PEACE
More candle lighting sessions to block shutdown
The Nation


A photo from Bundit Thianrat's Facebook page, taken at Kasetsart University on Thursday evening.

BANGKOK: -- After the candle-lighting sessions at three universities on Thursday, more activities will be hosted in the following three days by people who voice their opposition to the "Bangkok shutdown".

On Thursday evening, students at Silpakorn, Srinakarinwirot and Kasetsart universities and general people joined the candle-lighting session, to voice their opposition to the "Bangkok shutdown" on January 13, on the conviction that this would lead to violence.

More candle-lighting sessions will be held on Friday at eight locations in Bangkok during 4pm-6pm: Victory Monument, Asoke-Sukhumvit Intersection, Soi Saladaeng, MBK Centre, CentralWorld, The Mall Bangkapi, The Mall Tha Phra and Imperial Latprao.

At Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre, an activity will be kicked off at 6pm, calling for an end of the protests that could lead to violence.

More activities are planned in Khon Kaen and Chiang Rai on Friday. On Saturday, such will be hosted in Chiang Mai and Chon Buri.

At 6pm on Sunday, Thammasat University’s student council will host the candle-lighting session on the football field. It aims to bring light to Thailand "engulfed by prejudice and hatred" and to stop violence.

The activity will also take place at Prince of Songkhla University’s Hat Yai Campus on Sunday, at 6pm.


-- The Nation 2014-01-10

Pro-corruption and political fraud candle lighting sessions. I see the following of the cult of Shinawat is still thriving in a fog of ignorance.

It's nice to see someone cares about their fellow countryman's lives.

Fabricated or not.

What's with this fascination Thaksin's supporters have with fire?

Candles..I'm sure Suthep is shaking in his boots.

The candles, the 'respect my vote' placards, taking the moral high ground (real or fake) is genius. Reminds of the millions of paper peace doves they dropped in the south. No way Thaksin isn't involved, he's the only one with the nous to come up with this.

What's with this fascination Thaksin's supporters have with fire?

Are they Thaksin supporters?

What's with this fascination Thaksin's supporters have with fire?

Not necessarily Thaksin supporters, just people with a brain that want a fair vote.

What's with this fascination Thaksin's supporters have with fire?

Are they Thaksin supporters?

Whether they know it or not.

How does that work?

Pro-corruption and political fraud candle lighting sessions. I see the following of the cult of Shinawat is still thriving in a fog of ignorance.

Some just don't understand the lust for peace."May the fleas from Abdul's 100 camel's in Cairo invade your private parts".

The 'respect my vote' slogan came from the guy who blew a whistle at Kuhn Abhisit. Curiouser and curiouser, said Alice.

Welcome to Wonderland, a land we are all wondering about.

Respect my vote has probably done more damage to Suthep's campaign than anything in recent weeks. That, plus the candle lighting meetings and white baloons are bound to help Yingluck and her PTP regain the moral high ground.

Good to see these peaceful students. No surprise from 3 of the best universities in BKK. But to some their voice is less worthy, less shrill perhaps, than others

I can't vote but I would sure the hell light a candle or two to give people the right to vote and not take it away from them.

I am sooooooo sick of this!

If you don't bow to the mighty Suthep, you are a Thaksin- supporter!

Don't you ever get bored of this black/white (red/yellow)- rethoric?

What's with this fascination Thaksin's supporters have with fire?

Because they use a lot of those Khomloy in Ciang Mai - That paper square balloon that they light and it floats up like a kite lantern.

At last, real students doing what students throughout the World do - supporting the right to vote and defending democracy.

A change from those middle-aged thugs that Suthep passes off as "students", hell bent on fighting, shooting and looting, in between beating up taxi drivers, that is!

"Respect my vote" will be the slogan that saves Thailand from slipping down into the cesspit of fascism, Suthep style.

At last, real students doing what students throughout the World do - supporting the right to vote and defending democracy.

A change from those middle-aged thugs that Suthep passes off as "students", hell bent on fighting, shooting and looting, in between beating up taxi drivers, that is!

"Respect my vote" will be the slogan that saves Thailand from slipping down into the cesspit of fascism, Suthep style.

excellent post and right on the button

peaceful demo trying to keep the REAL issue alive

we might not always like what democracy brings us but it has to be a preference to a dictatorship and an unelected elite

Why are the signs in English, So Johnathon Head can read it I suspect, I it really surprises me how the BBC has become so one sided as Fox in the states, regardless of your opinion, if any on these shinagainas in Thailand.

It really highlights how the BBC is no longer a credible news source for anything. I used to kind of trust the BBC compared to the others.

Respect my vote is political genius. Peace and love will always trump violence and hatred. Gandhi knew this. So did Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela. Suthep needs to learn it.

At last, real students doing what students throughout the World do - supporting the right to vote and defending democracy.

A change from those middle-aged thugs that Suthep passes off as "students", hell bent on fighting, shooting and looting, in between beating up taxi drivers, that is!

"Respect my vote" will be the slogan that saves Thailand from slipping down into the cesspit of fascism, Suthep style.

excellent post and right on the button

peaceful demo trying to keep the REAL issue alive

we might not always like what democracy brings us but it has to be a preference to a dictatorship and an unelected elite

True democracy, absolutely.

But, really, do you think the Shin clan are anymore interested in democracy than Suthep's mob? I suggest the Shins would respect the electoral system whilst it works in the favor. Should it not, they would ignore it in the same way they ignore laws and other procedures they don't like.

Throwing out a corrupt government is as much a part of democracy as one man one vote. Being elected doesn't make your corruption legal.

Reforms are needed to protect democracy in Thailand - and neither of the factions currently vying for power and control are really interested in democracy, are they?

"This little light of mine - let it shine, let it shine." Speak up!, nobody can hear you. What a waste of wax but you can say "At least I tried".

A great sight to see that the people have finally had enough of these violent disrespectful thugs demo'ing on the streets, the peace movement is gathering in numbers hourly and will be huge by Monday. Not only should Suthep take note of respect my vote, but respect my opinion and respect my rights as a human come to mind also.

Why are the signs in English, So Johnathon Head can read it I suspect, I it really surprises me how the BBC has become so one sided as Fox in the states, regardless of your opinion, if any on these shinagainas in Thailand.

It really highlights how the BBC is no longer a credible news source for anything. I used to kind of trust the BBC compared to the others.

Did you lost all the signs written in English by the anti-government supporters?

Everyone has the right to express opinion and protest, in the way they like as long as it's not violent and disrupting.

At least the pavements will be nice and waxy come the wet season....

Whistles people are moral leaders of this country, candle protesters already labeled Thaksin paid.

Many funny minds on TV indeed.

Why are the signs in English, So Johnathon Head can read it I suspect, I it really surprises me how the BBC has become so one sided as Fox in the states, regardless of your opinion, if any on these shinagainas in Thailand.

It really highlights how the BBC is no longer a credible news source for anything. I used to kind of trust the BBC compared to the others.

The signs are in English because the originator of the campaign spoke in English when he heckled Mr. Abhishit with the words "Respect my Vote". He probably used English as the goons that act as security at these functions wouldn't be able to understand it, thus giving him a few more seconds to make his point before being ejected. 'Mark' Abhishit would understand it of course and the Thai press soon translated it for the masses.

At last, real students doing what students throughout the World do - supporting the right to vote and defending democracy.

A change from those middle-aged thugs that Suthep passes off as "students", hell bent on fighting, shooting and looting, in between beating up taxi drivers, that is!

"Respect my vote" will be the slogan that saves Thailand from slipping down into the cesspit of fascism, Suthep style.

excellent post and right on the button

peaceful demo trying to keep the REAL issue alive

we might not always like what democracy brings us but it has to be a preference to a dictatorship and an unelected elite

True democracy, absolutely.

But, really, do you think the Shin clan are anymore interested in democracy than Suthep's mob? I suggest the Shins would respect the electoral system whilst it works in the favor. Should it not, they would ignore it in the same way they ignore laws and other procedures they don't like.

Throwing out a corrupt government is as much a part of democracy as one man one vote. Being elected doesn't make your corruption legal.

Reforms are needed to protect democracy in Thailand - and neither of the factions currently vying for power and control are really interested in democracy, are they?

And which government in today's world is not corrupt to some extent? Please Enlighten me.... Perhaps the America? One of the most corrupt governments on the planet. You don't throw corrupt governments out in a democracy, you vote them out. End of story.... Well done to those that participate, at least there seems a ray of hope for Thailand. Let's just hope so anyway.

All Thai people should light their candles, as their vote has not been respected for years. And then they should take to the streets and demand reform to change that.