Thai junta crafts bill to curb street demonstrations

[Lite Beer]

Thai junta crafts bill to curb street demonstrations

Bangkok: -- The Thai cabinet Tuesday endorsed a bill to regulate protests, including banning the occupation of state buildings, after years of political turmoil marked by repeated rounds of demonstrations.

Colourful mass rallies, marches and occupations -- including of Government House and the capital's main airports -- have become a key weapon in the political power struggles that have roiled the kingdom for nearly a decade.

All political protests are currently banned under martial law imposed by the junta which seized power in May.

Under the bill organisers of political protests will now have to seek police permission for them 24 hours in advance and will no longer be able to seize government buildings or transport hubs such as airports.

The bill will have to pass a vote at the junta-appointed National Legislative Assembly for discussion before it comes into law.

It aims to craft tight rules on protest venues, timings and "how authorities can deal with protesters", Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha told reporters.

Prayut led the coup which toppled the elected administration in May, following several months of anti-government protests that saw demonstrators occupy Government House as well as several main traffic intersections across Bangkok.

The junta said it had to take power to end violence linked to those protests which left nearly 30 dead and hundreds wounded.

But critics say the protests were a carefully-choreographed pretext for a coup against a government which won a democratic mandate under Yingluck Shinawatra.

"Protests are completely banned at government offices, bus terminals and airports," Major General Sunsern Kaewkumnerd told reporters, adding that people who break the new rules could be jailed for up to 10 years.

Bangkok has seen several bouts of often deadly demonstrations since then-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra -- Yingluck's billionaire brother -- shook up politics with his pro-poor popularism in 2001.

Protests by royalist anti-Thaksin forces helped prod the army into a coup in 2006 to topple him

The same anti-Thaksin forces regrouped in 2008 as "Yellow Shirts" against another Shinawatra-aligned government, blocking Bangkok's airports during the peak tourist season and prompting the declaration of a state of emergency.

The government fell after a court ruling, allowing parliament to install a royalist Democrat Party lawmaker, Abhisit Vejjajiva, as prime minister.

But his administration was also soon besieged by street rallies.

In spring 2010 pro-Thaksin "Red Shirts" took over key intersections in Bangkok, culminating in a bloody crackdown by the army which left scores dead and hundreds wounded in the city's commercial heart.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-11-18

[casindonet]

Why do the junta need to waste time on bills or rules when they can easily hold a coup anytime they want?

[fab4]

Mmmm, the man in charge of the military's crackdown on protesters in 2010 whose urban protest clearance tactics included the use of snipers marksmen and live fire zones, states that his handpicked NLA are to promulgate a law that will dictate "how authorities can deal with protesters"

What could possibly go wrong?.................................

Edited November 18, 2014 by fab4

[dickyknee]

Mmmm, the man in charge of the military's crackdown on protesters in 2010 whose urban protest clearance tactics included the use of snipers marksmen and live fire zones, states that his handpicked NLA are to promulgate a law that will dictate "how authorities can deal with protesters"......................

What could possibly go wrong?.................................

the police won't enforce them, maybe?

[oldsailor35]

Why do the junta need to waste time on bills or rules when they can easily hold a coup anytime they want?

Leave things as they are and it might not be so easy the next time. The masses from the North are not going to keep on copping this Yellow shirt shit. If they are not carefull Thailand just might split in two. Yellow to the South and Red to the north, and guess who will be the strongest.

[fab4]

Mmmm, the man in charge of the military's crackdown on protesters in 2010 whose urban protest clearance tactics included the use of snipers marksmen and live fire zones, states that his handpicked NLA are to promulgate a law that will dictate "how authorities can deal with protesters"......................

What could possibly go wrong?.................................

the police won't enforce them, maybe?

Not that old chestnut, I suggest you do a bit more research and take the apocryphal tales you read on here with a bushel of salt...............................

[The stuttering parrot]

And the propaganda hits just keep on coming!

What a crock!

[dickyknee]

Mmmm, the man in charge of the military's crackdown on protesters in 2010 whose urban protest clearance tactics included the use of snipers marksmen and live fire zones, states that his handpicked NLA are to promulgate a law that will dictate "how authorities can deal with protesters"......................

What could possibly go wrong?.................................

the police won't enforce them, maybe?

Not that old chestnut, I suggest you do a bit more research and take the apocryphal tales you read on here with a bushel of salt...............................

I do that already. Thanks for the advice though.

[Artisi]

They will be legislating something that can never be enforced, just look at the political protests around the world in countries that have balls and don't pussy-foot around making excuses, compromises and back-pedalling on decisions based on the colour of the in-group at the time and who's friend is who's.

But go right ahead if it makes you feel good.

[jaltsc]

"Under the bill organisers of political protests will now have to seek police permission for them 24 hours in advance and will no longer be able to seize government buildings or transport hubs such as airports."

Isn't that like asking someone if they will give you permission to shoot them? Protests aren't supposed to be pleasing to their target. That's why they call them protests.

[fobuff]

What... Martial law is not enough... Nobody can meet if there are four or more persons.... I think they (junta) are starting to panic.. Pass another martial law over an a martial law.. only in Thailand

[jacky54]

How about a bill to stop military coups every few years?

[jdinasia]

Why do the junta need to waste time on bills or rules when they can easily hold a coup anytime they want?

Leave things as they are and it might not be so easy the next time. The masses from the North are not going to keep on copping this Yellow shirt shit. If they are not carefull Thailand just might split in two. Yellow to the South and Red to the north, and guess who will be the strongest.

With your scenario, not the North.

I, however, do not see that happening. The North would be cut-off from infrastructure, industry, transportation etc.

[whybother]

Surely there are already laws stopping people from people from setting up stages and tents in the middle of major intersections.

[whybother]

How about a bill to stop military coups every few years?

Aren't coups already against the law?

[bangkokfrog]

Why do the junta need to waste time on bills or rules when they can easily hold a coup anytime they want?

Leave things as they are and it might not be so easy the next time. The masses from the North are not going to keep on copping this Yellow shirt shit. If they are not carefull Thailand just might split in two. Yellow to the South and Red to the north, and guess who will be the strongest.

With your scenario, not the North.

I, however, do not see that happening. The North would be cut-off from infrastructure, industry, transportation etc.

Just like Laos, but they seem to be doing O.K.... with a little help from China !!!

[love1012]

Mmmm, the man in charge of the military's crackdown on protesters in 2010 whose urban protest clearance tactics included the use of snipers marksmen and live fire zones, states that his handpicked NLA are to promulgate a law that will dictate "how authorities can deal with protesters"......................

What could possibly go wrong?.................................

the police won't enforce them, maybe?

Not that old chestnut, I suggest you do a bit more research and take the apocryphal tales you read on here with a bushel of salt...............................

Much like your own falsehood posts!!! Good to see you still rambling away after all this time!!! By the way - the marksmen were from your side - just as the grenade launchers and the arsonists as well as the black shirts - bit more research needed from you I think!!

Edited November 18, 2014 by love1012

[fab4]

Surely there are already laws stopping people from people from setting up stages and tents in the middle of major intersections.

I think there are laws, yes, but it really depends on who the people are that are setting up "stages and tents in the middle of major intersections"

A Thai court Wednesday ruled that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra can't use force to disperse protesters, putting the government at a disadvantage to handle months long street protests.The Civil Court was asked to review a 60-day state of emergency declared by Ms. Yingluck on Jan. 21. The court voided other orders issued under the emergency rule, such as bans on gatherings of five or more people and the access to certain areas by demonstrators, saying they would violate the protesters' constitutional rights to rally.

Ms. Yingluck invoked the emergency decree after anti government protesters seeking her resignation blockaded seven key intersections in the capital and laid siege to government offices last month in a bid to paralyze the city.

http://online.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304275304579392930992352714

Edited November 18, 2014 by fab4

[jdinasia]

Why do the junta need to waste time on bills or rules when they can easily hold a coup anytime they want?

Leave things as they are and it might not be so easy the next time. The masses from the North are not going to keep on copping this Yellow shirt shit. If they are not carefull Thailand just might split in two. Yellow to the South and Red to the north, and guess who will be the strongest.

With your scenario, not the North.

I, however, do not see that happening. The North would be cut-off from infrastructure, industry, transportation etc.

Just like Laos, but they seem to be doing O.K.... with a little help from China !!!

Laos is doing OK? You think so?

[whybother]

Surely there are already laws stopping people from people from setting up stages and tents in the middle of major intersections.

I think there are laws, yes, but it really depends on who the people are that are setting up "stages and tents in the middle of major intersections"

A Thai court Wednesday ruled that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra can't use force to disperse protesters, putting the government at a disadvantage to handle months long street protests.The Civil Court was asked to review a 60-day state of emergency declared by Ms. Yingluck on Jan. 21. The court voided other orders issued under the emergency rule, such as bans on gatherings of five or more people and the access to certain areas by demonstrators, saying they would violate the protesters' constitutional rights to rally.

Ms. Yingluck invoked the emergency decree after anti government protesters seeking her resignation blockaded seven key intersections in the capital and laid siege to government offices last month in a bid to paralyze the city.

http://online.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304275304579392930992352714

Yes. It's not like the red shirts set up stages in the middle of busy intersections, is it?

[fab4]

Surely there are already laws stopping people from people from setting up stages and tents in the middle of major intersections.

I think there are laws, yes, but it really depends on who the people are that are setting up "stages and tents in the middle of major intersections"

A Thai court Wednesday ruled that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra can't use force to disperse protesters, putting the government at a disadvantage to handle months long street protests.The Civil Court was asked to review a 60-day state of emergency declared by Ms. Yingluck on Jan. 21. The court voided other orders issued under the emergency rule, such as bans on gatherings of five or more people and the access to certain areas by demonstrators, saying they would violate the protesters' constitutional rights to rally.

Ms. Yingluck invoked the emergency decree after anti government protesters seeking her resignation blockaded seven key intersections in the capital and laid siege to government offices last month in a bid to paralyze the city.

http://online.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304275304579392930992352714

Yes. It's not like the red shirts set up stages in the middle of busy intersections, is it?

Of course they did, but the red shirts did not go to the courts asking for the state of emergency to be lifted only to have that turned down but have the judges rule that the redshirts could stay at Ratchaprasong for as long as they like, otherwise their constitutional rights to rally would be violated, and that abhisits government would not be able to use force to break up the demonstrations.

Can you spot the difference yet?

[Baerboxer]

Mmmm, the man in charge of the military's crackdown on protesters in 2010 whose urban protest clearance tactics included the use of snipers marksmen and live fire zones, states that his handpicked NLA are to promulgate a law that will dictate "how authorities can deal with protesters"......................

What could possibly go wrong?.................................

the police won't enforce them, maybe?

Not that old chestnut, I suggest you do a bit more research and take the apocryphal tales you read on here with a bushel of salt...............................

An old chestnut that happens to be factual. The police failed to do their duty - as per usual.

What research to the contrary have you been able to find then Fabs ?

Edited November 18, 2014 by Baerboxer

[Baerboxer]

"Protests by royalist anti-Thaksin forces helped prod the army into a coup in 2006 to topple him"

Why do AFP repeatedly trot this lie out.

• do they believe the Shin propaganda that Thaksin parties are really some kind of left wing power to the people socialists?
• Are the fooled by the Shin lobbyists and PR machine into believing there "economical with the truth versions" of history?
• are they too unprofessional or lazy to do some research and report the facts?
• do they just cut and paste?

Maybe they ought to do a tad of research on the circumstances. They might even find out he's a criminal fugitive.

AFP - piss poor even by French standards.

[webfact]

DEMONSTRATION BILL
Bill on protests to be reviewed
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet agreed in principle yesterday to accept a bill on the gathering of people at public places but some details were subject for review, Government Spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said yesterday.

The essence of the bill is that protesters would be required to give local police more than 24 hours' notice about the date and place of gatherings and rallies. The bill would also ban protesters from rallying at Government House, state premises, airports, train stations and bus terminals, Sansern said.

He said the bill advocated peaceful gatherings and demonstrations under democratic principles but such activities would not be allowed from 10pm to 6am.

Failure to inform local police about planned rallies would be punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of Bt10,000. Those involved in illegal gatherings could face jail terms of up to 10 years and fines up to Bt200,000. Protesters who refuse to disperse could face up to a year in prison and a fine of Bt20,000.

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said Cabinet ordered the bill to be reviewed in detail to ensure justice and legitimacy. He said the law must specify, for example, the scope of security officials' authority if protesters resist an order to disperse.

"I think [such detail] is necessary. There are rallies in foreign countries but they do not mobilise such a great number of masses, otherwise the country risks being jeopardised. We want to avoid negative consequences," he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Bill-on-protests-to-be-reviewed-30248105.html

-- The Nation 2014-11-19

[benalibina]

The bill of bills it is gonna be then.

[RustBucket]

Once you stop the people's right to protest you are entering a whole new sphere of political unrest........ revolt!

Bring it on.

[tbthailand]

a martial law bill for the day when they decide to lift martial law.

great, good move.

[ramrod711]

Mmmm, the man in charge of the military's crackdown on protesters in 2010 whose urban protest clearance tactics included the use of snipers marksmen and live fire zones, states that his handpicked NLA are to promulgate a law that will dictate "how authorities can deal with protesters"......................

What could possibly go wrong?.................................

the police won't enforce them, maybe?

Not that old chestnut, I suggest you do a bit more research and take the apocryphal tales you read on here with a bushel of salt...............................

Deny if you want, some of us won't forget what really happened, and will continue to dismiss your snide comments as the propaganda they are.

[Thailand]

Paranoia is really setting in. The spin is not working.

Dangerous times. If you start to see the military presence more prominent on the streets in the near future again then you will know just how twitchy they are.

[ramrod711]

Surely there are already laws stopping people from people from setting up stages and tents in the middle of major intersections.

I think there are laws, yes, but it really depends on who the people are that are setting up "stages and tents in the middle of major intersections"

A Thai court Wednesday ruled that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra can't use force to disperse protesters, putting the government at a disadvantage to handle months long street protests.The Civil Court was asked to review a 60-day state of emergency declared by Ms. Yingluck on Jan. 21. The court voided other orders issued under the emergency rule, such as bans on gatherings of five or more people and the access to certain areas by demonstrators, saying they would violate the protesters' constitutional rights to rally.

Ms. Yingluck invoked the emergency decree after anti government protesters seeking her resignation blockaded seven key intersections in the capital and laid siege to government offices last month in a bid to paralyze the city.

http://online.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304275304579392930992352714

Yet the reds had no problem setting up a fortress in downtown Bangkok for four months while they burned, bombed and their "guards" held up local residents for tea money.