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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ggh
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Discussion 19 : 24 Nov 2012 at 08.5219
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This is not a planned peaceful protest. The General has so proudly proclaimed the purpose of his movement is to bring the government down with a Military coup. If AV is so concerned the no confidence debate may not take place due to the protests, maybe he should also openly condemn the possibility of the Generals goal of taking down the government undemocratically. A true advocate of democracy would do exactly that.
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jacksprat
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Discussion 18 : 24 Nov 2012 at 08.2618
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Where were they two years ago?
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dickemery
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Discussion 17 : 24 Nov 2012 at 08.1417
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why wasnt the police active like they are for this rally in bangkok 2010 ? what has changed,then it was a bunch of thugs holding bkk to ransom,yet this rally is for the tax payers,and middle aged lawful people showing there disapproval of this government being run by a convicted criminal,we know the police are loyal to the fugitive as he still holds his rank,the country is moving to dictatorship,secrecy and wide spread corruption and full propaganda,red villages being set up, wake up thailand and be safe in your journey,av will have his day in the censure debate
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barmine
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Discussion 16 : 24 Nov 2012 at 08.0716
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The government thinks there will be violence.
They must know something nobody else does.
The US Embassy does not even mention it in their travel advisory.
The British Embassy suggests there will be a traffic problem and mobile black out, (no violence).
I hope it will be peaceful but I am afraid some people just can’t let that happen.
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android
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Discussion 15 : 24 Nov 2012 at 07.4715
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Boonlert is targetted for arrest by anti-riot police once violence is incited. He declared that he would be responsible for that situation.
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tabaluga
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Discussion 14 : 24 Nov 2012 at 07.2114
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I guess that you could say that we have not gotten any closer to reconciliation, right?
Lets just pray that it will be peaceful and nobody will be hurt.
My advice would be: Start to listen to all the people not just certain colours.
Reconciliation starts with the will to compromise and forgive.
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supermax
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Discussion 13 : 24 Nov 2012 at 07.1413
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In April 2010, the Red/UDD demonstrators built quietly their fortress at Rachaprasong in front of Headquarter of Police. What did the Police nothing ? NOTHING !!! Because the Police supported Taksin...
Look at today, the Police are working wery hard....but against the anti-Taksin protesters !
This demonstration of force should make realize us that a Police State is coming. The Pitak Siam meeting has not yet started and thousands of policemen are already in place to obstruct the democratic event...
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pjt
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Discussion 12 : 24 Nov 2012 at 07.0412
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Given that the rally has barely started and the previous one passed off peacefully, the signature of the order to prepare troops, which presumably has the PM consent, is surely a massive vote of non confidence in the police, and their responsible minister (DPM Chalerm). It acknowledges that the police cannot do their job without military back up. BTW I thought everyone wanted the military to stay out of politics - so why bring them in by signing this order to prepare to deploy them against a political demonstration?
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nui
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Discussion 11 : 24 Nov 2012 at 06.5811
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People report from the 53 check points that they are not allowed to bring water and food to the rally side and that the police ask them to walk. Every minibus, bus and other passenger cars are being searched for a long time. Anger and frustration among the people is building up. Who is to blame for any possible outburst ?
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nowayout
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Discussion 10 : 24 Nov 2012 at 06.5510
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Too bad the government cant amass this amount of police and soldiers to protect the inocent in the deep south.
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