PAD Protesters Take Oath Of Sovereignty

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Protesters Take Oath of Sovereignty

People's Alliance for Democracy protesters give their oath before the statue of King Rama V that they will do anything in their power to protect the country's sovereignty and reclaim territory lost to Cambodia.

Protesters of the People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD, led by the group's coordinator Prapan Khoonmee and other core elements, such as Saranyu Wongkrajang, Therdphum Jaidee and General Preecha Iamsupan, walked from their rally site at Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge to the Royal Plaza to give an oath of protecting the country's sovereignty before the equestrian statue of King Rama V.

Preecha led the oath that the group will try every way to take back Thai territory occupied by Cambodia and prevent any further loss of territory.

The PAD protesters laid roses at the monument before returning to Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge.

A company of police was deployed to the Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall near the Royal Plaza to monitor the PAD's gathering there.

The police blocked the road in front of the throne hall with steel and concrete barricades to keep the protesters from proceeding to Parliament House, where MPs and senators were gathering to vote on charter amendment bills.

A dozen companies of police were also assigend to keep peace and order along the PAD's route.

Commander of the Metropolitan Police Division 1, Police Major General Wichai Sangprapai, said there has been no order for the police to reclaim the PAD's rally site yet despite calls for the group to immediately open up two lanes of the road to traffic.

Wichai stated police are empowered to post announcements under the Internal Security Act to require the protesters to leave their rally site, but the announcements will not be issued while the complaint seeking a court order to evict the protesters is being considered.

On the report that the PAD will send its representatives to submit a petition at Parliament, Wichai said members of the public have been barred from entering the area and he advised the group to air its demands by other means, such as making a statement on television.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-11

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Army Chief Affirms No Protest Crackdown

The army chief has urged protesters to abide by the security act enactment and affirmed the government's promise that there will be no dispersal of protests.

Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha stated that the police will be in charge of maintaining security at the People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD, demonstration after the Internal Security Act has been imposed.

The army chief urged the yellow-shirt protesters to abide by the security law enforcement.

Asked about a possible protest dispersal, Prayuth only repeated the government's confirmation that there will be no crackdown on demonstrators.

The army chief went on to say that he personally wants to see unity among all Thais and conflicts being solved in the country.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-11

[WhySoSerious]

Time to change the shirt-colour to brown?

[tominbkk]

Patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels!

[Rhalovely]

One oath they won't need to take is that of stupidity.

[Thai at Heart]

What would be the supposed consequences of breaking this oath???

[Steely Dan]

Patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels!

You beat me to it.

[JamesGoyder]

A few pics from this morning. I estimate around 2,000 protestors and about 500 police when I was there. There was a second stage with a band playing but only a handful of people in front of it so I suspect the PAd were hoping for a bigger turnout.

[Thai at Heart]

A few pics from this morning. I estimate around 2,000 protestors and about 500 police when I was there. There was a second stage with a band playing but only a handful of people in front of it so I suspect the PAd were hoping for a bigger turnout.

With a crowd that small, maybe they are the wives of the male speakers.

[animatic]

What would be the supposed consequences of breaking this oath???

Loss of face amongst all their fellows, but also inside their own head, a more insidious model for mind control. Make their own honor the reason to do something stupid for their apparently addled masters.

Edited February 12, 2011 by animatic