Thai government considers state of emergency after weekend violence

[webfact]

Thai government considers state of emergency after weekend violence
BY AMY SAWITTA LEFEVRE
BANGKOK

(Reuters) - Thai authorities are "very seriously" considering a state of emergency after a weekend of violence in the capital where protesters have been trying for more than two months to bring down the government, the security chief said on Monday.

Though the size of the demonstrations has declined, protesters have managed to shut down some government offices, forcing Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to shift her workplace and snarl Bangkok's traffic.

"We're prepared to use the emergency decree... Everyone involved including the police, the military and the government is considering this option very seriously but has not yet come to an agreement," National Security Council chief Paradorn Pattantabutr told Reuters after a meeting with Yingluck.

"The protesters have said they will close various government offices. So far their closures have been symbolic, they go to government offices and then they leave. [read more...]

Full story: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/20/us-thailand-protest-idUSBREA0J09Y20140120

-- REUTERS 2014-01-20

[haroldc]

It should be patently obvious that the repeated attacks on the anti-government protestors are being orchestrated (a) in the hope of reducing the number of demonstrators and ( if that fails, as an excuse for declaring a state of emergency and dispersing the demonstrators.

[bigbamboo]

It will be interesting to see what Thaksin decides.

[WitawatWatawit]

On April 8, 2010 a state of emergency was declared after red shirt protesters moved to Ratchaprasong intersection. We all know what happened after that. Good luck to the general charged with enforcing the next state of emergency.

[dukeandduke]

On April 8, 2010 a state of emergency was declared after red shirt protesters moved to Ratchaprasong intersection. We all know what happened after that. Good luck to the general charged with enforcing the next state of emergency.

Yeah, really. I'm trying to remember how that state of emergency helped us.

[uty6543]

I hope the government are told that they cannot declare a state of emergency because of attacks by unknown people and they should increase a visible police presence to protect the people. I think the government would misuse the powers (based on past experience) if they were given them

[transam]

Does this not show that the ''softly, softly'' approach yet again didn't work but just allowed the extremists to do there stuff and perhaps will provoke a similar conclusion to 2010. .

[taony]

I don't think you need to go from one extreme (do nothing) to another (state of emergency). How about just getting a few police off their <deleted> and have them act like police for a little while. Call them heros and give them bonuses, who cares as long as they help keep the peace.

[Tatsujin]

It will be ignored pretty much, just like last time. The only thing it will do is allow the Govt the option of using more serious measures against protestors should they choose to do so.

[Costas2008]

This was posted this morning by TVF member "Norrad" and the thread was locked.

I'm staring out the window of my office and have counted over 100 police minivans and at least 15 police trucks (anti-riot type) heading into the city towards Sathorn road. Anyone know what's going on? Looks to me as though they are planning to implement some form of emergency decree. Sent from my GT-S5300 using Tapatalk 2

And then..........."PM mum on declaration of the state of emergency"

Red followers trust your idol PM

Edited January 20, 2014 by Costas2008

[Lite Beer]

PM mum on declaration of the state of emergency

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra today was tight-lipped when she was asked about the National Security Council chief’s suggestion that a state of emergency might be declared in a couple of days.

She chaired the security meeting at the Office of the defense permanent secretary on Chaeng Wattanaroad today to assess the political situation.

When she was asked about the invocation of the emergency decree to announce the state of emergency, she did not reply.

Earlier last night the leader of the People’s Democratic Reform Council Suthep Thaugsuban vowed to escalate protest to seal off the house of the caretaker prime minister and her cabinet minister after calling on PDRC supporters in 14 southern provinces to block all government offices today.

He said after blocking the southern offices, government offices in other regions would also be blocked if supporters have enough people to do so.

Then he said the next step would target on the caretaker PM and her ministers’ houses.

Earlier the National Security Council chief Lt-Gen Paradorn Patthathabutr hinted of the possibility of the state of emergency within a couple of days if the protest situation went of control as the result of increase gun and bomb attacks.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/pm-mums-declaration-state-emergency/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pm-mums-declaration-state-emergency

-- Thai PBS 2014-01-20

[taony]

Isn't the other emergency decree in effect still? The one that was in effect for only certain parts of Bangkok? I'm not sure what the measures were in the first place, as I go in and out of some of the areas every day and nothing ever seemed any different.

[Gulfsailor]

I don't think the caretaker government can declare a state of emergency without then also legally paving the way for election postponement. It claims it can't postpone election under current constitution, but if a state of emergency is declared that all changes, and morally they will then lose big time if they don't postpone. Choices, choices....

[Tmymaimee]

In most normal countries, if you tried to stop traffic in order to garner attention about your political views, you would be arrested. It seems the police here don't have the motivation to go into these barricades with riot gear and clean it all out.

I only want to know why do the police not maintain law and order here as they swore to do when becoming a police officer?

[transam]

In most normal countries, if you tried to stop traffic in order to garner attention about your political views, you would be arrested. It seems the police here don't have the motivation to go into these barricades with riot gear and clean it all out.

I only want to know why do the police not maintain law and order here as they swore to do when becoming a police officer?

Cos nobody knows what they are doing.............

Ah, forgot, paper shuffling, great at paper shuffling....

[thesetat2013]

In reply toWhereusstay:the police are government trained mafia. Too much danger and no monetary profit for them to have incentive to intervene

Sent from my GT-S5310 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[poisonus]

It should be patently obvious that the repeated attacks on the anti-government protestors are being orchestrated (a) in the hope of reducing the number of demonstrators and ( if that fails, as an excuse for declaring a state of emergency and dispersing the demonstrators.

At last someone who sees things as they really are.

The thing is, the only way to disperse the protesters would be probably something resembling 'lethal contact'.

They won't get that from the military, but CAPO may try to get the police to have a crack at it, in which case... 'all bets will be off' as far as the military are concerned and it will be 'goodnight Vienna' for the government.

[Scamper]

" We're prepared to use the emergency decree... Everyone involved including the police, the military and the government is considering this option very seriously but has not yet come to an agreement," National Security Council chief Paradorn Pattantabutr told Reuters after a meeting with Yingluck. "

The correct reading of this quote is - the army is not on board. Because it is clear that the two other agencies - which are really joined at the hip - the administration and the police - want the army involved. Pheu Thai has always wanted this - from day one. They want the army not only involved - but naturally - involved on their side. And that is something the army will never ever do. In fact, they don't want any involvement whatsoever. But as the administration has now become in effect an enabler of the vigilante grenade attacks, they can now claim that an emergency decree is needed. Of all the acts at the administration's disposal, Thaksin's all-time favourite would be the emergency decree. It would involve among other things detentions without due process and media control. It would essentially be an attempt to squash the movement. It would give the administration great power and sway, and unchecked power. It won't happen. For many reasons. One, the army simply will not play ball. They have already been highly suspicious of the administration and the police for some time, and their witnessing of the administration's recent announcements in an incredulous attempt to frame the grenade attacks on a peaceful protest, have not gone unnoticed. Two, the situation could very easily escalate out of control. Three, it would send a signal around the world that peaceful protest is not tolerated. Four, what is the endgame ? Five, does the administration really want the implementation of the emergency decree to be the backdrop of the election ? Six, the election in any event will produce a parliament that constitutionally cannot open.

One plausible scenario could be this : the election will take place. It will be deemed insufficiently populated with MPs to convene. That will be an unprecedented constitutional crisis, as the administration will be frozen, unable to govern. There will truly be a vacuum, and no map forward. At that point, the army could quietly step in, become a non-participating mediator in reform talks between all the political players, including the Pheu Thai party and the Democratic party, resulting in perhaps a forced timeline of three months, after which a national referendum would be held to a constitution agreed by all parties. If it passes, a national election would follow.

The constitutional crisis stemming from the lack of a parliamentary quorum, would mean that the Yingluck administration would have no other options to govern, making such a move not only the most peaceful and non-interventionist stance that the army could adopt, but in effect the only practical one. It would likely render much more peace and security to the situation, in a way the police have been utterly incapable of doing. It would cool the temperature. But most important of all, the reform forums would take place, peacefully, and with full public input, and with an open exchange of opinions and ideas. That would be a healthy, peaceful outcome, and would pave the way forward for elections with the trusted participation of all the people.

[Asiantravel]

It will be ignored pretty much, just like last time. The only thing it will do is allow the Govt the option of using more serious measures against protestors should they choose to do so.

as an example………….. actually arresting the leader of the demonstrators who already has an arrest warrant hanging over him

[siampolee]

The Thaksin clan are coming to see that they are being outflanked by the people, Thaksin and his clan don't like that. Thaksin and his clan are used to all and sundry bowing to their demands.

Now the people are voicing and indeed showing their opinions regarding the Thaksin clan, hence the urgent need for a declaration of a State of Emergency or perhaps the imposing of martial law courtesy of the female lead puppet in the Thaksin P.T.P. puppet show.

If such a state of emergency was declared, or is to be declared one is led to wonder whether it might well cause the P.R.D.C.protests to actually intensify as opposed to calming matters down.

There is distrust of the Thaksin P.T.P. puppet and its moves to possibly impose a state of emergency. Distrust breeds anger, anger breeds protest and protests often breed violence, that violence factor is already plain to see wherever it may be coming from.

Thailand is teetering on the brink of serious civil disorder in many ways, any move by the Thaksin puppets will I fear lead us all into a very nasty period of violence where the only victims will be the people of Thailand. Thaksin and his clan will be safely away with no doubt their ill gotten gains.

Whatever ruling body may emerge from the chaos to bring stability and peace back to Thailand it will be facing a mammoth uphill task to restore peace and unity twixt the Thai people.

The very idea of the taking of a big stick to the current problems will indeed provoke more violence and more hatred. Perhaps the best method would be to inform the Thaksin clan and their cronies that the best road to a stable country would be for them to leave.

That was the game play regarding Chatchai Choonhaven on February 23, 1991 when he was told that by leaving for America he was indeed a wise man making a wise, a relatively peaceful deposing of a somewhat corrupt administration which has indeed been left in the shade by the Thaksin levels of corruption.

Softly softly catchee monkey.

[crazykopite]

There is a very simple answer to all of this and that is to round up all the protest leaders involved and charge them even if it causing a disturbance refuse them bail and set a court date after the elections it is that easy it just needs somebody with some B - - - S to have the courage to do it . Suthep is losing the support and those attending are only there fro the handouts of food and free entertainment as we all know Thais love to party especially when some numbskull is footing the bill .

[Tanlic]

Another head hangs lowly,
Child is slowly taken.
And the violence caused such silence.
Who are we mistaken?

But you see, it's not me, it's not my family.
In your head, in your head they are fighting,
With their tanks and their bombs,
And their bombs and their guns.
In your head, in your head, they are crying...

In your head, in your head,
Zombie, zombie, zombie,

[Tarric]

It should be patently obvious that the repeated attacks on the anti-government protestors are being orchestrated (a) in the hope of reducing the number of demonstrators and ( if that fails, as an excuse for declaring a state of emergency and dispersing the demonstrators.

At last someone who sees things as they really are.

The thing is, the only way to disperse the protesters would be probably something resembling 'lethal contact'.

They won't get that from the military, but CAPO may try to get the police to have a crack at it, in which case... 'all bets will be off' as far as the military are concerned and it will be 'goodnight Vienna' for the government.

Dispersing protesters isn't impossible without lethal force, with water cannons, tear gas and police armed with batons protests are dispersed every day all around the world without resorting to lethal force.

The issue is the men in black, if the PDRC don't want their protest dispersed relatively peacefully they may resort to firing live rounds on the police attempting to disperse them.

[bigbamboo]

In most normal countries, if you tried to stop traffic in order to garner attention about your political views, you would be arrested. It seems the police here don't have the motivation to go into these barricades with riot gear and clean it all out.

I only want to know why do the police not maintain law and order here as they swore to do when becoming a police officer?

Probably for the same reason politicians don't serve the public interest after swearing to do so when they become an MP.

[poisonus]

It should be patently obvious that the repeated attacks on the anti-government protestors are being orchestrated (a) in the hope of reducing the number of demonstrators and ( if that fails, as an excuse for declaring a state of emergency and dispersing the demonstrators.

At last someone who sees things as they really are.

The thing is, the only way to disperse the protesters would be probably something resembling 'lethal contact'.

They won't get that from the military, but CAPO may try to get the police to have a crack at it, in which case... 'all bets will be off' as far as the military are concerned and it will be 'goodnight Vienna' for the government.

Dispersing protesters isn't impossible without lethal force, with water cannons, tear gas and police armed with batons protests are dispersed every day all around the world without resorting to lethal force.

The issue is the men in black, if the PDRC don't want their protest dispersed relatively peacefully they may resort to firing live rounds on the police attempting to disperse them.

You have a very short memory.

That was tried back in December and the result was... It just made them more angry and the numbers swelled till the government backed down and removed all the assault gear. Well... after the army told them to stop it.

That was all about enforcing the ISA (Internal Security Act), what makes you think enforcing an 'emergency decree' will have any different results?

[uty6543]

" We're prepared to use the emergency decree... Everyone involved including the police, the military and the government is considering this option very seriously but has not yet come to an agreement," National Security Council chief Paradorn Pattantabutr told Reuters after a meeting with Yingluck. "

The correct reading of this quote is - the army is not on board. Because it is clear that the two other agencies - which are really joined at the hip - the administration and the police - want the army involved. Pheu Thai has always wanted this - from day one. They want the army not only involved - but naturally - involved on their side. And that is something the army will never ever do. In fact, they don't want any involvement whatsoever. But as the administration has now become in effect an enabler of the vigilante grenade attacks, they can now claim that an emergency decree is needed. Of all the acts at the administration's disposal, Thaksin's all-time favourite would be the emergency decree. It would involve among other things detentions without due process and media control. It would essentially be an attempt to squash the movement. It would give the administration great power and sway, and unchecked power. It won't happen. For many reasons. One, the army simply will not play ball. They have already been highly suspicious of the administration and the police for some time, and their witnessing of the administration's recent announcements in an incredulous attempt to frame the grenade attacks on a peaceful protest, have not gone unnoticed. Two, the situation could very easily escalate out of control. Three, it would send a signal around the world that peaceful protest is not tolerated. Four, what is the endgame ? Five, does the administration really want the implementation of the emergency decree to be the backdrop of the election ? Six, the election in any event will produce a parliament that constitutionally cannot open.

One plausible scenario could be this : the election will take place. It will be deemed insufficiently populated with MPs to convene. That will be an unprecedented constitutional crisis, as the administration will be frozen, unable to govern. There will truly be a vacuum, and no map forward. At that point, the army could quietly step in, become a non-participating mediator in reform talks between all the political players, including the Pheu Thai party and the Democratic party, resulting in perhaps a forced timeline of three months, after which a national referendum would be held to a constitution agreed by all parties. If it passes, a national election would follow.

The constitutional crisis stemming from the lack of a parliamentary quorum, would mean that the Yingluck administration would have no other options to govern, making such a move not only the most peaceful and non-interventionist stance that the army could adopt, but in effect the only practical one. It would likely render much more peace and security to the situation, in a way the police have been utterly incapable of doing. It would cool the temperature. But most important of all, the reform forums would take place, peacefully, and with full public input, and with an open exchange of opinions and ideas. That would be a healthy, peaceful outcome, and would pave the way forward for elections with the trusted participation of all the people.

But that would still Thaksins regime in place and further unrest would be likely?

[Tatsujin]

It will be ignored pretty much, just like last time. The only thing it will do is allow the Govt the option of using more serious measures against protestors should they choose to do so.

as an example.. actually arresting the leader of the demonstrators who already has an arrest warrant hanging over him

Indeed. However in the interests of fairness and impartiality, they might want to start those arrests from within their own ranks first, such as Prompong who doesn't just have an arrest warrant against him, but has also been convicted and sentenced to a 1 year jail term. And let's not forget also the many others in similar situations within the party.

[poisonus]

There is a very simple answer to all of this and that is to round up all the protest leaders involved and charge them even if it causing a disturbance refuse them bail and set a court date after the elections it is that easy it just needs somebody with some B - - - S to have the courage to do it . Suthep is losing the support and those attending are only there fro the handouts of food and free entertainment as we all know Thais love to party especially when some numbskull is footing the bill .

Good luck with that one.

Best way to create a monumental riot in the streets.

The police stations will be besieged and likely every detainee plucked back out to safety to carry on with the business.

That is however, if they ever manage to nab them in the first place. It would probably take something in the region of 500 to 1000 police officers in full assault gear and they are still not guaranteed to pull it off.

Dream on.

[Melyn]

In most normal countries, if you tried to stop traffic in order to garner attention about your political views, you would be arrested. It seems the police here don't have the motivation to go into these barricades with riot gear and clean it all out.

I only want to know why do the police not maintain law and order here as they swore to do when becoming a police officer?

Did you come to Thailand because its a normal country?

If not then you should enjoy the abnormalities that you like and accept the ones you cannot change.

If not you'll end up baying at the moon like a red shirt farang

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[wileycoyote]

D'Accord