Protests ‘not yet at boiling point’

[rooster59]

Protests ‘not yet at boiling point’

By KAS CHANWANPEN, 
WICHIT CHAITRONG 
THE SUNDAY NATION

 

From left: Weng, Anusorn and Rangsiman

 

WITH A series of demonstrations against the military-installed regime planned in the lead-up to the coup’s fourth anniversary in May, observers expect protesters to shake the junta to some degree but say it is unlikely they will topple it completely.

 

Veteran protest leader Weng Tojirakarn said the situation had not yet reached a “boiling point”, enough for the general public to take to the streets. The current movement, led by the younger generation and intellectuals, also faced a challenge on how to connect with the people, he said.

 

Pro-democracy scholar Anusorn Unno explained that the political context today differed from that during the 1973 protests, and the scale of the movement against the regime may not be able to match that of the past. But the current student-led movement was a good sign of “new politics without the colour codes” that could “get the junta trembling”, he said.

 

The remarks came following an announcement from pro-democracy activists that they would stage a series of demonstrations calling for an election, after the junta-appointed legislature passed a bill that could delay the promised poll by three months.

The protests naturally added fuel to the flames as the military-backed government has already been attacked on all fronts – from its poor administration to the recent watch scandal involving its second in command, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan.

 

Weng, a leader of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) that successfully led a large-scale demonstration of red shirts, said the junta was currently in bad shape. However, the climax that could lead to its end had yet to come.

 

“The NCPO [National Council for Peace and Order] is being bombarded today with many issues. The bread-and-butter problem is quietly undermining its government. People are enraged about Prawit’s watches. The election is being delayed indefinitely,” he said. “All these are building up public dissatisfaction. But still, we haven’t really reached the peak.”

 

Asked about the young activists, mostly university students, taking the lead in the movement for democracy, Weng said this was not uncommon. In Thai history, this role had always been one for scholars and students. “There are many things that still get in the way, obstructing this movement from growing to be as big as the yellow-shirt People’s Alliance for Democracy, the red-shirt UDD, or the People’s Democratic Reform Committee,” he said. “Most importantly, the NCPO has taken strong measures against demonstrators. It’s hard for people to come out.”

 

However, Anusorn, who has played a major role in activities against the junta in the past couple of years, pointed out that the NCPO’s fear tactics may not really work.

 

“I think it has a reverse effect. As people get sued for marching for democracy, more people come out to show solidarity and to support us.”

 

But Anusorn said that the recent movement and the mass demonstrations in 1973 were not comparable. Back then there was no colour-coded politics and the people had a clear and common enemy, which was the dictator ruler. “While the movement may not drive the ruler out of the country, it does its job of informing the people that they are disrespected by a ruler who cannot be held accountable,” he said. 

 

Rangsiman Rome, the face of the young movement, said he did not know whether the demonstrations would work, or whether they could really drive the junta out of office. The activists would just focus on what they had to do each day, he said.

 

“In our group, we have just a handful of people working together. But last time we marched around the Democracy Monument, we saw around 1,500 participants,” he said. “And that was something.”

 

Rangsiman said he did not know whether the protests would be successful. However, he felt it was the young people’s job to come out and demand an election.

 

Meanwhile, NCPO spokesman Piyapong Klinpan said that the military was still working with good spirits, trying to keep peace and order. 

Business executives have warned that political uncertainty could have long-term consequences.

 

Kim Eng Tan, senior director, sovereign and international public finance ratings at S&P Global Ratings, said a delay in the election may not affect the country’s sovereign rating in the short run, but political uncertainty could have negative implications in the long term. “Political developments are not expected to affect the rating, but there are long-term consequences,” said Tan. S&P has assigned Thailand an investment grade rating of BBB+ with a stable outlook. 

 

Jen Namchaisiri, president of the Federation of Thai Industries, said foreign investors currently do not ask about the political situation in Thailand, but they are interested in the latest laws and regulations related to investment privileges. 

 

Anusorn Tamajai, dean of Rangsit University’s economics faculty, said some investors would postpone their investments as they were waiting for a clear picture of Thai politics. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30339625

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-02-25

[YetAnother]

48 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

But the current student-led movement was a good sign of “new politics without the colour codes”

a 'scholar' said that ? how does he figure ? the deep-rooted color coded causes still very much exist;

topple this govt and they will show themselves brightly

[Get Real]

I am glad that they believe in eachother.

[Prairieboy]

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

“While the movement may not drive the ruler out of the country, it does its job of informing the people that they are disrespected by a ruler who cannot be held accountable

A groundswell of support for this grassroots movement and for the future of the nation is required.   

[mikebell]

Students v Soldiers - hmmn.

[Samui Bodoh]

5 minutes ago, mikebell said:

Students v Soldiers - hmmn.

 

It sounds a bit counter-intuitive, but actually the students are the victors quite often.

 

The pen is mightier than the sword. 

[yellowboat]

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

“get the junta trembling”,

The junta has done nothing but tremble since usurping power.  Fear of three finger salutes, reading books and eating sandwiches hardly indicates an organization that feels secure.   Little p lecturing Rangsiman Rome about ruining his record just shows the heighten level of his delusion.  His buffoonery coupled with his exaggerated sense of grandeur is dissolving the army's iron fist.  

[RichardColeman]

5 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Meanwhile, NCPO spokesman Piyapong Klinpan said that the military was still working with good spirits

Course they are, they are being very well paid !

[robblok]

4 hours ago, YetAnother said:

a 'scholar' said that ? how does he figure ? the deep-rooted color coded causes still very much exist;

topple this govt and they will show themselves brightly

Yes the moment the junta is gone the others (yellow and red) will be fighting to take their place at the feeding-trough. Just too much money to be made (stolen from Thai taxpayer) for it ever to be peaceful. Fight corruption and make it hard to be corrupt then its less profitable to be in goverment and the heat will be off. 

[connda]

Protests ‘not yet at boiling point’

 

But the kettle is steaming and bubbles are forming on the sides of the pot.  I wonder what color will be dropped into the water before it reaches a rolling boil?

[Bundooman]

7 hours ago, mikebell said:

Students v Soldiers - hmmn.

Do you hear the people sing?
Singing the songs of angry men?
It is the music of the people
Who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!

Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?

Then join in the fight
That will give you the right to be free!

[DrTuner]

Big pot takes time to boil. What was it last time, 2 years? Tick tock..

[Eric Loh]

Protest will normally not lead to boiling point but military overreaction will. They overreacted in 1973, 1992 and 2009. 

[PatOngo]

Where there's smoke, there's fire!

[InMyShadow]

Every protest so far has been a fizzer..where is the back up ? why are the masses not joining in?

 

Speaks volumes really but students must make noise. Its been there job throughout history but every fizzer just makes them look weaker. If they cant mobilize a measly few thousand out of 60 million than they should stay home and study!!! No need to validate the lack of interest for the Junta to see. Dumb move!

[Cadbury]

Prayut and his cronies with the support of the military are bullies....no if's or but's. They cannot stand any form of resistance to their authority.

This will provoke an overreaction and they will lose it and behave like spoilt children having a tantrum. This in turn will create more antagonism toward them.

But being the fools they are they wont realise that psychological pressure is being applied.

[wabothai]

9 minutes ago, Cadbury said:

Prayut and his cronies with the support of the military are bullies....no if's or but's. They cannot stand any form of resistance to their authority.

This will provoke an overreaction and they will lose it and behave like spoilt children having a tantrum. This in turn will create more antagonism toward them.

But being the fools they are they wont realise that psychological pressure is being applied.

They, the dinosaurs, are clinging on by their fingernails.

[thaiguzzi]

1 hour ago, InMyShadow said:

Every protest so far has been a fizzer..where is the back up ? why are the masses not joining in?

 

Speaks volumes really but students must make noise. Its been there job throughout history but every fizzer just makes them look weaker. If they cant mobilize a measly few thousand out of 60 million than they should stay home and study!!! No need to validate the lack of interest for the Junta to see. Dumb move!

Troll does not know what he is talking about.

Have another G&T old chap...

[mikebell]

17 hours ago, Bundooman said:

Do you hear the people sing?
Singing the songs of angry men?
It is the music of the people
Who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!

Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?

Then join in the fight
That will give you the right to be free!

Les Mis.

[Eric Loh]

9 minutes ago, Air Smiles said:

 

Its irrelevant as it was a peaceful protest.

The military overreacted. 

[chickenslegs]

5 minutes ago, Air Smiles said:

 

Its irrelevant as it was a peaceful protest.

It was a genuine question. Anyway, Google suggests you were referring to this disgraceful event ... http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/27/world/asia/78-arrested-in-thai-protests-suffocate-in-crowded-trucks.html

 

 

[metisdead]

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