Foreigners Joining Red-Shirts Rally

[webfact]

Foreigners joining the rally

By PierLuc Gagnon

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A few foreigners were spotted among the red crowds at Rajprasong intersection, joining the antigovernment movement regardless of the degree of their knowledge of Thai politics.

An American appeared on the stage yesterday, despite the government's enforcement of the emergency decree.

He said he had read the news and was puzzled by the rumour that some protesters were paid to show their support. Seemingly in Thailand for some time due to his slight knowledge of the Thai language, he had been encouraged to come to the scene to see it with his own eyes.

While on stage, he addressed the crowd in English, saying that the United States took a long time to establish democracy.

"What you're doing is amazing and I hope you achieve it," he said.

As the protest ran into its fourth day on Tuesday, some foreigners were also seen in their red shirts. Having been living here for some time, they were cheered up by the popular movement "in defence of democracy".

"This is becoming a people's movement. The country has been divided in the last month and I am worried about the direction it is heading in," said Frank Klose, a German who has been living in Thailand for the past 20 years.

Klose, a resident of Bangkok and Ubon Ratchathani, added that it was his third time at the protests and he was hoping a dissolution of Parliament would help resolve the current chasm.

However, he admitted he was not too knowledgeable about Thai politics, and mainly came in support of his Thai wife, who is a strong activist.

A desire to see the dissolution of Parliament was shared by other foreigners present.

"A love for freedom," answered another foreigner wearing a "Yubsapha" (House dissolution) scarf when asked about his motivation for joining the protests. He was there with a Thai friend.

"I am here to support freedom of speech, freedom of protest and corruptionfree elections. We should have a democracy without interference like in the US," added the dual American and Canadian citizen, who has been living in Bangkok for 15 years and asked to remain anonymous.

"The current government was not voted in, and I want to have a vote," he said.

He added that it was his first time at the protests as he was too busy with his business, but that he watched and followed the situation every day.

Exprime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's assetsseizure case did not seem to be a factor for the foreigners when asked about their motivation for joining the red shirts' protests.

-- The Nation 2010-04-09

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[krystian]

he's been here for 15 years nice,,, I guess he wont get to the 16th year,, lol good morning Thailand!!

[siampolee]

Looking at the replies of some of the longer term residents I am sure that their mental development is severely flawed or severely damaged in some way, the lack of political knowledge and indeed any conception of the corruption involved in the Thai political spectrum indicates that either a total lobotomy has been performed or it's a case of ''what the wife tells me I believe.''

Klose, a resident of Bangkok and Ubon Ratchathani, added that it was his third time at the protests and he was hoping a dissolution of Parliament would help resolve the current chasm.

"This is becoming a people's movement. The country has been divided in the last month and I am worried about the direction it is heading in," said Frank Klose, a German who has been living in Thailand for the past 20 years.

I am here to support freedom of speech, freedom of protest and corruption free elections. We should have a democracy without interference like in the US,"

However, he admitted he was not too knowledgeable about Thai politics, and mainly came in support of his Thai wife, who is a strong activist.

Edited April 9, 2010 by siampolee

[Who, me ?]

Since when foreigners can get involved in another country's political events?

What does this guy have to gain? What does he have to loose?

There is a huge gap between having opinions, and actually going with a rally....I hope for him that he won't have to regret his actions a way or another

[whistleblower]

Probably the type of guys who do everything their wife says cos its all in her name!!!!

[OhDear]

This is Thais' politic, STAY OUT OF IT.

We DO NOT need any interference (pro or against).

[laurentbkk]

As foreigner living in Thailand , we must stay in the back side of the problem and not interfear in Thai politics . To always compare with western countries is also a mistake,yes it took time for some countries to have a strong democracy but once again , we shouldnt protest or take side. Get neutral is the best .

[mca]

"The current government was not voted in, and I want to have a vote," he said.

Better start hitting the books for the Thai citizenship test then mate.

[4223rhodes]

Rallying for democracy is something that anyone who loves democracy might want to partipate in, just as attending vipassana medition retreats is something any meditator might enjoy. It's time people lighten up and not berate people for wearing a yellow shirt on mondays or giving a friendly smile and a small meal to a Red freedom-fighter. If it feels good, do it!!

[granuaile]

As foreigner living in Thailand , we must stay in the back side of the problem and not interfear in Thai politics . To always compare with western countries is also a mistake,yes it took time for some countries to have a strong democracy but once again , we shouldnt protest or take side. Get neutral is the best .

I am disturbed by foreigners getting involved but several times have seen photos of western people in the protests. I think it is one thing to have a perspective and express support, but another to become involved. I had friends invite me to yellow-shirt rallies but I stayed away,.... In 2008, my friend and I were going to Koh Samet and her family called to warn us away from the airport because they had heard would be violence, but there is no way I would have participated anyway... These foregners are breaking the law, and in a worse way than Thai. Thai are Thai. They can vote. Foreigners should stay out of rallies.

[lingyaiyai]

Since when foreigners can get involved in another country's political events?

What does this guy have to gain? What does he have to loose?

There is a huge gap between having opinions, and actually going with a rally....I hope for him that he won't have to regret his actions a way or another

He has nothing to gain and possibly everything to lose (like his liberty for starters).

[barrybike]

another idiot

[TallForeigner]

Where does joining the rally start? I have to ask this question every day before I want to go out. Living in the middle of the rally site at Rajprasong intersection I am right in the middle of the red crowd once I leave the house.

Am I participating in the rally if I buy food at one of the hundreds of little food stalls around offering tasty specialities from different parts of Thailand? Am I joining the rally when I stop and talk to people who approach me generally in a very friendly manner - even if they are wearing red? Am I joining the rally if I go out with my wife because she always asks me to accompany her because she feels scared to go out alone - but once she is out there she always finds friends and acquaintances to talk to - no matter what color they are.

In order to go on with my life as normally as possible I have no other choice than to dive into the red masses down there from time to time. I always take a strictly neutral approach and don't condemn or judge anyone as long as there is no bloodshed. If I am approached by friendly people I don't care what color they wear. With this attitude it is actually not an unpleasant experience to go down there and dive into the red crowd, taste the varieties of food they offer, listen to some music sometimes, watch people dancing and cheering and so many just being happy while I try to neglect all the political propaganda around.

Should I rather sit like a grumpy farang in my apartment and keep complaining about the noise and the mob and hope the government will send in troups to "enforce the law" and spill blood in front of my doorsteps? I have chosen not to do that and I try to make the best out of the situation without joining a particular group.

In one sense I am joining the rally and the people down there to go get some food and maybe some entertainment at times but I am certainly not joining the political propaganda rally - I am not wearing red.

And I still keep praying for a peaceful solution.

[4223rhodes]

Let foreigners do what they want. Foreign born and foreign educated Abhisit seems to be doing just fine!

[rkidlad]

BANGKOK: -- A few foreigners were spotted among the red crowds at Rajprasong intersection, joining the antigovernment movement regardless of the degree of their knowledge of Thai politics.

You're right. You've got to be a genius to understand Thai politics!

Since living in Thailand I've made it a point to gain as much knowledge about Thailand and in particular the politics. Knowledge is power but of course I'll never understand it in the same manner as a Thai person. I know my brain is much smaller.

[timi2546]

he's been here for 15 years nice,,, I guess he wont get to the 16th year,, lol good morning Thailand!!

I think it was in news that if foreigners go rallies get arrested..??

maybe just bored thailand and want to get out from here.

smart move !

:D

[Gonzo the Face]

I am a foreigner living in Thailand now for more than 20 years. I have my opinions about this and many other situations here in Thailand , and I feel free to express them...... WITHIN my circle of friends and accquantainces, but not on a stage in a public rally. That is not my place.

We foreigners are GUESTS in this country. Any foreigner who publically protests at a open rally, such as is going on in BKK now, is trying to upset/overthrow the government and should be escorted to the airport and deported immediately.

People should know better, when to open and when to keep their mouths closed and opinions to themselves. There are places to express your opinions, but on stage or at a public rally is definitely not one of them.

Immigration, pick them up and show them the door.

Apparently the Thai wife [some of whom can become very rabid with their opinions] have them by the short and curlies. The effect is that these foreigners are not thinking , but reacting with the wrong head.

My opinion is foreigners open you mouth in protest, close the door to this country that we all love as guests in a beautiful place.

OMHO

[rvdk]

"I am here to support freedom of speech, freedom of protest and corruptionfree elections" Yes that is a good one, wearing a red shirt, supporting Thaksin, I am happy Thaksin is also very "corruptionfree".

This farang knows as much as most red shirts about politics, not much.

If you do not know anything about Thai polititcs, stay home. Anyway foreigners stay out of it.

[Siripon]

Let foreigners do what they want. Foreign born and foreign educated Abhisit seems to be doing just fine!

And yet he speaks Thai better than 99% of Thais.

[Tywais]

A couple of times the government announced that if foreigners get involved in these protests they will be arrested and deported. I would be cautious about anyone wanting to join in.

[4223rhodes]

Let foreigners do what they want. Foreign born and foreign educated Abhisit seems to be doing just fine!

And yet he speaks Thai better than 99% of Thais.

You know what they say, how do you tell if Abhisit is lying?

If his lips are moving, he's lying!

If we could just get Abhisit's understanding of democracy up to his understanding of the Thai language, we'd all be happy!

Cheers...

[Tywais]

Inflammatory post regarding nationalities and their responses deleted. Keep it civil guys.

[TallForeigner]

And yet he speaks Thai better than 99% of Thais.

That's exactly one of Abhisit's big problems. The majority of lesser educated Thais simply don't understand his aristocratic textbook-style language.

Edited April 9, 2010 by TallForeigner

[Redsunset]

I'm not against foreigners being involved in this protest. What I do not like is IGNORANT people participating in events they are clueless about. It looks ridiculous. The picture of this foreigner and his "girlfriend" look like some vacation photo. He even admits he is is ill informed, yet he gets up on stage to speak in generalities about the importance of democracy without even knowing the context.

[Who, me ?]

Let foreigners do what they want. Foreign born and foreign educated Abhisit seems to be doing just fine!

And yet he speaks Thai better than 99% of Thais.

You know what they say, how do you tell if Abhisit is lying?

If his lips are moving, he's lying!

If we could just get Abhisit's understanding of democracy up to his understanding of the Thai language, we'd all be happy!

Cheers...

You should renew your stock of jokes. This one has been used for maybe 1 million politicians.....

Even did not bring a smile..................

[Redsunset]

And yet he speaks Thai better than 99% of Thais.

That's exactly one of Abhisit's big problems. The majority of lesser educated Thais simply don't understand his aristocratic textbook-style language.

I agree. Whoever is orchestrating his PR is not doing a good job. His audience right now is the Thai people - especially those who are uneducated from upcountry. He should not come across as being slick, "holier than thou", a wise ass, snooty... he needs to CONNECT with those people he is trying to influence. Now, that does not mean he has to speak like I'd speak to my 9 year old daughter, but it does mean that he needs to empathise and demonstrate he appreciates their point of view.

[elcent]

I personally have no problems about this, but the thing is that they really don't know what it is all about. Do they hope to gain something personally?

Excuse me, would the same foreigners do that where it would be really justified, like in Burma, North Korea and China sometimes? Isn't it a kind of abusing Thai hospitality? Something mentally wrong with these blokes.

[barrybike]

Let foreigners do what they want. Foreign born and foreign educated Abhisit seems to be doing just fine!

And yet he speaks Thai better than 99% of Thais.

You know what they say, how do you tell if Abhisit is lying?

If his lips are moving, he's lying!

If we could just get Abhisit's understanding of democracy up to his understanding of the Thai language, we'd all be happy!

Cheers...

load of crap.are u trying to say thaksin is better ..talk about corruption

[Redsunset]

Since when foreigners can get involved in another country's political events?

What does this guy have to gain? What does he have to loose?

There is a huge gap between having opinions, and actually going with a rally....I hope for him that he won't have to regret his actions a way or another

... And I assume the thousands of THAI people who are attending the rally, who are being PAID with BRIBES to do so should, not be there either...

Democracy means people have a choice. If they want to attend a rally for whatever reason, it is their right to do so. If they want to look like idiots doing it, so be it. That is their problem, not yours.

[crusader79]

Since when foreigners can get involved in another country's political events?

What does this guy have to gain? What does he have to loose?

There is a huge gap between having opinions, and actually going with a rally....I hope for him that he won't have to regret his actions a way or another

Permanent residents of Hong Kong can vote in all elections regardless of passport (permanent residency is nearly always granted after seven years of uninterrupted residency). Not sure how many other jurisdictions are that liberal, but I believe New Zealand may be another.