Shutdown is illegal, govt warns

[Lite Beer]

Shutdown is illegal, govt warns
The Sunday Nation

Participants of the protest organised by the People
PDRC unveils 7.5-kilometre march plan today

BANGKOK: -- Government figures yesterday urged people not to join the "Bangkok shutdown" mass rally scheduled for January 13, warning that the protest was against the law. They also sought to discredit the movement - as the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) unveiled its plan for another march today.

PDRC spokesman Akanat Promphan said yesterday that the 7.5-kilometre march today would begin at 10am from Democracy Monument, where the anti-government protest has continued for more than two months.

He said the march this time would pass Phra Phuttha Yodfa Bridge, which is also known as Memorial Bridge, Pahurat (Bangkok's Little India), and roads on the Thon Buri side of the city.

There would also be similar marches on Tuesday and Thursday (Jan 7 and 9), the spokesman said.

He also called on the government's Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) to have measures that could prevent further violence against protesters. He said the PDRC protesters would not resort to violence.

Akanat said there had been repeated attempts to attack the PDRC after it managed to mobilise more and more people at its three previous mass rallies in November and December.

PDRC leaders yesterday had a meeting at an undisclosed location on Rajdamnoen Avenue to discuss their "Bangkok shutdown" plan, according to the spokesman.

Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul, who is in charge of the CAPO, said yesterday the government appealed for people to think carefully on whether they should join the shutdown. He urged them not to support the PDRC's idea of occupying 20 major intersections in the capital, as part of a bid to force the caretaker Cabinet to resign en masse.

He said such an action would be in violation of the law and rights of other people, and it would bring severe negative impacts on the economy.

Surapong said the authorities were preparing "strong measures" to deal with the shutdown.

Deputy spokesman for the ruling Pheu Thai Party, Anusorn Iamsaard said it was estimated that protests organised by the PDRC had caused more than Bt70 billion in damage to the Thai economy. A Bangkok shutdown could increase the damage to more than Bt200 billion, he said.

On Friday night, anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban announced that the PDRC rally site at Democracy Monument on Rajdamnoen Avenue would be shut down on the day of "Bangkok Shutdown" on Jan 13.

He said new rally stages would instead be set up at 20 major intersections where mass demonstrations would be held all across Bangkok as part of a campaign to "seize" the capital.

"For those of you desiring to join us at Rajdamnoen on the day, please come no later than the evening of January 12. We are leaving Democracy Monument for good on January 13 for other grounds and not looking back," he said.

In a related development, Singapore Airlines said it would cancel 19 flights to Bangkok in the coming weeks as political tensions in the Thai capital were keeping some travellers away, according to The Straits Times.

Travel agents are also seeing fewer bookings as leisure travellers opt for less-troubled spots in Thailand like Phuket. The slowdown has even affected Bangkok's popularity as a destination for corporate travel, and meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (Mice) events, they said.

SIA, which flies five times a day to Bangkok, will cancel about one in 10 flights between Jan 14 and Feb 25. Affected customers will be put on other flights or given refunds if they cancel plans, a spokesman said.

-- The Nation 2014-01-05

[daboyz1]

How can any of these government officials be taken seriously when some of them gave moral and financial support to the protesters that shut down Bangkok in 2010?

[jackrich]

I must say I have never been a fan of Suthep, but today I will join the protests. I will walk out of my living room, march down the hall, into the toilet and take a dump for deader leader Suthep. I strongly urge everyone else to come out and join me.

[JRSoul]

I must say I have never been a fan of Suthep, but today I will join the protests. I will walk out of my living room, march down the hall, into the toilet and take a dump for deader leader Suthep. I strongly urge everyone else to come out and join me.

Put an X on your forehead before you go.

[BSPolice]

Surapong is constantly being caught with his trousers around his ankles.

He is supposed to be head of CAPO 'Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order'

Yet their handling of the Dec 26th ruckus with their 'men in black' on rooftops clearly exacerbating the situation and videos of police willfully vandalizing cars and terrorizing a health worker trapped in her pickup... all under the control of CAPO and their so called role to maintain 'Peace and order'. Not to mention releasing a statement saying the 'men on the roof' were protesters knowing full well that they were police (under THEIR) supposed control.

Then we have daily statements using terms such as 'combined force' and 'strong measures' not to mention 'death penalty'. These are not words of peace and order, these are words of 'INTIMIDATION'.

This CAPO bunch of idiots are almost guaranteed to mess these coming major protests up, this time it won't be a few thousand students, it will be a lot more grave.

[jackrich]

...

Yet their handling of the Dec 26th ruckus with their 'men in black' on rooftops clearly exacerbating the situation

...

The men in black on the rooftops were clearly unarmed as shown in the photos.

In case you're not aware, most if not all riot police around the world wear black. What do you want them to wear? Pink tutus?

You're basically saying that everyone with black shirts is evil?

[EricBerg]

I miss little sis. Hasn't she got anything to say about all this? Would love a live statement on tv. It would beat all the crap movies and sports this weekend.

Edited January 4, 2014 by EricBerg

[MaiChai]

She is lieing low as instructed by her brother. Only Surapong is making any noise.

[blabth]

For The caretaker Governments it is a loose loose situation. Asking for interference could mean that police and military would not follow the order or a bloody escalation could follow, which would than be also used against the government. Doing nothing show the situation as a lame duck, not having the power to intervene.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[aimbc]

I want to know, if this govt can come up with this remarkaable figures, one would think they would be able to come up with numbers about the rice scheme. Curious. Am I missing something here?

[aimbc]

She is lieing low as instructed by her brother. Only Surapong is making any noise.

Yes I agree with you. Everyone else are pawns to him. And these guys already sold their soul to TS. They just have to do. Not an option. How pathetic.

[Publicus]

Surapong is constantly being caught with his trousers around his ankles.

He is supposed to be head of CAPO 'Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order'

Yet their handling of the Dec 26th ruckus with their 'men in black' on rooftops clearly exacerbating the situation and videos of police willfully vandalizing cars and terrorizing a health worker trapped in her pickup... all under the control of CAPO and their so called role to maintain 'Peace and order'. Not to mention releasing a statement saying the 'men on the roof' were protesters knowing full well that they were police (under THEIR) supposed control.

Then we have daily statements using terms such as 'combined force' and 'strong measures' not to mention 'death penalty'. These are not words of peace and order, these are words of 'INTIMIDATION'.

This CAPO bunch of idiots are almost guaranteed to mess these coming major protests up, this time it won't be a few thousand students, it will be a lot more grave.

Police on the rooftop of a government building during a mass riot determined to prevent candidates registering for the scheduled election is hardly the stuff of conspiracies or of government violence - it's normal and routine procedure practiced by any legitimate government.

Your "intimidation" is the government's inherent right to protect and preserve itself, which all governments have and which is the duty of any duly elected government to all of the nation and its people.

The government is facing a declared insurrection by mobs led in this instance by a incipient fascist who wants to overthrow the legitimately elected government in favor of a Mussolini fashioned "People's Council" which admittedly is intended to deliver the absolute rule of the privileged elites in place of a duly scheduled election.

This is now moving beyond incipient fascism as Thailand enters the time and temper of 1930s Europe.

[Siripon]

Thaksin's relatives like Surapong should keep quiet like Yingluck.

The more he 'warns' the public, the angrier they will get and come out on the 13th.

[Thailand]

Best thing for the caretaker government is too lie low. Try to ensure there are as few confrontations as possible.

Let the shutdown proceed and the wait for the people of Bangkok,who will be severely affected,to do the rest.

[sjjmmi]

Best thing for the caretaker government is too lie low. Try to ensure there are as few confrontations as possible.

Let the shutdown proceed and the wait for the people of Bangkok,who will be severely affected,to do the rest.

So civil war then

[h90]

How can any of these government officials be taken seriously when some of them gave moral and financial support to the protesters that shut down Bangkok in 2010?

And how can they be taken seriously when they put 5 family members in top positions to be elected......It is not a government it is a Shinawatra enterprise

[jackrich]

How can any of these government officials be taken seriously when some of them gave moral and financial support to the protesters that shut down Bangkok in 2010?

And how can they be taken seriously when they put 5 family members in top positions to be elected......It is not a government it is a Shinawatra enterprise

I'd rather have 5 members of the same family on the ballot, allowing people to have them "elected" than a non-elected "people's council".

Elections are always better than no elections, no matter who's on the ballot. People can vote "no" if they don't like the choices.

[Bluespunk]

"Shutdown is illegal, govt warns"

Why is it against the law to join the protest? Annoying, disruptive, counter-productive, yes, all of these. But illegal? Is it against the law because it is against PT's wishes?

[Rich teacher]

How can any of these government officials be taken seriously when some of them gave moral and financial support to the protesters that shut down Bangkok in 2010?

And how can they be taken seriously when they put 5 family members in top positions to be elected......It is not a government it is a Shinawatra enterprise

Shinawatras win elections! They are not stupid.

[daboyz1]

Shinawatras win elections! They are not stupid.

Doesn't say much for the people that vote for them. Anyone that falls for election promises like "All Thais will be rich in 6 months" probably isn't voting on the issues.

Edited January 5, 2014 by daboyz1

[GeorgeO]

How can any of these government officials be taken seriously when some of them gave moral and financial support to the protesters that shut down Bangkok in 2010?

They have also had over three and a half years to bring to justice those who did far worse in 2010, and yet they still walk free, indeed, many of them serve this "government" in high positions...!!

So how does Surapong identify the current actions as illegal when compared to the Red Shirt tactics of that time?

[jackrich]

"Shutdown is illegal, govt warns"

Why is it against the law to join the protest? Annoying, disruptive, counter-productive, yes, all of these. But illegal? Is it against the law because it is against PT's wishes?

I would assume that it's illegal because Suthep has not said it would be a simple protest. He has called on people to block traffic in the entire city, cut electricity and water supply.

What part of that seems "legal" to you?

[Rich teacher]

Shinawatras win elections! They are not stupid.

Doesn't say much for the people that vote for them. Anyone that falls for election promises like "All Thais will be rich in 6 months" probably isn't voting on the issues.

Says a lot about their opposition though.

[Tatsujin]

I'm curious, how much did it cost Thailand in 2010?

[Bluespunk]

"Shutdown is illegal, govt warns"

Why is it against the law to join the protest? Annoying, disruptive, counter-productive, yes, all of these. But illegal? Is it against the law because it is against PT's wishes?

I would assume that it's illegal because Suthep has not said it would be a simple protest. He has called on people to block traffic in the entire city, cut electricity and water supply.

What part of that seems "legal" to you?

Demonstrations are disruptive. Not illegal. That's what seems legal to me. The water supply and electricity threats were directed at specific buildings I think. Yes they are illegal but the protests, despite the fact they will cause a lot of problems are not illegal.

[daboyz1]

Says a lot about their opposition though.

No doubt. You have one side that is being run by a crook on the run, and the other side being run by a bunch of incompetents. I guess for your average poor voter, you might as well get a few hundred baht for your vote.

Also, the opposition doesn't have near the vote buying network that Thaksin does. They probably need to step that up.

[jackrich]

"Shutdown is illegal, govt warns"

Why is it against the law to join the protest? Annoying, disruptive, counter-productive, yes, all of these. But illegal? Is it against the law because it is against PT's wishes?

I would assume that it's illegal because Suthep has not said it would be a simple protest. He has called on people to block traffic in the entire city, cut electricity and water supply.

What part of that seems "legal" to you?

Demonstrations are disruptive. Not illegal. That's what seems legal to me. The water supply and electricity threats were directed at specific buildings I think. Yes they are illegal but the protests, despite the fact they will cause a lot of problems are not illegal.

Right, blocking all the traffic in a city is not illegal. How about you try it in London, Paris, New York. Let's see if they believe you that it's completely legal.

[daboyz1]

Right, blocking all the traffic in a city is not illegal. How about you try it in London, Paris, New York. Let's see if they believe you that it's completely legal.

Yeah blocking traffic is not the way the affect political change. The way to affect political change is to build an armed encampment in the middle of the capitol for two months, and threaten to burn it down. Then actually carry out the arson. That's how you get things done politically in Thailand. Suthep and his followers are a bunch of amateurs.

Edited January 5, 2014 by daboyz1

[Bluespunk]

"Shutdown is illegal, govt warns"

Why is it against the law to join the protest? Annoying, disruptive, counter-productive, yes, all of these. But illegal? Is it against the law because it is against PT's wishes?

I would assume that it's illegal because Suthep has not said it would be a simple protest. He has called on people to block traffic in the entire city, cut electricity and water supply.

What part of that seems "legal" to you?

Demonstrations are disruptive. Not illegal. That's what seems legal to me. The water supply and electricity threats were directed at specific buildings I think. Yes they are illegal but the protests, despite the fact they will cause a lot of problems are not illegal.

Right, blocking all the traffic in a city is not illegal. How about you try it in London, Paris, New York. Let's see if they believe you that it's completely legal.

It's done a lot in Paris, especially by farmers. All demonstrations block traffic and cause disruption. It's a consequence of people exercising their democratic right to protest. Suthep may be a fascist loon, but this threatening BS that PT is coming out with is no different from his "only I'm right" intolerant attitude. People have the right to protest.

[fish fingers]

"Shutdown is illegal, govt warns"

Why is it against the law to join the protest? Annoying, disruptive, counter-productive, yes, all of these. But illegal? Is it against the law because it is against PT's wishes?

I would assume that it's illegal because Suthep has not said it would be a simple protest. He has called on people to block traffic in the entire city, cut electricity and water supply.

What part of that seems "legal" to you?

Demonstrations are disruptive. Not illegal. That's what seems legal to me. The water supply and electricity threats were directed at specific buildings I think. Yes they are illegal but the protests, despite the fact they will cause a lot of problems are not illegal.

Right, blocking all the traffic in a city is not illegal. How about you try it in London, Paris, New York. Let's see if they believe you that it's completely legal.

I've been on a few big marches in London over the years (gulf war etc) which I guess caused huge disruption but I guess that is what a big demonstration does.. get over it