I also went to the Red Shirt Rally.

There is a centre stage set up underneath the Skytrain in front of the Bramin Shrine.  The rally radiates out from this spot down the roads like a target.

The bullseye - immediately around the stage is packed with die-hard supporters.  They listen to every speech and clap their plastic feet and chant along.  The phrase Bill missed in his report is ÃÃ¡ä» - ork pai - "Get out!".  It's exactly the same as the PAD chanted only substituting Thaksin's name with Abhisit's.

There were a few water stations and food places doing brisk trade - some were giving away stuff, but others were selling food and red paraphenalia...

There was a police presence there - but it was pretty low key.  None of the officers was armed, but they all carried riot shields.  At one point, a line of white shirted guys walked through the crowd - very obviously police, but no-one said or did anything negative.

The atmosphere was like a big carnival... people were drinking and eating.  Some were dancing and singing.  For some it was like Songkran had come early - they had their faces painted white and were throwing water.

The speeches were very basic - "Abhisit out... Thaksin back... PAD stopped the airport... but we are only stopping a bit of shopping... No more negotiations... We negotiated 2 times and the Govt did not give us what we want, so we will stay here."

There was talk of money too - people were definitely cheering when they organisers said they would pay 1000 baht to people... I didn't catch what the reason was - but there was a 1000 baht payment going to some groups.

There was no doubting the backing - Thaksin's face was commonplace and his name was chanted from the stage many times.

This little girl's headband says "I miss you Thaksin."

She wasn't the only child there - I'm not sure children should be counted in official figures of attendees - after all, they don't know what they are doing there.  The above girl was about 4 years old when Thaksin was removed.

This girl made me laugh... she was getting her well-dressed boyfriend to buy her a Footclapper - but she was kitted out in a Burberry headband, LV bag and looked completely out of place there - not sure she understood what was going on around her.

There was a religious element too - not much but a few monks dotted around.

There was light damage done to a few areas and quite a bit of grafitti - this one about getting rid of the PM..

4 years ago I visited the PAD demonstrations at Govt House and talked to the people there as well.  My overriding feeling is that the PAD supporters knew what they were fighting for, whereas the Red Shirts haven't got a clue.

The level of interest wanes the further away from the stage you walk.  At the very heart, there are thousands of people listening to the speeches.  But further away, people are sleeping and eating - as normal.

I spoke to about 50 different groups to find out what they were feeling.  Close to the centre people were fervent and excited - they feel Abhisit is bad for the country and Thaksin would do a better job.  (I never asked about the corruption charges and Thaksin's convictions).  But it was clear they didn't really know WHY.  They were reciting the lines they heard from the stage.

As I approached Petchaburi junction, people were bored and restless.  Some said they came because family members told them to.  About 25-30% openly said, they came for the money - rates varied between 200-500 baht per day.  Many of them don't have jobs, so it's free money for sitting outside eating free food.

My opinion hasn't changed - in fact I feel more confident than ever - these people are being used.  Thaksin's staff whip up the minority of hard-core supporters and the majority are simply there to make up the numbers.

The speeches sounded a bit desperate - like making excuses for blocking the city, and saying they don't need to negotiate.  I feel Abhisit is doing a great job of not reacting violently - it's clear that UDD leaders would love to see some dead protesters on the front page of the newspapers.

Latest new is that protesters will NOT leave this afternoon.  Peua Thai leaders have made themselves look more stupid by claiming that this demonstration IS legal under the constitution.  They claim that any Red Shirts who have weapons are Govt supporters in disguise.

While at Govt House a few years ago I saw PAD weapons on open display.  However today, I saw only wooden staffs in the back of pick-up trucks - no bladed weapons.

This latest stand-off is deliberately raising  the stakes to force the government to move on the protestors.  And then Peua Thai, Thaksin and UDD will get the scenes they want.

I'm sorry but you don't really know whats going on down there, I know far more than you because I saw it on CNN and FOX News yesterday.

Great journal Bob and totally agree..

The only conclusion i personally gained from all of this is the massive failure of Thai education and the wealthy's inability so see outside their own greed. I'm also disappointed with the distain Bangkok residents have over the provincial people which is nothing more than class snobbery. I hope at some point Bangkok residents hold themselves accountable for abandoning the provincial people and allowing a tyrant like Thaksin to easily manipulate the masses.

Nobody takes responsibility for anything and thats so depressing to watch.

Does that mean I shouldn't wear my red shoes in BKK? ;(

Excellent journal, EB.

I think you may find sometime to sit and talk with Si6, Dave. Especially what the govt handling redshirts issues. I dont want him to watch TV depressed.

@P' Nicky...I think EB would not mind you wear your red shoes to dinner at Charlies Browns !

Give me back my shopping malls !

(thanks EB for special report)

Sorry Kus i don't understand what you trying to say.. or did you just see my avatar and make a summery before reading on?

Damn CNN and Fox again...

Fox said Drogba strayed 'slightly offside'... If by 'slightly' they meant 'a yard and a half', they were correct.

@EB: Great report and I was pretty sure it was "Get out!" but when it's chanted by a large crowd I wasn't sure. Besides, the guy who yells "Abhiiisiiiiit!!!!!" is really the focus. Man does he sound fanatical. :-)

Tell your boys in Red that they should stop using their hands to score goals, its not the world cup...

I feel sorry for these people getting used by the rich and powerful for their own gains. Its about as far away from grass roots as protesting as it gets.

Paying people to protest says it all.

@Beej - Maybe CNN didn't report on this properly, it seems they did report the partial one sided story.

it isn't always "get out." sometimes it's "abhisit - yutsapha": dissolve parliament.

not 'yutsapha' but 'yubsapa' or 'yupsapa' methinks...

Who would know better than Thai people whatever news had said . Hatred wouldn’t help to develop anything unless disaster. Everyone got the right for each own opinion as human being, as a person, to believe, to support, good or bad it depends but balancing to put in to make this country to live for everyone, for people, for peace, for the world.

Finally someone who understand what a real "journal" is supposed to be...

Great post Bob...

The guy in red underwear was sweetiebaby??

yes. Gee, it was me.

Bad choice of words.

nice journal Dave. But can you really gain insight into what is going on from being there? I am sitting on my sofa thousands of miles away and feel I have far greater insight from reading papers and websites.

(has that fecker hacked my profile again?)

Were you there giving them free hugs, Gee?

Agree with beej on this. Bed choice indeed. (and not even funny at all)

What did i miss... I just came back... grrrrrrr my question is Can i go to work tomorrow?

no no SB free TF memberships.

And if you look closely you will see that's it's me in the read underwear. SB you are way to pale stop stealing my spotlight.

EB good journal. Now tell them to go home and stop causing traffic.

Nice JN Dave

...thanks for your insights and the reatraint so far is good-- by both sides

yup a lot of manipulative BS going on...perhaps some progress for all parties

if there can be some honest give and take... looks like a log-jam for a while now