Rally had little chance of success

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Rally had little chance of success

PITAK SIAM WAS SIMPLY OUT-GUNNED BY CHALERM

Published: 25 Nov 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Pitak Siam's much-publicised rally to oust the Yingluck administration was a battle of political wills that ended with the government's offensive coming out on top.

The principal characters in what looked to be a new round of politically charged street protests were Pitak Siam leader Boonlert Kaewprasit and Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung.

To try to gain the ascendancy in the build up to the rally, Gen Boonlert looked to other retired military officers, academics and business leaders for support.

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Mi1231
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Discussion 42 : 26 Nov 2012 at 21.5342
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D41, Unfortunately, Thailand isn't a mature democracy as numerous coups have hindered it to become one, not to mention lese majeste laws that have no place in any mature democracy. The class and ideology that that Pitak Siam represents have perpetuated both coups and lese majeste and thus have hindered Thai democracy. Secondly, I assure you that in the US a demonstration aimed at bringing down a government would have met no smaller police presence and resistance. Example, Black Panthers & Nation of Islam rallies. When Guilliani was Mayor of NYC, he dealt with black protests with stronger arms than BKK police did last weekend.
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topcat_bk
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Discussion 41 : 26 Nov 2012 at 15.2841
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One major difference is that in the US, as in most mature democracies, it would be unthinkable for the authorities to interfere with the freedom of speech or expression based on their PRESUMPTION that the demonstrators MAY advocate the overthrow of the government.

In this case the organizers of the event had already cleared the unusual hurdle of convincing a court, that there was no such intent. Yet the government continued to interfere in any way possible, through scare tactics and harassment, before and during the rally.
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banmebkk
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Discussion 40 : 26 Nov 2012 at 14.5340
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When the number of police outnumbers the protesters, its not surprising the rally failed. Check points all over the place made if difficult for the protesters to reach the rally point. I commend the police for doing a good job, unlike back in 2010 where red shirts were the enforcer of the laws and check points on the street! How ironic.
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Mi1231
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Discussion 39 : 26 Nov 2012 at 13.1539
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D38, there is a freedom to protest, as there is in Thailand, but that doesn't mean there will not be heavy police presence with effective techniques to disperse them.
Also, In the US protesters never occupied the Government House with the aim of toppling it or calling for a coup to overthrow democratically electing government.
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airborne
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Discussion 38 : 26 Nov 2012 at 07.0538
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D36: I disagree completely. In the USA you can protest anything and everything. Until you engage in actual violence you are free to say whatever you believe. Of course, you will end up on a list you that may make your life uncomfortable.
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apachepat
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Discussion 37 : 25 Nov 2012 at 21.1737
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disc 32 topcat, the greater minds from your side have been kept so well hidden that even die hard dem supporters on here relise that their party has no real political talent coming through that might make them remotely electable so are looking for splits in the UDD -Pheu Thai relationship to produce a new party/leader that they might be able to support
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Mi1231
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Discussion 36 : 25 Nov 2012 at 19.3336
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For people who cry over "constitutional rights" and the "right to protest" I ask you, do you think in the United States or any European country a protests that called for the overthrow of the constitutional government would be allowed to go with any less security measures.
Wake up, these protests have been used to either provide an excuse for a coup or to push out a legal government illegally, as it was done a few years ago by occupying the Government House.
The Yingluck government took the right measures and I can assure you in the United States you would see even a stronger response to a "protest" whose sole aim is to overthrow governme
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genii
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Discussion 35 : 25 Nov 2012 at 16.5435
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This rally was totally out of control from the start with no leadership or direction. The police set up barriers and stood behind them as ordered. If the protestors were as organized as the police maybe they could have had a good rally. It is obvious those who chose to pick fights with the police ruined any chance of a rally even starting.
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airborne
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Discussion 34 : 25 Nov 2012 at 16.2234
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The boss is not stupid and he comes prepared this time to hold on to power.
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bkposter
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Discussion 33 : 25 Nov 2012 at 14.2433
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RE: D31 Go look at the utube video's and you will easily see who is trying to provoke. As I look at them I even find it hard to believe that the police were as restrained as they were. they were assaulted with rocks, clubs, fists, pepper spray, bottles,and a large truck,after the rioters first took down the razor wire and then the traffic barricade fence to get to the police before they finally fired off 6 or 8 tear gas canisters. It is a wonder there were not even more injuries.
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