.. Posted November 26, 2008 Report Share Posted November 26, 2008 I am at a loss as to why they are not arrested -- gently carried away and charged with trespassing. One of two things: a) the PPP wants to look like martyrs or someone who cannot be named said not to. Cheers, SD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USVirgin Posted November 26, 2008 Report Share Posted November 26, 2008 Can you imagine the response from the cops in the US if protesters pulled the kind of shit at O'Hare or JFK that PAD is staging ? Protests are ORD and JFK are unnecessary. Flights operations are already automatically disrupted at those airports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.. Posted November 26, 2008 Report Share Posted November 26, 2008 That's not necessarily what the rank-n-file believes. Are you even in BKK? Do you know any PAD supporters? Have you talked with them? Didn't think so. * i live in bkk though right now am in a neighboring country for a couple weeks or so for work * yes' date=' i do know pad supporters * yes, i have talked with them (yes, in thai), both at their protest sites and "off-site" thanx not to be so arrogant and suppose you know anything about me (or much about the political situation)...[/quote'] Then you obviously have not listened to them, so to you I must sound arrogant. I understand, but that's not my problem. I'm talking about news sound bites of nutty Sondhi, but the normal folks who make up the bulk of the PAD. I seriously doubt you have talked to them, when you make quips about driving BMWs and such. Hardly true. And no matter what side you are on, advocating violence is just vile. But I'm not surprised given your past posts. Regards, SD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted November 26, 2008 Report Share Posted November 26, 2008 People keep going on about democracy. But within a democracy there are still rules. One of those rules required politicians to obey the laws and to respect the rights of the minority. Mr T didn't (and still doesn't) feel obligated to do so. The problem is ... neither do his opponents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.. Posted November 26, 2008 Report Share Posted November 26, 2008 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkoktraveler Posted November 26, 2008 Report Share Posted November 26, 2008 People keep going on about democracy. But within a democracy there are still rules. One of those rules required politicians to obey the laws and to respect the rights of the minority. Mr T didn't (and still doesn't) feel obligated to do so. The problem is ... neither do his opponents. True, but Mr. T had people killed just 'because' whereas PAD doesn't seem to be playing by those rules. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted November 26, 2008 Report Share Posted November 26, 2008 PAD has actually been rather amazing in sitting through daily attacks with deadly military weapons that have killed several of it members and maimed even more. It's regretable that PAD is now starting to react violently as well ... but understandable. Meanwhile, says the Bangkok Post: Hurting the country The People's Alliance for Democracy's blockade of the Motorway entrance to Suvarnabhumi airport is a wrong and unnecessary move. This ill-conceived disruption of one of the main roads leading to the country's most important international airport will get the PAD nowhere in its claimed agenda of toppling the government or any nominees of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, or of making Thai politics less prone to manipulation by money barons. In fact, this move will only further erode the rapidly dwindling public support, a hard-earned provision that the protesters badly need especially at this critical juncture of its campaign. The damage to the PAD, however, cannot compare with that caused to the country. Suvarnabhumi Airport is the main gateway to the Kingdom. The PAD's reason for the road blockage - to prevent Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat from returning home from Peru, where he has been attending the Apec summit - is ludicrous, as news reports say Mr Somchai will not be arriving in Bangkok until this afternoon, and he could very well choose to land elsewhere upon learning of the PAD's action. In fact, there are reports that authorities have prepared both U-tapao and Chiang Mai airports for the prime minister to land in case of emergency. So the PAD's road block only serves to hurt ordinary Thais going about their business and foreigners coming to Thailand on vacation or business. The PAD's march on the motorway entrance to the airport yesterday prompted members of its rival groups - the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) and the pro-Thaksin taxi drivers' association - to try a counter-attack. The resulting melee caused major traffic jams in and around the airport, resulting in extreme inconvenience for people who had to use the airport. This is absolutely not fair treatment for anybody at all. Beyond the day's immediate chaos, the impact of the PAD's reckless action on the country's tourism industry will be immense and difficult to rectify. Even before the PAD attempted its boneheaded move to partially block access to the civil airport yesterday, up to 14 countries had already issued advisories warning their citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Thailand, and to exercise caution if they do visit. According to Apichart Sankary, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, the protracted political tension is estimated to be costing the country 400 million baht each day in lost tourist revenue. The National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) has a similarly gloomy story to tell. Due to the higher cost of travelling and our domestic disturbance, foreign tourist arrivals were down 16.5% while the average rate of occupancy at hotels around the country dropped to 45%. Tourism-related revenue accounts for about 6% of the national economy, and had been forecast to reach about 700 billion baht this year - a goal that is unlikely to be met now. Put these figures into the context of real life and we will see a picture of so many people who depend on the industry for their livelihood, who will have to suffer more and more as those numbers keep going down. The PAD has the right to peaceful demonstration. But blocking access to an international airport does not fit that description. This latest action by the People's Alliance for Democracy comes closer to terrorising the public. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drogon Posted November 26, 2008 Report Share Posted November 26, 2008 Seems there is one person on this board who wants his little bloodbath... Sad but it might backfire if there is a bloodbath as he might as well get caught in it. About the "airport blockade", I seem to remember it happens from time to time in the west too, especially in case of a strike... and they don't send the army to slaughter the protesters. About the little fights, police has sided with the UDD before by letting these thugs attack the PAD, now PAD retorts in kind -> if the police was doing its job then this violence would not happen. Sadly, in this situation everyone has his own side and its own agenda and orders NB: It is interesting to note that more than a few EU newspapers report the PAD protestors as being "royalist supporters". Question, where will the PM land? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torneyboy Posted November 26, 2008 Report Share Posted November 26, 2008 Just saw our 5pm news ...live photos of protesters using hand guns and burning motor cycles and hitting people with iron bars ....sad day for Thailand... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentors Posted November 26, 2008 Report Share Posted November 26, 2008 Thailand has lost his smile! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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