10,000 Anti-coup Demonstrators Expected At Sanam Luang Rally

[Jai Dee]

An anti-coup rally marches peacefully yesterday from Sanam Luang to Army headquarters on Ratchadamnoen Avenue.

Source: The Nation - 24 June 2007

[Jai Dee]

Rain, poll date cool protesters

CNS also says promised cash wasn't paid

The Council for National Security (CNS) attributed yesterday's weakened anti-coup demonstration to heavy rain and an alleged lack of cash payment for rally-goers.

Sources said rally-goers were promised Bt500-1,000 per head, but many of them did not get the payment. In addition, some rally-goers, especially those who brought along small children, decided to go home after a heavy downpour.

Lt-General Adisorn Nonsee, the metropolitan police chief, said a total of 2,850 policemen were on duty at Sanam Luang and related sites to ensure a peaceful demonstration.

In the early afternoon, police reported the number of pro-Thaksin demonstrators to be around 10,000 as they marched from Sanam Luang to Army headquarters on Rajdamnoen Avenue.

The demonstrators were asked by police to send just 100-200 representatives to walk to the Army head office to avoid chaos and traffic problems, but the request was turned down.

As a result, police allowed protesters to head towards the Army head office on condition that they would have to disperse by midnight.

Military sources said most of the protesters had decided to disperse around 7.30pm after the first group arrived at the Army head office, while some decided to return to Sanam Luang.

"Originally, we got reports that up to 20,000 people were recruited to join the rally, but many decided to go home," said a source.

Another said most protesters were not ideologically serious, but were lured by the offer of money.

Besides Bangkok, the pro-Thaksin group also had organised rallies at 13 other locations in Nonthaburi and northern and northeastern provinces to pressure the CNS to step down.

"However, the movement has not attracted many supporters because more and more people do not want to see the country slide into deeper trouble.

"People prefer the polls as a solution to problems, so the premier's announcement that the general election date would be moved forward to November 25 was very helpful," said the source.

Source: The Nation - 24 June 2007

[hammered]

Rumors are going around that not everyone who turned up to the pro-Thaksin demo got paid. Now I know TRT have previous for this but it seems a bit stupid not to pay what you promise unless the demos are going to be wound down.

Oops sorry I missed the news report above which seems to confirm the rumors.

Edited June 24, 2007 by hammered

[hammered]

15,000 March To Thai Army Hq

By D. Arul Rajoo

BANGKOK, June 23 (Bernama) -- About 15,000 anti-coup demonstrators have "camped" in front of the army headquarters here demanding the military junta to restore democracy.

The demonstrators had marched three kilometres from Sanam Luang at about 2.30pm before reaching the heavily-guarded headquarters.

Authorities have mobilised more than 2,000 policemen and an undisclosed number of soldiers along the road and in front of the headquarters.

Earlier, the police tried to block the protesters from marching to the army headquarters but later relented and agreed to allow the protesters to stay in front of the headquarters until 11.30pm.

This is the second attempt by the rally organisers to march and confront the army top brass in two weeks to object to military coup that toppled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Sept 19 last year.

There were no untoward incidents so far although the police had warned that there could be violence.

Upon reaching the army headquarters, protest leaders took turns to criticise the military and praised Thaksin's policies, especially the health scheme, village loan and the Free Trade Agreement which they claimed helped the poor.

-- BERNAMA

Agh they must be talking about the Thaksin negotiated and signed free trade agreement with China which has flooded Thailand with vegetables reducing the saleable price of certain Thai farmers produce to the level where they can no longer recoup their investment.

Seriously TRT functionaries are not what they used to be if they are raising this issue which certainly Northern onion growers at least are aware of. In the past the TRT successfully glossed over any policy which they didnt want the poor knowing about.

From: http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=269202

[soundman]

Rumors are going around that not everyone who turned up to the pro-Thaksin demo got paid. Now I know TRT have previous for this but it seems a bit stupid not to pay what you promise unless the demos are going to be wound down.

Oops sorry I missed the news report above which seems to confirm the rumors.

Thaksin has liquidity problems..

Soundman.

[John K]

It really take takes punch out of this when it is an employee gathering like this one. It has little more political effect than using up some newspaper ink.

Please remember to punch the clock when you leave.

[soundman]

It really take takes punch out of this when it is an employee gathering like this one. It has little more political effect than using up some newspaper ink.

Please remember to punch the clock when you leave.

Probably not too far off the mark there. CP Group has tremendous political clout...

Soundman.

[Jai Dee]

Anti-coup protesters rally at Army Headquarters

Thousands of demonstrators protesting against the military coup d'etat last September and the interim government it helped install marched from Sanam Luang to Royal Thai Army headquarters Saturday afternoon and pledged to remain there until 11.30 pm as allowed by police.

Leading protesters, led by the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD), verbally attacked both the Council for National Security (CNS) which seized power and toppled the elected government of prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra September 19 and the interim government of Prime Minister Gen. Surayud Chulanont which it installed, from the car's rooftop while the noisy procession travelled from Sanam Luang to the Army's Rajdamneon Nok headquarters.

They were stopped in front of the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry as police erected iron barriers across the road. Negotiations were held with police and the protesters were later allowed to proceed to the nearby Army headquarters.

The protesters promised that they would hold the rally there until 11.30 pm Saturday as allowed by police.

More than 2,800 police officers have been deployed to keep order as the anti-coup rally continues.

Bangkok police chief Pol. Lt-Gen. Adisorn Nonsi said police maintaining order in the area are carrying only walkie-talkie radios, cell phones and shields. They would refrain from using force against the demonstrators.

First Army Region commander Lt-Gen. Prayuth Chanocha, who is responsible for security for Bangkok and surrounding Central region provinces, told journalists that so far there was no untoward incident and urged people to stay home.

He said CNS chairman Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, also army commander-in-chief, had ordered the military, police and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration security personnel in the area to be patient in dealing with the demonstrators.

Source: TNA - 24 June 2007

[sbk]

Thai newspapers are saying that when it started raining they gave up and left.

[Jai Dee]

Photographs from Thairath.

[Jai Dee]

CNS vows not to step down despite pressing demands

Spokesman of the Council for National Security (CNS) Col.Sansern Kaewkamnerd (สรรเสริญ แก้วกำเนิด) affirms that the CNS will not step down despite soaring demands from protestors. Col Sansern said the CNS will be able to control the current situation, adding that it is not concerned over future rallies.

According to the spokesman, the protestors announced in front of the Army Headquarters before retreating to Sanam Luang that if CNS does not resign today (June, 24th), they will stage another rally to pressure for the resignation.

The spokesman says CNS is ready to deal with the rally and affirms it cannot satisfy the protestors’ demand.

Yesterday’s rally in front of the Army Headquarter was called off at about 18.00 hrs. and the protestors then marched back to Sanam Luang. The demonstration leaders spent three hours verbally attacking the coup makers amidst heavy rain.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 24 June 2007

[lukamar]

Policemen guard in front of the army headquarter on Rachadamnoen road on Saturday as pro-Thaksin rally start moving from Sanam Luang. The protesters vowed to enter the headquarter to demand for the military junta to step down.

Source: The Nation - 23 June 2007

How can you tell these are police? There are no badges or insignia on their uniforms. Thought the TV people would pick that one up quickly..

[Siripon]

Policemen guard in front of the army headquarter on Rachadamnoen road on Saturday as pro-Thaksin rally start moving from Sanam Luang. The protesters vowed to enter the headquarter to demand for the military junta to step down.

Source: The Nation - 23 June 2007

How can you tell these are police? There are no badges or insignia on their uniforms. Thought the TV people would pick that one up quickly..

Their pot bellies give them away.

[lukamar]

Policemen guard in front of the army headquarter on Rachadamnoen road on Saturday as pro-Thaksin rally start moving from Sanam Luang. The protesters vowed to enter the headquarter to demand for the military junta to step down.

Source: The Nation - 23 June 2007

How can you tell these are police? There are no badges or insignia on their uniforms. Thought the TV people would pick that one up quickly..

Their pot bellies give them away.

LOL.... That's the first thing i thought of as well. It's just interesting that nothing actually distinguishes them as actual Police on official police business and in all previous photos they are in normal police uniforms. Maybe the Junta hired them from the manager Group at 200 Bt a day..

[sriracha john]

Lukamar, you have a medical background.

When a medical team of psychiatric technicians or nurses goes to restrain a patient on the psychiatric ward, do those people remove all their identification, badges, etc. prior to taking action?

Now then, why do they do that, do you think?

[sriracha john]

And as for the thread... it seems like it's time to stick a fork in it... it's done.

Anti-coup protest fizzles out

Another rainy day washes away movement's hopes for a big turnout, though they promise to come back

The Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship protests seem to be losing momentum as they have failed to prove they are fighting for democracy and not to maintain the political power of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, democracy campaigner Suriyasai Katasila said yesterday. Mr Suriyasai, one of the core leaders of the anti-Thaksin PAD, made the comments after the DAAD rally failed to meet its own expectations last night as heavy rain again dampened its demonstration. It was the second time in two weeks that mass gatherings organised by the group and led by the Thai Rak Thai-backed PTV station fizzled out without any outcome. The number of people attending last night's rally was also lower than expected, with an estimated 6,000 people braving heavy downpours to march to army headquarters to call for the CNS to step down. The compound also serves as the headquarters of the coup leaders. Numbers were down on the 15,000 or so protesters who turned out on June 9, the first time they marched on army headquarters.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/24Jun2007_news01.php

===========================================================

Already low attendance figures dwindling even further...

Promised payments not being paid...

Polls against them...

Heck, even Mother Nature doesn't like them...

Problems galore for the pro-Thaksins that form the largest group of DAAD.... although I'm sad to see they stopped using the Attention Deficit Disorder "ADD" acronym moniker. At least they were being honest on that solitary occasion. Although... with Thaksin involved, perhaps DAD isn't too far off the mark, either.

Edited June 24, 2007 by sriracha john

[Mid]

Now then, why do they do that, do you think?

facilitate easy identification ?

Edited June 24, 2007 by Mid

[sriracha john]

Now then, why do they do that, do you think?

facilitate easy identification ?

If you or anyone wants to know the names of the psychiatric team that restrained you, it's in your medical records.

[Mid]

kinda like asking which tooth did the damage when cut by a circular saw .

[hammered]

Is this the last of the PTV pro-Thaksin demos? They cant get more than 10% of the numbers they say they will get. A rather boring pre-recorded tape of Mr. Thaksin when a live interview was offered. A long and rather bland tape of a conversation that was meant to blow the lid offf Thai politics but actually was a load of vague gossip altough there were "implications" someone extremely big was against the Thaksin election commissioners. Mmm that wont help win supporters. Then there is the unpaid money for demonstrating and the ever increasing numbers against this action in Bangkok according to opinion polls. It was the first Demo that was loudly honked by multiple frustrated car drivers too. Maybe we can hope the pro-Thaksin money demos are now over. It may even give room for real pro-democracy groups to launch proper demonstrations too.

[Mid]

It may even give room for real pro-democracy groups to launch proper demonstrations too.

without a doubt the victims currently ......................

ps , the monks are packing up and going home too

Edited June 24, 2007 by Mid

[hammered]

It may even give room for real pro-democracy groups to launch proper demonstrations too.

without a doubt the victims currently ......................

ps , the monks are packing up and going home too

One wonders which temple they will return to.

[chinthee]

It may even give room for real pro-democracy groups to launch proper demonstrations too.

without a doubt the victims currently ......................

ps , the monks are packing up and going home too

Mid, correct me if I'm wrong. You have only lived in first world democracies your entire life and in Thailand. You don't believe there is a middle ground, that there is only one brand of democracy, the right brand, right?

[Mid]

interesting , you couldn't be more wrong .

[chinthee]

interesting , you couldn't be more wrong .

Really. Do tell...in more than a one liner because I, for one (who was born and raised in 1st world democ. but lived rest of life everywhere else), find it hard to believe.

[Mid]

nice try , but I'm not goimg there here ,

back on topic.

[chinthee]

nice try , but I'm not goimg there here ,

back on topic.

dodged the bullet, eh? he he. We'll catch you later...

[Mid]

absolutely

[hammered]

And back on topic with as Mid alluded to:

Monks call off constitution protest

Buddhist monks and laypersons have decided not to demonstrate there this Wednesday and Thursday to demand the inclusion of Buddhism as a state religion in the new constitition.

From the Post: http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=119669

[sriracha john]

And reiterating my comment earlier:

ABAC Poll: Most Thais oppose anti-government rally

BANGKOK – As many as 71.2 per cent of all respondents in a recent public opinion survey disagreed with the anti-government rally currently being held in Bangkok, and only 15.5 per cent supported the demonstrators.

Assumption University's ABAC Poll director Noppadol Kannikar said the survey queried 4,135 people in 24 provinces nationwide June 10-23.

Nearly all respondents -- 96.4 per cent -- said the ongoing rally would only dishearten His Majesty the King, while 95.6 per cent said they wanted the Thais to unite and 94 per cent voiced concerns that the situation would worsen the country's economy.

- MCOT