Police Detain Activist on Anti-Coup Walk

By Khaosod Eng.

BANGKOK – An anti-coup march that was supposed to last three days ended an hour after it began this morning when police intervened and detained one of the organizers.

The walk, organized by the anti-coup Resistant Citizens, was scheduled to start on 14 March in Bangbuathong district and end on 16 March at Pathumwan Police Station.

The group invited the public to join the 50-km walk and show solidarity with four activists who are due to report to the police station on 16 March for violating the the junta’s ban on protests by staging a pro-democracy rally last month.

At 8:30 this morning, police arrested one of those activists, Pansak Srithep, who had started walking in Bangbuathong district at around 7 am. He said he planned to stop at the pedestrian bridge in front of Thai Rath newspaper headquarters, where pro-democracy taxi driver Nuamthong Praiwan hanged himself in October 2006 to protest the 2006 military coup.

Pansak was taken by five police officers to Pathumwan Police Station, where he was interrogated by Pol.Lt.Gen. Amnuay Nimmano, commander of First Region Police.

Pol.Lt.Gen. Amnuay said Pansak's walk was a political activity that violated the junta's ban on protests.

Read More: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1426321376&section=11&typecate=06

-- Khaosod English 2015-03-14

They should change their tune and went to protest outside the US embassy. They would of been allowed to protest then.

Prayuth said: the American T-shirt don't fit all countries...

Same appears for camouflage and Khaki uniforms in other countries

It seems one old man walking the streets to Bangkok is a threat to national security.

Democracy and free speech are very dangerous animals!!

Better keep them caged!!

They should change their tune and went to protest outside the US embassy. They would of been allowed to protest then.

They should have provided a police escort, snacks, and lodging for the guy. They probably never heard the name Gandhi.

It seems one old man walking the streets to Bangkok is a threat to national security.

Nothing a little attitude adjustment can't fix.

And the junta wonders why many countries look down upon them.

They should change their tune and went to protest outside the US embassy. They would of been allowed to protest then.

They should have provided a police escort, snacks, and lodging for the guy. They probably never heard the name Gandhi.

Not from Thailand, never heard of the guy!

Brave brave man. Is he out yet? I encourage for everyone to make a special post for this lone man standing up an ----.

Bless and good luck

The longer it goes on the more will appear from the shadows. Suppressing something does not make it go away.

Some farang on another thread posted a long screed about how martial law had no effect whatsoever. Daily life was just the same.

Tell this to a guy who happens to be walking and has a different view from the general.

It seems one old man walking the streets to Bangkok is a threat to national security.

"Large streams from little fountains flow, Tall oaks from little acorns grow." D. Everett 1797

you can't stand up for what you stood for here, go with the flow,after all is said and done no one in Thailand seems that interested, if they were there would have been protests by now police or no police, the mass of the pudding swallows the raisins.

It would appear that he is a " professional protester"

Does he not have a job to go to?

A silly publicity stunt. He knew what would happen.

He can always wait unti next year and stand for election!

Some people wonder why Thais seem so complacent with being ruled by a military junta. Protests seem only rare occasions and then by only a few unorganized people.

Maybe the answer is, in part, that the whole nation suffers from Stockholm syndrome - a psychological condition where the hostage becomes sympathetic towards the kidnappers:

- The hostage is abused physically or verbally by the captors.

- People who feel helpless in anxiety are ready to do anything to survive

- The bonding between the captive and the captor is a survival mechanism for the victim.

This syndrome happens when the hostage mistakes the act of captor of not killing or abusing them as an act of kindness. Due to fear and anxiety, the emotions developed become strong emotional attachments. The junta reinforces such attachments by a constant stream of pro-junta surveys and Happiness Events.

The Junta has symbolically kidnapped citizen’s rights and liberties. It holds citizens psychologically hostage through intimidation, attitude adjustments, secret detention, imprisonment, and financial ruin such that citizens excuse or rationalize the Junta’s right to abuse them.

you can't stand up for what you stood for here, go with the flow,after all is said and done no one in Thailand seems that interested, if they were there would have been protests by now police or no police, the mass of the pudding swallows the raisins.

How long are you in the country? The majority of the country are very angry but will not show it. They are waiting for the next election, if that doesn't happen or there are funny counting you will see the other side of these people that seems to have no interest. Very few Thai's will open up infront of a foreigner only after they are 100% certain they can trust you will they open.

It would appear that he is a " professional protester"

Does he not have a job to go to?

A silly publicity stunt. He knew what would happen.

He can always wait unti next year and stand for election!

His son was shot by an army sniper in the 2010 protest and he deserves more respect from you. He is a father that wants justice for his dead son. The same man thats on tv every week was incharge of the 2010 clampdown that led to the murder of unarmed civilians by highly trained snipers. None of these snipers or any army officer have been brought to justice although the courts have found that a number of these deaths was caused by them.

you can't stand up for what you stood for here, go with the flow,after all is said and done no one in Thailand seems that interested, if they were there would have been protests by now police or no police, the mass of the pudding swallows the raisins.

How long are you in the country? The majority of the country are very angry but will not show it. They are waiting for the next election, if that doesn't happen or there are funny counting you will see the other side of these people that seems to have no interest. Very few Thai's will open up infront of a foreigner only after they are 100% certain they can trust you will they open.

I've been here 9 years, i live in Isaan, supposedly a red stronghold. I don't speak about politics with the locals,i'm a foreigner it has nothing to do with me but what i have witnessed is apathy, all the people want is a good income and they don't care who gives it to them. If i talk to the wife about the situation in Thailand she just shrugs,all she wants is the rice money owed to her since 2013, her opinion is, no matter who is in power they are all thieves so what is the difference. She has always voted but come the next time she wont.

Remember the lone guy, that stood against a tank in tinamen square.

Some people amaze me the courage they show when faced with adversity.

This guy will most likely go to a military court and receive anything from 2 to 10 years, for standing outside a shopping mall and going on a walk.

This is the kind of person thailand needs in its senate committee .

When any government, or any church for that matter, undertakes to say to its subjects, This you may not read, this you must not see, this you are forbidden to know, the end result is tyranny and oppression no matter how holy the motives. Robert Heinlein

- ROBERT A. HEINLEIN

you can't stand up for what you stood for here, go with the flow,after all is said and done no one in Thailand seems that interested, if they were there would have been protests by now police or no police, the mass of the pudding swallows the raisins.

How long are you in the country? The majority of the country are very angry but will not show it. They are waiting for the next election, if that doesn't happen or there are funny counting you will see the other side of these people that seems to have no interest. Very few Thai's will open up infront of a foreigner only after they are 100% certain they can trust you will they open.

I've been here 9 years, i live in Isaan, supposedly a red stronghold. I don't speak about politics with the locals,i'm a foreigner it has nothing to do with me but what i have witnessed is apathy, all the people want is a good income and they don't care who gives it to them. If i talk to the wife about the situation in Thailand she just shrugs,all she wants is the rice money owed to her since 2013, her opinion is, no matter who is in power they are all thieves so what is the difference. She has always voted but come the next time she wont.

In fairness, I'd have to say your wife is probably spot on.

Some people wonder why Thais seem so complacent with being ruled by a military junta. Protests seem only rare occasions and then by only a few unorganized people.

Maybe the answer is, in part, that the whole nation suffers from Stockholm syndrome - a psychological condition where the hostage becomes sympathetic towards the kidnappers:

- The hostage is abused physically or verbally by the captors.

- People who feel helpless in anxiety are ready to do anything to survive

- The bonding between the captive and the captor is a survival mechanism for the victim.

This syndrome happens when the hostage mistakes the act of captor of not killing or abusing them as an act of kindness. Due to fear and anxiety, the emotions developed become strong emotional attachments. The junta reinforces such attachments by a constant stream of pro-junta surveys and Happiness Events.

The Junta has symbolically kidnapped citizen’s rights and liberties. It holds citizens psychologically hostage through intimidation, attitude adjustments, secret detention, imprisonment, and financial ruin such that citizens excuse or rationalize the Junta’s right to abuse them.

The Thais acquiesce to military rule because they remember what the army did in Bangkok back in 2010. It is as simple as that. The 2010 action, in particular the shootings at Wat Pathum Wanaram sent a very specific message. That message is being heeded.

you can't stand up for what you stood for here, go with the flow,after all is said and done no one in Thailand seems that interested, if they were there would have been protests by now police or no police, the mass of the pudding swallows the raisins.

You don't seem to understand the concept of martial law. Gatherings of more than five people are banned. Protests are banned. Criticizing the junta is banned.

Ignoring the law means ending up in jail for at least a year. Martial law doesn't allow appeals.

Of course people are interested, but nobody wants to go to jail.

And you've just seen from the OP what has happened to one protester who challenged the law.

Well that didn't last long, but a 6 for effort

you can't stand up for what you stood for here, go with the flow,after all is said and done no one in Thailand seems that interested, if they were there would have been protests by now police or no police, the mass of the pudding swallows the raisins.

How long are you in the country? The majority of the country are very angry but will not show it. They are waiting for the next election, if that doesn't happen or there are funny counting you will see the other side of these people that seems to have no interest. Very few Thai's will open up infront of a foreigner only after they are 100% certain they can trust you will they open.

I've been here 9 years, i live in Isaan, supposedly a red stronghold. I don't speak about politics with the locals,i'm a foreigner it has nothing to do with me but what i have witnessed is apathy, all the people want is a good income and they don't care who gives it to them. If i talk to the wife about the situation in Thailand she just shrugs,all she wants is the rice money owed to her since 2013, her opinion is, no matter who is in power they are all thieves so what is the difference. She has always voted but come the next time she wont.

Maybe she should vote from the heart, as many people in Thailand vote only to the highest bidder, for their vote, then moan when it goes tits up

He was ordered to love and worship the Junta and it's leaders and anything other than 110% devotion to your leaders will not be tolerated. Prayuth wonders why he is not welcome in places like the USA and Australia, this is one of the major reasons and how they picture his Junta. They see it as a total D

It would appear that he is a " professional protester"

Does he not have a job to go to?

A silly publicity stunt. He knew what would happen.

He can always wait unti next year and stand for election!

actually, he is the father of a 17 year old student who was killed in 2010.

I doubt that elections are the only concern he has about the current 'government'.

Some people wonder why Thais seem so complacent with being ruled by a military junta. Protests seem only rare occasions and then by only a few unorganized people.

Maybe the answer is, in part, that the whole nation suffers from Stockholm syndrome - a psychological condition where the hostage becomes sympathetic towards the kidnappers:

- The hostage is abused physically or verbally by the captors.

- People who feel helpless in anxiety are ready to do anything to survive

- The bonding between the captive and the captor is a survival mechanism for the victim.

This syndrome happens when the hostage mistakes the act of captor of not killing or abusing them as an act of kindness. Due to fear and anxiety, the emotions developed become strong emotional attachments. The junta reinforces such attachments by a constant stream of pro-junta surveys and Happiness Events.

The Junta has symbolically kidnapped citizen’s rights and liberties. It holds citizens psychologically hostage through intimidation, attitude adjustments, secret detention, imprisonment, and financial ruin such that citizens excuse or rationalize the Junta’s right to abuse them.

The Thais acquiesce to military rule because they remember what the army did in Bangkok back in 2010. It is as simple as that. The 2010 action, in particular the shootings at Wat Pathum Wanaram sent a very specific message. That message is being heeded.

certainly this gentleman remembers 2010...

Police arrest activist during his protest walk
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- An activist was arrested yesterday during his protest march from Nonthaburi to Bangkok.

Nonthaburi police arrested Pansak Srithep, 48, shortly after he started his march in Bang Bua Thong district.

The arrest was made after he declined a police offer to give him a ride to Bangkok. Officers managed to overpower him and took him into a police van that quickly sped away.

Pansak, who is part of a group called Resistant Citizens, had planned to walk to Pathumwan Police Station in Bangkok. Police later accused him of violating the martial law that has been in effect since the coup last May. But Pansak refused to acknowledge the accusation in writing.

He was taken to Pathumwan Police Station and was later released without being charged.

In staging the march, Pansak was demanding that his pending case be tried in a civilian criminal court rather than by a military tribunal.

He and three others had been charged with staging an unlawful protest on February 14.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Police-arrest-activist-during-his-protest-walk-30256032.html

-- The Nation 2015-03-15