Boonlert: I Think I Made The Right Decision To End Pitak Siam Rally

[webfact]

POLITICS

Boonlert: I think I made the right decision to end rally

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Boonlert Kaewprasit, leader of the anti-government Pitak Siam group, yesterday dismissed discontent with his calling an early end to Saturday's mass rally, saying he wanted to prevent more bloodshed.

"But I think I made the right decision. There could have been violent incidents at night or M79 grenades launched into the rally ground," Boonlert said.

"I didn't want anyone to get killed. I'm really sorry already that people got hurt," he told The Nation.

The retired general also blamed police's use of teargas and blockades for the attendance missing the target of 50,000.

Many protesters criticised him for deciding to stop the rally too soon, he said.

It was unusual for police to block protesters from marching over the Makkawan Rangsan Bridge to the rally site at the Royal Plaza because the organisers had already informed the authorities of the plan, he said.

Police fired teargas against the protesters without justification, he said.

"This scared upcountry people, making them afraid to join the demonstration. Some protesters were also blocked by police from reaching the rally site," he said.

The organisers had failed because they could not clear the blockades to help demonstrators get through to the site and could not convince enough people to come out to defend the country, he said.

Most people would grow scared and not dare to pursue the cause of defending the country, he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung defended the use of teargas, saying police officers' lives were in danger.

Water cannons would be ineffective because protesters were driving into them with a truck, he said.

United Nations regulations allowed police to bypass standard procedures to take more drastic actions to save themselves when their lives were at risk, he said.

Several police were injured by the truck and one was stabbed with a pointed iron rod, he said.

"Had police not used teargas, many of them would have been killed," he said.

Police did not block the protesters from joining the rally, just from entering the roads around Government House, he said, adding that warnings of the temporary closures of the roads were given two days earlier.

The rally site could be entered via the roads near the First Army Division and Benjamabophit Temple, he said.

There were only some 10,000 protesters and the Royal Plaza site was big enough to accommodate them without the need to use Ratchadamnoen Road. Had there been more, the rally site would have been allowed to expand to the Makkawan area, he said.

Police did not take the first steps to try to disperse the demonstrators at the Royal Plaza. It was the protesters who tried to break up police lines around the restricted road, he said.

Boonlert probably ended the rally because the number of protesters was too low and most people in the country did not support them, he said.

Now that the Internal Security Act would be lifted and the situation had returned to normal, he felt relieved, he added.

-- The Nation 2012-11- 26

[asiawatcher]

Boonlert raving and the police finger pointing and saying they were protecting themselves. Both he and Thaksin prepared to die for their causes yet both took the cowards way out. Mob rule by Police who stood by whilst Bangkok burned in 2010. Double standards all round. Yep - makes sense.

[DP25]

I'm sure Chalerm agress it was the right decision too

At least one person will still invite him to lunch after this

[manfrommanteo]

"United Nations regulations allowed police to bypass standard procedures to take more drastic actions to save themselves when their lives were at risk, he said." Hmm.....that in itself is a problem, allowing an outside organization to determine how they do things. Once corrupt organization helping out another?

[beano2274]

Think the General was a brave man to stop the protests, took guts. At least he thought about the loss of life that could have happened, unlike the Reds when they were downtown years ago.

[noitom]

This photo was used months ago in a previous story. The newspaper should be ashamed.

[nurofiend]

"United Nations regulations allowed police to bypass standard procedures to take more drastic actions to save themselves when their lives were at risk, he said." Hmm.....that in itself is a problem, allowing an outside organization to determine how they do things. Once corrupt organization helping out another?

the UN is his uncle.

[nurofiend]

Think the General was a brave man to stop the protests, took guts. At least he thought about the loss of life that could have happened, unlike the Reds when they were downtown years ago.

do you think the low turnout may have influenced his decision too?

i can think of a few words to describe what little i know of this man but brave is not one of them.

[Payboy]

"But I think I made the right decision. There could have been violent incidents at night or M79 grenades launched into the rally ground," Boonlert said.

At least he wasn't worried about the possibility of a meteor strike. So close to 21 Dec and all that.

[Thai at Heart]

"But I think I made the right decision. There could have been violent incidents at night or M79 grenades launched into the rally ground," Boonlert said.

At least he wasn't worried about the possibility of a meteor strike. So close to 21 Dec and all that.

Maybe he will claim the government sent up rainmakers. Rain at the end of November? Who would have thought.

[Thailand]

A huge loss of face for the general who would do well to just fade away in to his retirement.

[Artisi]

There are a lot of people very anti the present government and I'm sure many of these people would love to have their voices heard loud and clear in the hope that someone may listen. Unfortunately with the government as it stands at the moment, with its agenda being dictated and manipulation from afar all in the name of getting one person's name cleared and the making of as much money as possible before the crunch comes (which will happen one day) there is nobody in a position to bring about change that cares or is listening.

Boonlert was defeated well before he ever started, guess he forgot that his opponents are experts in trouble making and therefore could and did predict and counter his every move. But never fear, the next one to start a protest will be better armed, informed and hopefully a little more skilled in negotiation, people management, PR, and not prone to making stupid predictions based on pipe-dreams.

However, even though it was a complete shambles, it certainly seemed to have the other side very worried for their own future and don't think for one minute that the police force and all its trimmings were there to protect Mr and Mrs average Thai from harm who don't even figure in the current governments plans.

[webfact]

Pitak Siam leader absolutely abandons political activity

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Nov 26 – Retired Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit, self-deposed leader of the Pitak Siam group, stood firm today that his decision to totally call it quits from political activity was his own choice.

He ruled out an allegation that he was paid by former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, now in exile abroad, to call off the anti-government rally in Bangkok on Saturday.

Gen Boonlert stood down as Pitak Siam leader immediately after he went on stage at the Royal Plaza on Saturday evening to instruct the demonstrators to disperse to avoid casualties. He admitted that the turnout was lower than expected while many were blocked by police from entering the rally site.

His disappointment was intensified by two rounds of tear gas attacks on protesters during the day.

He also announced his resignation as president of the Military Cadet Alumni Foundation, saying he was disillusioned with some army officers who earlier promised to support the rally but did nothing.

Looking back to the Saturday’s failed protest, Gen Boonlert said he made the crucial decision after learning that the demonstrators were numbered by policemen and they (demonstrators) could be killed or injured if they insisted on breaking the police barricade.

He said the Pitak Siam group will remain its existence to fight pending legal cases.

As for a report that Prasong Soonsiri, former secretary general of the National Security Council and anti-government activist, will assume the Pitak Siam leadership in organising a rally after Dec 10, Gen Boonlert told reporters to directly ask Sq Ldr Prasong.

“Gen Boonlert is dead. I don’t know what to do when the country is in the present state and laws are siding evils. I will absolute not join any rally,” he declared. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-11-26

[Moruya]

A Japanese gentleman did it more graciously last week

[Thai at Heart]

He ruled out an allegation that he was paid by former premier Thaksin Shinawatra

The problem is, anything is possible with people of such high moral principle.

[jonclark]

One of two things will probably happen

a) nothing - Pitak Siam will disappear into history.

a new guy takes over - with a new direction, and proclaims this was a dry run for the real deal, with strategies to counter those employed last weekend. As a new leader he or she wouldn't be bound by Boonlerts promises or claims and untarred by the coup claim. Which was in retrospect the worst thing Boonlert could have said.

I hope option a) happens, but in th ecat and mouse world of Thai politics option will probably be the future

[Bluespunk]

Boonlert is a fascist and a fool. Good riddance to him. Now if only a few more will join him in obscurity maybe saner heads can get on with fixing the social and economic issues Thailand has in a logical and non partisan fashion. Well I can dream……

[whybother]

Boonlert is a fascist and a fool. Good riddance to him. Now if only a few more will join him in obscurity maybe saner heads can get on with fixing the social and economic issues Thailand has in a logical and non partisan fashion. Well I can dream……

If Thaksin would join him, that would be an excellent start.

[Buchholz]

Think the General was a brave man to stop the protests, took guts. At least he thought about the loss of life that could have happened, unlike the Reds when they were downtown years ago.

Retired Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit, self-deposed leader of the Pitak Siam group, stood firm today that his decision to totally call it quits from political activity was his own choice.

Of course it remains to be seen if he complies with it or not, but in addition to stopping a rally when violence occured, this is another aspect that would have saved a lot of trouble for Thailand today if preceding leaders would have followed their own similar claims instead of being shown to repeatedly not to comply.

PS had its own clear cut shortcomings, but just on these two issues, it's a welcomed improvement.

.

Edited November 26, 2012 by Buchholz

[FOODLOVER]

Think the General was a brave man to stop the protests, took guts. At least he thought about the loss of life that could have happened, unlike the Reds when they were downtown years ago.

Retired Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit, self-deposed leader of the Pitak Siam group, stood firm today that his decision to totally call it quits from political activity was his own choice.

Of course it remains to be seen if he complies with it or not, but in addition to stopping a rally when violence occured, this is another aspect that would have saved a lot of trouble for Thailand today if preceding leaders would have followed their own similar claims instead of being shown to repeatedly not to comply.

PS had its own clear cut shortcomings, but just on these two issues, it's a welcomed improvement.

.

When Thaksin was telling people to bring their children and he would be there when the fighting started ( Coward) the General was worried about his peoples safety. Kinda makes you wonder how the reds can back someone who does not givith a shit about his people. He loves that money though!

[DocN]

Think the General was a brave man to stop the protests, took guts. At least he thought about the loss of life that could have happened, unlike the Reds when they were downtown years ago.

Retired Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit, self-deposed leader of the Pitak Siam group, stood firm today that his decision to totally call it quits from political activity was his own choice.

Of course it remains to be seen if he complies with it or not, but in addition to stopping a rally when violence occured, this is another aspect that would have saved a lot of trouble for Thailand today if preceding leaders would have followed their own similar claims instead of being shown to repeatedly not to comply.

PS had its own clear cut shortcomings, but just on these two issues, it's a welcomed improvement.

.

When Thaksin was telling people to bring their children and he would be there when the fighting started ( Coward) the General was worried about his peoples safety. Kinda makes you wonder how the reds can back someone who does not givith a shit about his people. He loves that money though!

I reallity of course you know, that the general is not giving a hoot about peoples safety and just uses this argument as a face- saver for a piss poor turn out, don't you?!

[Gary A]

Demonstrations are great for tourism. Tourists just love being stuck in traffic because a mob is blocking the roads. I don't care much for Obama but I don't want to see a rowdy demonstration disturbing government buildings and roads. If they don't like the present government they can make their voices heard at the next election. That's how a democracy works. Or at least that's how it is supposed to work.

[pedro01]

A huge loss of face for the general who would do well to just fade away in to his retirement.

Well - some local news outlets are reporting that a Mr B got a payoff from someone with the intials T and S to end the protest....