Friday, March 12, 2010

The gathering storm [in Thailand]


SPECIAL REPORT: The city is on a knife's edge as tens of thousands of protesters gather in a bid to overthrow the government

12/03/2010
Bangkok Post

Expectation hangs thick in the air as the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship begins its protest today - with security forces not predicting any increase in tensions until the red shirts gather in Bangkok over the weekend.

The first day of the so-called "million man march" is expected to proceed smoothly, according to a government security source, as UDD supporters gather at various points across the country.

"The most vulnerable period will be March 13 and 14 when the red shirts start arriving in town," the source said.

"It will be hard to control the crowds and there are high risks of them turning into angry mobs if provoked."

The source said mischievous groups might exploit the situation and manipulate it to create a state of anarchy.

Five groups would be watched closely, including those led by rogue army officer Khattiya Sawasdiphol and politicians who have close affiliations to ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Security authorities are expecting the UDD's mass rally to end within a week, the source said.

"[UDD leaders] want a swift victory," the source said.

Maj Gen Khattiya said yesterday he would watch the demonstration from afar. He would only join the activities if the government used force against the protesters.

Security authorities estimate there will be between 70,000 and 100,000 red shirt demonstrators at the rally's peaks.

It is hard to predict the number of vehicles being mobilised but initial estimates suggest there will be 5,000.

UDD demonstrators will begin their separate rallies at their rendezvous points simultaneously at 12.12pm today. In Bangkok, protesters will march from Sanam Luang to the Royal Plaza.

It is estimated the UDD will mobilise about 5,000 guards to provide security at the rally site.

UDD key leader Jatuporn Prompan said yesterday the first and most likely vulnerable location for clashes between the red shirt demonstrators and security forces was at Pratunam Phra-in in Ayutthaya's Wang Noi district.

A police source said security authorities had been mobilised to block the red convoy and keep the demonstrators out of Bangkok.

"It is the very first spot where clashes could take place," Mr Jatuporn said.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who chairs the peace-keeping centre, said security forces were 100% ready for the red shirts' rally.

He also called on protesters not to disrupt checkpoints which have been set up to screen them and their vehicles for weapons.

He said the Interior Ministry, the Justice Ministry and the National Security Council had set up a committee to monitor radio and television stations which were used to provoke demonstrators.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday he was ready to step down or dissolve the House of Representatives if those options could guarantee a greater good for the country and the public.

But he indicated he would not take these steps under pressure from the UDD.

"I never rule out stepping down or dissolving the House. But this kind of decision will be based on the country's and the public's interest," he said, responding to a motion on political volatility during the red shirt rally in parliament.

"The situation is calling for us to move forward and sustain the system, not to hold on to power."

Mr Abhisit insisted the enforcement of the Internal Security Act was to ensure a peaceful and orderly protest, not to restrict demonstrators' rights.

He said the government would not be provoked and fall victim to people who want to instigate violence. He also urged the public to exercise restraint.

The US embassy yesterday said it was concerned there might be attempts to incite violence at the rally.

"The United States believes that differences should be addressed through Thailand's democratic institutions and not through violence," the embassy said in its statement.

"We call on protesters and their leaders to avoid the use of violence and to exercise their right to assemble and protest peacefully, in accordance with the law."

Mr Abhisit, Mr Suthep and security agencies warned last week about possible acts of sabotage during the rally.

Their concern was underlined by foreign intelligence agencies monitoring arms movements. They met Thai intelligence officials to warn the government of the possibility of sabotage, a security source said.

Meanwhile, a group of opposition Puea Thai Party MPs yesterday called on the government to dissolve the lower house to avoid violence.

Surapong Towichakchaikul, of Chiang Mai, said a dissolution would end social divisiveness.

"Mr Abhisit knows that tens of thousands of people are protesting because they do not want this government any longer," Mr Surapong said.

"The mandate should be returned to the people."

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

ไอ้กษัตริย์ลิง 'เล็ก'มันเคยฆ่าพี่มันตายเพื่อมงกุฎ ราชสมบัติ อำนาจ เงิน เกียรติศักดิ์ ฯลฯ ทั้งแม่ทั้งลูกและบริวารปิดปากกัน ไม่ให้มวลชนรู้ ว่าพวกมันเป็นฆาตกร ติดสายเลือดเขมร มีเงิน ๓-๔ เหมื่อนล้านเหรียญ ฯลฯ มันบังเกิดกฎหมายสำหรับพวกมัน ชอบเกียรติยศ ศักดิ์ศรี ไม่ยอมให้ใครขวางหน้า ให้คนซ้ายขวาทำรัฐประหารขับไล่ทักษินออก ยึดเงินเขา...คนประเภทนี้ให้เราเคารพได้อย่างไร? แล้วชาวไทย ๓๐ กว่าล้านคนปัจจุบันนี้ที่มีสายเลือดเขมรแล้วก็ไม่ยอมรับรู้ความจริง...พากันไปทะเลาะวิวาทกับเขมร ที่เป็นเลือดเป็นญาตตลอดมา มันก็ไม่ผิดกับไอ้ 'สัตว์ดำ ฮุนเซน' ที่เขมรปัจจุบันนนี้ ปวงชนไทยที่รู้ความจริง รักความถูก และมีศิลธรรม ต้องให้พวกไอ้หมาหน้าหี อภิสิทธิ์ กษิต สุรินทร์ สนธิ 'เจ็กทองกุล' หยุดทันที...เราอยากได้สันติภาพอยู่ดีกินดีกับประเทศเพื่อนบ้านของเรา...

Anonymous said...

can someone translate the above please....

Anonymous said...

ชาวไทยที่รักประชาธิปไตยแท้จริง (เลือดของชาติสีแดง) ต้องยืนขึ้นล้มสถาบันกษัตริย์เน่าเปื่อย ขับไล่ไอ้หมาหน้าหี อภิสิทธิ์ กษิต ออกจากเก้าอี้รัฐบาลที่แต่งตั้งโดย กษัตริย์ลิง 'เล็ก'...

Anonymous said...

Thai government and PAD (yellow shirt) in Thailand is appealing SRP's supporters to help them to fight with Red shirt.

All SRP's supporters please help our ally in Bangkok this weekend.

SRP (Candle light)

Anonymous said...

To all my brother and sister in the Souther"YALA" this is the time to fight for our freedom for all of our people that suffered from Thais Gov't's abusive...our people need to be FREE!! we will fight to the last drops of YALA bloods!!!!! May God show us the Victory!!!!!!


Issa,

Khunnanis said...

Click my link if you want an English translation. To make it short, I use URL Shortening System http://is.gd/ajkFp

Unknown said...

11:51AM, you can high light the thai, right click and select translate. Accurate or not at least you can understand something.

Anonymous said...

Translation from 11:33 AM

ไอ้ Monkey King. ่ small 'it was killed it dead brother to the throne supreme money power glory both parent and child, etc. and keep the family together. Not for public knowledge. They are cutthroat. Cambodia has infected blood money 3-4 million coins, etc. These มื่ before it created the law for them like honor dignity allow no one lateral face. Left to right people to do a coup d'etat from expel ษิ hell. Take his money ... this type of people that we respect how? Thai and more than 30 million people currently have Khmer blood, then do not agree ... bring together real knowledge. To wrangle with Cambodia. Blood is a need throughout the property. It is not wrong with ไอ้ 'black animal Hun Sen' to Cambodia now this. His Thai people know their true love and be fair to give Si million page dog vagina ไอ้ a prerogative ษิ want Surin Laws 'a golden young Jets' stopped immediately ... we want to have peace with the welfare of our neighbors .. .

Anonymous said...

11:53 AM Anonymous said...

We Thai seriouly love our nation. (our red shirt blood) must stand up together until our organization turn rotten. Force this idiot pussy dog face Abhisit Vijjajiva out of that government chair since from the begin. Little monkey PM.

Khmer562

KHMER/THAI/LAO are the same.
KHMER when used sraa AH (7).
NA, NE, NEA when used NAU sound.
THAI/LAO sraa AH same sound with all of different alphabets.