Rare anti-coup protest in Thailand

Bangkok, Thailand | AFP

BANGKOK: -- Dozens of anti-coup activists held a demonstration in central Bangkok Saturday, handing out roses and copies of George Orwell's "1984" -- a rare expression of public dissent in a nation still under strict martial law.

The demonstrators, a collection of pro-democracy groups including students, made no secret of their Valentine's Day protest plans, advertising them on Facebook.


In response the authorities put up a series of barriers to stop demonstrators accessing a plaza opposite a mall in the city's downtown Siam shopping district.


But dozens of activists nonetheless managed to gather on the streets and pedestrian walkways in the late afternoon, watched by a similar number of police officers.


Festooning the walkways and streets with roses, some erected cardboard ballot boxes and put up mock voting tables -- a criticism of Thailand's generals who seized power in a May coup following the ousting of Yingluck Shinawatra's democratically elected government.


Several of the most vocal protesters were seen being led away by police.


"I am here to protest against the coup," Pat Lertkeerstikul, an office worker, told AFP.


"It's almost a year since they stole the last election. We want our democracy back," she added.


Others protesters handed out copies of Orwell's anti-authoritarian novel "1984" and flashed the three-fingered salute from the popular Hollywood franchise "The Hunger Games".


Symbolic public readings of "1984" and the salute have both become symbols of opposition since the military's takeover -- but making such gestures frequently courts arrest.


Since Army Chief-turned-Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha declared martial law and seized power, sweeping curbs have been placed on freedoms.


The military have banned political gatherings, censored the media, arrested and detained opponents and ramped up prosecutions under the country's controversial lese majeste laws.


The junta says it will hold fresh elections in early 2016 once reforms to tackle corruption and curb the power of political parties are codified in a new constitution.


Some analysts and Shinawatra supporters fear those constitutional changes are designed to ensure the family is politically neutralised in any upcoming election.


Thailand's decade-long political conflict broadly pits a Bangkok-based middle class and royalist elite -- backed by parts of the military and judiciary -- against urban working-class voters and farmers from the country's north, many of whom are part of the 'Red Shirt' movement.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2015-02-14

Dozens more for the ''attitude adjustment '' camps methinks !

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Dozens more for the ''attitude adjustment '' camps methinks !

Yes Lobotomized and then used as a subject in next round of Opinion polls

Excellent!

Let Freedom Ring.

We want are false paid for soccer democracy back......with who ever has the most money is the most democratic.......democratic rule here will never happen as it appears in rhe west. Its a matter of who will rule and in that possitio n who will have the people at heart....Benevolent????

We want are false paid for soccer democracy back......with who ever has the most money is the most democratic.......democratic rule here will never happen as it appears in rhe west. Its a matter of who will rule and in that possitio n who will have the people at heart....Benevolent????

sorry it is not the people with the most money that wins

Excellent!

Let Freedom Ring.

So Thaksin can buy the election.....500 Baht.....

Personally I think Orwell's "Burmese Days" much more reflects the Thai situation, but that's probably to close for comfort.

A brave bunch of kids practicing freedom.

U havent been here as long as I have.....trust me....the peoples votes are still paid for anytime there is an election.....

He who runs Issan.....rules. of course thats not including a coup.........

The students are gradually ramping up the dissent. The parade last week, now this.

The junta will be having sleepless nights over what's coming next and how to deal with it!

The students are gradually ramping up the dissent. The parade last week, now this.

The junta will be having sleepless nights over what's coming next and how to deal with it!

Im not sure if its a joke or that you really believe it. The army is firmly in power and the only ones scared are the red shirts. Not a peep from them they are either scared or they did not get paid. Probably both.

A few students scaring the army. Real funny... if is was a big protest or nation wide maybe but just this is nothing.

A brave bunch of kids practicing freedom.

The lady said she wants democracy back, Being elected doesn't mean the government is going to rule democratically. PTP were elected but were NOT democratic hence the ousting of Yingluck.

I applaud opposing sides airing their views, But the reasons because the army intervened took topple their darling.

We had a government who governed undemocratically, We have an army controlling that is not democratically voted in, BACK TO BASICS IS REQUIRED HERE, and a chance the PM can eventually make SOME inroads.

...the annual Thai political spring festival.....

He who runs Issan.....rules. of course thats not including a coup.........

Agree -no one can argue when it comes to voting numbers. Look at the size of the cities in Issan, self explains. The Shins new this it was the master plan, appointing police chiefs--government officials and so on from their ranks to control, right down to the village heads, must have been on some sort of handouts.

Now this mess has to be cleaned up, and it will take time. Do some of you reds followers understand--you think this was democracy ??? then your puddled.

The students are gradually ramping up the dissent. The parade last week, now this.

The junta will be having sleepless nights over what's coming next and how to deal with it!

Im not sure if its a joke or that you really believe it. The army is firmly in power and the only ones scared are the red shirts. Not a peep from them they are either scared or they did not get paid. Probably both.

A few students scaring the army. Real funny... if is was a big protest or nation wide maybe but just this is nothing.

This is definitely something. It wasn't happening before to any extent. How will your heroes deal with it if it gets a little more serious?

A brave bunch of kids practicing freedom.

Where have they been during the TRT / PTP governments?

A brave bunch of kids practicing freedom.

The lady said she wants democracy back, Being elected doesn't mean the government is going to rule democratically. PTP were elected but were NOT democratic hence the ousting of Yingluck.

I applaud opposing sides airing their views, But the reasons because the army intervened took topple their darling.

We had a government who governed undemocratically, We have an army controlling that is not democratically voted in, BACK TO BASICS IS REQUIRED HERE, and a chance the PM can eventually make SOME inroads.

You are back! And shouting again, but a little subdued?

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Personally I think Orwell's "Burmese Days" much more reflects the Thai situation, but that's probably to close for comfort.

Much longer title than 1984, harder to understand............................

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The students are gradually ramping up the dissent. The parade last week, now this.

The junta will be having sleepless nights over what's coming next and how to deal with it!

Im not sure if its a joke or that you really believe it. The army is firmly in power and the only ones scared are the red shirts. Not a peep from them they are either scared or they did not get paid. Probably both.

A few students scaring the army. Real funny... if is was a big protest or nation wide maybe but just this is nothing.

Agreed, I think it will take a bit more than some children who think they are extras in some Hollywood movie throwing three finger salutes and reading a book relating to a date that has already passed into history, to get the junta phased in any way.......................

Excellent!

Let Freedom Ring.

So Thaksin can buy the election.....500 Baht.....

Don't see the relevance of your comment to the story or my post.

Don't you have some boots to lick?

If protests continue, but turn violent due to heavyhandedness on the part of the police, or the army, TAT can kiss their predicted increase in tourist numbers a swift goodbye.

Excellent!

Let Freedom Ring.

So Thaksin can buy the election.....500 Baht.....

As opposed to simply snatching it at gunpoint for free.

Good for them. Nice to see people showing some guts, although their Hong Kong peers could show them a thing or two.

I salute all of the protesters for having such courage in the face of such corrupt arrogant &lt;deleted&gt;

A brave bunch of kids practicing freedom.

The lady said she wants democracy back, Being elected doesn't mean the government is going to rule democratically. PTP were elected but were NOT democratic hence the ousting of Yingluck.

I applaud opposing sides airing their views, But the reasons because the army intervened took topple their darling.

We had a government who governed undemocratically, We have an army controlling that is not democratically voted in, BACK TO BASICS IS REQUIRED HERE, and a chance the PM can eventually make SOME inroads.

You are back! And shouting again, but a little subdued?

Never went away, was here all the time --got sick at the anti clean up and the promotion of PTP that's all ------so it is not you business if I am posting or not and also get on with the slagging off of the PM. It is what you and the few cronies are still up to I see. You posters with "another vote" comments and democracy returns are for sure puddled. What Thailand needs now is motivation --help--to get out of the mess left by PTP.

1. an elected PTP bad to sick governance hence non democratic. Little accounts of monies spent etc.

2. an army take over that being not democratically elected is doing it's best to reverse the cancer created before. like it or lump it.

We want are false paid for soccer democracy back......with who ever has the most money is the most democratic.......democratic rule here will never happen as it appears in rhe west. Its a matter of who will rule and in that possitio n who will have the people at heart....Benevolent????

In most western countries we have only democracy on the election days, the very 4year... Look on eu no democracy everything is controlled in Brussel...

A brave bunch of kids practicing freedom.

The lady said she wants democracy back, Being elected doesn't mean the government is going to rule democratically. PTP were elected but were NOT democratic hence the ousting of Yingluck.

I applaud opposing sides airing their views, But the reasons because the army intervened took topple their darling.

We had a government who governed undemocratically, We have an army controlling that is not democratically voted in, BACK TO BASICS IS REQUIRED HERE, and a chance the PM can eventually make SOME inroads.

You are back! And shouting again, but a little subdued?

Your shouting comment is ridiculous, because I was putting capitals to make a point only. but you had to use it as Shouting. If I used the whole post in capitals I would agree.

One other point, what was your opinion on the topic ANY ?? all I see is your just having a snide slap at me. I answered MBobs post honestly and look at your weak and crazy reply. Off topic may I suggest. Do not try to correct peoples posts--when your post is off topic.

A brave bunch of kids practicing freedom.

most probably the same commies as always