Nation on edge

[webfact]

Nation on edge

By The Nation

 

Police set up a security checkpoint on Bo Thong Highway in Kamphaeng Phet Province yesterday.

 

Non-essential Justice Ministry officials told to stay home

 

BANGKOK: -- Justice Ministry officers are being allowed to take a day off today to avoid the expected mass gathering to support former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

 

The Justice Ministry unofficially announced that staff who do not have to deal with the public directly could take a break as supporters of the former prime minister were expected to show up at their workplace in Government Complex.

 

The ministry also asked officials to avoid bringing their own cars and use public transport because there would be tight security and intensive car inspections. Executives ranking higher than division heads have to go to work, but they were advised to park their cars in an alternative car park behind Government Complex.

 

 

Meanwhile, the ministry assured the public that there would not be a problem as officials had already prepared plans to control a political gathering.

 

Pol Maj-General Jirapat Phumjit, deputy chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, also warned people of high traffic volumes in Chaeng Watthana Road and advised motorists to avoid congestion by using alternative roads.

 

The public is advised to check the traffic situation at the hotline 1197 or via the mobile application POLICE I LERT U before starting journeys.

 

Checkpoints screen vehicles arriving from Northeast

 

The 120-kilometre-long Mittraphap Road, the main highway connecting the Northeast with Bangkok, was staffed with five main checkpoints scrutinising passengers heading to the capital. 

 

Officers at checkpoints along the way are especially focusing on public transport such as passenger vans, checking for weapons.

 

A source close to local red-shirt leaders estimated that less than 1,000 people, including ex MPs, from the region would travel to show support for the former prime minister.

 

Most people would travel separately in small groups via private vehicles, airplanes and trains, the source said. 

 

A police source said checkpoints in Khon Kaen’s Ban Pai district had been operating 24 hours a day, with increased vigilance after reports of drugs and weapons smuggling in the past few days.

 

Clampdown on Ubon Ratchathani arteries to capital 

 

Police, soldiers and Interior Ministry officials yesterday set up additional checkpoints on three major roads in Ubon Ratchathani leading to Bangkok in a last-minute effort to prevent Yingluck supporters from reaching the capital.

 

The checkpoints were functioning on Chokchai-Dej Udom Highway No 24, Ubon Ratchathani-Khon Kaen Highway No 23 and Ubon Ratchathani-Nakhon Ratchasima Highway No 227.

 

Officials staffing the checkpoints are stopping passenger buses, charter buses, passenger vans and chartered vans.

A source said red-shirt leaders had not organised transport for supporters of the former prime minister because they had been under close scrutiny by the military.

 

Red-shirt leader denies transport report, warns of ‘third party’

 

A red-shirt leader denied a news report that he had arranged trips to the capital for Yingluck supporters involving the rental of 20 passenger vans, adding that people would travel on their own using public transport.

 

Sompot Prasartthai, who is based in Nakhon Ratchasima province, was visited by officers from the Internal Security Operations Command yesterday following the report.

 

Sompot said people were aware of what they were doing, would not cause trouble for the public and were willing to cooperate. Instead, officers should watch out for a “third party” with ill intentions who might intervene and cause disorder that would be blamed on the red-shirt movement, he said.

 

Northeastern police told to monitor social media

 

The Provincial Police Region 4 in charge of 12 upper northeastern provinces has instructed officers to follow the news regarding the judgement today, including social media, from 8am to 4pm. Officials were also told to set up 40 checkpoints in the area.

 

The region’s deputy commander Pol Maj-General Chitcharoon Sriwanich said police had been closely monitoring the situation and movement of activists and red-shirt supporters since Monday.

 

Khon Kaen is one area of focus where five checkpoints had been set up along the route to Bangkok. Bus terminals and airports had been under a 24-hour watch, but no disturbances had been detected, Chitcharoon said.

 

Some supporters from the upper northeastern provinces were travelling to the court but not in big groups, he said, adding that none of them were being led by local leaders, who had assured police that they were not attempting to mobilise supporters.

 

Phitsanulok travellers deny any intention to visit Bangkok

 

Phitsanulok province’s Wangthong district also saw a police checkpoint set up to scrutinise travellers on State Highway 12, which traverses red-shirt stronghold Uttaradit province to Bangkok.

 

 

Police are checking vehicles and asking travellers about their destinations. Most of those questioned said they were going to Phitsanulok and to the city’s airport.

 

No irregularities or movements by Yingluck supporters had been found so far, authorities said.

 

Tak action too late to block |several red-shirt leaders: source

 

Tak officials have been checking vehicles leaving the northern province since yesterday morning in an effort to prevent a “massive turnout” at the Supreme Court offices today.

 

 

A source said officials were interviewing motorists and passengers in vans about their destinations at various checkpoints. 

 

However, there had not been any reports that groups were being stopped from travelling by officials. 

 

Other sources said military officials had talked to several local red-shirt leaders in Mae Sot, Mae Ranad and Muang districts, but the leaders said they had distanced themselves from politics so they would not travel to Bangkok. 

 

However, another source said five or six red-shirt leaders had already gone to Bangkok on their own.

 

500 supporters leave Chiang Rai, but others stay put

 

At least 500 supporters of the former prime minister had already travelled yesterday in small groups from Chiang Rai to Bangkok to rally in solidarity with Yingluck, a source said.

 

The source, a former local red-shirt leader, said people had travelled in small groups by charter vans.

 

The source said the supporters did not want to pressure the Supreme Court but simply wanted to show moral support for Yingluck, adding that they had not been hired but they all loved the former prime minister. 

 

The source said some supporters had chosen to stay home to show moral support because of the difficulties in travelling and the limited space allocated for supporters in front of the Supreme Court offices as well as the blockade by authorities. 

 

A military intelligence officer said there had not been many activities in Chiang Rai and officials were closely monitoring various groups.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30324796

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-08-25

[canuckamuck]

I hope people keep their heads today. Figuratively and literally.

Edited August 24, 2017 by canuckamuck

[over it]

32 minutes ago, canuckamuck said:

I hope people keep their heads today. Figuratively and literally.

'Hope' must be the operative word in your sentence. 

 

I hope I win the lotto...literally. The odds are about the same.

[Thechook]

Checking papers and asking where they are going.  Freedom isnt really one of Prayuths likes.  The military shouldnt be oppressing citizens like this, its archaic and barbaric and no place in modern society.

[ezzra]

It's not only about the verdict, it will be a lot more about the enforcement

of it should she found guilty and than the endless years of appeal ad

re appeal and every trick in the books that her lawyers can think of to delay,

delay, delay.... time will tell.... 

[Thechook]

28 minutes ago, ezzra said:

It's not only about the verdict, it will be a lot more about the enforcement

of it should she found guilty and than the endless years of appeal ad

re appeal and every trick in the books that her lawyers can think of to delay,

delay, delay.... time will tell.... 

Prayuth has his article 44 and he won't allow it.

[chainarong]

56 minutes ago, Thechook said:

Checking papers and asking where they are going.  Freedom isnt really one of Prayuths likes.  The military shouldnt be oppressing citizens like this, its archaic and barbaric and no place in modern society.

I wish I could agree and if it wasn't Thailand I probably would, however in some area's it isn't a modern society, for a reason , Long term Thai watchers  know that reason, however whilst Thailand accepts the motor vehicle, smart phones, smart TV , facebook and all the western gimmicks and trimmings but  remains a recalcitrant as a modern thinking society ( when it suits)  it will always remain an emerging third world country,  pity , back in 1997 it had great potential.   

[Dibbler]

Checking papers and asking where they are going.  Freedom isnt really one of Prayuths likes.  The military shouldnt be oppressing citizens like this, its archaic and barbaric and no place in modern society.

Where have you been? Thailand is not a modern society, it's a feudal society where citizens are encouraged not to think or act for themselves but instead accept the decisions of the wealthy and influential. And protests and demonstrations are always paid for from deep pockets.

[hansnl]

1 hour ago, Thechook said:

Checking papers and asking where they are going.  Freedom isnt really one of Prayuths likes.  The military shouldnt be oppressing citizens like this, its archaic and barbaric and no place in modern society.

No, instead they should let the redshirt going on a rampage.....again.

Burning buildings, killing others, placing and throwing bombs, threatening to form an army, threatening to break up the country, and so on.

That of course is not archaic and barbaric, but hugely democratic.

All this Yingluck business is just a clash between two factions, both intent of holding on or gaining power.

[jesimps]

My educated guess is that the court will follow instructions and take the middle of the road route - Guilty with suspended sentence.

 

Edited August 25, 2017 by jesimps

[Ace of Pop]

Id let em get there,then bus em all back to Laos where all these Thai/Lao Immigrants came from originally..?


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

[hathairat2711]

Reuters live link:

 

https://www.facebook.com/Reuters/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social

 

[lamyai3]

Everyone's waiting on the edge of their seats, but this whole drama today is really an open-and-shut case. They'll either open the Pattaya tunnel, or it'll remain shut. 

Edited August 25, 2017 by lamyai3

[NCC1701A]

8:23am: Even Yingluck’s team of staff and former Pheu Thai MPs may have no idea whereabouts of Yingluck. Reporters at the court talk to them and they say they are just waiting at the court.

8:15am: Yingluck is still not seen as leaving home, leading to speculation that she may stay overnight somewhere lese, not at home.

[nobodysfriend]

41 minutes ago, Ace of Pop said:

Id let em get there,then bus em all back to Laos where all these Thai/Lao Immigrants came from originally..?


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

Right ! And the half chinese as well ... and all the hill tribes and their descendants ... and the thai yai , who will be left over is a pure thai ? If there will be any left ...? ( country would be pretty empty , I guess ...)

And you , where do you come from ?

[steven100]

Good job Khun Prayuth for going after the allegedly squandered billions of baht.

And keep going after the brother also to ensure they cannot allegedly cheat the Thai people again.

Edited August 25, 2017 by steven100

[NCC1701A]

she has not arrived at court.

Edited August 25, 2017 by NCC1701A

[Ace of Pop]

Right ! And the half chinese as well ... and all the hill tribes and their descendants ... and the thai yai , who will be left over is a pure thai ? If there will be any left ...? ( country would be pretty empty , I guess ...)
And you , where do you come from ?

No just the Reds who dont fit in Including Ferangs.?


Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[NCC1701A]

9:04 am: Here is the normal procedure: if it is certain that Yingluck will not appear in the court, the court will issue an arrest warrant against her.

[seajae]

its good to see they are not going to simply let the reds bring weapons into Bangkok for a repeat of last time, have to wonder at their 3rd party crap though, have they already planned something and are simply trying to swing any blame away from themselves, they cannot be trusted  just as the yellows cannot be trusted. Problem is too many people still think and act as they did last century, fighting and killing is the way for them to get what they want, unfortunately the lack of education in many stops them being rational, doesnt matter whose side people are on, they need to respect the law and not take upon themselves to push their agenda, lets all hope that what ever happens today and afterwards doesnt start the killings etc again

[steven100]

9 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

she has not arrived at court.

maybe she's over at Paragon looking for some shoes to wear.

[wvavin]

This shows how artificial and useless the Government is by dealing with not even a political party! Should learn from China's Tiananmen Square incident. 

[NCC1701A]

9:12 am Verdict Postponed?

We’re trying to confirm reports the reading of the verdict has been postponed until this afternoon. Yingluck has still not arrived to the court. “Please maintain order!” police are calling over a PA system.

[kamahele]

On edge? I haven't had any co-workers or family even mention it other than to say the traffic was bad. Hoping it is a non event without any trouble.

[AWillOz]

1 hour ago, nobodysfriend said:

Right ! And the half chinese as well ... and all the hill tribes and their descendants ... and the thai yai , who will be left over is a pure thai ? If there will be any left ...? ( country would be pretty empty , I guess ...)

And you , where do you come from ?

Before everyone is so hard on the North people, just remember that it's farmers like these who have provided the wealth of the country for many years.  They just want a fair go also.

[joeyg]

1 hour ago, lamyai3 said:

Everyone's waiting on the edge of their seats, but this whole drama today is really an open-and-shut case. They'll either open the Pattaya tunnel, or it'll remain shut. 

What does that mean? " They'll either open the Pattaya tunnel, or it'll remain shut"

[OJAS]

2 hours ago, Dibbler said:

Where have you been? Thailand is not a modern society, it's a feudal society where citizens are encouraged not to think or act for themselves but instead accept the decisions of the wealthy and influential. And protests and demonstrations are always paid for from deep pockets.

So not too dissimilar to the UK, then, as graphically illustrated by the Brexit referendum and the antics of the Remoaner elite since.

[NanLaew]

11 minutes ago, joeyg said:

What does that mean? " They'll either open the Pattaya tunnel, or it'll remain shut"

It's the main event isn't it?

 

Rooster already covered this in his totally excellent review of last weeks events in the enchanted kingdom.

[joeyg]

Just now, NanLaew said:

It's the main event isn't it?

 

Rooster already covered this in his totally excellent review of last weeks events in the enchanted kingdom.

What is the Pattaya tunnel?  In a couple sentences.

 

[NanLaew]

3 minutes ago, joeyg said:

What is the Pattaya tunnel?  In a couple sentences.