Thai capital braces for 'shutdown' by protesters

[webfact]

Thai capital braces for 'shutdown' by protesters
by Daniel ROOK

BANGKOK, January 11, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's political crisis is set to enter a tumultuous new phase on Monday with the planned "shutdown" of Bangkok by opposition protesters seeking to prevent upcoming elections.

It is the latest chapter in a long-running conflict between supporters and opponents of fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who remains a hugely divisive figure more than seven years after he was ousted in a military coup.

The demonstrators say they will block major intersections, stop officials going to work and cut off power to key state offices until they topple the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra -- Thaksin's younger sister.

Schools will close because of fears for students' safety, while the US embassy has advised stockpiling a two weeks' supply of food, water and medicine.

The authorities say they are ready to declare a state of emergency if there is fresh unrest, and roughly 20,000 police and soldiers will be deployed for security.

At their height, the protests have drawn more than 150,000 people accusing Yingluck's government of corruption and urging her to step down.

Eight people, including a policeman, have been killed and dozens injured in street violence in recent weeks, and the government has voiced fears of more bloodshed.

"That is what they are trying to do -- to create violence during the shutdown," Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul told reporters.

Yingluck has called an early election for February 2 to try to resolve the crisis, but the opposition -- which has not won an elected majority in about two decades -- is boycotting the vote, raising fears of prolonged deadlock.

The protesters want an appointed "people's council" to run the country and oversee vaguely defined electoral reforms before new elections are held in around a year to 18 months.

Pro-government "Red Shirts" will also stage their own marches on Monday in central and northern Thailand to call for the election to go ahead, raising fears of possible confrontation between the rival factions.

'A fight to the end'
At the movement's rally site near the government headquarters, former soldier-turned-protester Anan Jandontree has produced about 1,000 homemade flak jackets filled with layers of used hospital X-ray film in preparation for the showdown.

"We will fight our best, because we have made all these, so we will fight and we will succeed," he said.

Thailand has been periodically shaken by political bloodshed since Thaksin was deposed by royalist generals.

The billionaire tycoon-turned-politician fled the kingdom in 2008 to avoid a jail term for a corruption conviction that he says was politically motivated.

He remains hugely popular in the northern half of the country, and Yingluck's Puea Thai party is expected to win the election if it goes ahead.

His sister is under pressure on several fronts: the army chief has repeatedly refused to rule out another coup, while dozens of her MPs face impeachment in connection with a bid to make the upper house fully elected.

If found guilty they could be banned from politics for five years.

"I don't think the election is going to take place because those who are in the judiciary are mostly siding against the Yingluck government," said Paul Chambers, director of research at the Institute of Southeast Asian Affairs at Chiang Mai University in northern Thailand.

He said Yingluck was likely to face increasing legal moves in connection with the failed Senate reform bill as well as allegations of corruption in her government's rice subsidy scheme.

"These decisions are going to be giving a lot of legitimacy to the demonstrators as they wreak havoc across Bangkok and parts of the south," Chambers said.

The civil strife is the worst since 2010, when more than 90 people were killed in street clashes between pro-Thaksin protesters and the military.

Thai stocks and the baht currency have fallen sharply on concerns that the latest turmoil will scare off tourists and investors.

Unless the crisis eases in the coming months, "we have to accept that the worst expectation will be that tourists drop about 50 percent," said Thanavath Phonvichai, economic forecaster at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

Singapore Airlines has already cancelled 19 flights to or from Bangkok up to late February, although the demonstrators have promised not to target the airports or public transportation.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-01-11

[PREM-R]

"At their height, the protests have drawn more than 150,000 people accusing Yingluck's government of corruption and urging her to step down."

But Suthep said there were millions of "the people".

[jackrich]

He said 6 million at one point, which was pretty much the number of votes the Democrats got in the last election. Pretty amazing, huh?

Even if 6 million did come out, what gives them the right to tell the other 50 million what to do? Oh yeah, they are "elite" and "high so". Sorry, forgot.

[bunny11kk]

"At their height, the protests have drawn more than 150,000 people accusing Yingluck's government of corruption and urging her to step down."

But Suthep said there were millions of "the people".

How about saying the protests have drawn about 150 people. PTP lies have no limit.

[pumpuiman]

At the movement's rally site near the government headquarters, former soldier-turned-protester Anan Jandontree has produced about 1,000 homemade flak jackets filled with layers of used hospital X-ray film in preparation for the showdown."We will fight our best, because we have made all these, so we will fight and we will succeed," he said.

Sounds like a peaceful movement.

People are dying, because Suthep will not accept any proposals for negotiation.

It's absolutely sick that his plan is to incite violence.

[PREM-R]

"At their height, the protests have drawn more than 150,000 people accusing Yingluck's government of corruption and urging her to step down."

But Suthep said there were millions of "the people".

How about saying the protests have drawn about 150 people. PTP lies have no limit.

"How about saying the protests have drawn about 150 people. PTP lies have no limit."

But this is not a report from PTP, it is the objective view of AFP

[DocN]

"At their height, the protests have drawn more than 150,000 people accusing Yingluck's government of corruption and urging her to step down."

But Suthep said there were millions of "the people".

How about saying the protests have drawn about 150 people. PTP lies have no limit.

"How about saying the protests have drawn about 150 people. PTP lies have no limit."

But this is not a report from PTP, it is the objective view of AFP

....wait for it.....waaaaaaiiiiiiiit for it.....

[jackrich]

DocN, did to ask Suthep for his permission before using his photo as your avatar?

[DMG333]

He said 6 million at one point, which was pretty much the number of votes the Democrats got in the last election. Pretty amazing, huh?

Even if 6 million did come out, what gives them the right to tell the other 50 million what to do? Oh yeah, they are "elite" and "high so". Sorry, forgot.

That's why some Thais could achieve an excellent marketing career.......when one is fighting against corruption, look at his history.....from wiki

"Suthep gave title deeds to 592 plots of land in Khao Sam Liam, Kamala and Nakkerd hills of Phuket province to 489 farmers. It was later found that members of 11 wealthy families in Phuket were among the recipients. Suthep addressed a huge crowd in his Surat Thani constituency a month before a no-confidence debate and called on his supporters to march on Bangkok in the hundreds of thousands to defend his reputation. The scandal led Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai of the Democrat Party to dissolve the House of Representatives in July 1995 in order to avoid the no-confidence debate. In subsequent elections, Thai Nation Party won a majority, leading to the downfall of Chuan Leekpai's Democrat Party-led government.

Wikileaks diplomatic cables from the US embassy revealed that many members of his own party have long complained of his corrupt and unethical behavior."

Interesting repetition except this time round he is positioned on the opposing side......so let's see how the prejudiced crowd go from 13.

Edited January 11, 2014 by DMG333

[NongKhaiKid]

Maybe the big day should be held today, after all it is CHILDREN'S DAY.

[samtam]

The protesters want an appointed "people's council" to run the country and oversee vaguely defined electoral reforms before new elections are held in around a year to 18 months.

There's one piece of this puzzle that I just don't understand. Assuming the protesters are successful, and Yingluck resigns, then what happens?

Not that it's particularly relevant in this country, but what provision is there in the Constitution to deal with such a situation? Who will be in charge and decide the next step?

Edit: grammar & spelling

Edited January 11, 2014 by samtam

[Ozymandias]

"At their height, the protests have drawn more than 150,000 people accusing Yingluck's government of corruption and urging her to step down."

But Suthep said there were millions of "the people".

How about saying the protests have drawn about 150 people. PTP lies have no limit.

Erm, I think you need to re-read the article. There is no indication that it is written by a PTP supporter. You seem to be suffering from that reflex thought - 'if it contradicts what the dear leader says it must be enemy propoganda.'

[Ozymandias]

He said 6 million at one point, which was pretty much the number of votes the Democrats got in the last election. Pretty amazing, huh?

Even if 6 million did come out, what gives them the right to tell the other 50 million what to do? Oh yeah, they are "elite" and "high so". Sorry, forgot.

That's why some Thais could achieve an excellent marketing career.......when one is fighting against corruption, look at his history.....from wiki

"Suthep gave title deeds to 592 plots of land in Khao Sam Liam, Kamala and Nakkerd hills of Phuket province to 489 farmers. It was later found that members of 11 wealthy families in Phuket were among the recipients. Suthep addressed a huge crowd in his Surat Thani constituency a month before a no-confidence debate and called on his supporters to march on Bangkok in the hundreds of thousands to defend his reputation. The scandal led Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai of the Democrat Party to dissolve the House of Representatives in July 1995 in order to avoid the no-confidence debate. In subsequent elections, Thai Nation Party won a majority, leading to the downfall of Chuan Leekpai's Democrat Party-led government.

Wikileaks diplomatic cables from the US embassy revealed that many members of his own party have long complained of his corrupt and unethical behavior."

Interesting repetition except this time round he is positioned on the opposing side......so let's see how the prejudiced crowd go from 13.

No! No! You are a lying PTP supporter! It is enemy propoganda. We are the people. We will win!

(Straitjacket goes on again. Back to the rubber room)

[SamMunich]

Ozymandias mentioned:

...

Interesting repetition except this time round he is positioned on the opposing side......so let's see how the prejudiced crowd go from 13.

If you pick out what happened 20 years ago, what follies did YOU commit back 20 years ago? If you don't change in 20 years, you are a living dead, my boy! So allow Suthep to change as well.

Nobody here says Suthep is a saint.

But then Taksin is a non-saint of much bigger proportions.

I always get the feeling, the Reds never realize, that their mudslinging leaves then with much more dirt on their face then on their opponents face...

And I'm waiting for the day, when the Reds start talking about content, not about persons.

Are they for or against corruption? Suthep's follower are against it.

Are they for or against votebuying and election rigging? The demonstrators are against it.

Are they for or against a fair share of wealth for all Thais? The demonstrators are definitely for it.

Are they for or against an improoved education system? The demontrators are fro the improvement.

Are they for or against being taken for a ride and lied to and cheated by their own leaders? The demonstrators detest liars. And broken promises.

Are they for or against a government, that is working from within Thailand or from a not-elected guy in a foreign country? The demonstrators prefer to have the person in charge to be here, right in the center, not even on permanent vacation in Chiang Mai or Dubai/Hong Kong/Montenegro.

So in my humble oppinion, if the Reds weren't only listening to their leaders but instead ask for and demand substance, the leaders would since long be standing alone out in nowhere...

Sam

[ChrisY1]

"At their height, the protests have drawn more than 150,000 people accusing Yingluck's government of corruption and urging her to step down."

But Suthep said there were millions of "the people".

How about saying the protests have drawn about 150 people. PTP lies have no limit.

Erm, I think you need to re-read the article. There is no indication that it is written by a PTP supporter. You seem to be suffering from that reflex thought - 'if it contradicts what the dear leader says it must be enemy propoganda.'

Whether the turnout was 50K or 4 Mill......a lot has happened over the past few weeks.....if the crowds were so small as suggested in the media and by PTP personnel.....then I wonder if the parliament would have been dissolved?

Whatever...from aerial pics of Democracy Monument, a couple of weeks ago.....the 1 million people sure looked about the right number then.

[gp2002]

"Schools will close because of fears for students' safety"

An earlier report said schools would be closed so there would be less traffic on the roads.

[gamini]

At the movement's rally site near the government headquarters, former soldier-turned-protester Anan Jandontree has produced about 1,000 homemade flak jackets filled with layers of used hospital X-ray film in preparation for the showdown."We will fight our best, because we have made all these, so we will fight and we will succeed," he said.

Sounds like a peaceful movement.

People are dying, because Suthep will not accept any proposals for negotiation.

It's absolutely sick that his plan is to incite violence.

It is also absolutely sick that Yingluk will not postpone the election when everyone seems to be advising her to do so

[taony]

The protesters want an appointed "people's council" to run the country and oversee vaguely defined electoral reforms before new elections are held in around a year to 18 months.

There's one piece of this puzzle that I just don't understand. Assuming the protesters are successful, and Yingluck resigns, then what happens?

Not that it's particularly relevant in this country, but what provision is there in the Constitution to deal with such a situation? Who will be in charge and decide the next step?

Edit: grammar & spelling

Exactly. There are many pieces missing. Like you said. Like everyone running in the election, what are their platforms? What reforms does suthep want? What reforms are the candidates running on? This whole episode is all talk and absolutely no substance.

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[sjjmmi]

DocN, did to ask Suthep for his permission before using his photo as your avatar?

Just love it

Sorry DocN

Edited January 11, 2014 by sjjmmi

[tominbkk]

DocN, did to ask Suthep for his permission before using his photo as your avatar?

Did you ask Daffy Duck to use his pic before using it for your avatar?

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[personchester]

It is quite amazing that nothing is being done to prevent the political opposition activity that results on Monday in the shut-down of Bangkok.

The two major Thai parties (government and opposition) should really try to avoid this shut down disaster in the city of Bangkok by solving their political problem in a peaceful manner.

The none political state administrators, in this case the upper "public servants" should approach the involved protesting politicians in order to ensure that those trouble making activities should be avoided because the Bangkok public will suffer, and so will Thailand's global image.

[marcusd]

"At their height, the protests have drawn more than 150,000 people accusing Yingluck's government of corruption and urging her to step down."

But Suthep said there were millions of "the people".

And yingluck says she was not there for the vote on the amnesty bll so it is not her responsibility.

Bloody codswallop!

[Gweiloman]

At the movement's rally site near the government headquarters, former soldier-turned-protester Anan Jandontree has produced about 1,000 homemade flak jackets filled with layers of used hospital X-ray film in preparation for the showdown."We will fight our best, because we have made all these, so we will fight and we will succeed," he said.

Sounds like a peaceful movement.

People are dying, because Suthep will not accept any proposals for negotiation.

It's absolutely sick that his plan is to incite violence.

It is also absolutely sick that Yingluk will not postpone the election when everyone seems to be advising her to do so

If she postpones the election, then what? Will Occupy Bangkok be postponed as well?

[Gweiloman]

Just imagine that the shutdown goes ahead as planned. Traffic chaos results. Just imagine that you or a loved one needs to be urgently rushed to the hospital. Just imagine that as a result of the shutdown, the ambulance is unnecessarily delayed with tragic consequences.

Who would you blame? Or would you argue that some should be sacrificed for the better good of all?

[marcusd]

He said 6 million at one point, which was pretty much the number of votes the Democrats got in the last election. Pretty amazing, huh?

Even if 6 million did come out, what gives them the right to tell the other 50 million what to do? Oh yeah, they are "elite" and "high so". Sorry, forgot.

Whilst I am not a fan of revolution or the RICH HiSo as you say, controllomg all, it is them who create most of the wealth of this nation. They do so in the world and bring many benefits whether we like it or not.

So would you rather ONE CORRUPT family stating they act for the "50 million"that you state elected the cuurent regime; and have that family controlling this country, sending it bankrupt with policies that are clearly failing, and the rice farmers not being paid fo 5 months as reported here is one example; and the FAMILY SHINAWATRA getting more wealthy and the farmers with no education running the show? Or would you rather people who can run a nation run it?

Go Go bars are still run by wealthy people compared to a rice farmer.

I would also state that Yingluck and Thaksin would be deemed HI SO so where is your argument ?

Unfortunatey, people who sell their soulds to the devil do not deserve the keys to the kingdom of heaven. In this case POWER

[marcusd]

The protesters want an appointed "people's council" to run the country and oversee vaguely defined electoral reforms before new elections are held in around a year to 18 months.

There's one piece of this puzzle that I just don't understand. Assuming the protesters are successful, and Yingluck resigns, then what happens?

Not that it's particularly relevant in this country, but what provision is there in the Constitution to deal with such a situation? Who will be in charge and decide the next step?

Edit: grammar & spelling

I also add to this what happens now that supposedly, not enough candidates are enolled to form a government because of the boycott by the dems? So again who will run the country?

I know a few bar girls and boys who could make some good policies... better than what is in place now.

[marcusd]

It is quite amazing that nothing is being done to prevent the political opposition activity that results on Monday in the shut-down of Bangkok.

The two major Thai parties (government and opposition) should really try to avoid this shut down disaster in the city of Bangkok by solving their political problem in a peaceful manner.

The none political state administrators, in this case the upper "public servants" should approach the involved protesting politicians in order to ensure that those trouble making activities should be avoided because the Bangkok public will suffer, and so will Thailand's global image.

Too late. The image already needs more whitening powder.

[lineofentry]

You've got to be a bit weird to want to live in overcrowded, smelly, rip-off bkk anyway.

Love from Issan.

[Larry001]

A group of brainwashed stupid people led bu an egomaniac who is basically a criminal. They are going to ruin the lives of Millions of Thai people. It won't effect the majority of farangs. Simply move back home or on to one of many other beautiful places one can stay or holiday. When things clear up, simply return at your own wish. That won't help the millions who rely on income from tourists

[Larry001]

There may yet come a day in Thailand when people will be celebrating in similar style and fashion, to the days when Sadam Hussein and Bin Laden were rid of for ever