PT Asks Police To Protect Redshirts From Suthep

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21 February 2014, 19:50

(21 February) Deputy Spokesperson of Pheu Thai Party has urged the police to protect Redshirts supporters following a threat from the anti-government protest leader.

Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban, leader of the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), yesterday delivered a speech in which he warned Redshirts that they might encounter "popcorn vendors", a euphemism for armed militants believed to be allied to PCAD movements.

"Go ahead. Come. The popcorn vendors have already prepared the popcorns for you. Don′t blame me if the vendors serve popcorns at you," Mr. Suthep was quoted as saying.

Pheu Thai Deputy Spokesperson, Mr. Anusorn Eiamsa-ad, branded Mr. Suthep′s action as provoking violence, and threatening the supporters of the other party.

He said that the statement could be implied that Mr. Suthep has acknowledged links to the "popcorn gunmen", and that he might have previously appointed the assailants to sow chaos and violence in the past.

Mr. Anusorn also questioned whether the Thaugsuban family is addicted to the use of violent force. He noted that PCAD leader had previously challenged Mr. Chalerm Yoobamrung to a fist fight, while his former party member and biological brother, Mr. Thanee Thaugsuban, had strangled another MP in a parliamentary debate.

Mr. Suthep′s another biological brother, Mr. Chane Thaugsuban, had also earned nickname from the public as ‘Chane, the chair thrower’ (เชนปาแชร์) after he propelled a chair during the meeting in the House of Representatives, Mr. Anusorn said.

The Pheu Thai deputy spokesperson then urged the peacekeeping authorities such as the police to closely observe the march of the The United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) on 23 February to prevent any harmful incident arising from Mr. Suthep’s threat.

In the same press conference, Mr. Anusorn also commented that Monk Buddha Issara, one of the PCAD core leaders, is acting inappropriately in his monkhood.

Monk Buddha Issara had led a group of people to SC Park hotel before demanding for compensation worth of 120,000 baht, since the hotel refused to allow PCAD protesters to check in.

“He is becoming more and more independent (Issara) [of religious authorities], and has gone beyond his status as a monk, or at least as a Buddhist”, asserted Pheu Thai Deputy Spokesperson, adding that the monk is known to have hatched violent acts with his team.

Mr. Anusorn also expressed his firm believes that Monk Buddha Issara will soon be charged with extortion for his action at SC Park Hotel.

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Kwanchai Assures His Supporters He Is Not Paralysed

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21 February 2014, 16:41

Resident of Mr. Kwanchai Praipana shortly after the shooting, 22 January 2014

(21 February) The Redshirts core leader who survived a drive-by shooting at his residence refuted the rumour that he was paralysed by the incident.

Mr. Kwanchai Praipana was severely wounded when gunmen on a pick-up truck opened fire at him while he was standing in his house in Udon Thani province last month. His close aides have repeatedly told reporters that the Redshirts activist is making good recovery, yet many Redshirts believe he had been paralysed or subject to other critical injuries.

Today, Mr. Kwanchai settled the matter by talking on a radio interview with DJ Chakkrapong ‘Kong’ Saenkham to confirm that he is alive and well.

The Redshirts leader stated in the show that he can now move his hand and raise his arms. He had also started learning to walk again recently and will need to go through another operation on 11 March to fix his blood vessel. He added that he is staying at an undisclosed hospital in Bangkok.

Mr. Kwanchai then advised Redshirt supporters to be more relaxed and consider Thai politics as a "comedy". "Don′t be too stressful," Mr. Kwanchai said.

Nevertheless, he offered his political opinion to the listeners, stating that the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) is still fighting to overthrow this government, because they are backed by "someone powerful".

“Universally accepted democracy is how the voice of the majority is heard”, the Redshirt core leader insisted, “I will definitely going for the Senator election on 30 March, as I am now feeling well enough". Mr. Kwanchai previously participated in 2 February election by showing up at the polling station on a hospital bed.

He also encourages his fellows to go for the election of MPs and the Senators in order to raise their voices after they have been fighting for almost 8 years to restore democracy ever since former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted by 2006 military coup.

Police said they have arrested one civilian and four military officers who were reportedly engaged in the shooting of Mr. Kwanchai. Mr. Kwanchai said in the interview that the police have informed him they are investigating the suspects and finding out about the person who plotted the assassination.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kwanchai’s aides have also released an image of Mr. Kwanchai surrounded by his wife, Ms. Ar-phon Sarakham, and close relatives during his stay at the hospital in Bangkok as another means to quell the rumour about his death or paralysis.

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Buriram Villagers Use Red Shirts To Ward Off Ghost

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21 February 2014, 15:57

(21 February) The Thai northeastern region is closely associated with the Redshirts movement, but three villages in the region adopt red shirts for a supernatural reason, rather than a political one.

Many residents in the three villages of Buriram province – Ban Khok Sa-ad, Ban Khok Yai, and Ban Tago – have taken to hanging red shirts in front of their houses with cardboard or text imprinted on the shirts which read "Nobody′s Home". Another variation says "Only Angels Live Here. No Humans".

They said the gesture is meant to fool bad spirit of a headless evil who has haunted the villages for weeks. Rumours in the communities claim that the headless ghost, said to be a dark tall man, will possess individuals and take away their lives.

Villagers told our correspondent that the haunting started when three people have already died from unknown causes – which they attributed to the ghost. However, the villagers said, there were also survivors who were woken up in time by their relatives as they were possessed by the ghost in their sleep.

A psychic has been brought to the villages to act as the medium to the alleged spirit, and informed the villagers that the spirit belonged to a headless ghost. The diagnosis greatly frightened the villagers, but the psychic advised the residents to hang red shirts in front of their house as a precaution.

Many residents in the three villages said they are now living in fears, they told our correspondent. Many would not venture out of their homes after early evenings to avoid the encounter with the said ghost.

Mr. Sompong Prom-Ngam, Deputy Headsman of the Khok Sa-ad Village, stated that most villagers are scared and have been restless after the occurrence of an incident. He claimed that one of the ghosts′ victims was a man in his 40s who died without pre-existing medical condition.

"Many people couldn′t sleep at night, even though they already hang the red shirts in front of their houses," Mr. Sompong said.

According to Mr. Sompong, there are also residents refuse to believe in the story about the ghosts, but they did not openly lob-loo (ridicule) the belief either, since death still stalks the communities.

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Woman Nearly Shot By Stray Fallen Bullet

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21 February 2014, 14:11

(21 February) A student in Srisaket province said she was almost hurt by a stray bullet which penetrated her dorm room's ceiling last night.

Ms. Suranee Sriphoduan, 22, the student from Srisaket Rajabhat, told the police who investigated the scene at her dormitory in Mueang district that she was typing an essay on her bed when she heard the sound of an object fallen through the ceiling.

Ms. Suranee quickly realised it was a bullet bouncing off onto her bed, landing only a metre away from her, she said. The bullet type was identified by the police as a 9 mm.

Mueang Srisaket police determined that Ms. Suranee did not have any personal grudge with anyone, so they assumed that the stray bullet was a result of an unidentified individual who fired the weapon into the sky. The investigation of the incident is ongoing.

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Army Chief Unaware Of Protest Armed Militants

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21 February 2014, 13:21

An injured anti-government protester is carried away from the clashes on Ratchadamnoen Avenue, 18 February 2014

(21 February) The Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army is not aware of any details concerning the shadowy armed militants allied to anti-government protesters, his close aide said.

"He doesn′t know any details about it," Col. Kullachart Ditsakul said of his boss, Gen. Prayuth Chan-Ocha, adding that it is up to related authorities to investigate the matter.

Col. Kullachart was speaking at 2nd Cavalry Division headquarters in Bangkok.

Four civilians and one policeman were killed in the deadly clashes on Ratchadamnoen Avenue on 18 February. The violence erupted after the police attempted to disperse anti-government protesters from the avenue, and saw police officers exchanging gunfire with armed militants who were apparently allied to the protesters.

Some pro-government critics have alleged that the military might somehow be involved in their presence. But Col. Kullachart bridled at such rumour when a reporter mentioned the speculation.

"You need to have clear evidence when you talk about something," Col. Kullachart complained, "You shouldn′t say baseless things, because the country and the people might be confused".

He added that Gen. Prayuth is nevertheless alarmed by "use of military-grade weapons in the operation" and feels that the actions of all sides should be conducted according to the laws. Col. Kullachart did not elaborate.

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Rice Protesters Drop Plan To Besiege Airport – For Now

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21 February 2014, 12:38

(21 February) Farmers who have marched to Bangkok to demand payment from the government for their mortgaged rice have dropped their threats to seize the city's main airport.

The rice protesters arrived in the northern suburb of Rangsit district last night after a motorised march on their farming tractors from Ayutthaya. They claimed they had not received the payment they were promised under the government′s rice-pledging scheme for month, and they had no choice but to express their demands via the protests.

Although the scale of the farmers′ demonstration pales in comparison to anti-government campaign led by the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), the farmers have drawn much attention after their leader threatened to occupy Suvarnabhumi Airport by today′s afternoon.

The announcement strokes fears that Thailand could see a repeat of the protest in 2008, in which anti-government protesters seized both Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang Airport, causing massive disruption to the country′s air transportation.

Responding to the threat, administrators of the Suvarnabhumi Airport and the Airports of Thailand Company (AOT) assigned a large stretch of road near the airport as a protest ground for the farmers; officials hoped they would successfully convince the demonstrators to rally close to the airport rather than directly besieging the building itself.

Nevertheless, a number of riot police and soldiers were stationed at the airport in case of emergency.

But the tension was defused today when leader of the farmer protesters, Mr. Chada Thaiseth, a former MP of Chart Thai Pattana Party, said he has personally consulted with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday about the farmers′ distress, and he has been assured by Ms. Yingluck that the rice payment would arrive by next week.

Explaining that he is satisfied by the Prime Minister′s response, Mr. Chada urged the farmers to call off the protests and return to their home districts.

However, Mr. Chada also threatened to come back to Bangkok and besiege Suvarnabhumi Airport if the government breaks it promise.

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Suthep Threatens Redshirts With Armed Militants

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20 February 2014, 19:07

(20 February) Anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has delivered a thinly-veiled threat that Redshirts supporters might face armed militants allied to his movements.

Mr. Suthep, leader of the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), said at a rally stage in Bangkok′s Silom district that he has been informed about the Redshirts′ upcoming rally to intimidate the PCAD supporters on this Saturday.

"Go ahead. Come. The popcorn vendors have already prepared the popcorns for you," Mr. Suthep said, "Don′t blame me if the vendors serve popcorns at you".

The popcorn was a reference to unidentified militants who appeared among PCAD protesters with military-grade weaponry which they hid in a popcorn bag during a standoff with pro-government protesters in Laksi district on 1 February – a day before the snap election was held.

Several people have been injured by the gunfight, in which the PCAD militants apparently outgunned the pro-government protesters. "Popcorns vendors" has since become a euphemism among the protesters to describe the mysterious gunmen.

"In the past, they have retreated as soon as they encounter 4-5 popcorns vendors," Mr. Suthep continued, adding that the Redshirts leaders should summon their supporters out to contest the PCAD protesters "so that it will be over quickly".

He stressed that the PCAD is not affiliated with the gunmen in any way, however.

"We don′t [personally] know these popcorn vendors," Mr. Suthep told the crowd, "But let me say I love them so much".

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AIS Undeterred By PCAD Boycott Threat

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20 February 2014, 18:38

An employee leaves the besieged Shinawatra Tower 3 building, 20 February 2014

(20 February) A representative of the telecommunications giant AIS insisted that the company is unfazed in the face of boycott campaigns by anti-government protesters.

The People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) has previously announced the crusade against all business subsidiaries owned or co-owned by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his clan, such as AIS and SC Asset.

PCAD leader Suthep Thaugsuban also urged all investors and stockholders of Shinawatra-allied businesses to withdraw their shares from the companies in order to starve the Shinawatras financially.

Many anti-government protesters view Mr. Thaksin as an anti-monarchy corrupt politician who continues to rule Thailand via his sister, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, as a puppet. Mr. Thaksin was ousted by a 2006 miltiary coup and has been living in exile since he was convicted of corruption in 2007.

However, Ms. Nattiya Puapongsakorn, Chief of Investor Relations Department of Advance Info Service (AIS), expressed her belief that many investors have already acknowledged the foundation and history of the company, and would not be influenced by PCAD leaders without carefully considering all investment possibility.

She also stated that numbers of AIS customers have not decreased in 2013 at all despite the political turmoil and anti-government protests.

Ms. Wilai Kiangkoo, AIS Senior Deputy Board Manager, added that the company is not worried by the protesters′ threat. Recently, she said, AIS paid their shareholders an interest of 12.15 baht per share, which indicates the company good performances.

However, she said that the company will closely monitor the situation.

AIS also announced via instant message application ‘LINE’ to its customers that it does not have any political stances, and that the original founders of the company are not currently holding any managing position in the company.

The company also declared that it operate its business on the basis of professionalism, transparency, and good governance, which should encourage investors to continue investing with the company.

Earlier today employees at Shinawatra Tower 3, which housed the headquarters of SC Asset, were forced to evacuate after a large group of PCAD demonstrators besieged the building.

Traffic on Viphavadee Road descended into a heavy congestion as a result.

The building security team chained the entrance and barricaded the perimeter to bar any protesters from trespassing into the office. After hours of rally and speeches denouncing the Shinawatra family, the PCAD protesters dispersed from the area without any reported act of violence.

Nevertheless, Mr. Suthep said he will continue to disrupt and besiege Shinawatra-allied businesses in the future.

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Hotel Forced To Pay PCAD Monk 120,000 Baht

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20 February 2014, 17:31

BANGKOK — An anti-government Buddhist monk activist has coerced a hotel into paying him 120,000 baht in “compensation” money after the hotel cancelled his reservation.

Buddha Issara, a core leader of the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), has previously vowed to besiege properties and businesses which he believes are allied to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The monk led protesters out of their campsite on Chaeng Wattana Road at around 11.00 today before stopping for a brief rally in front of Shinawatra Tower 3 on Viphavadee Road, where a number of companies co-owned by the Shinawatra family are headquartered.

The convoy later left the building at around 11.45 without a clear destination, causing some demonstrators to lose their way among Bangkok traffic. Some marchers decided to head for other PCAD campsites instead.

But the main group of PCAD demonstrators eventually stopped at SC Park Hotel, another business subsidiary of the Shinawatra family. A brief fistfight ensued when a hotel employee took pictures of the protesters. He was instantly mobbed by PCAD guards and instructed to delete his photos, claiming that only registered journalists are allowed to photograph the protests.

At the hotel, Buddha Issara and his close aides attempted to enter the lobby and occupy the building, but hotel managers stopped the group at the entrance, prompting Buddha Issara to inform the managers that he had reserved 10 rooms in the hotel for his stay.

The monk presented a receipt of the reservation in which he paid 4,200 baht for booking fee, and told the managers that PCAD had also reserved the conference room of the hotel for a lecture event on the government’s rice-pledging scheme.

When the managers refused to allow Buddha Issara to enter, he offered to book the entire hotel, an offer the managers once again refused.

The monk later gave up his attempt to enter the hotel and instructed his guards to block the building’s entrances instead. Fearing clashes, many guests checked out and left the venue, and the hotel management closed down the hotel entirely at 13.15.

SC Park managers also offered to return the booking fees to Buddha Issara. However, the monk refused, insisting that the hotel compensate him for wasting his time and cancelling his booking. He also threatened to file a lawsuit against the hotel.

The managers eventually paid Buddha Issara 120,000 baht in cash as compensation. After counting the money in his hand, Buddha Issara declared that the protesters′ mission has been accomplished and ordered the demonstrators to leave the hotel.

PCAD marchers left the hotel at around 13.45.

CMPO To Appeal Restriction On Emergency Powers

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20 February 2014, 15:40

Anti-government protesters pose with a car damaged by previous clashes between police and protesters, 20 February 2014

(20 February) The Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) said it will appeal the court ruling which effectively strips the government of powers under the emergency decree.

The Civil Court yesterday refused torepeal the State of Emergency as requested by representatives of anti-government movements, but it also placed a number of key restrictions on the authorities′ efforts to contain the protests.

The limitations prohibit the government from banning political rally, launching crackdown on protesters, dismantling barricades erected by the protesters, or sealing off traffic around protest sites.

For many observers, the verdict effectively rendered the emergency decree powerless, and could be seen as endorsing the legality of protests led by People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy (PCAD).

CMPO director Chalerm Yoobamrung lashed out at the verdict in an interview today.

He sarcastically praised the Civil Court for forbidding the CMPO from dispersing the protesters, claiming that it made his job easier. "I like it. From now on, the police need not walk empty-handed toward the protesters only to get killed like in the past. I can just order the police not to approach the protesters at all," Mr. Chalerm said.

The CMPO director asserted that the CMPO is required to curb the PCAD protests and the demonstrators have repeatedly used firearms and besieged a number of governmental agencies, which violates the rights to free assembly guaranteed under the Thai Constitution.

Mr. Chalerm also warned that the verdict would virtually prohibit any police action necessary to restore public order. He gave an hypothetical situation in which a group of protester stormed into a Ministry building. The police might not be able to retake the building due to the court′s ban on crackdown operation, Mr. Chalerm said.

"I don′t know what I could do. This is wrong. That is wrong," Mr. Chalerm told reporters, "As the CMPO director, I cannot work. I am not being sarcastic here, but I′m genuinely afraid that my subordinates might end up in jail".

He also noted that in 2010 Pheu Thai Party had filed a similar request to repeal the State of Emergency imposed by then-Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, and the Civil Court at the time affirmed the emergency decree, stating that the power to enact or repeal the decree rested solely with the administrative branch.

"Yet the Civil Court in this era affirms the emergency decree but imposed so many restrictions on the government," Mr. Chalerm complained, "I′m confused by the court′s decision".

CMPO spokesman Tharit Pendit later stated in a televised speech that the CMPO will appeal the verdict, echoing Mr. Chalerm′s reasons that the anti-government protests have stepped beyond the acceptable line of peaceful and non-violent gathering protected under the Constitution.

Mr. Tharit called PCAD actions an act of rebellion intended to sow chaos and disobedience to the rule of laws throughout the Kingdom. He warned that the court verdict which prevented the government from containing the protests would lead to a situation of "vacuum" in which political groups hostile to PCAD would take matters into their own hands and attempt to disperse the PCAD protesters by themselves.

"Clashes and act of vigilante might occur, because the state authorities cannot enforce the laws," Mr. Tharit said in the press conference, "It is indeed an undesirable scenario".

Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said the CMPO will try its best to operate under the existing restrictions imposed by the civil court, but stressed that the effort to appeal the verdict is underway.

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