Hundreds gather near U.N. headquarters in Bangkok to protest against Thai military government

By Aukkarapon Niyomyat and Panarat Thepgumpanat

 

Demonstrators take part in a protest organized by the People's Movement for a Just Society outside the United Nations' regional headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, May 2, 2018. REUTERS/Aukkarapon Niyomyat

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Hundreds gathered outside the United Nations' regional headquarters in Bangkok and two other locations on Wednesday to urge Thailand's military government to end what they say is the intimidation of community activists by authorities.

 

The demonstration was one of the largest displays of displeasure against Thailand's unelected government in recent months. It was organised by the People's Movement for Just Society, or P-Move, a network that represents farmers, the urban poor and indigenous people who have been forced from their land.

 

The protest underscores growing public disgruntlement ahead of a general election that the military government has repeatedly delayed. The latest date has been set for 2019.

 

Thailand was rocked by often deadly, on-off street protests between 2008 and 2014. The ruling junta has clamped down on freedom of expression since a 2014 coup and has banned public gatherings, saying its actions were necessary to keep the peace ahead of the 2019 vote.

 

Demonstrators take part in a protest organized by the People's Movement for a Just Society outside the United Nations' regional headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, May 2, 2018. REUTERS/Aukkarapon Niyomyat

 

Around 900 people gathered at three locations in Bangkok's historic district on Wednesday, including outside the United Nations. Three hundred police officers were deployed to control the crowds.

 

Some protesters were seen laying out mats across the street from the Government House complex.

 

The protesters plan to stay around two weeks, said Tanadet Teenaka, deputy commander of Nang Loeng police station.

 

Sutharee Wannasiri, Thailand Rights Specialist at Fortify Rights, accused the military and police of intimidating members of disenfranchised communities.

 

"It is disturbing that the Thai military and police continue to intimidate, harass and arbitrarily detain members of affected communities who simply exercise their rights to peaceful protests," Sutharee told Reuters.

 

Members of P-Move have been forcibly evicted from their homes and many have lost land used for farming as a result of the current military administration, she said.

 

Authorities detained more than a hundred people in the northern province of Chiang Mai to prevent them from joining the Bangkok protest, P-Move said.

 

Sansern Kaewkamnerd, a spokesman for the government, said the government stood ready to solve problems raised by grassroots groups.

 

"The prime minister has urged the relevant authorities to speedily resolve problems," Sansern said.

 

Jamnong Nupan, one of the protest leaders, called the government insincere.

 

"The prime minister needs to tell us why the government can't solve our problems over the past four years," Jamnong told the crowd.

 

In a separate protest, more than a thousand people gathered in Chiang Mai on Sunday to protest against the building of a luxury government housing project on forested land.

 

(Additional reporting by Amy Sawitta Lefevre and Panu Wongcha-um; Writing by Amy Sawitta Lefevre; Editing by Paul Tait)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-05-02

3 minutes ago, webfact said:

The demonstration was one of the largest displays of displeasure against Thailand's unelected government in recent months.

great, more power to them

11 minutes ago, webfact said:

Hundreds gathered outside the United Nations' regional headquarters in Bangkok and two other locations on Wednesday to urge Thailand's military government to end what they say is the intimidation of community activists by authorities.

Hundreds??? Why don´t we say one tousand just to be on the fair side of whats right. As a fact that means very little disappointment when it comes to 12-15 million people in Bangkok and another about 70 million in the country. Now we can clearly se why Thailand reach the top of the happy-meter contest every year. 

Edited May 2, 20188 yr by Get Real

He better hurry with his new protester laws ! can see someone is getting worried

Good. The government has been talking democracy for far too long. Can’t keep hiding your hand forever. 

37 minutes ago, webfact said:

Authorities detained more than a hundred people in the northern province of Chiang Mai to prevent them from joining the Bangkok protest, P-Move said.

Perhaps the most disturbing element...

Finally some descent much needed rebellion. They've got my vote. 

 

Is that the rumble of tanks I hear in the distance?

So about a hundred care enough to drag their <deleted> out for a couple of hours. Junta has done a good job suppressing the people.

900 out of 70 mill ???

27 minutes ago, tracker1 said:

He better hurry with his new protester laws ! can see someone is getting worried

No need when you can simply make up whatever the law is at any particular moment on the spot. 

31 minutes ago, Henrik Andersen said:

900 out of 70 mill ???

First of all, at least 15 mill are under the age of 15 years old. 

 

Secondly :   Usually a revolution is caused by exploitation by the rich of the poor, famine, particular traditions and culture, economic and political decline, and changes in institutions.   

 

You seem to have as little knowledge of history as the present government. 

1 hour ago, Henrik Andersen said:

900 out of 70 mill ???

likely a higher figure then the tyrants they oppose

and the UN did what???

Better cancel a submarine to build a bigger prison soon

I detect a crack in the wall. The water is flowing.

This will be another reason to postpone the election again. The Gen. Prayut and his govern friends will be happy about it.

1 hour ago, Henrik Andersen said:

900 out of 70 mill ???

 

Considering that under the current martial law like rules, any public gathering of more than 5 or so people is banned and illegal, 1,000 or so isn't a bad start.

 

All of the people protesting potentially face arrest, detention and prosecution. So they're taking a good sized risk just by being there.

 

 

21 minutes ago, Colabamumbai said:

I detect a crack in the wall. The water is flowing.

Not even a drip at this stage.

44 minutes ago, alant said:

and the UN did what???

I met two fellow countrymen who worked for the UN one night having a few drinks. I asked them what they did in the UN? They looked at each other smiled and replied "Nothing in unison. 

17 minutes ago, tropo said:

Not even a drip at this stage.

Yet they need to deploy 300 policemen. Certainly got them very worried. 

20 minutes ago, tropo said:

Not even a drip at this stage.

Correct, most people don't really care. Or just don't think they can affect change. The ones I spoke too (BKK area) just don't care anymore. The ones i spoke with said the previous governments were not much different from the junta. (corruption wise) and financially there is no difference too in what they get money wise. 

 

Things would be different of course if you talk to farmers getting double the market price for your rice is of course interesting (just not sustainable)

2 hours ago, yellowboat said:

First of all, at least 15 mill are under the age of 15 years old. 

 

Secondly :   Usually a revolution is caused by exploitation by the rich of the poor, famine, particular traditions and culture, economic and political decline, and changes in institutions.   

 

You seem to have as little knowledge of history as the present government. 

5555 it seems you know everything about nothing 

And remember you are a guest in Thailand if you not like it go home 

Thailand is becoming a better country meaby not for you 

I think it should be lead By Makro and Toyota, all Thais love them.[emoji488][emoji594]


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

This will not end well. Whatever way you look at it.

49 minutes ago, Henrik Andersen said:

5555 it seems you know everything about nothing 

And remember you are a guest in Thailand if you not like it go home 

Thailand is becoming a better country meaby not for you 

2

"if you not like it go home"

1) A tired worn out mantra.

2)It may be his home - I consider it mine.

3) Who the hell are you to tell anyone to "go home" just because they don't subscribe to your enthusiasm for a nationalistic military junta?

 

 

As usual. Reuters put their own interpretations on this and try and turn it into something quiet different from what the protesters are actually protesting about.

 

And not even clever enough to see that in the way they report.

 

 

2 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

Yet they need to deploy 300 policemen. Certainly got them very worried. 

 

You actually think they'd deploy some policemen if they were really worried?

 

 

Wonder how/if the protest leaders were elected 

Oh dear!...better best to just avoid the area and even to discuss the topic in public with any farang who could be another snitch "wanna-be-cop" with a fishy DSI uniform in his closed obtained god knows how !!!

 

(brave people however protesting)