Police lie low as protesters occupy Bangkok

[webfact]

Police lie low as protesters occupy Bangkok
by Aidan JONES

BANGKOK, January 14, 2014 (AFP) - At an abandoned police post by a key intersection occupied by anti-government protesters in the Thai capital, rally guard Ton had no doubt who was in charge of security.

"We're in control of the city now," he said.

In a twist to a peculiarly Thai protest, police have almost deserted the streets during a new round of mass rallies aiming to topple Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and curb the political dominance of her brother, former premier Thaksin.

"We're providing the security for the protests, not the police," said 25-year-old volunteer Ton, a tattoo snaking out from under his collar.

"The police have left. I have no idea where they are," he added, giving only one name.

The demonstrators, led by firebrand opposition heavyweight Suthep Thaugsuban, want Yingluck to resign to make way for an unelected "people's council".

The civilian guards, identifiable by their black T-shirts, armbands and walkie-talkies, have stepped into the apparent vacuum left by the police, taking on traffic and crowd control duties -- some with a degree of swagger.

"There hasn't been any real police power for a long time now... because they only serve Thaksin not the people," said guard Noppadon Isaraphukdee, 48.

Avoiding confrontation
Throughout the weeks of mass rallies, Yingluck has adopted defensive tactics to prevent violence from spiralling out of control, fearing widespread clashes could precipitate a military coup and the end of her administration.

She has been applauded by the United States for showing "restraint", in contrast to a military crackdown on opposition protests under the previous government that left dozens dead in 2010.

Even if Yingluck wanted to send out soldiers to restore order, it is uncertain whether they would obey her orders.

The military -- traditionally a staunch supporter of the anti-Thaksin royalist establishment -- has said it will not crack down on the rallies, and the army chief has even refused to rule out a coup.

Meanwhile in a near-daily dance, police have retreated to barracks or backstreets, ceding ground to demonstrators and even allowing them to occupy police property.

When live ammunition has been used it has been by unidentified gunmen, whose victims include a policeman.

Authorities say they have used tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets only as a final resort.

"It has been unexpected and surprising to both anti-and pro-Thaksin groups alike how non-violently the police have acted against the demonstrators," said Paul Chambers director of research at the Institute of Southeast Asian Affairs at Chiang Mai University in northern Thailand.

"I would even say that Suthep is disappointed as he expected police repression to legitimise his campaign of pandemonium," he added.

To protesters the police remain bonded to the enemy -- the reviled government and Thaksin, who was himself once a mid-ranking policeman before his political rise and fall.

He was ousted by the military in 2006 and lives in self-exile to avoid a jail term for corruption, but is widely seen as controlling his sister's government from overseas.

Police insist they're still in charge
Vast crowds swamped the streets of Bangkok on Monday as protesters took over the main business and shopping districts of the city of 12-million in a carnival of colour, but without a policeman in sight.

They erected stages at several sites, blocking arterial roads and setting up tents and soup kitchens to sustain their noisy rallies dubbed the "Bangkok shutdown", which entered a second day on Tuesday without any violence.

The few cars and motorcycle taxis allowed through gleefully flouted one-way systems, but there were no obvious signs of wider chaos.

Authorities said 20,000 police and soldiers were deployed across the capital, but they were largely invisible.

In a secluded nightclub car park a few streets behind the main Asok intersection, a few dozen policeman ate and played cards, their protective vests slung over the backs of plastic chairs.

"We're trying not to get close to the mob. They may get angry if they see us and that could spark clashes," said one officer, who wanted to remain anonymous.

But suggestions the protesters were in control of the city were given short shrift.

"If the protest guards think they are cool by directing traffic, it's up to them... we don't think like them -- we're in charge of this situation."

In front of a protest stage a short walk away, demonstrators disagreed.

Wielding a poster depicting Yingluck as a monitor lizard -- an extreme insult in Thailand -- being tamed by Suthep, one protester said Yingluck and her brother were losing control of the country.

"Now the people will take it back," she said.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-01-14

[Patje]

Now the whistle blowers can direct traffic.

[BKKBrit]

Well played Yingluck. Continue this and the rank and file will get bored. ..as many Bangkokians are.

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[ratcatcher]

Absent in 2010, absent now. Can someone explain this situation?

[Familyonthemove]

Even the Police booth at the Sukhumvit/Luangsaan intersection was empty this morning. Traffic running much better without a tight shirt wearing Somchai's finger on the button.

[spare5]

Please don't resist, and let them go into your HQ this afternoon.

Thank you in advance.

[pancakeman]

How will the road systems function without a portly man dressed in brown to randomly block off lanes at his discretion to "speed things up"

Not to mention the massive hit to the countries GDP caused by the lack of motorbike helmet tickets.

[poisonus]

Well played Yingluck. Continue this and the rank and file will get bored. ..as many Bangkokians are. Sent from my GT-I9300T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

You are kidding right?

They won't get bored, this is just the start and the initial gathering and they will be closing down lots of locations on a daily basis.

Man.... this aint even started yet.

[Scamper]

The police have never had control of this country - whether during Thaksin's proxy administrations - like this one - or during the relatively brief period under Abhisit. When any real police work needs to be done, the police are never in sight. They are good at standing in formations, in freshly pressed shirts. On the odd occasion when they do act, they generally overreact appallingly. They are really to collect fines on the street from passing motorcycles if they are not wearing a helmet. Police work is a very profitable business. Heaven forbid that they actually attempt to handle something as mundane as crime. ( In some cases, they may actually be the source of it ). No, they generally assume a neutered role. Many international foreign correspondences have asked " where are the police ? " Some have suggested that that are in fact - incognito. But it's quite clear at this point that they actually are not there at all. And guess what ? The city is safer as a result. Go figure.

[phutoie2]

YS should have relocated the capital to Udon Than I weeks ago, would not have half this nonsense now

Suthep and his cronies would 'nt dare move north of Wang Noi.

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 2 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[JoeThePoster]

Absent in 2010, absent now. Can someone explain this situation?

Not sure, but it's possible they've all rushed to the scene of a handbag snatch in Pattaya.

[ratcatcher]

Well played Yingluck. Continue this and the rank and file will get bored. ..as many Bangkokians are. Sent from my GT-I9300T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

You are kidding right?

They won't get bored, this is just the start and the initial gathering and they will be closing down lots of locations on a daily basis.

Man.... this aint even started yet.

"Well played Yingluck."

The only thing Yingluck is playing is "catch-up" following DL's daily instructions from Do Buy.

[55Jay]

All this peaceful protesting is not poking the bear enough to get a reaction. Suthep better turn up the heat.

[Raspberry]

Let them have what they want their facebook moment so they can post them. But like food pictures, one can only post so much.

[Misterwhisper]

"...a few dozen policeman ate and played cards..."

Isn't that against the law? How can they... oops, I forgot. They are the law.

That's why they also can moonlight as guards in illegal casinos without having to arrest themselves; collect protection money whenever they please; demand extort Chinese New Year "gifts" from shop owners; drive their motorcycles against the traffic flow or on sidewalks; get convicted of murder, receive a death sentence and still are being set free on bail, etc. etc.

[ChrisY1]

Absent in 2010, absent now. Can someone explain this situation?

Not sure, but it's possible they've all rushed to the scene of a handbag snatch in Pattaya.

Yes...I think you're right....all gone to Pattaya to bag a snatch....

[GazR]

The police have never had control of this country - whether during Thaksin's proxy administrations - like this one - or during the relatively brief period under Abhisit. When any real police work needs to be done, the police are never in sight. They are good at standing in formations, in freshly pressed shirts. On the odd occasion when they do act, they generally overreact appallingly. They are really to collect fines on the street from passing motorcycles if they are not wearing a helmet. Police work is a very profitable business. Heaven forbid that they actually attempt to handle something as mundane as crime. ( In some cases, they may actually be the source of it ). No, they generally assume a neutered role. Many international foreign correspondences have asked " where are the police ? " Some have suggested that that are in fact - incognito. But it's quite clear at this point that they actually are not there at all. And guess what ? The city is safer as a result. Go figure.

The police have always been regarded as the 'little brother' of the military: No tanks.

[Tarric]

Well played Yingluck. Continue this and the rank and file will get bored. ..as many Bangkokians are.

Indeed, while the orders are naturally coming from Thaksin and the rest of the PTP elite, they are intelligently and peacefully painting Suthep into a corner. Without clashes with police and/or violence there can be no real justification for a coup.

However that being said the game of political chess is far from over, the real threat is the people of Bangkok clashing with protesters to remove them after their presence and effect on daily life simply becomes intolerable. The people of Bangkok charged with wrath over not being able to live their daily lives could be a very dangerous thing for both Suthep and Yingluck. On one hand the potential violence could be justification for a coup, however on the other hand a prolonged shutdown of Bangkok will slowly erode Suthep's and the Democrats credibility/political capital.

The political situation is ripe for a moderate off shoot of the democrat party to sweep in and become the political champion of the disenfranchised Bangkok residents but also former PTP supporters who lost faith in the PTP after the amnesty bill farce.

[bkkjames]

Could this fact be the reason (pleasant one) that traffic is running so smoothly on it's own?

[GazR]

Well played Yingluck. Continue this and the rank and file will get bored. ..as many Bangkokians are. Sent from my GT-I9300T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

You are kidding right?

They won't get bored, this is just the start and the initial gathering and they will be closing down lots of locations on a daily basis.

Man.... this aint even started yet.

Yes! Yes! Even my computer is asking about a shutdown!

[backtonormal]

Well played Yingluck. Continue this and the rank and file will get bored. ..as many Bangkokians are. Sent from my GT-I9300T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Nothing but respect for the way Yingluck has handled this mob. Due worldwide respect is being shown to this government. Removing all chance of confrontation. Back to you Suthep...how you going to kick it off now

[backtonormal]

All the next few days are doing is piling up proof against those two smucks Abhisit and Suthep that you dont have to shoot people to control them. Dead men walking boss...dead men walking

[bkkjames]

Well played Yingluck. Continue this and the rank and file will get bored. ..as many Bangkokians are. Sent from my GT-I9300T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Nothing but respect for the way Yingluck has handled this mob. Due worldwide respect is being shown to this government. Removing all chance of confrontation. Back to you Suthep...how you going to kick it off now

"Handled this mob" lol when you realize you can't win the best you hope for is a stalemate.

[Thait Spot]

If I see any more one-sided, one-eyed drivel from this Chiang Mai Chump, I shall fly up there with a big blue whistle and blow it in his ears!

[backtonormal]

Well played Yingluck. Continue this and the rank and file will get bored. ..as many Bangkokians are. Sent from my GT-I9300T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Nothing but respect for the way Yingluck has handled this mob. Due worldwide respect is being shown to this government. Removing all chance of confrontation. Back to you Suthep...how you going to kick it off now

"Handled this mob" lol when you realize you can't win the best you hope for is a stalemate.

In your little world you think you are always winning. Who will be receiving the plaudits in the international press and minds of international politicians

[bkkjames]

Well played Yingluck. Continue this and the rank and file will get bored. ..as many Bangkokians are. Sent from my GT-I9300T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Nothing but respect for the way Yingluck has handled this mob. Due worldwide respect is being shown to this government. Removing all chance of confrontation. Back to you Suthep...how you going to kick it off now

"Handled this mob" lol when you realize you can't win the best you hope for is a stalemate.

In your little world you think you are always winning. Who will be receiving the plaudits in the international press and minds of international politicians

I am glad that you believe that winning world opinion is the end game here. apparently great minds think alike - i hope lol

[Hawk]

Police are out of sight because the 16th is lottery day, and the guys want to play their lucky numbers.

[MMarlow]

"...a few dozen policeman ate and played cards..."

Isn't that against the law? How can they... oops, I forgot. They are the law.

That's why they also can moonlight as guards in illegal casinos without having to arrest themselves; collect protection money whenever they please; demand extort Chinese New Year "gifts" from shop owners; drive their motorcycles against the traffic flow or on sidewalks; get convicted of murder, receive a death sentence and still are being set free on bail, etc. etc.

"...a few dozen policeman ate and played cards...

Isn't that against the law?"

No. Playing cards is as illegal as eating. Gambling is illegal, playing card games isn't.

[01322521959]

All this peaceful protesting is not poking the bear enough to get a reaction. Suthep better turn up the heat.

Just what I was thinking. Bit of a damp squib IMHO.

[taony]

"in contrast to a military crackdown on opposition protests under the previous government that left dozens dead in 2010."

Not really a fair statement. That "crackdown" happened only after months of the same restraint that is happening now, and the people that were left were mostly hardliners intent on confrontation.