The PAD at Government House
By Richard Barrow 
Sunday 7th September, 2008 | 1630 words | Category: General | 19 feedbacks »
Front Lawn at Government House
After going to the pro-government rally the other day organized by the DAAD (see my earlier article on thai-blogs.com), I thought I should try and make an effort and see what the opposition were up to at the Government House. They have been occupying this area for nearly two weeks now and I thought that I would take this opportunity to explore the building and garden which is normally off-limits to the general public. This first picture show the beautiful lawn and garden at the front of Government House which is normally used to welcome foreign dignitaries. With all the heavy rain we have been having recently, it wasn't long before this whole area became a sea of mud. They at first put down some broken roofing tiles to walk on. Then they put down some boards and packing cases. Tents are up everywhere to shelter the protestors from both the scorching sun and unrelenting rain.
Boards covering the mud and the new Rice Field
Recent polls have shown that the majority of Thai people are bored with the protests and rallies and just don't want to take sides. However, that doesn't stop the curious in going to the protest site to be part of an historic event. It doesn't matter if you agree with the politics of the PAD leaders or not. Many of them just wanted their photo taken in various locations just to tell their grandchildren that they were there. You don't need to wear yellow shirts, as you can buy yellow scarves and head bands for about 20-35 baht. One person I spoke to said that he put on a yellow shirt on purpose just to come and take a look at the rally. He said that he didn't believe in their politics but felt that he would be safer wearing yellow. He went on to say that these days he is hesitant about wearing yellow as it no longer stands for the king. Yellow is now for the anti-government supporters.
An old hermit at one of the entrances to the site
We approached the protest site from the north on Ratdamnoernnok Road. However, we didn't get much further than the intersection just south of King Rama V's statue. Ahead of us was a barricade of tyres and barbed wire. We decided to turn right and try and go around the block to approach the site from the West. We ended up parking near The Education Ministry and walked towards the now infamous Makkawan Bridge next to the United Nation buildings. This whole area has been blocked off. This is where we went past the first checkpoint. There were PAD guards on duty here checking the bags of people wanting to enter. We had no problems and just walked in. It was like entering a lawless land as law enforcement was in the hands of these PAD guards. During our entire visit, we never saw any policemen anywhere near the protest sites. So much for Samak's plan to surround them. We were now entering the Wild Wild West.
PAD supporters pose for the camera
It wasn't actually as bad as that sounds. It was a bit like visiting a temple fair through the back door. On either side of the road were set up tents and people were either sleeping or watching the rally speeches on television sets. Laid out on the road, vendors were selling souvenirs and snacks. The only thing that was missing were the fairground rides. The Makkawan Bridge rally stage was still set up but there was no-one there giving a speech. Instead they had a large screen that showed live pictures from the nearby Government House. This was our destination. It was easy to find as we just followed the crowds and noise. But, that turned out to be a mistake as this took us in circles from one speaker system to the next. The problem with Government House is that there isn't one area large enough to hold the entire rally. So, people were camped all around the various buildings in every available space. There was no need for them to be at the main stage if they could hear it and see it on the television sets. After about four or five minutes of walking around we finally approached the main area.
The outside brodcast van belonging to NBT abandoned at the site
I was hoping we would be able to go into one of the buildings but they were all firmly locked. Signs up around the site asked people to protect the property belonging to the country. However, that didn't stop them from vandalizing this outside broadcast unit belong to NBT channel. The PAD supporters stormed the NBT studio the other week trying to close it down as they claimed, probably rightly, that it was a government mouthpiece. But then, their own ASTV is very one sided too. On the way out, we later passed a police paddy wagon that also had been vandalized. The tyres had been slashed and windows smashed. Both of these vehicles had graffiti on them. On the side of the paddy wagon was a giant wanted poster with pictures of Thaksin and his wife.
The supporters at the PAD rally listening to speeches
Around the front of the Government House there were many more tents with people sleeping or going about daily life as much as they could. No-one seemed bothered that I was taking pictures. In fact, some even asked if I could take their photo. The main audience facing the stage was actually smaller than it looked on t.v. But the crowd was avidly following the speeches and every now and then they would use their automatic clappers to show their agreement. Morale seemed high. The newspaper articles recently gave the impression that people were wet, tired and wanting to go home. But, that wasn't the impression that I got. We were also anticipating a bad smell of urine, but quite amazingly they seemed to be on top of everything. The garbage bins were sorted so that they could easily recycle the rubbish. There were first aid tents for the injured and canteens serving up free food and drinks. Even though we were strangers, we were offered food and drink.
PAD Guards, armed with iron rods, search people at a checkpoint
As we left we had to pass through three different checkpoints. For most of my time at the rally site, I was never worried about my personal safety. After all, there were families there and everyone was enjoying the party-like atmosphere. However, we had a scary incident at this second checkpoint. As we approached, we could see that a guy on a motorcycle had been stopped by PAD guards. They were asking him to open up the seat so that they could check inside. Obviously he had no choice. Just take a look at that guard who is holding an iron rod. As we walked past them a couple of the guards was taking this poor guy into the grounds of the government house through a small gate. I didn't think too much of it at the moment, but it did look a bit strange in the way they were acting. I had walked away about 15 metres then I decided to turn back just to see if this guy was alright. My instinct was right. Through the railings I could see him being beaten twice with the iron rod and I could hear him crying out. I don't know what his crime was, but these guys were intending serious bodily harm. Before I could do anything, one of the guys on my side of the fence spotted me and then turned around to say something to the guy with the iron rod. I just stood my ground staring at them. I know it was stupid to interfere like this but I was on automatic pilot. Anyway, it had the desired effect and a few seconds later the guy was released and I saw him leave and get on his motorcycle. If I was Thai I am sure that would have ended very differently.
Wanted poster for Thaksin and his wife on a paddy wagon
I was going to conclude this article on the rally today by saying that the PAD organizers had done a wonderful job at controlling the crowd and the guards. But, after seeing this small incident, it brought it home to me that this is really the Wild Wild West. These PAD guards are militants and they wouldn't think twice about causing bodily harm. The police were given a hard time by the press for being too harsh on these guys. But, in my mind, if the police had done their job properly, right at the beginning, then we wouldn't have come to this situation now. I didn't really want to take sides, but I must admit I am now leaning towards the pro-government supporters. However, both sides have their militants and they are all as bad as each other.
If you are visiting Bangkok on holiday I would strongly urge you not to visit any of the protests sites. Although most people were very friendly to me, this whole area could quickly turn into a battle zone if the police or army decides to try and regain control of the seat of government. This could happen at any time. I have no doubt that they will defend this site with their life and will kill before they let the police defeat them. The days ahead certainly don't look good. If you want up-to-date news of all the latest events then please visit the News Forum at www.ThailandQA.com.
Do you have any questions about Thailand? Maybe you are planning a holiday or just want to learn more about Thai culture. Have all of your questions answered for free at ThailandQA.com. These forums are part of the family friendly Paknam Web Network.
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19 comments
Hopefully a permanent solution that is acceptable to all will be found sooner rather than later.
Thanks Richard for the update.
It's interesting what a factor foreign perception is playing in this current round of Thai protests. You have the government not wanting to send the police in to bash heads and clear house for fear of how it would look to an international audience, and you have the PAD brutalizing (in Thaksin-era extrajudicial style) some guy on a motorbike, but stopping when they see a foreigner with a camera.
You know you're living in a globalized world when even the mobs are worried about their international image.
It is interesting to note that up to now I always thought that the crowd was large 24 hours a day. This is because of the coverage on ASTV. But, watching again since I came back, I can see it is more a trick of the camera that gives an impression that there are more people than there really is. The camera keeps panning over the same section each time making sure the protestors are always full screen and that there are no empty spaces. At times of day when there aren't many people watching, the cameras will stay more on the speakers.
Speaking about the crowd... PAD accused PPP of bribing the voters. But I wouldn't be surprised if PAD bribes the so-called demonstrators too.
Be wary, you have an invisible target on your back, whether you realize it or not!
I've seen these peaceful "love-in" type gathering go from flowers in your hair to head bashing in a matter of seconds!
I remember my friend "Janie" who thought she was a correspondent in Old Patong, she was "covering" the recent "green/anti-tantilum mine" in Phuket when the crowd saw her camera and suddenly turned on her, took her camera, beat her husband and set fire to their motorbike!
Nothing new under the sun...
CYOA...please
I would say that the militants on guard duty are paid. And the monk army is also under the control of Chamlong.
@ Abbie - As far as I know you can only buy the clappers at the protest site in Bangkok. We will be giving one away soon as a competition at our forums www.ThailandQA.com
@ Gary - I agree with you 100%. It was stupid of me to intervene and I don't know what I was thinking. But, at least I was wise enough not to take any pictures of the beatings and just carried on walking once they released the guy. I assure you I was careful and calculated the risks before I entered the area. I would advise everyone to stay clear as these guys on the checkpoints literally have itchy trigger fingers. They were obviously bored and just wanted to take out their rage on someone.
Just on the Violence:
I would like to give some probability answer to the 'violence' you saw on the motorcyclists. I am Pro-PAD, joined rally a few times, and have been suspected of being a NPK spy.
Here's my say:
I predict up to 80% that the motorcyclist had been doing lots of rounds of spying activity around PAD area. PAD guards who guard the area are there whole day to look for suspicious activity. If one sees "the same person going over and over again in the area, looking here and there and everywhere", he is likely to be stopped to interrogate.
In interrogation, he will be interrogated: 1) Show some ID - note the locality 2) Notice the Accent 3) Notice Alcohol use (a common form of payment to do the rounds) 4) Ask why one is riding around again and again. [If you enter PAD area, there will be a bag and body search]
I've noticed PAD guards will notice something suspicious, and will call upon others to see if they see the same. Once they see it, they interrogate. If its definite, they "arrest you".
Here's my experience: I was held suspicious because during the night of 2nd I was at center stage at PAD area, when the NPK came attacking to PAD position, I had a phone constantly phoning me, a videocamera, and near the stage area. PAD guards surrounded me, and asked what I was doing - who I was phoning which I showed diligently, show ID (like I mentioned above). Later a more white collar person comes up to me for further interrogation. All along I was not touched, but rallied on peacefully under watchful eyes of 2 PAD guards in a distance (I could see them looking at me). After a while they were just ok.
What I can conclude of my experience in PADDING, is that they have a strong perimeter (barbed wire againsts NPK mob storming in), strong guards, great security (with systematic spy-ware sniffing mechanisms). What I can say is, I do encourage alot of you to go and enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime birth of Thai's Interest in Auditing His Government, enjoy the Temple Fair Atmosphere where lots of PADs bring their girlfriends, boyfriends, baby, son, mother and enjoy amicable, picnic like atmosphere, with great music and weather (esp in evening, if its not raining), and especially if you understand Thai, understand why the Government [which we know have lots and lots of unsavory figures] are illegitimate, more illegitimate in democratic principles than PAD itself.
I would like to conclude that the violence you saw was 80% a security mechanism on behalf of the safety of the PAD perimeter as a whole, and reserve only 5% for some sort of personal vendetta (if any) and 15% of unknown, and would like good Thai Citizens and Tourists alike to safely enjoy the event.
IMHO.
[Note: Lots of Foreigners do not have the same view as PAD (since they are referencing to own principles of democracy where voters are clearly well-informed and not used), and PAD do know this. Also Foreigners who do not know Thai language is very hard to comprehend the good information that is said on stage. So if you do go, I think if you can ask the English speaking persons of what the stage is saying, one would be more enjoyable or understanding; Whether to agree or not, is depneds on one's Well-informed Decision ]
Stupid poor people never know how to elect the right thing...
a great report about the protests. Thank you a lot for that.
BEN
The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) loves to point the finger at its opponents accusing them of using violence against its so-called peaceful assemblies, but it has done everything in its power to cover up the violence committed by its own members, particularly by PAD security guards.
PAD speakers and supporters consistently mention the incident in Udon Thani that saw a group of anti-government protesters attacked by a pro-government group. Likewise a minor clash that occurred between the PAD and police during the latter's first attempt to remove the group from Government House following a temporary order from the Civil Court is also brought up repeatedly to demonstrate how violence is being used against protesters.
However, the self-proclaimed peace-loving PAD has never taken the violence committed by its own side seriously. Protest leaders have made aggressive demands for officials who injured protesters last month to be brought to justice, but they have not uttered a word over the death of Narongsak Kobthaisong during a clash between the PAD and rival group the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD) earlier this month. None of the PAD leaders called for justice for Narongsak, who was apparently from the DAAD side, never mind mentioning the possibility of an internal investigation to find the protesters responsible for the killing.
Violence on a different scale has taken place many times during the sit-in protest at Government House. Voluntary guards and the so-called Sri Wichai warriors have a deep mistrust for newcomers who join the protest and suspect them of being members of opposing groups there to infiltrate the protest.
Media representatives are not exempt from this treatment and must go through whole-body searches before entering the protest site. Many of them have also been harassed.
Mere suspicions have sometimes ended up in violence, as a video clip shot by a TV7 cameraman last week demonstrates. The station decided to broadcast the clip showing a group of PAD security guards beating a man at Makkhawan Bridge. The incident happened at about 5.30pm on September 17, when the man, later found out to be Nattaphong Thanetpaisan, walked among the protesters carrying a big bag. He was stopped by the guards, resisted their attempt to search him and was beaten as a result.
Once he realised that the beating was being filmed, one of the guards used a huge blue plastic tarp to block the scene, while the beating went on. The clip is now available on YouTube. A guard told reporters that Nattaphong had been struck because he had refused to allow guards to confiscate an air rifle that he had carried into the area. Nattaphong said he had not intended to carry the rifle onto the protest site but had been trying to walk through the protesters, who were blocking Ratchadamnoen Avenue, heading to Dusit Zoo.
Police said they could not arrest anybody since a complaint had not been filed over the incident. PAD's leaders paid the case no attention.
Click here to watch this video clip.
But in 5 days of the airport seizure they have been a worse solution than the "problem" Thaksin was in 5 years. Now the PAD has also successfully evolved into a terrorizing mafia gang that holds people at ransom for their demands to be met.
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