Thai-Indian business tycoon to be deported for protesting

[Beetlejuice]

Right, NO foreigner have a right to go for protest, this is a Native Thai Nation issue and Business. That what I exactly hate in my country or back in Europe,foreigners come to our country's and going on the street to tell us what we should do and what there rights. <deleted> you all,if you don't like the country you visit then leave it !!!!!!

Really?

Many groups, including neo Nazis, the extreme left, the press and some others claim they are entitled to say exactly what they want because it`s freedom of speech. So we could say that the Indian guy is only exercising his right to free speech under a democratic system, whether he be a foreigner or not.

Do you believe that foreigners living in a foreign land should be excluded under the rights of free speech and expression and considered enemies of the state, even if their support for one group or another is peaceful?

The difference between most Western countries and Thailand is that in the West these countries are true democracies and even though Thailand under the Shinawatra regime tries to portray it`s self as a democracy, this is only so in the loosest sense.

You’re either for a true democracy that allows free speech for everyone without exceptions or you’re not. There are no easy answers to the rights and wrongs of this.

[TinoThailand]

High level of racism anyway exept if you're not 100% Thai got money n white skin ...

[zydeco]

Is this all the evidence they have? I hope not. An Indian guy standing alongside the street where I protest is going past and holding a Thai flag. Pretty slim pickings.

[gerrythepoet]

Are you all 100 % certain that he is a foreigner seems strange for him to be a former President of a Thai- Indian Chamber of Commerce?

I would have thought that he was born here like the Thai Chinese he is Thai Indian.

We need some real clarification here

[bangon04]

What about all the Thai/Chinese who were protesting?

They are Thai citizens. This guy is a foreigner.

Yes,.. and they were once foreigners before they cunningly positioned themselves as permanent fixtures in the commercial fabric of the nation!

There are also may ethnic Indian Thai citizens here who have full rights. The person being deported is not, so he doesn't have the same rights as a citizen.

So he is not "Thai-Indian". He is Indian.....

[JusMe]

Was he joining protest marches, held speeches on PDRC stages, occupied government offices, obstructed voting?

Yes, he did join the marches, and gave speeches on a PDRC stage. I doubt he occupied government offices, and have no idea what he did during the voting process.

But after the warning was issued, he clearly defied it by joining marches and taking the stage, not only as an individual, but as a representative of the Thai-Indian business community. He has been living here for a great many years (he's 70 years old now) but clearly does not have Thai citizenship.

[transam]

Is this all the evidence they have? I hope not. An Indian guy standing alongside the street where I protest is going past and holding a Thai flag. Pretty slim pickings.

Hmmmmmmmmmm, I never carry a Thai flag when out and about...........I have more sense, especially if near a protest site, BUT, I never carry a flag of any sort. Bit daft really.

[Somtamnication]

What about all the Thai/Chinese who were protesting?

They are not dark enough.

[Ulic]

He knew the risks, now he pays the price. Simple

[Songhua]

What the hell is Hi Park?

"Your participation in protests or the staging of political speech (address) may result in the revocation or refusal of permission to stay in the kingdom"

Seems 'hi park' may have come from a mistranslation of what is literally 'get up on stage'. ??

[HUAHIN62]

well so much for democracy.

You can be a part of our country, you cam make us money, but know where you stand...

you are not one of us! All men are not created equal, no inalienable rights here.

Clueless and disgraceful. Way to go PTP, your sort of only for Thai people after

their money of course. (pun intended)

If I remember correctly foreigners was warned not to take part in protests. Next time there is a protest in the US please go there and protest and see what happens to you.

[ttthailand]

Next target are those who make comments on chat forums. Be careful what you post or like .... OMG

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[MGP]

Very bad move for the business, the reputation, and the diplomatic relationships of Thailand.

Have a look at this article on the newspaper:

In the case the letter is too small, you can find it here: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jEszAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2CQMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4133%2C5791206

Edited February 4, 2014 by MGP

[casualbiker]

If true it will be a great boost for Thai India trade relations... Not

Go Chalerm both feet in the mouth again.

Hum... Everyone complains against corruption, then because someone influential broken a law, government should close an eye? Double standard ok for something not ok for something else?

Broken what law?

From another papers reports. He talked about his love for the King and his dislike of the rampant corruption.

Sent from my XT1032 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[newcomer71]

Right, NO foreigner have a right to go for protest, this is a Native Thai Nation issue and Business. That what I exactly hate in my country or back in Europe,foreigners come to our country's and going on the street to tell us what we should do and what there rights. <deleted> you all,if you don't like the country you visit then leave it !!!!!!

Really?

Many groups, including neo Nazis, the extreme left, the press and some others claim they are entitled to say exactly what they want because it`s freedom of speech. So we could say that the Indian guy is only exercising his right to free speech under a democratic system, whether he be a foreigner or not.

Do you believe that foreigners living in a foreign land should be excluded under the rights of free speech and expression and considered enemies of the state, even if their support for one group or another is peaceful?

The difference between most Western countries and Thailand is that in the West these countries are true democracies and even though Thailand under the Shinawatra regime tries to portray it`s self as a democracy, this is only so in the loosest sense.

You’re either for a true democracy that allows free speech for everyone without exceptions or you’re not. There are no easy answers to the rights and wrongs of this.

Do you think if protests drag for months in your country (not sure where are you from anyway) and disrupt other citizen activities, a foreigner caught protesting would have been let free to disrupt YOUR country? No... I don't think so.

Someone mistakes freedom of speech, with freedom to do what the h_ell they want, that is not exactly the same thing.

[casualbiker]

well so much for democracy.

You can be a part of our country, you cam make us money, but know where you stand...

you are not one of us! All men are not created equal, no inalienable rights here.

Clueless and disgraceful. Way to go PTP, your sort of only for Thai people after

their money of course. (pun intended)

If I remember correctly foreigners was warned not to take part in protests. Next time there is a protest in the US please go there and protest and see what happens to you.

I would have thought ...nothing!

Sent from my XT1032 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Zodaka]

Although I've been here more than 20 years so long as I don't have a Thai passport and can't vote, I'd never join a protest. There's simply no logic to it besides the risk to my own staying here.

[newcomer71]

If true it will be a great boost for Thai India trade relations... Not

Go Chalerm both feet in the mouth again.

Hum... Everyone complains against corruption, then because someone influential broken a law, government should close an eye? Double standard ok for something not ok for something else?

Broken what law?

From another papers reports. He talked about his love for the King and his dislike of the rampant corruption.

Sent from my XT1032 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Did you ever read or heard about Police Order that clearly states every foreigner participating to protests will risk deportation?

Yes or not? So if he joined a protest, he knew his risks, if not, ignorance is not excused by law.

[Alwyn]

Right, NO foreigner have a right to go for protest, this is a Native Thai Nation issue and Business. That what I exactly hate in my country or back in Europe,foreigners come to our country's and going on the street to tell us what we should do and what there rights. xxxxxyou all,if you don't like the country you visit then leave it !!!!!!

Normally I would whole heartedly agree with you. I hate when countries like England or America interfere with other countries business. I also think it's correct that this guy gets deported. Having said that, the anger in your comment is so unwarranted, you have a foreign name - Andreas, yet you talk as though Thailand is your country? If that's how you feel then the Indian guy has the same right too, right?

[SaorAlba]

The message was clear before the protests, any foreigner caught in protests would be deported. He got what he deserves and cannot claim he was not advised beforehand

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

How do you have to be involved?

I was walking through the protest area in Pratunam Siam mall This weekend so I could get to MBK, Siam, and Central World.

Was on shopping quest for the wife in BKK for three days.

There was a massive amount of foreigners walking around shopping and taking pictures..

Im sure that they dont mean doing these things...

Where do they draw line? <--------- honest question ..... What would you have to do to be considered a protester?

I do have to say that If the government tries to break up the protests in Pratunam they will be dealing with a lot of foreigners.

This area is not even shut down... all shops and businesses are open and crowded.

Its now a big street market with a stage..

Anyone that says they are shutting down Bangkok and ruining the economy and local businesses is full of it!

Well maybe with people afraid to come to bkk or go to these areas. I do understand that they will be affected but its really

not as bad there as news and posters here believe it to be.

They are just closing the street and gathering for speeches and music.

This does not mean i support the protesters or anti protesters I'm just telling what I felt and Thought.

Obviously different scales of involvement - casual tourist being stupid and posing for photos with protestors versus this guy who was using business links to associate with protest.

Also Thai economy has revised GDP by over 1%, businesses are changing annual forecast plans, SMEs face going out of business and property prices are falling. So yes this is a big deal

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[AleG]

The funny thing is that Suthep is the one that "hates foreigners" at least according to the standard pro-PTP mantra.

[Docno]

well so much for democracy.

You can be a part of our country, you cam make us money, but know where you stand...

you are not one of us! All men are not created equal, no inalienable rights here.

Clueless and disgraceful. Way to go PTP, your sort of only for Thai people after

their money of course. (pun intended)

This has nothing to do with PTP. The same thing happened to an Aussie back in 2010, if I recall correctly... deported for taking part in the Red Shirt protests. Many non-Western countries have laws prohibiting foreigners from involvement in political protests. Yes, it seems anti-democratic, but foreigners in all countries do not possess the same rights as citizens. And some countries have laws that prohibit foreigners from being involved in politics (be it participating in demonstrations or funding political parties). Of course, there will be people in this forum that say this is undemocratic, and I suspect they will be many of the same people who have advocated a military coup to sort things out or who support Suthep's demand for an unelected oligarchy.

[Thai at Heart]

....very, very silly to do this. They were doing well , all things considered, in the international arena and now a childish, petulant, vindictive response. Doesn't help the cause one bit...

So, you would prefer that he suffer the indignity of being jailed like foreigners that joined the protests in 2010?

No, while I believe it's borderline insanity for a foreigner to be joining the protests ( even the rent-a hippie wheeled out last week, Scandinavian I think), there is no value to this govt in being seen to be vindictive. If they want to pursue those who may have engaged in criminal acts, let the dust settle first and deal with the big picture stuff....RICE, &lt;deleted&gt;, not trivia

When you really consider how low the morals of anyone involved in Thai politics really are, I wouldn't want to be anywhere near them let alone support them.

I would have more respect for a foreigner if they really cared to get their own YouTube channel or blog and make their own statements. Its not as though you can get up onstage with Suthep and really speak your mind.

[tingtongteesood]

Sad. There was a big article on him in the Bangkok Post a few days back where it talked about how his family came to Thailand, how they built up the businesses, he became a respected member of the community, did good works for charity etc. If this was America everyone would say that he is representative of what makes America great, he is the living embodiment of The American Dream, proof that anyone can make it there through hard work and dedication. Sadly this is Thailand and there is no democracy here, only Taksinocracy that says dissenters must be punished. By the sounds of it he is a real stand up guy and his only 'crime' is taking a stand against a corrupt government made up of criminals and gangsters, he did the right thing and he will suffer for it. This is a sad day for Thailand.

[zydeco]

well so much for democracy.

You can be a part of our country, you cam make us money, but know where you stand...

you are not one of us! All men are not created equal, no inalienable rights here.

Clueless and disgraceful. Way to go PTP, your sort of only for Thai people after

their money of course. (pun intended)

If I remember correctly foreigners was warned not to take part in protests. Next time there is a protest in the US please go there and protest and see what happens to you.

Meet Jose Antonio Vargas: http://www.judiciary.senate.gov/pdf/2-13-13VargasTestimony.pdf

[Scamper]

It is a shame - though completely consistent with the history of Pheu Thai - that they should follow a path of complete intolerance when it comes to free expression - particularly if it is contrary to their narrative. If it supports it, of course, it is wholeheartedly embraced ! Free expression has a peculiarly Pheu Thai definition in these circumstances. And so the extreme solution - deportation - is gleefully adopted. A great diplomatic message to India, the world's largest democracy. The Yingluck administration is completely impotent when it comes to stifling the views of the people on the streets - who because they are Thai are not subject to Pheu Thai deportation. But in an effort to convince themselves that they are capable to stifling anything, they go after the foreigners who might happen to show up. Doubtless many will be viewing this event as a strange kind of victory for the administration - although what kind only they will know. Others, though, will steadfastly and confidently maintain that free expression is the bedrock of democracy and will view this story for what it is - a startling Orwellian reflex from an administration that just oversaw the most disunified election in its history.

Edited February 4, 2014 by Scamper

[Thai at Heart]

Right, NO foreigner have a right to go for protest, this is a Native Thai Nation issue and Business. That what I exactly hate in my country or back in Europe,foreigners come to our country's and going on the street to tell us what we should do and what there rights. xxxxxyou all,if you don't like the country you visit then leave it !!!!!!

Normally I would whole heartedly agree with you. I hate when countries like England or America interfere with other countries business. I also think it's correct that this guy gets deported. Having said that, the anger in your comment is so unwarranted, you have a foreign name - Andreas, yet you talk as though Thailand is your country? If that's how you feel then the Indian guy has the same right too, right?

Interference?

You equate making a statement interfering? Strewth. If it gets really bad, maybe they can invade and do some nation building? Operation Asian Teach u Lot How to Run a Country?

[Naam]

What about all the Thai/Chinese who were protesting?

misleading headline. he is not "Thai-Indian" but a foreigner like you and me. period!

[skorchio]

trogers, on 04 Feb 2014 - 15:15, said:

A foreigner in Thailand does not enjoy the same rights as a Thai that are provided by the Thai Constitution?

NO

Of course not, never has, never will. But at least the discrimination does not run any deeper than the colour of your wallet.

[DrTuner]

Have they started deporting journalists that don't pucker up to the government yet ? Ought to be the next in line on this road. Then just start deporting all, or plain ol' firing squad to save time.

It's quite clear where this is headed, let's see if any one intervenes when it gets large scale.