Protesters to be registered: PDRC

[webfact]

MASS RALLY
Protesters to be registered
NIPHAWAN KAEWRAKMUK,
ANUPHAN CHANTANA,
THANATPONG KONGSAI
THE NATION



Move aimed at boosting safety, police ask group to open roads near Lumpini Camp

THE PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC Reform Committee (PDRC) is refining the management of its army of protesters, including adopting a hotel-style system of "guest registration", checking protesters in and out to increase safety and improve the planning of rallies.

Satit Wongnongtaey said yesterday that the new system will be applied first to the Pathumwan base after the big cleaning day on Sunday, when the demonstrators helped city crew tidy up the area from the King Rama VI statue to Silom Road.

The rally site would be divided into zones of 50 people and about 20 tents each. Campers have to register and check in to receive a door key to their tent, which would be equipped with sleeping gear and eating utensils supplied by donors.

The PDRC has also abandoned some protest sites and relocated supporters from some sites to others, for instance, withdrawing from Rama VIII Bridge to lay siege to the Education Ministry.

Satit said PDRC secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban has sought meetings with professional groups, civil servants and educational institutions to brainstorm and draft the national reform blueprint.

The PDRC must work on preparing the reform roadmap in parallel with its drive to oust the Yingluck government, he said.

Pol Maj Gen Wallop Prathummuang, commander of Metropolitan Police Division 6, led a group of police to hold talks with PDRC leaders about allowing motorists to use roads around the Lumpini protest site, especially the Thai-Japanese flyover.

Police said they would set up checkpoints about 300-500 metres from the rally site to increase security for protesters. The PDRC has yet to agree to the proposal, citing safety reasons.

The meeting abruptly ended when the PDRC leaders were informed that arrest warrants for 19 PDRC leaders had been approved by the court. Police said they knew nothing about the arrest warrants.

PDRC leader Witthaya Kaewparadai said up to 8,000 pro-reform supporters were camping out at Lumpini Park. They are provided with meals, nine areas for bathing and five more portable toilets. The PDRC is concerned about safety and is considering taking legal action against police for failing to protect the protesters.

Rapid-response teams of protesters would be dispatched to ensure that seven stage agencies remain closed, including the Customs Department and Revenue District Offices.

Since the PDRC agreed to allow some state agencies located at the Government Complex on Chaeng Wattana Road to resume serving the public, Soi Chaeng Wattana 5 has been jammed with vehicles.

Witthaya said Thailand Post has agreed to let four lanes in its compound be used to reduce traffic congestion.

Representatives of the Department of Special Investigation are expected to hold talks with the PDRC to allow officials to return to work in their office located in the complex.

Phra Buddha Issara, the PDRC leader in the area, has agreed to let Election Commission officials return to work at the complex tomorrow and Consular Affairs Department officials on Monday.


-- The Nation 2014-02-06

[CelticBhoy]

"adopting a hotel-style system of "guest registration"

I think I've heard it all now.

Just hope Suthep gets an early "check-out" . . . . . .

[impulse]

Yep. I want my name and ID number on the list of people working to overthrow the government- for my own protection, no doubt.

[englishoak]

In other words you have been noticed and will be registered for your own safety, seeing as they have been asking for the protection there should be no objection. This is no different than any other country with extended guest protesters, they gather information partly for their own agenda but also it really does help in cutting down crime or possible threats to those there from those that may wish to do them harm or indeed the protest.

i think Its a softly softly nudge its time to to go home we will know now who you are do behave, before you get asked in for questioning. Nudge nudge.

good move imo

Edited February 6, 2014 by englishoak

[tomyummer]

Guest registration, tents with keys, hot meals, cleaned up site, additional toilets and shower facilities...

Who needs to go to Khao Yai for luxury tent camping when we just need to show up at Lumpini for a free protest-in-luxury experience?! We've got our own Disneyland and Alice in Wonderland in our backyard!

Although I'd expect the Thai Gestapo escorts waiting for me at home upon my return. Screw that!

Edited February 6, 2014 by tomyummer

[Dr Bruce]

It will make it easier to pay the protesters and stop them from collecting the dosh and then sloping off home.

[Thai at Heart]

Would you trust this lot to keep your info safe and sound from the authorities?

[CelticBhoy]

The rich folks who spent zillions on a condo overlooking

Lumpini Park must be delighted with their view nowadays.

[chainarong]

This becomes a dangerous move for the individual , to much information can lead to problems later on , i'd tell them to mind there own business , it is my democratic right to protest, with out giving my blood type away , although that might be all I give away , the way these protests turn into a gun fight at the "okay Corral", not bad when no guns are allowed, also giving information can lead to prosecution for disobeying the emergency decree.

[tx22cb]

This becomes a dangerous move for the individual , to much information can lead to problems later on , i'd tell them to mind there own business , it is my democratic right to protest, with out giving my blood type away , although that might be all I give away , the way these protests turn into a gun fight at the "okay Corral", not bad when no guns are allowed, also giving information can lead to prosecution for disobeying the emergency decree.

It's the PDRC who wants this registration of their protesters.

Telling the PDRC to "mind their own business" is not wise for your eardrums, and what would they care about your democratic rights?

If you want to protest and don't want to register - do so, but not at the PDRC sites.

[coma]

Great idea. Make up a 'hit list' for right wing red shirts to get thier hands on. This would end any protesting on my behalf.

[esprit]

Of course they should be registered. Good idea for them to be registered with " The association for the mentally challenged".

[JoeThePoster]

....including adopting a hotel-style system of "guest registration"....

They'll be charging joiner fees next.

[jollyman]

Come on Charlem, check them in to The Bangkok Hilton!

[upena]

Most likely it will work as well as hotels getting info on incoming tourists.

[icommunity]

Very good approach indeed. Does that also include street vagrants - Thai, foreigners and falang?

[DirtFarmer]

The donors should be spending their millions with political out reach... resolving the inadequacies of the southern conflict,,, mitigating the issues with the Hill Tribes in the north...bringing Thai people together...one would surmise...would be a much greater example of personal integrity for generations to model...but no...PDRC led by Suthep find it more productive to continue to promote division, ( divide and conquer ?... hmmm where have we heard that before... ) and now this...?

"Satit said PDRC secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban has sought meetings with professional groups, civil servants and educational institutions to brainstorm and draft the national reform blueprint.

The PDRC must work on preparing the reform roadmap in parallel with its drive to oust the Yingluck government, he said."

This from one of the most corrupt fish in the barrel ...AMAZING! Ya just can't make stuff like this up.... No one would believe it..

Well maybe if you repeated it often enough, handed out a hotel key to a tent and provided free food,,,ad infinitum ...some people would believe it was reform...

What a fool I have been not to see the goodness in all of this............(NAWT!)

.....personal integrity replacing personal greed... that may be a realistic path to choose going forward, but me thinks that will take a long time and certainly involves real education... and certainly cannot and should not be propagated by a wolf wanting the key to his hen house...be it a tent or The Dusti Thani...or the keys to Government House, ..............nor can it be done in Sutheps lifetime....or mine...

[diehard60]

"Phra Buddha Issara, the PDRC leader in the area, has agreed to let Election Commission officials return to work at the complex tomorrow and Consular Affairs Department officials on Monday."

Well that is mighty white of him to do that. Now when is he going to be defroked?

[diehard60]

Very good approach indeed. Does that also include street vagrants - Thai, foreigners and falang?

Do you know the meaning of these words - Thai, foreigners and falang?

[diehard60]

Great idea. Make up a 'hit list' for right wing red shirts to get thier hands on. This would end any protesting on my behalf.

Are you in the same world as we are? How about a hit list on ALL yellow shirts?

[icommunity]

Very good approach indeed. Does that also include street vagrants - Thai, foreigners and falang?

Do you know the meaning of these words - Thai, foreigners and falang?

Don't know why you are driving at?

[icommunity]

Very good approach indeed. Does that also include street vagrants - Thai, foreigners and falang?

Do you know the meaning of these words - Thai, foreigners and falang?

What were you driving at?

[diehard60]

This becomes a dangerous move for the individual , to much information can lead to problems later on , i'd tell them to mind there own business , it is my democratic right to protest, with out giving my blood type away , although that might be all I give away , the way these protests turn into a gun fight at the "okay Corral", not bad when no guns are allowed, also giving information can lead to prosecution for disobeying the emergency decree.

It's the PDRC who wants this registration of their protesters.

Telling the PDRC to "mind their own business" is not wise for your eardrums, and what would they care about your democratic rights?

If you want to protest and don't want to register - do so, but not at the PDRC sites.

how do you tell the difference? They all look the same. they all act the same. They all are saying the same things. They all want a DICTATORSHIP.

[DocN]

Just when I thought, I heard it all...

[rickirs]

Buddha Issara has "agreed to let Election Commission officials return to work at the complex tomorrow and Consular Affairs Department officials on Monday." I'm sure it is with great relief that EC officials have been granted permission to return to work. Fo a moment I thought they were an independent agency. And it is news to me that the Buddists are now acting in effect as an unregistered political party. In the next national election will we see temples endorsing candidates and monks in voting lines?

[rickirs]

....including adopting a hotel-style system of "guest registration"....

They'll be charging joiner fees next.

They're going to start a Frequent Protester Club. For every protester event you get 1 point for each day of attendence. You can accumulate your points to get free Protester souvenirs, guranteed street tent reservations with late check-out, and courtesy pickup and drop off. For $99 per year you can also get the Democratic Gold Visa card that entitles you to double points and discounts to Suthep owned casinos.