Tensions Flare As Protesters Urge Yingluck To Quit: Thailand

[webfact]

Tensions flare as protesters urge Thai PM to quit

by Apilaporn Vechakij

BANGKOK, Nov 24, 2012 (AFP) - Thai police on Saturday fired tear gas and detained dozens of demonstrators as clashes erupted at the first major street protests against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's government.

The violence, while relatively small scale, appeared to mark a new phase in Thailand's long-running political crisis pitting Thai royalists against ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra -- Yingluck's brother -- and his supporters.

About 17,000 police were deployed for the rally in Bangkok's historic district, which was organised by the royalist group Pitak Siam, a relatively new force in the kingdom's fractured political scene.

"In the name of Pitak Siam and its allies I promise that we will topple this government," the movement's head, retired general Boonlert Kaewprasit, declared from the rally stage.

The demo comes two and a half years after dozens of people died in a military crackdown on "Red Shirt" protests against the previous government in the heart of the capital.

About 20,000 people were estimated to have joined Saturday's rally, according to police, far short of the half a million organisers had hoped would attend.

Tensions flared as police fired several rounds of tear gas at protesters trying to ram through barriers near the main rally site in the Royal Plaza using a truck.

"Tear gas was used in one area because protesters did not comply with the rules," said national police spokesman Major General Piya Uthayo.

About 100 protesters were detained while knives and bullets were confiscated, he said.

Thirty-seven people, including a number of police officers, were treated for cuts and other injuries, officials said.

The authorities called in an extra 5,700 police after the clashes, but said they would allow the rally to go ahead at the Royal Plaza so long as the other protesters gathered peacefully.

Yingluck on Thursday voiced fears the protesters aimed to use violence and to "overthrow an elected government and democratic rule", in a televised address to the nation.

The government invoked the Internal Security Act (ISA) in three districts of the capital to cope with possible unrest, giving the police additional powers to block routes, impose a curfew, ban gatherings and carry out searches.

"We will evaluate the situation daily and if it escalates we are ready to invoke emergency rule," Thai police chief General Adul Sangsingkaew said on national television.

Thailand has been rocked by a series of sometimes violent rival street protests in recent years, although an uneasy calm had returned after national elections in 2011.

Two months of mass opposition protests in 2010 by Red Shirt supporters loyal to Thaksin -- who was toppled in a coup in 2006 -- sparked a deadly military crackdown that left about 90 people dead and nearly 1,900 wounded.

At their height, those rallies drew about 100,000 people demanding the resignation of the previous government.

Thaksin's sister Yingluck is now prime minister after his political allies won a landslide election victory last year.

Thaksin, who made billions as a telecoms tycoon, is adored by many poor Thais for his populist policies while in power, but reviled by many in elite, military and palace circles who see him as authoritarian and a threat to the monarchy.

The demonstrators at Saturday's rally, who included supporters of the influential "Yellow Shirt" royalist movement, called on Yingluck's government to stand down.

"I can't stand that they disrespect the king. I want the government to quit," said 48-year-old farmer Namsai Jantarat from the northern province of Chiang Mai.

Observers say prosecutions -- often targeting people linked to the Red Shirts -- for insulting the monarchy have surged since royalist generals overthrew Thaksin following a series of mass protests by the rival Yellows.

The Red Shirts threatened to strike back in the event of a new coup.

"This rally is illegitimate," Red Shirt leader Thida Thavornseth said at a news conference Saturday. "We will come out in force if there is any sign of a coup or the government loses control."

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2012-11-24

[chadintheusa]

What makes the rally illegitimate? Can't people disagree with the reds? I don't agree with the goals of the Pitak Siam, but they should be able to express themselves without a preemptive crackdown. I remember a time when double standards were a bad thing from the reds point of view.

[Thailand]

An estimate of 20,000 as opposed to the anticipated 100K plus would seem to be a major vote for the government.

Violence begets violence so better avoided but it appears that there were those out to cause it in the opposition and itchy trigger fingers on the government side.

Hopefully we will see little more from this lot and just let the elected gov get on with it's job whatever it may be.

Those that are not satisfied with whatever will have an opportunity to vote them out in a couple of years time.

[whybother]

An estimate of 20,000 as opposed to the anticipated 100K plus would seem to be a major vote for the government.

Violence begets violence so better avoided but it appears that there were those out to cause it in the opposition and itchy trigger fingers on the government side.

Hopefully we will see little more from this lot and just let the elected gov get on with it's job whatever it may be.

Those that are not satisfied with whatever will have an opportunity to vote them out in a couple of years time.

I wouldn't say "a vote for the government" but more a vote against a group whose leader is calling for a coup.

[jonclark]

An estimate of 20,000 as opposed to the anticipated 100K plus would seem to be a major vote for the government.

Violence begets violence so better avoided but it appears that there were those out to cause it in the opposition and itchy trigger fingers on the government side.

Hopefully we will see little more from this lot and just let the elected gov get on with it's job whatever it may be.

Those that are not satisfied with whatever will have an opportunity to vote them out in a couple of years time.

An estimate of 20,000 as opposed to the anticipated 100K plus would seem to be a major vote for the government.

Violence begets violence so better avoided but it appears that there were those out to cause it in the opposition and itchy trigger fingers on the government side.

Hopefully we will see little more from this lot and just let the elected gov get on with it's job whatever it may be.

Those that are not satisfied with whatever will have an opportunity to vote them out in a couple of years time.

Very possibly a vote for the givernment, but a vote that was garnered with the flames of fear being heavily stoked from the governments side to scare attendees away.

[Breville]

I am sure I saw some of those protesters wearing red shirts at an earlier protest. Professionals perhaps ?

[virtualtraveller]

The rally is illegitimate says Thida, she would certainly know about such things.

[Mr Yim]

As far as I can see, the Thai people have the government they deserve.

[wooly]

Wonderful!

"Thai police on Saturday fired tear gas and detained dozens of demonstrators as clashes erupted at the first major street protests against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's government."

Perfect timing!! Just enough time for tourists to cancel their Christmas vacation in Thailand - and go elsewhere. Wish I'd managed to put a bet on.

[upena]

I didn't see any truck crashing through a barrier on Thai TV

[Pimay1]

Wonderful!

"Thai police on Saturday fired tear gas and detained dozens of demonstrators as clashes erupted at the first major street protests against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's government."

Perfect timing!! Just enough time for tourists to cancel their Christmas vacation in Thailand - and go elsewhere. Wish I'd managed to put a bet on.

Now, now don't jump to conclusions my friend. I predict by tomorrow sundown TAT will issue a statement that the current insignificient small protest will not affect tourisim and in fact the number of tourists will increase.

[Thailand]

An estimate of 20,000 as opposed to the anticipated 100K plus would seem to be a major vote for the government.

Violence begets violence so better avoided but it appears that there were those out to cause it in the opposition and itchy trigger fingers on the government side.

Hopefully we will see little more from this lot and just let the elected gov get on with it's job whatever it may be.

Those that are not satisfied with whatever will have an opportunity to vote them out in a couple of years time.

I wouldn't say "a vote for the government" but more a vote against a group whose leader is calling for a coup.

Who hopefully will drift away in to obscurity.

Almost through one whole year without a major problem (Big problems in each of the last 5 I believe?). Would be nice wouldn't it. no coups,floods,coloured clashes etc!

This is just a hiccup and a minor one in comparison to what has passed.

Edited November 24, 2012 by Thailand

[DocN]

What makes the rally illegitimate? Can't people disagree with the reds? I don't agree with the goals of the Pitak Siam, but they should be able to express themselves without a preemptive crackdown. I remember a time when double standards were a bad thing from the reds point of view.

Calling for a coup and the assasination of the PM...maybe???

[GentlemanJim]

What makes the rally illegitimate? Can't people disagree with the reds? I don't agree with the goals of the Pitak Siam, but they should be able to express themselves without a preemptive crackdown. I remember a time when double standards were a bad thing from the reds point of view.

Calling for a coup and the assasination of the PM...maybe???

And calling for the burning of bangkok, and the murder of on duty soldiers is different in what way???

[MamaSan]

22,700 police to 20,000 protesters - Hmmmmm

[crazyswede]

I am sure I saw some of those protesters wearing red shirts at an earlier protest. Professionals perhaps ?

For a couple of 100thb they can be anything!

Edited November 24, 2012 by metisdead
: Please stop posting using bold font.

[Xonax]

An estimate of 20,000 as opposed to the anticipated 100K plus would seem to be a major vote for the government.

Violence begets violence so better avoided but it appears that there were those out to cause it in the opposition and itchy trigger fingers on the government side.

Hopefully we will see little more from this lot and just let the elected gov get on with it's job whatever it may be.

Those that are not satisfied with whatever will have an opportunity to vote them out in a couple of years time.

Not surprising at all, as the government physically has prevented protesters from participating in the rally. According to the other newspaper, by letting police block lots of villages and roads, so the protesters could not get to Bangkok. The ones who were lucky to make it to Bangkok, was met by several thousands BIB, who did not linger to welcome the protesters with teargas. A sudden totally different attitude from the BIB, compared to when the Red Shirts came marching to Bangkok, to burn the city down in 2010. Welcome to the new Pheu Thai version of democracy. Edited November 24, 2012 by Xonax

[bunjijohn]

I am glad I am not involved in politics . What a waste of time trouncing down streets in Thailand knowing that you are never ever going to change the fundamentalism of corruption. As long as my beer, cigarettes, nights out and my other costs of living stay as basically as they always have, who gives a hoot! Yellows and Reds, go for it. Pay your jail fine and then go home and drink your Laow Kao (dont forget to pick up your 500-1000 baht fee for attending.

[hansnl]

22,700 police to 20,000 protesters - Hmmmmm

Might it be possible that the old animosity between army and police is flaring up?

I cannot escape the idea the police now is very busy, while the last time were very busy....elsewhere.

[Zatoichi]

I hope they will be successful, By any means necessary. ​Their cause is just and the need great. I wish them the best of luck and tenacity.

Edited November 24, 2012 by Zatoichi

[Rancid]

As I've said before this is all about elite wealthy factions wanting to get more even more ill gotten wealth through controlling the governmnet and being able to steal from the Treasury. As someone once said behind every fortune is a crime, and greed certainly knows no bounds, this is just about money and power.

You don't have to like the Yingluk government but they were legally and convincingly elected, as such it is their turn to get their snouts in the trough and they certainly are. 20,000 is not a great turnout, the mood of the people will not yet tolerate the army having a coup and handing power back to Abhisit like last time. However no doubt that time will come, then we just get the new regime just like the old one, who could really give a sh*t which group robs the country blind? After all nothing of actual significance ever changes.

[DocN]

What makes the rally illegitimate? Can't people disagree with the reds? I don't agree with the goals of the Pitak Siam, but they should be able to express themselves without a preemptive crackdown. I remember a time when double standards were a bad thing from the reds point of view.

Calling for a coup and the assasination of the PM...maybe???

And calling for the burning of bangkok, and the murder of on duty soldiers is different in what way???

a) in almost no way

b ) only...that was not the question!

[cekipa]

"I can't stand they disrespect the monarchy, I want gov. to quit" said a farmer. During red shirt demonstration, farmers shouted "we want democracy". Probably, when rural people will be able to afford proper education inThailand, they will stop being someone else's puppets with 500 baht given under the rice bowl and understand the meaning of 'democratic elected government'.

[lemoncake]

I do not think its over as many like think , yellow shirts never left anything unfinished .

I believe this was a test to see what government will do and how react.

I think numbers will start to increase and perhaps there are surprises still await.

Thai politics is never so obvious , so lets see the next 24-48 hours.

Ps. In my opinion firing tear gas into some 500 people from few thousand police was little excessive and that alone could be used for "whatever"

[terminatorchiangmai]

Wonderful!

"Thai police on Saturday fired tear gas and detained dozens of demonstrators as clashes erupted at the first major street protests against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's government."

Perfect timing!! Just enough time for tourists to cancel their Christmas vacation in Thailand - and go elsewhere. Wish I'd managed to put a bet on.

Now, now don't jump to conclusions my friend. I predict by tomorrow sundown TAT will issue a statement that the current insignificient small protest will not affect tourisim and in fact the number of tourists will increase.

Yes lets have a rally every time just before the high season starts, oops they are already doing that

[chadintheusa]

What makes the rally illegitimate? Can't people disagree with the reds? I don't agree with the goals of the Pitak Siam, but they should be able to express themselves without a preemptive crackdown. I remember a time when double standards were a bad thing from the reds point of view.

Calling for a coup and the assasination of the PM...maybe???

And calling for the burning of bangkok, and the murder of on duty soldiers is different in what way???

You may be new to Thailand but you will find that such rhetoric is not that unusual unfortunately. The red protests used similar language during their extended occupation in 2010. I understand that it is not helpful in the long term, but these two sides and so polarized that they will say alot of nonsense in order to fire up their footsoldiers. It was interesting to see how quickly the police got involved in contrast to how detached they were during the 2010 mess. Having the army back one group of protesters and the police back the other is a recipe for disaster.

[whybother]

As I've said before this is all about elite wealthy factions wanting to get more even more ill gotten wealth through controlling the governmnet and being able to steal from the Treasury. As someone once said behind every fortune is a crime, and greed certainly knows no bounds, this is just about money and power.

You don't have to like the Yingluk government but they were legally and convincingly elected, as such it is their turn to get their snouts in the trough and they certainly are. 20,000 is not a great turnout, the mood of the people will not yet tolerate the army having a coup and handing power back to Abhisit like last time. However no doubt that time will come, then we just get the new regime just like the old one, who could really give a sh*t which group robs the country blind? After all nothing of actual significance ever changes.

Abhisit wasn't handed power following the last coup. There was a junta government, then a PPP government (Samak, then Somchai), then for a short time there was a PTP government, but they chose to go to parliament to elect a PM instead of calling an election ... and they lost. That's when Abhisit came to power.

[GentlemanJim]

What makes the rally illegitimate? Can't people disagree with the reds? I don't agree with the goals of the Pitak Siam, but they should be able to express themselves without a preemptive crackdown. I remember a time when double standards were a bad thing from the reds point of view.

Calling for a coup and the assasination of the PM...maybe???

And calling for the burning of bangkok, and the murder of on duty soldiers is different in what way???

a) in almost no way

b ) only...that was not the question!

Well maybe when you quoted the question, to put it in perspective you should have quoted what prompted the question.

The question was prompted because Thida has issued a statement saying that the protest is illegitimate. Ergo, your reply as to a possible reason that Thida has made that statement raises some points for consideration regarding 'chadintheusa's' post. If Thida cannot see that calling one protest illegitimate and the protest she was a part of not illegitimate then the whole double standards issue is proved.

[GentlemanJim]

What makes the rally illegitimate? Can't people disagree with the reds? I don't agree with the goals of the Pitak Siam, but they should be able to express themselves without a preemptive crackdown. I remember a time when double standards were a bad thing from the reds point of view.

Calling for a coup and the assasination of the PM...maybe???

And calling for the burning of bangkok, and the murder of on duty soldiers is different in what way???

You may be new to Thailand but you will find that such rhetoric is not that unusual unfortunately. The red protests used similar language during their extended occupation in 2010. I understand that it is not helpful in the long term, but these two sides and so polarized that they will say alot of nonsense in order to fire up their footsoldiers. It was interesting to see how quickly the police got involved in contrast to how detached they were during the 2010 mess. Having the army back one group of protesters and the police back the other is a recipe for disaster.

And what in my post would hint that 'I may be new to Thailand'?? Very interested in that one!

[Pimay1]

What makes the rally illegitimate? Can't people disagree with the reds? I don't agree with the goals of the Pitak Siam, but they should be able to express themselves without a preemptive crackdown. I remember a time when double standards were a bad thing from the reds point of view.

Calling for a coup and the assasination of the PM...maybe???

And calling for the burning of bangkok, and the murder of on duty soldiers is different in what way???

a) in almost no way

b ) only...that was not the question!

deleted post. Stupid iPad Edited November 24, 2012 by Pimay1