Negative publicity does not deter protesters
Veena Thoopkrajae
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Despite the controversial nature of the "Bangkok shutdown", there was no shortage of protesters, with many arriving early from the provinces to stake their place.

Many protesters from the South arrived a day before the siege kicked off yesterday, setting up tents on footpaths and under the BTS overhead tracks in the Siam Square area, near the key rally site at Pathum Wan intersection.

The Bangkok governor and his counterparts from the provinces told The Nation they had every faith the shutdown plan would work and create enough "pain to require major political surgery".

Several of the folks from the provinces hailed from Surat Thani - People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leader Suthep Thaugsuban's home province - and they arrived in Bangkok on Sunday.

"Don't get us wrong. We didn't like Suthep that much until he started leading this protest. We could no longer put up with the government's mishandling of the palm and rubber issues. Believe me, us southerners would not show up if the situation was not so serious," Sa-nga Detmanee, a rubber farmer from Surat Thani, explained.

Another woman who owns a rubber plant in Phang Nga said she has been in Bangkok for nearly two months know. "I will most probably be here until the end. I have just volunteered to work as a guard at the rally."

Bangkokians began arriving at the Pathum Wan rally site early yesterday morning to join others who had spent the night there. Most of these city people had participated in earlier PDRC rallies and did not let the negative publicity about the shutdown deter them. Some came to rally with their alumni, others joined their colleagues.

Pratheep Taweewatpreecha, an engineer in his late 40s, arrived at Pathum Wan intersection in the morning with a group from Chulalongkorn University's Engineering Faculty. "I believe in exercising our rights peacefully and we will be here till the end unless there are any clashes," he said.

Chokechai Suthithamcharit, an engineer, also said he had never thought twice about joining the rally, adding that his wife had even taken a day off work so she could take part yesterday.

The shutdown began peacefully yesterday, despite it being dubbed an "extreme" measure. It was business as usual at most key shopping centres near rally sites, namely Siam Discovery, Siam Centre, Siam Paragon, CentralWorld, Central Chidlom, the Emporium and Central Lat Phrao, though most of them closed at 8pm yesterday, citing traffic as a reason.

Coffee shops and shopping malls near rally sites were also an "oasis" for protesters, who could rest there in air-conditioned comfort, dine or use the toilet.

Tourists were spotted in most major shopping areas, including Silom and Siam, despite the many travel warnings. A group of British tourists walking along the rally site near Sala Daeng intersection said they were not at all worried about the situation.

"I'm not worried, but I want to know what they are doing," an Italian tourist, who was taking photographs of protesters at Siam Centre, said.

Since most roads leading to the rally stages were blocked, the mass-transit system, namely BTS Skytrain, the MRT and the Airport Rail link became the key means of transport, with many people opting for bicycles and motorbike taxis to make their way through blocked streets.

The rallies were also a great attraction for freelance journalists and photographers. A freelance photographer, who has been covering the rally from the start, said: "I join the protest in the day and go home at night to work."

Though most protesters - like their leader Suthep - don't really know how long this "fight" will continue and what will come of it, they are determined to continue till the end.

When the protest leaders moved the key rally site from Democracy Monument to Pathum Wan intersection, the crowds followed along with volunteer staff, ranging from medical staff to garbage collectors. Stalls offering free food were seen being set up as of press time, while souvenir shops were mushrooming along most major sites.

"It's a shame the protest has moved. I cleared all my debts selling souvenirs here," said a vendor, who has no plans to move to the new site.

-- The Nation 2014-01-14

The only one who are winners here are the souvenir shops and food shops.

They will suffer too, if there is violence.

Another piece of cheerleading from this publication.

Ultimately though it seems a case of Bangkok peeps fouling up their own nest.. Mkay..

Let's see how that works out for everyone down there.

It's a stark choice between a corrupt nepotistic maladministration breaking the country OR a coup. I sincerely believe a people's uprising is long overdue in this country and wish them well. Despite those who would constantly bleat 'democracy', whilst having been fully informed of the fact that this country isn't one and the reasons why, (people being effectively barred expressing their views on water management schemes which will render their homes inhabitable/destroy the environment, for just one). A vote does not a Democracy make, and the seriously confused who STILL believe this is between the oft quoted 'rich elite' (rubber farmers? ) and the poor rice farmers (well they are now they haven't been paid ). There are poor everywhere in this hideously iniquitous society and at last they are being made to think about corruption and the long term effects of populist policies. And that, IMHO, is a very very good thing.

Coffee shops and shopping malls near rally sites were also an "oasis" for protesters, who could rest there in air-conditioned comfort, dine or use the toilet.

Nothing like some lattes, gourmet deli meals, and the occasional foot massage to bring about a regime change.

Well at least the truth comes out. The people from the south don't want less corruption. they want more bad policies.

They want the same type of deal the rice farmers have. 40% payment over the world price for rubber. I am sure Suthep's

family must be heavily involved in the rubber business as well.

By now the protesting is Thai folklore. No matter what publicity. It's just a bit like Woodstock.

Well at least the truth comes out. The people from the south don't want less corruption. they want more bad policies.

They want the same type of deal the rice farmers have. 40% payment over the world price for rubber. I am sure Suthep's

family must be heavily involved in the rubber business as well.

Wrong.

People in the south wanted to conserves Tax money but stopping all agriculture subsidy.

Rubber and Plam included, on top of rice.

This article is charming. The actual stories of people on the street are noteworthy. They come to Bangkok - some have been there for two months - because they believe in this protest. Some like Suthep. Some do not. Yet there they are - walking side by side in this movement against corruption. There is a festive atmosphere. And to the surprise of many - some businesses are thriving because of it.

Well at least the truth comes out. The people from the south don't want less corruption. they want more bad policies.

They want the same type of deal the rice farmers have. 40% payment over the world price for rubber. I am sure Suthep's

family must be heavily involved in the rubber business as well.

Yep, those good folks from the South are only in it to get something out for themselves. Corruption is endemic in Thailand and is universally accepted so long as the corruptor gets what they want from the corruptee. Some things we, from the West, would consider as corruption are not viewed in the same way by Thais. Rewarding a government official, teacher, etc for doing their job is now such a part of their culture that the reward is expected.

So long as they benefit from it in some way, those good folk will accept an appointed government, bad policies, neoptism and corruption on a grand scale if it were perpetrated by by the politicians and leaders they support.

Whether it's the redshirts, the yellow shirts, the PDRC, or any other group, it's always the same people that get most impacted by the protests. I would hardly expect the residents, businesses and workers in, for example, the Ratchprasong district to be over the moon with any colour scheme representation.

The Bangkok governor and his counterparts from the provinces told The Nation they had every faith the shutdown plan would work and create enough "pain to require major political surgery".

Whatever happened to Sukhumbhands promise to work with the government? Another dem whose word is worth #$@# all.

Meanwhile, M.R. Sukhumbhand thanked the Prime Minister for pledging to work with him without a dividing line in order to move the city forward. He himself is also ready to work with the Government seamlessly, as well.

M.R. Sukhumbhand urged about 800,000 Bangkok residents who did not cast their votes for him at the election to help build Bangkok with him. He pledged to work harder and thanked Bangkok residents for trusting the Democrat Party to run the capital for 12 consecutive years.

http://thailand.prd.go.th/view_news.php?id=6668&a=2

 

The Bangkok governor and his counterparts from the provinces told The Nation they had every faith the shutdown plan would work and create enough "pain to require major political surgery".

Whatever happened to Sukhumbhands promise to work with the government? Another dem whose word is worth #$@# all.

Meanwhile, M.R. Sukhumbhand thanked the Prime Minister for pledging to work with him without a dividing line in order to move the city forward. He himself is also ready to work with the Government seamlessly, as well.

M.R. Sukhumbhand urged about 800,000 Bangkok residents who did not cast their votes for him at the election to help build Bangkok with him. He pledged to work harder and thanked Bangkok residents for trusting the Democrat Party to run the capital for 12 consecutive years.

http://thailand.prd.go.th/view_news.php?id=6668&a=2

 

Well, the Pheu Thai MPs were about the first to complain officially that the Bangkok Governor provided humanitary help to this bunch of anti-government protesters, whereas they didn't say anything when he did the same with the 2010 bunch.

Seemlessly that is, Pheu Thai style

I wonder just how many homemade bombs they brought with them to use when they dont get their way? I remmeber they wanted new schools down south many years ago and did not get them until they burned them to the ground. Just asking.

The misled, misguided, misinformed protesters should go home. The caretakers government has often ask the law enforcement agencies to exercise restrain and leniency. Their leaders will face the rule of law not them. BTW, many protesters from the South are foreign workers - both legal and illegal. many of them are also rubber and oil palm farmers without land titles and have to depend on the DEM for their livelihood. They were intimidated and threatened to join the protest.

Millions people cannot get to work because many busses are not running. This means no income, because employers don't care about the reasons.

After a few more days of "shutdown", this will become violent as workers cannot pay their rents or food. This shutdown-party is the work of irresponsible, immature and selfish kids. It is not sabai-sabai.

these idiot tourists just want to take pictures and post it on facebook so all their idiot friends can click like.

I wonder just how many homemade bombs they brought with them to use when they dont get their way? I remmeber they wanted new schools down south many years ago and did not get them until they burned them to the ground. Just asking.

You seem to be somewhat confused relating a request for more schools by the local population with the burning down of schools by terrorist groups who regard those schools as the government's way of Thaification of the South.

So the 'Peoples Council' in the unlikely event that it ever sees the light of day, will simply abolish the rice scheme because those people don't support them, and replace it with a 'rubber scheme' and a a 'palm oil scheme' to repay those who do support them - this protest is not against corruption - it is about who benefits from corruption.

Well at least the truth comes out. The people from the south don't want less corruption. they want more bad policies.

They want the same type of deal the rice farmers have. 40% payment over the world price for rubber. I am sure Suthep's

family must be heavily involved in the rubber business as well.

Why are you maaking up complete <deleted> ? There is nothing in that thread whatsoever about the price of rubber.....

I wonder just how many homemade bombs they brought with them to use when they dont get their way? I remmeber they wanted new schools down south many years ago and did not get them until they burned them to the ground. Just asking.

Please cite some sort of evidence for your negative propaganda....?

The misled, misguided, misinformed protesters should go home. The caretakers government has often ask the law enforcement agencies to exercise restrain and leniency. Their leaders will face the rule of law not them. BTW, many protesters from the South are foreign workers - both legal and illegal. many of them are also rubber and oil palm farmers without land titles and have to depend on the DEM for their livelihood. They were intimidated and threatened to join the protest.

And could you likewise also cite some form of evidence that protestors were threatened to join the protest ? Or are you making up too ? I would think it far more likely the red shirts in the red shirt villages would threaten people who want to join not to....?

So the 'Peoples Council' in the unlikely event that it ever sees the light of day, will simply abolish the rice scheme because those people don't support them, and replace it with a 'rubber scheme' and a a 'palm oil scheme' to repay those who do support them - this protest is not against corruption - it is about who benefits from corruption.

That's your interpretation. More likely we get a minimum price guarantee for various produce including rice and which pays direct to farmers rather than middle men or millers or other 'nice' people who have helped the current (caretaker) government to loose 400 billion Baht on 660 billion expenditure in two years on rice price pledging only.