Reds choose symbolic June 24 for rally at Democracy Monument

[StrontiumDog]

Reds choose symbolic June 24 for rally at Democracy Monument - The Nation

Reds choose symbolic June 24 for rally at Democracy Monument

Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation June 9, 2012 1:00 am


Red-shirt leaders have chosen a symbolic date, June 24, for a rally at Bangkok's Democracy Monument after deciding to disperse themselves yesterday after two days of protest rallies at Parliament House.

It was on June 24, 1932, that coup leaders known as "the Promoters" seized power from King Prajadhipok and converted Siam into a constitutional monarchy.

Red-shirt co-leader and Pheu Thai MP Weng Tojirakarn told the crowd of about 2,000 supporters that the seven Constitution Court judges should "honourably" resign for having overstepped their authority and not going through proper channels.

The red shirts say the court made an unconstitutional ruling when it directly ordered Parliament to defer the third reading of the charter amendment bill instead of having the Office of the Attorney-General forward the petition.

"What the court did was wrong," said Weng, urging supporters to ensure that the country will have a charter that is written by the people and for the people and not accept the current one indirectly written by military government in 2007.

Inside the Parliament, in what appeared to be a parallel if not coordinated move, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung also criticised the court.

Although red-shirt leaders say they will reconvene on June 24, the crowd was also told to tune in to red-shirt media in case there is a change in plans.

Red-shirt co-leader Jatuporn Promphan said he wanted to see a million signatures gathered by June 24 for the impeachment of the seven Constitution Court judges.

Jatuporn called the seven judges "very dangerous snakes" and told red shirts to be prepared to fight a long struggle.

He also criticised the Democrat Party as "minority-voice hoodlums" and described the ruling Pheu Thai Party as not masters of the red shirts but comrades in the struggle for democracy.

"Our mission will not end until we have achieved democracy and equality," Jatuporn said.

Not all red shirts were happy to end their protest.

"If the other side won't leave, we shouldn't either," said Tavorn Techa-bannapanya, a 61-year-old red shirt who was in front of the Parliament complex yesterday.

[Gerbil]

I wonder if the 'there is never an excuse for a coup' whingers will appreciate, or even notice, the irony of using this date.

[nostromo]

Less you said better for your movement (pad like 66% dictatorship is it?

I wonder if the 'there is never an excuse for a coup' whingers will appreciate, or even notice, the irony of using this date.

[Tom Sawyer]

I wonder if the 'there is never an excuse for a coup' whingers will appreciate, or even notice, the irony of using this date.

There is never an excuse for a coup against a democratically elected majority government. Fighting for democracy and an end to totalitarian one-person rule is always justified if the majority wishes it.

[Calgary]

Reds choose symbolic June 24 for rally at Democracy Monument - The Nation

It was on June 24, 1932, that coup leaders known as "the Promoters" seized power from King Prajadhipok and converted Siam into a constitutional monarchy.

I will be watching with interest how the media tippy-toes around this rally.

Even in this heading and quote, they are playing with words, to what end I am not sure.

The quote is quite clear about the event in question, and its' date.

But in the title, they slip in the word "symbolic'.

The focus of this rally will certainly 'be in the face" of some people, including all PADites. Given their unelectability, they would revert to the political circumstance pre-dating this 'symbolic' date in a minute.

[aging one]

The focus of this rally will certainly 'be in the face" of some people, including all PADites. Given their unelectability, they would revert to the political circumstance pre-dating this 'symbolic' date in a minute. __________________

Please explain. Be sure to give us more information as you get it.

[nostromo]

I wonder if the 'there is never an excuse for a coup' whingers will appreciate, or even notice, the irony of using this date.

There is never an excuse for a coup against a democratically elected majority government. Fighting for democracy and an end to totalitarian one-person rule is always justified if the majority wishes it.

That is, in a word, a truth.

[Gerbil]

^ that's two words.

[nostromo]

^ that's two words.

Right then, are you going to issue a pass for me to the gas chamber. Since I have other ideas

[StrontiumDog]

Beware the perils of selective history - The Nation

burning issue

Beware the perils of selective history

Pravit Rojanaphruk
@PravitR June 13, 2012 1:00 am

The past is always subject to editing, omission, co-optation and selective memorisation.

This was manifested recently when the red shirts flocked to listen to their leaders' speeches at Muang Thong Thani's Thunder Dome. Before people like Jatuporn Promphan and Nattawut Saigua took the stage, a video showing how resistance to the September 19, 2006, military coup took shape was screened.

Conveniently omitted or edited out was the crucial role of the September 19 Network Against the Coup, which was a mixed bag of anti-Thaksin democracy activists who decided they had to come out and oppose the coup, which ousted Thaksin anyway.

The half-dozen or so members of the network include Thanapol Eiwsakul, editor of the leftist Fah Diew Kan magazine; Chotisak On-soong, a political activist who later became infamous for his refusal to stand up for the royal anthem at a Bangkok cinema; and Sombat Boon-ngam-anong, who later inspired the use of the colour red to oppose the junta-sponsored 2007 charter.

Thanapol and Chotisak are not red shirts and the fact that such people got out to oppose the coup even before any pro-Thaksin figures did made the simplistic us-versus-them history problematic.

A more simplistic plot of us versus them is needed and ordinary red shirts are being directed to remember only the deeds of their current leaders who came out much later.

Even Sombat, the man who inspired the adoption of red and the leader of the Red Sunday Group, is often regarded by some reds with suspicion because he dares to criticise Thaksin Shinawatra publicly when he thinks criticism is merited.

The attempt by the red-shirt movement to use June 24 as the date for its next show-of-force street demonstration is another bid to invoke the past and bathe itself in the aura of The Promoters, who led the revolt that ended absolute monarchy 80 years ago on June 24, 1932.

Whether people like Pridi Banomyong, the late co-leader of the revolt, would approve of the use of such a symbolic date, we may never know, but the attempted co-optation is there for all to contemplate. The past cannot defend itself from omission or co-optation, especially when the people involved are no longer alive.

If we look at the present, we can see that countless things occur each day and so it is impossible to record them all or retell all of them at a later time. History is thus already selective by default, but those who selectively remember or narrate events for political gain make history their "tool" to help them shape the present and the future.

One must be wary when history is invoked, or told in a simplistic manner and without irony or complexity. It is easier to fan passions than encourage understanding - especially when history is told by those who stand to gain something from it.

In a similar fashion, the history of the massacre of October 6, 1976, when a right-wing mob lynched dozens of suspected communist sympathisers, mostly university students, and left many dead is often edited out of the collective memory of royalists.

Be wary of just one version of sanitised history. Be aware of the hegemonic power of history telling. The red-shirt leaders have their own take on anti-coup history. Contrasting versions of the past - laid bare before the public to debate and discuss - are always preferable to one version of history, red or not red, royalist or republican.

All these explain why history often tells us more about those who control and narrate the historic "tale" than about what had really happened in the past.

At times, the task of narrating the past can be like writing a better-than-reality job resume - only the positive parts are put on paper while those that diminish the cogency or unity of the message are often edited out.

[LooseBowels]

^

The selective history is a thing of the past, a tool of the dictator.

The full history is now bared to the International community, and they don't like what they see

You can't argue with that

[Calgary]

Beware the perils of selective history - The Nation

"..........a video showing how resistance to the September 19, 2006, military coup took shape was screened.

A military coup?

Propagandists doing their thing.

It was no more a 'military coup', than the 'man in the moon'.

To blame the tool the coupists used for their coup, is ridiculous. A little bit like when one writes BS, blame the pen!

It is unfortunate how self-censorship can mislead.

A more simplistic plot of us versus them is needed and ordinary red shirts are being directed to remember......"

Repetitive Amart agenda's simply call for canned responses. Saves time. In this case #2 and #4 apply

2. Disrespect and contempt by the Amart for their political opposites

4. Characterizing the anti-coupists of R'song as an anarchic rabble, devoid of political awareness and more importantly, a political context.

The attempt by the red-shirt movement to use June 24 as the date for its next show-of-force street demonstration is another bid to invoke the past and bathe itself in the aura of The Promoters, who led the revolt that ended absolute monarchy 80 years ago on June 24, 1932.

The guy misses the point completely.

Link it to the Constitution Court shenanigans and one can put this Rally into context.

I'm sure this guy knows it, but is intellectually dishonest

"............ but the attempted co-optation is there for all to contemplate. The past cannot defend itself from omission or co-optation, especially when the people involved are no longer alive.

This denigration of the upcoming Rally is just the beginning.

Watch the Amart go through all sorts of intellectual contortions, trying disparage the message intent of this June 24 rally.

There will soon be a torrent of this stuff.

All the while, the UDD/Red Shirts will proceed to shine a bright light where the Amart doesn't want it to shine.

One must be wary when history is invoked, or told in a simplistic manner and without irony or complexity. It is easier to fan passions than encourage understanding -

The Amart/PADites Constitution Court accolytes really don't like the 'message intent' of this rally.

Trying to diminish and ridicule it is seen for what it is.

Can you imagine the huffing and puffing by the 'group think mushrooms', as they agitate and incite each other, all the while protected from alternative thoughts as in this Post.

The red-shirt leaders have their own take on anti-coup history

Yup, they do.

And it is not the propagandistic, pro-Constitution Court, Amart version.

I love their T-shirt, which captures this very powerfully................Just a huge eyeball..................Signifying that their eyes are open.

The 'cult-of-personality' doesn't work anymore.



Heavy-duty self censorship permeates this article.

Best not to write anything if you can't write everything. It just misleads. Best just to shut-up.

[baldrick]

Best just to shut-up.

you save the best till the end

[Seekingasylum]

One hopes the army enters into the spirit of things and shoots a few of the whining, whingeing rabble. Very important to show these street demagogues who's boss as early in the proceedings as possible. They made the mistake last time of indulging them far too much.

[StrontiumDog]

^^Calgary, the guy who wrote that piece is well known for his support of the red shirts and is one of the better and more unbiased journalists at The Nation. As usual you reek of ignorance.

As usual.

[Calgary]

^^Calgary, the guy who wrote that piece is well known for his support of the red shirts and is one of the better and more unbiased journalists at The Nation. As usual you reek of ignorance.

As usual.

I don't give a shit who he is.

My reactions to his quotes can be evaluated on their own merits.

The most telling one is calling the 2006 coup, a military coup....This is misleading from the get-go.

The military was a pawn and tool for others only.

When entitling that coup, invoke the name of the perps, not their enablers.....and if you cannot do that, then shut up about it altogether. Ya just mislead and let the perps off the hook.

[Butterfly]

[hazz]

The 'cult-of-personality' doesn't work anymore.

Its alive well and kicking, as you yourself demonstrate so effectively . The issue is that we have several personality cults in this county who's members are quite happy to rip this country apart and kill all in the name of their dear leader.

[mao say dung]

Conveniently omitted or edited out was the crucial role of the September 19 Network Against the Coup, which was a mixed bag of anti-Thaksin democracy activists who decided they had to come out and oppose the coup, which ousted Thaksin anyway. The half-dozen or so members of the network include Thanapol Eiwsakul, editor of the leftist Fah Diew Kan magazine; Chotisak On-soong, a political activist who later became infamous for his refusal to stand up for the royal anthem at a Bangkok cinema; and Sombat Boon-ngam-anong, who later inspired the use of the colour red to oppose the junta-sponsored 2007 charter. Thanapol and Chotisak are not red shirts and the fact that such people got out to oppose the coup even before any pro-Thaksin figures did made the simplistic us-versus-them history problematic.

Calgary, there is absolutely nothing propagandistic about these statements. This group, which also included Giles Ungpakorn, came out when it took real balls to come out, without major financial backing and without a huge organization. They managed to get as many as 4 or 5 hundred people out at their last rally at Thammasat. Their website was shut down. IIRC they staged their first event at Siam Paragon, so close enough to Rajprasong to have a claim on precedence there too.

Why wouldn't the Reds want to acknowledge these people for having initiated anti-coup protest? The simple fact of the matter is that they were anti-Thaksin and pro-democracy. Most of them have gone over to the Reds, mainly because the old sawng mai ao stance became meaningless after a while.

If the Reds want to be recognized as pro-democracy activists rather than simply pro-Thaksin activists, they would be well-advised not to leave these courageous early protesters out of the history of the anti-coup movement.

[Tom Sawyer]

^ Good post - fully agree

[sabang]

Beware the perils of selective history

Beware the perils of selective editing. Why did they leave out-

Giles Ungpakorn

It is true anyway that before the red shirt movement gained momentum, there was a group of (mainly) academics who spoke out against the Coup, There are also many within the red shirt movement to whom Thaksin serves as a symbol of injustice also, rather than a political icon.

[Calgary]

Calgary, there is absolutely nothing propagandistic about these statements. This group, which also included Giles Ungpakorn, came out when it took real balls to come out, without major financial backing and without a huge organization.

I noted the listings of those who 'went before'.... "John The Baptists" so to speak, and all the power to them. As long as it is not used to diminish those who followed, or vice versa.

I'm not aware that anyone is trying to un-acknowledge anyone. Suggesting such a thing could be termed "Shit disturbing for ulterior motives' considering the propaganda rag it comes from.

Perhaps an implied "sin by ommission' if there was such a thing, can be attributed to this Dome event being a celebration of the "Truth Today" Program anniversary.

I suppose a piece such as above, originating with a thorough propagandistic, anti-UDD/RS rag such as the Nation, is considered propagandistic unless shown otherwise. Guilty unless proven innocent

Their penchant to scratch every tiny scab they can, to magnify differences between Red Shirts is seen for the agenda it is. I immediately see the discussion here as suggesting lack of respect and trying to divide.

I was told that there is even a group called "The Saturday Group" preceded everyone. Even those referenced in the article. But who cares, unless one wants to 'divide and conquer"

But from those splintered start-ups, a larger entity emerged. As a general overview, Red Shirts generally don't care from whence others come, as long as the are "Red Shirts from the heart", as they like to say. Trying to separate pro-and anti-Thaksin Red Shirts is also a fallacy, propagated for ulterior motives.

Anything diminishing the June 24 gathering, and more importantly its' focus, is the problem with this article. Splitting hairs about obscure historical realities that may, or may not be, is seen as a way of questioning the June 24th rally motives.

When solidly integrated with this last Constitution Court debacle, gives a clear rationale for this June 24 focus. Mealy-mouthing around by suggesting historical ducks-may-not-be-in-line, is diminishment of the June 24 historical context. The focus of this rally is clearly targetted and purposefully sending a message.

I will let you speculate who it is sending a message to. Ya don't have to look any further than the powers behind the CC.

Expect many to commence attacking June 24, as the event draws closer and into people's awareness. I'm just watching for it, and plan to challenge it. I happen to be extremely supportive of June 24. It is the right thing to do, at the right time.

Also, the following are erroneous POV in the article, which being in a propaganda source, denotes guilt unless proven innocent:

>Calling the 2006 coup a "military Coup" It misleadingly exonerates the perps. and uses the old propaganda tool of 'diversion'.

> An underlying tone of denigrating Red Shirts, by suggesting current leaders are misleading them for their own aggrandizement. In a propaganda rag, this is propaganda....guilty unless shown otherwise.

>Suggesting that the June 24 event is "fanning passions instead of promoting understanding" is denigrating on several counts.

#1 -Disparaging those whose passions are being fanned with suggested 'mindlessness'. Along the same vein as ridiculing R'song taxpayers as being politically naiive. That Amart arrogance and their own sense of superiority, is annoying. Whenever I see those arrogant PADites with their self-righteous chip-on-the-shoulder attitude, I want to kick ass.

#2 - suggesting lack of understanding........let me assure, there is complete understanding of the June 24 focus. To imply otherwise is propaganda from this piece of propaganda shit. Guilty unless proven innocent.

I saw no innocence in this article.

I saw only discussions that divide, and avoidance of the June 24 rally reality. Disparagement 'by design'.

Not linking the June 24 event to the overarching theme behind the Constitution Court thing is misdirection. It is propagandistic diversion by this propaganda rag. I expect them to do a lot of that. They don't like the linkage of their current battles against democracy to the historical transition of governance being highlighted.

They don't like to be exposed for the way they are trying to reverse that historical event, with a bright light shining on their machinations.

IMHO

[Calgary]

This thread will be a lengthy and busy one, as June 24 approaches.

The Amart Media is going to start dumping all over this event.

[Tom Sawyer]

Agree the psy-op of the Nation will continue. It is however true that there is a socialist core within the UDD holding it's nose over Thaksin in an "ends justify the means" style. It's a shame Sombat rides the fence but as for Ajarn Gi, I can't blame him fleeing the amart's 'police state'. Jacropob was going to arrested and imprisoned too because he was leadership material of a liberal left future party. Shame he remake silent but maybe the elites plan to whack him so he's hiding

[StrontiumDog]

Red shirts plan show of strength | Bangkok Post: news

Red shirts plan show of strength

Huge June 24 rally 'will be warning to the elite'

• Published: 16/06/2012 at 03:14 AM
• Newspaper section: News

The red shirts will issue a warning to forces they believe are attempting to overthrow the government by staging "one of their largest rallies" on June 24.

That day marks the 80th anniversary of the 1932 revolution which brought an end to Thailand's absolute monarchy, ushering in a constitutional monarchy.

The red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) co-leaders feel they are being pushed back by the ammart (elite) they say are seeking to undermine them via the recent actions of independent organisations.

They are referring to the Constitution Court's order to suspend parliament's reading of the charter amendment bill, the NACC's ruling that Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit committed malfeasance by certifying the sale of monastic land to a golf course developer, and the Office of the Ombudsman's ruling that the appointment of UDD leader Nattawut Saikuar as deputy agriculture minister was ethically inappropriate.

UDD chairwoman Tida Tawornseth said the ammart networks are active on all fronts against the UDD.

Ms Tida said she had learned anti-UDD elements are infiltrating the red-shirt movement and trying to persuade members to disobey red-shirt leaders.

UDD co-leader Jatuporn Prompan said the situation has now gone beyond the era of judicial activism, in which the judiciary is accused by the UDD of overreaching its authority into the executive and legislative branches.

He said independent organisations such as the Constitution Court, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and the Office of the Ombudsman are now acting as if they are "states within the state", which do not respond to the elected leadership.

The public must fight against this trend, Mr Jatuporn said.

He urged the red-shirt members to come together at Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Avenue on June 24 to stage "one of the largest rallies" to drive home a warning against those opposed to democracy.

Mr Jatuporn said the Constitution Court's ruling on the charter amendment bill will affect the red shirts either way.

The UDD had opposed the procedure against the bill from the beginning, Mr Jatuporn said.

<cut the rest as it changes topic>