Protest outside US Consulate

[Konini]

Looks like there is a demonstration starting off outside the consulate, roads blocked etc.

There was a similar thing in Bangkok last week, something about the new Ambassador meddling in domestic politics.

No doubt it will be very peaceful and polite, but the traffic is already backed up.

[Lampang2]

Someone is pulling the strings.

Whoever that may be.

[Konini]

All finished now, traffic getting back to normal.

[mesquite]

That was fast.

[mamborobert]

Can't wait till he tackles the big CM issue ....Immi Promenada

[northernjohn]

That was fast.

Probably some mucky muck visitor.

[Gonzo the Face]

All finished now, traffic getting back to normal.

Crikey !! That was quick,,,,,,,,, maybe it was just the normal stopping for the red light at the corner.

Hard to find a good protest these days.

Edited November 30, 2015 by Gonzo the Face

[daoyai]

Being this is CM not BKK the bold words of the Ambassador may have found more agreement here so less enthusiasm to be puppet protesters.

[heybruce]

Being this is CM not BKK the bold words of the Ambassador may have found more agreement here so less enthusiasm to be puppet protesters.

The Ambassador's comments against using defamation laws to stifle public debate didn't get a lot of traction in Bangkok either, only 200 protesters. http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2015/11/27/protesters-tell-us-ambassador-go-home

[CMBob]

What's interesting....at least to me....is apparently the military junta's blanket order prohibiting any public demonstrations of 5 or more people apparently doesn't apply to any group which either wears the proper colored shirt or which spouts things the junta likes to hear. The Bangkok demonstration was organized by the one "different" (I'm using that word to avoid a defamation suit) Monk and I suspect his followers were involved with the minimal protest here. This Monk's name is Luang Pu Buddha Issara and you can learn more about him by googling his name.

[harness]

Thailand for Thais. Foreigners out!!

[northernjohn]

Being this is CM not BKK the bold words of the Ambassador may have found more agreement here so less enthusiasm to be puppet protesters.

The Ambassador's comments against using defamation laws to stifle public debate didn't get a lot of traction in Bangkok either, only 200 protesters. http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2015/11/27/protesters-tell-us-ambassador-go-home

I am on the Thai side here.

The U S is telling Thailand what to do. Not the way it works here in Thailand.

Time they quit trying to run the world and clean up their own country. It is things like this that make me ashamed to be an American.

[heybruce]

Being this is CM not BKK the bold words of the Ambassador may have found more agreement here so less enthusiasm to be puppet protesters.

The Ambassador's comments against using defamation laws to stifle public debate didn't get a lot of traction in Bangkok either, only 200 protesters. http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2015/11/27/protesters-tell-us-ambassador-go-home

I am on the Thai side here.

The U S is telling Thailand what to do. Not the way it works here in Thailand.

Time they quit trying to run the world and clean up their own country. It is things like this that make me ashamed to be an American.

Judging by protest numbers you are on the side of a small number of Thais.

[khwaibah]

Being this is CM not BKK the bold words of the Ambassador may have found more agreement here so less enthusiasm to be puppet protesters.

The Ambassador's comments against using defamation laws to stifle public debate didn't get a lot of traction in Bangkok either, only 200 protesters. http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2015/11/27/protesters-tell-us-ambassador-go-home

I am on the Thai side here.

The U S is telling Thailand what to do. Not the way it works here in Thailand.

Time they quit trying to run the world and clean up their own country. It is things like this that make me ashamed to be an American.

I'm an American and I'm not ashamed to say so. The US Ambassador is only a mouth piece for its government and it will not change who the president is. I do agree that the US Government has not a clue on Thai politics.

Edited November 30, 2015 by khwaibah

[impulse]

Protest?

That was the queue to get a visa.

[Puwa]

Being this is CM not BKK the bold words of the Ambassador may have found more agreement here so less enthusiasm to be puppet protesters.

The Ambassador's comments against using defamation laws to stifle public debate didn't get a lot of traction in Bangkok either, only 200 protesters. http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2015/11/27/protesters-tell-us-ambassador-go-home

I am on the Thai side here.

The U S is telling Thailand what to do. Not the way it works here in Thailand.

Time they quit trying to run the world and clean up their own country. It is things like this that make me ashamed to be an American.

Which Thai side would that be? The side of a handful of ultranationalist idiots, or the side of the other 68 million who could care less?

We do agree on one thing: I'm also ashamed that you're American.

[jaiyenjohn]

I was there today with the wife doing her visa interview. Stood outside waiting for her to finish, and enjoying the irony of Thai people peacefully protesting the Ambassador's comments that Thai people should have the right to peacefully protest.

At any rate everyone there was very polite and nice about it, and handed me some literature. but when they started taking video of me. I realized I was the only farang guy waiting there outside the consulate. So I left and wandered off down the road so they wouldn't think I was somehow part of the consulate staff, and not just a guy waiting for his wife.

The heartfelt and passionate petitioners (about 40 of them) valiantly held onto their beliefs until the sun came out and you know it got a little hot, and then they couldn't be expected to miss lunch of course, so it was all over within an hour.

Simply there so the Thai media could take some pictures. Bit of political theater, and harmless.

[Loaded]

If I had known, I would have been there. Mercans shouldn't be allowed to live anywhere other than the USA. That way they only murder their own citizens.

[northernjohn]

Being this is CM not BKK the bold words of the Ambassador may have found more agreement here so less enthusiasm to be puppet protesters.

The Ambassador's comments against using defamation laws to stifle public debate didn't get a lot of traction in Bangkok either, only 200 protesters. http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2015/11/27/protesters-tell-us-ambassador-go-home

I am on the Thai side here.

The U S is telling Thailand what to do. Not the way it works here in Thailand.

Time they quit trying to run the world and clean up their own country. It is things like this that make me ashamed to be an American.

Which Thai side would that be? The side of a handful of ultranationalist idiots, or the side of the other 68 million who could care less?

We do agree on one thing: I'm also ashamed that you're American.

You guy's are kidding I hope. It is common knowledge that you do not talk to the Thais that way. See the Bangkok Post. There is an article in there about the Ambassador being told to think before he talks. Also there was protests in other cities. Yes I am ashamed to be an American when I see the way they try to run the world. You people may be proud of it but you are also clueless as to what they are doing in America. Did you people all just get off a boat from nowheresvile?

[northernjohn]

I was there today with the wife doing her visa interview. Stood outside waiting for her to finish, and enjoying the irony of Thai people peacefully protesting the Ambassador's comments that Thai people should have the right to peacefully protest.

At any rate everyone there was very polite and nice about it, and handed me some literature. but when they started taking video of me. I realized I was the only farang guy waiting there outside the consulate. So I left and wandered off down the road so they wouldn't think I was somehow part of the consulate staff, and not just a guy waiting for his wife.

The heartfelt and passionate petitioners (about 40 of them) valiantly held onto their beliefs until the sun came out and you know it got a little hot, and then they couldn't be expected to miss lunch of course, so it was all over within an hour.

Simply there so the Thai media could take some pictures. Bit of political theater, and harmless.

Yes harmless and political theater. But it goes to show that there are Thais who are not wiling to bend over and kiss American's rear end. People talk about only a few. Well if they even thought two seconds about it they would realize if they had a clue Thailand would be doing as they are told immediately. They say 40 against and 68,000,000 for. Give me a break.

[Puwa]

NorthernJohnny, what I and others are trying, patiently, to communicate to you is the absurdity of the situation: Demonstrators exercising free speech, in protest against a statement in favor of their free speech, and in defense of a government that denies their free speech.

Your rant about American imperialism and self-centered diplomacy, while applicable to a host of situations, is not relevant here. By your logic, no human being should ever comment on another's situation-- let alone extend help-- if that person happens to live on the other side of a borderline. Repression? None of my business. Genocide? Hey, that's how they do things over there. Abuse and exploitation? Who am I to judge?

American citizens, despite the many mistakes and tragedies of our own history (and every nation has its own), are mostly taught to stand up for basic rights and freedoms. When you can't stand up, you can at least acknowledge that those rights are valid. It's not a matter of politics. Earlier I quipped that I was also ashamed that you're American, but I take it back. Instead, I'm just sorry that we failed to educate you properly

[mesquite]

NorthernJohnny, what I and others are trying, patiently, to communicate to you is the absurdity of the situation: Demonstrators exercising free speech, in protest against a statement in favor of their free speech, and in defense of a government that denies their free speech.

Your rant about American imperialism and self-centered diplomacy, while applicable to a host of situations, is not relevant here. By your logic, no human being should ever comment on another's situation-- let alone extend help-- if that person happens to live on the other side of a borderline. Repression? None of my business. Genocide? Hey, that's how they do things over there. Abuse and exploitation? Who am I to judge?

American citizens, despite the many mistakes and tragedies of our own history (and every nation has its own), are mostly taught to stand up for basic rights and freedoms. When you can't stand up, you can at least acknowledge that those rights are valid. It's not a matter of politics. Earlier I quipped that I was also ashamed that you're American, but I take it back. Instead, I'm just sorry that we failed to educate you properly

I think he's actually Canadian.

[daoyai]

There is a story in the TVF news section today with more info. on the protests. They seem to have been organized by local royal fan clubs. From the photos they appear to be adorable senior citizens. They are demanding retaliation by some govt. agency. I think this is a very good idea. They should study US laws or maybe the constiitution and find something they disagree with and criticize that. Perhaps they can criticize the first amendment?.... TIT...for TAT.

Edited December 1, 2015 by daoyai

[northernjohn]

NorthernJohnny, what I and others are trying, patiently, to communicate to you is the absurdity of the situation: Demonstrators exercising free speech, in protest against a statement in favor of their free speech, and in defense of a government that denies their free speech.

Your rant about American imperialism and self-centered diplomacy, while applicable to a host of situations, is not relevant here. By your logic, no human being should ever comment on another's situation-- let alone extend help-- if that person happens to live on the other side of a borderline. Repression? None of my business. Genocide? Hey, that's how they do things over there. Abuse and exploitation? Who am I to judge?

American citizens, despite the many mistakes and tragedies of our own history (and every nation has its own), are mostly taught to stand up for basic rights and freedoms. When you can't stand up, you can at least acknowledge that those rights are valid. It's not a matter of politics. Earlier I quipped that I was also ashamed that you're American, but I take it back. Instead, I'm just sorry that we failed to educate you properly

The absurdity and self importance of the Americans is what I am ranting at.

At least the protestors are Thais willing to stand up for the Thai way.

Compare them to the American's and for that matter most other foreigners in Chiang Mai. They are willing to bitch about the Thai way on their key boards about the Thai Immigration.

Do some thing in person only two. As the article in the Bangkok post points out you don't treat Thais like the American Ambassador does. Yet . people actually believe that they can get a man like that to help them.

What has American law got to do with it? Last I checked we are in Thailand and we are guests.

Edit

and in defense of a government that denies their free speech. Seems to me they had free speech and get into American law you d not have free speech there. No country has free speech. They all have limit on what you can do.

Did you see or hear of any reports of them being broken up?

Edited December 1, 2015 by northernjohn

[CMBob]

At least the protestors are Thais willing to stand up for the Thai way.

You've got to be kidding. You're only right if you think that the "Thai way" means ultra right-wing nationalist views. You ought to read about the Monk as noted. And, if it helps, the Bangkok Post in their poll showed that the vast majority of Thais agreed with what the Ambassador said at the foreign press association conference.

[hml367]

Pretending or being ignorant of how Thais think and their politics is worse than not understanding or being ignorant of your own country's way of thinking and politics.

[mamborobert]

There is a good article in the NYT that discusses the Thai economy but the local printer has left a large white space by not printing. How can this place really expect to compete in ASEAN successfully with this level of myopia. Ridiculous things like 6 of 43000 English Teachers having near native fluency etc compared to Burma, Cambodia, and Vietnam for example that are opening up and will blossom under ASEAN....

When you combine myopia with xenophobic protests it's just a distraction from very real underlying problems that are simply not being addressed.

I see these protests and related actions and feel nothing but sorrow for local Thais.....the future does not look good for them at all.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/30/world/asia/thailand-economy-tourism.html?smid=tw-share&_r=0

[VillageIdiot]

Most of the replies on this thread display very little understanding of the people we are living among.

The Thai attitude to foreign interference and criticism - on all social, economic, and intellectual levels - is one of deep and passionate dislike.

Don't be misled by the small numbers of demonstrators at the US Consulates in Bangkok and Chiang Mai - most Thais at this point are just vaguely aware of the economic and political agenda being pushed by the US consular officials.

Ambassador Davies in his recent pronouncements may be just following orders, or he may be voicing his own opinions.

Either way, if this clueless imbecile doesn't quickly develop some insight about the local situation he will be causing problems for all of us.

Compliments to northernjohn for his perception - expressed in his homespun way - and courage to speak up against the sycophants and toadies who are so quick to defend a country that - even when it means well - creates trouble all over the world.

[Gonzo the Face]

It is my opinion that the above linked NYT article is written by someone heavily biased. He puts forth his opinions termed and phrased in such ways that the reader will easily get an opinionated slant..... his slant..... his interpretation. Makes you wonder if the man ever lived in Thailand or for how long, or just got his info from various media.

I would guess he is American, and being American myself am not being negative to his opinion, but rather questioning his 'rest of the world' education. Let me give you an example of what I think is his tunnel sited-ness. I will use one of his small paragraphs from the article.... "Thailand’s malaise set in after nearly a decade of political turmoil. In late 2013, a protest movement led by the country’s elites took to the streets to demand the suspension of electoral democracy. The military obliged, taking power from an elected government in May 2014"

As an American, one may believe, and believe very sincerely , that in an election the person with the largest amount of votes is the winner. This is true if the election was properly run and was all on the up and up and fair.....

I don't recall " the elites " demanding a suspension of electoral democracy . Is Thai democracy different than other democracy spelled out in other parts of the world? Is it Thai Democracy as interpreted by who has the biggest bank with which to be able to present potential voters, with say a thousand baht note for a vote? Surely using this formula you will gain many more votes than someone less funded. To many Americans and also others in the west as guided by what is presented in the media, the one with the largest number of votes should have the office. How these votes were garnered is never questioned in the west , as for the most part vote buying doesn't occur..... is not allowed to occur...... but is done by pre election promise rather that pre election cash.

I think what most citizens of Thailand wanted was an end to the ever increasing level of corruption that was becoming just a way of life

This corruption was growing for generations. It was just getting to the point , where there was not enough to live on , to keep giving. As to the average Thai being unhappy today...... well maybe that is just , while a corrupt government can be removed almost instantly, a replacement cannot be put into place with the speed of flipping on a light switch. The corruption built for generations and it should realistically take at least a number of years to replace......

If you got this far in my ranting litany, thank you and I will now take my leave and take a nap...

[TheAppletons]

NorthernJohnny, what I and others are trying, patiently, to communicate to you is the absurdity of the situation: Demonstrators exercising free speech, in protest against a statement in favor of their free speech, and in defense of a government that denies their free speech.

Your rant about American imperialism and self-centered diplomacy, while applicable to a host of situations, is not relevant here. By your logic, no human being should ever comment on another's situation-- let alone extend help-- if that person happens to live on the other side of a borderline. Repression? None of my business. Genocide? Hey, that's how they do things over there. Abuse and exploitation? Who am I to judge?

American citizens, despite the many mistakes and tragedies of our own history (and every nation has its own), are mostly taught to stand up for basic rights and freedoms. When you can't stand up, you can at least acknowledge that those rights are valid. It's not a matter of politics. Earlier I quipped that I was also ashamed that you're American, but I take it back. Instead, I'm just sorry that we failed to educate you properly

That is absolutely hilarious. Well said.