Supporters and protesters to rally as PM arrives to floral welcome in US

[Lite Beer]

Supporters and protesters to rally as PM arrives to floral welcome in US
SUPALAK GANJANAKHUNDEE
THE NATION
NEW YORK

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha chats with supporters after they presented him a bouquet of flowers upon his arrival at a New York hotel yesterday. Prayut is attending the 70th United Nations General Assembly meeting in the city.

NEW YORK: -- PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha is being greeted in New York with a mixture of support and protest at the start of his mission to attend the United Nations General Assembly and related events, which run until the end of the month.

The premier was welcomed upon arrival at his New York hotel yesterday by a group of Thais, who presented him and his wife Narapon with flowers and a book titled "The Sweet Spot". One of them said Prayut was their last hope for saving the country. After thanking them, he commented that such expectations sometimes put pressure on him.

Although officials at the Thai mission and consular office in New York said they had not prepared such a greeting for the premier, Prayut and his team were informed in advance that some Thai supporters would greet him at the hotel.

On the other side of the coin, however, is what is planned for today, when about 80-100 people from the self-styled Red New York group are scheduled to demonstrate near the UN headquarters in New York City to deliver an anti-dictatorship message. Their members are overseas Thais from various US states, including Florida, Connecticut and New Jersey, as well as from Canada and Europe, said a coordinator of the group.

They have been granted permission to gather at the corner of First Avenue and 47th Street, near the UN building, from 11am to 5pm (New York time) for a peaceful demonstration, at which they intend to deliver statements, show posters and give interviews to the media.

"Our message will focus on issues of democracy, human rights and political prisoners. as well as calling for the government not to bring civilians before the Martial Court," said the coordinator, who declined to be named.

"We are talking about principles. This is nothing personal about General Prayut Chan-o-cha. But we don't like to see a military dictator at home, and will tell the world that our country has this problem," the coordinator added.

Red New York is in fact not a new face, as it has been associated with the red-shirt movement in Thailand and organises demonstrations occasionally in the US to demand what it terms "the return of democracy to Thailand".

Meanwhile, a pro-government group has been allowed to demonstrate at the same location today and tomorrow from 10am to 5pm to show its support to Prayut and the junta.

The group said the gathering could reach 400, with the attendance of Thais from various parts of the US, including Boston, Los Angeles and Washington DC.

"Our main message is to give support to General Prayut, since we love him and want to thank him for his work in staging the coup to save our country," said Pailin Kumsiri, a group coordinator who presented flowers to the PM and his wife yesterday. "We want to tell the world how this dictatorship is better than the [previous] elected government," she said.

Pailin said her group could get to see the anti-government Red New York group at close quarters today as they would be rallying in the same area, but the two groups had given their word to local US authorities not to clash with each other.

"The gathering will be peaceful. We are just going to express our views. We don't need to fight each other. Indeed, Thais in the US know and respect each other," she added.

Prayut began his work yesterday with a meeting with Team Thailand - a combination of Thai officials from all agencies working in the US - to guide them on the government's direction and policies on relations with the US.

He will today attend the UN "Sustainable Development Summit 2015" and visit an exhibition on sufficiency economy at UN headquarters, before dining with the US-Asean Business Council in the evening.

Meanwhile Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, who is in charge while the PM is away, said he was not worried about the premier's safety, even though some anti-junta Thais based in the US had threatened to move against him during his trip. He also shrugged off reports that the Red New York group would host a live broadcast of its rally against Prayut. "What are we supposed to do? If they want to broadcast it, then go for it," he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Supporters-and-protesters-to-rally-as-PM-arrives-t-30269591.html

-- The Nation 2015-09-26

[NongKhaiKid]

" What are we supposed to do ? If they want to broadcast it, then go for it. "

Under his breath I bet he was muttering something about if in LoS they wouldn't dare go for it.

[smedly]

actually what attracted my attention to this article was and I quote - "we have been granted permission" and "the two groups have given their word to US authorities not to clash with each other"

The US authorities would not put up with any of the B...S they get away with in Thailand in the past

Try threatening to burn down New York and see where that lands you

Edited September 25, 2015 by smedly

[Wilsonandson]

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, who is in charge while the PM is away, said he was not worried about the premier's safety.

And neither are the rest of Thailand. Come back soon, we miss you already.

[Usernames]

Arrives on a day when TV cameras in NYC on focused on other things. Good or bad timing?

[metisdead]

From the NOTICE TO MEMBERS POSTING IN THAILAND NEWS:

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.

While the media may make those comments, members need to desist from making such comments. Posts have been removed.

[bamnutsak]

There are supporters?

Too bad the Cincinnati Reds are playing the Mets in Cinci. General P. could have taken in a MLB game?

[brewsterbudgen]

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, who is in charge while the PM is away, said he was not worried about the premier's safety.

And neither are the rest of Thailand. Come back soon, we miss you already.

Sarcasm?

[ratcatcher]

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, who is in charge while the PM is away, said he was not worried about the premier's safety.

And neither are the rest of Thailand. Come back soon, we miss you already.

Sarcasm?

Need you ask?

[ratcatcher]

And I quote..................said Pailin Kumsiri, a group coordinator who presented flowers to the PM and his wife yesterday. "We want to tell the world how this dictatorship is better than the [previous] elected government," she said.

In the USA I guess you can call a spade a spade?

[cyberfarang]

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha comes across with a, don`t mess with me approach, he commands respect, no one would dare blow a whistle at him, like they done with Yingluck and he always appears smart and elegant.

I like him.

[doremifasol]

So many things happening in N.Y this week...............................

[lovelomsak]

actually what attracted my attention to this article was and I quote - "we have been granted permission" and "the two groups have given their word to US authorities not to clash with each other"

The US authorities would not put up with any of the B...S they get away with in Thailand in the past

Try threatening to burn down New York and see where that lands you

Maybe bring in Suthep and have him shutdown New York

[oneday]

One of them said Prayut was their last hope for saving the country. After thanking them, he commented that such expectations sometimes put pressure on him.

This is so contrived and orchestrated it reeks. I want to throw-up.

[MZurf]

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha comes across with a, don`t mess with me approach, he commands respect, no one would dare blow a whistle at him, like they done with Yingluck and he always appears smart and elegant.

I like him.

Good troll post, went well with my morning coffee!

[MZurf]

actually what attracted my attention to this article was and I quote - "we have been granted permission" and "the two groups have given their word to US authorities not to clash with each other"

The US authorities would not put up with any of the B...S they get away with in Thailand in the past

Try threatening to burn down New York and see where that lands you

Or try removing people's right to vote, or try to remove the elected government by force, or try to attitude adjust people, or....etc,ect.

[ldiablo]

"Our main message is to give support to General Prayut, since we love him and want to thank him for his work in staging the coup to save our country," said Pailin Kumsiri, a group coordinator who presented flowers to the PM and his wife yesterday. "We want to tell the world how this dictatorship is better than the [previous] elected government," she said.

Even one of his own supporters is aware that Thailand is under the d-word.

[baboon]

And I quote..................said Pailin Kumsiri, a group coordinator who presented flowers to the PM and his wife yesterday. "We want to tell the world how this dictatorship is better than the [previous] elected government," she said.

In the USA I guess you can call a spade a spade?

Unlike on a certain website...

[geriatrickid]

actually what attracted my attention to this article was and I quote - "we have been granted permission" and "the two groups have given their word to US authorities not to clash with each other"

The US authorities would not put up with any of the B...S they get away with in Thailand in the past

Try threatening to burn down New York and see where that lands you

Try threatening to burn down New York and see where that lands you

Don't know American history do you? NY has had its share of mayhem, looting and wholesale destruction over the past 200+ years.

It seems that the reward for terrorism in the USA is a teaching position with job security. looks like you forgot many of the former US domestic terrorists implicated in bombings and murder. A few examples are;

- Kathy Boudin, pled guilty to second-degree murder in the weather Underground's robbery of a Brinks armored car in New York state. Five years after her release from jail, she had secured a teaching job at Columbia University in NYC.

- Susan Rosenberg was indicted in the same robbery. and murder(s). She eluded capture for years, but was caught in 1985 while as she was in the process of hiding 740 pounds of dynamite and weapons, including a submachine gun in a storage locker. (How very Thai of her.) After some jail time and a pardon, she went on to teach at John Jay College and then Hamilton College in NY.

- Another domestic terrorist, Eleanor Raskin, who fled after being indicted for bomb making in the 1970s, became an associate professor at Albany Law School.

- Black Panther big wig became a professor of women’s studies at Cal State. You might remember her for her trial on charges of “aiding and abetting” the murder of Alex Rackley, a fellow Panther they wrongly believed to be a police informant.

There are other more prominent domestic terrorists who went on to bigger and better positions, but I wanted to provide some examples and links to New York.

For all of the political violence in Thailand, I believe that far fewer Thais per capita have died, or been injured in political conflict than in western developed countries Appreciably, one can argue that it is 2015 and the world has evolved since the era of the US civil war when the population was decimated or the 20th century when European nations were still having civil wars (e.g. Spain, Greece). However, the fact remains that one is more likely to experience terrorism in the USA than in Thailand. Sad, but true, as there are literally dozens of heavily armed wacko political groups affiliated with religious fanatics or groups who see the US federal and state governments as enemies.

[JAG]

One of them said Prayut was their last hope for saving the country. After thanking them, he commented that such expectations sometimes put pressure on him.

This is so contrived and orchestrated it reeks. I want to throw-up.

"Last Hope for Saving the Country" has a somewhat Messianic ring to it don't you think?

Could it become his new title - perhaps shortened to LHSC?

[Oziex1]

Flower wielding sycophants massaging the egos of the smug.

worse one recently was the flowery <deleted> greeting the gun carrying ex cop when he returned from an extended holiday in Japan.

Edit: The word was censored no problem but some will know it from the sign at the beginning of Fawlty Towers.

Edited September 26, 2015 by Oziex1

[LannaGuy]

We want to tell the world how this dictatorship is better than the [previous] elected government

good one! no doubt Kim Jong-un say's the same

[HerbalEd]

If the PM's opponents seek sympathy from America then it's a big mistake for them to call themselves red anything. "Red" in USA is a red flag, if you will. Many Americans still cling to old exaggerated fears of the "red menace" (i.e., socialism/communism).

[silent]

And I quote..................said Pailin Kumsiri, a group coordinator who presented flowers to the PM and his wife yesterday. "We want to tell the world how this dictatorship is better than the [previous] elected government," she said.

In the USA I guess you can call a spade a spade?

Maybe.

Doesn't seem even the KKK can get away with that anymore though really.

Let's not forget how great it once wasn't there, not so long ago and sometimes even still.

Might be a hell of a lot of face lost, if the UN was in a different place or state to "show the world how much better a democracy is", for even the poor.

[sawadee1947]

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, who is in charge while the PM is away, said he was not worried about the premier's safety.

And neither are the rest of Thailand. Come back soon, we miss you already.

I hope you are only joking.

[NeverSure]

However, the fact remains that one is more likely to experience terrorism in the USA than in Thailand. Sad, but true, as there are literally dozens of heavily armed wacko political groups affiliated with religious fanatics or groups who see the US federal and state governments as enemies.

"However, the fact remains that one is more likely to experience terrorism in the USA than in Thailand."

Wrongo by a mile. Thailand has had more than 7,000 terrorist related deaths just since 9/11 which took fewer than 1/2 that many lives. Since then there have been few acts of Islamic terror in the US but they continue unabated in Thailand.

Cheers.

[jesimps]

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha comes across with a, don`t mess with me approach, he commands respect, no one would dare blow a whistle at him, like they done with Yingluck and he always appears smart and elegant.

I like him.

They only blew whistles at Yingluk because Gen P was backing them with big big guns.

[anotheruser]

One of them said Prayut was their last hope for saving the country. After thanking them, he commented that such expectations sometimes put pressure on him.

This is so contrived and orchestrated it reeks. I want to throw-up.

You just can't make this crap up.... wait I guess you can. lol reeks is the right word for it.

[billd766]

actually what attracted my attention to this article was and I quote - "we have been granted permission" and "the two groups have given their word to US authorities not to clash with each other"

The US authorities would not put up with any of the B...S they get away with in Thailand in the past

Try threatening to burn down New York and see where that lands you

Maybe bring in Suthep and have him shutdown New York

What is wrong with bringing Nattawut and Jatuporn over as well and he can ask all the Red supporters to bring a bottle and gasoline to burn down New York. I am sure that Nattawut will take the responsibility as he did once before in BKK.

[arrowsdawdle]

" What are we supposed to do ? If they want to broadcast it, then go for it. "

Under his breath I bet he was muttering something about if in LoS they wouldn't dare go for it.

Or whispering a directive to gather all their relatives in LOS and detain them for attitude adjustment.