Stage set for huge 'Bangkok shutdown'

[webfact]

POLITICS
Stage set for huge 'Bangkok shutdown'
The Nation


Demonstrators led by the People

CAPO lists eight buildings and 7 key intersections as out of bounds

BANGKOK: -- The People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) will today begin their Shutdown operation to try to seize seven sites in Bangkok at 9am after a series of blockades at state agencies - in a bid to paralyse Yingluck Shinawatra's administration until she steps down.

The first anti-government group - from the Northeast and led by former Democrat MP Issara Somchai from Ubon Ratchathani - yesterday occupied Lat Phrao intersection to kick off the protest.

Meanwhile many groups were seen building a blockade and barriers in many locations across the capital including at the Government Complex in Chaeng Wattana and Pathumwan.

The Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) announced yesterday that the authorities would ban people from entering seven locations - Sala Daeng, Pathumwan, Ratchaprasong, Asoke, Victory Monument, Lat Phrao and the middle of Rajdamnoen. Vehicles would be prohibited from entering those locations, it said.

People could not entry eight buildings without prior permission. These were the Government Complex, CAT headquarters in Chaeng Wattana and Bang Rak, TOT headquarters, Thaicom satellite stations, Aero Thai company on Rama IV and the Police Club in Vibhavadi.

PDRC chief Suthep Thaugsuban will begin with a march from Rajdamnoen to Lan Luang, Rajthevi before a group of protesters would separate to Victory Monument and another would go to Pathumwan, according to PDRC spokesman Ekanat Promphan.

Members of the Dharma Army Foundation will take charge at the Rajdamnoen stage when the PDRC moves to other locations. They will turn the capital into a Tambon (sub-district)-like community. The seven rally sites would be like seven villages in the subdistrict, Ekanat said. He noted that every village would have a phu yai baan (village head) to take care of the area and provide services to protesters.

Protesters had functions to work as soldiers to surround or perhaps storm into buildings of state agencies to stop their operation during working hours from 9am-4pm everyday, Ekanat said. Protesters would return to their respective seven stages in the evening everyday to listen to leaders' conclusions about the mission and prepare for further missions, he said. But the shutdown was mostly aimed at government agencies. Mass transport would be operated as usual, he said.

People from southern provinces have reportedly joined the shutdown operation.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was seen at National Police Headquarters yesterday, where she had a meeting with many ministers and senior officials including Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichak-chaikul, police chief Adul Saengsingkaew - to assess the situation.

Labour minister Chalerm Ubumrung, who was assigned to oversee the protest, said the government would not react to the rally with violence. It would mostly be in a defensive mode, he said. "We will allow them to do as they want to do. The only concern is the intervention of a third party to create violence," he said.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) warned yesterday it may not be able to endorse any partylist MP if anything ruins ballot counts at any polling unit. "In that scenario, the February 2 election will not provide any of the 125 partylist MPs," EC Commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn said.

Speaking to Nation Channel after sending a letter to the |government seeking to postpone the poll till May 4, Somchai said preparations for the February 2 election were mired with problems. "We still lack about 100,000 staff members |to man polling units," he said. He also pointed to the fact that 28 constituencies in the South still did not have any MP candidates.

Meanwhile, pro-government red shirts poured onto the streets in many provinces yesterday to promote their causes. The reds tried to drum up support for the February 2 ballot by marching through provinces such as Samut Prakan and Pathum Thani. Red shirts also gathered in Ayutthaya and Nonthaburi and vowed to prevent the Shutdown.

In Udon Thani, redshirt leader Kwanchai Sarakham pledged to protect Prime Minister Yingluck if violence breaks out in the capital. "Supporters of the government from 20 northeastern provinces will gather here in Udon Thani where Yingluck is definitely welcome," he said.


-- The Nation 2014-01-13

[Jasun]

Good luck today all those in Bangkok, hoping everyone stays safe.

[F430murci]

Let the passive aggressive festivities begin. Those with enough sense to stay above the fray, remain safe and good luck. Those idiots in the midst of the fray, no sympathy. Act like passive aggressive fools, don't complain when you get treated like a passive aggressive fool looking for a fight.

[webfact]

Thai opposition protesters attempt Bangkok "shutdown"

BANGKOK, January 13, 2014 (AFP) - Thai anti-government protesters are vowing to "shut down" Bangkok Monday in an effort to prevent upcoming elections and topple the government as the country's political crisis teeters on the brink of a tumultuous new phase.

Opposition demonstrators began massing at sites across the city over the weekend in their latest push to force Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra from office and deal a blow to the power of her divisive brother Thaksin -- a former premier ousted in a 2006 coup.

The protesters began blocking major intersections in the capital late Sunday as they looked to ramp up their rallies, in the run up to the February 2 elections which they have set out to disrupt.

They have also vowed to stop officials going to work and cut off power to key state offices as part of the shutdown efforts, which authorities have warned could lead to further bloodshed.

Eight people, including a policeman, have been killed and dozens injured in street violence since the protests began over two months ago.

"It's going to be very volatile," said Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a former Thai diplomat and associate professor at the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies at Japan's Kyoto University.

He said there was a risk of "political violence" with protesters under pressure to achieve their objective of removing the government before the election, which would likely return Yingluck and her party to power.

"In a way there is no turning back for the protesters they have come too far," he added.

The current political crisis is the latest chapter in a saga of political instability and occasional unrest that has gripped Thailand since Thaksin was ousted from power by royalist generals seven years ago.

The billionaire tycoon-turned-politician, who lives abroad to avoid a jail term for corruption, has large electoral support particularly in northern Thailand, where he is adored for a swathe of popular policies.

But he is reviled among the country's elites and by many in the Bangkok middle class and Thai south, who see him as authoritarian and accuse him of buying votes.

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.

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.

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.

Police said there were 12 hospitals, 28 hotels, 24 schools and five fire stations within the areas affected.

They estimate that 700,000 vehicles travel past the seven planned protest sites on a normal day in the congested Thai capital.

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

Enterprising street vendors have begun selling a wide variety of "Bangkok shutdown" themed t-shirts along with a plethora of merchandise in the red, white and blue of the Thai flag.

"Initially, we will stay until February 2. We are confident the election will not take place," Thavorn Senniem, one of the rally leaders, told AFP on Sunday as protesters began to mobilise across the city.

The US embassy has advised stockpiling a two weeks' supply of food, water and medicine.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-01-13

[englishoak]

Laos is just great this time of year

[Noi657]

Got my two weeks supply of popcorn!

[Somtamnication]

And...........they're off!! I wanna see the winner and loser in this circus. Ah, I forgot. The losers will be Thais.

[NongKhaiKid]

Just a thought but is this Suthep's last roll of the dice ?

If today fizzles out what's left for him other than amazingly BS excuses in an attempt to avoid losing too much face.

Luckily Thai politicians have thick skin of rhino proportions so he may not actually have to break stride..

[Nowhereman60]

Let the fun begin.

[focus27]

Just a thought but is this Suthep's last roll of the dice ?

If today fizzles out what's left for him other than amazingly BS excuses in an attempt to avoid losing too much face.

Luckily Thai politicians have thick skin of rhino proportions so he may not actually have to break stride..

Saving face is easy when one has two of them.

Let's see if Suthep can take the country back to 1932 - his choice of words are surely no accident. In 1932 a People's Party established an unelected Assembly of People's Representatives, with the promise of full democracy within 10 years or so... The story rambles on to the present day.

[bangkokheat]

Protesters had functions to work as soldiers to surround or perhaps storm into buildings of state agencies to stop their operation during working hours from 9am-4pm everyday, Ekanat said. Protesters would return to their respective seven stages in the evening everyday to listen to leaders' conclusions about the mission and prepare for further missions, he said. But the shutdown was mostly aimed at government agencies. Mass transport would be operated as usual, he said.

i can see the protesters wearing bandanas and camos as they sit listening to mission control, readying for their next assignment

[ezzra]

So now what? people can just come and block and cordon off areas of a major city at a

whim? just like that? no rule of law, no police? what da hell this country becoming too?

way past anarchy, and this is all in the name of democracy,,, Shame, Shame, Shame,

[cashpower]

who do we contact to get a police escort from the airport to our hotel? is this service available for first class passengers? we also need an escort for shopping trips. i cant find any information please help

[thailiketoo]

So now what? people can just come and block and cordon off areas of a major city at a

whim? just like that? no rule of law, no police? what da hell this country becoming too?

way past anarchy, and this is all in the name of democracy,,, Shame, Shame, Shame,

I believe the airport was quite a bit worse. What did you expect?

[isawasnake]

Suthep is a joke. Next week he will be spouting off about another (failed) ultimatum. He has already said around new years time, "this is it, if we can'r make her step down now, it's over" (paraphrased).

[Yunla]

The Hub of Time-Travel.

Make sure you Patent it. Think of the money you can make.

And maybe fix it so this time-travel power allows people to travel forwards too.

[Cnxforever]

"He also pointed to the fact that 28 constituencies in the South still did not have any MP candidates."

Silly EC don't they get it!

The South does not need MP's - they don't want elections - the South will be taken care of by a fascist style "peoples council" with Fuehrer Suthep who will take all decisions for the people!

[patjem]

From the picture, it looks like somebody at least found a use for some of those bags of rotting rice!

[Spare]

So now what? people can just come and block and cordon off areas of a major city at a

whim? just like that? no rule of law, no police? what da hell this country becoming too?

way past anarchy, and this is all in the name of democracy,,, Shame, Shame, Shame,

I believe the airport was quite a bit worse. What did you expect?

Seize that airports is OK.

It only affect Farangs who can choice another destination anyway.

It has no impact to Thai people by large.

[Soi Dog]

The two big questions: 1. Will the protesters succeed in shutting down Bangkok? and 2. Will we be able to notice the difference?

I still think the solution should be a UFC cage match between Suthep and Chalerm. Winner take all.

[householder]

I thought Suthep vowed that the Democracy Monument (which was clearly no longer an appropriate location for an anti-democratic protest) was going to be dismantled? It now appears to be set for a takeover by the Dharma Army.

You really have to read between the lines with this guy, as well as what he doesn't say holding more weight than what he does say. Good luck Thailand!

[tx22cb]

who do we contact to get a police escort from the airport to our hotel? is this service available for first class passengers? we also need an escort for shopping trips. i cant find any information please help

If your airline is a major one, it might already have experience of serving many First Class passengers with similar requests in the past.

Hence you could contact your airline and ask them if they can facilitate, at least from airport to hotel.

At your suite at your 1st class hotel, the hotel management should be able to make any arrangements for your family's shopping trip.

Hotels are getting hit hard by these protests, so I am sure they will do all they can to accommodate the wishes of high-paying guests.

Good luck.

[householder]

who do we contact to get a police escort from the airport to our hotel? is this service available for first class passengers? we also need an escort for shopping trips. i cant find any information please help

If your airline is a major one, it might already have experience of serving many First Class passengers with similar requests in the past.

Hence you could contact your airline and ask them if they can facilitate, at least from airport to hotel.

At your suite at your 1st class hotel, the hotel management should be able to make any arrangements for your family's shopping trip.

Hotels are getting hit hard by these protests, so I am sure they will do all they can to accommodate the wishes of high-paying guests.

Good luck.

+1 - this would be a good week to be a premium customer in terms of services going the extra mile for you!

[Emptyset]

So now what? people can just come and block and cordon off areas of a major city at a

whim? just like that? no rule of law, no police? what da hell this country becoming too?

way past anarchy, and this is all in the name of democracy,,, Shame, Shame, Shame,

I believe the airport was quite a bit worse. What did you expect?

Seize that airports is OK.

It only affect Farangs who can choice another destination anyway.

It has no impact to Thai people by large.

How about air traffic control?

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 2h

Hardline protest leader, Nitithorn Lamlua, threatened to seize Stock Exchange & air traffic control if Yingluck doesn't resign by Jan 15.

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 2h

Nitithorn's hardline elements, who threatening to seize Stock Exchange & air traffic control, have been responsible for many violent clashes

This is the NSPRT again, involved in the clashes at the Thai-Japanese stadium and Ramkhamhaeng University. I read PDRC leaders say they have no control over hardline elements. Maybe so, but the red shirt leaders said the same in 2010 and not too many people thought that was a good excuse.

[DocN]

I am not even bothering to read this anymore, but...what is that line under the picture in the OP about?????

[chrisdom]

Anyone know anything about power shutdowns in Ratchada area? A van just passed announcing electric shutdown at 9.30.

[ExpatOilWorker]

The two big questions: 1. Will the protesters succeed in shutting down Bangkok? and 2. Will we be able to notice the difference?

I still think the solution should be a UFC cage match between Suthep and Chalerm. Winner take all.

I was thinking more along the lines of a Bangbros wrestling match live on TV.

[Ulysses G.]

Maybe a Thunderdome style match: Two men enter. Only one man leaves.

[PREM-R]

So now what? people can just come and block and cordon off areas of a major city at a

whim? just like that? no rule of law, no police? what da hell this country becoming too?

way past anarchy, and this is all in the name of democracy,,, Shame, Shame, Shame,

I believe the airport was quite a bit worse. What did you expect?

Seize that airports is OK.

It only affect Farangs who can choice another destination anyway.

It has no impact to Thai people by large.

Another uninformed post Mr Spare, the closure of the Bangkok airports cost Thailand $8 Billion with companies who export goods by air hit very hard.

"One industry hurt was the multi-million dollar orchid export industry. Thailand is the world's leading orchid exporter with an 80 percent share of the global market. Orchid industry executives say the closure cost the sector over $9 million"

Only affects farangs you say?

[mca]

Maybe a Thunderdome style match: Two men enter. Only one man leaves.

Yeah instead of masterblaster either one could be called masturbator or more appropriately the slang version of the term