Foreigners Joining Red-Shirts Rally

[mca]

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.

Didn't they announce that foreigners taking part in rallies would be arrested and deported etc right from the very start though?

[richwantsin]

agreed...

idiot

[losworld]

Give it a break... let the Thai people decide their own issues outside U.S. or European influence or whatever... but of course the peanut gallery can still go on debating and dissecting the issues

[4223rhodes]

The only thing for certain is that if foreigners in Thailand were given the right to deport other foreigners in Thailand then there would be very few foreigners left in Thailand. I wonder if foreigners in other countries dislike each other so much?

[bushwacker]

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

I 100% agree with you. We can watch and talk about it ... but should keep our nose out of their political affairs.

[Paul123456]

It is lovely that some foreigners have gone to the rally with their bar-girls, but yes, I think they should be arrested and deported. It was made quite clear at the start that foreigners should not join the protest; and a State of Emergency after the protesters stormed the parliament makes it even less acceptable that foreigners join in.

Don't get me wrong - I'd encourage foreigners to visit the protest and witness it - but speaking on stage or actively joining in activities - that is clearly the work of people doing harm to the country that is hosting them (in order for a billionaire to get more money).

I hope Thailand can solve all this Red/Yellow thing soon and get back to some of the much more important issues that need to be tackled. Foreigners sabotaging that effort really shouldn't be welcome.

[Donnyboy]

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 !!!!

not always, they sometimes support dictators

[Meridian007]

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.

I agree! This was the funniest part of the whole article, and summarizes the whole movement! Ask 95% of the red shirts why they are here, and they'll yell "democracy!" Ask them what democracy means and they'll admit that they're just here for the cute girls and the free food, money, and clothes!

Seriously, I'm happier with some uninformed guy joining the rally because his Thai wife told him to, rather than the rabid calls for foreigners to attack the red shirts. The rest of the Thai population that sees the foreigners at the rally are clever enough to realize the true reason they are there "Wifey told me to!", and not hold it against all foreigners.

On the other hand, the red-shirts are more of an emotional than intellectual bunch, and if foreigners started fights with them, or attacked en masse, I could see this turning into a red shirt hunt for foreigners with Khattiya and his armed mercenaries at the front!

[Ayutthaya69]

another idiot

I AGRRE another idiot so put him in jail

[thom22]

I have walked down to the protests a few times with my girlfriend purely to take photos. It is an amazing site to see, everyone has been friendly and in good spirits. I have seen some foreigners doing much of the same. One man i saw, American i think, was wearing a red scarf walking around. I think its ridiculous and that farangs should not get actively involved. I would not even pretend to understand Thai politics, everything i know about it comes from this site. All farangs should stay orange and not voice an opinion out of the their circle of farang friends because we know nothing anyway. At the same time i do not think it is a bad thing for any of us living here to go down and take a look. Just be aware and stay safe. And don't wear any red. I did get my gf to buy a red shirt and put it in her bag for me, just as a souvenir though. I hope its over soon but cannot imagine how it will play out. I pray for no bloodshed.

Edited April 9, 2010 by thom22

[elcent]

The only thing for certain is that if foreigners in Thailand were given the right to deport other foreigners in Thailand then there would be very few foreigners left in Thailand. I wonder if foreigners in other countries dislike each other so much?

this is something that happens in every country when talking about spoiled western foreigners. They rip each other off. Here in Thailand too. Look at the bars, pubs, property development etc.. There are also those with great communities here. It's about 50 : 50

[david96]

The question that should be asked is "What is the political future of Thailand"?

What foreign governments will be looking at is whether Thailand moves closer to China and the future of the M********. At present it is allied with the West, but that could change. China is extending its reach as Thailand is within its "sphere of influence"

It has been mentioned outside of Thailand that Thaksin was interested in moving Thailand to a republic but at the moment support for the M*******. seems assured.

In 1946 an incident occured in Thailand that has never been explained as discussion is banned in Thailand.

[bushwacker]

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.

its embarrassing to all visitors to this country ...........WE ARE GUESTS ......behave like one or go home !!

Spot on!!!! Well said!!! Fully agree!

[mca]

I would not even pretend to understand Thai politics, everything i know about it comes from this site.

That's you screwed then thom mate!

[grumpyoldman]

O.K. as a foreigner here, not involved in politics here is my 2 satangs worth to ending the problem.

Take the 43 billion taken from Thaksin's ill gotten gains, and tell each one of those red shirts that on the way out of town they will get 5,000thb.

And, if they agree to stay home, another 5,000 next month.

[slapout]

After reviewing this topic and some of the comments made, I am convinced that the old, wrinkled, long time expats (even if on limited budget, as many of us are retired) may have more sense than to walk into a situation over which we have no control and if it goes teats up will be caught in the middle. To support any political faction/sect or whatever, because the wife is and similar reasons listed, is showing ones true brilliance/thought process. On second thought, these people will fit right in with the masses, as this seems to be similar to some of the responses put forward, by many of the participants in this circle jerk. Un <deleted>..king believable comes to mind.

[FreedomDude]

I've been attending the Red Shirt rallys at Rajaprasong with my Thai wife and a couple of times with my daughter. I'm not wearing Red or cheering/clapping, but I'm adding another body to the crowd. I do support their cause. I may not be a Thai citizen, but I have an obvious interest in the future of this country since other factors have led to the necessity of my family living here. I'm not an idiot, I've stayed as well informed as possible over the past 4 years I've been here. Read the Bangkok Post, Herald Tribune, Economist, Thai journalist blogs.

Anyone think I shouldn't be participating? I wholeheartedly disagree.

[elcent]

Maybe in two or three days there will be the question:

"Was there something?"

[BlackJack]

"An American appeared on the stage yesterday"

just cant keep the yanks out of the limelight

they just cant control themselves with their democratic rhetoric

read Vietnam, Iraq, Pakistan, Iran, etc etc

the irony is that the USA doesnt even know what democracy is

as their government passed recent laws that were unconstitutional and now 20 US governers are taking the US government to court for constitutional breaches

the USA isnt even listening to its people!!

Get off the stage donkey and keep a low profile

[chillibilly]

What "irks" me as an American (living and working in LOS) is seeing Americans getting involved when they don't even protest outwardly in their own country because they're chickens. Here in LOS, they act like they're into the "democracy scene" but don't understand the corruption or Thaksin connection to it.

[barky]

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

If this is the case, and I'm sure it is, it then renders the gaining of Thai citizenship (and possibly residency) an almost total waste of time and money and effort. Resedency and Citizenship for westeners is basically worthless. This is in all likelihood just how the Thais want it!

Thanks Thailand (I guess) for nothing!

[4223rhodes]

I've been attending the Red Shirt rallys at Rajaprasong with my Thai wife and a couple of times with my daughter. I'm not wearing Red or cheering/clapping, but I'm adding another body to the crowd. I do support their cause. I may not be a Thai citizen, but I have an obvious interest in the future of this country since other factors have led to the necessity of my family living here. I'm not an idiot, I've stayed as well informed as possible over the past 4 years I've been here. Read the Bangkok Post, Herald Tribune, Economist, Thai journalist blogs.

Anyone think I shouldn't be participating? I wholeheartedly disagree.

How dare you read publications such as the Economist which are banned by Abhisit's buddies in the Thought Police!

Edited April 9, 2010 by 4223rhodes

[BlackJack]

I've been attending the Red Shirt rallys at Rajaprasong with my Thai wife and a couple of times with my daughter. I'm not wearing Red or cheering/clapping, but I'm adding another body to the crowd. I do support their cause. I may not be a Thai citizen, but I have an obvious interest in the future of this country since other factors have led to the necessity of my family living here. I'm not an idiot, I've stayed as well informed as possible over the past 4 years I've been here. Read the Bangkok Post, Herald Tribune, Economist, Thai journalist blogs.

Anyone think I shouldn't be participating? I wholeheartedly disagree.

if you have read about all things related to this saga you would realize that things can and often do turn ugly and many people have died before.

if you value your life and your families life then take that into consideration next time you join the democracy crusade

other wise you just might end up being another body on the slab

[SGhawker]

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

The guy is either one of those numerous (idiots, loud mouth, drop out etc) attending any possible rally they can find to have fun for themselves while pretending their desperate itching support to save the world, spread democracy, freedom concert, 1st May demonstration against capitalism, support to a strike somewhere, stop eating beef, save africa by a F-rate celebrity etc etc.

Or just ordinary tourist picked the girl (nice smile btw) in nearby soi bar so why not to check another famous gathering next door... No bad intent but giving any comments to media was rather stupid. Hope the rest of his evening was fine and email to mum/mates back home have same photo without any political content.

Democracy talk on the stage must be very funny but I feel sorry for protesters who could honestly believe him talking provocative idealistic rabbish. Media folks obviosly did their normal job to generate breaking news about foreigners joining rally, CNN report blows up etc.

[marcel.dekorte]

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.

This is realy a nice view and the only way foreigners can / must act. Thanks for the wisdom

Edited April 9, 2010 by marcel.dekorte

[Stjohnm]

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!!

Spot on

[esbkk]

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!!

RED FREEDOM FIGHTER - what the hel_l are you talking about

[lensta]

This is Thais' politic, STAY OUT OF IT.

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

Yes I agree this is Thai politics and foreigners should stay out of it

because Thais can make a big enough mess of it without our help.

Just look at the Thai political history over the past 60 years, how many

coups have there been during this period, how corrupt is the system?

You may not need any interference but you sure do need something.

[FreedomDude]

What "irks" me as an American (living and working in LOS) is seeing Americans getting involved when they don't even protest outwardly in their own country because they're chickens. Here in LOS, they act like they're into the "democracy scene" but don't understand the corruption or Thaksin connection to it.

Ahhh you saw me down there and you assumed I don't protest in America because I'm a chicken. How did you reach these conclusions about me? Please tell. I understand the Thaksin and corruption connections to the Red movement AND I understand the questionable men and corruption connections to opposing groups. Given all Pluses and Minuses, I choose Red.

[philw]

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.

its embarrassing to all visitors to this country ...........WE ARE GUESTS ......behave like one or go home !!

Spot on!!!! Well said!!! Fully agree!

Why the outrage ???

Where is the harm ??

ph