8 replies to this topic

[Haloi]

"Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda was barricaded inside his house late last night as anti-coup demonstrators threw a barrage of rocks, chairs and debris into the compound.

In the first major outbreak of violence since the anti-coup movement started in September, protesters from the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DADD) clashed with police outside Prem's home.

Several thousand people kept up the barrage of missiles for about three hours as Prem was reportedly taking shelter inside. Television footage showed a number of people were injured, but police late last night released no figures, but some reports said an officer had his leg broken."

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/07/23...es_30041977.php

[Dick]

It didn't take long for some of the junta's appointed leaders to accuse Thaksin of organizing the riot:

"Prasong Soonsiri has encouraged authorities to take legal action against anti-government demonstrators who clashed with police outside Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda's Sri Sao Thewes residence on Sunday night.

The President of the Constitution Drafting Committee insisted that the protesters provoked the clashes which resulted in dozens of security officers and demonstrators being hurt.

Sqn-Ldr Prasong was also quick to suggest that ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra may have been behind Sunday night's incident by providing financial backing for the demonstrators.

"He is probably responsible for supporting the clash and he won't stop here," the former intelligence chief warned. "That's why I'm urging police officers to hand out severe punishments to those responsible to deter others from doing the same again in the future."

He also accused Sunday's demonstrators of using slanderous language during public speeches and of unnecessary use of foul language."

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=120395

PS: Does anyone know why they always refer to this guy Prasong as "Squadron leader Prasong" ?

[Snowy]

PS: Does anyone know why they always refer to this guy Prasong as "Squadron leader Prasong" ?

He was probably a Sqn Ldr in the Thai Air Force before re-entering civilian life. Most of the Thai military and police officer class seem to retain their last military/police rank, especially when they are working for the Government or Quangos/NGOs.

[Garcia]

According to Wikipedia, here is the rundown on the Squadron Leader:

"Prasong Soonsiri is a Thai politician, and former Royal Thai Air Force squadron leader, Thai Foreign Minister, and head of the Thai National Security Council.

Prasong has been a long-time critic of Thaksin Shinawatra since Thaksin's entry into politics in 1994. Thaksin joined the Palang Dharma Party in late 1994 under the invitation of Chamlong Srimuang, who had just reclaimed the position of party leader from Boonchu Rojanastien. In a subsequent purge of Boonchu-affiliated PDP Cabinet ministers, Thaksin was appointed Foreign Minister, replacing Prasong Soonsiri.

Prasong was a central figure in the 19 September 2006 Thai military coup that overthrew Thaksin Shinawatra's elected government. Prasong had developed plans for a military coup as early as July 2006.
A palace insider and favorite of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Prasong was later appointed by the junta to the National Legislative Assembly."

Incidentally, that Wikipedia blurb is based to a large measure on an article in the Asia Times last December, 2006, which outlines many details on the planning of the coup, according to the Squadron Leader, which appear to differ from the official version of what happened.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prasong_Soonsiri
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/HL22Ae01.html

[Jersey]

It doesn't take much these days for all kinds of people with power to start trying to curtail political opposition:

"Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayothin has stated that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will think twice before allowing the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) to use Sanam Luang for its anti-government rallies in the future. . .

In a related development, Acting National Police chief Seripisut Temiyavej has issued an order which prohibits protesters from holding rallies outside of Sanam Luang."

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=120400

[Dick]

In a related development, Acting National Police chief Seripisut Temiyavej has issued an order which prohibits protesters from holding rallies outside of Sanam Luang."

Since marshal law was lifted in Bangkok months ago, it's not clear where the acting police chief thinks he has the authority to prohibit anyone from holding rallies.

[NYCGuy]

I read the editorial in the Bangkok Post internet edition today, where they used very strong language to condemn the protestors as being responsible for the violence. Not to excuse violence by anyone, all I could think to myself was why this same paper has never used such strong language to condemn the generals who acted just as illegally in ousting an elected prime minister, an entire parliament, a supreme court and a constitution drafted and adopted by a democratically-elected government. I think that too often the Thai press acts like part of the elitist establishment that's been running Thailand for so much of its history. Besides, I am not so sure the police didn't mean to provoke this violence with attacking the protestors with tear gas and water cannons.

[Hedda]

I think that too often the Thai press acts like part of the elitist establishment that's been running Thailand for so much of its history.

I think you are right on. The Thai press is to alarge degree an extension of the established power structure, rather than an independent force for political change. They acted the same way in refusing to condemn Thaksin and his corruption and excesses, before the tide started to turn and the press switched sides. To that degree, much of the Thai press writing in the English dailies seem more like palm tress blowing in the political wind.

Same goes for the "opposition" political parties, which have hardly distinguished themselves as the "voice of the people" in the post-coup period and whose officials seem more interested in protecting their places and payrolls in the next government, rather than trying to support genuine democratic development.

[Sexpat]

"The Defence Ministry is preparing to make a statement before the National Legislative Assembly regarding the anti-government demonstration outside Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda’s residence on Sunday which led to a confrontation between security officers and protesters.

Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas said that the military and the police force have always abided by a system on crowd management but violence broke out on Sunday because of the unfolding of untoward incidents sparked by the demonstrators.

Gen Boonrawd also partly blamed the lack of regulations to deal with demonstrators in the case of violence breaking out for Sunday’s clashes."

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=120464

Will this be the excuse for passing the new ISOC law ?