Thread: Rare Anti-Coup Protest in Thailand

An anti-coup demonstrator is arrested as he makes a speech outside the
Art and Cultural Centre in Bangkok on February 14, 2015 (AFP/Nicolas Asfouri)

AFP
February 14, 2015

Dozens of anti-coup activists held a demonstration in central Bangkok Saturday, handing out roses and copies of George Orwell's "1984" -- a rare expression of public dissent in a nation still under strict martial law. The demonstrators, a collection of pro-democracy groups including students, made no secret of their Valentine's Day protest plans, advertising them on Facebook.

In response the authorities put up a series of barriers to stop demonstrators accessing a plaza opposite a mall in the city's downtown Siam shopping district. But dozens of activists nonetheless managed to gather on the streets and pedestrian walkways in the late afternoon, watched by a similar number of police officers.

Festooning the walkways and streets with roses, some erected cardboard ballot boxes and put up mock voting tables -- a criticism of Thailand's generals who seized power in a May coup following the ousting of Yingluck Shinawatra's democratically elected government.

Several of the most vocal protesters were seen being led away by police.

"I am here to protest against the coup," Pat Lertkeerstikul, an office worker, told AFP. "It's almost a year since they stole the last election. We want our democracy back," she added.

Others protesters handed out copies of Orwell's anti-authoritarian novel "1984" and flashed the three-fingered salute from the popular Hollywood franchise "The Hunger Games". Symbolic public readings of "1984" and the salute have both become symbols of opposition since the military's takeover -- but making such gestures frequently courts arrest.

Full article: Rare anti-coup protest in Thailand

The previous four democratically elected leaders all removed from office, I mean, take a hint protesters.

If you've been around for a while it is easy to regard this kind of thing as the norm for Thailand. Yet when one thinks about what it means when young people peacefully asserting their preference for democracy are forcibly detained by uniformed troops, events like this are quite mind boggling. Certainly images like the one in the OP have an impact internationally. As some senior figures in the regime say, their values are not the same as Western values, and many in the West don't like what they see.

The powers that be, know that the West does not give a shit.
Thailand is a fun holiday destination.

Prayuth and his cronies are detached from reality........if they had brains they would be dangerous.....

Prat, the Prat , is the Prat in full command of a fun tourist destination, tourists haven't a clue about Prat, they only meet the local Prats.

Okay I give up, just asked Mary ( Who is Thai) who is in charge of Thailands government, answer " I don't know"

Thai Security Force Breaks Up Pro-Election Rally

BANGKOK - Four activists, including a university student, have been arrested and reportedly charged with violating the ban on protests for demanding the Thai junta to hold an election in their rally in Bangkok today.

The four activists were arrested as they were organizing a rally in front of Bangkok Art and Culture Center on Saturday's evening.

The demonstration, which drew over 200 participants and spectators, was organized in the name of a newly formed activist group "Resisting Citizens." The group demanded that the Thai military junta restore democratic rule and hold an election immediately.

The junta staged a military coup against the elected government on 22 May 2014 and has since imposed a nationwide ban on any public protest and political activity. Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, junta chairman and Prime Minister, promised to hold an election by 2016, but the Resisting Citizens believes the time frame is too vague.

The four activists arrested for today's calls for election are Pansak Srithep, Arnon Nampha, Siriwit Serithiwat, and Wannakiat Chusuwan. They were taken away from the rally site by security officers.

Pansak and Arnon have been campaigning against the military junta in recent months, and Siriwit is a Thammsat University student and a core leader of a pro-democracy activist group, while Wannakiat is identified by the security force as a taxi driver.

Security was tight throughout the rally, which is the most open challenge to the military junta's ban on political activities since the sporadic anti-coup protests in June last year.

Police officers stationed at the rally site also appeared to incite tension among the protesters by accusing some demonstrators of not "being Thai" and demanding them to sing the Thai national anthem, prompting murmurs of discontent from the crowd.

"The security officers' treatment reflects the fact that they were worried too much," said Arnon, who is a lawyer by profession, shortly before his arrest, "In fact, I tried to hold activities that are constructive and under [non violent] framework."

At around 10 pm on 14 February the official Facebook page of the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, the group that has been coordinating legal assistance for anti-coup dissidents, posted that the four activists have been charged with violating the ban on protests.

The four activists are likely facing trial under military court, where military officers serve as judges, and no appeals are possible.

Siriwit, the student activist, will also face a separate charge of violating a disagreement he has made with the authorities, according to the post; Siriwat was previously forced to sign an MOU vowing not to participate in any protest in the last time he was detained.

Thai Security Force Breaks Up Pro-Election Rally

Originally Posted by KEVIN2008

Prayuth and his cronies are detached from reality........if they had brains they would be dangerous.....

Yes...
It's been like this amongst the elite/establishment for quite some time now.

Nothing new about this current group.

There are many articles in the foreign/International press as regards Thailand, its political circumstances and its leadership. One needs to look, but they are being posted nevertheless.

A Nation under lock and key...re-education camps alive and well in this century.

Originally Posted by ltnt

re-education camps alive and well in this century

and equally as effective as the Thai education system.

Anybody know what goes on in these re-education sessions?...

On a positive note this may be the first time ever that thais have even considered reading a book. George Orwell too. A few more coups and they'll be reading Henry James at MBK.

Originally Posted by KEVIN2008

Prayuth and his cronies are detached from reality........if they had brains they would be dangerous.....

Problem being, even without a brain they are dangerous.
sep

Originally Posted by BaitongBoy

Anybody know what goes on in these re-education sessions?...

They look for a spare cell to re educate, then a special event such as Valentines day comes along and they're fucked.

sep

I imagine it involves more of the same BS - lining up in neat rows, being reminded of how generous their "father" is for allowing them to occupy space and breathe in the country. Lots of songs of praise and no fish head soup for supper if you don't toe the line.

Unfortunately, no re-education occurred. All have been released on bail, 20,000 baht ea. and 40,000 for the lawyer who is a "repeat offender." court on the 18th so the report says.

Marvelous, there is a way to avoid re-education camps. No doubt they'll never see their bail money again. Gotta love this place. No rights for the lawful population and every right for those who broke the law and took over the country?

All they want to do is vote for their government. What's the issue? The new unelected government also stated recently that Yingluck couldn't eat a bowl of noodles unless he allowed her to do so. Must be part of that "special re-education program?"

Fear of the spoken or written word is a certainty to end in failure.

Now Betty. Stated this on a International new report.

Originally Posted by sabang

Originally Posted by ltnt

re-education camps alive and well in this century

and equally as effective as the Thai education system.

Subliminally, nothing has changed....

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

Originally Posted by ltnt

The new unelected government also stated recently that Yingluck couldn't eat a bowl of noodles unless he allowed her to do so.

Was he talking about now or when she was PM?

This, of course, has been the fundamental problem in Thailand since the 1930s - military power.

Of course. Yet, the underlying issue is why no one addresses this true foundation, historically. The military has had a firm hold on power in modern times and no one [on the surface] has the collective bollocks to ask the whys and wherefores - from all circles.

What does the military protect - in essence and reality?
Who benefits from ongoing military repression and a strong presence [while receiving blessings and support]??

Hmm, let's see now...

Thai Security Force Breaks Up Pro-Election Rally

Police officers stationed at the rally site also appeared to incite tension among protesters by accusing some demonstrators of not "being Thai" and demanding them to sing the Thai national anthem, prompting murmurs of discontent from the crowd.

WARNING ; EXTREME NATIONALISM AHEAD

^ I don't understand why the junta just don't get the Diebold and ESS secret software ballot tabulating machines. Just fix the elections they way they want. It's worked fine for the US .
FraWd at the Touch of a Button ( Since 1996 )