Activist Veera freed from Thai police custody

[webfact]

Activist Veera freed

BANGKOK: -- Political activist Veera Somkwamkid and seven other members of the so-called energy reform network were released from the police custody at the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) headquarters this morning.

Mr Veera and other activists were later escorted to the Army Club on Vibhavadi Rangsit road to participate in an energy reform seminar in which he invited to speak and voice his thoughts.

He said after being released today that his fight for fairer energy reform would continue but not through street protest or rally as it would breach the martial law.

But he said he would like authorities concerned to allow live broadcast of today’s energy reform hearing so that the people would understand clearly.

Outspoken abbot Luang Pu Buddha Issara was also invited to take part in the seminar. He said today’s hearing would make everything about energy clearer.

The active monk is a strong opponent to PTT privatisation and wanted it to be nationalised.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/activist-veera-freed/


-- Thai PBS 2014-08-27

[DrLom]

"Outspoken abbot Luang Pu Buddha Issara was also invited to take part in the seminar. He said today’s hearing would make everything about energy clearer.

The active monk is a strong opponent to PTT privatisation and wanted it to be nationalised."

The monk should know wisely not to mix religion and politics. He should stick to Pali, and his daily duties he was ordained to concude; that is, assuming he is an ordained monk, of course.

[Basil B]

Protests are still illegal but those with opinions are not being gagged.

[webfact]

Veera, 7 other energy reform activists released from detention
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Aug 27 -- Veera Somkwankid, leader of the People's Network Against Corruption, and seven other energy-reform activists, have been released from military detention and allowed to join an energy reform seminar at the Thai Army Club today.

Mr Veera and his colleges this morning were taken from Crime Suppression Division headquarters where they had been detained for the past four days to the Thai Army Club where they signed a release form.

They were released after the military had decided not to file charges against them.

The eight energy-reform activists were arrested for violating martial law by joining an energy reform rally near Victory Monument on Sunday.

The law prohibits political gatherings of more than five people.

During their detention, the activists underwent an attitude adjustment. They pledged they will not join any political gatherings, as they are against martial law.

After their release, they joined an Energy Ministry-initiated energy reform seminar entitled "Energy Reform for National Reconciliation" at the Thai Army Club on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road.

Mr Veera said he would continue his fight for energy reform but would not stage rallies in breach of martial law. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-08-27

[webfact]

Nationalist 'Energy Reform' Activist Released Without Charges

By Khaosod English

BANGKOK — Conservative activist Veera Somkwamkid and seven others were released from military custody this morning, three days after they were arrested for violating the junta’s ban on public demonstrations.

Mr. Veera and the other demonstrators were detained by security forces near Victory Monument on 24 August for campaigning to overhaul Thailand’s energy sector. After imposing martial law on 20 May, Thailand's military junta issued an order banning all public protests.

Mr. Veera is a well-known ultra-nationalist activist who recently returned to Thailand after spending nearly four years in a Cambodian prison for trespassing across the border during his campaign to "reclaim" the territory around Cambodia's Preah Vihear temple.

His arrest was notable, as the vast majority of demonstrators arrested by authorities in recent months have belonged to anti-coup networks.

However, police have not pressed any charges against Mr. Veera’s group, despite their defiance of the junta's ban on public protests.

Although authorities insist that the ban on public protests applies to all political sides, only anti-coup demonstrators have faced criminal charges and trials in martial court. According to iLaw, 52 individuals been charged for violating the ban since it was imposed in May – all of whom were participating in anti-coup protests.

Shortly after he was released from custody this morning, Mr. Veera resumed his role at the helm of the energy reform movement by joining a public panel discussion at the Army Club about the group's demands for "taking back" the PTT, the state oil enterprise that is partially owned by the private sector.

Although the "Partnership for Energy Reform" group has a variety of goals, such as opposition to coal power plants and demands for cheaper energy prices, the nationalisation of the PTT has been its primary agenda.

Today's panel was joined by Buddha Issara, the Buddhist monk and conservative activist who actively campaigned against the previous government.

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1409124702


-- Khaosod English 2014-08-27

[GinBoy2]

Protests are still illegal but those with opinions are not being gagged.

I think it very much depends on the opinion as to whether it's gagged or not!

[ramrod711]

Whether you like him or not, support his position or not, you have to admit he's got a set. Just out of prison, and raising hell already.

[Prbkk]

The new breed of ultra-nationalist zealots. A thoroughly nasty lot and one the junta should keep under very close scrutiny.

[Acharn]

The new breed of ultra-nationalist zealots. A thoroughly nasty lot and one the junta should keep under very close scrutiny.

I don't know much about the matter, but I have a strong prejudice against "privatization" schemes after seeing the disciples of Milton Freedman do it in Chile with Pinochet's cronies and in Russia with the whole gang of oligarchs. I notice these "economic advisers" seem to do pretty well for themselves; the citizens of the country involved, not so much.

[Ricardo]

"He's Not the Activist, Just a Veera Naughty Boy !"

with apologies to Monty Python's 'Life of Brian'.

[KhnomKhnom]

"Outspoken abbot Luang Pu Buddha Issara was also invited to take part in the seminar. He said today’s hearing would make everything about energy clearer.

The active monk is a strong opponent to PTT privatisation and wanted it to be nationalised."

The monk should know wisely not to mix religion and politics. He should stick to Pali, and his daily duties he was ordained to concude; that is, assuming he is an ordained monk, of course.

In many societies, the clergy are leaders for moral and ethical justice that are completely in the political arena.

Examples are Buddhist monks who burn themselves to protest Red China oppression, the Burmese monks who have marched against their govt, and the famous USA Billy Graham who often spoke from a religious point of view about political and governmental issues.

Even today's Pope is making noises and actions that relate to govt actions. Many ultra-conservative Christian preachers in USA regularly preach about govt actions and inactions.

It is a morally impoverished nation that has no strong 'religious' voices to stand up for what is right or for what their moral training indicates is the right. I find it strange and sad that Thailand wants to keep its Buddhist monks off govt topics. Thailand is the weaker for these strictures.