Bangkok: Anti-government protesters declare victory

[webfact]

POLITICS
Protesters declare victory

BANGKOK: -- Anti-government protesters declared victory on Tuesday after they were allowed to enter the Government House and Metropolitan Police Bureau.

They were seen moving cement barricades earlier blocking their ways at both venues.

Protest leaders declared the victory on Rajdamnoen rally site, saying their long fight against the government has been accepted by the public and the government. The declaration was also done at other rally sites.

"Victory is ours after the long fights and protests," Sathit Wongnongtoey said from the stage.

They encouraged people throughout the country to come out and join the celebrations.

However the protesters refused to enter the police compound, they instead marched around the venue, apparently out of concerns that police would trap them inside.



-- The Nation 2013-12-03

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Thai police yield to protesters ahead of king's birthday
by Aidan Jones

BANGKOK, December 3, 2013 (AFP) - Thai police abandoned their defence of the besieged government headquarters on Tuesday, allowing unruly protesters to cross barricades in a dramatic move that eased tensions ahead of the revered king's birthday.

Several days of street battles between demonstrators and security forces suddenly gave way to hugs and smiles after police said they would no longer use force against protesters trying to storm Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's offices as well as their own headquarters.

The sudden change in tactics came as the nation prepares on Thursday to celebrate King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 86th birthday, a day normally marked in a spirit of calm and reverence for the monarch.

"There's a mutual understanding that everything must be calm and orderly on this auspicious day," National Security Council chief Paradorn Pattanatabut told AFP.

"It's a positive sign and talks could be held after the king's birthday. It will take time to solve the problem by negotiation," he added.

The protests, aimed at unseating Yingluck's government and replacing it with an unelected "people's council", are the latest bout of unrest in the kingdom since royalist generals ousted the premier's brother Thaksin Shinawatra in a coup seven years ago.

Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, a former deputy premier, said the fight to unseat the government was not over.
"It's a partial victory but it's not final because the Thaksin regime is still in place. You cannot go back home yet. We have to continue our struggle," he told his supporters.

Thailand's long-running political conflict broadly pits a Bangkok-based elite backed by the military and the palace against rural and working-class voters loyal to Thaksin, a billionaire businessman turned populist politician.

In the latest twist, demonstrators were unexpectedly allowed to approach, and later enter, the grounds of Government House with no resistance from security forces. They massed in the compound for about an hour before leaving.

Several thousand protesters, many still wearing face masks and protective goggles against the threat of tear gas, also streamed into the Metropolitan Police headquarters where they were seen shaking hands with officers. A bulldozer was used to remove the barricades.

'We are all Thais'

"There will be no use of tear gas today," Metropolitan Police chief Lieutenant General Kamronwit Thoopkrajang told AFP. "If we resist there will be more injuries, and we are all Thais."

The sudden turn of events caught even the demonstrators by surprise.

"I'm not sure but I think we have won now," said Thanapatr Wiriyongatham, a 24-year-old politics student who was wearing a life jacket and clutching a dented cupboard door used as a makeshift shield against rubber bullets.

"We will stop for the king's birthday. If Yingluck is still here we will fight again."

On Monday police used rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannon to fend off rock-throwing demonstrators after weekend unrest that left several dead and scores wounded.

It is the kingdom's worst political violence since a deadly military crackdown on pro-Thaksin "Red Shirts" in 2010, although the recent clashes have been largely confined to certain parts of the city, away from main tourist districts.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Suthep, the protest leader, for insurrection.

In her first televised address since the weeks-long protests descended into violence at the weekend, Yingluck said Monday the protest leader's demands were unconstitutional.

The premier said she would have considered resigning or calling an election if her opponents had not already ruled out these moves as insufficient. She insisted the government was open to "every option" to restore peace.

Yingluck flew to the seaside resort of Hua Hin on Tuesday to attend a dress rehearsal for the king's birthday.

The rallies were triggered by an amnesty bill, since abandoned by the ruling party, which opponents feared would have allowed Thaksin to return to his home country. He fled in 2008 to avoid jail for a corruption conviction he contends is politically motivated.

The demonstrators are a mix of royalists, Thaksin opponents, students and supporters of the opposition Democrat Party, which has not won an election in 20 years.

While the numbers have fallen sharply since an estimated 180,000 people joined an opposition rally on November 24, protesters have besieged a number of major government buildings in what some observers believe is an attempt to provoke a military putsch.

But the military, which has staged several coups down the years, has appeared reluctant to intervene in the current standoff.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2013-12-03

[omlette]

What victory???

[winstonc]

its true wife just phoned me police have given up they came out and gave the people flowers

[Emptyset]

So it's either a deal's been done and this is a way out for both sides. Or the anti-govt side have been suckered. Yes, they've got the buildings but what does that actually mean? Or this is a temporary break in hostilities for the King's birthday. Prayuth likely had something to do with it. I'd go with option one at this point, but I guess it'll become clear soon enough.

[webfact]

Thai protest tensions ease as police abandon barricades
by Aidan JONES

BANGKOK, December 3, 2013 (AFP) - Thai police allowed opposition protesters through barricades outside the government and metropolitan police headquarters Tuesday, sharply easing tensions after two days of violent clashes aimed at ousting Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

The reason for the sudden thaw in hostilities was not immediately clear but it came after police said they would no longer use force to defend their Bangkok headquarters from thousands of anti-government protesters who marched on the high-profile target.

Demonstrators were allowed to approach the perimeter fence of Government House with no resistance from security forces. Dozens of protesters also streamed into the police building where they were seen shaking hands with officers, AFP reporters saw.

Metropolitan Police chief Lieutenant General Kamronwit Thoopkrajang said his officers would no longer try to fend off protesters at the police base.

"The Metropolitan Police Headquarters belongs to the public," he told AFP.

"There will be no use of tear gas today," he said. "Last night a police officer was injured by a gunshot so if we resist there will be more injuries, and we are all Thais," he said.

The protests, aimed at unseating the elected government and replacing it with a "people's council", are the latest bout of unrest in the kingdom since royalist generals ousted Yingluck's brother Thaksin Shinawatra in a coup seven years ago.

The demonstrators seized upon the developments to claim they had won the battle.

"Victory is in the hands of the people's army. We are able to seize all key government facilities," one of the protest leaders, Issara Somchai, said to supporters.
On Monday police used rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannon to fend off rock-throwing demonstrators for a second day, after weekend unrest that left several dead and scores wounded.

It is the kingdom's worst political violence since a deadly military crackdown on pro-Thaksin "Red Shirts" rallies in 2010, although the recent clashes have been largely confined to certain parts of the city, away from main tourist districts.

Thailand's long-running political conflict broadly pits a Bangkok-based elite backed by the military and the palace against rural and working class voters loyal to Thaksin, a billionaire businessman turned premier.

The latest battle played out on the streets of Bangkok has pitted a shrinking band of hardcore protesters against pro-Thaksin political forces who have won every election in more than a decade, most recently in 2011 under Yingluck.

In her first televised address since the weeks-long protests descended into violence at the weekend, Yingluck said Monday that the protest leader's demands were unconstitutional.

The embattled premier said she would have considered resigning or calling an election if her opponents had not already ruled out these moves as insufficient. She insisted the government was open to "every option" to restore peace.

The violence has caused growing international alarm, with the United States voicing concern about the loss of life.

"Peaceful protest and freedom of expression are important aspects of democracy," a State Department spokeswoman said. "Violence and seizure of public or private property, however, are not acceptable means of resolving political differences."

UN chief Ban Ki-moon said he was worried about the escalating violence, calling on all parties to exercise restraint.

Clashes had continued through the night as police fought to defend barriers at the prime minister's offices and police headquarters.

Police said two of their trucks were set ablaze near Government House. Police helicopters dropped leaflets at the two rally bases giving notice of an arrest warrant issued for protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban for insurrection, urging demonstrators to leave.

The rallies were triggered by an amnesty bill, since abandoned by the ruling party, which opponents feared would have allowed Thaksin to return to his home country, which he fled in 2008 to avoid jail for a corruption conviction he contends is politically motivated.

The demonstrators are a mix of royalists, Thaksin opponents, students and supporters of the opposition Democrats, who have not won an election in 20 years.

While the numbers have fallen sharply since an estimated 180,000 people joined an opposition rally on November 24, protesters have besieged high-profile targets -- including several key ministries -- in what some observers believe is an attempt to provoke a military coup.

Thailand has seen 18 actual or attempted coups since 1932, most recently with Thaksin's overthrow in 2006. But the military has appeared reluctant to intervene in the current standoff.

"I will let this problem be solved by politics. The military will observe from a distance," army chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha told reporters Tuesday.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2013-12-03

[Yunla]

I doubt that the Mothers of the dead people who died for this "victory" are in a celebrating mood right now. Despite the huge improvements in society that have been ushered in by this anti-democratic upheaval. My prayers are with those families that have lost loved ones, and I pray that the tragic violence by all actors in this Punch&Judy Show will end before any more lives are lost or ruined.

[mojorison]

its true wife just phoned me police have given up they came out and gave the people flowers

Real flowers, or origami ones? It's relevant...

[Jasun]

Congratulations. Now go home.

[webfact]

Anti-Thaksin demonstrators seize Metropolitan Police HQ

BANGKOK: -- Thousands of anti-Thaksin demonstrators late this morning seized the headquarters peacefully with no resistance.

The peaceful seizure came after a negotiation between the deputy governor of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA() Pol Gen Aswin Kwanmuang and the metropolitan police commissioner Pol Lt-Gen Kamronvit Thoopkrachang.

Pol Gen Aswin, a former senior police officer with outstanding performance in crime suppression, negotiated for a peaceful entry by demonstrators to avoid clashes.

But sources said that decision to allow the peaceful seizure came after arson attacks on several police prison vans and food supply trucks of the demonstrators near Government House, Metropolitan Police HQ, and Democracy Monument where large crowd of demonstrators were gathering.

The police suspected the arson attacks were the work of “third-hands” who wanted to cause misunderstanding in order to incite violence and bloodshed.

Several guns were also discovered by the police last night.

Two food supply trucks of the demonstrators were burnt near Chamai Mayuraches bridge at 9 p.m., one police prison van was burnt at Yaek Tevakam at 12.45 a.m., and two other police prison vans at Orathai bridge were also burnt at 1.50 a.m.

This prompted the government to tell the police to allow demonstrators to enter their HQ peacefully.

Thousands of demonstrators led by former Democrat MP Thavorn Sen-niem marched into the headquarters of the metropolitan police peacefully with no resistance as yesterday’s clashes which left almost 100 injured, two seriously from gunshot wounds.

Concrete barriers and barbed wires around the HQ were removed to allow the demonstrators to take control.

National Police Office Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaeo admired the police for exercising their patience to deal with the demonstrators to avoid confrontation and clashes.

He said that it was the wish of the prime minister to allow anti-government demonstrators to seize the HQ to avoid clashes that could lead to more bloodshed.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/anti-thaksin-demonstrators-seize-metropolitan-police-hq/

-- Thai PBS 2013-12-03

[webfact]

Metropolitan Police Bureau allows demonstrators to enter its headquarters

BANGKOK, 3 December 2013 (NNT) - Bangkok Metropolitan police Chief Kamronwit Thoopkrachang says police will no longer use tear gas against demonstrators, but will instead welcome them inside the Metropolitan Police Bureau headquarters on Sri Ayutthaya road.

According to Pol Lt Gen Khamronvit, he has not been removed as the commander in charge of forces dealing with the protesters, as rumored. He said he had instructed police to open the line and clap their hands to welcome the protesters when they arrive.

Since the office belongs to the public and has been built with their tax money, protesters should be allowed to do whatever they want with it, including seizing it or burning it down to the ground, said the Metropolitan Police chief, adding that he would take sole responsibility of the protesters' actions.

Prime Minister and Defense Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has given 2 million baht in cash to be distributed among police officers who are on duty, said the Pol Lt Gen.

He added that police from now on would concentrate on protecting the life and property of individuals instead of holding off demonstrators from entering government offices.


-- NNT 2013-12-03

[omlette]

So now it's perfectly ok to burn the place down!! Because they are tax payers???

[binjalin]

weak, weak, weak sums up Thailand really

[Emptyset]

So now it's perfectly ok to burn the place down!! Because they are tax payers???

What did they burn down?

[h90]

That's somehow too easy...something is wrong. Things that are too easy and simple usually aren't true.

[jpeg]

I doubt that the Mothers of the dead people who died for this "victory" are in a celebrating mood right now. Despite the huge improvements in society that have been ushered in by this anti-democratic upheaval. My prayers are with those families that have lost loved ones, and I pray that the tragic violence by all actors in this Punch&Judy Show will end before any more lives are lost or ruined.

Frankly, I'm sick of 'the dead' being used as political tools in this fiasco. You get more shot up outside the local karaoke/campus on a daily basis than this. Quit with the mawkish bs <deleted>.

Edited December 3, 2013 by jpeg

[macgver]

The anti-government protesters declared victory on seizing the government offices include the Government House. However, they never notice that they have lost the confidence from the foreign governments and embassies. At the end, who lost?

[jpeg]

The anti-government protesters declared victory on seizing the government offices include the Government House. However, they never notice that they have lost the confidence from the foreign governments and embassies. At the end, who lost?

At the end, who cares? You truly believe the lip service foreign govts do?

[greg71]

So declration of victory ? Wait for the next election where i predict that the democrats will lose again .

[omlette]

So now it's perfectly ok to burn the place down!! Because they are tax payers???

 

What did they burn down?

 

They didn't burn anything down (yet)! Read the OP

[djjamie]

So now it's perfectly ok to burn the place down!! Because they are tax payers???

What did they burn down?

You heard it first on red shirt fanboy radio FM..

[sms747]

why are the cops so useless?

[h90]

The anti-government protesters declared victory on seizing the government offices include the Government House. However, they never notice that they have lost the confidence from the foreign governments and embassies. At the end, who lost?

Not important for Thailand. sanctions are very unlikely and if the USA and their poodles Germany and UK are barking because they fear that their own population will wake up, isn't important for Thailand.

As well there are rumors that Thaksin and Hun Sen have broken some agreements with USA for own profit (oil and gas) so maybe the foreign governments are actually happy and don't even do the usual barking.

[Emptyset]

Good to see this.

[PeterSmiles]

The question is, what will happen next ?

Will the protesters go home, and everything in the current government will continue as if nothing ever happened, including the lying-cheating and looting the state coffers ?

Or will there be a house dissolution and new elections?

[Emptyset]

The anti-government protesters declared victory on seizing the government offices include the Government House. However, they never notice that they have lost the confidence from the foreign governments and embassies. At the end, who lost?

Maybe no one lost, for once. Have to wait and see what the deal is.

[pompeylad]

I cannot believe it is this simple, but there again maybe as in all things Thai, nothing should surprise you. If I were the anti's I would temper my celebrations until the "ink is dry'. If it transpires that Sutheep has indeed achieved his objective, then congratulations to him, but for the time being he 'should keep his powder dry'. I know for one my wife is currently over the moon thinking that Dr. Thaksin has been overcome. I wonder!!!!!

[Thaddeus]

So declration of victory ? Wait for the next election where i predict that the democrats will lose again .

Yes, I would expect that to be a given.

But there are two very important points to think about.

1. How much, if any, damage will be done to PTPs majority.

2. Will PTP have learned a valuable lesson that they can't just ride roughshod over correct parliamentary procedures.

[airconsult]

Hmm, if he's declared victory, then I assume he's handing himself over to the police now? (He did promise..... he wouldn't *lie* would he?)

[winstonc]

The anti-government protesters declared victory on seizing the government offices include the Government House. However, they never notice that they have lost the confidence from the foreign governments and embassies. At the end, who lost?

since when have thais worried about foreign countries..is that the best you can come up with...put fmtv watch it live

[impulse]

They've taken a play out of the unofficial High Schooler Handbook:

Go in.

Get your ass kicked around a little.

Declare a victory

Go home.

Here's hoping this is a ratcheting down of the tense situation.