Thailand protest leader Suthep gives PM Yingluck 'two-day ultimatum'

[webfact]

Thailand protest leader gives PM 'two-day ultimatum'
Jonathan Head
BBC News, Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- Thai protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban says he has met PM Yingluck Shinawatra and given her two days to "return power to the people".

Mr Suthep said the meeting had been held under the auspices of the military and there was no compromise.

He did not say what action would follow if the ultimatum were not heeded.

On the eighth day of action to unseat the PM, police fended off protesters who descended on key sites in Bangkok. Four people have died in the unrest.

Dozens have been injured.

The protesters had declared Sunday the decisive "V-Day" of what they termed a "people's coup".

They say Ms Yingluck's administration is controlled by her brother, exiled ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra, and they want to replace it with a "People's Council".

Full story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25178467

-- BBC 2013-12-02

[bangkokheat]

i think the government should give suthep a 2 day ultimatum

[jaidam]

I have a hard time believing that the BBC persist on using that impartial ignoramus Jonathon Head to cover any Thai related story. It was sickening to see him molly-coddling Yingluck the other day through an interview that should have been asking searching questions, instead he just sat mesmerized making gentle cooing sounds, all starry-eyed at Yingluck who was wearing some sort of Geisha makeup. Preposterous.

[Crazy chef 1]

here we go again....

the Thai bed time story

[EvilDrSomkid]

A people's coup? Have the protest leaders really used those words? How democratic.

And a new constitution BEFORE new elections? How about a new election, then a new constitution?

I do not believe anything any side says anymore. It all propaganda crap. Mob mentality is back again.

Just like 2010, the protesters make unreasonable demands and pretend they make the decisions.

I think Yingluck's next move should be dissolving parliament.

Let's see how many votes this "People Democratic" council gets then. Can you say Democratic Peoples Junta of Thailand?

Led by so-called good people who are more equal than others.

[pedro01]

I have a hard time believing that the BBC persist on using that impartial ignoramus Jonathon Head to cover any Thai related story. It was sickening to see him molly-coddling Yingluck the other day through an interview that should have been asking searching questions, instead he just sat mesmerized making gentle cooing sounds, all starry-eyed at Yingluck who was wearing some sort of Geisha makeup. Preposterous.

I think if you popped into the bangkok office of the bbc, went up to the glass table they have up there on the little mezzanine floor and did a 'substance' test, you'd find the explanation as to why their bangkok reporting is a bit skewed.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[Yunla]

I just gave Suthep a two-finger salute, and he can keep it for as many days as he likes. He's made Thailand look like a tinpot on the world stage again, and his actions have led to loss of life, but he is still demanding power to the people - meaning plutocrat people he is friends with. It is no different to PTP nepotism, it is just another facet of autocracy.

I was 100% behind the mobilisation of 200k+ (or however many it actually was) people for a day of peaceful marches and speechmaking and general good atmosphere with your peers. I totally /blockmode everything that Suthep did after that first day of massprotest, it is not even relating to democracy on any level whatsoever.

[JoeThePoster]

i think the government should give suthep a 2 day ultimatum

Or some Imodium.

[Jasun]

In other words, I know I have to wrap this up by Father's Day and i'm running out of options.

[sfbandung]

What a joke. This Suthep bloke is a law unto himself. A two day ultimatum to do what? Cede power to a "people's council" controlled by him?

Love or hate Yingluck, the fact is PTP are a democratically elected government. Note that he is not calling for parliament to be dissolved and fresh elections called, simply that power be given to him.

This distasteful dilemma they find themselves in just won't go away. How long before calls are actually made out loud for limited suffrage? Which in effect is what Suthep is after.

Edit to fix my poor grammar ...

Edited December 2, 2013 by sfbandung

[scorecard]

'auspices' well another report says 'in the presence of'. (Dictionary definition of auspices is below).

Quite different meaning and in reality very meaningful in the whole scenario.

"The protesters had declared Sunday the decisive "V-Day" of what they termed a "people's coup".

Well Mr. Head, is that a correct interpretation of what the majority / the leaders were saying? The word 'coup' has major connotations in this matter. Did the protestors say this actual word (in Thai) Mr. Head?

"They say Ms Yingluck's administration is controlled by her brother, exiled ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra, and they want to replace it with a "People's Council"."

Mr. Head you are a highly experienced journalist, one would expect that you are careful in your choice of words. Should the words be 'self-exiled ex-leader?

Definition of auspices:

Noun 1. auspices - kindly endorsement and guidance; "the tournament was held under the auspices of the city council"

aegis, protection

endorsement, indorsement - the act of endorsing; "a star athlete can make a lot of money from endorsements"

auspices

plural noun support, backing, control, charge, care, authority, championship, influence, protection, guidance, sponsorship, supervision, patronage, advocacy, countenance, aegis a peace conference under the auspices of the UN

[englishoak]

In other words, I know I have to wrap this up by Father's Day and i'm running out of options.

Thats about it yes.

[diehard60]

It sure did not look like "V-Day" to me. It looked more like D-Day = Day Of Distruction. Suthep is the guy that killed or gave the word to kill those peole about 3 years ago. He is doing it again.

[englishoak]

It sure did not look like "V-Day" to me. It looked more like D-Day = Day Of Distruction. Suthep is the guy that killed or gave the word to kill those peole about 3 years ago. He is doing it again.

Now theres something you dont see every day in thai politics........ consistency.

[rogerdee123]

Well open your eyes.

This demonstraion is no more about democracy than the "burn Bangkok" demonstration. They all give lip service to words like "democracy" and "people's wishes" etc etc.

This is plain old power politics .... down and dirty.

Lets' not hear that refrain ..... "but this was a democratically elected Govt". Both sides are hiding behind the "democratic" facade.

Th e current situation is a power struggle ... plain and simple.

Edited December 2, 2013 by rogerdee123

[snacks41]

We know what we have with the government that is in place. Do we really know what will happen when this new government were to take over. Maybe they would make all expats leave! Who knows?

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[jes]

Suthep- He must had a stroke. He, Abhisit and rest of the Hooligans call themselves Democrats. Thats a joke. They need to change name... I think it´s time for the police to use that arrest warrent and get this so called Democrat locked up. If military steps in and and throw the government out. Then the military is more stupid than I ever would imagine. Meaning 3rd time in a short time the reds have been over thrown. This will end up more bad than 2010, if this happen. But this shows WHO is the real power in Thailand. Not "yellow" - not "red" but the "camouflage" the military is. So Thailand as a Democraticf country. Not as long the military has the power and also not as long that there is no free speech in boat speech and writing. I love Thailand, The Thai people, the Thai culture. But sometimes Thailand is like Fawlty Towers. Just as stupid and funny.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfl6Lu3xQW0

[NCFC]

I just gave Suthep a two-finger salute, and he can keep it for as many days as he likes. He's made Thailand look like a tinpot on the world stage again, and his actions have led to loss of life, but he is still demanding power to the people - meaning plutocrat people he is friends with. It is no different to PTP nepotism, it is just another facet of autocracy.

I was 100% behind the mobilisation of 200k+ (or however many it actually was) people for a day of peaceful marches and speechmaking and general good atmosphere with your peers. I totally /blockmode everything that Suthep did after that first day of massprotest, it is not even relating to democracy on any level whatsoever.

well more fool you for believing that Suthep has anything but his own interests at heart and is prepared to see his own countrymen die to further his own self-interest. And yes, he is just like the other gentleman often mentioned on this forum. If these ultra nationalists come to power I fear for we foreigners in Thailand. Prepare to see your assets seized if you run a small business here. Prepare to be see qualification to right of abode restricted to a few necessary aliens. The nationalists hate foreigners. We will be next

[binjalin]

he's a nutter and this is an attempted coup - just pray the Army stays out of it

when it's all over and the nutters have calmed down hope Suthep is jailed for insurrection (or worse)

PM stand firm!!!

[Biscuit22]

'auspices' well another report says 'in the presence of'. (Dictionary definition of auspices is below).

Quite different meaning and in reality very meaningful in the whole scenario.

"The protesters had declared Sunday the decisive "V-Day" of what they termed a "people's coup".

Well Mr. Head, is that a correct interpretation of what the majority / the leaders were saying? The word 'coup' has major connotations in this matter. Did the protestors say this actual word (in Thai) Mr. Head?

"They say Ms Yingluck's administration is controlled by her brother, exiled ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra, and they want to replace it with a "People's Council"."

Mr. Head you are a highly experienced journalist, one would expect that you are careful in your choice of words. Should the words be 'self-exiled ex-leader?

Definition of auspices:

Noun 1. auspices - kindly endorsement and guidance; "the tournament was held under the auspices of the city council"

aegis, protection

endorsement, indorsement - the act of endorsing; "a star athlete can make a lot of money from endorsements"

auspices

plural noun support, backing, control, charge, care, authority, championship, influence, protection, guidance, sponsorship, supervision, patronage, advocacy, countenance, aegis a peace conference under the auspices of the UN

I think he was actually talking about the fact that the military called the meeting and presided over it.

[OMGImInPattaya]

I just gave Suthep a two-finger salute, and he can keep it for as many days as he likes. He's made Thailand look like a tinpot on the world stage again, and his actions have led to loss of life, but he is still demanding power to the people - meaning plutocrat people he is friends with. It is no different to PTP nepotism, it is just another facet of autocracy.

I was 100% behind the mobilisation of 200k+ (or however many it actually was) people for a day of peaceful marches and speechmaking and general good atmosphere with your peers. I totally /blockmode everything that Suthep did after that first day of massprotest, it is not even relating to democracy on any level whatsoever.

well more fool you for believing that Suthep has anything but his own interests at heart and is prepared to see his own countrymen die to further his own self-interest. And yes, he is just like the other gentleman often mentioned on this forum. If these ultra nationalists come to power I fear for we foreigners in Thailand. Prepare to see your assets seized if you run a small business here. Prepare to be see qualification to right of abode restricted to a few necessary aliens. The nationalists hate foreigners. We will be next

Double the meds...you're still hallucinating!

[pompeylad]

I have a hard time believing that the BBC persist on using that impartial ignoramus Jonathon Head to cover any Thai related story. It was sickening to see him molly-coddling Yingluck the other day through an interview that should have been asking searching questions, instead he just sat mesmerized making gentle cooing sounds, all starry-eyed at Yingluck who was wearing some sort of Geisha makeup. Preposterous.

I couldn't agree more but it goes with the territory of a very biased and left wing bbc and still we taxpayers continue to allow it to be financed from taxation.

[millwall_fan]

V day was a failure for Suthep and his paymasters in the Ruling Elite. It was a success for the police who for once managed to prevent the illegal occupation of government offices. Ultimately it will be a success for democracy and the so called 'Democrat party' must now rethink its political raison d'etre: It needs to realise that the country has a large poor majority -both rural and urban and campaign accordingly. The government is far from perfect - in many ways it is deeply flawed - but is the democratic choice of the people and that must be respected.

Whether the ruling elite like it or not their day has passed. Increasingly they will have to obey the law, pay all their taxes and accept that they are citizens with no more rights than other citizens. They also have to accept that just because someone hasn't managed to buy a university degree like they did, it does not make them any less a citizen.

Finally, at some point, they must accept that Thaksin Shinawatra is and remains a key figure in this country and they would be better served with him here than in dubai throwing stones. He has been in the news almost everyday since his 1006 overthrow. time to negotiate his return.

[crazykopite]

The Government is showing its weakness by not throwing this thug into prison how can you have a democracy if you place people in power without elections as he is demanding. The current Government won the election and it is for them to decide when to hold the next one I would suggest sooner rather than later the people of Thailand would have made there choice once again all these demonstrations / killings does not help Thailand as a country which is very sad. The King will be celebrating his birthday this week and here we have shootings, vehicles being burnt and crazy old folls demading Government building be forcibly closed by opposition thugs

[webfact]

Suthep gives PM ultimatum before military leaders

The main intersection near the Metropolitan Police Bureau. Photo: Thiti Wannamontha

BANGKOK: -- Anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban on Sunday night gave Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra an ultimatum of two days to return power to people.

Mr Suthep told a press conference before protesters at Government House that the prime minister was given the two-day ultimatum in a meeting that took place at about 8.30pm.

The meeting was held before all armed forces leaders including Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, he said.

Mr Suthep said the meeting at an undisclosed location was not to negotiate with Ms Yingluck. The talks were to spell out the stance of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) which is aimed at political reform by the People's Council.

The resignation of the prime minister and a House dissolution was not enough to satisfy the protesters, he said.

"There was no negotiation and no compromise," he said, stressing that it would be the last meeting between the two.

"This is the only one and there will be no more until a victory for the people,'' he said.

There was no immediate confirmation of Mr Suthep's speech, either from the armed forces or from Ms Yingluck or her office.

Mr Suthep said the armed forces also made clear their position that they stand by the nation.

"People are waiting for your decision," the protest leader said he told the generals.

He did not say what armed forces leaders were present at the meeting. Earlier Sunday, army commander Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha had called for talks between Mr Suthep and Ms Yingluck, who also is defence minister.

The meeting was the first time that the top military leaders had become involved since Mr Suthep led the rally for a month to end the Thaksin regime.


-- Phuket News 2013-12-02

[NCFC]

I just gave Suthep a two-finger salute, and he can keep it for as many days as he likes. He's made Thailand look like a tinpot on the world stage again, and his actions have led to loss of life, but he is still demanding power to the people - meaning plutocrat people he is friends with. It is no different to PTP nepotism, it is just another facet of autocracy.

I was 100% behind the mobilisation of 200k+ (or however many it actually was) people for a day of peaceful marches and speechmaking and general good atmosphere with your peers. I totally /blockmode everything that Suthep did after that first day of massprotest, it is not even relating to democracy on any level whatsoever.

well more fool you for believing that Suthep has anything but his own interests at heart and is prepared to see his own countrymen die to further his own self-interest. And yes, he is just like the other gentleman often mentioned on this forum. If these ultra nationalists come to power I fear for we foreigners in Thailand. Prepare to see your assets seized if you run a small business here. Prepare to be see qualification to right of abode restricted to a few necessary aliens. The nationalists hate foreigners. We will be next

Double the meds...you're still hallucinating!

read the anti-western speech that Suthep gave in January of this year. He blames western infiltration for many of Thailand's problems and wants westerners out of the country. Did you buy a condo in Pattaya?

[Yunla]

well more fool you for believing that Suthep has anything but his own interests at heart and is prepared to see his own countrymen die to further his own self-interest. And yes, he is just like the other gentleman often mentioned on this forum. If these ultra nationalists come to power I fear for we foreigners in Thailand. Prepare to see your assets seized if you run a small business here. Prepare to be see qualification to right of abode restricted to a few necessary aliens. The nationalists hate foreigners. We will be next

I never said I believed in him specifically. My factory setting is always extreme scepticism re; any politician. I believe in democracy, and so I supported the peaceful massprotest which is part of a healthy functioning democracy.

On the foreigners issue I think Thailand as a nation *knows* that it needs all the incoming money it can get (whether they admit it or not), and any sudden falangicide action will see Thailand lose so much money overnight she will be left with nothing but her eyes to cry with.

Edited December 2, 2013 by Yunla

[atsiii]

Having lost every popular election since 2001, are the protesters not simply saying that: "if we can't have it our way, then to hell with this democracy thing?"

We will have a "Council" of our buddies, brothers and cousins who will "select" the government. Then, by Buddha, we will have our way! Who needs a constitution, elections and democracy, anyway???

[NCFC]

well more fool you for believing that Suthep has anything but his own interests at heart and is prepared to see his own countrymen die to further his own self-interest. And yes, he is just like the other gentleman often mentioned on this forum. If these ultra nationalists come to power I fear for we foreigners in Thailand. Prepare to see your assets seized if you run a small business here. Prepare to be see quahlification to right of abode restricted to a few necessary aliens. The nationalists hate foreigners. We will be next

I never said I believed in him specifically. My factory setting is always extreme scepticism re; any politician. I believe in democracy, and so I supported the peaceful massprotest which is part of a healthy functioning democracy.

On the foreigners issue I think Thailand as a nation *knows* that needs all the incoming money it can get (whether they admit it or not), and any sudden falangicide action will see Thailand lose so much money overnight she will be left with nothing but her eyes to cry with.

. Although Suthep singled out Oil companies and Banks as two examples of foreign businesses meddling in Thailand's affairs, I don't believe the elite will allow Suthep to take any action against them because as you imply, they are far too important for the economy and the elite's well-being. But there is no protection for the little guy. The foreigner who has come here and invested his life savings in a business or legally bought a condo. It makes good propaganda to make the foreigner a scapegoat and we are an easy target for the ultr nationalists.

[johnlandy]

I just gave Suthep a two-finger salute, and he can keep it for as many days as he likes. He's made Thailand look like a tinpot on the world stage again, and his actions have led to loss of life, but he is still demanding power to the people - meaning plutocrat people he is friends with. It is no different to PTP nepotism, it is just another facet of autocracy.

I was 100% behind the mobilisation of 200k+ (or however many it actually was) people for a day of peaceful marches and speechmaking and general good atmosphere with your peers. I totally /blockmode everything that Suthep did after that first day of massprotest, it is not even relating to democracy on any level whatsoever.

He doesn't need to try very hard "He's made Thailand look like a tinpot on the world stage again" The square faced man and the 'puppet' have achieved that without any help from anyone else.

The realm is a joke on the world stage