Thousands rally at Kasetsart University against government, warn bigger protests coming to Bangkok

By Wichit Chaitrong
The Nation

 

Thousands of students and people attend a political rally at Kasetsart University on Saturday, demanding a rewriting of the Constitution and promising more protests to make their case.

 

Pro-democracy protests are gaining momentum as thousands of students turned out for a rally on Saturday evening, one of the largest since the military toppled the civilian government in a coup in 2014.

 

 

 

 

Thousands of students and people joined the political protests at Kasetsart University, which ended at around 8pm.

 

They called it a rehearsal for a bigger rally later in Bangkok to oust the government and they will organise protests again next week.

 

 

The student leader representing Kasetsart University said the gathering was the most significant event since the October 14, 1973 uprising against the then-dictatorship government and later key events.

 

 

It was also the first gathering in which several university students took part after individual protests organised by some other universities and high schools in the last few days. The students described their move as the last straw following the court ruling to dissolve the Future Forward Party on February 21.

 

 

A middle-aged man who joined the protest told The Nation that the students were fighting for their own cause -- of restoring democracy. He did not believe that they were being manipulated by opposition politicians.

 

 

The students insisted that they could no longer tolerate injustice and argued that law enforcement and courts applied double standards when it came to legal disputes related to political activities. They also demanded a rewriting of the new Constitution.

 

 

The student leaders said there was no fairness in the drafting of the charter or the referendum that approved the 2017 Constitution. They also said the general election held in March was rigged.

 

 

 

The dissolution of the Future Forward Party by the Constitutional Court last week became the trigger for their outrage.

 

The FWP was the third largest political party in Parliament, winning over six million votes in the March election. Its executives will be banned from running in any election for 10 years while the remaining MPs have to seek refuge in other political parties.

 

The dissolution of the FWP has drawn sharp criticism from local and international communities. The United States, the European Union and Canada raised concerns that the dissolution of the party could effectively disenfranchise the over six million voters.

 

 

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha dismissed the protests against his rule as a young generation driven by impulse. Other government backers are also toeing Prayut’s line, saying the students are probably manipulated by opposition politicians.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30383095

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-03-01

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Well done.????

 

*Stands & applauds*

Was to told be a thai friend in the know that the winds of discontents are gathering momentum and young people had enough with the the current leadership and that much more will be coming... 

Sad, .....and again, they falling for a Billionaire,  remember: the red shirt movement? They were campaigning for Thaksin and called themselves "United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship" (UDD), I never understood that name. 

Campaigning for a dictator and call themselves against dictatorship.

 

...and the sad story behind: bloodshed, a burning city and the dictator on the run.

 

I hope they will not repeat the same mistake.

 

They should learn from history............   

 

 

11 minutes ago, franzs said:

Sad, .....and again, they falling for a Billionaire,  remember: the red shirt movement? They were campaigning for Thaksin and called themselves "United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship" (UDD), I never understood that name. 

Campaigning for a dictator and call themselves against dictatorship.

 

...and the sad story behind: bloodshed, a burning city and the dictator on the run.

 

I hope they will not repeat the same mistake.

 

They should learn from history............   

 

 

Pretty much rubbish. 

The lessons of history show that when the people are suffering is when they 'march on the palace' - I mean that figuratively. This Junta Govt has implemented policies that have dramatically lowered the living standards of the majority of Thais. They have taken the country in a direction that the people do not like - the best example of that is 'towards China'.  The Thais as a people do not like China or the Chinese - they are far more 'aligned' with most other countries and peoples in SEAsia than they are with China.  I dont mean the wealthy and the military and the elite - I mean the vast majority of ordinary Thais.  And there are many other examples of the Junta doing things that have made the people suffer.  Sure, they have done some good things like addressing (finally) some of the corruption of the wealthy and elite (illegal buildings/hotels being torn down etc.), but they have not succeeeded where it matters the most in a country where over 90% of the population are not wealthy/well off - for the ordinary people.  

 

This could grow and become a serious problem.  Sure the military could enforce martial law and clamp down, but the likely outcome of that action will probably result in international condemnation and reactions.  The Junta's false economic growth built on massive public works projects following the 'China economic model' (and mainly involving the Chinese wealthy) will come crashing down.  Perhaps that would be for the best in the long run - but I hope there is a better way forward.

 

The idiot brigade made a mistake when they stopped the FFP, then the country and people had hope, when there is no hope any longer people have to take to the streets. This needs to get bigger and bigger anything the so called government does against them will only weaken the government.

Failed kingdom. Basket case ! People in gov and courts that have no respect or interest in views of ordinary citizens and I'll tell you this a "bloodless revolution " won't solve it!

guns versus students, kinda been here before

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha dismissed the protests against his rule as a young generation driven by impulse.

I totally love it when he makes statements like this.

Such words are sure to infuriate the protesters and spur them on with new vigor.

Impulse my a** ! Listen to the crowd Sir. They're fed up. Your banning of FFP was the straw that broke the camel's back.

50 minutes ago, franzs said:

Sad, .....and again, they falling for a Billionaire,  remember: the red shirt movement? They were campaigning for Thaksin and called themselves "United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship" (UDD), I never understood that name. 

Campaigning for a dictator and call themselves against dictatorship.

 

...and the sad story behind: bloodshed, a burning city and the dictator on the run.

 

I hope they will not repeat the same mistake.

 

They should learn from history............   

 

 

Don't be so sinister. They have learned and have made a wise choice.

More power to their protests. Bigger, better coming soon.

"Do you hear the people sing". ?

 

38 minutes ago, Orton Rd said:

The idiot brigade made a mistake when they stopped the FFP, then the country and people had hope, when there is no hope any longer people have to take to the streets. This needs to get bigger and bigger anything the so called government does against them will only weaken the government.

You are very correct. I hope the persons that made this decision to eliminate FFP are not avid chess players. They would lose the game every time. Just as they failed here to contemplate the backlash. Looks good on them!

33 minutes ago, YetAnother said:

guns versus students, kinda been here before

That recent purchase of the Armoured Personnel Carriers will come in handy.

These military 'toys' weren't bought with the intention of defending the country, but for use in suppressing its own citizens.

 

11 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

That recent purchase of the Armoured Personnel Carriers will come in handy.

These military 'toys' weren't bought with the intention of defending the country, but for use in suppressing its own citizens.

 

When will the tanks arrive they have just bought?

13 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

When will the tanks arrive they have just bought?

Type into Youtube "death of Neil Davis" and watch  the 50 second video to see the readiness with which the Thai Government use the tanks.It's quite disturbing and quite graphic.

An offensive post and the replies have been removed. 

 Will Hunger Games be now forever forward in time Banned? - and shelved into no mans land alongside 1984?

 

They'll have to Ban all BoyScouts from their Salute too... ???? 

Ah, I see the stupid blunder of dissolving FFP is coming home to roost. And not surprisingly none of these incompetents calling themselves government saw it coming. 

Well this is a party he cant dissolve through the courts that will bring bad PR to the Junta.

5 hours ago, rooster59 said:

General Prayut Chan-o-cha dismissed the protests against his rule as a young generation driven by impulse.

After Impulse Power comes Warp Speed...

Young adults in many countries ( even in so called democracies) are getting <deleted> off with the old establishment and / or corruption. 

3 hours ago, franzs said:

Sad, .....and again, they falling for a Billionaire,  remember: the red shirt movement? They were campaigning for Thaksin and called themselves "United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship" (UDD), I never understood that name. 

Campaigning for a dictator and call themselves against dictatorship.

 

...and the sad story behind: bloodshed, a burning city and the dictator on the run.

 

I hope they will not repeat the same mistake.

 

They should learn from history............   

His and his sister's elections were deservered and fair.   Thais had hope, jobs and opportunities back then.   Today, jobs are hard to come by especially for the educated youth of the country.    

 

The Billionaire you seem to have a problem with seems far cleaner than cha cha and the Shinawatras.    That is what makes him very scary to the 1%.   Their rule, their privilege and sublime way of life could one day come to an end.   

 

Thailand has had decades of peace and little to show for it in the way contributions.    

3 hours ago, AussieBob18 said:

The lessons of history show that when the people are suffering is when they 'march on the palace' - I mean that figuratively. This Junta Govt has implemented policies that have dramatically lowered the living standards of the majority of Thais. They have taken the country in a direction that the people do not like - the best example of that is 'towards China'.  The Thais as a people do not like China or the Chinese - they are far more 'aligned' with most other countries and peoples in SEAsia than they are with China.  I dont mean the wealthy and the military and the elite - I mean the vast majority of ordinary Thais.  And there are many other examples of the Junta doing things that have made the people suffer.  Sure, they have done some good things like addressing (finally) some of the corruption of the wealthy and elite (illegal buildings/hotels being torn down etc.), but they have not succeeeded where it matters the most in a country where over 90% of the population are not wealthy/well off - for the ordinary people.  

 

This could grow and become a serious problem.  Sure the military could enforce martial law and clamp down, but the likely outcome of that action will probably result in international condemnation and reactions.  The Junta's false economic growth built on massive public works projects following the 'China economic model' (and mainly involving the Chinese wealthy) will come crashing down.  Perhaps that would be for the best in the long run - but I hope there is a better way forward.

 

Well said Sir......A big +1 from me......

Life under the military junta's rule has not improved for the locals in fact it's getting worse by the day. I hope they are successful. Good luck. ????

lets hope they don't use today's newly enacted law (effective today)  that says anyone can be forcefully detained if you are suspected of having Covid19.

5 hours ago, rooster59 said:

They called it a rehearsal for a bigger rally later in Bangkok to oust the government and they will organise protests again next week.

Uh-oh...

 

Batten down the hatches; expected rough seas ahead.

 

SIT

1 minute ago, NCC1701A said:

lets hope they don't use today's newly enacted law (effective today)  that says anyone can be forcefully detained if you are suspected of have Covid19.

That's the new excuse in the future when you're arrive in bangkok and get denied entry.

No more "you stay thailand too long".....

2 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

lets hope they don't use today's newly enacted law (effective today)  that says anyone can be forcefully detained if you are suspected of have Covid19.

It doesnt matter. The spark has been lit and I hope all of you guys are prepared to go as far as bugging out if necessary. There is no one to stop the shooting if it starts, and there are more players  in the game.

 

Im very worried for Thailand, a place th at I truly love and where I have spent a lot of time in. Even here in Siem Reap its fun and has its advantages over Thailand, but it isnt Thailand. Its sad and I hope you all get by OK. Just be prepared...for anything.

 

I for one wouldnt be keeping many assets other than the bare minimum in Thailand if you can swing it. If you are "stuck", register with your embassy and buy gold.

The expression may well of come from Cambridge ...... ' Stand up and be counted '.