Hundreds of police in Thailand block anti-junta march

[rooster59]

Hundreds of police in Thailand block anti-junta march

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Hundreds of police in Thailand on Saturday blocked protestors planning to march from Bangkok to Khon Kaen in the northeast of the country in a rare display of public discontent in the junta-ruled country.

 

Thailand has been ruled by the military since 2014. Demonstrations have since become a rarity, partly because of junta orders banning public assembly.

 

The United Nations has expressed concern over what it calls a deteriorating rights situation in Thailand, including harsh sentences for those convicted of violating the lese-majeste law, known as Article 112, as well as other restrictions placed on freedom of expression.

 

"We want to tell the junta that you have taken Thailand back a long way. The people in the agriculture ministry are all generals. There are just generals!" said one protest leader.

 

"Let's hold hands! We are friends!" he said, appealing to around 200 protestors gathered at the Thammasat University in Rangsit, north of Bangkok.

 

The demonstration, which was broadcast live on Facebook, was shared more than 900 times and viewed by more than 32,000 times.

 

Sharing social media content deemed critical of the junta or royal family can land a person in jail in Thailand under its computer crimes act.

 

Those who joined the protest include members from various Thai civil rights groups including alternative farming, anti-mining and healthcare networks.

 

Around 200 police blocked a main door of the university to prevent protestors from leaving, according to police.

 

"This walk is a friendship walk. Over the past four years under the coup government we have no rights in terms of speech, action. We want the junta to hear us," Sangsiri Teemanka, a leader of People's Network for Welfare, told Reuters.

 

She added that protestors would stay put at the university until they were allowed to march.

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-01-20

[canuckamuck]

It begins.

[Eric Loh]

Beautiful Saturday. Even the weather was compromising. It has began 

[PatOngo]

Hundreds of police in Thailand block anti-junta march

I'm starting to understand Thai style democracy at last.  Is this Thai Niyom?

 

[robblok]

10 minutes ago, canuckamuck said:

It begins.

Its stupid.. gives the junta the perfect excuse to cling onto power even longer. 

[PatOngo]

Just now, robblok said:

Its stupid.. gives the junta the perfect excuse to cling onto power even longer. 

 

Or roll out the tanks!

[robblok]

Just now, PatOngo said:

 

Or roll out the tanks!

Indeed... best IMHO to wait for elections not give them an excuse to postpone these even longer.  There is no question about the junta having the power to resist a few protests and they will give them a reason to hold onto power even longer.

[baboon]

15 minutes ago, robblok said:

Indeed... best IMHO to wait for elections not give them an excuse to postpone these even longer.  There is no question about the junta having the power to resist a few protests and they will give them a reason to hold onto power even longer.

A reason, yes. Justification? No.

[robblok]

2 minutes ago, baboon said:

A reason, yes. Justification? No.

Ok wrong words used.. justification in their eyes. Not in my eyes. Maybe call it an excuse. Whatever.. I think its the wrong move to make now.

[steven100]

23 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

 

Or roll out the tanks!

Bingo   !      if the protestors want to cause trouble then they will get trouble,   same anywhere in the world.

[Evert250]

3 minutes ago, robblok said:

Ok wrong words used.. justification in their eyes. Not in my eyes. Maybe call it an excuse. Whatever.. I think its the wrong move to make now.

Many populations of countries around the world are simply not ready for democracy. Thailand on that list.

[Becker]

26 minutes ago, robblok said:

Indeed... best IMHO to wait for elections not give them an excuse to postpone these even longer.  

The junta have shown again and again that they don't need an actual excuse to postpone elections so I'm not so sure that waiting any further will pay off, but time will tell.

 

[PattayaAngel]

32 minutes ago, robblok said:

Its stupid.. gives the junta the perfect excuse to cling onto power even longer. 

It's fighting for freedom - you are wrong again. Millions are hoping it's begun.

[PattayaAngel]

8 minutes ago, steven100 said:

Bingo   !      if the protestors want to cause trouble then they will get trouble,   same anywhere in the world.

 

Yeah let's crush freedom everywhere!  Tanks in New York too?  YEAH!!!  Tanks in London  YEAH!!!  same anywhere in the world?   WHAT ARE YOU ON????   

[Jai Dee]

A couple of troll posts have been removed from this thread.

 

Please discuss the subject matter, not other members.

[robblok]

2 minutes ago, PattayaAngel said:

It's fighting for freedom - you are wrong again. Millions are hoping it's begun.

If millions are hoping for it the 200 people turnout is a bit low don't you think. Right now its a stupid thing to do. If they had say 200.000 sure...  that might change thing... 200 does not change a thing and only gives the junta more excuses to hold onto power.

[worgeordie]

7 minutes ago, Evert250 said:

Many populations of countries around the world are simply not ready for democracy. Thailand on that list.

Thailand is very good at corruption,Democracy ..not so much.

Could this be an excuse to delay an election even further into

the future, PM "The  country is unstable,and people still dont like me,

so an election will be put off until they do"

regards worgeordie

[PattayaAngel]

Just now, robblok said:

If millions are hoping for it the 200 people turnout is a bit low don't you think. Right now its a stupid thing to do. If they had say 200.000 sure...  that might change thing... 200 does not change a thing and only gives the junta more excuses to hold onto power.

Every journey begins with one step

 

Lao Tzu  

[robblok]

1 minute ago, PattayaAngel said:

Every journey begins with one step

 

Lao Tzu  

Sometimes you have to think before you set your first step

 

Rob Blok

 

 

Seriously... either turn up with a real massive amount of protesters or don't turn up at all. This will only give them the excuses they need. 

[steven100]

2 minutes ago, PattayaAngel said:

 

Yeah let's crush freedom everywhere!  Tanks in New York too?  YEAH!!!  Tanks in London  YEAH!!!  same anywhere in the world?   WHAT ARE YOU ON????   

If you are aware of Thailands past history and I have witnessed it several times, the Junta do place some tanks at major intersections even just for a show of force.

Now also,  haven't you seen what's going on in Chile, Greece, parts of the US, and many parts of Africa,  protestors turn violent.

Sometimes protestors turn violent and therefore the authorities turn against them. However,  many protests are peacefull and happen without indecent as such no need for trouble.

Have I explained that sufficiently ..      

[WHYWHY]

Most countries around the World don't stop people from Marching 

However countries with Dictatorship Stop Squash any forms of protest.

Including group meetings or talking about the ones with Power and privileged 

[thaiguzzi]

48 minutes ago, robblok said:

Its stupid.. gives the junta the perfect excuse to cling onto power even longer. 

Disagree.

Unfortunately, the only way this lot is going to be gone is through bloodshed, an insurrection, student uprising et al.

Unfortunately.

Forget the ballot box - it aint gonna happen, and if it ever did, the odds/rules will be stacked against all other legit opposition.

Stuff like this is just a start. Just to get the ball rolling. It will get bigger until it turns into an unstoppable juggernaut.

At least I hope so, for the sake of this country's future.

[robblok]

5 minutes ago, thaiguzzi said:

Disagree.

Unfortunately, the only way this lot is going to be gone is through bloodshed, an insurrection, student uprising et al.

Unfortunately.

Forget the ballot box - it aint gonna happen, and if it ever did, the odds/rules will be stacked against all other legit opposition.

Stuff like this is just a start. Just to get the ball rolling. It will get bigger until it turns into an unstoppable juggernaut.

At least I hope so, for the sake of this country's future.

You and I have totally different ideas.. probably because your far away from the action and could not care less for the bloodshed.

 

An insurrection is only useful when there is a good alternative.. replace these guys with one of the corrupt parties democrats or PTP.. what changes...  nothing. just other corrupt people in power who do the same crappy things. An insurrection would only be useful if there was a good alternative. Right now they are all tainted and corrupt. If you think its useful to see load of blood shed just to get an other bunch of crooks in power.. then that is your opinion not mine.

 

I might agree with you if there was a good alternative.. but still I am against bloodshed and violence. 

 

I don't mind if the other crooks get in power by voting at least then no blood has been shed for a mere change of who is going to get rich stealing from Thailand.

[lemonjelly]

The junta have shown again and again that they don't need an actual excuse to postpone elections so I'm not so sure that waiting any further will pay off, but time will tell.
 

the problem is that corrupt politicians have been replaced by “unusually wealthy” generals who it seems are answerable to no one.... think: blimps (unmanned airships that failed miserably.... Led (lead) Zeppelin, The song remains the same..... unnecessary submarines, speed guns for the police at 10 times the usual price...... massive watch collections “borrowed from friends” (how to insult everyone’s intelligence with one pathetic excuse).... all this from the “Let’s stamp out corruption and make Thailand a better place” gang... they’re as corrupt as any politician ever was, but you can’t vote a junta/dictatorship out.....


Sent from my satellite link using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[lemonjelly]

Many populations of countries around the world are simply not ready for democracy. Thailand on that list.

the problem is that corrupt politicians have been replaced by “unusually wealthy” generals who it seems are answerable to no one.... think: blimps (unmanned airships that failed miserably.... Led (lead) Zeppelin, The song remains the same..... unnecessary submarines, speed guns for the police at 10 times the usual price...... massive watch collections “borrowed from friends” (how to insult everyone’s intelligence with one pathetic excuse).... all this from the “Let’s stamp out corruption and make Thailand a better place” gang... they’re as corrupt as any politician ever was, but you can’t vote a junta/dictatorship out.....


Sent from my satellite link using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

Sent from my satellite link using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[Eric Loh]

The Arab spring began small and over the immolation of a poor vendor who refused to pay a police bribe. Thai spring is near. 

[Golden Triangle]

From small Acorns, mighty Oaks...............................

[PatOngo]

50 minutes ago, steven100 said:

Bingo   !      if the protestors want to cause trouble then they will get trouble,   same anywhere in the world.

Small world, isn't it!      But this is Planet Thailand.

[Oziex1]

Some say they are not ready for democracy, whatever it is that they want you can be sure it is not the current situation. 

An oppressive Military regime, sponsored by the corrupt and morally bankrupt ruling elites with their historic belief in their superiority and entitlement.

 

Thai people deserve better, as all people do.

[PatOngo]

32 minutes ago, steven100 said:

If you are aware of Thailands past history and I have witnessed it several times, the Junta do place some tanks at major intersections even just for a show of force.

Now also,  haven't you seen what's going on in Chile, Greece, parts of the US, and many parts of Africa,  protestors turn violent.

Sometimes protestors turn violent and therefore the authorities turn against them. However,  many protests are peacefull and happen without indecent as such no need for trouble.

Have I explained that sufficiently ..      

Did you witness the Suchinda method?