Rally fizzles out amid safety fears

News > Politics

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.

This article is older than 60 days, which we reserve for our premium members only.You can subscribe to our premium member subscription, here.

Forum

Your comments

lek
Post : 779
Send message

Discussion 149 : 24 Nov 2012 at 20.04149
Post this to my Facebook
I feel that this will now go underground. It's certainly not finished.
Like dislike 52 people liked / 25 people disliked this comment
Sensible69
Post : 20
Send message

Discussion 148 : 24 Nov 2012 at 20.02148
Post this to my Facebook
Excellent policing and great to see a government in control and very little support for the "coup lovers".

The moment the protestors broke the rules in the morning and tried to break through police barricades it was game over for Pitak Siam. They resorted to violent behaviour and law breaking first thing in the morning. The police responded in the correct manner and the protestors had to stop their violence.

It is high time this small amount of Yellow Shirts and Multicolour Shirts realise - the people have voted for PTP and want PTP. They have voted NO to the Democrats for nearly 10 years now.
Like dislike 56 people liked / 62 people disliked this comment
Eric
Post : 1,156
Send message

Discussion 147 : 24 Nov 2012 at 20.01147
Post this to my Facebook
Seem there may be change in the maturity of Thai people as far as democracy is concern. The anti government now realized that coup doesn't change anything and caused more damages. The poor turnout of protestors reflect this new sentiment. The mob that purposefully break the law are hired goons. The peaceful protestors just walk away. I seen that. Now it's up to the DP to reinvent themselves, lead and challenge the government at the next election. Meanwhile, rethink who you need to lead the party.
Like dislike 25 people liked / 26 people disliked this comment
joninnak
Post : 355
Send message

Discussion 146 : 24 Nov 2012 at 19.38146
Post this to my Facebook
lets see how the government reacts at the next red shirt rally. I hope that it will be identical to today's rally.
Like dislike 68 people liked / 23 people disliked this comment
meme
Post : 1,124
Send message

Discussion 145 : 24 Nov 2012 at 19.27145
Post this to my Facebook
The regime signed their own death sentence when they ordered their brownshirt police to attack peaceful demonstrators and monks. Now their dictatorship is doomed.
Like dislike 61 people liked / 54 people disliked this comment
nowayout
Post : 411
Send message

Discussion 144 : 24 Nov 2012 at 19.23144
Post this to my Facebook
"Censor" debate will be real interesting tomorrow.

Maybe the police were watermelon police.
Like dislike 40 people liked / 20 people disliked this comment
SteveCM
Post : 638
Send message

Discussion 143 : 24 Nov 2012 at 19.18143
Post this to my Facebook
bluebottle (#102): "...it would appear the reds have infiltrated the rally in order to discredit the whole thing."

Feel free to cite any even slightly credible source for this suggestion.
Like dislike 40 people liked / 34 people disliked this comment
soltair
Post : 799
Send message

Discussion 142 : 24 Nov 2012 at 19.18142
Post this to my Facebook
wakeup #109, "no matter how this rally turns out now, the resistance will continue to grow - it is not the last rally". Exactly my opinion, whatever happened today, the battle lines are clear now. The PT government plays poker badly, now their tactic and response is clear and it will backfire in the long run. It may appear they won this battle but this war is far from over. They totally overreacted and you can almost smell their fear and that is a losing strategy.
Like dislike 54 people liked / 39 people disliked this comment
dao
Post : 4,637
Send message

Discussion 141 : 24 Nov 2012 at 19.15141
Post this to my Facebook
Interesting that from the Police line where the tear gas was shot from there is a large speaker system set up with someone shouting pro PT propaganda at the protesters trying to encourage them to be violent . Sorry PT this group couldnt be as violent as the UDD on their worst day .
Like dislike 51 people liked / 38 people disliked this comment
Bangon
Post : 227
Send message

Discussion 140 : 24 Nov 2012 at 19.13140
Post this to my Facebook
Whoever Gen. Boonlert might be, he took a wise and brave decision to call off the rally. All the intimidation, and harassing, techniques the PTP has been using through its Ministers, ITS Police, and other mobs, to sink this rally, has proven more than he could ever had on his own. And a movement has been created, against the madness of this PTP 'Government', the train is on the tracks, and it's rolling. 'We are mad as hell, and we won't take it anymore!' Good luck now Shinawatra clan...
Like dislike 50 people liked / 36 people disliked this comment

First Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next Last

Rally fizzles out amid safety fears | Bangkok Post: news