Thousands march to US Embassy in Bangkok

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POLITICS
Thousands march to US Embassy
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Friday joined a march of thousands of protesters who met in the Asoke area before heading to the US Embassy and Pheu Thai Party headquarters.

Posting a photo of himself riding on Skytrain on his Facebook page, Abhisit said, "See you in Asoke."

The march, which joined by thousands of people blowing whistles and waving national flags, started about 11am from Asoke skytrain. They then marched to the US Embassy on Wireless road.

The march was led by Abhisit and Democrat MP Korn Chatikavanij.

The protesters waved placards, some of them reading "stop serving Thaksin regime," and "Get Out, Thaksin's servants."

People along the road took their photos, blew the whistles and waved the national flag.

At the US embassy, protest representatives submitted a note to the US government, asking it to support them and stop supporting the ruling government of Yingluck Shinawatra.

They arrived at the Pheu Thai party headquarters about noon.


-- The Nation 2013-11-29

[yooper2001]

^{Why does every country that has a problem turn to USA either to blame or to ask for support. How come I never see then ask China or Russia or India. I think American citizens are pretty sick of being the police of the world. This is a problem of Thailand and it needs to be settled in Thailand. I feel that Yingluk is a poor leader but she was democratically elected and must finish her term unless she commits a crime and is impeached. We were stuck with Bush but he was legally elected and was allowed to finish his term}

Edited November 30, 2013 by sbk
inflammatory comment removed

[gerrythepoet]

There you go the true colours trying to manipulate and disorientate Thailand.Is this a veiled threat if you carry on respecting the elected when we get into power we will side with China in any conflict within the South China Sea. Abhisit is wrong to get this protest movement going and Suthep his puppy. Bloodshed in 2010 well what next? Go to the polls fight it through the legal way not on the streets of Thailand. Disgraceful.

[Prbkk]

I'm not American, but have to question what on earth has to do with the current issues in Thailand? Are these people now so desperate and delusional that they are imagining enemies on every corner? Abhisit led this march? Just becoming crazy.........

[Time Traveller]

^{Why does every country that has a problem turn to USA either to blame or to ask for support. How come I never see then ask China or Russia or India. I think American citizens are pretty sick of being the police of the world. This is a problem of Thailand and it needs to be settled in Thailand. I feel that Yingluk is a poor leader but she was democratically elected and must finish her term unless she commits a crime and is impeached. We were stuck with Bush but he was legally elected and was allowed to finish his term as god awful as he was.}

You are mistaken, it's not every country. It's only the tyrants that blame USA for their own internal problems and failings. If there is no legitimate enemy, they blame America and at least they'll pick up a few more friends just based upon their hatred of America.

Was never a fan of Abhisit, but it's just sad the desperation that little puppy dog is turning to now since he can't win any elections. He might have better luck in his native England.

Edited November 29, 2013 by Time Traveller

[jdinasia]

Yooper, you need to study up on parliamentary democracies (including the Westminster model) and quit trying to make comparisons to a country with a president. In all of Thailand's history with the democracy experiment only one administration has completed its term.

[PaullyW]

Bizzare that they would march and protest the American embassy. These are supposedly educated class people?

Hmmmmm

[jdinasia]

I'm not American, but have to question what on earth has to do with the current issues in Thailand? Are these people now so desperate and delusional that they are imagining enemies on every corner? Abhisit led this march? Just becoming crazy.........

If you want attention, do you march to the embassy of Montenegro, or the embassy of the USA?

They are not saying that America is the enemy, they are asking (for something that will not happen) that America withdraw support from the current government of Thailand. The USA and Thailand have been strategic partners in this region for over 40 years .. there is no way that the USA will back this move, BUT it will get attention and external pressure brought on to the issues.

[Jingthing]

I am saddened to hear that Abhisit was involved in such a farce. What is the U.S. government supposed to do? Take a side in this internal conflict? It's normal to deal with the current legal government whatever it is when there are relations between nations, and there are relations between the USA and Thailand. It doesn't mean the U.S. government is endorsing the government or fighting the opposition. That's not their role. The USA can't win. When it acts imperialistic it is justifiably dissed and when it doesn't its dissed as well.

So does this mean more of this faction are becoming more anti-American? How does their level of anti-Americanism compare to the red and PTP side? As an American living in Thailand, I suppose it would be useful to know.

Edited November 29, 2013 by Jingthing

[Lite Beer]

Police step up security at US embassy

BANGKOK: -- Police Friday stepped up security at the US Embassy for fear that a third-party group may use the confusion during the protest to attack the embassy.

Police were deployed from the Metropolitan Police Division 5, the Lumpini Police station, the Special Branch Police, the 191 Task Force and Arintharat commando unit to guard the embassy since in the morning.

Police also guarded that residence of the US ambassador and the consular office.

-- The Nation 2013-11-29

[Loles]

He, Hey Buddies. Be care, the US Embassy guards (Marines) will shot you if you want to brake in. They are not a thai army.

[sjjmmi]

Just try and walk in there and take over, you will see a different story I am not from the US also

Edited November 29, 2013 by sjjmmi

[rijb]

Police guards. How comforting...

[Jingthing]

He, Hey Buddies. Be care, the US Embassy guards (Marines) will shot you if you want to brake in. They are not a thai army.

The guards didn't shoot at the Tehran American embassy in 1979 ...

[jdinasia]

There was no mention of anything anti-american in the OP. Just a request submitted. Then they apparently kept going to the HQ of PTP. Will that request be heeded? Certainly not. It will likely get a statement from the ambassador, and news coverage around the world bringing more attention to the situation in Thailand.

Time to read a bit I think .....

[BeforeTigers]

It's not difficult to see that this is not meant to literally stir a reaction form the US.

It's simply a way of both drawing larger media coverage while also implying that their cause is strong enough that a superpower would pay attention to it. Points for a savvy media move. But it does betray a pretty fundamental misunderstanding of US political motivations, imo, anyway.

Edited November 29, 2013 by BeforeTigers

[Prbkk]

Yes, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's back in Wireless Rd in the near future, knocking on the door and begging to be let in...

I'm not American, but have to question what on earth has to do with the current issues in Thailand? Are these people now so desperate and delusional that they are imagining enemies on every corner? Abhisit led this march? Just becoming crazy.........

If you want attention, do you march to the embassy of Montenegro, or the embassy of the USA?

They are not saying that America is the enemy, they are asking (for something that will not happen) that America withdraw support from the current government of Thailand. The USA and Thailand have been strategic partners in this region for over 40 years .. there is no way that the USA will back this move, BUT it will get attention and external pressure brought on to the issues.

[transam]

Didn't they know there is no McDonald's there...........

[bigbamboo]

Bizzare that they would march and protest the American embassy. These are supposedly educated class people?

Hmmmmm

Perhaps they are thinking of getting to the President though his wife.....?

[jdinasia]

Yes, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's back in Wireless Rd in the near future, knocking on the door and begging to be let in...

There was no "he" in my post, but I will assume you mean Abhisit. I am sure he will be back on Wireless Rd. in the future, as an invited guest and not begging to be let in.

Let's not forget that Abhisit holds dual Thai/UK nationality, nor that he probably has never had to beg for admittance anywhere (unlike certain other ex-PM's)

[Prbkk]

If he continues to act like a thug, and support those whose behaviour is even more thuggish, his welcome may not be as warm as you imagine.

Yes, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's back in Wireless Rd in the near future, knocking on the door and begging to be let in...

There was no "he" in my post, but I will assume you mean Abhisit. I am sure he will be back on Wireless Rd. in the future, as an invited guest and not begging to be let in.

Let's not forget that Abhisit holds dual Thai/UK nationality, nor that he probably has never had to beg for admittance anywhere (unlike certain other ex-PM's)

[sjjmmi]

Bizzare that they would march and protest the American embassy. These are supposedly educated class people?

Hmmmmm

Perhaps they are thinking of getting to the President though his wife.....?

LOL

[pisico]

Bizzare that they would march and protest the American embassy. These are supposedly educated class people?

Hmmmmm

Back in 2010 the protesting Reds were labeled "uneducated thugs".

These are educated thugs,

Same, same. Different shirt color.

[Thait Spot]

They're just popping down to give flowers and smiles.

They might get a hotdog in return

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Prbkk]

A Placard (s) reading "get out, Thanksin's servants" sounds anti-american to me

alt=rolleyes.gif width=20 height=20> There was no mention of anything anti-american in the OP. Just a request submitted. Then they apparently kept going to the HQ of PTP. Will that request be heeded? Certainly not. It will likely get a statement from the ambassador, and news coverage around the world bringing more attention to the situation in Thailand.

Time to read a bit I think .....

[mgjackson69]

I am not sure what a march to the US Embassy would accomplish. My government (USA) is not going to come out and publicly advocate the overthrow of a democratically elected leader.

What is going on behind the scenes is anyone's guess...but this march will have no influence on those clandestine activities.

Sent from my Xoom using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[spirit47]

^{Why does every country that has a problem turn to USA either to blame or to ask for support. How come I never see then ask China or Russia or India. I think American citizens are pretty sick of being the police of the world. This is a problem of Thailand and it needs to be settled in Thailand. I feel that Yingluk is a poor leader but she was democratically elected and must finish her term unless she commits a crime and is impeached. We were stuck with Bush but he was legally elected and was allowed to finish his term as god awful as he was.}

You don't know why...The USA is involved everytime, everywhere. From what planet you coming, Idaho?

[JSixpack]

Bizzare that they would march and protest the American embassy. These are supposedly educated class people?

Hmmmmm

Yeah. Why not just go and bother the Brits? They were here first. Make 'em feel important.

Edited November 29, 2013 by JSixpack

[jdinasia]

A Placard (s) reading "get out, Thanksin's servants" sounds anti-american to me

I assumed from having read the brief article in full, that the placard in question was meant for PTP ..

too bad there isn't a "knee-jerk" emoticon

[Credo]

Yooper, you need to study up on parliamentary democracies (including the Westminster model) and quit trying to make comparisons to a country with a president. In all of Thailand's history with the democracy experiment only one administration has completed its term.

And which government was it that completed its term?