Thai protesters occupy heart of power as crisis deepens

[webfact]

Thai protesters occupy heart of power as crisis deepens
by Aidan JONES

BANGKOK, May 14, 2014 (AFP) - From ornate staterooms once used to host dignitaries including Barack Obama, Thailand's opposition protesters are plotting the appointment of an unelected premier in a move which government supporters warn could spark civil war.

Six months after they launched their campaign, triggering violence that has left 25 dead and hundreds wounded on both sides, demonstrators have one foot inside the seat of power -- and another rooted in the street.

In a highly symbolic challenge to the authority of the wounded administration, protesters have set up base inside a wing of the largely abandoned government headquarters, where they are now holding press conferences for the international media.

"It is urgent and necessary for the country to have a new prime minister and government to run the country," protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban -- wanted by police for insurrection -- declared on Tuesday in a cavernous room adorned with chandeliers and portraits of the revered king.

Thailand's first female premier Yingluck Shinawatra was removed from office last week along with nine cabinet ministers in a controversial court ruling denounced by her supporters as part of a "judicial coup".

The remnants of her government are clinging to power, leaving the two sides as deadlocked as ever.

It is the latest twist in a political conflict stretching back to a military coup in 2006 that removed Yingluck's elder brother Thaksin Shinawatra as premier.

Thaksin later fled the country to avoid jail for a corruption conviction, but is accused of pulling the strings of power from his base in Dubai.

- Senate may hold key -

The opposition is now counting on the upper house of parliament to complete the task of ending the political dominance of the billionaire Shinawatra family which has lasted more than a decade -- punctuated by a coup and court rulings.

It wants the Senate to invoke Article 7 of the constitution and seek the king's blessing for the appointment of a "neutral" premier to replace caretaker Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan, who was picked by the remainder of Yingluck's cabinet.

The protesters argue that the upper chamber is the only functioning state assembly, with the lower house dissolved since December.

But it is unclear if the vaguely worded Article 7 has a legal basis while Niwattumrong's government is still in power.

The caretaker premier insists he retains authority until there are new elections -- scheduled for July 20 -- which experts believe Thaksin's party would win.

"We do not want violence. We do not want any killings. We could prevent them (from using Government House) but on the other hand, you may face violence," Niwattumrong told foreign reporters this week at the government's emergency base at a defence ministry building in northern Bangkok.

Voters in the poor but populous north and northeast have helped return Thaksin parties to power in every election completed since 2001.

Polls held in February were voided after disruption by opposition protesters.

- Fears of fresh violence -

Any move to hand power to an unelected regime would be incendiary to pro-government "Red Shirts", now encamped in a Bangkok suburb, who have warned it could spark civil war.

Observers say the power play inside the upper chamber is being corralled by the acting Senate speaker -- and renowned anti-Thaksin figure -- Surachai Liangboonlertchai.

He has been holding talks in the Senate all week, including with Suthep, and has set a deadline of Friday to unveil his "roadmap" through the crisis.

"Surachai may decide to be the gatekeeper through which a request to the palace to invoke Article 7 is made," said Paul Chambers, director of research at the Institute of South East Asian Affairs at Chiang Mai University.

Hundreds of anti-government supporters are dug in around Government House, cocooned within fortifications topped with sandbags and razor wire.

Protest leaders say the move into the government compound reflects their status as representatives of the majority, although they are reluctant to put their claim to the test at the ballot box.

"This building is a symbol that should function for the interests of the country and its people," protest spokesman Akanat Promphan told AFP in a marble-floored reception room in the annex.

"The people inside should be working for the people outside."

The anti-government demonstrators, the core of whom are from the Bangkok elite and royalist south, say new polls cannot be held without reforms to end alleged nepotism and graft by Yingluck's family.

Thaksin's supporters accuse Suthep of leading a power grab on behalf of a rich elite fearful of losing their stake in Thailand's future, especially as the reign of the beloved but ailing king enters its twilight years.

Government House has been out of bounds to state officials for months. Its once sculpted lawn is shaggy and lumps of debris from the sometimes violent protests dot the driveway.

"If Suthep wants to sit and work there, he has to win an election," said Prompong Nopparit, a spokesman for the ruling Puea Thai party.

"He is smashing the hearts of the Thai people. His action destroys the democratic system -- it is the same as dictatorship."


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-05-14

[rabas]

In a highly symbolic challenge to the authority of the wounded administration, protesters have set up base inside a wing of the largely abandoned government headquarters, where they are now holding press conferences for the international media.

.... as Amsterdam dislodges Mr. Thaksin from the ceiling.

[siampolee]

"He is smashing the hearts of the Thai people. His action destroys the democratic system -- it is the same as dictatorship."

Words of truth from the P.T.P. outlining clearly the aims of Thaksin Shinwatra.

[chainarong]

So long as they respect the building , I really don't care where they hold their card games, as for DSI and Suthep how come the other day I seen Suthep being escorted by six police officers , so much for arrest warrants.

[marko kok prong]

So now Chalerm knows were to drop,when will it happen.

[fab4]

"He is smashing the hearts of the Thai people. His action destroys the democratic system -- it is the same as dictatorship."

Words of truth from the P.T.P. outlining clearly the aims of Thaksin Shinwatra.

You see this is what I can't understand it is clearly written that the quote refers to suthep but you have comprehension problems and cannot see that. Why is that?

[oneday]

"It is urgent and necessary for the country to have a new prime minister and government to run the country,"

OK, great...it's called an election.

[ratcatcher]

Double post

Edited May 14, 2014 by ratcatcher

[ratcatcher]

So long as they respect the building , I really don't care where they hold their card games, as for DSI and Suthep how come the other day I seen Suthep being escorted by six police officers , so much for arrest warrants.

"Suthep being escorted by six police officers , so much for arrest warrants."

The leader of the vicious gang of Anti Government PCAD thuggees that have been terrorizing Bangkok for months, in a file photo, gets an escort by police officers. Obviously he is one of the Untouchables, regardless of what The Three Stooges say.

Edited May 14, 2014 by ratcatcher

[wandasloan]

You see this is what I can't understand it is clearly written that the quote refers to suthep but you have comprehension problems and cannot see that. Why is that?

Oh, my. You mean you do not see how incredibly witty that was in changing it around like that?

.

[marko kok prong]

So long as they respect the building , I really don't care where they hold their card games, as for DSI and Suthep how come the other day I seen Suthep being escorted by six police officers , so much for arrest warrants.

"Suthep being escorted by six police officers , so much for arrest warrants."

images.jpg

The leader of the vicious gang of Anti Government PCAD thuggees that have been terrorizing Bangkok for months, in a file photo, gets an escort by police officers. Obviously he is one of the Untouchables, regardless of what The Three Stooges say.

That could'nt be the Paratroops in disguise could it,the image was quite small,so i could not see if fake moustaches had been donned or wings on the uniform,it could all be part of Chalerms even more cunning plan.

[fab4]

You see this is what I can't understand it is clearly written that the quote refers to suthep but you have comprehension problems and cannot see that. Why is that?

Oh, my. You mean you do not see how incredibly witty that was in changing it around like that?

yeahright.gif

.

You're joking, right? Was that what he was doing? My, He's good.

[soalbundy]

He is, destroying the democratic system, there was one ?

[Scamper]

There is no question that the optics here are particularly painful for Pheu Thai, and likely beyond painful for Thaksin. But at least now the foreign press have an alternative to Surapong and Chalerm. And Suthep actually has things to say. All Niwattumrong is doing is smile, assure everyone he's legitimate ( though he finds he has to say it every day at this point ) and say everything is under control. ( Of course, the only reason CNN would ever ask him if he is in control is because to many looking from the outside during the last six months, control is not the first word that comes to mind. )

[wellred]

Does anybody really know how to sort this mess out?

[DLock]

Check.

Your move PTP.

You have been completely outplayed at every turn...so what you gonna do now fools?

Edited May 14, 2014 by DLock

[jennywren]

Check.

Your move PTP.

You have been completely outplayed at every turn...so what you gonna do now fools?

They are still elected, elctable and calling for elections and abiding by the law.

The fascists are staring defeat squarely in the face but as they are backed by Courts and Army, it has to be slowly slowly catchee monkey when it comes to ridding the country of Suthep and his ilk.

Mother nature has one solution in that at least they will all die and not be around for much longer in any capacity. The next Generations down are more likely to embrass the outside world and all its ways.

Bye bye Suthep, bye bye all your vile conspirators

[Metisa]

Does anybody really know how to sort this mess out?

Does 'go shopping' help?

[Fat Haggis]

Outplayed? Well considering all the PDRC are now in the one location Id say they're ready for the taking at a time and date the authorities chose to do so!!

The fact that Suthep was escorted to a meeting with the senate speaker by the police kind of blows the whole " the police are in Thaksins pocket" allegations right out of the water doesn't it ?

[DLock]

Check.

Your move PTP.

You have been completely outplayed at every turn...so what you gonna do now fools?

They are still elected, elctable and calling for elections and abiding by the law.

The fascists are staring defeat squarely in the face but as they are backed by Courts and Army, it has to be slowly slowly catchee monkey when it comes to ridding the country of Suthep and his ilk.

Mother nature has one solution in that at least they will all die and not be around for much longer in any capacity. The next Generations down are more likely to embrass the outside world and all its ways.

Bye bye Suthep, bye bye all your vile conspirators

You keep telling yourself that kid.

Ha ha ha.

[ramrod711]

"If Suthep wants to sit and work there, he has to win an election," said Prompong Nopparit, a spokesman for the ruling Puea Thai party.

I love it when Prompong gets serious, when is he going to jail? Yet another PTP villain, convicted, but dodging his legal obligations sothat he can represent another convicted runaway and his soon to be banned party. Let us not forget that the other shoe is poised to drop, everyone who voted for the amnesty bill is going to be banned. Anyone that knows anything about the Parliamentary system knows they deserve to be, there is no defense for their actions and the biggest loser is the man behind it. I guess what goes around comes around.

[geriatrickid]

So long as they respect the building , I really don't care where they hold their card games, as for DSI and Suthep how come the other day I seen Suthep being escorted by six police officers , so much for arrest warrants.

The court has to authorize the arrest warrant and to date the courts have not approved Suthep's arrest warrant.

Do you have a comment on that?

[soalbundy]

Does anybody really know how to sort this mess out?

Yes,but it's difficult,you would first have to find one righteous family in Thailand,build an ark big enough to hold two of each species of animal and wait for the great flood to come.

[Stradavarius37]

Same Sh#t Different Day

[bigbamboo]

So long as they respect the building , I really don't care where they hold their card games, as for DSI and Suthep how come the other day I seen Suthep being escorted by six police officers , so much for arrest warrants.

The court has to authorize the arrest warrant and to date the courts have not approved Suthep's arrest warrant.

Do you have a comment on that?

When did the courts and the police ever get their act together when it came to arresting sen yais?

[anteater]

What an obscenity! On the front page of the BP today is a photograph of the seditionist Suthep sitting confidently with nine of his fellow gangsters inside Government House. They have apparently been allowed in with no resistance from the police or army. Indeed, I expect that they are being pampered and served with as much food and drink as they want. Meanwhile the elected government of this country has to hide out furtively in some suburb.

The worst aspect of this photo of the seditionists is that right behind them hanging on the wall is a painting of His Majesty.

How can people who proclaim adherence to the country's leader, a leader who has repeatedly proclaimed his belief in democracy, show this level of disrespect? They should all be arrested for lese majeste, not to mention open sedition against the elected (caretaker) government of Thailand.

[Stradavarius37]

Occupying the "Heart of Power"? Funny, I just left my bathroom and they were not there....must have missed them.

[3NUMBAS]

now theyre on dangerous ground , a spark could ignite the whole shebang

[englishoak]

Maybe if they look hard enough they can find the toilet Obama had a no2 on as well for Suthep to use , that'll make them seem even more legitimate.

Tired of these clowns going around pretending that just because they are in a building it means anything at all about who has the right to govern.

Such a bunch of pathetic children its untrue.

[winstonc]

So long as they respect the building , I really don't care where they hold their card games, as for DSI and Suthep how come the other day I seen Suthep being escorted by six police officers , so much for arrest warrants.

The court has to authorize the arrest warrant and to date the courts have not approved Suthep's arrest warrant.

Do you have a comment on that?

yes he free great isnt it..i love the guy ..he continues to embarrass this vile ex-government..carry on old fella me n gk are right behind ya aint we mate.