Thai Army Officers Told Not To Join Anti-Government Rally

[webfact]

Army officers told not to join anti-government rally

The Nation

PAD tells supporters to make their own decision

BANGKOK: -- Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha Monday reiterated that active Army officers are prohibited from joining an anti-government rally later this month.

Prayuth said he had instructed his subordinates to stay away from the rally and said police would serve as the officers in charge of ensuring security during the rally.

Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit, a retired Army officer and the leader of the Pitak Sayam (Protecting Thailand) movement, plans a massive demonstration against the government at the Royal Plaza on November 24.

"I've told my subordinates that it's not time for us to do anything. This is the affair of the people and they will campaign as it their right under a democratic system," Prayuth said.

Prayuth said active Army officers are not allowed to join the rally because their participation might lead to trouble later.

The People's Alliance for Democracy, meanwhile, issued a formal statement, reaffirming its stand that the PAD leaders would not join the Boonlert-led rally on November 24.

PAD co-leader Chamlong Srimuang told a press conference at Ban Phra Arthit that the PAD resolved to provide moral support for Boonlert and said it would allow its supporters to use their individual judgement as to whether to join the rally.

Chamlong said Boonlert had clearly demonstrated his intention to push for changes with the rally on November 24 so the PAD leaders unanimously resolved to cancel its seminars in Kanchanaburi and Phetchaburi on November 24 and 25 respectively so that the PAD supporters could decide their own whether to join the rally.

Also Monday, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said the government had no policy to block a democratic rally that would not affect other people's rights.

Chalerm said he had instructed police not to use violence to deal with demonstrators but told them to adhere to international standard of practice in handling the protest.

Chalerm said representatives of the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the National Human Rights Commission would be invited to monitor how police would deal with the protesters.

-- The Nation 2012-11-12

[Pushit]

They'll be too busy polishing up their tanks to worry about the rally.

[Mosha]

"Chalerm said he had instructed police not to use violence to deal with demonstrators but told them to adhere to international standard of practice in handling the protest."

For the sake of balance, they should do what they did in 2010. Nothing

[Sharp]

How does the song go..." There may be trouble ahead"

[h90]

"Chalerm said he had instructed police not to use violence to deal with demonstrators but told them to adhere to international standard of practice in handling the protest."

For the sake of balance, they should do what they did in 2010. Nothing

international standard or North Korea, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, even in Germany the police is pretty violent.

[Thai at Heart]

"Chalerm said he had instructed police not to use violence to deal with demonstrators but told them to adhere to international standard of practice in handling the protest."

For the sake of balance, they should do what they did in 2010. Nothing

international standard or North Korea, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, even in Germany the police is pretty violent.

Saw the south Korean riot police break up a sit in once. Tv cameras were banned so people videod it from apartments on phones.

Wow, full assault.

Edited November 12, 2012 by Thai at Heart

[h90]

"Chalerm said he had instructed police not to use violence to deal with demonstrators but told them to adhere to international standard of practice in handling the protest."

For the sake of balance, they should do what they did in 2010. Nothing

international standard or North Korea, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, even in Germany the police is pretty violent.

Saw the south Korean riot police break up a sit in once. Tv cameras were banned so people videod it from apartments on phones.

Wow, full assault.

I don't know that case, but it doesn't surprise me. International standards can be very low...even on the west.

I few years ago, someone filmed a very left wing demonstration in Austria, the guy had an argument with the policemen who than kicked his legs and beat the hell out of him.

Consequences non.....

Very clear on the video that the demonstration was peaceful and the police started to beat people ----> International standard.

[Skywalker69]

Prayuth said he had instructed his subordinates to stay away from the rally and said police would serve as the officers in charge of ensuring security during the rally.

Well that would be the first time.

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Army men told to stay away from anti-govt protest

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Army Commander-in-Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday reiterated that active Army officers are prohibited from joining an anti-government rally later this month.

Prayuth said he had instructed his subordinates to stay away from the rally and said police would serve as the officers in charge of ensuring security during the rally.

General Boonlert Kaewprasit, a retired Army officer and the leader of the Pitak Siam (Protecting Thailand) movement, plans a massive demonstration against the government at the Royal Plaza on November 24.

"I've told my subordinates that it's not time for us to do anything. This is an affair of the people and they will campaign as it their right under a democratic system," Prayuth said.

Participation may cause trouble: Prayuth

Prayuth said active Army officers aren't allowed to join the rally as their participation might lead to trouble later.

The People's Alliance for Democracy, meanwhile, issued a formal statement, reaffirming its stand that the PAD leaders would not join the Boonlert-led rally on November 24.

PAD co-leader Chamlong Srimuang told a press conference at Ban Phra Arthit that the PAD resolved to provide moral support for Boonlert and said it would allow its supporters to use their individual judgement as to whether to join the rally.

Chamlong said Boonlert had clearly demonstrated his intention to push for changes at the rally on November 24, so the PAD leaders unanimously resolved to cancel seminars in Kanchanaburi and Phetchaburi on November 24 and 25 respectively so PAD supporters could decide whether to join the rally.

Also yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said the government had no policy to block a democratic rally that would not affect other people's rights.

Chalerm said he had instructed police not to use violence to deal with demonstrators but told them to adhere to international standards in handling the protest.

Chalerm said representatives of the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the National Human Rights Commission would be invited to monitor how police would deal with the protesters.

-- The Nation 2012-11-13

[backtonormal]

Prayuth said he had instructed his subordinates to stay away from the rally and said police would serve as the officers in charge of ensuring security during the rally.

Very revealing. Unlike PAD rallys which appeared to be guarded by ex and current soldiers the C in C has been instructed by Thaksin to get the message across that serving officers and their men must keep them away. Why would Thaksin think the army would have any interest in securing a anti government rally. When the cheap chinese grenades went in last time I with others watch as personnel in army uniforms removed casualties from the scene by stretcher. Are the army paid for by someone who telephones the invisible hand. Who may they be...

[Buchholz]

BANGKOK: -- Army Commander-in-Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday reiterated that active Army officers are prohibited from joining an anti-government rally later this month.

Similarly, today, the National Police Chief Adul Saengsingkaew has issued an order that all police officers are prohibited from joining in the rally.

.