Why Oh Thai?

Breaking their promises and moving the Three leaders to seperate locations isn't going to make the other dozen or so who remain free rush to surrender. Yesterday Abhisit and the Thai papers were full of concilliation stressing the fact that Thailand must come together and heal. If there is to be any chance of healing then those 'forces' that, it seems, can still command the governmen must stop interferring! "At this hour, with the power of the emergency decree in his hand, it is Abhisit - not the Army chief - who is the most powerful person in Thailand. " says The Nation. HA HA HA HA HA. Surely, not even Abhisit's mother believes that. Veera Musikhapong was moved to a Border Patrol Police base in Pathum Thani province, Nattawut Saikua was moved to Naresuan military base in Prachuap Khiri Khan and Weng Tojirakarn to a border police station in Kanchanaburi.

Well Reds, you can’t say you were not warned. It’s difficult to see why you decided to rush things and force a crisis which you were unlikely to benefit from. If you had listened to Buddha and abandoned your Red shirts and rallied to simply demonstrate your support, by the sheer number of people who turned up, you could well have strengthened that support. As it is you’ve played into the hands of your enemies and the media can happily paint you as black as they like while most people will simply nod, sadly, in agreement. Still, every cloud has a silver lining and at least this gives you an opportunity to distance yourselves from Thaksin and the accusations of being against the King. I’m not sure what Thaksin was hoping for but I suspect, like the Red leadership in general, he was simply suckered. Certainly a defeat for him but not necessarily for you. The state spin-machine will settle down in a few days and slowly the truth will emerge blinking into the dimly lit corners of the Internet and, possibly, be reflected by the few remaining Thai media outlets that don’t support the Elite. The International press will probably pick up on little nuggets of video and pics that will eventually become available, one way or another, and the world will probably get a chance to see a fairer version of the Black Songkran. Remember your goal is Democracy! The more people who you alienate the more chance you have that Abhisit will win when the inevitable election is called. So, don’t listen to anyone who tells you to fight, you must work! Work to make others realise that a TRUE Democracy is in their interests. Work to heal the extra divisions that this crazy weekend has caused. Work to prove to the world that you love the King and love your country. Work to make Thailand a land where all can live in peace and smile again. Don’t let yourselves be continually defeated by the Elite’s eternal strategy of divide and conqueror!

My guess would be that foreign interests saved things turning out a lot worse than they did, Chuck! The American ambassador had a quiet word before the trouble started and I expect he warned Abhisit of the problem he might face if a lot of people were killed. There was a very carefully worded statement from the US that the government tried to spin and say was warning to the Reds against using violence but was, in fact, actually a warning to both sides. I’m not convinced by the assertion of the army that they fired real bullets in the air but only blanks at people - it’s an excuse for the spent bullets. I mean why use real bullets at all if you have blanks? What goes up must come down! I think a lot will come out over the next few weeks to balance the one-sided propaganda but, the Thai media knows that first impressions count. Meanwhile faith in the Baht has reduced considerably with the worries about increased acts of terrorism. No winners in this battle but a lot of losers. There has been, what I consider to be ludicrous, allegations by members of the fascist press that the army (Anupong) and the police were paid by Thaksin to support a Red coup but somehow at the last minute Abhisit replaced them and saved the day :O) In reality, it's one of the oldest tricks in the book to make you opponent over confident, pretend you can't stop him because you're fighting fair and he isn't, wait for the public outrage to reach its peak and than flatten your opponent using a kick to the groin :O)

Hahaha :O) To be honest I'm surprised that the army doesn't stop protestors. Although there were reports that Reds were prevented from going to Bangkok for the rally. Where ever you travel in Thailand nowadays there seems to be check-points. It used to be that coaches were just waved through but now the driver usually has to stop and check in. Recently I was on a coach heading to Pattya and the army stopped the bus and several Europeans were asked for their passports. It gets much worse as you go South though especially as you get closer to Phuket, Krabi and Trang. They're not the problem but I expect the army is worried that terrorist might try to go North. ***************************************************** Checking my facts I see it was claimed that the police and army were helping Thaksin start a Red revolution and not a coup. Seemingly, the government is finally so angry with Thaksin that they have revoked his Thai passport. Well I expect that means he can't go back to get his 76 Billion Baht then... well, what a surprise that is :O) I can guarantee that there is absolutely no truth to the rumour that they sent him an email that said: "We might be bent but your money's spent :OD " ****************************************************** It seems that already rumours of Reds being shot and killed by soldiers are starting to appear. If it turns out that many people were shot by the army and it was covered up… It will probably destroy Abhisit’s career and ruin his public image forever. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/04/16/politics/politics_30100613.php

Well, the Bangkok Post had made me smile with its smashing, splashing, Songkran snap. The green water pistol in the pic was just like mine:O) But, they've moved the article and removed the photo. Now it just has a Songkran statistics box :O( http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/15086/water-fun-warms-up-in-capital Songkran Casualties: 81 dead on Monday and 940 injured! There must have been a lot of traffic that day in spite of the road blocks! Maybe it includes people like those found dead, bound and gagged, floating in the river? It seems the murdered men were security guards who worked at the KGS compound and had allegedly gone to join the Red Rally. Yes, Chuck, I wonder what Thaksin would have done without it?

Too true, Chuck! You get the feeling that the fools in power are more concerned with winning than King or Country... and the people can't look beyond the colour of their T-shirts. I think there will be a change in attitudes quite soon simply because there has to be!

Thanks for that Chuck! Let's hope Sondhi is not badly hurt he's a lot more dangerous to the Elite than he is to the Reds nowadays. No, luckily it's minor injuries... or maybe not. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/04/17/politics/politics_30100677.php Sondhi (had) "...a bullet lodged in his skull, causing bleeding inside his brain." but "...has no wounds on his body." The Nation. Notice the clear conflict with the foreign report on MSN! http://news.uk.msn.com/world/article.aspx?cp-documentid=16145686 "Mr Sondhi was shot in the shoulder and grazed by another bullet near his eyebrow." WEll, I thought I'd never say this but - it might be a good time to start watching ASTv :O) Abhisit says that the state of Emergency will be maintained to help restore peace and order. Which, I believe in a way... because the Red leaders are currently held under the power of the S. of E. and would otherwise probably get bail. Meanwhile, Abhisit, in his continued effort to bring 'free speech' to Thailand has begun dismantling red shirt networks by raiding and closing down community radio stations. Will it be ASTV next? It worth noting that although the Reds didn't take my advice not to wear their 'clan' shirts I notice that PAD did. Easy then to be 'residents' or 'bystanders' or 'extra police personnel' or maybe even slip on a Red T-shirt as the need may be :O) ***************************************************** It's the same the whole world over... http://news.uk.msn.com/uk/article.aspx?cp-documentid=16141042

PAD wants protection but from who? PAD are worried that during a State Of Emergency the surveillance cameras were seemingly out of order and troop and police stationed at every intersection somehow faled to notice the heavy weapons. PAD leaders have asked for the removal of the national police chief, military commanders, the director of the Armed Forces Security Centre and the director-general of the National Intelligence Agency. In the meantime none of the PAD leaders want protection from the government, understandably, preferring to use their own men. Knowing the hypocrisy in Thai politics I thought it might have been PAD themselves who actually tied to kill Sondhi. They have shown in the past they have ability and skill to circumvent surveillance cameras and the neccesary firearms and special training used to break into the National Secutity Centre in the Government Enclosure or even lay seige to an airport or two. However, it is possibly the Elite, who no longer need PAD, trying to kill two birds with one stone... Stop Sondhi from squawking and underline their power to do as they please. Whoever the people behind the attack on Sondhi might be it does spotlight the recent, dubious, hype that Abhisit is finally in charge of the country... while many of us doubt he's even in charge of the Democrats.:O)

If only they could drive Chuck! Here's something that worries me a lot more than the current situation in Thailand: I notice that the Bush concept of self-defence, bomb them now just in case they get WMD later, is still popular in Israel as it stands ready to bomb Iran's nuclear sites. Is it okay then if Iran bombs Israel who undoubtedly already has nuclear weapons? I was beginning to think that the Iraq war was simply that it "had good targets while Afghanistan did not" but I'm back to thinking it was because Saddams latest missiles could reach Israel and Bush was happy to bomb Iraq for Israel and Shock and Awe the world.

Yes, but it works doesn't it. Never mind the quality feel the threat :O)

Har Megido (הר מגידו)? Where's Blair? Well, I never... http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/feb/16/tony-blair-prize

LOL :O) Dan David was born in Romania and joined a Zionist youth movement at the age of 16. Later he moved to Paris and then immigrated to Israel in 1961. He founded The Dan David Foundation in 2000 with a $100 million endowment and it is presently chaired by Itamar Rabinovich who was Israel's Chief Negotiator with Syria (1992-1995) and also ambassador to the United States from 1993 to 1996. Still, most of Blair's million dollar prize went to a good cause. The Tony Blair Faith Foundation. I expect a lot more people have faith in Blair now!

Meanwhile back in Thailand. A police bounty totalling One Million Baht is being offered for information leading to the arrest of twenty red-shirt co-leaders. Seemingly there is no favouritism it is simply 50,000 Baht per suspect. Suspected of what? Maybe being Simply Red - it's obvious they're expected to sing :O) It's strange that since Abhisit became PM that all these Million Baht rewards have begun. Strange in that Abhisit has recently pledged to borrow the maximum amount he can possibly get... but maybe he is planning to pay for a lot of expensive seats for his production of 'A New Charter' which opens in the Political Theater in a couple of weeks! Come to think of it... that might explain why Abhisit is so keen to talk to the Red leaders. Being a modest man he wants to avoid a standing ovation.

It seems that the Thai government allege that a group of about 10 people are suspected of feeding lies to the International media and are to be closely watched by security agencies. According to the Thai media the group are believed to have left the country in the last few days and are disseminating a "different version of events and accounts" to the world press. You would think that if they've left the country the 'watch' can't be that close. I hope they don't mean me... it's been a really beautiful day here in the UK though, Spring at last!

Many a true word spoken in jest Chuck! Perhaps that's the problem the world over; too much information... and not enough truth. I worry a bit for Sondhi L as I feel he's been used and abused and there is worse to come. The reason I say that is that I've noticed his speedy promotion from "one of the core leaders of PAD" to "Co-leader of PAD" to "Leader of the PAD." Makes me think that if they can't kill him they'll burden him with all PADS sins and jail him for a long time... then all his squawks will simply be, like Thaksin's, attempts at revenge. Anupong admits bullets found at the scene of the attack on Sondi L were part of a lot assigned to the 9th Infantry Division in Kanchanaburi. Anupong also said that use of live rounds in the Songkran crackdown was in self-defence. Prem says Thaksin was never an enemy (I presume he means of the country because we've seen his face when Thaksin was near) but he should cease his political activities. Reds can rally but must stay clear of govenment property - does that include roads :O) An advisor for the Constitutional court says that if the government wants to give an amnesty to banned politicians that's okay - no disrespect to the court who banned them in the first place. Well, that's probably because it is the same people who ordered them banned that want to unban them innit :O)

Prem, former Thai prime minister and the head of His Majesty the King's advisory council said he never thought he would have so many enemies wanting to use violence against him. Asked if he thought he might be in danger Gen Prem said: "I have no idea. But please make a note that I say I don't have enemies and never consider anyone my enemy. Even Thaksin is not my enemy." Puzzling, so Prem says he has lots of enemies but he doesn't consider them enemies, err, maybe... Gen Prem says he prays to Phra Siam Devathiraja, the Thai guardian angel, to inflict misfortune on individuals hostile to the country. The question is are there any individuals who are hostile to the country? Sure there are many individuals who are hostile to Prem and to the Abhisit government but not to the King or the country. My whole argument for Prem's retirement is that he still thinks like a soldier 'If they're not for you then they are against you!' but he has somehow concluded that HE, and what HE stands for, is the country. It is obvious that a mood of reconcilliation is spreading throughout Thailand. Everyone is starting to see that the divisions cannot continue and must be healed. So, Prem, for the sake of the country you love so much, retire and, let some new blood into the Privvy Council, and new thinking which isn't so black and white or, perhaps, Red and Blue! Meanwhile the state of emergency in Bangkok is over and the three Red leaders are expected to make bail.

General Prem, you should consider that if, as you say, your opponents are not your enemies then it might be better if you started asking the angel to bless Thailand rather than curse your enemies. Surely you can see that in the game of chess (between the Yellow gold and the blood Red) that Yellow has always had the rules changed in its favour. You can't expect people to stick to your rules if you don't stick to the rules of the game. Only the players for the favoured team enjoy a biased umpire - everybody else, including the favoured's spectators, eventually sicken at the farce of the game. It's not really about Red or Yellow any more it's about restoring the people's faith in justice, fairness and the rule of law. Consider that you should be looking for ways to make Thailand smile again (the King's wish to Abhisit was "Make my people happy."). Consider that you may be a good soldier but a poor advisor. Consider that if you try to hold onto the past by damming the river of change the higher you build your dam the more destruction it causes when it inevitably collapses.

You could be right, Chuck. Maybe I should have said 'To whom it may concern' :O) You have to admit that it does all seem to centre around Prem and his 'boys' (most of the military leadership). It was Prem dressed in all his military glory that told the armed forces that they must choose King over country just before the coup. It was Prem's best friend who was made PM and Prem is the King's chief advisor, the only obvious power throughout all the troubles. Could all be coincidence and the real problem is the angel :O) Actually, thinking about it - telling the armed forces they must choose King above country not only suggests that Prem knew about the planned coup but also that he believed Thaksin was against the King, or wanted his 'boys' to believe he was. Maybe Prem is the real PAD leader - I wonder if that's Sondhi's secret ;O)

The key phrase to bear in mind is from one of Prem's 'boys' - "the tyranny of the majority." The 'elite' want the power back and so they are trying to roll back Democracy. It's a bit like a game of cricket where some of the crowd that support the team that's bowling threaten the umpire so he calls the first batsman for LBW and rules that the whole side is out! The umpire then decides the whole team should be banned from cricket for five years and says the reserves have a few days to form a new team. Then, since it is a good wicket the other team starts the batting while the new team tries to find some decent bowlers. So their supporters threaten the umpire and are beaten up and thrown in jail :O) Well, its just NOT cricket is it :O) I have to say that after giving it a bit more thought: if Prem is the secret leader of the PAD it would immediately make a lot of seemingly complicated questions have very simple answers. Looks like Abhisit has been burning the midnight oil. Proposal for National Unity: http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/ThaiTalk/2009/04/24/entry-1

Well, I'm hoping that the true scale of the sense of injustice has finally got through to Abhisit that and he might make a good PM after all. One last thought on the proposed constitutional changes to include amnesty for banned politicians. Surely what's needed is a retrospective look at the the reasons each one was banned. If it was circumstantial evidence, or simply because they were part of a team that had one bad apple, then their names should be cleared. Those who were innocent must be shown to be innocent while those who were guilty should stay banned! Thailand need to show that the Justice system can judge itself, that it acknowledges that those who steered the verdicts were biased and the law corrupt. It's bad enough for a military government to include new laws to facilitate removing anyone who opposes their agenda - but it is the judges who judged how to apply these laws, how to circumvent Justice and fulfil the will of their masters. It is these judges who should be banned from the Justice system - for politicians can only make laws but judges rule them!