Thousands join biggest protest for years in Thai capital

By Patpicha Tanakasempipat and Matthew Tostevin

 

Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit of Thailand's progressive Future Forward Party gestures to his supporters at a sudden unauthorised rally in Bangkok, Thailand December 14, 2019. REUTERS/Soe Zeya

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Several thousand people took part in Thailand's biggest protest since a 2014 coup on Saturday after authorities moved to ban a party that has rallied opposition to the government of former military ruler Prayuth Chan-ocha.

 

The demonstration in Bangkok, called just a day earlier by Future Forward party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, a 41-year-old billionaire, revived memories of the spasms of street protest that have roiled the Thai capital periodically during the past two decades of political turbulence.

 

But there was no sign of any attempt to block the biggest demonstration since Prayuth seized power in 2014 on promises to end such unrest.

 

"This is just the beginning," Thanathorn told the cheering crowd that spilled across walkways and stairways close to the MBK Centre mall, in the heart of Bangkok's shopping and business district.

 

Thanathorn has emerged as the most outspoken opponent of the government headed by Prayuth, 65, since an election in March that the opposition said was manipulated to favour the army.

 

Thailand's election panel has asked the Constitutional Court to dissolve the Future Forward party, accusing it of infringing the laws governing political parties by accepting multi-million dollar loans from Thanathorn.

 

Last month, the Constitutional Court disqualified Thanathorn as member of parliament for holding shares in a media company on the date his election candidacy was registered. Thanathorn disputed the ruling.

 

Among Saturday's crowd were some veteran "red shirt" protesters, supporters of ousted populist leader Thaksin Shinawatra, who had once clashed in Bangkok with the "yellow shirt" conservatives - hardline loyalists of the palace and army.

 

NEW GENERATION

 

But the were more younger anti-government protesters, many of whom said it was their first protest.

 

"It's time," said office worker Pantipa Tiakhome, 30. "They have done everything to hinder democracy from flourishing."

 

Helped by social media, Thanathorn has struck a chord with younger Thais. Meanwhile, the army has made plain its dislike of a movement it accuses of trying to rally the young against the monarchy and the armed forces.

 

"Today is a show of strength so that in the future others may join us. We're just here today as a test run. Prayuth, don't be afraid yet. The real thing is next month," Thanathorn told the protest.

 

A party spokeswoman said more than 10,000 people had joined the demonstration. Authorities did not give an estimate.

 

Many gave the three-finger salute of resistance to the former junta, a symbol drawn from the film The Hunger Games.

 

Government opponents are also planning a "Run Against Dictatorship" for Jan. 12.

 

Thanathorn signed an agreement on Saturday with six parties in an opposition alliance to push for changes to the constitution that was drawn up by the junta before the election.

 

He also won their support for the protest.

 

Among those parties was Pheu Thai, linked to Thaksin, who lives in self-exile since he was overthrown in 2006. His sister was ousted as prime minister by Prayuth.

 

Pheu Thai won the most seats in the 500-member lower house but has adopted a quieter approach to challenging the government than Future Forward, which came third in the election.

 

Palang Pracharat, the pro-military party formed last year by members of the junta's cabinet, came second. Prayuth told reporters on Friday it was inappropriate to organise a demonstration towards the end of the year.

 

(Editing by Alex Richardson and Helen Popper)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-12-15

Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking Thailand news and visa info

 

 

 

 

 

Brilliant. Hope these protests get bigger and bigger. Also I feel that some more artistic touches that highlight particular wrongs of the government are used to really grab the attention of the world media.

 

Peaceful, relevant, and patient is the way to go.

20 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

"It's time," said office worker Pantipa Tiakhome, 30. "They have done everything to hinder democracy from flourishing."

Yes, and sadly they will continue to do everything that they can to prevent Democracy from taking hold.

 

My heart goes out to the protesters because they have a great fight ahead of them; their opponents are dug in, nasty as hell, and determined to hang on to power at pretty much any cost. That said, anyone who studies Asian history knows that political change usually comes from the young and from students as they are the ones who have the moral high-ground. It does not always prevail over guns and tanks, but it does not always lose either.

 

Never forget dear students; you are fighting The Cheating Cheaters Who Cheat.

 

And, they will continue to cheat and cheat and cheat and cheat.

 

 

 

Brave man, good luck 

I liken this movement to the adage "to big to fail".

 

I think the "government" would be hard pressed to do anything too blatant and too stupid in an effort to thwart these protests.

 

Than's the man.

Warm up those new tanks, that's an order. 

Come on you orrible lot, get those Strykers warned up ready to move to Bangkok at a moments notice.

What did the Big guy say last week? Dont scare the tourist away words to that effect

Wouldn't it be great if Thailand would have real grassroot movement from (relative) poor people for poor people?

At last I had enough from Billionaires who claim they only work in politics to make life better for the poor...

41 minutes ago, z42 said:

Brilliant. Hope these protests get bigger and bigger. Also I feel that some more artistic touches that highlight particular wrongs of the government are used to really grab the attention of the world media.

 

Peaceful, relevant, and patient is the way to go.

Agree, IMHO there would be great value in someone producing posters, handouts, a website which details the junta party transgressions etc.

Serious insurrection will do wonders for the value of foreign currency against the baht, so bring it on.

 

Chances of bringing any democracy to Thailand - sub zero.

6 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Wouldn't it be great if Thailand would have real grassroot movement from (relative) poor people for poor people?

At last I had enough from Billionaires who claim they only work in politics to make life better for the poor...

Ahh, come on. Don't be so cynical. Unlike an army general who desires a high up position to enrich himself, Thanathorn comes to the picture already rich. Heh, he loaned $6.3 million (?) to the party.

IMO, Thanathorn is the real deal. He is what this backwards country needs.

1 minute ago, DannyCarlton said:

Serious insurrection will do wonders for the value of foreign currency against the baht, so bring it on.

 

Chances of bringing any democracy to Thailand - sub zero.

going by past events it made little difference to exchange values .

10 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Wouldn't it be great if Thailand would have real grassroot movement from (relative) poor people for poor people?

At last I had enough from Billionaires who claim they only work in politics to make life better for the poor...

Billionaires can't be silenced as easily as trades union spokespeople and the likes. Nor can they be dismissed as communists and 'mysteriously' disappear in the dead of night...

1 minute ago, neeray said:

Ahh, come on. Don't be so cynical. Unlike an army general who desires a high up position to enrich himself, Thanathorn comes to the picture already rich. Heh, he loaned $6.3 million (?) to the party.

IMO, Thanathorn is the real deal. He is what this backwards country needs.

yeh, he about as close to real deal you going get .... this causing him huge loss, he not in it for money alone .

19 minutes ago, neeray said:

Ahh, come on. Don't be so cynical. Unlike an army general who desires a high up position to enrich himself, Thanathorn comes to the picture already rich. Heh, he loaned $6.3 million (?) to the party.

IMO, Thanathorn is the real deal. He is what this backwards country needs.

Do you remember that billionaire who started in Thai politics about year 2000? He told everybody he does not need more money.

And then came the honest mistakes and it got from bad to worse.

22 minutes ago, baboon said:

Billionaires can't be silenced as easily as trades union spokespeople and the likes. Nor can they be dismissed as communists and 'mysteriously' disappear in the dead of night...

And billionaires can pay for their own mob, private army, etc.

 

Obviously it would be great if some billionaires out there would be selfless and only do what they do to help the "normal" people. And it sounds so nice. But how realistic is it, especially in Thailand?

53 minutes ago, colinneil said:

Come on you orrible lot, get those Strykers warned up ready to move to Bangkok at a moments notice.

An ideal purchase by the military, having the only real use to suppress their own people - something they have been doing for decades.

1 minute ago, bluesofa said:

An ideal purchase by the military, having the only real use to suppress their own people - something they have been doing for decades.

The only thing they are good at keeping their foot on the brown peoples throat

Would a new government remove the 11am-2pm and 5pm-12am alcohol sale times?

4 minutes ago, cyril sneer said:

Would a new government remove the 11am-2pm and 5pm-12am alcohol sale times?

and why not abolish the sale of alcohol in this immature country ?

Brave people..

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

trying to rally the young against the monarchy and the armed forces.

that old BS time after  time after time.................its  not  only the army that needs  removing completely once and for  all

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

"Run Against Dictatorship"

I  like it!

"Run over them" would be better though

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Prayuth told reporters on Friday it was inappropriate to organise a demonstration towards the end of the year.

 

But  just fine and dandy to organise a  coup

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Meanwhile, the army has made plain its dislike of a movement it accuses of trying to rally the young against the monarchy and the armed forces.

 

Not a single utterance concerning the monarchy has been made by Thanathorn. He might be outspoken but he is not that outspoken.

 

Plenty against the military so as usual they will hide behind their fake patriotism and when the shooting starts claim they are acting out of loyalty and love of their country.

 

And yet they fool nobody. Their real loyalty is to themselves and their bank accounts.

@5PM in BKK yesterday reminds me of "The people power" movement in the Philippines against Marcos years ago.

57 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

The only thing they are good at keeping their foot on the brown peoples throat

Been said for years that they are only good at shooting unarmed civilians.

T his man has succeeded in doing something even Thaksin failed to do - he woke up the younger generations. And now that they are awake, they will not be silenced. 

16 minutes ago, Denim said:

Not a single utterance concerning the monarchy has been made by Thanathorn

death  sentence.................years,  decades  of  brainwashing  has  convinced the  Thais