What the red wants

So we went to see red yesterday, a large revolving quite middle class crowd with many lovely puddle and pugs, even clad in red was a major distraction. We have seen the most awesome little dogs and puppies joining the red. Summary of many speakers, in short.

1. The government will not resign and people of all color must take side now to protect democracy from PAD and the Constitution Court. Democracy means an elected government will not be removed because of a protest (and a subtext that an elected party will not be disbanded?). They also condemn any proposal that include the PM to resign and the dissolution. By the way, the PM is working hard in the North and Northeast.
2. Mass mobilization to listen to the verdict on the 2nd of December, because of the undue process.
3. Using the “sen[sai]” to support PAD was not OK. The message was received with strong claps of feet clappers.
4. PAD must leave the airports and the parliament. No support for
5. Thaksin is not guilty of all charges, first because his Rachada land case and Ms. P’s cases were personal misconduct rather than political corruption as accused. A speaker said,”In Rachada land case he signed a release, acknowledging his wife’s transaction not as the PM, but as her husband. A couple has to do this before any transaction… “Well that is the red clarification of insider trade. Second, because people who judge him was appointed from CNS and Finally, because he is democratic.
6. Sonthi used his bloody sanitary pads against Kowit Wattana. They were thrown into Kowit’s house.

What they would do next
1. Go to Constitution Court, as Bangkok Post confirmed.

“On Tuesday, so many people will go to the Constitution Court that there will be no place to stand, and the judges will not be able to enter to pass their verdict,” UDD leader Chatuporn Phomphan told the crowd.

2. To do something on the 6th December, mass rally or sort of

Side Package:
1. Music, was not as good as PAD, particularly PAD has professional musicians like Ngah and Job2Do.
2. I have not seen anyone offered anyone’s money in return. We have been offered a meal in plastic bag, which was not bad, some red banner.

Note
1. The crowd as we saw today are, according to external appearance and some chat, mainly Bangkokians middle class. Some even bother to dress as Santa.
2. Thairath said Thaksin is in Cambodia
3. Foreign photographers and journalists did not wear bullet proof vests like at PAD.

We went to respective home, a bit disappointed that the measures to take back the airports and ensure that people who want to return home can do so in timely manner was not discussed. Probably a petition table at Khao Sarn?

Filed under: Political Sciences

Dedicated to PM and Mr. you-know-who

I’m going to Sanam Lunag today after a grad workshop had been canceled due to fear of unrest (dudes, you should check out Surapol Nitikraipoj’s comment. )

And here is the answer from PM.

Filed under: Political Sciences

PAD called Songkla supporters to Bangkok, claimed Police fired first

นย์ข่าวหาดใหญ่ – ด่วน! มวลชนพันธมิตรสงขลาฯ และพื้นที่ใกล้เคียง ให้มารวมตัวกันที่ ลานประวัติศาสตร์ สถานีรถไฟชุมทางหาดใหญ่ เนื่องจากได้เกิดเหตุรุนแรง ตำรวจได้ยิงปืนใส่พี่น้องพันธมิตรฯ ที่สุวรรณภูมิแล้ว

วันนี้( 29 พ.ย.) มีข่าวรายงานด่วนจากสนามบินสุวรรณภูมิว่า เมื่อเวลา 9.23 น. เกิดเหตุเจ้าหน้าที่ตำรวจจำนวน 200 นาย ตรึงกำลังเข้าประชิดพันธมิตรประชาชนเพื่อประชาธิปไตย ที่ตั้งด่านสกัดอยู่ตรงทางขาขึ้นสุวรรณภูมิชั้นที่ 4 โดยเจ้าหน้าที่ได้ยิงปืนใส่ประชาชนแล้ว

จึงประชาสัมพันธ์ถึงพี่น้องพันธมิตรสงขลาฯ และพื้นที่ใกล้เคียงมารวมตัวกันที่ ลานประวัติศาสตร์ สถานีรถไฟเป็นการด่วน เพื่อระดมพลออกมาแสดงพลังพร้อมปฏิบัติการเคลื่อนไหวในพื้นที่ ความคืบหน้าผู้จัดการออนไลน์จะรายงานให้ทราบต่อไป
Awwwwwwww…..

Filed under: Political Sciences

A long November

At 6.22 am, Chamlong called people at the government’s house to join protesters at suvanabhumi airport. Earlier roadblog by nine cars were removed by the police. Chiang Mai supporters guarded over Somchia’s house.

I was napping in the evening, then a call at 11 pm, asking waht I was doing. When I said I was napping, my friend snapped, “The country is plunging deep in cirisi, how can you nap?” After reading hate comment in web boards, I start to realized that the Suvanabhumi can be taken back, but the people are less and less tolerant. The middle path, silent or non-partisarn were back fired from both sided. Red blasted yellow. Yellow hit back. Some of then could go very extreme and graphic in reducing the other to sub-human beings. I felt like we are moving fast to ground zero, where the whole reconciliation programs will have to implement nation building. How can the people who take different sides can disagree, smilingly and remain intact in the same country is a mission more chalenging that taking back the airport.

After reading a forwardedmail from Dr. Weng, I was also concerned that the same measured will resurface after the constitution court implement its quick decision to disband party. The red will gather at Sanam Luang by Sunday in support for authority to take “appropriate action ” against PAD, support the government and to show their disapproval to a looming coup. I am still partial to show my support against a coup there as I don’t have any favorite color and hatred really make me sick. Several reporters to this prolong “last war” was said to experience the same sypmtom of discomfort. [ see also Masarou Emoto experiment with water and a body is 70% of water]

Reasons does not work. Actually reasons are relative. When reasoning with someone who argee with you, it is reasonable. There are many side of reasoning. Mobious strips. However, disagreement can be more searing than before.

I would love that Bangkok Post translate and Op-ed at Matichon. Even it was a slow realization. People with power will remain protected. The PM is now:

In a dramatic sign that anarchy was creeping in, government spokesman Suparat Nakbunnam said Mr Somchai would remain in Chiang Mai “indefinitely.“

“As there are still uncertainties in the tensions between the government and army, for his safety the prime minister will stay in Chiang Mai,” he said.

Good for you, PM.

In the same article, Somsak Kosaisuk vowed “We are not afraid. We will fight to the death, we will not surrender and we are ready,” it was not the leaders to die. PAD may have less supporters but the ability to generate hate is threatening.

Now you have to be careful what and who to relate a political discussion with. I saw friend stop talking to one another. Another friend got an SMS reply from another friend “Be a nun, then,” to her prior message calling “Peace, mindfulness and nonviolence to restorethe country.”

Filed under: Political Sciences, PADs, politics, reconciliation

Coup Prevention Howtos (with text)

Got a forwarded mail saying people should withdraw or close their bank account, block main roads and express way, guard over tv stations in case of a coup and block gates of of their barracks. But then the army chief said won’t do it, no?

The email was “signed” by Dr. Weng Tochirakarn, UDD (under a new facelift: Democratic Alliance)

From: webmaster@nocoup.org
Subject: แถลงการณ์สมาพันธ์ประชาธิปไตย

แถลงการณ์สมาพันธ์ประชาธิปไตย

มาตรการต่อต้านรัฐประหารอย่างสันติวิธี

ในสถานการณ์ปัจจุบันมีสิ่งบอกเหตุหลายประการที่จะเกิดการรัฐประหารยึดอำนาจโค่นล้มระบอบประชาธิปไตยอันมีพระมหากษัตริย์ทรงเป็นประมุข

สมาพันธ์ประชาธิปไตยในฐานะที่เป็นองค์กรที่ยืนหยัด “ต่อต้านเผด็จการ สร้างสานประชาธิปไตย”มาโดยตลอดตั้งแต่ก่อกำเนิดมา จึงขอเสนอมาตรการต่อต้านรัฐประหารอย่างสันติวิธี ตามที่ระบุไว้อย่างชัดเจนในมาตรา 69 ของรัฐธรรมนูญ2550 “บุคคลย่อมมีสิทธิต่อต้านโดยสันติวิธีซึ่งการกระทำใดๆที่เป็นไปเพื่อให้ได้มาซึ่งอำนาจในการปกครองโดยวิธีการซึ่งมิได้เป็นไปตามวิถีทางที่บัญญัติไว้ในรัฐธรรมนูญนี้”

ในทันทีที่เกิดการรัฐประหารสมาพันธ์ประชาธิปไตยขอให้ประชาชนรีบ

1. นำเอาสิ่งเหลือใช้ทุกชนิดที่เคลื่อนย้ายง่ายเช่นยางรถยนต์ ถังขยะ ท่อนไม้ กิ่งไม้ มาขวางถนนที่เป็นเส้นทางผ่านของรถถัง รถบรรทุกกำลังพลของทหาร(ยีเอ็มซี รถจิ๊ปทหาร)เป็นต้น โดยเฉพาะอย่างยิ่ง ถนนวิภาวดีรังสิต ถนนสายเอเซีย ถนนเพชรเกษม ทางด่วนขั้นที่หนึ่งขั้นสอง โทลเวย์ ทางมอเตอร์เวย์ เป็นต้นแล้วจุดไฟเผาสิ่งเหล่านั้นถ้าจำเป็น

2.รวมตัวกัน ไปล้อมรอบสถานีโทรทัศน์ทุกแห่ง อาทิเช่น ช่อง 3 5 7 9 เอ็นบีที ทีพีบีเอส เพื่อ

ไม่ให้ทหารเข้าไปยึดสถานีโทรทัศน์ และให้สถานีโทรทัศน์ออกอากาศเรียกร้องให้ทหารกลับเข้ากรมกองทันที

สถานีวิทยุรวมถึงสถานีวิทยุชุมชน และ เครือข่ายอินเตอร์เน็ตทุกแห่ง ต้องสื่อสาร ออกอากาศต่อต้านการรัฐประหารด้วยสันติวิธีและเรียกร้องให้ทหารกลับกรมกอง

3.รวมตัวกัน ไปปิดล้อมกองทหารทุกแห่งที่ใกล้บ้านและเรียกร้องให้ทหารอยู่ในกรมกองของตน

4.รวมตัวกันไปถอนเงินและปิดบัญชีธนาคารทุกแห่ง

5.ปิดสถานที่ทำการทุกแห่งทั้งเอกชน และราชการ(ยกเว้นโรงพยาบาล) ไม่ไปทำงานไม่ว่าจะเป็น

เอกชนหรือราชการ โดยประชาชนจะต้องตระเตรียมเสบียงอาหารให้พอเพียงเอาไว้อย่างน้อยหนึ่งสัปดาห์ เพื่อทำให้ประเทศเป็นอัมพาตภายในเวลาสั้นๆเพื่อทำให้การรัฐประหารต้องยุติลง

6.รวมตัวกันภายในจังหวัดของตนเองเพื่อ ต่อต้านรัฐประหารในทันที เช่น รวมตัวกันที่สนามหลวงในกทม.อนุสาวรีย์พระเจ้าตากที่ธนบุรี ริมท่าน้ำนนท์ ที่ศาลากลางทุกจังหวัดเป็นต้น

ระบอบประชาธิปไตยอันมีพระมหากษัตริย์ทรงเป็นประมุขเท่านั้นที่จะสร้างความเจริญรุ่งเรืองให้แก่ประเทศไทยเฉกเช่นอารยะประเทศทั้งหลาย และความขัดแย้งทางการเมืองไม่ว่าจะรุนแรงแค่ไหนย่อมแก้ไขได้โดยวิถีทางรัฐสภา ตามครรลองรัฐธรรมนูญเสมอ ต้องไม่ทำรัฐประหารไม่ว่ากรณีใดๆ

สมาพันธ์ประชาธิปไตย 28 พฤศจิกายน 2551

นพ.เหวง โตจิราการ

กรรมการสมาพันธ์ประชาธิปไตย

หากท่านไม่ต้องการรับข่าวสาร คลิกเพื่อทำการยกเลิกการรับข่าวสาร http://www.nocoup.org/maillinglist/formmailcancle.php หรือ

Filed under: Political Sciences

Patience

Now the best weapon against the government by People’s Alliance for Somchai to Resign (PASR) can ignite several comment that the PM should resign. In Inept Under Siege, by Atiya Achakulwisut, Editorial Pages Editor, Bangkok Post, it is stated that:

I can sympathise with people who accuse Mr Somchai of being a puppet of his famous brother-in-law. He does look like a puppet, after all. The country is on the brink of a civil war and he had nothing to offer but the awkward stuttering over a poorly-prepared script which did not address the serious issue at hand.

As people are literally being beaten to death because of the colour of their shirts or their presumed association, the premier told Thais to play the proud and generous host to expatriates during the upcoming Asean summit, so that the world may appreciate our ability and potential.

Did the PM just go to Peru, or to outer space? Doesn’t he realise there might be no Asean summit unless he puts his brains to work and frees Suvarnabhumi from the siege?

I can’t call on PM Somchai to resign now, as it would mean bowing to what is essentially tantamount to an act of terrorism by the protesters. The PAD can’t be allowed to enjoy any sense of triumph after its damaging aggression at the airport and they must be taken into account for their treacherous act.

However, Mr Somchai and his cabinet must realise that it is their complete ineptitude – selfishness in some cases – that gives life to the PAD. It is their flaws which give the PAD a reason to exist. They are the “government.” They are here to “govern” the country”, not to outwit the PAD at all costs.

It can be argued that if only they had tried to do their jobs properly and not functioned only as a PAD rival, things would not have deteriorated so badly.

In a perfect-world scenario, a government that couldn’t defend its own seat of power – let alone an airport – from protesters, would have offered its resignation. To put all the blame on Army chief Anupong Paojinda is beside the point, they have been in charge of the country all the time. In Thailand, however, the democratic etiquette has yet to take root. We are hacking one another to death to defend our version of democracy after all.

At this point, I don’t think the government or the PAD cares how much damage they would do to the country and the people, with their high-stakes battle of wills. An appeal on altruistic grounds would thus be useless. (Emphasis added)

There are also some people sending SMS with “PM must stepped down,” probably with the same mentality that he could not “govern” or ensure law and order. The cabinet and the government’s “ineptitude” to end the siege and restore public order was probably the last tactic that PASR can use to create fail state and fail government or PM. When people would be worrying about export, tourism and investment, they could ask for a path which is less resistance and with more official responsibility. I am wondering if we would see “PM, please resign” thing more as PASR grew more persistence on their claim of space (not the number of people). It is not that people turned to welcome PASR, but the toll they have to pay, according to the government would be too high to carry on. If no one can make PASR quit, then to ask for a much needed peace, they might have to force a sacrifice out of the unwilling PM and his in-law to end it and save hemorrhaging country.

Still the pro-government will continue to pressure that they might address the issue personally and end it, yet this would not be good to the country, according to media and the public opinion. It would thrust PASR with its long awaited opportunity to cry “Government brutality, They allowed it to happen.”

An appeal to Somchai to resign because he contributed to the damage is extremely unfair. He should tend his resignation only when he or the cabinet of government alliance parties think that he cannot handle the situation. The next elected representative from PPP or any political party would risk the same fate. He could not safe democracy or avert the situation, but he can save rule of law against mob rule by just staying right there, even if he can do nothing.

It might hurt the country, but we need a lesson and a deep scar.

Filed under: Political Sciences, airport, bangkok, politics, siege

Preparedness

People are ready. The mood in web boards are rather intense until. Uproars of kill, harsh measures and doing anything to get protesters/prime minister out of the way were seriously expressed without inhibition. It is the web and not many people care who you are. The more subtle tone was ready to witness anything. Just end it. Charging protesters with riot police is ok as long as they don’t get too off handed and slipped into too bloody violence.

Leaders of PAD seek to bring the country down with them, I supposed, in their demand to block junction to surrounding southern provinces with their supporters. PPP MPs threatened that they will bring 20,000 people per one MP to Bangkok if there is a coup. Massive logistic. Should be taken seriously. But they are advised not to take any move for now.

Filed under: Political Sciences

Waiting for the white knight on the steed?

As a woman, I had been infested with this myth. He will come and save me from being an ‘old maid.’ And I am told to have faith that he will eventually intervene.

Where was the knight?

Knowing that there is no knight in his shinny armor and friendly steed but private mercenaries on armored military vehicle is a part of growing up. Commercialization and privatization is a fact of everyday life in every political regime these day. You want to grease your machine a bit so it will work– that is expectable, as long as the “people” can be rescued. No money, no security.

Gone were those day when official soldiers fought one another. We now have militia, armed civilians, insurgents and terrorists. They are not tied to code of conduct or geneva convention, thus they roamed free and do what they want, claiming that they are righteous one.

Gone were those day the fight were kept far from civilians. These day civilian fought and high range general observed and order from air conditioned war rooms. Casualties were statistic, used to mobilized more people to kill and be killed, to call for “patriotic” acts and as an excuse to do anything to create exceptions and voids.

The white knight, due to pollution and dust particle turned gray. His then-shinny armor was partly smudged. People’s army so discouraged by the last march that they think they should only mentioned a verbal coup. The knight may be retired and the people’s army leader might be dismissed. Where are the guards?

Now.

The proxy war between people and people. People who had been brewed to demand anything to end this.

A grown up lady knows, she cannot always wait for the knight and bad boys are yummy. Wee!

Filed under: Political Sciences

Struggle to be HAPPY

I was talking to a friend in Nakorn Si Thammarat who was not so eager about it. She inquired about situation in Bangkok and said she was annoyed and even angry at Suriyasai’s excuse of self defense. She asked how could reporters did their duties? If I had to listened to them, I would have argued a lot. Yet, people in Nakorn Si Thammarat in her area live normally. We spent a lot of time and energy checking news (and I blog) mostly bad news or irritated news. I didn’t take her call earlier because I napped before and after Somchia’s announcement.

Most southerners enjoyed income from tourism and their fellow southerners blocked the airport. who care about the “smile.”

Happiness, during such time seemed to be fade during the hourly blast of gruesome news, hate news, hate interviews, hate speeches, hate comments, hate group at the airport. There were people injured and killed. I could walk into the street, wearing wrong colour at the wrong place and face whatever might come.

A friend of mine use to keep a quote “One must still have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star. — Friedrich Nietzsche.” Don’t like Neitzche myself, but perhaps this time we have to hold on to this quote. Could not keep me happy at the cost of casualties. We are already lucky, be thankful that we would not be facing direct impact of lay-off. Be thankful for our choice to stay at home and not any airport or stadium. Be thankful that the country will have to be wounded so that it will have a remarkable scar. This would be last time you’d see this like of movement, I joked.

It is decaying from within, you know.

Be happy that we do not have to face the dilemma to execute something and choose for our future political destination by our own hands. Be happy that we will not have to share any smear of blood and corpse. Be happy that things that you did not like will quit you, not you quit it. Be happy to see people in their real light. Be happy not to have to turn left with T on the steering wheel, as he is apparently not left and it shows.

My thought drifted to a day after a Sri Lankan foreign minister, Lakshman Kadirgamar, was assassinated. Despite check points, People were playing cricket. Life goes on in ‘state of emergency.’ Serenity. A discussion if I should leave before the government decided to close its airport, which usually happens.

Life goes on. I was not happy that someone was killed, but I was entirely happy experiencing a Sri Lankan state of emergency.

It is here, silently growing under pile of dirt and PPP/PAD leaders shit. Hey, I like the people of both camps. most unarmed old ladies. They are just mirroring one another.

As the phone cut off and after I would finish this very post, youtube clip would be ready to watch. Then a walk to enjoy night serenity to find some water, really running out of it. Some mineral water make me happy at first sip. The I will begin the loop again at 4.30 or sort of. Perhaps I will go for 24 hrs dim sum, checking the rumor that there are soldier at BTS or not.

Sometimes being happy is made, not felt.

Filed under: Political Sciences

Somchai: I will continue to work for the country

Bangkok Post:

PM: No resignation or parliamentary dissolution

(BangkokPost.com) – Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat said on national television at about 10pm Wednesday that he will not step down, citing that his administration was democratically elected by the majority of Thai people.

After arriving from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Peru, Mr Somchai said he had no plans to dissolve the parliament, as the commitee for monitoring political developments, chaired by national army chief Anupong Paojinda, proposed.

The premier also demanded the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) demonstrators to leave Suvarnabhumi airport and Government House because foreigners, tourists and other parties suffered the consequences, not only the government.

He vowed that the government will give its utmost performance and called on the protesters to help restore normalcy in the country.

The special cabinet meeting on Thursday will discuss measures to deal with the political crisis, the prime minister said.

He also reminded state officials to strictly follow and abide by the laws and regulations.

More detail at the Nation:

“The protesters have weapons and break the laws by seizing the government offices at Don Muang airport and the Suvarnabhumi Airport. I consider them as destroyer of democratic system of the country,” he said.

Filed under: Political Sciences