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A Singaporean's guide to living in Thailand

bonds

Alfrescian
Loyal
Don't know why but this morning feels like having nasi lemak again so went to make it






MlK3DMk.jpg


Super Yummy.!!
 

Froggy

Alfrescian (InfP) + Mod
Moderator
Generous Asset
Simple 2 courses dinner as not hungry - salad and lobster pasta

Started with a nice sauvignon blanc
TGRuPrr.jpg


Followed by rocket salad
plRR7OQ.jpg


For the pasta
CvEuG94.jpg


Humongous, 1.8kg
319wSi9.jpg


Pasta
2qFZQR0.jpg


Chunky
XVzz0yQ.jpg


Huge pincer
NrcirH3.jpg
 

yinyang

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
Simple 2 courses dinner as not hungry - salad and lobster pasta

Started with a nice sauvignon blanc
TGRuPrr.jpg


Followed by rocket salad
plRR7OQ.jpg


For the pasta
CvEuG94.jpg


Humongous, 1.8kg
319wSi9.jpg


Pasta
2qFZQR0.jpg


Chunky
XVzz0yQ.jpg


Huge pincer
NrcirH3.jpg
Distracted by your other entree.

Hope you also had a good pincer like night cap
 

yinyang

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
WORLD NEWS
OCTOBER 8, 2020 6:24 PM
Germany says Thai king cannot rule from there
By Reuters Staff
3 MIN READ

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany’s foreign minister has said that Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn should not be conducting politics from the European country, where he spends much of his time.

Foreign Minister Heiko Maas responded to a question by a Greens member of parliament in the Bundestag on Wednesday at a time that King Vajiralongkorn’s monarchy faces unprecedented calls for reform from protesters in Thailand.

“We have made it clear that politics concerning Thailand should not be conducted from German soil,” Maas told parliament.
“If there are guests in our country that conduct their state business from our soil we would always want to act to counteract that.”

Thousands of protesters have been holding demonstrations in Bangkok over recent months calling for reform of the monarchy to curb the king’s powers and for the removal of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former junta leader, and a new constitution and elections.
Greens parliamentarian Frithjof Schmidt also asked Maas whether Germany was prepared to discuss with the European Union (EU) freezing free trade talks with Thailand again “as long as the junta continues to block the path to democracy in Thailand”.

The EU halted contact at all levels with Thailand after a 2014 coup but resumed trade talks after a general election last year that saw Prayuth reinstated as a civilian prime minister.
Maas said that halting negotiations was “an option” to exert pressure but it would be right to discuss with Thailand first.

Neither the Royal Palace in Bangkok nor the Thai government responded immediately to a request for comment.
Protesters challenging Thailand’s palace and army-dominated establishment broke a long-standing taboo by demanding reform of the monarchy in August.
King Vajiralongkorn, 68, has been on Thailand’s throne since 2016, but spends much of his time in Bavaria, where his 15-year-old son is at school.
Thai protesters have complained about the cost of the king’s stays in Europe as well as his absence from the kingdom.

The protesters seek to reduce the king’s powers under the constitution, which specifically allows him to exercise powers when he is outside Thailand without appointing a regent.
Protesters also want to remove his direct control of a royal fortune valued in tens of billions of dollars and some units of the army. The Palace has made no comment on the protests.

In the German parliament, Greens member Schmidt asked: “Why does the German government tolerate this extremely unusual - and in my opinion illegal - behaviour of a foreign head of state conducting politics on German soil?”

Protesters in Thailand on Thursday said they would rally again next Wednesday and expected a big turnout to pressure the government to step down and press their calls for reform of the monarchy.


Reporting by Emma Thomasson; Editing by Robert Birsel
 

yinyang

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
PROTESTERS TO SEIZE DEMOCRACY MONUMENT, TELL PRAYUT TO QUIT
By
Khaosod English
October 8, 2020 4:30 pm
https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php...seize-democracy-monument-tell-prayut-to-quit/
Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul, Tattep Ruangprapaikitseree, Arnon Nampa, and other activists flash the anti-military “three finger salute” at a news conference at Sanam Luang on Oct. 8, 2020.

Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul, Tattep Ruangprapaikitseree, Arnon Nampa, and other activists flash
the anti-military “three finger salute” at a news conference at Sanam Luang on Oct. 8, 2020.

lg.php

BANGKOK — Pro-democracy activists on Thursday announced their demands for a protest scheduled to take place at the iconic Democracy Monument on Oct. 14, the anniversary of the student uprising against military rule in 1973.
At a news conference held at Sanam Luang, the site of the previous rally held on the weekend of Sept. 19 and Sept. 20, the protest leaders demanded resignation of PM Prayut Chan-o-cha and his “cronies,” a special parliamentary session on charter amendments, and reforms of the monarchy.

“We will bring Thailand back under democracy and return power to the people,” activist Panupong Jadnok said.
The new set of demands are meant to unite all pro-democracy movements under the umbrella of the “People’s Party 2020,” a reference to a clique of military officers and civilians who toppled absolute monarchy in 1932 and established parliamentary rule.

“The People’s Party hasn’t gone anywhere,” Panupong said. “They’re in the hearts of all democracy-loving citizens.”
Today’s press conference at the Sanam Luang was also attended by leader of the Free People Movement Tattep Ruangprapaikitseree, Laponpat Wangpaisit of the Bad Student network, and Jatupat Boonpattararaksa of community rights advocacy group Dao Din.

The group urged the protesters to gather from 2pm onwards on Oct. 14 at the Democracy Monument, where the campaigners will “seize the monument back for the people” as the first activity for the day, according to co-leader Arnon Nampa.
“The monument belonged to the people, but it was captured by the dictator government by planting trees around it,” Arnon said. “It will return to the people this Oct. 14.”

Democracy Monument was built in 1939 to commemorate the revolt that overthrew the royal government six years prior. Originally designed as a public space, security officers in recent years barricaded the monument and turned it into a garden sealed off from the public, possibly to deter anti-government protests from taking place there.

Arnon did not give more details about what tactics will be used to seize the memorial, or whether they will march to another location, though he added that a “surprise” awaits at the rally.
“We have to see how many people will turn up,” he said.

The rally will kick off on the same day student protesters rose up against the military dictatorship of Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn 47 years ago. The protest organizers said the demonstrators will likely camp overnight, though details of which are still being deliberated among the leaders.
The rally site also sits on the planned motorcade route of His Majesty the King on Ratchadamnoen Avenue. Arnon said the demonstrators will not obstruct His Majesty’s route.
 

Froggy

Alfrescian (InfP) + Mod
Moderator
Generous Asset
WORLD NEWS
OCTOBER 8, 2020 6:24 PM
Germany says Thai king cannot rule from there
By Reuters Staff
3 MIN READ

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany’s foreign minister has said that Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn should not be conducting politics from the European country, where he spends much of his time.

Foreign Minister Heiko Maas responded to a question by a Greens member of parliament in the Bundestag on Wednesday at a time that King Vajiralongkorn’s monarchy faces unprecedented calls for reform from protesters in Thailand.

“We have made it clear that politics concerning Thailand should not be conducted from German soil,” Maas told parliament.
“If there are guests in our country that conduct their state business from our soil we would always want to act to counteract that.”

Thousands of protesters have been holding demonstrations in Bangkok over recent months calling for reform of the monarchy to curb the king’s powers and for the removal of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former junta leader, and a new constitution and elections.
Greens parliamentarian Frithjof Schmidt also asked Maas whether Germany was prepared to discuss with the European Union (EU) freezing free trade talks with Thailand again “as long as the junta continues to block the path to democracy in Thailand”.

The EU halted contact at all levels with Thailand after a 2014 coup but resumed trade talks after a general election last year that saw Prayuth reinstated as a civilian prime minister.
Maas said that halting negotiations was “an option” to exert pressure but it would be right to discuss with Thailand first.

Neither the Royal Palace in Bangkok nor the Thai government responded immediately to a request for comment.
Protesters challenging Thailand’s palace and army-dominated establishment broke a long-standing taboo by demanding reform of the monarchy in August.
King Vajiralongkorn, 68, has been on Thailand’s throne since 2016, but spends much of his time in Bavaria, where his 15-year-old son is at school.
Thai protesters have complained about the cost of the king’s stays in Europe as well as his absence from the kingdom.

The protesters seek to reduce the king’s powers under the constitution, which specifically allows him to exercise powers when he is outside Thailand without appointing a regent.
Protesters also want to remove his direct control of a royal fortune valued in tens of billions of dollars and some units of the army. The Palace has made no comment on the protests.

In the German parliament, Greens member Schmidt asked: “Why does the German government tolerate this extremely unusual - and in my opinion illegal - behaviour of a foreign head of state conducting politics on German soil?”

Protesters in Thailand on Thursday said they would rally again next Wednesday and expected a big turnout to pressure the government to step down and press their calls for reform of the monarchy.

Reporting by Emma Thomasson; Editing by Robert Birsel
PROTESTERS TO SEIZE DEMOCRACY MONUMENT, TELL PRAYUT TO QUIT
By
Khaosod English
October 8, 2020 4:30 pm
https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2020/10/08/protesters-to-seize-democracy-monument-tell-prayut-to-quit/
Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul, Tattep Ruangprapaikitseree, Arnon Nampa, and other activists flash the anti-military “three finger salute” at a news conference at Sanam Luang on Oct. 8, 2020.

Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul, Tattep Ruangprapaikitseree, Arnon Nampa, and other activists flash
the anti-military “three finger salute” at a news conference at Sanam Luang on Oct. 8, 2020.

lg.php

BANGKOK — Pro-democracy activists on Thursday announced their demands for a protest scheduled to take place at the iconic Democracy Monument on Oct. 14, the anniversary of the student uprising against military rule in 1973.
At a news conference held at Sanam Luang, the site of the previous rally held on the weekend of Sept. 19 and Sept. 20, the protest leaders demanded resignation of PM Prayut Chan-o-cha and his “cronies,” a special parliamentary session on charter amendments, and reforms of the monarchy.

“We will bring Thailand back under democracy and return power to the people,” activist Panupong Jadnok said.
The new set of demands are meant to unite all pro-democracy movements under the umbrella of the “People’s Party 2020,” a reference to a clique of military officers and civilians who toppled absolute monarchy in 1932 and established parliamentary rule.

“The People’s Party hasn’t gone anywhere,” Panupong said. “They’re in the hearts of all democracy-loving citizens.”
Today’s press conference at the Sanam Luang was also attended by leader of the Free People Movement Tattep Ruangprapaikitseree, Laponpat Wangpaisit of the Bad Student network, and Jatupat Boonpattararaksa of community rights advocacy group Dao Din.

The group urged the protesters to gather from 2pm onwards on Oct. 14 at the Democracy Monument, where the campaigners will “seize the monument back for the people” as the first activity for the day, according to co-leader Arnon Nampa.
“The monument belonged to the people, but it was captured by the dictator government by planting trees around it,” Arnon said. “It will return to the people this Oct. 14.”

Democracy Monument was built in 1939 to commemorate the revolt that overthrew the royal government six years prior. Originally designed as a public space, security officers in recent years barricaded the monument and turned it into a garden sealed off from the public, possibly to deter anti-government protests from taking place there.

Arnon did not give more details about what tactics will be used to seize the memorial, or whether they will march to another location, though he added that a “surprise” awaits at the rally.
“We have to see how many people will turn up,” he said.

The rally will kick off on the same day student protesters rose up against the military dictatorship of Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn 47 years ago. The protest organizers said the demonstrators will likely camp overnight, though details of which are still being deliberated among the leaders.
The rally site also sits on the planned motorcade route of His Majesty the King on Ratchadamnoen Avenue. Arnon said the demonstrators will not obstruct His Majesty’s route.

@yinyang can you please stop stiring shit? Having a great time here and I don’t need these disruptions

3D28C27D-FB2E-4423-8D6F-579106665CE6.jpeg
 

yinyang

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
Quarantine could be halved for low-risk visitors: ministry
Bangkok Post PUBLISHED : 10 OCT 2020 AT 06:00
A health official in Chiang Mai conducts swab testing for a group of 19 Chinese nationals arrested for illegal entry. The suspects, who tested negative for Covid-19, are being detained at an immigration centre and will be tested again during Oct 11-13. (Photo by Panumet Tanraksa)

A health official in Chiang Mai conducts swab testing for a group of 19 Chinese nationals arrested for illegal entry. The suspects, who tested negative for Covid-19, are being detained at an immigration centre and will be tested again during Oct 11-13. (Photo by Panumet Tanraksa)

The length of quarantine time could be halved for visitors from countries with an extremely low Covid-19 infection rate, according to the Public Health Ministry.

"Seven-day quarantine is possible in the case of areas with very low infections. But it doesn't mean that we will no longer have additional controls. If we do it, we have must redesign the quarantine system, together with measures to monitor those people to make sure the country is safe from the outbreak," Tanarak Plipat, deputy director-general of the Department of Disease Control under the ministry, told the media yesterday.
Countries with extremely low infection rates are those with the number of infections at 0.2 per 100,000 visitors, he said. The government is reportedly considering reducing the mandatory 14-day quarantine time for some visitors entering the country.

The department has assessed the infection rate of visitors based on their home countries and found the risk of infection posed by these visitor also differs greatly -- 5 per 10,000 visitors from China and 8 per 100 visitors from Saudi Arabia. The department also found that 99% of infectious patients would show symptoms within 12 days, 97.5% within 11.1 days, 95% within 10.3 days, 75% within 7.15 days and 50% within 6.4 days.

He added that medical personal and various stakeholders are working together to make sure those from lower risk areas will not cause any outbreaks in the country under the main four key points of prevention, search, disease control and medical treatment. "We are at the point of striking a balance between health safety and economic growth," he said.
In a related development, tourists from China were expected to be the first to visit the country early this month, but the government postponed the schedule.
Thapanee Kiatphaibool, deputy governor for Tourism Products and Business, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said the postponement was in response to the Phuket provincial administration's request to have the Chinese tourists visit after the end of the Vegetarian Festival in the middle of this month. "People in Phuket will welcome the Chinese tourists after the festival. The public health system is also ready to function at that time because all stakeholders are working hard to get things ready," she told the press conference.

Phuket governor Narong Wunsiew said provincial authorities cannot open up the province to foreign visitors unilaterally and tourist arrivals must be approved by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), the Interior Ministry and the Foreign Ministry.
"At this stage there are no foreign tourists in the province because Thailand has yet to reopen. As for visitors under the Special Tourist Visa (STV) scheme, provincial authorities have not been informed of any arrivals by the Interior Ministry," he said.
According to Mr Narong, Thais are expected to travel to the province during the vegetarian festival and generate at least 200 million baht for the local economy.

He said some fear that if foreign visitors are allowed in before the festival, local tourists may stay away, so the Tourism Authority of Thailand had been asked to delay bringing in foreign visitors.
Phuket had been preparing to receive its first group of tourists from China this week under the STV scheme aimed at supporting Thailand's economic recovery. A group of 120 Chinese tourists and businessmen had been scheduled to arrive yesterday, but their trip was delayed.
Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, president of the Phuket Tourist Association, said yesterday that no bookings have been made with Bangkok Hospital Phuket which is a partner in the Alternative Local Quarantine programme in the province.
In another development, Anutin Charnvirakul, the public health minister, said Thailand will be among first nations to get a Covid-19 vaccine developed by Oxford University by the end of this year or early next year.
 

yinyang

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
NETIZENS RIDICULE PAGEANT BEAUTIES’ TAKE ON THAINESS QUESTIONS
By
Khaosod English
-
October 12, 2020 12:43 pm

Left, Miss Universe Thailand 2020 Amanda Obdam. Right, first runner-up Praveenar Singh answers a final round question about representing Thainess with “nation, religions, and monarchy.”
lg.php

BANGKOK — Pageant queens said “Thainess” could be represented by love for the monarchy, the one-baht coin, and by half-Thais at the final round of questions at Miss Universe Thailand 2020.

Half-Canadian Amanda Obdam was crowned as Miss Universe Thailand 2020 on Saturday night after she said that she would use none other than herself to represent Thainess on the world stage. The first runner up said it’s the Three Pillars of Nation, Religions, and Monarchy, that matter – drawing backlash from progressive netizens.

Finalists were asked the same question: “The picture of Temple of Dawn has always been taken to symbolize Thailand’s spirit and landmark. If you become the new Miss Universe Thailand, in what way will you represent yourself as one of the new iconic [sic] of Thailand?”

Amanda replied in English, “If I were to represent Thailand, honestly I would just show everyone myself. Because I often get critiqued of being half, being half Thai, half Canadian. But what I wanna say here today is, I am Thai.”

“I was born to a Thai mother, I couldn’t have been more Thai. So I wanna show you all of me, all of my Thainess, because I am Thai.”
In response to the same question, first runner-up Praveenar Singh, 24, gave her answer with a strong, conservative bent, praising Thailand’s “Three Pillars.”

“I would display humility, honoring and respect others, as I have been taught growing up, and smiling the Thai Smile. With these four things. Anywhere in the world people will know we are Thai,” Praveenar said. “More than that, it is about being taught to love the Nation, Religions, and Monarchy, which Thais love and protect more than anything.”

Second runner-up Punika “Polfah” Kulsoontornrut, 27, said that she would give out the one-baht coin to promote Thainess.
“For me, Wat Arun. I will give the one-baht coin as a souvenir to everyone in the Miss Universe organization and my fellow pageant mates, because it is the clearest symbol of Thai culture. It will also be an action done by me, a Thai person with real Thai blood, on the Miss Universe stage,” she said.
The coin features the Phra Siratana Chedi of the Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram, or Wat Phra Kaew, in the Grand Palace complex.
Netizens criticized the contestants’ answers, as well as its final question for their insular nature.

“As soon as I heard Veena said Thainess is loving nation, religions, and monarchy, I didn’t know what to say. Answering ‘monarchy’ at this time, does she not know what’s going on?” wrote Twitter user @M112m44.
“The question lacks any international viewpoint, is behind in world affairs, doesn’t empower women. It’s hard to wish for a third crown,” said Facebook user Pattarapong Pattarapongdech, referring to how Thailand has won two Miss Universe crowns. “These questions are like, pre-1932.”

Some suggested the old-fashioned question might have been a test to see if the contestants would answer anything progressive or memorable.
“It could have been anything they like and want to present to the world, whether it’s something Thais or foreigners like,” Facebook user Kullaboot Nate Kaewsiri wrote. “The reality is, our country’s pageant queens cannot get past this point, especially if they don’t have ‘pretty’ answers.”
Amanda won a crown worth 4 million baht, a condominium, and a car. She will compete on the world stage at the Miss Universe 2020 pageant.
 
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yinyang

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
Protesters gathering at Democracy Monument
Bangkok Post PUBLISHED : 14 OCT 2020 AT 10:42
WRITER: ONLINE REPORTERS
A protest leader goes up a stage at a corner of the Democracy Monument on   Ratchadamnoen Avenue on Wednesday morning, as demonstators form a cordon around the platform. (Photo: Jetjaras Na Ranong)
A protest leader goes up a stage at a corner of the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Avenue on Wednesday morning, as demonstators form a cordon around the platform. (Photo: Jetjaras Na Ranong)

Protesters began gathering at the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Avenue in Bangkok on Wednesday morning, led by Arnon Nampha, a core member of the People's Group.

This followed an announcemen that the demonstration earlier planned to start at 2pm had been moved up to 8am after 21 protesters were arrested near the Democracy Monument and Satriwithaya School on Tuesday night.
Two of those arrested were Jatupat "Pai Dao Din" Boonpattararaksa and singer Chai-amorn Kaewwiboonpan, aka Ammy The Bottom Blues.

The 21 were being detained at Border Patrol Police Region 1 headquarters in adjacent Pathum Thani province.

After the arrests, a group of protesters led by Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak, gathered in front of the Royal Thai Police Office and demanded their immediate release.
Police did not respond. Mr Parit then declared that the demonstration would be moved up to 8am on Wednesday, instead of 2pm.
Protesters from within Bangkok and elsewhere began to arrive at the Democracy Monument about 7.30am. They gathered in front of a McDonald's restaurant.

Shortly afterwards, they were joined by more protesters, who arrived in seven vans from Chiang Mai.
At 8.40am, Mr Arnon went up a stage and told them to wait for more people to arrive, until 2pm. He told them to remain peaceful and refrain from violence, and not to clash with any other groups.
He said the McDonald's side of the road would be closed at 2pm, allowing the traffic to flow on the other side.
"Nobody can order us to open the road. It will be opened only for ambulances," Mr Arnon announced.

When an expected royal motorcade passes the spot, the protesters would announce their demands and raise their arms in a three-finger salue.
A motorcade of His Majesty the King will reportedly pass the avenue heading for the Temple of the Emerald Buddha for a graduation ceremony of Pali scholars on Wednesday.

Mr Arnon said if the 21 were granted bail and released, they would immediately join them at the demonstration site.
And when everything was ready, the protesters would move to Government House to demand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's resignation, he said.

An armoured riot control truck with water cannons was reportedly positioned on one side of Phitsanulok road, behind the Metropolitan Police Bureau headquarters.
The truck would normally contain 12,000 litres of water which could be fired out to 65 metres. The water can be mixed with a colouring, to mark people who are hit by the spray.
The truck is also equipped to hurl tear gas canisters, foam sprayers to extinguish fire, and a long range acoustic device (LRAD), used for "non-lethal" crowd control.

Protesters converge in front of the McDonald's restaurant near the Democracy Monument on Wednesday morning. (Photo: Jetjaras Na Ranong)
 

Froggy

Alfrescian (InfP) + Mod
Moderator
Generous Asset
Protesters gathering at Democracy Monument
Bangkok Post PUBLISHED : 14 OCT 2020 AT 10:42
WRITER: ONLINE REPORTERS
A protest leader goes up a stage at a corner of the Democracy Monument on   Ratchadamnoen Avenue on Wednesday morning, as demonstators form a cordon around the platform. (Photo: Jetjaras Na Ranong)
A protest leader goes up a stage at a corner of the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Avenue on Wednesday morning, as demonstators form a cordon around the platform. (Photo: Jetjaras Na Ranong)

Protesters began gathering at the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Avenue in Bangkok on Wednesday morning, led by Arnon Nampha, a core member of the People's Group.

This followed an announcemen that the demonstration earlier planned to start at 2pm had been moved up to 8am after 21 protesters were arrested near the Democracy Monument and Satriwithaya School on Tuesday night.
Two of those arrested were Jatupat "Pai Dao Din" Boonpattararaksa and singer Chai-amorn Kaewwiboonpan, aka Ammy The Bottom Blues.

The 21 were being detained at Border Patrol Police Region 1 headquarters in adjacent Pathum Thani province.

After the arrests, a group of protesters led by Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak, gathered in front of the Royal Thai Police Office and demanded their immediate release.
Police did not respond. Mr Parit then declared that the demonstration would be moved up to 8am on Wednesday, instead of 2pm.
Protesters from within Bangkok and elsewhere began to arrive at the Democracy Monument about 7.30am. They gathered in front of a McDonald's restaurant.

Shortly afterwards, they were joined by more protesters, who arrived in seven vans from Chiang Mai.
At 8.40am, Mr Arnon went up a stage and told them to wait for more people to arrive, until 2pm. He told them to remain peaceful and refrain from violence, and not to clash with any other groups.
He said the McDonald's side of the road would be closed at 2pm, allowing the traffic to flow on the other side.
"Nobody can order us to open the road. It will be opened only for ambulances," Mr Arnon announced.

When an expected royal motorcade passes the spot, the protesters would announce their demands and raise their arms in a three-finger salue.
A motorcade of His Majesty the King will reportedly pass the avenue heading for the Temple of the Emerald Buddha for a graduation ceremony of Pali scholars on Wednesday.

Mr Arnon said if the 21 were granted bail and released, they would immediately join them at the demonstration site.
And when everything was ready, the protesters would move to Government House to demand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's resignation, he said.

An armoured riot control truck with water cannons was reportedly positioned on one side of Phitsanulok road, behind the Metropolitan Police Bureau headquarters.
The truck would normally contain 12,000 litres of water which could be fired out to 65 metres. The water can be mixed with a colouring, to mark people who are hit by the spray.
The truck is also equipped to hurl tear gas canisters, foam sprayers to extinguish fire, and a long range acoustic device (LRAD), used for "non-lethal" crowd control.

Protesters converge in front of the McDonald's restaurant near the Democracy Monument on Wednesday morning. (Photo: Jetjaras Na Ranong)

good show
 

yinyang

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
Thai anti-government protesters face off against royalists in Bangkok
eb_thai_141020_2x.jpg

Protesters have also sought to curb the powers of King Maha Vajiralongkorn. PHOTO: REUTERS

Straits Timess PUBLISHED 5 HOURS AGO
UPDATED
34 MIN AGO
FACEBOOKTWITTER

Tan Hui Yee
Indochina Bureau Chief

BANGKOK - Anti-government protesters faced off with royalists on Wednesday (Oct 14) in inner Bangkok, during one of King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s sojourns in Thailand.
Wednesday’s demonstration was the latest among over 200 demonstrations that have broken out across the country since January.
Protest leaders are demanding that fresh elections be called after the Constitution is amended.

The 2017 Charter allows for a 250-seat Senate appointed by the previous junta administration, among other elements that critics say are designed to keep Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in power. The former coup leader now leads a coalition government that continues to keep several former junta leaders in key positions.

Legislators were due to initiate the process of amending the Constitution late last month, but delayed it through a last-minute motion during a joint sitting of the Lower and Upper House. The next parliament sitting will take place on Nov 1.
On Wednesday, protesters also repeated their controversial demand to keep King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s power in line with his official status as a constitutional monarch.

“We don’t want to overthrow the monarchy,” a 16-year-old protester who wanted to be known as Bonus, told The Straits Times. “We want to see equality for all people.”

But royalists also turned out in force.
Large groups of people dressed in yellow, many of them men with uniformly shaven heads, arrived early in the day and sat on the pavements, waiting for the motorcade the King who was due to pass by in the evening on the way to a religious ceremony at a royal temple.
“All Thais love and respect the monarchy and will not let anyone jeopardise this institution,” said 55-year-old homemaker Vandee Inthawut.

The protest leaders moved their rally schedule ahead by a few hours out of concern they would be blocked by royalist groups massing near Bangkok’s Democracy Monument. They are due to march to the Government House later in the afternoon.
The protest leaders have rallied under several names over the past few months, eventually settling on the People’s Movement, in a nod to the group of military officers and civilians who overthrew the absolute monarchy in 1932.

The demonstrators have repeatedly defied Thailand’s law against insulting royalty by openly questioning the power and expenditure of King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
In a protest outside the Grand Palace last month attended by over 30,000 people, they also tried to submit a list of demands for monarchy reform directly to him via his privy council president.
Related Story
6 things to know about Thailand's anti-government protests
Related Story
'Prayut get out': Thousands rally in Bangkok against Thai government
Related Story
Thai protest arrests draw chants as royal motorcade passes

Since assuming the throne in 2016, the King has taken personal ownership of an estimated over US$40 billion (S$54 billion) worth of assets managed by the Crown Property Bureau as well as command of two infantry regiments.

The monarch spends much of his time in Germany, raising questions about the legality of his instructions from abroad. German foreign minister Heiko Maas, answering a German lawmaker’s question last week, said King Vajiralongkorn should not be conducting politics from Germany.
On Tuesday, protesters gathering near Bangkok’s Democracy Monument got into a scuffle with police deployed there ahead of the passing of a royal convoy. Police arrested 21 people, sparking an impromptu rally in front of the Thai police headquarters in the evening. On Twitter that night, one of the top trending hashtags was a phrase sharply critical of the King.

Thailand, Asean’s second largest economy, weighed down by a slower than expected tourism recovery amid the coronavirus pandemic, is projected by the World Bank to contract by 8.3 per cent this year. While the government has been trying to boost consumption through tourism subsidies, co-payment schemes and tax breaks, the unprecedented hardship has stoked public resentment at royal expenditure, which takes up almost 9 billion baht (S$392 million) in this year’s budget.
 
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Live video: Protesters march on Govt House
Bangkok Post PUBLISHED : 14 OCT 2020 AT 15:09
Pro-democracy protesters take part in an anti-government rally at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok on Wednesday. (AFP photo)

Pro-democracy protesters take part in an anti-government rally at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok on Wednesday. (AFP photo)

Bangkok Post reports live as thousands of anti-government protesters march towards Government House on Wednesday to press their demands for the departure of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and a new constitution.


 

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Government announces state of emergency in Bangkok to quell protests
PUBLISHED : 15 OCT 2020 AT 06:27
WRITER: REUTERS

Pro-democracy demonstrators flash the three-fingers salute as they gather outside Government House on Wednesday. (Reuters photo)

Pro-democracy demonstrators flash the three-fingers salute as they gather outside Government House on Wednesday. (Reuters photo)

The government banned gatherings of five or more people and the publication of news or online messages that could harm national security early on Thursday under an emergency decree to end Bangkok street protests.
Protests have escalated for three months and protesters set up camp outside Government Houseto demand his resignation late on Wednesday. The government said it also acted after demonstrators obstructed a royal motorcade.
"It is extremely necessary to introduce an urgent measure to end this situation effectively and promptly to maintain peace and order," state television announced.

It was accompanied by a document setting out measures that took effect from 4am to ban big gatherings and allowing authorities to ban people from entering any area they designation.

It also prohibits: "publication of news, other media, and electronic information that contains messages that could create fear or intentionally distort information, creating misunderstanding that will affect national security or peace and order."
About 10,000 protesters marched in Bangkok on Wednesday.
The protest movement aims to remove Gen Prayut, who took power in a 2014 coup that was meant to end a decade of violence between supporters and opponents of the country's establishment.

Those marching on the streets also want a new constitution and have called for reform of the monarchy.
 

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(Update -seems grounds cleared)
Thailand issues emergency decree banning large gatherings
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Riot police take up positions after a clash with anti-government protesters in Bangkok on Oct 15, 2020.

Riot police take up positions after a clash with anti-government protesters in Bangkok on Oct 15, 2020. PHOTO: REUTERS

  • UPDATED
    4 MIN AGO
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BANGKOK (REUTERS) - Thai riot police cleared thousands of protesters from outside the prime minister’s office early on Thursday (Oct 15) as an emergency decree banned large gatherings and the publication of sensitive news in the face of escalating protests.
A series of demonstrations over three months have brought tens of thousands of people onto the streets of Bangkok to demand the departure of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha, a former junta leader, and a new constitution.

They have also broken a longstanding taboo by calling for reforms to the powerful monarchy of King Maha Vajiralongkorn - and in an act cited by the government as one reason for its emergency measures they obstructed a royal motorcade.

Shortly after the emergency decree took affect at 4am (5am Singapore time), riot police advanced behind shields on protesters who had camped outside Government House.
Many of the thousands who had protested there late on Wednesday had already left.
Some protesters tried to resist with makeshift barricades of garbage cans, but they were swiftly pushed back.

By dawn, hundreds of police occupied the nearby streets and city workers began cleaning up.
At least three of the protest leaders were arrested, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights said. Police made no immediate comment.
The government said it acted in the face of increasing disorder and after the obstruction of the motorcade. “It is extremely necessary to introduce an urgent measure to end this situation effectively and promptly to maintain peace and order,” state television announced.

ycthailand151020.jpg
Riot police take up positions after a clash with anti-government protesters in Bangkok on Oct 15, 2020. PHOTO: REUTERS

The emergency decree bans big gatherings of five or more people and allows authorities to stop people from entering any area they designate.
It also prohibits “publication of news, other media, and electronic information that contains messages that could create fear or intentionally distort information, creating misunderstanding that will affect national security or peace and order.”

Confrontation avoided on day of protest in Bangkok
6 things to know about Thailand's anti-government protests


Thai Lawyers for Human Rights said that three protest leaders had been arrested. It named them as Parit Chirawat, rights lawyer Arnon Nampa and Panupong Jadnok.
It said Arnon had been arrested on charges related to a speech he gave in the northern city of Chiang Mai. It said it did not know the grounds for the other arrests.
Tens of thousands of protesters marched in Bangkok on Wednesday. The protest movement aims to remove Prayut, who took power in a 2014 coup that was meant to end a decade of violence between supporters and opponents of the country’s establishment.\
Thailand's growing protest movement: A timeline
What's behind Thailand's protests and what comes next?


Those marching on the streets also want a new constitution and have called for a reduction in the powers of the king.
Protesters shouted at the king’s motorcade in Bangkok on Tuesday after the arrest of 21 protesters.
On Wednesday, some protesters slowed a convoy carrying Queen Suthida, giving the three-finger salute and chanted “get out” at police protecting the vehicle.
 

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https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Tu...and-latest-State-of-severe-emergency-declared

Thailand latest: State of severe emergency declared
Obstruction of royal motorcade and threat to national security cited

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Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn, left, and Queen Suthida in a motorcade driving toward the Grand Palace in Bangkok. © Reuters
Nikkei staff writersOctober 15, 2020 07:17 JSTUpdated on October 15, 2020 11:53 JST

Thailand announced an emergency decree early Thursday after thousands of demonstrators massed around the Government House, the seat of government, in Bangkok.

Here are the latest developments (Thai time):

9:40 a.m. A number of key protest leaders have been arrested, including one who posted a video clip encouraging people to continue with a protest in another part of Bangkok this afternoon.

In light of the emergency decree, police would likely turn out in force for this. Stay tuned.


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A cleaner sweeps up trash after the protest in Bangkok in the early hours of Oct. 15. © Reuters

6:47 a.m. Thai riot police clear thousands of protesters from outside the prime minister's office, according to Reuters.

6:14 a.m. Here is a preliminary translation of the government's announcement signed by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha:

"Many people have instigated and mobilized illegal public gatherings in Bangkok with many ways and channels that caused chaos and disorder. There was conduct that affected the royal motorcade, and there was reason to believe there was violent conduct that affected state security, safety in life or assets of the people and state. This was not a peaceful gathering endorsed by the constitution. It also directly affects the control of COVID-19, which directly affects the vulnerable economy of the nation. It is very important to have urgent measures to fix this and halt this conduct effectively so the law is respected and the public is in order. Therefore, following Section 5 and Section 11 of the emergency decree, the prime minister has declared a state of severe emergency on Oct. 15 from 4 a.m. onward."

6:08 a.m. The government orders a ban on gatherings of five or more people in Bangkok, according to an official document accompanying the emergency decree.

Under measures that took effect from 4 a.m. local time, authorities have the power to ban people from entering any area they designate.

It also bars the "publication of news, other media, and electronic information that contains messages that could create fear or intentionally distort information, creating misunderstanding that will affect national security or peace and order."


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Pro-democracy demonstrators flash the three-finger salute at a protest against the Thai government. © Reuters

5:30 a.m. Thai state television announces that the government has issued an emergency decree, citing a need to maintain peace and order.

Protesters have called for the ouster of junta leader-turned-Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha as well as a new constitution. They have also called for reforms to the monarchy of King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

A royal motorcade carrying Queen Suthida had earlier encountered demonstrators, who flashed three-finger salutes. She smiled and waved back. The king's motorcade later passed along the road without incident on his way to a ceremony at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha near the Grand Palace.


State television said: "As it appears that many groups of people have invited and incited illegal public assemblies in Bangkok ... acted to affect the royal motorcade and committed severe actions that affected national security ... it is extremely necessary to introduce an urgent measure to end this situation effectively and promptly to maintain peace and order," according to Reuters.


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Pro-democracy demonstrators sit on the street outside the Government House in Bangkok at a mass protest on the 47th anniversary of the 1973 student uprising. © Reuters
 

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Explainer: What's behind Thailand's protests?
By Reuters Staff
4 MIN READ

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand’s government banned gatherings of more than five people on Thursday in the face of three months of escalating demonstrations that have targeted King Maha Vajiralongkorn as well as Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.

A message reading "Road for the People" written on Ratchadamnoen Road (or Road for the Royals), is pictured after a mass anti-government protest, on the 47th anniversary of the 1973 student uprising, in Bangkok, Thailand October 15, 2020. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa

HOW DID THE PROTESTS START?
Anti-government protests emerged last year after courtsbanned the most vocal party opposing the government of formerjunta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha.
After a pause during measures to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, protests resumed in mid-July - pushing forPrayuth’s removal, a new constitution and an end to theharassment of activists.
Some protesters went further with a list of 10 demands toreform the monarchy - demands that were cheered by tens of thousands of people at a demonstration in September.
Protesters say they do not seek to end the monarchy, onlyreform it, but conservatives are horrified by such attacks on aninstitution the constitution says is “enthroned in a position ofrevered worship”.

WHAT IS THE GOVERNMENT DOING?
Until Thursday, the government had said protests would be tolerated but that they must keep within the law.
That changed suddenly after it accused jeering protesters of obstructing Queen Suthida’s motorcade and as thousands gathered at Government House to demand the removal of Prayuth.
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It imposed emergency measures banning gatherings of more than five people in Bangkok, forbid publication of news or online information that could harm national security and freed up police to arrest anyone linked to the protests.
Soon after the measures were imposed, riot police cleared protesters from Government House and at least three protest leaders were arrested.

WHAT DOES THE PALACE SAY?
The Royal Palace has made no comment on the protests and thedemands for reform despite repeated requests.

WHO ARE THE PROTESTERS?
Most are students and young people and there is no overall leader.
Key groups include the Free Youth Movement, which was behind the first major protest in July and the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration, a student group from Bangkok’s Thammasat University, which has championed calls for monarchy reform.
Then there is the Bad Student movement of highschoolers, which also seeks education reform.
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Most protest leaders are in their 20s although one of the most prominent figures, human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa, is 36.

WHAT ROYAL REFORMS DO THE PROTESTERS WANT?
Protesters want to reverse a 2017 increase in the king’sconstitutional powers, made the year after he succeeded hiswidely revered late father King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Pro-democracy activists say Thailand is backtracking on theconstitutional monarchy established when absolute royal ruleended in 1932. They say the monarchy is too close to the armyand argue that this has undermined democracy.
Protesters also seek the scrapping of lese majeste lawsagainst insulting the king. They want the king to relinquish thepersonal control he took over a palace fortune estimated in thetens of billions of dollars, and some units of the army.

WHY ELSE ARE THEY UNHAPPY?
Protesters complain that the king endorsed Prayuth’spremiership after elections last year that opposition figuressay were engineered to keep his hands on power. Prayuth, who asarmy chief led a 2014 coup, says the election was fair.
Protesters have voiced anger that the king spends much ofhis time in Europe.
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They have also challenged the spending of the Palace andlifestyle of the king, who has been married four times and lastyear took a royal consort.

WHAT DO THE LESE MAJESTE LAWS MEAN?
The monarchy is protected by Section 112 of the Penal Code, which says whoever defames, insults or threatens the king, queen, heir-apparent or regent shall be jailed for three to 15 years.
In June, Prayuth said the law was no longer being appliedbecause of “His Majesty’s mercy”. The Royal Palace has nevercommented on this.
Rights groups say opponents of the government - includingmore than a dozen of the protest leaders - have recently beencharged under other laws such as those against sedition andcomputer crimes.
The government has said it does not target opponents but itis the responsibility of police to uphold the law.
Writing by Matthew Tostevin; Editing by Robert Birsel
 
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