Police Say Anti-American Protest Not Violation of Martial Law

By Khaosod Eng.

BANGKOK — While anti-coup protests are strictly forbidden under Thailand's military regime, anti-American protests are perfectly legal, says a senior police commander.

Pol.Maj.Gen. Amnuay Nimmano, deputy commander of the Bangkok Metropolitan Police, was referring to a one-man-protest in front of the US Embassy in Bangkok today.

The lone protester, Thep Vetchavisit, said he was there to voice his anger towards the US government for downgrading its military relations with Thailand in response to last month's military coup d'etat.

Mr. Thep arrived at the US Embassy on motorcycle and presented caricatures of former American presidents Bill Clinton and Richard Nixon to the embassy officials.

He spent the next ten minutes posing for photos in front of a crowd of reporters outside the embassy.

"America, don't poke your nose into Thailand's [internal] issues," Mr. Thep told reporters. "We have been living for many years peacefully. When the Thais started to fight and kill each other, the soldiers intervened to maintain peace, so that Thais won't kill each other."

Mr. Thep said the American authorities should learn a lesson from Iraq, "which is now a mess," and refrain from interfering with Thai politics any further.

Mr. Thep's one-man-protest was permitted in spite of the ban on all forms of political protests imposed by the military junta's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

Pol.Maj.Gen. Amnuay, the deputy chief of Bangkok police, said Mr. Thep's outbursts against the US government did not count as a protest.

"No chaotic incidents happened. There was only a gesture of anger about America’s interfering in Thailand's internal affairs, and a demand for the Americans to stop such behaviour," Pol.Maj.Gen. Amnuay said to reporters after Mr. Thep left the scene. "This man's actions do not count as a violation of the legal ban on political protests, because it was merely an expression of anger."

However, Pol.Maj.Gen. Amnuay and the Thai authorities have demonstrated zero tolerance for any expression of anger towards the military junta.

Scores of anti-coup protesters have been arrested over the past month for displaying opposition to the NCPO. Many activists have been detained for merely displaying what have become anti-coup symbols, such as flashing the three-finger salute, eating sandwiches, and reading George Orwell's Nineteen-Eightyfour in public.

Rage against the west

A invitation on social media had previously called on all Thai "patriots" to rally in front of the US Embassy at 2 pm today and forcefully enter the compound to take down the American flag from the embassy's flagpole. However, no prominent leaders of the pro-coup political camp were seen circulating the invitation, leading to speculation that it may have been satire created by anti-coup activists.

Regardless, when only one man showed up for the protest, the plan to storm the US Embassy was inevitably canceled.

Many supporters of the coup are longtime critics of the previous government and hail from Thailand's mostly royalist and conservative political elite. Recently, they have been venting their anger on social media against Western allies, notably the US and the European Union, that have criticised the military regime.

A poll released today claimed that a majority of educated Thais are not concerned by the West's retaliatory measures against the Thai junta. The poll was run by NIDA, a university considered to be supportive of the coup and the political faction that sought the ousting of the former government.

The poll also claimed that fewer than 4% of respondents view the US as "trustworthy."

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1404041869

-- Khaosod English 2014-06-29

yeah it was legal because made by a single man who had his lunch at home.Clinton?he needs an update

"This man's actions do not count as a violation of the legal ban on political protests, because it was merely an expression of anger."

No comment needed.

They're detaining people for eating sandwiches??

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

And reading books, anything that is a silent, legal expression of opinion against the coup will not be tolerated. Pretty scary.

Perhaps Thailand can heal its internal conflict and find unity to move forward in a common cause--and it seems the US has provided the catalyst by their meddling.

Well that protest call went well didn't it? I bet he felt like a right fud expecting a huge turnout!!

Typical Thai way.

"The lone protester, Thep Vetchavisit, said he was there to voice his anger towards the US government for downgrading its military relations with Thailand..."

The Mouse That Roared

So, not political and it made (some) Thai happy.

Way to go!

Next I'm looking forward to anti-EU protests and maybe anti-UN, anti-ICJ and a few more organisations. As long as it's not about politics and keeps Thai happy

Perhaps Thailand can heal its internal conflict and find unity to move forward in a common cause--and it seems the US has provided the catalyst by their meddling.

So America should not have laws that forbid it from providing material support to undemocratically elected governments? Or, is it expected to make a special case for Thailand?

Or are you speaking of the TIP trafficking report- that should be ignored, too?

So Thailand should not be held to the same standards as other nations? Well, I can almost agree with that as no way can it ever achieve that with a largely uneducated populace as its core, which is quite deliberate.

One idiot standing outside The US embassy, hardly a breach of martial law.

There is never any mention of Japan's criticism. While it's not as drastic as halting military drills, it's pretty severe.

http://asiancorrespondent.com/124199/views-from-japan-on-the-thai-coup/

And, then there is this...

http://www.asiasentinel.com/society/asean-lawmakers-blast-human-rights-commission/

http://www.asiasentinel.com/society/open-letter-thai-junta/

Perhaps Thailand can heal its internal conflict and find unity to move forward in a common cause--and it seems the US has provided the catalyst by their meddling.

So America should not have laws that forbid it from providing material support to undemocratically elected governments? Or, is it expected to make a special case for Thailand?

Or are you speaking of the TIP trafficking report- that should be ignored, too?

So Thailand should not be held to the same standards as other nations? Well, I can almost agree with that as no way can it ever achieve that with a largely uneducated populace as its core, which is quite deliberate.

Wow.

Critical thinking and expression of opinions is part of the path to improvement. However, mass turmoil that obstructs the rights of others just can't be tolerated, IMHO.

Perhaps Thailand can heal its internal conflict and find unity to move forward in a common cause--and it seems the US has provided the catalyst by their meddling.

So America should not have laws that forbid it from providing material support to undemocratically elected governments? Or, is it expected to make a special case for Thailand?

Or are you speaking of the TIP trafficking report- that should be ignored, too?

So Thailand should not be held to the same standards as other nations? Well, I can almost agree with that as no way can it ever achieve that with a largely uneducated populace as its core, which is quite deliberate.

Were these laws in place around the time of Pinochet or Saddam's rise?

"Scores of anti-coup protesters have been arrested over the past month"

​I would not call them anti coup. I would call them anti return to democracy. I would call them pro terrorist.

To call them anti coup is like calling a police force that is at last arresting criminals anti effective.

And just like when there were red shirt protests of under 10 people or less in front of court houses and the RS apologists stated "it is not the lion in the fight, but the fight in the lion" or "You are a fascist djjamie with warped ideals and to denounce a red shirt protest because of 1 person is ludicrous. Besides have you seen the movie "The power of One?". This is to downplay the tiny, minuscule numbers of protestors.

​I thank the RS apologists for one thing. Giving me inspiration to mirror their responses when rebutting claims on protest sizes no matter the size of the protest just as they did.

He does have a point though. I have highlighted the hypocrisy of America on many occasions on TVF. This noble man sees that hypocrisy and I am sure that no ministry of propaganda will sway his moral beliefs that Thailand is better of.

Well done old mate and may reconciliation and peace be with you always.

<EDIT> Nearly forgot……Have you seen "The Power of One"?

Funny.

yes he's right. The US should just abandon Thailand and let them do as they have so well done before.

well I don't see a problem with his protest...

his protest was less than 5 people..

he was holding posters not reading a book

he wasn't eating a sandwich

more funny than anything serious lol

I think it is the same in North Korea and any other dictatorship

You can not protest against your own government, but you can protest against foreign governments, unless of course that foreign government is in support of your own government in which case...

Nixon? That's so quaint! The Pentagon is quaking.

Perhaps Thailand can heal its internal conflict and find unity to move forward in a common cause--and it seems the US has provided the catalyst by their meddling.

So America should not have laws that forbid it from providing material support to undemocratically elected governments? Or, is it expected to make a special case for Thailand?

Or are you speaking of the TIP trafficking report- that should be ignored, too?

So Thailand should not be held to the same standards as other nations? Well, I can almost agree with that as no way can it ever achieve that with a largely uneducated populace as its core, which is quite deliberate.

What laws are you talking about. they give the IRA 17million a year.

Perhaps Thailand can heal its internal conflict and find unity to move forward in a common cause--and it seems the US has provided the catalyst by their meddling.

So America should not have laws that forbid it from providing material support to undemocratically elected governments? Or, is it expected to make a special case for Thailand?

Or are you speaking of the TIP trafficking report- that should be ignored, too?

So Thailand should not be held to the same standards as other nations? Well, I can almost agree with that as no way can it ever achieve that with a largely uneducated populace as its core, which is quite deliberate.

What laws are you talking about. they give the IRA 17million a year.

That's quite a tax deduction. Impressive!

so it was this countrywide protest publicised over by facebook and printed media? Where are the supporters of junta? Doesn't look as it was raining at all. Let's see how Yon's crowd will spin it? I do expect this picture and police statement to be published tomorrow all over international media. Good on thai military state!

One idiot standing outside The US embassy, hardly a breach of martial law.

Is it going to be a problem if he's not the only Thai who feels this way ?

There is never any mention of Japan's criticism. While it's not as drastic as halting military drills, it's pretty severe.

http://asiancorrespondent.com/124199/views-from-japan-on-the-thai-coup/

And, then there is this...

http://www.asiasentinel.com/society/asean-lawmakers-blast-human-rights-commission/

http://www.asiasentinel.com/society/open-letter-thai-junta/

Actually I didn't find it severe at all. Much of it was aimed at the May 22 day and does not take into account the state of the nation now. One of the more severe criticism's was about the curfew and it came from industry not Japan. Had nothing to do with throwing the PTP out on their ear.

If you follow the whole thing it is rather comical the countries immediately putting up travelers warnings and slowly lowering them as they see it is a good thing for Thailand. While at the same time they threaten to with hold this or that.

In a way they are Like the Thais. Save face ignore reality.

Edit

Forgot to mention none of it was aimed at the coup for stopping the indiscriminate killing being carried on as the result of bad government. I was being kind to them with the "Bad".

"America, don't poke your nose into Thailand's [internal] issues," Mr. Thep told reporters. "We have been living for many years peacefully. When the Thais started to fight and kill each other, the soldiers intervened to maintain peace, so that Thais won't kill each other."

​The USA isn't poking it's nose into anyones affairs. They are following their own policy of who they deal with. If they want to downgrade military relations that's their choice.

This man should stop poking his nose into America's decisions.

Announcing gathering to protest in favor of democracy, calling for eat sandiwches and read book. Lone protester caught eating a sandwich: arrested.

Announcing protests against US in front of US embassy, Lone protester expressing his anger against US. A pat on his shoulder, some smile and a nice article on The Nation.

Talking about double standards...

"America, don't poke your nose into Thailand's [internal] issues," Mr. Thep told reporters. "We have been living for many years peacefully. When the Thais started to fight and kill each other, the soldiers intervened to maintain peace, so that Thais won't kill each other."

​The USA isn't poking it's nose into anyones affairs. They are following their own policy of who they deal with. If they want to downgrade military relations that's their choice.

This man should stop poking his nose into America's decisions.

Blues, regardless what one chooses to call it, the fact the US has chosen this particular path (which you are correct they have every right to do) has only given the Chinese an opportunity to solidify their own relations-- favor--here in Thailand.

In the larger picture, it appears to me that the US may have made a poor choice--but thats just my own opinion.