Growing Tension in Thailand as PAD Stages mass rallies and Seize Govt Buildings

[Rob Sandman]

Having lived in Thailand for almost 2 years recently(in fact I lived there during the last Coup) and having many loved ones and friends of both the Thai and Expat persuasion there I feel it is only right to keep Prison Planet informed of the latest news from inside Thailand with a bit more of a personal touch than a brief story on the mainstream news,much of what I put up will be from people I know well posting on the Thaivisa.com forum.

26th of August,members of the People's Alliance for Democracy Lay Siege to Govt House.
PAD lay seige on Gov't House

Attached File  anti_govt_protest.jpg ( 27.89K ) Number of downloads: 217


BANGKOK: -- Shortly after 6.00 am on Tuesday, the People's Alliance for Democracy successfully blocked every entrance of Government House. Protesters managed to partially blocked telephone connections and periodically switched off the electricity.

Hundreds of policemen were deployed inside the compound to deter protesters from raiding.

It is evident that the seat of government could not open for business and that the weekly Cabinet meeting could not be held at Government House as has been planned.

It is also unclear whether Samak will chair a meeting of military commanders at Government House to debate the annual military rotations as has been planned. Many see the planned meeting as a government ploy to involve the top brass to try and disperse the protesters.

Reporters have flocked to the residence of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to await his reactions. Samak refused to talk at this juncture.

PAD rally to aim at shutting down the gov't

Before commencing its mass rally, the People's Alliance for Democracy issued a statement at 5.45 am on Wednesday vowing to shut down the government.

The PAD attacked the government as a puppet plunderer without no legitimacy to rule which would bring about ruins to the country if allowed to cling to power.

It said that its mass rally was designed to depose the government.

It cited Article 63 of the Constitution, enshrining the right to peaceful assembly, to justify its action. It warned the people about inconveniences from road snarls. It also called on the people to cooperate with protesters, who described themselves as the People's Salvation Forces.

-- The Nation 2008-08-26
continued with more detail in this thread
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/PAD-Lay-Siege-Government-House-NB-t208578.html

[Rob Sandman]

28th August.
Trains to stop nationwide as SRT unionists join protest

BANGKOK: -- Train services are expected to come to a halt tomorrow morning as part of the protests against the government by employees of the State Railway Authority.

A 45-year-old SRT worker in Nakhon Si Thammarat said the unionists have coordinated with SRT workers nationwide to carry out the civil disobedience against the government.

He said officials in charge of train services, such as drivers and engineers have submitted their leaves since Thursday.

He said trains that leave main stations will stop at the first sub-station, and thus will block all the routes and paralyze the services nationwide.

Partial train service stoppage begins

BANGKOK: -- The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) announced that it will stop providing northern and northeastern rail services, starting 12am Friday. It claimed that its employees are not ready to work, causing disruption among commuters.

The chairman of the SRT’s labour union in Nakhon Ratchasima province, Sathorn Sinpru, said almost 100 engine drivers, usherettes and repairmen have taken a sick leave for at least two days, reasoning that they are not happy with their work. He said if they are still not ready to work after two days, the suspension could prolong as their performance could cause dangers.

According to reports, members of the SRT’s labour union took part in the mass rally led by the anti-government People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) at the Government House. The reason behind the SRT’s halt of operation could be the government’s provision of free transport for the protesters who wish to return home.

So far, five trains routing from Bangkok to Northeastern provinces have already suspended the operations since Thursday evening, deputy governor of the SRT Thawin Sarmnakorn said in a television interview on Thursday night.

Mr Thawin said he has ordered substitutes to replace the staff who have taken leave, but the number of the substitutes is inadequate for all the services to fully operate.

He added that he plans to hold talk with SRT staff on Friday to prevent the suspension of train services in other regions.

The discontinuation of rail services will likely affect more than a thousand people in Ayutthaya who come to work in Bangkok every morning.

Latest reports say train services from Taphan Hin in Pichit will be halted starting 5am Friday.

-- Bangkok Post 2008-08-28
Continued and discussed in this thread.
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Trains-Stop-Nationwide-SRT-Unioni-t209117.html

[Rob Sandman]

29th August.
PAD protesters block road to Phuket Airport

PHUKET: -- Protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy blocked the road to the Phuket International Airport Friday afternoon.

Prayuth Tiraksa, a PAD leader in Phuket, said the protester started blocking the road at 2 pm.

-- The Nation 2008-08-29


PAD protesters block access to Hat Yai, Krabi airports

Supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy started gathering outside the Hat Yai and Krabi airports Friday afternoon.

The protesters took action in retaliation against police's crackdown on protesters in Bangkok, their leaders said.

-- The Nation 2008-08-29
Continued and discussed in this thread(as with all Thaivisa links,links to the Thai news and sources are cited)
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Protesters-Block-Access-Phuket-Ha-t209237.html

[Rob Sandman]

September 1st.
More state enterprises threaten to strike

BANGKOK: -- The Confederation of State Enterprise Labour Union on Monday announced that about 200,000 workers at 43 state enterprises will jointly go on strike to protest against the government for allegedly using violent measures to disperse the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) supporters.

According to the confederation, 43 state enterprises will suspend their public utility and assistance operations all together on September 3 at 9am.

The confederation claimed that Prime Minister and Defence Minister Samak Sundaravej is damaging the democratic regime. In order to end the problem, the premier and his government have to resign from politics completely.

The confederation insisted its potential strike would not trouble the majority of the people.

-- Bangkok Post 2008-09-01
Continued as always in this thread. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/State-Enterprises-Threaten-Strike-t209939.html

[Rob Sandman]

And finally,the hammer blow as massive opposing gangs of mainly hired thugs "supporting" the pro and anti govt factions clash violently.
State of emergency announced in Bangkok

PM to have absolute control; PAD to go on protesting despite state of emergency; more people join protest at Government House, pro-goverment protesters dispersse

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej Tuesday announced the state of emergency in Bangkok following a clash between the pro and anti-government supporters early in the morning.

Reasoning that some groups of people caused disturbances in Bangkok that affect the peace and security, Samak announced the enforcement of the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situations in Bangkok.

The prime minister's order also appointed the army chief to be in charge of enforcing the emergency decree in Bangkok.

Thai PBS said the PM's order would exempt the enforcement paragraph 1 of Article 9 which prohibit people from leaving their houses, meaning peole can still go t work.

The station said the announcement would prohibit gathering of more than five people.

But the state of emerency authorises the authorities to evict people from any place or prohibit them from enteirng a place.

The state of emergency also prohibits news publicity in a way that terrifies the public.

The state of emergency also allows the authorities to detain suspects for seven days and would prohibit people from making illegal entries into government offices.

Pro-government protesters dispersesd soon after learning about the the emerency situation announcement.

But the leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy said the protest would continue at Government House.

Thai PBS reporter reported from the scene that more people came out to join the rally Tuesday morning.

Democrat Party MP Sathit Wongnongtoey said the state of emergency would allow the prime minister to have absolute control.

Sathit said it seemed that the government foresaw the violence and state of emergency. He said the prime minster and People Power MPs indicated the violence would take place when they spoke during a debate on the political crisis Sunday night.

-- The Nation 2008-08-02
discussed by a lot of worried expats here.
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/State-Emergency-Announced-Bangkok-t209966.html
there are also many more smaller Satellite stories in the News section of that site.

[Rob Sandman]

Two university students shot as they march to PM's residence

BANGKOK: -- Two men on a motorcycle shot two Ramkamhaeng University students who joined a march to Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's residence on Bungkhum district on Thursday night, police said.

The injured were identified as Anusak Sieng-oon and Apichart Polrit, both 22. Anusak was shot as left leg while Apichart at left arm. Witnesses said the motorcycle had Nakhon Sawan licence plate.

The injured and 100 other students of Ramkamhaeng University were marching to residence of prime minister in Soi Nawamin 81.

They were passing Klongchan flat when the attack took place.

Lardprao police chief Pol Col Somsak Bunsaeng said two men on a motorcycle shot the students

The students started the march at about 8.30pm to the PM's residence to protest his government.

The shooting happened although police have provided safety along the way.

-- The Nation 2008-09-04
continued here
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/University-Students-Shot-March-t210631.html

[ConcordeWarrior]

A friend who works in BKK emailed me this today: (quote)

As for the PAD here they are paying their supporters 500 Baht a day to
be there, when the minimum wage is 204 Baht per day. As you can see they
are all as corrupt as each other so don't feel too sorry for them.