I saw some middle aged western guy on what must have been the Democracy Monument stage last week ranting Thai style but in English, beside a Thai doing translation for what looked to be a very bored audience.

 

Where does it specifically say that your tourist visa prevents public protest?

 

It's covered under the paragraph that says don't be an idiot...

 

Where does it specifically say that your tourist visa prevents public protest?

 

It's covered under the paragraph that says don't be an idiot...

If that was enough to deport tourists there would be an exodus. Motorcycle with no helmet sir?

That covers 20k in a moment....

My friend went to Nong-kai and found this...Can we consider this guy lucky ?

Not the first time a member reported that immigration informed them to not get involved as it was now illegal. Foreign protesters not allowed

I agree, foreigners must not take part in it and if they do then my question to them is, what will their government do if Thais or foreigners in their country participate in such protests or mob against the power.

I live here and have for over 27 years… I have a Wife and children here that are thai. I have a company here. i pat taxes here and if i want to go to the protest sites i should be able to if i am not committing any crimes or invading government property. If a foreigner wanted to attend a protest in my home country they would not be expelled.

Which government is in office will affect my life as well as all Thais. I have my view and i can support who ever i want to… Legally… and so can Anyone else….

and what about this guy ? Something happened to him ? haha

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrJDt99OG6M

Yeah this guy really takes the cake... love it!

I agree, foreigners must not take part in it and if they do then my question to them is, what will their government do if Thais or foreigners in their country participate in such protests or mob against the power.

Your question is somewhat difficult to understand since you have some difficulties with the English language but actually in many countries foreigners participate in protests... watch this video of an ILLEGAL ASIAN IMMIGRANT in the United States heckling the President!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDEk3OTT_kY

Imagine if we did that to your beloved prime minister, we would probably get shot.

Call me an innocent farrang if you like but after our recent tour round Bkk and southern Thailand we had heard a lot about the protests. In fact we felt supportive towards them. When we returned to Bangkok before flying back to England we went for a look at the Democracy monument. Local people had said it would be safe and in fact in actually had a carnival feel.

I recorded the event and posted it on youtube. If anything I felt a duty to share what I saw as the BBC seemed biased to the government side. At no point did I expect to get deported for it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnFTDGyKj1M&feature=share&list=UUDZIivNBqj0ZdjuenKRAg5A&index=1

I agree, foreigners must not take part in it and if they do then my question to them is, what will their government do if Thais or foreigners in their country participate in such protests or mob against the power.

They get squirted with water cannons, fired on with tear gas and hit by Police officers like everyone else.

Foreigners coming to join protests, is this another TAT promotion special ?

@Anthobkk

Why? Are the hordes of farang protestors interfering with the revolution? Is this really the western political influence you're worried about?

I can honestly say I would never think ask this question of any apparently-asian person at a rally in my country.

Maybe he can vote.

Maybe he was born here.

Maybe he's married here

Maybe he has been here longer than any of the students at these rallies.

Maybe he speaks better Thai than you do.

Maybe he's a tourist and was hawked this gear on the street without realizing the gravity of the situation.

Ahhh. Feels strangely comfortable being on the other side of the race card these days.

Maybe he pays tax here and doesn't like to see his hard earned money go into the pockets of corrupt politicians.

Why not?

I love the assumption that all foreigners are guests here. Since you don't know anything about this guy's nationality, get off your soap box.

However, in general I agree that while in a foreign country it is impolite if not illegal to protest.

I'm pretty sure it's illegal to take part in political protests in Thailand if you are a foreigner. This guy better wish the police don't get this photo.

I love the assumption that all foreigners are guests here. Since you don't know anything about this guy's nationality, get off your soap box.

However, in general I agree that while in a foreign country it is impolite if not illegal to protest.

I'm pretty sure it's illegal to take part in political protests in Thailand if you are a foreigner. This guy better wish the police don't get this photo.

Chalerm will solve this, if he can get away from care taking the drinks cabinet.

something I have learned since 1993 here ..... Dont do Thai politics , as I red earlier , Thailand is not our country .

I may agree with the opposition to the Thaksin regime and generally support the Yellows but it's odd how I become a Red Shirt in a taxi..

maybe the wife threatened to stop his pocket money if he did not participate with her .

I don't believe it...it's Victor Meldrew!

Anyone who has watched any Hollywood movies know that when there is conflict in Asia, it requires a noble white skinned farang to come in and save the day.

For reference, see:

- The Last Samurai

- 47 Ronin

- Gran Torino

- The King and I

- Pacific Rim

- Avatar The Last Air Bender (movie version)

We should be cheering this white man who has stepped up to take his rightful place as the Thai Savior.

It would be a very long list. "55 Days At Peking " is one that still causes great resentment in China. One can only imagine how western countries would react to visiting Thais demonstrating on local issues....Obamacare, fox hunting, boat people, French pension reform, head scarves, gay marriage, whatever....

Having an opinion and contributing to discussion is healthy, getting involved in the streets .....certifiable

I think it's JR from Dallas

What's wrong with you all? You know this man you can judge him so openly? Just maybe he has Thai citizenship. Pays his taxes. And has the right to vote and express his opinion. Who here knows?

We saw this type of foreign involvement during the last 2010 Red Shirt uprising with those also claimed to be almighty-than-thou and we know what happen to them in the end.

Unless you are a permanent resident or have citizenship, and even then you’d be considered a little bit short in the membrane, one would have to wonder what the objective is behind getting involved in the first place?

Where's the problem? Some people try integrating into Thai society by going to school to learn the language and culture.

Joining protests is just a hell of a smart way of fast-tracking instead of paying for a crash course.

and what about this guy ? Something happened to him ? haha

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrJDt99OG6M

His case was handled by Lumphinee Police, found him overstayed his visa as well, resisted arrest, make a scene out side of court, finally deported to his native country.

I love the assumption that all foreigners are guests here. Since you don't know anything about this guy's nationality, get off your soap box.

However, in general I agree that while in a foreign country it is impolite if not illegal to protest.

1. It bothers me that we as foreigners must be considered "guests" in the country. I look at the USA where they have loads of immigrants, some illegal and nobody says they are considered guests. They have the right to assemble in public and rights the same as any other person on USA soil, except they cannot participate in politics - vote or hold office. And I guess they can't be civil servants either. Otherwise I have never heard the word guest used when we talk about Mexicans or other immigrants, be they British or Canadian.

2. It is not illegal nor impolite to protest. It is a function of freedom of speech. See point 1 for reference to rights.

Having said that, this is Thailand and I would not participate in protests. Although I have always manage to sneak into them. I like to collect the propaganda - T shirts, clappers, flip flops, CDs, and all. I do it for my own personal collection. My favorite piece is the cover of Matichon Turakij where they photoshopped a pic of Taksin as the Matrix. Taksin "Jao Paw, Hang Jao Paw". Its so great I framed it. The wife doesnt get that it is a joke so allows me to put it up at home but only over the toilet. The other stuff I keep stored for posterity. Maybe make a museum someday.

The OP is a false dichotomy - the right to vote is not necessarily connected to the need to demonstrate.

Old hippies with Alzheimer's disease ?

Still need to protest something,

But forgot who they are and where they are??

It hard to find good pot in Thailand, so they can't " chill out"!

We can't vote...nobody cares what we think...if you don't like it then leave....yeah yeah, shove it up your ass ! Fact of the matter is that yes we choose to live here but whatever happens here affects us too. The actions of the government have effects at street level such as the rampant inflation we all keep complaining about. If it wasn't 'illegal' for us to protest I would have gone too. We are all entitled to our opinion whether others want to hear it or not.

I love the assumption that all foreigners are guests here. Since you don't know anything about this guy's nationality, get off your soap box.

However, in general I agree that while in a foreign country it is impolite if not illegal to protest.

A lot of us have got PR and we can join protests without fear of deportation or any other problems. We made this country our home and we have the right to protest. As a matter of interest Permanent residents in New Zealand even have the right to vote

@Anthobkk

Why? Are the hordes of farang protestors interfering with the revolution? Is this really the western political influence you're worried about?

I can honestly say I would never think ask this question of any apparently-asian person at a rally in my country.

Maybe he can vote.

Maybe he was born here.

Maybe he's married here

Maybe he has been here longer than any of the students at these rallies.

Maybe he speaks better Thai than you do.

Maybe he's a tourist and was hawked this gear on the street without realizing the gravity of the situation.

Ahhh. Feels strangely comfortable being on the other side of the race card these days.

"I can honestly say I would never think ask this question of any apparently-asian person at a rally in my country."

Well the person who asked the question has made 63 posts on Thai Visa, so there's a good chance he's not asking it about an apparently-goofy person in HIS country.