Military 'won't block' northeastern people from joining Sept 19 anti-govt rally

By THE NATION

 

Maj-General Rachan Prachantasen

 

There will be no military roadblocks to stop protesters from the Northeast travelling to join an anti-government demonstration scheduled for Saturday (September 19) at Thammasat University's Tha Phrachan campus in Bangkok, 2nd Army spokesman Maj-General Rachan Prachantasen said on Monday (September 14).

 

“Our intelligence units have been closely monitoring political movements in the Northeast region to assess whether the situation could turn violent in order to employ suitable preventive measures within the framework of national security,” he said. “However, the Army is not directly responsible for maintaining law and order at protest venues since the dissolution of the National Council for Peace and Order [in July 2019].

 

“Agencies in charge of keeping political protests in order are administrative offices and police, and the Army will not interfere with their work,” he added.

 

“There would definitely be no such roadblocks to stop protesters from the Northeast from reaching Bangkok, as people have the right to freedom of expression under a democratic regime.”

 

Rachan also added that he believed not many people from the Northeast would travel to Bangkok to join the protest at Thammasat, as most of the northeastern protesters are likely to set up stages in their respective provinces on Saturday, giving speeches to local people.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30394551

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-09-15

 

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5 minutes ago, webfact said:

 as people have the right to freedom of expression under a democratic regime.”

 

For the umteenth time, it ain't a <deleted> democratic regime !

Edited September 15, 20205 yr by Thaiwrath

3 minutes ago, webfact said:

as people have the right to freedom of expression under a democratic regime.”

Yes they do, but as this is not a democratic regime, people who demonstrate will be dealt with, is what he should have said, because that is probably what he meant.

59 minutes ago, webfact said:

Agencies in charge of keeping political protests in order are administrative offices and police, and the Army will not interfere with their work,” he added.

that has to be seen.... we will talk again next week after the protest

All I can say is wait for 'someone or other' bring on the men in black. Then the government can appear to claim no knowledge of who they are, or why they have intimidated or attacked protesters.

 

Having said, that now our illustrious leader's in charge they don't seem to worry about  hiding their identity.
Back in June 2014 it didn't stop some 'plain clothed' guys dragging off people eating sandwiches, because they were reading George Orwell's 1984. They were charged with 'eating a sandwich with political intent'.

What could the charge be this time - 'travelling in a subversive manner'?

 

 

34 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

All I can say is wait for 'someone or other' bring on the men in black. Then the government can appear to claim no knowledge of who they are, or why they have intimidated or attacked protesters.

 

Having said, that now our illustrious leader's in charge they don't seem to worry about  hiding their identity.
Back in June 2014 it didn't stop some 'plain clothed' guys dragging off people eating sandwiches, because they were reading George Orwell's 1984. They were charged with 'eating a sandwich with political intent'.

What could the charge be this time - 'travelling in a subversive manner'?

 

 

They're already saying that if the protesters talk about that which cannot be talked about, there will be violence.

 

And they say that as if the people committing the violence will be validated in doing so and it will be the protesters' fault. So much for freedom of expression under a democratic regime. 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

“Agencies in charge of keeping political protests in order are administrative offices and police, and the Army will not interfere with their work,” he added.

Assurances from an army that loves coups.  

3 hours ago, rkidlad said:

They're already saying that if the protesters talk about that which cannot be talked about, there will be violence.

 

And they say that as if the people committing the violence will be validated in doing so and it will be the protesters' fault. So much for freedom of expression under a democratic regime. 

 

I wonder how many "patriots" will turn up........this time.

 

A litmus test for the "New Era"?

 

 

 

 

Edited September 15, 20205 yr by Enoon

In a democratic regime the military wouldn't be allowed to make such announcements.

Civility of protesters would be the domain of the police who must advance nonviolent intervention as much as possible without depriving the Public of its right to freedom of speech.

Thus is why in part that Thailand is a "hybrid" regime that lies between "flawed democracies" (US) and "authoritarian regimes" (China). Thailand is not ranked as a "full democracy." Ref. Democracy Index.

6 hours ago, webfact said:

“Our intelligence units have been closely monitoring political movements in the Northeast region to assess whether the situation could turn violent in order to employ suitable preventive measures within the framework of national security,” he said.

Not a comforting thought, big brother is watching closely.

6 hours ago, webfact said:

There will be no military roadblocks to stop protesters from the Northeast

I presume this also includes potential protesters from the North, North West, East, West and South!!!!

Edited September 15, 20205 yr by Burma Bill
additional information

7 hours ago, webfact said:

“There would definitely be no such roadblocks to stop protesters from the Northeast from reaching Bangkok, as people have the right to freedom of expression under a democratic regime.”

That's the problem, isn't it. The democratic regime is a sham, which is exactly what the protests are about. Maybe the government's strategy over many years is beginning to crack.

 

as people have the right to freedom of expression under a democratic regime.”

 

Really?

Looks like Airforce general is smarter than P from Army.

He seems to well recognize the need of political gas-escape.

Capping political movement from the grass-roots will only invite explosion.

Airforce man knows it better than the Army man.

17 hours ago, webfact said:

Military 'won't block' northeastern people from joining Sept 19 anti-govt rally

 

maybe not block, but later shot....

 

Time is ripe for a traditional Thai massacre again. Numerous of these olive green and yellow "nation-lovers" might feel a thrill of anticipation already, I guess. They never will leave peacefully.

Read between the lines of the reassuring words from the government over the last few days. Everything you need to know was made in the latent announcement.

 

 

20 hours ago, webfact said:

“However, the Army is not directly responsible for maintaining law and order at protest venues since the dissolution of the National Council for Peace and Order

you cant make this up

so why is he making remarks about that, if it is not in the reponsibility of the Army?

clowns

pretending to be a Democracy ....

I do not like Thai soap operas , and the soap  opera mascerade of this military

14 hours ago, Srikcir said:

In a democratic regime the military wouldn't be allowed to make such announcements.

Civility of protesters would be the domain of the police who must advance nonviolent intervention as much as possible without depriving the Public of its right to freedom of speech.

Thus is why in part that Thailand is a "hybrid" regime that lies between "flawed democracies" (US) and "authoritarian regimes" (China). Thailand is not ranked as a "full democracy." Ref. Democracy Index.

There is nothing like "a bit Demoracy"  . For Democray what is minimum (!) requirement:

The people of the country have the power (everyone has the same power)

everyone got the chance to public  his oppinion without limitation and with the same effect (no control of mass media and censorship by the goverment and  some media owners (like in nearly every so called Democracies)

These are the fundamentals of real Demoracy. The rest is propaganda .

You can call it "faked Democracy," this would not involve the meaning, that is some percent of real Democracy.

There is nothing like  "a little pregnant"....

I am a 50 "% jai dee, I kill only every second man ...

Military 'won't block' 

 

We are watching you

So the toxic army are admitting that this is actually a democracy? Or pretending? We will allow a demonstration. Wow. Very big of you guys. 

 

Do they have any idea the extent to which they are despised? 

23 hours ago, webfact said:

people have the right to freedom of expression under a democratic regime.”

Except here.  Road works will ensure the journey will take 12 hours longer than expected.