Protest leader Suthep stresses non-violent 'Bangkok shutdown'
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 10 – Anti-government protesters will strictly adhere to non-violent and unarmed demonstrations during Monday’s seizure of Bangkok, protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban reaffirmed on Thursday.

He said protesters will be given prayers to chant in case of intimidation or assaults by the authorities or opponents during the citywide rallies.

Mr Suthep, who marched with members of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) on the Thon Buri side of Bangkok yesterday, said the activity was successful in creating awareness among the people about Monday’s Bangkok shutdown.

He expected 400,000-500,000 Thon Buri residents to join the massive protest on Monday which will possibly paralyse Bangkok.

The PDRC has announced its plan to occupy seven major locations in the capital, including Pathumwan--which will be the hub of demonstrations replacing Ratchdamnoen Avenue, Silom-Lumpini, Victory Monument, Ratchprasong, Lat Phrao, Chaeng Wattana and Asoke.

“Please strictly follow our plan. We have announced closure of seven locations. Don’t spread to other areas. We will separately block government property in the morning and withdraw in the evening to avoid attacks by hooligans at nighttime,” he said.

He said the PDRC will go ahead with its plan to occupy Bangkok without reservation thanks to the Criminal Court’s rejection of a request by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to issue arrest warrants for 35 PDRC leaders.

The DSI has charged the 35 PDRC leaders with insurrection, instigating unrest in the kingdom and holding gatherings of more than 10 people.

The DSI said it has summoned the suspects but they refused to report themselves to the authorities without giving acceptable or appropriate reasons.

The court said the suspects had already informed the DSI that they would be willing to give their testimonies and did not intend to disobey the DSI’s order.

It was unclear if some of the suspects have received summonses from the DSI, the court said, instructing the agency to issue more summonses to the 35 PDRC members. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-01-10

The students group needs more than prayers & chants to calm them down......most of the other demonstrators are peaceful.

Sent from my GT-I9200 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

At this point we are receiving daily assurances from the PDRC that the protest will be peaceful, as well as daily counter-assurances from the Yingluck administration to prepare for violence. It is clear that the administration is far more threatened by the prospect of a peaceful protest than a violent one, which further underscores what appears to be the intent of the administration to confront the protesters. The preparations for the peaceful protest appear to be very detailed, as well as to take into account the ugly reality of the overnight sniper fire attacks on them. They clearly are not going to allow the people on the street - who it should be noted, are the people of Thailand - to be victims of vigilantism. The people who need protection are the protesters, not the legions upon legions of fully armed riot police. In terms of this suddenly invented law that it is somehow illegal to have a gathering of at least ten people, I suppose Thida ought to be worried. Her rallies contain at least ten people.

We don't care what you say Suthep but don't take us hostage for your political gain! You go shut down anything but not public places

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

At this point we are receiving daily assurances from the PDRC that the protest will be peaceful, as well as daily counter-assurances from the Yingluck administration to prepare for violence. It is clear that the administration is far more threatened by the prospect of a peaceful protest than a violent one, which further underscores what appears to be the intent of the administration to confront the protesters. The preparations for the peaceful protest appear to be very detailed, as well as to take into account the ugly reality of the overnight sniper fire attacks on them. They clearly are not going to allow the people on the street - who it should be noted, are the people of Thailand - to be victims of vigilantism. The people who need protection are the protesters, not the legions upon legions of fully armed riot police. In terms of this suddenly invented law that it is somehow illegal to have a gathering of at least ten people, I suppose Thida ought to be worried. Her rallies contain at least ten people.

I completely disagree. Government has only to lost in case of violence. Army will sure intervene with a possible coup, and public opinion will turn all against government.

Who has hopes for violence, is only Suthep. A coup is his only hope, because Government won't give up if protest will keep pacific.

Meanwhile another arm of Sutheps Ruling Elite - the Criminal Court, refuses to support the DSI in arresting the ringleaders - instructing the DSI to issue more summonses, thus playing for the time they all hope, for the coup that they want.

they are hoping for the redshirt to demonstrate in Bangkok so the army have an excuse for a coup. the best think the government can do is let the police protect government property and give the army no excuse to move in

The army is 95% red.only the useless generals are yellow

Sent from my Lenovo A516 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

The army is 95% red.only the useless generals are yellow Sent from my Lenovo A516 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Uuhhh ok. keep it simple dude.

Yeah ok I'm gonna seize a major city, capital of Thailand and disrupt the lives of millions of people but I don't want to see any violence. Yeah ok Suthep.......GET A LIFE !!!!!!!

I for one think a solid beating is the lest these yellow fascists deserve. May it rain m16 fire on then all Sent from my Lenovo A516 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Yellow??

Its obvious that the yellows, or some branch of them, need to instigate violence to initiate a coup, and have the military reinstall a goverment to their liking.

Unfortunatelly, violence is the only card the yellows have left.

Suthep is craving violence because he understands it is the only thing that will lead to a coup.

...but they are willing to cut water and electricity from Govt buildings

Suthep is craving violence because he understands it is the only thing that will lead to a coup.

I think you're wrong in your opinion. He doesn't want violence, he want's Yingluck out and with out a coup. You could sensibly argue that he wants the backing of the military to further isolate and pressure Yingluck to step down. However; a coup would behoove the PTP to a far greater degree. They could then postulate to the world that they were a legitimate government overthrown by the military.

...and when Suthepp says, there will be no violence, it of course has to be taken as gospel!

Its obvious that the yellows, or some branch of them, need to instigate violence to initiate a coup, and have the military reinstall a goverment to their liking.

Unfortunatelly, violence is the only card the yellows have left.

And by the same token the government seems to have pretty much run out of cards as well

...and when Suthepp says, there will be no violence, it of course has to be taken as gospel!

As far as the intentions of the protestors go yes.

However, there's no accounting for the tastes of moronic bystanders, unfettered and desperate to take a bite!

-mel.

A nonsence post along with replies to it deleted

Suthep is craving violence because he understands it is the only thing that will lead to a coup.

I think you're wrong in your opinion. He doesn't want violence, he want's Yingluck out and with out a coup. You could sensibly argue that he wants the backing of the military to further isolate and pressure Yingluck to step down. However; a coup would behoove the PTP to a far greater degree. They could then postulate to the world that they were a legitimate government overthrown by the military.

You could be right but there is no way for them to win without the help of someone higher up the food chain. Their whole movement failed when this people's council nonsense was invented, the Democrats would have had a huge amount of momentum and could have eaten into the PTP government if they had contested the election but now there is no way they are getting rid of Thaksin unless the army does it for them.

This man a pretty insane retard it's not question at all.

I applaud Mr Suthep for stating that he seeks non-violence.

I am attending my prayer-group today and our thoughts will be entirely on our deep hope for a peaceful resolution to the current protest / counterprotest situation.

The students group needs more than prayers & chants to calm them down......most of the other demonstrators are peaceful. Sent from my GT-I9200 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

It's easy for the leaders of any protest to announce what will or will not happen but they overlook the fact that a crowd can take on its own dynamic and get out of control. This covers those who get carried away by the occasion rather than those with an agenda who set out looking to provoke something.

Suthep and his lieutenants can say what they want but if it kicks off they will have no control of many of the protesters and ultimately blame will be laid at their door.

Folks, don't get carried away by the government propaganda!

OF COURSE they do paint the protesters in the worst possible colours, of course they tell us all hell will brake loose on Monday and of course they tell us a few bad guys will completely bring OUR (!) lives to a stand still. C'mon on, get real!

Bangkok is a city of approx. 13 million people and exists of more than just Sukhumvit, SIlom and a few more roads. So it only takes a little brains to find ways around the hotspots. Let's not forget how congested Bangkok is on a regular working day. Hey, remember Taksin telling us (back in the last century) that he will get rid of the gridlock within six months? Yeah, sure... and tomorrow everybody will be a millionaire.

Suthep and the demonstrators do not want to hassle YOU, they want to show, that the government is no more in command of what is going on in Thailands' capital. They want to shut down government installations, not us! So for the better of this country, keep cool instead of being taken for a ride by the government's propaganda & spin doctors. We have survived so many coups and other problems here (remember, when the Reds occupied some part of the city?), we will survive this coming days and maybe a few more as well. Get enough cash, get your car/bike filled up and get your mobile filled up as well, if it's a prepaid one.

And look forward to another day in YOUR live.

Sam

Don't believe Suthep when says he wants no violence.

He needs it in order to give the military an excuse to make a coup.

He is positioning himself, as carefully as he can to make it look like he or his follwers did not instigate anything.

A red shirt frame would be perfect.

Its game over for him or his follwers if they get caught starting the bloodshed.

Folks, don't get carried away by the government propaganda!

OF COURSE they do paint the protesters in the worst possible colours, of course they tell us all hell will brake loose on Monday and of course they tell us a few bad guys will completely bring OUR (!) lives to a stand still. C'mon on, get real!

Bangkok is a city of approx. 13 million people and exists of more than just Sukhumvit, SIlom and a few more roads. So it only takes a little brains to find ways around the hotspots. Let's not forget how congested Bangkok is on a regular working day. Hey, remember Taksin telling us (back in the last century) that he will get rid of the gridlock within six months? Yeah, sure... and tomorrow everybody will be a millionaire.

Suthep and the demonstrators do not want to hassle YOU, they want to show, that the government is no more in command of what is going on in Thailands' capital. They want to shut down government installations, not us! So for the better of this country, keep cool instead of being taken for a ride by the government's propaganda & spin doctors. We have survived so many coups and other problems here (remember, when the Reds occupied some part of the city?), we will survive this coming days and maybe a few more as well. Get enough cash, get your car/bike filled up and get your mobile filled up as well, if it's a prepaid one.

And look forward to another day in YOUR live.

Sam

Hey hey guys listen to me, don't listen to the Government propaganda, listen and believe the PDRC propaganda instead.

Just passed a whole load of out of towners on trucks and motorcycles all flying the Thai flag at Rangsit and looking absolutely un-middle class as a group of country folk could who are obviously down to join the Shut Down protest. Certainly wouldn't want to mess with any oe em - mostly men as well and mostly young.

All Suthep now needs to do is rule in the hot heads and deliberate trouble makers and that might happen, this also applies to the other side , doubtful if this will happen a lot go just to make trouble.

Just passed a whole load of out of towners on trucks and motorcycles all flying the Thai flag at Rangsit and looking absolutely un-middle class as a group of country folk could who are obviously down to join the Shut Down protest. Certainly wouldn't want to mess with any oe em - mostly men as well and mostly young.

most likely mercenaries funded by Sutheps recent cash injection.

when the dust settles, a lot of those yellow shirt doners will come to regret what they gave when they look at the red stains on their hands.