The UDD seems to be more aggressive and on the verge of violence. A lot of alcohol is consumed during the Songran festivals this could get ugly.

Great post and very accurate too. Thai politics is a mess...not that it has ever been clean. The only thing that is certain is that corruption is the way of doing things in Thailand, everyone in authority is in it for themselves. And this includes the main antagonist thaksin. Who really believes that he has the interest of the Thai people at heart!! He's only stirring things up to get hold of his ill gotten gains.

My daughter and her husband are due to leave this coming weekend to spend a year teaching in a provate school. Watching what's happening is somewhat unsettling for a father, to say the least ....

I feel sick on Thai politicians a really corrupt (2nd in Asia) without spirit. PM should dissolve the cabinet now.

If any of these stuborn leader, I mean Thaksin and Abhisit, believe he can win this war he is dead wrong. You do not win a war against fifty percent of your people. Ralies will continue every week end and the economy will be damaged until they agree to sit around a table, shake hands (or Wai) and agree on a deal.

I dont think what the Tai people are doing is a form of modern democracy. If it should continue this way, Tai will continue having a unstable government. All other coming governments will be ousted by protest.

Dan Rivers provides a good insight into the chaos that is Thailand at the moment. The country is a real basket case. Thais believe their own propaganda that they are a sophisticated society. Garbage. A developed country does not tolerate this sort of mob rule – whatever the colour of the shirt the mob of the day is wearing. Will Bangkok airport be closed again this time? One thing is certain. The mob will decide.

Dan, maybe you should get another assignment where it's more calm and peaceful like Maldives or Guam.

The Thai majority need to take matters into their own hand and confront these minority (1000 people?) who are causing massive damage for everyone else. (millions)

A good example would be the confrontation at Sathorn rd. (can be viewed on Youtube.com) where office workers and local residents drove away a group of red shirts protesters trying to block the intersection.

Just noticed more troops being deployed, fully armed and a couple of Humvee's with M60 Machine guns locked and loaded. I hope the Army finally puts a stop to this nonsense, captures the leaders, this goes for Taksin also. That criminal coward needs to be behind bars along with his cronies.

Dan,

I see that CNN is gong to give time to Thaksin at 7pm Hong Kong (6 pm Bangkok) time. Why? Thaksin is a wanted fugitive. He has called for a "revolution". CNN SHOULD NOT be granting him air time to spew his anarchic views.

I am a foreigner, been here 16 years and I am saddened by what politics is doing to this nation. I was one of the millions inconvenienced by the closing of the airport in November 2008 – had to spend 6 days in Japan and one in Malaysia before being able to fly to my home in Bangkok.

People here talk "democracy" but I am not sure they really understand what the word means. I think most of them would be happy being told what to do.

Please don't add to the negativity when reporting from here. The country does not need to scare away future tourists – generally, the Thai people are a very warm, hospital people.

Please remember your commitment to objective journalism and that means NOT allowing anarchists like Thaksin to spew their hatred.

The interview of former PM Thaksin was a perfect example of what a twisted master of deception he is. He never answered any of the questions. He claims his supporters came with empty hands to peacefully protest but he ignores the attacks on the ASEAN summit compound and on the current prime ministers motorcade. His supporters threw rocks, petro bombs and fired weapons but he never aknowleged that fact. He champions democracy, but his version of democracy is one where he bought votes to gain power. He claims to love the kingdom and peace but today has called for a revolution and its now clear for all to see he really loves himself and the power he craves much more. The man claims his opponents use double standards, but self serving double talk is clearly his only message. .

I am Thai and living in Thailand. I am not either Red or Yellow Shirts. I am also not pro government nor con Taksin. What is happening in Thailand is really because of the greed of the only man who is escaping trails abroad and planning to put the country to his hostage in order to take all money he has stolen from my country and plans to come back to carry on his corruption. If I were the only last person stands, I will not let him come back to Thailand. It is not acceptable for his activities being done to our country.

I work in the shopping center area and one group of the red shirts have been in this area for a couple of days. Today, they blocked an intersection called "Din Dang" with LPG and CNG trucks since there are low-range residential buildings that are homes of hundreds of people. Also, they prohibited people in those buildings from going out. In other words, they have kept those innocent people as their hostages, threatening to turn on the valve and blow the area up. The red shirts are not people gathered together peacefully. Rather, they are fully armed with hand-made bombs and, some of them, short guns.

As much as I appreciate Dan River's reporting, he is not reporting the whole story about the situation in Thailand and he should know better! For instance, why is he not reporting the real reason behind the coup that ousted Thaksin Shinawatra? Why is he not reporting that all of these demonstrators are being paid to be there and what they are doing? Why is he not reporting about the background of the leaders of the socalled Red-Shirts? Why is he not reporting about at whose disposal the military in Thailand really is? In order for the world to understand what is going on on Thailand, these questions need to be answered!

From a viewpoint of a Thai citizen, the ex-PM Thaksin was clearly lying. Not one protestor has been killed, and most injuries was due to falling over/getting trampled over. In fact the most serious injury was done to a soldier, he was shot by the protestors.

Thaksin should be brought to justice once and for all. His lust for power is insane.

Thaksin's a joke. The UDD has formed some sort of false belief that he's backing them up, but in reality, he's just looking after his own behind. His kids and ex-wife are so afraid that they've already left the country . If he really wants to lead a revolution, then he should get his behind back here and lead the people. He should stop hiding behind a camera. If he really is innocent, then he should have no problem coming back.

And his claims that they're protesting peacefully? The PAD were the ones protesting peacefully! The UDD had been throwing rocks and pounding chairs at the prime minister's car, they've been burning tires, they've taken gas tanks hostage, they've beaten up one of the PM's body guards and held him hostage for hours without allowing him medical care, they've blocked the roads...

Please, if you want the truth, read independent and unbiased media...watch youtube videos, read blogs not acquitted with huge corporations or by those disillusioned by the democracy rose-colored glasses that the majority of Americans wear.

I wonder why Dan River's report on CNN a while ago only featured the military in action (of which I think from all that the red shirts have done...the military's action is fully justified). Why did Dan's report not even show even a glimpse of the violence by the red shirts? If anyone believes what Thaksin said in his CNN interview...they'd be a complete fool....he was the one who brought on all this violence...he was the one brining it on all along. Thaksin is a criminal, why is he even allowed to voice his concerns on CNN?

Million of Thai people do not support the Red shirt Protesters as they are too aggressive and they violate law and other people's rights. They beat other people who do not have the same view with them. Is it called "Democracy"?.
Most of people do not agree with the Red shirt and we believe that this situation should not be an excuse for "him" to come back to Thailand.

I' d like CNN to take into account of a Thai's view.

who is the most corrupted in Thailand?

Answer: army

What fugitive Thaksin said in an interview on CNN is totally a lie. He's the mastermind and financial supporter of the UDD. He claimed that right now we don't have a real democracy. I want to ask whether we did have one "during his government ???"

What he really wants is his assets that he made a money laundry that Thai govt. seized. The red people are his slaves who got paid with a huge sum of money. It is truly sad to see Thai people fight with each other.

What the govt is doing right now is trying to bring peace to the country. The majority of Thai people do not agree w/ the violence caused by the red shirt mob. Some of us even think that the govt is being too kind to them. The military use the blank bullet trying to bring peace and order.

I know that what the world saw from the news might look scary. But the truth is the govt and military were trying their best to maintain peace and order back to the country.

That is all I want to express on behalf of majority of Thai people (neither red or yellow shirt).

Thaksin lied to the world. He is an evil to Democracy. For the years he was Prime Minister, he had never cultivated / educated people the democracy. He took his power from corruption and used this illeagal money to receive votes.

He is the key person hiring Red Shirt Barbarians to destroy Bangkok. Thailand's Government is now doing best to protect national interest and pride. Please support Thai Goverment !!!!

Thaksin - I wish the bad karma will make you suffer the rest of your horrible life. You are a coward who dictates a group of moron red-shirt Thais to destroy your own country. I hope people around the world and every nation would reject you and you would never have any land to stand in this earth.

Thaksin always tell lies. Don't believe his words.

Dan,

If you don't know Thailand well, you'd better stop writing about Thai's politics.

"The real democracy" IS NOT "Thaksin" Or "His money."
Deeply hope that the red shirts will understand that soon.
I'm more happy to see Abhisit as a PM.
He came into this position in more political way than Thanksin's proxy.

I agree wholeheartedly with the comments of Don Taylor, Scott, Floyd Seyler and 'a Thai resident'. Thaksin should not be allowed to continue to receive the publicity he is getting in the world's press, or in his daily video and telephone links to the red shirt demonstrators for that matter. It is my understanding that some or all of his comments are being sent in from his private jet that enables this convicted criminal to run around the world trying to find a country that will allow him in. He has somehow convinced the red shirts (many of whom have been paid to demonstrate by his UDD organization) that the purpose of their mob protests is to attain 'true democracy'. He (and his followers) don't really know the meaning of the word democracy, as was clearly stated in the opinion article by Thongbai Thongpao in the Bangkok Post of Sunday April 12. The actions of the red shirts are shameful to most clear thinking Thai people.

I'm Thai...

What tyrant Taksin talked to CNN is lying to the world. Taksin wants to destroy our country. He has tried to do every ways to get his corrupted money back.

For sure, Mr.Thaksin has nowhere to hide now in this world. Please be in peace. pls...

Some of my friends in Manila were planning to visit Bangkok during this summer. I hope that the situation will become better soon so that they will get the chance to experience the beauty of Thailand and the ever-smiling and hospitable Thai people.