Re: Barnd new breaking news (Possibly)

On Sun, 12 Apr 2009 15:31:36 +1000, hel <hstamm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:



Thai protest leader arrested after summit fiasco
Jutarat Tongpiam
April 12, 2009 - 3:04PM

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/thai-protest-leader-arrested-after-summit-fiasco-20090412-a3u2.html
Thai police detained a former pop singer who led anti-government
protests that reduced a showcase Asian summit to a shambles and
exposed the nation to international embarrassment.
The arrest came as Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva vowed to take
legal action against supporters of ousted leader Thaksin Shinawatra
who stormed the meeting in the beach resort of Pattaya.
Security forces stood aside as the red-clad demonstrators swarmed into
the venue on Saturday, forcing authorities to evacuate foreign leaders
by helicopter from the roof of the hotel.
"The police went to arrest Arisman Pongreungrong at his house (in
Bangkok) on the charge of inciting protesters to kidnap the prime
minister and cause unrest in the country," a police spokesman said.
Cowboy-hatted Arisman had stood atop a lorry outside the summit egging
on thousands of demonstrators who smashed through glass doors and came
within metres of Asian dignitaries as they ate lunch.
The summit was being held to discuss the global financial crisis and
North Korea's rocket launch, and Abhisit had hoped it would
demonstrate Thailand's recovery from years of often violent political
turmoil.
Instead, the fiasco took Thailand's problems onto the international
stage for the first time since protesters occupied Bangkok's two
airports late last year, stranding hundreds of thousands of airline
passengers.
"I promise that in the next three to four days there will be legal
action taken" against the protesters, Abhisit said on television
earlier Sunday.
He said he had met military officials to discuss the security failure.
Foreign leaders voiced shock at the disruption to the summit, which
grouped the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations with
China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand.
"This is disappointing for all heads of government," Prime Minister
Kevin Rudd of Australia said after his plane was turned around a few
hours before it was due to arrive in Pattaya.
"Obviously, there are deep problems in Thai domestic politics at
present," he said, adding the meeting would have to be reconvened to
discuss "important business" on the regional economy.
Thaksin's supporters have vowed to pursue their campaign until
British-born Abhisit, who came to power in December, stands down and
calls elections.
Police said some 2,000 Thaksin loyalists rallied Sunday in Bangkok
outside the premier's office, where protesters have staged a sit-in
for more than two weeks, although numbers were down because of the
Thai new year Monday.
Local newspapers criticised Abhisit's handling of the protests and
said the country's international image had been "destroyed."
"Yesterday was a truly shameful day for our country," the Bangkok Post
said in a front-page editorial, adding that Abhisit's government was
"to blame for mishandling the situation in Bangkok and Pattaya."
Abhisit however rejected calls to quit and urged Thais to be patient
while several "inconvenient" measures were taken to restore normality,
although they were not specified.
"We know that people expect the government to maintain law and order
and to carry on our work, because if the government cannot work,
people will have no one to rely upon," he said.
His opponents say Abhisit is a stooge of the powerful military and
that he came to power undemocratically after a court ruling forced
political allies of Thaksin from government in December.
Thailand has been riven by turmoil since the military led a bloodless
coup in September 2006 that toppled Thaksin. He retains deep support
among the poor but is loathed by the elite in the palace, military and
bureaucracy.
Thaksin remains in exile to avoid a two-year jail term for corruption,
but has rallied supporters -- and incensed the government -- with
almost nightly video and telephone speeches from an unidentified
foreign hideout.
Breaking news and I hope at is not to late already.

Amazing how quick the law can bee to arrest the (right) offender.
55555555555555


maybe


He certainly was on national TV doing what the police allege. He also
made a phone call while on TV during which he stated that if Abhisit
didn't resign immediately his life would be in danger.

Given that he was seen by (probably) millions of Thais doing exactly
what the police charge him with it certainly looks legitimate.

cheers,

Schweik
(goodsoldierschweikatgmaildotcom)
.

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