Hobby has an interesting post with photos and eyewitness report.
BP: Now, it is understandable given recent events, why the police would show up in such large numbers, but it doesn't mean the protesters were actually violent or were threatening violence.
In some cases you have no security whatsoever and then the authorities standing by and doing nothing and then the other extreme where you have thousands of officials providing security and not allowing any protesters whatsoever. Can't there be some middle ground?
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What happened to the guy with the pistol at CM airport?
The vast majority of the crowd were just ordinary folk including many women & couples wanting to express their disgust to Korn, and have their presence felt by passers by.
It was actually very similar to the protests that happen by various minorities in the west, although I'm not sure if they would have obtained permits to obstruct traffic like is usually done where I come from.
The major differences were that they were met by such a large force of riot police, but I can understand that (given recent events).
I was impressed by the efficiency of the police, but I was surprised that they did not just let the protesters remain gathered, waving signs/clappers, and chanting slogans.
There were no visible signs of weapons amongst the crowd, and only a few wore the full face mask which can look a bit imposing.
IMO there were at least as many women as men, and they had no intentions of being violent.
I was astounded when I read the BP & The Nation reports of the event, and that was why I was moved to do the blog post.
One final comment is that I can also see how easy such events can get out of hand, as it would not take much for a few on either side to lose their humour and create a flashpoint.
Report with some footage at the police station. Havent seen Thai TV for a few days so not sure if it was on TV
http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_asia/2009-07-17/762686280838.html
i drove by that junction suthep rd / nimmanhemin & was wondering about the massive police presence. that was not some kid's stuff --- but professional riot control setup.
i haven't witnessed neither demonstrators nor any police action na.
but... in the light of events of the night before... i guess it was a wise move by police to demonstrate determination to quell any violence.
here's a link that includes video-footage. btw, chinese media "read this" incident as "attempted disruption of second stimulus package meeting": that is... a NO, NO to anybody with some brains left.
http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_asia/2009-07-17/762686280838.html
Hobby's eye-witness report bears out my own understanding of events here in Chiang Mai. I think it's also noteworthy that neither Bangkok Post nor The Nation made any more out of the story than they did. On past form, we know that they would have if there had been anything substantial to use........
But then you get the likes of "chinesethai" at http://thaicrisis.wordpress.com/2009/07/17/airport-seizure-pad-disagrees-with-charges-so-the-police-is-lost/#comment-9349 vainly trying to fan flames out of next to nothing....... even producing an ASTV-credited (!) photo purporting to show a Redshirt with what looks to be a semi-automatic weapon (without a magazine) and nothing to show when or where it was taken (img268.imageshack.us/img268/8414/p79111625.jpg).
"Chinesethai" then goes on to claim: "Korn was almost gunned down last night in Chiangmai by Red Shirt. A police officer was shot" and "I have the evidence. The police had sent a spy into the Red Shirt so assassination of Finance Minister last night have been prevented".
Needless to say - NO report anywhere of anyone being shot nor any evidence of any intent/attempt to "gun down" Korn. But, from Niyom's stupidity in having an unlicensed pistol (in his car) at an airport and a basically routine protest, people with a mind to will obviously weave a lurid fantasy that serves their agenda....... not least to distract unwelcome attention from the process of bringing PAD leaders to account - however drawn-out and laughably half-hearted that process clearly is.
VIDEO - http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_asia/2009-07-17/762686280838.html
@ Occasional
He was taken to Phuping police station (presumably charged there) and then released on bail.
occasional:
the "guy with the gun" is Niyom Lueangcharoen of FM 92.5 radio station. now, let's just wonder... who on earth takes a gun to an airport? to welcome somebody whom you're publicly opposed to?
all in all, bp, it's just another Kon Rak Chiang Mai 51 incident. the list grows longer & longer & longer... from intimidation to beating-to-death, from disrupting gay parade to calls for attacks on "yellow" shops, etc.
I was sent this link of the confrontation the night before
http://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/20090717/VIDEO/907172013?Title=Raw-Video-Thai-Police-Tear-Gas-on-Protestors
Maverick: If you are in CM, can I suggest you go hangout at the reds usual meeting place to get a feel for just how violent they are.
Sunday night is a good night because they usually have a night market as well as speeches on the stage.
btw, I'm not saying there are not any violent elements in the CM reds, but the vast majority are just people who are not too lazy to get off their backsides and protest at how their votes have been taken away from them.
Personally, I would like to see Thaksin de-emphasized in their speeches/demands, but I also made a recent blog post about why I think we cannot apply our western ideals to the Thai situation.
Its unrealistic to simply reject Thaksin because he does not fit our western idea of acceptability (except perhaps the Italian ideal:)
Unfortunately, a Thaksin might be as good as it gets until the old guard lets go.
hobby...
i guess i don't cherish "western ideas". it seems more i'm in a bit of "opposition" on a some blogs from nation, to new mandala, & others.
maybe i actually live among people u'd call "red shirts". that doesn't imply i'm blind to mob violence. krcm51 is a hit-squad; well organized, on intent to disrupt to maim to kill.
Maverick: I don't condone violence, and would prefer they just waited for the next election to let the people decide** (and in meantime just staged a few peaceful protests to get the other side of the government/mainstream media spin out to the people)
**Oh, but thats my 'western ideals' coming to the fore again - I forgot that they already tried having elections, but certain powerful groups dont seem to accept the results, so they manufacture military or judicial coups!
Wonder why some people get angry, and lose control of their emotions???
@Steve,
Just like to add that I'm also quite sick of this 'chinesethai' commenter on ThaiCrisis. If anyone needs an example of a person on some kind of a crusade against Thaksin and the reds, this man (or woman) is a great one.