Thread: Reds ready to counter Pitak Siam: Korkaew says anti-govt rally has Democrat links

This is what happens when you allow soldiers to get mixed up in politics- too many bladdy generals & ex-generals.
You only have to listen to boonlert's statements to know he's batshit crazy.
The paste & notion are publicising the dork out of all proportion to any threat that he poses, for their own political reasons.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Seh Ai: 'It’s my last rally'

Want to buy a bridge ?

True enough though - look at this guy. No threat. None.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Chaisit tells Pitak Siam to desist from anti-govt rally - The Nation

Chaisit tells Pitak Siam to desist from anti-govt rally

The Nation November 10, 2012 1:00 am

Chaisit Shinawatra, an adviser to the prime minister, led some 40 Pre-Cadet Academy graduates yesterday to protest against Pitak Siam or the protect Siam group, which is scheduled to hold an anti-government rally on November 25.

The Pre-Cadet Class 5, 7, 8, 10, 11 and 13 graduates called on rally organiser Boonlert Kaewprasit, a Class 1 graduate, to stop harming democracy by pushing for a power seizure.

"Boonlert must stop driving a wedge in society by inviting the military to stage a coup and freeze democratic rule for five years," they said in a statement.

In his attempt to mobilise the masses, Boonlert said the political system should be frozen for five years to pave the way for reforms so the government could no longer cite popular votes to plunder the country.

Chaisit and the graduates countered that if there was another coup, it would inflict untold damage to the economy and it would regress in comparison with other Asean countries.

If this government fails to perform satisfactorily, then the next administration should be installed democratically, they said. The Pre-Cadet graduates also said that they would never condone power seizure or allow Boonlert to overthrow the government using undemocratic means.

Chaisit, who is also a cousin of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, said he was not worried about Boonlert using the masses to pressure the government because he believes the ruling Pheu Thai Party can attract bigger crowds.

"I want to remind Boonlert to come to his senses," he said, adding that Boonlert could not expect his group of protesters to outpace government supporters. He also said that he did not want to see Boonlert being used as a frontman for the elite.

Boonlert's former English-language teacher, Atchara Saengprateep, said she was sad to see her pupil being led astray. "I want the country to stay on the path of democracy and hope that people with wrong ideas will change," she said.

"If this government fails to perform satisfactorily, then the next administration should be installed democratically, they said. "

who is it, who apparently understands democracy? Who is it who would "plunder" the country after a coup?

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Seh Ai: 'It

Seh Ai: 'It’s my last rally'

• Published: 10/11/2012 at 03:53 PM
• Online news: Politics

The planned anti-government rally at the Royal Plaza on Nov 24 will be the last by the Pitak Siam group, says its leader Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit.

The rally is intended to make the general public aware about the mismanagement of the Yingluck Shinawatra government, said the general known as Seh Ai.

Gen Boonlert insisted, however, that there would be no march. He said he would not move the protesters out of the rally site because he did not want to create hardship for Bangkok people.

The retired general claims as many as one million people could turn out but said the rally would not be prolonged. It could end in one day or two days and one night at the maximum.

The first rally staged by Pitak Siam, on Oct 27 at the Royal Turf Club, surprised the government and some other obesrvers by drawing about 20,000 people.

Gen Boonlert has made no secret of his personal desire to see a coup overthrow the Pheu Thai government. However, current military leaders and some of his former colleagues in uniform have tried to distance themselves from such comments.

The timing of the next rally, Gen Boonlert said, had nothing to do with the Nov 25-26 censure debate scheduled in Parliament by the Democrat Party.

The no-confidence debate would not lead to any change in the government as Pheu Thai and its coalition partners have a majority of MPs in the House of Representatives, he added.

A handful of senior figures in the army, alumni from Class 5 and 10 of the Pre-Cadet School, gathered on Friday to protest against the actions of Pitak Siam.

Gen Boonlert pointed out that Gen Chaisit Shinawatra, a leader of the anti-rally group, only held a top position in the army because he is a cousin of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Pitak Siam has levelled three charges against the government: allowing the monarchy to be insulted; being a puppet of Thaksin; and corruption.

Its opposition to corruption has received support from a group called Engineers for the Nation, which says corruption in Thailand has reached a critical level and could ruin the country.

In a statement released on Saturday, it noted that since Transparency International introduced its "corruption perception index" 17 years ago, Thailand has scored poorly, ranging between 2.79 and 3.8 out of ten, with ten being least corrupt.

This showed that past governments had failed to resolve corruption problem, which had grown even worse now, it added.

The group claimed that electronic auctions, which are supposed to make state procurement projects more transparent, had done the opposite in Thailand.

It said research results showed that the e-auction system, initiated by the Thai Rak Thai government, had caused more than 50 billion baht in damage to the country in the past seven years.

It said the government was now trying to revoke strict procurement regulations in order to conveniently spend its fiscal budget by claiming an emergency in settling flood problems as justification.

The 2.2 trillion baht allocated for nationwide construction projects is likely to be spent through the e-auction system, according to the statement signed by Tortrakul Yomnak, the chairman of the group.

Moreover, it said, the government is taking advantage of its parliamentary majority to push through projects without listening to the objections of the people. This is a practice that past governments, even military ones, dared not follow.

"Pitak Siam has levelled three charges against the government: allowing the monarchy to be insulted; being a puppet of Thaksin; and corruption."

jeez, which side continuously brings the monarchy into politics?

Pitak Siam boss vows anti-govt mega-rally - The Nation

Pitak Siam boss vows anti-govt mega-rally

The Nation on Sunday November 11, 2012 1:00 am

Boonlert

Pitak Siam group chief General Boonlert Kaewprasit yesterday vowed to mobilise up to 1 million supporters nationwide to join an anti-government rally on November 24.

Speaking at the Nang Lerng horseracing track, Boonlert said he called a meeting of 100 repre?sentatives of networks nationwide to discuss a mega-rally to be held for two days and one night on November 24. The meeting was joined by former National Assembly member Prasong Soonsiri.

The group discussed the government's failures before announcing its declaration to call a major rally in a final attempt to oust it.

Boonlert denied that the group's rally had any?thing to do with the planned censure motion. He said the government should not link the rally with the censure debate.

Democrat Party spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said the government must be held responsible if there is a clash between pro- and anti-government rallies. He was referring to a move by General Chaiyasit Shinawatra to lead led some 40 Pre-Cadet Academy graduates to oppose the Pitak Siam group rally.

He said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra had options for solving the country's problems, but she had closed all channels and avoided answering questions in the House.

Pheu Thai Party deputy spokesman Jirayu Huangsab said a poll conducted by the party showed that people were willing to rally against the Pitak Siam group. However, the party does not believe it is a good idea, as rallies of two opposing sides may contribute to clashes, which the military could then cite as grounds for staging a coup.

Meanwhile, Noppadon Pattama, fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's legal adviser, denied the Democrats' claim that Thaksin visited Myanmar to discuss business investments in Dawei with Myanmar President General Thein Sein.

He said Thaksin had travelled from Singapore to an African country.

Reds confirm no 'counter-rally' | Bangkok Post: breakingnews

Reds confirm no 'counter-rally'

• Published: 11/11/2012 at 04:47 PM
• Online news:

Leaders of the red-shirt movement confirmed Sunday the group will not hold a counter-rally to Pitak Siam’s second anti-government protest at the Royal Plaza on Nov 24.

The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) has yet to come up with any ideas about moves against Pitak Siam’s planned rally, said Tida Tawornseth. She said she and other UDD co-leaders were scheduled to visit provinces in the North and Northeast to preside over the opening of the group’s democracy schools at that period.

Mrs Tida said the red shirts have “discipline and maturity” and mobilise in unity, therefore holding a mob-versus-mob confrontation will not take place.

Also, the UDD did not have any plan to show up at parliament to cheer on the government during the censure debate on Nov 25-27 because the Pitak Siam mass rally is to be held nearby and may be extended to coincide with the debate.

The Pitak Siam group, led by retired soldier Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit, has announced the rally will last only one or two days. However, Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit on Sunday said he did not believe the group would honour its pledge because its goal is to overthrow the Yingluck Shinawatra government. He called on motorists who love democracy to oppose Pitak Siam by turning their headlights on during daylight hours when the rally is in progress as a symbol of opposition to it.


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Poll: People interested more in rally | Bangkok Post: news

Poll: People interested more in rally

• Published: 11/11/2012 at 11:04 AM
• Online news: Politics

The people are interested more in the next rally of the Pitak Siam Group than the censure debate against individual ministers in the Yingluck Shinawatra cabinet, according to Abac Poll.

The Pitak Siam Group led by Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit, also known as Seh Ai, is scheduled to hold the next rally at the Royal Plaza on Nov 24, ahead of the no-confidence debate in the House of Representatives set for Nov 25-26.

The poll was conducted on 2,174 people between Nov 1-10 in Bangkok, Phetchaburi, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Pathom, Chon Buri, Phrae, Phitsanulok, Chiang Mai, Amnat Charoen, Maha Sarakham, Chaiyaphum, Si Sa Ket, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Narathiwat and Songkhla provinces.

It was intended to survey the opinion of the people on lessons learned from the recent United States presidential election and hot issues on Thai politics and administration.

Asked to mention model examples seen from the US presidential election, 78.9% said the American people, unlike Thais, accept the election results, 69.4% were full of praise for the US election without vote-buying, and 67.5% admired the fight between rival parties in terms public policies without causing conditions for violent conflict among the people.

A great majority, or 88.5%, of the respondents still hold a strong belief in democracy under the constitutional monarchy after monitoring the US presidential election.

On the planned rally by the Pitak Siam Group on Nov 24 and the censure debate against individual ministers set for Nov 25-26, a majority or 61.7% are more interested in the rally than the debate.

A majority or 57.7% did not think there would be a change in the government after the censure debate while the rest thought otherwise.

PAD gives its supporters ok to join Pitak Siam rally on 24th - The Nation

PAD gives its supporters ok to join Pitak Siam rally on 24th

The Nation
November 12, 2012 1:00 am


The yellow-shirt movement yesterday gave the green light for its supporters to join Pitak Siam's anti-government rally at the Royal Plaza on November 24.

"I don't invite you today to join the rally but if you're free and it's convenient, you should go. Our country needs someone who is brave and dares to take action like us," Chamlong Srimuang, a co-leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), told a seminar at a hotel in Lop Buri.

He was referring to Boonlert Kaewprasit, a retired general and the leader of Pitak Siam.

PAD had resolved against joining Boonlert's first rally at the Royal Turf Club on October 28, which surprisingly drew more than 10,000 followers.

Chamlong said PAD leaders had consulted together and agreed to postpone yellow-shirt seminars in Kanchanaburi on November 24 and Phetchaburi on November 25.

PAD saw that the November 24 gathering was an important one so its leaders wanted to encourage its supporters to join the demonstration.

Thida Thavornset, chairwoman of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, said her movement would not stage a rally to counter Boonlert's.

She said she would be busy opening red-shirt schools upcountry later this month.

Thailand should brace for more bruising politics | South China Morning Post

Thailand should brace for more bruising politics

Pavin Chachavalpongpun says return of Thaksin loyalists in cabinet reshuffle has riled opponents

Monday, 12 November, 2012, 12:00am

Pavin Chachavalpongpun


Yingluck Shinawatra will likely serve a full four-year term and this will infuriate her political opponents. Photo: Xinhua


Thailand could be heading towards a new round of violent political confrontations. Late last month, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra reshuffled the cabinet for the third time in just over a year. She brought in a number of trusted allies of her brother Thaksin, the country's former premier who is believed to be the real power behind the current government.

Among the loyalists to gain favour was Surapong Tovichakchaikul, who was promoted to deputy prime minister while keeping his post as foreign minister. Surapong played a crucial role in facilitating Thaksin's travels abroad. Soon after becoming foreign minister, he issued a new passport to Thaksin, claiming that the charges against the former premier were politically motivated.

Observers say the latest reshuffle could be another attempt to pave the way for Thaksin's return. He was ousted by a coup in 2006, and has been living overseas to avoid a two-year jail sentence for corruption.

The Yingluck government has done well over the past year, successfully boosting the economy, implementing policies popular with its rural base, and pushing for national reconciliation. She seems likely to serve a full four-year term, and this will infuriate her political opponents.

To weaken her position, these opponents have again instigated street protests and called for the military's intervention. They organised a rally of about 20,000 late last month at Bangkok's horse racing track. Among them were royalists who saw the rise of Thaksin and Yingluck as a threat to the <redacted>.

In parliament, the opposition Democrat Party has joined the anti-government bandwagon, seeking to file a no-confidence motion against Yingluck and some of her cabinet members. But since the chance of pushing through the motion is slim, some Democrats have turned to personal attacks, criticising her for her supposedly bad English and poor dress sense.

Anti-Thaksin forces have also re-emerged in response to the government's push to investigate the deaths of red-shirt, pro-Thaksin protesters during mass demonstrations in 2010. The government is said to be likely to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, to try and bring the culprits to justice. If this is true, it means that the government is willing to confront the security forces.

The question is whether Yingluck is ready to do so. Why would she jeopardise her government by openly challenging the military? So far, she has tried hard to build a working relationship with it. The ratification issue could wreck this relationship - and this could mean even less chance of a homecoming for her brother.


Pavin Chachavalpongpun is associate professor at Kyoto University's Centre for Southeast Asian Studies

Bangkok Pundit has a piece on this too....click the link........

The start of a new round of political protests in Thailand? | Asia News – Politics, Media, Education | Asian Correspondent

The start of a new round of political protests in Thailand?

By Bangkok Pundit Nov 12, 2012 10:00AM UTC

Pheu Thai asks Thais to turn lights on | Bangkok Post: news

Pheu Thai asks Thais to turn lights on

• Published: 12/11/2012 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

The ruling Pheu Thai Party has urged citizens opposed to the Pitak Siam group's anti-government protest later this month to express their disapproval by switching on their vehicle headlights on the day of the rally.

Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said the opposition rally might last for days because the group was mounting a campaign to topple the government.

Pitak Siam leader Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit said on Saturday that he would try to restrict the mass rally to one day.

Gen Boonlert said the group is trying to attract at least 1 million participants for its second rally at the Royal Plaza.

The first demonstration, at the Royal Turf Club on Oct 28, attracted 20,000 people, according to organisers.

However, police put the figure at closer to 7,000.

Mr Prompong said the gathering was undemocratic and would hurt the country's political progress.

The pro-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) yesterday confirmed it will not hold a counter-rally. UDD chairwoman Tida Tawornseth said the red shirts have discipline and maturity, so a mob-versus-mob confrontation will not take place.

The UDD does not plan to gather outside parliament to support the government during the censure debate on Nov 25-27, she said, because the Pitak Siam rally will be held nearby.

The public is more interested in Pitak Siam's next rally than the upcoming censure debate, according to an Abac Poll. The poll surveyed 2,174 people in 17 provinces, including Bangkok, from Nov 1-10. A majority, or 61.7%, said they were more interested in the Pitak Siam rally than the debate and subsequent no-confidence vote.

PAD leaders not joining Seh Ai's rally
12/11/2012

Core members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) will not take part in the planned rally of the Pitak Siam group on Nov 24, but will give it moral support, Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang said on Monday.

Maj-Gen Chamlong, a core member of the PAD, said although leading members would not participate, rank and file supporters could take part at their own discretion, as is their right under the constitution.

As a show support for Pitak Siam, PAD's core members had decided unanimously to cancel plans for a political reform seminar in Kanchanaburi on Nov 24 and in Phetchaburi on Nov 25, to allow people to freely attend the Pitak Siam rally.

bangkokpost.com

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Yingluck Shinawatra will likely serve a full four-year term and this will infuriate her political opponents.

Obviously. It will be only the second completed electoral term in the history of Thailand.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) has yet to come up with any ideas

Insightful analysis there.

Originally Posted by Tom Sawyer

General no-teeth is the latest third-stringer who's been recruited by the amart-sakdina to keep the anti-Thaksin fuse burning, but it appears BP and the mainstream sympathetic-right-wing-yellow media (from which BP seems to take most of his analysis) are giving this dysfunctional and small camp greater street cred than they're due.

Where would you suggest he gets his pieces from Tom?

MCOT and NNT both got taken over and destroyed by the new govt. appointed head. Now they are now nothing but lame sources of news and cover very little stuff. Only a few updates a day. Useless.

TAN got mysteriously bought and totally removed from the internet.

Actually, the only 2 non-govt controlled national news services in English are The Nation and The Bangkok Post....(which Thaksin recently maligned....isn't it great Tom, that you and Thaksin both spout the same stuff....).

But I guess you see nothing wrong with that. You just want to read stuff that agrees with your own warped views.

So, come on, where should he get his pieces from? Name your sources.

Oh and btw, the same is true of the Thai news now. The govt. friendly Thai news outlets avoid a lot of the negative stuff about this govt. But I guess you knew that already, right?

PAD lets members join Pitak rally | Bangkok Post: news

PAD lets members join Pitak rally

• Published: 12/11/2012 at 06:03 PM
• Online news: Local News

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) has cleared the way for its members to take part in the planned rally of the Pitak Siam group to oust the government.

PAD core members on Monday showed moral support for the group but decided they would not take part in the gathering at the Royal Plaza on Nov 24.

It has decided to cancel a political reform forum slated for Nov 24 in Kanchanaburi and Nov 25 in Phetchaburi, PAD key member Chamlong Srimuang said.

The cancellation is to give PAD supporters the chance "to use their judgement and personal decision on whether they will join the rally on that day with no activities by the PAD creating an obstacle", he added.

Sondhi Limthongkul, another key PAD leader, said the leaders unanimously agreed not to join Pitak Siam but they will not block their members from going to the Royal Plaza.


Yellow-shirt leaders at a press conference to outline their position on a rally by the Pitak Siam group. (Photo by Natthiti Ampriwan)

Pitak Siam's first demonstration at the Royal Turf Club on Oct 28 attracted an estimated 20,000 people, according to organisers. Police put the figure at closer to 7,000, but the stadium was full.

Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit, leader of the anti-government Pitak Siam group, has vowed to mobilise at least one million people for the second rally.

The government and the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) remained cautious about the next Pitak Siam demonstration but are optimistic it will not gather pace to bring down the Pheu Thai Party-led government.

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung said security authorities would be able to control the demonstrators and was confident that the rally will not spill over to Nov 25 when a censure debate engineered by the opposition Democrat Party begins.

Red-shirt leader Nattawut Saikuar said UDD members will stay away from the Pitak Siam rally to avoid possible confrontations.

The rally will not disturb the work of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her government, they said.

But they were concerned that the situation was reminiscent of what happened before the coup in 2006 when the military decided to oust then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra after the PAD demonstrations against his government.

National army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha made the army's position clear on Monday that it will not try to deter the protest by Pitak Siam as the rally is within democratic principles.

But Gen Prayuth reiterated his intention not to allow active soldiers to join in the protest, although they could do so in a personal capacity.

"I don't want active soldiers to take part in the gathering because of possible consequences if there are problems coming out of the rally," he said.

Chalerm: Seh Ai's rally gets funding | Bangkok Post: news

Chalerm: Seh Ai's rally gets funding

• Published: 12/11/2012 at 12:32 PM
• Online news: Local News

The planned rally of Pitak Siam Group under Gen Boonlert "Seh Ai" Kaewprasit is being funded by the same people who backed the Sept 19, 2006 coup that toppled the Thaksin Shinawatra government, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung claimed on Monday.


Gen Boonlert "Seh Ai" Kaewprasit (left) and Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung have lunch at the Royal Turf Club on Oct 25, 2012. (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)

Mr Chalerm said this before attending the regular cabinet meeting, which was moved up from Tuesday because Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is scheduled to visit the United Kingdom between Nov 12-15.

He said the cabinet would today assess the political situation, particularly the planned rally of the Pitak Siam group on Nov 24, and discuss the coming censure debate on Nov 25-26.

Mr Chalerm believed the rally would be peaceful and the participants would respect the law and said the authorities would certainly not resort to violence.

Representatives of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, National Human Rights Commission and the Office of the Attorney General would be invited to observe the police handling of the anti-government rally, he said.

Mr Chalerm said he believed the rally would not be extended to include the following two days, when the censure debate is to held, or develop to the extent that MPs would not be able to attend meetings.

He claimed the Pitak Siam rally was funded by the same group of financiers who supported the Sept 19, 2006 coup that deposed the Thaksin government.

Army men told to stay away from anti-govt protest - The Nation

Army men told to stay away from anti-govt protest

The Nation November 13, 2012 1:00 am

Army Commander-in-Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday reiterated that active Army officers are prohibited from joining an anti-government rally later this month.

Prayuth said he had instructed his subordinates to stay away from the rally and said police would serve as the officers in charge of ensuring security during the rally.

General Boonlert Kaewprasit, a retired Army officer and the leader of the Pitak Siam (Protecting Thailand) movement, plans a massive demonstration against the government at the Royal Plaza on November 24.

"I've told my subordinates that it's not time for us to do anything. This is an affair of the people and they will campaign as it their right under a democratic system," Prayuth said.

Participation may cause trouble: Prayuth

Prayuth said active Army officers aren't allowed to join the rally as their participation might lead to trouble later.

The People's Alliance for Democracy, meanwhile, issued a formal statement, reaffirming its stand that the PAD leaders would not join the Boonlert-led rally on November 24.

PAD co-leader Chamlong Srimuang told a press conference at Ban Phra Arthit that the PAD resolved to provide moral support for Boonlert and said it would allow its supporters to use their individual judgement as to whether to join the rally.

Chamlong said Boonlert had clearly demonstrated his intention to push for changes at the rally on November 24, so the PAD leaders unanimously resolved to cancel seminars in Kanchanaburi and Phetchaburi on November 24 and 25 respectively so PAD supporters could decide whether to join the rally.

Also yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said the government had no policy to block a democratic rally that would not affect other people's rights.

Chalerm said he had instructed police not to use violence to deal with demonstrators but told them to adhere to international standards in handling the protest.

Chalerm said representatives of the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the National Human Rights Commission would be invited to monitor how police would deal with the protesters.

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Thaksin should not overlook the PAD lesson - The Nation

Burning Issue

Thaksin should not overlook the PAD lesson

Avudh Panananda
The Nation November 13, 2012 1:00 am

The man in Dubai should carefully assess the two Pitak Siam rallies, one held on October 28 and another scheduled for November 24, if he is to avoid putting Thailand as well as its political system at risk.

Thaksin Shinawatra appears to be the real target of anti-government messages, even though Pitak Siam leader Boonlert Kaewprasit has billed his street protests as an integral part of the opposition movement to Prime Minister Yingluck.

The Pitak Siam critique of the flaws of populism, such as the rice-pledging scheme, corruption, cronyism and ill-gotten gains amassed by government supporters, is nothing but a rehash of stories circulated by the People's Alliance for Democracy before the 2006 coup to oust Thaksin.

In 2005, the pro-Thaksin camp shrugged off the PAD as a gang of political bullies seeking change through undemocratic means. Thaksin saw his immense popularity as an invincible shield for his government.

In the final days of his leadership, he became a globetrotter seeking the support of the international community to safeguard Thai democracy.

The power seizure happened, however. And for the past six years, Thaksin has been trotting the globe in an attempt to find his way back home.

Thaksin, Yingluck and their supporters may see a repeat downfall if they refuse to factor in their opponents.

Just like the politically fatal mistake made by Thaksin in ignoring the PAD, Yingluck happens to be busy cultivating international ties in the weeks ahead of a showdown with Pitak Siam.

In the previous rally, Pitak Siam protesters surged to about 20,000 at the Royal Turf Club.

For the protest next Saturday, Boonlert said he would aim to mobilise a million protesters at the Royal Plaza. Security authorities have estimated a turnout of up to 30,000 people.

The rally site and adjacent areas, including Rajdamnoen Avenue, could not hold more than 80,000 people.

Due to the design of the plaza, a crowd of 20,000 to 30,000 people would show an impressive picture as viewed through camera lenses.

In February 2005, the PAD chose the plaza to kick off its street protests to remove Thaksin. Likewise, Pitak Siam might be expecting its plaza rally to achieve a similar momentum to that of the PAD's in order to root out the Thaksin's legacy.

When the PAD spearheaded the opposition movement against the Thai Rak Thai-led government, the then ruling party countered by portraying the yellow shirts as undemocratic forces.

When the PAD again resumed street protests in 2008, two governments, led by Samak Sundaravej and Somchai Wongsawat, tried to crush, rather than reason with, the opposition movement.

When the red shirts descended on the streets, the Democrats failed to engage them in talks in order to address their grievances.

Fast-forward to the present. Pitak Siam has been protesting against corruption and populism. And in its rebuttals, the ruling Pheu Thai Party is voicing suspicion about a pretext to derail democratic rule.

While Pitak Siam and the government are trying to point the finger at one another for harming democracy, the two seem to have let a mutual suspicion cloud their judgement on finding common ground to settle their differences over populism and charter rewrite.

If the rival camps insist on their way or the highway, then politics would veer off course with untold damage to the country.

It is perhaps time for Thaksin to pick up the phone and start talking to his opponents, starting with Boonlert. What is the point of wielding his popularity when he could not live in his own home?

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

When the PAD spearheaded the opposition movement against the Thai Rak Thai-led government, the then ruling party countered by portraying the yellow shirts as undemocratic forces.

As if.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

While Pitak Siam and the government are trying to point the finger at one another for harming democracy,

Let Pitak Siam form a political party then- and see how many votes they get.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

When the PAD again resumed street protests in 2008, two governments, led by Samak Sundaravej and Somchai Wongsawat, tried to crush, rather than reason with, the opposition movement.

What nonsense- they were even allowed to occupy the international airport, and the military announced they were going to do nothing to stop it. This just a few months after Samak had won a safe electoral victory.

Bangkok?s No 1 shopping zone to be spared from political rally | MCOT.net



Bangkok’s No 1 shopping zone to be spared from political rally

By Digital Media | 12 พ.ย. 2555

BANGKOK, Nov 12 – A leading Thai business operator at Ratchaprasong, Bangkok’s top shopping avenue, today allayed fears of a mass rally by the anti-government Pitak Siam group later this month, saying he expected it to be a peaceful demonstration within the framework of the law.

Chai Srivikorn, president of the Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association, said he did not believe the Nov 24th political rally will lead to a repeat of the month-long demonstration at Ratchaprasong in mid-2010.

He said business at Ratchaprasong has already returned to the level of its peak in 2009 while tourists from the US and Europe have opted out to be replaced by those from China, India and Russia.

The occupancy rate at area hotels is 80-90 per cent, and hotel rooms are fully booked until early next month, he said. He was optimistic regarding tourists’ confidence on Thailand, adding that Ratchaprasong has been ranked one of the top ten suitable locations for a New Year’s countdown in Bangkok.

Mr Chai painted a rosy prospect for Thailand’s tourism next year thanks to the improving economic situation in the U.S. and higher purchasing power among neighbouring countries like Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.

The association has joined with four public and private organisations in holding the “Happiness is all around @ Ratchaprasong” campaign during the holiday season and expected to attract more than 16 million tourists to the shopping hub and generate a total revenue of more than Bt13 billion.

A Bt80-100 million budget will be allocated for the campaign and more than 3,000 shops will offer up to 70 per cent discounts, he said.

The traditional Thai ceremony of offering alms to monks will be carried out on BTS Skytrain stations on New Year’s morning, while Ratchaprasong will be colourfully illuminated during the festive season, he said. (MCOT online news)

^ Yes, the above piece is from MCOT. An example of the indepth, cutting analysis we are now to be subjected to. Dumbing down to a whole new level....but Tom I guess that's what you want, right? No opposition...

https://teakdoor.com/thailand-and-asi...highlight=mcot (Why so serious? New MCOT chief prefers 'happy' news to brutal reality)

Pitak Siam lacks social agenda | Bangkok Post: opinion

COMMENTARY

Pitak Siam lacks social agenda

• Published: 13/11/2012 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

What is in a name? Contrary to what Juliet Capulet said, the answer can be many things.

Consider the name Pitak Siam _ protecting Siam _ for example. The name of the latest anti-government group, headed by retired general Boonlert Kaewprasit, alone raises many sharp, ironical questions about its whole existence and objective.

What is Siam? What is the group's idea of Siam? If there was such an idea, has it been communicated to members of the public so that those who choose to attend the rally understand clearly what they are doing to achieve what objective?

Let's assume the group made a conscientious choice when it decided to call itself an organisation that is out to protect "Siam".

We know that Siam is the old name of our country but we haven't used that name for at least seven decades. What does it stand for today? A Google search turns out these top entries: Siamsport, Siam University, Siam Phone, Siam Zone and Siam Fishing.

What is the "Siam" that Gen Boonlert's group wants to protect?

Siam was adopted as the name of the country from the early Rattanakosin era. It was changed to Thailand in 1939, under the premiership of Field Marshal Plaek Pibulsongkram.

Considering what Gen Boonlert has articulated in interviews to the press about his group's activities and what his own vision was in rallying the anti-Thaksin and anti-government base, it's possible the group chose the name Pitak Siam to connote a general yearning to return to the kingdom's old days. After all, Gen Boonlert did say he would rather see the country being "frozen" for a few years than to see it progressing in the way that it is.

The general did not specify, however, which aspects of more than a century of Siamese society he would like Thailand to return to. To absolute monarchy? To the time when we still had slaves? To the strict political and social hierarchy that allowed little exchanges and movements among people from different strata which might contribute to the perception of the time being peaceful and harmonious?

More importantly, does Gen Boonlert genuinely believe his wish can be realised? That he could force back time and "freeze" people in today's Thai society, most of them armed with iPhones and WiFi and connected with one another almost at the speed of thought, to stand still, be contented and not strive for more?

After all, who can triumph over progress?

Gen Boonlert's latest move is to call on 1 million people to gather at the Royal Plaza next weekend in an attempt to topple the government. He said if the turnout is less than that, he will stop organising anti-government rallies.

I don't mean to be a square-head but does the general know what he is talking about?

The Royal Plaza covers an area of about 13,000 sq m. If we assume that each square metre can hold three or four people, then the maximum number of people that can show up there would be somewhere between 39,000 and 52,000.

That is a far cry from the million-people mark that Gen Boonlert set for himself, is it not? The question then is: has he purposely set himself up to fail? Or does he have something up his sleeve that will ensure the life of his protest will be prolonged, even if there is no way he will have a date with a million people at the Royal Plaza next Saturday?

How about I leave the scepticism aside, cut Gen Boonlert some slack and say we will not be too strict with the exact number of participants to his second rally. As long as more people turn up in the second round than the first one, we could say it's reason enough for him to carry on. But the question remains about where he would carry on to. What type of "frozen" society will Gen Boonlert lead the Thai public to if he succeeds in toppling the democratically elected government and possibly the whole idea of democracy too?

If the "Siam" which Gen Boonlert wants to protect and pursue means a Siam that lacks progress and freedom, he'd better spell it out now, loud and clear.


Atiya Achakulwisut is Deputy Editor, Bangkok Post.