Political exercises: Thai rivals plan to mobilise thousands

[snoop1130]

Political exercises: Thai rivals plan to mobilise thousands

By Chayut Setboonsarng

 

FILE PHOTO: The symbols of a Thai 'Run Against Dictatorship' (L) and a pro-government walk which are being organized for January 12, 2020, are displayed on mobile phones' screens, in Bangkok, Thailand December 30, 2019. REUTERS/Vorasit Satienlerk

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - More than 10,000 people have registered for a “Run Against Dictatorship” in Bangkok next month while supporters of the Thai government plan to stage a rival walk on the same day, organisers said on Monday.

 

The twin events, set for January 12, point to the rising political temperature in Thailand, though there is no immediate sign of any return to the violent street protests that have roiled the Thai capital over the past two decades.

 

Opponents of the government say it manipulated an election held in March to extend the rule of junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha and they now fear that authorities will move to disoolve the vocal opposition party Future Forward.

 

“We want to show the government the discontent that citizens have with the administration,” university student Tanawat Wongchai, who is helping organise the anti-government event, told Reuters.

 

The rival event is called “Walk to Cheer Uncle” - a reference to Prayuth’s nickname of Uncle Tu. Organisers say some 2,500 people have registered to take part.

 

“This event is for the public, for all of us, in the name of the people who love Uncle, love the nation and the monarchy,” its Facebook page says.

 

The two events will be held on Jan. 12 at parks that are 11 km (seven miles) apart at overlapping times.

 

“These events could open the floodgates to more gatherings,” said Ben Kiatkwankul of the Maverick Consulting Group political advisory firm.

 

OPPOSITION RALLY

 

On Dec. 14, thousands of people joined a rally for opposition politician Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit after authorities sought a ban on his Future Forward party for violating electoral law - an accusation the party says is unfounded.

 

Thanathorn has already been banned as a member of parliament.

 

This month’s rally was the biggest protest since Prayuth took power in a 2014 coup in the name of ending street violence between conservative, royalist “yellow shirts” and “red shirt” backers of ousted populist leader Thaksin Shinawatra.

 

Thanathorn has been invited to the anti-government run, but has not been involved in organising it, organiser Tanawat said.

 

Plans for the run had to be hastily redrawn last week after local authorities barred use of the original venue.

 

Government spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat said the prime minister was not connected to either event and cared only about the safety of participants and those in the area.

 

“Each side can organise events, it is their right, as long as it is within the scope of the law,” she added.

 

Another potential flashpoint comes on Jan. 21, when the Constitutional Court will rule on whether to dissolve Future Forward on a complaint it seeks to overthrow the monarchy. It rejects that accusation, which is not directly related to the charge that it broke election rules.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-12-30

Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking Thailand news and visa info

[Thaiwrath]

7 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

The rival event is called “Walk to Cheer Uncle”

Pathetic.

Hopefully, the numbers who "Run against Dictatorship" will greatly outnumber these <deleted>, and further embarrass the people currently at the helm. 

[bangkokfrog]

I guess that those "walking to Cheer Uncle" will have to wear civilian clothes for the event.

[candide]

3 minutes ago, bangkokfrog said:

I guess that those "walking to Cheer Uncle" will have to wear civilian clothes for the event.

And iron bars....

[RichardColeman]

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Constitutional Court will rule on whether to dissolve Future Forward on a complaint it seeks to overthrow the monarchy. 

Is there anything that they have not thrown at them to try to dissolve the party ? I fully expect charges next of FF trying to promote the moon is made of cheese and that Harry Potter is a non-fictional character

[BobinBKK]

A more accurate description would be "soldiers against civilians".

[hotchilli]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The two events will be held on Jan. 12 at parks that are 11 km (seven miles) apart at overlapping times.

Actually this could be a blessing in disguise, the government will have difficulty holding the FFP party accountable for their organised run, without doing the same for the counter part "walk" group.

If one is guilty then both are the same.

[AhFarangJa]

8 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Actually this could be a blessing in disguise, the government will have difficulty holding the FFP party accountable for their organised run, without doing the same for the counter part "walk" group.

If one is guilty then both are the same.

Agreed, except we all know the Governments walk to cheer Uncle will be classed as an Army p.t. training exercise instead.

[Denim]

The young will run for democracy.

 

Meanwhile, the old guard can't get up the steam so have to walk.

 

I wonder how bad the economy has to get before some of this old guard also start feeling the pinch.

[hotchilli]

45 minutes ago, AhFarangJa said:

Agreed, except we all know the Governments walk to cheer Uncle will be classed as an Army p.t. training exercise instead.

I wonder if the PM will give the "home guard" a send off?

 

[Grumpy John]

Which one is paying the most for people to attend?  Yes boys and girls in the 11 years I have been here I have become an even bigger sceptical,  sarcastic grumpy old bar*+arD than I was before. ????

[neeray]

17 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

I wonder if the PM will give the "home guard" a send off?

 

This looks more like a traditional Hawaiian dance lesson to me. Aloha !

[neeray]

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Government spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat said the prime minister was not connected to either event and cared only about the safety of participants and those in the area.

"cared only about the safety of participants"

 

hardy har har

 

 

[roquefort]

“These events could open the floodgates to more gatherings,” said Ben Kiatkwankul of the Maverick Consulting Group political advisory firm.

No s**t, Sherlock. I wonder how much you get paid for producing these pearls of wisdom.

[Chazar]

Coming  soon  "Run for  cover"

[yellowboat]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

...they now fear that authorities will move to disolve the vocal opposition party Future Forward.

Fear?  That is exactly what they will do.  They are deflating the expat community, luring first time tourists, and putting those with contrary opinions in "legal" jeopardy.   It is all about the dumbing down of Thailand.   

[jvs]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

love the nation and the monarchy,

Bit of a low blow?I am sure the opposition also loves Thailand

and the monarchy!!!That is why they are promoting this run!!

No ill intend towards you snoop1130,just quoting what was in your post.

Edited December 31, 2019 by jvs

[Chazar]

36 minutes ago, yellowboat said:

dumbing down of Thailand.

Im not sure I'd  notice

[Sydebolle]

Wondering how many civil servants will be "encouraged" to participate at the walk under the gifted leadership of the uncle ....... 

[sturdyd]

Well shoot! I'd like to play, but running isn't my thing anymore. I'd happily walk again dictatorship, but then I might be mistaken for a confused supporter of Uncle. Boy, it was easier when we had different color shirts.

[Creasy]

Rent a crowd to walk and cheer for Unco

[JAG]

8 hours ago, neeray said:

This looks more like a traditional Hawaiian dance lesson to me. Aloha !

I've never been to Hawaii ( unlikele some of the better apholstered and more amply horologically supplied members of our Government); do they tie their picnic tablecloths around their tummies there as well?

[JAG]

10 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Actually this could be a blessing in disguise, the government will have difficulty holding the FFP party accountable for their organised run, without doing the same for the counter part "walk" group.

If one is guilty then both are the same.

Consistency in applying the law, in particular when it comes to political and electoral matters, isn't  really a feature here!

[hotchilli]

18 minutes ago, JAG said:

Consistency in applying the law, in particular when it comes to political and electoral matters, isn't  really a feature here!

I agree with what you say, but... both marches taking place on the same day in near locations must be treated equally by the police & judicial courts. If not then victimisation is clear for all to see.

If one is penalised and one left alone then the government has shown it's hand to the world.

Like I said in an earlier post... this second "walk" is a blessing in disguise!
FFP can now go ahead with the ammunition that if it is summoned for any reason then that must apply to both marches.

 

Edited December 31, 2019 by hotchilli

[mikebell]

On 12/31/2019 at 9:24 AM, hotchilli said:

If one is guilty then both are the same.

What difference does that make?  Some are more guilty but only one set of supporters will be prosecuted.

[seajae]

the childish thai attitude continues, when will thais become adults and stop these childish reactions, probably never

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, mikebell said:

What difference does that make?  Some are more guilty but only one set of supporters will be prosecuted.

But it will prove the governments blatant victimisation that's the difference !!

[Donutz]

 

On 12/30/2019 at 2:03 PM, bangkokfrog said:

I guess that those "walking to Cheer Uncle" will have to wear civilian clothes for the event.

Their fancy haircuts will still give them away though.

 

On 12/31/2019 at 3:24 AM, hotchilli said:

Actually this could be a blessing in disguise, the government will have difficulty holding the FFP party accountable for their organised run, without doing the same for the counter part "walk" group.

If one is guilty then both are the same.

55 if only, equal standards? Not in this country. Phalang Pracharat had a fundraiser attended by government departments,  that would be against the law but the EC said 'no foreign donors here so..' , while FFP is in trouble over a loan even though the election laws do not prohibit loans. But loans are gifts now in Thailand...

[Redline]

Hmmmm seems they have given credibility to the title of the running event ????

[dcnx]

How many runners do you think will suffer some sort of attack?