Thai protesters spar with police in march on PM's residence

[snoop1130]

Demonstrators burn items during a protest for the government's handling of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Bangkok, Thailand August 13, 2021. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai police clashed with demonstrators on Friday after hundreds defied a ban on gatherings to rally in central Bangkok, where they attempted to march on the prime minister's residence to demand his resignation over the country's coronavirus crisis.

 

Police fired tear gas canisters and rubber bullets from an elevated highway in response to demonstrators who tried to pull down containers that were being used as roadblocks, in a third day of confrontation this week. https://reut.rs/3lQhS1Z

Activists from the youth-led Thalufah group had vowed to protest peacefully after demonstrations this week also ended with police using tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse them, as they pressed for premier Prayuth Chan-ocha's removal.

 

"Prayuth, get out!" chanted the protesters as they began their march from Bangkok's Victory Monument in the afternoon.

 

They blame Prayuth for mismanaging the COVID-19 crisis that on Friday saw new record cases https://reut.rs/3sebFhh.

 

"The failed management of COVID-19 by the government has caused people to die. Today we are out here to get rid of Prayuth," said activist Songpon "Yajai" Sonthirak at the start of the rally.

 

Authorities warned any form of protest breaches COVID-19 regulations and said that they were pressing charges in 300 cases against people involved in recent demonstrations.

 

"The police aim is to maintain peace," Bangkok police chief Pakapong Pongpetra told reporters.

 

"Those joining protests are at risk of infection and also breaching other laws as well," he said.

 

Thailand's youth-led protest movement, which drew broad support during months of large and frequent rallies last year, is regaining momentum, coinciding with country's worst coronavirus outbreak yet.

 

Several core leaders remain in detention awaiting trial on charges of sedition and causing unrest, among other offences.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-08-13

 

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[RotBenz8888]

Couldnt Anutin just come down to the streets and say "Everything is under control" as usual? I'm sure that would work.... 

[Artisi]

3 minutes ago, RotBenz8888 said:

Couldnt Anutin just come down to the streets and say "Everything is under control" as usual? I'm sure that would work.... 

But would they believe him ????

 

Them maybe they should be targeting his residence..... 

[riclag]

29 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

"The failed management of COVID-19 by the government has caused people to die. Today we are out here to get rid of Prayuth," said activist Songpon "Yajai" Sonthirak at the start of the rally.

A gallant effort ! Stay safe and double up on the KF 94's

[Mr Meeseeks]

This is going to be a daily occurrence soon, on rising dissatisfaction with this government and no let up in the COVID crisis.

 

Hard times ahead.

[sammieuk1]

The police aim is to maintain peace by shooting protesters by the look of todays wild west show ????

[internationalism]

there now some 10 groups organising regular protests, mostly car/motorbike rallies, that comes to almost daily.

The next one is after tomorrow, in bangkok in 2 locations, as well as in ayuthaya and some other provinces.

What is different now, they congregate daytime and finish before dark, so it's more difficult for police to use violence. Also they call off when police is bend on violence, and organise the next days.

Today one of the former pdrc figures (and former democrat party candidate), who recently joined student protests, was shot by police after the rally ended. Here is his interview to Pravit from Khaosod English, given an hour earlier before this incident. Surely, he came the long way to this point.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?ref=saved&v=332858585186294

 

Edited August 13, 2021 by internationalism

[couchpotato]

34 minutes ago, internationalism said:

there now some 10 groups organising regular protests, mostly car/motorbike rallies, that comes to almost daily.

The next one is after tomorrow, in bangkok in 2 locations, as well as in ayuthaya and some other provinces.

What is different now, they congregate daytime and finish before dark, so it's more difficult for police to use violence. Also they call off when police is bend on violence, and organise the next days.

Today one of the former pdrc figures (and former democrat party candidate), who recently joined student protests, after the rally ended. Here is his interview to Pravit from Khaosod English, given an hour earlier before this incident. Surely, he came the long way to this point.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?ref=saved&v=332858585186294

 

"was shot by police"

I am not condoning the incident, but you need to be careful what you write. This implies shot by real bullets, which was definitely not the case.

As it was probably a rubber bullet, then say so, shouldn't sensationalise.

Edited August 13, 2021 by couchpotato

[daveAustin]

Awesome. Get out there fellas, get your country back and get his head on a spike. 

[zzaa09]

40 minutes ago, sammieuk1 said:

The police aim is to maintain peace by shooting protesters by the look of todays wild west show ????

Sure.

But that's how they've always operated as history will show you. 

[Denim]

Strange. When it was the yellow shirt loyalists backed by the army and the unmentionable vs the red shirt pro democracy pro Shinawatras , this forum would be buzzing with comments from admirers of both factions.

 

Whereas these protests in which we see previous antagonists if not exactly united then at least protesting for a common cause, seems to not have evoked the strong feelings of before.

 

Is everybody worn out and tired of it all ?

[NanaSomchai]

12 minutes ago, daveAustin said:

Awesome. Get out there fellas, get your country back and get his head on a spike. 

Wish I could upvote this more than once.

[zzaa09]

9 minutes ago, daveAustin said:

Awesome. Get out there fellas, get your country back and get his head on a spike. 

Well intended and decent effort - the ever cycling and redundant protests.

But ousting Prayut, and perhaps a few of his cohorts, won't change anything - certainly getting the country back wouldn't be in the cards either. 

 

That will take a much greater effort, in which the larger picture is missed.

[internationalism]

2 hours ago, couchpotato said:

"was shot by police"

I am not condoning the incident, but you need to be careful what you write. This implies shot by real bullets, which was definitely not the case.

As it was probably a rubber bullet, then say so, shouldn't sensationalise.

ok, he was fired on by police and wounded, which required an operation to safe his sight.

It was metal gas canister.

Being shot by rubber bullet, even by a crossbow, is no different at being shot by life ammunition. Actually rubber bullet is a metal bullet covered by rubber or plastic. I does pierce skin and can also be lethal. That's why there are international regulations on using it against civilians. Thai police are braking those regulations. For example they don't aim at lover body parts, so it won't be deadly. They shoot from an elevated grounds, for example from elevated motorways or high buildings, which again gets into higher body, head, neck.  

Here is yet another interview in english for CNN (in 2 short parts), which he gave before being fired at

and the second part

 

Edited August 13, 2021 by internationalism

[Rampant Rabbit]

4 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

and also breaching other laws as well," he said.

shock  horror!!!

[candide]

2 hours ago, Denim said:

Strange. When it was the yellow shirt loyalists backed by the army and the unmentionable vs the red shirt pro democracy pro Shinawatras , this forum would be buzzing with comments from admirers of both factions.

 

Whereas these protests in which we see previous antagonists if not exactly united then at least protesting for a common cause, seems to not have evoked the strong feelings of before.

 

Is everybody worn out and tired of it all ?

As a matter of fact, the Junta has lost most of its supporters in this forum a few years ago when they realised it was just as bad as the previous Juntas during g the history of Thailand. Somehow, previously divided forum members are also united against this government.

Another reason is that we all know nothing will happen as the system is completely locked by the current Constitution and by the collusion of the various appointed bodies. No democracy will be allowed again for a long time.

Edited August 13, 2021 by candide

[placeholder]

3 hours ago, couchpotato said:

"was shot by police"

I am not condoning the incident, but you need to be careful what you write. This implies shot by real bullets, which was definitely not the case.

As it was probably a rubber bullet, then say so, shouldn't sensationalise.

Shouldn't minimize, either.

 

Rubber bullets are supposed to be ‘less than lethal,’ but they can still kill or maim

A study published in 2017 in the BMJ found that 3% of people hit by rubber bullets died of the injury. Fifteen percent of the 1,984 people studied were permanently injured by the rubber bullets, also known as “kinetic impact projectiles.”

Rubber bullets should be used only to control “an extremely dangerous crowd,” said Brian Higgins, the former police chief of Bergen County, New Jersey.

“Shooting them into open crowds is reckless and dangerous,” said Dr. Douglas Lazzaro, a professor and expert in eye trauma at NYU Langone Health.

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/at-close-range-police-fire-rubber-bullets-that-can-maim-or-kill-protesters

[bermondburi]

Sooner we get rid of the military junts the better.

[spidermike007]

Good on the protestors. Courage in the face of oppression must be applauded.

 

Nobody knows how high unemployment is right now. I suspect it is 30% to 40% nationwide. Alot of hurt right now. Alot of pain for the locals. I really feel for them. Where is the hope? Where is the promise of a rosy tomorrow? What is the future of the nation? Where is the result, of the constant promises of "happiness for the people"? Prayuth has rained nothing but misery down upon this nation. 

 

Seven years of suppression and regression, combined with a stunning degree of mismanagement, ineptitude, lack of vision, and inability to even get the vaccine program right, is leading to alot of desperation at this time.

 

 

 

Edited August 14, 2021 by spidermike007

[Thailand]

The problem we have here is that Thailand has seen the complete lack of international interest in the crackdown in Myanmar so they can basically bring out the big guns and get away with anything they want, the only likely new "government" is another bunch of uniforms.

[MrJ2U]

The residence that he was supposed to vacate after leaving the army to become self appointed Prime Minister.

 

He just cant get enough of the freebies.

[PETERTHEEATER]

13 hours ago, internationalism said:

For example they don't aim at lover body parts

Good to know my wedding tackle is safe......thanks.

[Thingamabob]

18 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

This is going to be a daily occurrence soon, on rising dissatisfaction with this government and no let up in the COVID crisis.

 

Hard times ahead.

I agree. I feel these protests are not going to stop. Also, it would be a mistake to suggest they are only about the handling of the pandemic. Far deeper national issues than that are involved...

[Artisi]

49 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

I agree. I feel these protests are not going to stop. Also, it would be a mistake to suggest they are only about the handling of the pandemic. Far deeper national issues than that are involved...

Correct, the "force" driving this from behind the scene isn't about covid, although it makes the protest easier to manipulate, it's aimed is to topple the government and trimming back severely the top of the tree. 

[digger70]

20 hours ago, sammieuk1 said:

The police aim is to maintain peace by shooting protesters by the look of todays wild west show ????

Well what do you expect It suppose to be a Peaceful Protest.

If the protesters ain't Peaceful what then? .Just let it be ? 

In this C19 age ,No more than 5 people together what do they do? 

Hundreds together . The Government /Police/Army Must use their power to keep the crowd under control. 

if up to me No rubber Bullets they won't stop the Idiots .Start using the Real stuff they will soon get the message . Like they say fight fire with fire.

[unblocktheplanet]

20 hours ago, daveAustin said:

Awesome. Get out there fellas, get your country back and get his head on a spike. 

I was hoping the photo was of Phra Yut's house! It's pitchforks & torches time. Creative nonviolence is what works.

[candide]

Interestingly  enough, Red-shirt Nattawut Saikuar has warned students that their violent protests could end up with a win for those in power. 

[greeneking]

4 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

I agree. I feel these protests are not going to stop. Also, it would be a mistake to suggest they are only about the handling of the pandemic. Far deeper national issues than that are involved...

I fear if they make Prayuth's position untenable the high institution will replace him with another figure he trusts more.  The protests would have to continue, the stakes would be even higher and the chance for a democratic change even more difficult.

But he must go.

And Prayuth will know he has done his job successfully for 7 years and can count his money for years to come.

[Artisi]

29 minutes ago, candide said:

Interestingly  enough, Red-shirt Nattawut Saikuar has warned students that their violent protests could end up with a win for those in power. 

That is a very astute and a very true comment. 

[Mr Meeseeks]

29 minutes ago, candide said:

Interestingly  enough, Red-shirt Nattawut Saikuar has warned students that their violent protests could end up with a win for those in power. 

True enough, we saw what happened in 2010. 

 

Keep the momentum going and the pressure on with peaceful protests. 

 

However, it appears that both sides will provoke each other into violence as they have before. 

 

Add in the COVID situation Thailand is a powderkeg at the moment.