Gaybutton Posted March 15, 2010 Posted March 15, 2010 There wasn't supposed to be a day 4, but the Red-Shirts are continuing and gave an ultimatum to Prime Minister Abhisit that he must dissolve the current Thai government by noon today or face the consequences of the Red-Shirts escalating their rally. Noon has come and gone and Abhisit has made it clear that he has no intention of giving in to these demands. According to estimates published in various news articles, the Red-Shirt numbers are somewhere between about 80,000 to 100,000 protesters and I seriously doubt those numbers are anywhere near sufficient to bring down the government. I still believe it is going to be more bluster, threats, and hype than anything else, although the numbers are sufficient to cause traffic chaos in Bangkok. So far it has all been peaceful and to my knowledge nobody has been hurt. We will see if it stays that way. Meanwhile, whatever is taking place, it's all in Bangkok. In Pattaya everything is perfectly normal and without reading about it in the media or watching it on television, you wouldn't know anything is going on at all. The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ PM Rejects UDD Demand, Rallies Continue Published: 15/03/2010 Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has rejected the red-shirt ultimatum to agree to dissolve the House by noon on Monday or face mass anti-government demonstrations. Mr Abhisit said on national television about 10am on Monday, two hours before the deadline, that he would not bow the demand of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD). "The protesters have demanded that I dissolve the House before midday today, but the coalition parties agree that the demand cannot be met," he said. His statement came as thousands of red-shirt protesters this morning marched on the 11th Infantry Regiment, where Mr Abhisit has been staying since the protest began, to demand an answer to their 24-hour ultimatum. Mr Abhisit reported to have flown out of the compound by helicopter after he issued the statement. The protesters left the Phan Fa bridge around 9am and planned to arrive at the barracks by midday to hear the prime minister's answer. "Midday today is the final hour we give Abhisit and his government. Abhisit says he won't dissolve the House, but with the people power today he will have to reconsider," said protest leader Natthawut Saikua, before the crowd departed. The protesters travelled in convoy to the barracks in trucks, buses, cars and pick-up trucks, promising non-violence and vowing to return to the main rally site after their doorstop. "We will come back here. We'll keep fighting," Mr Natthawut told the cheering red-clad crowd before it departed. Chiefs of state security units reportedly gathered at the 11th Infantry Regiment in Bangkok’s Bangkhen district in the morning to discuss measures to deal with red-shirt protesters. Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda and acting police chief Pol Gen Prateep Tanprasert were reported to have arrived at the military camp about 9am. They did not give any interview with reporters. Gen Anupong had on Sunday ordered troops providing protection at the 11th Infantry Regiment to refrain from using force to deal with the red-shirts. Army spokesman Sunsern Kaewkumnerd said about 2,000 soldiers were manning the 11th infantry army barracks, with three helicopters on standby to whisk leaders away if needed. "We will push out the protesters if they trespass into the base. The final step is that rubber bullets would be fired at them, but the army has no wish to disperse the demonstration," Col Sunsern said. The red-shirts had dubbed their rally a "million man march" but police estimated their numbers reached only 86,000. Protest leaders gave various figures, all far higher than 100,000. Authorities have deployed a 50,000-strong security force including soldiers and riot police across Bangkok and surrounding provinces for the rally, having invoked the Internal Security Act that allows the military to ban gatherings and impose curfews. ____________________ And this, from THE NATION: _____ Red Shirts March for Reply on House Dissolution Red shirts protesters on Monday march to the 11th Infantry Regiment in Bangkhen where the premier is inside to push for reply on House Dissolution. noon : A red shirts leader; Arisamun Pongruengrong, says the rally in front of the regiment would end at 2pm and the protesters would move back to Pan Fah Bridge. 11am : Public Health Ministry upgrades emergency service to a highest level following the red-shirts march to the peacekeeping operations command in Bangkhen. The ministry prepares extra beds, bloods and rescue cars in case of emergency. The upgrading is announced after it evaluates that the number of the protesters exceeds 50,000. 10.40am : Rear of the red shirts' procession is still at Sanam Luang while its head already occupied Paholyothin Road in front of the 11th Infantry Regiment. 10.20am : Red shrits arrive of the 11th Infantry Regiment in Bang Khen. Their rally almost paralyse Paholyothin Road near Prasimahatat Temple. 10.10am : Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says in a special television programme that red-shirt leaders used false information to incite protesters to clash with the authorities. He said the red-shirt leaders had been using doctored audio clips during the rally Sunday night to try to deceive the protesters that he ordered the use of force against them. The premier insists the government had no plan to use force against the protesters and the enforcement of the Internal Security Act was aimed at keeping law and order, not for suppressing the protesters. 10am : Abhisit announces the government could not give in to the protesters' demand for House dissolution. He insisted the demand could not be met before the deadline expires at noon Monday. He said his government would also have to heed opinions of other groups of people in the society. The prime minister was speakigng to a press conference after a meeting with leaders of coalition partners. He said all coalition partners reached the common stand that the protesters' demand for House dissolution could not be met. 9.44am : The first part of the red-shirt procession from Phan Fa Bridge reach the 11th Infantry Regiment in Bang Khen. They arrived mostly on motorcycles and some pick-up trucks. The regiment announced through loudspeakers to try to calm down the protesters while playing songs composed by His Majesty the King. 9am : The front part of the red-shirt procession from Phan Fa Bridge reached the Lard Prao Intersection on their way to the 11th Infantry Regiment in Bang Khen, TNN Channel reported. The front part is comprised of protesters on motorcycles. They stopped at the Intersection to wait for other protesters, who were travelling on pick-up trucks and other vehicles from Pan Fa rally site. The protesters plan to reach the 11th Infantry Regiment at noon when the 24-hour deadline for the government to dissolve the House expires. 7.45am : The Metropolitan Police Bureau advises motorists to avoid the Phechaburi Road, Victory Monument and the Phaholyothin Road as protests were heading to the 11th Infantry Regiment in Bang Khen to defy the Army. Pol Maj Gen Phanu Kerdlarppol, deputy metropolitan police chief, said the red-shirt protesters were moving the Pan Fah Bridge to Bang Khen, using Phetchaburi Road, passing through the Victory Monument and Phaholyothin Road, and could cause traffic snarls on the road. He says traffic congestions could spill to Ramkhamhaeng and Ladprao roads. Quote
Gaybutton Posted March 15, 2010 Author Posted March 15, 2010 This just in: The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Red Shirts Returning to Ratchadamnern Published: 15/03/2010 at 12:46 PM The red-shirt people gathering in front of the 11th Infantry Regiment on Phahon Yothin road have been told by their leader Veera Musikaong to head back to their main rally site on Ratchadamnern avenue. Mr Veera, one of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship's core leaders, made an announcement through loudspeakers from the top of a truck telling the red shirts to return to the Ratchadamnern avenue where UDD leaders would ponder their next moves to mount pressure on the government. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said in his televised speech from the peace-keeping operation centre in the 11the Infantry Regiment at about 10am, long before the arrival of red shirts, that he would not give in to the UDD's House dissolution demand, citing support from other parties in the coalition. Shortly after making his speech, the prime minister left the peace-keeping centre in a helicopter Quote
Guest RichLB Posted March 15, 2010 Posted March 15, 2010 The figures given out by the government are highly suspect. I don't think the protestors reached one million, but then I've not heard that number stated as a goal except by the government. If the government truly believed there were only 86,000 participating, don't you think calling in an additional 50,000 troops is a bit of an overkill? Hell, that means that every red shirt, just about, could have his own private guard. As to what I've been able to understand on TV, the PM left the barracks in a helicopter before the noon deadline. Those massing in front of the place now seem to be calling on the troops outside to join them - using an appeal that the soldiers mothers and fathers are among the red shirts. The bottom line is that the Red Shirts say they aren't leaving and the govenment says they will hold fast. I'm curious what contingency plans either side has in lieu of this stalemate. Both sides seem well organized and following a plan of some kind. I just wonder what that plan entails. Quote
Gaybutton Posted March 15, 2010 Author Posted March 15, 2010 Here's the latest - The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Reds to Scatter Blood at Govt House Published: 15/03/2010 at 02:12 PM United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) cofre leader Natthawut Saikua has announced that he will take one million cc's of blood from protesters and scatter it around Government House on Tuesday, a day after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva refused to bow to the group's demand for a general election. The drawing of blood will take place at 8am on Tuesday, according to Mr Natthawut. The blood would be taken from 100,000 volunteers, including protest leaders, he said. This would be a symbolic action. Cabinet ministers would have to walk over the protesters' blood when they enter Government House to work, he said. If the government still refuses to dissolve the House, then another million cc's of blood will be spilt at the Democrat Party headquarters, he added. The next target would Mr Abhisit's house, he said. ____________________ And this, from THE NATION: _____ Laos Issues Warning on Travel to Thailand Vientiane - The Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a travel warning for Thailand, especially to Bangkok where a mass protest was underway this weekend, media reports said Monday. The ministry warned the general public, officials, business people and students to avoid traveling to Thailand while the Internal Security Act is still in force, the Vientiane Times reported. The Thai government has placed Bangkok and parts of the capital's seven surrounding provinces under the security act from March 11-23 in anticipation of possible violence from protests. An estimated 100,000 protesters gathered in the capital this weekend in an effort to force the government of Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to resigns and call for new elections. About 30 countries have issued travel warnings to their citizens to avoid Thailand, especially Bangkok, if possible this month. The Lao Foreign Ministry also warned its citizens working in Bangkok not to go to the areas where the protests are taking place. There are an estimated 120,000 Lao nationals working as labourers in Thailand, which boasts a much bigger more successful economy than its communist neighbour but a less stable political system. Laos has been under singe-party communist rule since December, 1975. Protests and other signs of political unrest are unheard of in the land-locked country of about 6 million people. Quote
Guest lvdkeyes Posted March 15, 2010 Posted March 15, 2010 Do these idiots have any idea of the health risk they will cause by such a thoughtless act? Quote
Gaybutton Posted March 15, 2010 Author Posted March 15, 2010 Do these idiots have any idea of the health risk they will cause by such a thoughtless act? There is quite a bit of commentary about this on the Thai Visa forum: Red-shirts To Splash One Million Cc Of Blood On Govt House - Thailand Forum Quote
Gaybutton Posted March 15, 2010 Author Posted March 15, 2010 The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ UDD Blood Drawing Starts Tonight Published: 15/03/2010 at 04:10 PM The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship has contacted five hospitals for medical staff and equipment to help take blood donations from the red-shirt protesters, UDD core member Arisman Pongruangrong said on Monday. The UDD has announced it will draw one million cubic centimetres (cc) of blood from red-shirt volunters and pour it on the ground around Government House. Ministers would then have to walk on the people's blood to get to work. The announcement followed Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's rejection this morning of their demand for an immediate House dissolution and a general election. Mr Arisman said the UDD had asked for 20-30 medical staff from each hospital. The protesters would be first asked to donate 10cc of blood, starting on Monday night. UDD leaders would donate their blood on morning, said Mr Arisman, who said would give 50cc. "Donating of 10cc of blood would not be harmful to health," he said. A source said the Thai Red Cross Society, if asked, would not be able to help take blood from the protesters for a protest. It would assist only when blood is donated for other people, or taken for a health examination. ____________________ I hope the hospitals feel the same as the Red Cross, although they might cooperate in the idea that it is better to have this done professionally than by people who don't know what they're doing. Of course, even if the hospitals cooperate, what about the issue as to what will be done with the blood? Do hospitals even have the spare staff and equipment to draw blood from that many people? I've seen idiotic ideas before and I'll see them again, but this one should get some sort of stupidity award. Quote
Guest GaySacGuy Posted March 15, 2010 Posted March 15, 2010 I've seen idiotic ideas before and I'll see them again, but this one should get some sort of stupidity award. Definitely get the Studpiity Award!!! Do any of these people realize the health risk to everyone handling this blood?? NO!! What is going to be done to prevent infection from whatever might be in this blood when they are pouring it on the ground?? NOTHING!! It sounds to me like a tragedy in the making!! Quote
Gaybutton Posted March 15, 2010 Author Posted March 15, 2010 It sounds to me like a tragedy in the making!! I hope it doesn't come to that. It's very difficult to believe that intelligent people could have conceived such an idea in the first place, much less try to put it in place. First, if the blood is to be drawn in a safe manner, that means some sort of professional medical staff needs to do it. My guess is that most medical professionals would refuse to do it. I also guess that not only do they lack the time to participate in something this ridiculous, but hospitals simply don't keep sufficient supplies on hand to be able to do this even if they want to. They can't cannibalize their emergency supplies for this, so where does all the necessary equipment come from? In what kind of containers is the blood kept in once drawn? Who is the blood given to? Is it just handed over to each individual who had it drawn? Would a reasonable medical professional participate in such an activity knowing what is meant to become of the blood? Would a reasonable medical professional participate in such an activity knowing how it might affect his own career once it becomes known he was sitting there drawing this blood? How many man hours would it take to draw that much blood in small amounts from individuals? Second, I can't help but wonder if this very idea won't serve to backfire on the Red-Shirt leadership even if no blood is drawn at all. I wonder how many Thais would want the current government to step down in favor of letting geniuses who come up with ideas like this start running the show. I wonder how many Red-Shirt demonstrators will find this idea to be absurd and instead of participating decide to head for home. I wonder what Thaksin has to say about this idea. So far I haven't seen any comments from him about this. Meanwhile, there are more Thaksin sightings popping up than Elvis sightings. So far I've seen reports that he is still in Dubai, in Cambodia, in Montenegro, that he attempted to get permission to enter Germany (and that permission was denied). Wherever he is, further reports have him telling Red-Shirts to start up more protests in their home provinces. Way to go! Why not add inciting riots to the current list of charges? Quote
