Gaybutton Posted May 4, 2009 Posted May 4, 2009 It's getting so that just deciding what color shirt to wear can be a matter for confusion. The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Thousands Rally to Give Peace a Chance 'Stop Hurting Thailand' Push Gains Support By: POST REPORTERS Published: 5/05/2009 Thousands of professional media organisations, government agencies, the military, civic groups and business people have joined the "Stop hurting Thailand" campaign, urging political groups to end bickering that is causing social divisions. The campaign was initiated by 21 organisations including the Thai Journalists Association, the King Prajadhipok Institute and peace advocacy groups. The 21 organisations yesterday led a crowd of peace advocates dressed in white in a parade from King Rama VI statue in front of Lumpini Park along Silom Road to Bangkok Bank's headquarters. Joining the parade were Borwornsak Uwanno, secretary general of the King Prajadhipok Institute, and his deputy Wuthisarn Tanchai, Prime Minister's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey, Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boonyadet, TJA president Prasong Lertratanawisut and singer Add Carabao. Bangkok Bank president Chartsiri Sophonpanich joined the crowd when the parade reached his bank's headquarters. TJA secretary general Pradit Ruangdit read a campaign statement asking all political groups to end their incitement of violent clashes between different groups and stop insulting the monarchy or claiming connections to the monarchy for political reasons. The statement called for government authorities to act in an open and sincere manner while urging journalists to stringently adhere to their codes of ethics and abstain from exploiting their media outlets for political purposes. It urged the public to support the campaign by raising the national flag in front of their homes. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and civic authorities in other provinces also held activities to promote the "Stop hurting Thailand" campaign. In Bangkok, the BMA backed the campaign at City Hall and its branch office in Din Daeng, and at the 50 district offices. The armed forces also joined the campaign. At army headquarters, about 2,000 officers led by Lt-Gen Sant Jariyajirawattana of the Office of the Commander paraded with national flags. About 1,000 marines from the Royal Thai Marine Corps lined up along a 2km stretch of Sukhumvit Road, in Chon Buri province, in front of their headquarters to show their support for the campaign. Red shirt leaders also gave their support. In Udon Thani, Kwanchai Sarakham, also known as Praipana, leader of Khon Rak Udon (Love Udon People), led a group of 800 red shirt supporters for a "Stop hurting Thailand" demonstration at Udon Thani city hall. Leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship in Bangkok backed the sentiments of the campaign but warned the government not to use it to serve its own political interests. ____________________ And this, from THE NATION: _____ ENDING FEUDS Peace Campaigns Launched Nationwide Published on May 5, 2009 Political Rivals Urged to Find Peaceful Solutions as Country Headed for Doom A nationwide campaign started yesterday to prevent political violence and end conflicts that are harming the country. Representatives from more than 20 organisations, including academics, media workers, politicians and businesspeople, took part in a function held at Bangkok's Lumpini Park yesterday. The participants took a nine-point oath asking all parties involved in the conflict to stop resorting to physical or verbal violence and respect the law as well as other people's rights. They called on feuding parties to find a solution through peaceful means or the country would be destined for doom. Supporters of the "Stop Harming Thailand; Stop Use of Violence" campaign later led a procession down Silom Road, the capital's main business district. Participants distributed stickers and Thai flags to passers-by, asking them to support the campaign and display the stickers and flags at home. The procession down Silom Road ended with the participants singing "Rak Kan Wai Therd" (Let's Love One Another) in front of Bangkok Bank's head office. Similar events were held in other provinces in all regions of the country. The Army also joined in, with the deputy supreme commander ACM Burirat Ratanavanich presiding over a function at the forces' headquarters. The general said Thailand would see sustainable progress and prosperity if unity and peace could be attained. The participants observed three minutes of silence before waving the national flag. Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra presided over a similar function at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration offices with more than 3,000 officials taking part in the event. They all got together and sang the national anthem and other numbers encouraging national unity. In a separate development, an opposition MP yesterday criticised the government of wasting more than Bt240 million in bringing some 250,000 people from the provinces to join Coronation Day celebrations in Bangkok today. Visut Chaiyanarun, a Pheu Thai MP for Phayao, said he estimated that at least Bt240 million had been spent in funding trips of officials from more than 8,000 local administrative organisations nationwide. Government agencies will today host activities and stage performances along Rajdamnoen Avenue, from the Royal Plaza to Sanam Luang to mark His Majesty's 60th year on the throne. Quote
Guest lvdkeyes Posted May 5, 2009 Posted May 5, 2009 Maybe all the gays should wear lavender shirts and demonstrate. Quote
Guest joseph44 Posted May 5, 2009 Posted May 5, 2009 Maybe all the gays should wear lavender shirts and demonstrate. Why a different color? Isn't white good enough? Quote
Guest lvdkeyes Posted May 5, 2009 Posted May 5, 2009 Why a different color? Isn't white good enough? To signify a different group. Quote
Guest joseph44 Posted May 5, 2009 Posted May 5, 2009 Oh ok, but I thought that most gays would like to integrate and like to be treated like everybody else. But again, if you would like to make a difference: lavender will do. Quote
Guest lvdkeyes Posted May 5, 2009 Posted May 5, 2009 Oh ok, but I thought that most gays would like to integrate and like to be treated like everybody else. But again, if you would like to make a difference: lavender will do. I was just being facetious; we have red, yellow, blue, white, so why not lavender? Pink was already taken when the King was released from the hospital. Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted May 5, 2009 Posted May 5, 2009 Certainly hope it's not lavender - a colour I'd be hard pressed to find in my wardrobe! I agree with GB - all this colour co-ordinated rampaging and demonstrating is not good for me. Most of my casual and business shirts are either yellow, pink, blue and white. Guess I'll only be safe wearing the sequined numbers Quote
Guest Oogleman Posted May 5, 2009 Posted May 5, 2009 Meet the Pink shirts! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yob7DUHl-Hg Quote
Guest lester1 Posted May 6, 2009 Posted May 6, 2009 I had to throw away many of my polo shirts in order to remain strictly neutral in whatever random street demonstrations happen to roll through my soi. I wasnt too fussed about the yellow ones as its a bit girly anyway, and I have never had an urge to occupy an airport. Its a shame about red. I have almost thrown myself at moving cars but only to avoid motorbikes coming the wrong way down the gutter, never to upset a politician. Lets hope blue and grey remain inviolate. Those wishing to ponce about in lavender can do so. Quote
Guest lvdkeyes Posted May 6, 2009 Posted May 6, 2009 Lets hope blue and grey remain inviolate. Too late, blue shirts have already mobilized against the red shirts. Quote
