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PROTESTS
Business operators, vendors and residents at the Ratchaprasong intersection have urged the government to regulate political gatherings, complaining that the shopping malls and other businesses in the area were being badly hit by the red shirt rallies.
Vendors, business operators and employees at Ratchaprasong intersection, led by Chai Srivikorn, president of the Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association, gather in front of Gaysorn Plaza shopping centre to protest against the red shirt rallies. They called on the government to regulate political rallies which cause enormous economic damage. CHANAT KATANYU
About 2,000 business operators, vendors and employees yesterday gathered in front of Gaysorn Plaza shopping centre at 11.30am to oppose the use of Ratchaprasong intersection as a protest venue.
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Red-shirt supporters have expressed dismay over ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's call for them to set aside their anger and frustration over social and legal injustices for the sake of national reconciliation.
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Discussion 27 : 12/01/2011 at 04:59 PM27
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@majority... You 'HOPE' there are traders who sympathise with UDD cause? There is an old saying - 'Don't mess with another man's rice bowl.' The actions of UDD have a negative impact on thousands of businesses all over the city - not just those at Ratchaprasong. My business lost 90% of its profit during the final month of the protest. My staff lost ALL their bonuses and commission. My staff are mainly rural people from the North and North-East. They don't feel any sympathy towards the Red Shirts at all and believe them to be trouble-making rabble.
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Discussion 26 : 12/01/2011 at 03:45 PM26
#15 johninbkk . So according to your logic this is now a class war between the lousy Bangkokians and the wonderful up country Thai. I note you never blame the village headman for being so easily bought through the decades old patronage system. You never blame yourselves , always someone else is responsible for your problem. If you think your side is so good , contest the election.
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Discussion 25 : 12/01/2011 at 03:33 PM25
I hope that UDD and those "representing" the Ratchaprasong traders can reach an understanding so impact be minimized in the future protests to come. On the other hand, I believe there are also Ratchaprasong traders that are sympathizers and supporters of the Red Shirts and agreed to the demand and deed for justice and democracy of the Red Shirts. So I hope that more and more traders in the areas will become proud of being a part to contribute to and to sacrifice for the country in a longer run. When democracy and justice become realities in Thailand, their business will be even more prosperous than during time before the past protests and the deadly crackdowns.
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Discussion 24 : 12/01/2011 at 02:18 PM24
Bkkmatt D 18: Talking so much about the poor here in Thailand,let's get some facts straight: The percentage of poor here in Thailand is NOT higher than most European countries. Less than 2%. This is measured by income,purchase value,nutricion,availability of treatment in clinics/hospitals,education,job-opportunities etc. Sources: UN,The World Bank,CIA and others who conduct these kinds of studies.Google it if you have any doubts. Farangsur D 16: How do you figure 40-60.000 protesters to be a majority in a city of 15.000.000.+ or in a country of 65.000.000.+ ??? I was just wondering.
Discussion 23 : 12/01/2011 at 01:16 PM23
I'm sorry - is there ANYONE in the UDD camp who can feel compassion for the innocent people affected by these protests? There will always be poor people. That doesn't justify ruining other people's lives. There is a general election in 2 or 3 months' time (there would have been one 2 months ago if UDD hadn't messed up). What exactly are UDD achieving except some misguided notion of 'revenge' against so-called 'Bangkok elite'?
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Discussion 22 : 12/01/2011 at 01:13 PM22
RE: Discussion 18. How can they poor and uneducated. Taksin, TRT, PPP governments surely made them richer and better educated. Labelling them as poor and uneducated suggests Taksin, TRT and PPP did little to alleviate the negatives which they complain about and their life were as bad then as they are now. Hardly a resounding endorsement.
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Discussion 21 : 12/01/2011 at 12:47 PM21
seattle77: I remember seeing that the people who funded the rally last year are waiting their day in court. I expect they'll be wishing that Thaksin will win the elections so that they can get off the hook. To those who think that Thaksin won't twist democracy and justice to favour himself and his friends, are just deluding themselves. It's all about money and power. The rantings and rallies about "democracy and justice" are just smokescreens for self-serving ambitions.
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Discussion 20 : 12/01/2011 at 11:40 AM20
Well, perhaps it would be rude to keep going back to the same exact spot and maybe the people who work and live there have a point. Nonetheless, get used to it. They're not the only one's who are losing out in Thai society, and that's why these protests occur. They should just be glad they're actually the ones on the better side of the line and only have to worry about losing some money instead of not even having it.
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Discussion 19 : 12/01/2011 at 11:25 AM19
In the first place, the businessmen and vendors should not follow the reds/yellow in organising street protest as they are also caused blockage of the roads and causing loss of business for themselves especially when they themselves are not in their business attention to customers. They can just sent their protest notes to the authority and not follow the reds in blocking the roads around their businesses. I too feel sorry for the loss of income and business around the areas, but these new rallies by the reds are for a few hours unlike the camping of the reds previously. Sure, a few readers made comparison with other countries in ways of holding rallies, but don't forget this is Thailand and democracy here is different from other countries where this is so strictly controlled that you can say democracy is dead.
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Discussion 18 : 12/01/2011 at 11:06 AM18
How many people in this picture...20/25/30?? How about the 30 million poor, un-educated, low income Thai's wanting a bit of fairness and equality.
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