PAD|People's Alliance for Democracy
This is the unofficial/personal blog site from one PAD member.

Here is the blog from CNN.com “We all scream for ice-cream”

I have tried to correct some obvious grammar mistakes and re-formatted the text styles so they are easier to read and highlighted some key ideas as well.

People who are in doubt about PAD should read them.

The blog itself gives lots of misunderstanding to many people.

Thank you very much for all contributors here to make the world know PAD better.

SiraWho? October 7th, 2008 1250 GMT

How the scene of a sea of choking tear gas, baton-wielding cops, firing stun grenades, furious anti-government protesters launching rocks into the air… and ice-cream salesmen be together?

Simply, it was not as violent as you depicted. The PAD protest has been largely peaceful.. until the police fired teargas and bullets to clear the way for prime minister.

It may seem that PAD keep changing their demand from one to another, but if you really understand the real need of the protesters. You have to apologize for your mis-reporting news.

Should you study more of how Taksin’s regime corrupts the country? How he use money power to buy ministers? How he lie to the people? I had enough and I need no more of his influence.

BTW, I like ice-cream and this make me want to join the crowd enjoying a cool lick under the sun.

lisa October 7th, 2008 1257 GMT

What the British people and international community NEED to know is what Thai government is doing is brutal, it is intent to murder. This afternoon, when HM the Queen sent the Red Cross to help, the police fired at them.

Just now, another 4 protesters have lost their legs, from the police using bombs. There is no way that tear gas can tear bone and muscle off.

This Somchai brother in law of Thaksin nominee government deserves capital punishment for their unnecessary use of violence today, and order to attack the protesters.

Today, in the aftermath of this morning’s brutality, they walked over the blood of PAD protesters to start a budget debate. Is human life less important than passing a budget?

We Thais want to know, what is Britain going to do? Harbor and protect Thaksin? Thaksin and his hands are killing Thais. Is this just to instigate a violent incident to ensure Thaksin’s political immunity?
Five innocent people, protesting with their democratic right, have lost their legs today, another foot. Another person died in a car bomb, most likely the same type of bomb used in the 2006 New Years Eve Bombs, when Thaksin was deposed. Is it coincidence? Why when Thaksin’s party won last December 2007, there were no bombs?

Meanwhile violent sword, knife and weapon wielding pro-government mobs sent to attack PAD protesters, have never been apprehended nor arrested. You can watch Udon Thani protests on you tube to see Thai police walking along with them as they beat people up, and even hitting people who were already unconscious.

The international community is so hung up on elections only, as they think that is democracy, and blind to all other evil like vote buying. This time, Britain must not turn a blind eye, unless it wants to be accountable for the loss of more innocent Thai lives. Is there no justice in sight for Thailand? Today, the Somchai government lost the right to govern, and we Thais, we weep for our motherland, which is getting stabbed by Thaksin and his culprits.

S.Kannapas October 7th, 2008 1527 GMT

If you study PAD enough, you will know they are peaceful. Media shall tell the truth to people. Police use real gun to protestor which head of police claim that they have only tear gas. How people injured, lost leg, arm or their life from only police fire tear gas. I don’t think so. PM Somchai shall take responsibility for any lost of Thai people life from police action. Thai people have to sacrifice their lie, just because PM Somchai wants to announce government policy. Does he have a right to govern this country by shred Thai blood? It seem not different from govern by Military government.

Clear-eyed Thai October 7th, 2008 2047 GMT

Dan,
You really need to try harder to understand the protesters and Thais in general. I’ve watched some of your previous coverages on the PAD and, to my dismay, found that political demands and ideals of the protesters were inaccurately represented. You, of all people, should know that it is almost impossible for non-native speakers, even educated ones, to convey complex ideas or construct sensible arguments in elegant, coherent English. With sensitive subject such as politics, just one poorly chosen word can alter the meaning completely. Sometimes I even get a feeling that you intentionally coaxed them into saying the wrong things, taking advantage of their limited vocabulary. Had you been able to converse with those same people in Thai, you’d get an entirely different story and a more accurate depiction of each faction, but perhaps that’s not your goal.

Making snide remarks such as the one below doesn’t make you a better reporter either.
“Now they want nothing less than the overthrow of the entire political system. Their argument goes something like this: the vast majority of voters are poor, uneducated farmers who are susceptible to corruption by Thaksin and his allies, therefore we should abandon democracy to prevent this corruption.”
Does it ever occur to you that it might be true that a vast majority of voters are actually susceptible to corruption by Thaksin and his allies, through vote buying or otherwise? Or does the idea seemed so ludicrous that you just brushed it aside and never really investigate?

If you ask the folks in the rural area whether they like Thaksin or not (as you most certainly did), many of them would say they do like him, the reason being benefits they received from the populist policy. But that’s only half the truth. The fact is that vote buying is still prevalent in poorer and less educated areas of Thailand and PPP happens to win its majority of votes from those same areas. Co-incidence? I think not.
To other readers of this blog,

Not to say that the PAD doesn’t have a hidden agenda (because it does) or that the current political turmoil doesn’t hurt the country’s economy, I’ll say this. At the very core of this movement, the thing that really moves the people is fear. Fear of being a hostage in your own country without a way to make your voice heard. Fear of having to watch corrupted politicians do despicable things without being able to do anything about it. Fear of losing ,,, FREEDOM.

It is difficult for foreigners to understand the political situation in Thailand since foreigners, unlike Thais, don’t follow Thai press on a regular basis. If you do, you’ll be able to decide for yourself whether the numerous corruption charges against Thaksin and his allies are substantiated or not.

To be honest, wasn’t it odd that a good portion of the protesters consist of, on relative basis, wealthier and better educated folks. What could these people have against Thaksin and company? Can you, in your good ind, really believe that all this anger toward Thaksin came from fear that the elites will lose power in Thai society if Thaksin remains in control or from disapproval of government’s emphasis on helping the rural poor? The truth is that, while some elites and aristocrats have actually lose their significance somewhat over Thaksin’s tenure (and thus might play a part in supporting PAD movements), a majority of Thai’s upper middle class, consisting of educated professionals and business owners, had little reason to oppose the government, aside from abhorrence of absolute corruption, that is.

Tulip October 8th, 2008 1310 GMT

Stop accusing the Queen; you should be ashamed of yourself. Our king and queen never do anything that harm Thai people. They’ve been doing so many things to help Thai people have better life, and everyone knows they don’t have to do any of this. It’s never the royal family job, not anywhere else in the world that royal family still working and helping people.

I went to Parliament house on October7th, not that I agree with everything PAD’s doing. But I hate that This PM just order unmercy killing and arm forced to harm un-armed people. I walk in with hundreds or even thousand of people, with only wet towel (in case of tear gas spurs), goggle, a bottle of water and most of us has plastic clapping hand.

The Policemen were teargas, non-stop in to the middle of the crowd that was listening to the speech on mobile stage on the top of a truck. Along the way, I’ll see first aid people carried back some injured…..there were wounded from explosion….and none of us has any thing as a weapon, beside bottles of water…what do you think.

We have only one country….I’m not sure what I’m waiting for….but I hate the politic now….this country need changes

Reasonable THAIS October 8th, 2008 1538 GMT

OK, let say like this, now most thai doctors, hospitals, lawyers, deans from many universities, buses, trains, pilots from Thai airline, all educated people and etc………….., almost every organization have already announced ignorances for thai government and police. Also, every org. said that there is no right left to rule the country, so if PAD’s really bad mobs, why they are so many of good people support them. Now PAD used more than 30,000 USD a day to feed the mob(foods, utilities, water), and the money come from everyone(many millions of thai people) around the country for the charity.

- Just stick to the logic, why PAD can stay for more than 100 days and everyone still support them.

- Also, the police was bought to become THAKSIN’s dogs for 5-8 years ago. They know only how to please their owner, like 4 police leaders who are doing servant duties in England in Thaksin’s house.

- The plan for announcing Somchai’s policy at first was 3 days, but he finished everything within 2-3 hours while the electricity was cut.

- Some policies, the court already concluded that it’s wrong, but the government and police didn’t care at all noone is caught.

- ALSO, IF WAIT FOR SOMCHAI TO START WORKING AND JUDGE HIM AFTER THAT, IT WILL BE TO LATE BECAUSE WHEN HE STARTS THE CORRUPTION WILL ALREADY HAPPEN AND TOO LATE TO SOLVE LIKE THAKSIN DID.

- THE PAD’s NEW POLITICS IS STILL BE UNDER DEMOCRACY, BUT IT IS THE DEMOCRACY THAT FIT WITH THAI CULTURE AND SOCIETY. ONLY THING CHANGED IS THAT THE POLITICIANS WILL HAVE LESS POWER AND CAN BE TRUELY INVESTIGATED BY PEOPLE. PM doesn’t want new politics because it is difficult to corrupt.

- ALSO, the police shot more than 100 tear gas immediately after the PADs were unarmed by themselves without any warning nor negotiation (even the photographers were shot on the back)

- THE WAY THE POLICES SHOT THE TEAR GAS IS DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE NOT INTO THE AIR, THE TRUTH IS THAT SOME THAI POLICES WERE DRUNK AT THAT TIME AND MOST OF THEM HAVE NEVER BEEN REVISED WHAT THEY HAVE STUDIED MANY YEARS AGO.

TIME WILL TELL, THE TRUTH WILL SHOW.
HERE IS THE VIDEO AND THE PICTURES FROM THE SITE WHEN IT HAPPENED (TRUTH THAT WERE IGNORED BY THAI GOVT. AND POLICE)

WATCH AND THINK BY YOURSELF!!!!!

Lenghoo October 8th, 2008 1557 GMT

Thaksin is a THUG, and he is the man behind a violent measure acted by unhumane and evil Thai polices to curb PAD yesterday. Thai police threw the hand grenades to the people in the PAD rally. Some people lost their lives. A Ph.D. professor lost her fingers and toes. Hundreds of them injured and wounded. People in the rally were gathering restfully and peacefully, but the Thai police tried to murder them. This happened in Bangkok yesterday. Please help us condemn the evil acts done by the Thai police and the corrupt Thai government.

Thailand bears the cost of many lives because of Thaksin. Democracy in the Thaksin’s view is an election without telling outsiders that Thaksin cheated. He wants to take a control of government in order to help him out of all corruption accusations and charges. I could not tell every bad thing that Thaksin had done to Thailand in the past. For example, the unrest in southern part of Thailand was stirred by Thaksin. Many lives of innocent people have died for many years. Thaksin used the representative house to change the excise tax bill so that his telecommunication business pays less tax money. He tried to privatize the state enterprise busineeses, and he bought back tons of stocks in the par price. These are samples of the evil and greedy acts done by Thaksin. Thaksin used to say that he would not cheat but he would do everything for the country. What he has done so far is just for himself, his family and his cronies.

This is the reason that PAD has to come out and rally to overthrow the muppet government of Thaksin. I beg people in other nations understand the situation in Thailand and help us to condemn the corrupt government.

Related posts:

1. The Thai People’s Declaration to the World