Activists threaten march to Government House

By KAS CHANWANPEN 
THE SUNDAY NATION

 

A group of demonstrators calling themselves “People Who Want to Vote” hold a peaceful rally at Thammasat University yesterday to pressure the ruling junta to hold the next election by November.

 

PRO-ELECTION activists yesterday threatened to march to Government House on the fourth anniversary of the 2014 coup later this month if the ruling junta failed to respond to their call for an election in November.

 

The group stood firm on its stance that the next election must be held this year, as promised earlier by Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, its leader Rangsiman Rome said during a demonstration at Thammasat University’s Tha Prachan campus. 

 

Before the election, the junta – the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) – must change its role as an administering government to that of a caretaker only to facilitate the holding of an election, the activist said. 

 

And lastly, the Army should stop supporting the NCPO’s political rule, he added. 

The protest yesterday was the sixth in a series against the coup-installed regime, calling for a general election which was last held in the country in 2011. In February 2014, the Pheu Thai-led government had called an election that was aborted by anti-government rallies.

 

The current pro-election protest began in late January following the release of the organic law governing the election of MPs. 

 

The junta-appointed National Legislative Assembly laid out in the law that its enforcement be put off by three months after promulgation, naturally delaying the election by the same amount of time. The move contradicted a statement by Prayut, who is also the NCPO leader, late last year that the next election would be held in November. 

 

The activities to demand an election this year are expected to be intense this month, as May 22 marks the fourth anniversary of the coup.

 

Yesterday, more than 400 people took part in the peaceful demonstration, packing the venue – the Pridi Banomyong Park – inside the TU campus. Some 600 security officers reportedly were deployed to observe and keep a record of the activity. 

 

Rangsiman said yesterday that Prayut had repeatedly failed to keep his promises about holding the election. 

 

The protesters had no choice but to come out and voice their demands because there was no guarantee that the election would take place in February next year as promised by the government, he said. Despite the continuous attempt by the group to apply pressure on the junta, political critic and activist Ekachai Chainuvati admitted it was difficult for the demonstration to be successful.

 

“We cannot expect hundreds of thousands or millions of people to come out on May 22 this year, considering the strict law enforcement on public assembly through use of the junta order,” he said. 

 

“So, it would not be as successful as the People’s Democratic Reform Committee’s movement before the coup and not as violent as the Black May riots of 1992.”

 

He predicted a scenario of the activists getting arrested for the planned demonstration.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30344691

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-05-06

5 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

Yesterday, more than 400 people took part in the peaceful demonstration, packing the venue – the Pridi Banomyong Park – inside the TU campus. Some 600 security officers reportedly were deployed to observe and keep a record of the activity. 

 

400 protesters vs 600 security officers !!

Has that ratio come from the governments "how to deal with demonstrations handbook" ??

Over reaction I would say, especially when Toad Boy stated the other day that no extra security would be needed and the protest would be over quickly...

Lies lies lies cheaters cheating and lying 

9 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

He predicted a scenario of the activists getting arrested for the planned demonstration.

likely right, the pin hasn't yet been pulled out of the grenade, that being Violence

Bring it on!

 

15 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

Yesterday, more than 400 people took part in the peaceful demonstration, packing the venue – the Pridi Banomyong Park – inside the TU campus. Some 600 security officers reportedly were deployed to observe and keep a record of the activity. 

400 peaceful demonstrators VS. 600 security officers.

 

There are two clear insights here...

 

1. The Junta is afraid. Very afraid.

2. The Junta/Military/Prayut know that their position is morally untenable, and that is why there is such overkill. If there were to be a free debate, the Junta/Military/Prayut could not sustain an argument for their actions. So they use force to disallow one; it is a cowardly accounting.

 

Thai people deserve better than this.

 

Prayut afraid like little girl.

“People Who Want to Vote”  group demands:-

 

1) The general election takes place in November.

2) The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) must quit.

3) The military should stay out of politics.

 

If these demands are not met then they will march to government house on the 22/5/18.

 

5 hours ago, rooster59 said:

must change its role as an administering government to that of a caretaker only to facilitate the holding of an election

I agree.

That's what the constitution says.

But juntas don't do constitutions.

Juntas make their own rules even when they write the constitutions. Thai constitutions are like the Playboy magazine. No one looks at it for the words. Maybe future Thai constitutions should have pictures to gain people's attention.

 

5 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

400 peaceful demonstrators VS. 600 security officers.

 

There are two clear insights here...

 

1. The Junta is afraid. Very afraid.

2. The Junta/Military/Prayut know that their position is morally untenable, and that is why there is such overkill. If there were to be a free debate, the Junta/Military/Prayut could not sustain an argument for their actions. So they use force to disallow one; it is a cowardly accounting.

 

Thai people deserve better than this.

 

 

Dream on!

 

400 people - sure they're shaking in their boots.

 

Arguments for their actions - they expect people to believe what they're told, no matter how ridiculous it may seem to us ignorant farangs. Just the way it's always been.

 

But they'll probably use this small inoffensive group as an excuse for more delays amid "security concerns" should it suit them. 

 

The only time the Junta will be scared is if the rich elite powers show their displeasure and consider replacing them.

7 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

I agree.

That's what the constitution says.

But juntas don't do constitutions.

Juntas make their own rules even when they write the constitutions. Thai constitutions are like the Playboy magazine. No one looks at it for the words. Maybe future Thai constitutions should have pictures to gain people's attention.

 

Agree. 

 

The whole point of the army taking over and a Junta being installed was to eliminate corruption, institute meaningful reforms, stop the violence and facilitate a new electoral process that would facilitate a return to democracy and civilian elected government,

 

How would you rate performance and progress to date?

 

 

 

400-600. Hmm.. its time to go little boy. Its the beggining of the end me thinks. If that aint intimidation, oppression etc , what is? Lets hope the 600 were listening to reason.

"The citizen has the right and the duty to call the government to order,

if he believes that it disregards democratic rights."

(Gustav Heinemann, third Federal President of the Federal Republic of Germany)

18 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

The only time the Junta will be scared is if the rich elite powers show their displeasure and consider replacing them.

     

40 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Dream on!

 

400 people - sure they're shaking in their boots.

 

Arguments for their actions - they expect people to believe what they're told, no matter how ridiculous it may seem to us ignorant farangs. Just the way it's always been.

 

But they'll probably use this small inoffensive group as an excuse for more delays amid "security concerns" should it suit them. 

 

The only time the Junta will be scared is if the rich elite powers show their displeasure and consider replacing them.

What a daft post! I usually ignore your assertions, but this is ridiculous.

 

Keeping the establishment elite on your side is simply a matter of stealing enough money (oops, creating government procurement contracts) and keeping the rift-raft away from their families; it requires the brains of a chimp.

 

The threat to the Junta comes from having a few hundred thousand average people marching in the street. If numbers of protesters begin to swell, then the elite's servants take a holiday, the elite's factory workers become less productive, the elite's salesladies in the malls call in sick, etc etc etc. Further, when the families of the elite begin walking down the street and someone shouts at their daughters "Hey! Look at that fine ass!", then things begin to get dicey for the military.

 

And THAT is when the elite are dangerous.

 

Thais aren't stupid. They know that they are ill-treated. They put up with it for reasons that are inexplicable to me, but that (somehow) make sense to them. However, numerous times in the last 50 years they have taken to the streets in one form or another and it can get very ugly, very quickly; governments/regimes do rise and fall. Assuming that it won't ever happen again is the thinking of a child; it is a question of when, not if.

 

That is why the Junta is afraid of those 400 people; they can become 4,000 or 40,000 in a short time.

 

35 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Dream on!

 

400 people - sure they're shaking in their boots.

 

Arguments for their actions - they expect people to believe what they're told, no matter how ridiculous it may seem to us ignorant farangs. Just the way it's always been.

 

But they'll probably use this small inoffensive group as an excuse for more delays amid "security concerns" should it suit them. 

 

The only time the Junta will be scared is if the rich elite powers show their displeasure and consider replacing them.

There is some truth to what you say, but Prem and Suthep both have spelled out the average Thais' displeasure of the junta.    They have lost all credibility, they have accomplished nothing other than allowing Jack Ma to sell a little  fruit, and they cannot defend themselves from scrutiny.   They are afraid. 

The intensity of the activists is definitely moving up a notch. Their messages at the rally are more pointed and bold. Now they are upping the ante and threaten to march to the seat of the government.

 

They are a brave lot and really pushing the envelope and ready to confront the junta. I don’t think they can muster the mass who are handcuffed by intimidating assembly law and the unpredictability and ruthless military who will not hesitate to turn their guns inwards. 

 

However the march to government house will be a powerful message that they are not cowed and put the junta at an awkward position. Should the junta overreact, it could be a watershed moment and the mass will respond. If they don’t be tough, we can expect the people will be emboldened to join the activists. 

 

All told, Prayut and his crony NCPO are losing support every day that they delay the election. There will be payback time for these corrupt individuals. 

 

6 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

400 peaceful demonstrators VS. 600 security officers.

 

There are two clear insights here...

 

1. The Junta is afraid. Very afraid.

2. The Junta/Military/Prayut know that their position is morally untenable, and that is why there is such overkill. If there were to be a free debate, the Junta/Military/Prayut could not sustain an argument for their actions. So they use force to disallow one; it is a cowardly accounting.

 

Thai people deserve better than this.

 

Yes they do deserve better.

I'm sure they love farangs telling tjem what they deserve 

6 hours ago, cornishcarlos said:

 

400 protesters vs 600 security officers !!

Has that ratio come from the governments "how to deal with demonstrations handbook" ??

Over reaction I would say, especially when Toad Boy stated the other day that no extra security would be needed and the protest would be over quickly...

Lies lies lies cheaters cheating and lying 

Great post, Cornishcarlos. Yes, these junta thugs are nothing but liars, deceivers, cheaters, and people oppressors.

Disgusting non-humans!

9 hours ago, cornishcarlos said:

 

400 protesters vs 600 security officers !!

Has that ratio come from the governments "how to deal with demonstrations handbook" ??

Over reaction I would say, especially when Toad Boy stated the other day that no extra security would be needed and the protest would be over quickly...

Lies lies lies cheaters cheating and lying 

Toad Boy probably meant "no extra security beyond those 600 officers already dispatched." Not that he bothered to fill anyone in on that little detail. It is pretty clear that just about every word that toad croaks turn out to be either a blunt lie or at least a half-truth.

Prayut and the puppets will get a phone call from real elite and be told what to do when the time is right...and he will comply.

Matthew Bugher is a Lecturer at the School of Global Studies at Thammasat University in Thailand. He is an American lawyer admitted to the New York State Bar and specialising in human rights documentation and advocacy.

He has worked on human rights issues relating to Myanmar since 2009.

Here's his seminar on 2nd May 2018 with Rangsiman Rome and 2 others.

 

 

Its good when people who dont like their lot go out and protest.

Thats democracy.

Of course you get other hate filled individuals who criticise anyyhing and everything from their armchair but never move from it. 

I suppose when you dont have a vote and you have chosen to move to this country which you must have known ( if you didnt more fool you) lacks certain things yhat you are used to well maybe one  should move back rather than incessant sniping.

Its a conundrum isnt it?

2 minutes ago, Expatthailover said:

Its good when people who dont like their lot go out and protest.

Thats democracy.

Of course you get other hate filled individuals who criticise anyyhing and everything from their armchair but never move from it. 

I suppose when you dont have a vote and you have chosen to move to this country which you must have known ( if you didnt more fool you) lacks certain things yhat you are used to well maybe one  should move back rather than incessant sniping.

Its a conundrum isnt it?

No it isn’t. I will continue to lead my life in the way I chose. Your advise is not needed.

6 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

Agree. 

 

The whole point of the army taking over and a Junta being installed was to eliminate corruption, institute meaningful reforms, stop the violence and facilitate a new electoral process that would facilitate a return to democracy and civilian elected government,

 

How would you rate performance and progress to date?

 

 

 

If you think...

 

"the whole point of the army taking over and a Junta being installed was to eliminate corruption, institute meaningful reforms, stop the violence and facilitate a new electoral process that would facilitate a return to democracy and civilian elected government,"

 

then you, my friend are completely, utterly,  and entirely absolutely 110% wrong.

Meanwhile, over in Singapore....

24 minutes ago, tukkytuktuk said:

Meanwhile, over in Singapore....

How is that Thaksin and Yingluck are always smiling even when they are no longer in power and then we have Prayut always sulking and grumpy when he is in power. I guess that because Prayut is a illegimate PM and he knows he is not as popular and that’s eating him up. 

10 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

 

However the march to government house will be a powerful message that they are not cowed and put the junta at an awkward position. Should the junta overreact, it could be a watershed moment and the mass will respond. If they don’t be tough, we can expect the people will be emboldened to join the activists. 

 

 

 

I expect that, at some stage, such a demonstration in Bangkok will be met with extreme harshness and violence.

 

The object of which will be to teach the people a lesson.

 

There will be no mediation between "sides" this time.

 

What happens in the rest of the country after that is what will determine the future of everyone who lives in Thailand.

 

This time the rest of the country matters.

 

 

 

Edited May 6, 20188 yr by Enoon