Tactical truce reached in Bangkok

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POLITICS
Tactical truce reached in Bangkok
The Nation


An anti-government protester embraces a policeman after both sides agreed to a truce yesterday after a month of protests.

The PDRC plans its next moves, and Govt launches an academic forum to try to end impasse

BANGKOK: -- The month-long political confrontation came to a pause yesterday as the nation prepares for His Majesty the King's birthday tomorrow.

In a televised statement, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra urged all Thais to unite, to show their love for the King, who will turn 86.

Yingluck said disagreements continued but she wanted to see all Thais, including the protesters, begin talks to try to provide real solutions.

"I would like to invite all Thais including academics, businessmen, protesters, and experts from all sectors to join the open forum to find solutions for political reform." She also called on the media to be constructive and avoid causing hatred.

The speech explained what happened in the morning. Police guarding two key strongholds - Government House and the Metropolitan Police Bureau - simply stopped their resistance against protesters attempting to breach barricade. This surprise move, caused an immediate halt to the growing list of casualties and caught all sides and pundits off-guard.

Meanwhile, Suthep Thaugsuban, in his capacity as secretary-general of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), unveiled his plans for "national reforms" for the first time last night. He said these would start with the setting up of a People's Assembly, which would initially act as a legislative body to set up reform policies and promulgate necessary organic laws before selecting a prime minister.

Under Article 7, if there is no provision in the Constitution, then the issue shall be decided in accordance with the Constitutional practice of a democratic regime with the King as head of state.

Speaking last night in front of a large crowd of PDRC supporters, Suthep did not provide a timeframe for the process, but said it would be completed as soon as possible. This legislative body, or People's Assembly, would work out a master law to devise "people's reforms" and other laws, including those needed to regulate fair elections and anti-corruption efforts.

A non-politician would be selected as a prime minister to run an interim national government that would administer the reform policies, he said. The PDRC would, in the meantime, set up offices in all 77 provinces to accomplish the reforms.

Suthep went on to say that large-scale events with about a million people gathering to mark His Majesty the King's birthday tomorrow would be held at all three locations occupied by PDRC protesters, including the Finance Ministry compound and Democracy Monument.

But vowing to continue fighting against the so-called "Thaksin regime", Suthep said PDRC gatherings would continue in Bangkok and elsewhere in the country.

Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, as the newly-appointed director of the government's Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO), said the country would like to see what "Suthep's blueprint" is all about, and whether the general public would approve of it and in what way.

Bangkok police chief Pol Lt Gen Camronwit Toopgrajank said he made a decision to let the protesters enter the police compound, because he saw that protesters seizing many state offices around the country did not ransack or torch them.

At the police compound, protesters and police exchanged handshakes, embraces and took photos of themselves together.

Later, police were instructed to abandon their positions. Similar things happened at Government House. Some protesters entered and had lunch in the compound.

Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan and Public Health Minister Pradit Sintavanarong later visited a number of people injured by police tear gas and projectiles at hospitals in another gesture of goodwill.

The two opposing sides looked relaxed yesterday. And the PM also appeared less tense. She was seen talking to Army commander General Prayuth Chan-ocha during an oath taking ceremony for His Majesty the King at the Army Club tomorrow. Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban also looked happy to learn about the symbolic sieges. He even had an ice cream after lunch.

The public, however, as well as the huge number of supporters for both sides, remained left in the dark on whether these scenes were a tactical retreat by the government and whether the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) could really claim victory, at least for now.

However, the fight is not over. An hour after these gestures at both locations, Suthep made a statement proclaiming a partial victory and vowing to continue with his efforts to dislodge the so-called "Thaksin regime", calling on supporters, especially those who have travelled from the provinces, to remain in Bangkok.

Suthep, who has said he would not accept a House dissolution or resignation of the premier to end the protest, made it clear to the cheering crowds that the fight would continue to uproot both the regime and the government.

"Today we can enjoy our victory but it is only partial. Our fight will continue as (Prime Minister) Yingluck Shinawatra, her government and the tyranny of the Thaksin regime are still intact and effective," he said, in a statement in the Government Complex in Chaeng Wattana, still occupied by PDRC supporters.

He envisaged that if Yingluck resigns, her sister Yaowapa, or brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawat could take the reins. And that if she dissolves the Parliament, her party members would surely use any means to allow them to come back.

Caught in this impasse, Yingluck assigned Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana and Justice Minister Chaikasem Nitisiri to open a forum and invite academics to discuss and help find a way out of the deadlock, government spokesman Teerat Ratanasevi said.

Phongthep said a law or charter amendment may be needed in order to create a solution. He said Suthep had mentioned a legal amendment. He said the forum may have a format similar to a political reform forum initiated by the premier in August.

To date, the protests have led to 4 deaths and more than 100 people being injured. Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn yesterday gave gifts to victims of the violence now in hospital, via her aides. Public Health Minister Pradit Sinthawanarong also apologised on behalf of the government for the casualties.

Director of the government's Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order Surapong Tovichakchaikul, who is foreign minster, made a statement saying that peace had returned and thanked all Thais for their cooperation, as well as police and soldiers for doing their duty.

The political crisis in Thailand has drawn much international attention. A week after a message of concern from the US, the European Union's head of delegation and heads of mission in Thailand issued a statement, hoping that all parties will find a peaceful way forward within the democratic and constitutional framework of Thailand.

"We were saddened to see the loss of life and the violent escalation of previously peaceful demonstrations during this weekend. We were also very concerned to see the occupation of public office buildings, television broadcasting stations and intimidation of the media. We believe that the response of the Thai authorities has so far been restrained and proportionate," the statement said.


-- The Nation 2013-12-04

[chooka]

Not even making the news in Australia any more, it is fizzing out suthep so time to pack up and go home.

[JoeThePoster]

He even had an ice cream after lunch.

Guess he really needed that sugar buzz.

[Thai at Heart]

He even had an ice cream after lunch.

Guess he really needed that sugar buzz.

Please no. He's been like the Duracell bunny for a week.

[Baerboxer]

Not even making the news in Australia any more, it is fizzing out suthep so time to pack up and go home.

How strange. The BBC have given it good coverage of late. Perhaps they think its more relevant given similar protests in Ukraine?

"Dick" Head even interviewed Abhisit (and tied to be less charming than when he interviewed Yingluck but failed miserably)

[PeterSmiles]

Not even making the news in Australia any more, it is fizzing out suthep so time to pack up and go home.

So Australian news interest is a deciding factor in Thailand politics these days ?

[binnsy1]

Be back on the news channels Friday ;-)

Not even making the news in Australia any more, it is fizzing out suthep so time to pack up and go home.

So Australian news interest is a deciding factor in Thailand politics these days ?

[MILT]

Not even making the news in Australia any more, it is fizzing out suthep so time to pack up and go home.

Big Deal! It is making the new in the US.

Far from Fizzing out, The shinawhat's? are fizzle frazzle and I believe Thaskin has no response

to the real changes of political reform that are and will take place.

[HUAHIN62]

I think the jester didn't hear the big man talk yesterday. The army chief said you must get out of government offices - soon !!!!

[tingtongteesood]

But when the Dems tried to talk in parliament the completely biased and partisan speaker wouldn't let them and sent in the stormtroopers to remove them by force at one point. The time for talking ended when the government tried to use force to get its own way. Talks will just waste time and the government is simply biding its time to try and make it another 150 days so they can ram through their bs amnesty without any opposition and try to get some of this 2.2 trillion baaht loan lining their pockets along the way. They must be removed before they can do that or else Thaksin comes back and tries everything in his power to rule with an iron fist which will be bad for everyone. Don't bother wasting time talking, Shin and the criminal gang ok bai !

[outsider]

I do not support either sides... I think both have their points, and both are just as disruptive, one maybe more than the other but disorder is disorder. However, herein lies the difference between these factions - "Bangkok police chief Pol Lt Gen Camronwit Toopgrajank said he made a decision to let the protesters enter the police compound, because he saw that protesters seizing many state offices around the country did not ransack or torch them." Operating phrase being 'did not ransack or torch them'.

[rubl]

"Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan and Public Health Minister Pradit Sintavanarong later visited a number of people injured by police tear gas and projectiles at hospitals in another gesture of goodwill."

We didn't mean it and you'll get a few hundred thousand Baht compensation anyway, just like we gave the red-shirts.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Kind of funny and typical....

The OP news report above talking about potential talks between the two sides makes no mention of the demand expressed by DPM Surapong, who's also the head of CAPO, that Suthep would have to surrender to police on the lodged treason charge before the government would engage in talks with the protest movement.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686383-surapong-suthep-must-surrender-before-talks-on-peoples-council/

[Calimotty]

Not even making the news in Australia any more, it is fizzing out suthep so time to pack up and go home.

[Calimotty]

"Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan and Public Health Minister Pradit Sintavanarong later visited a number of people injured by police tear gas and projectiles at hospitals in another gesture of goodwill."

We didn't mean it and you'll get a few hundred thousand Baht compensation anyway, just like we gave the red-shirts.

[Calimotty]

But when the Dems tried to talk in parliament the completely biased and partisan speaker wouldn't let them and sent in the stormtroopers to remove them by force at one point. The time for talking ended when the government tried to use force to get its own way. Talks will just waste time and the government is simply biding its time to try and make it another 150 days so they can ram through their bs amnesty without any opposition and try to get some of this 2.2 trillion baaht loan lining their pockets along the way. They must be removed before they can do that or else Thaksin comes back and tries everything in his power to rule with an iron fist which will be bad for everyone. Don't bother wasting time talking, Shin and the criminal gang ok bai !

[David Mault]

Chooka, I read about it in the Sydney Telegraph this morning. Only small article but advised people to be careful where they go in Bangkok

[indyuk]

I am lost for words. The man may be insane. Yet it seems some academics and politicians together with a few elitists actually support his plan to subvert Thailand to his personal rule without reference to the Government, Monarchy or the Thai Military.

Why for God's sake is he still on the streets?

[khunken]

I am lost for words. The man may be insane. Yet it seems some academics and politicians together with a few elitists actually support his plan to subvert Thailand to his personal rule without reference to the Government, Monarchy or the Thai Military.

Why for God's sake is he still on the streets?

Actually he is not 'still on the streets'. He is ensconced within the Chang Wattana complex - it seems you didn't bother to read the Op.

If you read it you would have seen his outline for political reform and he's not putting himself at the head of anything (so far anyway).

His goals are commendable but he has gone too far. On the other side Yingluck has again touted a reform committee that sounds like the reconciliation mark II effort. Not only was that a failure but the party didn't even take on board suggestions from the invited guests like Tony Blair. It was a facade.

If there's going to be a real effort at reform, the findings of the group given the task must be binding on all parties, including the PTP dictator abroad. It's badly needed.

[klauskunkel]

She was seen talking to Army commander General Prayuth Chan-ocha during an oath taking ceremony for His Majesty the King at the Army Club tomorrow.

How did she manage that? Whizzing forward and backward in time, like it's nothing! If she has this kind of super power, why is she in trouble now? (...I am being facetious)

[Roadman]

But when the Dems tried to talk in parliament the completely biased and partisan speaker wouldn't let them and sent in the stormtroopers to remove them by force at one point. The time for talking ended when the government tried to use force to get its own way. Talks will just waste time and the government is simply biding its time to try and make it another 150 days so they can ram through their bs amnesty without any opposition and try to get some of this 2.2 trillion baaht loan lining their pockets along the way. They must be removed before they can do that or else Thaksin comes back and tries everything in his power to rule with an iron fist which will be bad for everyone. Don't bother wasting time talking, Shin and the criminal gang ok bai !

Thaksin will not be coming back into Thailand anytime soon regardless if his Pheu Thai lackeys are still stupid enough to pass the Amnesty bill. His support where it matters outside of his own lackeys, the brought and paid for Isaan vote and the police (who will not front in confrontation from the people and Army) is non existent. That was spelt out clearly to him with the force of the people from all sectors against the Amnesty bill, and just in the last few days among idiot Suthep's over stepping the boundaries, from the Army telling his puppet sister that they will support the people before Pheu Thai above the law dictatorial politicians. The Pheu Thai government will stand or fall on that Amnesty bill. Leave it off the table and they can go to the next election for the people to decide. Pass it and there will be a larger revolt than anything seen in Thailand of late. And looking at the will of the people over the Thaksin Amnesty Bill one would guarantee that the people and the Army will win that regardless of the toll as the people have shown that they are not going to stand by any longer and allow a criminal dictator to have control over then.

[BeforeTigers]

Supreme credit to whoever negotiated this.
Everyone in the world looked up when this headline came over. Nobody has seen anything like this in recent memory. It's amazing and humbling and truly and uniquely Thai.

Even if you look at it cynically as just a political tactic to turn down the heat before the King's birthday- even that is just incredible. That there is such deep underlying solidarity in the culture, rallying around the monarchy herte. So uniquely Thai. I'm not sure this could have happened anywhere else in the world. It's really a beautiful thing.

Edited December 5, 2013 by BeforeTigers