Thai Amnesty opponents to rally nationwide

[webfact]

Amnesty opponents to rally nationwide
The Nation

Pheu Thai to meet today to plan strategy as red-shirt group to hold '10,000 up' rally at Ratchaprasong

BANGKOK: -- Yingluck Shinawatra's government is walking a tightrope as opposition against the Amnesty Bill has now gained momentum with various groups, including the Democrat Party and many red shirts groups who formerly supported her, openly launching their campaigns to tear down the explosive draft law.

The ruling Pheu Thai Party, meanwhile, will convene a meeting today to discuss on measures needed to address the tense situation.

The Democrat Party has staged its rally against what it calls the "whitewashing law" in Bangkok's Samsen Area for days already. Now, it has encouraged the like minded to join its movement.

"We are pleased to welcome all demonstrators who are against the Amnesty Bill," Bangkok Democrat MP Ekanat Prompan said yesterday.

The Democrat Party's rallies against the controversial bill have now spread to various other provinces as well. A number of demonstrators, for example, yesterday attended the rallies in Phuket and Surat Thani.

Somkid Lertpaitoon, Rector of Thammasat University said law academics, lectures, students and officials in the university expressed their opposition to the amnesty bill as it was unconstitutional and against rule of law. The group of 578 academics of the university who signed a petition said they were worried about the conflict in the society. They urged parliamentarians to stop their effort to pass the bill into the law.

Chamlong Srimaung, former leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, led his protesters under People's Army against Thaksin regime from Lumpuni Park to join the group of student and people network for Thailand reform at Uripong insection in their protest against the amnesty bill.

A red shirt leader Sombat Boon-ngarm-anong will organise the "10,000 Up" rally at the Ratchaprasong Intersection to denounce the Amnesty Bill. The bill was unfair and unjust for the red-shirt protesters who died in the crackdown since responsible persons were granted amnesty, he said.

Thida Tavornset leader of Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship said a group of some 3000 red shirt would come to Bangkok for a training at Don Muang Technical College and they have liberty to join the protest against the bill.

Police warn protest leaders to move cautiously, as they will be held responsible for what happen.

"Protest leaders must be aware that they must be ready to take responsibility for any consequence," Police Spokesman Maj General Piya Utayo said yesterday. He is also the spokesman for the Centre for Administration of Peace and Order (Capo).

He said police were now quite worried about the growing possibility that the opponents to the bill would be marching to various venues in Bangkok.

"The marches will affect Bangkok's traffic. They also raise the possibility of confrontations with people who think differently," Piya said.

Capo's deputy spokesman Maj General Anucha Ramayanantana said National Police Commissioner General Adul Saengsingkaew had instructed all police units to closely monitor the rallies both in Bangkok and in provinces.

National Security Council secretary general Paradorn Pattanatabut, so far, said there was no need to invoke the Internal Security Act to control the situation at the moment. He suggested that the turnout at rally sites was not really that huge.

Democrat Party's deputy leader Alongkorn Ponlaboot said his party would work with all people's networks to stop the Amnesty Bill.

"With the legislation of this bill, the government is destroying the good governance and good principle in the country. If the bill is passed, corruption cases between 2004 and August 2013 will be dropped," he said.

Alongkorn said the Amnesty Bill, if legislated, would run against the UN Convention against Corruption that Thailand had ratified.

"Thailand's credibility will suffer badly then," he said, "The country can't give amnesty to the corrupt. Otherwise, the corrupt will keep doing the wrong things. They will think only by acquiring state power, their wrongdoings will be nullified".

Alongkorn said the Democrat Party, in collaboration with allies, would hold various rallies to inform people of what the Amnesty Bill would bring.

According to him, the rally will be held in Phetchaburi today, in Trat tomorrow, and in Chon Buri on Wednesday and in Pathum Thani on Thursday.

"We will go to all provinces," Alongkorn said.

Pheu Thai Party's spokesman Prompong Nopparit, meanwhile, said Pheu Thai MPs would today have a meeting as they would have an assignment to explain to people why the Amnesty Bill should be passed.

"The Amnesty Bill is based on the principle of forgiving so that the country can move ahead," he said.

Prompong also attacked the Democrat Party for orchestrating many rallies in the South.

"The tourism season for the South has just begun and relevant entrepreneurs are now worried," he said.


Week of protests

The Amnesty Bill is now an explosive issue. What will be coming next?

Today (November 4)

9.30am Core members of the Council of University Presidents of Thailand will convene a meeting to plan its next step in regard to its opposition to the Amnesty Bill.

10am Opponents of the bill will converge with Democrat Party leaders in Samsen in Bangkok. Marches are likely.

12.30pm The Business Club for Democracy will organise a rally on the footpath in Silom Road. They plan to blow whistles.

2pm The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking will announce its stance.

2pm The Thai Chamber of Commerce will announce its stance.

3pm Thammasat University will call on the Senate, asking it to reject the Amnesty Bill.

Tomorrow (November 5)

4pm The Chula Network for Morality will hold a rally at Chulalongkorn University to express opposition to the Amnesty Bill.

Wednesday November 6

Lecturers and students from Mahidol University will join the rally at Urupong Intersection.

Thursday November 7

Alumni of Thammasat University will call on the Senate president to express their opposition against the Amnesty Bill.

5pm The Group of 40 Senators will announce their stance against the Amnesty Bill at the Democracy Monument.

Friday November 8

The Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand will announce its stance.

Saturday November 10

Noon Sombat Boon-ngarm-anong will organise the "10,000 Up" rally at Ratchaprasong Intersection to denounce the Amnesty Bill.

_ People with royal descent will express their stance.


-- The Nation 2013-11-04

[webfact]

March to Silom
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thousands of demonstrators are expected to march from the Urupong Intersection to Silom Road today.

The march will be the first activity that demonstrators at Urupong intersection and Lumpini Park will do together after their leaders decided last night to move ahead together.

"We will go to Silom together. It will be our first move together," Green Politics Group co-ordinator Suriyasai Katasila said.

He spoke after several thousand demonstrators marched from Lumpini to join the anti-government rally at Urupong Intersection, which also had thousands of protesters and has been going for a couple of weeks.

The protest at Lumpini was organised under the banners of the Dhamma Army and the People's Army Against the Thaksin Regime.

Chamlong Srimuang, who leads the Dhamma Army, marched from Lumpini alongside thousands of supporters to the Urupong rally.

Chamlong and Suriyasai were former leaders of the now-defunct People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which rallied hard against the Thaksin Shinawatra-led government in 2006.

The rally at Urupong, closer to Government House, has been led by the Network of Students and People for Thailand's Reform.

It remains unclear whether the demonstrators at Urupong intend to join a rally by the Business Club for Democracy. The club's leader Somkiat Homla-or said the club had asked its supporters to gather on Silom Road at 11.30am on Monday to get accurate information on the highly controversial bill.

"At 12.34pm, we will then blow whistles together for about one minute to make it clear that we are against the issuing of this amnesty," he said.


-- The Nation 2013-11-04

[waza]

"Protest leaders must be aware that they must be ready to take responsibility for any consequence," Police Spokesman Maj General Piya Utayo said yesterday. He is also the spokesman for the Centre for Administration of Peace and Order (Capo)."

Things have certainly changed since Abihist and Suthep were charged with murder over the 2010 riots and the red organisers were rewarded with political and government positions.

Isn't it ironic, don't ya think, the red leaders could be help responsible for any consequences of their protest against the PTP's amnesty bill, which gives them amnesty for the consequences of the 2009, 20010 red riots.

Edited November 3, 2013 by waza

[Robby nz]

Latest from PT spokesman Prompong :

He has called on everyone to end their rallies so people can mourn the death of the Supreme Patriarch.

Gotta say Mr Prompong that it never worried PT that they were pushing through this abortion of a legislation so soon after the death of His Holiness.

Also gotta say that coming out with a statement like that proves without a doubt what a pack of dirty A holes PT are to try to use the death of His Holiness as reason to stop protest against this bill.

[Ricardo]

PM Yingluck & Thaksin's her PTP-dominated government have indeed succeeded, in uniting the country, all sides except Thai residents-of-Dubai are against the Whitewash Bill !

And the police warn protest-organisers that they are responsible, for whatever happens, when they protest against a Bill which clears all protest-organisers ?

Yay for Red-Justice !

[coma]

" Police warn protest leaders to move cautiously, as they will be held responsible for what happen. "

Really ? That is what this entire mess is all about. It would be a little rude to hold these leaders of this protest responsible for what happens, when those of 2010 have just been given immunity.

[Joe Mamma]

dividing the people.

[NongKhaiKid]

The weekend is usually opinion poll time but all I've seen so far is in a news text from the other newspaper which reported that the majority answering a question about amnesty had said it was only designed to benefit Mr. T but no percentages were given.

If he returns it will not be low key and there will be both pro and anti rallies but what of a potential ' silent majority ' ?

Will many decide, a bit late in the day, to protest or will they simply shrug their shoulders and accept the situation in the apathetic, somewhat subservient, way of so many Thais that allows so many wrongs to take place in the country and which politicians rely on to get things their way ?

[GeorgeO]

"Protest leaders must be aware that they must be ready to take responsibility for any consequence," Police Spokesman Maj General Piya Utayo said yesterday. He is also the spokesman for the Centre for Administration of Peace and Order (Capo)."

Things have certainly changed since Abihist and Suthep were charged with murder over the 2010 riots and the red organisers were rewarded with political and government positions.

Isn't it ironic, don't ya think, the red leaders could be help responsible for any consequences of their protest against the PTP's amnesty bill, which gives them amnesty for the consequences of the 2009, 20010 red riots.

It will be interesting to see how even-handed the police turn out to be in dealing with any riotous behaviour on the part of the various factions, or indeed, how many police will be allocated to overseeing Democrat rallies as opposed to Red Shirt demonstrations...!

[AleG]

The weekend is usually opinion poll time but all I've seen so far is in a news text from the other newspaper which reported that the majority answering a question about amnesty had said it was only designed to benefit Mr. T but no percentages were given.

If he returns it will not be low key and there will be both pro and anti rallies but what of a potential ' silent majority ' ?

Will many decide, a bit late in the day, to protest or will they simply shrug their shoulders and accept the situation in the apathetic, somewhat subservient, way of so many Thais that allows so many wrongs to take place in the country and which politicians rely on to get things their way ?

If it's the same poll I saw, 89% believed that this bill was meant to help Thaksin.

I must congratulate Yingluck, since day one she's been vowing to bring transparency to "her" government, and so far it's been rather opaque; but now, boy! are they transparent on their intentions with this bill or what?

Edited November 4, 2013 by AleG

[fab4]

"12.30pm The Business Club for Democracy will organise a rally on the footpath in Silom Road. They plan to blow whistles".

I bet this is the first time that lot have blown the whistle on anything! followed by

"2pm The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking will announce its stance".

On one leg or two? geddit?

I'll get my coat..............

Edited November 4, 2013 by fab4

[Showbags]

"12.30pm The Business Club for Democracy will organise a rally on the footpath in Silom Road. They plan to blow whistles".

I bet this is the first time that lot have blown the whistle on anything! followed by

"2pm The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking will announce its stance".

On one leg or two? geddit?

I'll get my coat..............

'Whistles' is a lucky chap.

[GrantSmith]

"At 12.34pm, we will then blow whistles together for about one minute to make it clear that we are against the issuing of this amnesty," he said.

Well I'm glad they informed us... Would have just thought it was a bunch of traffic cops going through their daily motions...

[Baerboxer]

The weekend is usually opinion poll time but all I've seen so far is in a news text from the other newspaper which reported that the majority answering a question about amnesty had said it was only designed to benefit Mr. T but no percentages were given.

If he returns it will not be low key and there will be both pro and anti rallies but what of a potential ' silent majority ' ?

Will many decide, a bit late in the day, to protest or will they simply shrug their shoulders and accept the situation in the apathetic, somewhat subservient, way of so many Thais that allows so many wrongs to take place in the country and which politicians rely on to get things their way ?

If it's the same poll I saw, 89% believed that this bill was meant to help Thaksin.

I must congratulate Yingluck, since day one she's been vowing to bring transparency to "her" government, and so far it's been rather opaque; but now, boy! are they transparent on their intentions with this bill or what?

Everyone knew this was always about one man, only one man. Yingluck has denied this for so long, and made so many claims to be making the decisions. Let's see if she listens to so many people from so many backgrounds and different strata of Thai society who appose this sham of a bill designed to whitewash her criminal brother of all the crimes he's committed since 2004.

I think we know the answer. Maybe she can have the bill amended to whitewash any future crimes he might mistakenly commit in the future too. Above and beyond the law.

[waza]

"At 12.34pm, we will then blow whistles together for about one minute to make it clear that we are against the issuing of this amnesty," he said.

Well I'm glad they informed us... Would have just thought it was a bunch of traffic cops going through their daily motions...

or car park attendants

[MrJohnson]

very noisy here in Silom

[Robby nz]

Latest on facebook is that Yingluck is holed up in an army barracks with a helicopter standing by.

Where are the red supporters who lambasted Abhisit for taking his family to an army barracks during the red riots?

[A1Str8]

The police said the protesters must be ready to take responsibility for their actions. Stop making me laugh. Once in a while the goverment should take responsibility too.

[roger rederer]

The weekend is usually opinion poll time but all I've seen so far is in a news text from the other newspaper which reported that the majority answering a question about amnesty had said it was only designed to benefit Mr. T but no percentages were given.

If he returns it will not be low key and there will be both pro and anti rallies but what of a potential ' silent majority ' ?

Will many decide, a bit late in the day, to protest or will they simply shrug their shoulders and accept the situation in the apathetic, somewhat subservient, way of so many Thais that allows so many wrongs to take place in the country and which politicians rely on to get things their way ?

Of course, any opinion poll carried out by "the other newspaper" is bound to be truly representative of the views of Thai voters, not the English reading bar stool bores eh?

[NongKhaiKid]

The weekend is usually opinion poll time but all I've seen so far is in a news text from the other newspaper which reported that the majority answering a question about amnesty had said it was only designed to benefit Mr. T but no percentages were given.

If he returns it will not be low key and there will be both pro and anti rallies but what of a potential ' silent majority ' ?

Will many decide, a bit late in the day, to protest or will they simply shrug their shoulders and accept the situation in the apathetic, somewhat subservient, way of so many Thais that allows so many wrongs to take place in the country and which politicians rely on to get things their way ?

Of course, any opinion poll carried out by "the other newspaper" is bound to be truly representative of the views of Thai voters, not the English reading bar stool bores eh?

i have no idea how representative it was or was not and no idea what you are on about with bar stools since they are not my favourite mode of seating, yours perhaps ?

[Robby nz]

Latest on the MP Yingluck :

She boarded the waiting chopper and is now at Utapao Navel base where there are 2 planes prepared and waiting for a quick getaway.

Photos on Facebook for any non believers.

It would seem she has inherited the same amount of intestinal fortitude as her brother, zilch.

And to the best of my knowledge there have been no threats made against her.

[indyuk]

The weekend is usually opinion poll time but all I've seen so far is in a news text from the other newspaper which reported that the majority answering a question about amnesty had said it was only designed to benefit Mr. T but no percentages were given.

If he returns it will not be low key and there will be both pro and anti rallies but what of a potential ' silent majority ' ?

Will many decide, a bit late in the day, to protest or will they simply shrug their shoulders and accept the situation in the apathetic, somewhat subservient, way of so many Thais that allows so many wrongs to take place in the country and which politicians rely on to get things their way ?

If it's the same poll I saw, 89% believed that this bill was meant to help Thaksin.

I must congratulate Yingluck, since day one she's been vowing to bring transparency to "her" government, and so far it's been rather opaque; but now, boy! are they transparent on their intentions with this bill or what?

Everyone knew this was always about one man, only one man. Yingluck has denied this for so long, and made so many claims to be making the decisions. Let's see if she listens to so many people from so many backgrounds and different strata of Thai society who appose this sham of a bill designed to whitewash her criminal brother of all the crimes he's committed since 2004.

I think we know the answer. Maybe she can have the bill amended to whitewash any future crimes he might mistakenly commit in the future too. Above and beyond the law.

No it is about two Thai Prime Ministers that are alleged to be criminals.

[waza]

The weekend is usually opinion poll time but all I've seen so far is in a news text from the other newspaper which reported that the majority answering a question about amnesty had said it was only designed to benefit Mr. T but no percentages were given.

If he returns it will not be low key and there will be both pro and anti rallies but what of a potential ' silent majority ' ?

Will many decide, a bit late in the day, to protest or will they simply shrug their shoulders and accept the situation in the apathetic, somewhat subservient, way of so many Thais that allows so many wrongs to take place in the country and which politicians rely on to get things their way ?

If it's the same poll I saw, 89% believed that this bill was meant to help Thaksin.

I must congratulate Yingluck, since day one she's been vowing to bring transparency to "her" government, and so far it's been rather opaque; but now, boy! are they transparent on their intentions with this bill or what?

Everyone knew this was always about one man, only one man. Yingluck has denied this for so long, and made so many claims to be making the decisions. Let's see if she listens to so many people from so many backgrounds and different strata of Thai society who appose this sham of a bill designed to whitewash her criminal brother of all the crimes he's committed since 2004.

I think we know the answer. Maybe she can have the bill amended to whitewash any future crimes he might mistakenly commit in the future too. Above and beyond the law.

No it is about two Thai Prime Ministers that are alleged to be criminals.

Wrong again indyuk, Thaksin is a convicted criminal, that's whats this is all about his amnesty from the conviction and all other charges.

Edited November 4, 2013 by waza

[indyuk]

14:15 hrs Mon Approx 7,000 protesters on Silom Rd Near Daeng BTS in Opposition to the governments blanket Amnesty Bill. Peaceful right now but the road is inaccessible.

1,000's of demonstrators have marched from Samsen train station to undisclosed locations in Bangkok, with the purpose of paralyzing traffic in the capital and have the government abandon the bill.

[Showbags]

Latest on the MP Yingluck :

She boarded the waiting chopper and is now at Utapao Navel base where there are 2 planes prepared and waiting for a quick getaway.

Photos on Facebook for any non believers.

It would seem she has inherited the same amount of intestinal fortitude as her brother, zilch.

And to the best of my knowledge there have been no threats made against her.

if that is correct and she is not just on a shopping jaunt...awesome.

But I doubt it, the explosion will not be until the 3rd round I reckon.

[rubl]

I passed there just before midday. Lots of people, difficult to get through to BTS Saladaeng, hot and (whistle) noisy. Traffic jam of course. Lots of professional looking cameramen active.

14:15 hrs Mon Approx 7,000 protesters on Silom Rd Near Daeng BTS in Opposition to the governments blanket Amnesty Bill. Peaceful right now but the road is inaccessible.

1,000's of demonstrators have marched from Samsen train station to undisclosed locations in Bangkok, with the purpose of paralyzing traffic in the capital and have the government abandon the bill.

[GrantSmith]

Interesting to read Gen. Prayuth's comments in the other paper, he's saying that the army does not want to be forced come out and resolve this. He then mentions something about the army not being able to solve the issue anyway.

Robby nz: can you flick me a link to this facebook thing about Yingluck doing a runner?

[ratcatcher]

14:15 hrs Mon Approx 7,000 protesters on Silom Rd Near Daeng BTS in Opposition to the governments blanket Amnesty Bill. Peaceful right now but the road is inaccessible.

1,000's of demonstrators have marched from Samsen train station to undisclosed locations in Bangkok, with the purpose of paralyzing traffic in the capital and have the government abandon the bill.

"......with the purpose of paralyzing traffic in the capital and have the government abandon the bill."

This time, the shoe,so to speak, is on the other foot. The protesters causing some inconvenience are against this whitewash amnesty bill for good reason. The police, who were nowhere to be seen 3 years ago are now evident in force.

As long as these protests stay peaceful, there should be no problem. If the police start getting a bit rough, I think bells will ring at army HQ. If there is bloodshed watch out.

The rest will be a power struggle yet again.

[GentlemanJim]

Seems that with Shinclan members the streak of yellow is not just in the skin it is in their moral fibre (or lack of it)!

[WAERTH]

Went to the rally on Silom, it was huge. I mean really huge. My eardrums almost blew. Got myself a whistle to and whistled along ...... I didn't shout the political slogans nor raised my fists. I figured that no one can arrest me for blowing a whistle, but shouting Shinawatra oak pai might get me arrested ....

The slogan mostly heard was Shinawatra oak pai (oak pai = get out). Interspaced by government oak pai and Yingluck oak pai. But the people mostly shouted Shinawatra oak pai (they seem to want to get rid of the whole family and I do not blame them).

I went from Huai Kwang station at around 11.20 or so and the train was already packed from that station onwards. I arrived about 11.40 or 11.45 or so and Silom was already packed!! Both sides from Saladeang soi to way past soi convent. Must have been 10,000 - 20,000 at least.

People really seem to have had it. Even the motorcycle boys in my condo very very hardore reds, have had it with Thaksin. He actually managed to reconcile the nation. Only not in the way that he expected LOL. So we have a couple of major demonstrations in Bangkok and many in the provinces and on Saturday the reds will join demonstrating against amnesty.

Meanwhile the TV station that broadcasts talkshows by red shirt leaders has pulled all the shows of red shirts against amnesty of the air. And Weng is now complaining that it is undemocratic. Thaksin is really loosing a lot of his disciples rapidly.

What many people do not realize is the huge impact this bill will have.

Everybody whom has committed any kind of corruption between 2004 and now will go free! And no one can be brought to justice for any corruption in that period. Same goes for any political crime. This is not just about Thaksin. But really 1000's of people that will go home free if this bill becomes law. This bill is really so wrong it is indescribable.