Gestapo Tactics On The Streets Of Bangkok?

[PigDogg]

[pacman]

I find myself looking at this picture wondering exactly what I am supposed to think.

The term "Gestapo tactics" is evocative of brutal, excessive tactics being used on a farang, one whom we are presumed to think innocent of any wrong doing.

Of course that's all the police have to do but engage in rough bullying of a foreigner, a tourist I guess, but never-the-less, one whom the Govt spends considerable amounts of money in order to attract to the kingdom.

Now this guy may not deserve such treatment but I am guessing that he is being moved for a very good reason.

So in ignorance of the full story, I sit here wondering if the BIB are really are evil-incarnate, Gestapo bully boys victimising unsuspecting farangs...

                          or perhaps they are just doing their job.

[PigDogg]

 Mayor Daley would love you Pacman!    

The person in yellow is a Thai protestor.

My title is just a play on Senator Ribicoff's speech to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago back in the summer of '68.

[rxpharm]

Guys, have a look at the Bangkok Post or Nation websites and you can get the story. The police are enforcing a court order to remove PAD from the government house and associated gov't buildings. However, they have now pulled back following a few (note it is a few) skirmishes with the protestors which resulted injuring some of them.

While I think the current gov't and Thaksin's previous gov't are corrupt and as inept as all get out, I think PAD tactics are not the right solution to the problems they face. If they succeed in bringing down the current gov't the next election will probably see yet another incarnation of the TRT, PPP elected by the northern provinces.

Keep an eye out as the THAI union has pledged to go on "leave" if there are any further violent acts used against PAD protestors.

[pacman]

Thanks PigDogg, I knew there would be a story behind the picture & I don't usually come to the aid of corrupt governments but....

why the hell is a farang protesting against the government? Is he a Thai citizen?

As an oft-visitor to the LOS, if I was asked to move by the police, I can tell you I see no upside in refusing.

There is protesting & there is stupidity, & as I discovered long ago...

                   the pen is mightier than the sword.

You have to forgive me if the reference to Senator Ribicoff goes right over my head. I am well read but that is just too long ago for me to recall.

Though Chicago Mayor Daley received a ton of press right round the world.

The photos of him smoking a crack pipe will never be forgotten...

[stogie bear]

If any farang gets 'roughed up' by a Thai copper you can be sure he asked for it. For the most part the fuzz want nothing to do with us so you'll really have to piss them off to get their attention.

In all the years I have lived here both in the city and in the country all but one of my cop encounters have been good, even when I was in the wrong.

[PigDogg]

(pacman @ Aug. 29 2008,04:53) why the hell is a farang protesting against the government? Is he a Thai citizen?

The protester is NOT a farang.

[PigDogg]

(pacman @ Aug. 29 2008,04:53) The photos of him smoking a crack pipe will never be forgotten...          

That was Mayor Marion Barry of Washington, D.C.

[pacman]

(PigDogg @ Aug. 29 2008,20:41) The protester is NOT a farang.

He sure looks like a farang in the picture...
And yes, I fucked up with the mayor        

Washington, Chicago.... all same-same to me        

[TTChang]

(rxpharm @ Aug. 29 2008,19:29) ...While I think the current gov't and Thaksin's previous gov't are corrupt and as inept as all get out, I think PAD tactics are not the right solution to the problems they face.

I agree with rxpharm.  

PAD = Peoples Alliance for Democracy  ....        The so-called PAD may not like it, but my understanding is that this is a democratically elected government (incompetent, self-serving, supporters of The Absent Shinawatra etc - but still elected ....  a bit like the UK government really   )

There are rumours that the protests are being funded by some big noises (and some military who were passed over for promotion).  The outcome could be a second imposition of military rule, and leave Thailand with another year or two of failing fortunes and in-fighting. No, Thailand has never been colonized, but they seem to manage to screw things up without external help. The Prime Minister realises that his personal power base disappears if he gets heavy-handed, but sooner or later the protest has to be dealt with.

The PAD's idea of a Democracy (because the result might suit them better) is to disenfranchise the masses from the outlying regions, and have a large percentage of 'Appointed' MPs.   What, another set of cronies?

T I T

[stogie bear]

At least the Thais have the will and gumption to complain about things that they don't like.

The worker bees in the UK seem content to get continually beaten down and trodden on.

[TTChang]

(stogie bear @ Aug. 30 2008,00:16) At least the Thais have the will and gumption to complain about things that they don't like.

...   When did this trait start to appear?   I thought that Thais - on an individual basis - were supposed to be the most 'accepting' people in any circumstance.  

Create a fuss? .... leave that to the farangs  

[Dieter]

Good I now you a wise man Pig Dogg...But this looks like more a normal arrest from us or british police men.....



Dieter

[BAM]

The Stupid Farang was ok... they gave him a new shirt and let him go an hour later......

[pacman]

(PigDogg @ Aug. 29 2008,20:41)

(pacman @ Aug. 29 2008,04:53) why the hell is a farang protesting against the government? Is he a Thai citizen?

The protester is NOT a farang.

ahem..... you were saying??

Anyway it is beside the point,

can anyone provide us with a translation of what is written on the guy's shirt?