Thai politics: Puzzled social media tries to get a grip on 'victory'

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POLITICS
Puzzled social media tries to get a grip on 'victory'
Budsarakham Sinlapalavan,
Asina Pornwasin
The Nation

"Stunned" and "perplexed" were among the most commonly used words on social media yesterday after protesters announced "victory" in their clashes with police.

BANGKOK: -- The sudden slowdown in protest activity followed a day of violent clashes on Monday and the abrupt end left many confused. Each side had blamed the other for the attacks - especially at the First Infantry Division - in which firecrackers and home-made bombs were thrown and police fired tear gas and sprayed water at protesters.

On Monday evening, protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban told his supporters that on the following day, yesterday, they would lay siege to the Metropolitan Police Bureau compound. Many people expected another wild confrontation, but the situation turned out differently when the police opened up the compound and let the protesters in.

On Twitter many revealed their confusion with posts such as @Suharit's: "All people are perplexed."

Another, @fuxsuxlux, replied to @Suharit: "All people in the world are perplexed."

@DrMichaelChick tweeted: "They're absolutely right. Foreigners will never understand 'Thainess'...."

On Facebook, Nanthasit Nitmetha posted an image of Thai photographers at the rally and asked: "Will we get a break or not? After [this] we are stunned."

On the Pantip website, Pohn Fha posted: "Thank you Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Suthep, red-shirt leaders and all protesters - you all made a new [style of] protest."

Pantip member number 1088253 posted: "New group

people stunned."

Tweeters created a new hash tag with the word "stunned".

Others posted and shared photographs of protesters and policemen greeting each other with flowers and hugs. There were reminders too that today is the big cleaning day at Rajdamneon Road in preparation for Father's Day tomorrow.

Social media was also full of analyses of what had happened with the anti-government protests and predictions of possible government action.

Some preferred to keep posting positive messages that they were happy both sides had turned to be good to each other, rather than continue fighting. Others jokingly posted a list of new Cabinet members, consisting of comedy superstars.

The tension, which has clouded the social media for weeks, disappeared immediately after the anti-government protesters declared their "victory".


-- The Nation 2013-12-04

[Lingba]

This is all a facade...a staged truce to quiet the masses so that the country can peacefully and rightly so, celebrate the Kings birthday.

Who do these people think they are fooling?

[Bluespunk]

"Puzzled social media tries to get a grip on 'victory'"

They're not alone in that.

[Bluespunk]

"Tweeters created a new hash tag with the word "stunned"."

How clever of them.

Edited December 4, 2013 by Bluespunk

[CiaranO]

I think the Thai Government made a shred move yesterday - that has shocked many people - but for Suthep and his cronies this is far from any victory. throughout this whole crisis i think the PM has played this situation out very well.

[sunsamourai]

throughout this whole crisis i think the PM has played this situation out very well.

she didnt.

Just followed the script given to her.

[tingtongteesood]

You mean the useless PM has followed her brother's orders very well....

[lostmebike]

Couldn't believe the amount of posters on a related thread yesterday (foreigners???) claiming that 'this is just a small victory in an ongoing battle'

As I said then, victory over what? YL is still PM. PTP are still in power!

The only way to attempt to out them is with a coup (which the army don't want) or vote them out at the next election. Some might say that they will just buy their way back in but some of these people were probably the ones that voted them in anyway.

Thai politics

[ratcatcher]

I think the Thai Government made a shred move yesterday - that has shocked many people - but for Suthep and his cronies this is far from any victory. throughout this whole crisis i think the PM has played this situation out very well.

Nothing this government does is shred shrewd.

They were basically told by Prayuth " You two sides get your shit together and stop this nonsense because the biggest day of the year is on the 5th.

After the usual wonderful celebrations of His Majesty's 86th birthday on Thursday, normal chaos will resume as soon as possible.

There are still protests happening at police HQ as I type this

There is no fat lady in sight yet, so it ain't over. And Yaowappa doesn't sing.

Edited December 4, 2013 by ratcatcher

[h90]

I think the Thai Government made a shred move yesterday - that has shocked many people - but for Suthep and his cronies this is far from any victory. throughout this whole crisis i think the PM has played this situation out very well.

Nothing this government does is shred shrewd.

They were basically told by Prayuth " You two sides get your shit together and stop this nonsense because the biggest day of the year is on the 5th.

After the usual wonderful celebrations of His Majesty's 86th birthday on Thursday, normal chaos will resume as soon as possible.

There are still protests happening at police HQ as I type this

There is no fat lady in sight yet, so it ain't over. And Yaowappa doesn't sing.

I guess he said: "or I take side, but I am still undecided which side I'll take"......

[Yunla]

This is all a facade...a staged truce to quiet the masses so that the country can peacefully and rightly so, celebrate the Kings birthday.

Who do these people think they are fooling?

They should have stopped all demonstrations and other street actions, during the period four weeks before, and upto four weeks after, this most distinguished and glorious day. Anything else is disrespectful.

[outsider]

Can someone explain... what 'victory'???

[DocN]

Can someone explain... what 'victory'???

The victory of the blind over the blondes?

[lostmebike]

Can someone explain... what 'victory'???

I know, sad isn't it?

Could someone ask Suthep that is the BIB not resisting, letting you through their barricades then swapping flowers and posing for pictures with you really a victory?

[lostmebike]

Can someone explain... what 'victory'???

The victory of the blind over the blondes?

TAT's new slogan for 2014

'Welcome To Thailand, where the blind lead the blind'