Soldiers rally against ASTV

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Published: 11 Jan 2013 at 20.30
Online news: Local News

About 50 soldiers protested at ASTV-Manager on Friday over its attack on army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha, underlining a widening conflict between the army and the newspaper.

The soldiers from the 1st Army Region went to the media group's offices on Phra Arthit Road to vent their anger over an article that had attacked Gen Prayuth for failing to protect national interests in the land dispute with Cambodia.

ASTV-Manager was founded by Sondhi Limthongkul, one of the core leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

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boontong
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Discussion 11 : 12 Jan 2013 at 07.0911
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Patriotism has been used as a tool to serve the personal interests of some 'powerful people' and politicians. The people are growing up and able to differential fake patriotism and genuine one. The Army Chief is professional, patriotic and loyal.
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bkposter
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Discussion 10 : 12 Jan 2013 at 06.3810
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Re: D8. Well said!!.... I totally disagree with most of the PAD message, but the military should not be above criticism. They are as corrupt as the other politicians and should be held accountable just as politicians. So now we have the green shists against the yellow shirts....could we see the reds and the yellows join forces to fight the green shirts? hahaha we would have gone full circle.
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musashi
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Discussion 9 : 12 Jan 2013 at 01.379
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meme #5: May I also suggest that you leave your obsession with the fugitive at home and not have to bring up his name in every of your posts? People may easily misconstrue that you have been jilted by him before. Many certainly do not share the same amount of love for him as you do.
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homosapien
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Discussion 8 : 12 Jan 2013 at 00.118
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I'm not a fan of ASTV, let alone Sondhi, and also disagree with the Preah Vihear issue ASTV has been rasing. But soldiers in thier capacity protesting on behalf of their general just becasue he was criticized, however absurd the criticism might be, is way out of line. For one thing, they're the officials who're uniquely authorized by law to carry deadly weapons. Their track records with respect to politics invlovement aren't very good as well. Their activity today is nothing but an act of coercion in disguise. And I don't see why their general cannot be subject to criticism as are politicians and almost all other public figures.
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drsmith
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Discussion 7 : 11 Jan 2013 at 23.507
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I would suggest you immediately send these 50 soldiers to the south of Thailand to protect the teachers. If they have nothing better to do with their time than get involved in politics, send them to the south. I am sure after dodging bombs and bullets, they will think twice about protesting. The Army protest is nothing more that stifling free speed in the press. This is not democracy
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gleentea
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Discussion 6 : 11 Jan 2013 at 23.286
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abbub,

"Sondhi is still walking free after having been initially sentenced to 80 years jail."
He's out on bail just like some people in the current government who are suspected of a whole range of serious crimes and yet we don't hear you complaining about that. Are you promoting a double standard?

"Meanwhile the pro-putschsit/PAD commenters continue to obsess about TS"
Very much like some people who obsess about the army and insist on somehow including them in every comment they make.

"Time to close down this tiny minority of trouble-makers"
Yep, the very hallmark of red democracy; if you don't agree with us you must be silenced.
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meme
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Discussion 5 : 11 Jan 2013 at 22.255
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The fugitive sending 50 water melons to ASTV is a non-issue. It is when he starts sending pastry boxes we must start to worry.
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abbub
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Discussion 4 : 11 Jan 2013 at 22.194
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PAD and Sondhi's ASTV have created more problems for Thailand than any other group or media outlet since the 2006 coup. Sondhi is still walking free after having been initially sentenced to 80 years jail. He still faces charges of terrorism for the airport takeover. Meanwhile the pro-putschsit/PAD commenters continue to obsess about TS, was sentenced to 2 years.

Time to close down this tiny minority of trouble-makers, receiving only 1.7% of the vote even in the stronghold BKK, who openly state they want only 30% of government elected and 70% appointed by "experts"; "experts" defined by PAD!
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jacksprat
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Discussion 3 : 11 Jan 2013 at 22.033
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Soldiers have nothing better to do with their time than go to protests? Even a sergeant major takes off on a political action in what surely must be a working day? What kind of Army is this? Something tells me this "protest" is not what it seems to be.
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shopwow
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Discussion 2 : 11 Jan 2013 at 21.302
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Changing colors? The Siam Pitak had a demonstration, this same army chief promised strict action against any soldier who joined the rally. This may be ok talking about army discipline. But now? A newspaper, does not matter who is the owner or what the color is - says something against the chief, the soldiers protest - no action against the soldiers by the chief? And the reds curse the army at every rally even now, warning about an imaginery coup - no soldiers protest there? Thailand is going down, just when you thought that it could not go any lower.
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Soldiers rally against ASTV | Bangkok Post: news