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Protesters broke into TV Station & PM Office
- Thread starter uncleyap
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You can cry all you want, but I am just going to be disrespectful to bad guys' names regardless how you disagree with me or attack me.
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Latest from bkk post today, Samak's woes got worse?
Train "sick-out", halting train sevices north:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=130072
Promise of aggressive stance by next PAD leader in-line (after arrest warrants)?
http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=130079
http://www.bangkokpost.com/290808_News/29Aug2008_news02.php
Train "sick-out", halting train sevices north:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=130072
Promise of aggressive stance by next PAD leader in-line (after arrest warrants)?
http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=130079
http://www.bangkokpost.com/290808_News/29Aug2008_news02.php
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Its sad when someone who talks so much about democracy, democratic principles, and people's power at the Singapore Review is now insisting that military rule, and violent revolution is better than a legitimate, elected coalition government- and by implication, insisting that a rule by the elites from the military and the monarchy is better than the power invested by the people to the politicians they trust through elections and rule of law.
When someone mixes up a personal vendetta, and revenge and thinks that his personal agenda is equivalent to justice, you must question whether this guy has real principles, or is he just pretending.
And in that aspect, is it better to trust such a man with his record, or is it better to trust another man who knows what is the difference, and understands principles and realism at the same time, better?
I leave to all of you to judge it as it is.
When someone mixes up a personal vendetta, and revenge and thinks that his personal agenda is equivalent to justice, you must question whether this guy has real principles, or is he just pretending.
And in that aspect, is it better to trust such a man with his record, or is it better to trust another man who knows what is the difference, and understands principles and realism at the same time, better?
I leave to all of you to judge it as it is.
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Thailand is different from Singapore. Thailand has a King in line of legitimate soverignty who commands respect and unity of the nation. Singapore has a walkover President who commands exhorbitant salary for doing whatever nobody really knows or cares.
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Of course. The Thai King and President Nathan is different. But I still don't see the need for another revolution in Thailand where the PAD has so little support, even in Bangkok.
Besides, the Thai King's view of self-sufficiency for the poor farmers is unrealistic since Thaksin had already- by allowing them access to subsidies and building infrastructure like roads to these villagers to sell their stuff to Bangkok and to foreigners- let the genie out of the bottle.
So once you introduced these farmers to the joys of capitalism, and let them have TVs and microwave ovens for each family, they ain't going back. So the Thai King and the military are gasping at straws if they think they can turn back the clock, close up the country on trade and foreign investment, and be self-sufficient.
Its time to accept reality and to realise that a progressive government would be better if ordinary Thais and Thailand are to progress. To return back to military/monarchy rule would be a disaster. Thailand cannot shut down computers and think they can survive without computers anymore. Neither can they reject foreign dollars from foreigners, and think they can survive on merely their Thai baht.
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I don't believe his intention was to close Thailand like China. His message of self-sufficiency and happiness was just a catalyst to drive Thaksin out. Thaksin was driving them down the slippery road PAP-style.. anything can be sacrificed in the name of economic progress.
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Thailand: Protesters Brace For Clash With Police
2008-08-29 14:14
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2008-08-29 14:14
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About 1,000 of the demonstrators formed a human chain around five key protest leaders from the People's Alliance for Democracy to prevent their arrest while pressing their demands that the seven-month-old elected government of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej step down.
"Brothers, please come and surround our leaders to prevent the police from getting them," protest leader Samran Rodpeth said.
Earlier Friday morning, many of the demonstrators _ some armed with golf clubs, batons and bamboo sticks _ had pushed up to 400 officers out of the Government House grounds in Bangkok, and then celebrated the police ouster by dancing to rock music.
But officers later returned to deliver the court order, sparking minor clashes in which about a dozen people were injured as the standoff entered its fourth day.
The alliance accuses Samak's government of serving as a proxy for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and faces several pending corruption cases. Thaksin is in self-imposed exile in Britain.
After Thaksin was deposed in the bloodless coup, his party was dissolved and he was banned from public office until 2012.
But Samak led Thaksin's political allies to a December 2007 election victory, and their assumption of power triggered fears that Thaksin would make a political comeback on the strength of his continued popularity in Thailand's rural majority.
The number of protesters in and around the government compound since protesters overran the grounds on Tuesday (26 Aug) has varied from a few thousand most mornings to a high of 30,000.
The alliance promised a "final showdown" this week, but has suffered several setbacks, including when it sent several dozen masked thugs Tuesday to take over a government-controlled television station. The band surrendered to police and video of the bullying tactics were broadcast repeatedly.
Police issued arrest warrants Wednesday for nine of the group's leaders on charges of insurrection, conspiracy, illegal assembly and refusing orders to disperse. Insurrection, the legal equivalent of treason, carries a maximum penalty of death or life imprisonment.
Another court issued an order late Wednesday (27 Aug) demanding that the protesters leave the government compound immediately and stop blocking streets. On Thursday (28 Aug), a court rejected the alliance's appeal of the order to vacate Government House, which was seized Tuesday.
One of the top alliance leaders, Chamlong Srimuang, told reporters Thursday night that protesters would continue to rally at the compound despite the court order.
Chamlong, one of the nine leaders sought by police, insisted the protesters were doing nothing wrong.
"We are staging a protest because the government has made too many mistakes and has no legitimacy to run the country," he said. "Our political rallying will get stronger because more of our supporters from upcountry will come to help us. We will not back down."
The alliance's best known leaders are Chamlong, an influential former politician and army officer, and Sondhi Limthongkul, a media mogul.
"We can withstand any difficult conditions if we can topple Samak," said Kitja Usaiphan, 43, a fisherman who has been camping at the government compound since Tuesday.
Samak, who refuses to resign, has accused the protesters of trying to provoke violence.
"They want bloodshed in the country. They want the military to come out and do the coup again," Samak said.
The military has said it is not planning a coup. Thailand has had 17 constitutions since 1932 _ a reflection of the political instability and military coups that followed the drafting of the first charter that created a constitutional monarchy. The last coup was in 2006, when Thaksin was ousted. (By SUTIN WANNABOVORN/ AP)
MySinchew 2008.08.29
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1 of 2
About 1,000 of the demonstrators formed a human chain around five key protest leaders from the People's Alliance for Democracy to prevent their arrest while pressing their demands that the seven-month-old elected government of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej step down.
"Brothers, please come and surround our leaders to prevent the police from getting them," protest leader Samran Rodpeth said.
Earlier Friday morning, many of the demonstrators _ some armed with golf clubs, batons and bamboo sticks _ had pushed up to 400 officers out of the Government House grounds in Bangkok, and then celebrated the police ouster by dancing to rock music.
But officers later returned to deliver the court order, sparking minor clashes in which about a dozen people were injured as the standoff entered its fourth day.
The alliance accuses Samak's government of serving as a proxy for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and faces several pending corruption cases. Thaksin is in self-imposed exile in Britain.
After Thaksin was deposed in the bloodless coup, his party was dissolved and he was banned from public office until 2012.
But Samak led Thaksin's political allies to a December 2007 election victory, and their assumption of power triggered fears that Thaksin would make a political comeback on the strength of his continued popularity in Thailand's rural majority.
The number of protesters in and around the government compound since protesters overran the grounds on Tuesday (26 Aug) has varied from a few thousand most mornings to a high of 30,000.
The alliance promised a "final showdown" this week, but has suffered several setbacks, including when it sent several dozen masked thugs Tuesday to take over a government-controlled television station. The band surrendered to police and video of the bullying tactics were broadcast repeatedly.
Police issued arrest warrants Wednesday for nine of the group's leaders on charges of insurrection, conspiracy, illegal assembly and refusing orders to disperse. Insurrection, the legal equivalent of treason, carries a maximum penalty of death or life imprisonment.
Another court issued an order late Wednesday (27 Aug) demanding that the protesters leave the government compound immediately and stop blocking streets. On Thursday (28 Aug), a court rejected the alliance's appeal of the order to vacate Government House, which was seized Tuesday.
One of the top alliance leaders, Chamlong Srimuang, told reporters Thursday night that protesters would continue to rally at the compound despite the court order.
Chamlong, one of the nine leaders sought by police, insisted the protesters were doing nothing wrong.
"We are staging a protest because the government has made too many mistakes and has no legitimacy to run the country," he said. "Our political rallying will get stronger because more of our supporters from upcountry will come to help us. We will not back down."
The alliance's best known leaders are Chamlong, an influential former politician and army officer, and Sondhi Limthongkul, a media mogul.
"We can withstand any difficult conditions if we can topple Samak," said Kitja Usaiphan, 43, a fisherman who has been camping at the government compound since Tuesday.
Samak, who refuses to resign, has accused the protesters of trying to provoke violence.
"They want bloodshed in the country. They want the military to come out and do the coup again," Samak said.
The military has said it is not planning a coup. Thailand has had 17 constitutions since 1932 _ a reflection of the political instability and military coups that followed the drafting of the first charter that created a constitutional monarchy. The last coup was in 2006, when Thaksin was ousted. (By SUTIN WANNABOVORN/ AP)
MySinchew 2008.08.29
Last edited:
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Look at golf clubs etc!
same as LEEgime mata = video cam!
A Thai reporter takes a look at weapons that several hundred police officers gave up when protesters forced those police officers out of the Government House compound in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, Aug. 29, 2008. Tensions flared as Thai police muscled into crowds of anti-government protesters occupying the prime minister's office compound late Friday morning and delivered a court order demanding they leave immediately.
<cite id="captionCite"></cite>
mata Tak Boleh Tahan?
our Speakers' Cornered is very SMALL TIME compared to this
Protesters Tak Boleh Tahan also
this is protester and not mata!
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There is nothing for free! Thai people are paying price. Singaporeans will not get result FOC also.
Thai protesters, police scuffle at besieged compound
AFP
AFP - 1 hour 55 minutes ago
BANGKOK, Aug 29, 2008 (AFP) - - Defiant Thai protesters scuffled with riot police Friday as tensions flared on day four of a siege of Bangkok's main government compound aimed at forcing the premier to resign.
ADVERTISEMENT
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has so far kept his promise not to use violence to end the massive demonstrations, which represent the biggest challenge to his authority since he took power seven months ago.
Thousands of demonstrators have barricaded themselves in the government complex in the capital, accusing Samak of being a mere figurehead for ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and insisting that he must step down.
Demonstrators overnight managed to expel about 1,000 police from their protest camp while police found a stash of weapons including machetes and golf clubs, but Samak said he would stick to his peaceful approach.
"Police will still adhere to my earlier order -- they merely went to post a court order, not to clear protesters," he told reporters.
Riot police forced their way back into the grounds of Government House on Friday, pushing protesters with their shields. They also used batons to prevent a mob of angry protesters from entering the compound.
Colonel Noraboon Nanna, a police officer on the scene, said about 13,000 protesters remained inside the compound, with 8,000 police surrounding it.
Legal executors tried to enter to post a court injunction ordering the protesters to leave, but the demonstrators blocked them, forcing police to post the order on a lamppost close to the site.
"We have come here to get them to acknowledge the court order," said the deputy chief of the metropolitan police, Major General Akerach Meepreecha.
"We will wait, we will give them time," he said, adding: "If there is no reaction, the police will have to do something."
The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) has been demonstrating against Samak for months, but events took a new turn on Tuesday when protesters stormed a TV station and barricaded themselves inside the Government House grounds.
The courts have ordered the protesters to leave the site immediately and issued arrest warrants for nine of the ringleaders on charges including treason, but PAD leaders have appealed to the courts on both counts.
Suriyasai Katasila, a PAD spokesman, told the crowd late Thursday that it would appeal against the warrants because of the "over-the-top charges, especially the charge of treason."
His ally Sawit Kaoewan later announced the group would broaden its attack by holding national strikes across the railways and other state enterprises.
Youdtana Tupcharoen, governor of the State Railways of Thailand, said 248 drivers and mechanics called in sick on Friday, halting of a quarter of all services in the kingdom.
The PAD -- which despite its name is trying to bring down Samak's elected government -- began its campaign at the end of May, just over three months after the coalition government was formed.
Protesters at the besieged government compound began to erect a second stage on Friday morning, in a further sign of their resolve to stay.
More than 13,000 people stayed for the third night of the protest, camped out with makeshift washing lines alongside barriers of tyres and barbed wire.
PAD protests helped lead to the 2006 coup that unseated Thaksin, and the entry into government of his ally Samak has infuriated the country's old power elites in the military and palace.
They also object to Samak's plans to amend a constitution drafted and approved under military rule following the coup.
A poll Wednesday showed the majority of Bangkok residents were fed up with the protesters claiming loyalty to the revered monarchy, while the local press has praised Samak's handling of the crisis.
AFP
AFP - 1 hour 55 minutes ago
BANGKOK, Aug 29, 2008 (AFP) - - Defiant Thai protesters scuffled with riot police Friday as tensions flared on day four of a siege of Bangkok's main government compound aimed at forcing the premier to resign.
ADVERTISEMENT
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has so far kept his promise not to use violence to end the massive demonstrations, which represent the biggest challenge to his authority since he took power seven months ago.
Thousands of demonstrators have barricaded themselves in the government complex in the capital, accusing Samak of being a mere figurehead for ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and insisting that he must step down.
Demonstrators overnight managed to expel about 1,000 police from their protest camp while police found a stash of weapons including machetes and golf clubs, but Samak said he would stick to his peaceful approach.
"Police will still adhere to my earlier order -- they merely went to post a court order, not to clear protesters," he told reporters.
Riot police forced their way back into the grounds of Government House on Friday, pushing protesters with their shields. They also used batons to prevent a mob of angry protesters from entering the compound.
Colonel Noraboon Nanna, a police officer on the scene, said about 13,000 protesters remained inside the compound, with 8,000 police surrounding it.
Legal executors tried to enter to post a court injunction ordering the protesters to leave, but the demonstrators blocked them, forcing police to post the order on a lamppost close to the site.
"We have come here to get them to acknowledge the court order," said the deputy chief of the metropolitan police, Major General Akerach Meepreecha.
"We will wait, we will give them time," he said, adding: "If there is no reaction, the police will have to do something."
The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) has been demonstrating against Samak for months, but events took a new turn on Tuesday when protesters stormed a TV station and barricaded themselves inside the Government House grounds.
The courts have ordered the protesters to leave the site immediately and issued arrest warrants for nine of the ringleaders on charges including treason, but PAD leaders have appealed to the courts on both counts.
Suriyasai Katasila, a PAD spokesman, told the crowd late Thursday that it would appeal against the warrants because of the "over-the-top charges, especially the charge of treason."
His ally Sawit Kaoewan later announced the group would broaden its attack by holding national strikes across the railways and other state enterprises.
Youdtana Tupcharoen, governor of the State Railways of Thailand, said 248 drivers and mechanics called in sick on Friday, halting of a quarter of all services in the kingdom.
The PAD -- which despite its name is trying to bring down Samak's elected government -- began its campaign at the end of May, just over three months after the coalition government was formed.
Protesters at the besieged government compound began to erect a second stage on Friday morning, in a further sign of their resolve to stay.
More than 13,000 people stayed for the third night of the protest, camped out with makeshift washing lines alongside barriers of tyres and barbed wire.
PAD protests helped lead to the 2006 coup that unseated Thaksin, and the entry into government of his ally Samak has infuriated the country's old power elites in the military and palace.
They also object to Samak's plans to amend a constitution drafted and approved under military rule following the coup.
A poll Wednesday showed the majority of Bangkok residents were fed up with the protesters claiming loyalty to the revered monarchy, while the local press has praised Samak's handling of the crisis.
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It is up to people like you to believe so, and I am not up to changing minds like yours really.
Because you belong to those majority who will sit there and do nothing in contribution. Changing you mind is a waste of effort & time.Just like in Thailand, there are people who are unhappy to be affected by disruptions caused. Trains stopped. If they pulled General Strike even more will be affected. But SO WHAT?
PAD is will still press on.
They are not going to stop just because the riot mata are there, or some people are unhappy to be affected. They are also aware of such investment concerns. They weighted it down.
The facts are very simple, PAD is an active minority pursuing their cause. The result of Thailand's political landscape change will be determined by only some active minorities such as PAD & Samak's supporters. Not by those unhappy to be disrupted or worry about investment losses, because these people will just sit there and do nothing.
You can worry or cry all you want. Unless you take up position and action to fight, you won't be in control of outcome at all.
Would you?- Joined
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Don't be fooled by King Bhumi bro. I suggest you go read "The King Never Smiles" by Paul Handley, a quick review to whet your appetite
Thailand’s Bhumibol Adulyadej, the only king ever born in the United States, came to the throne of his country in 1946 and is now the world’s longest-serving monarch. The King Never Smiles, the first independent biography of Thailand's monarch, tells the unexpected story of Bhumibol's life and sixty-year rule—how a Western-raised boy came to be seen by his people as a living Buddha, and how a king widely seen as beneficent and apolitical could in fact be so deeply political and autocratic.
Paul Handley provides an extensively researched, factual account of the king’s youth and personal development, ascent to the throne, skillful political maneuverings, and attempt to shape Thailand as a Buddhist kingdom. Handley takes full note of Bhumibol's achievements in art, in sports and jazz, and he credits the king's lifelong dedication to rural development and the livelihoods of his poorest subjects. But, looking beyond the widely accepted image of the king as egalitarian and virtuous, Handley portrays an anti-democratic monarch who, together with allies in big business and the corrupt Thai military, has protected a centuries-old, barely modified feudal dynasty.
When at nineteen Bhumibol assumed the throne, the Thai monarchy had been stripped of power and prestige. Over the ensuing decades, Bhumibol became the paramount political actor in the kingdom, silencing critics while winning the hearts and minds of his people. The book details this process and depicts Thailand’s unique constitutional monarch—his life, his thinking, and his ruling philosophy.
Paul M. Handley is a freelance journalist who lived and worked as a foreign correspondent in Asia for more than twenty years, including thirteen in Thailand.
Thailand’s Bhumibol Adulyadej, the only king ever born in the United States, came to the throne of his country in 1946 and is now the world’s longest-serving monarch. The King Never Smiles, the first independent biography of Thailand's monarch, tells the unexpected story of Bhumibol's life and sixty-year rule—how a Western-raised boy came to be seen by his people as a living Buddha, and how a king widely seen as beneficent and apolitical could in fact be so deeply political and autocratic.
Paul Handley provides an extensively researched, factual account of the king’s youth and personal development, ascent to the throne, skillful political maneuverings, and attempt to shape Thailand as a Buddhist kingdom. Handley takes full note of Bhumibol's achievements in art, in sports and jazz, and he credits the king's lifelong dedication to rural development and the livelihoods of his poorest subjects. But, looking beyond the widely accepted image of the king as egalitarian and virtuous, Handley portrays an anti-democratic monarch who, together with allies in big business and the corrupt Thai military, has protected a centuries-old, barely modified feudal dynasty.
When at nineteen Bhumibol assumed the throne, the Thai monarchy had been stripped of power and prestige. Over the ensuing decades, Bhumibol became the paramount political actor in the kingdom, silencing critics while winning the hearts and minds of his people. The book details this process and depicts Thailand’s unique constitutional monarch—his life, his thinking, and his ruling philosophy.
Paul M. Handley is a freelance journalist who lived and worked as a foreign correspondent in Asia for more than twenty years, including thirteen in Thailand.
- Joined
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- 113
PAD: IT’s OWN WORST ENEMY?
Thai protest movementis losing sight of its goals
Tulsathit Taptim
.
.
UNTIL Tuesday this week, the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) was a political movement that did the wrong things for the right reason. The activists had sacrificed their personal comfort, risked their safety and endured condemnation, all purportedly for a clear-cut objective — that Thai democracy had to be clean, transparent and accountable.
.
But in a single brazen stroke, the group’s leaders threatened to replace an image of martyrs with that of fanatics. And the arguably noble cause of a largely peaceful rebellion is now in danger of being undone.
.
Tuesday changed things. While we can live with traffic nightmares or the disruption of school routines, we cannot call seizing a television station, intimidating news anchors and paralysing public works a non-violent campaign for democracy.
.
Nor was it a show of civil disobedience, because the much-acclaimed political practice isn’t supposed to harm or terrorise innocent people doing their jobs.
.
Morally, it was not right. Politically, it was foolish. For once, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej looked a calm and reasonable leader on TV as he pleaded for the public not to lend support to the rampaging PAD. That is not surprising, because the more belligerence the PAD exhibited, the more sympathy would shift to him. All he needed to do was hold back his usual urge to spew venom. If he can do that he will win this very crucial round.
.
All this begs the question why the PAD is pursuing its current course. Court cases are proceeding against ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, whose allegedly massive and uncontrolled corruption gave the PAD justification to take to the streets, even if he has fled into exile again.
.
The Samak government’s persistent efforts to change the Constitution have not helped but it has not taken a formal step towards that. And constitutional charges against incumbent ministers have so far not been hindered by the government’s political influence.
.
The PAD has crossed the line. While it is acceptable, laudable even, for the movement to serve as a major social force to try to keep politicians in check, Tuesday’s aggression cannot be justified. If the public is to condone the seizure of the National BroadcastingTelevision (NBT), some of whose terrified staff fled through windows, society will be locked in a moral dilemma.
.
The activists’ leaders, in their campaign against Mr Thaksin and his alleged political nominees, have repeatedly warned of dangerous precedents — doing whatever it takes to protect one’s status quo, or abuse of legitimacy. They have to take a serious look at themselves now.
.
When things calmed down, it almost looked like the PAD of old. Colourful umbrellas adorning a human sea of yellow even gave Government House a somewhat festive atmosphere. Female protesters smiled and chatted with reporters. The movement’s logistic personnel were busy as usual preparing food and making sure there were enough toilets. How many of them understand, however, that public perception of their beloved PAD may never be the same after the raid on NBT?
.
This transition is a pity because the PAD was once a phenomenon and could still be a great social force. The biggest evidence of the movement losing itself is the fact that now, unlike when the PAD camped near Government House during Mr Thaksin’s last days in office, people are asking what its objectives are.
.
Thailand’s ongoing crisis has clouded the truth of the PAD leaders’ achievement. It would be unfair to say we owe them nothing. Thanks largely to the movement, an election was nullified, corruption cases were filed against a former PM and hisassociates, and he is now on the run. And its strong presence has served as a shield for the courts against political pressure.
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But history shows us that it all starts this way, that democracy, dictatorship and corruption are divided by very thin lines. Having grown out of an ideology, the PAD has reached that dangerous point of maturity where raw impulses want to take over.
.
The biggest challenge now for the PAD leaders is not to bring down another government; it’s how they can avoid becoming their worst enemy. The Nation
.
.
The writer is editor of The Daily Xpressand former editor of The Nation. .
Thai protest movementis losing sight of its goals
Tulsathit Taptim
.
.
UNTIL Tuesday this week, the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) was a political movement that did the wrong things for the right reason. The activists had sacrificed their personal comfort, risked their safety and endured condemnation, all purportedly for a clear-cut objective — that Thai democracy had to be clean, transparent and accountable.
.
But in a single brazen stroke, the group’s leaders threatened to replace an image of martyrs with that of fanatics. And the arguably noble cause of a largely peaceful rebellion is now in danger of being undone.
.
Tuesday changed things. While we can live with traffic nightmares or the disruption of school routines, we cannot call seizing a television station, intimidating news anchors and paralysing public works a non-violent campaign for democracy.
.
Nor was it a show of civil disobedience, because the much-acclaimed political practice isn’t supposed to harm or terrorise innocent people doing their jobs.
.
Morally, it was not right. Politically, it was foolish. For once, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej looked a calm and reasonable leader on TV as he pleaded for the public not to lend support to the rampaging PAD. That is not surprising, because the more belligerence the PAD exhibited, the more sympathy would shift to him. All he needed to do was hold back his usual urge to spew venom. If he can do that he will win this very crucial round.
.
All this begs the question why the PAD is pursuing its current course. Court cases are proceeding against ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, whose allegedly massive and uncontrolled corruption gave the PAD justification to take to the streets, even if he has fled into exile again.
.
The Samak government’s persistent efforts to change the Constitution have not helped but it has not taken a formal step towards that. And constitutional charges against incumbent ministers have so far not been hindered by the government’s political influence.
.
The PAD has crossed the line. While it is acceptable, laudable even, for the movement to serve as a major social force to try to keep politicians in check, Tuesday’s aggression cannot be justified. If the public is to condone the seizure of the National BroadcastingTelevision (NBT), some of whose terrified staff fled through windows, society will be locked in a moral dilemma.
.
The activists’ leaders, in their campaign against Mr Thaksin and his alleged political nominees, have repeatedly warned of dangerous precedents — doing whatever it takes to protect one’s status quo, or abuse of legitimacy. They have to take a serious look at themselves now.
.
When things calmed down, it almost looked like the PAD of old. Colourful umbrellas adorning a human sea of yellow even gave Government House a somewhat festive atmosphere. Female protesters smiled and chatted with reporters. The movement’s logistic personnel were busy as usual preparing food and making sure there were enough toilets. How many of them understand, however, that public perception of their beloved PAD may never be the same after the raid on NBT?
.
This transition is a pity because the PAD was once a phenomenon and could still be a great social force. The biggest evidence of the movement losing itself is the fact that now, unlike when the PAD camped near Government House during Mr Thaksin’s last days in office, people are asking what its objectives are.
.
Thailand’s ongoing crisis has clouded the truth of the PAD leaders’ achievement. It would be unfair to say we owe them nothing. Thanks largely to the movement, an election was nullified, corruption cases were filed against a former PM and hisassociates, and he is now on the run. And its strong presence has served as a shield for the courts against political pressure.
.
But history shows us that it all starts this way, that democracy, dictatorship and corruption are divided by very thin lines. Having grown out of an ideology, the PAD has reached that dangerous point of maturity where raw impulses want to take over.
.
The biggest challenge now for the PAD leaders is not to bring down another government; it’s how they can avoid becoming their worst enemy. The Nation
.
.
The writer is editor of The Daily Xpressand former editor of The Nation. .
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I agree for the first time around in 2006, when I said the coup, while wrong and unconstitutional, was also necessary to stop Thaksin in his tracks. Not so this time around as PM Samak has his hands tied- due to the coalition government reason and due to the fact that he would need some support from the opposition parties. The courts are also not that friendly to his administration.
Also, I believe that to amend the constitution, they need 67% of the votes in Parliament, and even the permission of the military. And so it isn't as the first time around, when Thaksin was ruling with his own party ONLY.
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Anti-government protesters block southern airports, suspend train service in Thailand
+ -
20:44, August 29, 2008
A few hundred anti-government protesters blocked entrances and exits at the airport in Thailand's southern economic and transportation hub Hat Yai and the access to the airport in the southern coastal resort Phuket Friday afternoon.
The latest development added to fears that the unrest in the capital, which has witnessed a see-saw battle between the police and the protesters led by People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to take control of the government seat on Friday, will spread to provinces nationwide.
The state-run TV station NBT, which was raided and seized by PAD protesters on early Tuesday morning and forced to suspend broadcasting, reported on Friday that about 500 protesters were staging a rally at the Hat Yai airport.
Prayuth Tiraksa, a PAD leader in Phuket, said the protester started blocking the road at 2:00 p.m. (0700 GMT) , according to a report by news website The Nation.
Some media reports here said some flights at the two southern airports were delayed or would be redirected, especially those with foreign passengers.
Airports of Thailand Plc, the operator of Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport and four international airports in provinces -- Phuket, Hat Yai, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, on Friday has raised the level of security alert.
Meanwhile, parts of the railway services were affected on Friday as railway union leaders announced Thursday that members of the union, including train drivers, had submitted sick leave in a strike to show support for PAD protest.
Sathorn Sinpru, leader of the railway union at the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) in northeastern province Nakhon Rachasima, said Thursday that more than 100 members of the union, including 40 train drivers, submitted their sick-leave notices for two days effective from Friday.
Long-haul train services linking the Northeast to Bangkok will be suspended as a result.
Sathorn said the strike was to protest the government for ignoring train workers' welfare and to show support for PAD protesters in Bangkok since the union decided to join the PAD-led civil rebellion to topple the government.
SRT union chief Pichet Suwanchatree in Hat Yai, the southern transportation hub, also said late Thursday that railway service in the South would be suspended indefinitely, starting from Friday.
Sawit Kaewwan, Secretary-General of the Confederation of State Enterprise Labour Unions, who has been appointed a second-generation leader of the PAD group, confirmed at the Makkawan Bridge rally site that the SRT labor union had announced a strike.
Source: Xinhua
+ -
20:44, August 29, 2008
A few hundred anti-government protesters blocked entrances and exits at the airport in Thailand's southern economic and transportation hub Hat Yai and the access to the airport in the southern coastal resort Phuket Friday afternoon.
The latest development added to fears that the unrest in the capital, which has witnessed a see-saw battle between the police and the protesters led by People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to take control of the government seat on Friday, will spread to provinces nationwide.
The state-run TV station NBT, which was raided and seized by PAD protesters on early Tuesday morning and forced to suspend broadcasting, reported on Friday that about 500 protesters were staging a rally at the Hat Yai airport.
Prayuth Tiraksa, a PAD leader in Phuket, said the protester started blocking the road at 2:00 p.m. (0700 GMT) , according to a report by news website The Nation.
Some media reports here said some flights at the two southern airports were delayed or would be redirected, especially those with foreign passengers.
Airports of Thailand Plc, the operator of Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport and four international airports in provinces -- Phuket, Hat Yai, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, on Friday has raised the level of security alert.
Meanwhile, parts of the railway services were affected on Friday as railway union leaders announced Thursday that members of the union, including train drivers, had submitted sick leave in a strike to show support for PAD protest.
Sathorn Sinpru, leader of the railway union at the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) in northeastern province Nakhon Rachasima, said Thursday that more than 100 members of the union, including 40 train drivers, submitted their sick-leave notices for two days effective from Friday.
Long-haul train services linking the Northeast to Bangkok will be suspended as a result.
Sathorn said the strike was to protest the government for ignoring train workers' welfare and to show support for PAD protesters in Bangkok since the union decided to join the PAD-led civil rebellion to topple the government.
SRT union chief Pichet Suwanchatree in Hat Yai, the southern transportation hub, also said late Thursday that railway service in the South would be suspended indefinitely, starting from Friday.
Sawit Kaewwan, Secretary-General of the Confederation of State Enterprise Labour Unions, who has been appointed a second-generation leader of the PAD group, confirmed at the Makkawan Bridge rally site that the SRT labor union had announced a strike.
Source: Xinhua
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3 southern airports, train station, mata HQ taken by protesters. mata withdrawn from PM office. PAD made progress!
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2008-08/30/content_9737784.htm
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2008-08/30/content_9732829.htm
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/sto...76D38-A686-42FA-A7F2-3687F86E88D5}&siteid=rss
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/08/29/Protesters_shut_down_Thailand_airports/UPI-77311220013748/
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Protesters shut down Thailand airports
Published: Aug. 29, 2008 at 8:25 PM
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<iframe id="email_story" style="border: 0px none ; height: 300px; width: 600px; display: none;" frameborder="0"></iframe> BANGKOK, Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Three airports in southern Thailand were shut down Friday because of vandalism by protesters. Rail service has also been disrupted with about 30 percent of the lines closed by strikers, the British newspaper The Independent said.
Officials said that Phuket International, Krabi and Hat Yai would be closed indefinitely, the Thai News Agency reported.
In Bangkok, officials denied using tear gas on a crowd who rallied outside the Metropolitan Police headquarters Friday evening, TNA reported. But many in the crowd suffered eye irritation.
Thousands of people this week have demanded the ouster of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and the coalition government. But he said Friday he does not plan a crack down on the People's Alliance for Democracy, which is leading the protests.
"I have several tools at my disposal, but I am not using any of them because I want to keep things calm," he told reporters. "I will not quit. If you want me out, do it by law, not by force. This is embarrassing in front of the world."
Nearly 300 Bangkok police officers were trapped inside the prime minister's compound, which was occupied by members of the PAD.
''It's like we are in prison. It has bought great shame on us that police have been detained by the protesters,'' a police sergeant-major told the Bangkok Post.
========
Thailand's political crisis deepens amid protests
By Polya Lesova, MarketWatch
Last update: 5:24 p.m. EDT Aug. 29, 2008
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Thailand's political crisis deepened further Friday, as anti-government protests continued for a fourth day and the prime minister said he might impose a state of emergency.
Political turmoil is likely to weigh on investor sentiment toward Thailand's stocks and currency, which have posted declines this year.
In Bangkok on Friday, Thai police, using tear gas, dispersed several thousand anti-government protesters who were besieging city police headquarters, while Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said he may declare a state of emergency if the crisis deteriorates further, the Associated Press reported.
The protesters, who are led by the People's Alliance for Democracy, demand the ouster of Samak and accuse him of being a puppet of Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister who was ousted in a 2006 coup and faces several corruption cases, the AP reported.
PAD supporters also staged protests outside of Bangkok, disrupting parts of the railway and airline services, according to the AP.
Friday's escalation of tensions comes after widespread anti-government protests on Tuesday, since when PAD members have occupied Government House in Bangkok.
"It is extremely difficult to predict where and how this stand-off will play out over the next few days," said Kristina Kazmi, Asia analyst at Global Insight.
Although a new coup "does not seem an imminent risk, given the low support for the PAD among the population at large, the unrest does highlight that the political crisis that emerged in 2005 is far from over," Kazmi said in a research note.
After falling earlier in the session, the benchmark Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index closed up 0.2% to 684.44 points on Friday.
Thai stocks down 20% this year
Like most other emerging markets, Thai stocks are deeply in the red year-to-date. The SET index has fallen 20% this year. In comparison, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index has declined 23%.
In New York trading on Friday, the iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund (THD:
Sponsored by:
<img class="pixelTracking" border="0" height="1" width="1">TF 9.74, 0.00, 0.0%) edged up 0.1%.
"Investor confidence, which had been boosted by the country's return to democracy late last year, has been further shaken by the protests," Kazmi said. "The political crisis compounds the fears triggered by high inflation and global economic uncertainty."
The central bank raised its key interest rate by 25 basis points to 3.75% on Wednesday to curb inflationary pressures. July's consumer price inflation surged to 9.2% year-on-year, up from 8.9%.
The Thai economy grew at 5.3% year-on-year in the second quarter, a decline from 6.1% in the first quarter.
The U.S. dollar rose 0.5% against the Thai baht Friday. The greenback is up nearly 14% against the baht year-to-date.
"We don't think it [political tensions] will lead to another coup," said Meg Browne, a currency strategist at Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
"It [politics] has some impact, but it's not the only thing that will have an effect on the baht," Browne said. "We're concerned about slowing growth. We think that will dampen demand for equities."
The baht will likely continue to weaken against the dollar, pressured by slowing economic growth and political uncertainty, Browne said.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2008-08/30/content_9737784.htm
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2008-08/30/content_9732829.htm
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/sto...76D38-A686-42FA-A7F2-3687F86E88D5}&siteid=rss
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/08/29/Protesters_shut_down_Thailand_airports/UPI-77311220013748/
Top News
View archive | RSS Feed
Protesters shut down Thailand airports
Published: Aug. 29, 2008 at 8:25 PM
Order reprints | Print Story | Email to a Friend | Post a Comment
<iframe id="email_story" style="border: 0px none ; height: 300px; width: 600px; display: none;" frameborder="0"></iframe> BANGKOK, Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Three airports in southern Thailand were shut down Friday because of vandalism by protesters. Rail service has also been disrupted with about 30 percent of the lines closed by strikers, the British newspaper The Independent said.
Officials said that Phuket International, Krabi and Hat Yai would be closed indefinitely, the Thai News Agency reported.
In Bangkok, officials denied using tear gas on a crowd who rallied outside the Metropolitan Police headquarters Friday evening, TNA reported. But many in the crowd suffered eye irritation.
Thousands of people this week have demanded the ouster of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and the coalition government. But he said Friday he does not plan a crack down on the People's Alliance for Democracy, which is leading the protests.
"I have several tools at my disposal, but I am not using any of them because I want to keep things calm," he told reporters. "I will not quit. If you want me out, do it by law, not by force. This is embarrassing in front of the world."
Nearly 300 Bangkok police officers were trapped inside the prime minister's compound, which was occupied by members of the PAD.
''It's like we are in prison. It has bought great shame on us that police have been detained by the protesters,'' a police sergeant-major told the Bangkok Post.
========
Thailand's political crisis deepens amid protests
By Polya Lesova, MarketWatch
Last update: 5:24 p.m. EDT Aug. 29, 2008
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Thailand's political crisis deepened further Friday, as anti-government protests continued for a fourth day and the prime minister said he might impose a state of emergency.
Political turmoil is likely to weigh on investor sentiment toward Thailand's stocks and currency, which have posted declines this year.
In Bangkok on Friday, Thai police, using tear gas, dispersed several thousand anti-government protesters who were besieging city police headquarters, while Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said he may declare a state of emergency if the crisis deteriorates further, the Associated Press reported.
The protesters, who are led by the People's Alliance for Democracy, demand the ouster of Samak and accuse him of being a puppet of Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister who was ousted in a 2006 coup and faces several corruption cases, the AP reported.
PAD supporters also staged protests outside of Bangkok, disrupting parts of the railway and airline services, according to the AP.
Friday's escalation of tensions comes after widespread anti-government protests on Tuesday, since when PAD members have occupied Government House in Bangkok.
"It is extremely difficult to predict where and how this stand-off will play out over the next few days," said Kristina Kazmi, Asia analyst at Global Insight.
Although a new coup "does not seem an imminent risk, given the low support for the PAD among the population at large, the unrest does highlight that the political crisis that emerged in 2005 is far from over," Kazmi said in a research note.
After falling earlier in the session, the benchmark Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index closed up 0.2% to 684.44 points on Friday.
Thai stocks down 20% this year
Like most other emerging markets, Thai stocks are deeply in the red year-to-date. The SET index has fallen 20% this year. In comparison, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index has declined 23%.
In New York trading on Friday, the iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund (THD:
Sponsored by:
<img class="pixelTracking" border="0" height="1" width="1">TF 9.74, 0.00, 0.0%) edged up 0.1%.
"Investor confidence, which had been boosted by the country's return to democracy late last year, has been further shaken by the protests," Kazmi said. "The political crisis compounds the fears triggered by high inflation and global economic uncertainty."
The central bank raised its key interest rate by 25 basis points to 3.75% on Wednesday to curb inflationary pressures. July's consumer price inflation surged to 9.2% year-on-year, up from 8.9%.
The Thai economy grew at 5.3% year-on-year in the second quarter, a decline from 6.1% in the first quarter.
The U.S. dollar rose 0.5% against the Thai baht Friday. The greenback is up nearly 14% against the baht year-to-date.
"We don't think it [political tensions] will lead to another coup," said Meg Browne, a currency strategist at Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
"It [politics] has some impact, but it's not the only thing that will have an effect on the baht," Browne said. "We're concerned about slowing growth. We think that will dampen demand for equities."
The baht will likely continue to weaken against the dollar, pressured by slowing economic growth and political uncertainty, Browne said.
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