Student protests in Thailand

[buksida]

Govt legitimacy eroding fast as crackdown on protesters makes global headlines
Thailand’s renewed political tension is increasingly worrisome, as the government continues ignoring demands of anti-establishment protesters who are becoming bolder under the spotlight of global attention.

The youth-led protesters have been rallying for the past three months, demanding that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his government step down, the junta-endorsed Constitution be rewritten and the monarchy reformed.

Prayut has rejected all calls to quit, Parliament has delayed charter-change motions, and there has been zero response to demands for reform of the monarchy.

The protests are now attracting global attention, while Prayut and his government is gradually losing legitimacy. The PM is facing increasing pressure to step down, heightened by Friday’s crackdown on unarmed protesters, most of them students.

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/govt-legit ... headlines/

Even pro-govt media is slowly changing stance ...

[STEVE G]

Yes, I see even the Bangkok Post put out a retraction from blaming protesters for shutting down the Skytrain system on Saturday, an error they put down to editorial changes!

[handdrummer]

Question to the protesters: How will you life be different/better if the PM steps down? I would also ask any of them to define Democracy.

[buksida]

The censorship machine is powering up ...

SECRET GOV’T ORDER TELLS ISP TO BLOCK TELEGRAM APP
A leaked government document ordered internet service providers in Thailand to block access to Telegram, a messaging application used by many anti-government demonstrators to coordinate their campaigns.

The “Top Secret” order seen by Khaosod English cited the emergency decree that granted security officers power to block and control any information on the internet deemed to cause unrest in the country.

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/cri ... egram-app/

Thai Enquirer statement on government shutdown of online media
Following the Prayut Chan-ocha’s administration’s decision to investigate and possibly shut down several Thai news outlets including the Standard, the Reporter, Prachathai, and Voice TV, the editorial board of Thai Enquirer would like to publish the following statement:

Journalism is not a crime, censorship is not an option.

That the government of Prayut Chan-ocha would choose to censor free and digital media at a time of national emergency is indicative of the type of government that it actually is. Whether that censorship is in whole or in part, both are unacceptable to a free and fair society.

https://www.thaienquirer.com/19747/thai ... ine-media/

Thai authorities push to ban, censor news outlets and social media
Police are now cracking down on media outlets covering the pro-democracy protests as well as an activist group Facebook page because they are a “threat to national security.” In addition to the police’s request to ban the content, the Digital Economy and Society Ministry is attempting to censor the Telegram social media application, saying it too poses a “threat to national security.”

The Free Youth movement Facebook page, which is run by pro-democracy activists, as well as Voice TV, Prachatai, The Reporters and The Standard could be shut down or censored. National Police Chief Suwat Jangyodsuk signed an order, which circulated on social media, requesting the Telecommunications Commission and the Digital Economy and Society Ministry to ban those media outlets and the Facebook page.

https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/protest ... cial-media

This thread may be of more use now than ever: viewtopic.php?f=15&t=21434&start=143

[caller]

Question to the protesters: How will you life be different/better if the PM steps down?

Well they wouldn't face arrest for protesting and martial law will end. That's a good start.

[Big Boy]

So, the protests reached Hua Hin this evening:

https://www.banmuang.co.th/news/region/ ... bY2v8_LgVU

[handdrummer]

Question to the protesters: How will you life be different/better if the PM steps down?

Well they wouldn't face arrest for protesting and martial law will end. That's a good start.

OK. Then they'd have less to protest about but my question remains: How will their lives be different or better.
Thus far they have not presented any plan to improve education and aside from removing lese majesty laws, how the constitution should change and how that would benefit everyone. so far, all I've heard is that the PM should step down, the monarchy should be abolished and education should be "improved." As far as I can tell, the protesters are the only people who want these changes. The majority don't. What am I not seeing?

[caller]

So, the protests reached Hua Hin this evening:

https://www.banmuang.co.th/news/region/ ... bY2v8_LgVU

Great news! More power to their elbow!

[caller]

OK. Then they'd have less to protest about but my question remains: How will their lives be different or better.
Thus far they have not presented any plan to improve education and aside from removing lese majesty laws, how the constitution should change and how that would benefit everyone. so far, all I've heard is that the PM should step down, the monarchy should be abolished and education should be "improved." As far as I can tell, the protesters are the only people who want these changes. The majority don't. What am I not seeing?

You're as blinkered as a blind horse.

You have written from the viewpoint of never having had to give a thought to the subject, as like many of us, we take out freedoms for granted. For the last 15 years all Thailand has seen is turbulence, coups, a judicial system stacked in the establishments favour, dismissing PM's at will and generally doing the army's and other's bidding.

There's no point really discussing this with someone with such a negative mindset, but iLaw presented detailed proposals for a new constitution and the call for abolishing the senate couldn't be louder, from there, democracy and accountability will flow, as they are all that is propping up this hated Govt.

They have never, ever called for the abolishment of the monarchy. just for reform and the details of that are widely available so no need to discuss here.

I think there are many interested parties all over Thailand who have plans for improving what is proven to be a terrible education system when tested both internally and externally against the results of other Countries. There is a reason that those that can afford it, and I can state from personal knowledge that doesn't always mean the rich, but also those who have worked and saved hard to do so, send their kids abroad to be educated or attend uni.

How do you know the majority don't want these changes? Have you asked Asked anyone in Isaan, or the North, or the deep South or do you just follow state news? I think you are very wrong about who wants at least some of the changes they are protesting about. I don't know a single Thai that doesn't hate this Government and how they have failed on every single one of their promises and are clearly economically inept, whether they be from Hua Hin, Bangkok, Korat or Khon Kaen. Even those that supported the 2014 coup never expected them to hang around, yet alone desperately cling to power in the way they so evidently are.

[buksida]

Yes, it seems that some really have their heads buried in the sand when it comes to the real issues regarding the protests, many of which we cannot even discuss here.

The biggest mistake pumpkinhead and his goons made IMO was disbanding the clearly popular opposition party, Future Forward. This is basically telling the population; "Forget about voting or a democratic process, we've changed the law so that we can hold on to power for the long run, and there's nothing you can do about it".

To whoever keeps asking about other provinces: there was a big rally in Chiang Mai last night and even something in Hua Hin. This is the entire country coming together.

Last night in BKK:

121731208_3734149509937287_745382082710571338_o.jpg

(384.03 KiB) Downloaded 501 times

Another planned for tonight, location withheld for obvious reasons.

[Houdi]

Good reply from Caller to the ludicrous post from handrummer.

If you're not prepared to READ anything about the facts behind the protests then it should be obvious that you're not going to SEE anything either.

[nil]

Handdrummer. You've made a good start on this thread. All you have to do is say face masks don’t work for absolute infamy on this forum.

Anyone have an idea what the big surprise is?

[handdrummer]

I find it interesting that, on this forum, when someone asks a question, because they don't know the answer, several people will jump and down and condemn the person for not knowing the answer. This is usually followed by name calling and vituperative comments. These are the same people who condemn Trump for doing the same thing. Y'all need to look in the mirror more often.

[STEVE G]

When you see these protests in Thailand, you have to admire the bravery of those taking part when you consider that protesting in the first place is illegal and also that the present PM is the person who was in charge when more than 2000 people were shot by the Army in the 2010 crackdown.

[Lost]

When you see these protests in Thailand, you have to admire the bravery of those taking part when you consider that protesting in the first place is illegal...

And their restraint. Their unity and shared message. The manner in which they conduct themselves. Can't help but cheer them on.