Caravan Of The Poor Damages Chatuchak Park

[george]

Caravan of the Poor damages Chatuchak Park

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok's Chatuchak Park has been partly damaged by a month-long gathering of pro-Prime Minister Thaksin demonstrators.

Thirachai Thiansanchai, Director of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)'s Environment Division, said on Thursday that part of Chatuchak Park, where demonstrators led by the so-called Caravan of the Poor sat in, had sustained some Bt10 million (US$250,000) in damage.

The damage was done to the park's trees, landscaping and toilet facilities, while nighttime electricity, tapwater and other utilities had been expended around the clock for almost the entire month.

But now that the demonstrators have dispersed and returned to their provinces, the BMA will restore the damaged part of the Chatuchak Park with the use of an emergency fund or a financial support by the government, Mr. Thirachai added.

--TNA 2006-04-06

[britmaveric]

TRT should pay for it. And if same thing happened with PAD, they should do the same.

[terdsak_12]

TRT should pay for it. And if same thing happened with PAD, they should do the same.

Well said!!!

[george]

AFTERMATH OF CHATUCHAK PROTESTS

Cost of repairing park put at B10m

BANGKOK: -- It will cost an estimated 10 million baht to repair damage to Chatuchak park and pay water and power bills left behind by the pro-Thaksin Caravan of the Poor and other protesters. The Caravan of the Poor, which had camped at the park for nearly a month, ended its activities yesterday and protesters dismantled their tents, packed their bags and left. City Hall is now seeking an emergency budget for the park's restoration.

Thirachai Thiansanchai, director of the city's environment protection office, said the use of Chatuchak park as a rally and camp site by members of the Caravan of the Poor and the Democracy Protection Federation had caused about 10 million baht in damage.

The lawn and shrubs were severely damaged, some lamps and large trees were broken and electricity and tap water bills were sky-high as all six toilets in the park had been in use around the clock.

Mr Thirachai said he would notify Bangkok Metropolitan Administration executives of the damage and seek an emergency budget _ the first of its kind in the BMA's history. The popular park would be returned to normal as soon as possible, he said. A special plan had been drawn up to repair the lawn, shrubs and trees and generally beautify the landscape.

Yesterday morning, a number of Caravan of the Poor members stayed behind and helped collect garbage and clean up the park while police stood guard.

The signs of damage were clearly visible, especially the dead grass and scattered plastic bags and other rubbish.

--Bangkok Post 2006-04-07

[sriracha john]

UPDATE ... for some reason, this seems to be just the only thread remaining that hasn't been closed regarding the thugs' outfit known as the Caravan of the Poor. Seems like some of their shenanigans are finally catching up with them

Caravan of the Poor leader to be indicted next week

Caravan of the Poor leader Khamta Kaenbunchan and other members will be indicted in the Southern Criminal Court next Thursday for the March 2006 blockade of Nation Group headquarters.

The group surrounded the Bang Na Trat building in protest at a Kom Chad Luek story it considered offensive to His Majesty the King.

Public prosecutor Kwanchai Kuankid said Wednesday it had compiled a case against Khamta and other members.

The Nation

[jumnien]

The anti-Thaksin filth that camped out there for months last year, what about them? Never noticed any complaints against them in the right-wing rags. I noticed the newspaper photo of the aristocratic ladies who are calling for more pro-coup action against Thaksin. This elitist attitude amongst the the Bangkok rich against the rural poor is truly sickening!

[sriracha john]

Fresh rebuttals in newspaper siege

Protest organisers from the Caravan of the Poor yesterday petitioned public prosecutors to review their fresh rebuttals before deciding whether to try them on charges relating to the siege of Kom Chad Luek newspaper's office last March.

The petition has effectively delayed the prosecution order, previously scheduled for yesterday, to March 16.

The accused are Attarit Singlo, Chupong Theethuan, Thawit Palakawong na Ayutthaya, Chinwat Haboonpad and Somroeng Adisa.

Police recommended they stand trial for leading about 1,000 protesters to blockade the newspaper's office at the height of street protests against the Thaksin Shinawatra regime.

The blockade disrupted business at the complex housing Nation Multimedia Group, publisher of The Nation.

Chief prosecutor Sumet Chaichuangchote said he would examine the rebuttals before deciding whether to order police to collect additional evidence or proceed with the prosecution order.

In one of its key defence arguments, the petition said it would be unjust to prosecute the protesters because prosecutors had dropped the case alleging that Kom Chad Luek had offended the monarchy.

It said that case was central to the events that triggered the protest and they should receive the same leniency as granted to the newspaper.

The Nation

----------------------------

The Caravan could rewrite the definition of logic

[sriracha john]

UPDATE

'Nation' office besiegers plead not guilty

Six protest leaders yesterday pleaded not guilty during the arraignment hearing for the court battle relating to the blockade of Nation Multimedia Group office complex last March.

The Criminal Court has set the trial date for June 18, beginning with the hearing of prosecution witnesses. The court also approved the bail applications of the six defendants, who posted a Bt2.9-million bond. The six defendants are Kamta Kaenboonchan, Attarit Singlo, Chupong Theethuan, Tanawit Palakawong na Ayutthaya, Chinwat Haboonpad and Samroeng Adisa.

Public prosecutors contend that the six led about 1,000 to 3,000 protesters to impose the blockade and unlawfully detained 211 office workers.

The protest was organised under the banner of the Caravan of the Poor, seen as a supporter of the Thaksin Shinawatra government.

The Nation

[OM3N]

The dangers of "free speech"...