US urges restraint in Thailand amid mass protests

[webfact]

US urges restraint in Thailand amid mass protests

WASHINGTON, January 22, 2014 (AFP) - The United States on Tuesday urged all sides in Thailand to show restraint and refrain from violence as the US ally imposed emergency rule to tackle mass protests.

Washington condemned violence and called for an investigation into incidents including grenade attacks that killed one person and injured dozens more.

"We urge all sides to refrain from violence, exercise restraint, and respect the rule of law," State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said in a statement.

"We encourage all involved to commit to sincere dialogue to resolve political differences peacefully and democratically."

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's government declared a 60-day state of emergency, which includes a ban on gatherings of more than five people, but ruled out the use of force or giving the army the leading role.

In 2010, a military-led crackdown on protests -- then led by forces sympathetic to the Shinawatra clan -- led to dozens of deaths.

Yingluck has called an election for February 2 but the main opposition party is boycotting the vote. Protesters have vowed to shut down Bangkok until Yingluck falls.

Thailand is the oldest US ally in Asia, with the kingdom then known as Siam famously offering president Abraham Lincoln elephants to fight the civil war.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-01-22

[NongKhaiKid]

Restraint ?

We have an emergency Decree with Chalerm in charge so with Suthep and him in direct conflict it seems Thailand is trying to get into their own version of the Dumb and Dumber movie franchise.

All we need is Chalerm to have a good session on the ear medicine then with his great assets of tact and diplomacy coupled with Suthep's intransigence almost anything could happen.

There may be method in the apparent madness of giving Chalerm such a delicate role because if it backfires his head really could roll, figuratively of course.

[chooka]

ban on gatherings of more than five people, good to see they have broken into their little groups. Shouldn't be to hard to mop up these few remnants.

Edited January 21, 2014 by chooka

[smoochy]

I love the American government. They know everything about everything. Just ask them. "SMOKE 'EM OUT GEORGE!"

[mrtoad]

Team America; World Police.

[taff33]

USA and restraint doesn't go together very good in the same sentence.

[billd766]

So if 6 or more people go to a restaurant and eat they can all be arrested.

If 50 people get onto a bus they can all be arrested.

If there are more than 6 people in an office, 7/11, shop, supermarket or whatever they can all be arrested.

That is really what that law means.