Bangkok Breaking News – Dec 4, 2013
On this page we will keep you informed of the latest developments regarding the anti-government demonstrations in Bangkok. Times in bold are Dutch time. In Thailand it is 6 hours later.
17:34
Singer Jetrin 'Jay' Wattanasin gives a free lifetime ticket to his concerts to the man who fought the police in his underpants at the Chamai Maruchet bridge on Sunday. The man is nicknamed Kob or Auan (fat one). He became known through a photo on the Ranger Thai Facebook page. Kob was not deterred by the tear gas, he threw back tear gas grenades and emptied 15 fire extinguishers at the officers behind the concrete barrier.
16:10
Admiral Narong Pipatanasai says it is unlikely that the armed forces will stage a coup, even if political unrest continues beyond the king's birthday. The chief of the navy says the three army units agree that the army has no leading role in resolving the political conflict. "Politicians, academics and private sector people are the ones who must lead the country towards a peaceful solution."
16:00
Action leader Suthep Thaugsuban must turn himself in when he wants to discuss his plans for a 'People's Council' with the government, says Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, who heads the Center for the Administration of Peace and Order. Surapong warns officials not to talk to Suthep, as it is a criminal offense because an arrest warrant has been issued against him. It carries a sentence of 3 to 15 years.
Surapong thinks the protests will continue after the king's birthday, so the concrete barriers should remain in place and the Internal Security Act, a special emergency law, should remain in force.
08:14
As well as yesterday at Municipal Police Headquarters and Government House, protesters were also allowed access to the grounds of the National Police Force Headquarters today. They handed over a letter to the Chief Commissioner requesting that the investigation into the deaths that occurred Saturday night in Ramkhamhaeng be completed within a week. If no progress is made, 'measures against the police' will follow, they threaten.
Protesters from the Network of Students and People for Thailand's Reform say they are moving from Chamai Maruchet Bridge to the grounds of Government House this afternoon.
06:33
Demonstrators and residents of Bangkok today clean up Ratchadamnoen Avenue so that the road is spotless when the king's birthday is celebrated tomorrow. The governor of Bangkok has ordered dozens of water and garbage trucks. Various sectors [?] have provided brooms, mops and cleaning products.
04:42
Anti-government protesters marched this morning at the Royal Thai Police headquarters, the national police force. There, ten companies of riot police stand ready behind concrete barriers and barbed wire. There are also crane trucks and fire trucks and loudspeakers are installed to negotiate with the demonstrators. The elevated skywalk between BTS station Siam and Chidlom is closed.
The protesters of the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand have moved from Nang Loeng to the government complex on Chaeng Wattana Road. The demonstrators at the Democracy Monument have also moved there to make room for the festivities on the occasion of the king's birthday tomorrow.
Submitted communication
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As long as you don't have to pass Democarcy, moving around in Bangkok is not too bad. Taxis come to the bridge at the Mahakan fort, for Democracy, and have to turn around there, so get out. Cross diagonally to Phra Ahrtit road and then look for a new means of transport there, which usually ends in a tuk-tuk, taxis prefer not to get there. Previous for those who sleep around or want to go to Khao San. The buses to Mo Chit run normally, because not via Rachadamnoen.
(just left BKK)
“Surapong warns officials not to talk to Suthep, as it is a criminal offense because an arrest warrant has been issued against him. It carries a sentence of 3 to 15 years.”
The ones who are certain that they talked to Suthep last week (so AFTER the arrest warrant) (because they admitted it themselves) are PM Yingluck and General Prayuth. Will an arrest warrant be issued against these two officials, or are these persons above the law?