Foreigners Joining Red-Shirts Rally

[4223rhodes]

Many of have families here. Our children are Thai citizens. We care. Caring leads to action. If a Brit gave a speech onstage in New York at an anti-war rally against US occupation of Afghanistan, I'd applaud him. Same, same. It is important that we show our kids that we stand up and support the things that we believe in.

Nice! And interestingly... if you think about it.... ALL AMERICANS ARE FOREIGNERS IN AMERICA!!!! Fact is, virtually everyone is descended from some immigrant... what I respect are INFORMED PEOPLE who RESPECT OTHER PEOPLE'S VIEWPOINTS, and have something INSIGHTFUL and CONSTUCTIVE to say, regardless of where they come from...

Exactly! There was a very good piece on a weblog that discussed why farangs who basic values are so similar take opposing sides in the Red=Yellow Thai political conflict. It is fascinating. Unfortunately, Abhisit detests the discipline of social psychology and shut down the academic website.

[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

Since they want to get deported and black listed. I guess maybe they need a excuse to get out of Thailand after all

lols! I doubt you'd get deported for being seen at a political rally, except now, under the State of Emergency... a bit different than being an international criminal wanted by Interpol or a football hooligan hiding out in Pattaya!

[Redsunset]

Many of have families here. Our children are Thai citizens. We care. Caring leads to action. If a Brit gave a speech onstage in New York at an anti-war rally against US occupation of Afghanistan, I'd applaud him. Same, same. It is important that we show our kids that we stand up and support the things that we believe in.

Nice! And interestingly... if you think about it.... ALL AMERICANS ARE FOREIGNERS IN AMERICA!!!! Fact is, virtually everyone is descended from some immigrant... what I respect are INFORMED PEOPLE who RESPECT OTHER PEOPLE'S VIEWPOINTS, and have something INSIGHTFUL and CONSTUCTIVE to say, regardless of where they come from...

Exactly! There was a very good piece on a weblog that discussed why farangs who basic values are so similar take opposing sides in the Red=Yellow Thai political conflict. It is fascinating. Unfortunately, Abhisit detests the discipline of social psychology and shut down the academic website.

.... and that is curious, given that Abhisit is such a strong proponent of freedom of speech... a bit inconsistent...

[elcent]

1. Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and to freedom of association with others, including the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.

is a rally calling for violence called peaceful assembly?

[cdmtdm]

I can't help but notice there are a few BITTER members here who get off at insulting Americans and other people who are not like them. That is fine, this is the Internet and there is freedom of speech. Go ahead and spit your vituperations all you want. If it makes you feel good to insult people as an anonymously then that says more about your sordid, sad little lives than anything else.... go ahead, NO ONE CARES!!!!

i am an aussie who is very happy here and appreciate the opportunity to live in such a great country , i am just tired of LOUD MOUTH americans , sorry to offend you if you are one !!!

lols! I am an American and to a certain extent I have to agree with you... many Americans - not all - have a tendency to "look down" on the rest of the world as some type of amusement park with funny people. This is quite insulting, because it is naive and condescending. Most probably don't even know where Thailand is. They are ignorant and only interested in knowing what time the Denny's restaurant opens in the morning to serve bacon and eggs.

yes agreed and we have the same problem in Australia .....

[Redsunset]

As a point of interest is their actually a law down on paper that forbids foreigners from participating in rallies or does it come under the all encompassing "threat to national security" which would most probably include granny Lek enjoying a Cornetto on a hot day should they so choose.

I know of no such a general law... anyone else know?

[4223rhodes]

1. Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and to freedom of association with others, including the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.

is a rally calling for violence called peaceful assembly?

If the police have a problem with anything anyone has said at the many rallies around town, they have a right to interview that person. But, it is fascistic to shut down the protests of hundreds of thousands and censor the internet and TV. Same on this website; it is fine for moderators to ban pro-Red posters who violate forum rules, but to ban all pro-Red posts would be wrong.

[shawndoc]

They are ignorant and only interested in knowing what time the Denny's restaurant opens in the morning to serve bacon and eggs.

You must live on the west coast or in New England, as you misspelled Waffle House. Denny's is for the Amaht.

[Mosha]

american democracy what a joke !!! as a non citizen he has no right to stand up on stage and lecture people on what to do .......... another loud mouthed know all yank ..... go home and sort the mess out in your own country freak ..........

Where are you from? You sound like a xenophobic, bitter foreigner whose life has passed him/her by....

the USA is not a democracy, it is a Constitutional Republic.

[elcent]

1. Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and to freedom of association with others, including the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.

is a rally calling for violence called peaceful assembly?

If the police have a problem with anything anyone has said at the many rallies around town, they have a right to interview that person. But, it is fascistic to shut down the protests of hundreds of thousands and censor the internet and TV. Same on this website; it is fine for moderators to ban pro-Red posters who violate forum rules, but to ban all pro-Red posts would be wrong.

Don't forget Bangkok and adjusted provinces are under martial law now because of the actions of the reds. I know that most people within the reds are not violent people, but the leaders are. So yes, shutting down propaganda channels resorting to misinformation so to confuse the public is an option covered by law.

[Moonrakers]

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.

Idiot, what an absolute idiot. He should be sentenced to prison where he will be repeatedly poked in the eye, with somebody saying the word "idiot" each time.

Another contender for the Darwin award.

[bukmba]

Whoever is against the red shirt and that has previously called the red shirts idiots, brainless, uneducated and other sort of names is more idiot than those foreigners in the rally. Now go read your previous comments in other news topics and tell me who's execptional?

Respecting other peoples opinion is the most important step to peace.

No matter what political view they might have, try to respect their opinion but also expect that they respect your opinion in return.

Calling people who think different as "idiots" just makes yourself an ignorant.

[rogerdee123]

Lighten up people. Don't let these folks get you so upset. The actions of a few visitors should not control your emotions so much. If Thai's disapprove they will take action.

Thank you mstribling. Another wise post that apparently no one reads.

It's been apparent to me for a few days that there are more than a few trolls here who get their jollies by "winding up" (irritating) others who are trying to share information and perspective so we can perhaps understand a bit better what's going on. A few of these trolls have two (or more) identities, one identity "winding up" the Reds ... and another identity "winding up" the pro Govt people. One or two probably sitting in the bars at Nana or Cowboy and laughing their heads off because people take them seriously.

If people would stop reacting so emotionally, these trolls would get bored and turn their attention to the pole dancers or whatever and maybe this forum would become interesting again. But probably too late for that because we now have trolls arguing with trolls, an absurd situation.

Besides the twitter news (thanks to the Nation) there isn't much of value in these forums anymore.

Edited April 9, 2010 by rogerdee123

[mca]

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.

Idiot, what an absolute idiot.

Agreed. What a perfect opportunity with the wife away at the rally to spend the day at home surfing porn in peace and quiet.

[barky]

As I am not a Thai citizen (yet), I see no point getting involved in Thai politics in any way.

I am mildly curious though, and indirectly politics/changes in the law, do affect me as a long term expat (I work and pay taxes, live and go about my life here in Thailand) and the current rallys do inconvenience me sometimes, but I can get aroud them.

I can understand, as observers only, why curious westeners are interested in the machinations of the political process here.

And, for what it's worth, although I don't support them, primarily as I am anti-Taksin, I do understand that the supporters of the "red shirts" do have a case.

However, I do strongly believe that if there are westeners who have gained their Thai citizenship, they are quite within their rights to join these red shirt rallys and speak out if they so choose. (although of course they will look out of place, as at face value , no-one would believe they are Thai citizens and have a right to be there. This is because the total number of westeners who have been granted Thai citicenship wouldn't fill a BMTA bus),

Finally, keep a curious eye on the situation by all means if you wish, but if you have not been granted Thai citizenship, keep your counsel to yourself or only a trusted group of friends (probably non-Thai), and don't get in the middle of the rallies as your presence may be mis-interpreted by all sides.

[TiredTeacher]

1. Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and to freedom of association with others, including the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.

is a rally calling for violence called peaceful assembly?

If the police have a problem with anything anyone has said at the many rallies around town, they have a right to interview that person. But, it is fascistic to shut down the protests of hundreds of thousands and censor the internet and TV. Same on this website; it is fine for moderators to ban pro-Red posters who violate forum rules, but to ban all pro-Red posts would be wrong.

I must qualify my previous post. elcent is correct violence is not included in the right nor is it valid in a state of emergency. However, I am talking about it at macro level.

I also forgot to say the the European Convention on Human Rights is an echo of the UN's - which Thailand has Accession status from 29-10-1966 for the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Edited April 9, 2010 by TiredTeacher

[edwardandtubs]

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.

If their main source of information is The Nation then they would indeed have a very limited knowledge of Thai politics.

[granuaile]

american democracy what a joke !!! as a non citizen he has no right to stand up on stage and lecture people on what to do .......... another loud mouthed know all yank ..... go home and sort the mess out in your own country freak ..........

Where are you from? You sound like a xenophobic, bitter foreigner whose life has passed him/her by....

Well I'm from America and I agree with the poster. I don't even consider it anywhere near what a real democracy would be, it's a form of corporatism that cloaks itself in a democratic mantle, but in the end the politicians are controlled by their corporate masters. And every four years the pendulum swings from one end of an arc to the other, with little ever accomplished other than the US swaggering about around the world. President Obama and politicians like Dennis Kucinich and Bernie Sanders give me hope, but three politicians out of... well you can figure the odds.... Frankly Thailand in any of it's constitutions has probably been just as democratic as the US, maybe moreso if less subtle. And it doesn't change the fact that foreigners here should stay out of political activism. Of course given that the precedent is set, when the yellow shirts come out against the redshirts perhaps I should join them

And, gee, you're calling an expat in Thailand xenophobic and bitter. If they were xenophobic I think they wouldn't be here... And bitter? In Thailand?

[quiksilva]

They are an embarrassment to themselves and their countries of origin.

[bacchanal]

Unfortunately, Abhisit detests the discipline of social psychology and shut down the academic website.

and just exactly what might that "academic website" be?

[4223rhodes]

As a point of interest is their actually a law down on paper that forbids foreigners from participating in rallies or does it come under the all encompassing "threat to national security" which would most probably include granny Lek enjoying a Cornetto on a hot day should they so choose.

I know of no such a general law... anyone else know?

Bangkok is under state of emergency which prohibits gathering of more than 5 people.

Rajprasong has been declared a closed area where people are not allowed to enter without permission and face 1 year jail and 20,000 baht penalty if police bothers to arrest them.

There is no general law that I am aware of regarding participation in political rallies. But the 2 above would seem to have his visa or permanent residence cancelled and the man jailed and deported if the immigration chooses to look him down.

There is no prohibition against gatherings of 5 or more people. That is a possible restriction along with curfews, etc that the military might find to their advantage in the future that is allowable under their "constitution".

[geriatrickid]

"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.

Won't help. Unless farang is born in Thailand of parents having Thai citizenship he will never have the right to vote.

Citizenship does not give the right to vote.

[elcent]

It's alright to have an opinion. Without that we'd be mentally disabled. But joining a rally that calls for violence and which is full of hidden agendas is outright stupid.

The reds' leaders have exposed themselves when they ran away from the negotiation table and therefore lost any credibility. The participating mob is just a decoration for various hidden agendas. I could name in particular a very serious issue, but leave it up to the gov to handle that since they know already.

[LomSak27]

If their main source of information is The Nation then they would indeed have a very limited knowledge of Thai politics.

Go to the top of the page

You can bet THE NATION searched high and low to get that in print. PAD and the Dems harbor that xenophobic element as much as the Reds but better not tell that to some TV posters!

granuale I'm sure you have profound insight into US politics, but this is Thailand and I could care less about US POLITICS at the moment

[cdmtdm]

american democracy what a joke !!! as a non citizen he has no right to stand up on stage and lecture people on what to do .......... another loud mouthed know all yank ..... go home and sort the mess out in your own country freak ..........

Where are you from? You sound like a xenophobic, bitter foreigner whose life has passed him/her by....

the USA is not a democracy, it is a Constitutional Republic.

yet they bomb the shit out of countries in the name of democracy !!!!

[toptuan]

american democracy what a joke !!! as a non citizen he has no right to stand up on stage and lecture people on what to do .......... another loud mouthed know all yank ..... go home and sort the mess out in your own country freak ..........

Where are you from? You sound like a xenophobic, bitter foreigner whose life has passed him/her by....

the USA is not a democracy, it is a Constitutional Republic.

yet they bomb the shit out of countries in the name of democracy !!!!

Someone call in the Thai army to take over this out-of-control forum....

[cdmtdm]

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.

Idiot, what an absolute idiot.

Agreed. What a perfect opportunity with the wife away at the rally to spend the day at home surfing porn in peace and quiet.

LOL ...

[ianwuk]

Why do Americans have to screw everything up?

Their own country is already a mess, leave Thailand alone, it is none of your business (or mine) or any other foreigner on TV or in Thailand.

We are just bystanders to all of this and to get involved shows how stupid foreigners can be.

[david96]

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.

Normally you must have Citizenship of a country eg Australia. Here permanent residents who are UK citizens can vote if they resided in Australia prior to 1984. But a dual citizen can not stand for public office, he/she must relinquish their foreign citizenship first.

HongKong was up to 1997 a British Crown Colony and many of its citizens had BNO status. thus they could vote. There is already concerns that China (PRC) will restrict democracy.

[OccamsRazor]

Won't help. Unless farang is born in Thailand of parents having Thai citizenship he will never have the right to vote.

Citizenship does not give the right to vote.

Actually they can but have had to live here for 10 years after naturalization. Of course that may have changed since the below publication was out.

http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/THAILAND_1969_E.PDF