Police deployed in Ratchaprasong area amid planned protest, warn against ‘illegal’ assembly after 5pm

[webfact]

Police deployed in Ratchaprasong area amid planned protest, warn against ‘illegal’ assembly after 5pm

By THE NATION

 

Metropolitan Police Bureau deputy commissioner Piya Tawichai

 

Police announced on Thursday that they are deploying at Ratchaprasong in Bangkok after student pro-democracy protesters stated their intention to hold a rally at the main intersection from 4pm.

 

Metropolitan Police Bureau deputy commissioner Piya Tawichai said police would be stationed at three spots – the skywalk linking Chidlom and Siam BTS stations, another skywalk near Big-C Ratchaprasong and Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok Hotel, and Siam Paragon department store.

 

He warned that the assembly of more than five persons after 5pm is illegal, under the new state of emergency, and advised the public to avoid routes that pass Ratchaprasong from 4pm to 10pm.

 

The announcement came after pro-democracy group Khana Ratsadon 2563 (People’s Party 2020) stated its intention to continue its political rally at Ratchaprasong Intersection at 4pm.

 

On Wednesday, the protesters moved to Government House and camped there. But early on Thursday police arrested four rally leaders – Parit Chiwarak (Penguin), Anon Nampa, Prasit Utharoj and Phanuphong Jadnok – and cleared the area of the protesters. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha also clamped a state of emergency in Bangkok from 4am.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30396237

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-10-15

 

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[YetAnother]

3 minutes ago, webfact said:

Police announced on Thursday that they are deploying at Ratchaprasong in Bangkok after student pro-democracy protesters stated their intention to hold a rally at the main intersection from 4pm.

Fireworks imminent

[Golden Triangle]

When I read the news this morning my first thought was ' The protestors are winning this & the Dinosaurs are running scared.

 

More power to the youngun's elbows. 

[spidermike007]

The army desperados think this will stifle dissent. I doubt it will. They are so despised at this point, this draconian move will only make things worse.

 

And in addition, this will stifle the little bit of foreign investment coming Thailand's way. And it may inhibit the restart of tourism, though they have sure done a good job of sabotaging that.

 

If anything, it will increase Chinese influence. The last thing they, or we need. 

 

This move was based on a great degree of fear, and greed. When will the majority finally see what is happening here? 

[anchadian]

In this report there is not sufficient news content to what I've been hearing.

[Wiggy]

21 minutes ago, webfact said:

and advised the public to avoid routes that pass Ratchaprasong from 4pm to 10pm.

Lol. Every BTS train goes through there. 

[FarFlungFalang]

9 minutes ago, Golden Triangle said:

When I read the news this morning my first thought was ' The protestors are winning this & the Dinosaurs are running scared.

 

More power to the youngun's elbows. 

I don't think the Dinosaurs do running scared, they do tanks. 

[Thaiwrath]

26 minutes ago, webfact said:

He warned that the assembly of more than five persons after 5pm is illegal, under the new state of emergency,

The one that he promised would not be used against political rallies, but only to keep the population free of Covid !

As they say, you know when this fella is telling a lie...................................his lips move !

[pkrv]

2020 has turned out to be quite the year for change - let's hope for something good to come out of the various social climates we have currently.

[NanLaew]

29 minutes ago, webfact said:

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha also clamped a state of emergency in Bangkok from 4am.

The Despots book for Dummies - When a State of Emergency isn't working, declare another State of Emergency.

[NanLaew]

All quiet on the northeastern front.

[Susco]

Something has started, and I think it will be difficult to stop it, without the situation turning ugly.

 

Think about a snowball that started rolling from the top of a mountain

[2long]

21 minutes ago, anchadian said:

In this report there is not sufficient news content to what I've been hearing.

Very sorry for you and for this. ????????

[steven100]

I can see the RTP and the government starting to put the pressure on these students.

They will soon say enough is enough .....  

[steven100]

Any student out protesting after 4.00pm may run into trouble so it's best if they go home soon. 

Otherwise there may be water cannons or who knows. They've done ok up until now so don't push their luck & spoil it with violence.   

[onthedarkside]

Email Alert from the U.S. Embassy in BKK:

 

Quote

 

Demonstration Alert – U.S. Embassy Bangkok, Thailand (October 15, 2020)

 

Location: Bangkok, Thailand – Ratchaprasong area in the Pathunwan District

 

Event:  U.S. Embassy Bangkok informs U.S. citizens of a planned political gathering today, October 15, 2020 at 04:00 pm in the area of Ratchaprasong Intersection near the Erawan Shrine and Central World Shopping mall in the Pathumwan district of Bangkok.  U.S. government personnel have been advised to avoid this area.

 

On October 15, 2020 Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha declared a state of emergency for Bangkok.  In this declaration, groups of five or more people are prohibited from gathering. 

 

Reports indicate the planned political gathering described above could involve a large crowd of participants.  The Royal Thai Police plan to be present and may set up check points in and around the area in connection with the event.  Plan ahead for the possibility of traffic and other potential disruptions in downtown Bangkok.  Additional demonstrations are possible in the coming days.

 

Although violence is not expected, even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.  Avoid areas of demonstrations, and exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations.  U.S. citizens should monitor local news and social media reports before traveling to downtown Bangkok this weekend.

 

 

[colinneil]

Just now, steven100 said:

I can see the RTP and the government starting to put the pressure on these students.

They will soon say enough is enough .....  

Totally disagree with you, it is slowly growing, and soon the whole country will be involved.

Your idol and his cronies have already shown that they are running scared with this mornings announcement.

The students will not be intimidated by  a bunch of old geriatrics, not like their parents generation were.

[metisdead]

A post with a music video has been removed. 

[Brunolem]

19 minutes ago, steven100 said:

Any student out protesting after 4.00pm may run into trouble so it's best if they go home soon. 

 

Or why don't they go study?

 

They have almost no support from the general population.

 

Why should the government institutions be changed because a small minority is asking for it?

 

The country is already in enough (economic) trouble, and certainly doesn't need a student uprising at this time.

Edited October 15, 2020 by Brunolem

[poohy]

4 minutes ago, Brunolem said:

Or why don't they go study?

 

They have almost no support from the general population.

 

Why should the government institutions be changed because a small minority is asking for it?

 

The country is already in enough (economic) trouble, and certainly doesn't need a student uprising at this time.

Not sure where you live, here the students have support, the country needs change on many fronts, let hope it comes and above all for the students safely!

sadly the old guard and their "paymasters" are indeed running scared 

[rkidlad]

8 minutes ago, Brunolem said:

Or why don't they go study?

 

They have almost no support from the general population.

 

Why should the government institutions be changed because a small minority is asking for it?

 

The country is already in enough (economic) trouble, and certainly doesn't need a student uprising at this time.

I believe more than 6 million people voted FFP. 

 

Stop talking nonsense. Just like the youth - no one is buying it.

[IvorLott]

 

16 minutes ago, Brunolem said:

Or why don't they go study?

 

They have almost no support from the general population.

 

Why should the government institutions be changed because a small minority is asking for it?

 

The country is already in enough (economic) trouble, and certainly doesn't need a student uprising at this time.

Clearly, you can't or don't follow Thai social media, or talk to many Thais.  The students seem to have huge, growing  support. Already the dinosaurs, have employed the rent-a- thugs looking to cower behind a certain institution, again; even if that 'institution's' currency  is not as strong as it once was in trying to gain popular support. It seems as though that ship has sailed for Thailand's despots, unelected stuffed shirts, bully boy thugs, so one hopes the country  can finally move forward, peacefully. 

Edited October 15, 2020 by IvorLott

[OneMoreFarang]

10 minutes ago, poohy said:

Not sure where you live, here the students have support, the country needs change on many fronts, let hope it comes and above all for the students safely!

sadly the old guard and their "paymasters" are indeed running scared 

And do the (student) protesters also have paymasters?

Personally I don't know. But in the past lots of so called demonstrations for democracy were sponsored by rich people who had mostly their own interest and power in mind.

 

I hope this stays peaceful and I hope no influential people will misuse that for their own interest.

 

I think the timing is just bad. Thailand can't afford more (economic) trouble right now. I wonder if the students understand that. Maybe they are all sponsored by their parents and they don't need to think about earning a living.

[FarFlungFalang]

20 minutes ago, Brunolem said:

Why should the government institutions be changed because a small minority is asking for it?

Because the PM broke the law in 2014 when he led an illegal coup against a democratically elected Government so he set the precedent that the law doesn't have to be adhered to.

[steven100]

If the students don't heed the warnings then it's their fault if dispersal is imminent.

They were peaceful until now and they did good, but they are pushing and breaking the law so the RTP and government will say that's it  .... enough of this.  The last thing Thailand needs right now is violent protestors.  No tourists will ever come, not that they can ... lol

[oldhippy]

A coup in a velvet glove is still a coup.

[FarFlungFalang]

6 minutes ago, steven100 said:

If the students don't heed the warnings then it's their fault if dispersal is imminent.

They were peaceful until now and they did good, but they are pushing and breaking the law so the RTP and government will say that's it  .... enough of this.  The last thing Thailand needs right now is violent protestors.  No tourists will ever come, not that they can ... lol

It is a delicate situation indeed and I'm sure most would be aware that this situation is being viewed throughout the world so the authorities might say enough is enough but the protesters are also saying enough is enough.

[sammieuk1]

Looks like the protesters don't care to much for protocol millions will soon turn up to oink out this rancid unelected rabble power up the youth ???????? 

[rkidlad]

24 minutes ago, steven100 said:

If the students don't heed the warnings then it's their fault if dispersal is imminent.

They were peaceful until now and they did good, but they are pushing and breaking the law so the RTP and government will say that's it  .... enough of this.  The last thing Thailand needs right now is violent protestors.  No tourists will ever come, not that they can ... lol

if the illegal government doesn't want violence, then they shouldn't be violent. 

 

The students are exercising their rights under a draconian constitution. They're playing by the rigged rules and still the dinosaurs can't win. 

[samsensam]

 

effectively banning expression of free speech and rounding up protest leaders (people who voice dissent) is exactly the kind of behavior that the people are protesting about, so good response guys!

 

seeing the photos in the foreign press this protest movement is far more than a few students, there were clearly members from all thai society on the streets. the most telling photos you probably wont see in the thai press, but have a look on foreign media; unprecedented.