Escalating Situation in Thailand 2014

Escalating protests may trigger Thailand coup'

Suthep Thaugsuban, leader of the anti-government protests that have rocked the capital, said he would launch a "Bangkok shutdown" on January 13 in a bid to scuttle a general election set for February 2 and force Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her cabinet to resign.

The protesters, who accuse Yingluck of being a puppet of her self-exiled brother and former premier, Thaksin Shinawatra, reject the poll, arguing they want an appointed "people's council" to oversee reforms before any future vote. In the process they have staged some of the largest street demonstrations in Thai history.

The crisis that has dragged on since early November has hit the Thai economy. In a DW interview, the chief Asia economist of the analytics firm IHS, Rajiv Biswas, examines the impact the political unrest is having on the Thai economy and warns that an escalation of the already volatile situation might prompt a military coup in the Southeast Asian nation.

Source

Seven injured in Thai protest shooting, military chief fears escalating violence

Seven people were wounded, one seriously, after gunmen opened fire on anti-government protesters in Bangkok early on Saturday, heightening fears of more violence when protesters try to "shutdown" the capital next week in their long-running bid to overthrow Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Source

I am just back from Thailand and Bangkok and what i had seen in the last Weeks
is very complicated to explain and need Time:

We have at least two Groups: the Red Shirts and the Yellow Shirts,
the Red Shirts are supporting the ruling Government,
the Yellow Shirts want new Rules first and afterwards a new Election asap.!

Bangkok is full of People who are ready to fight,
just two Days before Christmas i saw big Demonstrations with 2 Million Yellow Shirts
but some of you may remember that the Red Shirts occupied a important Business
District in 2012 for a few Weeks, this Occupation was ended by the Police
with the Result of 91 Deaths.

Thailand to deploy 15,000 police, troops for 'shutdown'

Nearly 15,000 police and soldiers will be deployed in the Thai capital next week for the planned "shutdown" of Bangkok by demonstrators trying to overthrow the government, officials said Wednesday.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has called February elections following weeks of opposition street protests. But the demonstrators have vowed to block the vote, which they fear will only prolong the political dominance of her billionaire family.

The protesters say they will occupy the capital from January 13 until they win their battle to topple the government.

They plan to set up stages around the city, preventing officials from going to work and cutting off power and water to state buildings.

The government is mobilising 14,880 police and soldiers for the mass rally, national police spokesman Piya Uthayo said in a televised briefing.

Source

Viva la revolution!
Power to the people!

Well, I'll be very curious to hear what some of our members who live in Thailand have to add to this... I'd thought things were settling down from what I was hearing 1st person from there. Then again, things can change so quickly these days, eh?

It would be a shame to see Thailand really fall into chaos in any lasting way. They already stand out as special in that region for their distinct history of stability amid a lack of it. Here is hoping for the sake of those living there, it passes.

Annunak1
Viva la revolution!
Power to the people!

Which "people" exactly are you desiring the "power" to go to exactly? The "people" who are supporting the government, or the "people" wishing to change it? I'm pretty sure both groups are groups of "people." "People" with differing opinions, no doubt, but what's that they say about opinions, again?

It's amusing to see this kind of knee jerk reaction to news of protests. "Viva la revolution!" indeed... There are two sides to every situation and I'm betting you're unfamiliar with even one of them in this situation.

reply to post by Human0815

www.atimes.com...

BANGKOK - In retrospect the days before Christmas 2013 marked an ominous turning point in the struggle for the border provinces of southern Thailand. On December 22, attacks involving motorcycle and car bombs struck the border district of Sadao in Songkhla province, wounding 27. They were followed shortly after by the discovery and disarming of a second car bomb on the resort island of Phuket.

To the relief of many Thai security officials, these events were largely overshadowed by political turmoil in Bangkok and received only cursory attention in the local media. But the conclusion to be drawn was plain enough: after 10 years of escalating attacks Malay Muslim separatists are now moving beyond their traditional area of operations.

This is a great time for the religion of peace to advance it's territorial goals in the south of Thailand.
www.nationmultimedia.com...
The plans are already in motion for the next government with goals and recommendations.

AFTER A THREE-HOUR discussion with representatives from the public and private sectors, the National Economic and Social Advisory Council suggested that the next government make reconciliation its first priority.

It should also promote the export sector, as NESAC believes it will be the main driving force for the economy this year, the council said.

After the election, the new government should immediately come up with concrete solutions to the political conflict in society through reconciliation policies and other mechanisms, such as executive decrees if need be. It should bring together all sectors, conflicting parties, and the public to seek solutions that will end the current rifts in society.

"The new government should not come up with any policy, regulation, or amendment that will create conflict or favour any side in particular, because the government should represent the people of the whole country," said Tanit Sorat, vice chairman of the council's economic and financial team.

In terms of the economy, NESAC is worried about sluggishness in the export sector and suggests that the new government help exporters deal with rising costs and other obstacles.

45 years ago I honestly thought Thailand would be the next Asian tiger and in some ways I still think the potential is there. I am not personally thinking the military will clamp down unless there is a big Red and Yellow shirt conflict in down town Bangkok. The military along with the King have been the back bone of stopping political B.S. but the King is old and frail in hospital and the military really does not want to appear to back either side; red (supports present government) or yellow (wants the present Thai government gone) but I really do not have any inside info. The T.V. news consist of saying the Police and the Military will maintain the peace and order.. Last month or January 5th? the police let some yellow shirts into one of the government buildings during one of the protest.... Once there, OK now what ? They did not trash the building just wanted in by my info. Monday is the 13th in Thailand (12 hours ahead of USA central time zone) difference and should prove to be interesting... There are many paid protesters on both sides and no doubt some anarchists who are probably paid by one political faction or the other..? Most of the Thai's I have spoken with have taken the philosophical Buddhist view of what will be will be.. Most are not political..... but, the military and police are moving assets around as they should just in case..
www.nationmultimedia.com...

At least seven men serving as security guards for the People's Democratic Reform Committee were injured in sporadic attacks near the Democracy Monument rally site early Saturday, police and protesters..

www.nationmultimedia.com...

January 11, 2014 1:00 am
More than 400 schools to close on Monday

Hundreds of schools in Bangkok have cancelled classes on Monday as demonstrators led by the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) plan to "shut down" the capital.

www.nationmultimedia.com...

"This society has developed to a point where there exists diversity in terms of interests and thinking," he said, adding that there a single group cannot claim to be speaking on behalf of all Thais, because Thai society was no longer homogenous. He also warned that there were some who wished for a military coup as well.

"We can't use means outside the democratic framework because it will not bring about a consensus. Even if it is done out of good intentions, what is gained won't be worth the loss," he warned, adding that sustainable change was needed and that Thais would have to rely on reasoning and wisdom to go through the immediate future without bloodshed.

The group also said that a coup "would be the starting point of violence between the coup makers, the people and among the [different groups of] people".

I agree a coup is not the answer this time around....

I personally care more about what is going on down South and the possible loss of life by the ones who scream Allah as they kill and blow stuff up. However, no doubt the military is on higher alert.. Even in the North our biggest Mall is checking cars via security as they enter the 7 story mall parking lot; beautiful mall. Otherwise just another day in paradise.... I was going to fly out of Bangkok on Monday but think I will wait until Tuesday just to see if either faction shuts the international airport down again.... Now that was a big mess last time!
Sorry I don't have more to add but it really is a wait and see situation for the people and the country. I for one have a great deal of respect for the people of Thailand who are able to get hundreds of thousands in the streets to protest some perceived wrong doing by their officials. Let us hope the outcome is worth the trouble.

Annunak1
Viva la revolution!
Power to the people!

In Theory you are right but the situation in the Reality is more complicated
and Thailand is the best Example for it!

I am visiting/ worked in Thailand for many Years and i never thought that the situation
is at a point close to a "Civil War" but now we reach a point
where it becomes a possibility!

Thailand need a Reform urgently but you cant reform a Place with such a high
Corruption like we can observe in Thailand, i see dark Clouds above the Sky of Siam.

At the moment it all depends on the King, he is the only one who is able to
hold this Place together.

Hello ATS,
I have been a "for-ever lurker" here on ATS and this will be my virgin post by way of introduction. Be gentle.

As a some-times resident of Thailand and here now, understanding the culture and politics of this beautiful country has been far from simple but very interesting and rewarding.
For me, it is still very much a work in progress.
A little background info as I see it so far.

As previously mentioned in the OP, the nations political lines are coloured with the "Red Shirts" and the "Yellow Shirts". Also coming into play during various demonstrations is a third player, The "Black Shirts".
To make it more fun the Yellow shirts are now wearing Thai national colours and the Red shirts want to rebrand to white shirts!
I think the Black shirts are still black.......

The present Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, is the sister of the self exiled former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra. His absence from home soil is to avoid a two year jail sentence as well as a number of pending criminal charges. It is claimed by many that he is running the country by proxy through his sister and his deeply ingrained "Red Shirt" Pheu Thai connections. Some also have him pegged as a puppet to western governments and corporate interests. His colourful history paints a picture of a power hungry megalomaniac bent on manipulating his nations people and selling of the country and its assets to his evil corporate masters.
Or....he's just misunderstood.

"The Shinawatras will not go down without a fight
The endgame in our political battle arrives on Monday, when "Occupy Bangkok" begins. Anti-government protesters will "shut down" the capital until caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is forced out of office."
www.nationmultimedia.com...

Black shirts have been accused of firing on the demonstrators AND police from rooftops during some of the demonstrations with several injured and some loss of life.
It was later admitted by the head of the police force the the Black shirts involved were in fact police!

" December 26, 2013: While protesters attempted to occupy an election registration venue in Din Daeng district, Bangkok, police would crackdown heavily with tear gas, rubber bullets and eventually live ammunition. Again, unidentifiable gunmen, clad in black, were photographed and videoed on rooftops surrounding the clashes. One police officer and one protester would be shot dead, both from above. The regime immediately denied the gunmen were there's but after a wither torrent of evidence was produced on the contrary, they eventually admitted they were."
Alt Thai News

Monday is when demonstrator's plan to "Shut Down Bangkok" and the government as well as police are expressing concern about the potential for violence.

"January 9, 2014 4:31 pm
Pol Lt-General Sophon Pisutwong, who is in charge of the operations in relation to the "Bangkok shutdown", warned Thursday that some of the 27 missing police guns and ammunition might be used to incite violence on Monday."

www.nationmultimedia.com...

"Caretaker Justice Minister Chaikasem Nitisiri Monday warned people against joining the Bangkok Shutdown protest on Monday, saying it is illegal and dangerous.

Chaikasem said Suthep Thaugsuban, secretary-general of the People's Democratic Reform Committee, was facing sedition charge, which carried the maximum penalty of death sentence."

The Nation

Let's not forget the organizer/figure head of the huge demonstrations, Mr Suthep Thaugsuban.

"The Asia Society has named Thai protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban as its Person of the Year for 2013.

"Thai politician Suthep Thaugsuban dominated our year-end reader poll for Asia's Person of the Year 2013 -- in dramatic, come-from-behind fashion," the US-based group said on its website.

Mr Suthep finished ahead of Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani girl whose fight for education rights nearly cost her her life at the hands of Taliban thugs. He earned 116,000 votes, or nearly 88% of the total."

Bangkok Post

Although Mr. Thaugsuban sounds like a great guy, having been named "Person of the Year" by The Asia Society, he has a history of alleged corruption and shady land deals. Suthep was also deputy prime minister and director of the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) in charge of the red-shirt protest crackdown at the time of the 2010 political unrest in which over 90 people were killed.

At least the Army is trying to stay out of it this time.
Since 1932 Thailand has had 11 successful and 7 attempted military coups.
That is number one in the world!
Oddly enough the military seems to be the ones with the cooler heads this round.

Monday will be important for Thailand.
Unfortunately, I feel there are those that need it to go very, very badly to make their point and push their agenda's.
May it be that no innocents are hurt, let alone killed.
A peaceful political change in a true Buddhist fashion would be a joy to behold.
I do Love it here and the "vibe" up north hasn't changed, although I'm sure the locals are aware and watching with interest.

Cheers from the "Land of Smiles"
Aft

Hi MOD's, I tried to wing it on the links for the the above quotes. Please delete above or edit as required.
Thank you. I'll try harder tomorrow.

Do not wear Red, Yellow, White or Black shirt when in Thailand, got that people ? No, not even blue (probably another group ?), choose pink or green or better metallic.

I always thought that South East Asia is calm area. Seems I was wrong.

Do you guys realize its the US-backing (ie, NGOs, US military presence) that plans to STAGE more VIOLENCE?

See here (article from last month):

www.globalresearch.ca...

Anti-government demonstrations planned for Monday aim to shut down the capital and force the government from office.

Thailand's main international airport was at a standstill because of swarms of anti-government protesters. For weeks, the crucial southeast Asian travel hub and its economy, the region’s second-largest, had been held hostage by tens of thousands of chanting, clapping demonstrators.

That was the scene in November 2008; a culmination of months of protests against a government allied to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a telecoms mogul, who was ousted in a military coup two years earlier. The sit-in underscored deep societal divisions, drove away tourists, and marred Thailand's image overseas.

Six years later, could Thailand be facing a similar scenario? Anti-government protesters plan to take to the streets en masse on Monday. Once more, the same two sides are locked in bitter conflict: Bangkok's middle classes, southerners and an oligarchy of royalists and conservatives fearful of Thaksin's comeback, pitted against his rural supporters from the north and northeast alongside the billionaire businessman's cronies
---
The head of the protest movement, Suthep Thaugsuban, has been calling for a new government leader to be chosen by Thailand's king. Suthep, a former member of the Democrat Party and deputy in Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's administration, has proposed an unelected "people's council", whose members would be "decent men" who would introduce reforms. Elections would only be held after such reforms were made.

"Thailand is at a critical juncture. The country is losing, whoever wins. And democracy is also losing," says Thongchai Winichakul, a professor of Southeast Asian History at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The trigger for the latest upheaval was Yingluck's attempt to pass a political amnesty law which could have allowed for Thaksin's return.

"We will demonstrate indefinitely until Yingluck resigns," said Akanat Promphan, the spokesman of a movement calling itself the People's Democratic Reform Committee. They've promised to block 20 major road junctions in Bangkok on Monday, but say the capital's airports and metro systems will be spared. The anti-government movement also plans to cut off power and electricity supplies at government ministries.

But looming over all the political wrangling and civil disobedience is the prospect of yet another military intervention.

Thaksin, who swept to power in 2001, is still a deeply divisive figure in Thailand because he's seen as a crucial power-broker, influencing national policies from abroad. He lives in self-imposed exile in Dubai after a two-year jail sentence - which he says was politically motivated - was handed down to him in absentia. The Democrat Party says he bought votes by offering handouts to the rural poor, yet Thaksin's parties in their various incarnations have won five elections since 2006, the last by a substantial margin.

"The old elite is fighting against a new elite," says Pravit Rojanaphruk, a political columnist at The Nation newspaper. "Both sides are equally powerful, which is why neither can exterminate the other."

Source

There goes my coyote
This sad situation, really. Will we see USA step in ?

Wrabbit2000
Well, I'll be very curious to hear what some of our members who live in Thailand have to add to this... I'd thought things were settling down from what I was hearing 1st person from there. Then again, things can change so quickly these days, eh?

It would be a shame to see Thailand really fall into chaos in any lasting way. They already stand out as special in that region for their distinct history of stability amid a lack of it. Here is hoping for the sake of those living there, it passes.

i agree with you Wrabbit...great people, beautiful country...the problem with that part of the world, is that you really do not know who is trying to do "the right thing"...there is obviously plenty of corruption, but, there are some honest people in government that want a stable, prosperous country.

Bullets sprayed at Democrat HQ

Unknown gunmen in a Toyota sedan fired eight 9mm rounds at the office at 2.30am, police reported. The shots reportedly damaged the front of the party's A Big Seat coffee house, which fronts the building. The...

Please click and read the rest of the Story

I just flew down to Bangkok from the North of Thailand. We have a few hotels we like to stay in at in Nana ( a section of Bangkok) but upon calling and doing some checking we ended up close to the main (BKK) international airport. Yesterday and last night all the hotels at the airport (there are many hotels around the airport) were full as many chose to stay out of down town in the event it got bad with road blockage; which is a favorite tactic for disruption. The crowds I have seen on the local news seem to be around 100,000 (news says so too) which is nothing like some of the past protest however it is my understanding the protesters are in it for the long haul so they may have revolving shifts at work to keep the presence and news going.

We are off to Tokyo tomorrow and a connection back to the states.. If anything goes on note worthy I will try to post... There have been some very nice white sand bags filled and placed across some roads which I assume lead to some government buildings... I am surprised the police or military has not removed them however Thailand is different than most places.. Can you imagine a couple of hundred thousand blocking a road in Washington, London, or Moscow with sand bags and what the outcome would be especially if the purpose was to get a seated government to resign?

It only takes and accident on a few major roads to tie up traffic in Bangkok which is usually tied up anyway. Some of the news is showing grid lock as far as cars moving so I am glad we decided to stay in the outskirts and close to the airport for our early flight tomorrow.

Anyway that is all I have for now and am off for a massage in preparation for the trip tomorrow.

reply to post by 727Sky


Chokdee Kharp!

I hope that you are able to return without further Problems.

Bangkok is used to this Type of Demonstrations,
the whole December the area around Khao San was occupied
by the Monarchists, before the Red Shirts occupied around Silom
and the whole Airport was closed for a few Weeks with Thousands
of Traveller stranded in Bangkok.

I will look for further Information !

Thailand anti-government protesters begin 'Bangkok shutdown'

A planned month-long protest intended to force Thailand's Prime Minister from office began Monday with about 50,000 demonstrators laying siege to major intersections in the large and hectic capital city Bangkok.
Protesters occupied seven main intersections, and blocked one government office, said Lt. Gen. Paradon Pattanathabut.

Demonstrators have said they will surround other ministerial houses, and cut off electricity and water supplies at some government offices.

It's all part of a so-called "Bangkok shutdown" orchestrated by the People's Democratic Reform Committee protest group.

CNN Source

Human0815
reply to post by 727Sky

 

Chokdee Kharp!

I hope that you are able to return without further Problems.

Bangkok is used to this Type of Demonstrations,
the whole December the area around Khao San was occupied
by the Monarchists, before the Red Shirts occupied around Silom
and the whole Airport was closed for a few Weeks with Thousands
of Traveller stranded in Bangkok.

I will look for further Information !

Thailand anti-government protesters begin 'Bangkok shutdown'

A planned month-long protest intended to force Thailand's Prime Minister from office began Monday with about 50,000 demonstrators laying siege to major intersections in the large and hectic capital city Bangkok.
Protesters occupied seven main intersections, and blocked one government office, said Lt. Gen. Paradon Pattanathabut.

Demonstrators have said they will surround other ministerial houses, and cut off electricity and water supplies at some government offices.

It's all part of a so-called "Bangkok shutdown" orchestrated by the People's Democratic Reform Committee protest group.

CNN Source

edit on 13-1-2014 by Human0815 because: info

Thank you. good luck is always welcome: It looks like "Sa wat dee Pea my" hasn't started out like some would want but as of yet it has been peaceful as far as the reports I have seen. Will just have to see what happens if the protest continues and the many people of Bangkok get pissed at the grid lock.

I was in silom Bangkok over the new year period
(Jan 1 - Jan 8)

personally, I saw nothing that concerned me.

I saw a few barricades and police at specific government buildings but on the streets, trains, shops it was all business as usual.

accept, i did notice at subway/train station and entrances to the largest shopping centers very crude metal detectors were setup and 1-2 guards would look in bags.

I've heard of the riots and protests but if i hadnt kept up to date with the news.. I'd have never known.

Wrabbit2000
Well, I'll be very curious to hear what some of our members who live in Thailand have to add to this... I'd thought things were settling down from what I was hearing 1st person from there. Then again, things can change so quickly these days, eh?

It would be a shame to see Thailand really fall into chaos in any lasting way. They already stand out as special in that region for their distinct history of stability amid a lack of it. Here is hoping for the sake of those living there, it passes.

It seems to be like a carnival atmosphere right now, hopefully not a calm before the storm.

The streets are peaceful where the blockades are with markets and stalls being set up where traffic once ruled.

NullVoid
Do not wear Red, Yellow, White or Black shirt when in Thailand, got that people ? No, not even blue (probably another group ?), choose pink or green or better metallic.

I always thought that South East Asia is calm area. Seems I was wrong.

It's wise to do as the romans do so to speak. I wear the yellow-shirt tag which is a flag band in their 'zone' and you get let through the crowds. Just don't wear it among certain peoples in Bangkok (the north easterners) as they get upset.