Dozens of arrests as police raid Thai protest site

[webfact]

Dozens arrested as Thai police raid protest site
by Aidan JONES

BANGKOK, February 18, 2014 (AFP) - Dozens of Thai opposition protesters were arrested Tuesday during a police operation to seize back besieged state buildings in the capital Bangkok, sparking a tense standoff near the government headquarters.

It was the first time that so many protesters have been detained since mass rallies seeking to overthrow Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra began more than three months ago.

About 100 demonstrators were arrested at an energy ministry complex on charges of violating a state of emergency, National Security Council chief Paradorn Pattanatabut told AFP.

"There was no resistance," he said. "They were overwhelmed by the police forces."

Riot police with batons, shields and helmets were also deployed near the government headquarters, after protesters returned to areas around the complex following a similar police operation on Friday to reclaim the building.

The two sides were locked in a tense confrontation across barbed wire barricades, with demonstrators rejecting a police demand to leave the area around Yingluck's offices within one hour.

"The government cannot work here anymore," said a spokesman for the anti-government movement, Akanat Promphan.

"The arrests don't affect us. The will of the people is still strong. The government is trapped. It has no way forward."

On Monday, demonstrators poured buckets of cement onto a sandbag wall in front of a gate to Government House.

The protesters are demanding Yingluck resign and hand power to a temporary, unelected government that would carry out reforms to tackle corruption and alleged misuse of public funds before new elections are held.

- Years of rival protests -

Thailand has been periodically rocked by mass demonstrations staged by rival protest groups since a controversial military coup in 2006 that ousted then-premier Thaksin Shinawatra -- Yingluck's brother.

Eleven people have died and hundreds of others have been injured in political violence linked to the latest round of rallies, which have been targeted by a series of grenade attacks and drive-by shootings by unidentified perpetrators.

Demonstrators have blocked major intersections in a self-styled "shutdown" of the capital, although attendance has dropped sharply compared with December and January when at the peak tens, or even hundreds, of thousands of people took to the streets.

So far the authorities have not announced any plan to clear those road junctions in the retail and commercial centre.

Yingluck's government held a general election on February 2 in an attempt to defuse tensions, but the opposition boycotted the vote, saying it would not end the kingdom's long-running political crisis.

Demonstrators prevented 10,000 polling stations from opening in the election, affecting several million people.

Yingluck's opponents say she is a puppet for her brother Thaksin, a billionaire tycoon-turned-politician who fled overseas in 2008 to avoid jail for a corruption conviction.

Pro-Thaksin parties have triumphed at the ballot box for more than a decade, helped by strong support in the northern half of the kingdom.

But many southerners and Bangkok residents accuse Thaksin and his sister of using taxpayers' money to buy the support of rural voters through populist policies such as a controversial rice farm subsidy scheme.

The deployment of security forces has revived memories of a military crackdown on mass pro-Thaksin "Red Shirt" rallies in 2010 under the previous government that left dozens dead.

Yingluck's government has so far been reluctant to use force to disperse the latest protests while the military -- traditionally a staunch backer of the anti-Thaksin establishment -- has said that it does not want to be drawn into the standoff.

At the same time the army chief has refused to rule out another coup, while the United States has urged the military not to seize power again.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-02-18

[focus27]

About time too!

Arresting and charging a few hundred protestors whilst seeing their leaders still free and barking orders may make the rest reconsider their status as pawns in the game.

The Suthepistas have got what they wanted; they don't actually need Bangkok to continue their anti-democracy campaign - the south can disrupt another election if they so wish. Keep a token stage in Bangkok, but give the city back to the people - the working people.

[Costas2008]

There are about 10,000 protesters in Bangkok at the moment, and the BRAVE police, arrested 100.

Really admire them and their boss.

Edited February 18, 2014 by Costas2008

[lovetotravel]

About time too!

Arresting and charging a few hundred protestors whilst seeing their leaders still free and barking orders may make the rest reconsider their status as pawns in the game.

The Suthepistas have got what they wanted; they don't actually need Bangkok to continue their anti-democracy campaign - the south can disrupt another election if they so wish. Keep a token stage in Bangkok, but give the city back to the people - the working people.

I'm no fan of these blockades, but the protesters have not gotten what they want. The PM to resign and the amnesty bill to die off. The latter will happen in early April. If these happened, I'd think the protests would fizzle out??

[binjalin]

every journey begins with a small step... keep it up

[GeorgeO]

About time too!

Arresting and charging a few hundred protestors whilst seeing their leaders still free and barking orders may make the rest reconsider their status as pawns in the game.

The Suthepistas have got what they wanted; they don't actually need Bangkok to continue their anti-democracy campaign - the south can disrupt another election if they so wish. Keep a token stage in Bangkok, but give the city back to the people - the working people.

I think you are so wrong.

The CMPO intends to charge these people with a breach of the emergency decree, but there appears to be no grounds whatsoever for any charge. The protesters offered no resistance, thereby proving that were engaging in a peaceful protest, which has already been recognised as their constitutional right.

This is likely to convince the courts that they should set aside the current 'state of emergency' decree with all of these protesters being released immediately.

As an aside, one wonders how such a confrontation might have turned out if it was a red shirt protest...?!

[PREM-R]

There are about 10,000 protesters in Bangkok at the moment, and the BRAVE police, arrested 100.

Really admire them and their boss.

Wow,you have good eyesight, you can see them all the way from Khon Kaen?

[ggold]

There are about 10,000 protesters in Bangkok at the moment, and the BRAVE police, arrested 100.

Really admire them and their boss.

They were fake protesters! probably BiB dressed as civilians!!!

[djjamie]

There are about 10,000 protesters in Bangkok at the moment, and the BRAVE police, arrested 100.

Really admire them and their boss.

No there isn't. According to TVF red shirt radio there are 2 x 3 (=6) wheel chair bound grandma's. How could they have got it so wrong...

I might have to start taking what they say with a grain of salt now unless they produce links in the future.

[hgma]

I'm sure it took a cunning plan (25.000 police) to arrest the hundred.

Oh well....TIT

Coffee time for me!

[djvolak]

About time too!

Arresting and charging a few hundred protestors whilst seeing their leaders still free and barking orders may make the rest reconsider their status as pawns in the game.

The Suthepistas have got what they wanted; they don't actually need Bangkok to continue their anti-democracy campaign - the south can disrupt another election if they so wish. Keep a token stage in Bangkok, but give the city back to the people - the working people.

I think you are so wrong.

The CMPO intends to charge these people with a breach of the emergency decree, but there appears to be no grounds whatsoever for any charge. The protesters offered no resistance, thereby proving that were engaging in a peaceful protest, which has already been recognised as their constitutional right.

This is likely to convince the courts that they should set aside the current 'state of emergency' decree with all of these protesters being released immediately.

As an aside, one wonders how such a confrontation might have turned out if it was a red shirt protest...?!

We all have seen how it works when it is reds being rounded up. You know. The puppet master on the big screen telling his minions to burn it down. Hey there goes Central World up in flames, The Stock Exchange, yep up in flames. oh so easy to throw some maltovs and run. Then you have today. Ok you are all under arrest. Ok they get in the trucks and go to jail. Noone screaming burn it down on the big screen today. All you Taksin lovers should be proud today.

[Khon Thai Ben Khon Dee]

Paradorn said demonstrators had also agreed to reopen roads into another government complex in the northern outskirts of Bangkok to enable officials to return to work.

Must be part of Sutheps Victory plan over his non-agreement to the Win-Win proposal.

Go ahead, start to lose face you stupid, losing fascist lunatic.

Edited February 18, 2014 by Khon Thai Ben Khon Dee

[rucus7]

CNN will love another sound bite. Thailand is making the world news on a daily basis. It is no longer being called a democratically elected government. In depth coverage spells major damage for the current lame duck administration.(care taker)

[sam sen]

There are about 10,000 protesters in Bangkok at the moment, and the BRAVE police, arrested 100.

Really admire them and their boss.

Wow,you have good eyesight, you can see them all the way from Khon Kaen?

agree.

i walk past two main protest sites daily, there are literally a handful of people at each site - and the few at the pan fah site are mostly the homeless filling up on the free food and sleeping in shade of the canopy.

it is not right that so few are allowed to inconvenience so many

[Costas2008]

PREM-R, on 18 Feb 2014 - 09:43, said:

Costas2008, on 18 Feb 2014 - 09:34, said:

There are about 10,000 protesters in Bangkok at the moment, and the BRAVE police, arrested 100.

Really admire them and their boss.

Wow,you have good eyesight, you can see them all the way from Khon Kaen?

Even in Khon Kaen I can watch Blue Sky.....if they don't jam it.

[Nickymaster]

There are about 10,000 protesters in Bangkok at the moment, and the BRAVE police, arrested 100.

Really admire them and their boss.

Wow,you have good eyesight, you can see them all the way from Khon Kaen?

PREM_R, people who only listen to wags and red radio channels don't have certain info. Please understand that there is much more info available.

Try it!?

Edited February 18, 2014 by Nickymaster

[kratiam]

Paradorn said demonstrators had also agreed to reopen roads into another government complex in the northern outskirts of Bangkok to enable officials to return to work.

Must be part of Sutheps Victory plan over his non-agreement to the Win-Win proposal.

Go ahead, start to lose face you stupid, losing fascist lunatic.

Bit early to be so intemperate....

[tomacht8]

Guess that will be more people come to the streets now.

Good thing there was no violence.

Let's see when the farmers will join them.

[djjamie]

I find it funny how the UDD supporters state protest sizes.

PDRC protests

100 - Tiny little insignificant laughable protest. (got to use demonizing words. It is essential to the demagogue)

1000 - There is still only 100 insignificant protestors left. The rest are homeless people eating free food and tourists watching the concerts

10 000 - Just shows they are not popular because they haven't got more than 10 000 that the UDD had back in 2010.

100 000 - This is a tiny protest compared to the 64 million population of Thailand. It only represents 0.15% of the population. Tiny laughable protest this one.

1 000 000 and above - It's not 1 million or above. Look at the photos. If 2 people can fit into 1 square meter then going by this tiny 48kb photo on the internet there are only 9000 people at the most. In which case refer back to the "10 000" comments

UDD protests

100 - The voice of the people are being represented here. (Kind-napping judges is the voice of the people apparently)

1000 - The numbers are swelling and this is a huge turnout in support of 1 principle of democracy

10 000 - The DEMS would never be able to produce these numbers at a protest. It just shows that the PTP have the support of the people.

100 000 - Silence. UDD were never able to produce these numbers at a protest.

1 000 000 - Silence. UDD were never able to produce these numbers at a protest.

So according to the UDD supporters that believed 6 x wheel chair bound grandmas were all that was left at the protests I can only assume the police have accidentally arrested 94 well fed homeless people as well?

PTP logic. Gotta love the gullible.

Edited February 18, 2014 by djjamie

[sam sen]

Paradorn said demonstrators had also agreed to reopen roads into another government complex in the northern outskirts of Bangkok to enable officials to return to work.

Must be part of Sutheps Victory plan over his non-agreement to the Win-Win proposal.

Go ahead, start to lose face you stupid, losing fascist lunatic.

no, no, you got it wrong, the government are the fascists!

i saw a poster at a protest site saying the the government are 'worse than the nazis' - i think someone needs to read up on recent european history before designing the next poster...

[Khon Thai Ben Khon Dee]

every journey begins with a small step... keep it up

The torturing monk is currently opening up Chaeng Wattana government complex to 'allow' government workers return to work there.

PCAD fascists lose, who would have thought, no doubt tomorrow's March will be declared as another victory by the corrupt, fascist Palm-Oil man.

[kotsak]

http://www.blueskychannel.tv/

[Boxclever]

PREM-R, on 18 Feb 2014 - 09:43, said:

Costas2008, on 18 Feb 2014 - 09:34, said:

There are about 10,000 protesters in Bangkok at the moment, and the BRAVE police, arrested 100.

Really admire them and their boss.

Wow,you have good eyesight, you can see them all the way from Khon Kaen?

Even in Khon Kaen I can watch Blue Sky.....if they don't jam it.

I see, you get your information from Blue Sky!

So you should would know that infact there are 6 million protesters on the street not 10,000.

Shame on you for spreading false information

Edited February 18, 2014 by Boxclever

[bkkjames]

Regardless of the numbers - things have reached boiling point on both sides it appears and looks to get out of hand today / tomorrow.

[webfact]

Police retake one protest site, arrest several leaders



BANGKOK: -- Anti riot police successfully have successfully retaken a protest site of the anti government protesters at the state-owned PTT Plc head office on Vibhavadi Rangsit road and arrested several leaders.

dfThe site is one of five sites named by the Center for the Maintaining of Peace and Order (CMPO) to be retaken under its operation called ‘Returning Peace to Bangkok’ . The operation is carried out simultaneously at 8 a.m. with the use of 25,000 police force drawn from Bangkok and all police commands across the country.

All police operations are broadcast live on two state television channels, Channel 9 and Channel 11.

There was no resistance by anti government protesters at the PTT office led by the Network of Students and People for the Reform of Thailand.

Arrested included Dr Ravee Maschamadol, Tawatchai Promchan, and Tosapol Kaopima.

All were taken into the prison van and detained at the First Border Patrol Police Command in Pathumthani province.

Meanwhile at another protest site on Chaengwattana road, the police were negotiating with protest leader Luang Poo Buddhaissara to remove road blockade so that government officials could return to work and people could travel as usual.

The abbot agreed to remove sandbag and tyre barricades to facilitate traffic with condition that no force be used against protesters.

Negotiation is still on.

(photo : @tanachai_nw )

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/police-retake-one-protest-site-arrest-several-leaders/


-- Thai PBS 2014-02-18

[AleG]

every journey begins with a small step... keep it up

The torturing monk is currently opening up Chaeng Wattana government complex to 'allow' government workers return to work there.

PCAD fascists lose, who would have thought, no doubt tomorrow's March will be declared as another victory by the corrupt, fascist Palm-Oil man.

What torturing monk?

[focus27]

About time too!

Arresting and charging a few hundred protestors whilst seeing their leaders still free and barking orders may make the rest reconsider their status as pawns in the game.

The Suthepistas have got what they wanted; they don't actually need Bangkok to continue their anti-democracy campaign - the south can disrupt another election if they so wish. Keep a token stage in Bangkok, but give the city back to the people - the working people.

I'm no fan of these blockades, but the protesters have not gotten what they want. The PM to resign and the amnesty bill to die off. The latter will happen in early April. If these happened, I'd think the protests would fizzle out??

It has been discussed at length on other threads, that the inability to convene the House of Reps triggers various key dates as per the constitution. The most likely outcome is that the caretaker gov will be replaced by an interim gov. The PM seems unable to find a way to avoid this crash, and, although the legal process takes some time, the Bangkok protests also do nothing to speed up the constitutional process. The current situation is the result of having blocked the elections, not the blocking of the city.

Just to add that this useless government may well deserve all the other shit coming their way, but for the Suthepistas to demand what is essentially a return to circa 1932 is a coup by another name.

[rogerdee123]

after the police complete their operation today ... and the protestors are back tomorrow ...

the TV channels can shift to the show about the run on the Govt Savings Bank

[Boxclever]

every journey begins with a small step... keep it up

The torturing monk is currently opening up Chaeng Wattana government complex to 'allow' government workers return to work there.

PCAD fascists lose, who would have thought, no doubt tomorrow's March will be declared as another victory by the corrupt, fascist Palm-Oil man.

What torturing monk?

Mad Monk.bmp

Edited February 18, 2014 by Boxclever

[Nickymaster]

every journey begins with a small step... keep it up

The torturing monk is currently opening up Chaeng Wattana government complex to 'allow' government workers return to work there.

PCAD fascists lose, who would have thought, no doubt tomorrow's March will be declared as another victory by the corrupt, fascist Palm-Oil man.

Slow down. Don't celebrate too early because you might be disappointed later on. Control emotions and think!

Ohhh, by the way, do you know if the farmers have already received their money?