Thai opposition MPs in parliament brawl with police

[webfact]

Thai opposition MPs in parliament brawl with police

BANGKOK, August 20, 2013 (AFP) - Thailand's parliament briefly descended into chaos Tuesday as opposition lawmakers brawled with police during a debate on controversial proposals to amend the constitution.

Scuffles broke out after 57 members of the opposition Democrat party stood up simultaneously to voice their objections to the plans and refused to be silenced by the Speaker.

Television images showed politicians surrounded by police and grappling with them as they were marched towards the exit of the chamber, while screams were heard in the background.

"I was the first to be grabbed. The Speaker of the House told the parliament police officers to take the ones who were standing out of the room," opposition lawmaker Nipit Intarasombut told AFP. "It was chaotic."

Nipit, who said there were some 100 police in parliament at the time, said opposition MPs were angry at being denied time to speak about the proposals, which would change the senate to a fully elected body.

The plans are part of a contentious bid to amend a constitution written in the wake of a 2006 military coup that ousted then-leader Thaksin Shinawatra.

Deep divisions have torn Thailand since the coup, sparking years of political turmoil. Both Thaksin's "Red Shirt" supporters and nationalist "Yellow Shirt" enemies have taken to the streets in often bloody protests.

The current government led by Thaksin's sister Yingluck, which won elections in 2011, has recently been accused of fuelling tension by supporting an amnesty bill. The opposition fears it could lead to Thaksin's return from self-imposed exile.

Around 2,000 anti-government demonstrators converged near parliament earlier this month in an opposition-led rally against the amnesty bill -- which has since passed its first reading.

Debate in Thai parliament has a history of overheating.

In May 2012 police surrounded the house Speaker to protect him as Democrat MPs threw bundles of paper at him in protest at reconciliation proposals.

A month earlier there were red faces in the legislature when a graphic image of a naked woman in a provocative pose flashed across big screens during a debate on the constitutional amendments. At the time, officials blamed hackers.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2013-08-20

[BeforeTigers]

God forbid a Democratic government be comprised of elected officials, right.

"You keep saying that word. I do not think that word means what you think it means."

[RickeyParkany]

...and the fur flies... ;-} rap.

[siampolee]

A wonderful display of democracy Red Shirt Style ,The police are called in to remove dissenting elected opposition party members who were protesting in a place of priviliege.

A parliament worthy of nothing a government that is no more than a blatant puppet dictatorship who are openly flaunting their power.

Come on Emma Thompson and all you paid for bling bling guests look at the democratic process under this current government who want you to be involved in a reconciliation programme debate, if you had a shred of honour and decency you should not come here to Thailand and assist in the euthanasia of democracy.

Indeed a fine example of a ''reconciliation process.''

Great shame the police could not hold another politician in the past who was a convicted felon indeed the zealous efforts at law keeping then were very low key were they not?

[Soutpeel]

Television images showed politicians surrounded by police and grappling with them as they were marched towards the exit of the chamber, while screams were heard in the background

Nipit, who said there were some 100 police in parliament at the time

Ah democracy and free speech in action, why 100 police in parliament chamber at the time.....Yingluks stormtrooper in action

Why do I have a sad feeling Thailand headed towards another round of violence in the streets

[ratcatcher]

"Thailand's parliament briefly descended into chaos.a circus................"

[Robby nz]

Possibly the headline should read "Police brawl with MP;s"

It would seem the police were reluctant to throw the Dem MP"s out and the speaker actually threatened them.

RT@tulsathit: Turmoil erupting in Parliament during charter amendment debate. Somsak calling parliamenary police to escort boo boys out

RT@tulsathit: Police have been ordered by House speaker Somsk to take out any Democrat who refuses to sit down.

RT@tulsathit: "If you don't take them out, you'll be charged with insubordination," Somsak yelled at parliamentary police.

RT@tulsathit: Parliamentary meeting has been declared halted by Somsak. 10 minutes, of course.

RT@tulsathit: Trouble blew up after House speaker called vote to disallow further debate on proposed amendments.

So it would seem that the speaker decided he didn't want to hear any more debate.

As in, we have the numbers, we can do what we want so just shut up and sit down.

[Soutpeel]

"Thailand's parliament briefly descended into chaos.a circus................"

Thailand's parliament is always a circus...Ringling brothers could learn from them

[ginjag]

"Thailand's parliament briefly descended into chaos.a circus................"

Thailand's parliament is always a circus...Ringling brothers could learn from them

Just looked at this on IN channel the speaker was accused of a few things, thought to favour the PTP AND restrict opposition speaking in the debate. When you have a (bent) speaker your going to always have problems and that is why the police are there because he isn't fair. So the BIB are always there in force.

Governments fair governing problem no one else at fault, as it's the oppositions right to object in the house if things are not on song.

[Ricardo]

Perhaps the Speaker should have sent in the military, rather than the police ?

Purely in the interests of democracy & reconciliation, of course !

[Zooheekock]

Nice to see the self-styled khon dee showing their true colours; rules are for the little people, not for those, like the perpetually vile Democrats (sic), who are born to power (just a shame that the little people seem to have forgotten this obvious fact).

[Sunderland]

There was more logical debate on The Muppet Show years ago.

Luckily hardly anyone watches the debates in Parliament as the 'elected' (hahaha) members of Parliament are an embarrassment to their country. I guess it's not the worst example of a democracy in the world, but it is close to being the most comical. I wouldn't like to trust any of these jokers with something serious like brushing their own teeth, crossing a busy road on their own or finishing their homework! The Thai Parliament is something like an exclusive Thai Mr. Bean politics club.

If you want to see the occasional Muay Thai fight, an MP waving a shoe at someone or police dancing in a circle around the House Speaker, then tune in for more fun tomorrow.

Better manners, ethics and a willingness to behave in public are more commonly found among kindergarten students. I dare to add that students of the same age have probably accomplished far more in the last 2-3 years than all the Thai politicians put together.

The present government - and I use the term 'government' loosely - are an absolute farce, even by normal standards in this part of the world. As for the opposition, they are not much better. Sadly, there is so little interest in the political future of the country by the majority of the population after years and years of listening to lies and arguments. Therefore, we can't expect the youth of Thailand to show much interest in the future of their country either until it affects them badly in the pocket. It is an economic crash like we had in 1997 that will hopefully force people to take more interest in their country's future.

Edited August 20, 2013 by Sunderland

[Neilly]

BANGKOK, August 20, 2013 (AFP) - Thailand's parliament briefly descended into chaos Tuesday as opposition lawmakers brawled with police during a debate on controversial proposals to amend the constitution.

That is how 'parliament' works...in chaos...but normally there isn't a 100 rozers in there to forcibly evict the opposition

[petedk]

Television images showed politicians surrounded by police and grappling with them as they were marched towards the exit of the chamber, while screams were heard in the background

Nipit, who said there were some 100 police in parliament at the time

Ah democracy and free speech in action, why 100 police in parliament chamber at the time.....Yingluks stormtrooper in action

Why do I have a sad feeling Thailand headed towards another round of violence in the streets

I am not sure you are right.

I have just spoken to a couple of "hard core" democrats and they admit it's all over. They say this government already has complete control over the police and military and that all demonstrations will be stopped at the start as we have already seen.

The only thing to do is wait/. "Wait 20 or more years until the country has been raped and destroyed" - their own words..

I hope they are wrong but I certainly don't want to see violence and bloodshed again. I think we are in ffor some dark times one way or another.

[waza]

Does this mean the redshirts are officially obsolete?

[LuckyLew]

LOS = Land of Stupidity?

Country becomes more of a laughing stock every day

[Chazchallenger]

how can the governments of thailand, not expect its people to react without violence, when thats the example they are given in the parlimentry buildings. like watching 6 year olds fighting on the playground

[sbk]

There was more logical debate on The Muppet Show years ago.

Luckily hardly anyone watches the debates in Parliament as the 'elected' (hahaha) members of Parliament are an embarrassment to their country. I guess it's not the worst example of a democracy in the world, but it is close to being the most comical. I wouldn't like to trust any of these jokers with something serious like brushing their own teeth, crossing a busy road on their own or finishing their homework! The Thai Parliament is something like an exclusive Thai Mr. Bean politics club.

If you want to see the occasional Muay Thai fight, an MP waving a shoe at someone or police dancing in a circle around the House Speaker, then tune in for more fun tomorrow.

Better manners, ethics and a willingness to behave in public are more commonly found among kindergarten students. I dare to add that students of the same age have probably accomplished far more in the last 2-3 years than all the Thai politicians put together.

The present government - and I use the term 'government' loosely - are an absolute farce, even by normal standards in this part of the world. As for the opposition, they are not much better. Sadly, there is so little interest in the political future of the country by the majority of the population after years and years of listening to lies and arguments. Therefore, we can't expect the youth of Thailand to show much interest in the future of their country either until it affects them badly in the pocket. It is an economic crash like we had in 1997 that will hopefully force people to take more interest in their country's future.

Actually its all over Facebook.

[MAJIC]

Perhaps the Speaker should have sent in the military, rather than the police ?

Purely in the interests of democracy & reconciliation, of course !

You don't need to call in the Military,when you have a private army in your pocket,something Abhisit never had in 2010. But now the true colours are shining through beneath the uniform.

[surangw]

digressed to their true natures, letting the fists fly

[that geeza]

hmm think i'll stay out of bkk for a little while longer just in case someone has their nose out of joint.

[rijb]

LOS = Land of Stupidity?

Country becomes more of a laughing stock every day

They're not alone ... parliament fights

[MB1]

Television images showed politicians surrounded by police and grappling with them as they were marched towards the exit of the chamber, while screams were heard in the background

Nipit, who said there were some 100 police in parliament at the time

Ah democracy and free speech in action, why 100 police in parliament chamber at the time.....Yingluks stormtrooper in action

Why do I have a sad feeling Thailand headed towards another round of violence in the streets

Only a matter of time, just a case of where, when and how bad it gets, oh well TIT....

[GentlemanJim]

The writing is on the wall and I am unsure what can be done. The PTP have taken over like a cancer and regardless of the medication this country now takes, they wont get rid of the cancer. In the west, the media and the people would string this lot up, it would be a relentless barrage of opposition from the public, but here, the Thai's just accept. They accept for a number of reasons, one is that they are genuinely scared of intimidation, arrest and extra judicial killing...people just disappear. Look at how the Government and the Police have intimidated the population with the scare tactics over the use of social media. The arrest any TV and News journalist for saying the slightest thing out of place, and the PM sues her critics.

I truly hope when this is all done and dusted and PTP have a vice like grip over this country, it's people and it's resources that the red supporters and apologists on Thai Visa have the balls to admit, even if only to themselves, that they endorsed and supported a dynasty of criminals to establish a communist regime in which they are the dynastic rulers of a one party police state. It makes me sick to the stomach to think that allegedly educated westerners could offer the remotest support to these people.

Tony Bliar and Emma Thompson, beware, you too are being used to lend these criminals a sense of advocacy. The PTP are waiting for that fateful day that we all know is coming, and during the mass grieving that will be witnessed on a scale the modern world has never seen, the fox will return and destroy his enemies while they sleep.

[WAERTH]

It is a sad day when the ruling party disallows the opposition to debate in parliament and when the opposition protests the ruling party calls in the police to remove the opposition. This is what happened today in Thai parliament ...... the beginning of a dictatorship. and everyone is watching and doing nothing. This is exactly what Adolf Hitler did in the first reichstag meetings after he got elected. Remove the opposition.

[MaxLee]

"Thailand's parliament briefly descended into chaos.a circus................"

no I'd say a UFC debacle

[pedro01]

An interesting snippet from the Nation on the new rules being implemented:

"If passed, the law will also remove a ban on parents, spouses and children of MPs, former MPs and political office holders, former party members, and former local politicians who have been out of their posts for less than five years, from applying as senatorial candidates. Some mandate of senators would also be changed."

[thaicbr]

An interesting snippet from the Nation on the new rules being implemented:

 

"If passed, the law will also remove a ban on parents, spouses and children of MPs, former MPs and political office holders, former party members, and former local politicians who have been out of their posts for less than five years, from applying as senatorial candidates. Some mandate of senators would also be changed."

 

 

That's a Bingo

Sent from my GT-P1010 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[MAJIC]

The writing is on the wall and I am unsure what can be done. The PTP have taken over like a cancer and regardless of the medication this country now takes, they wont get rid of the cancer. In the west, the media and the people would string this lot up, it would be a relentless barrage of opposition from the public, but here, the Thai's just accept. They accept for a number of reasons, one is that they are genuinely scared of intimidation, arrest and extra judicial killing...people just disappear. Look at how the Government and the Police have intimidated the population with the scare tactics over the use of social media. The arrest any TV and News journalist for saying the slightest thing out of place, and the PM sues her critics.

I truly hope when this is all done and dusted and PTP have a vice like grip over this country, it's people and it's resources that the red supporters and apologists on Thai Visa have the balls to admit, even if only to themselves, that they endorsed and supported a dynasty of criminals to establish a communist regime in which they are the dynastic rulers of a one party police state. It makes me sick to the stomach to think that allegedly educated westerners could offer the remotest support to these people.

Tony Bliar and Emma Thompson, beware, you too are being used to lend these criminals a sense of advocacy. The PTP are waiting for that fateful day that we all know is coming, and during the mass grieving that will be witnessed on a scale the modern world has never seen, the fox will return and destroy his enemies while they sleep.

"it makes me sick to the stomach to think that allegedly educated westerners could offer the remotest support to these people"

Seems like the supporters of PTP and the Red Shirts have gone deathly quiet,could it be they are beginning to realise the terrible mistake,that they were mistakenly,supporting the underdog,but in reality,setting the table for Communism,and a Police State,control of the Country through the use of Fascism, Corruption and Wealth,for the already rich,greedy for more, by Undemocratic means.

Sadly, and eventually the Reds will realise they have been used by the PTP ,conned and naive,and they will not become rich, just more of the same,empty promises. until next time........

[hellodolly]

Television images showed politicians surrounded by police and grappling with them as they were marched towards the exit of the chamber, while screams were heard in the background

Nipit, who said there were some 100 police in parliament at the time

Ah democracy and free speech in action, why 100 police in parliament chamber at the time.....Yingluks stormtrooper in action

Why do I have a sad feeling Thailand headed towards another round of violence in the streets

I was wondering if Thaksin had a hard time figuring out whether to use his red shirt goons or BIB to silence the opposition.