Rally fizzles out amid safety fears

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Rally fizzles out amid safety fears

Boonlert says authorities inciting violence

Published: 24 Nov 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Pitak Siam leader Boonlert Kaewprasit ended his anti-government rally and his own brief political career on a drizzly Saturday afternoon after a day of high drama and scattered violence.

A Pitak Siam protester holds up a tear-gas canister that police had fired near the Makkawan Bridge on Saturday morning.

Addressing an estimated 20,000 supporters from the Royal Plaza stage, he asked them to disperse peacefully.

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Deedy
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Discussion 29 : 24 Nov 2012 at 09.3529
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"[The government] has set up checkpoints along the major highways to Bangkok, and so many caravans have been delayed in travelling to the capital," the member said

"The security measures will be used only as necessary and in accordance with the relevant laws so as to cause the least inconveniences to the public, including foreign tourists. For example, checkpoints may be set up in the area and thus cause some traffic jams." Thai Embassy Announcement, August, 2009
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b.hope
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Discussion 28 : 24 Nov 2012 at 09.3028
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Disc 15.
Yes, but at least he has the courage to be count accountable, and not as your idols who just runs away with their tails between their legs, and let others be in prison for their offenses .
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geoffo
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Discussion 27 : 24 Nov 2012 at 09.2027
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The police are showing their true colors with their choice of scarfs.

The tear gas grenades we are most interested in are the ones fired with a grenade launcher. Last time they used Chinese ones which tore limbs off trees and people from distances of 100metres or more.

Why don't they stick to hand thrown ones and avoid the mayhem that happened last time.
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bkk1
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Discussion 26 : 24 Nov 2012 at 09.1726
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On Friday at 2.30pm there was not one protesters around but the Goverment had closed off so many roards with hundreds of Police every were ???????

Totaly MAD
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ricoaj22
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Discussion 25 : 24 Nov 2012 at 09.1325
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some of the posts below are pathetic, how old are you people again? There is a demonstration involving around 75,000 + people (some of whom MAY of course have ill intentions),
But seriously what do you expect the government to do, deployment of tactical police is a preventative crowd control measure used in many countries. Looking at recent history trying to prevent violent outbreaks is better than trying to cure them with guns like in 2010.
Let the protest run its course, then any commentators here feel free to criticise the govt afterwards if mistakes are made. Not before. And yes I think more police in the south are needed by the way, 10
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coolit
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Discussion 24 : 24 Nov 2012 at 09.0924
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Family business and Politics sometimes encounter resistance.
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fino

Discussion 23 : 24 Nov 2012 at 08.5923
Im sure the goverment has hired people to stirr unrest during todays rally,and than will blame the Siam pitak group
from iPhone application.
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jwatch
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Discussion 22 : 24 Nov 2012 at 08.5622
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Can I expect this when the Reds start to close Rajaprasong in the middle of Bangkok? Or is that wishful thinking?
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peterd
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Discussion 21 : 24 Nov 2012 at 08.5621
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Hope that nobody will send snipers or infiltrate some men dressed in black to have pretenses to shot the protesters. After all this rally is a first, i don't remember seeing in the world some people rallying to "freeze" their country.
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abbub
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Discussion 20 : 24 Nov 2012 at 08.5520
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Nui D3: You are probably right.

During the 2006 coup the military blocked major roads coming in form the countryside so that what would be seen in the streets and on TV was people giving soldiers pizza and flowers. The MSM played right along.

If the MSM continues to play its role of supporting the "right-wing" political movements, they will probably handle the coverage much as you say. Just like they made the PAD out to be victims during their months of utter thuggery.

The MSM will cover according to where its support is. And..where support comes from.
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