Thai Govt readjusts response to protests; time for talk finished

[GrantSmith]

Which is a bit strange coming from a guy who give the financier (and fugitive) of the 2010 mayhem back his passport. But of course Thaksin is his cousin and then different laws apply for the democratically elected government..

Didn't he get a 'pass' on that, given there was no apparent objections from the constabulary or the judiciary to issue the passport?

[GrantSmith]

 

The constitution doesn't give anyone a right to violently invade government offices or incite other people to do so.

Violently invade? We are talking about present day and not 3 years ago, right?

[jdinasia]

Toilets, water, food, medical help are all humanitarian aid, should be exempt from prosecution.

That's nonsense, all of these protesters could just go home to have a shit if they need it. What country in the world allows a mob to invade government offices and start installing their own toilets?

Every government tends to provide toilets to protesters. They are not "installed" they are supplied by the governmental body responsible for that particular area. In this case the BMA.

So every time the English Defence League go on a march they're provided with their own toilets are they?

comparing apples to persimmons I see. When has the EDL gone somewhere and had a lengthy protest/rally? They show up, trash stuff, fight, go home.

If they could manage a sit-in style protest anywhere, then yes, they would get toilets.

[kingalfred]

Keep the mass protests up all the genuine thais who want to extinguish the Shinawatras and the mass corruption of this vile hypocritical government.Yeah and that includes you Surapong , Thaksin proxy stooge

[cacruden]

Suthep seems to be focusing on Article 7 as the legal means to royally appoint the PM.... The english translation is:

Section 7. Whenever no provision under this Constitution is applicable to any case, it shall be decided in accordance with the constitutional convention in the democratic regime of government with the King as Head of State.

I do not see it.

Then there is a reference to:

Section 3. The sovereign power belongs to the Thai people. The King as Head of State shall exercise such power through the National Assembly, the Council of Ministers and the Courts in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.

Which he says it can be done in the name of the Thai people.... but only if some how you redefine some Thai people as not Thai people for the purposes of democratic representation.

The Constitution does explicitly indicate who is to be royally appointed:

Section 12. The King selects and appoints qualified persons to be the President of the Privy Council and not more than eighteen Privy Councilors to constitute the Privy Council.

So it cannot be assumed that the constitution does not layout what is elected and what is appointed.

Therefore the only way to setup an appointed prime minister is through another coup and nullifying the current constitution..... which would have one benefit of removing amnesty protections for those that did the earlier coup..... Maybe the next constitution can be written to exclude the ability to write any amnesty laws what-so-ever... which means only the pardon process after someone is convicted would be legal and must be specific to each individual given pardons. That would pretty well make it impossible to pardon anyone controversial (i.e. politically motivated; or relatives)

Edited December 6, 2013 by cacruden

[Nickymaster]

He's just announcing that he's going to enforce the law which seems a perfectly reasonable thing for a democratically elected government to do.

...any person and business which provided them any facilities would be tantamount to supporting the criminal and should also be arrested, Surapong said.

Which is a bit strange coming from a guy who give the financier (and fugitive) of the 2010 mayhem back his passport. But of course Thaksin is his cousin and then different laws apply for the democratically elected government.

Trying to close down channels that report the protests is also very democratic indeed.

There's a big difference between reporting protests and inciting criminality. The latter is not allowed in any country.

Then we agree.

I haven't heard Suthep (and Blue Sky) say that the protestors should burn down buildings or anything else in that range..

So CNN, BBC and Al Jazeera will be next on Thaksin's cousin's list I guess.

[newcomer71]

The constitution doesn't give anyone a right to violently invade government offices or incite other people to do so.

Violently invade? We are talking about present day and not 3 years ago, right?

Not violently, not peacefully.

People have been threaten, electric power was cut...

Still I think they should have not occupied government buildings.

[EyesWideOpen]

"Just to be sure, could you please repeat how you want me to handle the situation?"

Priceless photo, thanks. Well it did not take long after the King's birthday to take the gloves off.....

This shows the fear of the government now.

[Thailand]

Hopefully the govt will do more than simply talk about it.

[icare999]

Surapong orders arrest of Blue Sky executives

BANGKOK: -- Surapong Tovichakchaikul, head of the Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO), last night ordered the arrest of executives of Blue Sky digital channel, accusing them of supporting anti-Thaksin regime leader Suthep Thuagsuban.

The CAPO head, who is also foreign affairs minister, also threatened to arrest Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) executives for supporting mobile toilets to demonstrators, and all businesses which supported anti-Thaksin demonstrators through giving them food, water, donations, on same accusations.

He said he has advised the police to take action immediately to seek warrant for their arrest from the court.

Surapong said that since opponent leader Suthep has faced treason charge and warrant has been issued for his arrest, so any person and business which provided them any facilities would be tantamount to supporting the criminal and should also be arrested.

He also said that he has advised his legal advisory team to consider what action could be taken against demonstrators who supported the wrongdoers in this regard.

Surapong yesterday appointed four advisory teams to consider how to deal with the ongoing demonstrations, one of which is the legal team.

But Blue Sky Channel, meanwhile, defended its role as a media saying that its broadcast of the anti-Thaksin regime demonstrators was an act of duty performing as a media of which its right was given by the Constitution.

The executives said they were ready to cooperate and explain their roles in the court if action was taken against them.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/surapong-orders-arrest-blue-sky-executives/

-- Thai PBS 2013-12-06

<deleted> arrest everyone who does slightest thing that this government disapproves off. If anyone wants any more proof that under Taksin Thialand is fast becoming a police state. This is crazy and desperate. ? where can i send money to support the protestors. A large number of normal ordinary common people are totally fed up with this crap. IMO this is turning point and tipping point either Taksin wins or not. I had a few doubts that Suphet had gone to far but no longer. Anything is better than this and only thing they now have os to induce fear. The brainwashed or bought reds and those who sell their liberty for a few bits of silver may or may not put Taksin into power for good. If that is to be so be it.

After 30 years here I've as I've said if Taksin wins now I've had it. That does not mean I'm packing up tomorrow as I've tried to explain Dictators and police states do not happen overnight they take many many years to get established and vast majority never see it coming before its far to late.

The next few months and 1-2 years will IMO give very clear indications as to weather Taksin and his evil clan will in end win or weather Thailand can at last get rid of this cancer. Of course rear guard opposition will continue but again IMO after 30 years here I believe I will be able to see when it is hopeless. At moment its 50/50.

Believe me this is now a war to end between pure evil and something that hopefully is nowhere as bad.

[skills32]

And what about the army giving medical aid to the protesters, a warrant for them too?

BTW Bluesky has disappeared from my WETV feed,

Edited December 6, 2013 by skills32

[Artisi]

Would seem that the PTP now has its instructions from the convited criminal a fugitive from Thai justice to esculate the matter. Smart move if he is trying to bring it to a head very quickly, just hope he has everyone on side who he thinks he has. He certainty won't like getting his arse kicked as he did on the last couple of occasions.

[Tatsujin]

A nice measured and reasonable response from the champions of democracy, and so soon after yesterday's celebrations.

For anyone who DOESN'T see the truth behind their actions, this is it in a nutshell. We do what we want, how we want, when we want, and if anyone disagrees, we'll use any method at our disposal to put you down, legal or otherwise.

[petedk]

And what about the army giving medical aid to the protesters, a warrant for them too?

BTW Bluesky has disappeared from my WETV feed,

Yes. That was reported in the newspaper yesterday.

It didn't exactly say army but those that give medical help.

Sent from my GT-N5100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Edited December 6, 2013 by petedk

[mca]

This is a mistake.

HUGE mistake, and going after the people providing the toilets? or water? The BMA has the responsibility to the community at large to do that. (They did it for the reds too!) Do you really want tens of thousands of people crapping in the gutters?

Going after Blue Sky is another huge mistake. It will simply look like stifling of the press (no matter how one biased that press is) .. it didn't turn out well when they Abhisit gov't went after the red channels. (this group is obviously less violent than the reds ... but they won't stay that way of pressured too hard! Not from incitement from the stages, but from the reaction to the sheer hypocrisy of a UDD backed PTP gov't playing this dangerous "double standards" game.

Its typical of Thai politics isn't it. There's no room for compromise. It's destroy the enemy at all costs from both sides of the divide.

The "moral high ground" and possible brownie points scored by an embattled government with their "softly softly" handling of the protests etc and with the benefit of Suthep's diatribe descending into the realms of a raving loony preacher washed away in an instant.Talk about adding fuel to the fire

Thick as shit the lot of them. Political stability in Thailand? Don't make me laugh.

Edited December 6, 2013 by mca

[Valentine]

The government was just winning some sympathy for easing back with the tear gas, water cannon & rubber bullets but now a complete turn around by applying draconian measures. Dark times indeed. Blue Sky seems to be gone in Phuket & replaced by a shopping channel but Thida is spouting forth live on red TV & another channel called T-News is looking very nationalistic with military type music & Thaksin blaring out just before.

[bigbamboo]

"Just to be sure, could you please repeat how you want me to handle the situation?"

"Tell Poo to get off the pot and put some stick about or I'll get her sister to do it instead."

Edited December 6, 2013 by bigbamboo

[franckscuba]

He's just announcing that he's going to enforce the law which seems a perfectly reasonable thing for a democratically elected government to do.

Really????? how about issuing an international arrest warrant for Thaksin so he can come back, face charges, and be banned for life from politic for evading the law in the first place! that would sound a bit more democratic to me. And in a true democratic country, there is absolutely nothing wrong in protesting and asking for justice! Just because these guys are lead by an idiot, does not mean they are wrong!

[Local Drunk]

He's just announcing that he's going to enforce the law which seems a perfectly reasonable thing for a democratically elected government to do.

...any person and business which provided them any facilities would be tantamount to supporting the criminal and should also be arrested, Surapong said.

Which is a bit strange coming from a guy who give the financier (and fugitive) of the 2010 mayhem back his passport. But of course Thaksin is his cousin and then different laws apply for the democratically elected government.

Trying to close down channels that report the protests is also very democratic indeed.

There's a big difference between reporting protests and inciting criminality. The latter is not allowed in any country.

I assume you can share with us some ultra vivid criminally inciting video footage from Blue Sky... if ya got it.

[Thait Spot]

Rape democracy a bit further

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[daboyz1]

arresting the attempted coup leader is perfectly justified as they have a warrant

I thought when there's a warrant for your arrest they give you a new passport and make your sister PM? Now I'm really confused.

Edited December 6, 2013 by daboyz1

[jdinasia]

Greenpeace at Farnham Common

Thanks, I am not from the UK, would have taken research.

It is enough to say that prolonged rallies or protests are not illegal in Thailand (de facto-not sure about de jure) but that the BMA would be committing a crime to not assure the residents in an area were protected from the biological refuse of a rally of that sort.

Nothing that has happened at Democracy Monument so far has been a violation of any criminal statute. Talking about wanting a change etc ... and the court in at least one instance so far has issued an injunction barring the force-able removal of protesters from a site.

So crying about a government (in this case the BMA) doing its duty is insane.

[jaidam]

Time to enjoy the last few hours of internet connection. To allow him to complete his endgame Thaksin needs to ban internet/social media in Thailand, most likely will block publication of any free and critical news articles and outlets also. I expect this to happen imminently.

Whats next? Executing anybody that wears spectacles because they look intelligent? Viva la revolution!

[manfrommanteo]

Surapong orders arrest of Blue Sky executives

BANGKOK: -- Surapong Tovichakchaikul, head of the Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO), last night ordered the arrest of executives of Blue Sky digital channel, accusing them of supporting anti-Thaksin regime leader Suthep Thuagsuban.

The CAPO head, who is also foreign affairs minister, also threatened to arrest Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) executives for supporting mobile toilets to demonstrators, and all businesses which supported anti-Thaksin demonstrators through giving them food, water, donations, on same accusations.

He said he has advised the police to take action immediately to seek warrant for their arrest from the court.

Surapong said that since opponent leader Suthep has faced treason charge and warrant has been issued for his arrest, so any person and business which provided them any facilities would be tantamount to supporting the criminal and should also be arrested.

He also said that he has advised his legal advisory team to consider what action could be taken against demonstrators who supported the wrongdoers in this regard.

Surapong yesterday appointed four advisory teams to consider how to deal with the ongoing demonstrations, one of which is the legal team.

But Blue Sky Channel, meanwhile, defended its role as a media saying that its broadcast of the anti-Thaksin regime demonstrators was an act of duty performing as a media of which its right was given by the Constitution.

The executives said they were ready to cooperate and explain their roles in the court if action was taken against them.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/surapong-orders-arrest-blue-sky-executives/

-- Thai PBS 2013-12-06

Skitzo...that seems to be a common disease amongst these folks....

[Robby nz]

Yes time for talk is finished.

And immediately ping pong bombs and bullets start flying.

Time to dig up the grenade launchers, how long will it be before they are brought into action,,, again ?

[jdinasia]

Time to enjoy the last few hours of internet connection. To allow him to complete his endgame Thaksin needs to ban internet/social media in Thailand, most likely will block publication of any free and critical news articles and outlets also. I expect this to happen imminently.

Whats next? Executing anybody that wears spectacles because they look intelligent? Viva la revolution!

I think you are premature... they are just ramping up the threats now. The last tie I saw any media blackout that was real was CNN etc immediately after the 2006 coup.

Any other attempts to stifle assembly and information will get shut down by the courts or get the military to step in. I am guessing they will not step in on the side of the government if/when they do take action.

[Crushdepth]

In case anyone has forgotten how the Thaksin regime leaned on the media, you are now reminded.

[Thailand]

Time to enjoy the last few hours of internet connection. To allow him to complete his endgame Thaksin needs to ban internet/social media in Thailand, most likely will block publication of any free and critical news articles and outlets also. I expect this to happen imminently.

Whats next? Executing anybody that wears spectacles because they look intelligent? Viva la revolution!

Seriously?

[smedly]

yingluk met and held discussions with suthep while the arrest warrants were in play so she should also be arrested - again this government fails to apply the law in a proper legal manner which is exactly why they need to go

[zydeco]

Obviously, a change in strategy and tactics. Meat cleaver, now. And that explains where all those newly registered posters from a two or three days ago went. Guess they closed their laptops and decided to put on their ski masks and pick up wooden clubs.