Thai PM calls elections as 100,000 join protests

[webfact]

Thai PM calls elections as 140,000 join protest
by Anusak KONGLANG

BANGKOK, December 9, 2013 (AFP) - Thailand's premier called a snap election Monday to try to defuse the kingdom's political crisis, but protesters kept up their fight to topple the government with an estimated 140,000 demonstrators flooding the streets of Bangkok.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has faced more than a month of sometimes-violent protests by boisterous demonstrators storming key government buildings in a bid 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 political deadlock.

Yingluck, the sister of ousted leader Thaksin Shinawatra, announced in a televised national address Monday that she would dissolve the lower house and hold a general election "as soon as possible".

"The government does not want any loss of life," she said, amid fears the mass rallies could bring fresh violence.

But the leaders of the anti-government movement said they were not satisfied and pledged to rid Thailand of the influence of Thaksin, a tycoon-turned-premier who was ousted by royalist generals in a coup seven years ago and now lives in self-exile in Dubai.

"The movement will keep on fighting. Our goal is to uproot the Thaksin regime," protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, who faces an arrest warrant for insurrection, told AFP.

Thaksin -- who once described Yingluck as his "clone" -- is widely considered the de facto leader of the ruling party.

Yingluck's Puea Thai party said she was likely to be its candidate for prime minister again in the upcoming election, which it expects to be held on or around February 2.

The 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.

His overthrow in 2006 by generals loyal to the king ushered in years of political turmoil and rival street protests by the royalist "Yellow Shirts" and Thaksin's supporters, known as the "Red Shirts".

Pro-Thaksin parties have won every election in more than a decade while the opposition Democrat Party -- whose MPs resigned en masse Sunday because they could not achieve anything in parliament -- has not won an elected majority in about two decades.

Democrat Party officials said Monday they had not yet decided whether to take part in the upcoming election, which must be held within 60 days of the house's dissolution.

"The anti-government protesters want to take over the government. They do not want to contest for government because they have lost each time," said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, director of the Institute of Security and International Studies at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University.

"If they succeed we will likely have more turmoil in Thailand because the pro-government supporters, the so-called Red Shirts, have not been heard so far and we can presume that they must be very angry at the turn of events."

Dozens of people were killed in a military crackdown on mass pro-Thaksin Red Shirt rallies in Bangkok three years ago.

140,000 protesters take to the streets
Around 140,000 people were estimated to have joined the protests by early afternoon, according to the government's Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order, which was set up to deal with the unrest.

Demonstrators marched along several routes through the capital towards the government headquarters -- the main target of the rally -- paralysing traffic in parts of the city.

"We don't want politics any more -- no elections. Only the protesters can choose the next government. We choose, then the king appoints them," said one demonstrator who did not want to be named.

Tensions remain high after several days of street clashes last week when 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. Authorities have said they would try to avoid fresh confrontation.

"Police are unarmed, with only shields and batons. We will not use tear gas, or if we have no choice, its use will be limited," Interior Minister Jarupong Ruangsuwan said ahead of the rally.

"The government believes we can control the situation. We will focus on negotiation," he added.

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

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


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

[robblok]

Without changes in the constitution and placing a powerful independent organisation somewhere with the power to check and punish the government for corruption powerful enough to get data on scams like the rice pledging program and punish the government if there is too much corruption Thailand will never see peace.

Something appointed by the king with teeth.. making sure politicians can go to jail and loose their ill gotten gains, this would insure that crooks had less incentive to go in politics and the country would get better and more honest leaders. When that happens problems would quickly get less. Without this its just more of the same.

[jackrich]

100,000 on the streets in a country of 50,000,000.

A small minority trying to impose their will on a large majority.

When will Bangkokians learn that Thailand is much bigger than just Bangkok?

Bangkok is not Thailand. It's a part of Thailand.

[robblok]

100,000 on the streets in a country of 50,000,000.

A small minority trying to impose their will on a large majority.

When will Bangkokians learn that Thailand is much bigger than just Bangkok?

Bangkok is not Thailand. It's a part of Thailand.

seperate isarn from Thailand or let people vote on basis of the tax they pay.. that would solve the problem.

Also 100.000 protesting does not mean only 100.000 are not content.. remember the red Thugs that burned BKK down ? Seems it went a lot better this time.. far more civilized.

[jdinasia]

that was 100k minimum that was currently at Gov't house. Far more on the streets.

But this should be interesting to many people .....

Tulip Naksompop ‏@Tulip_Oum22m

anti-govt protesters in ChiangMai.- “@CitizenTHAIPBS: pic.twitter.com/S4NsFzLi9l”

[AryanicAristocrat]

I neither support The Reds or the Yellows, but really can people count. I think that there is at least more than a million people on the streets today. was taking the bts to check out the turnouts and God! At Silom, Sukhumvit and Saphan Kwai etc the crowds were enormous.

Those TV members who are pro red......why do u guys just don your red shorts and go out and tell ur views to the protesters.

[Robby nz]

How do you estimate the number of people in something like this ?

If you follow the news updates you will see that the lime of people coming from one direction is 3 KM long.

And there are 9 different groups going from different directions.

Someone has said 100k, who else wants to have a go?

[dru2]

100,000 on the streets in a country of 50,000,000.

A small minority trying to impose their will on a large majority.

When will Bangkokians learn that Thailand is much bigger than just Bangkok?

Bangkok is not Thailand. It's a part of Thailand.

It's a country of 65,000,000. Seems you too have something to learn.

Edited December 9, 2013 by dru2

[DLock]

100,000 on the streets in a country of 50,000,000.

A small minority trying to impose their will on a large majority.

When will Bangkokians learn that Thailand is much bigger than just Bangkok?

Bangkok is not Thailand. It's a part of Thailand.

It's a country of 65,000,000. Seems you too have something to learn.

...on many levels.

[zydeco]

100,000 on the streets in a country of 50,000,000.

A small minority trying to impose their will on a large majority.

When will Bangkokians learn that Thailand is much bigger than just Bangkok?

Bangkok is not Thailand. It's a part of Thailand.

It's a country of 65,000,000. Seems you too have something to learn.

He and a lot of these mushroom posters who suddenly sprouted a week or so ago are probably typing out their messages from some PR firm in Canada or wherever Amsterdam is.

[Thailand]

Bluff called and now they don't want elections but this unelected peoples council, what a pathetic bunch!

[Sunisalom]

multi-post - apols.

Edited December 9, 2013 by Sunisalom

[Sunisalom]

Thai math, hey. Must be difficult teaching simple addition here.

[jdinasia]

Chantaburi ---- agricultural province

George Thaivisa ‏@georgebkk17m

RT @ChadapornLin: Anti govt protest at Chantaburi city hall pic.twitter.com/wR6wbyVzYo

Crowd estimates on the street in BKK now exceed 1million

[rogerdee123]

100,000 on the streets in a country of 50,000,000.

A small minority trying to impose their will on a large majority.

When will Bangkokians learn that Thailand is much bigger than just Bangkok?

Bangkok is not Thailand. It's a part of Thailand.

who cares ? It's more than enough to do the job.

Edited December 9, 2013 by rogerdee123

[Emptyset]

100,000 on the streets in a country of 50,000,000.

A small minority trying to impose their will on a large majority.

When will Bangkokians learn that Thailand is much bigger than just Bangkok?

Bangkok is not Thailand. It's a part of Thailand.

seperate isarn from Thailand or let people vote on basis of the tax they pay.. that would solve the problem.

Also 100.000 protesting does not mean only 100.000 are not content.. remember the red Thugs that burned BKK down ? Seems it went a lot better this time.. far more civilized.

Well, the reds only asked for as much as these guys have already been given... good to see people aren't disguising their anti-democratic sentiments by the way.

[jdinasia]

Bluff called and now they don't want elections but this unelected peoples council, what a pathetic bunch!

The protesters have said that elections were not enough for over a week now. So not a bluff and not a change in position on the topic.

[Thailand]

Bluff called and now they don't want elections but this unelected peoples council, what a pathetic bunch!

The protesters have said that elections were not enough for over a week now. So not a bluff and not a change in position on the topic.

We know where you stand then.

No democratic elections in your country I guess?

[kaobang]

only 100,000?Suthep said millions

"RT@Aim_NT: Suthep said the protest tomorrow will break global record of largest protest in Egypt's, with 500,000 protesters, as millions ppl will come." (from live sunday)

Yingluck called for new elections not like dozens of dictators in the world then instead of leaving the throne,massacre their own people.

she acts as she is taking care of all thais not like suthep who is just ignoring the millions of thais who support the government

Edited December 9, 2013 by kaobang

[thaiman]

100,000 on the streets in a country of 50,000,000.

A small minority trying to impose their will on a large majority.

Yep, and it might work!

BTW, a small minority pretty much control all the societies of the world.

[robblok]

100,000 on the streets in a country of 50,000,000.

A small minority trying to impose their will on a large majority.

When will Bangkokians learn that Thailand is much bigger than just Bangkok?

Bangkok is not Thailand. It's a part of Thailand.

seperate isarn from Thailand or let people vote on basis of the tax they pay.. that would solve the problem.

Also 100.000 protesting does not mean only 100.000 are not content.. remember the red Thugs that burned BKK down ? Seems it went a lot better this time.. far more civilized.

Well, the reds only asked for as much as these guys have already been given... good to see people aren't disguising their anti-democratic sentiments by the way.

The reds were offered it and still burned down part of BKK thugs they were. Much worse as yellow though they are no angels either.

Anti democratic.. maybe.... but seeing there is such a divide why not give isarn independent status and let them hold up their own finances instead of leaching of BKK. I know that I would be pretty pissed off if I was paying taxes and robbed blind to give to the other side so they could win elections. Sounds real unfair to me that the ones paying for it have no say in it Would be different if they were paying too.

I like my other idea better actually.. getting a royally appointed institution with real power to check for corruption (red and yellow) with the power to really investigate and make sure real punishment is handed out and ill gains confiscated .. plus a fine and jail-time. We are talking about honest people who go after the corruption without interference of the government and no allegiance to any party. Give them a 1% bonus of all money retrieved.

This would help against corruption take the money out of politics (not totally that is an illusion but a lot) This would mean crooks would be less likely to go into politics and vote buying isnt profitable neither would populist measures and you get people who really want to do good for the country.. (not care what color shirt)

[NeverSure]

How do you estimate the number of people in something like this ?

If you follow the news updates you will see that the lime of people coming from one direction is 3 KM long.

And there are 9 different groups going from different directions.

Someone has said 100k, who else wants to have a go?

A million people doesn't look that big if there's room for them, any more that 100,000 looks that big in a proper football stadium.

I saw about 800,000 people on and around the Mall in Washington, DC. At least that what the news networks reported later. The mall is 2+ miles long and 1/3 mile wide. (3 km x .5 km) The crowd overflowed from that up some side streets.

I have no idea how many people are protesting across Thailand. I can say only that 100,000 wouldn't look that big.

Edited December 9, 2013 by NeverSure

[smedly]

Bluff called and now they don't want elections but this unelected peoples council, what a pathetic bunch!

The protesters have said that elections were not enough for over a week now. So not a bluff and not a change in position on the topic.

We know where you stand then.

No democratic elections in your country I guess?

I don't think the protestors are saying no elections, they are saying no elections until the political system in this country is fixed, if you don't think it needs fixing then you are denying the obvious - history doesn't lie

It won't be fixed while anything Thaksin has anything to do with it which is why they want them gone completely.

Don't forget this is Thaksins version of reconciliation going on right now - I just don't see it

Get the auditor in to see the government books - lets expose what has really been going on for 2 years

[lungmi]

Bluff called and now they don't want elections but this unelected peoples council, what a pathetic bunch!

The protesters have said that elections were not enough for over a week now. So not a bluff and not a change in position on the topic.

We know where you stand then.

No democratic elections in your country I guess?

In my country the gouvernment accepts the Constitutional Court

[smedly]

How do you estimate the number of people in something like this ?

If you follow the news updates you will see that the lime of people coming from one direction is 3 KM long.

And there are 9 different groups going from different directions.

Someone has said 100k, who else wants to have a go?

A million people doesn't look that big if there's room for them, any more that 100,000 looks that big in a proper football stadium.

I saw 1 million people on and around the Mall in Washington, DC. At least that what the news networks reported later. The mall is 2+ miles long and 1/3 mile wide. (3 km x .5 km) The crowd overflowed from that up some side streets.

I have no idea how many people are protesting across Thailand. I can say only that 100,000 wouldn't look that big.

100,000 is just over a Manchester derby numbers, looks to me like 10x that in BKK and lets not forget the rest of the country

[Spare]

How do you estimate the number of people in something like this ?

If you follow the news updates you will see that the lime of people coming from one direction is 3 KM long.

And there are 9 different groups going from different directions.

Someone has said 100k, who else wants to have a go?

A million people doesn't look that big if there's room for them, any more that 100,000 looks that big in a proper football stadium.

I saw 1 million people on and around the Mall in Washington, DC. At least that what the news networks reported later. The mall is 2+ miles long and 1/3 mile wide. (3 km x .5 km) The crowd overflowed from that up some side streets.

I have no idea how many people are protesting across Thailand. I can say only that 100,000 wouldn't look that big.

100,000 is just over a Manchester derby numbers, looks to me like 10x that in BKK and lets not forget the rest of the country

I am not a professional estimator. But it sure look like 10 million to me. At least to me.

[soomak]

How do you estimate the number of people in something like this ?

If you follow the news updates you will see that the lime of people coming from one direction is 3 KM long.

And there are 9 different groups going from different directions.

Someone has said 100k, who else wants to have a go?

There is a company from Israel who can tell you how many there are based on their cellphones signals (assuming everybody has a cellphone, which is probably true). They are very accurate.

Of course you can also use aerial photos, but it's more complicated and less reliable.

[jdinasia]

Bluff called and now they don't want elections but this unelected peoples council, what a pathetic bunch!

The protesters have said that elections were not enough for over a week now. So not a bluff and not a change in position on the topic.

We know where you stand then.

No democratic elections in your country I guess?

Where do I stand? Please enlighten me because I am still a bit ambiguous on the idea of what happens next.

My country has FA to do with Thailand, but in a country that the government does not follow the law yet cannot be replaced I would be hard pressed to call it a democracy.

back to the topic ... new pic of only one of the marches still heading to Gov't house.

https://twitter.com/minitin18/status/409925093985234944/photo/1

a MASSIVE number of people on the streets.

[zydeco]

The government is crumbling.

[DocN]

Wow...100.000...that is only 900.000 short of what they wanted...