De rode T-shirts

Thailand Het laatste Thailand nieuws
121

**Betogers eisen gratie oud-premier Thaksin. **

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BANGKOK (ANP)- Meer dan 20.000 aanhangers van Thaksin Shanawatra hebben maandag in het oude centrum van Bangkok gedemonstreerd voor gratie voor de Thaise oud-premier. Medewerkers van het Verenigd Front voor Democratie tegen Dictatuur, bekend als de ‘rode shirts’, willen honderden dozen met de handtekeningen van vijf miljoen Thai overhandigen aan een afgezant van koning Bhumibol, die gratie kan verlenen.**

De zeer vermogende Thaksin won in 2001 en 2005 de parlementsverkiezingen. In 2006 bracht het leger hem ten val. Thaksin werd in oktober 2008 wegens corruptie tot twee jaar gevangenisstraf veroordeeld, maar was bij het proces niet aanwezig.
Vooral op het platteland is zijn aanhang nog altijd erg groot. De oud-premier was bij de betoging niet aanwezig, maar richtte zich vanuit een locatie in het buitenland tot de menigte. ,De mensen zijn hier vandaag niet voor mij bijeen, maar omdat zij genoeg hebben van drie jaar onrechtvaardigheid’', zei hij. Hij voegde eraan toe te rekenen op de koning om verzoening in het land in het zuidoosten van Azië te brengen. In april maakte het leger een einde aan een reeks demonstraties van tegenstanders van de regering. Zij eisten dat premier Abhisit Vejjajiva zou opstappen en Thaksin hem zou vervangen.

122

Red-shirt people to hold mass rally on Aug 30

The red-shirt people will hold a mass rally on August 30 to demand the government to dissolve the House.

Natthawut Saikua, a red-shirt leader, said the red-shirt people would gather at the Royal Plaza at 1 pm before marching to the Government House.

He said Prime Minister** Abhisit Vejjajiva **has no potential to develop and solve the country’s problems. He alleged that the prime minister also lacked leadership so, his government should not be allowed to go on running the country.

Bron: The Nation

123

18 years in jail for ‘Da Torpedo’

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Writer: BangkokPost.com Published: 28/08/2009 at 12:19 PM The Criminal Court on Friday sentenced Daranee Chanchoengsilpakul, alias Da Torpedo, to 18 years imprisonment for lese majeste.
The court ruled that Ms Daranee, a United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship member, made several remarks deemed to be lese majeste in speeches on the stage at UDD rallies at Sanam Luang on Jan 18, June 7 and June 13 last year.
She was convicted on three counts of insulting the King and Queen and given a six-year sentence on each count. The court did not allow her a suspension of the jail term.
“The court finds she intended to insult and make threats to Their Majesties the King and Queen,” one of the three judges said, reading the verdict.
After hearing the verdict, Ms Daranee, who was wearing a prison uniform and a surgical face mask, made a V sign with her hand to about 30 UDD supporters who turned up at the court in a show of support.
“It is what I expected to happen,” she told reporters after the verdict. “I will appeal.”
Prior to the hearing, Ms Daranee said her speeches were not aimed at the monarchy.
Her comments were aimed at the generals who ousted Thaksin Shinawatra, she said.

Bron: Bangkok Post.

124

Rally Countdown: Police chief meets key Red Shirt leaders.
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**BANGKOK: – Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Friday said talks between national police chief Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan and key leaders of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) regarding the group’s mass rally this weekend has made a progress at a “certain level”.

The deputy premier said he had assigned Gen Patcharawat to discuss with the so-called Red Shirt key leaders to prevent any possible clash during the movement’s demonstration this weekend.

The move came as the government chose to enforce the stringent Internal Security Act (ISA) from Saturday to Monday in Bangkok’s Dusit district, the area where the UDD will demonstrate.

Mr Suthep said the top United Front leaders listened to the police chief and that they understood that the government must maintain law and order during the group’s rally.

“The Red Shirt leaders have not set conditions,” Mr Suthep said. “The talks are to create mutual understanding and confidence regarding (the limits of) what they can do during the ISA enforcement.”

The deputy premier added that military Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) officers will meet later Friday to discuss how to handle the demonstrators within the legal framework.

Mr Suthep also insisted that rally can be carried out under the law but warned that the government will apply all measures to stop any chaos.

Permanent-Secretary for Interior Wichai Srikwan, meanwhile, said the Interior Minister Chavarat Charnveerakul has instructed provincial officials to create better understanding with Red Shirt activists who plan to join the group’s mass rally in the capital.

Mr Wichai said the order is aimed at informing the UDD protesters about the enforcement of ISA, not meaning to obstruct them from joining the rally in Bangkok.

“Recently we have been informed from 20 provinces, mostly in the northeastern region, that local residents are travelling to Bangkok,” he said.

An opinion survey conducted among a random sample of 1,027 Bangkok residents by the Research Institute of Bangkok University, the Bangkok Poll, on Friday showed that two in five Bangkokians – nearly 38 per cent of the respondents – believe that the government and security-concerned agencies will be able to control the situation.

Almost one-third, however, 31.7 per cent, said the situation will go out of control.

More significantly nearly twice as many respondents feel that the overall impact of using the heavy-duty security measures will have a negative impact on the overall situation.

That is to say, while only 21.7 per cent believe that using the ISA the enforce public order will give a positive result, and nearly twice as many – 37.8 per cent – say that using the ISA will make the situation worse.

The remaining 40 per cent – two out of five respondents – are uncertain about the usefulness of applying the Internal Security Act in advance.

Bron: Thai visa.com

125

Special task force to be deployed at red-shirt rally
By The Nation
Published on August 29, 2009

**The Internal Security Operations Command has set up a task force to keep the peace at tomorrow’s red-shirt rally, and security measures will be carried out under the rule of law. **


Deputy Prime Minister** Suthep Thaugsuban **said 37 companies from the armed forces would be deployed, while the police have been designated the principal unit for crowd control.

All roads surrounding Government House will be closed during the rally, and checkpoints will be set up on routes leading to and from the rally site at the Royal Plaza, to ensure protesters are unarmed.

Should the crowd turn unruly, anti-riot forces are under instructions to apply progressive stages of crowd-control measures. Not all of the forces will be armed, but they will be equipped with shields and batons.

Earlier, Suthep said the** red shirts **had signalled their understanding of why the government had to invoke the Internal Security Act (ISA) to keep the peace tomorrow.

“The** red shirts **appear to understand the justification for enforcing the security law at their upcoming rally,” he said.

Suthep said the red-shirt response was conveyed via national police chief General Patcharawat Wongsuwan, who has been designated by the prime minister as the go-between.

The red shirt co-leaders, including Veera Musigapong, had earlier threatened to seek a court injunction against enforcement of the security law but have not pursued legal action.

Meanwhile, Patcharawat said the organisers of the red-shirt rally had promised a peaceful protest at the Royal Plaza and would not blockade Government House.

Patcharawat said he had briefed Prime Minister** Abhisit Vejjajiva **about the results of his negotiations with the rally organisers.

Meanwhile, a red-shirt lawyer yesterday asked the Administrative Court to nullify the government’s ISA enforcement in Bangkok.

The red-shirt movement also filed a complaint with the Central Administrative Court, seeking the same action.

Bron: The Nation

126

PRO-THAKSIN RALLY
Sunday mass rally deferred

Red shirted protesters announced Saturday they decided to postpone their mass rally planned for Sunday, citing the government’s imposing of internal security laws.
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Their leaders said they are not allowed to gather under the internal security laws imposed in Dusit district from Saturday to Monday.

They said they plan to defer the rally to September 5.
They would again postpone their rally if the government enforce the Internal Security Act for their Sept 5 rally.

Bron: The Nation

127

PRO-THAKSIN RALLY
Red shirts to rally on coup anniversary

By The Nation
Published on September 5, 2009

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Leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship announce that they will hold a mass rally on Sept 19.

The red shirts will rally on September 19 to mark the third anniversary of the 2006 coup regardless of whether or not the government invokes the security law, co-organiser Veera Musigapong said yesterday.

The planned rally for tomorrow and the one for next Saturday have been cancelled to avoid giving the government a pretext to enforce security measures.

“Even though the government might invoke the Internal Security Act, we have to go ahead and rally on September 19 rally to mark the shameful power seizure,” he said.

Between now and the upcoming rally, the** red shirts **will participate in a series of seminars, organised in lieu of cancelled rallies, to raise awareness on their political struggle, he said.

The seminar series will be launched on September 12-13 at the office of Truth Today, located on Lat Phrao Road.

Another co-organiser, Natthawut Saikua, said the September 19 rally will be peaceful and last one day.

Natthawut said the** red shirts **deemed it unnecessary to quicken the government’s exit since the coalition was plagued by infighting.

The coalition will soon collapse under its own weight, he said.

Red-shirt lawyer Kharom Pholthaklang said he was helping surviving victims of the April anti-riot operation and the families of those killed to sue the government for damages via criminal and civil proceedings.

Kharom said the recent circulation of an audio clip purported to show the prime minister ordering the crackdown had provided a key evidence to build up the case against Abhisit Vejjajiva. He did not touch on the issue of whether the clip was doctored.
As the** red shirts have cancelled the rally planned for today, the government has decided not to enforce the security law, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban **said.

Bron: The Nation

128

Red rally tops most worried list.


Writer: BangkokPost.com Published: 6/09/2009 at 11:07 AM A latest survey reveals that many respondents are concerned with the red-shirt rallies.
The Dusit Poll conducted a survey on the top ten incidents that Thai people nationwide are worried about.

21.86 per cent of the respondents said they were worried about the red-shirt demonstrations of the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), followed by news coverage on former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra with 13.41 per cent, corruption in the government’s Sufficiency Community project with 12.76 per cent and constitutional amendments with 11.82 per cent.

8.26 per cent said they were concerned about the appointment of a new police commissioner-general, 7.42 per cent about the doctored audio clip with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s voice, 7.10 per cent about the southern violence, 6.24 per cent about the arguments between the government and its opposition, 5.9 per cent about the rifts within the Democrat party and 5.23 per cent about the Sondhi Limthongkul shooting case.

63.02 per cent wanted the government to continue solving problems in the country while 18.81 per cent wanted a House dissolution to make way for a general election.

10.73 per cent said the government should quickly amend the charter. 7.44 per cent said Prime Minister Abhisit should resign. 33.46 per cent wanted the government to be strong and determined in administering the country while 30.18 per cent wanted the opposition to do its best in scrutinising the government’s performance.

Bron: Bangkok Post

129

@THAKSINLIVE
I could wait to talk to Abhisit : Thaksin

By The Nation
Published on September 9

**Runaway ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra said yesterday he could wait to talk with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, as Abhisit seemed to have many problems to deal with. **

Thaksin said in his Twitter; ThaksinLive, that he sympathised with Khun Abhisit who, he said, was busy solving many obstacles.
“I can wait to talk to Khun Abhisit as he is now busy,”** Thaksin tweeted.
He was responding to a Twitter interview between Abhisit and Nation Group’s editor in chief Suthichai Yoon last night.
Earlier in perhaps the first interview on Twitter, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Monday night that former PM**[URL=“http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/adsearch.php?keyword=+Thaksin+”] Thaksin **Shinawatra **should return to serve his jail term.

Interviewed via Twitter by Nation Group’s editor-in-chief Suthichai Yoon on Monday, Abhisit said Thaksin, like all Thai citizens, should respect the law.

The interview was conducted while Abhisit was at home and Suthichai at the Nation Group headquarters.

When asked to confirm if he would hold talks with** Thaksin **should he return to serve his jail term first, Abhisit replied: “I want everybody to respect the law.”

“You didn’t answer my question,” Suthichai responded, to which Abhisit replied: “Read my answer well and you will find the answer.”

Asked again by Suthichai to confirm his interpretation, Abhist said: “Probably, yes.”

When asked if Abhisit would agree to conduct an exchange moderated by Suthichai via Twitter with Thaksin, the PM said the 140 characters per a post limit would hamper a proper discussion.

When asked by the audience about what Abhisit would tell** Thaksin should they come face to face, the PM said he would tell Thaksin **to return to face the law and that the Thai society would forgive him then.

In response to whether the** Thaksin **issue could affect the proposed charter amendments, the premier said his government would only focus on charter amendments related to public interest. When asked to clarify the term public interest, Abhisit said the amendments would be related to the system and democratic principles, not personal interests.

“My duty is to uphold the law - and** Thaksin **comes under the law like all Thais,” Abhisit said.

He added political parties had discussed charter amendments and seemed to agree with the proposals made by the special panel in charge of studying them. The PM said he believed that most parties would be able to come to an agreement on the amendments.

Suthichai’s first question to Abhisit was if he was planning to dissolve the House on New Year Day, but the premier refused to give a committed answer.

“No one can predict the House dissolution, but I’ll devote myself to running the country,” the PM replied, adding that he believes he can control the situation.

Asked about the conflict with Deputy Prime Minister** Suthep Thaugsuban **and PM’s Secretary-General Nipon Promphan over the choice of the new police chief, Abhisit said he would carry out his duty as chairman of the Royal Thai Police board, and was confident that filling the police chief’s seat would go smoothly.

He added that Suthep and Nipon did not have to agree with him on every issue.

When asked by Suthichai whether it was strange his deputy and permanent secretary-general did not agree with him, Abhisit said that usually he does not have problems with the two.

He also said he was not afraid of leaving the country to attend the United Nations General Assembly meeting, and was not afraid of not being able to return.

On September 19 three years ago, Thaksin, who had left the country to attend a UN meeting, was ousted and has not returned since.

When asked if he was worried about the September 19 jinx, the PM said he would be still in the country on that day.

Pressed by Suthichai on whether he would need to keep checking with Suthep about the situation back home, Abhisit said he would do that anyway if he was overseas.

In response to a tweet from a foreigner on whether the Thai political situation would stabilise, Abhisit replied in English: “Things are more stable now and will steadily improve, 'cos my govt adheres to democratic principles and will do what’s best for the people.”
The PM then bid Suthichai a good night and signed off.

Bron: The Nation

130

Drie jaar na de militaire staatsgreep blijft de politieke verdeeldheid in Thailand groot.

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KHON KAEN,(AP)- Drie jaar na de militaire staatsgreep blijft de politieke verdeeldheid in Thailand groot. Voor- en tegenstanders van de afgezette premier Thaksin Shinawatra staan lijnrecht tegenover elkaar. Het toont dat de mensen zich meer betrokken voelen bij de politiek, zeggen experts. Door de nadrukkelijke kleurcodes in de Thaise politiek, is de verdeeldheid goed zichtbaar op straat.

De aanhangers van oudpremier Thaksin, die zich verenigd hebben in het Verenigd Front voor Democratie tegen Dictatuur (UDD), dragen dieprode hemden. Hun opponenten, die worden aangevoed door de Volksalliantie voor Democratie (PAD), de protestbeweging die ondanks zijn naam de militaire coup steunde, zijn herkenbaar aan de gele hemden. “In de dorpen, bij de boeren, zie je meer rode hemden. De stad is verdeeld, daar heb je ook gele hemden”, zegt Bamrung Boonpanya, adviseur van NGOCord, een ngo uit het noordoosten van het land. “Beide groepen verdedigen hun standpunten met veel passie.” Volgens Banrung zijn de mensen nu meer met politiek bezig dan drie jaar geleden.
“Ze halen hun informatie uit verschillende bronnen, verkondigen makkelijker hun mening. Ga naar een koffiehuis en je zult het merken.” Wapens binnen handbereik Zowel de rood- als de geelhemden trekken geregeld de straat op sinds de militaire junta begin vorig jaar de macht heeft overgedragen aan een verkozen regering. De PAD, die vooral de steun heeft van de middenklasse, de elite en de royalisten, houdt de wapens binnen handbereik en schrikt nergens voor terug, zelfs niet voor de bezetting van de internationale luchthaven van Bangkok vorig jaar. Het militaire en conservatieve establishment probeert politieke partijen die Thaksin gunstig gezind zijn, van de macht te houden, maar de UDD is niet van plan dat te tolereren. Koude Oorlog ”De politieke verdeeldheid is groot maar toch is ze toch anders dan de laatste keer dat Thailand politiek verdeeld was, in de jaren 70”, zegt Thanet Aphornsuvan, historicus aan de Thammasat-universiteit in Bangkok. “Toen ging het om een ideologische verdeeldheid onder invloed van de Koude Oorlog. Nu gaat het over het soort regering dat de mensen willen en hoe men dat kan bereiken.” De beweging van de rode hemden heeft er voor gezorgd dat de Thaise bevolking zich nu meer betrokken voelt bij de politiek, zegt Thitinan Pongsudhirak, politiek wetenschapper aan de Chulalongkorn-universiteit in Bangkok. “Ze zijn ‘stakeholders’ geworden in het politieke systeem. Vroeger was dat niet het geval, want toen was politiek een zaak van de elite in Bangkok. Dat stakeholderschap is de blijvende erfenis van Thaksin.” Grote sympathie voor Thaksin Dat de afgezette premier Thaksin nog steeds op grote sympathie kan rekenen in het landelijke noordoosten van Thailand, heeft veel met diens armenbeleid te maken. Thaksin, die nu in ballingschap leeft, stond aan het hoofd van een regering die in 2001 en 2005 met nooit eerder vertoonde meerderheden verkozen was. Hij dankte die zeges vooral aan de arme bevolking op het platteland. Thaksin had onder meer gezorgd voor een algemene gezondheidszorg, gemakkelijk toegankelijke kredieten voor kleine ondernemers en een schuldmoratorium voor boeren. Thaksin autoritaire stijl was een doorn in het oog van de elite. In 2006 beschuldigde het leger hem ervan een bedreiging te zijn voor de eenheid van het land. Op 19 september 2006 namen de tanks de straten van Bangkok in, de achttiende staatsgreep sinds het land in 1932 een constitutionele monarchie werd. De weg naar de militaire interventie werd geplaveid door het straatprotest in Bangkok onder aanvoering van de PAD. In de eerste helft van 2006 waren tienduizenden geelhemden op straat gekomen. Ze beschuldigden Thaksins regering van corruptie, vriendjespolitiek en machtsmisbruik.

131

Suthep tells protesters to rally peacefully.
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Writer: BangkokPost.com Published: 16/09/2009 at 03:11 PM.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban has again warned red-shirts who plan a mass anti-government protest on Saturday to stay within the law and follow democratic principles.

“If the rally gets out of control, the government will impose measures to control the situation as it is duty bound to maintain peace and order,” Mr Suthep said on Tuesday.

The government was double-checking a report that supporters of the United front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) planned to lay siege to Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports, the deputy premier in charge of security affairs said.

Mr Suthep asked the red-shirts not to surround the two main airports, because it would cause severe damage to the country.

“But if the protesters intend to do so, then the government will have to invoke the Internal Security Act in other risk areas as needed,” he said.

Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) spokesman Maj-Gen Ditthaporn Sasasamith said action to maintain peace and order during the anti-government rally will be dependent on the situation at the time and the movements of the red-shirts.

Maj Gen Ditthaporn said red-shirts in the provinces would not be prevented from coming to Bangkok, but Isoc would ensure that they obey the law.

The authorities would protect government offices and all roads around Government House would be closed, he said.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will on Thursday chair a meeting of Isoc to approve planned security measures and to appoint a state official to take responsibility for controlling the situation.

On Tuesday night, fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra said in his radio programme via Thaksinlive.com website that he wants a peaceful rally.

“The demonstration should be just to remind people of the military coup that has severely damaged the country,” Thaksin said.

The former premier asked: ‘‘Hasn’t the country suffered enough? Is the problem of social division critical enough? Do we want to see unity in our country?’’

He called on all parties to peacefully settle conflicts by talking them over.

Bron: Bangkok post

132

Suthep warns over rally

No coup while Abhisit in New York, says army .

Reds in the city, yellow up country.

Writer: POST REPORTERS Published: 19/09/2009 at 12:00 AM Newspaper section: NewsThe government could invoke a state of emergency if today’s anti-government rally by red shirt protesters spirals out of control, says Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban.
Mr Suthep, who is in charge of national security, yesterday said he has the full authority to call a cabinet meeting to declare a state of emergency if the need arises.
“I will be acting prime minister. If necessary I can invoke a state of emergency. I am entrusted with the full authority of the prime minister to maintain law and order,” he said.

The Internal Security Act has already been invoked in Dusit district, where the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) will hold its gathering today.
The demonstration has been organised to protest over the third anniversary of the military coup that ousted Thaksin Shinawatra from power.
Emergency rule allows military force to be used to restore order in the case of civil unrest. The military can also impose a curfew if necessary.
Mr Suthep was responding to a question about whether Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva would allow him to declare a state of emergency while he is travelling abroad.
Mr Abhisit is scheduled to leave for the UN General Assembly in New York and will be away from tomorrow until Sept 27.
A state of emergency was enforced in April this year when red shirt protesters rioted on the streets of Bangkok. Two people were killed and scores of others were injured.
Security is being intensified at Government House where a cordon of iron barricades and concrete slabs has been set up. Police and soldiers equipped with riot gear have been deployed to secure the area.
The deputy prime minister said violent clashes with protesters would be avoided at all costs. If necessary, rubber bullets would be used and his orders would be made in writing if they could result in physical harm.
“Some people might get hurt but this is the very last measure [the government will take]. It will have to be agreed [by a meeting of the cabinet] and I will make a written order to ensure the operating officers will not take the blame,” he said.
Mr Suthep said the residence of Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda, and other vulnerable spots such as the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission would be guarded.
He urged ousted prime minister Thaksin, who is expected to call in from overseas to address his red shirt supporters, to refrain from creating divisions in society.
Mr Suthep refuted rumours that the military would stage a coup in the prime minister’s absence. Mr Abhisit would return to the kingdom as prime minister, he said.
The military yesterday said it had absolutely no plans to seize power and reaffirmed its readiness to assist police in handling the red shirt rally.
Defence permanent secretary Apichart Penkitti said there would be no coup. Those put in charge of the security operations would comply with the government’s plan, he said.
Army chief Anupong Paojinda yesterday pledged there would be no coup.
“A coup is a really big issue for the country and it affects every single person. It is not something one can just do because he wants to,” he said.
Gen Anupong said security forces would keep an eye out for “a third hand”. The rally itself was not a cause for concern, he said.
He was speaking after the Internal Security Operations Command meeting where Mr Abhisit told authorities to follow international standards strictly when handling the protest.
According to security authorities, 30 companies of police and 33 companies of soldiers will be on duty during the rally. About 350 Interior Ministry officials have been recruited to assist police at checkpoints.
Meanwhile, the Civil Court yesterday rejected a red shirt move to have the enforcement of the internal security law revoked. The order was exclusively an executive decision and the court said it would not intervene.

Bron: Bangkok Post

133

Red shirts end protest in Korat.

**Pro-Thaksin protesters failed to reach residence of Privy Councillor President Gen Prem Tinsulanonda in Nakhon Ratchasima as they faced with barricades and hundreds of police. **

Joint forces of police and soldiers set up a blockage on a road leading to Gen Prem’s residence to prevent the protesters from going to Prem’s residence.

Their leader; Arisamun Pongruengrong, spoke through a megaphone, demanding for Gen Prem to stay out of politics and calling for Prime Minister** Abhisit Vejjajiva **to dissolve the House.

Gen Prem is now in Nakhon Ratchasima to chair a scholarship granting ceremony.

Arisamun, a former singer, has been charged with inciting unrest when he led the protesters to a building which was close to meeting venue of** Asean **Summit in Pattaya in April. The invasion forced the Thai government to cancel the summit.
After failing to march to Prem’s residence, Arisamun dispersed the protest, inviting the protesters to go to Bangkok to join the protest in Bangkok.

Bron: The Nation

134

YELLOW SHIRTED RALLY
PM worries on clash in Si Sa Ket


Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva expressed concerns on Saturday over a report that yellow-shirted protesters clashed with Si Sa Ket people on their way to Preah Vihear Temple.

He said he did not want to see Thais clash among themselves.
Deputy Prime Minister** Suthep Thaugsuban **is already assigned to handle the matter, Abhisit said.

The prime minister was speaking after yellow shirted protesters clash with local villagers in Si Sa Ket on Saturday before managing to go nearer to the entrance of Preah Vihear Temple.

Thai TV reported that the clash which took place at about 1.40pm left many villagers injured.
The protesters who are members of **People’s Alliance for Democracy **planned to march to the entrance of the temple to demand for the Khmers to move out of the disputed areas.
The clash happened as many local villagers did not agree with the protest, viewing it would damage the country’s repuation as well as economic and relations with neighbouring country.

They formed a blockage on a road which is leading to the park near the temple. Anti-riot police who are in full gear also set up barricades.
The Thai TV reporter reported that the blockage is the last stop and now that the protesters could break it, they are now marching to the temple.

135

RED SHIRTS RALLY
Hooligans ordered to incite unrest : Suthep

**Several groups of “hooligans” have received orders to create unrest during the red shirted protest on Saturday in Bangkok, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Saturday. **

Citing intelligence reports, Suthep said that the groups are from Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Nakhon Pathom provinces.

They were ordered to create violence during Saturday’s anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) movement in the capital.

The protest marked the third anniversary of the coup that ousted then PM** Thaksin **Shinawatra.

Suthep said that however the groups were under close watch.

Declining to identify the groups, Suthep called them “hooligans” and said that are notorious, but that the police are well prepared to deal with them.

He was speaking after meeting with acting national police chief Pol Gen Thani Somboonsap at Government House where tight security has been imposed by both police and army personnel.

Those guarding the area were equipped with only shields and batons, while barbed wire was installed around Government House to prevent UDD protesters from getting close to the building housing the prime minister’s office.
Gen Thani told journalists briefly after a one-hour talk Suthep that the deputy prime minister ordered him to closely monitor the third-party groups which might incite violence during the rally.

136

RED SHIRTS PROTEST
No march to Prem’s residence

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Police set up barricades at the residence of Privy Councillor president Gen Prem Tinsulanonda Friday to prepare for pro-Thaksin protesters on Saturday which is the 3rd anniversary of the coup. They claimed Prem was behind coup that ousted Thaksin.

**Red shirted protester will not march to Bangkok residence of Privy Councillor Gen Prem Tinsulanonda as he is not in the house, a senior police said. **

Prem is in Nakhon Ratchasima on Saturday to chair a scholarship granting ceremony.
Metropolitan police commander Pol Maj Gen Wichai Sangprapai said that the** red shirts **who are gathering at the Royal Plaza ground will not march to Prem’s residence as he is away.

He was speaking after inspecting the area near the Royal Plaza and Prem’s residence.
The protesters initally planned to surround Prem’s residence as they alleged that he was behind a coup in 2006 which ousted then PM** Thaksin **Shinawatra.

Bron: The Nation

137

PAD(Yellow Shirts) protest ends in bloodshed.

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Yellow shirts protesters clash with local villagers on Saturday as the protesters tried to reach the disputed areas near Preah Vihear Temple. They demanded that the Khmers move out of the areas

GOVT DECLARES MARTIAL LAW AS VILLAGERS, POLICE CLASH WITH PAD; YELLOW SHIRTS TO READ SOVEREIGNTY DECLARATION

Writer: KING-OUA LAOHONG Published: 20/09/2009 at 12:00 AM Newspaper section: NewsSI SA KET : Dozens of protesters, police and villagers were injured in fiery clashes near the border with Cambodia yesterday as a protest by the People’s Alliance for Democracy spun out of control.
The government declared martial law as PAD supporters, in a protest over sovereignty, met unexpected resistance from hundreds of Si Sa Ket villagers who blocked their path.
The PAD was trying to march to a disputed border area close to Preah Vihear temple. Stick-wielding protesters clashed repeatedly with riot police and villagers who were trying to keep them out.
Nearby, soldiers set up barricades to stop the PAD reaching the border area disputed with Cambodia.
They reinforced the Khao Phra Viharn national park office in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket.
But the government was forced to declare martial law after protesters were able to break through barricades to reach the military-controlled area.
The clashes between PAD protesters and villagers left scores of people on both sides injured, including two people in a critical condition.
Sert Piewkhao, 26, a local villager, was shot in the neck while PAD supporter Promsak Ritkraikul, 44, was hit in the eye by slingshots.
To ease the crisis, the government agreed to let 76 PAD representatives read aloud a prepared statement today at Pha Mor E Daeng, which is close to the disputed area.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said giving the PAD its say could help restore peace. Anyone who broke the law at the gathering would be punished, he said.
The government’s concession capped a day of drama which started when PAD member Veera Somkwamkid and Charoen Muphankhachorn led about 2,000 supporters on a protest to assert Thai sovereignty over disputed territory near Preah Vihear temple.
They planned to march to the temple entrance to protest against Cambodia’s decision to build new houses in a nearby 4.6 square kilometre area not settled by the two countries. The World Court awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962.
Accompanied by so-called PAD guards, the demonstrators arrived in the province in cars, buses and vans. They were stopped by hundreds of villagers at Ban Phumsarol in Kantharalak district.
The residents blockaded the road to the park near the temple. Crowd control riot police in full gear were on standby.
Residents opposed the PAD protest, fearing it would aggravate the border situation and harm their livelihood.
"They [PAD protesters] are here for just a couple of days. But we and the Cambodian people are here for life so we do not want any complications.
“The temple dispute has been going for years. Why protest now?” said Boonreum Khobutr, a village head.
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While the red shirts protested peacefully in Bangkok, dozens were injured when the PAD attacked police and villagers near the Cambodian border, injuring dozens and spurring authorities to declare martial law.

Si Sa Ket governor Rapi Pongbuppakij and Si Sa Ket deputy police chief Amnuay Mahapol asked both sides to back off, but to no avail.
After hours of trading insults, clashes broke out about 1.20pm. Slingshots, wooden stakes, rocks and blades were used as weapons.
The PAD guards broke through the barricades, taking protesters to a forest fire control station where they were prepared to spend the night.
Mr Veera and Suranaree Task Force commander Maj-Gen Chavalit Choonhasarn held talks for two hours after which the protesters retreated to the Sisa Asoke Buddhist community, which is a branch of Santi Asoke with close affiliations to the PAD.
Speaking while the negotiations were underway, Second Army Region commander Lt Gen Wibulsak Neepal said the army could not guarantee the safety of protesters.
He had proposed to army commander Anupong Paojinda that a group of 20 PAD representatives be allowed to enter the restricted area to make a declaration.
“The army chief has agreed. The PAD demonstrators have to leave the area as soon as they finish reading their statement,” he said.
PAD leader Chamlong Srimuang yesterday distanced all five PAD leaders from the Preah Vihear campaign.
“Mr Veera is leading the campaign so any talks should be conducted with him,” he said after the clashes.
Earlier, Gen Anupong said he doubted the PAD’s campaign to enter the restricted area would do any good to themselves or the country.
“They will put themselves in danger if they sneak into areas which are not yet clear of landmines. And if they are arrested, Cambodia will accuse us of encroachment,” he said.

Bron: Bangkok Post

138

High security, heavy rain fail to deter 20,000 reds

Writer: PENCHAN CHAROENSUTHIPAN, WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM and PRASIT TANGPRASERT Published: 20/09/2009 at 12:00 AM Newspaper section: NewsUPDATE Heavy rain and a high security alert didn’t hold back the 20,000-strong red shirt rally at the Royal Plaza on Saturday. Icon Thaksin Shinawatra told them Thailand is in danger of being a failed state.

A masked protester lends more colour to the red shirts’ protest on Saturday.

Three years after he was ousted in the bloodless Sept 19, 2006, coup, Thaksin told the crowd via a live video link that the country was on a downward spiral but he could fix it.

“Our country has deteriorated and risks being a failed state,” he said. "Our country has slid backwards. There is no justice in society.

“The longer this government stays, the bigger the disaster is for the country. Give me just six months as prime minister, and I will bring this country back to normal,” he told his supporters.

“I plead for national reconciliation. I have already forgiven everybody, let’s start anew and decide in new elections.”

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/09/20/p1news/images/30112601-01.jpg

Pro-Thaksin protesters gather at the Royal Plaza on Saturday to mark the third anniversary of the coup that ousted then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The widespread downpour early in the day disrupted the rally schedule and the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protest did not gather any steam until early evening.
Many UDD supporters wearing ponchos or carrying umbrellas made their way in ankle-deep water past the rally stage.
The crowd slowly came together amid heavy security that included 6,000 police and army officers. The government had invoked the internal security law in Dusit district where the rally was held.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban had vowed that emergency rule may be imposed if the situation gets out of hand.
Emergency rule would give the military a dominant role over the police in straightening out civil disorder.
Roads around the rally site were closed to traffic with roadside checkpoints common yesterday.
Closed were the Uthong Nai, Benchamabophit and Missakawan intersections adjacent to the Royal Plaza.
Mr Suthep had a meeting with Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, army chief-of-staff Prayuth Chan-ocha and First Army chief Khanit Sapitak to monitor the red shirts’ movement.
Earlier in the day the UDD aborted its planned march to the residence of Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda. Gen Prem has denied the UDD’s allegation that he was behind the 2006 coup which ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra from power.
Army chief Anupong Paojinda, meanwhile, said bomb attacks were being planned in Bangkok. He cited information received from the army’s intelligence unit.
He said he had informed Mr Suthep about the bomb plots and ordered security forces to begin inspecting public areas suspected to be the target.
“Security forces are spread out in all suspected areas. We want everyone to be careful,” he said.
The military and police forces maintaining security in the capital city were unarmed. They would also follow standard procedures in maintaining peace and order, he said.
Meanwhile, in Nakhon Ratchasima on Saturday, about 4,000 red shirts picketed outside the army camp in Muang district where Gen Prem was thought to have been staying.

Bron: Bangkok Post

139

Thaise bevolking(Gele T-shirts) vecht met politie aan grens met Cambodja.

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In het noordoosten van Thailand, aan de grens met Cambodja, zijn vandaag enkele duizenden demonstranten van de Volksalliantie voor Democratie (PAD) gele T-shirts op straat gekomen en slaags geraakt met de politie. Daarbij vielen tientallen gewonden.

In de hoofdstad Bangkok kwamen dan weer tegenhangers van de PAD op straat om te eisen dat de Thaise premier Abhisit Vejjajiva aftreedt.

Geel & koningsgezind
Zowat 5.000 koningsgezinde demonstranten, gekleed in gele T-shirts, manifesteerden aan de Preah Vihear-tempel, aan de grens met Cambodja. De aanhangers van de PAD willen dat het Cambodjaanse leger het gebied rond de tempel verlaat.

De demonstranten raakten er slaags met de politie en met de plaatselijke bewoners, die de manifestanten wilden beletten de tempel binnen te dringen. Daarbij raakten tientallen mensen gewond.

Terugtrekking
Premier Vejjajiva zette de politie en het leger in om te zorgen dat de demonstranten zich terugtrekken. De Thaise eerste minister vreest dat het conflict met Cambodja verergert door de protesten.

De tempel uit de 11de eeuw vormt al sinds de jaren 50 het voorwerp van hevige discussie en strijd tussen beide landen. De site werd in 1962 door het Internationale Gerechtshof aan Cambodja toegewezen, maar Thailand heeft zich daar nooit bij neergelegd.

Conflict blijft oplaaien
Sinds de Preah Vihear-tempel in 2008 werd toegevoegd aan de Werelderfgoedlijst van UNESCO laait het conflict regelmatig op.
Midden april escaleerde het jaren oude conflict tussen de twee buurlanden weer, toen Thaise militairen in de buurt van de tempel slaags raakten met Cambodjaanse soldaten.

Daarbij kwamen zeker twee Thaise militairen om. Na dat conflict beslisten Thailand en Cambodja de strijdbijl te begraven, en sindsdien was het er relatief rustig.

Tegenhangers PAD
In het centrum van Bangkok kwamen vandaag dan weer duizenden aanhangers van de afgezette premier Thaksin Shinawatra op straat. De in rode T-shirts geklede demonstranten herdachten de derde verjaardag van de staatsgreep tegen Shinawatra. Volgens de ordediensten, die eerder de kant van Thaksin kiezen, waren er 18.000 à 20.000 betogers.

Thaksin
Thaksin werd in 2006 afgezet door militairen. De achterban van Thaksin eist dat regeringsleider Vejjajiva het parlement ontbindt en nieuwe verkiezingen organiseert.

Het Aziatische land wordt al drie jaar verscheurd door rivaliteit tussen voor- en tegenstanders van Thaksin, die enorm populair is gebleven bij de armere lagen van de bevolking.

140

Thaksin: I am ready to return as PM.

Writer: BangkokPost.com Published: 22/09/2009 at 06:13 PM Deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra said on Tuesday he was ready to return to Thailand to be prime minister if it is the people’s wish for him to solve the country’s problems. He also called for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve the House of Representatives to return power to the people.
Mr Thaksin said this through a video link to the seminar “Three years after the Sept 19 coup” organised by the 111 Thai Rak Thai Foundation. The foundation was set up by the 111 former executives of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai.
“Many people ask whether I want to return to be prime minister. If it is the people’s wish, I would be ready to do so,” said Mr Thaksin, adding he was grateful to the red shirts who had done considerably for him.
The former prime minister said before the Sept 19 coup he intended to withdraw from politics after completing his term in 2009. He said he planned to hold a big party for relatives and friends on July 26 this year to celebrate his birthday and to write a resignation letter at Government House, but the coup destroyed his plan.
He said the coup has created a few new rich who hold the rank of general. The people have got the dictatorial 2007 constitution and weak politics; the country has been indebted and more divided; the military has become stronger but the police weaker; the judicial system has apparently applied double standards, said Mr Thaksin.
Yongyuth Wichaidit, the Puea Thai leader, said the Sept 19 coup has caused the severest damage to the country. The people are living in the hope to see Mr Thaksin return, he added.

Bron: Bangkok post