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Protesters occupy Lat Phrao intersection after Prayut ruled not guilty (nationthailand.com)

Protesters occupy Lat Phrao intersection after Prayut ruled not guilty

PoliticsDec 02. 2020Rally organisers set up a mock court to ridicule the Constitutional Court’s ruling that Prayut has not violated the charter by staying on in his Army residence. 

By THE NATION

Pro-democracy protesters began gathering at Bangkok’s Lat Phrao intersection at 3pm on Wednesday afternoon, following a Constitutional Court ruling that allows PM Prayut Chan-o-cha to remain in his post.

Protesters began blocking roads to the intersection at 3.30pm, after the Ratsadon pro-democracy group yesterday announced a switch of venue from the Constitutional Court in Lak Si district.

Rally organisers set up a mock court to ridicule the Constitutional Court’s ruling that Prayut has not violated the charter by staying on in his Army residence.

The protesters are demanding Prayut’s removal, a new Constitution and reform of the monarchy.Meanwhile core protest leader Panasya “Rung” Sitthijirawattanakul has reportedly received a fresh summons from the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) to hear charges of lese majeste and computer crime on December 9.

The charges reportedly stem from a police complaint filed by royalist composer Nitipong Honark on November 20.

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Charter Court acquits PM Prayut Chan-o-cha (nationthailand.com)

Charter Court acquits PM Prayut Chan-o-cha

PoliticsDec 02. 2020

By The Nation

The Constitutional Court ruled on Wednesday that Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has not violated the charter by staying on in his Army residence, so can remain in office.

The court ruled that military regulations allow former officers to remain in their Army residence after retirement.

Wednesday’s verdict came amid political unrest that has been escalating since July, with pro-democracy protesters demanding Prayut’s resignation, charter change and monarchy reform.

Protesters have called a rally at Lat Phrao Intersection today.

The opposition accused Prayut of breaching the Constitution by staying on at an official Army residence in the First Infantry Battalion of Royal Guards on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road in Bangkok, after his military retirement at the end of September 2014.

Prayut was accused of violating Sections 184 and 186 of the Constitution that forbid a government minister from “receiving any special money or benefit from a government agency, state agency or state enterprise apart from that given by the government agency, state agency or state enterprise to other persons in the ordinary course of business”.

In his court testimony, Prayut argued he had to stay at the Army base because the PM’s official residence, Baan Phitsanulok, was being renovated, according to a Parliament source.

Also, the PM argued that his security team suggested he live at the Army residence for safety. Hence, he said, the court should dismiss the petition against him.

The Army informed the court that the residence was provided to Prayut because he is PM and deserves the honour and security it provides.

Similar housing has been provided to other former Army chiefs who are members of the Cabinet, the Privy Council and Parliament, the Army says.

The opposition pushed the case knowing that a guilty verdict would mean Prayut was removed and disqualified from holding government office for two years.

It also knew an acquittal would mean business as usual for the prime minister, perhaps even bolstering his legitimacy as PM.

The Constitutional Court has played a key role in shifting political momentum in past years, making several controversial verdicts deemed politically biased by critics.

The court has disqualified three prime ministers – Samak Sundaravej, Somchai Wongsawat and Yingluck Shinawatra – and dissolved a handful of political parties including Thai Rak Thai, People’s Power, Thai Nation Party, Neutral Democratic Party and, most recently, Future Forward. All were at the opposite end of the spectrum to the conservative establishment.

The verdicts were also seen as fuel for mass protests by the red shirts and now Ratsadon (People’s Movement) against conservative governments and the royalist establishment.

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No plans to close Lat Phrao intersection to traffic: police (nationthailand.com)

No plans to close Lat Phrao intersection to traffic: police

PoliticsDec 02. 2020

By THE NATION

Metropolitan Police announced on Wednesday morning that they will not close Bangkok’s Lat Phrao intersection to traffic even if pro-democracy protesters choose the area as a rally site later in the day.

Deputy commissioner Pol General Piya Tawichai said the pro-democracy movement has not officially informed police of the site for their rally, adding that he was not worried because enough police officers will be deployed to attend to the protesters.

He also said police will not block the traffic at the protest site unless asked by protesters to do so.

Meanwhile, Piya said police has taken legal action against those who damaged the police van during the protest at the 11th Infantry Regiment base in Bangkok on Sunday. He added that police plan to take action against more protesters for vandalism.

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Pheu Thai insists Army end its online royalist campaign immediately (nationthailand.com)

Pheu Thai insists Army end its online royalist campaign immediately

PoliticsDec 02. 2020Anusorn Eiamsaard 

By The Nation

Pheu Thai Party’s deputy leader Anusorn Eiamsaard has demanded that the Army immediately terminate its information operation (IO) and asked why the top brass don’t admit to running an information war, when the evidence is quite clear.

He said the military should not be interfering in political matters, yet it is running an online campaign to discredit the pro-democracy movement and using taxpayers’ money for it.

Anusorn said political issues should be resolved through the political system and interference from the Army will only worsen the situation.

“Prayut [Chan-o-cha]’s regime will come and go, but the future belongs to our children. The IO campaign is leaving them with scars and destroying their future,” he said.

Businessman Prasit Jeawkok admitted on Tuesday that he was supporting the IO campaign by posting pro-monarchy messages.

His confession came after the Progressive Movement exposed details linking him to the operation.

Prasit said he allowed the operators of the IO campaign to use his server freely as it was the duty of a royalist to support the monarch, and that the money spent on the operation came from his own pocket.

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Bangkok motorists advised to avoid 6 Lat Phrao routes today amid protest rally (nationthailand.com)

Bangkok motorists advised to avoid 6 Lat Phrao routes today amid protest rally

PoliticsDec 02. 2020Photo by Tanachai Pramarnpanich 

By The Nation

Bangkok motorists heading to the Lat Phrao five-point crossing have been advised to avoid a handful of routes from 2pm on Wednesday as the pro-democracy Ratsadon group is scheduled to hold a rally at the crossing from 4pm.

Ratsadon announced via the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration group’s Facebook page on Tuesday that their rally on Wednesday would be held at Lat Phrao Intersection, also known as Ha Yaek Lat Phrao, in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district from 4pm, instead of the Constitutional Court in Lak Si district.

Earlier this week, Ratsadon protesters had planned to gather in front of the Constitutional Court as December 2 is the day the court announces the verdict in a case against Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha for reportedly breaking Army rules by living in a military house after retirement.

Metropolitan Police Bureau deputy commissioner Pol Maj-General Jirasan Kaewsangek said Lat Phrao intersection connects with many routes and usually witnesses heavy traffic, especially during rush hour.

To avoid being caught in jams, motorists are advised to avoid:

• Phaholyothin Road (outbound) from Kamphaeng Phet to Ratchayothin intersection.

• Phaholyothin Road (inbound) from Ha Yaek Lat Phrao (Lat Phrao five point crossing) to Ratchayothin intersection.

• Lat Phrao Road from Ratchada-Lat Phrao to Ha Yaek Lat Phrao intersection.

• Vibhavadi Rangsit Road (inbound), frontage road from Horwang Road to Ha Yaek Lat Phrao intersection.

• Vibhavadi Rangsit Road (inbound), frontage road to Lat Phrao or Ratchayothin overpass.

• Lat Phrao intersection at the road level.

Instead, motorists are urged to use:

• Ratchadaphisek Road

• Chokchai 4 Road

• Lat Phrao Wang Hin Road

• Senanikom Road

• Sutthisan Winitchai Road

• Vibhavadi Rangsit Road

• Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road

• Soi Chokchai Ruammit

• Soi Vibhavadi Rangsit 3

• Tollway.

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Students defy school rules with ‘no-uniform’ protest (nationthailand.com)

Students defy school rules with ‘no-uniform’ protest

PoliticsDec 02. 2020After taking part in a ‘no-uniform’ protest, students spend their free time after school on Tuesday at a rally in front of the Education Ministry in Bangkok. 

By THE NATION

Students taking part in a campaign to boycott school uniforms received a mixed response when they turned up for class in their casual clothes on Tuesday.The KKC Pakee Students group issued a clarion call last Thursday urging students to dress casually on Tuesday and to not be afraid of questioning the need to wear uniforms.Photos of the casually dressed students at school began circulating online today, drawing praise from some internet users but fierce criticism from others.Only small groups of students reportedly joined the protest. Several schools allowed them to attend classes as normal, including Bangkok’s prestigious Triam Udom Suksa and Satriwithaya schools, and Khon Kaen Wittayayon.In other cases, schools banned students in casual clothes from attending class.One Facebook video showed students in uniform protesting at a school with cries of “free our friends”. The poster said it was recorded at Satree Wat Mahapruttaram School in Khon Kaen province, where students dressed casually were separated from their classmates.The self-mockingly titled “Bad Student” group set up a website where students can report the names of schools that punish them for not wearing uniforms.As of 6.10pm on Tuesday, Saint Joseph Convent topped the ranking with 709 reports, followed by Assumption Convent (472), Sriracha School (360), and Suranaree Wittaya (315).The KKC anti-uniform campaign also produced playful photos of a student in a Winnie-the-Pooh costume, and students wearing yellow shirts to mock royalists.A Phetchabun student who was reportedly the only person in the province to take part in the campaign escaped punishment by his school.

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Army deployed thousands for anti-democracy Twitter campaign: Progressive Movement (nationthailand.com)

Army deployed thousands for anti-democracy Twitter campaign: Progressive Movement

PoliticsDec 01. 2020Pannika Wanich 

By THE NATION

The Progressive Movement has revealed details of its research on an alleged information operation (IO) campaign run by Thai authorities to discredit the pro-democracy movement.The Twitter-based online campaign involves more than 50,000 IO accounts, 17,562 of which are controlled by the 2nd Infantry Division, Queen Sirikit’s Guard, the Progressive Movement’s Pannika Wanich said on Tuesday.Different teams were tasked with different IO duties, said Pannika, speaking to press at the movement’s Bangkok headquarters. An operation team is in charge of liking, sharing and posting information, while a support team has been assigned to create content to slam the pro-democracy demonstrators, she added.The IO campaign was also backed by private companies, she said.Pannika was speaking after Twitter suspended a pro-royalist account linked to thousands of others that were flooding social media with pro-monarchy and anti-protest content.The @jitarsa_school account has been suspended for allegedly violating regulations by flooding Twitter with spam.Reuters said it had also reviewed internal Army training documents that showed evidence of a coordinated information campaign to spread pro-royalist information and discredit critics of the government and monarchy.Photographs purporting to show the Army’s IO campaign in action have been circulating on social media.Last week, leaked slides showed a tweeting campaign run by 17,000 personnel, divided into different content and posting units, and offering instructions on how to avoid being banned by Twitter.The controversy comes more than a month after Twitter removed 926 accounts it said had concealed links to the Army. At the time, Pannika said the Progressive Movement planned to sue the Army for “using tax money to cause divisions and hatred among Thais”.On Saturday, exiled academic Pavin Chachavalpongpun said the information operation was controlled by a high-ranking soldier but was “too cheap”.On the same day, fellow exiled academic Somsak Jeamteerasakul posted a photo of an online chatroom captured by a phone camera. The photo apparently shows subordinates being ordered to comment on posts by a pro-democracy actress and prominent social critic Sulak Sivaraksa.Somsak commented that the Thai government was in need of reform, which should include scrapping the agencies in charge of the information operation.

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All protest guards must be registered to prevent future clashes: Panupong (nationthailand.com)

All protest guards must be registered to prevent future clashes: Panupong

PoliticsDec 01. 2020Panupong Jadnok 

By THE NATION

Pro-democracy movement leader Panupong “Mike” Jadnok said via Facebook on Monday that the names of volunteer guards should be recorded to prevent meddling from the opposite side.

On November 26, pro-democracy protesters had gathered outside the Siam Commercial Bank headquarters on Ratchayothin Road to protest against the King’s major shareholding in the bank.

When the protest ended at around 10.10pm and there were still many protesters at the site, an explosion was heard followed by four or five gunshots.

Two protest guards were injured severely, and police put it down to a conflict between students from rivalling vocational colleges, while many netizens linked the shooter to a royalist group.

The movement’s leaders say this incident goes against the principles of the group, though there were no clashes during protests over the weekend.

Panupong said to avoid such attacks in the future, names of all volunteer guards will be registered and he will personally oversee the team.

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Triam Udom Suksa students heed activists’ call to shun uniform (nationthailand.com)

Triam Udom Suksa students heed activists’ call to shun uniform

PoliticsDec 01. 2020

By THE NATION

Some students of Triam Udom Suksa School in Bangkok arrived at their school on Tuesday morning in casual outfits, in line with the KKC Pakee Students group’s demand.

KKC issued a clarion call last Thursday asking students across the country to not be afraid of questioning the need to wear school uniforms and dress casually on Tuesday to show their stance.

According to the pro-democracy group “Bad Student”, Triam Udom Suksa was among 23 schools nationwide where students would act in line with the KKC campaigns, as well as other outstanding schools in Bangkok, such as Horwang, Srinakharinwirot University: Demonstration School, Satriwithaya, Satriwithaya 2, or Bodindecha (Sing Singhaseni).

The Bad Student group has set up an online website for reporting the response of schools nationwide towards students in informal outfits.

Minister of Education Nataphol Teepsuwan told the press at Government House that to wear casual clothes to school is a violation of his ministry’s rule. However, a punishment in this case will not result in expulsion, he added.

The minister mentioned that his organisation was considering allowing students to wear informal outfits once a month.

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Protest leaders charged with lese majeste, vow rallies will continue (nationthailand.com)

Protest leaders charged with lese majeste, vow rallies will continue

PoliticsNov 30. 2020From left: Panupong ‘Mike Rayong’ Chadnok, Parit ‘Penguin’ Chiwarak, Panusaya ‘Rung’ Sithijirawattanakul and Arnon Nampa. Photos by Wanchai Kraisornkhajit 

By The Nation

Five core leaders of the pro-democracy movement arrived at Bangkok’s Chanasongkram police station on Monday to acknowledge charges of lese majeste under Article 112 of the Criminal Code.https://www.youtube.com/embed/YXJEjmL1IVk?rel=0

Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak, Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul, Panupong “Mike Rayong” Chadnok, Arnon Nampa and Patiwat “Bank” Saraiyam were charged with royal defamation over speeches they gave during an anti-establishment rally at Sanam Luang on September 19-20. 

Patiwat “Bank” Saraiyam

Arnon, also a human rights lawyer, said he was unconcerned by the charge and confident the evidence would prove him innocent, adding that they would continue holding rallies.

Parit confirmed that he would also fight the charge.

Panusaya said the lese majeste charges would not stop the movement and its leaders from demanding reform of the monarchy, along with the prime minister’s removal and a new Constitution.

Meanwhile, investigators at Chanasongkram police station said they are collecting evidence to file a separate charge of lese majeste against Parit over a demonstration at Khok Wua intersection on November 14.