Gaybutton Posted March 17, 2010 Posted March 17, 2010 The following appears in THE NATION: _____ 10 More Companies of Security Forces Deployed to PM's House Ten more companies of police and soldiers have been deployed to reinforce 6 companies of security officials at the house of the prime minister following the threat by red-shirt people to rally there Wednesday. The police and soldiers put up warped wires around the house of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Soi Sukhumvit 31 and strictly checked vehicles passing through the soi. The red-shirt people threatened to go to Abhisit's house to pour their collected blood in protest. No family members of the prime minister are inside the house Wednesday. ____________________ And this, from the BANGKOK POST: _____ Political Rallies Banned Near Govt Property in Chiang Mai Monk backing UDD hurls blood at soldiers Published: 17/03/2010 at 12:00 AM CHIANG MAI : Political gatherings have been banned in and around areas of government offices in this northern province to prevent the red shirts' local chapter from storming and damaging government property. Chiang Mai is the first province to prohibit protesters from organising political rallies near provincial government centre and other government buildings. Chiang Mai governor Amornphan Nimanant yesterday said security measures had been beefed up at key government buildings under the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act. Areas in and around key government offices have been put off-limits to political demonstrations from 6am until midnight every day. Violators will face a jail term of up to three months and/or a fine of up to 6,000 baht. Mr Amornphan said many Chiang Mai red shirt supporters who joined the rally in Bangkok had now returned to the province. Local community radios are now mobilising red shirt supporters. A close watch is being kept on them, the provincial governor said. At the same time, the UDD's local chapter in Chiang Mai organised a blood donation campaign in front of Grand Waroros hotel. About 1,000 cubic centimetres of blood was collected and the blood was divided into two portions. About 50 red shirt supporters splashed the first portion of the blood outside the provincial government centre after they tried unsuccessfully to storm it but were frustrated by security forces. Another group of red shirts led by Phra Khru Thep Sutthikhun made their way to the statue of Chao Kawila, a former ruler of Chiang Mai, to splatter the second portion of the blood. The statue is near Kawila military camp in Chiang Mai's Muang district. They were blocked by about 100 soldiers. Scuffles broke out before the monk splashed the blood on the soldiers and members of the media. Security has also been beefed up at local government offices in other provinces as red shirts begin to return home. In Pathum Thani, Pol Lt Gen Krissada Phankongchuen, chief of Police Region 1, told provincial police chiefs to provide security and protection at the provincial hall, the district office and other important local government buildings around the clock. In Ayutthaya, provincial governor Witthaya Phiewpong ordered defence volunteers to stand guard at the provincial hall and to keep an eye out for a suspect involved in inciting unrest and vandalism in the province. The security measures come after local red shirt leaders told their supporters to storm and use the provincial hall as a base to attack the government. In Nakhon Ratchasima, police and defence volunteers were deployed at key government offices. The number of fire extinguishers at the provincial hall has been doubled. Quote
Gaybutton Posted March 17, 2010 Author Posted March 17, 2010 The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Suthep: We'll Talk, if Thaksin Okays It Published: 17/03/2010 The government is ready for talks with the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, particularly its core leader Veera Musikhapong, on the condition that he must first get the green light from former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said on Wednesday. Mr Suthep made the offer as the UDD continued to mount pressure on the government for an early general election. The UDD's latest action was an attack on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's house with what the leaders claimed was blood drawn from red-shirt donors. "We are ready for talks, but, most important of all, Mr Thaksin must first show a clear stance. If Mr Thaksin orders it, we can talk with his men. "We want to see peace and order in the country. With Mr Veera, for one, we would not need an interpreter. Whenever he is ready, he can call me on the phone.. or send a signal. I'm easy going," said Mr Suthep. Mr Abhisit also mentioned earlier that he would be be happy to talk with Mr Veera. He said Pracharaj Party leader Sanoh Thienthong's suggestion that a national government be set up would be difficult to implement. Thaksin's real objectives in his fight were to take back his assets and be exempted from legal action. Moreover, a national government could not include UDD core leaders. The deputy prime minister said one possible way of resolving the ongoing political conflict was for all parties to come to see one another, and joint;y agree on how to amend the constitution. If the constitution was not acceptable to all concerned, then problems would again emerge when an election was held. In addition to this, all parties must firmly agree they would no longer organise protests. They should enter a social contract that while an election is being held they must not obstruct or harm one another in any way, Mr Suthep said. Mr Suthep, who is in charge of security affairs, said the government was concerned about reports of possible sabotage. He could not say whether the saboteurs would take orders from Thaksin. All he could say was that there were still some people who wanted to stir up unrest and hurt the country. Mr Suthep said the government would continue to take stringent measures until it was sure that there would not be any violence. The government would definitely not allow the seizure of important installations, including Suvarnabhumi airport, he added. The deputy prime minister admitted he was unhappy with Thaksin. The former prime minister had continued to phone-in and further widen the division between the Thai people. He said this tactic of Thaksin was used by the communists 20 or 30 years ago and should be no longer used. He felt pity seeing the red-shirts resort to their blood-spilling tactic, because this would only cause the world to believe that some Thai people were still superstitious and followers of black magic. The blood ritual the red-shirts performed at the Democrat Party head office had hurt the feelings of the Democrats and Government House officials, Mr Suthep said. He warned UDD leaders to adhere to peaceful means, because violence was not acceptable to the majority of the people. On his reported remark during a press interview that intelligence units of foreign countries had warned the government of possible sabotage, after bugging Thaksin's telephone conversations, Mr Suthep said he had not named any countries. He rejected Thaksin's call that he produce proof of the allegation, saying it would be unethical to reveal the sources. __________ "Thaksin's real objectives in his fight were to take back his assets and be exempted from legal action." Why do I think he's not exactly alone in that opinion? Quote
Guest GaySacGuy Posted March 17, 2010 Posted March 17, 2010 The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Suthep: We'll Talk, if Thaksin Okays It Published: 17/03/2010 The government is ready for talks with the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, particularly its core leader Veera Musikhapong, on the condition that he must first get the green light from former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said on Wednesday. I think this is one for the "I don't get it" list. Why would the current government provide any power or control to a convicted felon in exile??? Doesn't make sense to me. They should care less what Thaksin has to say?? Am I missing something??? Quote
Guest lvdkeyes Posted March 17, 2010 Posted March 17, 2010 If you are missing something so am I. Quote
Guest RichLB Posted March 17, 2010 Posted March 17, 2010 I think this is one for the "I don't get it" list. Why would the current government provide any power or control to a convicted felon in exile??? Doesn't make sense to me. They should care less what Thaksin has to say?? Am I missing something??? Yes, I think you are missing something. Clearly Thaksin continues to exercise considerable influence in Thailand. However, the Red Shirt movement - as I understand it - is not merely about restoring Thanksin to power. They are concerned with what they feel is an unjust court system (leading to their belief that Thaksin was unfairly found guilty) and a government they believe does not represent or have the best interests of the Thai people. In my view, Thanksin has become a figurehead of this group and if the country is ever to be brought together again his participation will be necessary. It seems to me that by holding talks the current conflict may become defused and Thaksin will either fade away into obscurity or be co-opted. Hopefully, the results of any such talks will be that the red shirts will give something and the government will give something and we can wait until next year when new elections are scheduled. Quote
Guest GaySacGuy Posted March 18, 2010 Posted March 18, 2010 Yes, I think you are missing something. Clearly Thaksin continues to exercise considerable influence in Thailand. However, the Red Shirt movement - as I understand it - is not merely about restoring Thanksin to power. They are concerned with what they feel is an unjust court system (leading to their belief that Thaksin was unfairly found guilty) and a government they believe does not represent or have the best interests of the Thai people. In my view, Thanksin has become a figurehead of this group and if the country is ever to be brought together again his participation will be necessary. It seems to me that by holding talks the current conflict may become defused and Thaksin will either fade away into obscurity or be co-opted. Hopefully, the results of any such talks will be that the red shirts will give something and the government will give something and we can wait until next year when new elections are scheduled. I don't think he will fade away if the current government continues to recognize him and provide him power. They need a "CIA" to snatch him up wherever and put him in a cell!! I hear that there is still a good "prison" in Udon Thani that we (The US) aren't using any longer with Cheney out of power! Quote
Guest gay_grampa Posted March 18, 2010 Posted March 18, 2010 The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Suthep: We'll Talk, if Thaksin Okays It Published: 17/03/2010 .... The UDD's latest action was an attack on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's house with what the leaders claimed was blood drawn from red-shirt donors. There were TV shots of some red shirts giving blood and pouring it at Government House. This was reported to have been diluted with a chemical to stop it clotting (and to make it look like a greater volume) I am prepared to believe that the first blood letting was real. But was there enough left over for the pouring at Abisit's house? I am skeptical that all that was poured was human blood. Most Thais I know are very timid where needles are concerned. Was animal blood mixed with it or even tomato juice? Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted March 18, 2010 Posted March 18, 2010 Mr Suthep said the government would continue to take stringent measures until it was sure that there would not be any violence. The government would definitely not allow the seizure of important installations, including Suvarnabhumi airport, he added I have just returned to Suvarnabhumi for my 2nd trip in 6 days. This time there is a marked increase in the presence of security forces on the road leading to the airport. At the expressway exit ramp, part of the road is blocked to allow for police and army personnel. Half way along the airport access road, there is a further security detail, but considerably smaller. I noticed no increase in security within the airport itself. Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted March 27, 2010 Posted March 27, 2010 Just for information, I was back at Suvarnabhumi this morning. An additional military check point has been added so that there are now three on the slip road from the motorway to the terminal building. Also I reckon there are now twice as many army/police on duty as last week. No noticeable presence within the airport itself, though. Quote
