Political demonstrations 30 & 31 May

[Guest]

I recieved an email from the FCO regarding "Large political demonstrations are expected to take place at the Royal Plaza and Sanam Luang in Bangkok on 30 & 31 May 2007" Could be trouble, be careful.

[katoeylover]

[katoeylover]

Hope the locals read this. thanks for the heads up.

[donnnnnny]

what does "heads up" mean/////???

[katoeylover]

Take care, warning.

[stogie bear]

(katoeylover @ May 24 2007,05:04) Hope the locals read this. thanks for the heads up...

[Snick]

Luckily I will be out of town.

The background is that the courts will announce on the 30th their verdict on whether the TRT and "Democrats" political parties will be dissolved. Odds are TRT, Thaksin's old party, will be; The Democrats is 50/50.

TRT Supporters are threatening to protest and have said they will bring in 198 Elephants.

Fortunately none of this will happen anywhere near Sukhemvit road, but for those silly enough to be near Khao Sarn Road...watch out.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007....031.php

[Road Runner]

Hello Snick,

Do you have any idea about the significance of the 198 elephants?

One thing is if they go to Khao San Road maybe they'll squash a few backpackers and help keep the numbers down

RR.

[Snick]

(Road Runner @ May 24 2007,17:42) Do you have any idea about the significance of the 198 elephants?

198 = 99 * 2
and 9 is an auspicious number

And I am not making this up, thats what I've been told

[BAM]

and the 198 elephants will all arrive on Sky Train so you might not get a seat that day

[rxpharm]

This probably has some history relating to China.

In China the number 9, sounds like the same word that means long, as in long lasting.

So, 99 x 2 is similar to saying "forever" - which is probably what the Thaksin supporters are trying to promote - he will be back and in power "forever".

[Snick]

Here is the latest - It doesn't make much sense, but This Is Thailand.
I Really like the bit about chaos expected...Prime Minister will go to China.
-------------------------------
Bangkok emergency rule looms

By Post Reporters

Authorities fear chaos will erupt next Wednesday, when the verdicts in the party dissolution cases are handed down. With the prime minister scheduled to be out of the country, the military would control the situation.

The government is ready to declare an emergency decree in Bangkok, anticipating feared chaos. Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas said the government has closely examined the situation and concluded that disorder is likely.

Gen Boonrawd expressed confidence that the Council for National Security (CNS) could control the situation during the absence of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, who is scheduled to visit China from May 28 to 31.

If there are any untoward incidents, Gen Surayud would immediately fly back to Thailand, he said.

He said an emergency decree would be issued if the situation warrants, but it would be the government and not the CNS that issues it.

It was the duty of police to control the groups of people which are expected to gather in Bangkok to show support for political parties which are facing the threat of dissolution.

Acting national police chief Seripisuth Temiyavej said security measures have been put in place to cope with possible violence on May 29, when individual judges will issue their opinions, and on May 30, when the Constitution Tribunal will issue its formal verdict.

He said police, soldiers and the city administration were joining forces to deal with any incidents during this period.

He urged people to stay at home, as the rulings would be broadcast on radio and television.

Metropolitan police chief Adisorn Nonsee said he did not expect any clashes between opposing sides as the Constitution Court and surrounding area could accommodate only 3,000 to 4,000 people at a time.

He did threaten action against mahouts if they brought their elephants to the city to join the protests, as has been rumoured.

Both the mahouts and their elephants would be arrested, he said.

Pol Lt-Gen Adisorn said five or six companies of police would be dispatched to the venues where demonstrators were expected to gather. All police leave had been cancelled during this period.

CNS chief Sonthi Boonyaratkalin yesterday met local leaders in Nakhon Ratchasima province, in what was seen as a bid to prevent demonstrators from travelling to Bangkok next week.

Speaking to more than 800 village heads and kamnans, Gen Sonthi urged local leaders and residents to unite, to join hands with the military and state agencies to protect the country.

He said he was not worried about reports that northeastern people may join anti-military rallies in Bangkok, saying over 70% of the country's soldiers hailed from the Northeast.

Sophon Supapong, a member of the National Legislative Assembly, urged the government to take legal action against people involved in corruption and vested interests.

He also called for the abrogation of legislation that promotes corruption _ such as the State Enterprises Corporatisation Act, which provides the framework for the conversion of state enterprise assets into capital _ and for more timely action to deal with the southern unrest.

Mr Sophon said the government had not made much progress in these areas in the eight months that it had been in power

http://bangkokpost.com/topstories/to....php?id=118953

[BAM]

(Snick @ May 24 2007,22:05) Both the mahouts and their elephants would be arrested, he said.

Love to see them arresting the elephants!
they better bring some really big cuffs...

[allstar88]

(rxpharm @ May 24 2007,22:27) This probably has some history relating to China.

In China the number 9, sounds like the same word that means long, as in long lasting.

So, 99 x 2 is similar to saying "forever" -  which is probably what the Thaksin supporters are trying to promote - he will be back and in power "forever".

only at eastlands!?