Thai amnesty bill protest: More power to the people

[webfact]

More power to the people
Budsarakham Sinlapalavan,
Somroutai Sapsomboon
The Nation



Senate speaker accepts petition from Thammasat group, promises not to let them down

BANGKOK: -- Some 5,000 Thammasat University lecturers, staff and students yesterday marched from the Tha Prachan campus to the United Nations office on Rajdamnoen Road to show their opposition to the controversial amnesty bill.

Gathering on the campus lawn at 8am, they began making their way to Parliament at 10.40am to submit a letter to Deputy Senate Speaker Surachai Liangboonlertchai, in which they called on senators to reject the bill.

As they were stopped by police officers manning a barricade between Rajdamnoen Avenue and the Makkawan Bridge, Surachai showed up in front of the UN office to meet them and receive the letter.

He told them that he would inform the senators of the petition, while promising not to let them down.

Separately, a large number of people from the Student and People Network for Thailand's Reform decided to march from their rally site at Urupong intersection down Rajdamnoen Avenue and ran into the Thammasat group at the UN building.

Nitithorn Lamlua, leader of the Student's and People Network, called on the police manning the barricades to move back, and when they did the group took over one side of the Makkawan Bridge. The protest leaders declared victory because they were able to take this area over from police.

Utai Yodmanee, another leader of the group, said now their purpose was to oust this government, adding that the rally would continue until Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra dissolved the House.

In addition, a few hundred members of the People's Army to Overthrow the Thaksin Regime and the Dhamma Army, who were formerly protesting at Lumpini Park and Urupong intersection, continued rallying at Phan Fa Bridge, where they had moved to on Tuesday.


-- The Nation 2013-11-08

[kurnell]

Now they need to march to stop corruption and a better deal for foreigners

[Thai at Heart]

Now they need to march to stop corruption and a better deal for foreigners

Indeed, I might join them....

[rametindallas]

I think this has turned into a 'get rid of Thaksin's puppet government' protest.

[Thai at Heart]

I think this has turned into a 'get rid of Thaksin's puppet government' protest.

This is the winner takes all up opportunity. They have screwed up massively by annoying the red shirts.

Who is going to fight for this bill?

[Joe Mamma]

All those flags and the backdrop makes a mighty beautiful statement!

[X pat]

We need to do this in America and get rid of Obummer care.

[slapout]

When we look at the intent of written/unwritten law of country or rules of society in history, they seem to have one thing in common, "protect the majority/common folks".These law/rules were adopted in order to correct an injustice or abuse of power. The concept of written law was never intended to benifit a specific individual, or group off lawbreakers, but for the population as a whole.

Granted there have been groups/individuals who challenged existing law and subsquently pushed to amend/change laws from their intent, when the former was unsuccessful. But in the majority of cases it is for some individuals benifit and this seems to be the case under consideration at this time.

This past 2 years appear to be a exercise by the colation government in circumventing the legal system, and wishes of the majority of the people, under the guise of a bill with the good of the county at heart.

This seems to be supported by the meeting yesterday between the PM , her sister, Thaksin's ex, his son, and various MPs. Its a display of self importance which could be compared to the eleventh century. attitude of those in or those seaking power.

[Spare]

Why give more power to poor people when they can be easily and cheaply be bought.

Better consolidate power for the elite, as they are not prone to greed.

[DocN]

Why give more power to poor people when they can be easily and cheaply be bought.

Better consolidate power for the elite, as they are not prone to greed.

Oh look...the troll is out again!

[DocN]

The people have all the power they need!

Either they don't know that or they are ignoring it for reasons, that are beyond me to understand!

[cornishcarlos]

I think Thais will put up with most shit, as they just want a quiet life.

As we see everyday in the press, this only goes so far and then they snap (usually with fatal results).

I guess too many have been pushed too far this time. Just how big are the knives or guns they will use !!

[GAZZPA]

There have been many posts asking the question when will the Thai people wake up,, well clearly on this issue they have. I complain sometimes about the things i don't like here but in this case it was great to see such solidarity. The Thai people should be very proud of themselves at what they have achieved and so far it looks like it has been a peaceful protest (hope it stays that way).

I work in Asok and yesterday I saw huge numbers of people marching in protest at what they say was a blatant abuse of power, and a hidden agenda that was certainly not for the benefit of the mass population.

Congrats to Thailand.

[Pi Sek]

Why give more power to poor people when they can be easily and cheaply be bought.

Better consolidate power for the elite, as they are not prone to greed.

I think this qualifies as a "555".

[ratcatcher]

Why give more power to poor people when they can be easily and cheaply be bought.

Better consolidate power for the elite, as they are not prone to greed.

I think this qualifies as a "555".