Thai protesters cut power to police headquarters

[webfact]

Defiant Thai protesters cut power to police HQ

by Aidan JONES

BANGKOK, November 28, 2013 (AFP) - Thai opposition protesters cut the power to the national police headquarters Thursday, ignoring a plea by the prime minister to end their rallies after she survived a no confidence vote in parliament.

The nearly one-month-long demonstrations are the biggest since mass protests three years ago which degenerated into the kingdom's worst civil strife in decades with more than 90 people killed and nearly 1,900 wounded.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra received a much-needed boost as lawmakers in the ruling party-dominated lower house overwhelmingly rejected the censure motion against her 297-134.

The motion was filed by the opposition Democrat Party, which alleges widespread corruption in government and accuses Yingluck of acting as a puppet for her brother, the ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Yingluck -- who denies the accusations -- delivered a televised national address following the confidence vote, urging demonstrators to end their rallies.

"I propose to protesters to stop protesting and leave government offices so the civil service can move forward," she said.

"The government does not want confrontation and is ready to cooperate with everybody to find a solution," she added.

But just hours later the demonstrators cut off the electricity supply to the national police headquarters in Bangkok, a senior officer said.

"Now we are running on a generator," Police Lieutenant General Prawut Thavornsiri told AFP, as about 1,000 protesters gathered outside.

The move also hit the forensic department of a hospital next door although the main facility was unaffected, the hospital director said.

It was unclear how police would respond to the provocative move. But so far they have avoided confrontation with the demonstrators, and the government appears reluctant to call on soldiers to strengthen security.

Protesters are demanding the end of the "Thaksin regime" and want to replace the government with an unelected "people's council" -- a demand Yingluck said was impossible under the constitution.

Thaksin, a billionaire tycoon-turned-politician, remains a hugely divisive figure seven years after he was deposed in 2006 by royalist generals.

He is adored by many of the country's rural and urban working class but hated by many southerners, middle-class Thais and the Bangkok elite, who see him as corrupt and a threat to the monarchy.

The protests have triggered growing international concern, with UN chief Ban Ki-moon the latest world leader to voice alarm.

Calls for restraint from both sides

Ban "is concerned by the rising political tensions in Bangkok", said his spokesman Martin Nesirky as protests spread beyond the Thai capital.

"The secretary-general calls on all sides to exercise the utmost restraint, refrain from the use of violence and to show full respect for the rule of law and human rights."

Protesters began marching towards the defence and education ministries on Thursday, a day after entering a major government complex in the north of the capital and forcing the evacuation of the Department of Special Investigations -- Thailand's equivalent of the FBI.

Protesters also gathered Wednesday at about 25 provincial halls mainly in the opposition's southern heartlands -- including on the tourist island of Phuket.

A court has issued an arrest warrant for a top protest leader for his role in the ministry seizures.

Yingluck has ruled out the use of force to end the protests, seeking to avoid a repeat of the bloodshed seen in 2010 which deepened the political divide.

One option would be for her to dissolve the lower house and call fresh elections, knowing that pro-Thaksin parties have won every election for more than a decade.

But Yingluck gave no sign Thursday that she was considering such a move.

The possibility of military intervention also constantly looms over Thailand, which has seen 18 actual or attempted coups since 1932. But so far the army has shown little enthusiasm for getting involved.

The recent protests were sparked by plans by the ruling Puea Thai party to introduce an amnesty that could have allowed the return from self-imposed exile of Thaksin.

The Senate blocked the controversial bill but demonstrators have since broadened their goal and now want to topple the government.

Yingluck on Monday ordered the expansion across Bangkok of the Internal Security Act, which gives authorities additional powers to block routes, impose a curfew, ban gatherings and carry out searches.

An estimated crowd of up to 180,000 people joined an opposition rally on Sunday, but turnout has since fallen sharply.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2013-11-28

[webfact]

Protesters cut electricity at Police HQ, patients at Police General Hospital affected; Police chief bars protesters entering premises /MCOT

[Thainy Tim]

Patients at Police General Hospital affected; Police chief bars protesters entering premises /MCOT

That will be a load of <deleted> too.... Smells like the propaganda machine is working overtime.

Edited November 28, 2013 by metisdead
Unnecessary usage of bold font removed.

[sjjmmi]

That's a hanging offence if you ask me

[Bluespunk]

Protesters cut electricity at Police HQ, patients at Police General Hospital affected; Police chief bars protesters entering premises /MCOT

The demonstrators tried to get in the hospital?

[siampolee]

The demonstrators tried to get in the hospital?

Read the headline, it is extremely ambiguous in its content.

It's is just like stating ''Bert Brown is not a thief.

Does the statement mean Bert Brown is a paragon of virtue, Bert Brown has been judged innocent of a theft charge or Bert brown has never been caught thieving ?''

Edited November 28, 2013 by siampolee

[jes]

Then do something about this Suthep and his gang of Hooligans.

[Nickymaster]

Protesters cut electricity at Police HQ, patients at Police General Hospital affected; Police chief bars protesters entering premises /MCOT

The demonstrators tried to get in the hospital?

No. Also, Police hospital NOT affected by electricity cut. Wait for the confirmation. Sorry guys!

[ratcatcher]

Then do something about this Suthep and his gang of Hooligans.

The police did nothing about Jatuporn, Nattawut and their bunch of hooligans three years ago, why do you expect anything different today?

The electricity is still functioning at the Police Hospital.

[wolf5370]

Its already been confirmed by the hospital director that power to the main hospital was not cut - a forensic lab had its power cut and is running on generators - but not the main hospital. They also have generators ready. A policeman was slightly hurt, cut forehead; looks like he cut his head on the razor wire while trying to deflect the cutting of the cables - not details on that yet other than pictures of his cut eyebrow.

[transam]

Fabulous security eh. They must really consider staggered lunch breaks...............

[h90]

Its already been confirmed by the hospital director that power to the main hospital was not cut - a forensic lab had its power cut and is running on generators - but not the main hospital. They also have generators ready. A policeman was slightly hurt, cut forehead; looks like he cut his head on the razor wire while trying to deflect the cutting of the cables - not details on that yet other than pictures of his cut eyebrow.

He cut himself on their own razor wire? So not at all the demonstrators fault, right?

[slipperylobster]

Just like shaking the tail of the tiger....

[Thainy Tim]

See..... all propaganda... Thaksinistas. you have to wait a bit longer for what you are waiting for.

I am not allowed to paste the report because of forum rules about Thai language, but the story that goes with it from the hospital director (above) is that it is a load of old <deleted>.

http://www.thairath.co.th/content/pol/385921

Edited November 28, 2013 by Thainy Tim

[wolf5370]

Its already been confirmed by the hospital director that power to the main hospital was not cut - a forensic lab had its power cut and is running on generators - but not the main hospital. They also have generators ready. A policeman was slightly hurt, cut forehead; looks like he cut his head on the razor wire while trying to deflect the cutting of the cables - not details on that yet other than pictures of his cut eyebrow.

He cut himself on their own razor wire? So not at all the demonstrators fault, right?

Not sure how accurate that is yet - and I guess it could be said that he wouldn't have if the demonstrators hadn't been there. I am sure at the end of the day there will be 3 dozen explanations of what happened to him (but it certainly looks like a wire cut - so could be some credence in that).

[h90]

Its already been confirmed by the hospital director that power to the main hospital was not cut - a forensic lab had its power cut and is running on generators - but not the main hospital. They also have generators ready. A policeman was slightly hurt, cut forehead; looks like he cut his head on the razor wire while trying to deflect the cutting of the cables - not details on that yet other than pictures of his cut eyebrow.

He cut himself on their own razor wire? So not at all the demonstrators fault, right?

Not sure how accurate that is yet - and I guess it could be said that he wouldn't have if the demonstrators hadn't been there. I am sure at the end of the day there will be 3 dozen explanations of what happened to him (but it certainly looks like a wire cut - so could be some credence in that).

And the military grade razor wire they use is very very nasty and made to cause terrible wounds)

(Different than the civilian razor wire which hurts but doesn't cause nasty wounds......)

[khunsiam]

a guerilla strategy that works, "occupy Bangkok" in full action, there must be a party going on in Phra Athit road.

[Nickymaster]

Its already been confirmed by the hospital director that power to the main hospital was not cut - a forensic lab had its power cut and is running on generators - but not the main hospital. They also have generators ready. A policeman was slightly hurt, cut forehead; looks like he cut his head on the razor wire while trying to deflect the cutting of the cables - not details on that yet other than pictures of his cut eyebrow.

He cut himself on their own razor wire? So not at all the demonstrators fault, right?

Not sure how accurate that is yet - and I guess it could be said that he wouldn't have if the demonstrators hadn't been there. I am sure at the end of the day there will be 3 dozen explanations of what happened to him (but it certainly looks like a wire cut - so could be some credence in that).

Are we now witnessing the very first injury as a result of weeks of protests with a few hundred thousand people at its peak?

[15Peter20]

Its already been confirmed by the hospital director that power to the main hospital was not cut - a forensic lab had its power cut and is running on generators - but not the main hospital. They also have generators ready. A policeman was slightly hurt, cut forehead; looks like he cut his head on the razor wire while trying to deflect the cutting of the cables - not details on that yet other than pictures of his cut eyebrow.

He cut himself on their own razor wire? So not at all the demonstrators fault, right?

Not sure how accurate that is yet - and I guess it could be said that he wouldn't have if the demonstrators hadn't been there. I am sure at the end of the day there will be 3 dozen explanations of what happened to him (but it certainly looks like a wire cut - so could be some credence in that).

And the military grade razor wire they use is very very nasty and made to cause terrible wounds)

(Different than the civilian razor wire which hurts but doesn't cause nasty wounds......)

Let me guess....the people-loving Dems used the civilian-friendly razor wire 3 years ago, correct?

[Nickymaster]

He cut himself on their own razor wire? So not at all the demonstrators fault, right?

Not sure how accurate that is yet - and I guess it could be said that he wouldn't have if the demonstrators hadn't been there. I am sure at the end of the day there will be 3 dozen explanations of what happened to him (but it certainly looks like a wire cut - so could be some credence in that).

And the military grade razor wire they use is very very nasty and made to cause terrible wounds)

(Different than the civilian razor wire which hurts but doesn't cause nasty wounds......)

Let me guess....the people-loving Dems used the civilian-friendly razor wire 3 years ago, correct?

Why do you think that??

[Bluespunk]

The demonstrators tried to get in the hospital?

Read the headline, it is extremely ambiguous in its content.

It's is just like stating ''Bert Brown is not a thief.

Does the statement mean Bert Brown is a paragon of virtue, Bert Brown has been judged innocent of a theft charge or Bert brown has never been caught thieving ?''

Hence my question mark.

[h90]

He cut himself on their own razor wire? So not at all the demonstrators fault, right?

Not sure how accurate that is yet - and I guess it could be said that he wouldn't have if the demonstrators hadn't been there. I am sure at the end of the day there will be 3 dozen explanations of what happened to him (but it certainly looks like a wire cut - so could be some credence in that).

And the military grade razor wire they use is very very nasty and made to cause terrible wounds)

(Different than the civilian razor wire which hurts but doesn't cause nasty wounds......)

Let me guess....the people-loving Dems used the civilian-friendly razor wire 3 years ago, correct?

there it was more truck tires and gasoline by the red ones.

But sure where razor wire was used by the Dems, I am sure it was the nasty one as well........never saw the friendly one in Thailand

[wolf5370]

I would imagine the razor wire came from military supplies anyway - there was little time to go shopping. It is nasty stuff - but that is why it is a deterrent. I think it has been used sensibly so far - on top of fencing etc rather than where people can be pushed into it by crowd pressure. Its a known risk for either side to try and breach it.

[edwinchester]

 

Its already been confirmed by the hospital director that power to the main hospital was not cut - a forensic lab had its power cut and is running on generators - but not the main hospital. They also have generators ready. A policeman was slightly hurt, cut forehead; looks like he cut his head on the razor wire while trying to deflect the cutting of the cables - not details on that yet other than pictures of his cut eyebrow.

 

He cut himself on their own razor wire? So not at all the demonstrators fault, right?

 

Not sure how accurate that is yet - and I guess it could be said that he wouldn't have if the demonstrators hadn't been there. I am sure at the end of the day there will be 3 dozen explanations of what happened to him (but it certainly looks like a wire cut - so could be some credence in that).

 

I'm sure someone can spin it into a 'third hand sniper' if they try hard enough.

[johnlandy]

Patients at Police General Hospital affected; Police chief bars protesters entering premises /MCOT

That will be a load of <deleted> too.... Smells like the propaganda machine is working overtime.

Sounds like a load of <deleted> to me too. How come the hospital is affected by cutting the power to police HQ.

At the end of the day there are no bright lights there anyway.

Keystone cops '99% of them'

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

"Thai opposition protesters cut the power to the national police headquarters"

After being fined I don't know how many times by the Thai police on fabricated charges of speeding, driving in the wrong lane with my car while overtaking etc. I think I will open a nice bottle of wine and enjoy this great day. I Hope that they make a total overhaul of this state sponsored crime syndicate and start from scratch with staff that work for the people of Thailand and not for themselves.

[Artisi]

He cut himself on their own razor wire? So not at all the demonstrators fault, right?

Not sure how accurate that is yet - and I guess it could be said that he wouldn't have if the demonstrators hadn't been there. I am sure at the end of the day there will be 3 dozen explanations of what happened to him (but it certainly looks like a wire cut - so could be some credence in that).

 

And the military grade razor wire they use is very very nasty and made to cause terrible wounds)

(Different than the civilian razor wire which hurts but doesn't cause nasty wounds......)

Let me guess....the people-loving Dems used the civilian-friendly razor wire 3 years ago, correct?

 

Why do you think that??

No, because they were dealing with paid armed red thugs.

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[wolf5370]

Patients at Police General Hospital affected; Police chief bars protesters entering premises /MCOT

That will be a load of <deleted> too.... Smells like the propaganda machine is working overtime.

Sounds like a load of <deleted> to me too. How come the hospital is affected by cutting the power to police HQ.

At the end of the day there are no bright lights there anyway.

Keystone cops '99% of them'

Its the police hospital, next door.

[TechnikaIII]

That's a hanging offence if you ask me

No one is. But whilst you're in a lynching mood, go and get Thaksin and string him up, along with a bunch of Red Shirt leaders. That would be a far better and more productive use of the rope.

Edited November 28, 2013 by TechnikaIII

[mikemac]

Fabulous security eh. They must really consider staggered lunch breaks...............

What do you mean ? They are already staggering after their lunch breaks as it is !