Thai Govt House sealed off

[webfact]

Govt House sealed off
The Nation

"Overthrow Thaksin Regime" group vows large rally, nationwide strike

BANGKOK: -- POLICE yesterday began closing 14 roads around Government House to traffic for fear that anti-government protesters may move their rally to the area.

The move came as an anti-government group threatened to hold a large rally and a nationwide strike.

Checkpoints were set up along perimeter roads and only people who could prove that they worked or lived in the area were allowed to pass, according to Metropolitan Police Bureau spokesman Maj-General Adul Narongsak.

Road closures began at 2pm yesterday, he added.

"Vehicles and people are not allowed to enter the area, unless they get permission from authorities.

People who live and work in the area must show their ID cards as proof," said Adul, who is also a Metropolitan Police Bureau deputy commissioner.

He said police intelligence showed that the anti-government protesters - now gathering at Lumpini Park and Urupong Intersection - were planning to move to Government House, which is off-limits to protesters under the Internal Security Act (ISA) invoked last week.

The government's Centre for Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO), which enforces the ISA, yesterday issued an order prohibiting the use of sections of 14 roads: Ratchasima, Phitsanulok, U Thong Nai, Likhit, Rama V, Sukhothai, Ratchavithi, Ratchadamnoen Nok, Look Luang, Phichai, Nakhon Sawan, Sri Ayutthaya, Nakhon Pathom and Krung Kasem.

National Security Council secretary-general Paradorn Pattanatabut yesterday said the road closures were a precautionary measure and a move to send a signal to the protesters that they should not attempt to move on Government House.

He said that the Urupong Intersection, where the group of protesters were holding their street rally, was not far from Government House and that it would take the protesters only a short time to move their operations from there.

CAPO spokesman Pol Maj-General Piya Utayo yesterday said it was expected that the protesters would change their rally site a number of times and would not end their protest easily.

Thaikorn Pholsuwan, coordinator of the anti-government group known as the People's Army to Overthrow the Thaksin Regime, said yesterday the group would announced a large rally today and a campaign for a nationwide strike. He said that the 40th anniversary of the 1973 student-led uprising today was the appropriate occasion for people to rise up and protest against the country's problems.

He also said his group would resume protesting outside Government House and that it planned to mobilise more protesters, who would come from the provinces.

The Cabinet last Wednesday resolved to invoke the ISA in Bangkok's Dusit, Phra Nakhon and Pom Prab (Sattru Phai) districts, with effect from last Wednesday to this Friday. The districts are of political significance as they are home to Government House, Parliament House, Democracy Monument and Sanam Luang.

The government's move to invoke the ISA came just a day after the People's Army began its rally outside Government House. Leaders of the group later agreed to end their rally there ahead of a visit by Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang last Friday. However, some of the protesters were unhappy with their leaders' decision and began gathering at the Urupong Intersection, just outside the ISA area.


-- The Nation 2013-10-14

[jaidam]

Sounds like something's afoot, could the return of el presidente be imminent after he was determined by the outgoing OAG to have no involvement in his riots and his funded and organized mayhem to get back his seized booty?

[whybother]

Why is the ISA in force? I thought it was put in place for the Chinese President's visit. Hasn't he left?

[notmyself]

Here comes the winter of discontent.

[NongKhaiKid]

It doesn't say how many police officers are involved this time but previously it was 12,000 for 250 protestors.

Since a ' large ' rally is expected the figures this time could go through the roof. The government is getting really twitchy it seems.

[ratcatcher]

Here comes the winter of discontent.

"Here comes the winter of discontent."

Made glorious summer by this son of Lert.

Richard III

[Phuket Stan]

It might be "Here comes our leader"

[h90]

the other newspaper shows that they put the concrete protection which is meant to protect against floods on the streets.

While half Thailand is flooded they use the water barriers against the few demonstrators???? Why not use them up country where they need them?

[NongKhaiKid]

the other newspaper shows that they put the concrete protection which is meant to protect against floods on the streets.

While half Thailand is flooded they use the water barriers against the few demonstrators???? Why not use them up country where they need them?

Just an indication of priorities ?

[h90]

the other newspaper shows that they put the concrete protection which is meant to protect against floods on the streets.

While half Thailand is flooded they use the water barriers against the few demonstrators???? Why not use them up country where they need them?

Just an indication of priorities ?

yes

if you would use this amount of police and concrete blocks upcountry to help the people, the government wouldn't need to protect themself from unhappy citizen......

[AleG]

It doesn't say how many police officers are involved this time but previously it was 12,000 for 250 protestors.

Since a ' large ' rally is expected the figures this time could go through the roof. The government is getting really twitchy it seems.

IIRC the police receives a nice bonus from taking part in this operations. A taxpayer fuunded way to keep the BIB (even more) ingratiated with PTP I suppose.

[klauskunkel]

Here comes the winter of discontent.

It might be "Here comes our leader"

...well, it sure ain't "Here comes Santa Claus"

[gemini81]

Only ok if you're a red protester who has been rented out.

I am enlightened to know how dictatorships attempt to deteriorate their opponents and remove checks and balances. Thanks for the plan carried out via skype to show me how its done, Thaksin.

[siampolee]

Seems as if Thaksin's paranoia is indeed contagious.

I am of the opinion that little will actually happen with the anti government protest groups.

It would seem,that the governments is currently engaged in a bout of sabre rattling and the expulsion of both flatulence and waste water.

No doubt though some members of this government may well need a nappy (diaper) change as it would seem as if their loyalties are about to be tested by their paymaster...

[jpeg]

the other newspaper shows that they put the concrete protection which is meant to protect against floods on the streets.

While half Thailand is flooded they use the water barriers against the few demonstrators???? Why not use them up country where they need them?

It was a tongue in cheek comment by a poster in response to this story.

The actual headline reads : Police Close Roads To Stem Rally. Nothing about 'flood protection'.

Edited October 14, 2013 by jpeg

[h90]

the other newspaper shows that they put the concrete protection which is meant to protect against floods on the streets.

While half Thailand is flooded they use the water barriers against the few demonstrators???? Why not use them up country where they need them?

It was a tongue in cheek comment by a poster in response to this story.

The actual headline reads : Police Close Roads To Stem Rally. Nothing about 'flood protection'.

look at the other newspaper which we should not quote here, it is on the front page of their internet page.

[Baerboxer]

Good to see the police carrying out their duty to protect a legally elected government and ensure citizens can go about their lawful business unhindered and safely.

Seems they have listened to the words of the PM/DM and her former PM brother and are busily becoming a professional, competent, honest, modern police service, that enforces the law impartially without favor.

Based on this, they would no doubt arrest Khun Dr. Thaksin should he set foot in Thailand, prior to his conviction and outstanding charges being nullified.

Great to see such progress.

[billd766]

Good to see the police carrying out their duty to protect a legally elected government and ensure citizens can go about their lawful business unhindered and safely.

Seems they have listened to the words of the PM/DM and her former PM brother and are busily becoming a professional, competent, honest, modern police service, that enforces the law impartially without favor.

Based on this, they would no doubt arrest Khun Dr. Thaksin should he set foot in Thailand, prior to his conviction and outstanding charges being nullified.

Great to see such progress.

Really?

I would pay money to see THAT happen.

[indyuk]

The invocation of the Internal Security Act (ISA) is the logical way to protect the people and their government from radical activists that have make countless statements of their intentions to remove Thailand's Premier from office. The government's response on this occasion is similar to the response of any European, British, American or Canadian Government. It is particularly wise decision in the light of the Occupations of government buildings in recent years.

The Centre for Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO)is carrying out its instructions to the letter which are to protect the lives and property of the government and its people with the utmost care and to protect and preserve the lives of the protesters too.

Be proud of your government and it's determination to protect you and your legally elected government.

[gerry1011]

Many posters here must be seriously frustrated that their wishes of seeing bigger and bigger rallies go out of hand and bring the chaos to Bangkok again... are not fulfilled.

Small rallies, unable to gather much support, making surreal demands, and kept at a good distance to avoid them to disturb the rest of the people. That's about it.

But given the intentions of the protesters to topple the government and given their history of seizing government buildings and airports, I think that the actions of the government are appropriate. Keep them away to avoid conflict.

The best, of course, would be that all sides just wait for the next election and stop these boring rallies.

[h90]

Many posters here must be seriously frustrated that their wishes of seeing bigger and bigger rallies go out of hand and bring the chaos to Bangkok again... are not fulfilled.

Small rallies, unable to gather much support, making surreal demands, and kept at a good distance to avoid them to disturb the rest of the people. That's about it.

But given the intentions of the protesters to topple the government and given their history of seizing government buildings and airports, I think that the actions of the government are appropriate. Keep them away to avoid conflict.

The best, of course, would be that all sides just wait for the next election and stop these boring rallies.

You know that:

a) you aren't allowed just about everything even you have won elections

all elections in Thailand are full of full scale vote buying.

It is more than understandable that people get frustrated about that.

[BuddyPinkham]

People who live and work in the area must show their ID cards as proof," said Adul, who is also a Metropolitan Police Bureau deputy commissioner.

So foreigners that live/work there and have no Thai ID card can't get home or to work?

[h90]

People who live and work in the area must show their ID cards as proof," said Adul, who is also a Metropolitan Police Bureau deputy commissioner.

So foreigners that live/work there and have no Thai ID card can't get home or to work?

And it is new to me that the ID card shows your working address.

(Does it show the living address??).

[Thait Spot]

265 protesters

15,000 police

Concrete barricades

Someone's running scared

[gemini81]

People who live and work in the area must show their ID cards as proof," said Adul, who is also a Metropolitan Police Bureau deputy commissioner.

So foreigners that live/work there and have no Thai ID card can't get home or to work?

At least they studied Nazi Germany methods-I thought they only knew about fabricated Thai history.

[ratcatcher]

Good to see the police carrying out their duty to protect a legally elected government and ensure citizens can go about their lawful business unhindered and safely.

Seems they have listened to the words of the PM/DM and her former PM brother and are busily becoming a professional, competent, honest, modern police service, that enforces the law impartially without favor.

Based on this, they would no doubt arrest Khun Dr. Thaksin should he set foot in Thailand, prior to his conviction and outstanding charges being nullified.

Great to see such progress.

[khunken]

The invocation of the Internal Security Act (ISA) is the logical way to protect the people and their government from radical activists that have make countless statements of their intentions to remove Thailand's Premier from office. The government's response on this occasion is similar to the response of any European, British, American or Canadian Government. It is particularly wise decision in the light of the Occupations of government buildings in recent years.

The Centre for Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO)is carrying out its instructions to the letter which are to protect the lives and property of the government and its people with the utmost care and to protect and preserve the lives of the protesters too.

Be proud of your government and it's determination to protect you and your legally elected government.

The use of the ISA plus 12,000 or more police to deal with 250 protestors is logical? You are obviously not a professor of logic (the joke is too long to post here). It is not in any way similar to what other governments do with small protests.

Actually the response has been so OTT that it has boosted protestor numbers and maybe even attracted more hard-core ones who don't like to see fellow Thais treated like dirt.

I'm not proud of my government and nor am I proud of Thailand's government which is run by one criminal abroad. They're certainly not protecting me either. Your post smells of brown-nosing.

[gemini81]

The invocation of the Internal Security Act (ISA) is the logical way to protect the people and their government from radical activists that have make countless statements of their intentions to remove Thailand's Premier from office. The government's response on this occasion is similar to the response of any European, British, American or Canadian Government. It is particularly wise decision in the light of the Occupations of government buildings in recent years.

The Centre for Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO)is carrying out its instructions to the letter which are to protect the lives and property of the government and its people with the utmost care and to protect and preserve the lives of the protesters too.

Be proud of your government and it's determination to protect you and your legally elected government.

The use of the ISA plus 12,000 or more police to deal with 250 protestors is logical? You are obviously not a professor of logic (the joke is too long to post here). It is not in any way similar to what other governments do with small protests.

Actually the response has been so OTT that it has boosted protestor numbers and maybe even attracted more hard-core ones who don't like to see fellow Thais treated like dirt.

I'm not proud of my government and nor am I proud of Thailand's government which is run by one criminal abroad. They're certainly not protecting me either. Your post smells of brown-nosing.

Hey, at least he is domesticated and conditioned. Tyrants, Bolsheviks, kleptocracy regimes love it. 555

[kimamey]

The invocation of the Internal Security Act (ISA) is the logical way to protect the people and their government from radical activists that have make countless statements of their intentions to remove Thailand's Premier from office. The government's response on this occasion is similar to the response of any European, British, American or Canadian Government. It is particularly wise decision in the light of the Occupations of government buildings in recent years.

The Centre for Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO)is carrying out its instructions to the letter which are to protect the lives and property of the government and its people with the utmost care and to protect and preserve the lives of the protesters too.

Be proud of your government and it's determination to protect you and your legally elected government.

Many have said that the police presence is disproportionate but I suppose that's a matter of opinion and I don't know enough about it to comment. The police doing their job in protecting the work of the government is good to see as you say.

There is one problem however.

They didn't do the same in 2010 as far as I'm aware so their attention to duty now, whilst admirable could be seen as an indication of bias and lack of independence.

[siampolee]

Indyuk post # 19

The invocation of the Internal Security Act (ISA) is the logical way to protect the people and their government from radical activists that have make countless statements of their intentions to remove Thailand's Premier from office. The government's response on this occasion is similar to the response of any European, British, American or Canadian Government. It is particularly wise decision in the light of the Occupations of government buildings in recent years.

The Centre for Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO)is carrying out its instructions to the letter which are to protect the lives and property of the government and its people with the utmost care and to protect and preserve the lives of the protesters too.

Be proud of your government and it's determination to protect you and your legally elected government.

This poster should indeed, ''stop taking what he or she shouldn't be taking and then start to take that which he or she should be taking.'',

The poster name is interesting.

Does it reflect upon their place of residence in the U.K rather than here in Thailand?