P-Move activists blocked by military

[webfact]

P-Move activists blocked by military

By PRATCH RUJIVANAROM 
NISANART KANGWANWONG 
THE NATION

 

Members of the People’s Movement for a Just Society (P-Move) march from the United Nations headquarters in Bangkok to Government House yesterday to submit a petition to Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha.

 

Group appeals to UN as supporters prevented from going to Bangkok for demonstration

 

ACTIVISTS demanding the right to protest appealed to the United Nations for help after land rights campaigners faced intimidation from the military yesterday to prevent them from joining peaceful demonstrations in Bangkok.

 

 

It was reported that at least three prominent members of the rights movement People’s Movement for a Just Society (P-Move) Prayong Doklamyai, Sukaew Fungfu, and Rangsan Saensongkwae – were arrested on charges of violating the Public Gathering Act and causing public disorder in Lamphun province but later released.

 

 

At about 3.40pm yesterday, a minor confrontation took place as dozens of police, soldiers and administrative officials turned up to arrest Prayong, Sukaew and Rangsan.

 

These activists were among the crowds of demonstrators.

 

There was some pushing and shoving, as demonstrators tried to prevent officials from dragging their leaders away.

 

 

Soldiers said these men had violated a junta order, which bans actions that may undermine public order or economic systems, and the Public Assembly Act.

 

Finally, officials managed to push the three men into a police vehicle that quickly sped away.

 

Officials also tore down demonstrators’ banners.

 

 

More than 100 members of P-Move in the northern region were stopped on Tuesday night during their journey to join the protest in Bangkok.

 

P-Move members from Lamphun were detained at the police checkpoint in Mae Tha district, while another group of P-Move activists from Chiang Mai were summoned to Kawila Military Base for questioning and then forced to remain at home.

 

All of them intended to attend the prolonged protest in Bangkok alongside land rights activists from across the country to push for long-delayed solutions to land rights issues, disparity in society, and unjust governmental policies, which resulted in greater difficulties and rights violation of poor people across the country.

 

Prayong told The Nation yesterday afternoon, “The military tried to stop the people from joining the protest in Bangkok on the pretext of keeping public order, so they summoned all P-Move protesters from Chiang Mai to Kawila Military Base and asked them to give a signed assurance that that they would not participate in the protest,” Prayong said. “Then, the Army offered Bt20,000 to the protesters as compensation for their travel expenses to Bangkok and the soldiers escorted all of them back to their residences to ensure they would not take part in the protest.”

 

 

However, he revealed that P-Move members from Chiang Mai and Lamphun would not give up their efforts and would discuss their next move.

 

The Farmers Union of the northern region and P-Move have issued a statement condemning the military and authorities’ intervention preventing them from exercising their right to peacefully demonstrate, as this right is guaranteed by the Constitution. The statement said the authorities also have the obligation to facilitate and provide security for the public gathering.

 

 

The groups asked Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha to stop all intimidation of the protesters and urged the National Human Rights Commission and UN to send representatives to monitor the protest so that their rights would be protected.

 

P-Move representatives also went to the UN office in Bangkok to submit a petition and urged them to reach out to Thai authorities and related agencies to ensure freedom of expression and better protection for every human rights defender.

 

In the letter to UN Resident Coordinator Luc Stevens, the group asked the UN to help them on two issues: working with Thai authorities to facilitate the social movement of P-Move, and cooperating with Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to come out with better protection measures for human rights defenders.

 

 

UN Human Rights Asia expressed concern yesterday with regard to the restrictions imposed on civil society groups on Labour Day in the country.

 

“As party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Royal Thai Government must ensure that these rights are fully respected, ” said Cynthia Veliko, OHCHR Southeast Asia regional representative today.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30344479

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-05-03

[Samui Bodoh]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

ACTIVISTS demanding the right to protest appealed to the United Nations for help after land rights campaigners faced intimidation from the military yesterday to prevent them from joining peaceful demonstrations in Bangkok.

While I sympathize with the protesters, the UN can't really do anything to help except provide some publicity and over-watch. Simply put, the UN doesn't have the power to intervene in its member countries' internal affairs, as much as people seem to think they do. The UN can be an honest broker, it can help publicize events, it can remind governments of their commitments, it can do many things. The UN cannot solve the issue of the Junta and the protesters; it does not have either the power or the authority.

 

I have great respect for these brave people who are trying to make their country a better place; good luck and be safe!

 

Edited May 2, 2018 by Samui Bodoh

[YetAnother]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Finally, officials managed to push the three men into a police vehicle that quickly sped away.

 

Officials also tore down demonstrators’ banners.

everyone,wake up to the thailand of today

[JAG]

While I sympathize with the protesters, the UN can't really do anything to help except provide some publicity and over-watch. Simply put, the UN doesn't have the power to intervene in its member countries' internal affairs, as much as people seem to think they do. The UN can be an honest broker, it can help publicize events, it can remind governments of their commitments, it can do many things. The UN cannot solve the issue of the Junta and the protesters; it does not have either the power or the authority.
 
I have great respect for these brave people who are trying to make their country a better place; good luck and be safe!
 

Maybe the protestors hope that they are less likely to be shot outside the UN premises?

After all, temples proved to be no protection...

Sent from my KENNY using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[Lungstib]

Once more the army is involved in a fight against its own citizens to stop them showing their displeasure at army run govt. Far from defending the Thai people the army is more often involved in repressing, intimidating and restricting their free movement. Its far removed from the true purpose of an army.

[Thailand]

Let's hope the guns are kept out of the current situation.

Sadly it does appear these guys are capable of resorting to them particularly now the dissent is gathering steam.

[yellowboat]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The groups asked Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha to stop all intimidation

Then how will he govern ?  Without bullying, people will discover that he is a coward without any intellect. 

[baboon]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

It was reported that at least three prominent members of the rights movement People’s Movement for a Just Society (P-Move) Prayong Doklamyai, Sukaew Fungfu, and Rangsan Saensongkwae – were arrested on charges of violating the Public Gathering Act and causing public disorder in Lamphun province but later released.

So in other words they didn't and this is a cut and dry case of wrongful and malicious arrest. Sue the sons of bitches. The only public disorder was caused by the 'authorities'.

[klauskunkel]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Then, the Army offered Bt20,000 to the protesters as compensation

that's a weird way to refund tax

[Anak Nakal]

Prayut is scared of everyone.

Little man.

[PatOngo]

1 hour ago, Lungstib said:

Once more the army is involved in a fight against its own citizens to stop them showing their displeasure at army run govt. Far from defending the Thai people the army is more often involved in repressing, intimidating and restricting their free movement. Its far removed from the true purpose of an army.

It's called Thai Niyom Yangyuan............Unity!

[mikebell]

I'm unclear about this 20,000 offer.  Is this a bribe to encourage staying at home?  If so can UK pensioners join the P Move?

[Borzandy]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Finally, officials managed to push the three men into a police vehicle that quickly sped away.

Hopping they will reappear....

[metisdead]

Off topic music videos have been removed, you can post your Music videos HERE. 

[Baerboxer]

3 hours ago, JAG said:

Maybe the protestors hope that they are less likely to be shot outside the UN premises?

After all, temples proved to be no protection...

Sent from my KENNY using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

 

Indeed. I was at a conference at the UN HQ when the anti Amnesty protesters were camped outside. They must've thought that it would offer some protection from shooters, grenade throwers and the ping pong ball lobbers.

 

 

[PREM-R]

2 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Indeed. I was at a conference at the UN HQ when the anti Amnesty protesters were camped outside. They must've thought that it would offer some protection from shooters, grenade throwers and the ping pong ball lobbers.

 

 

A non too subtle "but...but... Thaksin" reference?

[Baerboxer]

46 minutes ago, PREM-R said:

A non too subtle "but...but... Thaksin" reference?

 

Just responding to a post who often points out the unfortunate political violence that occasionally breaks out - only he always limits his comments to one side rather than noting the reality.

[zzidenn]

intimidation is the weapon of the weak and unjust

[JAG]

 
Just responding to a post who often points out the unfortunate political violence that occasionally breaks out - only he always limits his comments to one side rather than noting the reality.

Well maybe one might consider that I post as a counterbalance to those of you who "revel in the smack of firm government"?

Sent from my BG2-U03 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[coulson]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

Then, the Army offered Bt20,000 to the protesters as compensation for their travel expenses to Bangkok and the soldiers escorted all of them back to their residences to ensure they would not take part in the protest

So they were paid to go home. That's as bad as being paid to show up.

[sjaak327]

5 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Indeed. I was at a conference at the UN HQ when the anti Amnesty protesters were camped outside. They must've thought that it would offer some protection from shooters, grenade throwers and the ping pong ball lobbers.

 

 

But of course in this case those throwers were not the authorities !

[5633572526]

On 5/3/2018 at 6:42 AM, Samui Bodoh said:

While I sympathize with the protesters, the UN can't really do anything to help except provide some publicity and over-watch. Simply put, the UN doesn't have the power to intervene in its member countries' internal affairs, as much as people seem to think they do. The UN can be an honest broker, it can help publicize events, it can remind governments of their commitments, it can do many things. The UN cannot solve the issue of the Junta and the protesters; it does not have either the power or the authority.

 

I have great respect for these brave people who are trying to make their country a better place; good luck and be safe!

 

Agree that UN can do little but believe this is probably the safest place for the protestors and will give maximum worldwide coverage. 

[baboon]

6 minutes ago, 5633572526 said:

Agree that UN can do little but believe this is probably the safest place for the protestors and will give maximum worldwide coverage. 

It also serves to show that the UN is a toothless tiger as they sit back and do nothing in the face of flagrant human rights abuses.

[holy cow cm]

Big and small p better realize they must get out and take the juntas with them or it is apt to be a blood bath from hatred of them.