PM Abhisit Warns Political Demonstrations Likely To Return To Bangkok Soon

[webfact]

PM warns political demonstrations likely to return soon

BANGKOK (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Wednesday conceded that political demonstrators are likely to return to the capital's streets later this year, but pledged his government will do its best to control the situation.

The premier expressed concern after his cabinet revoked the state of emergency in five provinces but maintained the law in 19 provinces including the capital, Bangkok, based on intelligence reports of concerned agencies that underground movements are still in readiness to ignite further disorder.

Mr Abhisit said the demonstrations may return before the end of this year as said by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban but the government will try to reduce the condition of conflicts and enforce the law against those who are likely to incite violence as well as create better understanding among the public so that they will not be misled.

"I have to admit that it's not easy. That's why I have urged cooperation from all sectors. No one wants that (violence) to reoccur, said the prime minister. "This time we will be on full alert and the Emergency Decree is needed despite pressures from many parties."

The Emergency Decree was imposed in Bangkok in early April to maintain order during the intensified anti-government campaign of the Red Shirt movement which ended May 19 after weeks of grenade attacks and arson on the last day in the capital and some provinces in the North and Northeast.

Ninety persons were killed and nearly 1,900 were wounded in multiple clashes between troops and Red Shirts during the 10-week demonstrations.

Mr Abhisit said the government is now speeding up issuing an amnesty law for persons illegally possessing military weapons but returning them to the authorities.

A substantial amount of military munitions was reportedly lost during clashes between security forces and anti-government Red Shirt protesters on April 10.

The premier said the government will propose the bill as soon as the lower House of Parliament reopens in August and hopes it will pass through all three readings.

"We have to accelerate enacting the law as the government sees that war weapons have been used in the protests more and more, so we want to persuade persons who have military weapons to return them to the state."

Mr Abhisit however said that the amnesty will be granted within 60 days after the law takes effect.

Meanwhile, the so-called "Group of Persons against Civil War" on Wednesday issued a statement opposing the emergency decree extension in the 19 provinces, saying the government has insufficient grounds to retain the law.

The statement said the country is not in a state of emergency, adding the law extension will cause more divisiveness and reflects that the normal judicial process cannot function.

The group also urged the government to immediately revoke the emergency decree in every province and release people who are being detained under state of emergency for expressing political views.

It also asked the government and security concerned agencies to fully cooperate with a probe committee to bring about fair and transparent legal action against those who commit an offence. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-07-07

[webfact]

PM Warns of Possible Violence

The prime minister has acknowledged that some groups are still planning underground campaigns to stir chaos in the near future.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said there have been intelligence reports over attempts to incite violent situations in the near future as suggested by his deputy in charge of national security, Suthep Thaugsuban, who is also director of the Center for Resolution of the Emergency Situation.

Abhisit pledged that his government will keep the situation under control by strictly enforcing laws against those who are plotting acts of violence and by preventing people from being coaxed into joining their illegal activities.

The prime minister then warned that the new red-shirt TV channel, Asia Update, could be taken off the air if its operation is found to be in violation of the law and insisted that the government will not allow the new station to be run in the same way that PTV was.

He also stated that the proposed amnesty for those in possession of illegal firearms is aimed at convincing them to return the weapons to the authorities as many of them were found to have been used during the red-shirt protests.

He expressed belief the bill will sail through all three readings by the House.

Abhisit also remarked that he has instructed investigators responsible for the pending cases against the People's Alliance for Democracy to update him with their developments periodically to ensure transparency.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-07

[landofthefree]

Well whose crystal ball do we believe, Abhisits or the TAT's? If they believe the PMs crystal ball does this mean TAT will be revising its projected number of tourists for next year downwards?.....I don't think so they are all still living in fantasy land!

Edited July 7, 2010 by webfact

[givenall]

Well whose crystal ball do we believe, Abhisits or the TAT's? If they believe the PMs crystal ball does this mean TAT will be revising its projected number of tourists for next year downwards?.....I don't think so they are all still living in fantasy land!

If this demonstration is an annual event then we all have to learn from Carfur and pull out. This totally uncatchable that the government can’t control the situation and allow these thugs to continue to destroy the country

[draftvader]

Almost any other "1st world" country (I am well aware of the state of this country but it would appear that even the government believes its own propaganda) would simply make everybody go home at the end of day 1. I'm convinced there are probably laws that allow this kind of dispersal (same techniques used at sporting events), why not here?

[jayjay0]

Almost any other "1st world" country (I am well aware of the state of this country but it would appear that even the government believes its own propaganda) would simply make everybody go home at the end of day 1. I'm convinced there are probably laws that allow this kind of dispersal (same techniques used at sporting events), why not here?

Excellent points.

No other first world country would have allowed them to carry on for as long as they did. There was mistakes made on both sides but the biggest one was allowing them to carry on for more than four days. The whole world knew what they claimed they wanted by then and no one with a third of a brain unles they were a red shirt believed the government would just up and resign with no conditions attached.

Is "Group of Persons against Civil War" the new name for red shirts.

[anotheruser]

I am guessing they will do this during the beginning of high season. They want to maximise the impact the demonstratons have on the economy. I have basically given up on running my guesthouse in Laos because of how Thailand is.

[smileplur]

underground movements are still in readiness to ignite further disorder

Perhaps the author could use a bit more judgment when choosing how to write the story. This is a tasteless way to say it given the circumstances.

[kissdani]

underground movements are still in readiness to ignite further disorder

Perhaps the author could use a bit more judgment when choosing how to write the story. This is a tasteless way to say it given the circumstances.

This is the way Abhisit speaks.

[basjke]

PM warns political demonstrations likely to return soon

Coming soon to a place near you.

[chantorn]

No doubt that protesters will return.

Don't forget that 90 people killed and thousand injured.

This is the reason why SOE must NOT be lifted.

It should be a permanent fixture in Thai society (just like Myanmar).

Frankly speaking, there is no affect in our life, whether SOE is in place or not; so keep it on forever and ever.

[chantorn]

Almost any other "1st world" country (I am well aware of the state of this country but it would appear that even the government believes its own propaganda) would simply make everybody go home at the end of day 1. I'm convinced there are probably laws that allow this kind of dispersal (same techniques used at sporting events), why not here?

So they use war machines and equipments (tanks and machines guns with LIFE bullets) in dispersal of sport events in your country?

Nice to know that Thailand & Burma are not alone.

[OzMick]

underground movements are still in readiness to ignite further disorder

Perhaps the author could use a bit more judgment when choosing how to write the story. This is a tasteless way to say it given the circumstances.

Seems to me a fairly polite way of saying that a mob of murderous mercenaries still wish to re-install their would-be dictator, or burn the place to the ground. How would you express it?

[OzMick]

Almost any other "1st world" country (I am well aware of the state of this country but it would appear that even the government believes its own propaganda) would simply make everybody go home at the end of day 1. I'm convinced there are probably laws that allow this kind of dispersal (same techniques used at sporting events), why not here?

So they use war machines and equipments (tanks and machines guns with LIFE bullets) in dispersal of sport events in your country?

Nice to know that Thailand & Burma are not alone.

You are suffering from memory distortion. A couple of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) were used, not tanks, and though fitted with machine guns, I have not seen nor heard any evidence that they were fired. More to the point, the APC's were used to clear barriers prepared over a long period and wouldn't have been required if the protesters had been dispersed as draftvader is suggesting.

As for "LIFE" bullets, when a sports event turns into a riot and rioters refuse to disperse, you can bet your sweet bippy that the kid gloves come off very rapidly.

Your equating of Myanmar and Thailand is simply vaccuous.

[Robby nz]

Read what Jatuporn has to say on the subject

"I don't think we should or could gather any time soon. Under the current climate, it would lead to more deaths and could also compromise the fate of those who are in police custody," Jatuporn told Reuters in an interview.

Jatuporn said a state of emergency imposed in April also made any attempt to regroup difficult.

The government extended the emergency on Tuesday for another three months in Bangkok and 18 of the country's 76 provinces, citing danger posed by anti-government elements.

"With this, authorities have power to arrest us on various grounds," said Jatuporn, who said he sleeps in a different place almost every night for safety reasons. "I tell our supporters to bide their time. Just keep breathing and stay out of harm's way."

Link

http://www.thaivisa....l/page__st__100

Seems they are just waiting till the SOE is lifted.

Sleeps in a different place almost every night......... What he needs is some security and a permanent place to lay his head........Any suggestions?

[jayjay0]

Almost any other "1st world" country (I am well aware of the state of this country but it would appear that even the government believes its own propaganda) would simply make everybody go home at the end of day 1. I'm convinced there are probably laws that allow this kind of dispersal (same techniques used at sporting events), why not here?

So they use war machines and equipments (tanks and machines guns with LIFE bullets) in dispersal of sport events in your country?

Nice to know that Thailand & Burma are not alone.

It would appear the red shirts are trying to be less obvious in there allegiance.

[nikkoid66]

I think the government handled the situation the best they could.

It would not be faster or better in another country.

Remember that at the beginning it was a very peaceful protest, people were listening music and were very calm, no reason to fire at them.

The international cost for the country to fire to the mob is so huge that it was not a good idea to do more than Abhisit did.

You need to be in the situation where the violence is the last call, and that means waiting until either the mob disperses or the mob fires to the police and the police as to other option than to fire back to protect their life.

I think Thailand did a good job even if it is sad that there were so many casualties.

To refresh your memory, read about the LA riots in the USA in 1992 : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_riots_of_1992

53 killed and thousands injured...

[nadavbkk]

No doubt that protesters will return.

Don't forget that 90 people killed and thousand injured.

This is the reason why SOE must NOT be lifted.

It should be a permanent fixture in Thai society (just like Myanmar).

Frankly speaking, there is no affect in our life, whether SOE is in place or not; so keep it on forever and ever.

AMEN :jap:

[Thai at Heart]

I think the government handled the situation the best they could.

It would not be faster or better in another country.

They set up a stage and had multiple generators.

Did they set up their own engineering shop too to make all the stuff they had in there. If vehicle access had been prevented on day one they would never have been able to stay for more than a week.

By the end it was a living breathing broadcast city. I wouldn't be surprised if Thaipost was delivering mail addressed to "The Protest, Rajaprasong".

It is someone's right to protest, it is not anyones right to set up house and home in the middle of the city. Not wanting to take the starve them out policy, but if the BIB had done more, people would have gone home out of boredom. No stage, no generators. The message would have died.

As for the government allowing the broadcasts, well unfortunately the yellows set that precedent, but how an "illegal" protest can set up its own TV channel one can only wonder.

[Globalhot]

So they use war machines and equipments (tanks and machines guns with LIFE bullets) in dispersal of sport events in your country?

Nice to know that Thailand & Burma are not alone.

If necessary, but that is a last resort. As long as as demonstrations are peaceful (nobody throwing grenades at the police or military to provoke them), and as long as the demonstrators are not disrupting traffic or commerce (like they did in Bangkok), nothing will happen.

But if they, say, attack Congress (the equivalent of attacking Parliament in Bangkok), action will be taken.

That action will proceed in steps. No more force is used than is necessary.

In my country there is no way in the world the Reds would have been allowed to do what they did in Bangkok; it would have been stopped much earlier.

I am not criticizing Abhisit for taking such a long time to resolve the situation. He was no doubt thinking about the larger picture.

[shrekroma]

If necessary, but that is a last resort. As long as as demonstrations are peaceful (nobody throwing grenades at the police or military to provoke them), and as long as the demonstrators are not disrupting traffic or commerce (like they did in Bangkok), nothing will happen.

I'm laughing so hard about this. This guy must never realize where he's living now.

He does think Gov will listen to peaceful protest must like he saw in his fairly tale dream.

The fact is nobody will care sh*t whoever stupid enough running in the street just to shot in the head later.

And the people who set BKK on fire will do it just to show their rage.

What the hel_l do you expect when these people fighting each other.

Wake up. This is Thailand.

[mobiryder]

I am guessing they will do this during the beginning of high season. They want to maximise the impact the demonstratons have on the economy. I have basically given up on running my guesthouse in Laos because of how Thailand is.

or they're busy making rice for now... dry/high season they have nothing to do..

[webfact]

Lifting emergency rule would spark unrest: Thai minister

BANGKOK (AFP) -- The Thai government warned on Thursday that anti-government "Red Shirts" would launch fresh protests if the country lifted a state of emergency put in place in response to recent deadly rallies.

Red Shirts continue to meet in small groups -- in defiance of the crisis rules -- to criticise the government and the country's revered monarchy, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said.

The government, citing lingering fears of unrest after the worst civil violence in decades, this week prolonged emergency rule in many parts of the country despite calls from rights groups and opponents for it to be lifted.

Suthep, who is in charge of national security, said the Red Shirts had "become more aggressive", accusing them of denigrating the revered monarchy.

"So if the government lifts the emergency rule a mass anti-government rally will certainly happen," he said.

The state of emergency, imposed in April after mass opposition protests broke out in the capital, is to be maintained in Bangkok and 18 other provinces -- out of a total of 76.

Under the laws, public gatherings of more than five people are prohibited and security forces have the right to detain suspects for 30 days without charge.

The authorities have used the powers to arrest hundreds of suspects -- including most of the leaders of the protest group -- and shut down anti-government TV channels, radio stations and websites.

Two months of mass demonstrations from mid-March by the Red Shirts, who were seeking immediate elections, sparked outbreaks of violence that left 90 people dead, mostly civilians, and nearly 1,900 injured.

Thailand's fugitive former leader Thaksin Shinawatra, who commands the loyalty of many Red Shirts, was accused of trying to mobilise grassroots support for the protest movement.

"It's absolutely clear that Thaksin has convinced those people to get together and he also funds the movement," Suthep said.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-07-08

[w11guy]

No doubt that protesters will return.

Don't forget that 90 people killed and thousand injured.

This is the reason why SOE must NOT be lifted.

It should be a permanent fixture in Thai society (just like Myanmar).

Frankly speaking, there is no affect in our life, whether SOE is in place or not; so keep it on forever and ever.

If there is no effect on our lices whether SOE in place or not, then why do you think it should be kept. You seem to be contradicting yourself.

[londonthai]

if there are no democratic means (like uncensored information/communication, free discussion and democratic elections) to express their political views, than people will take to the streets to protest and some more desperate ones might turn violent.

the objective for the latest protests was the general election. Because the government is happy to hold at power (and profits coming from it) as long as it is possible, sooner or later there would be further protests. Might be this year, might be in 5 years, with new faces and new generation of politically aware people.

[w11guy]

Many people seem to think that situations like this only happen in Thailand. They obviously aren't very well informed. Check out this list of riots http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_riots. <br><br>Also, someone mentioned that in 1st world countries protestors would be removed after one day. This is wrong. There have been protestors outside the houses of parliament in London for YEARS. Yes, that's right, YEARS. Police have failed to remove them and the courts have often backed their right to stay and protest. A recent court case has said they can be removed, but this hasn't happened yet.<br><br>So don't go thinking Thailand is so different. These situations happen in 1st world countries. The other thing you are msiing is that many 1st world countries take their killing abroad. US and UK troops have killed over 100,000 CIVILIANS in Iraq. That's civilians, not the army, terrorists or such people, but civilians. So don't go thinking that 1st world countries are any model to follow. UK has also locked up many of its own citizens up without trial. There are some really, really bad things that happen in the UK, USA and other countries, but it is mostly hidden. You have more chance of being killed by UK or US troops than you have of being killed by Thai trops. FACT.<br>

[BSJ]

I for one don't understand why the SOE still exists in many provinces when, for weeks, there has been no visible anti-government activity on the streets....of Bangkok. Sure, in time, the Reds will grow in strength again. But as we saw last time, if the military take action any serious protest is done and dusted before dinner time.

[Lizard2010]

Thats all we need, hope irs not when im on Holidays.

[Rucharee]

I for one don't understand why the SOE still exists in many provinces when, for weeks, there has been no visible anti-government activity on the streets....of Bangkok. Sure, in time, the Reds will grow in strength again. But as we saw last time, if the military take action any serious protest is done and dusted before dinner time.

Sure, in time, the Reds will grow in strength again. The SOE is to delay it as long as possible.

[otherstuff1957]

What's really stopping the protests is the Govt. freezing the funds of Thaksin's family & associates. No money = no protests. It's as simple as that.