It's business as usual in Bangkok again
It's back from today business as usual on Asok, Pathumwan, Ratchaprasong and Silom, which have been held for six weeks by the protest movement. The demonstrators have retreated to the Lumpini Park (photo) and continue the fight from there.
According to PDRC leader Sathit Wongnongwoey, the Bangkok Shutdown campaign is no longer necessary. The anti-government movement has been baring its teeth in recent months and putting pressure on the government. The move should not be seen as a withdrawal, but as an indication that the movement is more confident and willing to push harder on its agenda of national reforms. Merging the four locations makes maintaining safety a lot easier.
Sathit acknowledges that some supporters are disappointed and even demoralized. 'The move to Lumpini was proposed by Suthep [action leader] and discussed by the core members. We believe it will prove to be the right decision in the long run. We are confident that the Yingluck government and the Thaksin regime will step down.'
All eyes are now on the National Anti-Corruption Commission, which is investigating corruption in the rice mortgage system and Prime Minister Yingluck's role as chairman of the National Rice Policy Committee. Sathit: 'The committee is at work. We wait until we see the government's back. The protest movement no longer needs the power of the masses.'
Incidentally, not all protest locations have been evacuated. Luang Pu Buddha Issara remains on Chaeng Watthana Road at the government complex, the State Enterprise Labor Relations Confederation is still encamped at the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Network of Students and People's for Reform of Thailand is lord and master of the Government House and the Chamai Marshet Bridge.
red shirts
According to former government party Pheu Thai, the movement moved under pressure from the business community that suffered from the rallies. Spokesman Prompong Nopparit challenges Suthep to deny that he was paid 500 million baht to close the rally venues. He also claims that the number of protesters has shrunk to 2000. "I don't believe Suthep's claim that he moved to Lumpini to relieve the people of Bangkok."
PDRC spokesman Akanat Promphan dismisses Prompon's claim as nonsense. He also denies what has been suggested that the eviction was a condition for the government to agree to negotiations, which appear to be underway.
Meanwhile, the red counterpart is starting to stir. A campaign in support of the government was launched in Udon Thani on Saturday. The caravan of trucks and other vehicles traveled to Kalasin, Maha Sarakham and Khon Kaen yesterday. The five hundred vehicles and twenty buses caused serious traffic congestion on the road between Udon Thani and Khon Kaen. According to a UDD leader, the rally received a lot of enthusiastic support along the way.
(Source: Bangkok Post, March 3, 2014)
Editorial notice
Bangkok Shutdown and the elections in images and sound:
www.thailandblog.nl/nieuws/videos-bangkok-shutdown-en-de-keuzeen/