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No tear gas or rubber bullets used to disperse protesters, say police

PoliticsOct 17. 2020Photo by Tanachai Pramarnpanich 

By The Nation

Police denied using tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse student-led protesters who were rallying at the Pathumwan intersection on Friday, as shared widely by netizens on social media.

At 10pm on Friday, Metropolitan Police Bureau deputy commissioner Pol Maj-General Piya Tawichai justified the action, saying the protesters had violated the law and the state of emergency.

He said police had strictly performed their duty in line with international principles. He said they had asked the protesters to stop the rally many times before using equipment as necessary.

“The water contained a chemical to clear protesters from their rally site, which may irritate the skin, but they can use water to relieve symptoms,” he said.

“Meanwhile, we would like to apologise to the protesters, and the police officers who have been injured during the operation,” he added.

He added that the police was ready to deal with the protesters’ rally on Saturday.

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Prachatai reporter arrested at protest site charged and let off with a fine

PoliticsOct 17. 2020

By THE NATION

A reporter of the news website Prachatai was released early on Saturday after being detained on Friday during the crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Bangkok.

Kitti Pantapak said that he was detained while he was trying to report live from the scene. Police reportedly approached him and said that he was not allowed to report from there. When he asked them from where he could report, the officials detained him.

The reporter said he was taken in a police vehicle along with two protesters.

The reporter said it took around two hours to take them to the Border Patrol Police Region 1 located in Pathum Thani province.

Kitti said he was interrogated and charged with violating officials’ orders. The reporter was fined Bt300 and released at around 1.45am.

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Protesters rename their group ‘Ratsadon’, vow to rally again today

PoliticsOct 17. 2020

By THE NATION

The newly formed Khana Ratsadon 2563 (People’s Party 2020) has changed its name to Ratsadon (The People), and vowed to hold another rally on Saturday at 4pm.

The United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration group on Saturday announced the change of name on their Facebook page, while condemning the government and the Army for using violence against peaceful protesters at their rally site at the Pathumwan intersection on Friday evening.

Crowd control police used water cannons and shields to force protesters out of the intersection area and back off to in front of Chulalongkorn University, from where they dispersed at around 8pm.

“We will hold a rally on Saturday even though most of our leaders have already been arrested by the government,” said the announcement. “However, the true leader is the people, not just an individual. From now on there will be no Khana Ratsadon [People’s Party], there will only be Ratsadon [The People], where everyone is a leader.

“The gathering will begin at 4pm, while the location will be announced later,” added the announcement.

“Please stay tuned for updates, and prepare your body and mind for the rally on Saturday, as well as prepare for the authority’s attempt to break up the rally.”

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Government comes under fire over violent crackdown on protesters

PoliticsOct 17. 2020

By THE NATION

Three organisations have denounced the violent crackdown on pro-democracy protesters who had gathered at the Pathumwan intersection and nearby areas on Friday.

The office of student council of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University said in a statement that it does not support violence by the government against the people, adding no violence should happen in society.

It also said that politics and peace were two things the master, Lord Buddha, focused on, as they are factors to release people from the yoke of social classes, and allow them to live together peacefully.

The council said that the Buddha had resisted the social class system in ancient India through peaceful means. The pro-democracy students and other protesters had followed the same path. However, the government has avoided responding to them in the same way, and instead chosen violence, the council said.

The Children and Youth Council of Thailand, meanwhile, demanded that the government review its crackdown procedure, after seeing what officials had done to the protesters, who were mostly youth and students.

It demanded that the government agencies look after the welfare of children and youths to protect them from violent situations.

Greenpeace Thailand issued a statement that it “condemns the violent crackdown on a peaceful demonstration. People have the right to perform non-violent protests, which are a fundamental human right. Greenpeace calls on the Thai government to stop the violence and unjustified action now”.

The organisation said that “activism is not a crime. We are in solidarity with the people and peaceful protest”.

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Opposition parties slam govt over crackdown on protesters, warn of impact on econony

PoliticsOct 17. 2020

By THE NATION

Six opposition parties on Friday night condemned the government for using violence to break up the rally of students and the public at the Pathumwan Intersection.

Crowd control police on Friday evening used water cannons and shields to force protesters out of the intersection and back down to in front of Chulalongkorn University, from where they dispersed at around 8pm.

The six parties are: Pheu Thai Party, Move Forward Party, Thai Liberal Party, Prachachat Party, Puea Chat Party and Thai People Power Party.

“The protesters are but our children who will be the future of the country, and their gathering is within their constitutional right,” said the joint statement by the parties.

“The government’s use of excessive violence in breaking up the rally will only fuel hatred and reduce people’s faith in its ability to handle the crisis.

“The move is only used by countries under dictatorial regime, and will have repercussions on the country’s economic recovery,” it added.

“Any subsequent damage to the country due to this incident will be Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s responsibility,” it sqid, adding, “The government must stop creating conditions that will lead the country to disaster, while Parliament must hold an extraordinary session to discuss the protests as soon as possible.”

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Police raid Progressive Movement’s office, interrupt press conference

PoliticsOct 16. 2020

By THE NATION

Police visited the Progressive Movement’s Bangkok headquarters on Friday afternoon, interrupting a press conference by the movement’s secretary general Piyabutr Saengkanokkul.

Uniformed officers intervened at 2.45 pm as Piyabutr was speaking at the Summit Tower about the state of emergency imposed on Thursday.

Police said the emergency decree prohibited the broadcast of news that could create fear, adding they were searching the office to check whether the Progressive Movement was violating the order.

At 3.02pm, Piyabutr challenged the officers to explain which laws allowed them to search the office. He also urged them to stand on the side of the people.

Police left the office at 3.10pm and said they had found no evidence of illegal activity.

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Protesters throng Pathumwan intersection, both on Skywalk and below

PoliticsOct 16. 2020

By The Nation

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Photo Credit: Nation Photo by Wanchai Kraisornkhajit

# Student-led protesters started gathering at Pathumwan intersection next to the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre from 5pm on Friday, with the crowd having become a lot larger as of 6.30pm.

There were thousands thronging the Skywalk and the street below.

Photo Credit: Nation Photo by Wanchai Kraisornkhajit

Police moved to Pathumwan once the new location was announced on the Free Youth Facebook page after the Ratchprasong intersection was closed.

Photo Credit: Nation Photo by Wanchai Kraisornkhajit

Most of protesters that showed up at the rally were in school uniform, and many of them were young women.

Photo Credit: Nation Photo by Wanchai Kraisornkhajit

# Student-led protesters began gathering at Pathumwan Intersection at 5pm on Friday, in a switch of locations from their Ratchaprasong rally site on Thursday.

Photo Credit: Nation Photo by Wanchai Kraisornkhajit

The new location was announced on the Facebook page of the Free Youth movement at around 4pm on Friday as police closed the Ratchaprasong Intersection in the afternoon.

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Justice minister says he will personally ensure safety of arrested activists

PoliticsOct 16. 2020Somsak Thepsuthin 

By THE NATION

Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said on Friday morning that he will help the Department of Corrections look after the recently arrested protesters, and promised that none of them will tortured or attacked during their time in prison.

As for prominent activists arrested this week, such as human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa or Jatupat “Pai Dao Din” Boonpattararaksa, the minister said they undergone physical checks to see if they had any previous injuries.

Somsak also said all new prisoners will be secluded for 14 days to curb the risk of Covid-19 infections and will be interrogated via video conferencing.

When asked if there is enough space in prisons to accommodate the new round of arrests, the minister confessed there was no space.

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Rangsiman offers his MP salary as bail surety for protest leader Jatupat

PoliticsOct 16. 2020

By THE NATION

Move Forward Party MP Rangsiman Rome visited the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road on Friday to offer bail surety for pro-democracy activist Jatupat “Pai Dao Din” Boonpattararaksa.

Jatupat was arrested along with 19 others while participating in a rally at Democracy Monument on Tuesday. He faces 12 charges, including sedition and organising a public assembly without authorisation.

“I will use my position as member of Parliament as bail collateral, which should be valid as MPs usually earn around Bt100,000 per month. If you calculate the value of a job at 10 times its monthly salary, then my position should be worth Bt1 million,” said Rangsiman, who was accompanied by members of the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights Centre.

“I decided to post bail for Jatupat because he is at the top of the list of anti-government movement leaders.

“I hope that the court will consider my proposal and grant bail to Jatupat, as so far I have heard that none of the arrested rally leaders have been granted bail, accept a 17-year-old who was released by the Juvenile and Family Court,” he added.

Rangsiman said that after meeting with the court he would visit the Department of Corrections, where Jatupat is being held for 14 days, and have him sign bail documents. The MP said he hopes to post bail surety at the court at around 2pm on Friday.

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PM tells pro-democracy activists to pray instead of protesting, because ‘life is uncertain’

PoliticsOct 16. 2020

By THE NATION

Embattled Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has told pro-democracy activists to go and pray in temples instead of holding street protests.

Speaking to reporters after chairing an emergency Cabinet meeting on Friday morning, Prayut accused anti-government protesters who have staged protests since Wednesday of creating chaos in Bangkok.

Prayut declared a state of emergency in Bangkok on Thursday morning in order to crack down on pro-democracy protesters who are demanding his resignation, drafting of a new Constitution, dissolving Parliament and reform of the monarchy.

Youth-led protesters defied the state of emergency and held a huge gathering on Thursday afternoon till 10pm at the Ratchaprasong intersection, Bangkok’s major business, shopping and tourist district. They vowed to gather again on Friday at 5pm.

Responding to reporters’ questions about the ongoing political situation, Prayut shot back: “Are you Thai? What wrong have I done?”

He said he did not intend to pursue legal actions against anybody. However, belying his remarks, police have filed several charges against more than 20 protesters since the rallies began in Bangkok early this week. Protesters gathered in small groups on Tuesday at Democracy Monument, followed by a large rally on Wednesday morning before they moved to Government House in the afternoon.

‘People should go to temples and pray because life is uncertain and anyone could die unexpectedly with illness or other causes,” Prayut said.

Political activist “Bow” Nuttaa Mahahattana quickly responded to Prayut’s comments with a post on her Facebook page that said: “We should prepare for some prayere this evening at the protest site at Ratchaprasong intersection”.