Nov. 27 (Bloomberg) -- Thailand Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat rebuffed a call from Thai Army Chief Anupong Paojinda to step down and hold early elections to end five months of protests that killed at least six people and culminated in yesterday's seizure of Bangkok's international airport.
``We need to protect and restore democracy,'' Somchai said in an address broadcast late yesterday on national television. ``The protesters are breaking laws as they are armed and have seized the airport, which is damaging the country.''
Somchai, who rejected a previous resignation call from Anupong, returned yesterday to the northern city of Chiang Mai from an overseas trip. He said the government will have a cabinet meeting today to decide on measures to restore order.
The airport's seizure, damaging the nation's key tourism industry in its busiest season, forced a confrontation that Somchai and the army had tried to avoid. Anupong refused to enforce a state of emergency declared by Somchai's predecessor in September after deadly street clashes in Bangkok.
``The government should return the power to the people,'' Anupong told reporters after meeting with business leaders and academics yesterday. ``We will not seize power. We are just making a suggestion and will let the government decide.''
Suriyasai Katasila, a leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy which is leading the protests, said Somchai should resign and accept his party's proposal to form a new government of representatives of various interest groups. Somchai shouldn't call an early election, he said.
``Dissolving the Parliament will still leave the country with social divisions,'' he told reporters at the airport late yesterday. ``Mr. Somchai should step down and pave ways for a new government with people from various interest groups.''
Continue the Seizure
``We will continue the seizure, as long as Mr. Somchai remains in power,'' Suriyasai said in remarks broadcast by television Channel 3. In addition to the airport, the PAD also occupies Somchai's ceremonial and temporary offices.
Thai stocks erased losses to end higher as investors bet on military leaders finding a positive resolution to the standoff. The benchmark SET Index added 3.37 points to 395.22. The gauge has fallen 55 percent since the protests began May 25. Thailand's baht slid to 35.27 per dollar, the lowest in 21 months, and government bonds fell, driving yields up from near a two year low.
``If not handled carefully, properly and soon, the country would tip toward anarchy,'' said Panitan Wattanayagorn, a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. ``When security evaporates, you are faced with a chain of events that can't be controlled.''
Army Chief
The army chief, who helped oust former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a 2006 coup, said protesters must leave the airport, adding that violence wouldn't solve the conflict. Somchai should make a decision soon, Anupong said, insisting that the military ``isn't pressuring the government.'' Somchai, Thaksin's brother-in-law, helms the People Power Party, which faces dissolution after one of its executive members was found guilty of buying votes. Parties linked to Thaksin have won four elections since 2001 on strong rural support for its platform of cheap health care and village loans.
The protests are headed by the People's Alliance for Democracy, a group comprised mostly of the Bangkok middle class, royalists and bureaucrats. Alliance members have blocked roads, seized buildings and wielded guns and metal bars with impunity in protests that started May 25. They want a new political system that dilutes the votes of the country's rural majority.
Protesters' Meeting
The protesters held a meeting during the night to consider the army's request that they leave the airport, a spokesman said.
Surapol Nitikraipot, rector of Thammasat University, who sat alongside Anupong at the briefing, said the government must heed the army's call to step down.
``If the government rejects our proposal, we will not listen to them,'' he said. ``We will use civil disobedience.''
Separately, protesters prompted the closure of Don Mueang Airport, according to the manager, Aniruj Tanomkulbutr.
Demonstrators were emboldened last month when Queen Sirikit attended the funeral of a protester who was killed in a clash with police. Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej is revered as a symbol of stability in a nation that has endured 10 mostly bloodless coups since ending absolute monarchy in 1932.
``Thailand has a history of resolving these things peacefully,'' said William Heinecke, chairman of Minor International Pcl, a U.S.-born Thai citizen who has lived in Thailand for decades. ``The only potential mediator, really, is the military.''
Thailand, Southeast Asia's second-largest economy, faces its slowest growth in eight years as the political conflict saps domestic spending and the global recession hurts exports. Tourism, which comprises about 7 percent of gross domestic product, fell to its lowest level in three years after the protests turned violent in September.
Man Killed
A man was killed in clashes between political rivals in Chiang Mai after the premier arrived in the city. A series of deadly grenade attacks against demonstrators in the past two months triggered what protesters said would be this week's ``final battle.'' Police offered token resistance as armed demonstrators forced their way into government buildings and finally the airport.
About 3,000 tourists were evacuated yesterday to nearby hotels, said Serirat Prasutanond, general manager at Suvarnabhumi Airport, who said it won't reopen ``until the situation returns to normal.'' Four anti-government protesters were injured in an explosion outside the facility earlier yesterday.
``What the PAD and its backers are unleashing is an even deeper crisis in Thai society, and who knows where it will land,'' said Giles Ungpakorn, a political science lecturer at Chulalongkorn University. ``The conservatives might force through a government they want at the moment that is going to cause deep resentment.''
To contact the reporters on this story: Daniel Ten Kate in Bangkok at dtenkate@bloomberg.net; Suttinee Yuvejwattana in Bangkok at Suttinee1@bloomberg.net
``We need to protect and restore democracy,'' Somchai said in an address broadcast late yesterday on national television. ``The protesters are breaking laws as they are armed and have seized the airport, which is damaging the country.''
Somchai, who rejected a previous resignation call from Anupong, returned yesterday to the northern city of Chiang Mai from an overseas trip. He said the government will have a cabinet meeting today to decide on measures to restore order.
The airport's seizure, damaging the nation's key tourism industry in its busiest season, forced a confrontation that Somchai and the army had tried to avoid. Anupong refused to enforce a state of emergency declared by Somchai's predecessor in September after deadly street clashes in Bangkok.
``The government should return the power to the people,'' Anupong told reporters after meeting with business leaders and academics yesterday. ``We will not seize power. We are just making a suggestion and will let the government decide.''
Suriyasai Katasila, a leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy which is leading the protests, said Somchai should resign and accept his party's proposal to form a new government of representatives of various interest groups. Somchai shouldn't call an early election, he said.
``Dissolving the Parliament will still leave the country with social divisions,'' he told reporters at the airport late yesterday. ``Mr. Somchai should step down and pave ways for a new government with people from various interest groups.''
Continue the Seizure
``We will continue the seizure, as long as Mr. Somchai remains in power,'' Suriyasai said in remarks broadcast by television Channel 3. In addition to the airport, the PAD also occupies Somchai's ceremonial and temporary offices.
Thai stocks erased losses to end higher as investors bet on military leaders finding a positive resolution to the standoff. The benchmark SET Index added 3.37 points to 395.22. The gauge has fallen 55 percent since the protests began May 25. Thailand's baht slid to 35.27 per dollar, the lowest in 21 months, and government bonds fell, driving yields up from near a two year low.
``If not handled carefully, properly and soon, the country would tip toward anarchy,'' said Panitan Wattanayagorn, a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. ``When security evaporates, you are faced with a chain of events that can't be controlled.''
Army Chief
The army chief, who helped oust former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a 2006 coup, said protesters must leave the airport, adding that violence wouldn't solve the conflict. Somchai should make a decision soon, Anupong said, insisting that the military ``isn't pressuring the government.'' Somchai, Thaksin's brother-in-law, helms the People Power Party, which faces dissolution after one of its executive members was found guilty of buying votes. Parties linked to Thaksin have won four elections since 2001 on strong rural support for its platform of cheap health care and village loans.
The protests are headed by the People's Alliance for Democracy, a group comprised mostly of the Bangkok middle class, royalists and bureaucrats. Alliance members have blocked roads, seized buildings and wielded guns and metal bars with impunity in protests that started May 25. They want a new political system that dilutes the votes of the country's rural majority.
Protesters' Meeting
The protesters held a meeting during the night to consider the army's request that they leave the airport, a spokesman said.
Surapol Nitikraipot, rector of Thammasat University, who sat alongside Anupong at the briefing, said the government must heed the army's call to step down.
``If the government rejects our proposal, we will not listen to them,'' he said. ``We will use civil disobedience.''
Separately, protesters prompted the closure of Don Mueang Airport, according to the manager, Aniruj Tanomkulbutr.
Demonstrators were emboldened last month when Queen Sirikit attended the funeral of a protester who was killed in a clash with police. Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej is revered as a symbol of stability in a nation that has endured 10 mostly bloodless coups since ending absolute monarchy in 1932.
``Thailand has a history of resolving these things peacefully,'' said William Heinecke, chairman of Minor International Pcl, a U.S.-born Thai citizen who has lived in Thailand for decades. ``The only potential mediator, really, is the military.''
Thailand, Southeast Asia's second-largest economy, faces its slowest growth in eight years as the political conflict saps domestic spending and the global recession hurts exports. Tourism, which comprises about 7 percent of gross domestic product, fell to its lowest level in three years after the protests turned violent in September.
Man Killed
A man was killed in clashes between political rivals in Chiang Mai after the premier arrived in the city. A series of deadly grenade attacks against demonstrators in the past two months triggered what protesters said would be this week's ``final battle.'' Police offered token resistance as armed demonstrators forced their way into government buildings and finally the airport.
About 3,000 tourists were evacuated yesterday to nearby hotels, said Serirat Prasutanond, general manager at Suvarnabhumi Airport, who said it won't reopen ``until the situation returns to normal.'' Four anti-government protesters were injured in an explosion outside the facility earlier yesterday.
``What the PAD and its backers are unleashing is an even deeper crisis in Thai society, and who knows where it will land,'' said Giles Ungpakorn, a political science lecturer at Chulalongkorn University. ``The conservatives might force through a government they want at the moment that is going to cause deep resentment.''
To contact the reporters on this story: Daniel Ten Kate in Bangkok at dtenkate@bloomberg.net; Suttinee Yuvejwattana in Bangkok at Suttinee1@bloomberg.net
19 comments:
It's the elite Thai or the pad that are going to lose their money tru bad stock and the economic crisis they're adding gasoline into it. Let them go to hell! Beside it's illigal to protest against their own constitution anyway. The current government won the vote, they should at least give them a chance to do their jobs until their term end or until the new constitution be in place. They 're ignorant wrong and all should be putting in jail!
Bravo PAD!!!!!
Keep doing your best job now to destroy your Land of Smiling to be Land of Crying.
Your action now is almost exactly the same as Khmer Rough on 17th April 1975. Bravo PAD, Bravo BAD!!!
Keep shutting down your Airports, it will affect Cambodia, but just less than your Thailand.
I am happy that I can cancel my flight via your Bangkok, and I will never transit at your Thailand's airport in the future.
Thanks for your good job to stop all international flight. Your marketing campaign to advertise your PAD's brand name on International Media are really EFFECTIVE, man. Congratualtion to your leaders, they are exactly the same as Khmer Rough Leaders in 1970s.
From your Beloved Friends.
:)
it amazes and boggles the world how the thai armed forces are supporting the illegal protestors who broke all kinds of laws in the book. i guess, only in thailand that the armed forces can also break the laws by allowing unruly protestors to take over gov't. it looks like there is no end to protesting whatsoever! they might as well have no gov't at all; why not just let the unruly protestors take over gov't like cambodia in 1975 - the year the infamous KR regime took over the gov't in phnom penh, thus beginning the world famous killing fields of cambodia. go figure!
yepee! their behinds will dry up soon. King Bhumibol 'd better come out soon to settle this one and for all. Well King, don't forget to check back to The Aphaiwong's time. Who was the one that got you in place well over 60 years on your highness throne?. It was your PM Khuang Aphaiwong and the son of Khmer Governor Chhum from Battambang remember? He may be a traitor to us, but he got you and your nation in place nearly a century after. You really need to do something here. You won't get away from this. Lord Buddha is watching you!
From your brother in PP,
To those monkey Khmer that are living in Thailand. If you really Khmer's blood and Khmer patriotic you should seize or declare independent from Thai as soon the moment given.
Khmer in Thailand must rise up and be yourown then you have the right to claim Prasat Preah Vihear or you can visit the temple without paying.
Wake up Khmer in Thailand,
yes, wake up from your zomby state and know your origin as the great khmer people from angkor civilization! wake up from being the slaves of the siem or viets thieves!
From Thai astrologist,
Dear PM and King,
We are the nation of Thai and we will face so many obstacles in near future. Karma have came toward us now. In the past we have done so many harms and given troube to other people now they give them back to us.
I've predicted that if Mr. PM travel abroad and on your return there will be an obstacle that the opposition alliance bar you from entering the country. Now they close down one international airport. The king is going to die soon I don't know the end of Thai can be avoided or not.
Khmer have the strenght to retake their lost lands back and the trouble south is going to break away.
We doom Mr. PM, we can't fix this.
Karma is coming to us now.
Prah Chao Khmer/Thai will declare thier statehood from us.
bigger show comes tomorrow. just wait and see!
Phnom Penh Roloum,
Prey Nokor Roleay,
Bangkok Kchath-Kchay,
Sabay Angkor
What you call when the army that can fight like a chicken and the government is being chased by the gangster? "AMAZING THAILAND"
Ah monkey from Cambodia must stop making troubles in the region.
I got a phone call from my relatives in Bangkok that there are some pro-governments who promise not to allow the PAD/military to pressure PM Somchai Wongsawat to step down because it’s unacceptable for government supporters. They promise to pickup arms to protect the government to the end. They said a lesson learned from the previous two prime ministers that loss the posts so easy. Does this mean the beginning of factions fighting?
4:07 AM: what is your point? If Phnom Penh falls, how can good thing happens in Angkor?
7:10 AM => It's your own problem. You were laughing, even killing Khmers when we were in civil wars. SANG BAAP, BAHN BAAP!
It has nothing to do with Khmers, your ancestors. You make youw own trouble because you DEVALUE your own people: one vote by farmer is not counted the same as those living in the urban. What is that system?
Just wear yellow shirt (color of the shit) and you can enjoy free food and free drink.
7:10am – Ah mad dog from Thailand must stop encroaching neighbor’s territory in the region before ah monkey drops shit on your dick head.
I love your post 4:51AM "Amazing Thailand"
You all are right. Well, if this general succeed, he would wage war against Cambodia definitely. We must be prepared for that - from now on.
Even if this general wins, Thais would take a long time to reinforce its military. If he wages a war against Cambodia, Khmers deserves the rights to call for international help like Burma, Laos or China. Aggressor has no legat status, and would have no support.
AND history is coming back:
Newsweek: Many Thais believe that a 100-year-old bronze likeness of King Rama V located in downtown Bangkok emits powerful magic. That is why, fully a century after it was cast in Paris, the likeness has become the object of struggle between top government leaders and a band of rightists seeking to oust them. ....
As one of our fellows said, "Thai Rouge against Thai Yellow". I think the Thai Yellow are really lawless and mad. So, probably Thai Rough need to use violence. Bomb them more!
To Thai neighbours: please ask Anupong and other powerful military officers to step down, not Somchai. Then ask your king to commit suicide. These will cure the problem, I guarantee. The government is indeed elected and legitimate.
Raja
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