Demonstrators settle firmly in Lumpini Park--for now
By English News



BANGKOK, Aug 8 – Anti-government protesters continued their rally at Lumpini Park today and said they would not move out of their demonstration site unless the political situation changes.

Leaders of the People’s Army against Thaksin Regime (PATR) earlier contemplated moving to another location but decided yesterday morning to stay put due to insufficient numbers of supporters.

Gen Preecha Iamsupan, a PATR leader, told demonstrators on stage that the political situation has yet to be developed to the point of them having to move away from Lumpini, adding that they would rather wait.

PATR spokesman Thaikorn Polsuwan called on the authorities to release retired Capt Songklod Chuenchoopol, known as “Pukong Poo Kem”, arrested after a scuffle with police for trying to break through the barricades to get near Parliament.

He said the PATR objective was to overthrow the Thaksin regime, and not the government as claimed by Red Shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan.

PATR leaders and activists mounted the stage at Lumpini Park last night to address to demonstrators while the parliamentary debate on the controversial amnesty bill continued.

Mr Thaikorn said the government should respect the people’s right to freedom of expression and that demonstrators should be treated fairly. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-08-08

"He said the PATR objective was to overthrow the Thaksin regime, and not the government"

If it is not the government they are trying to overthrow then exactly which Thaksin regime are they referring to?

Fizzle. This is even more embarrassing than the last march that failed.

Fizzle. This is even more embarrassing than the last march that failed.

Do you refer to the legendary "million man march"?

The way their demonstrations are working....Lumpini Park may be the appropriate place for them...on breaks they can take a pedallo swan for a paddle!!...very lame, but not much more they can do.

Anti-government group will stay put today

BANGKOK, 8 August 2013 (NNT)-The so- called People’s Army against Thaksin Regime will not move from Lumipini Partk, where they are currently camping out, to the Parliament today, saying that the timing is not right.

Several leaders of the anti-government group took to the stage last night sharing their political views with the demonstrators. Their speeches were mostly focused on boosting their fellow demonstrators'morale and reiterating reasons why they were not going to move to the Parliament just yet.

The core members, however, reassured that they would continue to hold talks and discussions as usual and would not move anywhere else.

-- NNT 2013-08-08

Fizzle. This is even more embarrassing than the last march that failed.

Do you refer to the legendary "million man march"?

Nah. That was a Red Shirt march and they ALWAYS exagerrate their figures.

This country will not get anywhere until they learn that if they do not like the government, they have to wait for the next election.

"He said the PATR objective was to overthrow the Thaksin regime, and not the government"

If it is not the government they are trying to overthrow then exactly which Thaksin regime are they referring to?

Great. Their objectives are just so well defined.

Was he trying to confuse the coppers into letting him go?

The way their demonstrations are working....Lumpini Park may be the appropriate place for them...on breaks they can take a pedallo swan for a paddle!!...very lame, but not much more they can do.

These protests should have always been held in lumpini. Any government must have been nuts to let any colour shirt take over the downtown.

This country will not get anywhere until they learn that if they do not like the government, they have to wait for the next election.

The problem is that there will not be any more elections. Just speculating.

So how many parties and colors are there now? Can anyone name all of them? PAD, UDD, PATR,....

I'm getting confused.

And throw in which team they play for while you're at it.

I don't know why Thais bother with rallies any more. They seem as popular as a Koh Samet beach party.

I've seen more people at the local Sunday market than this one and then there was that embarrassing red shirt effort at the Burmese border when hardly anyone made the effort and even the guest of honour didn't show.

Time for the protesters to go home. They obviously have no popular support. The bill has been passed. Unblocking the Bangkok traffic jams will do more for their cause than continued protesting.