Clashes in Thailand as pressure builds on PM over coronavirus crisis

[webfact]

Members of the media run as they react to tear gas during a protest over the government's handling of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Bangkok, Thailand, August 16, 2021. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai police used water cannon and tear gas to disperse protesters near the office of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on Monday, as opposition parties moved to censure him in parliament over his handling of a COVID-19 crisis.

 

Hundreds of protesters marched on the Government House to demand Prayuth resigns, the latest show of growing public anger about a worsening epidemic and a chaotic vaccine rollout.

 

The rallies are being led by groups who also sought former army chief Prayuth's ouster last year, accusing him and his allies of seeking to entrench the military's control of politics.

 

"We are out here to stop the ongoing failure and stop the losses, because if Prayuth Chan-ocha remains in power, more people will die," activist Songpon "Yajai" Sonthirak said during the march.

 

Thai police used water cannon and tear gas to disperse protesters near the office of the Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on Monday, as opposition parties moved to censure him in parliament over his handling of a COVID-19 crisis.

 

Opposition lawmakers on Monday filed a no-confidence motion against Prayuth and five of his cabinet ministers, which will lead to a censure debate over the COVID-19 crisis, likely later his month or early September, according to house speaker.

 

Police fired tear gas cannisters and used water cannon when protesters tried to dismantle a police barricade on Monday, the latest as in a series of recent demonstrations that led to violence, including the use of rubber bullets to disperse protests.

 

Clashes also took place late on Monday near Prayuth's residence in another part of the capital.

 

"Bangkok has declared an emergency and a gathering or activity involving more than five people is not possible, it's illegal," said Piya Tavichai, deputy head of the Bangkok police.

 

(Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um and Panarat Thepgumpanat; Editing by Martin Petty)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-08-17

 

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[mrwebb8825]

Was going to start a thread around this but may as well discuss it here.

Many of us were here and remember the event before, during and after the 2011 flood crisis that sent 1 PM running, saw him buy and install his sister as PM. Saw the huge clashes and marches of Red vs Yellow and ended with the current PM collecting those leaders, declaring a coup and sending them to military reeducation camps. All in a span of around 3 years. Martial Law was also imposed and we saw tanks, heavily armed APCs and armed soldiers in the streets of Bangkok.

This all came about due to corruption that adversely affected the people, their lives and their livelihoods.

Are we heading in that same direction again with the Covid Pandemic? Has Martial Law ever been removed or has it only been relaxed? Is the current PM also still the top general of the army? Think the streets will fill with soldiers and a dusk-to-dawn curfew will be imposed again soon?

I took that picture myself in Dec 2013 while at Ramkhamhaeng University the day after the snipers were shooting students and teachers from the roof of the sports complex. My wife still jumps at loud sounds due the amount of bombs being thrown near our residence. And we weren't even in the middle of the worst of it. I just shake my head at people posting about how to get here atm.

[ikke1959]

If the PM had common sense as a pea, he would resign. He is too old to run the country, he would not stay 7 years he always told the press, a few years back he even said if ou an find find some one better than me I am gone.. but now that the people want to get rid of this man he stays in power and refuse to leave..How much greed and stupid some one can be to ruin a whole country for his own pocket. Please safe your face and step down today

[grandpa]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

"Bangkok has declared an emergency and a gathering or activity involving more than five people is not possible,

Clearly it is!

[ezzra]

Good luck unseating a man who has the army, the police supporting him, and that say the PM resign, who's there to replace him? who in his right minds would want to take over this hornets nest of problems now? and what the point of a captain of a sinking ship being thrown overboard? what good will it do? and No, i'm not a fan of the PM...

Edited August 17, 2021 by ezzra

[Thailand]

7 minutes ago, ezzra said:

Good luck unseating a man who has the army, the police and the highest office in the land supporting him, and that say the PM resign, who's there to replace him? who in his right minds would want to take over this hornets nest of problems now? and what the point of a captain of a sinking ship being thrown overboard? what good will it do? and No, i'm not a fan of the PM...

He has to be replaced to placate the people at this stage.

He can now be the fall guy and a new hardline pm to be is probably already having his new uniform pressed.

Be careful what you wish for Thailand, the devil you know etc. Anutin and his party are still needed so he is probably safe for now.

 

[hotchilli]

11 minutes ago, Thailand said:

He has to be replaced to placate the people at this stage.

He can now be the fall guy and a new hardline pm to be is probably already having his new uniform pressed.

Be careful what you wish for Thailand, the devil you know etc. Anutin and his party are still needed so he is probably safe for now.

 

And replace him with who?

No I don't like him or his policies, I don't like many of the senators or ministers, but at the top Thailand has only self serving people that have no idea how to run a country.

Thailand has sunk itself with poor education, poor leaders and corruption.

It will not recovers from this for a very long time.

Thais are doing what they can individually to stay afloat, but for how long can they survive.

A shock is coming and it will be sooner than later.

[shackleton]

Agree with some on here it's better the devil you know than the one you don't

We  all keep living in hope things will improve but who knows how the future 

Will pan out 

Let's deal with the Corivirus problem concentrate on getting  everyone vaccinated first then get people back to work 

 

[Thingamabob]

No news regarding the 20 year old student shot in the neck by police ?

[Golden Triangle]

I was staying in Din Daeng for a month in 2010 during the height of those troubles, it was the following year that I moved here, who knows what direction this country is gonna take, it's a shame really, Thailand was such a lovely country back then, the people were certainly a lot happier than they are today but there is the dual problem of COVID-19 & a totally inept government these days.

 

No one seems to be working for the common man, woman or child, long lines of destitute familes queueing for free food, some people (so I've heard) having to pay for quality vaccines because their leaders will only what some people class as inferior vaccines.

 

In all honesty I really hope that some party similar to or in conjunction with the Move Forward Party can come to power, I truly believe that they can turn this country around, rip up this God awful constitution that only serves those currently holding power, reduce the power of the military massively & really work for the good of the people and country.

 

But It has nothing to do with me, so I just sit on the sidelines watching and hoping for the best for the people & country as a whole.

[Meat Pie 47]

46 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

No news regarding the 20 year old student shot in the neck by police ?

that's not important news ????