Anti-Thaksin group will explain itself to Chinese PM Li

[webfact]

PROTEST
Anti-Thaksin group will explain itself to PM Li
ANUPHAN CHANTANA,
TANATPONG KONGSAI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE PEOPLE'S Army against the Thaksin Regime will tell the Chinese authorities that it is only rallying against the government's plan to seek royal approval for the charter-amendment bill.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is scheduled to arrive in Bangkok tomorrow, and in preparation, the government enforced the Internal Security Act (ISA) yesterday in Dusit, Pom Prab Sattru Phai and Phra Nakhon districts. The ISA will be in effect until October 18.

The arrival of the group at Government House on Monday appears to have taken the government by surprise as nobody thought the anti-Thaksin group would march from Lumpini Park to join the other two ongoing labour-related protests already taking place at the seat of the government.

The anti-Thaksin protesters descended on roads around Government House and immediately set up tents.

Meanwhile, police blocked off roads and surrounded the area to keep protesters at bay. Due to these measures, rally organisers were unable to designate their rally site. Instead they announced that they were camping out, which attracted large crowds.

This prompted police to set up checkpoints at Misakawan Junction and Chamaimaruchet Bridge, and search protesters seeking entry. Police also beefed up its riot force to 15 companies.

Rally organiser Taikorn Polsuwan said the group had marched to Government House because they wanted to submit a letter opposing Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's moves to seek royal approval for the charter-amendment bill.

As for the tight security, Taikorn said organisers would have to review the situation before deciding their next move.

Another organiser, Watchara Ritthakhanee, said he believed police would not crack down on the crowds ahead of the Chinese PM's visit.

The organisers are scheduled to hand in three letters - one each to the Chinese Embassy, the ambassador and the Chinese PM - explaining the situation, Watchara said.

He also said the group might change its rally site to a place where the roads are open.

"Enforcing the ISA is non-productive as the people are only exercising their constitutional right for peaceful public assembly as per Article 63," he said.

He added that enforcing the ISA has put the protesters in a corner, because if they retreat it would mean they are conceding defeat.


-- The Nation 2013-10-10

[webfact]

INTERNAL SECURITY ACT
ISA invoked ahead of visit by Premier Li
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The government yesterday decided to impose the Internal Security Act (ISA) on Dusit, Pomprap Sattru Phai and Phra Nakhon districts of Bangkok until October 18 as 200-300 protesters continued to rally outside Government House.

The People's Army to Overthrow the Thaksin Regime shifted their demonstration to Government House on Monday after rallying at Lumpini Park for over two months.

The security guard around the seat of government has been beefed up to more than 1,000 police to keep the peace.

Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnok said he had informed Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who was attending the ASEAN Summit in Brunei, of the invocation of the decree.

The government took action after talks failed to persuade protesters to evacuate their rally site ahead of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit tomorrow.

Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan said the government had to enforce the ISA because Thailand was hosting a foreign dignitary but a group of people were trying to disgrace the administration.

The protest was expected to escalate into a mass rally because the participants were determined to topple the administration and disrupt the work of Parliament, he said.

"They chose this timing because we are receiving a state guest. They intend to embarrass the government," he said.

"Parliament is also deliberating a bill to amend Article 190 of the Constitution and several other important bills. We will not allow them to disrupt the work."

Paradorn Pattanathabutr, secretary-general of the National Security Council, admitted that the decision had something to do with the warning by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra that there would be a conspiracy to overthrow the government this month.

Security agencies had assessed the situation and believed that the government opponents would prolong their demonstrations, he said.

Suriyasai Katasila, coordinator of the Green Politics Group, said the government enforced the ISA even though the protesters were few in number because of Thaksin's belief that efforts would be stepped up to oust the government.

The government would probably extend the ISA until the end of the month to prevent other groups from joining the protest, he said.

Senator Paibul Nititawan said the government should not have resorted to the ISA because the demonstrators were exercising their constitutional right to gather peacefully. He and other senators might file a petition against the Cabinet with the Constitutional Court, he said.

Sunisa Lertpakawat, deputy government spokeswoman, said the government had to implement the ISA even though the number of protesters was not high because it feared that they would try to break into government offices.

"Security agencies have assessed the past behaviour of the protesters and decided that there must be a measure |to prevent them from intruding into important places, such as Government House, Parliament and the Royal Palace," she said.

Chaiyan Chaiyaporn, a political-science lecturer at Chulalongkorn University, said the government was too paranoid and activating the ISA while the number of protesters was little would cause the special law to lose efficiency in containing uprisings.

The government felt the ISA was needed because it feared that more protesters would join the rally over the weekend and many more might show up on October 14, which marks the 40th anniversary of the student uprising, he said.


-- The Nation 2013-10-10

[petedk]

Something weird here. According to the other newspaper, security forces are deploying 12,000 men to contain the 250 protesters.

Isn't the government embarassing itself?

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[orchidlady]

I was supposed to meet with fellow teachers at a university north of this area to discuss our final exam grades. I just got a call from one of the teachers who had been driving for TWO HOURS TO GET to our campus (it's normally 30-40 minutes for him). He told me to not come as he is not even near to our campus.

I thought it was due to flooding in Pathum Thani (overflow from Lopburi dam).. NO. The government has shut off many roads in the area to try to limit participants getting to the protests at Rangsit University. There is supposed to be a big anti-government protest by 56 groups at Rangsit University. Again this is how this government supports democracy, freedom of expression and peaceful protests. I guess they didn't have enough police available at ratio of 48 police /each protester (what they are using at government house) for this protest so it's better to just shut down the access points.

[siampolee]

Again this is how this government supports democracy, freedom of expression and peaceful protests. I guess they didn't have enough police available at ratio of 48 police /each protester (what they are using at government house) for this protest so it's better to just shut down the access points.

All the signs of an administration puppet masters fear that he is slowly losing control thus all te money he has invested is going to go down the drain.

I feel that the chances of the protesters actually being able to air their grievances to the Chinese Premier Li are about as likely as Thaksin, his family and their brown nosing acolytes actually speaking or understanding the truth along with the concept of democracy.

[Curt1591]

"Anti-Thaksin group will explain itself to PM Li"

The big question is WHY?!

Why do these clowns believe that the real world gives a flying backflip?

[joy16]

This government supports democracy (red shirts way), freedom of expression (insulting the opposition) and non-peaceful protests to the red shirts only.

[h90]

"Anti-Thaksin group will explain itself to PM Li"

The big question is WHY?!

Why do these clowns believe that the real world gives a flying backflip?

No the big question is why not.

I agree that the real world don't care. But with freedom of expression they should be allowed to explain what they want to whoever they want.

[thhMan]

Interesting.... I wonder whats in store over the next few days.

[fab4]

"Anti-Thaksin group will explain itself to PM Li"

The big question is WHY?!

Why do these clowns believe that the real world gives a flying backflip?

No the big question is why not.

I agree that the real world don't care. But with freedom of expression they should be allowed to explain what they want to whoever they want.

You're at the White House just you and 230 odd protesters (Oh, that doesn't work, you wouldn't get near the place with 230 demonstrators). OK, so you and your 230 mates are demonstrating outside the Houses of Parliament (Oh, that doesn't work, you ..................................)

OK, so you're outside of the Thai Government House with your 230 mates (where you are allowed to demonstrate under police guidance). 230 mates organised by people who happen to be the same old dinosaurs who organised events like this the last time this type of "event" happened. You arrange for 56 other anti government groups to turn up just for one day, lets say for example, when the Chinese PM turns up at Government House and start trouble.

Now tell me who gains and who loses from that scenario? And people wonder why an ISA is invoked to try and avoid that situation - freedom of expression my ass, it's a deliberate attempt to provoke.

[h90]

"Anti-Thaksin group will explain itself to PM Li"

The big question is WHY?!

Why do these clowns believe that the real world gives a flying backflip?

No the big question is why not.

I agree that the real world don't care. But with freedom of expression they should be allowed to explain what they want to whoever they want.

You're at the White House just you and 230 odd protesters (Oh, that doesn't work, you wouldn't get near the place with 230 demonstrators). OK, so you and your 230 mates are demonstrating outside the Houses of Parliament (Oh, that doesn't work, you ..................................)

OK, so you're outside of the Thai Government House with your 230 mates (where you are allowed to demonstrate under police guidance). 230 mates organised by people who happen to be the same old dinosaurs who organised events like this the last time this type of "event" happened. You arrange for 56 other anti government groups to turn up just for one day, lets say for example, when the Chinese PM turns up at Government House and start trouble.

Now tell me who gains and who loses from that scenario? And people wonder why an ISA is invoked to try and avoid that situation - freedom of expression my ass, it's a deliberate attempt to provoke.

Well maybe you find a other example than the White house? And no North Korea isn't a good example as well.

But that all is not the point because it isn't about the location "Curt1591" asked WHY.

And I answered him that the question is "Why not". If the location is right and if ISA should be invoked is a complete different question. Here it is about if they can give the PM Li a letter or whatever they want to do.

[kirk0233]

THE PEOPLE'S Army against the Thaksin Regime will tell the Chinese authorities that it is only rallying against the government's plan to seek royal approval for the charter-amendment bill

The amendment does not attempt to dissolve the constitutional monarchy; just revert to an earlier form when the senate was fully elected. I don't see the problem.

[Lite Beer]

Pracha declines to talk to protesters
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnok refused to talk with People's Army against the Thaksin Regime after the second round of talks between police and the group's leaders failed to reach any consensus on Thursday morning.

The People’s Army leaders had demanded that Pracha come out to hold talks with them outside Government House but Pracha declined.

He said he would answer a motion submitted by MPs during a House meeting. "I have assigned the representatives of the Peacekeeping Centre to talk with protestors," he said

Police tried to negotiate with People’s Army leaders to shift their rally to Lumpini Park before Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’s visit Friday.

Rally organisers said they would vacate the rally site at Government House Friday to pave way for the visit of the Chinese premier if Pracha would personally endorse the deal. If the protesters leave the Government House, the rally is expected to resume following the departure of the Chinese delegation.



-- The Nation 2013-10-10

[khunken]

Well if 200-300 demonstrators can 'provoke' it can only be paranoia and one needs to be aware that Skyped paranoia is much worse than the locally produced kind.

[h90]

Well if 200-300 demonstrators can 'provoke' it can only be paranoia and one needs to be aware that Skyped paranoia is much worse than the locally produced kind.

They say a fortune teller told Thaksin about problems this month. That why he is so paranoid.

[fab4]

"Anti-Thaksin group will explain itself to PM Li"

The big question is WHY?!

Why do these clowns believe that the real world gives a flying backflip?

No the big question is why not.

I agree that the real world don't care. But with freedom of expression they should be allowed to explain what they want to whoever they want.

You're at the White House just you and 230 odd protesters (Oh, that doesn't work, you wouldn't get near the place with 230 demonstrators). OK, so you and your 230 mates are demonstrating outside the Houses of Parliament (Oh, that doesn't work, you ..................................)

OK, so you're outside of the Thai Government House with your 230 mates (where you are allowed to demonstrate under police guidance). 230 mates organised by people who happen to be the same old dinosaurs who organised events like this the last time this type of "event" happened. You arrange for 56 other anti government groups to turn up just for one day, lets say for example, when the Chinese PM turns up at Government House and start trouble.

Now tell me who gains and who loses from that scenario? And people wonder why an ISA is invoked to try and avoid that situation - freedom of expression my ass, it's a deliberate attempt to provoke.

Well maybe you find a other example than the White house? And no North Korea isn't a good example as well.

But that all is not the point because it isn't about the location "Curt1591" asked WHY.

And I answered him that the question is "Why not". If the location is right and if ISA should be invoked is a complete different question. Here it is about if they can give the PM Li a letter or whatever they want to do.

Well if you read my reply you'll find that I did supply another example.

If they really only intend to give a letter to PM Li, fair enough but do you honestly believe that is what the people behind this "letter delivery" want to do - you, yourself allude to it in your phrase "or whatever they want to do"

They could always try EMS if their "demo" doesn't work I suppose.

[philw]

"Anti-Thaksin group will explain itself to PM Li"

The big question is WHY?!

Why do these clowns believe that the real world gives a flying backflip?

No the big question is why not.

I agree that the real world don't care. But with freedom of expression they should be allowed to explain what they want to whoever they want.

You're at the White House just you and 230 odd protesters (Oh, that doesn't work, you wouldn't get near the place with 230 demonstrators). OK, so you and your 230 mates are demonstrating outside the Houses of Parliament (Oh, that doesn't work, you ..................................)

OK, so you're outside of the Thai Government House with your 230 mates (where you are allowed to demonstrate under police guidance). 230 mates organised by people who happen to be the same old dinosaurs who organised events like this the last time this type of "event" happened. You arrange for 56 other anti government groups to turn up just for one day, lets say for example, when the Chinese PM turns up at Government House and start trouble.

Now tell me who gains and who loses from that scenario? And people wonder why an ISA is invoked to try and avoid that situation - freedom of expression my ass, it's a deliberate attempt to provoke.

Well maybe you find a other example than the White house? And no North Korea isn't a good example as well.

But that all is not the point because it isn't about the location "Curt1591" asked WHY.

And I answered him that the question is "Why not". If the location is right and if ISA should be invoked is a complete different question. Here it is about if they can give the PM Li a letter or whatever they want to do.

Sure, why not.

Drop it into the Chinese embassy or give it to him at the airport...........before closing it.