Thai protester shot dead at rubber farmer rally

BANGKOK, September 2, 2013 (AFP) - A Thai protester was shot dead and another injured at a rally in the country's south on Sunday, officials said, following demonstrations calling for higher rubber prices.

In a pre-dawn attack, shots were fired at a group of protesters acting as guards at a rally site in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, local governor Viroj Jiravarungsan told AFP.

One man, aged 29, died of his injuries in hospital, while a 25-year-old man was seriously wounded.

It was not known who carried out the attack, but Viroj said there was concern that the incident could be used to "escalate the protest".

Viroj said police had failed to access the crime scene to recover forensic evidence because a group of around 300 protesters had barred their entry.

"The government clearly ordered that there be no violence used against the protesters," he said.

Demonstrators, angry about a sharp fall in the price of rubber, have blocked a major road in Nakhon Sri Thammarat as part of protests that began on August 23.

They have called for farmers in other regions of the country to encircle the capital Bangkok with other transportation stoppages in a more widespread demonstration on September 3.

The government has rejected demands that it guarantee a rubber price of 120 baht ($3.7) per kilo, but has said it has successfully persuaded many in its heartland regions in the north and northeast not to participate.

Thailand has been rocked by several mass protests in recent years, with both allies of the current government -- and its ousted figurehead Thaksin Shinawatra -- and the opposition taking to the streets.

In 2010 two-month demonstrations by the pro-Thaksin "Red Shirts" drew 100,000 protesters at their peak before being crushed in a military crackdown under a previous government.

More than 90 people, mostly civilians, were killed during the demonstrations and nearly 1,900 were injured in Thailand's worst political bloodshed in decades.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2013-09-02

RUBBER
Tension rises after killing of protesters
The Nation



Unknown men gun down two volunteer guards ahead of rally on Tuesday by rubber growers.

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: - TENSION at the week-long rubber growers’ rally in Cha-uat in Nakhon Si Thammarat intensified early yesterday when unidentified men opened fire on volunteer guards, killing one and seriously wounding another.

The shooting came just two days before tomorrow's mass protest planned for farmers from 14 southern provinces in Surat Thani, raising fears that the transportation blockades could turn bloody.

Tempers flared, as the protesters suspect the attack was planned by state officials.

Meanwhile, Governor Wirote Jiwarangsan and Maj-General Ronnapong Saikaew, the provincial police chief, denied any involvement by the authorities, saying they had no policy to crack down on protesters.

They offered a Bt150,000 bounty for the attackers. Ronnapong also urged the farmers to give forensic police access to the scene.

Wirote offered his condolences and said if what happened tarnished the image of the province, he was willing to be transferred out.

Five shots were reportedly fired at the rubber farmers blocking the Ban Toon railway crossing, hitting Sirichai Boonnuwong, 29, in the eye and chest and Sitthisak Chaingam, 25, in the neck and left cheek. Sirichai was pronounced dead at Maharaj Hospital at 8.45am, while Sitthisak was still in a critical condition at press time.

Ronnapong had earlier quoted a doctor who treated Sitthisak as saying prior to surgery that Sirichai had a fight with someone and was killed.

Ronnapong claimed drunks were among the demonstrators and they argued almost every day.

He affirmed that police would investigate thoroughly.

Iad "Khai Mhook" Seng-iad, one of the rally leaders, gathered protesters to control the scene and gave instructions for reporters to be thoroughly checked to "prevent officials from sneaking in".

The government must be held accountable for what happened, he said.

The protesters would pick up Sirichai's body to take to the protest site for religious rites. He affirmed the protest would be escalated.

Yongyos Kaewkhiew, president of the Association of Kamnan and Village Heads, said local government leaders vowed their support for the protest and urged the government to solve the problem of falling rubber prices.

Democrat Party MP Thepthai Senpong, who represents the province, urged decision-makers to talk to the demonstrators.

The protest could end if the government was sincere about tackling the problems, he said.

Thaworn Senniam, an MP for Songkhla, said police seemed to have jumped to the conclusion that the shooting was by protesters. But this had stirred up suspicion because police had not inspected the scene.

Apichat Karikanjana, an MP for Nakhon Si Thammarat, said he was inclined to blame state officials for trying to stir up trouble. He called on the government to correct reports that the protesters were outsiders when they were actually locals.

National Police chief Adul Saengsingkaew urged officers to investigate with transparency, base findings on evidence and keep the public posted.

Paradorn Pattanatabutr, secretary-general of the National Security Council, said officials suspected a personal conflict or trouble between protesters from outside the area, who were the majority, and the locals, although they didn't totally rule out a third party.

Since the incident took place at night, investigators would need time to gather evidence, he said.

The mass protest on Tuesday would take place only in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Surat Thani, so officials could keep the situation under control, he said.

Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit dismissed reports that the government spent Bt200 million to lobby northern and northeastern rubber planters to stay away from the protest tomorrow.

He also denied that the gun attack was done by state officials.

Narongsak Wanwichaikul, a representative of Chaiyaphum rubber planters, said they backed out of the nationwide protest because most were satisfied with the government's offers, including a Bt1,260-per-rai fertiliser subsidy and the promise to add Bt40 to every kilogram of rubber that the farmers sold at Bt80.

They decided to give the government some time -15 days - to implement the measures first, he said.


-- The Nation 2013-09-02

National Police chief Adul Saengsingkaew urged officers to investigate with transparency

I always like a good joke first thing in the morning.

"It wasn't us", even though the investigation hasn't yet started, must have been the 'peaceful protesters', or 'unseen forces', or ... or ... the bogey-man ...

Send for former-DPM Chalerm !

National Police chief Adul Saengsingkaew urged officers to investigate with transparency

I always like a good joke first thing in the morning.

And in keeping with tradition every conceivable scenario of who may be responsible is aired before any investigation has started.

"It wasn't us", even though the investigation hasn't yet started, must have been the 'peaceful protesters', or 'unseen forces', or ... or ... the bogey-man ...

Send for former-DPM Chalerm !

If we accept the government were not involved why do they draw suspicion by making denials when they are not needed ?

I'm sure it's because Thai officials just love to talk, have to in fact and must have an opinion and a comment on everything irrespective of being unnecessary, unwanted or inappropriate.

I wonder if there's a Thai equivalent of " silence is golden " or " empty vessels ... " etc.

National Police chief Adul Saengsingkaew urged officers to investigate with transparency

I always like a good joke first thing in the morning.

And in keeping with tradition every conceivable scenario of who may be responsible is aired before any investigation has started.

Come on, guys. You know and I know and the govt. knows it was suicide!!!

National Police chief Adul Saengsingkaew urged officers to investigate with transparency

I always like a good joke first thing in the morning.

And in keeping with tradition every conceivable scenario of who may be responsible is aired before any investigation has started.

Come on, guys. You know and I know and the govt. knows it was suicide!!!

You're full of crap. It's only suicide when a foreigner is involved.

"It wasn't us", even though the investigation hasn't yet started, must have been the 'peaceful protesters', or 'unseen forces', or ... or ... the bogey-man ...

Send for former-DPM Chalerm !

If we accept the government were not involved why do they draw suspicion by making denials when they are not needed ?

You may accept it, but the protesters don't, hence the need for denial?

drunk protesters ...loss of face...gun......need i say more.......

The government has rejected demands that it guarantee a rubber price of 120 baht per kilo, but has said it has successfully persuaded many in its heartland regions in the north and northeast not to participate.

"persuaded" =

from yesterday's original thread:

Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnok reasserted today that the government will not use force to disperse the rubber growers protesting in the South

Violence this morning at the rubber farmer protests when five unidentified armed men fired into the crowd of protesters killing one and seriously wounding another.

The dead and wounded from this morning's shooting at the rubber farmers.

Pheu Thai Party Spokesman Prompong denied the government played any role in the shooting. Prompong also denied a report that the government had made a 200 million baht offer to rubber farmers in Issan and the North to cancel their planned protest.

First I thought that this article was about Zimbabwe until I read that the government has offered a bounty of 150,000THB for the attackers. Since the amount is so small, I guess that they are very keen for the truth to be discovered.

"The government clearly ordered that there be no violence used against the protesters," he said.

Yep, there it is.

It would help rubber prices if they used rubber bullets, perhaps. Sorry!

First I thought that this article was about Zimbabwe until I read that the government has offered a bounty of 150,000THB for the attackers. Since the amount is so small, I guess that they are very keen for the truth to be discovered.

What number would you pick to show you care? Go on, pick a number that would satisfy everyone . . .

Ah ! Those 'Men in Black' again.

So; who's going to be wearing those flip flops tonight then ?

It is a slippery slope they started down when rice prices were guaranteed regardless of world market and cost to Thailand. Who can blame protestors for ignoring economic reality and demanding higher prices? Reality is not a big factor here, judging from past performance

So if the protesters griefs were aimed at the government, and the man killed was shot by "unidentified men", would it be safe to assume that the unidentified gunmen were connected to the government in some way ? Or were the shots fired by locals who were annoyed by the disruption the protest caused ? If so, imagine what the people of Bangkok went through in 2010.

I wonder if Yingluck will be charged with murder over this, or will it be blamed on the Democrats.

First I thought that this article was about Zimbabwe until I read that the government has offered a bounty of 150,000THB for the attackers. Since the amount is so small, I guess that they are very keen for the truth to be discovered.

What number would you pick to show you care? Go on, pick a number that would satisfy everyone . . .

THB 8,000,000

Who in the world is going to take a risk fro THB 150,000? You might get killed for opining your mouth.

Posted 2013-08-29

BANGKOK, Aug 29 -- Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnok reasserted today that the government will not use force to disperse the rubber growers protesting in the South, saying security agencies have measures in hand to handle the mass rally on September 3.

No the government will not use force, we have unidentified guys in black shirts to do that.

Pol Gen Pracha said the security agencies would only observe and provide safety for the protesters in Nakhon Si Thammarat. The National Security Council (NSC) also said the Internal Security Act (ISA) was not needed to handle the protest.

"provide safety for the protesters" who are not shot, that is.

He said many groups of rubber planters understood and would not join the planned mass rally on September 3 but only protesters in Cha-uat district of Nakhon Si Thammarat who did not accept the government's proposal.

Rubber growers understood they would probably be shot if they did not accept the government's offer.

Gen Pracha said only 30 per cent of protesters were rubber growers, but that the rest were not local residents. Some belong to anti-government groups, he said, but so far arrest warrants have been issued for less than a dozen protesters. He claimed that a political party was behind the rally.

Anti-government groups ? You better get used to that situation pal, and they will be everyday people like the rubber growers, not associated with any "political party".

UPDATE:
Guards at protest quarrelled before shooting: deputy PM
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai
The Nation

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: -- The initial police investigation into the shooting on Sunday of two growers serving as guards for the rubber growers' protest in Nakhon Si Thammarat has revealed that witnesses saw them arguing prior to the incident, deputy Prime Minister Pol Gen Pracha Promnog said on Monday.

The shooting resulted in one of the guards dying and the other being severely injured.

The gunpowder test on the injured man also found that the shots were fired at close range, leading police to think it was not done by state officials, as some protesters suspect, Pracha said.

He said the officials were camped 10 kilometres away from the protest site and there was no reason for them to shoot.

Pracha instructed police to make the facts of the investigation available to the Thai public and make it clear that the protest site was tightly guarded thus making it impossible for outsiders or officials to get in and cause the alleged attack.

He also urged the Justice Ministry's Rights and Liberties Protection Department chief Police Colonel Narat Sawettanant to visit the site and provide assistance of Bt100,000 to the family of the deceased individual.


-- The Nation 2013-09-02

So maybe they shot each other in the head and chest twice? Tough boys down here eh? Jeeeeeeeezus the only alternative to laughing is weeping!

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: -- The initial police investigation into the shooting on Sunday of two growers serving as guards for the rubber growers' protest in Nakhon Si Thammarat has revealed that witnesses saw them arguing prior to the incident, deputy Prime Minister Pol Gen Pracha Promnog said on Monday.

The shooting resulted in one of the guards dying and the other being severely injured.

The gunpowder test on the injured man also found that the shots were fired at close range, leading police to think it was not done by state officials, as some protesters suspect, Pracha said.

He said the officials were camped 10 kilometres away from the protest site and there was no reason for them to shoot.

Pracha instructed police to make the facts of the investigation available to the Thai public and make it clear that the protest site was tightly guarded thus making it impossible for outsiders or officials to get in and cause the alleged attack.

He also urged the Justice Ministry's Rights and Liberties Protection Department chief Police Colonel Narat Sawettanant to visit the site and provide assistance of Bt100,000 to the family of the deceased individual.

I am sure a small percentage of TV members will lap this bowl of bullshit milk up and beg for more. Almost feel sorry for them.

Tightly guarded from a distance of 10km.

Splendid

Tightly guarded from a distance of 10km.

Splendid

I like how funny some posts can be with so few words

"It wasn't us", even though the investigation hasn't yet started, must have been the 'peaceful protesters', or 'unseen forces', or ... or ... the bogey-man ...

Send for former-DPM Chalerm !

If we accept the government were not involved why do they draw suspicion by making denials when they are not needed ?

You may accept it, but the protesters don't, hence the need for denial?

That's about right.

"It wasn't us", even though the investigation hasn't yet started, must have been the 'peaceful protesters', or 'unseen forces', or ... or ... the bogey-man ...

Send for former-DPM Chalerm !

If we accept the government were not involved why do they draw suspicion by making denials when they are not needed ?

You may accept it, but the protesters don't, hence the need for denial?

You really need to read before typing as I said " if we accept " I did not say I do accept and used if to set up a point.

The story above doesn't mention what protesters are saying and I haven't heard anything from them on any of the English language news I've heard. Presumably you know more since you say it's not believed the government is involved.

National Police chief Adul Saengsingkaew urged officers to investigate with transparency

I always like a good joke first thing in the morning.

And in keeping with tradition every conceivable scenario of who may be responsible is aired before any investigation has started.

Urged to do their job. Hiho

First I thought that this article was about Zimbabwe until I read that the government has offered a bounty of 150,000THB for the attackers. Since the amount is so small, I guess that they are very keen for the truth to be discovered.

What number would you pick to show you care? Go on, pick a number that would satisfy everyone . . .

THB 8,000,000

Who in the world is going to take a risk fro THB 150,000? You might get killed for opining your mouth.

Far too high and a clear admission of guilt as they are sure to have an airtight case . . . or they wouldn't offer such a massive reward.

Easy, isn't it.

Far too high and a clear admission of guilt as they are sure to have an airtight case . . . or they wouldn't offer such a massive reward.

Easy, isn't it.

I would like to be able to say that I understand this, but I don't.