MAJOR BATTLE DAY
Huge marches in city today
POLITICAL DESK
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- BANGKOK faces paralysis today as huge crowds of anti-government protesters set out on symbolic marches across the capital in a move that protest leaders are calling an attempt to overthrow the so-called "Thaksin Shinawatra regime".

The enormous crowd that packed Democracy Monument and nearby areas yesterday looks set to enable the Democrat Party and its allies, which are leading the joint protests, to come up with various measures today - starting at 8.30am - to put pressure on the Pheu Thai-led coalition government. Their aim is initially to shut down, and eventually end, the so-called Thaksin regime.

The protesters yesterday crowded on to inner Rajdamnoen Avenue, spilling over into adjacent areas and blocking major roads, including Lan Luang Road, the Nang Lerng area and Khok Wua Intersection. Even Sanam Luang and nearby Pin Klao Bridge saw large numbers of protesters.

Two key groups of anti-government protesters are expected to move across the capital today. One group will march to block access to Government House and Parliament, while the other will pressure government agencies, a high-ranking protest source said yesterday.

The Students and People's Network for Thailand's Reform (STR) and the People's Army to Overthrow the Thaksin Regime - known for their hardline stances - will lead protesters to converge at eight key locations in central areas. At the same time, former Democrat MP Suthep Thaugsuban will lead a second group of marchers to 12 other locations - including the government civil-service complex on Chaeng Watthana Road - to call on officials to engage in acts of civil disobedience.

The Suthep-led march will no doubt cause temporary traffic congestion today. However, the blockade of Government House and Parliament are likely to have longer-lasting effects, as the Democrat-led protesters will attempt to prevent the no-confidence debate, which begins tomorrow, the source said.

Political deadlock is expected to hit the Yingluck government if the Parliament is blockaded; such an action would render the announcement of a last-resort House dissolution impossible. The Constitution bars a government from dissolving the House once a no-confidence motion has been accepted, pending a debate.

This possibility yesterday prompted a government operations centre, headed by Labour Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, to urgently seek an alternative venue for tomorrow's censure debate.

The centre has recommended protection of strategic locations, at the highest level, to deter any attempts to blockade them, but it is doubtful whether police would be able to stop crowds, which outnumber them, from doing so. The strategic sites include Government House and both airports. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra reportedly told police that she wanted to hold the Cabinet meeting at Government House, as no alternative locations had been found.

Estimates of the number of protesters yesterday varied, with security sources citing a figure of around 100,000 and a spokesman for the Democracy Monument rally putting the number at 440,000 in the late afternoon with more expected in the evening.

Protesters who travelled to Bangkok from the provinces yesterday were camped out last night along Rajdamnoen Avenue under large tents. The crowds, which have also spilled over onto Pin Klao Bridge, are also blocking many connecting roads on both the Bangkok and Thon Buri sides of the river, causing severe gridlock.

The pro-Thaksin red-shirts gathered yesterday at Rajamangala Stadium in the Hua Mak area - a considerable distance from the anti-government protests - with the rally scheduled to start at 6pm. As of 8.30pm, red-shirt leaders claimed 60,000 people had converged there.

Red-shirt leader Yoswarit Chooklom, aka Jeng Dokjik, said protesters were prepared to stay for at least five days.
However, they said the situation would be evaluated on a daily basis - citing concerns about government stability as the reason.

In addition to Bangkok residents, the red-shirt movement is made up of a number of factions from the provinces, including Nong Khai, Udon Thani, Chon Buri, Rayong and Nakhon Ratchasima.

War rooms set up at the Supreme Command are monitoring the protests on Rajdamnoen Avenue around the clock, a military source said.

The source said military leaders feared that the protests would escalate out of control because the number of people gathered was so large. Suthep might be unable to control the situation, the source, said, citing a concern reportedly expressed by Yingluck.


-- The Nation 2013-11-25

Good luck. I hope today is the day the goal is achieved and this is the end of Thailands problems with the Shinawatra family

Best of luck, here's hoping to the end of The Convicted Criminals Governemnt

Best of luck, here's hoping to the end of The Convicted Criminals Governemnt

Not in this century.

This is how democracy works in Thailand, Forget waiting until the next elections you take to the streets anytime you feel like selling a gimmick like a coloured shirt or wristband ... who needs elections anyway.

Typical spoiled brat antics and they are all as bad as each other.

Least some food stalls will be doing a roaring trade for a few days

" it is doubtful whether police would be able to stop crowds, which outnumber them, from doing so. The strategic sites include Government House and both airports"

history repeats itself, was it 2008? Since than blockading/occupying airports suppose to be a terrorist offence.

protester's leaders are well connected at the very top and well sponsored, so they are not scared of any future charges against them

"a government operations centre, headed by Labour Minister Chalerm"

I thought he'd been told a few days ago, very publicly, that he wasn't in charge this time ?

Hope it all stays calm today.

They do politics like they do driving. A bunch of 12 year olds with the common sense of a 5 year old.

What's the plan if they do get the government to step down?

It is not about corruption.

It is about ousting a democratically elected government and moving back to an undemocratic system as was called for by Suthep yesterday.

Get over your obsessions with Thaksin and see through the smoke and mirrors.

Sent from my SM-N900 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

What's the plan if they do get the government to step down?

Dut, err, don't know,err

As of 8.30pm, red-shirt leaders claimed 60,000 people had converged there.

My wife was watching Thai tv news last night, if what they were showing was current, i would estimate less than 5,000 people.

As of 8.30pm, red-shirt leaders claimed 60,000 people had converged there.

My wife was watching Thai tv news last night, if what they were showing was current, i would estimate less than 5,000 people.

Singapore papers are reporting 100K

It is not about corruption.

It is about ousting a democratically elected government and moving back to an undemocratic system as was called for by Suthep yesterday.

Get over your obsessions with Thaksin and see through the smoke and mirrors.

Sent from my SM-N900 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

These people, business people, educators, students etc are holding a peaceful protest against a puppet led, disgrace of a government. They are exercising their constitutional right to do so. As long as they remain peaceful, they should be supported by anyone who values democracy.

It is not about corruption.

It is about ousting a democratically elected government and moving back to an undemocratic system as was called for by Suthep yesterday.

Get over your obsessions with Thaksin and see through the smoke and mirrors.

Sent from my SM-N900 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

These people, business people, educators, students etc are holding a peaceful protest against a puppet led, disgrace of a government. They are exercising their constitutional right to do so. As long as they remain peaceful, they should be supported by anyone who values democracy.

You obviously haven't been listening to what Suthep was saying on stage yesterday. Calling for a return to something similar to the pre-1932 system.

Really, that's what it has been about all along, with the smokescreen of removing this government through allegations of corruption and malfeasance.

The right wing PAD were very vocal about returning Thailand to an undemocratic system also, this is just a continuation of their earlier attempts to consolidate power, overthrow an elected government and return Thailand to the dark ages.

It really is quite terrifying that educated Westerners can't see what is happening here.

It is not about corruption.

It is about ousting a democratically elected government and moving back to an undemocratic system as was called for by Suthep yesterday.

Get over your obsessions with Thaksin and see through the smoke and mirrors.

Sent from my SM-N900 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

noncence you havnt got a clue what your saying...its about 1 person only and the rampant corruption...watch the news and keep up..or stop trolling..fool

As of 8.30pm, red-shirt leaders claimed 60,000 people had converged there.

My wife was watching Thai tv news last night, if what they were showing was current, i would estimate less than 5,000 people.

Singapore papers are reporting 100K

100K for the red shirts at Rajamangala, or 100K for the anti-government.

If there are 100K at Rajamangala, that would mean it is 35K over capacity (seating). It would be 100% full including on the grass. No photos have shown anything like that.

As of 8.30pm, red-shirt leaders claimed 60,000 people had converged there.

My wife was watching Thai tv news last night, if what they were showing was current, i would estimate less than 5,000 people.

Singapore papers are reporting 100K

100K for the red shirts at Rajamangala, or 100K for the anti-government.

If there are 100K at Rajamangala, that would mean it is 35K over capacity (seating). It would be 100% full including on the grass. No photos have shown anything like that.

I may have got my protests mixed up, it's so hard to keep track. The pic and 100K quote was for the march at the democracy monument.

It is not about corruption.

It is about ousting a democratically elected government and moving back to an undemocratic system as was called for by Suthep yesterday.

Get over your obsessions with Thaksin and see through the smoke and mirrors.

Sent from my SM-N900 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Your argument is moot by the fact that the every election, including the one that led to the current government, is marred by rampant and pervasive bribery - that's the crux of the issue.

As of 8.30pm, red-shirt leaders claimed 60,000 people had converged there.

My wife was watching Thai tv news last night, if what they were showing was current, i would estimate less than 5,000 people.

Singapore papers are reporting 100K

100K for the red shirts at Rajamangala, or 100K for the anti-government.

If there are 100K at Rajamangala, that would mean it is 35K over capacity (seating). It would be 100% full including on the grass. No photos have shown anything like that.

I may have got my protests mixed up, it's so hard to keep track. The pic and 100K quote was for the march at the democracy monument.

For what it's worth; Straits times story here:

http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/se-asia/story/bangkok-anti-government-rallies-set-spread-20131124

As of 8.30pm, red-shirt leaders claimed 60,000 people had converged there.

My wife was watching Thai tv news last night, if what they were showing was current, i would estimate less than 5,000 people.

Singapore papers are reporting 100K

100K for the red shirts at Rajamangala, or 100K for the anti-government.

If there are 100K at Rajamangala, that would mean it is 35K over capacity (seating). It would be 100% full including on the grass. No photos have shown anything like that.

I don't usually comment on protest numbers because they can never be verified and generally quoted numbers reflect political preferences (wish fulfilment more than a desire to deceive).However some of the figures quoted are ridiculous.You are right:there were nothing like 100,000 redshirts out yesterday, more like 20,000.Equally claims of 400,000 for the opposition protests were clearly ludicrous, more like 150,000 max (though still very large).It's one thing for us to bandy numbers on this forum but what seems unacceptable is for newspapers to take the same cavalier attitude

What's the plan if they do get the government to step down?

Apparently the government stepping down is no longer important to them. This is about completely eradicating the 'Thaksin regime' now, remember?

Aim_The Nation ‏@Aim_NT 10h

Suthep said they won't stop protesting even PM Yingluck resigns or dissolves the House. 9.43pm 24/11/2013

It is not about corruption.

It is about ousting a democratically elected government and moving back to an undemocratic system as was called for by Suthep yesterday.

Get over your obsessions with Thaksin and see through the smoke and mirrors.

Sent from my SM-N900 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

These people, business people, educators, students etc are holding a peaceful protest against a puppet led, disgrace of a government. They are exercising their constitutional right to do so. As long as they remain peaceful, they should be supported by anyone who values democracy.

You obviously haven't been listening to what Suthep was saying on stage yesterday. Calling for a return to something similar to the pre-1932 system.

Really, that's what it has been about all along, with the smokescreen of removing this government through allegations of corruption and malfeasance.

The right wing PAD were very vocal about returning Thailand to an undemocratic system also, this is just a continuation of their earlier attempts to consolidate power, overthrow an elected government and return Thailand to the dark ages.

It really is quite terrifying that educated Westerners can't see what is happening here.

Interesting take on Suthep's speech. There must be loads of videos up already highlighting Suthep's call to revert away from democracy but I must admit I can't find any. Can you help?

It's odd that so many people were cheering him on given this outrageous stance. They're not exactly all right-wing PAD extremists are they?

As of 8.30pm, red-shirt leaders claimed 60,000 people had converged there.

My wife was watching Thai tv news last night, if what they were showing was current, i would estimate less than 5,000 people.

Singapore papers are reporting 100K

100K for the red shirts at Rajamangala, or 100K for the anti-government.

If there are 100K at Rajamangala, that would mean it is 35K over capacity (seating). It would be 100% full including on the grass. No photos have shown anything like that.

I don't usually comment on protest numbers because they can never be verified and generally quoted numbers reflect political preferences (wish fulfilment more than a desire to deceive).However some of the figures quoted are ridiculous.You are right:there were nothing like 100,000 redshirts out yesterday, more like 20,000.Equally claims of 400,000 for the opposition protests were clearly ludicrous, more like 150,000 max (though still very large).It's one thing for us to bandy numbers on this forum but what seems unacceptable is for newspapers to take the same cavalier attitude

You're lower numbers are about what's being reported by some "independent" sources. I think the reds rally was predicted to be about 35,000.

It is not about corruption.

It is about ousting a democratically elected government and moving back to an undemocratic system as was called for by Suthep yesterday.

Get over your obsessions with Thaksin and see through the smoke and mirrors.

Sent from my SM-N900 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

"Get over your obsessions with Thaksin and see through the smoke and mirrors."

If you mean the smoke and mirrors of of the PTP, then yes the people are beginning to see through, hence the anti government rallies that are happening as we speak and to be honest, they see through the smoke and mirrors of the Demos as well. They are just trying to get rid of the worst offenders first.

If the next govt tries the same, I think they will be met with the same. It may look like the protests are the same old hat to many, but it's a real warning from the people to the government. Enough!

It is not about corruption.

It is about ousting a democratically elected government and moving back to an undemocratic system as was called for by Suthep yesterday.

Get over your obsessions with Thaksin and see through the smoke and mirrors.

Sent from my SM-N900 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Your argument is moot by the fact that the every election, including the one that led to the current government, is marred by rampant and pervasive bribery - that's the crux of the issue.

Many of those gathering have been bused in from the South and are receiving 500thb per day as has been documented on other threads.

We saw the Democrats recruit the 'Friends of Newin Faction' specifically to vote-buy in the North East, and he was given the most lucrative ministries to plunder as a reward.

It is very convenient to say that all the votes have been bought, as an excuse to annul the democratic process, but that's all it is, an excuse.

As of 8.30pm, red-shirt leaders claimed 60,000 people had converged there.

My wife was watching Thai tv news last night, if what they were showing was current, i would estimate less than 5,000 people.

Singapore papers are reporting 100K

100K for the red shirts at Rajamangala, or 100K for the anti-government.

If there are 100K at Rajamangala, that would mean it is 35K over capacity (seating). It would be 100% full including on the grass. No photos have shown anything like that.

I don't usually comment on protest numbers because they can never be verified and generally quoted numbers reflect political preferences (wish fulfilment more than a desire to deceive).However some of the figures quoted are ridiculous.You are right:there were nothing like 100,000 redshirts out yesterday, more like 20,000.Equally claims of 400,000 for the opposition protests were clearly ludicrous, more like 150,000 max (though still very large).It's one thing for us to bandy numbers on this forum but what seems unacceptable is for newspapers to take the same cavalier attitude

Most reports seem to be saying 100,000 but others reckon it could easily be 120,000 or so. If it was anything like 150,000 then that would equal the red shirts in March 2010, which was then the largest political protest since 1973 I think. The numbers are pretty impressive, and should send a strong message to the government. But numbers alone don't necessarily achieve much. Even if they could keep a crowd that large assembled there for several days, surely all the government would have to do is stay calm and let it pass...

Agree your figure for Rajamangala seems a decent rough estimate. Expect more than that, but still way less than they were able to pull in recent years. Just goes to show how much support has dropped.

Suthep announces the aims which is an abandonment of the current democratic process.

http://asiancorrespondent.com/116332/suthep-calls-for-change-to-administration-system-by-the-monarchy-in-true-form/

 

It is not about corruption.

It is about ousting a democratically elected government and moving back to an undemocratic system as was called for by Suthep yesterday.

Get over your obsessions with Thaksin and see through the smoke and mirrors.

Sent from my SM-N900 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

 

Your argument is moot by the fact that the every election, including the one that led to the current government, is marred by rampant and pervasive bribery - that's the crux of the issue.

 

 

Many of those gathering have been bused in from the South and are receiving 500thb per day as has been documented on other threads.

 

We saw the Democrats recruit the 'Friends of Newin Faction' specifically to vote-buy in the North East, and he was given the most lucrative ministries to plunder as a reward. 

 

It is very convenient to say that all the votes have been bought, as an excuse to annul the democratic process, but that's all it is, an excuse.

Proof please something like the youtube images of the reds getting paid and taksin talking about 500 bt.

You state something the burden of proof is upon you its must be 100% credible not hearsay just like those video i mentioned.

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Suthep announces the aims which is an abandonment of the current democratic process.

http://asiancorrespondent.com/116332/suthep-calls-for-change-to-administration-system-by-the-monarchy-in-true-form/

Or not:

BP: Also, Sunday night, Suthep did say “democratic system with the King as Head of State in a true form”

Many of those gathering have been bused in from the South and are receiving 500thb per day as has been documented on other threads.

We saw the Democrats recruit the 'Friends of Newin Faction' specifically to vote-buy in the North East, and he was given the most lucrative ministries to plunder as a reward.

It is very convenient to say that all the votes have been bought, as an excuse to annul the democratic process, but that's all it is, an excuse.

I live in the South, and I know many people who headed up to Bangkok, not one of them that I am aware of has been paid - I generally do hear about such occurrences when payments are offered for votes, but I have not in this instance. The only references I have seen regarding payment have come from a tiny number of individuals on this forum who clearly support the current administration. Frankly, I do not believe payments are being offered in this instance - certainly not to the degree that they are routinely offered for votes.

Regardless, a democratic process intrinsically requires very little (zero, to be fair) bribery, it occurred rampantly during the last election (as with prior general elections and with subsequent local elections), therefore in my opinion the current government was not democratically elected. It is not an excuse, we simply do not yet have democracy in this country yet since it appears that running a fair election has to date been impossible, and therefore defending the status quo with the claim it is the result of a democratic process is a fallacy.