Small Thai anti-junta groups vow protests on coup anniversary

[smedly]

There's a difference between a reason to demonstrate and the right to demonstrate. A political system should be able to stand demonstrations even when there is no reason to demonstrate.

The ongoing disparity in Thailand would be a reason to demonstrate.

I agree with you but Thailand is in limbo right now, it's a bit like the having a whole class on detention for the very bad behaviour of a few

What I like right now are the efforts to investigate and arrest those officials (including police) - local authorities and mafias that have been abusing in the past and have generally been ignored and gone unchallenged

[MockingJay]

It certainly needs more than a handful of students to bring the Junta to their knees. No idea what they were thinking, perhaps nothing at all...

[MockingJay]

If ever democracy returns, these kids will be looked up to for their courage.

Keep on dreaming!

[greenchair]

Does anybody really think Thaksin and his supporters are going to sit back and watch yingluck be railroaded into a prison cell.

Not likely.

Hunker down everybody.

[Alfred Gruetzner]

It is indeed stupid to protest now. Give the junta some time to reorganize the kingdom. So far most of Thai people agree with the junta. If civil governments and political parties are not able to go along together there must be another force enabling peace and order. And Thailand was lucky to have one: the military. It takes time to install democracy.. The Europeans must know that very well. Unfortunately most of them forget that there were two times of incredible carnage which took the life of millions to establish democracy. Many of us now complaining and lamenting in this thread about the ongoing political process in Thailand were actual contemporaries of the second of the two desasters.

[MockingJay]

Hang them in Siam Square

Whenever I wonder "why is there war in this world," because I feel that the majority of people just want to be loved, love someone, perhaps have a family and kids and enjoy a nice or at least a bearable life, some lowlife like you will troddle along to answer my question...

[Alwyn]

15 people at the protest, 6 holding the banner and 48 arrested?

[NCFC]

Thaksin says in South Korea he isn't unleashing the red Shirts.

Thaksin says he won't return till he is sure he has more backing in Thailand.

And voila suddenly protesters are out testing the waters.

So these students are testing the waters for Thaksin's return to Thailand?

Animatic, that is one of the most bizarre claims ever!

[smedly]

Hang them in Siam Square

Whenever I wonder "why is there war in this world," because I feel that the majority of people just want to be loved, love someone, perhaps have a family and kids and enjoy a nice or at least a bearable life, some lowlife like you will troddle along to answer my question...

It's all about "power" "money" and "greed" a human trait that is going a long way to even destroy the very place we live

[city]

13 Khon Kaen university students held for protesting against the May 22 coup

KHON KAEN: -- Thirteen Khon Kaen University students were held in police custody after they were arrested by military personnel for protesting against the junta in Muang district of Khon Kaen.

Calling themselves the Dao Din group, the 13 students rallied at the democracy monument next to the city pillars shrine, raising posters to protest the May 22 coup a year ago.

Military officers first approached the students with a request that they stop the protest and to disperse. However, the students declined and, therefore, they were detained and taken to the Muang district police station for questioning.

The students were later charged with instigating unrest in a way which might pose a threat to national security. Seven of them were held in detention at the police station while the rest were still being interrogated.

What a pile of absolute cack, "Inciting unrest in a way that might pose a threat to national security". Give me a break, for chrissakes!

That said, djjamie will probably be along soon to explain to us why this act was worse than the holocaust...

Hats off to them. Pity there is not a few million more like them. The outcome of the armys time in power will not be determined by the army it will be decided by the people. If the people let them slip back to the barracks with a million questions unanswered for sure, next time the trough needs re alignment they will come out again unhindered. There is no reconcilliation, elites dont kow tow to oiks from the land, there never was going to be reconcilliation. When you have all the big guns you can determine peace. Not to use this power to bring all concerned to the table is crimminal. Handing fat contracts to elite friends and running rough shod with article 44 is only keeping the pot simmering. If the Thais are happy to see their government of choice removed, more than once, well hey lets keep couping. If they are not happy they need to grow some stones and make some sacrifices for the good of the nation...rant over

[ThaiUser]

It is indeed stupid to protest now. Give the junta some time to reorganize the kingdom. So far most of Thai people agree with the junta. If civil governments and political parties are not able to go along together there must be another force enabling peace and order. And Thailand was lucky to have one: the military. It takes time to install democracy.. The Europeans must know that very well. Unfortunately most of them forget that there were two times of incredible carnage which took the life of millions to establish democracy. Many of us now complaining and lamenting in this thread about the ongoing political process in Thailand were actual contemporaries of the second of the two desasters.

Two questions I have to ask you; 1. How do you know that most Thai people agree with the junta? 2. Which country in Europe can claim to have a democracy installed by a military junta?

You might have a deep knowledge of European history but seem not to have followed the events that brought democracy to an end here in Thailand. The storming of the main Bangkok police station is only one example. For your recollection the storming of the building shown on national and international television was accompanied by comments from the military towards the police not to use force against peaceful protestors because they would not permit it.

[city]

It certainly needs more than a handful of students to bring the Junta to their knees. No idea what they were thinking, perhaps nothing at all...

These students should be given credit for voicing their beliefs. Mocking jay it maybe a handful but the Amazon starts with a trickle

[smedly]

13 Khon Kaen university students held for protesting against the May 22 coup

KHON KAEN: -- Thirteen Khon Kaen University students were held in police custody after they were arrested by military personnel for protesting against the junta in Muang district of Khon Kaen.

Calling themselves the Dao Din group, the 13 students rallied at the democracy monument next to the city pillars shrine, raising posters to protest the May 22 coup a year ago.

Military officers first approached the students with a request that they stop the protest and to disperse. However, the students declined and, therefore, they were detained and taken to the Muang district police station for questioning.

The students were later charged with instigating unrest in a way which might pose a threat to national security. Seven of them were held in detention at the police station while the rest were still being interrogated.

What a pile of absolute cack, "Inciting unrest in a way that might pose a threat to national security". Give me a break, for chrissakes!

That said, djjamie will probably be along soon to explain to us why this act was worse than the holocaust...

Hats off to them. Pity there is not a few million more like them.

That is the type of thinking that ends up with death and destruction in this very volatile country

[lucky11]

If ever democracy returns, these kids will be looked up to for their courage.

Ignorance and stupidity more like it!!

[baboon]

13 Khon Kaen university students held for protesting against the May 22 coup

KHON KAEN: -- Thirteen Khon Kaen University students were held in police custody after they were arrested by military personnel for protesting against the junta in Muang district of Khon Kaen.

Calling themselves the Dao Din group, the 13 students rallied at the democracy monument next to the city pillars shrine, raising posters to protest the May 22 coup a year ago.

Military officers first approached the students with a request that they stop the protest and to disperse. However, the students declined and, therefore, they were detained and taken to the Muang district police station for questioning.

The students were later charged with instigating unrest in a way which might pose a threat to national security. Seven of them were held in detention at the police station while the rest were still being interrogated.

What a pile of absolute cack, "Inciting unrest in a way that might pose a threat to national security". Give me a break, for chrissakes!

That said, djjamie will probably be along soon to explain to us why this act was worse than the holocaust...

Hats off to them. Pity there is not a few million more like them.

That is the type of thinking that ends up with death and destruction in this very volatile country

Yours is the type of thinking that leads to alienation and enslavement...

[graemeaylward]

Respect is a word seldom used on this forum. Whether you agree with the statement these students made or not, respect their right to have their say. If we respect other people's points of view whilst not necessarily agreeing with them, then the world would be a much better and safer place.

[emilymat]

Hang them in Siam Square

Whenever I wonder "why is there war in this world," because I feel that the majority of people just want to be loved, love someone, perhaps have a family and kids and enjoy a nice or at least a bearable life, some lowlife like you will troddle along to answer my question...

It's all about "power" "money" and "greed" a human trait that is going a long way to even destroy the very place we live

Absolutely.

The other question us mere mortals ask ourselves is "Why, if he/she has billions (in any country) why do they want more - they can never spend what they have now". You have answered that.

Of course, quite a number in that position suddenly realise the folly and start to give it away - Bill Gates springs to mind.

It works the other way round of course. Where I lived in the UK (Birmingham) I was about 3 miles from Bourneville (Cadbury's chocolate. They always say Bourneville, England on the adverts as Birmingham did not fit into the concept of a 'factory in a garden'.) This was what the Quaker owners built for the workers, lovely houses and plenty of gardens and good treatment.

Now, many people complain because there are no pubs in Bourneville - something the original family frowned upon.

[phuketandsee]

"You can blow out a candle
But you can't blow out a fire
Once the flames begin to catch
The wind will blow it higher"

Peter Gabriel "Biko"

And the eyes of the world are starting to watch.

[brewsterbudgen]

13 Khon Kaen university students held for protesting against the May 22 coup

KHON KAEN: -- Thirteen Khon Kaen University students were held in police custody after they were arrested by military personnel for protesting against the junta in Muang district of Khon Kaen.

Calling themselves the Dao Din group, the 13 students rallied at the democracy monument next to the city pillars shrine, raising posters to protest the May 22 coup a year ago.

Military officers first approached the students with a request that they stop the protest and to disperse. However, the students declined and, therefore, they were detained and taken to the Muang district police station for questioning.

The students were later charged with instigating unrest in a way which might pose a threat to national security. Seven of them were held in detention at the police station while the rest were still being interrogated.

What a pile of absolute cack, "Inciting unrest in a way that might pose a threat to national security". Give me a break, for chrissakes!

That said, djjamie will probably be along soon to explain to us why this act was worse than the holocaust...

Hats off to them. Pity there is not a few million more like them.

That is the type of thinking that ends up with death and destruction in this very volatile country

So supine acceptance of military rule and restriction of free speech is better?

[cumgranosalum]

Whilst I applaud them, small groups are never going to work. You need to turn up in the thousands to garner any real attention.

It is too easy to pick off the small groups.

Depends what you mean by work.....a demonstration is a way of publicising an idea.......even if only a small number especially in these lock-down circumstances can have quite a wide effect in the media......this thread for example....

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

In 1972, politician Uthai Pimchaichon, who later became president of the parliament, submitted a case to the Criminal Court to sue the then coup-makers Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn and Field Marshal Prapas Charusathien for treason.

However, the Criminal Court judges sentenced Uthai to a 10-year prison term for the same crime he accused the coup-makers of committing. He was subsequently released during the Sanya Thammasak administration without having to serve the full sentence.

What ever happened to the military rank Field Marshal in Thailand? The Germans had that rank during WWII, and apparently Thailand had it as late as the 1970s..

Did it go out of style or what? I'm sure there's a story to be told of how Thailand ceased to have Field Marshals....

[Songlaw]

COUP ANNIVERSARY

Dozens arrested in anti-coup protests in Bangkok, Khon Kaen

KRIS BHROMSUTHI

NITIPOL KIRAVANICH

JITTIMA JUNPHOME

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- ANTI-COUP protests flared up in at least three locations in Bangkok and Khon Kaen yesterday to mark the first anniversary of the coup.

At least 48 people were arrested by military or police officers. Some were charged, others were warned and some had their attitudes "adjusted" before being released.

In Bangkok, members of the Resistant Citizen(s) group led by activists Pansak Srithep, Sirawitch Sereethiwat and Wannakiat Choosuwan were arrested by police shortly after they filed a lawsuit at the Criminal Court.

In the lawsuit they accuse Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha and other junta leaders of violating Article 113 of the Criminal Act by staging the coup on May 22 last year and throwing out the 2007 Constitution, which they said was punishable by death. The three were later released without charge.

The Criminal Court scheduled a hearing on May 29 to rule on whether to accept the case.

In 1972, politician Uthai Pimchaichon, who later became president of the parliament, submitted a case to the Criminal Court to sue the then coup-makers Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn and Field Marshal Prapas Charusathien for treason.

However, the Criminal Court judges sentenced Uthai to a 10-year prison term for the same crime he accused the coup-makers of committing. He was subsequently released during the Sanya Thammasak administration without having to serve the full sentence.

The Resistant Citizen(s) group gathering began shortly before 3pm when a few group leaders appeared in front of the Lat Phrao MRT (underground rail) station.

The event, featuring 15 anti-coup activists, attracted an army of media, both domestic and abroad.

Pansak told reporters that the aim of the event was to communicate and establish an understanding with the public regarding the illegitimacy of the coup.

Although only 15 people joined the protest, Pansak said the number would have been much greater if the many who had earlier committed to attend it were not pressured to back down.

The group accused Prayut for using violence to scrap the constitution and overthrow the Pheu Thai government.

"This constitutes treason, as stipulated in Article 113 of the Criminal Code," Pansak said.

Prayut was also accused of sabotaging the country "and creating the ceaseless deterioration of the economy, society, politics, rights and the liberties of the people".

Resistant Citizen(s) comprises political activists, academics, students and relatives of protesters killed during protest crackdowns. They demand that power be returned to the people.

In Khon Kaen, 13 students from Khon Kaen University belonging to the Dao Din group were arrested and taken to the Sri Patcharin military camp at 1.40pm after they unfurled a large banner that read: "Oppose the Coup".

Seven students were accused of violating security orders under Article 44 of the junta-sponsored provisional charter, which grants absolute power to National Council for Peace and Order leader General Prayut. They were made to agree that they would refrain from committing any action that could cause divisions in society.

At 3pm, the students were taken to a police station and charged.

"We have always warned this group of students and meted out punishments from light to heavy," said Lieutenant Pitakphol Choosri, deputy director of civilian affairs at the Sri Patcharin military camp.

"But they repeatedly commit violations despite the fact that officers gave them a chance and regard them as the future of the country. We tried to warn them gently several times but they did not quit."

Elsewhere in Bangkok, nine members of a youth group for social democracy, YPD, were taken away by police for a 30-minute talk to have their attitudes adjusted after the group read a statement in public at the October 14 Monument in which they labelled the military dishonourable.

Police said the group did not ask for permission from the authorities before engaging in the activity. They were released after the talk and none were charged.

In the evening, 200 police officers in uniform were sent to the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, where anti-coup protesters were scheduled to show up at 6pm. Some 30 students arrived and nine were arrested by police as of press time.

The rest - about 20 people - held hands and repeatedly shouted: "Release our friends." They were eventually arrested

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Dozens-arrested-in-anti-coup-protests-in-Bangkok-K-30260790.html

-- The Nation 2015-05-23

It always has, and always will fall on the young people and academics. It is they who have the least to lose in the material sense, and the longest row to hoe if they stand by and allow the rank and file to do nothing. Many with families, careers and established positions within their communities lack sufficient testicular fortitude or perhaps the degree of anonymity sometimes necessary to do more than pay lip service to the cries of their consciences. I know this is not what the TVF (Thai Visa Faithful) want to hear, but hey, truth is like that.

The seeds of disruption are inescapably sown the second a cabal takes it upon themselves to redirect the fate of a nation, any nation, that has already plotted its course and set sail. At the moment a Constitution is drafted and ratified (by Royal Decree, no less), it becomes incumbent upon the people, and the political justice system to sort out whatever differences may arise, in the usual manner, which is always slow, and incredibly painful, especially to watch. Thailand was to be no exception to this rule.

The kids are right. The 2007 Constitution was sacrosanct and the government both legally and ethically warranted protection against insurrection by a military that in effect, opted to abandon its post. Anyone with an ounce of sense recognizes this, especially veterans. As such, this should have the impact of late-breaking news to many armchair generals on this site. Read carefully: the previously mentioned abdication constitutes treason, and the people's court will not be denied.

The wheels of justice may be generally slow, but they are always turning. Meanwhile, buckets of blood will be on the hands that stood idly by and did nothing to prevent this when it mattered most. Hands that are supported even now by the troglodytes who cheer them on. Individuals with whom the rest of us are forced to share a species designation. If that doesn't knock us all down a few pegs, nothing will.

Edited May 23, 2015 by Songlaw

[Alfred Gruetzner]

It is indeed stupid to protest now. Give the junta some time to reorganize the kingdom. So far most of Thai people agree with the junta. If civil governments and political parties are not able to go along together there must be another force enabling peace and order. And Thailand was lucky to have one: the military. It takes time to install democracy.. The Europeans must know that very well. Unfortunately most of them forget that there were two times of incredible carnage which took the life of millions to establish democracy. Many of us now complaining and lamenting in this thread about the ongoing political process in Thailand were actual contemporaries of the second of the two desasters.

Two questions I have to ask you; 1. How do you know that most Thai people agree with the junta? 2. Which country in Europe can claim to have a democracy installed by a military junta?

You might have a deep knowledge of European history but seem not to have followed the events that brought democracy to an end here in Thailand. The storming of the main Bangkok police station is only one example. For your recollection the storming of the building shown on national and international television was accompanied by comments from the military towards the police not to use force against peaceful protestors because they would not permit it.

1.One could read in the papers, englisch and thai during the last months that most of the Thai wanted P.Ch. as next primeminister. 2. Thailand never had a democracy as we think democracy should be like this. Please mind that we in the West used hundreds of years to get real democracy. To all the lamenting forangs: djai yen, djai yen.

[Sawan Chan 7]

"You can blow out a candle

But you can't blow out a fire

Once the flames begin to catch

The wind will blow it higher"

Peter Gabriel "Biko"

And the eyes of the world are starting to watch.

They were watching Burma and Nrth Korea too but did bugger all to help, like they are here in Thailand. It's a disgrace - basic human rights abuse under our noses and most are too scared to say anything.

[ThaiUser]

It is indeed stupid to protest now. Give the junta some time to reorganize the kingdom. So far most of Thai people agree with the junta. If civil governments and political parties are not able to go along together there must be another force enabling peace and order. And Thailand was lucky to have one: the military. It takes time to install democracy.. The Europeans must know that very well. Unfortunately most of them forget that there were two times of incredible carnage which took the life of millions to establish democracy. Many of us now complaining and lamenting in this thread about the ongoing political process in Thailand were actual contemporaries of the second of the two desasters.

Two questions I have to ask you; 1. How do you know that most Thai people agree with the junta? 2. Which country in Europe can claim to have a democracy installed by a military junta?

You might have a deep knowledge of European history but seem not to have followed the events that brought democracy to an end here in Thailand. The storming of the main Bangkok police station is only one example. For your recollection the storming of the building shown on national and international television was accompanied by comments from the military towards the police not to use force against peaceful protestors because they would not permit it.

1.One could read in the papers, englisch and thai during the last months that most of the Thai wanted P.Ch. as next primeminister. 2. Thailand never had a democracy as we think democracy should be like this. Please mind that we in the West used hundreds of years to get real democracy. To all the lamenting forangs: djai yen, djai yen.

1. Referring to the papers and polls seems a bit odd since anything that might be construed anti-coup or anti-government isn’t reported in Thai newspapers (Thai or English). People that have access to papers abroad will get a different picture painted.
2. I don’t know who is we, or is it your personal opinion when saying that Thailand never had a democracy as I (we) think democracy should be. Our last three elections have been monitored by international organisations and they found that they in general had been fair and square. What differs from western countries is the fact that military forces stay out of politics.

Your comment that refers to real democracy makes me wonder a bit since there are differences in western countries what a real democracy actually looks like. A good example are the last elections in the UK which gave the Tory party 37 % of the votes, which allows them now to dictate the policy for the other 63 % of the voters that in mathematical terms represent the majority.

[MikeOboe57]

[sNIP]

It always has, and always will fall on the young people and academics. It is they who have the least to lose in the material sense, and the longest row to hoe if they stand by and allow the rank and file to do nothing. Many with families, careers and established positions within their communities lack sufficient testicular fortitude or perhaps the degree of anonymity sometimes necessary to do more than pay lip service to the cries of their consciences. I know this is not what the TVF (Thai Visa Faithful) want to hear, but hey, truth is like that.

The seeds of disruption are inescapably sown the second a cabal takes it upon themselves to redirect the fate of a nation, any nation, that has already plotted its course and set sail. At the moment a Constitution is drafted and ratified (by Royal Decree, no less), it becomes incumbent upon the people, and the political justice system to sort out whatever differences may arise, in the usual manner, which is always slow, and incredibly painful, especially to watch. Thailand was to be no exception to this rule.

The kids are right. The 2007 Constitution was sacrosanct and the government both legally and ethically warranted protection against insurrection by a military that in effect, opted to abandon its post. Anyone with an ounce of sense recognizes this, especially veterans. As such, this should have the impact of late-breaking news to many armchair generals on this site. Read carefully: the previously mentioned abdication constitutes treason, and the people's court will not be denied.

The wheels of justice may be generally slow, but they are always turning. Meanwhile, buckets of blood will be on the hands that stood idly by and did nothing to prevent this when it mattered most. Hands that are supported even now by the troglodytes who cheer them on. Individuals with whom the rest of us are forced to share a species designation. If that doesn't knock us all down a few pegs, nothing will.

Suddenly the 2007 Constitution is "sacrosanct". When the Yingluck Government wanted to bin it and replace it with a new one that would allow Thaksin to come back and be PM again the very same constitution was labelled by the red shirt support faction in this forum as being written by "fascist coupists" and "rammed down the throat of the Thai people in a fake referendum while the military poked guns at their bellies".

What is it now?

[cookee68]

some had their attitudes adjusted, how did they do that, beat them or what

[Ichabod]

some had their attitudes adjusted, how did they do that, beat them or what

Some like female activist Kritsuda Kunasaen reported being subject to torture while being held incommunicado on a military base. Others have had their assets frozen. Some were threatened with reprisals. Others have been sentenced to long prison terms for speech offenses. Prrayut threatened to kill a journalist to his face, but later said it was a joke. Doesn't sound like a joke to me. At least one red shirt activist has in fact been murdered.

The parents of a dissident living in the UK, Chatwadee Rose Amornpat, were hounded out of their jobs because of remarks the daughter made in England. Pavin Chachavalpongpun, an academic working in Japan, had his passport revoked because of his opposition to the coup.

The full range of acts of oppression that one would expect from military coup leaders. They will bring as much pressure as necessary to stop anyone from speaking out against them. Prayut referred recently to the opposition as "human trash." That doesn't sound like a joke to me either.

[metisdead]

Please use discretion in your references to the government. Phrases which can be considered as anti-coup will be removed. Referring to Thailand or the government as a dictatorship, military dictatorship or other such terms will be removed.

[dageurreotype]

What courageous young people. These young democracy seeking students are prepared to stand up for the basic human right to freedom of speech! They are not terrorists and yet by peacefully demonstrating they are arrested for being a threat to National security because they have a different point of view to that of the military backed government. This has now become international news and certainly does not show Thailand's military rule in a good light. I wholeheartedly support them and their fight for freedom of speech throughout the world.

Great post! The only thing I would take issue with is your stating 'military backed government'. The military are the 'government'.