Peaceful Rallies In Bangkok, Chiang Mai Mark Thai Coup Anniversary

[webfact]

COUP ANNIVERSARY

Red tide returns

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

Peaceful rallies in capital, Chiang Mai for one day to mark fourth anniversary of 2006 coup and remember May crackdown

In a peaceful and largely symbolic manner, thousands of "leaderless" red shirts defied rain and the threat of arrest, swarming Rajprasong intersection yesterday afternoon to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the September 19, 2006 military coup and the bloodshed four months ago.

Sombat Boon-ngam-anong, the only prominent red shirt not behind bars or on the run, tried to deal with the large crowd through police-loaned speakers, but failed to prevent a large red-shirt crowd from blocking the intersection. He decided to light candles and release balloons nearly two hours before the 7pm schedule to avoid incidents. Many red protesters lingered at the intersection after 7 pm, some dancing to the music.

The intersection was mostly shut between 3pm and 6pm yesterday, but the red shirts started to clear the way for traffic at dusk. Police were totally outnumbered on the streets but monitored the situation through CCTVs. The rally remained peaceful despite some angry, emotional and provocative banners.

"If you shut the road we won't win," Sombat told the visibly angry crowd at about 3pm. "Please think it through... Our fight must go on. We must end today's activity. We fight a political fight and we must win it politically."

The rally followed Thaksin Shinawatra's plea for peace and reconciliation through Twitter. There was little sign of Thaksin's influence at the rally, which appeared spontaneous rather than organised. Many angry red shirts repeatedly shouted "Abhisit, get out!" and "B****** ordered the killing" in reference to the 91 deaths that occurred between April and May.

Some protesters told The Nation unrest is likely when their leaders are in jail, killed or on the run. "Don't think we are water buffaloes," said one red-shirt man. "Those who are here [today] are hardcore. They can't be controlled." Other banners said "People died here".

On social media, sentiment was mixed, with many questioning the virtual lack of reference to burnt buildings and ruined businesses. "Buildings were burnt here, too," one twitterer proclaimed angrily. But in the evening red leaders said they regretted the damage to businesses.

Student activists re-enacted the suppression of protesters. A man impersonated the late Maj-General Khattiya Sawasdipol and walked through the cheering crowd while some danced in the falling rain.

Sombat told the crowd before he left he would like to apologise to businesses affected by the red-shirt rally yesterday and back in April and May.

"We should come back and apologise. I and all red shirts would like to apologise. I'll also come back and shop here," he said. Gaysorn Plaza shut itself down again yesterday.

Shortly before six, hundreds of red ribbons were tied together in a large web as red shirts chanted anti-government slogans. Some lit candles in remembrance of those killed and wept. One man shouted: "Let's fight another round."

A 35-year-old woman, Sangwan Suktisen, whose 31-year-old husband Paison Tiplom died on April 10 at Khok Wua intersection, came with her eight-year-old son and three-year-old daughter to join the event.

She held a picture of her husband, who was shot in the head, to show other red-shirt protesters walking around the intersection.

She said she called for the government to bring to justice the persons who killed her husband.

"Even though the government gave me compensation for the death of my husband, no one apologised," she said.

Her three-year-old Saiphan Tiplom held a red balloon with writing, "Bring my father back and get the government out."

Sarawut Sathan, 45, who came from Bang Kapi district, said he joined the protest because he wanted the government to dissolve the House and hold fresh elections as a way to resolve the crisis in society.

Another woman wrote on the road with chalk that she still remembered the time when her friend was killed four months ago.

Sombat said yesterday's symbolic activity at Rajprasong had succeeded in getting the government's attention.

He said he did not expect that over 10,000 would join the rally. "We just came here to tell the government that we will never forget," he said.

However, he accepted the activity had caused a traffic jam around the intersection as the government would not allow him to use a megaphone to control the crowd.

A group of 30 students from the Thammasat Community Against Dic-tatorship and the Chula Community for the People also rallied to commemorate the coup and the crackdown on protesters. The students joined a group of red shirts in marching from Thammasart University's Thaprachan Campus along Rajdamnoen road to the Democracy Monument.

They held a handmade banner and posters reading "No more dictatorship in Thailand" and "Stop human rights violations and stop controlling democracy".

They also held pictures of Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat who led the 1957 coup, General Suchinda Kraprayoon who led the 1991 coup, and Abhisit while walking around Democracy Monument.

The students walked three times around the monument and laid wreaths to mourn the death of red-shirt protesters who died during the April and May demonstrations. They also mourned the "death of democracy".

"There was no [admitted] responsibility from the government over the bloody crackdown on red shirts, which killed 91 people during April and May, even though many civic groups had called for the government to take responsibility," said Raksart Wong-athichart, a 19-year-old Thammasat University Faculty of Liberal Arts student at the Democracy Monument.

"We want society to realise that our democracy is declining," he added.

-- The Nation 2010-09-20

[webfact]

COUP ANNIVERSARY

Reds gather for anti-coup rallies in key towns

By The Nation

In lieu of phone-in yesterday, fugitive ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra sent a Twitter message to followers to mark the anti-coup anniversary, while red rallies caused security jitters across the country but remained under control.

"In a few hours, the sun will rise on September 19 to mark four years after the coup and four months following the political tragedy; I would like to call on everyone to look forward, to show compassion and foregiveness and to heal and rehabilitate the victims of the unrest," he said in a 'tweet' allegedly relayed from Lebanon.

Thaksin said his wish was to see true reconciliation, which, for him, meant ending double standards and a stop to politicising the monarchy.

The military crackdown on protesters on May 19 and the coup in 2006 should be the last of their kind, he said.

He urged all sides to overcome animosity by talking to one another to bring about reconciliation. His 'tweets' were cut short following a censure by the Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES).

Reacting to Thaksin's message, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva voiced support for all sides to forgive one another and enter the reconciliation process.

"Reconciliation and forgiveness are good things," he said.

Abhisit said according to police reports, red activities in Bangkok were orderly. Security forces were under strict instructions to rein in activities across the country and he believed the rallies would not spiral out of control.

National police chief General Wichean Potephosree said he updated the prime minister on activities at various rally sites, billed as anti-coup protests. Activist Sombat Boonngarm-anong was due to lead the planned activities from 5pm to 7pm, he said.

The Metropolitan Police Bureau was in charge of monitoring security at rally sites every half hour and all activities were expected to end no later than 8pm, he said.

Police set up checkpoints to ensure peace and prevent ill-intentioned people from inciting violence, he said, reminding potential trouble-makers they would be liable for prosecution to the fullest extent of the law even in the areas not covered by the state of emergency.

In Chiang Mai, red shirts rallied at the Municipal Sports Stadium in the evening following a march round the provincial moat in the afternoon. Some 800 red shirts from Lampang went to join the rally in Chiang Mai.

Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan was one key speaker. About five companies of riot police were deployed to keep peace.

In Tak, the red shirts rallied at King Naresuan statue in Mae Sot district. The highlight was an oath asking the king's spirit to speed up the return of Thaksin and the restoration of justice in the country.

In Phetchabun, local red shirts gathered in front of the provincial hall to join an exhibition with anti-coup messages. They also tied red cloth in front of the First Cavalry Division as a warning against another coup.

In Chiang Rai, pro-democracy activists organised a march, spreading anti-coup messages along main roads in Muang district.

Rally organiser Boonlert Boonsri said due to some obstacles, the main rally in his province would be postponed to today.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, security forces were deployed at the provincial hall, key government installations and the local residence of chief royal adviser General Prem Tinsulanonda.

In Rayong, the red shirts were not permitted to tie red cloth at the provincial hall so they moved to hold their activities at the provincial administrative centre.

Hat Yai was the main rally site for red shirts in the South. A number of Pheu Thai executives from the party's southern branches, including Somchai Wiruphol, took part in the activities.

-- The Nation 2010-09-20

[siampolee]

Thaksin said his wish was to see true reconciliation, which, for him, meant ending double standards and a stop to politicising the monarchy.

The military crackdown on protesters on May 19 and the coup in 2006 should be the last of their kind, he said.

He urged all sides to overcome animosity by talking to one another to bring about reconciliation. His 'tweets' were cut short following a censure by the Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES).

Reacting to Thaksin's message, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva voiced support for all sides to forgive one another and enter the reconciliation process.

"Reconciliation and forgiveness are good things," he said.

Perhaps if Thaksin accepted his share of the blame for the coup vis a vis the utter corruption and manipulation of the due legal processes and the dictatorial attitude he had and I see still has we might just be able to move forward.

There is fault on all sides that cannot be denied however the manipulation by Thaksin to promote his own and his family and friends interests is a festering corrupting infection on the reconciliation process.

The kudos that could have been gained by facing up like a man to his situation would have enhanced and indeed cemented Thaksins reputation amongst the Thai people.

It should be remembered by all politicians (sic) in Thailand that the question is.

"What can I do for my country, not what can my country do for me ?"

[givenall]

Thaksin said his wish was to see true reconciliation, which, for him, meant ending double standards and a stop to politicising the monarchy.

The military crackdown on protesters on May 19 and the coup in 2006 should be the last of their kind, he said.

He urged all sides to overcome animosity by talking to one another to bring about reconciliation. His 'tweets' were cut short following a censure by the Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES).

Reacting to Thaksin's message, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva voiced support for all sides to forgive one another and enter the reconciliation process.

"Reconciliation and forgiveness are good things," he said.

Perhaps if Thaksin accepted his share of the blame for the coup vis a vis the utter corruption and manipulation of the due legal processes and the dictatorial attitude he had and I see still has we might just be able to move forward.

There is fault on all sides that cannot be denied however the manipulation by Thaksin to promote his own and his family and friends interests is a festering corrupting infection on the reconciliation process.

The kudos that could have been gained by facing up like a man to his situation would have enhanced and indeed cemented Thaksins reputation amongst the Thai people.

It should be remembered by all politicians (sic) in Thailand that the question is.

"What can I do for my country, not what can my country do for me ?"

If Thaksin want reconciliation, then he should return to Thailand and serve his sentence, and after he is out he can try to be an honest man. But it will be hard to change a corrupt and egotistic man

[mausplan]

Scenario A :I Someone pushes and shoves another, shouts, threatens and then throws punches and attacks the other person who defends themselves at first and then finally stops defending themselves after being injured and uses counter blows to defeat the attacker who is injured also.

Question: Who is responsible for the injuries - A the attacker, B the defender C both

According to the Reds the answer is B

That is the scenario with the Reds who have never admitted they were the attacker and want to blame everything on the defender.

I think the answer is A and by all accounts that person seems to be TS and his lieutenants led by the chief protagonist ,the Immune One. What do you say. pity we could not vote on it and let them know the result

[IAMSOBAD]

Thank you for your simple examle that clearly paints the true picture of what happened.

Sadly the reds had masks covering their eyes so they are blinded to reality. But still you make the point all so clear!!!

You cannot lead a water buffalo to water and he will never do the backstroke!

[Insight]

Careful what you said about the red movement. I read this disturbing comment on Twitter last night:

@igorc166 @tri26 @Incognito_me @Nganadeeleg According to my red friend who says when they win, they'll be sending Dave "away" for a while.

I understand the person is referring to Bangkok Dave who wrote an excellent blog post IMHO condemning the reds their 90-odd deaths propaganda. You might shrug the Twitter comment off as hearsay, but IMHO it's highly indicative of how they will attempt to silence opposition if they succeed.

More comments by the group of users indicate who the reds blame for the clampdown. It's not stated specifically, but from the impression I get keep looking up...

[tim armstrong]

There were approximately 15-20,000 people at the very well organised Chiangmai rally. Entirely peaceful, and definitely not 'uneducated rural poor from the north-east'.

[rubl]

There were approximately 15-20,000 people at the very well organised Chiangmai rally. Entirely peaceful, and definitely not 'uneducated rural poor from the north-east'.

The question I still have is what was said in the speeches by K. Jatuporn c.s. did the two fugitives K. Jakkrapok and K. Arisman phone-in ? Forward looking, reconciliatory, open-minded speeches or the usual claptrap we've come to know from PTV ?

[Thailand]

There were approximately 15-20,000 people at the very well organised Chiangmai rally. Entirely peaceful, and definitely not 'uneducated rural poor from the north-east'.

Must have upset a lot of the anti reds who were hoping for violence.

Hopefully the reds/Phue Thai, can now move on sans Thaksin and build a good sound opposition to the current incumbents.

[hanuman1]

There were approximately 15-20,000 people at the very well organised Chiangmai rally. Entirely peaceful, and definitely not 'uneducated rural poor from the north-east'.

Must have upset a lot of the anti reds who were hoping for violence.

Hopefully the reds/Phue Thai, can now move on sans Thaksin and build a good sound opposition to the current incumbents.

I hope you're right, but I can't see them shaking Taksin off so easily since everyone on all sides likes money

[SomTumTiger]

There were approximately 15-20,000 people at the very well organised Chiangmai rally. Entirely peaceful, and definitely not 'uneducated rural poor from the north-east'.

Must have upset a lot of the anti reds who were hoping for violence.

Hopefully the reds/Phue Thai, can now move on sans Thaksin and build a good sound opposition to the current incumbents.

Yes, because if its one thing we "anti reds" love, its violence, death and destruction. If you can't see the bitter irony of your own comments, you're a lost cause im afraid.

[tomyummer]

"...tried to deal with the large crowd through police-loaned speakers,..."

Only in Thailand where you can stage a protest and borrow the equipment from the police.

[Ricardo]

There were approximately 15-20,000 people at the very well organised Chiangmai rally. Entirely peaceful, and definitely not 'uneducated rural poor from the north-east'.

If only because they're from the north-west instead.

But still a poor turn-out, for a city of about a million people, who are all supposed to be rabid Thaksin-supporters. Perhaps he isn't missed as much some think ?

[tomyummer]

"Many angry red shirts repeatedly shouted "Abhisit, get out!" and "B****** ordered the killing" in reference to the 91 deaths that occurred between April and May."

Can someone tell me who or what is the 'B******'? The only reasonable thing I can come up with (in a role playing 'red' state of mind) starts with a BAS and ends with a TARD?

Butcher? Bulldog? Baskets? Bookies? Beowulf?

[SomTumTiger]

"Many angry red shirts repeatedly shouted "Abhisit, get out!" and "B****** ordered the killing" in reference to the 91 deaths that occurred between April and May."

Can someone tell me who or what is the 'B******'? The only reasonable thing I can come up with (in a role playing 'red' state of mind) starts with a BAS and ends with a TARD?

Butcher? Bulldog? Baskets? Bookies? Beowulf?

Buttplug?

[hammered]

Reconcilliation will come when people will genuinely look to what they did wrong on their side and apologise for it.

[SomTumTiger]

Reconcilliation will come when people will genuinely look to what they did wrong on their side and apologise for it.

You got that right Hammered

[hyperdimension]

Reconcilliation will come when people will genuinely look to what they did wrong on their side and apologise for it.

...and pay for all damages and compensation for deaths and injuries. Words alone aren't enough; Words that come out of the UDD and Pheu Thai have almost no weight.

[rubl]

Reconcilliation will come when people will genuinely look to what they did wrong on their side and apologise for it.

...and pay for all damages and compensation for deaths and injuries. Words alone aren't enough; Words that come out of the UDD and Pheu Thai have almost no weight.

When you're finished with the bill for the red's activities, can you also make one for the yellow's? Fair's fair. Mind you, the yellow shirts might be in a better financial position than the red shirts.

[hyperdimension]

Must have upset a lot of the anti reds who were hoping for violence.

I'm sure there were protesters too who were hoping for violence. I wonder how many brought sticks and metal pipes like they did last time (during which I had even seen children walking around with metal pipes in the street).

Imagine how different things would have turned out if Sombat told the crowd to smash and burn things (much like how the core leaders had done before) instead of reining them in.

[hyperdimension]

Reconcilliation will come when people will genuinely look to what they did wrong on their side and apologise for it.

...and pay for all damages and compensation for deaths and injuries. Words alone aren't enough; Words that come out of the UDD and Pheu Thai have almost no weight.

When you're finished with the bill for the red's activities, can you also make one for the yellow's? Fair's fair.

Yes the PAD should pay for all of the damages they caused too.

Mind you, the yellow shirts might be in a better financial position than the red shirts.

I think Thaksin still has plenty of money, and I think the Government wouldn't mind if he offers to pay some billions of baht as part of his and Pheu Thai's "reconciliation" plan. At the moment their "reconciliation" plan are just worthless words without even any admission of wrongdoing or apologies.

[Thailand]

Yes, because if its one thing we "anti reds" love, its violence, death and destruction. If you can't see the bitter irony of your own comments, you're a lost cause I'm afraid.

At least you have nailed your color and your bias.

I am neither anti red, pro red, anti yellow nor pro yellow, nor anti any color nor pro any color.

My lost cause is that I simply want to see an end to the current conflicts and see this great country that I have chosen as my home move forward in the best possible way,whatever that may be.

[SamritT]

In general (there is some exceptions); the Red love violence, the Yellow love peace, the Govt (no matter which one) love money, the opposition love to dream of becoming govt.

[hammered]

Sanan's move is interesting

[SamritT]

Reconcilliation will come when people will genuinely look to what they did wrong on their side and apologise for it.

Fully agree.

[wayfarer108]

Sombat told the crowd before he left he would like to apologise to businesses affected by the red-shirt rally yesterday and back in April and May.

"We should come back and apologise. I and all red shirts would like to apologise. I'll also come back and shop here," he said. Gaysorn Plaza shut itself down again yesterday.

That would be a start. Six small busimesses on my street in Rajprasong have had to shut their doors permanently, unable to stay in business through the cripping two-and-a-half month occupation.

[asiawatcher]

In general (there is some exceptions); the Red love violence, the Yellow love peace, the Govt (no matter which one) love money, the opposition love to dream of becoming govt.

Well said but look at the situation yesterday in direct breach of law - no loud speakers only megaphones - they were many loudspeakers on trucks. No traffic interruption - reds blocked Chiang Mai and Bangkok and more rubbish trashed everywhere and inconvenience to everyone else.

And of course the Police just let it all happen... again. What is the point of having laws if they cannot be enforced?

Get rid of this corrupt police rabble here and put some decency behind the badge and get some 'respect' back into the name "POLICE". And Khun Abhisit - give them a damned pay rise so they don't steal from the public! You are to blame for too much of this not happening.

To clear corruption you have to start with those who can enforce anti-corruption so if you pay a pittance to them - they are 'forced' to continue to be corrupt. Remove the heads that allow it - put a broom thru any of the lower ranks already on the take and employ those with a sense of pride and justice who WILL enforce the law. Once there penalties are raised people 'lose' the will to ignore the police in everything from traffic fines to jail terms. They start to pull into line. At least the majority will.

[yellow1red1]

"Many angry red shirts repeatedly shouted "Abhisit, get out!" and "B****** ordered the killing" in reference to the 91 deaths that occurred between April a nd May."

Can someone tell me who or what is the 'B******'? The only reasonable thing I can come up with (in a role playing 'red' state of mind) starts with a BAS and ends with a TARD?

Butcher? Bulldog? Baskets? Bookies? Beowulf?

uh oh ohh ... they said that?.. holy macaroni! ... oh oh uh

[Buchholz]

Thaksin said his wish was to see true reconciliation, which, for him, meant ending double standards and a stop to politicising the monarchy.

The military crackdown on protesters on May 19 and the coup in 2006 should be the last of their kind, he said.

He urged all sides to overcome animosity by talking to one another to bring about reconciliation. His 'tweets' were cut short following a censure by the Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES).

Reacting to Thaksin's message, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva voiced support for all sides to forgive one another and enter the reconciliation process.

"Reconciliation and forgiveness are good things," he said.

Perhaps if Thaksin accepted his share of the blame for the coup vis a vis the utter corruption and manipulation of the due legal processes and the dictatorial attitude he had and I see still has we might just be able to move forward.

There is fault on all sides that cannot be denied however the manipulation by Thaksin to promote his own and his family and friends interests is a festering corrupting infection on the reconciliation process.

The kudos that could have been gained by facing up like a man to his situation would have enhanced and indeed cemented Thaksins reputation amongst the Thai people.

It should be remembered by all politicians (sic) in Thailand that the question is.

"What can I do for my country, not what can my country do for me ?"

If Thaksin want reconciliation, then he should return to Thailand and serve his sentence, and after he is out he can try to be an honest man. But it will be hard to change a corrupt and egotistic man

It will be significantly less hard if he's 91 when he leaves prison (following the completion of his still-pending cases). At that point, he's more concerned about changing his adult diapers.