Red shirts pressured into cancelling 2010 ceremony

BANGKOK: -- THE RED SHIRTS have cancelled a religious ceremony marking the fifth anniversary of the bloody 2010 crackdown, after a team of soldiers allegedly surrounded a temple where the rites were due to take place.

Members of the movement loyal to ousted premiers, Yingluck and Thaksin Shinawatra, had planned a Buddhist service yesterday for scores of red-shirt supporters who died during the crackdown on their months-long protest in the capital.

However, on Thursday, co-leader Jatuporn Prompan said the ceremony had been cancelled after police and soldiers surrounded the Kerd Karn Udom temple just outside Bangkok.

"Even though the relatives have explained it is a merit-making religious ceremony, police and soldiers are not permitting them to hold it," he said in a post on Facebook. "Therefore this year the entire merit-making ceremony is cancelled."

A junta spokesman could not be reached comment.

However, the move comes after the government issued many warnings against holding any gatherings to commemorate the event.

Since it seized power, the Army has been repeatedly ordering the red-shirt movement to not assemble, briefly sweeping key leaders into detention in the days following the coup, closing radio stations and monitoring their communications.

Jatuporn had earlier promised to downsize the event and urged authorities to allow the victims' relatives to attend a merit-making ceremony at the temple.

His comments came after Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan - a retired general who held the same government post in 2010 - said the red shirts were only allowed to hold a private memorial.

"Many members of the military were also killed and we don't have to hold a memorial," Prawit said on Wednesday.

Military chokehold

In March 2010, thousands of Thaksin's loyalists occupied key intersections in central Bangkok, demanding fresh elections to replace the Abhisit government, which had just confiscated $1.4 billion from Thaksin.

The first deadly response came on April 10 followed by larger crackdowns between May 13 and 19 that left scores dead including many unarmed demonstrators, two foreign journalists and several soldiers.

Thai junta chief and premier Prayut Chan-o-cha was a top military officer at the time and is often described as the architect of the crackdown.

Prayut lifted martial law last week only to replace it with sweeping new security measures retaining the military's chokehold over the country.

Political gatherings of more than five people are still banned, while the military still has the power to arrest, detain and prosecute people for national security crimes or those who fall foul of the country's strict royal defamation laws.

Rights groups have argued the new rules, issued under Article 44 of the interim constitution, grant more powers to Prayut including greater censorship over the media.

The move drew condemnation from the European Union, the United States and the United Nation's human rights chief, who described the new powers as "even more draconian".

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Red-shirts-pressured-into-cancelling-2010-ceremony-30257886.html

-- The Nation 2015-04-11

"Many members of the military were also killed and we don't have to hold a memorial," Prawit said on Wednesday.

I believe is was "5" General.

And every life counts, so maybe you should also join in and hold a ceremony... for all the people who died.

What was the point of telling them they had to have permission for this religious ceremony when all along the government knew they would not give the permission.

"Many members of the military were also killed and we don't have to hold a memorial," Prawit said on Wednesday.

I believe is was "5" General.

And every life counts, so maybe you should also join in and hold a ceremony... for all the people who died.

That would actual be reconciliation as opposed to just paying lip service to it. It looks like another golden opportunity has been squandered by a childish army officer.

"Many members of the military were also killed and we don't have to hold a memorial," Prawit said on Wednesday.

I believe is was "5" General.

And every life counts, so maybe you should also join in and hold a ceremony... for all the people who died.

For all the people who died - yes, including those innocent bystanders murdered by Thaksin's paid assassins.

When I see stupid Idea's such as this I just wonder if there is any hope for Thailand at all , you want to celebrate public disobedience , what disgusting behaviour from a so call registered political party you represent , the persons that thought this idea up suffer delusion episodes , you caused the burning down of a city block and untold heartache for many and the best you can do is celebrate , disgusting is calling it mildly.

What was the point of telling them they had to have permission for this religious ceremony when all along the government knew they would not give the permission.

The point was to gain some PR and media attention, whilst trying to show the red shirt terrorist organization and their Shin clan mafia paymasters as being a caring organization.

If the government stopped them they cry and get publicity and hopefully sympathy. If they were allowed to arrange a ceremony they would have turned it into a political rally. Peaceful or violent - who knows, depends on which Thaksin thought would get more publicity for him.

Why don't they hold a ceremony for all the innocent people the reds killed while trying to get their dear leader back ?

"Many members of the military were also killed and we don't have to hold a memorial," Prawit said on Wednesday.

I believe is was "5" General.

And every life counts, so maybe you should also join in and hold a ceremony... for all the people who died.

For all the people who died - yes, including those innocent bystanders murdered by Thaksin's paid assassins.

Geez!!

It is people like you, that makes any reconciliation impossible!!

A commemoration where all Thais were allowed to mourn the death of all fellow Thais, could be a small step in moving the country forward!!

Repeating rhetoric mantras are leading nowhere.......................

"Many members of the military were also killed and we don't have to hold a memorial," Prawit said on Wednesday.

I believe is was "5" General.

And every life counts, so maybe you should also join in and hold a ceremony... for all the people who died.

For all the people who died - yes, including those innocent bystanders murdered by Thaksin's paid assassins.

Geez!!

It is people like you, that makes any reconciliation impossible!!

A commemoration where all Thais were allowed to mourn the death of all fellow Thais, could be a small step in moving the country forward!!

Repeating rhetoric mantras are leading nowhere.......................

It is more people like you that make reconciliation impossible.

Nowhere in all the rhetoric about the deaths of ALL Thai citizens have I ever seen the UDD or Red Shirts mention the military and innocent civilians who were also killed and injured. Nor have I ever seen any offer of compensation for all the damages caused by the same group.

I suspect that if ONLY the families of those killed wanted to commemorate their deaths the governemnt could have reached a compromise with them, but no, Jatuporn and the Red Shirts HAD to get in on the act and politicise it knowing full well that permission would be refused as it would be an overtly political act.

It is time that Jatuporn had his chain yanked, his bail revoked and his jail sentence instated. NO more bail or 2nd, 3rd or even 10th chances. He wants to be a martyr, so let him be one.

"Many members of the military were also killed and we don't have to hold a memorial," Prawit said on Wednesday.

I believe is was "5" General.

And every life counts, so maybe you should also join in and hold a ceremony... for all the people who died.

For all the people who died - yes, including those innocent bystanders murdered by Thaksin's paid assassins.

Geez!!

It is people like you, that makes any reconciliation impossible!!

A commemoration where all Thais were allowed to mourn the death of all fellow Thais, could be a small step in moving the country forward!!

Repeating rhetoric mantras are leading nowhere.......................

It is more people like you that make reconciliation impossible.

Nowhere in all the rhetoric about the deaths of ALL Thai citizens have I ever seen the UDD or Red Shirts mention the military and innocent civilians who were also killed and injured. Nor have I ever seen any offer of compensation for all the damages caused by the same group.

I suspect that if ONLY the families of those killed wanted to commemorate their deaths the governemnt could have reached a compromise with them, but no, Jatuporn and the Red Shirts HAD to get in on the act and politicise it knowing full well that permission would be refused as it would be an overtly political act.

It is time that Jatuporn had his chain yanked, his bail revoked and his jail sentence instated. NO more bail or 2nd, 3rd or even 10th chances. He wants to be a martyr, so let him be one.

Lets make a deal!

The very same day Sondhi Limthongkul starts to serve his 20 year sentence, is the day Jatuporn have his bail revoked!!

What was the point of telling them they had to have permission for this religious ceremony when all along the government knew they would not give the permission.

Just to remind them of who's in charge. ...all in the cause of reconciliation of course.

"Many members of the military were also killed and we don't have to hold a memorial," Prawit said on Wednesday.

I believe is was "5" General.

And every life counts, so maybe you should also join in and hold a ceremony... for all the people who died.

For all the people who died - yes, including those innocent bystanders murdered by Thaksin's paid assassins.

Geez!!

It is people like you, that makes any reconciliation impossible!!

A commemoration where all Thais were allowed to mourn the death of all fellow Thais, could be a small step in moving the country forward!!

Repeating rhetoric mantras are leading nowhere.......................

Big difference between kowtowing to terrorists and "self-exiled" despots, and reconciliation JOC.

In my eyes anyway.

"Many members of the military were also killed and we don't have to hold a memorial," Prawit said on Wednesday.

I believe is was "5" General.

And every life counts, so maybe you should also join in and hold a ceremony... for all the people who died.

For all the people who died - yes, including those innocent bystanders murdered by Thaksin's paid assassins.

Geez!!

It is people like you, that makes any reconciliation impossible!!

A commemoration where all Thais were allowed to mourn the death of all fellow Thais, could be a small step in moving the country forward!!

Repeating rhetoric mantras are leading nowhere.......................

Who said it was all Thais? Certainly not Japuporn. He was only talking about one side, the side he tries to control as an appointed leader. He made no reference to the security forces personnel killed, the innocent bystanders murdered by the rioting insurgents

What's your suggestion then .............. amnesty, forgive and forget all those "political offences" which seems to include all the criminal ones for some families too? Zero the clock and start again?

The Thaksin mantra - can't have reconciliation, justice, or peace unless it suits the Shins.

Geez!!

For all the people who died - yes, including those innocent bystanders murdered by Thaksin's paid assassins.

It is people like you, that makes any reconciliation impossible!!

A commemoration where all Thais were allowed to mourn the death of all fellow Thais, could be a small step in moving the country forward!!

Repeating rhetoric mantras are leading nowhere.......................

It is more people like you that make reconciliation impossible.

Nowhere in all the rhetoric about the deaths of ALL Thai citizens have I ever seen the UDD or Red Shirts mention the military and innocent civilians who were also killed and injured. Nor have I ever seen any offer of compensation for all the damages caused by the same group.

I suspect that if ONLY the families of those killed wanted to commemorate their deaths the governemnt could have reached a compromise with them, but no, Jatuporn and the Red Shirts HAD to get in on the act and politicise it knowing full well that permission would be refused as it would be an overtly political act.

It is time that Jatuporn had his chain yanked, his bail revoked and his jail sentence instated. NO more bail or 2nd, 3rd or even 10th chances. He wants to be a martyr, so let him be one.

Lets make a deal!

The very same day Sondhi Limthongkul starts to serve his 20 year sentence, is the day Jatuporn have his bail revoked!!

Or what about bringing all those out on bail, who frequently break their bail conditions to book. To actually pursue all the cases to completion - regardless of family, connections or wealth.

And maybe even pursue extradition for bail jumping convicted criminals and those facing serious criminal charges.

Now that would be a good deal for the Thai people.

"Red shirts pressured into cancelling 2010 ceremony"...

Excellent!

For all the people who died - yes, including those innocent bystanders murdered by Thaksin's paid assassins.

Geez!!

It is people like you, that makes any reconciliation impossible!!

A commemoration where all Thais were allowed to mourn the death of all fellow Thais, could be a small step in moving the country forward!!

Repeating rhetoric mantras are leading nowhere.......................

It is more people like you that make reconciliation impossible.

Nowhere in all the rhetoric about the deaths of ALL Thai citizens have I ever seen the UDD or Red Shirts mention the military and innocent civilians who were also killed and injured. Nor have I ever seen any offer of compensation for all the damages caused by the same group.

I suspect that if ONLY the families of those killed wanted to commemorate their deaths the governemnt could have reached a compromise with them, but no, Jatuporn and the Red Shirts HAD to get in on the act and politicise it knowing full well that permission would be refused as it would be an overtly political act.

It is time that Jatuporn had his chain yanked, his bail revoked and his jail sentence instated. NO more bail or 2nd, 3rd or even 10th chances. He wants to be a martyr, so let him be one.

Lets make a deal!

The very same day Sondhi Limthongkul starts to serve his 20 year sentence, is the day Jatuporn have his bail revoked!!

Why would I want to make a deal with you? If you have a problem with Sondhi being out on bail, take it up with the government.

"Many members of the military were also killed and we don't have to hold a memorial," Prawit said on Wednesday.

I believe is was "5" General.

And every life counts, so maybe you should also join in and hold a ceremony... for all the people who died.

You as usual believe wrong, there were 6 killed on 10 April alone. (source, HRW report)

Not one word of regret or acceptance of wrongdoing or responsibility has ever left the lips of any of the red leaders who were responsible for the riots, all they have ever done is attempt to blame others and stir hate.

This so called merit making ceremony was just another attempt to continue the hate.