Flashermac Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 The idea of setting up a People's Democratic Republic of Lanna (PDRL) has been under discussion for six months now, according to a leader of the Love Chiang Mai group. Petchawat Wattanapongsirikul said the PDRL would just be a separate political system for the North, split from Bangkok, and not an independent state. He claims as many as four million out of six million northerners support the idea. Petchawat said people who prefer dictatorship can move from the northern region to other parts of Thailand and warned actors and singers supporting the anti-government People Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) that Chiang Mai people do not welcome them. He said there were three factors behind the idea of setting up a "Republic of Lanna". Firstly, people in the North were looked down upon by others, with the PDRC often referring to red shirts as "red water buffaloes". Secondly, the opposing group did not respect the law and there were double standards in the judicial system. The third reason, he said, was the undemocratic aspirations of the PDRC. Looking down on red shirts as 'red-water buffaloes' was a severe form of discrimination against human dignity, Petchawat noted. The one country, two systems model existed in China and Hong Kong, he said, as an example. Any attempt to stage a coup or to shut down Thailand would result in a struggle to create an independent Lanna Republic, which he insisted would continue to respect HM the King as head of state. He claims to have the support of 80 per cent of people in the North, including those who are not red shirts. "In case there're those who think differently and admire dictatorship, they can move elsewhere. I'm not chasing them away but people should live under a political system that they are happy with. If you are democratic, come stay with us at PDRL." A group of academics, students and alumni at Surat Thani Rajabhat University issued a statement yesterday condemning people who harbour ideas of seccession. In the Northeast, meanwhile, the red-shirt movement began its first day of registration of "democracy defence volunteers". There was also a similar campaign in Maha Sarakham. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/We-favour-a-democratic-Lanna-republic-Chiang-Mai-g-30228154.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted March 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 Red-shirt followers wore white headbands bearing the acronym “sor por por Lanna†( the Democratic Republic of Lanna People) to welcome caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra during her visit to an OTOP trade fair held in Sankamphaeng district of Chiang Mai today (Friday). Some of the red shirts also carried little red and white flags as they cruised around the district in motorcycles to give morale support to Ms Yingluck. The headbands and banners bearing the sor por por Lanna scronym are part of the increasing sign of dissent of the red-shirt followers against what they claimed as the ammart class in Bangkok for their alleged bias against the Pheu Thai government and increasing talk of separatism. http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/category/breakingnews/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WorldFun Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 good luck there is death penalty for splitting the country or even trying Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted March 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 Reds face sedition charge PRO-GOVERNMENT red-shirts in Chiang Mai and Phayao advocating partition from the rest of the country will be charged with sedition under legal action launched by Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha. Third Army Region commander Lt Gen Preecha Chan-ocha, whose has authority over areas in the North, said yesterday that secessionist and related activities - including preparation for such action - were illegal under Articles 113 and 114 of the Criminal Code. Preecha said the charges would primarily relate to the activities of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) leaders in Chiang Mai and Phayao. The first red-shirt groups to face sedition charges would be Rak Chiang Mai 51 and Red Shirt Phayao. Similar action would be taken against red-shirt groups in Phitsanulok who erected banners at several locations calling for the partitioning of Thailand and promoting a People's Democratic Republic of Lanna. Article 113 (3) of the Criminal Code stipulates that partitioning the country, through use of force or announcing plans to do this, is regarded of an act of secession. The crime carries a life term or death sentence. Article 114 states that the preparation and collection of arms for partition and conspiracy to partition the country can result in a prison term of three to five years. Encouraging people to be involved in secessionist activities, or concealing acts that lead to sedition, is punishable with a three to five-year prison term. Deputy Army spokesman Colonel Winthai Suvaree said earlier an order to charge the red-shirts was given directly by Prayuth to Preecha, his younger brother. The news follows activities by red shirts in protest against the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee and their promotion of a People's Democratic Republic of Lanna. The term has been promoted in red-shirt media and widely seen via banners erected in public. "Security authorities have deemed such a statement illegal, uncreative and unsuitable to the current political circumstances," Winthai said. Red shirts in Chiang Mai, a stronghold of pro-government groups and the home province of caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, recently organised a parade in which red and white flags- the colours of the so-called Lanna Republic - were displayed. Winthai called on people engaged in the promotion of the term to be careful about the legal consequences of their actions, as certain activities associated with calling for the partitioning of the country were serious violations of the law. "Freedom of expression is a right under the Constitution, but wanting to partition the country is not viable and certainly impossible to be accepted," Winthai said. Meanwhile, PDRC protesters yesterday left the Pathumwan intersection rally site to protest at Lumpini Park. PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban, together with co-leader and Student and People Network for Thailand's Reform coordinator Uthai Yodmanee, led PDRC supporters in relocating to the park in the city centre. The group marched along Phaya Thai Road to Rama IV Road, where Lumpini Park is located. Suthep said that coming PDRC campaigns would focus on interrupting businesses owned by or linked to the Shinawatra family. He reiterated that moving to Lumpini Park was not a retreat, but a re-jig of PDRC strategies. The park's auditorium would serve as the centre for the protest, with feedback from supporters in and outside Bangkok welcomed. "The Lumpini rally site operates around the clock and will not stop until victory is achieved," he said to a crowd of supporters. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration staff have begun cleaning up vacated protest sites. Protesters camped at Asoke, Silom and Ratchaprasong have also shifted to Lumpini Park. The move came after Suthep on Friday night announced an end to the "Bangkok Shutdown", which started on January 13 in an attempt to oust the caretaker government to pave the way for political reform. The old rally stages would be dismantled so that city traffic could return to normal today. However, he said the PDRC would continue their fight against the "Thaksin regime". One anti-government leader staying put is Buddhist monk Phra Buddha Issara, who is refusing to dismantle the People's Army to Overthrow the Thaksin Regime stage at Phan Fah Lilat Bridge. Pro-government red shirts gathered in large numbers in Udon Thani yesterday in an event dubbed "Beating War Drum". The gathering is a lead to a planned major protest over the PDRC. The reds gathering initially on Saturday night, with many UDD leaders speaking on stage to rouse support from rural people who travelled from several northeastern provinces. Many then travelled in a convoy of about 400 cars and 30 buses to Kalasin, Maha Sarakham, and set up a second stage in Khon Kaen. Launching the convoy from Udon Thani to Kalasin, UDD chairperson Thida Thavornseth said now was the time for democracy lovers to launch an offensive to secure a foothold and reclaim power for the people. Udon Thani was chosen for the launch because the UDD wanted to give morale support to local leader Kwanchai Praipana, who was shot and wounded. Another UDD leader, the deputy Commerce Minister Nattawut Saikua, said the onvoy would later travel to the North. En route to Khon Kaen, the convey was greeted by local residents and later joined by another 100 cars. UDD leader Yoswarit Chuklom said there would also be Beating War Drum rallies in Lamphun, Lampang and Chiang Mai. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Reds-face-sedition-charge-30228195.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted March 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 The red shites are really playing with fire here. I remember how furious people became when they saw the proposed flag of the "PDR of Thailand" displayed at student protests in October 1976, just before the Thammasat Massacre. Rak Chiang Mai 51 are the thugs who have terrorised anyone who does not cheer for Thaksin in the north. Also, Phitsanulok is not now and never has been part of Lanna. Suthep talked about this last night at Lumpini. He said if the reds form their threatened "militia" and march on Bangkok, he will tell the whistle blowers to return to their homes. They do not have to fight. The military will take care of any such armed rebellion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted March 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 Keep out of our town, red DJ tells artists who backed PDRC A red-shirt protester has allegedly issued threats against actors and singers who supported the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) rallies - to keep away from Chiang Mai, a red stronghold and his home province. Apichart Inson or DJ Uan, a Chiang Mai red-shirt leader, posted a video clip on social media telling all artists who joined the PDRC rallies that they should not show up or perform in Chiang Mai. "Chiang Mai is Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's home town so if artists who support the PDRC go to Chiang Mai, red shirts will go to welcome them," Apichart said on his one-minute clip. Apichart also posted photos of people who supported the PDRC, such as former Miss Thailand 1992 Ornanong Panyawong, Khunying Dr Porntip Rojanasunan, the former director of the Central Institute of Forensic Science, and Parunyu "Tack" Rojanawuttitum. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Keep-out-of-our-town-red-DJ-tells-artists-who-back-30228180.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mekong Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 Interesting that PDRL choose Red and White as the colour of the flag. As I am sure most of you are aware the meaning behind the Thai Tricolor (Thong Trairong)is RED Land and People WHITE Theravada Bubbhism BLUE Monarchy (Auspicious Colour of Rama VI) So basically what PDRL are saying by dropping the Blue from the flag is rejecting the Monarchy and if that is not Lese Majeste I don't know what is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavanami Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 Split LOS...hmmmm, what are the money makers in LOS? Airports Beach resorts Most industry is not in Isaan Shipping ports So how would Isaan derive its income??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted March 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 Some of them say they want a "separate status", recognising the King as the head of state but having someone (guess who) for their president. I'm sure that is really going to go over well. Note that these groups are die-hard Thaksin backers and hardly represent the people of the north. A speaker on the protest stage detailed how the red shirts intimidate everyone else in the northeast into not opposing them. He claimed the red shirts are not the majority in Issan these days. Could be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted March 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 Split LOS...hmmmm, what are the money makers in LOS? Airports Beach resorts Most industry is not in Isaan Shipping ports So how would Isaan derive its income??? Somtam? Gai yang? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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