Police seek alleged backers behind anti-junta protests

By The Nation

 

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha

 

AUTHORITIES WARN ABOUT ‘FOREIGN INSTIGATORS’ AS SEVEN ACTIVISTS TARGETED

 

POLICE ARE ATTEMPTING to determine whether anyone financed recent protests by anti-junta activists, a deputy national police chief said yesterday.

 

Amid the crackdown on protesters, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday continued to insist he was willing to listen to everyone’s voice. 

 

The prime minister said in a weekly press briefing that he understood that protesters had their own reasons to rally publicly, but he warned them against violating the law.

 

Prayut also said he listened to all groups of people. Regarding the delay in the next election that protesters opposed, he said it would certainly bring advantages and disadvantages to different groups of people but he did not think the government would benefit.

 

Pol General Sriwara Ransibhramanakul, the deputy police commissioner-general in charge of security affairs, said investigators would summon seven activists who had been accused of violating the junta ban on political gatherings and instigating disturbances.

 

He said the ongoing police investigation could lead to more suspects being called in, but he declined to disclose a number.

 

His comments came after Colonel Burin Thongprapai, an official with the ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), filed a complaint at Pathum Wan Police Station against seven activists who organised a rally last Saturday on the skywalk above the Pathum Wan intersection. 

 

The demonstration, which included more than 100 participants, called for a general election by November, as had been promised by Prayut. The seven activists are Rangsiman Rome, Sirawit Sereethiwat, Nattha Mahatthana, Anon Nampha, Ekachai Hongkangwan, Sukrit Piansuwan and Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal, most of whom are members of the Democracy Restoration Group.

 

Sirawit yesterday asked “people power” to rise up against the “NCPO dictators”. 

 

He said in his Facebook message that, “On February 10 I will never back off,” referring to the date of a planned rally by anti-junta activists at the Democracy Monument. 

 

However, Netiwit said in a Facebook message yesterday that he had joined Saturday’s rally as a citizen, and not as an affiliate of any group. “I feel honoured to be one of the seven accused,” he added. 

 

Sriwara said yesterday that police were investigating to determine who was behind this “regular” group of protesters, but he declined to provide further details.

 

“Wait until arrest warrants are approved by the court, and you will know. The supporters are no mystery. They are behind the gatherings in five to six areas,” he said. 

 

As the activists were being charged with political assembly, Prayut yesterday said the government was not guilty of discrimination. For example, he said, he had also been criticised by the media and yet had not prohibited their coverage.

 

“Don’t create misunderstandings. It is reported to the international community and now they view that the government as discriminatory,” Prayut said to Government House reporters.

 

He said activists should consider whether their rallies affected peace in society, adding that actions should be in line with the law.

 

“The Administrative Court has already granted an injunction [to the We Walk marchers]. Now try not to violate the law,” he said, apparently referring to activists marching to Khon Kaen to address public policy issues.

 

Prayut also advised people to look at the motives of the activists, while adding that he did not want to be in conflict with anyone.

 

He also admitted that the government’s popularity was in decline, saying it was common for every government in its fourth year of ruling. But the government would try to work hard and serve the people, he said.

 

Meanwhile, Sriwara yesterday met Pathum Wan district chief Nawaporn Klinbuakaew, who maintained that the rally site at Pathum Wan intersection was a public area. Police said protests were prohibited in the area under the Public Rally Act because it is located less than 150 metres from royal premises.

 

The case’s chief investigator, Pol Lt-Colonel Samak Panyawong, yesterday said the seven accused had been summoned to meet with police on Friday to be formally notified of charges against them. If they fail to meet with the investigators after being summoned twice, arrest warrants would be issued against them, he added.

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan yesterday said authorities would rely on relevant laws and junta orders in dealing with protesters. He also noted that the junta was still in power and its ban against political gatherings of more than four people remained in effect.

 

“I have measures to take care of them. According to the intelligence, there is only one group [of anti-junta protesters]”, Prawit said. 

 

Meanwhile, the National Security Council (NSC) was looking into reported moves by “hardline” groups and “foreign instigators” in support of the activists, NSC secretary-general General Wanlop Raksanoh said yesterday.

 

“We are trying to verify the reports,” he said, adding that there should be no problem as long as their acts were not against the law.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30337549

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-01-31

13 minutes ago, webfact said:

He also admitted that the government’s popularity was in decline, saying it was common for every government in its fourth year of ruling.

Yes, it is. And there is little/no likelihood that you will be able to change that.

 

The longer the Junta stays in power, the worse it will be for Thailand.

 

How many times this imbecile yacks on about not breaking "the law" is tiresome. 

It is clear that he genuinely doesn't understand irony. It is an ongoing embarrassment for the country to have these boneheads still turning everything they touch to $#ite

Prayut Thai democracy in action. Sad.

It will not be long b4 Yingluck gets the blame.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

“We are trying to verify the reports,” he said, adding that there should be no problem as long as their acts were not against the law.

O come on general just make it up as you have done for years

Here it comes!

 

The inevitable raising of the spectre of PMs past as the cause of all things the Junta cannot control. They seem to have missed that not everyone like being controlled by decree. Add that to the appearance that the puppeteers seem to be in it for their own gain. Pitchforks and rebellion are still a distinct possibility.

I am just waiting for " These people are intent in disrupting civil society and destroying Thainess. They have indicated that they will continue to protest, therefore we have no choice but to leave the ban on political activities in place and delay the election indefinitely." Said DPM Prawit.

 

Watch this space.

Edited January 31, 20188 yr by BigBadGeordie
Typo

Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves, 

 

Confucius 

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

For example, he said, he had also been criticised by the media and yet had not prohibited their coverage.

Awe, give the man a cookie. 

Two troll posts removed.

2 hours ago, wakeupplease said:

It will not be long b4 Yingluck gets the blame.

Really ? Being a UK citizen , my money is on Brexit getting it ! (At least from Yahoo's perspective !)

4 hours ago, webfact said:

AUTHORITIES WARN ABOUT ‘FOREIGN INSTIGATORS’

ok, now add a heavy dose of paranoia to the ultra nationalism and far right conservatism we now endure; the continuing slide back of thailand

Alleged the biggest word in any juntas junta.

4 hours ago, wakeupplease said:

It will not be long b4 Yingluck gets the blame.

I wonder if there is an uniformed team of spin doctors looking for a strategy to blame their own chaos on some pesky foreigners.

21 minutes ago, Lupatria said:

I wonder if there is an uniformed team of spin doctors looking for a strategy to blame their own chaos on some pesky foreigners.

Uniformed or uninformed,

perhaps the two rather go together...

Time to dust off the elaborate diagram of the Finland plot. Cut and paste and viola, you have the foreign plot and all the lead perpetrators. 

Here we go again.....When in doubt, blame a Farang !

Ah how soon the posters here forget how the Takky clan have paid and transported their loyal (money grubbing) minions to protest and hold Bkk hostage in the past, including the crowds that happily cheered and celebrated the murders of young children that got blown up by RPG's.

 

The junta is not perfect but Thailand is much safer and stable now than it has been at any time in the 17 years that I have been here. 

5 hours ago, leeneeds said:

Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves, 

 

Confucius 

 

If you sit by the river long enough the bodies of your enemies will float past. Lao Tsu. 

1 hour ago, ALLSEEINGEYE said:

Ah how soon the posters here forget how the Takky clan have paid and transported their loyal (money grubbing) minions to protest and hold Bkk hostage in the past, including the crowds that happily cheered and celebrated the murders of young children that got blown up by RPG's.

 

The junta is not perfect but Thailand is much safer and stable now than it has been at any time in the 17 years that I have been here. 

And now it is time for elections fore which they will probably lose due to being far less than perfect .  They have gone way beyond their expiry date and are holding back the non super wealthy.   The country on the whole is NOT violent.  The time for moving past martial law is now.

Edited January 31, 20188 yr by yellowboat

1 hour ago, yellowboat said:

And now it is time for elections fore which they will probably lose due to being far less than perfect .  They have gone way beyond their expiry date and are holding back the non super wealthy.   The country on the whole is NOT violent.  The time for moving past martial law is now.

The country as a whole may not be violent (even though Thailand has one of the highest murder rates per capita in the world, I believe they were ranked about 14th in 2010), but the red shirts were truly violent. Anyone the cheers the death of innocent children is as low as it gets.

5 minutes ago, ALLSEEINGEYE said:

The country as a whole may not be violent (even though Thailand has one of the highest murder rates per capita in the world, I believe they were ranked about 14th in 2010), but the red shirts were truly violent. Anyone the cheers the death of innocent children is as low as it gets.

Is everyone who does not support the Junta a redshirt to you? There are a hell of a lot of non-affiliated people who are fed up with this lot.  It is not just redshirts you know.  

2 minutes ago, ALLSEEINGEYE said:

The country as a whole may not be violent (even though Thailand has one of the highest murder rates per capita in the world, I believe they were ranked about 14th in 2010), but the red shirts were truly violent. Anyone the cheers the death of innocent children is as low as it gets.

Many who voted for the Shinawatres are not violent, and they are almost 50% of the voting population.  Part of the problem with Thailand is that the Thais hate each other. Has the junta done anything to fix the problems that Thailand faces ?  Are the roads safer ?  Is the murder rate down ?  Have Thais stopped hating one another ?   The junta not following through with their promises could have an even worse effect, as their leadership is weak.  They may have military might, but they have trouble with debate and scrutiny. 

That’s these trouble making foreigners again time for a crackdown better than any elections 

The longer this goes on the less likely anyone associated with this government will be able to win an election....so.....there just won't be an election. An "outsider" PM will be the likely solution. Then watch the protest and the responses.

Why is it so hard for the dinosaurs in power to believe any Thai could believe in something like the future of the country without money being involved.

 

This is particularly true for idealistic, brave if foolhardy youth. For Prayuth to suggest that someone had to be "behind them" shows he thinks all Thais are buffaloes, incapable of thinking for themselves and knowing their own mind.

 

Some people care... I'm proud of these kids!

On 31 January 2018 at 4:45 AM, Samui Bodoh said:

Yes, it is. And there is little/no likelihood that you will be able to change that.

 

The longer the Junta stays in power, the worse it will be for Thailand.

 

IMO junta saved Thialand and I like many and most of our thai friends are very greatful they stpped in. MAny of us are perfectly happy for junta to stay in power if needed for decades much better than Taksin and co  

2 minutes ago, icare999 said:

IMO junta saved Thialand and I like many and most of our thai friends are very greatful they stpped in. MAny of us are perfectly happy for junta to stay in power if needed for decades much better than Taksin and co  

Fine, but many others aren't. Here's a radical idea - How about putting it to a nationwide vote and seeing who wants what? Does that strike you as a reasonable solution?

On ‎31‎/‎01‎/‎2018 at 8:31 AM, webfact said:

“I have measures to take care of them. According to the intelligence, there is only one group [of anti-junta protesters]”, Prawit said. 

 

Meanwhile, the National Security Council (NSC) was looking into reported moves by “hardline” groups and “foreign instigators” in support of the activists, NSC secretary-general General Wanlop Raksanoh said yesterday.

How can one make a statement against this Government?

 

Foreign Instigators, are ones living in foreign countries?

 

The General is on track to developing a lot of enemies. He is not being fair.