued by the British embassy

Dated 02-02-2006 17.45



A large political rally is scheduled for 4 February 2006 at King Rama V monument in the vicinity of the national zoo and Parliament buiding in Bangkok. This could cause congestion and disruption. You should avoid large crowds and demonstrations.

This email is sent to anyone who wishes to apply for one on a regular basis.

Two phrases come to my mind, " common sense " and " stay indoors "

After the 92 situation several of us talked about what happened.

It was terrifying we all agreed and dangerous.

Some  of us where not allowed out of our hotels while others where advised to stay in the hotel.

There where several videos shot and we watched them later in the confides of our homes.

They where taken to our overseas destinations when we visited them.

It comes down to the Thai interpretation of the instructions given re. confinement

Let us all hope for the sake of ordinary Thai people the day is uneventful and it turns out o.k. for them  

I,m sure all members would wish for that no matter what your take on the situation is.  

marshbags      

Edited by marshbags, 2006-02-03 08:54:16.

[Jai Dee]

Interior minister insisted that the government did not release rumors about southern insurgents' possible attacks during Feb 4 rally to hinder the demonstration.

Interior Minister Kongsak Wantana (คงศักดิ์ วันทนา) insisted that the government did not release rumors that southern insurgents will stage chaos during the February 4 rally to hinder the demonstration.

The Interior Minister said that the government did not release the news to dissuade people from joining the rally, adding that related officials have been instructed to check the information and monitor the situation.

Meanwhile, Army Chief General Sondhi Boonyaratglin (สนธิ บุญยรัตกลิน) said that it is unlikely that the insurgents can carry out attacks in Bangkok as they are not familiar with the areas, adding that the army headquarters in Bangkok will monitor the situation, therefore, he said that the people should not worry about the rumor.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 03 Febuary 2006

[baabaabobo]

Oishi, on 2006-02-02 12:39:40, said:

Not foreigners warned, but Americans :-)

The British embassy warning is less dramatic

"A large political rally is scheduled for 4 February 2006 at King Rama V monument in the vicinity of the national zoo and Parliament buiding in Bangkok. This could cause congestion and disruption. You should avoid large crowds and demonstrations.

[Jai Dee]

Foreign Minister indicated that the US' warning to tourists against approaching the rally venue tomorrow is normal.

Foreign Affairs Minister Kantathi Supamongkol (กันตธีร์ ศุภมงคล) indicated the US Embassy’s warnings for American tourists against approaching the rally venue on February 4 is considered normal.

Dr. Kantathi said that the US Embassy has issued warnings for American tourists against approaching the mass rally planned by Mr. Sondhi Limthorngkul (สนธิ ลิ้มทองกุล) on February 4 at the Royal Plaza. However, he said that the warning is normal, adding that no country wants its citizens to get involved with political rally in other countries. He added that he hoped no violence will occur in this rally, but said that the government will not have to give special explanations on this case, as he believed the US will understand. He added that the rally is similar to the demonstrations in Chiang Mai against the Thai-US FTAs talks.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Army commander insisted that it is unlikely that insurgents will cause problems during tomorrow's rally.

Army commander General Sondhi Boonyaratglin (สนธิ บุญยรัตกลิน) insisted that the reports on the southern insurgents’ planned movements to stir disorder during the February 4th rally are not true, asking all sides to believe in the officials’ operations.

Udornthani MP from Thai Rak Thai party, Dr. Wichai Chaijitwanichkul (วิชัย ชัยจิตวนิชกุล) earlier stated that insurgents from the three southernmost provinces will come to Bangkok to stir chaos on February 4 rally. However, General Sondhi said that is unlikely to occur, as the insurgents are not familiar with the areas, making it difficult for them to carry out attacks.

As for reports that 25 JI members have come to establish a camp in the southern provinces, General Sondhi said that the report is also unlikely. However, he said that related agencies in the region have been ordered to follow the news closely. He requested that all sides not worry about the issue.  

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 03 Febuary 2006

[Jai Dee]

PM insisted he will not resign.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinnawat insisted that he will not resign from his premiership, adding that he is not worried about the planned rally organized by media tycoon Sondhi Limthorngkul (สนธิ ลิ้มทองกุล) tomorrow.

Professors from the Rattanabandit (รัตนบัณฑิต) University or RBAC, headed by the university’s rector, Assistant Professor Sunee Sintudecha (สุนีย์ สินธุเดชะ) presented bouquets to the premier at the Government House yesterday, to demonstrate their support for the prime minister to continue his work. Prime Minister Thaksin thanked the delegates, adding that he will explain all issues clearly to the people during “the Prime Minister Thaksin Talks to the People” radio program this Saturday. He said that he hopes to make the people understand all issues, as some media have distorted facts and details to mislead the people. He said that the media should be neutral and report facts to the people who will be the judge of all cases.

Prime Minister Thaksin admitted that he is tired, but he must work to the best of his abilities as Prime Minister for the benefit of all Thai people. He asked the professors to work their best to teach the country’s youngsters.

Prime Minister Thaksin also insisted that he will not resign from his post, adding that everything will follow the law. He added that he is not worried about Mr. Sondhi’s rally planned for tomorrow.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 03 Febuary 2006

[george]

Despite calls to resign, PM reiterates he won't call it quits  

BANGKOK: -- Reacting to mounting calls by academics for his resignation, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Thursday reiterated he would not do that, but would continue to perform his duty to the utmost as entrusted by the 19 million citizens who voted for his  Thai Rak Thai (TRT) Party.

He said that on Dec 4, His Majesty the King gave a royal instruction for all Thai people to unify.

"In the democratic system, we must respect opinions of the majority, while paying attention to the minority. But it is not right if a handful of people come out and do something to please themselves," he told journalists here.

Mr. Thaksin pledged he would perform his duty to the utmost and would talk and explain a lot to the public during his "The Prime Minister Talks to People" programme this Saturday because many issues being publicised now are so distorted.

The prime minister said that some media members intended to report news in a distorted manner, but that most reported in an ethical manner.

"The media should act as a go-between and allow the public to decide. They should not act a critic." Mr. Thaksin said. "Some [reporters] do not want to understand although we try to explain. But there are some who really do not  understand.

"We have been elected by up to 19 million voters and so must do the job for the common benefit," the prime minister explained. "Of course, there are 7 million people who voted for the opposition Democrat Party, but the number is less than ours. All must accept the rules of society," he said.

Asked to comment regarding a rumour that he planned to resign, and that it caused panic-selling of
shares on the stock market, the premier said laughingly: "Wait for the next life. Everything must play
by the rules."

--TNA 2006-02-03

[grahamb]

marshbags, on 2006-02-03 08:49:36, said:

There where several videos shot and we watched them later in the confides of our homes.

They where taken to our overseas destinations when we visited them.

If anything does happen tomorrow, will CAT 'accidentally' close the international gateway? In 1992, it wouldn't have been easy to send video out, etc. but these days, it can be on the net in minutes.

[sierra01]

grahamb, on 2006-02-03 12:39:46, said:

marshbags, on 2006-02-03 08:49:36, said:

There where several videos shot and we watched them later in the confides of our homes.

They where taken to our overseas destinations when we visited them.

If anything does happen tomorrow, will CAT 'accidentally' close the international gateway? In 1992, it wouldn't have been easy to send video out, etc. but these days, it can be on the net in minutes.

I thought all the news boys use satellite these days, as they're filming it goes straight up and away?

[sriracha john]

Jai Dee, on 2006-02-03 09:50:31, said:

Army Chief General Sondhi Boonyaratglin (สนธิ บุญยรัตกลิน) said that it is unlikely that the insurgents can carry out attacks in Bangkok as they are not familiar with the areas

Such a wily and plotting General...  

This is a deliberate ploy by the General to make such buffonish remarks as the absurd above statement. By intentionally trying to sound like a complete moron by spewing nonsense, he lessens people's confidence in the Army to such a degree, they'll be afraid to come.

When the people read his lunatic comments they'll question how well the Army is able to control themselves in the situation.
They'll think, "This idiot could quite easily shoot me, by unintential fire, from his stupidity."

end result... few attendees at the rally

Pretty good one there, General...
but,
I got you all figured out....


We're on to you...  

[sriracha john]

Jai Dee, on 2006-02-03 10:03:34, said:

Foreign Minister indicated that the US' warning to tourists against approaching the rally venue tomorrow is normal.

Foreign Affairs Minister Kantathi Supamongkol (กันตธีร์ ศุภมงคล) indicated the US Embassy’s warnings for American tourists against approaching the rally venue on February 4 is considered normal.

Dr. Kantathi said that the US Embassy has issued warnings for American tourists against approaching the mass rally planned by Mr. Sondhi Limthorngkul (สนธิ ลิ้มทองกุล) on February 4 at the Royal Plaza. However, he said that the warning is normal, adding that no country wants its citizens to get involved with political rally in other countries. He added that he hoped no violence will occur in this rally, but said that the government will not have to give special explanations on this case, as he believed the US will understand. He added that the rally is similar to the demonstrations in Chiang Mai against the Thai-US FTAs talks.

Yep... the warning played right into Thaksin's hands with that one...

but a different take on the effects on tourism is reported from the actual travel-related businesses.

It's interesting that the tourism sector appears to feel the need to be addressed here so quickly when it seems distasteful to the tourists themselves that it is placed as a priority. Same as the Samui murder upsetting many that the tourism issue came up so quickly.


========================================================

Huge police force to keep eye on rally


Sondhi to reveal his protest plans today

Some 3,000 city police will be deployed to keep law and order at an anti-government rally planned for tomorrow at the Royal Plaza by media firebrand Sondhi Limthongkul and his allies. Another 10,000 police will also be on stand-by during the demonstration.

Back-up forces from the Crime Suppression Division will be called in if the rally turns violent, police sources said yesterday.

The demonstration is scheduled to kick off at 1pm tomorrow.

Mr Sondhi plans to conclude the rally by submitting a petition to His Majesty the King through chief Privy Councillor Gen Prem Tinsulanonda.

The petition will call for constitutional amendments and royal intervention to have Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra ousted from office.

Other sources said the rally is expected to be joined by about 50,000 loyal fans of Mr Sondhi's Thailand Weekly talk show, up to 80,000 teachers, farmers from the Northeast, opponents of the Thai-Malaysian gas pipeline project, followers of revered monk Luangta Maha Bua, opponents of a potash mining venture in Udon Thani, state electricity workers, and many other people.

A source close to Gen Prem said the privy councillor would be at his Si Sao Theves residence tomorrow, but it remained unclear whether he would come out to accept Mr Sondhi's petition to the King.

Army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin has ordered major army units in Bangkok to gather intelligence and put military police and anti-riot teams on stand-by.

However, Gen Sonthi said the military would not take any action unless the situation went out of police control and a state of emergency had to be declared.

A source close to Mr Sondhi said the Manager daily newspaper founder and his key supporters planned to make the demonstration a peaceful one, but they were also ready for any consequences should the government decide to quell the protest by force.

Mr Sondhi will hold a press conference today at Baan Phra Arthit, the Manager headquarters, to talk about the rally.

The source also said many pro-government people were flocking to Bangkok from the North, although government spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee had earlier mentioned a government ban on such groups coming to Bangkok for fear they might clash with anti-government demonstrators.

Opposition Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva warned the government to exercise restraint in dealing with the crowds at the rally or the prime minister would have to take responsibility if violence flared up.

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan said members of some agricultural cooperatives and other farm groups wanted to come to Bangkok to show their moral support for Mr Thaksin, but the ministry had asked them to abandon such plans.

Some agricultural officials said they had been asked to join a sign-up campaign, allegedly initiated by Khunying Sudarat, to show moral support for the prime minister.

Damrong Phidet, head of the National Parks, Plant, and Wildlife Conservation Department, denied news reports that forestry workers have been mobilised to stage an anti-Sondhi rally.
BANGKOK POST

Edited by sriracha john, 2006-02-03 13:24:26.

[charles]

sriracha john, on 2006-02-03 13:00:15, said:

Jai Dee, on 2006-02-03 09:50:31, said:

Army Chief General Sondhi Boonyaratglin (สนธิ บุญยรัตกลิน) said that it is unlikely that the insurgents can carry out attacks in Bangkok as they are not familiar with the areas

Such a wily and plotting General...  

Wow! If this is the level of intellect of the "Army Chief" then God know what his subordinates will be like.  All bets are surely off if they are out on the streets!  

Edited by charles, 2006-02-03 13:21:44.

[Jai Dee]

Here's a lengthy article from Bloomberg.com: Asia...

Thailand's Thaksin Faces His Biggest Anti-Government Protest

Feb. 3 (Bloomberg) -- A year after winning Thailand's most decisive election victory in decades, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra faces increasing dissent, falling popularity and the largest anti-government demonstrations since he came to power.

As many as 100,000 protesters will gather in central Bangkok tomorrow in a rally that prompted the U.S. Embassy to warn its citizens to stay away from the area.

Critics of the 56-year-old billionaire premier are angered by a share sale that earned his family a tax-free $1.9 billion last month. They also oppose plans to place public school teachers under the authority of local administrators and to sell shares in public utilities. Confidence in the government last month fell to its lowest in 10 months, a university poll found.

``It's a major political miscalculation on his part,'' said Chris Baker, the author of Thaksin: The Business Of Politics In Thailand.'' ``He's going to be pursued by people on this.''

Tomorrow, as many as 3,000 Thai police will be deployed to maintain public order, the U.S. Embassy said in a statement e- mailed to Americans living in the capital. Groups critical of protest organizer and government critic Sondhi Limthongkul may confront demonstrators, the e-mail said.

Thaksin, whose three-quarter majority was the most decisive election victory since Thailand became a constitutional monarchy in 1932, is also battling slowing economic growth. The Thai economy expanded an estimated 4.5 percent in 2005, according to the central bank, down from 6.1 percent a year earlier, on rising oil prices. It may expand as little as 4.75 percent this year, the bank said Jan. 30.

Confidence Slumps

Confidence in the government fell to 97.63 points in January from 99.99 in December, Suan Dusit Rajabhat University said on its Web site. That was the lowest since the state-owned university started the index in April 2004.

That slump is damping investor confidence and threatens to crimp a rally that has driven the nation's benchmark stock index up as much as 14 percent in the past three months. The SET Index was up 0.32 points at 744.86 at 11 a.m. in Bangkok, after losing as much as 1 percent earlier. For the week, the index has lost 2.5 percent and is set for its second weekly decline in three.

``The market is dominated by local investors and local investors tend to worry about political matters,'' said Lance Depew, who helps manage about $250 million for a hedge fund at Quest Capital Ltd. in Bangkok.

The Thai baht, which had risen 4.5 percent against the dollar in 2006, is set for its first weekly loss in five. It was down 0.8 percent at 39.31 at 9:13 a.m. in Bangkok.

`Not Worried'

Thaksin, who has led Thailand since 2001, is hitting back at critics. ``I'm not worried,'' he said this week. ``We can't just do everything that a minority is asking for as the majority is still expecting us to work for them.''

Criticism of the government increased last month when Thaksin's family, named Thailand's fourth-richest by Forbes magazine in 2005, sold its 49.6 percent stake in Shin Corp., which controls Advanced Info Service Pcl, Thailand's biggest mobile phone operator, its sole satellite operator, a television network and a half share in budget airline Thai AirAsia.

The sale, to Temasek Holdings Pte, a Singapore government investment agency, was the biggest corporate takeover in Thailand's history and netted the family 73.3 billion baht ($1.9 billion) -- exempt from capital gains tax because the transaction went through Thailand's stock exchange.

Reality TV

The stake was sold ``so there won't be criticism of conflicts of interest,'' Thaksin told reporters three days after he wrapped up a week-long reality television show where he lived in a tent to mentor civil servants tackling poverty in one of the country's poorest provinces.

The Thaksin family has denied any wrongdoing, acknowledging only that they incorrectly filled out a form on one transaction leading to the Temasek sale.

Protest organizer Sondhi, co-host of talk show ``Thailand This Week,'' which was banned from state television in September, has taken criticism of Thaksin and his cabinet into Bangkok's parks and streets with rallies and marches since November. The rally tomorrow is near a statue of King Rama V, on the same road as Sanam Luang, site of past protests including a 1976 military crackdown on a student rally that left dozens dead or wounded.

Mass protests have altered Thai politics on three occasions in recent history. In May 1992, General Suchinda Kraprayoon, who was a leader of a military coup a year earlier, had to quit as prime minister after King Bhumibol Adulyadej intervened to stop violence that saw soldiers kill at least 43 people when they opened fire on demonstrators who requested Suchinda's departure.

In October 1976, a period of democracy started three years earlier ended brutally when troops and militias cracked down on students gathered at Bangkok's Thammasat University. And in October 1973, Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn, a military dictator, was ousted in a popular revolt after soldiers shot at protesters. That violence killed at least 77 and left hundreds wounded.

Former Thaksin ally Sondhi drew parallels between his campaign against the premier and these earlier clashes on his Web site in December.

[george]

Here it is, brief summary:

Quote

The demonstration is scheduled to kick off at 1pm tomorrow.

Mr Sondhi plans to conclude the rally by submitting a petition to His Majesty the King through chief Privy Councillor Gen Prem Tinsulanonda.

The petition will call for constitutional amendments and royal intervention to have Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra ousted from office.

Doesn't look good for Dr. Thaksin.

[sriracha john]

Like rats leaving a sinking ship.... his Culture Minister (and high member of TRT) has just resigned:


Uraiwan resigns, undermines Thaksin

(dpa) - Thailand's minister of culture - the wife of the leader of a powerful faction within the ruling Thai Rak Thai party (TRT) - resigned on Friday, further undermining the stability of Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's government, analysts said.

Culture Minister Uraiwan Thienthong, the wife of veteran politician Sanoh Thienthong who leads the Wang Nam Yen faction in the TRT, said she had decided to resign for several reasons including the decline in political morality.

"I can't understand the current state of political etiquette and morality," Uraiwan told reporters. "A politician must have morals."

Edited by sriracha john, 2006-02-03 13:38:11.

[Jai Dee]

President of Muslim Association of Ayutthaya province urged Thai-Muslim people who will join Mr. Sondhi’s protest to behave in appropriate manner

Today, over 1,000 people from Ayutthaya (อยุธยา) Province have signed their names at the provincial Thai Rak Thai Party office to support Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The majority of them would like the premier to continue working for the country, especially in solving poverty and narcotic issues.

However, a group of Ayutthaya locals who supports the premier will join the demonstration led by media tycoon Sonthi Limthongkul (สนธิ ลิ้มทองกุล) at the King Rama V Equestrian Statue tomorrow (Feb. 4th).

President of Muslim Association of Ayutthaya province Pradit Rattanakomon (ประดิษฐ์ รัตนโกมล) referred to this demonstration that Thai-Muslim residents of the province did not have much reaction but admitted that a group of people have agreed with Mr. Sonthi’s objection. He stated that it is not possible to prohibit residents from joining the protest.

However, he has urged Thai-Muslim people to behave in an appropriate manner, to prevent unrelated Thai-Muslims from being harmed by the incident.  

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 03 Febuary 2006

[Oishi]

Scott123, on 2006-02-03 00:18:41, said:

Oishi, on 2006-02-02 12:39:40, said:

Not foreigners warned, but Americans :-)

This is an announcement from U.S. Ambassy, of course it is targeted to Americans.  Why would U.S. Ambassy care about foreigners from other countries in Thailand?  Those foreigns are none of U.S. Ambassy's bussiness anyway.

Yes Scott...but then the tread should have said Warning to Americans...but it said Warnings to foreigners....

[dan10400]

i am curious - does anybody actually plan in going?   unfortunately,
i am not expecting TV coverage, but it seems it could be one of those
things that happens where you just wish you were there (or not).

fence sitting at the moment.  

--dan

[bubba]

I just received a Nation SMS news alert saying that the British Embassy had just issued a warning similar to the one the American Embassy issued yesterday.

Here is the full text from the Nation:

British Embassy warns British to stay away from anti-govt rally
Published on Feb 03 , 2006

British Embassy in Bangkok Friday urged its nationals to avoid the anti-government rally planned for the weekend in Bangkok, which local

officials have warned could turn violent.

"A large political rally is scheduled for February 4, 2006 at King Rama V

monument in the vicinity of the national zoo and parliament building in

Bangkok," the British embassy said in its updated travel advice for Thailand.

"This could cause congestion and disruption. You should avoid large crowds

and demonstrations."

The US embassy issued a similar warning Thursday.

Tens of thousands of people are expected at the rally Saturday, where

anti-governmentprotesters plan to call for the resignation of Prime Minister

Thaksin Shinawatra.

Thai officials plan to deploy 4,500 police, and have warned that the

demonstration could turn violent.