Pressure builds on crisis-hit Thai government

[webfact]

Pressure builds on crisis-hit Thai government
by Thanaporn PROMYAMYAI

BANGKOK, November 25, 2013 (AFP) - Tens of thousands of anti-government demonstrators marched through the tense Thai capital on Monday in an escalation of mass street rallies aiming to topple Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's embattled government.

The protests against Yingluck and her brother, ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, are the biggest since 2010 when the kingdom was rocked by its worst political bloodshed in decades with more than 90 civilians killed.

The turmoil has raised fears of a fresh bout of street violence in a country that has been convulsed by several episodes of political unrest since royalist generals overthrew Thaksin in a coup in 2006.

Police said more than 30,000 protesters opposed to Yingluck's elected government marched on more than a dozen state agencies across the capital on Monday including military and police bases, as well as several television stations.

"What we want is to get rid of the Thaksin system," deputy opposition leader Suthep Thaugsuban said, addressing the crowd of demonstrators.

Chanting "Thaksin get out, army come in", some of the demonstrators called for the intervention of the military in a country that has seen 18 actual or attempted coups since it became a constitutional monarchy in 1932.

High ranking military officers emerged from army offices close to the capital's Democracy Monument to accept a bouquet of roses from protesters, as police with riot shields and helmets stood by.

The move comes after a boisterous rally on Sunday brought more than 90,000 anti-government demonstrators on to the streets of Bangkok, according to police estimates. Organisers said the turnout was several times higher.

Around 50,000 pro-government "Red Shirts" met overnight in a suburban football stadium in Bangkok in support of Yingluck and her brother Thaksin, who remains a hugely divisive figure in Thailand.

The rallies are the biggest challenge yet for Yingluck, who swept to power in elections in 2011 on a wave of support from pro-Thaksin "Red Shirts", whose protests in 2010 were crushed by the previous government.

"Yingluck's options are very limited. Something has to give this week. It will be very difficult for Yingluck to stay in office, let alone get anything done," said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, director of the Institute of Security and International Studies at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University.

"Anti-government protesters are demanding the wholesale uprooting of the Thaksin regime," he told AFP.

The Thai capital has faced weeks of opposition-backed rallies sparked by an amnesty bill that could have allowed the return of Thaksin from self-imposed exile.

The amnesty bill -- which was rejected by the upper house of parliament -- also angered Thaksin's supporters because it would have pardoned those responsible for the 2010 military crackdown on their rallies.

Former premier Abhisit Vejjajiva -- now the opposition leader -- and his deputy Suthep face murder charges for overseeing the military operation, which involved soldiers firing live rounds and backed by armoured vehicles.

In another blow to the government, the Constitutional Court last week blocked the ruling party's plans for a fully elected Senate.

The opposition Democrat Party is seeking to raise the pressure on Yingluck with a no-confidence debate on Tuesday -- although her party dominates the lower house and should comfortably defeat a move against her.

Thaksin, a billionaire telecoms tycoon-turned-politician, draws strong support from many of the country's rural and urban working class, but is loathed by the elite and the middle classes, who accuse him of being corrupt and a threat to the monarchy.

A series of protests by the royalist "Yellow Shirts" helped to trigger the coup that toppled Thaksin, who now lives in self-imposed exile in Dubai to avoid a prison term for corruption that he contends was politically motivated.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 85, is widely revered in Thailand but has been in ill-health for several years and the palace has been silent over the organisation of his eventual succession.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2013-11-25

[johntren]

The last sentence seemed oddly out of place, but only on first reading.

Is the elephant in the room stirring at last?

Sent from my GT-S7500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[bigbamboo]

Welcome to the Land of Deja Vu.

[Showbags]

Yingluck must be having a hell of a time with all this worry now.

So many sales she cannot get to.

[Minnehaha]

Big miscalculation on govt part to push for that Amnesty bill originally. The majority of red shirts did not want it and the royalists and dems definitely did not want it. Now they can't distance themselves from it fast enough for either side to be happy.

It was reported the Royal Prince talked with senior police and told them everybody should calm down and negotiate and discuss calmly any differences. He said "we should all obey His Majesty" and keep the peace. Unusual he is quoted in the press.

And all this just weeks away from HM birthday, when he will speak to the nation.

[Pimay1]

Around 50,000 pro-government "Red Shirts" met overnight in a suburban football stadium in Bangkok in support of Yingluck and her brother Thaksin, who remains a hugely divisive figure in Thailand.

I wonder why the dear leader didn't make a video call into the stadium to pump up his stormtroopers.

[Artisi]

Funny how the figure get twisted and lied about to suit the slant, only 90,000 anti-government last night and only 30,000 protesters marched today, whereas there were 50,000 pro-government out last night.

Looking at the TV last night easy to see far more than 90,000 anti-government at the rally and the only shot I saw of the pro-government at the stadium appeared - not to put too finer point on it, next to no one.

[Artisi]

The last sentence seemed oddly out of place, but only on first reading.

Is the elephant in the room stirring at last?

Sent from my GT-S7500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

The BP reported today the Prince has called for national unity, along with Yingluck ...

Both under instructions, but only one of any real value and sincerity.

[Thainy Tim]

Funny how the figure get twisted and lied about to suit the slant, only 90,000 anti-government last night and only 30,000 protesters marched today, whereas there were 50,000 pro-government out last night.

Looking at the TV last night easy to see far more than 90,000 anti-government at the rally and the only shot I saw of the pro-government at the stadium appeared - not to put too finer point on it, next to no one.

The numbers are definitely being played down by a long stretch of the imagination, and the red numbers are being inflated to suit the narrative of the police.

TV Channels 3,5,7 and 9 are not reporting any protests on the news, as if it isn't happening, or newsworthy.

It is all 'head in the sand'..... I say, ignore it at your peril!

I have been at many music concerts and festivals over the years. I have stood in the top tier of the old Wembly Stadium for a range of bands where the crowd was 100,000 I can tell everyone here now that I can guarantee the pictures we have been seeing of democracy monument are at the very least 5 times than many (and almost certainly more).

I would put the pictures of the reds at the stadium at pushing 30,000 at best.

With still more demonstrators turning up all the time as the police have tried their level best to stem the flow into BKK.

CNN news quoted an estimated 2 million.

Yingluck can NOT talk her way out of this one with dialog, especially when HER government today releases a statement that they have instructed to impeach the constitutional court for 'rebellion'. Makes the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing seem quite understated.

The time for talking is OVER, they had the chance to debate in the house, unfortunately their controlled house and senate speakers continuously gagged the opposition.

No more talk... action speaks louder than words. It's long overdue to take the country back.

[coma]

Big miscalculation on govt part to push for that Amnesty bill originally. The majority of red shirts did not want it and the royalists and dems definitely did not want it. Now they can't distance themselves from it fast enough for either side to be happy.

It was reported the Royal Prince talked with senior police and told them everybody should calm down and negotiate and discuss calmly any differences. He said "we should all obey His Majesty" and keep the peace. Unusual he is quoted in the press.

And all this just weeks away from HM birthday, when he will speak to the nation.

The crown Prince was quoted after he summoned the head of the police for a meeting last night. This was due to the prince being unable to attend to some of his duties. Due to the fact that some of the roads which he needed to travel on in Bangkok were closed by student protesters. When the protesters were asked by police to clear the way, the students refused to do so.

[chainarong]

The choice is up to The good people of Thailand , let them speak , call an election, before the likely out come will be like the last coup , only not as friendly, some area's of the establishment have scores to settle..

[jonclark]

Funny how the figure get twisted and lied about to suit the slant, only 90,000 anti-government last night and only 30,000 protesters marched today, whereas there were 50,000 pro-government out last night.

Looking at the TV last night easy to see far more than 90,000 anti-government at the rally and the only shot I saw of the pro-government at the stadium appeared - not to put too finer point on it, next to no one.

The numbers are definitely being played down by a long stretch of the imagination, and the red numbers are being inflated to suit the narrative of the police.

TV Channels 3,5,7 and 9 are not reporting any protests on the news, as if it isn't happening, or newsworthy.

It is all 'head in the sand'..... I say, ignore it at your peril!

I have been at many music concerts and festivals over the years. I have stood in the top tier of the old Wembly Stadium for a range of bands where the crowd was 100,000 I can tell everyone here now that I can guarantee the pictures we have been seeing of democracy monument are at the very least 5 times than many (and almost certainly more).

I would put the pictures of the reds at the stadium at pushing 30,000 at best.

With still more demonstrators turning up all the time as the police have tried their level best to stem the flow into BKK.

CNN news quoted an estimated 2 million.

Yingluck can NOT talk her way out of this one with dialog, especially when HER government today releases a statement that they have instructed to impeach the constitutional court for 'rebellion'. Makes the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing seem quite understated.

The time for talking is OVER, they had the chance to debate in the house, unfortunately their controlled house and senate speakers continuously gagged the opposition.

No more talk... action speaks louder than words. It's long overdue to take the country back.

Agreed - The Rajamangkala stadium can hold about 47'000 at capacity. There is no way that that stadium was even half full. Once again we have massive dis-information coming out of the government, deflect, distract and deflate.

As previous poster have stated (and as i can attest to) as i was there last night at the protest. There were way, way ,way more than 100'000 people there. I think CNN overestimated 2 million, but at least 500'000. There were so many people there it was just awesome. If the people chose to move on government house last night the police would have been completely overwhelmed and powerless.

[chainarong]

The last sentence seemed oddly out of place, but only on first reading.

Is the elephant in the room stirring at last?

Sent from my GT-S7500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

You are close, interesting day's ahead.

[DiamondKing]

Funny how the figure get twisted and lied about to suit the slant, only 90,000 anti-government last night and only 30,000 protesters marched today, whereas there were 50,000 pro-government out last night.

Looking at the TV last night easy to see far more than 90,000 anti-government at the rally and the only shot I saw of the pro-government at the stadium appeared - not to put too finer point on it, next to no one.

No more talk... action speaks louder than words. It's long overdue to take the country back.

ILLEGALLY AGAIN so you are supporting removal of a legally elected government

The people spoke and the only way to legally remove a governmnet is to have a vote but we all know the exact same thing will happen again which is why the elite want to do it illegally yet again

[Pimay1]

Funny how the figure get twisted and lied about to suit the slant, only 90,000 anti-government last night and only 30,000 protesters marched today, whereas there were 50,000 pro-government out last night.

Looking at the TV last night easy to see far more than 90,000 anti-government at the rally and the only shot I saw of the pro-government at the stadium appeared - not to put too finer point on it, next to no one.

No more talk... action speaks louder than words. It's long overdue to take the country back.

ILLEGALLY AGAIN so you are supporting removal of a legally elected government

The people spoke and the only way to legally remove a governmnet is to have a vote but we all know the exact same thing will happen again which is why the elite want to do it illegally yet again

Then I despair... I remember that all through history, the way of truth and love has always won. There have been murderers and tyrants, and for a time they can seem invincible. But in the end they always fall. Think of it always.

Andre Malraux

[culicine]

Funny how the figure get twisted and lied about to suit the slant, only 90,000 anti-government last night and only 30,000 protesters marched today, whereas there were 50,000 pro-government out last night.

Looking at the TV last night easy to see far more than 90,000 anti-government at the rally and the only shot I saw of the pro-government at the stadium appeared - not to put too finer point on it, next to no one.

No more talk... action speaks louder than words. It's long overdue to take the country back.

ILLEGALLY AGAIN so you are supporting removal of a legally elected government

The people spoke and the only way to legally remove a governmnet is to have a vote but we all know the exact same thing will happen again which is why the elite want to do it illegally yet again

What's legal/illegal in this country? Rule of law has no meaning here....people see this as the only way to get rid of a corrupt despot and their cronies. PT thought that with a (bought) majority, they can do as they please. Most educated people see through this facade and have been very patient for a long time. Now is the time for change.

[pisico]

Diamond King wrote:

"ILLEGALLY AGAIN so you are supporting removal of a legally elected government

The people spoke and the only way to legally remove a governmnet is to have a vote but we all know the exact same thing will happen again which is why the elite want to do it illegally yet again."

Unruly. That is how the Chinese described the Thais they found in the Northern part of this country after being pushed away by the Mongol invasions in China.

The rule of the unruly.

As the Thai cesspool turns, the SET continues sliding towards the Earth's core and the Baht loses ground to a dismally weak Dollar. TIT

[northengr]

I do not understand the educated people and especially foreigners who think Yingluck has done something deserving snap elections or a coup. I do understand the Bangkok elite who want at any cost a return to rule by the elite. What is the big deal of two failed bills? Amnesty for all including the airport blockade criminals was a poor idea, but not very "un-Thai". And it did not pass. As to Senate bill, a party does not get its way and wants to change a structure set up by the military, hardly seems surprising. FDR tried to stack the supreme court when they had blocked some of his socialism, and no one impeached him.

These were failed bills, not slight of hand passing like Obamacare or a dictator imposed decision like the post coup set up. All the govt clowns on both sides are arrogant and trying for power and money grabs, why do farang so passionately take one side or the other? Why does anyone with open eyes passionately support or oppose?

[indyuk]

Funny how the figure get twisted and lied about to suit the slant, only 90,000 anti-government last night and only 30,000 protesters marched today, whereas there were 50,000 pro-government out last night.

Looking at the TV last night easy to see far more than 90,000 anti-government at the rally and the only shot I saw of the pro-government at the stadium appeared - not to put too finer point on it, next to no one.

It really doesn't matter 30,000, 50,000, 90,000 they are all minnows following a leader known to be corrupt who is trying to recover political dominance over the nation on behalf of the wealthy families that play him like a violin. The rally mass does not even approach the current government mandate.

The whole thing is quasi criminal in the sense that yet again there isn't a shred of evidence to suggest that what they are rallying for has any basis in fact.

​Just a bit more hooliganism by patriarchal thai men.

[moradave]

The choice is up to The good people of Thailand , let them speak , call an election, before the likely out come will be like the last coup , only not as friendly, some area's of the establishment have scores to settle..

Suthep will not allow an election as he knows he will lose. How will he be able to stop it? Simple. Occupy the Election Commission offices and most of the polling places in the Bangkok area and the South.

Edited November 26, 2013 by moradave

[Thai at Heart]

The last sentence seemed oddly out of place, but only on first reading.

Is the elephant in the room stirring at last?

Sent from my GT-S7500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

The BP reported today the Prince has called for national unity, along with Yingluck ...

Both under instructions, but only one of any real value and sincerity.

He provided an opinion on other issues the other day. Interesting and largely a first for him to be commenting.

[Thai at Heart]

The choice is up to The good people of Thailand , let them speak , call an election, before the likely out come will be like the last coup , only not as friendly, some area's of the establishment have scores to settle..

Suthep will not allow an election as he knows he will lose. How will he be able to stop it? Simple. Occupy the Election Commission offices and most of the polling places in the Bangkok area and the South.

With the problems associated with the rice, I am not so sure that PTP would necessarily win. Next question would be, if absolutely NO ONE gave one baht to any constituents, what would the result be? PTP only got 46% last time, it wouldn't need a huge swing to make it very very close.

[Artisi]

The choice is up to The good people of Thailand , let them speak , call an election, before the likely out come will be like the last coup , only not as friendly, some area's of the establishment have scores to settle..

Suthep will not allow an election as he knows he will lose. How will he be able to stop it? Simple. Occupy the Election Commission offices and most of the polling places in the Bangkok area and the South.

With the problems associated with the rice, I am not so sure that PTP would necessarily win. Next question would be, if absolutely NO ONE gave one baht to any constituents, what would the result be? PTP only got 46% last time, it wouldn't need a huge swing to make it very very close.

Hence the reason for YL hanging on like a drowning rat - calling an election now would seal the fate of PTP and the fugitive once and for all.

[lemoncake]

Funny how the figure get twisted and lied about to suit the slant, only 90,000 anti-government last night and only 30,000 protesters marched today, whereas there were 50,000 pro-government out last night.

Looking at the TV last night easy to see far more than 90,000 anti-government at the rally and the only shot I saw of the pro-government at the stadium appeared - not to put too finer point on it, next to no one.

No more talk... action speaks louder than words. It's long overdue to take the country back.

ILLEGALLY AGAIN so you are supporting removal of a legally elected government

The people spoke and the only way to legally remove a governmnet is to have a vote but we all know the exact same thing will happen again which is why the elite want to do it illegally yet again

Posting same nonsense over and over again does not make it any more legitimate.

People have spoken? where are those people? why is it that no one hears them speak for the government?

Everybody hears people speak against them, but not for them, funny that, is it not?

Now you say illegally

What about pushing through changes against the law is that legal?

Lying to people is that legal?

Issuing passport to criminals is that legal?

Openly taking orders from the criminal is that legal?

Having those who ordered to burn down the city NOW run the government and make choices is that legal?

[whybother]

I do not understand the educated people and especially foreigners who think Yingluck has done something deserving snap elections or a coup. I do understand the Bangkok elite who want at any cost a return to rule by the elite. What is the big deal of two failed bills? Amnesty for all including the airport blockade criminals was a poor idea, but not very "un-Thai". And it did not pass. As to Senate bill, a party does not get its way and wants to change a structure set up by the military, hardly seems surprising. FDR tried to stack the supreme court when they had blocked some of his socialism, and no one impeached him.

These were failed bills, not slight of hand passing like Obamacare or a dictator imposed decision like the post coup set up. All the govt clowns on both sides are arrogant and trying for power and money grabs, why do farang so passionately take one side or the other? Why does anyone with open eyes passionately support or oppose?

The only reason the amnesty bill didn't pass was because of the protests. It's gone downhill for PTP since then.