Thousands take to the streets in Bangkok (video)
Thousands of people took to the streets in the Thai capital Bangkok this morning to demonstrate against Prime Minister Yingluck. They attempt to paralyze the city by occupying seven major intersections.
Bangkok shutdown
The demonstrators want to completely paralyze the capital by blocking roads and cutting off electricity and water supplies to government buildings, the so-called 'Bangkok Shutdown'. The Thai government has mobilized 15.000 military and police officers to maintain order and prevent escalation.
The demonstrators led by Suthep demand the resignation of Prime Minister Yingluck and her outgoing government and postponement of the elections. They consider her a puppet of her brother and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was deposed in 2006 for corruption.
Yingluck Shinawatra refuses to leave, she was democratically elected by the majority of the Thai people. She has indicated that she will hold new elections on February 2. The demonstrators are boycotting those elections because they are likely to lose them. They therefore want to appoint a council that will eventually (after a year) form a new government.
Escalation
Human rights organization Amnesty International calls the situation in Bangkok tense, explosive and unpredictable. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon spoke with Yingluck and also opposition leader Abhisit. He is also very concerned and thinks that the conflict could escalate further.
Video thousands take to the streets in Bangkok
Watch the video here:
I have a question about the demonstrations that has been bothering me for a long time. Do those people have no work and no obligation to third parties, because they can demonstrate non-stop for days or weeks? Don't they have to earn money for their wife and children? Do they have no respect for their employer? Or are they all millionaires or have they all won the lotto that just going to work is not normal for them?.
Or is it true, as I once said in TL blog, that most Thais, among others. from the north, but lying lazily somewhere in your own garden all day, amidst empty bottles of beer, waiting for the next harvest? A blogger tried to clarify that the Thais he knows are all hard working people. There is very little of that to be seen on the TV images?.
@ top martin That is a question that also concerns me. The large turnout today, on a working day, has surprised me as previous major rallies have all been held on Sundays. On weekdays, the protest site on Ratchadamnoen Avenue was few during the day. It only filled up after working hours.
Dear Dick,
Before the reception on January 12, but especially on January 13, I was with some friends (Thai, who speak English) who asked questions to people who were setting up their tents on Sukhumvit, because that was around the corner from the reception .
Most indicated that they had appointments with friends, who took turns sleeping in those tents at night. They all had jobs.
We also spoke to many students, who were now free from school, because the school could not be used by the demonstrators with all that noise.
There were also people who had taken time off this week because of the newly planned actions and many bosses now appear to be more flexible with days off.
Many bosses and employers support these demonstrations.
As the actions last they will start to have the same characteristics as you described.
a greeting from a fieldworker..Danny
Dear Martin,
Are you so rude now or do you seem so rude now?
I'll answer your question, but I doubt you'll want to retract your prejudices afterwards.
Most people are not from the north. Most pro-government supporters come from the north and are therefore not present with the demonstrators in Bangkok.
You could ask the people in Bangkok what kind of work they do, provided you speak some English.
If you see Thailand from north to south as it describes you, then you will probably get something here but give nothing to the country that is now looking for solutions.
Respect for each other's differences without blame or violence would be a good start.
greetings from Danny
Dear Danny,
I support your opinion 200%.
Consider a similar situation in Europe:
– All power to the rich (elections are not necessary (?).
– The working people do not get a voice but must bend to the wishes of the Lords...
What do you think would happen then?
I think we will be thrown back in history a hundred years and more in a few years time…
Hopefully this will also be seen in time in Thailand and the country can develop further in a positive way.
And yes MARTIN normally in a democracy it will become more expensive for certain groups to survive.
For example, for the Expats, prepare yourself for that.
If you don't want to do that, you don't become an expat but a profiteer of the system and you help poorer people become poorer.
Dear Martin, it is incomprehensible that you take such a tone. You have already discussed so many things on Thailandblog and made similar comments on ditto topics. You would think you understand TH. Unfortunately not. Perhaps a lot of knowledge of all kinds of business and material subjects, but of the people, what moves them, their psychology and their immense talent for improvisation: no, no cheese on those matters.
I'll give you some direction so that you better understand the events: Thai go to BKK together by minivan or by bus. They also jointly pay for the ride. Thais bring drinks and food. They buy the rest at the many stalls, eg 7/11, etc. See also the message dated today about how well business is going in the various food courts of the large malls. Thai take time off from work. That means loss of wages. Thai discuss with boss and family how long they can stay away. Thai alternate, which means you can increase the number of protesters by 2/3. There are 100 in absolute terms in BKK, in relative terms 166 people have visited the locations. Thais are not solitary, but solidarity. An employer does not fire his people because they want to demonstrate in BKK. etc. etc. etc. And who pays for all this? Well, the people pay for their own transportation, food and drink, other conveniences; plus they take money to put in big plastic bags that will pay for the shutdown. You can see on TV daily how Suthep cs collects money. People donate millions of bahts every day. Which indicates great involvement.
In addition: if you look closely at the images on TV, you cannot deny that the Thai has great organizational talent, the same discipline and ditto cooperation.
By the way: what is going on in BKK now belongs to the TH people. We from NL have nothing to do with it. We have already experienced it ourselves in our history and past. All long ago, conveniently forgotten by many, but unmistakable. EU in general, NL in particular: we have also known this kind of unrest. Some countries in the EU still do. Don't forget that the EU only got rid of all its dictatorships in the 4th quarter of the last century. The UK and Germany continued to experience domestic terrorist defenses for a long time. Southern Europe is still restless to this day.
All that shouting about it being wrong or wrong: it just shows how ill-informed one is, and sees no need to initiate. Also indicates a lack of empathy in the Thai situation, especially while one lives and/or lives in TH, or has come to TH to take advantage of it. It is crazy to deny the Thai support and understanding now. Just dim in situations like this, not wrong, and make some effort, for example via Thailandblog, and via the internet to delve into the Thai case.
At least try to see the big picture, understand that it is not just about Suthep et al., and don't just focus on your own position. Oh yes, as for the economy and tourism? After the disasters at the end of 2004, after all the political chaos, especially that of 2010, after all the damage from the floods of 2011: do you really think that TH will not be able to overcome it? The economy has suffered, including tourism, but has grown again in the years since. Many current retirees are happy to take advantage of this, as well as the current fall in the ThB price. So does the tourist. And believe me when I say that despite all the unrest and unrest, the number of retirees has also grown, and not all of them are of British descent, as we recently read. What is going on now is definitely not just happening today, it has been going on for many decades. It belongs to TH, until attempts to make TH a democratic country, as is now underway, succeed. We are many years further. But TH is what TH is, and that's a good thing. That some people don't like it because it bothers them, yes, that's just part of the Netherlands. They only want the advantage, and see the disadvantage in everything they don't like. But that doesn't work. My late grandmother already said: you have to take the bad with the good. And maybe it will all get better. I'm curious if you appreciate that. Soi.
@Soi, Where did you get all this wisdom from, why do some people not understand Thailand and you do? It's nice to know as a blogger who knows nothing about Thai politics and doesn't want to know!
I do know one thing: The examples you mention about paying for your own transport, eating, ALSO putting extra money in big bags!!! Taking days off and not getting paid. I know that the minimum wage or someone with a very average wage in Europe or the US cannot afford this. Not working for 3 days just saves about 250 euros in wages, extra costs for the things you mention, this is not a lot of money if you just get by on a monthly wage? But I would like to hear from you why I, as a layman, have to believe that you understand. Thank you!
Moderator: Gentlemen, would you please stop chatting. New comments about this chat will no longer be posted.
I think those people are paid…. by ………….. And they will find out that when it is over, their job is already taken.
What surprises me is that the demonstrators are shutting off water and electricity to government buildings under Suthep's "authority". I'm not sure, but both electricity and water are government agencies. So why doesn't the government call the respective directors of these companies to account and order them to immediately reconnect electricity and water, failing which these directors will be fired immediately.
Because who is Suthep at all (an ordinary former member of parliament and riot leader), that he can give these kinds of assignments? He should be arrested immediately. Demonstrating is one thing, but shutting off water and electricity is outright sabotage and punishable in my opinion. Can they immediately settle a few other criminal complaints from the past against him.
My girlfriend has to renew her passport (in Chiangmai) but that is not possible because the computer systems are down. That Suthep must be taken off the street as soon as possible with his idiocy such as Volksraad and Volksgovernment. He has had the chance to introduce reforms together with Abhisit for 2 years, but failed to do so. So his chances are gone and he just deals massive damage.
@ teun The computer system in Chiang Mai is down, probably for another reason. Furthermore: Suthep has an arrest warrant, but the authorities are waiting for their chance to arrest the man. If they do this now, the flame will hit the proverbial pan.
Well, the problem is that passports are sent through the Ministry of the Interior. This is to check whether a Thai is allowed to get a passport at all (the database is therefore not accessible). And that is therefore not possible for Suthep, because he has had the electricity and water shut off. In my opinion that is an act of sabotage, for which he should be arrested immediately and the management of the water and electricity company should be ordered to connect water and electricity, failing which they should be fired. Or is Suthep already prime minister?
reaction to Dick today 14:11 and Teun 12:21. Dear Herern, I don't think we're going to get out. Because we can always say that the Thai is -different- as we are, but here too we work from 08:00 to 16:00. So where do all these people come from, where do they sleep, where do they go on the potty, where do they wash their clothes, etc. etc. And above all, how does their private life continue at home?
I also don't assume that their jobs will be taken by others 1-2-3. Where is that -new employee- then? Demonstrating too? Is he suitable, does he have the correct classification etc. etc. You can't just exchange someone in Thailand, I think. In the Thai radio I just heard that large temporary campsites have been built in Bangkok to accommodate the demonstrators?
Disconnecting electricity and water is a breach of contract and the provider has the obligation to ensure that the supply is constant. . . at least according to our representation and contracts. I know from experience that this is completely different in Thailand. In Sa Kaeo the lights went out regularly weeks ago. .during the day. Reason: work on the network. For warning ?? . . never heard of it. I asked the electrician. The end of the conversation was very simple, . the sun shines during the day, then we don't need light = no electricity.
Maybe the gas price is going down now?. Would be an advantage of the Bangkok crisis. Because the refineries produce for a certain amount / day, which is now decreasing due to the fact that many people travel by open water transport. If refineries sell less, they have to reduce capacity or . . as a bonus, the price down bye as a lure for the car driver.
I would say correct. Abhisit now says that he wants to change everything etc. What did he do about it in those two years that he was in charge?. No ball. And why now? Did he wake up?. You can arrest Suthep, send Yingluck to the moon, but who do you want to lead Thailand?. Which strong man / woman do they have?. Everyone wants to reform, do better, but no one says how. Of the 385 members of parliament, 382 are on the list of suspected corruption. Well then cheers gentlemen. I'm having a drink now.
Dear Top Martin,
I only have a few comments as many of your comments have already been parried by Danny in response to this item as well as others. Just read them all.
1. Thai life, working in a network structure and that now also helps them to find shelter in Bangkok (if they come from outside) and demonstrate in turn. You are not as an individual for or against Suthep or Yingluck, your whole family, your whole neighborhood is for or against;
2. Some of my college colleagues demonstrate in the evenings and weekends, some have taken days off.
3. I have lived in Bangkok for 8 years now and have always rented. Have never seen or signed a contract from the water or electricity company. Always paid the bills.
4. Many Thais work in the informal sector and have their own businesses. They can do whatever they want. Just lock the door. This is also possible if you sometimes earn no more than 10 Euro per day with long working days;
5. Thanks to the growing economy, the middle class in Thailand has grown significantly in the last 10 years. It is precisely these people who are protesting;
I myself hope that the Yingluck government resigns soon and that the king appoints a number of experienced people (acceptable to all parties; I know a few) to lead the country. first discuss and decide on reforms and then elections based on party political programs, not populist slogans.
Chris,
I think Yingluck has 2 years left of her reign. I know she may not have got it all right and especially her attempt to pass an amnesty bill for her brother is definitely "a bit stupid".
If the Thai people do not agree with the current government, they must make it known through elections. Only when the election results are such that no majority government can be formed can one think of forming a business cabinet, as you describe it.
I am also curious who should take a seat on that, who are acceptable to both parties.
Now that Yingluck himself has resigned, there must be elections FIRST. Otherwise you will have the same hassle again in 2 years. And in my opinion a large number of elections will follow before there will be a reasonably democratic situation with parties that have clear political programmes. Now there is still a toddler stage and one just has to get through it.
Dear Teun,
"maybe not all well done" is the height of euphemism.
When I look with Western eyes I can identify the following things:
– gross mismanagement during the 2011 floods;
– corruption in the payment of damages to those involved;
– corruption in the tendering process for new waterworks;
– the 800 billion spent on rice subsidies;
– tax reduction for the first car with the result that more households take on more debt;
– the credit card system for farmers that not only buys farm goods (for which it was intended);
– Yingluck's speeches abroad about the attack on democracy in Thailand just because some people and organizations criticize the policy;
– appointing a person as a deputy minister accused of terrorism;
– letting (wealthy) criminals roam free;
– the chaos in the organization of hearings about the construction of dams and other waterworks;
– the unsolved problem in the south that has cost more Thai people dead in 2 years than all the fights and riots in Bangkok in the last 10 years;
– the amnesty law;
– the revision of the constitution regarding the election of the senate;
– the law on investments in a high-speed train;
– policy on tablets for primary school children;
– the attempt to change the law so that the government can make agreements with foreign countries without parliament;
– the lies about the sale of government-purchased rice;
– do nothing when top politicians go abroad to visit former Prime Minister Thaksin against whom an international warrant has been issued;
– do nothing if it turns out that more than 300 police stations cannot be completed because of corruption in the police construction department;
– do nothing or deny that there are illegal casinos here and there;
– unequal treatment of farmers in the northeast (rice) and in the south (rubber, pineapple, maize);
– arresting small drug traffickers but never being able to arrest more than 1 drug lord;
– presidents of parliament who do not allow all representatives to speak;
– lying about the police presence on the roof of the Ministry of Employment a few weeks ago.
Should I continue?
Many of the problems are caused by the elected parliament, which does not control the government, but slavishly follows the government. That is why – I firmly believe – elections in which the same politicians stand for election will only yield the same result.
Chris,
You really had a good time. So you propose not to hold elections and thus help the yellows in the saddle. We can only wait and see whether that scenario will result in a collaboration between Suthep and Yingluck. Time will tell.
dear Teun
I didn't really indulge myself because I wrote the list down from memory. If I really dive into the history of the Yingluck government, there are (many) more slips. No: I do NOT propose not to hold elections. I suggest first of all to put things in order and to strip the elite (red AND yellow) of their oppressive power. Those elites can easily be exposed if some honest and persistent people really dive into the matter and the money flows. I personally don't mind that these people are appointed by the king and have consultations with the reds and the yellows, but the reds and the yellows are not in power for the time being. Democracy has so far been abused in Thailand for the benefit of the rich (sometimes under the guise of supporting the poor). I am also in favor of a conciliation commission modeled on South Africa. That is to say: anyone who speaks the truth during the interrogations and expresses remorse can count on amnesty; those who persist in their lies must be held accountable in court. He then determines whether someone is guilty and whether someone deserves punishment. That process took 5 years, but South Africa is democratically back on track. Before that, blacks and whites could shoot each other.
dear Chris,
Thanks for listing many political facts, adding to the editorial news above.
I always greatly appreciate the energy of quite a few bloggers to substantiate their story with facts and also a feasible vision for a better political basis in this beautiful country.
There is still a long way to go in this country, but I appreciate the non-violent protests against corruption every day.
As long as the government knows how to ban their supporters (red shirts) from violence, the protests against corruption will go well.
A good greeting from Danny
Dear Teun, I don't think you can call Yingluck's action towards her brother “a bit stupid”, unless you classify this action as a 'slip'. The reactions of the TH people in BKK do not seem to agree with you. It wasn't a slip either. Read the many articles on Thailandblog again. Click on the link and inform yourself. https://www.thailandblog.nl/?s=amnestiewet&x=39&y=8
In your response of 12 lines you say in 4 places that the Thai must do something. Well, they don't need anything. Good thing, too. What the Thais do do, and they do well, is not push the situation to a head, and take all the time to see where there are openings for conversation. Read the latest messages from Dick van der Lugt about cautious approaches by Yingluck. Also view Ban Ki Moon's mediation attempt in this light. And also see how Suthep is doing an ounce more every day, which means how strategically he is still working, but in the long run cannot help but sit down at the table. You can't blame him for wanting to strengthen his conversational position. That Yingluck is engaged in a war of attrition is also not the case. They are each other's opponents. It looks like today will remain a quiet day on both fronts. And that's a good thing too. The longer it takes, the more clear it becomes that both camps need each other to get out of the impasse. And that's a good thing too, because neither Red nor Yellow can win the argument. The Thai issue is of both colors plus shades in between. Only when all colors are willing will a widely supported solution emerge.
A business cabinet or a government of technocrats is not wrong. Gives time and the opportunity to properly handle all urgent and sensitive matters, enforcing a kind of political status quo. That space is needed to start the conversation between all parties about the direction TH can take, taking into account the current zeitgeist and what TH can handle during a foreseeable period.
TH needs a lot of strength and wisdom. I wish them that, in their own way at their pace. Soi
soi,
I tried to put some kind of undertone in my piece. You apparently missed that. And I'm not saying that the Thai MUST do anything. It's just what I think. Namely elections and not a unilaterally enforced Volksraad.
Finally: I also see that Yingluck has extended a hand several times. Which was then rejected by Suthep (to improve his bargaining position as you say). He must be careful not to overplay his hand.
And: I will not let myself be told that I have to inform myself. But I am allowed to express my idea of how you can ultimately achieve democracy. That's different from what you're suggesting I do. I am no more than you in the situation to say that the Thais HAVE to do something.
Please end discussion
I don't see a reaction anywhere from a Danny where he parries - top Martin.
Not everyone from far outside Bangkok has contacts in Bangkok. The question was also, who are those people demonstrating DURING DAY?. I don't see your comment as an answer to Dick's and my question. However, I speak for myself here.
If you rent, you also do not get a contract from an Energy provider but the house owner - that is not you. Seems logical to me.
You can find the Thai who earn € 3000,-/month (30×10) with a flashlight. The middle class is precisely that group that, due to their responsible job, will not just go off work for a few days.
Finally, I would like to ask you to name those people here that you know (or know) who can take Thailand out of the crisis and lead it. That is exactly what the Thais are waiting for..
best top martin,
Because you and, I thought your brother Teun, were asked the same questions, it was not necessary to counter you too, otherwise it would start to look like chatting.
In addition to the above news, I can recommend a booklet.
It is called the best of Thai blog and retails for 600 baht.
The booklet is full of stories and facts about Thai society from north to south and from east to west.
The booklet contributes to a better understanding of Thai society without reproaches or sarcasm.
If you know more about Thai society and read more background information about it, this will often provide many answers to your recurring questions and comments.
greetings from Danny
Dear Danny. So you are wrong from the start. I do not have a brother. I have asked a simple question, which another TL-Blogger has also asked. Just read everything above and then please respond first.
I cannot say anything about the book work you mentioned. I have donated in a different way: the editors are aware. I assume you're right about that. I can read between your lines that you assume that I have just found out where Thailand is. There are other writers, dear Danny, who have published books about Thailand. Maybe I have read that one?.
With this I would like to remind you of the question I asked: see all the way above, the first comment. It would be nice if we could get an answer from you and not about things that I didn't say, that you think wrong, etc., cq. being off topic. With thanks.
Moderator: Please stop chatting.
I have been to Bangkok a lot and understand very well what the people want, I hope there will be more democracy
comes to Thailand and that the corruption will be tackled better, I like the common people very much
and lived there for 2 x 3 months and I really liked it there
More democracy? The minority/elite cannot win the election (has never been able to win, by the way, because they (angels) have nothing to do with people outside of Bangkok), have never won elections in the last decades.
So they, as a minority, are going to seize power in this way under the motto “reforms and fighting corruption”! Anyone who believes that should take a closer look at Suthep's facial expression and what he did in terms of reforms and fighting corruption when he (with Abhisit) was at the political helm.
Suthep wants to let the elite minority rule and decide on the fate of the rest of the country (after all, those people know nothing about politics and democracy, according to Suthep et al. and so you should not tire them unnecessarily with elections.
That's what you call "democracy". And Suthep also has no message for his demonstrators, once he has landed on the plush.
I arrive in Bangkok on Jan 16 by air to look around for a few days.
Is that familiar?
@ Jaap Keep following the news. We cannot make any predictions about the situation on January 16. See also the travel advice of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There were no incidents today.
If you come to Bangkok to see that (Monuments etc.) you will come at the wrong time for sure. See the many advices from, among others. TL blog and also that of the Dutch Embassy. The latter clearly advise against visits in the vicinity of demonstrations. With a little imagination you can read between the lines that it is better to stay away from Bangkok altogether.
However, if you want to experience organized chaos in a language and a subject of which we understand little, even less, you now have the chance. But I doubt that was your goal. I advise all personal friends; stay away from Bangkok for a while.
The article reads: Thousands of people take to the streets. In another place I have already tried to give an impression of TH people who move from Isaan to BKK to demonstrate. See: https://www.thailandblog.nl/dagboek/dagboek-van-henk-jansen-4-een-dagje-bangkok-vanuit-pak-kret/
If the moderator allows, I will copy here a shortened and modified atmosphere image, also intended as an answer to questions about this from some readers / commenters.
Who are all those people there in the streets of BKK? How do they get there? Who pays for all that? How do they eat and drink, and where do they sleep? Do they even take a shower, and where do they go “on the pot”, as one wondered? Aren't they fired, and does their boss think it's all right? Is that all possible?
A few examples from our own environment, living in the Isaan, traditionally a Redshirt region, as many others know their examples from their environment.
Neighbor is 33 years old. Her boyfriend who she lives with for 31 years. They have no children. She works in the sale and rental of houses, say of a project developer. She is busy 6 days a week, sometimes until late in the evening. Her boyfriend works as a 'bookkeeper' in the office of the provincial electricity company. He takes it easier: from Mon to Fri from 0900 to 1700 hours. Together they have between 30 and 50 thousand baht per month. to spend, depending on their monthly turnover.
Coming Friday she will be on a refresher course with a number of colleagues in BKK. Friend joins. He will go home on Monday, but she and her colleagues will stay in BKK and join the mob, as Thais call the demonstrations. She will be back at the end of the week.
Last December she was also in BKK with acquaintances, participating in the Yellow.
Her boss – the project developer – is here this week with some of his employees.
The neighbor and colleagues relieve them. Neighbor and neighbor pay for their own car to BKK. Neighbor goes back by car, neighbor and her colleagues go home with a mini van at the end of next week. The van is paid by the boss, who also continues to pay the basic wage. What the neighbor lacks is therefore the provision for this week's possible sale. She doesn't care about that, don't care, mowing pen, for a good cause.
The Thai is not concerned with that: they do not make a cost-benefit analysis of their participation in the mob. Boss has also provided a meal budget, but people largely pay for their own food and drinks. That's not much for a Thai. BKK is more expensive, but with 200 baht per day they come a long way. Dick van der Lugt already reported in one of his posts that the food courts in the center are turning in a turnover like during their heyday. For now, everyone is doing well.
Sleeping, showering, other needs? They camp with colleagues in the apartment of an acquaintance of one of them. Sleeping on the floor together, making the toilet together in the morning and having breakfast, talking and laughing together, and then going back to the demonstration together.
An example of older people as follows: parents of a friend of my wife, who think the demonstrations are a good thing. She, teacher 'also early retired', as she always says and he, formerly 'farmer' and land and well disposed of. Very mediated people. They have traveled to BKK the same way before: with acquaintances, with their own transport, at their own expense, and money in their pocket. They all have their contacts left or right, and they all stay together in BKK with someone who knows one of them and who provides shelter. Discomfort of those people is prevented as much as possible, and costs are not chased. On the contrary. On the street she donates baht daily to the men who follow Suthep with open bags and sacks, with which the organization is funded, now that accounts have been blocked.
An example from BKK: my wife's sister, lives in BKK, has 2 sons and 1 daughter. Eldest son works at an architectural firm, other son has his own business in medical devices, daughter sells beauty and has a friend who is a basic doctor in a hospital, he is in the process of specializing. All have a more than above-average income by Thai standards. With their families, friends, acquaintances and colleagues: everyone participates in the demonstrations every few days, as far as private and business permit. They also donate to the organization. Mother “coordinates” everything with food and drinks and sleeping accommodations, is a babysitter for the grandchildren, and knows who is where. Here too, no fuss about what it all costs: people are convinced that a good thing is going on. And no one can take that belief away from them. It's too big for that.