Special Thai report: 'Peaceful demonstrations are part of democracy'

[webfact]

SPECIAL REPORT
'Peaceful demonstrations are part of democracy'
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN,
PIYAPORN WONGRUANG
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- SINCE veteran politician Suthep Thaugsuban left monkhood to lead a new civil-based foundation to campaign for major reform on Tuesday, all eyes are on his moves.

He repeatedly vowed to campaign for reform during the press conference last week, but on condition that it would come before an election. This brought on feelings of deja vu and raised concerns mass street protests.

Suthep seemed to realise public concerns, insisting that new rallies would not resort to any violence, or window breaking. Instead, the group would issue a letter or statement opposing the government's reform plans, if they went against its goals.

For some political observers, the transformation of Suthep's group is seen as a new challenge towards a more peaceful means of political expression. But others have not yet ruled out the possibility of a rally, despite the leverage of his new foundation.

Satit Wongnongtaey, the foundation's vice chair, is among those who have not yet ruled out the possibility of a demonstration, despite the transition of his group from the People's Democratic Reform Committee to the People's Democratic Reform Foundation.

"Can you name one country in this world that has no demonstrations?" Satit said in response to a question. "After everything, can we stop taking to the streets?"

A political demonstration is a fundamental right in a democratic country, he said, adding that it is "people voicing issues to the government" so they are tackled.

"We can't deny we need this. This is the reality," he said, without confirming if this would be part of the foundations' future strategy.

Red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan said political demands could be made through many other ways like submitting a letter or issuing a statement. No one wants to take to the streets if these means are successful. However, a demonstration is a demonstration, and sometimes it's necessary, he said.

"Admit it, nobody wants to come out to the streets," he said. "It's not fun. We have to sit under the sun and the rain and face lawsuits. But sometimes we do it because there are no other options. It's not easy. If things could be settled through dialogue, everyone would opt for that," he said.

There will always be demonstrations, but non-violence is the strength that would protect protesters from being attacked, he added.

Sombat Boonngamanong, a prominent pro-democracy activist also known as Bor Kor Lai Jud or Nuling, is optimistic about rallies, saying they are a form of expression.

Rallies are absolutely normal in a democratic society, provided they don't lead to the ouster of a democratically elected government and are not used as a means to access power.

The public should not reject a political rally, but it should be justified.

The protest culture has been bad in the past years, which makes rallies difficult to control. People were confrontational and many carried weapons.

"Leaders are very important. If you see leaders are being violent, you have to take them down," he said.

A demonstration should not be prolonged as it could heighten tensions and protesters could resort to violence in a bid to reach a settlement.

Using new media to campaign or voice opinions is not a bad idea, if we would like to avoid violence.

"If we look at a demonstration as a means to communicate, new media could do the exact same job," he said.

The Internet could substitute for street protests because it could amplify people's voices, he said.

Non-violence advocates like Gothom Arya and General Ekkachai Srivilas also believe that demonstrating is a "way of democracy". Ekkachai, who is vice chairman of the reconciliation committee under the National Reform Council, said it is a democratic way of expressing one's opinions.

Demonstrations can be kept free of violence now that the new assembly law has been passed. The new law would help a lot in improving aggressive demonstrations as it stipulates the rights a demonstrator has as well as the duties he has to be responsible for.

"But this is just a trial. It won't work 100 per cent of the time. But at least now we have a mechanism to prevent violence in demonstrations," he said.

Gothom, of Mahidol University's Research Centre for Peace Building, said rallies should continue to take place and they are not a bad thing. Rather, it is a fundamental freedom - freedom of expression. He agreed that the assembly law would contain violence in political rallies, although it was a bit too strict.

Protests would be acceptable only if they came in the form of non-violent actions, for example, symbolic actions. "When other measures don't work, people march on the streets."

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Peaceful-demonstrations-are-part-of-democracy-30266012.html


-- The Nation 2015-08-06

[Tatsujin]

'Peaceful demonstrations are part of democracy'

Sure, ok, so why haven't their been any? Of the bigger "protests" over the last decade or so, they've all been violent in one way or another.

Maybe a Thai's definition of "peaceful" and/or "protest" aren't the same as what I think.

[dageurreotype]

'Peaceful demonstrations are part of democracy'

Sure, ok, so why haven't their been any? Of the bigger "protests" over the last decade or so, they've all been violent in one way or another.

Maybe a Thai's definition of "peaceful" and/or "protest" aren't the same as what I think.

No, they haven't. I remember the PAD 2008 rally was conducted very peacefully and a video of an American man saying the people of the US could learn from the Thais as to how to conduct peaceful protests going viral. The Taksin fueled (no pun intended) Red Shirts of 2010 however was another matter. Not affiliated with either, simply stating a fact.

[bamnutsak]

'Peaceful demonstrations are part of democracy'

In Thailand? Yes, but only if you represent the "good people".

[Bakseeda]

I thought Jutaporn had to go serve prison time.... why is he not inside ?

[nikmar]

'Peaceful demonstrations are part of democracy'

Sure, ok, so why haven't their been any? Of the bigger "protests" over the last decade or so, they've all been violent in one way or another.

Maybe a Thai's definition of "peaceful" and/or "protest" aren't the same as what I think.

No, they haven't. I remember the PAD 2008 rally was conducted very peacefully and a video of an American man saying the people of the US could learn from the Thais as to how to conduct peaceful protests going viral. The Taksin fueled (no pun intended) Red Shirts of 2010 however was another matter. Not affiliated with either, simply stating a fact.

2008,isn't that when they peacefully took over the airport?

.

[Tatsujin]

'Peaceful demonstrations are part of democracy'

Sure, ok, so why haven't their been any? Of the bigger "protests" over the last decade or so, they've all been violent in one way or another.

Maybe a Thai's definition of "peaceful" and/or "protest" aren't the same as what I think.

No, they haven't. I remember the PAD 2008 rally was conducted very peacefully and a video of an American man saying the people of the US could learn from the Thais as to how to conduct peaceful protests going viral. The Taksin fueled (no pun intended) Red Shirts of 2010 however was another matter. Not affiliated with either, simply stating a fact.

Your memory and mine is at odds then ... I don't recall any major "protest" in Thailand NOT being violent in one way or another, whether it's the protestors themselves being violent, or they were being attacked by their opposition. But one way or another, they were violent.

[jcsmith]

Is blocking voting booths and refusing to participate in elections part of democracy, as well?

Edited August 6, 2015 by jcsmith

[geriatrickid]

'Peaceful demonstrations are part of democracy'

Sure, ok, so why haven't their been any? Of the bigger "protests" over the last decade or so, they've all been violent in one way or another.

Maybe a Thai's definition of "peaceful" and/or "protest" aren't the same as what I think.

No, they haven't. I remember the PAD 2008 rally was conducted very peacefully and a video of an American man saying the people of the US could learn from the Thais as to how to conduct peaceful protests going viral. The Taksin fueled (no pun intended) Red Shirts of 2010 however was another matter. Not affiliated with either, simply stating a fact.

This is the same PAD that took over the airport ? PAD used violence and threats to clear the workers off the tarmac and away from the support areas.

[GeorgesAbitbol]

'Peaceful demonstrations are part of democracy'

Sure, ok, so why haven't their been any? Of the bigger "protests" over the last decade or so, they've all been violent in one way or another.

Maybe a Thai's definition of "peaceful" and/or "protest" aren't the same as what I think.

No, they haven't. I remember the PAD 2008 rally was conducted very peacefully and a video of an American man saying the people of the US could learn from the Thais as to how to conduct peaceful protests going viral. The Taksin fueled (no pun intended) Red Shirts of 2010 however was another matter. Not affiliated with either, simply stating a fact.

you were etheir old or blind at the time then...

Have a look at how the seizure of the airport took place.

have a look at how the popcorn guys....

[Down the rabbit hole]

'Peaceful demonstrations are part of democracy'

Sure, ok, so why haven't their been any? Of the bigger "protests" over the last decade or so, they've all been violent in one way or another.

Maybe a Thai's definition of "peaceful" and/or "protest" aren't the same as what I think.

I don't think so, Thais know very well what 'peaceful' means but a large majority of them are simply unable to control their instincts and emotions, and a good many people are perfectly aware of where these violent tendencies originate.

Knocking the wife about, knocking the kids about, bashing someone for parking outside their shop (and moving the chair they put there to prevent it), inter-college violence, firing M79 grenades, shooting people etc etc etc. ad nauseam.

Violence is just beneath the surface of Thais and Thailand, as anyone who has inadvertently caused a Thai to lose face may already know. Its an emotional development thing, we've all seen (or been) the same in the schoolyard while people get their pecking order sorted out or reinforced. It usually passes by about the age of 16 or 17. Or should do.

Learning how to control; instincts and emotions is a part of growing up, but some people never do.

Edited August 6, 2015 by Down the rabbit hole

[comeondoit]

That title is absolutely wrong. Peaceful demos, any kind of demos are not needed in a functioning democracy. The function of the democracy depends from the people to be willing to discuss problems (and have the tools and the means to discuss installed) to find for a majority a suitable compromise. No decision/compromise in no country will ever be accepted by everybody. The real issue here is to learn and understand for everybody what a real democrat is. The real democrat shows when he is willing and able to accept decisions of the majority without going to the streets.

The problem of the Thai society is that they never had a culture of critically discussing problems (in discussions the fear to loose the face is barring any positive outcome). Somebody who would publicly say that he made a mistake will in this society loose his face...so that never happens and the rate of common learning is therefore very low.

The actual governement has a military background. Discussing orders of a military leader for a soldier is a no no, he would be jailed or shot, he has to do it blindly.. That is the background of the PM, that is why he is acting so harsh on any critic of his doing and what I fear is, that constructiv discussion and fighting for compromises cannot happen with a military governement. If the governement is not learning very fast how to discuss something before issuing an order, coming unrests are unavoidable, even if until now the majority of the Thais are happy with the governement. As I mentioned before, tools and means to dicuss things must be installed and the inability to install these tools is why all the governements in Thailand failed so far

[MrJohnson]

It's Groundhog Day again. Can we really go back to the lawlessness of those street protests. Closing roads and public facilities, airports etc. My recollections of the most recent Shutdown Bangkok/Restart Thailand are disturbing. Coming out of the MRT station at Silom to be confronted by blackclad PAD 'security' demanding to check my bag before i was allowed to walk through 'their' encampment. The stench of urine all pervasive and the opportunistic vendors selling shoes, sunglasses and satays. The street closed to traffic for weeks on end. People paying rent on businesses that their customers couldn't get to. The Dusit Thani hotel pitch black at night save for the suite occupied by Pra Suthep. The red shirts were no better.

Rallies are one thing but the rest of the population have the right to go about their business freely and without fear of intimidation. Kids have the right to get to and from school. People have the right to get to and from the airport. It's called the Rule of Law and it is part of the Social Contract that defines a civil society, something that Thailand surely is not, I'm afraid.

[Down the rabbit hole]

It's Groundhog Day again. Can we really go back to the lawlessness of those street protests. Closing roads and public facilities, airports etc. My recollections of the most recent Shutdown Bangkok/Restart Thailand are disturbing. Coming out of the MRT station at Silom to be confronted by blackclad PAD 'security' demanding to check my bag before i was allowed to walk through 'their' encampment. The stench of urine all pervasive and the opportunistic vendors selling shoes, sunglasses and satays. The street closed to traffic for weeks on end. People paying rent on businesses that their customers couldn't get to. The Dusit Thani hotel pitch black at night save for the suite occupied by Pra Suthep. The red shirts were no better.

Rallies are one thing but the rest of the population have the right to go about their business freely and without fear of intimidation. Kids have the right to get to and from school. People have the right to get to and from the airport. It's called the Rule of Law and it is part of the Social Contract that defines a civil society, something that Thailand surely is not, I'm afraid.

Indeed, And where were the police and the army whose job it was to under-write the rights of those affected and the tenure of the elected government of the day?

Lawlessness is a major factor in failed states becoming failed states.

[EnglishJohn]

It's Groundhog Day again. Can we really go back to the lawlessness of those street protests. Closing roads and public facilities, airports etc. My recollections of the most recent Shutdown Bangkok/Restart Thailand are disturbing. Coming out of the MRT station at Silom to be confronted by blackclad PAD 'security' demanding to check my bag before i was allowed to walk through 'their' encampment. The stench of urine all pervasive and the opportunistic vendors selling shoes, sunglasses and satays. The street closed to traffic for weeks on end. People paying rent on businesses that their customers couldn't get to. The Dusit Thani hotel pitch black at night save for the suite occupied by Pra Suthep. The red shirts were no better.

Rallies are one thing but the rest of the population have the right to go about their business freely and without fear of intimidation. Kids have the right to get to and from school. People have the right to get to and from the airport. It's called the Rule of Law and it is part of the Social Contract that defines a civil society, something that Thailand surely is not, I'm afraid.

Indeed, And where were the police and the army whose job it was to under-write the rights of those affected and the tenure of the elected government of the day?

Lawlessness is a major factor in failed states becoming failed states.

Are you serious ?.

The police were obeying everything the government told them. From intimidating protestors by hitting their cars whilst wearing gas masks right through to allowing terrorists through checkpoints and failing to arrest a SINGLE ONE even after being caught full face on CCTV.

The Army were trying their hardest to stay out of it because hypocrites like you start crying foul any time they interfere with politics. Their role started by escorting people away from areas under fire by red-shirt snipers (on a bridge guarded at each end by those same police), moved on the manning their own checkpoints to try and stop the murders because the police were letting the UDD terrorists in and out then eventually to the coup because Pheu-Thai would not budge an inch and were murdering women and children on the street to try and scare the protestors away.

I don't know if you are just simple or perhaps just a ten-a-penny red-shirt hypocrite - but either way your grasp of reality is pitiful.

And you people crowing about the airport as if it is in any way comparable to 2010 or the recent murders have no shame. Did you cheer as well when the UDD fired grenades into innocent people ?. Those victims haven't just been inconvenienced - they are dead.

It's a simple fact that virtually all political violence in Thailand is by red-shirts. You know it as well as I do. But you will deny it because it suits you. If they don't get what they want, intimidation, threats and grenades soon follow. Luckily Thailand has people prepared to stand up to these medieval throwbacks.

[brucec64]

It's Groundhog Day again. Can we really go back to the lawlessness of those street protests. Closing roads and public facilities, airports etc. My recollections of the most recent Shutdown Bangkok/Restart Thailand are disturbing. Coming out of the MRT station at Silom to be confronted by blackclad PAD 'security' demanding to check my bag before i was allowed to walk through 'their' encampment. The stench of urine all pervasive and the opportunistic vendors selling shoes, sunglasses and satays. The street closed to traffic for weeks on end. People paying rent on businesses that their customers couldn't get to. The Dusit Thani hotel pitch black at night save for the suite occupied by Pra Suthep. The red shirts were no better.

Rallies are one thing but the rest of the population have the right to go about their business freely and without fear of intimidation. Kids have the right to get to and from school. People have the right to get to and from the airport. It's called the Rule of Law and it is part of the Social Contract that defines a civil society, something that Thailand surely is not, I'm afraid.

Indeed, And where were the police and the army whose job it was to under-write the rights of those affected and the tenure of the elected government of the day?

Lawlessness is a major factor in failed states becoming failed states.

Are you serious ?.

The police were obeying everything the government told them. From intimidating protestors by hitting their cars whilst wearing gas masks right through to allowing terrorists through checkpoints and failing to arrest a SINGLE ONE even after being caught full face on CCTV.

The Army were trying their hardest to stay out of it because hypocrites like you start crying foul any time they interfere with politics. Their role started by escorting people away from areas under fire by red-shirt snipers (on a bridge guarded at each end by those same police), moved on the manning their own checkpoints to try and stop the murders because the police were letting the UDD terrorists in and out then eventually to the coup because Pheu-Thai would not budge an inch and were murdering women and children on the street to try and scare the protestors away.

I don't know if you are just simple or perhaps just a ten-a-penny red-shirt hypocrite - but either way your grasp of reality is pitiful.

And you people crowing about the airport as if it is in any way comparable to 2010 or the recent murders have no shame. Did you cheer as well when the UDD fired grenades into innocent people ?. Those victims haven't just been inconvenienced - they are dead.

It's a simple fact that virtually all political violence in Thailand is by red-shirts. You know it as well as I do. But you will deny it because it suits you. If they don't get what they want, intimidation, threats and grenades soon follow. Luckily Thailand has people prepared to stand up to these medieval throwbacks.

Maybe you should take these off for a minute. Amazing what you might see.

[Thai at Heart]

Protests that last 10 months and commandeer the centre of a city blocking major transport arteries aren't.

[MrJohnson]

It's Groundhog Day again. Can we really go back to the lawlessness of those street protests. Closing roads and public facilities, airports etc. My recollections of the most recent Shutdown Bangkok/Restart Thailand are disturbing. Coming out of the MRT station at Silom to be confronted by blackclad PAD 'security' demanding to check my bag before i was allowed to walk through 'their' encampment. The stench of urine all pervasive and the opportunistic vendors selling shoes, sunglasses and satays. The street closed to traffic for weeks on end. People paying rent on businesses that their customers couldn't get to. The Dusit Thani hotel pitch black at night save for the suite occupied by Pra Suthep. The red shirts were no better.

Rallies are one thing but the rest of the population have the right to go about their business freely and without fear of intimidation. Kids have the right to get to and from school. People have the right to get to and from the airport. It's called the Rule of Law and it is part of the Social Contract that defines a civil society, something that Thailand surely is not, I'm afraid.

Indeed, And where were the police and the army whose job it was to under-write the rights of those affected and the tenure of the elected government of the day?

Lawlessness is a major factor in failed states becoming failed states.

Are you serious ?.

The police were obeying everything the government told them. From intimidating protestors by hitting their cars whilst wearing gas masks right through to allowing terrorists through checkpoints and failing to arrest a SINGLE ONE even after being caught full face on CCTV.

The Army were trying their hardest to stay out of it because hypocrites like you start crying foul any time they interfere with politics. Their role started by escorting people away from areas under fire by red-shirt snipers (on a bridge guarded at each end by those same police), moved on the manning their own checkpoints to try and stop the murders because the police were letting the UDD terrorists in and out then eventually to the coup because Pheu-Thai would not budge an inch and were murdering women and children on the street to try and scare the protestors away.

I don't know if you are just simple or perhaps just a ten-a-penny red-shirt hypocrite - but either way your grasp of reality is pitiful.

And you people crowing about the airport as if it is in any way comparable to 2010 or the recent murders have no shame. Did you cheer as well when the UDD fired grenades into innocent people ?. Those victims haven't just been inconvenienced - they are dead.

It's a simple fact that virtually all political violence in Thailand is by red-shirts. You know it as well as I do. But you will deny it because it suits you. If they don't get what they want, intimidation, threats and grenades soon follow. Luckily Thailand has people prepared to stand up to these medieval throwbacks.

You are missing the point. Neither side were any better or worse than the others. It is about rule of law.

[ginjag]

It's Groundhog Day again. Can we really go back to the lawlessness of those street protests. Closing roads and public facilities, airports etc. My recollections of the most recent Shutdown Bangkok/Restart Thailand are disturbing. Coming out of the MRT station at Silom to be confronted by blackclad PAD 'security' demanding to check my bag before i was allowed to walk through 'their' encampment. The stench of urine all pervasive and the opportunistic vendors selling shoes, sunglasses and satays. The street closed to traffic for weeks on end. People paying rent on businesses that their customers couldn't get to. The Dusit Thani hotel pitch black at night save for the suite occupied by Pra Suthep. The red shirts were no better.

Rallies are one thing but the rest of the population have the right to go about their business freely and without fear of intimidation. Kids have the right to get to and from school. People have the right to get to and from the airport. It's called the Rule of Law and it is part of the Social Contract that defines a civil society, something that Thailand surely is not, I'm afraid.

Indeed, And where were the police and the army whose job it was to under-write the rights of those affected and the tenure of the elected government of the day?

Lawlessness is a major factor in failed states becoming failed states.

Are you serious ?.

The police were obeying everything the government told them. From intimidating protestors by hitting their cars whilst wearing gas masks right through to allowing terrorists through checkpoints and failing to arrest a SINGLE ONE even after being caught full face on CCTV.

The Army were trying their hardest to stay out of it because hypocrites like you start crying foul any time they interfere with politics. Their role started by escorting people away from areas under fire by red-shirt snipers (on a bridge guarded at each end by those same police), moved on the manning their own checkpoints to try and stop the murders because the police were letting the UDD terrorists in and out then eventually to the coup because Pheu-Thai would not budge an inch and were murdering women and children on the street to try and scare the protestors away.

I don't know if you are just simple or perhaps just a ten-a-penny red-shirt hypocrite - but either way your grasp of reality is pitiful.

And you people crowing about the airport as if it is in any way comparable to 2010 or the recent murders have no shame. Did you cheer as well when the UDD fired grenades into innocent people ?. Those victims haven't just been inconvenienced - they are dead.

It's a simple fact that virtually all political violence in Thailand is by red-shirts. You know it as well as I do. But you will deny it because it suits you. If they don't get what they want, intimidation, threats and grenades soon follow. Luckily Thailand has people prepared to stand up to these medieval throwbacks.

Maybe you should take these off for a minute. Amazing what you might see.

English Johns post didn't suit your agenda AGAIN. or the other minority on TVF. is this your only answer when most of the violence has been Shin organized.(it has been said ).

[ginjag]

It's Groundhog Day again. Can we really go back to the lawlessness of those street protests. Closing roads and public facilities, airports etc. My recollections of the most recent Shutdown Bangkok/Restart Thailand are disturbing. Coming out of the MRT station at Silom to be confronted by blackclad PAD 'security' demanding to check my bag before i was allowed to walk through 'their' encampment. The stench of urine all pervasive and the opportunistic vendors selling shoes, sunglasses and satays. The street closed to traffic for weeks on end. People paying rent on businesses that their customers couldn't get to. The Dusit Thani hotel pitch black at night save for the suite occupied by Pra Suthep. The red shirts were no better.

Rallies are one thing but the rest of the population have the right to go about their business freely and without fear of intimidation. Kids have the right to get to and from school. People have the right to get to and from the airport. It's called the Rule of Law and it is part of the Social Contract that defines a civil society, something that Thailand surely is not, I'm afraid.

Indeed, And where were the police and the army whose job it was to under-write the rights of those affected and the tenure of the elected government of the day?

Lawlessness is a major factor in failed states becoming failed states.

Are you serious ?.

The police were obeying everything the government told them. From intimidating protestors by hitting their cars whilst wearing gas masks right through to allowing terrorists through checkpoints and failing to arrest a SINGLE ONE even after being caught full face on CCTV.

The Army were trying their hardest to stay out of it because hypocrites like you start crying foul any time they interfere with politics. Their role started by escorting people away from areas under fire by red-shirt snipers (on a bridge guarded at each end by those same police), moved on the manning their own checkpoints to try and stop the murders because the police were letting the UDD terrorists in and out then eventually to the coup because Pheu-Thai would not budge an inch and were murdering women and children on the street to try and scare the protestors away.

I don't know if you are just simple or perhaps just a ten-a-penny red-shirt hypocrite - but either way your grasp of reality is pitiful.

And you people crowing about the airport as if it is in any way comparable to 2010 or the recent murders have no shame. Did you cheer as well when the UDD fired grenades into innocent people ?. Those victims haven't just been inconvenienced - they are dead.

It's a simple fact that virtually all political violence in Thailand is by red-shirts. You know it as well as I do. But you will deny it because it suits you. If they don't get what they want, intimidation, threats and grenades soon follow. Luckily Thailand has people prepared to stand up to these medieval throwbacks.

You are missing the point. Neither side were any better or worse than the others. It is about rule of law.

If your thinking is that "Neither side were any better or worse" you cannot have been around at the time--or are in denial. The law at the time was controlled by Shin /PTP top jobs being brother in law of Thaksin---class mates-relatives--the old school. if they were not prepared to take on the problems when under oath to do then the said government deserved to get out.

[lildragon]

I was going to post but I see the usual hate brigade have show up. I'm too lazy to even bother today

[ramrod711]

It's Groundhog Day again. Can we really go back to the lawlessness of those street protests. Closing roads and public facilities, airports etc. My recollections of the most recent Shutdown Bangkok/Restart Thailand are disturbing. Coming out of the MRT station at Silom to be confronted by blackclad PAD 'security' demanding to check my bag before i was allowed to walk through 'their' encampment. The stench of urine all pervasive and the opportunistic vendors selling shoes, sunglasses and satays. The street closed to traffic for weeks on end. People paying rent on businesses that their customers couldn't get to. The Dusit Thani hotel pitch black at night save for the suite occupied by Pra Suthep. The red shirts were no better.

Rallies are one thing but the rest of the population have the right to go about their business freely and without fear of intimidation. Kids have the right to get to and from school. People have the right to get to and from the airport. It's called the Rule of Law and it is part of the Social Contract that defines a civil society, something that Thailand surely is not, I'm afraid.

Indeed, And where were the police and the army whose job it was to under-write the rights of those affected and the tenure of the elected government of the day?

Lawlessness is a major factor in failed states becoming failed states.

Are you serious ?.

The police were obeying everything the government told them. From intimidating protestors by hitting their cars whilst wearing gas masks right through to allowing terrorists through checkpoints and failing to arrest a SINGLE ONE even after being caught full face on CCTV.

The Army were trying their hardest to stay out of it because hypocrites like you start crying foul any time they interfere with politics. Their role started by escorting people away from areas under fire by red-shirt snipers (on a bridge guarded at each end by those same police), moved on the manning their own checkpoints to try and stop the murders because the police were letting the UDD terrorists in and out then eventually to the coup because Pheu-Thai would not budge an inch and were murdering women and children on the street to try and scare the protestors away.

I don't know if you are just simple or perhaps just a ten-a-penny red-shirt hypocrite - but either way your grasp of reality is pitiful.

And you people crowing about the airport as if it is in any way comparable to 2010 or the recent murders have no shame. Did you cheer as well when the UDD fired grenades into innocent people ?. Those victims haven't just been inconvenienced - they are dead.

It's a simple fact that virtually all political violence in Thailand is by red-shirts. You know it as well as I do. But you will deny it because it suits you. If they don't get what they want, intimidation, threats and grenades soon follow. Luckily Thailand has people prepared to stand up to these medieval throwbacks.

Maybe you should take these off for a minute. Amazing what you might see.

I took mine off, this is what I saw. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBDm-jA3N80

[Down the rabbit hole]

It's Groundhog Day again. Can we really go back to the lawlessness of those street protests. Closing roads and public facilities, airports etc. My recollections of the most recent Shutdown Bangkok/Restart Thailand are disturbing. Coming out of the MRT station at Silom to be confronted by blackclad PAD 'security' demanding to check my bag before i was allowed to walk through 'their' encampment. The stench of urine all pervasive and the opportunistic vendors selling shoes, sunglasses and satays. The street closed to traffic for weeks on end. People paying rent on businesses that their customers couldn't get to. The Dusit Thani hotel pitch black at night save for the suite occupied by Pra Suthep. The red shirts were no better.

Rallies are one thing but the rest of the population have the right to go about their business freely and without fear of intimidation. Kids have the right to get to and from school. People have the right to get to and from the airport. It's called the Rule of Law and it is part of the Social Contract that defines a civil society, something that Thailand surely is not, I'm afraid.

Indeed, And where were the police and the army whose job it was to under-write the rights of those affected and the tenure of the elected government of the day?

Lawlessness is a major factor in failed states becoming failed states.

Are you serious ?.

The police were obeying everything the government told them. From intimidating protestors by hitting their cars whilst wearing gas masks right through to allowing terrorists through checkpoints and failing to arrest a SINGLE ONE even after being caught full face on CCTV.

The Army were trying their hardest to stay out of it because hypocrites like you start crying foul any time they interfere with politics. Their role started by escorting people away from areas under fire by red-shirt snipers (on a bridge guarded at each end by those same police), moved on the manning their own checkpoints to try and stop the murders because the police were letting the UDD terrorists in and out then eventually to the coup because Pheu-Thai would not budge an inch and were murdering women and children on the street to try and scare the protestors away.

I don't know if you are just simple or perhaps just a ten-a-penny red-shirt hypocrite - but either way your grasp of reality is pitiful.

And you people crowing about the airport as if it is in any way comparable to 2010 or the recent murders have no shame. Did you cheer as well when the UDD fired grenades into innocent people ?. Those victims haven't just been inconvenienced - they are dead.

It's a simple fact that virtually all political violence in Thailand is by red-shirts. You know it as well as I do. But you will deny it because it suits you. If they don't get what they want, intimidation, threats and grenades soon follow. Luckily Thailand has people prepared to stand up to these medieval throwbacks.

I understand this is what you believe and that makes it a fact to you. But not everyone agrees, indeed the sense I have is that the majority of commentators in TV are not in agreement with an anti-RS stance. Personally I have no preference either way for reasons I am not able to discuss here, but I *am* reminded of a suggestion from elsewhere:

"Neither a zealot nor an enthusiast be".

You might care to think about that for a short while and understand the damage that a zealous adherence to what you have chosen to believe from among what you have been told, will be doing to you. Your protestations won't hurt anyone else but they may very well hurt you and affect your ability to live happily in the Land of insincere smiles.