Many Facebook users protest against Thai amnesty bill

[webfact]

Many Facebook users protest against amnesty bill
Asina Pornwasin
The Nation


Many people have been changed their Facebook profile pictures into black signs

BANGKOK: -- Many Thai Facebook users have changed their profile picture in protest against the controversial amnesty bill.

They now use a black sign with the message "against the amnesty bill" in both Thai and English to show their opposition to the bill that has sailed through its third reading in the House.

Besides the black-background photos, some with a red background have begun appearing apparently from red-shirt people, along with the message "opposed to the amnesty bill - murderers must be jailed and people must be freed".

As more and more Facebook users join the anti-bill campaign, the profile pictures have diversified into several designs but all are concentrated on the message to stop the amnesty bill.

For example, some have a blue circle, a black square and even a LINE sticker together with the photo. Some copy the latest marketing gimmick of Coca-Cola by pasting the message "against the amnesty bill" on the side of a Coke can.

Some people are showing their backing for the bill, but with a green colour in the same shape with the message "support the amnesty bill".

Social media users also show their stance by pressing the "Like" and "Share" buttons whenever their friends post something attacking the bill. They also keep on sharing messages that urge people to take certain actions against the bill.

Some Thais living abroad have also manifested their outrage through their Facebook profile picture.

Apisit Toompakdee, a developer in San Francisco, has a photograph of the Thai flag with the message "stop amnesty bill".

And Yamashita Miharu, who lives in Illinois in the US, has replaced her Facebook profile picture with a black sign and the message "against the amnesty bill".

Atiporn Chayanupatkul, an old student of Chulalongkorn University, who is now studying at Heilongjiang University in China, has sympathised with the movement to derail the amnesty bill by changing her Facebook profile picture with the same message of "against the amnesty bill" but in the Chinese language.

Aem Chumjai, an alumnus of Thammasat University, has not only ditched her Facebook profile picture for a black sign with the message "against the amnesty bill" but has also switched her cover picture for the Thai flag.

Organisations across various sectors such as business, healthcare and education are moving into cyberspace to call for volunteers to rally against the amnesty bill.

Old students of Thammasat University have announced on Facebook for all old students to demonstrate against the amnesty bill by gathering at the campus on Thursday at 9am.

The Thammasat University Student Union will post plans to take action against the amnesty bill on its Facebook page www.facebook.co/Thammasatsu today.

The community of medical students at Chulalongkorn University has also shown their disagreement with the amnesty bill on their Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%95%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A2%E0%B9%8C%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%B8%E0%B8%AC%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%AF%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%84%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A9%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A1/171242993070654.

Werakiat Aueprasertvanich, an old student of Chulalongkorn's communication arts faculty, has invited the university's old students to come together to demonstrate their animosity to the amnesty bill at the faculty tomorrow.

The Business Club for Democracy has raised a call for action against the amnesty bill. Like-minded people should show up at noon today along Silom Road, from Bangkok Bank's head office to the Skytrain's Sala Daeng Station, to whistle blow together.

At the National Institute of Development Administration, 491 lecturers have spoken out against the amnesty bill.

Academics and people in the information-technology industry have issued a letter calling for the bill's demise, which can be found at www.facebook.com/welovethailand/posts/226259474209397.


-- The Nation 2013-11-04

[Joe Mamma]

Blatant and disrespectful to Buddhisms purity.

[phuketrichard]

a very sad day if this truly passes,

all those innocent's that died in the south, Their murders will go unpunished.

Their is no justice in Thailand

[Baerboxer]

a very sad day if this truly passes,

all those innocent's that died in the south, Their murders will go unpunished.

Their is no justice in Thailand

You are correct - on all counts. The murders will go unpunished, and there is no justice.

So many sections of society are against this disgusting bill, and are prepared to do so. Understandable why the clan avoided a referendum like the plague.

All of this, so one criminal can wipe his slate clean, of all crimes of any kind, and start again to rule the country in a corrupt dictatorial manner for his, his family and his cronies benefit.

It's sad that such an obvious gang can get away with this - but sadly, history is full of similar power mad egotistical despots who reap havoc for their own self glorification.

[kawaiimomo]

They are so firmly opposed and they want to stand so much for what they believe that they are even willing to post or change they profile picture on Facebook. That is something! Such a sacrifice they are willing to do!

So pathetic. there were what? 50 people perhaps in last week's demonstration? I wonder how they expect the government to take them seriously. in my country there would be hundreds of thousands, if not 1 million, people on the streets showing their disagreement, something not even the most corrupt politicians could easily ignore.

[GrantSmith]

They are so firmly opposed and they want to stand so much for what they believe that they are even willing to post or change they profile picture on Facebook. That is something! Such a sacrifice they are willing to do!

So pathetic. there were what? 50 people perhaps in last week's demonstration? I wonder how they expect the government to take them seriously. in my country there would be hundreds of thousands, if not 1 million, people on the streets showing their disagreement, something not even the most corrupt politicians could easily ignore.

So... Just for posterity's sake... Where is your country?

[kawaiimomo]

lol, somehow I was expecting that question. I come from Barcelona, so officially it is still Spain, but I was referring to Catalunya. There had been a lot of big demonstrations on independence or spending cuts recently. There was a massive one just 2 months ago with over 1 million people in a region with just 7.5 million inhabitants. Anyway, looks like there is a lot more people demonstrating today than last week. I hope one day Thai people will start mobilizing themselves, I still don't know if this passivity is because they don't have time for this because they struggle to survive or it is they just can't be bothered.

[wonder6281]

Just as many people if not more are still posting selfies and cartoons of themselves. These same people don't post anything in relation to the bill and from I have seen with my wifes facebook, much to her disgust, he posts in opposition are not even getting likes!

I'd say the majority of Social Media Thais don't give a rats arse about being dictated to by this syncophant family!

Their ignorance to what is going is equal to their use of the road rules!

It is an attitude that is likely bred by culture.

Sad!

[roger rederer]

Hear hear Waiimomo. The whole "opposition" to democracy in action is pathetic. Asina Pornwasin's article in The Nation was littered with "many Thai FB users" "some with a red background", "some FB users abroad are 'liking' or 'sharing' posts critical of the bill. Some? Many? How many? Typical clutching at straws cos there's no substance to their opposition to the democratic process of redrawing a constitution cobbled together by the judiciary which was put in place by the military during a coup and immediately after the installation of "their" government. Anybody arguing that such a constitution should not at the very least be sifted through and amended as required should feel quite at home in North Korea.

I'd love to attend the "Business Club for Democracy" mass rally in Silom Rd today. The last one I stumbled upon (I have a video recording of it) was in April/May 2010. After the yellow shirt, flag waving crowd dispersed from the "spontaneous" yellow rants I found that the shopgirls and barworkers who attended were instructed to by their employers and paid for their attendance. My findings were hardly scientific, purely word of mouth yet enough to suggest that the Bangkok elite aren't above the "payment for protesters" slur which they stick on the Reds at every opportunity.

[winstonc]

lol, somehow I was expecting that question. I come from Barcelona, so officially it is still Spain, but I was referring to Catalunya. There had been a lot of big demonstrations on independence or spending cuts recently. There was a massive one just 2 months ago with over 1 million people in a region with just 7.5 million inhabitants. Anyway, looks like there is a lot more people demonstrating today than last week. I hope one day Thai people will start mobilizing themselves, I still don't know if this passivity is because they don't have time for this because they struggle to survive or it is they just can't be bothered.

1.000.000 spanish demonstrating eh.only because there mostly jobless with nothing better to do..independence would also attract a lot of people would it not..very different to here...you have democracy there ..they dont really have it here and your better educated arent you. try again.. .

[chainarong]

The ground swell of opinion must be loud before this team of misfits will look at repealing, the momentum must keep rolling endlessly , this would be too much for most Thai's to sustain, hence the protests will die in the history of Thailand, as those that came before have found out, unfortunately, 1992 might have been all in-vain for a better promised land for Thailand.

[stickylies]

Blatant and disrespectful to Buddhisms purity.

buddhism purity? hahaha...

[Artisi]

Blatant and disrespectful to Buddhisms purity.

Please explain.

[waza]

November 5 is the day before the global body waste wa fo (Guy Fawkes Day), which is the date that the parliamentary dictatorship overthrow. ... Us nationals For a big reunion appearances, Thailand V at the same time at the democracy monument to the history of the inscription is November 5, 2013 V For Thailand, Kong worldwide by unison.

Edited November 4, 2013 by metisdead
Photo containing Thai language removed. This is an English language forum, English is the only acceptable language, except in the Thai language forum where Thai language is allowed.

[fab4]

November 5 is the day before the global body waste wa fo (Guy Fawkes Day), which is the date that the parliamentary dictatorship overthrow. ... Us nationals For a big reunion appearances, Thailand V at the same time at the democracy monument to the history of the inscription is November 5, 2013 V For Thailand, Kong worldwide by unison.

Good to see those Thai to English translations haven't gone to waste. Try again, tell us whats happening on V for Thailand Day?

[waza]

November 5 is the day before the global body waste wa fo (Guy Fawkes Day), which is the date that the parliamentary dictatorship overthrow. ... Us nationals For a big reunion appearances, Thailand V at the same time at the democracy monument to the history of the inscription is November 5, 2013 V For Thailand, Kong worldwide by unison.

No Amnesty 2.jpg

Good to see those Thai to English translations haven't gone to waste. Try again, tell us whats happening on V for Thailand Day?

OMB, Fabby where's your enquiring mind and intuitive thought processes, no wonder your a red supporter you have to be spoon fed everything. It says the 5th of November is international Guy Fawkes Day and V international is organising a global protest against dictatorships. V Thailand is joining in with a protest at the Democracy monument on the same day and at the same time. (Guess which dictator they are protesting against?) Bring your mask and whistles.

Edited November 4, 2013 by waza

[jdinasia]

People I have on my friend's list that have never been political in the past are changing profile pics and posting information. It is good to see,

Suthep has announced that the Dems will be staying at Democracy monument and not returning to Samsen.

Edited November 4, 2013 by jdinasia

[elzach]

lol, somehow I was expecting that question. I come from Barcelona, so officially it is still Spain, but I was referring to Catalunya. There had been a lot of big demonstrations on independence or spending cuts recently. There was a massive one just 2 months ago with over 1 million people in a region with just 7.5 million inhabitants. Anyway, looks like there is a lot more people demonstrating today than last week. I hope one day Thai people will start mobilizing themselves, I still don't know if this passivity is because they don't have time for this because they struggle to survive or it is they just can't be bothered.

You wanna see massive protests from Asians (with the exception of Japanese and possibly Koreans)? Hurt their Pocketbook...everything else is for Facebook.

[fab4]

November 5 is the day before the global body waste wa fo (Guy Fawkes Day), which is the date that the parliamentary dictatorship overthrow. ... Us nationals For a big reunion appearances, Thailand V at the same time at the democracy monument to the history of the inscription is November 5, 2013 V For Thailand, Kong worldwide by unison.

No Amnesty 2.jpg

Good to see those Thai to English translations haven't gone to waste. Try again, tell us whats happening on V for Thailand Day?

OMB, Fabby where's your enquiring mind and intuitive thought processes, no wonder your a red supporter you have to be spoon fed everything. It says the 5th of November is international Guy Fawkes Day and V international is organising a global protest against dictatorships. V Thailand is joining in with a protest at the Democracy monument on the same day and at the same time. (Guess which dictator they are protesting against?) Bring your mask and whistles.

No Amnesty 1.jpg

A curious role model then. Guido Fawkes was part of a plot to assassinate the Protestant King (James 1) and get a Catholic back on the throne, his daughter.

So all about religious differences not much to do with dictatorships I'm afraid. Never mind, I'm sure they mean well. See you there, I'll be the one in a mask.

[Showbags]

I hope they are not liking any of those posts....or there'll be trouble

[bangkokrick]

They are so firmly opposed and they want to stand so much for what they believe that they are even willing to post or change they profile picture on Facebook. That is something! Such a sacrifice they are willing to do!

So pathetic. there were what? 50 people perhaps in last week's demonstration? I wonder how they expect the government to take them seriously. in my country there would be hundreds of thousands, if not 1 million, people on the streets showing their disagreement, something not even the most corrupt politicians could easily ignore.

Get yourself down to Silom or Sala Daeng today and you will see a sight more than 50 people.

Edited November 4, 2013 by bangkokrick

[kawaiimomo]

lol, somehow I was expecting that question. I come from Barcelona, so officially it is still Spain, but I was referring to Catalunya. There had been a lot of big demonstrations on independence or spending cuts recently. There was a massive one just 2 months ago with over 1 million people in a region with just 7.5 million inhabitants. Anyway, looks like there is a lot more people demonstrating today than last week. I hope one day Thai people will start mobilizing themselves, I still don't know if this passivity is because they don't have time for this because they struggle to survive or it is they just can't be bothered.

You wanna see massive protests from Asians (with the exception of Japanese and possibly Koreans)? Hurt their Pocketbook...everything else is for Facebook.

Haha. But the thing is Thaksin charges were about corruption. As with all corruption, the one losing money here is the tax payer; they are actually stealing the people's money and nobody seems to care enough to stage massive rallies. And I don't really talk about Thanks in only, I literally mean 99.99% of people with some power. I get angry seeing my taxes going to the pockets of someone instead of improving things, but I don't see that feeling on most of my Thai friends. While most if not all share my view, nobody is trying to do anything.

[rubl]

They are so firmly opposed and they want to stand so much for what they believe that they are even willing to post or change they profile picture on Facebook. That is something! Such a sacrifice they are willing to do!

So pathetic. there were what? 50 people perhaps in last week's demonstration? I wonder how they expect the government to take them seriously. in my country there would be hundreds of thousands, if not 1 million, people on the streets showing their disagreement, something not even the most corrupt politicians could easily ignore.

Get yourself down to Silom or Sala Daeng today and you will see a sight more than 50 people.

I was watching the demonstration at Democracy Monument life on TV a moment ago. Seemed crowded, packed even. Even the UDD Commemoration rallies there were less packed and had 30 - 50,000 people told me at that time. How many there were at SalaDaeng I don't know, I only walked through around noon. Too packed and getting very hot. Protesting on facebook has it's merits it would seem