Citizen Groups' Rally May Be A Mere Fizzle: Bangkok

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE

Citizen groups' rally may be a mere fizzle

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) has denied any links with a protest that is scheduled for tomorrow at the Army Club.

Earlier this week, it was reported that the PAD had organised this rally to voice its opposition to the ruling Pheu Thai Party's push for an amnesty law that would benefit ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra.

However, PAD leaders Chamlong Srimuang and Piphob Thongchai told the press on Wednesday that they had nothing to do with the rally in question, but were quick to confirm that the organisers of the protest were well within their constitutional rights.

Boworn Yasinthorn, leader of a group that calls itself "Citizen Volunteers Protecting the Three Institutions", said that he was one of the organisers and added that other groups involved had joined up to form an alliance called the "Group Demanding Return of Power from Politicians Ungrateful to the Land".

Apart from Boworn's group, the other participating bodies include those campaigning for public control over national resources, subterranean and marine resources as well as broadcasting rights.

According to Boworn, former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh is serving as chief adviser to the groups, and the rally's goal is to transform the country into a "full democracy" with the King as head of state.

However, Boworn's statement was refuted by the alliance, which said Chavalit had nothing to do with the rally because he is linked to the ruling Pheu Thai Party. After all, Chavalit served as deputy prime minister in the short-lived government of Somchai Wongsawat and is now a key figure in the current government.

Boworn added that the rally had been organised by himself and leaders of the participating groups, namely former Thai Airways pilot Thanit Promsathit, Payap Yangpaksi, Lt-Colonel Rattakhet Jangchamras, Rear Admiral Pattana Jiranant and Sukhum Wongprasit.

After they were prohibited from using the Army Club premises on Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road for political purposes, the organisers have now decided to hold the protest outside the compound.

They have said that the rally will not focus on constitutional amendments or the amnesty law as speculated, but that the focus would instead be on national resources and people's sufferings.

In January 2006, Thanit, one of the organisers, joined a PAD protest against the government of Thaksin Shinawatra and led a group of protesters to storm into Government House, for which he was charged with being involved in an unlawful gathering and causing unrest.

It is rumoured that Thanit has the backing of "influential people outside the Constitution" for his latest political move against "evil capitalist politicians".

However, PAD leaders have been told that the rally organised by Thanit and his friends has something to do with a group of opposition politicians. This could explain why the PAD met the press to deny any involvement with the rally.

It is doubtful if the rally will have much of an impact due to the general lack of interest. The satellite-based television channel Thai TVD, which favours the opposition Democrat Party, plans to broadcast the protest but it is unlikely to win as much public support as the ASTV channel did when it broadcast PAD's protest against Thaksin in 2006.

A yellow-shirt source said there was a shadow of Prasong Soonsiri, a staunch critic of Thaksin and his "regime", behind the "independent campaigners".

Prasong and a group of "Thaksin haters" had rallied against Thaksin in 2005 but failed to attract much support. It was only a year later, when the PAD was born, that the anti-Thaksin movement gained momentum.

It is unclear if Prasong will be a key player in the political drama and PAD leaders may be aware of the real goal behind this rally, but will it test public sentiment toward the government?

-- The Nation 2012-04-20

[heiwa]

Protests equal army coup. And thank God for that. The Yellows and Reds will need to grow up before democracy is established in THAILAND.

Edited April 20, 2012 by heiwa

[whybother]

Protests equal army coup. And thank God for that. The Yellows and Reds will need to grow up before democracy is established here.

"here" in Laos?

[heiwa]

Protests equal army coup. And thank God for that. The Yellows and Reds will need to grow up before democracy is established here.

"here" in Laos?

Get back on those prescription drugs man 555. This is not Laos visa. This Thai visa so "here" refers to Thailand. BTW if you didn't know Laos is pretty much army run. Edited April 20, 2012 by heiwa

[sparebox2]

Thaksin is a big bad wolf.

Someone need to stop him, even at the expense of another coup or shutting the airports again.

The German could have stop Hitler, but they choose to do nothing.

[heiwa]

What ever it takes for better wealth distribution. If an army coup will stop the pigs to the trough syndrome so be it - IN THAILAND.

[Buchholz]

Protests equal army coup. And thank God for that. The Yellows and Reds will need to grow up before democracy is established here.

"here" in Laos?

.

[jonclark]

I'm scratching my head, deciding which group to give the 'most ridiculous name' award to.

[Unkomoncents]

"Group Demanding Return of Power from Politicians Ungrateful to the Land".

There just isn't an appreciation for practicality at all in this country. What a name! I get such a kick out of how Thais like to create these ridiculously long names for everything (for confirmation, see the full designation of Krung Thep; the only thing more ridiculous is the full title of the Sultan of Brunei), all imbued with quasi-mystical language evocative of spirits, sitars, temples, and jungle mysteries. It's fairly gauche but hilarious just the same. It's great though: they can keep themselves busy naming things while the rest of the world focuses on more immediate, pragmatic concerns.

[anterian]

"Group Demanding Return of Power from Politicians Ungrateful to the Land".

There just isn't an appreciation for practicality at all in this country. What a name! I get such a kick out of how Thais like to create these ridiculously long names for everything (for confirmation, see the full designation of Krung Thep; the only thing more ridiculous is the full title of the Sultan of Brunei), all imbued with quasi-mystical language evocative of spirits, sitars, temples, and jungle mysteries. It's fairly gauche but hilarious just the same. It's great though: they can keep themselves busy naming things while the rest of the world focuses on more immediate, pragmatic concerns.

I don't think Thais understand the concept of a pithy acronym. Now if they called themselves the GIGO group everyone would understand.

[jayjayjayjay]

Thaksin is a big bad wolf.

Someone need to stop him, even at the expense of another coup or shutting the airports again.

The German could have stop Hitler, but they choose to do nothing.

You make me cry

[OzMick]

Protests equal army coup. And thank God for that. The Yellows and Reds will need to grow up before democracy is established in THAILAND.

"Protests equal army coup."

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