Bangkok Shutdown costs 10 million baht per day

Bangkok Shutdown costs Suthep Thaugsuban's protest movement (PDRC) around 10 million baht per day (224.240 euros at the current exchange rate). PDRC spokesman Akanat Promphan, stepson of protest leader Suthep, says in The Nation.

The English-language daily sheds some light on the cost of protests to the PDRC since they began in November. "Bangkok Shutdown has increased that cost sevenfold, we need donations," said Satit Wongnongtaey, one of the key figures in the organization.

The newspaper does not produce a hard figure on the total costs. Sources within the organizing committee say Suthep contributed 25 million baht out of his own pocket at the start of the protest, obtained through the sale of a piece of land on Ko Samui. Other protest leaders are also said to have sold possessions.

On December 18, the government froze the bank accounts of eighteen protest leaders. However, Suthep is said to have succeeded in raising a large sum of money during collections at demonstrations and through generous 'donors'. During demonstrations on December 19 and 20, it was 12 million baht, according to Akanat. He claims that the sale of flags, whistles and other protest paraphernalia brings in "several millions a day" for the organizing committee.

According to the PDRC spokesman, there is no support from large companies. Another problem is that well-known and wealthy businessmen do not want to contribute 'for fear of the wealthy politicians who have ruled this country for more than a decade'. Akanat apparently refers to the Shinawatra family here. 'We have to be frugal, but we can still finance everything out of our own pockets with the support of the public,' he swears.

Protest leader Satit is a bit more candid. “At first we thought we could finish this fight quickly. But we were mistaken in assuming that Yingluck would soon resign once he retired. That is now costing us an enormous amount of money.'

The infographic must show how the money is spent. Conspicuously absent are the costs of transport, accommodation and security for the protest leaders. For example, according to Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, head of the Capo, Suthep would move in a convoy of eight cars and be protected by forty guards.