PM faces anti-coup gesture in his first Isaan visit

[webfact]

PM faces anti-coup gesture in his first Northeast visit
The Nation

Five law students sneak past security in Khon Kaen to oppose power seizure

BANGKOK: -- During the prime minister's first visit to the Northeast, five student activists yesterday stole the show by making their way to the front of the stage and launching a protest against the coup and its leader, General Prayut Chan-o-cha.

The young men, students from Khon Kaen University's faculty of law, managed to sneak past the tight security at Khon Kaen's Provincial Hall, where Prayut was delivering a speech. He was there to oversee the release of a caravan of water trucks to help drought-hit areas.

The five students ran to the stage, took their shirts off to reveal black T-shirts with white lettering that read "No to the coup" in Thai when the young men stood side by side.

The students also held up their arms in a three-finger salute - a symbolic anti-coup gesture - at the PM.

The five were immediately arrested and ushered out of the hall. They were later taken to Khon Kaen's provincial police command for questioning and then to the 23rd Army Circle in the province for detention, as martial law is still in effect.

The authorities released the students temporarily in the evening, even though the young men refused to sign a document promising not to protest again in violation of the junta's orders, a source said. Instead, they chose to fight the case in court.

The five men were also told to report to the authorities this afternoon, along with their parents, to possibly "adjust their attitude".

The unexpected interruption took Prayut briefly by surprise, but he later managed to smile. He joked that he thought the students' protest was part of a stage show, adding with a smile: "Who else will protest next? You can do it now so I can resume my speech."

His remark was greeted with applause. Prayut then completed his speech and proceeded with the ceremony.

This is the first time that Prayut has witnessed the dissatisfaction in some people for this unelected government that was formed after the coup, which he led almost six months ago while serving as Army chief.

When speaking to reporters later, the PM said he was not discouraged by what had happened in Khon Kaen yesterday.

After completing his trip to the Northeast, Prayut said he would travel to other parts of the country, including the North and the deep South.

When asked if he would dare to go to the North, which is also considered a Pheu Thai stronghold, Prayut replied: "Why not? Do I need to fight against anybody? I won't be fighting with anyone."

The students were identified as Jatupat Boonpattararaksa, Phayu Boonsopon, Vitchakorn Anuchon, Jetsarit Namkote, and Wasan Seksit.

The five students, part of a group of activists called "Dao Din" (Earth's Star), have been working with environment activists and often stage protests against projects deemed to be harmful, mostly in the Northeast.

Yesterday's event led to questions about Prayut's safety. Political activist Suriyasai Katasila wondered if there were any mistakes made by the security detail or if the security flaw was intentional to embarrass Prayut.

Separately, early yesterday leaflets were found outside Khon Kaen's Provincial Hall and on some main roads in the city area carrying the message: "Northeasterners do not welcome the dictator."

Meanwhile, Army chief General Udomdej Sitabutr, who is also deputy defence minister, said he thought it was inappropriate to protest against the premier when he was visiting locals out of care.

The Northeast is considered a stronghold of Pheu Thai, which led the government that was deposed on May 22.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/PM-faces-anti-coup-gesture-in-his-first-Northeast--30248172.html


-- The Nation 2014-11-20

[NextStationBangkok]

Army is acting too fast to arrest the students, no where in the world people were ruled by guns for ever.

I wish the 5 students should be spared for the good of Thailand. In any civilized society, protests should be allowed for our own good. Even previous governments are thrown out from the public protests only. Everyone has something to say, legitimate Votes, and proper law to convict the corrupts are the only solution for the current conflict.

[RKASA]

Seems that as a result of this the opening of Thursday's new Hunger Games film has been banned in Thailand. I know nothing about the film or the show - does it promote unrest? Is it anti junta?

[MaxLee]

Seems that as a result of this the opening of Thursday's new Hunger Games film has been banned in Thailand. I know nothing about the film or the show - does it promote unrest? Is it anti junta?

Wait for the day in which the junta will shut down the entire Network of Thailand

[gerry123]

"adjust their attitude". maybe this could be the start of something on a larger scale ??

[Thailand]

The groundswell in the north is most certainly not leaning in a military fashion.

[ezzra]

The three fingers salute? much better than the one finger salute any time...

[jaltsc]

"... adding with a smile: "Who else will protest next? "

When these students don't show up for graduation (or possibly any place else), the answer to his question is: "no one".

[noitom]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Seems that as a result of this the opening of Thursday's new Hunger Games film has been banned in Thailand. I know nothing about the film or the show - does it promote unrest? Is it anti junta?

Not all of Thailand, but one company's chain of theaters.

[KED]

any non-violent group should have the right to voice their opinions.

[chainarong]

You can hide some of the time but not all of the time, these youngsters are a part of the world , a world that say's within reason you have the right to protest, I might add in a democracy ,western leaders have this everyday , the Army would do well and P.M Prayuth to realise they are not going to be there for ever ,hiding behind the power of the gun is not going to win you many friends and eventually you will realize that people sometimes do not like heavy handed approach to problems, the junta may well think they are doing well , but come back to earth and think, what is Thailand going to be like in 2 years time, for you will have changed nothing, so why penalize these young people, to do so is a complete waste of time.

[MaxLee]

Operation brainwashing for life from a young age is still in the process...

[gemini81]

Operation brainwashing for life from a young age is still in the process...

Conditioning.

Edited November 20, 2014 by gemini81

[Commerce]

I thought martial law meant no gatherings of more than 5? There were 5 of them.

What Prayuth really means by martial law is that not a single person may criticise me or challenge me. If you do, you'll be locked up!

[Anthony5]

This is the first time that Prayut has witnessed the dissatisfaction in some people for this unelected government that was formed after the coup,

That mean the other times he looked the other side?

[Hardback]

I fail to see the link between the current "government" and a film that depicts a nation run by a militarized elite who live in luxury while the populace are kept in poverty and ignorance what am I missing?

[Thaddeus]

If you want to get the poor and underprivileged on your side, the best start would be nailing the rich and privileged to the wall when they commit crimes.

[Anthony5]

I hadn't watched the hunger games yet, but it seems that I've spoiled my chances to watch it.

'Hunger Games' sequel cancelled

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/777842-thailand-live-thursday-20-nov-2014/?p=8695531

Edited November 20, 2014 by Anthony5

[Anthony5]

I fail to see the link between the current "government" and a film that depicts a nation run by a militarized elite who live in luxury while the populace are kept in poverty and ignorance what am I missing?

Probably your conscience.

[Tatsujin]

I fail to see the link between the current "government" and a film that depicts a nation run by a militarized elite who live in luxury while the populace are kept in poverty and ignorance what am I missing?

Many others fail to see it too ... doesn't really matter which side is in power, both have the same goals and both have the same ways of working.

[Kasset Tak]

I thought martial law meant no gatherings of more than 5? There were 5 of them.

What Prayuth really means by martial law is that not a single person may criticise me or challenge me. If you do, you'll be locked up!

If you read the rules that they endorsed under this martial law then you can see that protesting against the junta is forbidden under this martial law...

Try this stunt in any other country, for example have 5 protesters run up to the stage where Barack Obama is holding a speech and count how many of them are shot by secret service as potential threats.

[Laughing Gravy]

I fail to see the link between the current "government" and a film that depicts a nation run by a militarized elite who live in luxury while the populace are kept in poverty and ignorance what am I missing?

Sarcasm the highest form of wit!

[ianf]

The three fingers salute? much better than the one finger salute any time...

Ahh well, do these children understand the alternative: Benevolent military rule or a Thaksin dictatorship? I know which I'd choose.

[whatawonderfulday]

The three fingers salute? much better than the one finger salute any time...

Ahh well, do these children understand the alternative: Benevolent military rule or a Thaksin dictatorship? I know which I'd choose.

And of course you are Thai with a right to vote ?

[chrisrazz]

I thought martial law meant no gatherings of more than 5? There were 5 of them.

What Prayuth really means by martial law is that not a single person may criticise me or challenge me. If you do, you'll be locked up!

If you read the rules that they endorsed under this martial law then you can see that protesting against the junta is forbidden under this martial law...

Try this stunt in any other country, for example have 5 protesters run up to the stage where Barack Obama is holding a speech and count how many of them are shot by secret service as potential threats.

Anyone trying to pull this kind of stunt in the US would never got anywhere near Obama. Just goes to show the competency level of the Thai security services. If the army can't guarantee the security of their junta leader, what hope is there for them running the country?

[jollyman]

Well guys you had better get a VPN Big brother watching you here for sure Look up VPN google if you don't know what it is

[lildragon]

The three fingers salute? much better than the one finger salute any time...

Ahh well, do these children understand the alternative: Benevolent military rule or a Thaksin dictatorship? I know which I'd choose.

This is so amusing.

Pray tell me, what has really changed since the Coup? Protests have stopped granted (the puppet masters controlling those are now controlling the country so not too difficult to achieve). Rice scam has ended sure BUT

Koh Tao murderers are still free due to their connections, these connections must run pretty damn high...

Populist policies are being replaced by......populist policies,

Media and lots of freedom of thought are still being suppressed,

Questions about dodgy land deals are responded to with such vitriol,

The elite still can murder and maim without recourse, I could go on...

The power mad and ego maniacal Thaksin has been replaced by just as power hungry and condescending dinosaurs. But it's ok because they are the shinier of two turds

These young folk are mis-guided at worst if they believe Thaksin was the answer. But they should be able to protest openly and VOTE for Thailand's next leader, do you agree then with this 'attitude adjustment'? It all sounds very North Korean-esque to me.

[iReason]

Well guys you had better get a VPN Big brother watching you here for sure Look up VPN google if you don't know what it is

Got these from Thai forums.

http://www.webproxy.net

http://free-proxyserver.com/index.php

A gift for Daily Mail readers...

[craigt3365]

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[chuang]

What else can you do in thailand...