rovineye Posted January 28, 2003 Report Share Posted January 28, 2003 And how many photos of the King? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Hippie Posted January 28, 2003 Report Share Posted January 28, 2003 Figure every shop has one, often comprised of family heirlooms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 28, 2003 Report Share Posted January 28, 2003 I'm not convinced there were no people in any of the shops/bars when this happened. Maybe when the clean up starts we'll see some real tradiigy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamui Posted January 28, 2003 Report Share Posted January 28, 2003 Quotation from BBC News "The incident will clearly affect our image because we have been campaigning that Thailand is a safe place" Tourism minister Sonthaya Khunploem ------------------------------------------------- Latest news from BANGKOK POST (January 29, 2003) link SUKHUMVIT SQUARE DEMOLITION Five senior army officers named Raid plans found in shop, bar wreckage Post reporters Five senior army officers have been named as likely suspects behind Sunday's gangland-style demolition of Sukhumvit Square nightstrip. The names were compiled by Maj-Gen Trairong Intharathat, adviser to the prime minister. The list reached Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday, a source said. The five were Lt-Gen Sit Sitthimongkol, a staff officer at the Defence Ministry reportedly close to Maj-Gen Sornchai Montriwat, former secretary to Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh; Col Chamnan Masamran, attached to the army headquarters; Col Apirat Kongsompong, chief-of-staff of the 11th Infantry Regiment and son of the late Gen Sunthorn Kongsompong; Lt-Col Himalai Phiewphan, an officer of the Supreme Command and adviser of Ideal security guard company; and Col Arkom Kruenak, now retired and an executive of Ideal. A cabinet source said Mr Thaksin believed Lt-Col Himalai plotted and directed the raid. A piece of paper containing plans of the attack was retrieved from the razed site. The prime minster approved drastic action against the raiders and the masterminds. State officials implicated would be immediately suspended from duty. The government would also attend to the grievances of the traders and broker talks between them and the management of the square. The source said Mr Thaksin had instructed the Attorney-General's Office, through his deputy Visanu Krue-ngam, to deal firmly with all culprits. ``Anyone who handles this issue lightly without serious commitment, I will make sure they never see the light of day again,'' the source quoted Mr Thaksin as telling his cabinet yesterday. Lt-Gen Sit categorically denied any involvement. Col Apirat also insisted he had nothing to do with the raid but admitted knowing some executives of Sukhumvit Silver Stars, the firm which owns the square. Lt-Col Himalai also denied any involvement. His General Guard Co, affiliated to Ideal, was hired by Nickel Co to send security guards to Sukhumvit Square. His guards arrived after the demolition was over. None of the raiders were from his company, said Lt-Col Himalai. Traders at the square put total damage to their properties at 50 million baht. Lt-Col Himalai is known to have close ties with Maj-Gen Intharat Yodbangtoey, a Chiang Mai senator, and Gen Akradej Sasiprapa, former deputy supreme commander. Lt-Col Himalai said General Guard was contracted by Nickel Co to keep the traders out of Sukhumvit Square because of an ongoing lease dispute. Tisco, a financial firm, originally leased the 15-rai property on Sukhumvit Soi 10 to BTR Holding Co, which sub-leased the land to operators of small businesses ranging from beer bars, internet service shops to antique stores. Later, Tisco wanted to sell the prime property to Sukhumvit Silver Stars Co and did not renew contract with BTR. After the contract expired, BTR continued to collect rents from the traders, resulting in Tisco suing the firm. Sukhumvit Silver Stars later bought the land for 496 million baht and became the square's rightful owner, but could not make use of the area due to the ongoing court battle. Sukhumvit Silver Stars sub-leased the land to Nickel Co, said to be owned by a former beauty queen close to Gen Akradej. All 140 suspects arrested after the raid, including 15 non-commissioned military officers, have been charged with trespass during nighttime, and with damaging other people's property. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shotover Posted January 28, 2003 Report Share Posted January 28, 2003 Good point. Does anyone recognize the temple shown in the photo in this link? http://www.bangkokeyes.com/gestapo/html I can't tell if this was its original location, or if it was moved to this spot along with the few computers we see sitting around. I'll bet the owners haven't recovered these computers yet. I did hear some bar owners allowed back into the ruins recovered some unbroken (and not stolen!) whiskey bottles. Amazing that anything breakable could survive this assault. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paillote Posted January 28, 2003 Report Share Posted January 28, 2003 Says check_bin_krap: There was a piece in the Norwegian newspaper VG today with pics of a Nor/Thai couple who lost 2 bars. It also said there had been some speculation in Thai media that a row between ministers in the government could have something to do with it (??). There was also pic of the site. Cheers! That barowner is working as a correspondant for VG and most probably wrote the article himself. Doubt it would have made it to the paper if this guy was not personally involved. Paillote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 29, 2003 Report Share Posted January 29, 2003 This is getting more and more interesting... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 29, 2003 Report Share Posted January 29, 2003 Thanks for the post. Having now read some of the names here, I say say that there is a lot more "high level" politics here than would or will meet the eye. Also now understand the PM's "mafia" remark. Oh the back rooms are a jumping tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJsushi Posted January 29, 2003 Report Share Posted January 29, 2003 Sounds like this could be the excuse some have been wating for to get rid of some old or potential enemies and create some new alliances. Why else would the PM take the time out of his schedule to visit a location of former "beer bars"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 29, 2003 Report Share Posted January 29, 2003 Sounds like this could be the excuse some have been wating for to get rid of some old or potential enemies and create some new alliances. Why else would the PM take the time out of his schedule to visit a location of former "beer bars"? emphasis on "old" not what was done, but who did it. ain't politics great? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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