Thailand's 'Yellow Shirt' PAD Partially Vacates Protest Site

[webfact]

Thailand's 'Yellow Shirt' PAD partially vacates protest site

BANGKOK, Feb 28 – The 'Yellow Shirt' People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on Monday vacated some parts of Ratchadamnoen Road which they have occupied for over a month after a police operation to regain traffic lanes for the public.

The police asked for cooperation from the protesters to reopen the protest site and the PAD agreed to open two of six lanes to traffic.

Some 700 police led by Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Pol Lt-Gen Chakthip Chaichinda and Metropolitan Police Division 1 chief Pol Maj-Gen Wichai Sangprapai dismantled a half dozen PAD tents to open traffic in two lanes in front of the Education Ministry near Makkhawan Bridge, the Yellow Shirts' main protest site.

The Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order, or CAPO spokesman Pol Maj-Gen Prawut Thavornsiri said the move to reopen some parts of the road has conducted smoothly through talks.

Meanwhile, police detained a female suspect for possession of a firearm during Monday’s operation. The suspect drove a car from backstage in a hurry during the police operation to regain the protest area. The car owner told the police she came to pick up her boyfriend who met a friend there at 3 am Monday.

She hurriedly started to leave the rally site after learning of the police operation. She was initially charged with carrying a gun in a public area and possessing ammunition without permission.

National police chief Wichean Potephosree on Sunday announced a plan to retake the PAD rally site on Ratchadamneon and Phitsanulok Roads within two days to open them to traffic for motorists.

Pol Gen Wichean said in his capacity as CAPO director that he instructed his subordinates to speed up regaining traffic lanes on the two roads occupied by the protesters.

The PAD earlier refused to unblock roads near Government House, where they have encamped since Jan 25, demanding that the prime minister and his entire Cabinet resign for mishandling the ongoing border dispute with Cambodia.

Seven districts around the area are under the enforcement of the Internal Security Act (ISA), which was extended for another 30 days to provide the legal framework for officials to contain intensifying protests. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-02-28

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PM thanks PAD protesters for making way for traffic

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Monday thanks the demonstrators led by the People's Alliance for Democracy for leaving part of the Rajdamnone Road to allow motorists to use it.

"I would like to thank them for allowing commuters to use the road," Abhisit said.

-- The Nation 2011-02-28

[animatic]

More like their tents were removed by 700 police, over ignored PAD protests.

[Thai at Heart]

PM thanks PAD protesters for making way for traffic

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Monday thanks the demonstrators led by the People's Alliance for Democracy for leaving part of the Rajdamnone Road to allow motorists to use it.

"I would like to thank them for allowing commuters to use the road," Abhisit said.

-- The Nation 2011-02-28

Well aint that quaint. The PM says thanks for people partially complying with the law?????????

I would suggest running some road steamrollers through the whole site to get them to vacate the whole place.

[Insight]

Thailand's 'Yellow Shirt' PAD practically vacates protest site

This is what I first read - thought it was a reference to turn-out!

[webfact]

700 police dismantle half dozen PAD tents to open traffic in two lanes in front of Education Ministy near Makkhawan Bridge, Yellow Shirts main protest site /MCOT

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Metropolitan police arrest couple for possession of firearms and ammunition while taking back traffic lanes from PAD protest /TAN_Network

[TimeBandit2]

Indeed, the PAD protesters should thank the police for not shooting them or beating them to a pulp like they would in a real country.

[Roadman]

What a farce....PAD agree to open 2 of 6 lanes (to return them to there original intent of public traffic use) after occupying them for 4 weeks and Pinnochio thanks them What an absolute soft coc_ response by Abhisit. Try having their asses removed at Day 1. And start turning down the Reds requests to run their gay days as well and also apply non compliance with ass removal on day 1...and by the Army if the Police continue to show their normal incompetance.

[hardy1943]

Indeed, the PAD protesters should thank the police for not shooting them or beating them to a pulp like they would in a real country.

Well true but they are the ELITE and you may have heard of the saying Money Talks and Bull S*it Walks.

[TimeBandit2]

What sort of "ELITE" want to sit on a grass mat all day in the middle of street for weeks. What's "ELITE" about that?

Edit: I've heard that expression. It's exactly the sort of ambiguous nonsense people utter when they can't muster enough neuron firings for an original comment.

[SICHONSTEVE]

PM thanks PAD protesters for making way for traffic

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Monday thanks the demonstrators led by the People's Alliance for Democracy for leaving part of the Rajdamnone Road to allow motorists to use it.

"I would like to thank them for allowing commuters to use the road," Abhisit said.

-- The Nation 2011-02-28

Well aint that quaint. The PM says thanks for people partially complying with the law?????????

I would suggest running some road steamrollers through the whole site to get them to vacate the whole place.

The use of diplomacy, where possible, trumps violence always!!!!!

As to complying with the law - it is obvious that PAD are looking for a get out clause to extricate themselves from this futile and pointless protest that is fast losing steam. A gradual withdrawal saves them from losing face (important for Thai's) so that they can retreat and return back to their homes to get on with their lives without admitting defeat in their conquest.

I will treat your final paragraph with the contempt it deserves by not commenting on it other than to say that it is both childish and irrelevant!!!!