The_Munchmaster Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 ....., and that some protesters are now tearing up paving slabs to use as projectiles.... How do you tear up a paving slab? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khunsanuk Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 Hi, You tell it a sad/sob story? Sanuk! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted November 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 Rally fizzles out amid safety fears Pitak Siam leader Boonlert Kaewprasit ended his anti-government rally and his own brief political career on a drizzly Saturday afternoon after a day of high drama and scattered violence. Addressing an estimated 20,000 supporters from the Royal Plaza stage, he asked them to disperse peacefully. He also said he would stage no more rallies and would focus only on making merit. Others in Pitak Siam would have to decide whether the movement would continue, he added. He told his followers they should not put themselves in danger of a crackdown or retaliation. Rumours had already started that the police might move in once it grew dark. Gen Boonlert also blamed the government for not keeping its word to allow the peaceful rally to go ahead unhindered. Supporters claim police provoked violence by trying to stop them from reaching the rally site. Other organisers privately acknowledged that the government had succeeded in keeping tens of thousands of potential supporters from travelling to Bangkok to join the rally. Gen Boonlert had once boasted of wanting to see one million people at the rally but said later he would be happy with 70,000. However, the Pheu Thai government used the muscle of appointed provincial governors to enforce dozens of checkpoints along highways leading to the capital. One Pitak Siam supporter told the pro-Democrat Blue Sky TV that spike belts had been placed on some roads to deter drivers. The anti-government ASTV Manager website even published a picture of snakes it said had been let loose at the site to frighten demonstrators. Protesters also were surprised by the ferocity of the police response, which included tear gas being fired during clashes in the morning at the Makkawan Bridge and in the afternoon at the Suan Mitsakawan intersection. One injured protester claimed police gave no warning that they would use tear gas. Another protester held up a tear gas canister showing its expiry date had passed, which he said made the chemicals more volatile and harmful. Gen Boonlert denied his protest had been aimed obstructing the censure debate scheduled to begin in Parliament on Sunday, saying he had no faith in the parliamentary system anyway. But simply by staging the rally, he had drawn attention to the deep political divide that still exists in the country. The retired soldier's open support for a coup and a five-year "freeze" on politicians unnerved even some sympathisers, and kept red-shirt supporters of the Pheu Thai government on high alert as well. "This rally is illegitimate," said Thida Thavornseth, chairwoman of the United Front for Democracy, earlier in the day. "We will come out in force if there is any sign of a coup or the government loses control." Her warning raised the temperature further in the capital, where the fog of tear gas from morning and afternoon clashes hung in the air. By mid-afternoon, 37 people had been reported injured, mostly with cuts and bruises, and 132 arrested and detained at a Police Border Patrol barracks in Pathum Thani. One policeman was stabbed with something sharp and the other was hit by a truck, according to onlookers. Police seized knives and bullets, as well as slingshots and large marbles that they said had been used to knock out closed-circuit TV cameras near the rally site. Authorities said earlier that they had no plan to force the protesters to disperse, as some had alleged. Officers would even allow the rally site at the Royal Plaza to be expanded if the crowd size warranted it, said Pol Maj Gen Piya Uthayo, a spokesman for the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO). The main site was peaceful all day as supporters relaxed, ate and listened to speakers denounce the government, which Pitak Siam accuses of corruption, mismanaging the country and undermining the monarchy. However, away from the Royal Plaza a tense standoff developed near the Makkawan bridge where a splinter group of protesters challenged police throughout the afternoon. More tear gas was fired and the protesters regrouped for a fresh attempt to march toward the police line. The protest began on a violent note on Saturday morning. Police fired 10 tear gas canisters at Pitak Siam supporters trying to break through a police barricade at the Makkawan bridge and move to the Royal Plaza. "Tear gas was used in one area because protesters did not comply with the rules," said Pol Maj Gen Piya. "The demonstrators are trying to ignite violence. They tried to break our barricade, so the tear gas is to stop them and control them." Gen Boonlert said police "broke the promise that will allow us to stage a peaceful rally. They are trying to lure us into violence." The government invoked the Internal Security Act to maintain control in the districts around the rally site. It gives the police additional powers to block routes, impose a curfew, ban gatherings and carry out searches. "We will evaluate the situation daily and if it escalates we are ready to invoke emergency rule," national police chief Adul Saengsingkaew said. The rally took place on the eve of the no-confidence debate scheduled to start on Sunday in Parliament against the Yingluck Shinawatra government. On the rally stage, Gen Boonlert made a spirited denunciation of the government. "It's time for you to get out because you have shown no capability and righteousness," he said, referring to Premier Yingluck. "I'm telling Thaksin that if he wants to return to Thailand, he needs to bow before the king and serve his prison sentence," he said, referring to the prime minister's fugitive brother. Yingluck cancelled all public events on Saturday and was monitoring events from her home in Soi Yothinpattana 3. Border patrol and Lat Phrao police were deployed around the premier's house to provide security, amid claims that there might be a plot to kidnap her. Pol Gen Adul, as the CAPO director, had issued an order banning protesters from entering Government House and Parliament, as well as closing nine routes (see map) around the rally site. A second order bans vehicles on the nine routes, as well as vehicles carrying fuel or parking in restricted areas. A third order prohibits the possession in public of weapons or objects that could be used as weapons. The ISA order, which covers Bangkok's Phra Nakhon, Pomprap Sattruphai and Dusit districts, lasts until Nov 30. Gen Boonlert, meanwhile, said that even though he was longer the leader of Pitak Siam, he was ready to continue to provide financial support for any future activities. http://www.bangkokpo...id-safety-fears Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huumlaar Posted November 25, 2012 Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 I do like this guy at the Post http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/322949/ready-to-topple-a-govt-or-not Voranai Vanijaka <<"But if the police bully us, I'm going to call in the soldiers!" said Gen Boonlert. Hold on now, wait a second, my dear general, you don't want to win democratically, do you? If the police bully, or use violence against the protesters, then yes there should be justice. Conduct an investigation and bring evidence to the court. But to scream "bring in the soldiers" is rather, shall we say, undemocratic. Saying he would love to see a military coup, suggesting Thailand should be put in a five-year freeze and threatening to unleash the might of the military _ these are the words and actions of a man who suffers from tyrannical tendencies.>> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted November 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 The first clash - Boonlert calls it quits amid clashes Pitak Siam leader Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit yesterday called off the group's anti-government protest after an eight-hour rally which left 61 people injured, 137 arrested and drew a lower-than-expected turnout. Gen Boonlert also stood down as the group's leader. "Seh Ai has already died," he said, referring to himself and suggesting that he would not take part in any further political gatherings. "I had better go to a krathin [buddhist monk robe presentation] ceremony," he said after calling off the rally around 5pm yesterday. He said he would no longer lead Pitak Siam. He said he called off the rally because police had used every means at their disposal to prevent people from reaching the Royal Plaza, where the demonstration was being held. "If the rally continues, there is a risk that demonstrators will lose their lives," he said. Gen Boonlert earlier called on 1 million people to turn out to protest against the government, which he accuses of incompetence and corruption. According to Special Branch Police, only around 12,000 made their way to the Royal Plaza yesterday, while about 5,000 more were involved in confrontations with riot police at barriers surrounding the rally site. About 20,000 police and soldiers were deployed across the capital. Pitak Siam group leaders accused the government of trying to block protesters from outside Bangkok from joining the rally by setting up an excessive number of checkpoints for cars entering the city. Demonstrators clashed twice with police who were securing barrier lines around the rally site. Police twice deployed tear gas, resulting in a number of injuries. Police lobbed tear gas canisters to disperse crowds at Makkhawan Bridge just before 9am, and once again at Mitsakawan intersection around 2pm. The clashes kicked off when demonstrators demanded police open barricades at two points on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue to let them join the rally at the Royal Plaza. Police were only allowing the protesters to enter the rally site through Wat Benchamabophit and the 1st Division intersection, where checkpoints had been set up. At least 61 people, including several riot police officers, one soldier and two members of the press, were injured in the clashes, the Public Heath Ministry said. Most of the injuries resulted from exposure to tear gas, while some had cuts and bruises, Dr Narong Sahamethapat, permanent secretary for public health, said. Police detained 137 protesters and took them to a border patrol police unit in Pathum Thani for questioning. The two injured media crew - Surin Sapphakhun of Khao Sod newspaper and Pattanasak Woradech of Thai TBS television channel - were initially detained by police along with the other protesters, but were later released. Police said they mistakenly thought the pair were protesters. National police chief Adul Saengsingkaew blamed protesters for starting the clashes, saying they threw objects at police and tried to break down barriers. He insisted the use of tear gas was justified. Pol Maj Gen Adul said the model of tear gas used by police was the US-made 555 CS type, not the Chinese-made GT6-ARA1CS type that was also found at the scene of the clashes. The GT6 product had already expired. Pitak Siam spokesman AVM Vachara Riddhagni maintained the protest was peaceful, and said the government had deliberately tried to derail it out of fear. The Thai Journalists Association and the Thai Broadcast Journalist Association said the police had overreacted in using force to detain media personnel. The officers' actions were a threat to press freedom and to media professionals who were responsible for reporting the truth to the rest of society, it said. Former Thammasat University rector Surapol Nitikraipoj said the end of the Pitak Siam protest did not mean the defeat of the movement. It was likely to revive itself when the time was right. The alleged police over-reaction is expected to be used as ammunition in the censure debate against the government which begins today. Mr Surapol agreed with Gen Boonlert's decision to call off the rally to protect protesters' lives, and believed the movement would continue under a new leader. Somchai Srisuthiyakorn, a political science lecturer with Sripatum University, said calling off the rally was the best decision under the circumstances. However, the decision might disappoint some protesters, which will make future gatherings more difficult. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/322938/boonlert-calls-it-quits-amid-clashes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zzzz Posted November 25, 2012 Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 The riot policemen in full riot gear are packed 10 deep like sardines. Can you imagine being in the front of something like that? I know it's hot. I'd be pissed. It would take a lot of self-control to NOT start beating up on the protesters. I don't see any good reason for this protest. Their claim of incompetence and corruption can be corrected through the courts/elections. It looks like the Red Shirts got their act together this time, not like the time when the yellow shirts took over the airport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavanami Posted November 26, 2012 Report Share Posted November 26, 2012 The protesters have been described to me as "no shirts", people that want Yingluck out of office. The Thai news showed some of the protesters quite violent...throwing chairs/tables into the \police lines. Saw one protester tear the police protective shield away! WTF.... I would say that the almost all day rain helped to keep the situation a bit quiet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 27, 2012 Report Share Posted November 27, 2012 Here's a thoughtful, well-written account of all of it: http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2012/11/27/the-smell-of-teargas-in-the-morning Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted November 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2012 Quite good and surprisingly unbiased, since we all know Nick's sympathies are with the red shirts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huumlaar Posted November 27, 2012 Report Share Posted November 27, 2012 I don't think of Nick as a Red Shirt sympathizer, he can be pretty objective, just don't involved in a discussion on a web board with him . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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