Thailand protestors take to street calling government to resign

[reader]

From Khaosod English

Former PM Thaksin Diagnosed With Coronavirus in Dubai

ANGKOK — Self-exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his family were sent to hospital for contracting coronavirus, his aides said Friday.

Thaksin, who is residing in the United Arab Emirates, is receiving the treatment at a hospital in the city of Dubai, according to the aides. Members of his family who live in the same mansion in Dubai were also reportedly infected, including his elder sister Yaowapha Shinawatra, a chauffeur, and a secretary. 

Former PM Yingluck Shinawatra, a younger sister of Thaksin, is said to be the sole resident who was unaffected. 

It is not immediately clear when and how the 71-year-old billionaire, who headed the Thai government from 2001 until he was toppled in a 2006 coup, caught the coronavirus.

Thaksin fled Thailand in 2008 just before a court convicted him of corruption during his tenure. The tycoon-turned-politician insisted the verdict was politically motivated. 

 

[vinapu]

Seems that Covid is getting senior politicians more involved in combatting it. Trump and now Taksin, who will be next ?

Modi , Xi or Putin?

[reader]

From Reuters

Thailand's 'Bad Students' demand education reform

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's "Bad Student" campaigners toured Bangkok high schools in a truck on Friday in a protest cheered on by pupils to demand education reform and an end to the harassment of students and of school rules they say are outdated.

The school demonstrations are part of an anti-government protest movement that has been growing since July and is also demanding greater democracy. Some campaigners seek reforms to the powerful monarchy to

"Stop the harassment of students, cancel outdated rules, and give us comprehensive education reform," said Laponpat Wangpaisit, an activist from the group that calls itself "Bad Student" outside one Bangkok school.

From behind school gates, pupils cheered the protesters, sang songs mocking school rules and gave the three-finger salute of pro-democracy campaigners. At one school, pupils put a sign on the gate saying: "Teachers at this school harass students."

The protesters were later due to go to the education ministry to demand the resignation of the minister if he does not agree to their demands. The ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the protests.

Student campaigners complain that Thailand's school system is geared more towards instilling obedience than education.

Concerns over the harsh treatment of pupils have risen this week after the emergence of closed-circuit camera footage of teachers hitting very young children. The clips prompted outrage and calls for measures to be taken against the schools.

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From Bangkok Post

Elite city school 'took tea money'

The former director of Triam Udom Suksa School, already undergoing heavy public scrutiny, has revealed the prestigious school he had worked for had been probed for receiving tea money amounting to about 100 million baht a year in exchange for student places.

"I have kept quiet as I do not want to ruin the reputation of the school," Sophon Komon, former director of Triam Udom Suksa told the media at the Ministry of Education yesterday.

Mr Sophon has been facing fierce criticism recently as teachers and students have accused him of transferring teachers who did not toe his line to other posts two days before he retired. Triam Udom Suksa, a prestigious school known for having ace students, is now embroiled in controversy. During his press conference yesterday, Mr Sophon touched upon the controversial issue of under-the-table payments the school had accepted.

Mr Sophon revealed that a group of alumni and teachers had asked the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to investigate allegations the school had been accepting tea money when he became director in 2018.

He said the acceptance of tea money was originally initiated under a special quota admission -- 300 seats annually during 2016-2018. He said the system had been put in place before he accepted the post.

"The special quota admissions should have been announced publicly. But they were not," he said.

 

[reader]

From Coconuts Bangkok

See and hear Oct. 6 massacre with AR tech at anniversary exhibition

A lynched student’s corpse is beaten with a chair as a smiling crowd watches on in a photograph taken by Associated Press photographer Neal Ulevich.

One of the darkest chapters in Thailand’s history will be revisited next week through augmented reality experiences, politically charged rap, and its survivors themselves. 

Tuesday marks the 44th anniversary of the Oct. 6, 1976, massacre at Thammasat University, when disinformation and propaganda stoked the flames of nationalism, provoking security forces and right-wing paramilitaries to murder student pro-democracy campaigners by the dozens.

A black stain on the national psyche that is little taught or discussed, the event is recognized each year by those keeping the memory alive, including its aging survivors.

At an event held on the campus where it happened, technology helps close the gap of time by giving a glimpse of the sights and sounds from that day through augmented reality. Designed by computer engineering professor Priyakorn Pusawiro and her team, the installations will have QR codes attendees can scan.

Mime troupe Babymime will perform as well as rap collective Rap Against Dictatorship. Some student activists who survived the massacre, most now in their 60s, will join a panel discussion on Oct. 4. 

Artifacts on display include from the time including newspaper scraps, photographs, blood-stained jeans, a bullet-ridden megaphone and the infamous “Red Gate” where two electricians were lynched after protesting against the dictatorship of the time. 

It was a mock hanging staged in response on the campus that led to ultranationalist extremists storming the campus and murdering dozens of students and activists after the media played up accounts an effigy of then-Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, who is now king, had been hanged.

The 44th anniversary exhibition runs through Oct. 11  at Thammasat University, Tha Prachan campus. It is organized by CCPC Thai, a group pressing for constitutional reforms based on public consensus, and the October 6 Museum Project. 

FIND IT:
44th anniversary of Oct. 6 exhibition
now until Oct. 11
Thammasat University (Tha Prachan campus)

Continues with photos and video

https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/see-and-hear-oct-6-massacre-with-ar-tech-at-anniversary-exhibition/

[vinapu]

very powerful and moving image. 

Hope all those who smiled were eaten by crocodiles , bitten by cobras or at least chocked terminally on their own vomit

[reader]

For readers who wish to gain a better understanding of the arguments surrounding the constitutional debate on going in Thailand, a link to the the discussion (held in Bangkok on Oct. 1) is available on demand below. Panel members present different views and a Q and A session follows. Some of the content is in Thai but an English translation immediately follows to enable non-Thai speakers to easily follow the proceedings. (It is not necessary to log in to Facebook to access the video).

Presented by the Foreign Corespondents Club of Thailand (FCCT)

Panel discussion: The Battle for the Constitution

The 2017 constitution had a troubled birth, its legitimacy tarnished by military oversight, controversial provisions such an appointed senate, and by a referendum in which criticism of the charter was outlawed. Its principal architect Meechai Ruchupan, a man who has helped draft three charters under military rule, described it as ‘strong medicine’, and said he could not promise it would be Thailand’s last. Public pressure to change or replace the constitution has risen quickly both inside and outside parliament with even the government and some senators, beneficiaries of the current charter, now agreeing it can be amended. However, any amendments require the approval of at least one third of the 250 senators, who would in effect be voting themselves out of a job. Opposition parties have disagreed about tactics; should they push to strip the senate of its powers immediately, or join a new drafting process that could take years? And then there is the sensitive issue of royal powers under the constitution; some activists say these should be discussed, while conservative voices say the monarchy cannot be touched. Behind this debate is Thailand’s chronic promiscuity with constitutions, which are written and then discarded far more frequently than in most countries; can this country agree on a charter that will last?

Join us for an invigorating discussion at the clubhouse, and live streamed on our Facebook page.

Speakers:
Siripan Nogsuan Sawasdee, Associate Professor and the Head of Department of Government, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University.

Yingcheep Atchanont, manager of the Internet Law Reform Dialogue (iLaw)

Paiboon Nititawan, deputy leader of the Palang Pracharath Party

Rangsiman Rome from the Kao Klai (Move Forward) party, which has pushed hardest for constitutional reform in parliament

https://www.facebook.com/FCCThailand/videos/vb.266552830096341/1255331338177351

 

 

[reader]

From Bangkok Post

No coup, unless...

New army chief Gen Narongphan Jitkaewtae says the chance of a coup is zero unless conditions deteriorate, urging parties to prevent that.

Gen Narongphan, who took the position last Thursday, held his first press conference on Tuesday after a meeting of armed forces and police chief at the army headquarters on the previous day.

Asked whether he could assure there would be no coup during his three-year tenure ending in 2023, he declined to reply directly. "Every army chief has been asked this question and he invariably says the chance was zero 'on condition that no one causes a conflict that leads to violence and unrest'," he said.

When the question was repeated, he said: "The chance is none. I think that there is no such situation in Thailand because our country is now at its best. It's evident that the country has the most freedom and plentiful resources which guarantee a happy life.

"Anyone wants to be in Thailand, especially during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic... Therefore, we must help each other get rid of such conditions," the army chief said.

The 57-year-old general said political problems must be addressed by political solutions and he was a government official who had to follow the policies of the government, defence minister and defence forces chief.

Asked about the protection of the royal institution, Gen Narongphan said four things were on his mind —the nation, religions, the king and people. "I will do whatever it takes to ensure security," he added.

[reader]

From The Thai Enquirer

Germany considers halting FTA negotiations with Thailand over the suppression of democracy

Germany is considering a proposal to halt free trade talks between the European Union and Thailand due to the Thai government’s undemocratic practices, according to debate within the Bundestag this week.

To halt free trade negotiations, Germany would have to convince other European Union nations to follow suit.

Frithjof Schmidt, a German MP from the Green Party, said in the Bundestag that the Thai “military junta” decision to dissolve the Future Forward Party, which was the country’s second-biggest opposition party, was undemocratic.

“Some time ago, the European Union suspended negotiations over the free trade agreement because of the junta’s behavior,” he said while referring to the EU’s decision to end free trade talks with Thailand after the coup of 2014.    

“Are you willing to commit to the European Council to suspend these negotiations again as long as the junta still blocks the return to democracy in Thailand?” he asked. 

The talks resumed after the elections were held in Thailand last year but the progress of the trade deal is now in doubt as Heiko Maas, the German Foreign Minister, told the Bundestag that all options were open.

The EU is Thailand’s fifth-largest trading partner after ASEAN, China, Japan, and the US.

Trade between Thailand and the EU reached US$44.5 billion in 2019, accounting for 9.2 per cent of the country’s total trade. Of that, exports accounted for $23.58 billion and imports were worth $20.91 billion.

The EU has last year signed an FTA with Vietnam which came into effect in August 2019 and it became only the second ASEAN country, after Singapore, to have signed a trade pact with the EU. 

[reader]

From Khaosod English

Protesters To Seize Democracy Monument, Tell Prayut to Quit

BANGKOK — Pro-democracy activists on Thursday announced their demands for a protest scheduled to take place at the iconic Democracy Monument on Oct. 14, the anniversary of the student uprising against military rule in 1973.

At a news conference held at Sanam Luang, the site of the previous rally held on the weekend of Sept. 19 and Sept. 20, the protest leaders demanded resignation of PM Prayut Chan-o-cha and his “cronies,” a special parliamentary session on charter amendments, and reforms of the monarchy.

“We will bring Thailand back under democracy and return power to the people,” activist Panupong Jadnok said.

The new set of demands are meant to unite all pro-democracy movements under the umbrella of the “People’s Party 2020,” a reference to a clique of military officers and civilians who toppled absolute monarchy in 1932 and established parliamentary rule.

 

“The People’s Party hasn’t gone anywhere,” Panupong said. “They’re in the hearts of all democracy-loving citizens.”

Today’s press conference at the Sanam Luang was also attended by leader of the Free People Movement Tattep Ruangprapaikitseree, Laponpat Wangpaisit of the Bad Student network, and Jatupat Boonpattararaksa of community rights advocacy group Dao Din.

The group urged the protesters to gather from 2pm onwards on Oct. 14 at the Democracy Monument, where the campaigners will “seize the monument back for the people” as the first activity for the day, according to co-leader Arnon Nampa.

Democracy Monument was built in 1939 to commemorate the revolt that overthrew the royal government six years prior. Originally designed as a public space, security officers in recent years barricaded the monument and turned it into a garden sealed off from the public, possibly to deter anti-government protests from taking place there.

[reader]

From The Thai Enquirer

Twitter reveals 926 social media accounts run by the Thai Army to discredit political opponents

Twitter revealed on Thursday that it had uncovered a network of accounts “partaking in information operations” against prominent anti-government figures and opposition politicians.

According to the social media giant’s safety page, the company discovered 926 accounts which could be “reliably link[ed] to the Royal Thai Army and was actively engaged in information warfare against the government’s political opposition.

The full list of accounts associated with the RTA can be found here. Twitter said it would continue to take action against the network as it uncovers further details.

Student and anti-government protests have gripped the country for the past three months with demonstrators calling for a new constitution and the military-backed government to step down.

Students have raised concerns in the media and during the protests about propaganda campaigns conducted by the government to delegitimize their movement and possibly insight violence towards the protesters.

Such notions are not far fetched as historic crackdowns by the government against previous student demonstrations have resulted in mass killings on university campuses, most notably one on October 6, 1973.

The revelations by Twitter on Thursday will likely back up the student’s and opposition politician’s claims that they have been targeted by the government for harassment.

Previous leaks pointing to an information campaign by the army was dismissed by the prime minister and the army commander who denied such campaigns existence. The Royal Thai Army and the government spokesman could not be contacted at the time of writing.

In this file photo taken on October 6, 1976, shirtless students lie facedown on the ground, with their hands behind their heads, as police stand guard on the Thammasat University campus in Bangkok, when students protesting the return of a military dictator were shot, beaten to death and lynched by state forces and royalist mobs.

=======================================================

From Bangkok Post

Progressive Movement to contest at least 32 provincial elections

The Progressive Movement will field candidates for election to provincial administration organisations (PAOs) in 32 provinces in its first test of support at the polls.

The movement's leader, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, announced its intention on Friday.

He said the group's candidates will run for office in at least 32 provinces in the PAO polls, which are to be held in December.

More provinces could be added later if the candidates were ready, he said.

Mr Thanathorn promised there would be no vote buying. Candidates would bid for voter support with policies including mass transit projects and tourism, environment and education issues. "We will campaign on our platform," he said.

Mr Thanathorn and other former MPs of the Future Forward party have been on the political trail in many provinces since the party was disbanded by the court in February for accepting an illegally large 191 million baht election campaign loan from Mr Thanathorn.

 

[reader]

As of this moment, live video of the protest demonstrations in Bangkok are available on the Bangkok Post website.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2002047/live-video-protesters-march-on-govt-house

[anddy]

7 hours ago, reader said:

As of this moment, live video of the protest demonstrations in Bangkok are available on the Bangkok Post website.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2002047/live-video-protesters-march-on-govt-house

Khaosod English also frequently has live video streams in their facebook page, much more so than the Post's website

[reader]

From Bangkok Post

Government announces state of emergency in Bangkok to quell protests

The government banned gatherings of five or more people and the publication of news or online messages that could harm national security early on Thursday under an emergency decree to end Bangkok street protests.

Protests have escalated for three months and protesters set up camp outside Government Houseto demand his resignation late on Wednesday. The government said it also acted after demonstrators obstructed a royal motorcade.

"It is extremely necessary to introduce an urgent measure to end this situation effectively and promptly to maintain peace and order," state television announced.

It was accompanied by a document setting out measures that took effect from 4am to ban big gatherings and allowing authorities to ban people from entering any area they designation.

It also prohibits: "publication of news, other media, and electronic information that contains messages that could create fear or intentionally distort information, creating misunderstanding that will affect national security or peace and order."

 

[GWMinUS]

Can you spell DICTATORSHIP???

[spoon]

Its back to junta rule.... 

[reader]

From The Thai Enquirer

Police, military, and ‘volunteers’ to coordinate strategy and block a planned anti-government protest

The Royal Thai Police, the army, and a group of special ‘volunteers’ will coordinate to block protesters from gathering in downtown Bangkok on Thursday ahead of a planned rally, sources told Thai Enquirer.

The protesters are rallying despite government orders to not do so, with the government threatening all potential rally-goers with arrest and detention under a emergency decree enacted Thursday morning.

Police have warned protesters that just advocating for others to go to the rally could result in jail time.

Despite these warnings, protesters say they will hold a rally against the government’s crackdown against protest-leaders in the early hours of Thursday and against the Prayut Chan-ocha government for stiffling the democratic movement in Thailand and for its close ties to the military.

Security forces are under strict orders by the government to not let the protests go ahead, according to a senior Thai police official who asked to not be named.

“The government has asked us to coordinate with the military and government ‘volunteers’ to not led the protest go ahead, so soldiers and police will be setting up roadblock and monitoring the situation,” the source told Thai Enquirer.

It is unclear who the volunteers are at this point in time.

Counter-protests organized by the government on Wednesday in the same area as pro-democracy protests led to small clashes between royalist forces and the student-led protesters.

The counter-protesters were bussed in by the government and were off-duty military personnel, police, and royalist volunteers.

[reader]

From The Thai Examiner

PM warns parents to get loved ones out of zone

Major General Rienthong Nanna, in a chilling Facebook post, warned that Bangkok was being surrounded by pro royalist forces and that everyone involved in the protest faced arrest as well as every supporter.

There were growing fears on Wednesday night and early on Thursday morning that security officials and the establishment are preparing to crack down on the protest in central Bangkok which left protesters surrounding the seat of government in the country which was evacuated on Wednesday.

Protesters near Ratchadamnoen Nok Road, adjacent to the site of Wednesday’s march, later in the evening confronted military units installing barbed wire near an army building in the vicinity while the government announced that Government House would not be opening on Thursday.

Then, later, on Wednesday night, the Thai Prime Minister gave a statement in which he said that Wednesday’s protest was being regarded by the government as unrest and an attempt to undermine the legitimate government of the country as well as peace and order.

He then went on to say that he had given strict orders to the police and security services to enforce the law and, under no circumstances, were officers to refrain from doing their duty. 

He particularly announced that any disrespect or actions causing offence to the Thai monarchy would not be tolerated.

The announcement from the PM came, at the same time, as an arch royalist, known for his fiery and implacable rhetoric, posted a chilling message on Facebook.

Major General Rienthong Nanna, called for forces to be ready to surround Bangkok and ‘take out the waste’ following events in the capital on Wednesday. 

He warned that everyone involved in the protest will be arrested and every person behind that person also.

[vinapu]

1 hour ago, reader said:

 

It is unclear who the volunteers are at this point in time.

 

sons and grandsons of those who killed students in 1976

[reader]

From Bangkok Post

Protesters occupy Ratchaprasong intersection

Anti-government protesters blocked Ratchaprasong intersection, in Bangkok's inner business district, late on Thursday afternoon, pushed away rows of riot police and shouted for the ouster of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

Hundreds of demonstrators first gathered outside CentralWorld shopping centre, on one corner of the intersection, shortly before 4pm, the time student leaders announced for a  fresh rally before being arrested near Government House on Thursday morning.

The protesters, mostly young people and including high school students, then moved to Ratchadamri Road, which adjoins the intersection, and finally blocked the road.

Police read out the state of emergency declaration over loud speakers, saying it prohibited  the rally and warned them of legal action. They formed up in rows confronting the demonstrators.

The crowd pushed back the police and occupied Ratchaprasong intersection. They also kept shouting out rude references to the prime minister. Local shopping malls were closed.

Protest leader Panupong Jadnok, aka Mike Rayong, showed up to lead the demonstrators,  after disappearing from the rally at Government House on Wednesday night. Five other protest leaders were arrested on Thursday morning.

Former student Chonthicha Chaengrew said demonstrators would not stay overnight. They would keep forming flash rallies. Demonstrators had to change their tactics, she said.

The demonstrators would stand by their demands for the resignation of the prime minister, the reform of the royal institution and that His Majesty the King refrain from endorsing any future coup d'etat, she said.

Ms Chonthicha said that the rally at Ratchaprasong intersection had no particular leaders.

"Everyone here is the leader. We only arrange for loudspeakers," she said.

At 7.30pm, the demonstrators shook the doors and managed to enter the skywalk at the intersection.

=========================================

From The Nation

Three top police officers sacked

Three high-ranking police officers have been dismissed after the pro-democratic demonstrators marched to surround Government House on Wednesday.

The dismissal of Pol Maj-General Somprasong Yentuam, Pol Maj-General Prasai Jittasonthi and Pol Major Manop Sukhonthanapat was reportedly ordered by the Royal Thai Police Operations Centre on Thursday.

The centre said the order was given to Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Pol Lt-General Phukphong Phongpetra by the newly appointed National Police commander Pol General Suwat Jangyodsuk.

[reader]

From Bangkok Post

Police: Demonstrators, online offenders will be arrested

Police have warned that people will be arrested if they take part in demonstrations prohibited by the state of emergency, or if they post illegal messages online.

Pol Maj Gen Yingyot Thepjamnong, the police spokesman, said on Friday that law enforcement was being intensified against Bangkok demonstrators who broke the law.

The emergency decree bans public gatherings of more than four people. 

“Rallies cannot be organised. Police will take legal action. Offenders must be prosecuted.

"Legal action can be taken retroactively. It will be done in compliance with human rights and international principles,” he said.

Pol Maj Gen Yingyot said seven demonstrators were arrested at the Ratchaprasong intersection political demonstration on Thursday night. Rally leader Panupong Jadnok, aka Mike Rayong, had not been arrested, but was being followed by detectives.

Pol Col Siriwat Deepor, deputy spokesman, said people who post information online that is false, affects security or leads to uncontrolled violence will be considered in violation of the state of emergency and the Computer Crime Act. They were liable to a prison term of up to five years and/or fine up to 100,000 baht.

 

[reader]

As Anddy recently pointed out, Khaosod English's Facebook page regularly provides live coverage of major events. At the moment, it has a broadcast crew on scene in Bangkok.

https://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish/videos

[anddy]

Excellent editorial from Khaosod English, giving a good summary of key events in recent days, too:

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/opinion/2020/10/17/editorial-prayut-has-lost-all-legitimacy-he-must-go/

 

[reader]

From Bangkok Post

Protesters pick 3 sites as mass transit shut down

Anti-government protesters converged on three sites in Bangkok on Saturday afternoon, in defiance of an emergency decree and despite a government-ordered shutdown of nearly all mass rail transit in the capital.

Rally participants were asked to go to the location closest to them: the Lat Phrao transit interchange, Udom Suk BTS station or the Wong Wian Yai roundabout. The locations were confirmed in a tweet sent out by United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration (UFTD) at 3.08pm.

Within an hour, large groups of demonstrators had made their way — on foot, motorcycle, taxi, tuk tuk and car pool in the absence of mass transit — to each of the venues, raising three-finger salutes along the way. The biggest group was seen at Lat Phrao, where about 2,000 people had gathered. The group at Udom Suk subsequently set out for the Bang Na intersection, with at least 1,000 arriving there around 4.30pm.

UFTD also said parallel rallies were to be held from 4pm to 6pm in 17 provinces: Ubon Thani, Nong Khai, Roi Et, Chon Buri (Pattaya), Nakhon Pathom, Phayao, Chiang Rai, Nakhon Sawan, Kalasin, Uttaradit, Trang, Udon Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Surin, Sakon Nakhon, Khon Kaen and Songkhla.

The 38-station MRT Blue Line was closed at 12.30pm and the closure of the Purple Line followed at 3.30. “For the safety and security of passengers, MRT Blue Line and Purple Line will be temporarily closed. We will resume the service as soon as posible when the situation returns to normal. We apologise for any inconvenience,” the operator said on its MRT Bangkok Metro Facebook page.

However, this was not deemed sufficient in the eyes of the police, who are seeking to make it impossible for protesters to move about and gather, even if it inconveniences hundreds of thousands of other commuters. BTS subsequently announced that it would shut its entire system.

Police also ordered the closure of all stations on the Airport Rail Link to Suvarnabhumi Airport and blocked access to Victory Monument and the Asok intersection. Both sites had been viewed as possible gathering places for demonstrators.

 

[reader]

Khaosod English's Facebook page has just concluded a live broadcast from the  Lat Phrao intersection where thousands of protesters gathered. It's being reported that the protest leader is now telling demonstrators to go home to avoid any injuries.

Channel News Asia photo. Protesters at Lat Phrao intersection in Bangkok on Oct 17, 2020. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo)

[TotallyOz]

I was broadcasting live from Bangna (Udom Suk) as my window faced the protesters and there were tons of people in the streets shouting "set them free." 

Jupiter Boy got stuck home as mass transit was shut and he wanted to take a taxi but the transportation in the area is bumper to bumper with tons of horns and support for the protesters. Also, tons of cops around. Very peaceful march but very surprised to see this near my place!