Dec 20

Red Shirts Rally in Samut Prakan

By Richard Barrow Email

Saturday 20th December, 2008 | 451 words | Category: Samut Prakan | 10 feedbacks »

The PAD supporters packed up their bags and put away their yellow shirts just in time for the King's birthday recently. This enabled the rest of us to reclaim the "yellow shirt" for H.M. The King. Now there isn't so much stress about what colours you wear. It would seem that Thai people have short memories. It wasn't that long ago that my neighbours were cautioning me not to wear yellow at night. The main reason is that Samut Prakan is a stronghold for supporters of Thaksin and the old Thai Rak Thai party. The so-called red shirts have been rallying recently in Bangkok at Sanam Luang and the National Stadium. Since NBT axed their Truth Today programme, it would seem that they are now becoming more active at rallies around the country. This evening, thousands of people from Samut Prakan attended the big red shirt rally at the city hall. Also present were some of the candidates that are up for the by-elections in January.

If the last government had been dissolved, all of these people would have voted for the newly formed Puea Thai party (previously known as the People Power Party and before that Thai Rak Thai). That is what Abhisit is frightened about. He fears that Puea Thai could win a national election. Speaking at the rally tonight were some big names in politics. The main speaker was the controversial politician, Chalerm Yubamrung. He was the Health Minister in the last government. He is tipped to become the leader of the opposition and many say possibly the next prime minister of Thailand. Hopefully not. He doesn't really have a very good track record though he was very popular at the rally.

Natthawut Saikua is a well-known figure in Thai politics as he was a government spokesman. He is also an Anti-coup activist and regular commentator on the NBT Truth Today programme.

Jatuporn Phromphan was also a regular on the now defunct Truth Today programme. He is now a lawmaker for Pheu Thai.

Jakrapob Penkair is well-known to foreigners as he speaks excellent English and used to be a government spokesman. He was forced out of office when he was accused of Lese Majeste for comments made at the FCCT last year.

The climate of protests are certainly not over in Thailand. If these people have their way, they will mirror all the actions of the PAD starting with a blockade of Parliament. Maybe even take hold of Government House. We will need to monitor this carefully. It does have the potential to become nasty. I have posted more pictures of this rally over at our ThailandQA Forums. We post all the latest news updates there too.

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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Comment from: Jackie
This new government line up with Abhisit at the helm is a sham.
Look at the intelligent and highly talented people the UDD red-shirts are cheering for. Here above you can see Chalerm Yoobamroong who holds a doctorate in law from Ramkhamhaeng University and the very respected academic/politician Jakraphop.

If i get the chance , i will sure to go to one of these red-shirt UDD rallies.
21/12/2008 @ 09:47
Comment from: Bong
***--
People are so sick these rallies - polarising society and paralysing the economy. The PAD are lucky to get away with being the first. This time, I doubt the public would tolerate anymore of such rallies especially by a group unpopular in Bangkok. It might sour Thaksin's reputation even further in local and international eyes.



21/12/2008 @ 13:35
Comment from: Benem
I dont think the public was tolerating anything before, I think the PAD had the supporters in the big buissines and - of yourse- the army and no popularity anyway. The UDD will risk a lot to go the same way as the PAD without their big support, that can let to violence easily.

Ben
21/12/2008 @ 13:42
Comment from: mines a double
Abhisit now has a foreign minister who was at the airport cheering on the PAD and a brothel madam in his cabinet.

How can the world take Thailand seriously?
21/12/2008 @ 17:15
Comment from: bobandhisbrother
Richard

Am very concerned about this situation and on another part of this blog you write

"I don't believe, as a foreigner, I would face any direct danger, however, it is not worth the risk. I have been here long enough to have seen people being killed for minor infractions."

Is Thailand so violent??????

Sounds scary...

David
21/12/2008 @ 21:56
Comment from: BangkokDan · http://absolutelyBangkok.com
Good work Richard.

It's always good to see bloggers out in the field.
22/12/2008 @ 08:20
Comment from: P.C.
Chalerm Yoobamroong hired a master student to write his Doctorate thesis for him at Ramkhamhaeng University... Doctor psh.
23/12/2008 @ 08:58
Comment from: Bergen
...and the beat goes on.

I hope TL can heal its division.
23/12/2008 @ 09:41
Comment from: Michele
***--
Unfortunately we have to see again unjustice in Thailand. The "elite" rich and powerful people of Thailand are oppressing and drastically "killing" the rural and eastern part of Thailand. Yellow is become a real hated color, damn it.
It is really impossible to believe since in today's time, to see again the "code moo" (or better say Pig's law) governing Thailand.... where is the law? where is the responsability for the country? where is the love for the people?
Abhisit in government is just a sham and the military they should learn again what is them roule in the country; maybe they should learn from the foreign developed countries, how to protect the democracy if they just know what this word mean.
It might be a hard work for the Red Shirts to re-establish order in Thailand, this process might request time and sad moments, but we hope and we cheer the Red Shirts to return at the head of the country as faster as possible. We also hope that justice might be done for Mr Thaksin and not always attacked by arrogancy; we also wish for him a return in his country as a valued person as he really is.

All the best for the Red Shirts.
Michele
01/01/2009 @ 22:45
Comment from: Thesis Writing Help
*****
this kind of blog always useful for blog readers, it helps people during research. your post is one of the same for blog readers.
07/04/2010 @ 13:44

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