11 replies to this topic

[Sexpat]

This comes from the Nation, which is normally very much anti-Red shirt:

[attachmentid=735]"The massive 20-kilometre-long red-shirt motorcade around Bangkok yesterday proved beyond doubt that many working-class and lower-middle-class people in the capital support the red shirts, as they came out in force to wildly cheer the caravan as if their liberators had arrived.

Police estimate 65,000 red shirts took part in the procession with 10,000 motorcycles and 7,000 other vehicles, mostly pickups and lorries, involved. The real numbers are hard to estimate, however. . .

The whole atmosphere resembled a carnival or fiesta. Many bystanders went onto the streets to interact more closely with those in the procession. The caravan rolled on at what could be considered brisk walking pace.

Many of those cheering the red shirts donned red or had something red on them, such as a handkerchief or a headband. They jumped, danced, waved and shook their foot clappers. They also handed out bottled water to members of arguably the longest political caravan in Thai history.

A clear majority of those waving and cheering were working-class and lower-middle-class people, highlighting the growing disquiet over class inequality among the poor as well as indicating class solidarity. A clear majority of the sympathisers appeared to be street vendors, clerks, waitresses, hotel cooks, security guards, taxi drivers, motorcycle-taxi riders, and local residents coming from the more congested and poorer parts of Bangkok."

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/...t-30125189.html

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[B.I.G.]

Just when it looked the government might outlast the red tide, yesterday's march was spectacular, not only in its size with 100,000 people stretched out over 15 km, but in the overwhelming support that the people of Bangkok showed for their former neighbors from the country. They were all cheering and marching in celebration of democracy without a hint of violence. The only thing that was missing was Mohandas Gandhi at the head of the march.

[Kirkland]

Have you noticed that there seems to be very little student involvement in these protests ? If you read the history of past pro-democracy movements in Bangkok, the university students were at the heart of the protests. Unless the papers are not reporting it, it seems that the students are not interested this time around. I wonder why.

[mauRICE]

Have you noticed that there seems to be very little student involvement in these protests ? If you read the history of past pro-democracy movements in Bangkok, the university students were at the heart of the protests. Unless the papers are not reporting it, it seems that the students are not interested this time around. I wonder why.

It's the summer holidays and most students would have gone home. The new academic year starts in June.

[DOLLY]

Chang Noi ( Not the Nation) has written a long piece today, analyzing the effects of the Red Shirt's protests in Bangkok. It's not his usual humorous jibe at Thai politics. He says the march was "disturbing" to the power elite because it didn't fit the preconceptions that the mainstream press was stressing that the "barbarian rural hordes" were descending on the city to destroy the capitol. In fact, it was truly a peoples' protest, happy, boisterous and peaceful, that met with great public support among Bangkokians:

"Most of all, Red March was disturbing because of the enormous show of local support in Bangkok. From the moment the columns of pick-ups began arriving in the city, people gathered on the pavement to clap and cheer and wave in welcome. Some of these fans were taxi drivers and motorcycle taxi riders, the movement's staunch allies. But others were true-blue Bangkokians.

All along the route to Phaholyothin people came out of shops and offices to line the street and cheer. Chang Noi happened on the column after it had left Abhisit's house in Sukumvit. It was like being at carnival. Jolly luk thung music was blaring from loudspeakers, augmented with a lot of extra ching-chap, chanting, and cheering. On the trucks, people were waving, singing, and giving the thumbs-up. Not one unsmiling face.

Alongside, people had come to windows, or onto office balconies, or out from shops onto the pavement. Most had snatched up anything red to wave along � a tie, a towel, a hat, a piece of paper. The press and the pundits have played the conflict as the provinces against the city. But how does that analysis fit with these pavement scenes?"

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/...e-30125247.html

[mauRICE]

As somebody else said on here, this is beginning to look like a real peope power movement. I must say that the Red Shirts have impressed me thus far with their civil disobedience. For every Thai's sake and the poor in particular, I hope something tangible comes out of all their efforts. No more one step forward and four steps backwards for Thailand.

[expathai]

There was an article recently in the LA Times where this observation was made that the Bangkok's aristocrats' "worst-case scenario is the emergence of a young, charismatic leader at the helm of a rising red shirt movement, calling for an end to “the double standards in Thai society.” Such a vibrant young populist leader would, of course, stand in stark contrast to the emerging image of Abhisit as a usurper, a wooden puppet doing his master's bidding, while hiding behind the walls of an army base. Maybe that's why the red shirts, under Thaksin's continuing influence, have deliberately chosen leaders who are either too old or bland to pose any serious threat to Thaksin's status as the central figure around which the movement revolves. For the moment, at least, Thaksin needs the red shirts as much as they need him to rally the people to civil action.

[gay_grampa]

... the emergence of a young, charismatic leader at the helm of a rising red shirt movement, calling for an end to “the double standards in Thai society.”

Is it the guy on the left of this photo?

Is this the most attractive set of people that Pattaya can send?
They are not much of an advert for the Sun, Sea 'n Sex image that Pattaya is famous for

Editor's Note: This post has been edited to remove the photo of certain unidentified Thai people that was copied from another publication and which might be deemed insulting or invading the privacy of someone not in the public eye.

[DOLLY]

I think the previous post by Grandpa is crude and insulting. Maybe Grandpa could post his own photo and we can judge if the pot is calling the kettle black.

[francois]

I think the previous post by Grandpa is crude and insulting. Maybe Grandpa could post his own photo and we can judge if the pot is calling the kettle black.

I agree with you absolutely, Dolly! When I saw the photo and read the comment by Grandpa I thought the same. Let Grandpa post his own photo and let us mock him.

[gay_grampa]

I agree with you absolutely, Dolly! When I saw the photo and read the comment by Grandpa I thought the same. Let Grandpa post his own photo and let us mock him.

To Dolly & Franky ... Age before beauty and ladies first
Post pictures of yourselves and then I may follow.

[francois]

To Dolly & Franky ... Age before beauty and ladies first
Post pictures of yourselves and then I may follow.

Here you are gramps!

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