cheekyboy Posted April 7, 2009 Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 Local News PAD plans revolt against red shirts Fears of bloodshed spark comeback plans By: POST REPORTERS Published: 6/04/2009 at 12:00 AM Newspaper section: News The People's Alliance for Democracy is pledging to stage a comeback and mount a counter-rally if the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship's political gathering on Wednesday escalates into violence. The PAD, which has kept a low profile since the Democrat-led coalition government came to power in December, fears the red-shirt rally could deteriorate into violence and lead to military intervention. Supporters of Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda will also hold a rally on Wednesday, raising fears they could be on a collision course with the red shirts. Gen Prem has said he would stay at home on rally day. PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila said core leaders of the alliance have monitored the UDD's movements and they shared the view that the UDD rally could trigger violence. He said the UDD leaders were pressing demands that are impossible to meet, which limits the chances of breaking the political impasse. He said the UDD leaders' drive against what they call "a government system dominated by the bureaucrats" is only creating a false impression that they are fighting for democracy. In fact, the anti-government campaign was designed to serve the vested interests of the UDD leaders and particularly to help clear the name of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Mr Suriyasai said. If the rally on Wednesday gets out of hand and degenerates into violence, the military could use this as an excuse to intervene, he said. This would play into the hands of Thaksin and would only support his argument that the country remained undemocratic. He said if the UDD did anything to provoke violence on Wednesday, the PAD would mount its own major rally. The PAD was concerned the UDD would lead the country into chaos by holding rallies. It could lay siege to important government places to force the government to bow to its demands - the tactics used by the PAD itself during its protests last year. "If the UDD tries to do damage to the country or to establish a new system of government, the PAD is ready to make a move against it straight away," Mr Suriyasai said. A group called A Patriots' Network yesterday took up positions outside Gen Prem's Si Sao Thewes home. Network leader Pradit Orn-rak said the group would block part of Si Ayutthaya road near the army club and set up a rally stage. Mr Pradit urged more people to join them on Wednesday to rally behind the privy council chief and to unite against the UDD and Thaksin. He said the group did not want to provoke confrontation or violence but intended to protect and defend the Privy Council. Mr Pradit said the red-shirt protesters had no right to protest in front of Gen Prem's home. Their demonstrations would be a violation of his rights and would not comply with the law and the constitution. Government House and parliament should be the place for them to call for democracy, he said. Democrat party spokesman Buranat Samutrak yesterday said Thaksin was trying to change the system of government and his video broadcast speeches had damaged the judicial system. In his video-link speech to his red-shirt supporters at a gathering outside Government House yesterday, Thaksin repeated calls for more of his supporters to turn up at Wednesday's rally. Thaksin again rejected allegations that he had tried to overthrow the monarchy. He stressed he wanted a democratic system with the King as head of state. Thaksin insisted it was the regime dominated by the "old-world" bureaucrats that he wanted to wipe out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheekyboy Posted April 7, 2009 Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 Deputy Interior Minister Thavorn lashes out at attackers on PM's car Deputy Interior Minister Thavorn Senneam was angry at pro-Thaksin protesters who attacked Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's car in Chon Buri, saying ex-premier Thasin Shinawatra should go back to hell. Thavorn said "Thaksin has been behind the red shirts' use of violence against the government. I cursed and wanted him to return to hell. I also asked to increase Thaksin's bounty to be more than Bt1m." He accepted that the attack which saw Abhisit's car damaged showed more violence could happen in the future. Therefore, tt was necessary to improve a plan to deal with D-Day rally scheduled Wednes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentors Posted April 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 Red shirts surround Gen Prem's residence Tens of thousands of red Shirt protesters have succeeded in marching past police barricades to surround residence of Privy Councillor Gen Prem Tinsulanonda whom they claimed was behind the 2006 coup. They started marching from in front of the Government House where they have occupied since last week to Prem's residence which is on Sri Ayudhaya road, about two kilometre from the Government House. The protesters then set up stages and the leaders took turn to speak through megaphones to criticise Prem. Since last night, dozens of soldiers and police were deployed at Prem's residence. Police had stepped up security at Prem's residence as concrete blocks, barbed wire and fire brigade water pumping trucks were placed to prevent protester access. More were deployed to the area on Wednesday morning after the red shirts announced that their target of the protest would be Prem. Fugitive ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has repeatedly accused Prem and other privy councillors of being the coup which toppled him from the premiership in September 2006. It is reported that Prem is in his residence. The protesters, known as the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), hoped that tens of thousands of their supporters from the provinces and metropolitan Bangkok will join what they claim as being larger that any previous demonstration in Bangkok. The event is focused on three locations -Government House, the Royal Plaza and Prem's residence. Earlier in the morning about 1,000 red-clad supporters of ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra gathered at Metropolitan Police headquarters, waiting for the demonstrators who will march from Government House to the home of Privy Council President. Thousands of red-clad demonstrators have rallied at Government House since March 26, demanding Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva step down, and calling for fresh elections. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said his government may have to take drastic action against protesters if their mass protest in Bangkok turned violent. He said his government is trying to avoid confrontation with the protesters demonstrating at the gates of his offices, blocking entrances for 12 days - since March 26. The government has been most lenient and will not initiate any violence against the UDD protesters, but "drastic action may have to be used", which if taken, will be intended to have "minimal losses or no loss at all," said the prime minister. The prime minister said he did not believe special laws such as using an emergency decree would enable state officials to do more than under normal circumstances. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/04/08/politics/politics_30099910.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torneyboy Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 The government has been most lenient and will not initiate any violence against the UDD protesters, but "drastic action may have to be used", which if taken, will be intended to have "minimal losses or no loss at all," said the prime minister. War talk... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TroyinEwa/Perv Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 If the rally on Wednesday gets out of hand and degenerates into violence, the military could use this as an excuse to intervene, he said. I missed this first time when I read cb's post. Firstly, the only ones so far who've been violent are the red-shirts and secondly, it certainly wouldn't be an excuse to intervene at all. It would be the right thing to do. What should the PM do, allow the red-shirts to have free run against whoever gets in their way?? No common sense on the red-shirt's part, IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentors Posted April 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 Over 40,000 protesters join Bangkok rallies at noon At noon Wednesday, the number of protesters at the four main rallies sites in Bangkok were estimated to be about 40,000. Police said the number of protesters was about 35,000 but reporters estimated about 40,000 people joined the rallies at the Government House, Royal Plaza, Makkhawan Bridge and in front the residence of Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda. But observers believe the number was higher because another huge group of protesters was waiting at Sanam Luang apparently waiting for orders of their leaders to join any of the four main locations. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/30099916/Over-40000-protesters-join-Bangkok-rallies-at-noon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drogon Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 40K protesters...in a nation with as many people... -> looking at recent protests in France, these numbers in LOS make me laugh (of course the government is not having fun) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 THE NATION 8 Apr 2009 Shinwatra Family Does a Runner Thaksin's three children and several other close family members of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra left Thailand ahead of the mass rally on Wednesday, sources said. They said Paetongtan Shinawatra, Thaksin's youngest daughter, left on Cathay Pacific's Flight CX750 to Hong Kong Monday's night. Also on the same night, Pintonta Shinawatra, the other daughter, left for England on Thai Airways International Flight TG910. According the sources, Somchai Wongsawat, former prime minister and ex-brother-in-law of Thaksin, and Pantongtae Shinawatra, Thaksin's son, left for United Arab Emirates on UAE Airlines Flight eX419 Tuesday night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drogon Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 Usually, in the middle of a "revolution" this is the reigning family trying to flee... First time I hear of revolution instigators fleeing after having launched it. -> could it be the "news" which blows their bubble?? Expose them for what they are? ( = cowards trying to start a civil war for their own profits) If Mr T had come to stand and fight for his own future -> I would have thought the man had guts (no matter what I think of his morals) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TroyinEwa/Perv Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 So he's obviously not in Hong Kong, London or Dubai. And he most likely hasn't snuck back in if the family is leaving. Shouldn't be that hard to follow where they go after they arrive. This guy can't be that hard to find. Off topic a bit but before the guy in the U.S. killed his 5 kids, the daughter found the mom using the GPS in her cellphone. If a trailer-park girl can do that, why can't a government find a former-PM who is a billionaire flashing his mug all over the place? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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