Thai government bans goods that "cause disunity"; will jail violators for 2 years

**StrontiumDog** · 19-11-2010, 04:42 PM

http://rikker.blogspot.com/2010/11/t...hat-cause.html

Thai government bans goods that "cause disunity"; will jail violators for 2 years

Today, Thailand's CRES* ordered a ban of subversive goods within Bangkok and adjacent provinces still under an official State of Emergency. The ban includes clothing and all consumer goods deemed objectionable.

While not targeting the "red shirt" protesters explicitly, this ban is apparently in response to rallies in the capital today to observe the six-month anniversary of the violent end to the protests-turned-riots of April and May. Clothing and other accessories sold at these rallies often express opposition to or contempt for PM Abhisit Vejjajiva and his government.

Red shirts for sale.

Bangkok and other provinces have been under emergency rule since April 7. This represents the longest State of Emergency in Bangkok in more than a quarter century. (Prior to this, after the Thammasat Student Massacre of 1976 the Thai military maintained a State of Emergency in Bangkok for nearly 8 years, until 1984.)

The following is a translated excerpt from the ban, which took effect immediately:

Item 1: Individuals are forbidden to have in their possession, or possess with intent to sell or otherwise distribute, products, clothing, consumer goods, or any other objects that contain printing, writing, drawing, photography, or any other method that conveys a meaning which provokes, incites, agitates, or causes disunity in the general populace, or acts or supports acts which cause a state of emergency.

Item 2: Authorities are authorized to order the seizure or confiscation of products, clothing, consumer goods, or any other objects as outlined in Item 1, and are authorized to act as necessary to maintain the security of the state or the safety of the public.

Item 3: These orders are to be made by authorities of commissioned officer level or equivalent.

Item 4: Any person violating this order is subject to up to 2 years imprisonment or a fine of up to 40,000 baht, or both. This order is enacted under Article 18 of the 2005 State of Emergency Administration Act and is effective from 19 November 2010.

[Signed]
General Prayuth Chan-ocha

You can read the full Thai text of the ban here.

* CRES is the Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situations, a military-headed organization that assists in governing the country after a formal State of Emergency is declared.

**Bettyboo** · 19-11-2010, 04:48 PM

CRES are good aren't they...

I particularly like:

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

or causes disunity in the general populace, or acts or supports acts which cause a state of emergency.

Basically, that covers everything according to how they wish to interpret things. And, I think we all know what that means.

Abhisit is truly a beacon of democracy...

**Bower** · 19-11-2010, 04:49 PM

Amazing Thailand !

**Moonraker** · 19-11-2010, 04:56 PM

55555555

The fashion police are out.

**Mid** · 19-11-2010, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Thai government bans goods

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Thailand's CRES* ordered a ban

1 + 1 = 2

**Mid** · 19-11-2010, 05:07 PM

Item 1 would get blown out of court in a developed nation .

**dirtydog** · 19-11-2010, 05:23 PM

Thailand, the land of the free, maybe time to move to Burma or somewhere else less oppressive

**Bettyboo** · 19-11-2010, 05:29 PM

So, when a red waves a foot clapper = 2 years.

How about when they wave their yellow clapper at the PAD rally? That's okay...

When is Abhisit's next speech on freedom of the press/expression/political voices due? I do so enjoy his sincerity...

Nostradamus · 19-11-2010, 05:36 PM

You just know it's going to kick off big style eventually.

Pressure is still building, and with stuff like this, they are just making it worse.

**Norton** · 19-11-2010, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Thai government bans goods that "cause disunity"; will jail violators for 2 years

Like these?

**sabang** · 19-11-2010, 07:12 PM

So under the auspices of an emergency decree declared by an illegitimate government, General Chan has usurped the power of a Dictator.

I hope a lot of people in Bangkok are feeling very stoopid now.

**StrontiumDog** · 19-11-2010, 07:54 PM

I feel like I've entered an absurd parallel universe....

Surely, this wins the award for the most ridiculous thing these people have done....so far.....

**Rural Surin** · 19-11-2010, 10:38 PM

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

CRES are good aren't they...

I particularly like:

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

or causes disunity in the general populace, or acts or supports acts which cause a state of emergency.

Basically, that covers everything according to how they wish to interpret things. And, I think we all know what that means.

Abhisit is truly a beacon of democracy...

They're clinically insane.

**Stinky** · 19-11-2010, 10:44 PM

A dictatorship without a dictator, how novel.

Internment anybody?

**dirtydog** · 19-11-2010, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by sabang

General Chan has usurped the power of a Dictator.

Thailand a banana republic? say it aint so joe.

**Tom Sawyer** · 19-11-2010, 10:55 PM

SO WEARING A T-SHIRT THAT SAYS I AM RED could land you IN JAIL.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

"Individuals are forbidden to have in their possession, .... products, clothing, consumer goods, or any other objects that contain printing, writing, drawing, photography, or any other method that conveys a meaning which provokes, incites, agitates, or causes disunity in the general populace,

See how frightened the Amart and corrupt triad are?

Like I said before, Sombat's enlightening of the population en masse is much more threatening to the people Prayuth defends than Thaksin ever could be in a hundred years.

I think Sombat (ironically the dove) is now at serious risk as he is a true defender of democracy and this now means he can do nothing further without arrest and imprisonment.

**Rural Surin** · 19-11-2010, 11:19 PM

Originally Posted by Sdigit

A dictatorship without a dictator, how novel.

On the contrary, that novel has been written already.

**Tom Sawyer** · 19-11-2010, 11:31 PM

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

Basically, that covers everything according to how they wish to interpret things. And, I think we all know what that means.

Abhisit is truly a beacon of democracy...

Nah.. This dictat was issued by Prayuth after Abhisit had 'satisfied' him. He was still washing up when General Big Hat sent this out. I mean WHO'S NAME IS AT THE BOTTOM? It ain't Abhisit is it?

Sadly this means it's time to fight. This will mobilize people.

**joannevel69** · 20-11-2010, 12:17 AM

The definition seems to cover the Koran.

**StrontiumDog** · 20-11-2010, 09:27 AM

Finally on an English news website....The Nation/MCOT/TAN didn't mention it at all....

Bangkok Post : CRES bans souvenirs that 'cause disunity'

CRES bans souvenirs that 'cause disunity'

Violations could bring 2 years' jail, big fines

Published: 20/11/2010 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

The Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation has banned souvenirs and other materials considered offensive to the monarchy and pandering to disunity which were made available at the red shirt rally in Bangkok on Friday.

Reds rally in memory of fallen friends. Thousands of red shirt supporters converge at Ratchaprasong intersection Friday, marking six months since the military’s May 19 crackdown on their protracted rally in Bangkok. SAROT MEKSOPHAWANNAKUL

The CRES on Friday issued a number of orders to prohibit the sale or free distribution of rally materials including shirts, photographs, illustrations and printed texts apparently aimed at sparking disunity in society.

The orders also authorised security forces handling the red shirt mass rally at the Ratchaprasong intersection to confiscate those materials and take action against violations of the ban.

People found guilty of breaching the ban, signed by army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha, could face up to two years in jail and a maximum fine of 40,000 baht.

However, CRES spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd conceded it may be difficult to determine what items should be banned, so it would be up to the police to judge what rally items would cause disunity.

Col Sansern said feet-shaped plastic clappers should be fine, but not a pair of sandals with the faces of government politicians printed on them.

To enforce the ban, police would first give a violator a verbal warning. If he or she did not stop, legal action would then be taken, Col Sansern said.

An army source said Gen Prayuth was upset when he came across T-shirts and sandals carrying photos mocking important figures.

Gen Prayuth has also asked the media to clearly state in their news reports the name of specific red shirt groups. He insisted that groups adopted different standpoints and it would be misleading to lump them together.

Special Branch Police estimated that about 7,000 people turned up at the Friday rally, with most of them from Bangkok and nearby provinces.

No cars or loudspeakers were allowed at the rally, said police.

A giant firecracker went off near the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel adjacent to the rally site as the red shirt supporters were leaving Ratchaprasong intersection at about 7.15 pm.

A motorcycle taxi driver, Chaluay Rungrat, 41, said he saw two men on a motorcycle throw the cracker.

Early on Friday, a red shirt group calling itself the United Front of Thai Citizens rallied outside of the Department of Special Investigation.

The group called for compensation for the families of the 92 people killed in the political mayhem in April and May.

Jatuporn Prompan, Puea Thai Party MP and red shirt co-leader, joined the the Ratchaprasong rally Friday after reporting earlier in the day to CRES headquarters. He has been charged with terrorism in connection with the April-May red shirt rallies in Bangkok.

He is likely to be detained on the charges after his parliamentary immunity ends on Nov 28, when the House goes into recess.

Mr Jatuporn told the Friday rally he wanted red shirt supporters to be patient and wait for more major rallies in the future.

As for now, he said, the red shirts should focus on a general election which was likely to be held soon and would mark a victory for the red shirts.

The Puea Thai Party is expected to make major gains at the next general election.

**chitown** · 20-11-2010, 10:40 AM

Amazing Thailand!

**benbaaa** · 20-11-2010, 11:05 AM

Too many loopholes. They should just ban t-shirts and all other garments full stop. Especially for girls.

Nostradamus · 20-11-2010, 01:00 PM

You were warned when the coup happened.

No use crying about it now.

**Mid** · 20-11-2010, 03:35 PM

November 20, 2010

The premier, however, said he planned to consult with Minister of Defence Gen Prawit Wongsuwan Saturday evening about the latest announcement of the Center for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) which prohibits sale or distribution of souvenirs that probably cause disunity.

The PM is afraid CRES's ban may violate human rights and finally induce to conflicts.

Parliament dissolution depends on situation: Thai PM - People's Daily Online

**Norton** · 20-11-2010, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by Mid

The PM is afraid CRES's ban may violate human rights and finally induce to conflicts.

Simply order CRES to rescind the resolution. After all, as Abhisit has said himself, he is in charge.

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