Traffic law will be used to ban E-taen tractors from mass rally

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Authorities will cite the traffic law to ban the red shirts from bringing their E-taen farm tractors to the mass rally scheduled in the capital for next Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said yesterday.

"Farming vehicles like the E-taen are prohibited from travelling on highways and would be a danger to Bangkok's roads," he said.

Suthep urged the red shirts to reconsider their plans to mobilise thousands of pickups, arguing they should rely on train and bus services because a surge of private vehicles from upcountry would exacerbate traffic woes.

"Should some red shirts find it unavoidable to travel by their own vehicles, I have instructed police to arrange parking lots at key gateways before they enter the capital," he said.

He reminded the red shirts that police would tow away any vehicles found to have obstructed traffic, and that vehicle owners would have to bear the costs incurred.

"I am not even sure if there is insurance cover for damage caused at a rally site," Suthep said.

He dismissed rumours that the government was trying to block protesters by denying them transportation services, and that petrol stations had been instructed to refuse service to the red shirts.

Commenting on the six designated Bangkok rally sites on Friday - two days ahead of the mass rally - the deputy PM said the red shirts must not obstruct traffic.

The red shirts and their vehicles will have to undergo security checks before entering the rally sites, he said.

"Red-shirt leaders are responsible for steering the rally in a peaceful manner and they risk having their bail revoked and facing immediate arrest if the crowds turn unruly," he said.

Suthep said the authorities would closely monitor the rally sites. The government will constantly assess the situation as it develops and act promptly to deter violence, including the possibility of enforcing the internal security law, he added.

He said members of the public should carefully think things through before deciding to visit the rally sites, as he suspected organisers had an ulterior motive in stirring up trouble.

He said he had no information about the financing of the opposition movement, although he had heard speculation that the red shirts needed about Bt70 million per day for the upkeep of their mass rally.

In regard to speculation that thousands of Buddhist monks might take part in the rally, he said monks had no business at a political rally.

Even if organisers might ask for a religious blessing at the rally sites, monks should not get involved since their presence would be politicised, he said.

-- The Nation 2010-03-06

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"In regard to speculation that thousands of Buddhist monks might take part in the rally, he said monks had no business at a political rally.

Even if organisers might ask for a religious blessing at the rally sites, monks should not get involved since their presence would be politicised, he said"........

So, monks are not political? Since when are they NOT political? Have you seen how politically active Tibetan monks are?

Yes, I realize these monks are different than Tibetan monks and I realize the differences between different forms of Buddhism.

Since most Thai men (who may be reading this) have been monks at one time in their lives, maybe someone could tell us if there are any specific laws governing political involvement? Just curious.

"In regard to speculation that thousands of Buddhist monks might take part in the rally, he said monks had no business at a political rally.

Even if organisers might ask for a religious blessing at the rally sites, monks should not get involved since their presence would be politicised, he said"........

So, monks are not political? Since when are they NOT political? Have you seen how politically active Tibetan monks are?

Yes, I realize these monks are different than Tibetan monks and I realize the differences between different forms of Buddhism.

Since most Thai men (who may be reading this) have been monks at one time in their lives, maybe someone could tell us if there are any specific laws governing political involvement? Just curious.

This is a good one for the religious forum, 'when is a monk not a monk? answer: when he wants something'.

Thaksin and TRT were always well linked into the Dhammakaya sect. They are not exactly averse to politics especially the politics of welath

All points bulletin

Beware of monks on aboard e-tean tractors, they are subversive. This must stop.

when is a monk not a monk -- when he can hear the sound of red clappers.

Update:

PM receives sabotage report, denies authorities plan to use spikes to bar protesters; asserts government will disallow illegal action.

-- TNA 2010-03-06

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Thaksin and TRT were always well linked into the Dhammakaya sect. They are not exactly averse to politics especially the politics of welath

And if you read a Breaking News item elsewhere, it is from the Dhammakaya sect where the bulk of these "monks" will come from.

From what I know about them, they are not your run of the mill saffron wearing, "forrest monks", but more in line with Hammered's comments.

Edited March 6, 201016 yr by RegularReader

I am looking for years already to find an English version of the traffic law. Even policemen couldn't tell me where to find it.

Anybody???

quite possable for anyone to buy robes and wear them of course

The thread concerning monks attending the rally can be found here:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/20-000-Monks...rt-t344878.html

Further posts about monks in this thread will be deleted. This thread has to do with traffic and vehicles allowed.

Please stay on-topic.

Farming vehicles like the E-taen are prohibited from travelling on highways

This really made me smile.

'

If any Khon Kaen cops read the Thai version of Khun Suthep's statement they must have said "Really? I didn't know that.' with a perplexed look on their mugs.

Then those are the only things no allowed on the roads. When are they going to get rid of all the vendor carts that hold up traffic and create a real danger?

Its definately going to be a major blow to the Rally; I mean what else can one use to travel several hundred Miles to a Rally other than an E-Taen.

I suspect they'll just call the whole thing off now

God help us if they let all those E-Taens through,

it would look like downtown Mandalay at sunset....

God help us if they let all those E-Taens through,

it would look like downtown Mandalay at sunset....

I want to know who pays for the gas for all the E-Taens to tavell all the way to Bkk. Everyone get only one guess

Is it true that it was Thaksin who banned the e-taen tractors from the highways?

God help us if they let all those E-Taens through,

......

I want to know who pays for the gas for all the E-Taens to tavell all the way to Bkk. Everyone get only one guess

....and who will pay all other costs for them...

:D