Foreigners warned about tomorrows Anti-Thaksin demonstration

[LivinLOS]

Public Announcement from U.S. Embassy Bangkok
Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2006 10:34:52 +0700

Attention American Citizens:

The Royal Thai Police (RTP) authorities have confirmed that a
large demonstration is expected to occur in the area of the King Rama 5
statue, Rajdamneon Avenue, near Sanam Luang and Government House in
Bangkok on Saturday, February 4. Police estimate up to 100,000 people
will gather in an anti-Thai Prime Minister Thaksin demonstration headed
by Sonthi Limthongkul, a prominent Thai government critic. The crowd
will include several diverse groups of demonstrators and is expected to
start assembling in the morning with no announced starting or ending
times. Organizers have not indicated a marching route, should they
leave the area.

Bangkok demonstrations are usually peaceful in nature, but all
demonstrations are unpredictable and conditions can change unexpectedly.
The RTP has indicated that 2,000 - 3,000 police officers will be on hand
to maintain public order. There are concerns that anti-Sonthi groups
may attempt to confront the demonstrators, which could lead to violence.
For this reason, please do not approach the demonstrators.

The Embassy encourages all Americans to avoid this area. Should you
find yourself in or near the demonstrators, move indoors for shelter
until the demonstration has passed, or ask for police assistance to
leave the area. While the demonstration is not expected to pass near
U.S. Embassy facilities, Embassy entrances and functions may be
restricted depending on circumstances.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling
abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular
Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current
Worldwide Caution, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be
found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by
calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside
the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2328. These
numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday
through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

--US Embassy, Bangkok, 2006-02-02

[stevem]

I think that one has got real potential to flare up. Might be wise to avoid downtown then.

[LivinLOS]

Yeah he just sold out his shincorp holdins for a couple of billion USD.. The deal stinks (not that you will read that in Thailand of course) and theres now quyite a lot of middle class educated bankokian backlash..

The Sonthi friday afternoon demonstrations were getting heated a couple of months back but a media blackout helpd fizzle them..

People forget it was only 20 years or so ago that they had the army and police out shooting and killing unarmed students etc.. Army stopped having a major role in leadership issues in what early 90's ??

Thin veneer..

[LivinLOS]

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=58962

[dogblower]

I still remember tanks in the street back in 92 so its not that long ago. Any foreigner who gets caught up in this has got to be a complete lunatic - it has the potential to really light up.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by dogblower

Any foreigner who gets caught up in this has got to be a complete lunatic

Thank goodness Alfie is tucked up safe and sound in South Yorkshire then.

[Captain]

Originally Posted by dogblower

I still remember tanks in the street back in 92 so its not that long ago. Any foreigner who gets caught up in this has got to be a complete lunatic - it has the potential to really light up.

I remember that. Went for a drink in Goldfinger (Patpong) and there were only 7 custommers. Never seen Patpong and nightlife in general so quiet.

[dogblower]

Yeah, I'd just come back from a 3 day drunk in Pattaya with some Aussie Air Force guys and we had no idea what was going on. Soi Cowboy was closed except for Apache which had 2 customers in. They threw us out after a while and we staggered down Sukhumvit heading for Nana Plaza. There was no traffic, but it still hadn't sunk in for us until we saw the tank parked just about where the turnoff to the airport is now. We went to Nana anyway but there was only 1 bar open there and we were the only customers. Worked out great for me though, because 2 of the girls who knew me from Patong were there but too frightened to go home - they had to come and stay in my hotel with me instead.

[Petter]

SAME SAME

US embassy warns citizens of anti-Thaksin government rally on Saturday
Published on Feb 02 , 2006



The US Embassy in Bangkok has warned American citizens to stay away from an anti-Thaksin government rally planned tomorrow in Royal Plaza because it might become violent.

"Police estimate up to 100,000 people will gather in an anti-Thai Prime Minister Thaksin (Shinawatra) demonstration headed by Sonthi Limthongkul, a prominent Thai government critic," the embassy warning said.

The crowd will include several diverse groups of demonstrators and is expected to start assembling in the morning with no announced starting or ending times. Organizers have not indicated a marching route, should they leave the area, said the embassy.

Sonthi, founder of the Manager Media Group, has promised to lead an anti-Thaksin demonstration starting around 1pm in the Royal Plaza on Rajdamnoen Avenue.

Bangkok demonstrations are usually peaceful in nature, but all demonstrations are unpredictable and conditions can change unexpectedly.

"There are concerns that anti-Sonthi groups may attempt to confront the demonstrators, which could lead to violence," the US embassy warned.

"For this reason, please do not approach the demonstrators."


The Nation

[Jazz]

The sooner Thaksin is gone the better

[Petter]

As you now, get rid of people is,nt so easy sometimes

[Heywood]

Hate to see anything negative going on, its a presure cooker situation and sooner or later things are going to overheat...again.

I would like to be wrong and think that maybe things will move along, but its a divided issue within the kingdom, some people thinking the world of thaksin and some thinking quite differently.

I am glad to see our board not try and get divided on this warning...unlike other boards where the guys are throwing there own little jabs at each other, no one wants to see this get ugly...lets hope that it doesen't and take the warnings and bugger off somewhere else if you happen to be in bangers....this is a thai issue imho.

[andy50]

Originally Posted by Jazz

The sooner Thaksin is gone the better

the sooner your gone the better

[jimholio]

Originally Posted by andy50

the sooner your gone the better

5555 sometimes things can be short and sweet, made me laugh

[Expat]

The warning from the British embassy is well... more British!

"A large political rally is scheduled for 4 February 2006 at King Rama V monument in the vicinity of the national zoo and Parliament buiding in Bangkok. This could cause congestion and disruption. You should avoid large crowds and demonstrations."

[fun2have]

wonderful journalist a veteran of reporting of the borneo/ vietnam war, photos from the front line kind of guy.

Neil Davis RIP was killed filming the 85 anti government riots in bangkok.

Famous for his filming of the north vietnamese troops entering the palace in Saigon.

seen some of the tapes of 92 demonstration, scary stuff.

any demonstrations in a 3rd world country i am heading the other way.

if in bkk it sounds like a good time to go up to the issan,phuket or to CM to me.

[stevem]

The misses was telling me last night, that recently Thaksin went and sat in the Kings thrown or something, and that has totally pissed everyone off.

Any news from whats happening there today ??

[Nicke]

BANGKOK, Feb 4 (TNA) - Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra called on all Thai people to respect His Majesty the King's call for solidaity to ensure enduring statehood, asking for national reconciliation among all Thais, and asked for more time to work for the development and prosperity of the nation.
Welcoming groups of supporters who gathered at Government House here on Friday, the prime minister said that the nation now needs peace and order, as well as harmony and unity among all Thais.
"Let the Saturday rally planned against him at the Royal Plaza here, led by media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul, be the "the last nightmare of the nation," Mr. Thaksin asked.
"After Saturday's demonstration, let's all Thais be harmonious and united for the sake of national prosperity and progress," the premier said.
However, a top aide of Mr. Sondhi assured journalists that demonstrators joining Saturday's rally intended to gather peacefully, but in strength, to demonstrate their determination to force the premier from office.
The prime minister has reiterated that he will not step down due to the pressure of "a handful of people" who are against him, but will, instead, continue to work for the nation to the best of his ability.
"I'll never backmail the 19 million Thais who elected me in the last general election," Mr. Thaksin vowed. "I've promised them to address the poverty problem, grant scholarships to children, improve the universal healthcare programme and develop infrastructure, including the electric mass transit systems."

"I'll keep my promise and won't disappoint them," the prime minister told his supporters--reportedly more than 200, including students and representatives of religious groups, some from a Bangkok Muslim community in the Ban Krua area.
Mr. Thaksin asked for more time to turn his promise into reality, saying: "Driving the nation to the right track and prosperity through difficulties
in the aftermath of the economic crisis is not an easy task."

"Give me more time to complete my second four-year term and you'll see more progress and more development in the nation," he asked.
The Thai leader stressed that all his family's business conduct, particularly last week's sell-off of Shin Corp's stocks worth Bt73 billion (US$1.88 billion) to Temasek Holdings, a telecommunication giant in Singapore, were legitimate and in accordance with the law. (TNA)

[Nicke]

BANGKOK, Feb 3 (TNA) - Demonstrators joining a rally organised by Thaksin critic-media firebrand Sondhi Limthongkul on Saturday will gather peacefully, but in strength to show their determination to force the premier from office, a top aide of Mr. Sondhi asserted Friday.

Over half a million pamphlets on peaceful participation in the rally have already been distributed, according to veteran journalist Tul Sirikulpipat, Senior Editor of the Manager Media Group, Mr. Sondhi's business organisation.

The rally at the Royal Plaza on February 4 would be conducted peacefully, Mr. Tul said, as he asserted that the protest event falls under the protection of the Constitution.
Earlier, more than 500,000 guidebooks had been given to prospective protestors who planned to participate in the rally to tell them what to do and what not to do in the gathering.
The Sondhi aide said the gathering would begin at 1pm in the afternoon (1300 hours) with entertainment activities beginning with a music performance of country music folk musicians.
In the evening, the demonstrators intend to present a petition to His Majesty the King through Thailand's senior stateman Gen. Prem Tinsulanond, President of the Privy Council, at his Si Sao Devej residence.
Afterward they plan to join a special mobile programme of Muang Thai Rai Sapda (Thailand Weekly), the popular anti-government event which will be held for the 16th time.
Speaking of concerns that third parties could exploit the emotions of the event to set off violence, he said it is a duty of police to prevent disorder and supervise and maintain the peace.
Previously, he said, rally organizers had submitted a written request for metropolitan police protection, asking that the authorities deploy their forces to protect demonstrators.
"Should there be violence or the situation deteriorate," Mr. Tul said, "it won't come from any group of rallygoers led by Mr. Sondhi.

Nonetheless, the US embassy and other diplomatic missions have reportedly warned their nationals to stay clear of the demontsration venue. (TNA)

[LivinLOS]

Originally Posted by stevem

The misses was telling me last night, that recently Thaksin went and sat in the Kings thrown or something, and that has totally pissed everyone off.

Any news from whats happening there today ??

Shes probably reporting on something a couple of months back.. He presided at a ceremony which was supposed to be presided over only by the king.. I think it may have been on royal grounds also...

King said nothing but various military people rattled about a bit and I think he had to make an apology.. He stayed very low profile for a couple of days and rumour was he was out of the country..

During ASEAN time IIRC..

Sonti has been stirring up a lot of emotion with middle class bangkokians (democrat stronghold probably due to a little bit more education) and the selling of a few billion USD shares of shincorp has probably got everyone nicely wound up..