State of emergency still necessary: Surapong

[webfact]

State of emergency still necessary : Surapong

BANGKOK: -- The state of emergency is still needed for the current situation as political violences have still occurred, Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order's member Surapong Tohvichakchaikul said Monday.

He was referring to a bomb attack at the Criminal Court on Ratchadapisek Road this morning.

He said the decree invocation had no effect on tourism because the police used no force or violence against protesters. But the anti-government protests did have negative effect on tourism because it caused fear and trouble for tourists, he said.

The state of emergency, that will be expired on March 22, covers the entire Bangkok and Nonthaburi and parts of Samut Prakarn and Pathum Thani.


-- The Nation 2014-03-03

[Nickymaster]

It seems that the government themselves are making sure that there is reason for the SOE to stay in place.

[Local Drunk]

Well Surapong certainly isn't necessary.

Hey all of you that support the current government please chime in and defend him.

[TVGerry]

Of course it is.

Grenades are being thrown at judges and protestors. Houses of protest leaders and their mothers are being shot at. And the reds are threatening secession.

But SOE will still be used mostly against the PRDC.

Edited March 3, 2014 by TVGerry

[Why ask]

Of course he still needs a SOE. Otherwise, why would Ban Ki-moon have a reason to come?

[Scamper]

Surapong and his emergency decree have had zero impact on the grenade attacks on the protesters or on the institutions impacted. The police presence and follow-ups have been abysmal. The administration has shown greater zeal in establishing narratives than in doing anything to make the public safer. The emergency decree was never meant to make the public safer. It was to control and prosecute dissent.

[ETatBKK]

SOE is necessary for the state of emergency, not for the state of incident :-)

'He said the decree invocation had no effect on tourism because the police used no force or violence against protesters. But the anti-government protests did have negative effect on tourism because it caused fear and trouble for tourists, he said.'

BS - all civil insurances will be void under the state of emergency. who wants to risk their life in Thailand ?

[Bluespunk]

' He said the decree invocation had no effect on tourism because the police used no force or violence against protesters'

Erm........say what? Someone hasn't been watching the news.

Edited March 3, 2014 by Bluespunk

[TechnikaIII]

Easier for them to get an extension on their license to murder, than it is for us to get a visa extension.

[PepperMe]

The only effective thing that this government is enjoying from the SOE is the ability to censor the media. A very strong weapon in a propaganda war.

The rest of it has no effect and can't be enforced anyway.

Hitler made great use of his media censoring, he managed to brainwash an entire country.

[renaissanc]

Very clever, Surapong. Keep the Red Shirts attacking the anti-government people and the courts in order to extend the SoE. I think a court will annul it soon.

[ChrisY1]

Regardless of costs......

[gemini81]

Its in defense of a state of emergency of the approaching loss of power of the Shinawatra oligarchy, on a macro level. Keep having these 'mysterious' bomb 'throwing' individuals con't as they're doing so SOE can be still be used. Can't ever find the assailants, conveniently enough. It is way, way to clear what is going on- and has been for a long time.

Edited March 3, 2014 by gemini81

[HUAHIN62]

Disagree. The PDRC have withdrawn into one area and opened roads, the decree should be lifted. It would ease tensions and would not make a material difference in the security situation.

[Robby nz]

They have already applied to the National Budget Bureau for 10 billion from the Contingency budget to fund the 'work' of the SOE so far so I suppose they must keep it going as a justification to ask for more.

Oh yes they did deny it but unfortunately for then the NBB had already told the world.

[northernjohn]

Surapong and his emergency decree have had zero impact on the grenade attacks on the protesters or on the institutions impacted. The police presence and follow-ups have been abysmal. The administration has shown greater zeal in establishing narratives than in doing anything to make the public safer. The emergency decree was never meant to make the public safer. It was to control and prosecute dissent.

"The emergency decree was never meant to make the public safer. It was to control and prosecute dissent."

And they were spectacular failures in both those departments.

[casualbiker]

"He said the decree invocation had no effect on tourism because the police used no force or violence against protesters. But the anti-government protests did have negative effect on tourism because it caused fear and trouble for tourists,"

protests:

police:

make your own mind up!

[rubl]

Why did CMPO member Surapong state this and not head CMPO Chalerm?

Anyway when asked Ms. Yingluck of course said the decision didn't rest with her both with the CMPO.

[tomacht8]

They have already applied to the National Budget Bureau for 10 billion from the Contingency budget to fund the 'work' of the SOE so far so I suppose they must keep it going as a justification to ask for more.

Oh yes they did deny it but unfortunately for then the NBB had already told the world.

Agree, that is the main reason behind: money.

Hopefully there will be clear records about what the money was used.

I can not see for what they need a 10 Billion Baht budget.

Police is regulary paid.

For fuel and extra food ok, but not 10 Billion Baht.

This is very strange!!!

Just little maths:

20.000 police officers = 500.000 Baht each?

PS: For their TV announcements, they use only a wooden wall, a background poster and a writing desk!

Again, for what was the money used?

Edited March 3, 2014 by tomacht8

[Robby nz]

They have already applied to the National Budget Bureau for 10 billion from the Contingency budget to fund the 'work' of the SOE so far so I suppose they must keep it going as a justification to ask for more.

Oh yes they did deny it but unfortunately for then the NBB had already told the world.

Agree, that is the main reason behind: money.

Hopefully there will be clear records about what the money was used.

I can not see for what they need a 10 Billion Baht budget.

Police is regulary paid.

For fuel and extra food ok, but not 10 Billion Baht.

This is very strange!!!

Just little maths:

20.000 police officers = 500.000 Baht each?

PS: For their TV announcements, they use only a wooden wall, a background poster and a writing desk!

Again, for what was the money used?

Well it was reported that they had their meals provided by a 5 star hotel at between 100,000 and 500,000 B per day, don't know if that included the wine list.

There would have been young ladies hired to serve the food, as Chalerm had in the past.

Any of then who were staying away from home for any reason would have had 5 star accommodation, that doesn't include the police rank and file of course.

If any of them ever went anywhere it would have been in a convoy escorted by police.

Each of them would have had their personal security (bodyguards).

Danger money for those in the office, 2 grenades aimed at the TV station missed and landed within 300m of them.

Oh yes and Mama noodles for the cops.

These things all add up you know, sorry the accounts got destroyed in the floods, tsunami, grenade blast.

[Luk Mhee]

For sure we need the state of emergency still to be implemented. How else can we control the R/S movement

[petedk]

I am watching the Oscars at the momenf. It's a pity Surapong didn't make this statement earlier. He surely would have been nominated for the best liar award.

"No effect on tourism ..police used no force."

"Anti gov. Protesters have negative effect because it caused fear and trouble"

What's with all the photos of tourists enjoying themselves and posing at the rallies?

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