Poll: Foreigners Concerned On Security Law

[Mario2008]

Writer: BangkokPost.com Published: 29/08/2009 at 11:14 AM

Abac poll reported on Saturday that more than 70 per cent of foreigners it surveyed are worried about the imposition of the Internal Security Act.

The government has from today to Tuesday imposed the security law in Dusit district to control the red-shirt anti-government demonstration on Sunday.

More than 65 per cent of the respondents admitted that they know not much about politics and political situation in Thailand. As much as 91.2 per cent of them suggested the government provide more information about the security law enactment.

Continued: http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/15...on-security-law

[Orac]

Considering the article goes on to say 69.8 % backed the imposition of the act then there seem to be some very confused foreigners out there where the majority support/worry about/don't understand what is happenning.

[animatic]

Ill informed worries are logical.

It is not aimed at foreigners, and it is only for a very small part of Bangkok.

65% don't know what's going on, as MOST tourists don't.

[givenall]

Considering the article goes on to say 69.8 % backed the imposition of the act then there seem to be some very confused foreigners out there where the majority support/worry about/don't understand what is happenning.

I think is about time to pass a law that does not allow assemblies/protest bigger than 5000 people. This should solve the violence problem at the same time allow lawful protests

These people are not thinking about Thailand and thai people and clam down is necessary

[henryalleman]

Considering the article goes on to say 69.8 % backed the imposition of the act then there seem to be some very confused foreigners out there where the majority support/worry about/don't understand what is happenning.

I think is about time to pass a law that does not allow assemblies/protest bigger than 5000 people. This should solve the violence problem at the same time allow lawful protests

These people are not thinking about Thailand and thai people and clam down is necessary

Itsa democratic right to demonstrate, I have seen demonstrations of several hundred thousand of people without any riots or viollence, including an labour union demonstrations against my government.

[Mario2008]

Considering the article goes on to say 69.8 % backed the imposition of the act then there seem to be some very confused foreigners out there where the majority support/worry about/don't understand what is happenning.

I think is about time to pass a law that does not allow assemblies/protest bigger than 5000 people. This should solve the violence problem at the same time allow lawful protests

These people are not thinking about Thailand and thai people and clam down is necessary

Sorry, but this opic is about a poll. The demonstration is dicussed here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Sunday-Redsh...ed-t293555.html

[toptuan]

Considering the article goes on to say 69.8 % backed the imposition of the act then there seem to be some very confused foreigners out there where the majority support/worry about/don't understand what is happenning.

I think is about time to pass a law that does not allow assemblies/protest bigger than 5000 people. This should solve the violence problem at the same time allow lawful protests

These people are not thinking about Thailand and thai people and clam down is necessary

Sacrifice precious freedoms for your piece of mind?

I hope you're not from any democratic western country whose sons' blood was spilled to gain or protect those freedoms. If so, shame on you!

[NUMBNUTTS]

That all makes terrific sense from my vantage point - nobody gives a hoot about anything and dont care that they dont know what it is they are not concerned with?!

Pure Logic. Must be real slooow in downtown BKK

[Gary A]

We have all the political experts here on Thai Visa. Unfortunately they actually know VERY little but they think they know it all. Before anyone attacks me, they should know that I don't concern myself with things I have no control over. Don't worry, be happy.

[steady]

Writer: BangkokPost.com Published: 29/08/2009 at 11:14 AM

Abac poll reported on Saturday that more than 70 per cent of foreigners it surveyed are worried about the imposition of the Internal Security Act.

The government has from today to Tuesday imposed the security law in Dusit district to control the red-shirt anti-government demonstration on Sunday.

More than 65 per cent of the respondents admitted that they know not much about politics and political situation in Thailand. As much as 91.2 per cent of them suggested the government provide more information about the security law enactment.

Continued: http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/15...on-security-law

This is a very poor start to a thread because giving percentages without clarifying how many people were actually interviewed really does make it worthless. If you add to that the comment from ABAC that more than 65 % of respondents admitted that they do no not know much about politics or the political situation in Thailand further devalues the crdibility of either ABAC or The Nation for misreporting it. Do we wamt to take bets on who is making the info worthless? Oops no gambling allowed....

[givenall]

Considering the article goes on to say 69.8 % backed the imposition of the act then there seem to be some very confused foreigners out there where the majority support/worry about/don't understand what is happenning.

I think is about time to pass a law that does not allow assemblies/protest bigger than 5000 people. This should solve the violence problem at the same time allow lawful protests

These people are not thinking about Thailand and thai people and clam down is necessary

Sacrifice precious freedoms for your piece of mind?

I hope you're not from any democratic western country whose sons' blood was spilled to gain or protect those freedoms. If so, shame on you!

Unfortunately these people abuse their right. Similarly right now the rules in the planes are designed to stop terrorist and no more than 2 people can stop in the hallways. These rules are for western (democratic countries) airlines.

By the way I am an American

[animatic]

5,000 is not an unreasonable number as a limit.

Enough to show you have some support,

and not too many needing the REST OF US

to have to pay too much taxes to keep them in line.

I have no problem with million man marches,

but that's provided the leaders are proved by past history

to run non violent and organized demonstrations.

No one walking in off the street gets a blanket perment

to march as many as they want when they are complete unknowns

or are known trouble makers.

Of course it isn't a fair comparison the USA laws and Thailand's ways and means.

Like comparing pomegranites and Winabagos.

[dale8]

Hello, so most of the foreigners must think that ignorance is bliss as they do not know about what is happening in the country they are in as it is easy to read about it on the internet. The will only worry if the bars are closed. Cheers.

[TerraPosse]

Considering the article goes on to say 69.8 % backed the imposition of the act then there seem to be some very confused foreigners out there where the majority support/worry about/don't understand what is happenning.

I think is about time to pass a law that does not allow assemblies/protest bigger than 5000 people. This should solve the violence problem at the same time allow lawful protests

These people are not thinking about Thailand and thai people and clam down is necessary

Sacrifice precious freedoms for your piece of mind?

I hope you're not from any democratic western country whose sons' blood was spilled to gain or protect those freedoms. If so, shame on you!

Unfortunately these people abuse their right. Similarly right now the rules in the planes are designed to stop terrorist and no more than 2 people can stop in the hallways. These rules are for western (democratic countries) airlines.

By the way I am an American

By the way, without being funny, that does explain everything.

[christcourt]

Hello, so most of the foreigners must think that ignorance is bliss as they do not know about what is happening in the country they are in as it is easy to read about it on the internet. The will only worry if the bars are closed. Cheers.

That's why we have "Thaivisa.com" to enlighten us all with everyones thoughts and idea's, and yes most foreigners are blind about what is happening to the country they are on holiday in, but then again that goes for most Politicians "Dooh"

I too, as would most if going on holiday, get there, only to find the bars closed. hehe "your round!!"

[animatic]

Considering the article goes on to say 69.8 % backed the imposition of the act then there seem to be some very confused foreigners out there where the majority support/worry about/don't understand what is happenning.

I think is about time to pass a law that does not allow assemblies/protest bigger than 5000 people. This should solve the violence problem at the same time allow lawful protests

These people are not thinking about Thailand and thai people and clam down is necessary

Sacrifice precious freedoms for your piece of mind?

I hope you're not from any democratic western country whose sons' blood was spilled to gain or protect those freedoms. If so, shame on you!

In any and all countries sometimes limited precious freedoms are

temporarily, in limited areas, suspended for public security.

Being free doesn't help you when you are dead.

As long as those freedoms are reinstated after the danger is gone,

this is ONE of the reasons to HAVE a government.

I do come from a country that DOES this and also have

had many shed blood for these freedoms. I have family and friends who have done this.

I disagree heartily with the Patriot Act in it's scope and longevity.

Ill conceived and far too hastily implemented.

But the lesser temporary loses are sometimes needed, rightly,

such as post Katrina New Orleans. Rioting looting and such must be put down.

Attempting or even threatening to blow up gas tankers in city neighborhoods

is easily on this list. Trying to kill the nation's leader is too.

Even in a civilized society, sometimes civilization breaks down,

and there is a need to restore order.

The red shirts in 2009 have presented a case for this need.

and they have not come close to living this down. I don't like that it is so, but so it is .

Edited August 30, 2009 by animatic

[Bukseeda]

Considering the article goes on to say 69.8 % backed the imposition of the act then there seem to be some very confused foreigners out there where the majority support/worry about/don't understand what is happenning.

I think is about time to pass a law that does not allow assemblies/protest bigger than 5000 people. This should solve the violence problem at the same time allow lawful protests

These people are not thinking about Thailand and thai people and clam down is necessary

Sacrifice precious freedoms for your piece of mind?

I hope you're not from any democratic western country whose sons' blood was spilled to gain or protect those freedoms. If so, shame on you!

In any and all countries sometimes limited precious freedoms are

temporarily, in limited areas, suspended for public security.

Being free doesn't help you when you are dead.

As long as those freedoms are reinstated after the danger is gone,

this is ONE of the reasons to HAVE a government.

I do come from a country that DOES this and also have

had many shed blood for these freedoms. I have family and friends who have done this.

I disagree heartily with the Patriot Act in it's scope and longevity.

Ill conceived and far too hastily implemented.

But the lesser temporary loses are sometimes needed, rightly,

such as post Katrina New Orleans. Rioting looting and such must be put down.

Attempting or even threatening to blow up gas tankers in city neighborhoods

is easily on this list. Trying to kill the nation's leader is too.

Even in a civilized society, sometimes civilization breaks down,

and there is a need to restore order.

The red shirts in 2009 have presented a case for this need.

and they have not come close to living this down. I don't like that it is so, but so it is .

As i quoted on another topic: "Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both". Benjamin Franklin. Wise words indeed...

[hardy1943]

Considering the article goes on to say 69.8 % backed the imposition of the act then there seem to be some very confused foreigners out there where the majority support/worry about/don't understand what is happenning.

I think is about time to pass a law that does not allow assemblies/protest bigger than 5000 people. This should solve the violence problem at the same time allow lawful protests

These people are not thinking about Thailand and thai people and clam down is necessary

Itsa democratic right to demonstrate, I have seen demonstrations of several hundred thousand of people without any riots or viollence, including an labour union demonstrations against my government.

But this is not a Democracy and never was.

[Rinrada]

Considering the article goes on to say 69.8 % backed the imposition of the act then there seem to be some very confused foreigners out there where the majority support/worry about/don't understand what is happenning.

I think is about time to pass a law that does not allow assemblies/protest bigger than 5000 people. This should solve the violence problem at the same time allow lawful protests

These people are not thinking about Thailand and thai people and clam down is necessary

Itsa democratic right to demonstrate, I have seen demonstrations of several hundred thousand of people without any riots or viollence, including an labour union demonstrations against my government.

But this is not a Democracy and never was.

Even the Thais are allowed to Dream...........nung wan ..eh...

[animatic]

I think is about time to pass a law that does not allow assemblies/protest bigger than 5000 people. This should solve the violence problem at the same time allow lawful protests

These people are not thinking about Thailand and thai people and clam down is necessary

Sacrifice precious freedoms for your piece of mind?

I hope you're not from any democratic western country whose sons' blood was spilled to gain or protect those freedoms. If so, shame on you!

In any and all countries sometimes limited precious freedoms are

temporarily, in limited areas, suspended for public security.

Being free doesn't help you when you are dead.

As long as those freedoms are reinstated after the danger is gone,

this is ONE of the reasons to HAVE a government.

I do come from a country that DOES this and also have

had many shed blood for these freedoms. I have family and friends who have done this.

I disagree heartily with the Patriot Act in it's scope and longevity.

Ill conceived and far too hastily implemented.

But the lesser temporary loses are sometimes needed, rightly,

such as post Katrina New Orleans. Rioting looting and such must be put down.

Attempting or even threatening to blow up gas tankers in city neighborhoods

is easily on this list. Trying to kill the nation's leader is too.

Even in a civilized society, sometimes civilization breaks down,

and there is a need to restore order.

The red shirts in 2009 have presented a case for this need.

and they have not come close to living this down. I don't like that it is so, but so it is .

As i quoted on another topic: "Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both". Benjamin Franklin. Wise words indeed...

Yes indeed, but he also was part of the American Revolution.

He comes by these sentiments naturally.

But even the pre-US Articles of Confederation had

provisions for this need to have internal security.

"Freedom of speech and debate in Congress shall not be impeached or questioned in any court or place out of Congress,

and the members of Congress shall be protected in their persons from arrests or imprisonments,

during the time of their going to and from, and attendance on Congress,

except for treason, felony, or breach of the peace."

This applied even too members of congress ; Jatuporn comes to mind.

[Bukseeda]

As i quoted on another topic: "Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both". Benjamin Franklin. Wise words indeed...

Yes indeed, but he also was part of the American Revolution.

He comes by these sentiments naturally.

But even the pre-US Articles of Confederation had

provisions for this need to have internal security.

"Freedom of speech and debate in Congress shall not be impeached or questioned in any court or place out of Congress,

and the members of Congress shall be protected in their persons from arrests or imprisonments,

during the time of their going to and from, and attendance on Congress,

except for treason, felony, or breach of the peace."

This applied even too members of congress ; Jatuporn comes to mind.

I take your point but the Internal Security Act goes far beyond keeping the peace. There are articles within it, for example, that give government agents (i.e. the police and army) immunity from prosecution - ripe for abuse. A protestor does not need to commit treason or breach the peace to suffer abuse as a result if this act because it essentially gives the security forces the green light to do what the hel_l they want.