"Thailand’s army declares martial law" Associated Press May 20, 2014
BANGKOK — Thailand’s army declared martial law Tuesday in a surprise announcement that it said was aimed at keeping the country stable after six months of sometimes violent political unrest. The military, however, denied a coup d’etat was underway.
Was Ukraine ever described as a junta or coup?
The move effectively places the army in charge of public security nationwide. It comes one day after the Southeast Asian country’s caretaker prime minister refused to step down and follows six months of antigovernment demonstrations that have failed to oust the government.
The army said it had taken the action to ‘‘keep peace and order.’’ Armed troops entered multiple private television stations in Bangkok to broadcast their message nationwide. Although troops were deployed at some intersections, the vast metropolis of 10 million people appeared calm, and commuters could be seen driving and walking to work as usual.
An army official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation, said: ‘‘This is definitely not a coup. This is only to provide safety to the people, and the people can still carry on their lives as normal.’’
Thailand’s army has staged 11 successful coups since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932. The last was in 2006.
Most at the behest of the U.S., although not the last one.
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"As military steps in with martial law decree, Thais test new limits" by Thomas Fuller | New York Times May 21, 2014
BANGKOK — Thousands of antigovernment protesters ignored the declaration of martial law in Thailand on Tuesday, dancing and singing in the oppressive Bangkok heat as questions intensified about the intentions of the military, which imposed the emergency decree without giving civilian officials any advance notice.
It's the mouthpiece NYT and it's AmeriKan masters that has questions.
It was at least the 12th time the military has intervened in Thailand since the country converted from an absolute monarchy to a democracy eight decades ago. It was the first military intervention in Thailand’s latest political convulsions, which began six months ago and have paralyzed the government.
In the first few hours, nobody knew exactly what to make of the declaration, which gives the military broad powers to disperse and arrest protesters, censor the press, and control many government functions.
Military vehicles and armed soldiers took positions on Bangkok streets, some television stations closed, and the military issued a warning against provocative comments on social media. Yet in many neighborhoods not a soldier could be seen. Workplaces and schools remained open, people shopped, the stock market closed the day 1 percent lower, and traffic backed up as it would have on any other work day. Tourists could be seen snapping selfies with smiling soldiers.
See: Thailand Coup 2014
Looks like a people's coup to me. So much the propaganda pre$$ is not telling us, and what they are telling us is so distorted. And you wonder why I am sick of this $hit?
Thousands of Thais determined to show their opposition toward the governing party assembled and marched down a broad avenue, in apparent defiance of the military decree.
Thitinan Pongsudhirak, one of the foremost experts on Thai politics, said, “It’s technically martial law but it doesn’t feel like it.”
Yet the business as usual scenes on the streets of Bangkok masked what analysts described as a high-stakes intervention in Thai politics by a military that has a long and checkered past of overthrowing governments and ruling despotically.
You can see from the description that this move was not approved of in the power centers of U.S. empire.
It was done without any notification to the caretaker government, according to Chaturon Chaisang, the education minister, who questioned the military’s motives.
General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the army chief, an outspoken career soldier who for months had publicly expressed reluctance to become involved in the political crisis, cast himself on Tuesday as a mediator who would summon all parties and forge an agreement.
Prayuth denied that the action was a military coup. But he was evasive about how long martial law would be in force.
“Don’t ask me how long this will last,” he said. “No one wants to implement it for too long. I want all sides to seek solution quickly.”
It was such a reluctant coup!
Prayuth faces a daunting challenge: to cajole some form of reconciliation in a society split between the old-money elites in Bangkok who are backing the antigovernment demonstrators and a populist governing party with a power base in the provinces, led by a nouveau riche tycoon, Thaksin Shinawatra.
Another lying distortion by the NYT, but that's par for the course these days. What a piece of shit paper.
The last military coup was in 2006, and overthrew the same political movement that dominates the country today. But analysts say the current impasse is more intractable than anything the military has taken on in the past.
Thailand, an economic powerhouse and tourist mecca of Southeast Asia, has been without a functioning government since December. And with the eyes of the world watching, the country is so gravely divided that it has lost the ability to govern itself.
Except it isn't divided. It's a small elite $liver that the propaganda pre$$ here promotes against the rest of the people.
God, I am so sick of this shit propaganda.
“The army is taking a big risk here,” Thitinan said. “They will have to bang heads to make a compromise happen. They will be pulled in different directions. If they are seen as sliding toward one side, things could turn nasty very quickly.”
CIA-supported Red Shirts getting ready to raise hell?
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"Thai political camps in talks to end stalemate" by Thomas Fuller | New York Times May 22, 2014
BANGKOK — A day after imposing martial law, the Thai military on Wednesday put leaders of the country’s polarized political camps in the same room in an effort to end six months of political deadlock.
What a brutal crackdown, huh?
The military summoned the meeting participants in a television announcement. It was first time that all sides of the political conflict had attended talks together. The army invited the country’s caretaker government, the two main political parties, and protest leaders from both pro- and anti-government movements.
The meeting, which lasted 2½ hours, was “positive,” said a military spokesman, Colonel Weerachon Sukhonthapatipak.
“Of course, the very first day we were not able to come up with a solution,” he said. A second meeting was planned for Thursday afternoon.
In a possible sign of hesitation by the elected government, Thailand’s caretaker prime minister, Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan, declined to attend the meeting and sent Cabinet ministers in his place.
Recalcitrant government prick.
But Suthep Thaugsuban, the leader of the movement that has blocked elections and tried to overthrow the government, consented, an apparent shift for the movement, which is backed by the Bangkok establishment. Until Wednesday, Suthep had repeatedly refused negotiations with the government.
Yeah, he tried to block rigged elections and that's bad.
One key person was not at the table: Thaksin Shinawatra, the founder of the governing party and the target of the antigovernment movement’s ire. Thaksin, a former prime minister, was deposed by the military in a 2006 coup and lives overseas. His movement has won every election since 2001 but has antagonized the traditional elites in Bangkok.
That is a distortion and lie.
Why would anyone ever believe anything the New York Times says anyway?
The military imposed martial law Tuesday using an obscure, century-old law that is so archaic it allows the army to inspect telegraph messages and requisition “beasts of burden.”
Oh, does Thailand have a NSA, too?!!
Readers, this hypocritical hatchet job is horse shit!
The military has acted quickly in stamping out what it considers partisan media, banning at least 14 television channels and 3,000 radio stations. The army also issued an order banning the media from interviewing anyone “not currently holding an official position.”
Now you know why I'm sour on mine.
Criticism also came from within state agencies. Supinya Klangnarong, a member of the National Broadcast & Telecommunication Commission, predicted that the army’s attempts to censor debate would fail.
Even if it did not, it would not change minds.
Once you know the government and its mouthpiece are lying distorters and has lost its trustworthiness, they never get it back. Sorry. AmeriKan empire planners should know that.
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"Thai military takes control of country; Politicians held, media curtailed; US joins outcry, denounces coup" by Thomas Fuller | New York Times May 23, 2014
BANGKOK — The Thai military seized control of the country Thursday and detained at least 25 leading politicians in a culmination of months of maneuvering by the Bangkok establishment to sideline a populist movement that has won every national election since 2001.
This is so damn backwards it is making me sick.
Thailand's Occupy movement achieved better results than AmeriKa's.
It was the second time in a decade that the army had overthrown an elected government, but there were signs that this takeover could be more severe, including sharp curbs on Thailand’s freewheeling media.
This NYT bitching is really unseemly and offensive.
The coup was seen as a victory for the elites in Thailand who have grown disillusioned with popular democracy and have sought for years to diminish the electoral power of Thaksin Shinawatra, a former prime minister who commands support in the rural north. Unable to win elections, the opposition has instead called for an appointed prime minister and pleaded with the military for months to step in.
How do you win rigged elections, NYT? Endless distortions and lies?
As soldiers spread out throughout Bangkok on Thursday, the generals issued a series of announcements, declaring most of the constitution “terminated,” banning gatherings of more than five people, imposing a curfew, and shutting schools.
If this were a U.S. ally or successful overthrow the narrative would be quite different.
The coup was at least the 12th military takeover since Thailand abandoned the absolute monarchy in 1932. But unlike many of the previous coups that involved infighting among generals, Thursday’s takeover had as subtext the political awakening among rural Thais who have supported Thaksin and benefited from patronage and policies such as universal health care and micro loans.
That is why they are turning on the government over the failed rice program.
Readers, I truly hope you can understand why I no longer want to do this. I no longer want to blog about the Boston Globe because it's all shit!
Critics of Thaksin, a billionaire tycoon who lives in self-imposed exile, say he also took corruption to a new level.
With one of Southeast Asia’s largest economies, Thailand has long been attractive to foreign investors and tourists drawn by its reputation as “the land of smiles.” But in recent months, it has made headlines for the many attempts by antigovernment protesters to suspend democracy, a jarring contrast with its open, cosmopolitan image.
Yeah, if you are not serving the elites you are doing something wrong as a government. That is the implication of that pos sentence.
The military and Bangkok establishment now face the question of either retaining the power gained from the coup or returning the country to democracy — with the likelihood that Thaksin and his proven political machine would return to power in elections. The coup in 2006 unseated Thaksin, but his backers came back to win at the polls, leading to his younger sister, Yingluck, becoming prime minister in 2011.
Although the leader of the antigovernment movement, Suthep Thaugsuban, was detained Thursday, his supporters praised the coup.
“This is a victory day for the people,” Samdin Lertbutr, a protest leader, said. “The military has done their job. And we have done our job.”
Judging by the video I watched, yeah!
The coup drew immediate rebukes from abroad.
Secretary of State John Kerry said he was disappointed by the decision to overthrow the country’s leaders. He urged that civilian government be restored immediately.
There is your confirmation that the U.S. had nothing to do with it, and were against it.
“There is no justification for this military coup,” he said in a statement that also called for the release of political leaders. “While we value our long friendship with the Thai people, this act will have negative implications for the US-Thai relationship, especially for our relationship with the Thai military.”
A spokesman at the Defense Department said the Pentagon was reviewing its relationship with the military. Planned joint exercises are set for Monday.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also appealed for a “prompt return to constitutional, civilian, democratic rule.”
The globalists disapprove, huh?
Then CONGRATULATIONS for the THAI PEOPLE are in order!
Six months of debilitating protests in Thailand have centered on whether to hold elections to end the political unrest. Protesters have occupied government buildings, forcing even the prime minister to work elsewhere, and courts and independent government agencies have issued a series of rulings favorable to the protesters, including prohibiting the government from dispersing demonstrators. Some of those rulings have been derided by legal scholars.
The military said it would be fair to both sides in the continuing political dispute. But it allowed antigovernment demonstrators to remain in their protest site overnight, even as soldiers in black masks dispersed crowds loyal to Thaksin and the deposed government.
After deposing Thaksin in 2006, the generals put in place an administration that was widely seen as a failure.
“The lesson they learned the last time was that the medicine they prescribed after the coup was not strong enough,” said Thongchai Winichakul, a former activist in Thailand who is now a history professor at the University of Wisconsin. “There’s a high possibility of very drastic measures and suppression this time.”
It wasn't last time, because I was toiled it was back when!
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This propaganda is becoming so bad it is almost laughable, folks. It's rank, rot-gut shit!!!
This propaganda is becoming so bad it is almost laughable, folks. It's rank, rot-gut shit!!!
"Thai military detains officials, including ex-prime minister" by Thanyarat Doksone and Grant Peck | Associated Press May 24, 2014
BANGKOK — Ousted members of Thailand’s former government surrendered to the new military junta Friday, as soldiers forcefully dispersed hundreds of anticoup activists who defied a ban on large-scale gatherings to protest the army’s seizure of power.
Red Shirts, no doubt.
Troops detained at least two activists during the protest in Bangkok, which descended into scuffles but ended without injury and marked one of the first open challenges to the military since Thursday’s coup.
The junta, though, remained firmly in charge, summoning more than 100 top political figures — the entire ousted government, their associates, and a handful of their opponents. It also banned those on its wanted list from leaving the country.
That is because the vast majority of people are on their side!
Among the officials who showed up at an army compound in Bangkok were former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, sacked earlier this month for nepotism by the Constitutional Court, and her temporary replacement Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan, according to Yingluck’s aide Wim Rungwattanachinda.
After about 30 minutes, Yingluck left the facility and was taken to another army location by soldiers, said Wim, who added that it appeared she would not be immediately released.
Then she is UNDER ARREST! (Big smile from blog editor)
It was unclear what the military’s intentions were beyond the summons, which it said had been issued ‘‘to keep peace and order and solve the country’s problems.’’
By nightfall, dozens of the VIPs who turned themselves in were still being held, although at least eight ex-Cabinet ministers had been released.
Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang, an outspoken critic of the military’s intervention in politics, remained in hiding. Chaturon said in a Facebook post that the coup would only worsen the country’s political atmosphere. He vowed not to turn himself in, but said he would not resist arrest.
Most of the country was calm, and there was little military presence on Bangkok’s streets. Although life had largely returned to normal, an overnight curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. was still in effect.
In other words, all the chicken-little screaming by $elf-$erving U.S. assets is all shit.
Restrictions on TV broadcasts and on posting inflammatory comments on social media remained in effect, and many Thais were reluctant to comment publicly on the coup.
There were no reports of any major unrest, including in the former government’s political strongholds in the north. In the northeast city of Chiang Mai, about 100 anticoup demonstrators took to the streets, but no violence was reported and the protesters dispersed on their own. The army staged the coup Thursday just after a military-hosted meeting of political rivals to resolve the country’s political deadlock.
After two hours and no resolution, armed soldiers detained the participants, including four Cabinet ministers, and army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha appeared on national television to announce the takeover. Hours later, the junta suspended the constitution and banned gatherings of more than five people.
Prayuth defended the coup as necessary to restore stability amid increasing violence that together with controversial court rulings had rendered the government powerless.
He briefed foreign diplomats Friday about the coup and said the lifespan of the ruling military council would depend on how soon the current political conflict can be eased, Foreign Ministry Permanent Secretary Sihasak Phuangketkeow said. He said Prayuth told them a reform council would be established along with an interim government, and that they would lead to an election.
Secretary of State John Kerry condemned the takeover and warned it would harm US-Thai relations.
The State Department said it has suspended $3.5 million in military aid and is reviewing a further $7 million in bilateral assistance and other aid.
Why are we giving them any money when the nation is falling apart under asshole Obama's austerity?
"Coup leaders in Thailand summon activists, academics" by Todd Pitman and Thanyarat Doksone | Associated Press May 25, 2014
BANGKOK — In a chilling move apparently aimed at neutralizing critics and potential opposition, Thailand’s new army junta on Saturday ordered dozens of outspoken activists, academics, and journalists to turn themselves over to military authorities.
The junta, which is already holding most of the government officials it ousted in a coup Thursday in secret locations against their will said it would keep the former prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, and others in custody for up to a week to give them ‘‘time to think’’ and keep the country calm.
The continuing and prolific use of that word is a signal, and what a great turnabout. Asshole government authorities being held against their will in secret locations. Hope torture comes with it.
Two days after the army seized power in the nation’s first coup in eight years, it also faced scattered protests that came amid growing concern over the junta’s intentions.
How many times are they going to use the word junta?
Also Saturday, the military dissolved the Senate, the last functioning democratic institution left, and absorbed its legislative powers.
‘‘Military rule has thrown Thailand’s rights situation into a free fall,’’ said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. ‘‘The army is using Draconian martial law powers to detain politicians, activists, and journalists, to censor media, and to ban all public gatherings. This rolling crackdown needs to come to an end immediately.’’
Who is Human Rights Watch anyway?
Now I understand why they are so prominent in my agenda-pushing jewspaper.
At least 100 people, mostly top politicians, have been detained incommunicado so far. Deputy army spokesman Colonel Weerachon Sukondhapatipak said they were all being well treated and the military’s aim was to achieve a political compromise.
U.S. isn't hearing any of that.
Weerachon said all those held have had their cellphones confiscated because ‘‘we don’t want them communicating with other people. We want them to be themselves and think on their own.’’
In a military order broadcast at the start of the day, the junta summoned 35 more people, including politicians, political activists and, for the first time, outspoken academics, and some journalists.
One of those on the list, Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a professor of Southeast Asian studies at Kyoto University, said by telephone from Japan that he would not turn himself in. Chachavalpongpun said the summons meant that the junta feels insecure.
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"Thai junta steps up protester warnings; Hints army may cast off restraint" by Grant Peck | Associated Press May 26, 2014
BANGKOK — Thailand’s ruling military council stiffened its warnings Sunday against protests over its takeover of power, with its patience apparently wearing thin over demonstrations that have been growing in size and boldness.
You know, mine is, too!
The warning came a day before General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the Army commander and coup leader, was expected to receive the king’s endorsement formalizing his status as head of government.
After that, it’s anticipated Prayuth may announce plans for reshaping Thailand’s political scene with an interim constitution to replace the one scrapped by the army after Thursday’s coup, and an appointed legislative body.
After three days of tense but mostly nonviolent confrontations between protesters and security forces, a spokesman for the ruling National Council for Peace and Order warned that officials may have to strictly enforce an army-imposed law that prohibits people from demonstrating against the coup.
All of a sudden the protesters are not stinky, smelly scum and an insurgent insurrection to my propaganda press.
Hinting that the army was ready to cast off restraint, Colonel Winthai Suvaree said that in case of clashes in which losses or injuries incur, no compensation can be claimed because the country is under martial law.
‘‘I want fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters to warn their families that there is no benefit in coming out to oppose [the coup],’’ Winthai told reporters.
On Sunday, protesters against the coup appeared to number as many as 2,000, growing from a few hundred on Friday.
That's all the Thai elites and U.S. can muster, huh?
Publicity-savvy protesters first confronted police and soldiers outside a McDonald’s restaurant on Sunday, a spot chosen because it was the center of a failed and bloody two-month antigovernment protest in 2010 by many of the same people.
That uprising by the so-called Red Shirts — whose allies took power in elections in 2011 and held it until deposed in last week’s coup — left more than 90 people dead and well more than 1,000 injured.
Troops who fanned out Sunday across one of central Bangkok’s major shopping districts were met by a crowd of about 1,000 people, who shouted, ‘‘Get out, get out, get out!’’
Two thousand, one thousand, one-hundred, what's the difference, right?
Tensions ran high, and at one point a group of soldiers was chased away by the crowds. By late afternoon, the protesters had moved to Victory Monument, a city landmark a few miles away, with their numbers swelling to around 2,000. Rows of soldiers were gathered, but did not try to break up the rally, which ended peacefully.
The army faces a dilemma in engaging the protesters: whether to try to crush them and risk an even angrier reaction and international opprobrium, or to tolerate them and risk emboldening them. Sigh.
Are YOU sick of this shit yet, dear readers?
‘‘Please understand that everyone is carrying out their duties to make the country peaceful,’’ Winthai said. ‘‘Thus, we are asking the general public to warn against and try to stop such [protest] acts from those groups of people, in order to provide safety to both the people and the officers and to bring peace to the country.’’
The military has sought to limit the protests by detaining figures who might play leadership roles.
The junta has defended the detentions of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, most of the deposed government’s Cabinet, and dozens of politicians and activists. It also has ordered dozens of outspoken activists, academics, and journalists to report to military authorities. More than 200 people have been officially summoned in lists broadcast on radio and TV.
The fate of Yingluck — who surrendered herself Friday — and many others remains unclear. Some detainees have been released, and the military has said it expects to free most after about a week.
There were reports circulating that Yingluck had been released Sunday, but her aide said she had been moved but not freed.
‘‘Ms. Yingluck is still under the military’s control, and I have not been informed about her current whereabouts,’’ Wim Rungwattnachinda said. ‘‘She, however, has been out of the army camp that she was held in and she is safe. She has not been freed to go home.’’
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"Thai coup leader warns activists not to protest" Associated Press May 27, 2014
BANGKOK— Bolstered by an endorsement from Thailand’s king, the nation’s new military ruler issued a stark warning Monday to anyone opposed to last week’s coup: don’t cause trouble, don’t criticize, don’t protest — or else the nation could revert to the ‘‘old days’’ of turmoil and street violence.
Speaking in his first public appearance since the coup, General Prayuth Chan-ocha defended the army’s takeover, saying he had to restore order after seven months of increasingly violent confrontations between the now-ousted government and demonstrators who had long urged the army to intervene.
Earlier Monday, a royal command sent in the name of King Bhumibol Adulyadej officially endorsed Prayuth to run the country and called for ‘‘reconciliation among the people.’’
‘‘I’m not here to argue with anyone. I want to bring everything out in the open and fix it,’’ said Prayuth, who spoke at the army headquarters in Bangkok dressed in a crisp white military uniform.
‘‘Everyone must help me,’’ he said, adding: but ‘‘do not criticize, do not create new problems. It’s no use.’’
The tough words came as an aide to former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra said she had been released Monday from military custody after being held for three days at an undisclosed location without access to a telephone.
She must have been starting to feel like Morsi of Egypt.
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"Thai troops detain gov’t minister who blasted coup" by Todd Pitman and Thanyarat Doksone | Associated Press May 28, 2014
BANGKOK — Armed troops detained a Thai Cabinet minister who defiantly emerged from hiding Tuesday to condemn last week’s military coup and urge a return to civilian rule, in the first public appearance by any member of the ousted government.
About half a dozen soldiers took former education minister Chaturon Chaisang into custody in a chaotic scene at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand, where he had just finished giving a surprise news conference.
The junta, which seized power last Thursday, already had detained most top members of the Southeast Asian country’s ousted elected government and ordered the rest to surrender.
Chaturon called for elections and warned that resistance to the army’s power grab could grow, which could lead to ‘‘a disaster for this country.’’
When his news conference was finished and Chaturon was being interviewed by a group of Thai journalists, soldiers entered the room, surrounded him, and escorted him out through a crowd of reporters. He was calm and smiled as he was taken away.
‘‘I’m not afraid. If I was afraid, I wouldn’t be here,’’ Chaturon said, before being hustled into an elevator.
The military coup, Thailand’s second in eight years, deposed an elected government that had insisted for months that the nation’s fragile democracy was under attack from protesters, the courts, and finally the army.
Didn't seem to be a big deal, in fact it was applauded in Ukraine, so f*** off, propaganda pre$$.
The country is deeply split between an elite establishment based in Bangkok with political supporters in the south that cannot win elections, and a poorer majority centered in the north and northeast that has begun to realize political and economic power.
Looks a lot like AmeriKa, even with the distorted narrative.
A ‘‘coup d’etat is not a solution to the problems or conflicts in Thai society, but will make the conflicts even worse,’’ Chaturon said.
Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, who was endorsed Monday by the king as the nation’s new head of government, has warned opponents not to criticize or protest, saying Thailand could revert to the ‘‘old days’’ of turmoil and street violence if they did.
Still, several hundred people gathered Tuesday around Bangkok’s Victory Monument to protest the coup.
Despite the political upheaval that has left the nation’s elected leadership in tatters, life has continued largely as normal in most of the country, with tourists still relaxing at exotic beach resorts and strolling through stunning Buddhist temples.
Yeah, but let's not focus on that too much.
However, a curfew remains in effect, although it will be shortened Wednesday to midnight to 4 a.m. Hotel bookings are being canceled and singer-songwriter Taylor Swift on Tuesday canceled a sold-out concert that had been scheduled for June 9.
The Thais won't be missing much.
The junta has ordered more than 260 people to report to the authorities so far. Among them are scholars, journalists, and political activists seen as critical of the regime. Prayuth has said they need time ‘‘to calm themselves down.’’
It is unclear how many are still in custody, but some have been released, including former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who had already been forced from power by a court ruling before the coup.
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"Thai military uses silent treatment" by Todd Pitman and Thanyarat Doksone | Associated Press May 29, 2014
BANGKOK — Thailand’s ruling junta has found a new way of controlling its opponents and forcing them into silence: releasing them from custody only on condition they promise not to do anything ‘‘provocative.’’
Those who do face two years in jail. The restrictions were confirmed Wednesday by both the army and detainees it has held incommunicado for a week, who said they were freed only after signing a form agreeing not to say or do anything that could stir conflict.
Also Wednesday, the junta said that a sudden interruption of access to Facebook was not part of a censorship policy, but due instead to a technical glitch.
Looking more and more like Facebook is a tool of the NSA and CIA, folks.
The afternoon blockage did not affect all users but drew a flurry of attention online. It lasted for at least an hour and came just a day after the new military government disclosed an Internet crackdown. The junta has banned dissemination of information that could cause unrest, effectively banning criticism of last week’s coup.
Prodemocracy demonstrators have taken to Bangkok’s streets daily since the coup in generally small and mostly leaderless protests. Hundreds gathered Wednesday at the city’s Victory Monument, where scuffles broke out in which water bottles and other objects were hurled at soldiers.
The army, which is still holding top officials in the ousted government, has summoned 253 people, mostly politicians, scholars, journalists, and activists seen as critical of the regime. Roughly 70 are still in custody, 53 have failed to show up, and about 130 have been released, said a spokesman for the junta.
The army takeover deposed an elected government that had insisted for months that the nation’s fragile democracy was under attack from protesters, the courts, and finally the army.
"Thai military uses silent treatment" by Todd Pitman and Thanyarat Doksone | Associated Press May 29, 2014
BANGKOK — Thailand’s ruling junta has found a new way of controlling its opponents and forcing them into silence: releasing them from custody only on condition they promise not to do anything ‘‘provocative.’’
Those who do face two years in jail. The restrictions were confirmed Wednesday by both the army and detainees it has held incommunicado for a week, who said they were freed only after signing a form agreeing not to say or do anything that could stir conflict.
Also Wednesday, the junta said that a sudden interruption of access to Facebook was not part of a censorship policy, but due instead to a technical glitch.
Looking more and more like Facebook is a tool of the NSA and CIA, folks.
The afternoon blockage did not affect all users but drew a flurry of attention online. It lasted for at least an hour and came just a day after the new military government disclosed an Internet crackdown. The junta has banned dissemination of information that could cause unrest, effectively banning criticism of last week’s coup.
Prodemocracy demonstrators have taken to Bangkok’s streets daily since the coup in generally small and mostly leaderless protests. Hundreds gathered Wednesday at the city’s Victory Monument, where scuffles broke out in which water bottles and other objects were hurled at soldiers.
The army, which is still holding top officials in the ousted government, has summoned 253 people, mostly politicians, scholars, journalists, and activists seen as critical of the regime. Roughly 70 are still in custody, 53 have failed to show up, and about 130 have been released, said a spokesman for the junta.
The army takeover deposed an elected government that had insisted for months that the nation’s fragile democracy was under attack from protesters, the courts, and finally the army.
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"Thailand’s junta bans anti coup protests; Military blocks Bangkok streets" by Thanyarat Doksone | Associated Press May 30, 2014
BANGKOK — More than 1,000 Thai troops and police sealed off one of Bangkok’s busiest intersections Thursday to prevent a protest, as authorities said they would no longer allow demonstrations against last week’s military coup.
Truckloads of soldiers blocked roads to the capital’s Victory Monument in a massive show of force at the height of evening rush hour in one of the city’s commuter bus hubs.
More than a dozen police prisoner trucks were parked along the emptied roundabout, but there was little sign of protesters, who have come out almost daily to defy a ban on political gatherings.
A Belgian man was detained for displaying a T-shirt saying ‘‘PEACE PLEASE,’’ and two Thai women were taken away after they showed signs with anticoup messages.
The demonstrations have been small and mostly leaderless, but protesters had planned to gather Thursday and called for a mass rally on Sunday.
General Somyot Poompanmoung, the deputy national police chief, said the small protests would no longer be allowed. He said nine companies of soldiers and police — about 1,350 — were deployed in Thursday’s operation.
‘‘We know their rally is mainly for symbolic reasons,’’ he said. ‘‘We have to keep the law sacred.’’ Somyot warned that if protesters change tactics, ‘‘we are ready to tackle that.’’
In another part of the city, about 100 students held an anticoup protest on the campus of prestigious Thammasat University, which ended peacefully.
The large army deployment came a day after hundreds of protesters gathered at Victory Monument and outnumbered soldiers. Scuffles broke out in which water bottles and other objects were hurled at soldiers.
The mounting tension comes a week after the army seized power, overthrowing a government that won a landslide election victory three years earlier. The army says it had to act to restore order after seven months of turbulence.
Earlier Thursday, the army said that it plans to hold elections but offered no time frame.
"Thailand’s junta bans anti coup protests; Military blocks Bangkok streets" by Thanyarat Doksone | Associated Press May 30, 2014
BANGKOK — More than 1,000 Thai troops and police sealed off one of Bangkok’s busiest intersections Thursday to prevent a protest, as authorities said they would no longer allow demonstrations against last week’s military coup.
Truckloads of soldiers blocked roads to the capital’s Victory Monument in a massive show of force at the height of evening rush hour in one of the city’s commuter bus hubs.
More than a dozen police prisoner trucks were parked along the emptied roundabout, but there was little sign of protesters, who have come out almost daily to defy a ban on political gatherings.
A Belgian man was detained for displaying a T-shirt saying ‘‘PEACE PLEASE,’’ and two Thai women were taken away after they showed signs with anticoup messages.
The demonstrations have been small and mostly leaderless, but protesters had planned to gather Thursday and called for a mass rally on Sunday.
General Somyot Poompanmoung, the deputy national police chief, said the small protests would no longer be allowed. He said nine companies of soldiers and police — about 1,350 — were deployed in Thursday’s operation.
‘‘We know their rally is mainly for symbolic reasons,’’ he said. ‘‘We have to keep the law sacred.’’ Somyot warned that if protesters change tactics, ‘‘we are ready to tackle that.’’
In another part of the city, about 100 students held an anticoup protest on the campus of prestigious Thammasat University, which ended peacefully.
The large army deployment came a day after hundreds of protesters gathered at Victory Monument and outnumbered soldiers. Scuffles broke out in which water bottles and other objects were hurled at soldiers.
The mounting tension comes a week after the army seized power, overthrowing a government that won a landslide election victory three years earlier. The army says it had to act to restore order after seven months of turbulence.
Earlier Thursday, the army said that it plans to hold elections but offered no time frame.
--more--"
"Army chief says Thai vote more than a year away; Leader speaks of need for reforms" by Thanyarat Doksone | Associated Press May 31, 2014
BANGKOK — In his first address to the public since taking control of Thailand in a bloodless coup, the head of the military junta said Friday that it could take more than a year for new elections to be held because peace and reforms must be achieved first.
They are carrying out the work of the people, folks!
I can't think of a better kind of coup, can you?
Army commander General Prayuth Chan-ocha repeated warnings against protests or resistance to the army’s May 22 takeover, saying they would slow the process of bringing back ‘‘happiness’’ to the Thai people.
A return to democracy will not happen if there are still ‘‘protests without a true understanding of democracy,’’ he said.
The speech was meant to reassure Thais that the army has a plan to keep the country stable and restore democracy.
But it was unlikely to win favor among supporters of the ousted civilian government because it laid out broadly the same program advocated by antigovernment protesters who demonstrated aggressively for seven months to try to topple it, clashing with police and occupying government offices.
Finally, a coup one can be in favor of!
Prayuth said it would take the junta, called the National Council for Peace and Order, at least two to three months to achieve reconciliation in the deeply divided country, then take about a year to write a new constitution and set up an interim government. Only then could elections be held, he said.
‘‘Give us time to solve the problems for you. Then the soldiers will step back to look at Thailand from afar,’’ he said.
The United States, a longtime ally of Thailand, said it believed elections should be held sooner.
Meaning they are NOT FOR THIS REGIME CHANGE!
‘‘Certainly we don’t want anything to end in chaos. But we think setting a timeline for early elections is something that is not just possible, but it’s what the appropriate step is and that that should be what their focus is on,’’ State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters in Washington.
Prayuth did not mention former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, whose political machine was the protesters’ main target. Thaksin, who is at the center of Thailand’s political divide, was overthrown in a 2006 military coup after being accused of corruption and abuse of power. His sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, was prime minister of the government that was besieged by protesters. Her government won a landslide election victory three years ago.
Not just a win in an election, but a landslide.
Was it, or are we being lied to again?
Prayuth told of the reasons for the army’s action, and the junta’s plans for administering the country, emphasizing financial stability and transparency.
I think I've got the point by now, thanks.
‘‘The reason NCPO has taken control of national administration was because of the prolonged political deadlock, protests, and violence,’’ he said. ‘‘The caretaker government was unable to perform their duties effectively,’’ and the situation risked hurting the economy, he said.
International reaction to the coup has been largely negative. Not here, and not other places I've looked.
The reaction has been negative only in the neo-con power centers of this world.
English-language subtitles accompanied Prayuth’s speech, which was broadcast on all television stations.
‘‘The NCPO does understand the feelings of the foreigners,’’ he said. ‘‘We do understand the world’s order, that at the moment, it’s the world of democracy. But let us have time to change our attitudes, values, and several other things to solve Thailand’s democracy to make it match with the international standards.’’
I know it is confusing for you guys, but you are doing the right thing.
In the past week, the junta has moved to silence its critics and warned that it will not tolerate dissent.
It has summoned more than 250 people, including members of the ousted government and other leading political figures, journalists, scholars, and activists seen as critical of the regime. About 70 people are still in custody.
On Friday, the military sealed off a major Bangkok intersection for a second day to prevent a possible protest. The massive show of force — involving hundreds of troops during the evening rush hour — came in response to small but near daily demonstrations that have raised tensions and concerns the army will crack down on protesters.
Thaksin is still supported by many rural Thais for his populist programs, but despised by others — particularly Bangkok’s elite and middle classes — amid claims of corruption, abuse of power and disrespect for the monarchy. He lives abroad in self-imposed exile, but held influence over the overthrown government led by his sister.
Despite the latest political upheaval, life has continued largely as normal in most of the country, with tourists still relaxing at beach resorts and strolling in Buddhist temples in Bangkok and elsewhere.
--more--"
"Thai protesters come out again despite junta’s ban" by Thanyarat Doksone | Associated Press June 02, 2014
BANGKOK — Thailand’s ruling junta deployed thousands of security forces on the streets of the capital Sunday to thwart another round of small-scale protests denouncing last month’s military coup. Hundreds of demonstrators came out and several were detained, but there was no violence.
Even the CIA is realizing violence won't work here and will only discredit them further.
Fears about possible unrest, however, prompted a major downtown shopping mall to close and authorities temporarily shut down several subway and elevated train stations near where protests could have materialized.
Thailand has been calm since the army overthrew the nation’s elected government May 22, saying it had to restore order after seven months of demonstrations that triggered sporadic violence and left the political rivals in a stalemate.
As opposed to Ukraine, where the U.S.-backed overthrow has resulted in chaos.
But the junta that took power has launched a major campaign to suppress dissent, summoning politicians, journalists, and academics perceived as being critical of the coup.
Since the coup, small groups of prodemocracy protesters have come out nearly every day, marching through Bangkok and sometimes scuffling with soldiers. No injuries have been reported.
The junta has issued stern warnings calling on the demonstrators to stop because it sees their actions as destabilizing, but it has not employed force to stop them.
--more--"
Related:
Yingluck Runs Out in Thailand
U.S. Abandons Ukrainian Protesters
Thailand Protests Are Terrifying to Elite
Bad Yingluck in Thailand
Bunking With Yingluck
Returning to Thailand
Wednesday Walk-Through
Lynching Yingluck
No Slow Saturday Specials
Time to Return to Thailand
Reactivating Thailand's Red Shirts
Seeing Red in Thailand
Contrasting Coverage Between Thailand and Taiwan
Grenade Attacks Highlight Neglect of Thailand
Tumult in Thailand
Seems pretty calm to me these days.
NEXT DAY UPDATE:
"Thai police threaten online critics of junta" by Thanyarat Doksone | Associated Press June 07, 2014
BANGKOK — Thai police warned online critics of the military junta Friday that they will ‘‘come get you’’ for posting political views that could incite divisiveness, the latest reminder about surveillance of social media in post-coup Thailand.
I suppose over here in AmeriKa that would mean shutting down the newspapers and their agenda-pushing divisions, but the hypocrisy of Amurka's whoreporate media complaining about surveillance -- c'mon now, guys!
(Blog editor tips hat to NSA this morning in recognition. Thanks for coming)
The Technology Crime Suppression Division, a police unit working with the army, cited Thursday’s capture of a leading organizer of anti-coup protests as a lesson to everyone in the country using social media.
Police tracked Sombat Boonngam-anong’s IP address to learn where he was after he made Facebook postings calling for protests against the May 22 coup, said police Major General Pisit Paoin, who handled the arrest.
And if Thailand can do it, why can not the NSA and AmeriKan government?
Could it be, could it possibly be because THEY are the ONES BEHIND the HACKING?
‘‘I want to tell any offenders on social media that police will come get you,’’ Pisit told The Associated Press. ‘‘Any expressions of political views online must be done in a way that will neither incite divisiveness or violence.’’
Memo to AmeriKan thugs: blog is only for blowing off steam.
And here I am.
The military government, which has warned it is closely monitoring online activities, has blocked hundreds of websites and plans to expand its surveillance capabilities.
They look just like AmeriKa, so what is the problem?
But Sombat’s arrest was likely to spread new fear through Thailand’s active online community.
That did not happen here; in fact, I became even more motivated and outraged.
Sombat, a prominent social activist, had spearheaded an online campaign calling for people to silently show opposition to the coup by raising a three-finger salute in public places — borrowing a symbol of resistance to oppression from ‘‘The Hunger Games.’’
That is really f***ing eerie, man.
In a bow to the publicity generated by the gesture, coup leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha devoted a few words to it in his almost hour-long televised speech setting out his regime’s intentions.
It's a regime now, and regimes need changing.
‘‘There have been gestures of holding three fingers in protest — that is fine. I have no conflict with you,’’ he said. ‘‘But how about if we all raise five fingers instead — two for the country and the other three to signify religion, monarchy, and the people.’’
Who are these peaceful military men?
Meanwhile, a military court Friday freed on bail ousted Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang, another prominent figure who had defied the order. His lawyer said Chaturon posted $12,500 bail and was told not to ‘‘incite unrest’’ or leave the country.
--more--"
"Army chief says Thai vote more than a year away; Leader speaks of need for reforms" by Thanyarat Doksone | Associated Press May 31, 2014
BANGKOK — In his first address to the public since taking control of Thailand in a bloodless coup, the head of the military junta said Friday that it could take more than a year for new elections to be held because peace and reforms must be achieved first.
They are carrying out the work of the people, folks!
I can't think of a better kind of coup, can you?
Army commander General Prayuth Chan-ocha repeated warnings against protests or resistance to the army’s May 22 takeover, saying they would slow the process of bringing back ‘‘happiness’’ to the Thai people.
A return to democracy will not happen if there are still ‘‘protests without a true understanding of democracy,’’ he said.
The speech was meant to reassure Thais that the army has a plan to keep the country stable and restore democracy.
But it was unlikely to win favor among supporters of the ousted civilian government because it laid out broadly the same program advocated by antigovernment protesters who demonstrated aggressively for seven months to try to topple it, clashing with police and occupying government offices.
Finally, a coup one can be in favor of!
Prayuth said it would take the junta, called the National Council for Peace and Order, at least two to three months to achieve reconciliation in the deeply divided country, then take about a year to write a new constitution and set up an interim government. Only then could elections be held, he said.
‘‘Give us time to solve the problems for you. Then the soldiers will step back to look at Thailand from afar,’’ he said.
The United States, a longtime ally of Thailand, said it believed elections should be held sooner.
Meaning they are NOT FOR THIS REGIME CHANGE!
‘‘Certainly we don’t want anything to end in chaos. But we think setting a timeline for early elections is something that is not just possible, but it’s what the appropriate step is and that that should be what their focus is on,’’ State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters in Washington.
Prayuth did not mention former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, whose political machine was the protesters’ main target. Thaksin, who is at the center of Thailand’s political divide, was overthrown in a 2006 military coup after being accused of corruption and abuse of power. His sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, was prime minister of the government that was besieged by protesters. Her government won a landslide election victory three years ago.
Not just a win in an election, but a landslide.
Was it, or are we being lied to again?
Prayuth told of the reasons for the army’s action, and the junta’s plans for administering the country, emphasizing financial stability and transparency.
I think I've got the point by now, thanks.
‘‘The reason NCPO has taken control of national administration was because of the prolonged political deadlock, protests, and violence,’’ he said. ‘‘The caretaker government was unable to perform their duties effectively,’’ and the situation risked hurting the economy, he said.
International reaction to the coup has been largely negative. Not here, and not other places I've looked.
The reaction has been negative only in the neo-con power centers of this world.
English-language subtitles accompanied Prayuth’s speech, which was broadcast on all television stations.
‘‘The NCPO does understand the feelings of the foreigners,’’ he said. ‘‘We do understand the world’s order, that at the moment, it’s the world of democracy. But let us have time to change our attitudes, values, and several other things to solve Thailand’s democracy to make it match with the international standards.’’
I know it is confusing for you guys, but you are doing the right thing.
In the past week, the junta has moved to silence its critics and warned that it will not tolerate dissent.
It has summoned more than 250 people, including members of the ousted government and other leading political figures, journalists, scholars, and activists seen as critical of the regime. About 70 people are still in custody.
On Friday, the military sealed off a major Bangkok intersection for a second day to prevent a possible protest. The massive show of force — involving hundreds of troops during the evening rush hour — came in response to small but near daily demonstrations that have raised tensions and concerns the army will crack down on protesters.
Thaksin is still supported by many rural Thais for his populist programs, but despised by others — particularly Bangkok’s elite and middle classes — amid claims of corruption, abuse of power and disrespect for the monarchy. He lives abroad in self-imposed exile, but held influence over the overthrown government led by his sister.
Despite the latest political upheaval, life has continued largely as normal in most of the country, with tourists still relaxing at beach resorts and strolling in Buddhist temples in Bangkok and elsewhere.
--more--"
"Thai protesters come out again despite junta’s ban" by Thanyarat Doksone | Associated Press June 02, 2014
BANGKOK — Thailand’s ruling junta deployed thousands of security forces on the streets of the capital Sunday to thwart another round of small-scale protests denouncing last month’s military coup. Hundreds of demonstrators came out and several were detained, but there was no violence.
Even the CIA is realizing violence won't work here and will only discredit them further.
Fears about possible unrest, however, prompted a major downtown shopping mall to close and authorities temporarily shut down several subway and elevated train stations near where protests could have materialized.
Thailand has been calm since the army overthrew the nation’s elected government May 22, saying it had to restore order after seven months of demonstrations that triggered sporadic violence and left the political rivals in a stalemate.
As opposed to Ukraine, where the U.S.-backed overthrow has resulted in chaos.
But the junta that took power has launched a major campaign to suppress dissent, summoning politicians, journalists, and academics perceived as being critical of the coup.
Since the coup, small groups of prodemocracy protesters have come out nearly every day, marching through Bangkok and sometimes scuffling with soldiers. No injuries have been reported.
The junta has issued stern warnings calling on the demonstrators to stop because it sees their actions as destabilizing, but it has not employed force to stop them.
--more--"
Related:
Yingluck Runs Out in Thailand
U.S. Abandons Ukrainian Protesters
Thailand Protests Are Terrifying to Elite
Bad Yingluck in Thailand
Bunking With Yingluck
Returning to Thailand
Wednesday Walk-Through
Lynching Yingluck
No Slow Saturday Specials
Time to Return to Thailand
Reactivating Thailand's Red Shirts
Seeing Red in Thailand
Contrasting Coverage Between Thailand and Taiwan
Grenade Attacks Highlight Neglect of Thailand
Tumult in Thailand
Seems pretty calm to me these days.
NEXT DAY UPDATE:
"Thai police threaten online critics of junta" by Thanyarat Doksone | Associated Press June 07, 2014
BANGKOK — Thai police warned online critics of the military junta Friday that they will ‘‘come get you’’ for posting political views that could incite divisiveness, the latest reminder about surveillance of social media in post-coup Thailand.
I suppose over here in AmeriKa that would mean shutting down the newspapers and their agenda-pushing divisions, but the hypocrisy of Amurka's whoreporate media complaining about surveillance -- c'mon now, guys!
(Blog editor tips hat to NSA this morning in recognition. Thanks for coming)
The Technology Crime Suppression Division, a police unit working with the army, cited Thursday’s capture of a leading organizer of anti-coup protests as a lesson to everyone in the country using social media.
Police tracked Sombat Boonngam-anong’s IP address to learn where he was after he made Facebook postings calling for protests against the May 22 coup, said police Major General Pisit Paoin, who handled the arrest.
And if Thailand can do it, why can not the NSA and AmeriKan government?
Could it be, could it possibly be because THEY are the ONES BEHIND the HACKING?
‘‘I want to tell any offenders on social media that police will come get you,’’ Pisit told The Associated Press. ‘‘Any expressions of political views online must be done in a way that will neither incite divisiveness or violence.’’
Memo to AmeriKan thugs: blog is only for blowing off steam.
And here I am.
The military government, which has warned it is closely monitoring online activities, has blocked hundreds of websites and plans to expand its surveillance capabilities.
They look just like AmeriKa, so what is the problem?
But Sombat’s arrest was likely to spread new fear through Thailand’s active online community.
That did not happen here; in fact, I became even more motivated and outraged.
Sombat, a prominent social activist, had spearheaded an online campaign calling for people to silently show opposition to the coup by raising a three-finger salute in public places — borrowing a symbol of resistance to oppression from ‘‘The Hunger Games.’’
That is really f***ing eerie, man.
In a bow to the publicity generated by the gesture, coup leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha devoted a few words to it in his almost hour-long televised speech setting out his regime’s intentions.
It's a regime now, and regimes need changing.
‘‘There have been gestures of holding three fingers in protest — that is fine. I have no conflict with you,’’ he said. ‘‘But how about if we all raise five fingers instead — two for the country and the other three to signify religion, monarchy, and the people.’’
Who are these peaceful military men?
Meanwhile, a military court Friday freed on bail ousted Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang, another prominent figure who had defied the order. His lawyer said Chaturon posted $12,500 bail and was told not to ‘‘incite unrest’’ or leave the country.
--more--"
