PAD Lay Siege On Government House, NBT TV Station

[skooldaze]

I QUOTE: "Today's protest is an extraordinary one. We will do everything possible to make sure the state mechanisms stop working. But we will not do anything to cause trouble to the people," Mr Sondhi said.

Sure! Everytime the PAD protests they cause trouble for people. Schools have been forced to shut down, roads blocked so people can't get to work or worse yet, to hospital for emergency services. Protests are suitable in their appropriate place, but what the PAD is doing is shutting down people's ability to function. They're selfish plain and simple. I'm no Thaksin or Samak fan, but these people are going way to far and will spur bloodshed as a result of their extreme behavior.

Edited August 26, 2008 by skooldaze

[p1p]

with respect, likening the PAD to the third reich is so spectacularly misinformed as to be downright offensive.

Well said that man!

Anybody who chooses to refer to the deeply corrupt Taxin government, or his current puppet regime as democratically elected is also severely misinformed.

Taxin bought his way into power by wholesale vote purchase from the rural Thais. 1M Baht per village buys a lot of votes. He retained power the second time by7 simply threatening to demand repayment of the loans etc. every villager took out from his 1M Baht scheme. Democracy? My @ss!

[george]

Are there any TV links to watch on the internet?

http://www.manager.co.th (ASTV)

[hansnl]

These people are a pain in the arse. Protests never solve anything.

Actually, sir, democracy is an uncomfortable feeling in the nether regions.

For which side, well, that is the question.

For the protesting side, I have a feeling they feel pain nor discomfort.

For the protested side, guess they don't like it, but that is the general idea behind the protest.

It is called, democracy.

Freedom of expression, freedom of gathering, freedom of protest.

Of course protests like this disrupt something, whatever.

Irritating for you, maybe, but I gather you are from elsewhere.

So, you have no alternative but to look and wonder at democracy at work.

So sorry.

How sad, never mind.

[cmsally]

PAD. People Against Democracy... Taking over tv stations? I though they are a law abiding mob.... I guess we can almost compare this to how Lennin or Hitler got into power back in the day.... Maybe a lot different today but still the same ideas are being used. Taking over tv stations, police station etc... Im dissappointed that some members on this forum are out there now supporting these people... Let's hope it will just be a minor event....

It is more about what is happening behind the scenes and away from the rally that will determine what happens. Though dramatic and maybe inflammatory the PAD demonstration is just a minor event in the real war, but it does send a message and it does distract from other players and issues.

Quite correct, the only hope is that the PAD will be seen to become merely troublesome and not a means to the end. If this happens be prepared to see its leaders in very hot water or maybe a long holiday in somewhere like China. In Thai politics what goes up must come down. The higher up it goes the further it has to fall. Or maybe they will just trip themselves up in the process, we shall see.

[george]

Thai Protesters Storm TV Station in Bid to Oust Samak (Update2)

BANGKOK: -- Hundreds of Thai anti-government protesters stormed a state-run television station in Bangkok for a second time today, forcing it off the air, as part of efforts to drive out Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.

Wielding flags and wearing yellow scarves, demonstrators rocked the building's gate back and forth for about a minute before police retreated and they stormed the building, according to pictures broadcast on NBT before it went off air.

``We are going to protest all over town to oust Samak,'' said Parnthep Pongpourpan, an organizer. ``Samak has tried to stop our rallies so many times but he cannot. We expect that he will resign under the pressure.''

The People's Alliance for Democracy, a protest group that accuses the government of failing to support the country's monarchy, says it's holding a final effort to oust Samak today after three months of daily demonstrations. They plan to block roads, seize ministries and close Phuket and Hat Yai airports to to force out Samak, who they say is a nominee of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Earlier this morning, police detained 80 people and collected dozens of golf clubs and foot-long knives from protesters who tried to take over the station, said Surapol Thuanthong, a police spokesman. Police had managed to secure the office before the second wave of protesters.

Air Ventilation Shaft

``My instinct said I couldn't stay there any longer,'' Jirayu Huangsup, the NBT anchor who was on air before the station went blank, told Thai PBS channel. He escaped the building through an air ventilation shaft, he said.

Yesterday Samak warned that protesters would be ``dealt with'' if they acted violently today. He said a weekly cabinet meeting scheduled for today would proceed.

``We are compiling evidence for charges of an attempt to overthrow the government,'' Surapol told Thai PBS after the second break in. ``We have forces, but we will try to avoid more violence.''

A People's Alliance spokesman condemned the use of weapons and encouraged police to arrest those who break the law.

``Some people can claim they are from the People's Alliance and we don't have DNA tests to prove whether they are or not,'' said Parnthep Pongpourpan, a protest organizer. ``We request that policeman follow the law and arrest those people.''

The protests today could trigger another coup and lead to violence, said Somjai Phagaphasvivat, a political science lecturer at Bangkok's Thammasat University. Two years ago, protests by the same group led to a coup against Thaksin. The protesters are led by Sondhi Limthongkul, a former Thaksin business associate who fell out with him in 2005.

``We have a tale of two cities, and these two groups could never be reconciled,'' he said. ``The military may need to serve as the judge.''

-- Bloomberg 2008-08-26

[hammered]

Didn't Sondthi deny earlier in the day that it was PAD raiding the NBT and now he announces they have taken over.

Seems a bit strange if my memory is correct.

What will now happen now, is everyone will be doing a quick rundown on what their personal situation is and who will best serve their interests and choose sides accordingly. Those who are useful to either side may "jump ship" if they see a winner emerging.

This has nothing to do with democracy and voice of the people. Anybody believing that is just volunteering themselves as a pawn in the power game.

This could set up to be one very nasty power game.

An excellent comment if you dont mind me saying so. It would seem though considering the combatants that there is probably only one side who will be able to win. That is not to say the other side cant draw it out for a bit longer yet. It is howver coming to a head and unless a temporary ceasefire can be agreed to allow time for talks, deals and defections it will probbaly be quite messy.

[p1p]

Are there any TV links to watch on the internet?

Yes - See my earlier post. It is HERE

[wxpwzrd]

with respect, likening the PAD to the third reich is so spectacularly misinformed as to be downright offensive.

Well said that man!

Anybody who chooses to refer to the deeply corrupt Taxin government, or his current puppet regime as democratically elected is also severely misinformed.

Taxin bought his way into power by wholesale vote purchase from the rural Thais. 1M Baht per village buys a lot of votes. He retained power the second time by7 simply threatening to demand repayment of the loans etc. every villager took out from his 1M Baht scheme. Democracy? My @ss!

I agree... Sadly this thread is full of similarly misinformed minds and posts.

Edited August 26, 2008 by wxpwzrd

[george]

No coup : Gen Anupong

BANGKOK: -- Army Commander in Chief Gen Anupong Paojinda reiterated on Tuesday that there will be no coup d'etat to quell the ongoing chaos caused by People's Alliance for Democracy-led protest.

The army will not get involved in the situation, he insisted. He was speaking after the protesters stormed into National Broadcasting Television office on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road on Tuesday morning.

-- The Nation 2008-08-26

Army chief: Soldiers won't stage a coup

BANGKOK: -- Army chief Anupong Paochinda vowed that soldiers will not stage a coup d'etat while anti-government group People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) rallied at important venues around Bangkok.

"Soldiers will not stage a coup," he said during a radio interview on Tuesday morning.

Gen Anupong also told people to stay calm and that they should not panic.

"It is police's authority to take care of the situation," he said. "Soldiers will not get involved."

-- Bangkok Post 2008-08-26

[fuzedcon]

with respect, likening the PAD to the third reich is so spectacularly misinformed as to be downright offensive.

Well said that man!

Anybody who chooses to refer to the deeply corrupt Taxin government, or his current puppet regime as democratically elected is also severely misinformed.

Taxin bought his way into power by wholesale vote purchase from the rural Thais. 1M Baht per village buys a lot of votes. He retained power the second time by7 simply threatening to demand repayment of the loans etc. every villager took out from his 1M Baht scheme. Democracy? My @ss!

What has that to do with armed PAD thugs storming a TV station and ordering personal off their desks?

And if you watch TV news - you can clearly see the arms they carried during that raid.

If you read their "new politics", their position regarding the temple issue, and listen to their nationalistic rants - then comparison to Fascist and Nazi ideology is not too far off.

Just because they are against a corrupt government doesn't make their own philosophy any less fascist.

[hammered]

No coup : Gen Anupong

BANGKOK: -- Army Commander in Chief Gen Anupong Paojinda reiterated on Tuesday that there will be no coup d'etat to quell the ongoing chaos caused by People's Alliance for Democracy-led protest.

The army will not get involved in the situation, he insisted. He was speaking after the protesters stormed into National Broadcasting Television office on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road on Tuesday morning.

-- The Nation 2008-08-26

Ah so he is back from Malaysia. If the translation is correct an intereesting statement. "The army will not get involved in the situation, he insisted". Is that aimed at assuring of no coup or aimed at letting the government know no state of emergency? Or both?

[wxpwzrd]

What has that to do with armed PAD thugs storming a TV station and ordering personal off their desks?

And if you watch TV news - you can clearly see the arms they carried during that raid.

If you read their "new politics", their position regarding the temple issue, and listen to their nationalistic rants - then comparison to Fascist and Nazi ideology is not too far off.

Just because they are against a corrupt government doesn't make their own philosophy any less fascist.

Well it could be said that the methods necessary for facing your enemy are determined by your enemy.

[wrecker]

There is only one word for the PAD. SCUM. People who do not understand how democracy work. people who prevent hundreds of thousands of people from going to work and make a living.

When ill the government and the courts seize the money used to pay these professional protestors. it is obvious that they have never ever worked themselves. They are for hire. Cutting electricity in a BTS station is not only illegal it is dangerous and endagers lives. They need to be sentenced to life inprisonment

[george]

Protesters try to take Thai state TV off-air

BANGKOK: -- About 80 armed anti-government activists broke into the studios of Thai state broadcaster NBT on Tuesday to try to halt programming as a prelude to a major demonstration against the seven-month-old coalition.

Police arrested the group, who were armed with two pistols, golf clubs, sling shots and knives, NBT reported on air after the attempted disruption.

"Today is the people's revolution day, so we want NBT to stop broadcasting,"NBT chief Surayont Hoontasan quoted one of the protesters as saying.

"They shouted 'Get out, get out' at us repeatedly. All 150 of us were rounded up for a short while before police arrived and talked them down to the ground floor," newscaster Soifah Osukonthip said on air.

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), a motley group of royalist businessmen and academics, is hoping to draw "hundreds of thousands" of people to Tuesday's rally outside Government House, their latest attempt to unseat the elected government.

Police say they are expecting only up to 35,000.

The stock market, which has shed nearly 23 percent since the PAD launched its campaign on May 25, is expected to fall, although analysts said it was as much to do with overnight weakness on Wall Street as the latest political events.

The baht also weakened to around 34.25 against the dollar in early trade, its weakest since November, compared to 34.09 on Monday evening.

The PAD denied any involvement in the raid on the television station by the group, who were wearing black and had their faces covered. NBT initially reported the group was about 40 strong.

"This is nothing to do with us," PAD leader Pibob Thongchai told Reuters. "We will have to wait for the results of the police investigation to find out who these people are."

National police spokesman Surapol Thuanthong said on Monday police would not confront the demonstrators, but would be backed up by fire trucks and ambulances. He did not say how many riot police would be deployed.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, accused by the PAD of being a proxy for ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, said in a televised speech on Monday he was not threatened by the rally and would hold his weekly cabinet meeting as usual.

"If they break any law, they will be dealt with accordingly," Samak said.

However, a government minister said on Tuesday the venue for the cabinet meeting would have to be changed due to a protest blockade of the government headquarters.

After police detained the 80 protesters inside the NBT compound, PAD leaders at a semi-permanent protest venue in central Bangkok called on their followers to march on the broadcaster.

NBT briefly went off air after showing pictures of hundreds bursting through police lines.

-- Reuters 2008-08-26

[mjcl]

The army will not get involved in the situation

I guess PAD has the army's vote.

[h90]

PAD. People Against Democracy... Taking over tv stations? I though they are a law abiding mob.... I guess we can almost compare this to how Lennin or Hitler got into power back in the day.... Maybe a lot different today but still the same ideas are being used. Taking over tv stations, police station etc... Im dissappointed that some members on this forum are out there now supporting these people... Let's hope it will just be a minor event....

Hitler was democratic elected....Would have been good if a German PAD would have kicked him out.

[StevieH]

What has that to do with armed PAD thugs storming a TV station and ordering personal off their desks?

And if you watch TV news - you can clearly see the arms they carried during that raid.

If you read their "new politics", their position regarding the temple issue, and listen to their nationalistic rants - then comparison to Fascist and Nazi ideology is not too far off.

Just because they are against a corrupt government doesn't make their own philosophy any less fascist.

it's very far off. i'm not aware of the PAD advocating genocide and attempting to wipe out the jewish race. well, not yet at least.

[george]

PAD threatens to besiege Channel 3

BANGKOK: -- The People's Alliance for Democracy threatened Tuesday to besiege Channel 3, claiming it presented biased news against the PAD.

Sondhi Limthongkul was sounding opinions from the demonstrators at the Makkhawan Bridge whether they should move to surround Channel 3.

-- The Nation 2008-08-26

[cmsally]

Didn't Sondthi deny earlier in the day that it was PAD raiding the NBT and now he announces they have taken over.

Seems a bit strange if my memory is correct.

What will now happen now, is everyone will be doing a quick rundown on what their personal situation is and who will best serve their interests and choose sides accordingly. Those who are useful to either side may "jump ship" if they see a winner emerging.

This has nothing to do with democracy and voice of the people. Anybody believing that is just volunteering themselves as a pawn in the power game.

This could set up to be one very nasty power game.

An excellent comment if you dont mind me saying so. It would seem though considering the combatants that there is probably only one side who will be able to win. That is not to say the other side cant draw it out for a bit longer yet. It is howver coming to a head and unless a temporary ceasefire can be agreed to allow time for talks, deals and defections it will probbaly be quite messy.

I think we can infer that you are pretty well informed.

I find it very disheartening that so many people take this at face value. Both Thais and foreigners alike. When you have combatants who are clearly not interested in the well being and reputation of the country and its people the last thing to do is to be taking sides.

[wxpwzrd]

There is only one word for the PAD. SCUM. People who do not understand how democracy work. people who prevent hundreds of thousands of people from going to work and make a living.

When ill the government and the courts seize the money used to pay these professional protestors. it is obvious that they have never ever worked themselves. They are for hire. Cutting electricity in a BTS station is not only illegal it is dangerous and endagers lives. They need to be sentenced to life inprisonment

So what word you do use to describe the Thaksin/Samak twins and government? Honest? Law-abiding? There is other conversations implying they paid their way to office too. I might consider that SCUM as well.

[gymshark]

You are joking right?

Protests brought the MAgna Carta and the beginnings of democracy to Britain.

Protests brought women the vote.

Protests brought independence to India and a great many other countries.

Protests brought the end of segregation to the US and the end of the Vietnam war.

Protests are what change things in a democracy.

indeed. the million man march, for example. protest is a democratic right and frankly a social duty. anyone thinks that protests solve nothing is talking out of their arse due to their head being firmly in the sand.

These days it is generaly accepted that protesters that take to the street feel they are forced there because they can't get into the positions of power and that means that their political actions are doomed to failure before they start, the amount of campaigns and social movements that have been successful are very few and most back in history, these days they are little more than gestures.

As for Vietnam, the reason there was such a show of solidarity is because the youth were protesting en masse, not because they disagreed with the war but because they didn't want to fight.

[Foggy Bottom]

BBC World Asia today has just started

Top of the news is the Pakistan situation followed by that Bollywood Road Tour show to promote Indian Cinema

No mention of events in Thailand yet

Ho hum

[LoongJohn]

There seems to be something missing in this whole business.

I can understand the Thai people wanting to oust the present Government - but what do they propose to put in its place. If not Samak or one of Thaksin's toadies - then who?

And can anyone tell me the name of a Thai leader who wasn't corrupt?

This isn't a rhetorical question - I'd really like to know...

[silomgwm]

These people are a pain in the arse. Protests never solve anything.

I agree - you have only to look at People Power in the Philippines to see that

[moo9]

The army will stay out, but how long?

Edited August 26, 2008 by moo9

[PeaceBlondie]

Of course non-violent protests work, far better than warfare works. Roughly one third of all people on the planet now live in countries that were liberated through non-violent protest, since 1945. But it takes good planning, excellent execution, and good luck - which PAD may not have.

[Insight]

Is anybody aware of a plan after the govt has resigned? Military command, even though everybody acknowledges it would be far from the best choice for the country?

As much as I despise the current lot - Thaksin, Samak, Chalerm - I can understand how this can be viewed as anarchy.

[h90]

There seems to be something missing in this whole business.

I can understand the Thai people wanting to oust the present Government - but what do they propose to put in its place. If not Samak or one of Thaksin's toadies - then who?

And can anyone tell me the name of a Thai leader who wasn't corrupt?

This isn't a rhetorical question - I'd really like to know...

HM the King honored Chuan as beeing never corrupt in one of his speeches.

The Democrats had corruption, but far, very far away from what you see now.

[WISteve]

Of course non-violent protests work, far better than warfare works. Roughly one third of all people on the planet now live in countries that were liberated through non-violent protest, since 1945. But it takes good planning, excellent execution, and good luck - which PAD may not have.

The army will stay out of it.

Until there is a clear winner.

~WISteve

Edited August 26, 2008 by WISteve