State of Emergency in Bangkok: Public gatherings banned

[Thait Spot]

YS: "There has never been a prime minister who is treated like this"

Apart from Abhisit who had his car smashed to bit by peoplr trying to kill him, bags of human shot thrown into his personal house and hundreds of lites of infected blood poured at his house.

[PaulHamon]

"Chalerm says authorities will now focus on arresting the protest leaders"

Good luck in doing that. Im sure if that were to happen things will get out of hand.

where do you put half a million people?

[h90]

Yingluck issues tough order to reinforce state of emergency

By Digital Content

nice picture...two Shinawatra Clan members....After the election there can be 5 on the photo....can make a government with minimal amount of outsiders.

[Chao Lao Beach]

2. News reports and distribution of newspapers and other publications carrying distorted information or facts that might cause panic, affect peace and order or good morals are not allowed."

Well that will put Johnathan Head out of a Job at the BBC

Come to think of it mabey Thai Visa tooo (Just Kiddy Mods)

[jcb2001]

Its not going to work, just like every other way Taksin and his party have tried to get their way. Government are accountable to the people and the people are not stupid.

Yep, sounds like Yingluck and company are making up the rules as they go.

[scorecard]

She added, “Nobody wants to encounter such an incident. Please respect my rights and freedom. There has never been a prime minister who is treated like this.

didn't think she was prime minister anymore?

"She added, “..... There has never been a prime minister who is treated like this."

Well there has never been a pm like the one we have now, so there is no valid comparison, so the comment is not valid.

[fab4]

"2. News reports and distribution of newspapers and other publications carrying distorted information or facts that might cause panic, affect peace and order or good morals are not allowed."

Wow, so only news reports acceptable from the Government. North Korea style media at its best. So, if some corruption deals get exposed, it won't be reported, if a red shirt causes violence it won't be reported. Any anti Government reports won't be reported.

If Suthep or the anti Government protesters do something bad, it will be reported.

​What a fair democracy that is. People really don't realise how corrupt and power hungry this Government really are.

Think your missing something here, they didnt write the SOE its already there and was used most effectively and to the full by the Dems in 2010. So far there is nothing like that in any of the orders nor are they being implemented with force or policed as such again unlike 2010 though things can change of course. Stay tuned

The current caretaker government have been very careful to avoid the use of violent force throughout this protest so far (let's avoid the speculation about who is responsible for this shooting and that bombing). They have pointed out, and very specifically to the international community, that this approach will be continued.

There may be a whole myriad of reasons for this, from lacking military support, to wanting international acceptance should they be returned to government in a future election.

At least they haven't reacted like the Ukraine government which has simply created more violence. Having spats, threatening one another with law suits here and there, and both sides accusing one another of corruption whilst disrespecting the law is one thing. Provoking violence against the people, however you do it, is quite different.

"Provoking violence against the people, however you do it, is quite different."

Were you thinking like that when suthep signed the order for the carrying, and use of, live ammunition by the security forces in April 2010? Please bear in mind that the first person killed by the security forces on the 10th April in the afternoon was a UDD supporter before you come back with the usual rejoinders.

[NoshowJones]

My wife and I have three sons.

Can we not all go out together?

You're a Celtic fan, that's a criminal offence in itself.

I think it is more of a criminal offence if your a Rangers fan.

[BigC]

I take it this is for reds and yellows

[Robby nz]

“Nobody wants to be chased daily. The government is willing to talk. Please avoid intimidation or creating hatred. It’s time we turn to each other for talks. The government is ready to open a forum wherever or whenever it is,” she said.

She added, “Nobody wants to encounter such an incident. Please respect my rights and freedom. There has never been a prime minister who is treated like this.

So there we have the real reason for the SOE, someone has been nasty to her.

Pol Maj-General Chanthawit Ramasut, the deputy commissioner of Metropolitan Police, said the police will set up 23 security checkpoints around the protest sites in Bangkok to prevent any smuggling in of weapons or violent incidents.

Why didn't the police do this before , did they really need an SOE before they put security in place ?

[promatrix]

where do you put half a million people?

marooned them on Phuket island

[PREM-R]

I think "State of Emergency Measure" number two applies to ThaiVisa as well.

"2. News reports and distribution of newspapers and other publications carrying distorted information or facts that might cause panic, affect peace and order or good morals are not allowed."

Many a true word spoken in jest

[PREM-R]

"Chalerm says authorities will now focus on arresting the protest leaders"

Good luck in doing that. Im sure if that were to happen things will get out of hand.

where do you put half a million people?

where do you put half a million six thousand people?

[Crushdepth]

I think "State of Emergency Measure" number two applies to ThaiVisa as well.

"2. News reports and distribution of newspapers and other publications carrying distorted information or facts that might cause panic, affect peace and order or good morals are not allowed."

Many a true word spoken in jest

We are going to struggle with that good morals bit.

[robert888d]

Quote ' there would be no operation to disperse the street protesters'..........then how on earth do you get them to disperse????

[siampolee]

In reality this order is actually designed to protect the police.

.

As a group of five or more constitutes an illegal gathering it now actually legally excuses the police from carrying out their duties in arresting the P.R.D.C. leaders or their followers.

This being due to the fact that it would indeed take more than five police persons to actually achieve a result.

Remember of course true to tradition, one police person has to hold the camera, three must be pointing their fingers at the arrested person(s) and of course there must be at least two decorative police persons smugly smiling at the camera.

Now according to the order this now has become an illegal act therefore the police persons are actually absolved from carrying out their duty.

Indeed a masterstroke, a wonderful ploy by the powers that be to whitewash and protect their tame police persons.

She (Yingluck) said the invocation of the Emergency Decree was not meant to challenge protesters but it would become the authorities’ tool in carrying out their duties. (MCOT online news)

This should actually read thus.

She said the invocation of the Emergency Decree was not meant to challenge protesters but it would become the authorities’ tool fool in carrying out their duties. (MCOT online news)

Edited January 24, 2014 by siampolee

[kirk0233]

 

Public gatherings are banned yet Chalerm says no attempts will be made to disperse protesters ?

The focus will be on arresting protest leaders but has he not noticed they tend to be surrounded by lots of followers who I suppose will simply part like the Red Sea and allow arrests to take place.

The government may have decided not to provoke a reaction by a Softly Softly approach but if they want that to work they have appointed to wrong man to run policing the emergency decree because if anyone can start a civil war ... !

Suthep sleeps in a local Bangkok hotel. I am sure the government is well aware of this and at this time does not want to incite further violence from the crowd from his arrest. When the time is right a quick arrest will be fairly easy.

[DrMe]

Chinese tour groups could be in for a rough ride.....

On a serious note, I have wondered whether the timing of this is related to the Phichit farmers saying they are heading to Bangkok to protest.

I don't think the SOE has much to do with a few Phichit farmers somehow

a few ? )) pls check their numbers

[kirk0233]

 

"2. News reports and distribution of newspapers and other publications carrying distorted information or facts that might cause panic, affect peace and order or good morals are not allowed."

Wow, so only news reports acceptable from the Government. North Korea style media at its best. So, if some corruption deals get exposed, it won't be reported, if a red shirt causes violence it won't be reported. Any anti Government reports won't be reported.

If Suthep or the anti Government protesters do something bad, it will be reported.

​What a fair democracy that is. People really don't realise how corrupt and power hungry this Government really are.

Well said.

Thank you

We shall see how this is implemented. If all negative comments about PTP, it's dominant family, the NACC probes and other similar issues are suppressed in the media then your comments will indeed be spot on.

The Courts have declared the SOE illegal, saying the caretaker government don't have authority to do that. Whether that's sensible or not is immaterial - it's the judges interpretation of the law, and their ruling. So why should anyone, protesters, media companies, journalists actually abide by the rules announced?

Is it legal, or are the caretaker government simply claiming it's legal? Can anyone in this country actually make a decision?

A former judge yesterday said in his opinion the state of emergency is not legal. When did the actual constitution court rule on this?

[Gandtee]

'There will be no violence against the protesters'. Has he sent his boys on holiday, just to make sure?

[Cricketnut]

Its not going to work, just like every other way Taksin and his party have tried to get their way. Government are accountable to the people and the people are not stupid.

Are the people speaking? Or just a few thousand or so in Bangkok? The people denotes the majority....

[ginjag]

Special favours to be given to Thai citizens, Today you will all have a change of underwear, hut 22 will change with hut 23.

[Scamper]

Banning gatherings of more than five people in a city of ten million without any intervention from the police while " peacefully " arresting all the protest leaders - goodness - it sounds like something only James T. Kirk could accomplish, even with getting his hair mussed. But never fear - Chalerm is here. And he's out with a vengeance. Can you imagine Chalerm convening a television station news broadcast - saying " no, you can't follow this story, no, you can't say that - it might provoke public panic, no ... no ... tell you what, why don't you let me think about it and I'll hand the script to you myself. "

" Yingluck, who is also the defence minister, urged the Armed Forces to take good care of their weapons and ensure they would not be stolen during this time of high political tensions, said Colonel Thanathip Sawangsaeng, spokesman for the Defence Ministry. "

As this is getting said a lot, one must really have to wonder what the messages are. Is it possible that the Yingluck administration is establishing a narrative of blame against the army if weapons of war are used against the protesters ? The Thai Navy officer revelation released to the media this week regarding mercenaries being smuggled in from Cambodia seems to fit that possibility. Of course, the army can only be well aware of this, and of the narrative the administration is trying to put forth.

[NongKhaiKid]

 

Public gatherings are banned yet Chalerm says no attempts will be made to disperse protesters ?

The focus will be on arresting protest leaders but has he not noticed they tend to be surrounded by lots of followers who I suppose will simply part like the Red Sea and allow arrests to take place.

The government may have decided not to provoke a reaction by a Softly Softly approach but if they want that to work they have appointed to wrong man to run policing the emergency decree because if anyone can start a civil war ... !

Suthep sleeps in a local Bangkok hotel. I am sure the government is well aware of this and at this time does not want to incite further violence from the crowd from his arrest. When the time is right a quick arrest will be fairly easy.

Chalerm has already named a hotel and the restaurant he uses but I'm sure Suthep doesn't go anywhere including the Land of Nod without security.

[bino]

 

Public gatherings are banned yet Chalerm says no attempts will be made to disperse protesters ?

The focus will be on arresting protest leaders but has he not noticed they tend to be surrounded by lots of followers who I suppose will simply part like the Red Sea and allow arrests to take place.

The government may have decided not to provoke a reaction by a Softly Softly approach but if they want that to work they have appointed to wrong man to run policing the emergency decree because if anyone can start a civil war ... !

Suthep sleeps in a local Bangkok hotel. I am sure the government is well aware of this and at this time does not want to incite further violence from the crowd from his arrest. When the time is right a quick arrest will be fairly easy.

Like it was for Arisman in 2010 when he was sleeping at SC Park hotel? Will Suthep slide down a rope to make a dramatic escape into the arms of his supporters?

[Crushdepth]

 

Public gatherings are banned yet Chalerm says no attempts will be made to disperse protesters ?

The focus will be on arresting protest leaders but has he not noticed they tend to be surrounded by lots of followers who I suppose will simply part like the Red Sea and allow arrests to take place.

The government may have decided not to provoke a reaction by a Softly Softly approach but if they want that to work they have appointed to wrong man to run policing the emergency decree because if anyone can start a civil war ... !

Suthep sleeps in a local Bangkok hotel. I am sure the government is well aware of this and at this time does not want to incite further violence from the crowd from his arrest. When the time is right a quick arrest will be fairly easy.

Like when the police raided Arisman's hotel, eh? Will we see Suthep climbing out the window using the power cable of his rice cooker, leaving the cops empty handed and the headline "Suthep escapes 007 style"?

[Dogmatix]

General elections while the capital and surrounding provinces are under a state of emergency. Great move, given the potential intimidation effect that will surely be cited by opponents in legal challenges to the elections.

[Dogmatix]

She looks stressed. I would suggest relaxing with a few glasses of ear medicine with her new head of Campo. That will sooth her nerves when she gives them the green light to shoot protestors.

[rickirs]

My wife and I have three sons.

Can we not all go out together?

If you're farang, you don't count.

[praglen]

Four of us are planning(have hotel reservations) on coming to Bangkok from Pattaya for Chinese New Years on January 31st and February 1st. How safe will we be and will there BE a Chinese New Year's parade, etc.?