Thai opposition protesters prepare for 'final showdown'

[webfact]

Thai opposition protesters prepare for 'final showdown'

BANGKOK, December 9, 2013 (AFP) - Thailand's strife-hit capital is bracing Monday for fresh opposition protests described as "judgement day" by demonstrators seeking to overthrow the embattled premier, despite her offer of early elections.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has faced more than a month of rallies by demonstrators, sometimes numbering in their tens of thousands, who want to suspend the country's democracy in favour of an unelected "People's Council".

Thai opposition lawmakers resigned en masse from parliament Sunday, deepening the kingdom's political crisis.
The protesters are united in their loathing for Yingluck's brother Thaksin Shinawatra, a billionaire telecoms tycoon turned populist politician who was ousted by royalist generals in a coup seven years ago.

His overthrow ushered in years of political turmoil and sometimes bloody street protests by the royalist "Yellow Shirts" and the rival pro-Thaksin "Red Shirts".

Tensions remain high in the kingdom following several days of street clashes as police used tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets against rock-throwing demonstrators.

The unrest has left five people dead and more than 200 injured and the fear is that the fresh protests could bring fresh violence.

Demonstrators and police have observed a temporary truce since Wednesday for the 86th birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is treated as a near-deity by many Thais.

With turnout dwindling, protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has called for a final push on Monday to bring down the government.

"We want you to come out and march in every road. We will not go home empty-handed," he said in a speech to supporters late on Sunday, calling for the world's biggest-ever rally.

The former deputy premier, who now faces an arrest warrant for insurrection, has vowed to surrender to the authorities unless enough people join the march to the government headquarters.

Thailand's political conflict broadly pits a Bangkok-based middle class and royalist elite backed by the military against rural and working-class voters loyal to Thaksin.

The former premier went into exile in 2008 to avoid jail for a corruption conviction which he says was politically motivated.

Pro-Thaksin parties have won every election in more than a decade, and Yingluck on Sunday renewed her offer of elections if the protesters -- a mix of royalists, middle class Thais and other Thaksin opponents -- agree to respect the democratic process.

The protest leaders, however, have said that they would not be satisfied with new elections.

The opposition Democrat Party -- which said Sunday its roughly 150 MPs were quitting because they could not achieve anything in parliament -- has not won an elected majority in about two decades.

New concrete barriers have been put in place around the government headquarters ahead of the planned protest, but unlike in previous demonstrations, security officials said barbed wire would not be used.

"The police will keep up negotiations and to try avoid any injury or death," said national police spokesman Piya Utayo, urging protesters to respect the law.

The demonstrations were triggered by an amnesty bill, since dropped by Yingluck's ruling party, which opponents feared would have cleared the way for her brother Thaksin's return.

They are the biggest and deadliest street demonstrations since 2010, when dozens of people were killed in a military crackdown on mass pro-Thaksin Red Shirt rallies in Bangkok.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2013-12-09

[tominbkk]

Good luck Thailand! May cool heads prevail on this decisive day!

[mca]

Whatever happens today let's pray that there are no needless victims on any side.

[jaltsc]

"The unrest has left five people dead and more than 200 injured and the fear is that the fresh protests could bring fresh violence."

There will be families crying over lost ones, and yet there will be absolutely no progress made on the political front. Thailand seems to be a merry go round of political futility. Until "compromise" and "bi-partisanship" are introduced into the Thai vocabulary, there will continue to be more of the same.

[kingstonkid]

bi-partisanship

jaltsc Please tell me you are not American

Not sure when those words have ever been used lately in any North American Country.

Politics around the world seems to be getting more polarized than ever.

Remember what they used to be like in Canada and the US.

[lostmebike]

'Final Showdown'

More unnecessary noise, traffic congestion, BS, violence and hatred then, great

Cartoon politics at its worst.

[englishoak]

Pssst someone tell them theres no one to have a showdown with since the gov are dissolving

The whistle sellers are not going to be happy.

[newcomer71]

God save Thailand...

[Alwyn]

So when this Suthep character says we don't want democracy, we want an unelected peoples council, he's talking about himself right? Who would the "people's council" be held to account by. Is the plan to put a mix of people together for this council so there's some kind of fair representation? Or is it basically a cartel of high society clowns? Will this people's council have people with some experience to talk trade etc with other countries or will it be a manufacturer who has a friends etc.... Most countries want democracy - which is why so many are dead in Egypt and Syria and fighting still goes on in Syria. How many revolutions and civil wars have there been in the last century fighting to get democracy? This country has democracy and they're fighting to get rid of it! How bizarre

[Spare]

The last time the Yellow form a part called "New Party", they were sure of a landslide, especially in Bangkok. It didn't happen.

[ingvar]

I think in the "root" of all this is the basic class struggle that all European Countries went through many many years ago between the rich and and the poor or the "have" and the "have nots".

It does not really matter who is the focus point for the "have nots", in this case it happened to be Thaksin who popped up in the right place and time to accelerate the issue. Any new election will serve to further divide the society until the basic problem of the poor in Thailand is addressed properly.

One may argue that voters can be influenced to vote in a certain way or for a certain person by monetary means, but deep down I think the vote is cast anyway not for the person but against the "elite".

[newermonkey]

Can we please bring back General Prem Tinsulanonda, just prop him up in a chair, blow off the cobwebs, dust him down, a bit of lick and polish. Play some old Jazz music on all tv and radio stations, broken only by some army broadcast to stay calm.

Can we please get the Thai people to forget about "playing" politics, please, its not going to work.

Please just let the experts run the country, it worked before it'll work again.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prem_Tinsulanonda

[timewilltell]

What to do where you have a bunch of corrupt politicians serving the monied, elite business (to a degree) and old school on one side and an even more corrupt bunch of politicians pretending to serve the poor and ignorant on the other side.

I guess the elite lot managed to keep the ignorant, ignorant by refusing to educate them for the continuation of their ability to profit from them, whilst the others have continued to keep them ignorant so they can spin them any old story to get into power and reap the benefits of their extended pillaging of the country's finances.

Thaksin the magnificent on one side - sort of like Al Jafar in Alladin - all pretence to fuel his megalomania and the charming Abhisit on the other side rather like Pinocchio only with strings to the old grandpas running the democrats.

Oh dear - where is the genie?

[thailandbeachisland]

So, we cannot go shopping today ? Big drama !!!

[bra]

I hope something positive for Thailand and ALL of its people comes out of this. In the meantime it might pay to check your travel insurance if you have it. A clause in mine states that I am not covered in the event of usurped power whether war is declared or not.

[AlphMichaels]

Watching some live news feeds of the demonstrators. They either didn't set their alarm clocks or they're running on "Thai time" or Suthep needs to go ahead and turn himself in to authorities, as promised.

Like any of that will happen and that will be the end of this melee. But I would like to see it end for everyone's sake.

[bander]

So when this Suthep character says we don't want democracy, we want an unelected peoples council, he's talking about himself right? Who would the "people's council" be held to account by. Is the plan to put a mix of people together for this council so there's some kind of fair representation? Or is it basically a cartel of high society clowns? Will this people's council have people with some experience to talk trade etc with other countries or will it be a manufacturer who has a friends etc.... Most countries want democracy - which is why so many are dead in Egypt and Syria and fighting still goes on in Syria. How many revolutions and civil wars have there been in the last century fighting to get democracy? This country has democracy and they're fighting to get rid of it! How bizarre

High society clowns would be the right description on Suthep and his yellow mob (I'm not a Thaksin supporter)

[nigelnigel]

So when this Suthep character says we don't want democracy, we want an unelected peoples council, he's talking about himself right? Who would the "people's council" be held to account by. Is the plan to put a mix of people together for this council so there's some kind of fair representation? Or is it basically a cartel of high society clowns? Will this people's council have people with some experience to talk trade etc with other countries or will it be a manufacturer who has a friends etc.... Most countries want democracy - which is why so many are dead in Egypt and Syria and fighting still goes on in Syria. How many revolutions and civil wars have there been in the last century fighting to get democracy? This country has democracy and they're fighting to get rid of it! How bizarre

There is absolutely NO PLAN!! I have asked many many many protesters to see if they know what the plan is...NOTHING...."what are you going to do when/if Yingluck steps away?" Uhhhhhhhhhhh...........really. No one knows anything!

[Alwyn]

So when this Suthep character says we don't want democracy, we want an unelected peoples council, he's talking about himself right? Who would the "people's council" be held to account by. Is the plan to put a mix of people together for this council so there's some kind of fair representation? Or is it basically a cartel of high society clowns? Will this people's council have people with some experience to talk trade etc with other countries or will it be a manufacturer who has a friends etc.... Most countries want democracy - which is why so many are dead in Egypt and Syria and fighting still goes on in Syria. How many revolutions and civil wars have there been in the last century fighting to get democracy? This country has democracy and they're fighting to get rid of it! How bizarre

High society clowns would be the right description on Suthep and his yellow mob (I'm not a Thaksin supporter)

Like yourself I'm not a Thaksin supporter, in fairness I'm not supporting anybody as I'm a visitor to this country (albeit a long term one) so it's not really any of my business. I'm just perplexed by it all.

[Alwyn]

So when this Suthep character says we don't want democracy, we want an unelected peoples council, he's talking about himself right? Who would the "people's council" be held to account by. Is the plan to put a mix of people together for this council so there's some kind of fair representation? Or is it basically a cartel of high society clowns? Will this people's council have people with some experience to talk trade etc with other countries or will it be a manufacturer who has a friends etc.... Most countries want democracy - which is why so many are dead in Egypt and Syria and fighting still goes on in Syria. How many revolutions and civil wars have there been in the last century fighting to get democracy? This country has democracy and they're fighting to get rid of it! How bizarre

There is absolutely NO PLAN!! I have asked many many many protesters to see if they know what the plan is...NOTHING...."what are you going to do when/if Yingluck steps away?" Uhhhhhhhhhhh...........really. No one knows anything!

Totally incredible. If that's the case then the question needs to be asked if they know why they're protesting and bringing the country to it's knees again? Probably not as the whole thing seems driven by personal agendas and not any real interest in the benefit of the country or it's people

[DocN]

"Compromise! Not a dirty word!"

-Bono-

[jaltsc]

As with most nations in the world, Thailand's voters choose to "Go with the devil they know".

[drand11]

So when this Suthep character says we don't want democracy, we want an unelected peoples council, he's talking about himself right? Who would the "people's council" be held to account by. Is the plan to put a mix of people together for this council so there's some kind of fair representation? Or is it basically a cartel of high society clowns? Will this people's council have people with some experience to talk trade etc with other countries or will it be a manufacturer who has a friends etc.... Most countries want democracy - which is why so many are dead in Egypt and Syria and fighting still goes on in Syria. How many revolutions and civil wars have there been in the last century fighting to get democracy? This country has democracy and they're fighting to get rid of it! How bizarre

[drand11]

So when this Suthep character says we don't want democracy, we want an unelected peoples council, he's talking about himself right? Who would the "people's council" be held to account by. Is the plan to put a mix of people together for this council so there's some kind of fair representation? Or is it basically a cartel of high society clowns? Will this people's council have people with some experience to talk trade etc with other countries or will it be a manufacturer who has a friends etc.... Most countries want democracy - which is why so many are dead in Egypt and Syria and fighting still goes on in Syria. How many revolutions and civil wars have there been in the last century fighting to get democracy? This country has democracy and they're fighting to get rid of it! How bizarre

[drand11]

I agree, they have democracy, just some don't like it! So disavowing democracy is their answer. They should be focusing on winning votes in the house, not destroying their constitution!

[Baerboxer]

The last time the Yellow form a part called "New Party", they were sure of a landslide, especially in Bangkok. It didn't happen.

Interesting how times and seemingly innocuous events can bring change.

My wife just told me she's meeting a large number of friends from her old Uni. They all supported PTP at the last election. Sure it was a vote against the ruling HiSo elites, but they all thought and wanted Yingluck to be a breath of fresh air. None of them believed that she would be so totally controlled by Thaksin, who has now even filled the cabinet with lots of his old cronies. They are totally pissed off at the massive increase in corruption, inept performance, and above all the openness with which Thaksin controls everything and the constant lies they are expected to believe. They do not want a Shinawattra dictatorship, and have lost all trust and confidence in PTP and its government.

They will join the protest against the government. The same government they voted in. They now want them out because they have acted illegally and they believe they are against the country.

This large group come from varied backgrounds, but certainly working class, have bachelor, masters, and doctorate degree holders among them, and work in various occupations - housewives, teachers, lecturers, lawyers, vets, doctors, civil servants, business. All are between 30 and 50.

If this group are representative, then PTP could really struggle in some constituencies as they did in Don Meuang.

Even ardent Red Shirts that I know, have lost the enthusiasm that used to be there. They don't see PTP delivering for the people as promised.

An interesting side note. My wife met Thaksin several times when he owned MUFC. He certainly made an impression of sorts.

Edited December 9, 2013 by Baerboxer

[risky11]

bi-partisanship

jaltsc Please tell me you are not American

Not sure when those words have ever been used lately in any North American Country.

Politics around the world seems to be getting more polarized than ever.

Remember what they used to be like in Canada and the US.

I'm American and yes, I remember what politics used to be like. Every time the Senate and House decided to compromise and be bi-partisan, the country suffered from more Socialism. Little by little our freedoms have been eroded, our currency devalued and the productive people taxed to support the unproductive. Enough is enough. Compromise and be bi-partisanship are a losing game. Standing for what is right and true is the only way forward. The corrupt liars must be CRUSHED, not coddled.

Democracy is also a losing game. It always devolves into Mobacracy (on display in Thailand). The life of a Democracy is as short as it's end is violent. Democracy is just a stepping stone to Socialism/Communism. My idea would be to return to the ideas of our Founding Fathers. Only the educated, mature, moral and responsible members of society would play a part in societal decisionmaking.

Edited December 9, 2013 by risky11

[drand11]

The sad thing is that now, there are many that say "to hell with the uneducated vote" and the minority should have the final day.

[Bluespunk]

The last time the Yellow form a part called "New Party", they were sure of a landslide, especially in Bangkok. It didn't happen.

Interesting how times and seemingly innocuous events can bring change.

My wife just told me she's meeting a large number of friends from her old Uni. They all supported PTP at the last election. Sure it was a vote against the ruling HiSo elites, but they all thought and wanted Yingluck to be a breath of fresh air. None of them believed that she would be so totally controlled by Thaksin, who has now even filled the cabinet with lots of his old cronies. They are totally pissed off at the massive increase in corruption, inept performance, and above all the openness with which Thaksin controls everything and the constant lies they are expected to believe. They do not want a Shinawattra dictatorship, and have lost all trust and confidence in PTP and its government.

They will join the protest against the government. The same government they voted in. They now want them out because they have acted illegally and they believe they are against the country.

This large group come from varied backgrounds, but certainly working class, have bachelor, masters, and doctorate degree holders among them, and work in various occupations - housewives, teachers, lecturers, lawyers, vets, doctors, civil servants, business. All are between 30 and 50.

If this group are representative, then PTP could really struggle in some constituencies as they did in Don Meuang.

Even ardent Red Shirts that I know, have lost the enthusiasm that used to be there. They don't see PTP delivering for the people as promised.

An interesting side note. My wife met Thaksin several times when he owned MUFC. He certainly made an impression of sorts.

MCFC. Though as a Liverpool fan I would have been happy to see thaksin destroy united in the manner he has done with Thailand.

[citizen33]

Just seen one of the sub-rallies pass through lower Sukhumvit. The protesters were peaceful and good humoured, but I'd say the numbers were quite small, There was a mini convey of pickups accompanied by people on foot and then three or four small groups of motor bikes and pickups a few minutes later. At the moment all is sweetness and light, and I hope nobody does anything silly to get hurt. My own view is that there are good people on both sides, but that the yellow side has to be patient and accept that the party that wins the election governs. With the USA and the ASEAN partners looking on any move to suspend democracy in Thailand will have negative consequences. I suspect that the US has whispered in the army's ear already.