Thousands join Thai anti-government run, while rival camp pushes back

By Panu Wongcha-um and Panarat Thepgumpanat

 

Runners warm up as they attend a "Run Against Dictatorship" event at a public park in Bangkok, Thailand, January 12, 2020. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thousands of Thais joined a run in the capital on Sunday in what appeared to be the biggest show of dissent against the government of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, although he also drew a big show of support at a rival event.

 

Police estimated more than 12,745 runners and supporters gathered before sunrise at a park in Bangkok, wearing athletic outfits and colorful shoes, to participate in the "Run Against Dictatorship" event.

 

Some of them shouted slogans such as "Prayuth, get out!" or "Long live democracy!" while running the 2.6-km (1.6-mile) course amid a sprinkling of security forces. Many also gave a three-finger salute of resistance to authority.

 

"I want things to be better," said Bangkok resident Waraporn Waralak, 45, after completing her run. "I want Prayuth to get out."

 

Thailand's government is headed by Prayuth, 65, after an election in March 2019 that the opposition described as having been manipulated to favour the leader's pro-army party.

 

"This is the biggest gathering since the coup," said Anusorn Unno, dean of the sociology and anthropology faculty at Bangkok's Thammasat University, adding that the harmless nature of the activity had spurred greater participation than usual.

 

An excited crowd watched as organisers auctioned bibs bearing numbers significant in Thai politics, such as 2475, the Buddhist calendar year of the revolution that ended absolute monarchy in 1932.

 

To loud cheers, a bib numbered 0044, in reference to the former ruling junta's Article 44 that gave Prayuth absolute executive power, was ripped in two on stage.

 

The event was held in line with people's rights and no laws were broken, a government spokeswoman told Reuters.

 

The run followed a rally last month staged by Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the 41-year-old leader of the progressive Future Forward Party, who has emerged as the most outspoken opponent of Thailand's new civilian government.

 

Thanathorn was charged on Friday with breaching a law on public assembly over the December rally, and Future Forward faces dissolution this month by the constitutional court.

 

RUN OR WALK?

Sunday's event was called "Wing Lai Loong" in Thai, which translates as "Run to Oust the Uncle", in an apparent reference to Prayuth's nickname of "Uncle Tu".

 

It prompted a rival "Walk to Cheer the Uncle" event, held in another park, about 14 km (9 miles) away, to show support for Prayuth, where thousands also turned out.

 

The clashing views of the two camps aroused memories of protests that periodically roiled the Thai capital before culminating in coups in 2006 and 2014.

 

Supporters of Prayuth, who as army chief, had led the 2014 coup, put nationalism on display by brandishing the Thai flag, while branding Thanathorn and his supporters "nation haters" for their liberal views.

 

They took turns hitting giant fruit piñatas with a wooden stick, to symbolise frustration at the Future Forward Party, with an orange, for example, signifying the party's official colour.

 

Both crowds encompassed a wide age range, but Prayuth's supporters were older on the whole.

 

"We support the prime minister because he shows loyalty to the monarchy, our king," said Sorasak Katkonganapan, a 62-year-old retiree at the walk.

 

(Additional reporting by Matthew Tostevin; Writing by Patpicha Tanakasempipat; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and Clarence Fernandez)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-01-13

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Thousands take part in ‘Walking for Prayut’

By The Nation

 

 

The number of participants in the “Walking for Prayut” campaign has reached 13,000, exceeding the expectation of 1,000, the organisers of the event said.

 

Haruthai Muangboonsri, a singer and a spokesman of the pro-Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha campaign, said the current government was protecting the country from corrupt politicians.

 

She added that since Prayut was elected democratically, they were the real supporters of democracy. “Now Thailand is a peaceful country,” Haruthai said.

 

The event’s participants claimed that a million of them were ready to confront the opposition if more political activities occurred.

 

Source; : https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30380448

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-01-13

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Thais  not  hurting enough yet, this  year might see that change

Thanathorn predicts more street protests against Prayut

 

 

Leader of Future Forward Party Thanathorn Jungroongruangkit joins the “Run Against Loong” at Vachirabenjathas Park Sunday morning.

 

Leader of Future Forward Party Thanathorn Jungroongruangkit predicted this morning that the Prayut government will face more street protests in the coming months as people are increasingly frustrated with what he described as the “legacy of dictatorship”.

Speaking to reporters while participating in the “Run Against Loong” event at Vachirabenjathas Park in Chatuchak area,

 

Thanathorn said the much-publicized activity was another demonstration of “people’s power” against military role in politics.

“I can say that the year 2020 will see more street protests. People will want to see a rewriting of the Constitution and political reforms. And there will be  protests over economic issues,” he said.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thanathorn-predicts-more-street-protests-against-prayut/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2020-01-13

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5 minutes ago, webfact said:

She added that since Prayut was elected democratically,

Comical

8 minutes ago, webfact said:

Haruthai Muangboonsri, a singer and a spokesman of the pro-Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha campaign, said the current government was protecting the country from corrupt politicians.

2020 Joke of the year winner, announced in January !

Surely it should read "the current government is full of corrupt  politicians" ?

Edited January 12, 20206 yr by Thaiwrath

7 minutes ago, webfact said:

Haruthai Muangboonsri, a singer and a spokesman of the pro-Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha campaign, said the current government was protecting the country from corrupt politicians.

So  much BS, hows the  heroin guy  doing just for starters

9 minutes ago, webfact said:

"We support the prime minister because he shows loyalty to the monarchy, our king,"

The  ultimate BS

Thousands join ‘Run Against Dictatorship’

By The Nation

 

 

Thousands of people turned out at Suan Rot Fai (Railway Park) in Bangkok early on Sunday (January 12) for the so-called Run Against Dictatorship event. Police sought cooperation from people at checkpoints to not bring boards with political messages to the rally. Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, leader of Future Forward Party, was among those who took part.

 

 

 

 

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30380437

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-01-13

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[Photo Gallery] Supporters run for opposing political causes

By The Nation

 

 

Thousands joined the “Run against dictatorship” anti-government event early on Sunday with many influencers, pro-democracy activists and politicians gathering at Suan Rot Fai (Railway Park). The run started at around 7am.

 

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile, at Lumpini Park, a rival pro-government event, “Walking for Prayut”, was held. Supporters carried flags and message boards showing their encouragement and backing to the current government. The event started at around 9am.

 

 

 

 

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30380447

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-01-13

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5 minutes ago, webfact said:

[Photo Gallery] Supporters run for opposing political causes

By The Nation

 

 

Thousands joined the “Run against dictatorship” anti-government event early on Sunday with many influencers, pro-democracy activists and politicians gathering at Suan Rot Fai (Railway Park). The run started at around 7am.

 

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile, at Lumpini Park, a rival pro-government event, “Walking for Prayut”, was held. Supporters carried flags and message boards showing their encouragement and backing to the current government. The event started at around 9am.

 

 

 

 

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30380447

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-01-13

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Hopefully the Nation or another media agency will soon publish some details (numbers) of the folks who attended at the regional centres in support of FF.

 

 

Wow! There's going to be some "attitude adjustments" tomorrow morning, no doubt.

A long way to go for this governments term to run, already the garnishing of cash to be put away into the next elections war chest has started, 

13000 odd people is a far cry from the 20 odd million needed and that has to come from the will of the people,

at the moment people are just tired of all the garbage associated with politics, and are just trying to get by in their daily lives.

 As the stumbling along senate bows to the request of how their seat was given,

nothing in the balance sheet will be given its true due diligence.

 

Watching from the sidelines the momentum of dissatifcation in the village will continue to grow, with current trends of taxes and consumables all going up

eventually the lack of cash and the ability to repay those loans will bite hard, the true understanding will then reach the common basic people.  

2 hours ago, leeneeds said:

A long way to go for this governments term to run, already the garnishing of cash to be put away into the next elections war chest has started, 

13000 odd people is a far cry from the 20 odd million needed and that has to come from the will of the people,

at the moment people are just tired of all the garbage associated with politics, and are just trying to get by in their daily lives.

 As the stumbling along senate bows to the request of how their seat was given,

nothing in the balance sheet will be given its true due diligence.

 

Watching from the sidelines the momentum of dissatifcation in the village will continue to grow, with current trends of taxes and consumables all going up

eventually the lack of cash and the ability to repay those loans will bite hard, the true understanding will then reach the common basic people.  

Lots of photos of the runners. Where is the photos of the 13,000 rent a  crowd supporting little Mr P??

Some incredibly deluded quotes from the attendees to Prayut's little gathering. Some of the 'real' photos of that event I saw online yesterday showed vastly different numbers to what has been quoted. 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Supporters of Prayuth, who as army chief, had led the 2014 coup, put nationalism on display by brandishing the Thai flag, while branding Thanathorn and his supporters "nation haters" for their liberal views.

 

They took turns hitting giant fruit piñatas with a wooden stick, to symbolise frustration at the Future Forward Party, with an orange, for example, signifying the party's official colour.

Frustration with the FFP? Most of those there had military haircuts and were probably ordered to go. If this is not starting an internal wat then don' know what is. 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Both crowds encompassed a wide age range, but Prayuth's supporters were older on the whole.

Yes the blind led by the???? It is the young generations time for their future. Old military Thailand needs to go!

4 hours ago, webfact said:

"We support the prime minister because he shows loyalty to the monarchy, our king," said Sorasak Katkonganapan, a 62-year-old retiree at the walk.

No more needed to say here. 

11 minutes ago, BobbyL said:

Some incredibly deluded quotes from the attendees to Prayut's little gathering. Some of the 'real' photos of that event I saw online yesterday showed vastly different numbers to what has been quoted. 

Would you like to hazard a guess regarding the numbers of both camps?

While Prajuth's supporters were allowed to display political slogans and banners , Thanathorn's were not .

Is the judiciary in Thailand biased ? ( Hypothetical question , the answer is obvious ... ) .

 

 

Gotta love the Police estimate of the pro democracy crowd at 12,745 and pro Prayuth at 13,000.

 

 

By spooky coincidence I supported  "Wing Lai Loong" yesterday just before i flushed ????

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Police sought cooperation from people at checkpoints to not bring boards with political messages to the rally.

 

3 hours ago, scorecard said:

Supporters carried flags and message boards showing their encouragement and backing to the current government.

Above two statements typical of the disparity between the "elected Government" and the opposition.

I guess it depends on which team you play for as to whether or not "message boards" are allowed.

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Haruthai Muangboonsri, a singer and a spokesman of the pro-Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha campaign, said the current government was protecting the country from corrupt politicians.

"protecting the country from corrupt politicians".

 

Thank goodness I read this before I ate a meal.

"She added that since Prayut was elected democratically, they were the real supporters of democracy. “Now Thailand is a peaceful country,” Haruthai said."

 

Probably the funniest statement I've seen in a long time.

 

No matter what the numbers this has to be a warning shot to not just the government but also to the courts.  

 

This is not the old farmers that are bussed in and given food to sit and protest.  This is the youth and the young voters who have in most cases good education (by thai standards) have jobs and are now getting more active.

 

With the drought farmers are going to have little to do but B!tch and moan and usually it is the government that they focus on.  Imagine if these 2 groups get together.

 

The only thing helping the PPP is that the PT have their head up their rectal orifice.  They need to get it together and start acting like a legal  opposition party not the Thaksin speaking party as that time is over.

1 hour ago, legend49 said:

Where is the photos of the 13,000 rent a  crowd supporting little Mr P??

Think you'll find that's called the bodyguard

I wonder why there are no pictures of the army recruits.......sorry...volunteers........deployed or ordered......oops, there I go again.....I mean volunteered, to support Cha Cha......

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Meanwhile, at Lumpini Park, a rival pro-government event, “Walking for Prayut”, was held. Supporters carried flags and message boards showing their encouragement and backing to the current government. The event started at around 9am.

When the event finished at 9.15 am they both got on the bike and went home

1 hour ago, BobbyL said:

Some incredibly deluded quotes from the attendees to Prayut's little gathering. Some of the 'real' photos of that event I saw online yesterday showed vastly different numbers to what has been quoted. 

The numbers were produced by the TAT's statistical department.

29 minutes ago, jesimps said:

"She added that since Prayut was elected democratically, they were the real supporters of democracy. “Now Thailand is a peaceful country,” Haruthai said."

 

Probably the funniest statement I've seen in a long time.

 

No doubt she is the wife of someone involved in the army. 

I saw some of those 'auntie' types speaking at the pro-Prayut walk. Didn't listen to what they said cos you could tell it was just a load of old nationalist b*****. But just looking at them, their hair cuts, the way they carried themselves, you just know they're those mean old <deleted> types you see in somewhere like Central. Berating staff, cutting in line and walking into elevators before other people have got out, etc. No wonder they like Prayut - they're a bunch of soulless, miserly windbags.