STR will follow a peaceful framework, student leader says ahead of Bangkok shutdown

[webfact]

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
STR will follow a peaceful framework, student leader says ahead of shutdown
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Nitithorn Lamlua, leader of the Students' and People's Network for Thailand's Reform (STR), spoke to The Nation's Anapat Deechuay and Somroutai Sapsomboon about the plans to shut down Bangkok and the belief that the group is prone to violence. Excerpts follow.

WHY IS THE STR VIEWED AS HAVING HAD A HAND IN VIOLENCE?

The STR is not positioned to confront violent situations, but we have analysed important strategies that would lead to direct pressure on the government. Demonstrations are not enough pressure, but at the same time, what we do will be within a peaceful framework.

WHAT'S THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STR AND THE PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REFORM COMMITTEE?

We work together, and the STR is also part of the PDRC committee. The STR does not have many members, but we are strong and understand the situation. We're willing to confront violence if state officials unleash it. Most of the members were part of the People's Alliance for Democracy and have had experience with political struggle.

YOUR PRECARIOUS MOVES FACE THE RISK OF A VIOLENT CONFRONTATION, DON'T THEY?

It's up to state officials, and is not something that the STR should be worried about. To say we provoke violence is but a move to discredit people's right to protest. Politics today is about good and evil, right and wrong, morality and immorality. So society must choose if they want it to be like this or if they should address it.

DOES THIS MEAN THE STR'S STRATEGIES ARE MEANT TO DESTABILISE THE GOVERNMENT GREATLY?

From what we see, we have achieved our goal every time, particularly at the Thai-Japanese Stadium [on December 26].

The STR's assessment was not beyond expectation. Though about a million people came out, the prime minister didn't pay any attention, used force to retaliate and then tried to frame us. This only shows that this government is most immoral and shameless, so the PDRC had to think again about how it could apply pressure and hence came the idea of the "Bangkok shutdown" operation.

HOW DO YOU ASSESS YOUR OPPONENTS?

I think they don't have many alternatives now. When asked if the government officials are 100 per cent fully cooperative with the prime minister, the answer would be that her administration has weakened, though it hasn't reached a stage where they should step down. I think the prime minister recognises this, so her choice is to use violence in the hope that it would strike fear.

If they [detain] the leaders [of the protest movement], then the public will be deprived of an important force and it will become difficult for them to find a replacement under the current circumstances.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE SHUTDOWN WILL ACHIEVE?

I think it will diminish the authority of the state and the prime minister. I believe things will start changing after January 13.

SOME BELIEVE THE MILITARY WILL NOT HELP END THE STALEMATE.

I think the people's sector must start thinking like the military, not like the protesters. You must start thinking like the military when planning strategy.

The STR is clear that if the military steps out, it will need to protect the people.

If it stages a coup, the STR will continue to protest because we will not accept it. The military can choose to prevent violence by urging the government to respect the law and step down.

DO YOU THINK THE MILITARY WILL BE A DECISIVE FACTOR IN VICTORY?

The military can hasten that and reduce the loss of lives. Nevertheless, the PDRC has not decided how it will deal with the possibility of a military coup.


-- The Nation 2014-01-09

[khunsiam]

A former PAD lawyer is a leader of the Students' and People's Network of which most members were PAD'ers.

[marcusd]

To me it seems he is saying it is our way or no way... ? Enlighten me please

[Clint1965]

Trust me, the PDRC know exactly what they will do in the case of a coup. I sure it has all been decided long ago, and with secret meetings between PDRC and the military.

It will be likely that the military will sit down with a whole host of people and organizations to thrash out a reform committee. That is what everyone wants. With elements from all sides, and possibly some outside observers such as the Asean council. That would be the most obvious and logical outcome of a coup.

Possibly with head of state appointing a caretaker PM.

[Emptyset]

Trust me, the PDRC know exactly what they will do in the case of a coup. I sure it has all been decided long ago, and with secret meetings between PDRC and the military.

It will be likely that the military will sit down with a whole host of people and organizations to thrash out a reform committee. That is what everyone wants. With elements from all sides, and possibly some outside observers such as the Asean council. That would be the most obvious and logical outcome of a coup.

Possibly with head of state appointing a caretaker PM.

Shame they can't just compete in the election and allow the electorate to choose this reform government then if that's what everyone wants, isn't it?

[Mampara]

Its a shameful thing that parents allow their sons and daughters to be intimidated, and brainwashed buy an adult into participating in a possible bloody and violent showdown, after experiencing the last showdown where so many youngsters were injured and died. It is even more shameful that the PDRC is allowing this to happen. Where are you going to hide Sir, if u loose and the backlash starts?

[kurtgruen]

Well, we will probably all find out, in the next week or so. I do agree, that the Government is weakening. People on the Government side, are starting to waver, as more and more information is made public, about Government wrongdoing. They also see some influential people, movie stars, musicians, etc., who are loved by the reds, standing up for the Anti-Government side, which will make them think even more.

A lot of the reds want to get drunk and fight. Now, Yingluck has to keep them quiet, if she wants to prevent a coup, which will make them restless and unhappy, standing by and watching. Then, they see pictures of Carabao and his band, waving flags, in an anti-government demonstration, wearing T-shirts, saying (in Thai) "Quit hurting Thailand". Things like that, will make them wonder, because Carabao is a local Folk hero, similar to Bob Dylan, in the 60s', in the US.

(Picture Source: Facebook: D-Hippy Riders)

[Emptyset]

Well, we will probably all find out, in the next week or so. I do agree, that the Government is weakening. People on the Government side, are starting to waver, as more and more information is made public, about Government wrongdoing. They also see some influential people, movie stars, musicians, etc., who are loved by the reds, standing up for the Anti-Government side, which will make them think even more.

A lot of the reds want to get drunk and fight. Now, Yingluck has to keep them quiet, if she wants to prevent a coup, which will make them restless and unhappy, standing by and watching. Then, they see pictures of Carabao and his band, waving flags, in an anti-government demonstration, wearing T-shirts, saying (in Thai) "Quit hurting Thailand". Things like that, will make them wonder, because Carabao is a local Folk hero, similar to Bob Dylan, in the 60s', in the US.

Hmmm! I think that though many reds no doubt enjoy Carabou, I'm not sure they set too much store by Aed's political guidance. I think when he started doing silly advertisements and composing songs for Banharn, he sort of lost his way in that respect. Take Bob Dylan as an example, because it's a bit like saying a hippy inspired by Dylan in the late 60s would follow him into being a fairly run of the mill Christian or start buying Victoria's Secret because Dylan appeared in an advert. In fact in this case, far more so. I think you're making rather too much of it. People's allegiances are a little bit stronger than that.

There's actually a backlash against Suthep's movement which isn't driven by reds. See the white shirt movement demanding their vote be respected. Of course, in the sense of the multicolours in 2010 mostly being PAD sympathisers, I expect many of the 'white shirts' do have 'red' sympathies at this stage, but you'll see more and more moderates joining them the longer Suthep's movement goes on imo.

As for reds wanting to 'get drunk and fight', it's ironic that you'd say this in a thread about the STR, who of course, got drunk and attacked reds trying to get into the stadium at Ramkhamhaeng.

[xminator]

So there will be no peacefully smashed car windows? Peaceful burning of buses? Peaceful slings and barricades? Some friendly gunfire from high students?

[kkerry]

 

Well, we will probably all find out, in the next week or so. I do agree, that the Government is weakening. People on the Government side, are starting to waver, as more and more information is made public, about Government wrongdoing. They also see some influential people, movie stars, musicians, etc., who are loved by the reds, standing up for the Anti-Government side, which will make them think even more.

A lot of the reds want to get drunk and fight. Now, Yingluck has to keep them quiet, if she wants to prevent a coup, which will make them restless and unhappy, standing by and watching. Then, they see pictures of Carabao and his band, waving flags, in an anti-government demonstration, wearing T-shirts, saying (in Thai) "Quit hurting Thailand". Things like that, will make them wonder, because Carabao is a local Folk hero, similar to Bob Dylan, in the 60s', in the US.

(Picture Source: Facebook: D-Hippy Riders)

 

Why do you repeatedly post a five year old photo?

[Scamper]

Highly reasoned responses to the difficult questions posed. Contrasts rather strongly with Yingluck's responses to much softer questions over the last two years. A contrast in stark relief. Indeed, there are many ways to gauge the strength of the current Yingluck administration's power. Those who say that the only measure is physically managing to remain in office. In that case, nothing has changed. Others though will see that it has diminished in strength significantly. Since the amnesty bill was passed by the Pheu Thai administration on November 1, the administration has continued to recede on an almost daily basis, as they become more and more aware of the public fury they unwittingly unleashed. And yet all this backtracking has never subsided, it has never leveled off. Incredibly - just three weeks before the election - the administration doesn't even make reference to the election anymore, let alone any further announcements related to the campaign. The Yingluck administration's campaign has now become a campaign of survival. And Nitihorn is right in that the administration is now down to three very basic tactics - the use of force, the instilling of fear, and the ongoing attempts to frame the protests with trumped up " evidence " and press hearings. Whereas the three basic tactics of the protest movement are - public awareness of Thaksin's ever pervasive grip on the administration, the need to truly eradicate the corruption that has been in effect, and hence the need for reform. One side desperately doesn't want to entertain that discussion in any shape or form. The other does.

[tingtongteesood]

Well, we will probably all find out, in the next week or so. I do agree, that the Government is weakening. People on the Government side, are starting to waver, as more and more information is made public, about Government wrongdoing. They also see some influential people, movie stars, musicians, etc., who are loved by the reds, standing up for the Anti-Government side, which will make them think even more.

A lot of the reds want to get drunk and fight. Now, Yingluck has to keep them quiet, if she wants to prevent a coup, which will make them restless and unhappy, standing by and watching. Then, they see pictures of Carabao and his band, waving flags, in an anti-government demonstration, wearing T-shirts, saying (in Thai) "Quit hurting Thailand". Things like that, will make them wonder, because Carabao is a local Folk hero, similar to Bob Dylan, in the 60s', in the US.

Hmmm! I think that though many reds no doubt enjoy Carabou, I'm not sure they set too much store by Aed's political guidance. I think when he started doing silly advertisements and composing songs for Banharn, he sort of lost his way in that respect. Take Bob Dylan as an example, because it's a bit like saying a hippy inspired by Dylan in the late 60s would follow him into being a fairly run of the mill Christian or start buying Victoria's Secret because Dylan appeared in an advert. In fact in this case, far more so. I think you're making rather too much of it. People's allegiances are a little bit stronger than that.

There's actually a backlash against Suthep's movement which isn't driven by reds. See the white shirt movement demanding their vote be respected. Of course, in the sense of the multicolours in 2010 mostly being PAD sympathisers, I expect many of the 'white shirts' do have 'red' sympathies at this stage, but you'll see more and more moderates joining them the longer Suthep's movement goes on imo.

As for reds wanting to 'get drunk and fight', it's ironic that you'd say this in a thread about the STR, who of course, got drunk and attacked reds trying to get into the stadium at Ramkhamhaeng.

Whiite shirts ? Oh whoopy, 30 people, huge force to be reckoned with. This whole coloured shirt crap is getting truly ridiculous, it's getting to the point we soon won't be able to wear any colour without being accused of something. In another couple of years we will have to walk round with no shirts on...

And as for your last comment emptybrains, STR, who of course, got drunk and attacked reds trying to get into the stadium at Ramkhamhaeng. DO YOU HAVE EVIDENCE that students were drunk ? Were you there ? Did you see them drinking ? Are there photos you would care to share with us ? NO ? Thought not.

[kurtgruen]

 

Well, we will probably all find out, in the next week or so. I do agree, that the Government is weakening. People on the Government side, are starting to waver, as more and more information is made public, about Government wrongdoing. They also see some influential people, movie stars, musicians, etc., who are loved by the reds, standing up for the Anti-Government side, which will make them think even more.

A lot of the reds want to get drunk and fight. Now, Yingluck has to keep them quiet, if she wants to prevent a coup, which will make them restless and unhappy, standing by and watching. Then, they see pictures of Carabao and his band, waving flags, in an anti-government demonstration, wearing T-shirts, saying (in Thai) "Quit hurting Thailand". Things like that, will make them wonder, because Carabao is a local Folk hero, similar to Bob Dylan, in the 60s', in the US.

(Picture Source: Facebook: D-Hippy Riders)

 

Why do you repeatedly post a five year old photo?

Look at who is standing between the band members and then look at who is standing next to Suthep today and you will know why. If you have a Thai wife, get her to translate the saying on the T-shirt for you.

[tingtongteesood]

So there will be no peacefully smashed car windows? Peaceful burning of buses? Peaceful slings and barricades? Some friendly gunfire from high students?

Nice flame, you should apply for a job with PT. I just hope they don't peacefully burn tyres in the streets, peacefully make huge bamboo spears, peacefully burn down buildings, peacefully bring in men in black to cause chaos on their behalf, peacefully threaten people with swords, peacefully rant and rave on stage ala Jatuporn that they should kill everyone who is not one of them etc etc etc....

And by the way the police smashed a lot of windows at Din Dang too, many of the ones that were smashed may well have been done by police to try and make the protestors look bad, we just don't know. I have seen video of ONE window being smashed by protestors and I have seen ONE very nasty video of police doing it to a truck with passengers in it who did nothing that I can see to provoke the attack so about 50 / 50 on that one unlesss there is some more evidence I haven't see in which case, please share it and prove me wrong.

And as for the burning of busses, the reds did that a lot in 2010. The one at Ramkamhang in 2013 was set alight by a group of idiots who thought it would be a good laugh, it had NOTHING whatsoever to do with STR. The police caught them during the investigation to discover who the dead body inside the bus was.

As usual biased and twisted crap from those who seek to discredit the demonstrators.

[Emptyset]

And as for your last comment emptybrains, STR, who of course, got drunk and attacked reds trying to get into the stadium at Ramkhamhaeng. DO YOU HAVE EVIDENCE that students were drunk ? Were you there ? Did you see them drinking ? Are there photos you would care to share with us ? NO ? Thought not.

Only a journalist who was actually there with the "students" at Ramkhamhaeng the whole day:

georgehenton ‏@georgehenton 1m Phone about to die. But nasty scenes here tonight fuelled by drunk students. But hard to link with main group. Let's see if Suthep condemns.

It doesn't really matter whether they were drunk or not though, what they did speaks for itself.

[diehard60]

The one question I have for the STR is this . Why are the students and proffesors not in school? They need to teach and the students need to learn to become good and democratic people. But I guss they teachers have told them you do this or you will fail.

[cup-O-coffee]

Hmmm... I wonder if he used to pack into a school bus (a.k.a. a pickup truck) along with 20 other idiots students, and careen and sway down the road, hanging out the back by one hand.

So this is where these idiots students eventually end up.