Protest in Pattaya

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Gaybutton
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Protest in Pattaya

Post by Gaybutton »

I did not know about this protest in advance, but apparently it was huge. I also don't know if further protests are planned in Pattaya. Of course, if any further information becomes available, such as when and where, we'll try to get it published as soon as possible.

In any case, these kinds of protests are definitely the wrong place to be for farang. Stay away. I realize that may be easier said than done for those of you who live in the protest area. The only advice I can offer is if you go out and a protest is going on, then turn around and go back. Whatever you do, do not get involved, especially since these protests are in direct violation of the current restrictions. I hope everyone is smart enough to avoid situations where you could be injured or arrested.
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Pro-democracy protesters hold car protest rally in Pattaya against Thai government, Covid-19 measures and vaccine program policies

By Goong Nang(GN)

17 July 2021

People in Pattaya who called themselves ‘Thai Mai Ton’ today (July 17th) held what they called a ‘Car Mob’ rally protesting against the Thai government, especially the Prime Minister and Covid-19 related restrictions, measures, and the related vaccine rollout.

The Pattaya News notes they described themselves as a car mob and used social media tags to describe themselves as so.

The protest was led by Mr. Wanchalerm Goonsane. Protesters in their vehicles were rallying around the Pattaya and Jomtien area, honking horns, displaying signs, banners, ribbons, and letting the government know how they felt from 2:00 P.M. for about two hours. The protest started near Soi 6 and then continued throughout Pattaya and Jomtien. The Pattaya News does not estimate crowd sizes as a general policy, however, there appeared to be many vehicles and people involved in the rally.

The protest, although led by the Thai Mai Ton group, also seemed to include many individuals and even other groups that were upset at either the government, Covid-19 related policies, and restrictions, or both. The majority were in their vehicles, and all were seen wearing masks as a Covid-19 precautionary behavior.

The Pattaya City Police set up a checkpoint on Pattaya Second Road midway through the rally and blocked the traffic on North Pattaya Road from an intersection near Tops Super Market to make sure protesters have followed disease control measurements. However, protesters simply went elsewhere in the city and then moved to Jomtien.

The Acting Chief of the Pattaya City Police Colonel Thanawut Jongjira met with the protesters in front of the police station on Soi 9 and announced that gatherings and assemblies, even in vehicles, were currently prohibited by a Thai law that was issued last night as we reported here. This is in addition to other current measures, like the Emergency Decree and Communicable Disease Act, along with Chonburi provincial orders, that also ban assemblies and mass gatherings. According to Colonel Thanawut, this is to prevent the spread of Covid-19, even with people in vehicles. Officials stated the orders banning gatherings is NOT political but meant to protect the public from the spread of Covid-19.

Mr. Wanchalerm, however, appeared to be defiant after Colonel Thanawut’s statements and announced to protesters, “These orders are not the will of the Thai people, who have been repressed by these rules, orders, and restrictions. We are listening but we are not following. If today any of our protesters are arrested, we will not stop here.”

Protesters were cheering Wanchalerm while police stayed calm. Both sides were peaceful, although protesters broke a rice bowl in front of the Pattaya Police station with an image of the Thai Prime Minister on it, which is part of an ancient belief signifying victory before a war. Police did not make any immediate arrests during the protests.

Mr. Wanchalerm added through a microphone to a rowdy crowd, many on motorbikes in front of the police station, “The Thai government cannot do their job to get rid of Covid -19 which is now destroying our economy and tourism industry for the past year and a half, shutting down people’s livelihoods, and businesses for over three months now, and causing even more restrictions and measures. But where are the vaccines? Why do we keep punishing the people? Where is our aid and support? Pattaya is suffering, Thailand is suffering.”

“We have already filed a report to the police to arrest the Thai prime minister, Prayut Chan O’Cha, for using a fake law to oppress the Thai people,” Wanchalerm added.

Pattaya Police did not immediately state if they planned to take action on the police report filed by Wanchalerm and his supporters.

Following the protest, protesters gave food to the needy on Pattaya Beach, which has seen a rising number of homeless and those in dire straits due to the Covid-19 situation that has devastated Pattaya’s tourism-reliant economy. The protesters then dispersed peacefully, although law enforcement kept a watchful eye during the entire proceedings.

Pattaya City Police have not yet stated if any charges would be forthcoming for those who participated in the assembly, which they continued to state was illegal and could potentially spread the Covid-19 coronavirus.

A full video of the protest can be found on our Facebook page, linked below, under the live video section.

https://www.facebook.com/Thepattayanews

Story and photos: https://thepattayanews.com/2021/07/17/p ... -policies/
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Re: Protest in Pattaya

Post by Gaybutton »

Another major protest is scheduled for Sunday, July 18 - this time in Bangkok and in defiance of the emergency decree restrictions. The protests themselves have so far been peaceful, but the police are going to be out there. I don't think any of you need me to tell you what could happen.

Stay away.

If any further protests are going to take place in Pattaya, I don't know about it - at least not yet. I didn't know about the Saturday, July 17 protest either. The first I heard about it was via a phone call from RichLB, who saw it happening.

If anyone has reliable information about further protests in Pattaya or anywhere else, especially when and where information, please post and let us know.
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Bangkok Police warn protesters actions against ‘Emergency Decree’

By Pattaya Mail

July 17, 2021

Police have warned protesters who plan to gather in front of the Democracy Monument and move on Government House in Bangkok on Sunday, July 18th that they will be in violation of multiple laws.

Deputy Commander of the Metropolitan Police Pol Lt Gen Piya Tawichai, as spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police Bureau, has asked protesters to show social responsibility and avoid gathering, as they face the threat of spreading COVID-19 among themselves and to others, reminding them that any gathering of more than five people is a violation of the Emergency Decree and that they could also be violating laws against public disturbance, and obstruction of traffic among others.

Between July 2nd and 11th, several groups defied the law to stage demonstrations. They included a network led by Parit Chiwarak; the Thai Mai Ton group led by Jatuporn Phromphan and Adul Kieoboriboon; the Prachachon Kon Thai group led by Nithithorn Lamlua; the Car Mob led by Sombat Boon-ngamanong; the Bangkok Sandbox group and the vocational group for the protection of democracy. The gatherings resulted in 10 cases being taken on by police for further investigation and 99 arrest warrants being issued.

https://www.pattayamail.com/thailandnew ... ree-363877
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Re: Protest in Pattaya

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As far as I have been able to find out, no further protests of this type are planned for Pattaya. If information to the contrary comes in, I will place this topic back under "Announcements".
Jun

Re: Protest in Pattaya

Post by Jun »

Gaybutton wrote: Sun Jul 18, 2021 6:52 am The protests themselves have so far been peaceful, but the police are going to be out there. I don't think any of you need me to tell you what could happen.Stay away.
Would any expats here even entertain the idea of joining protests ?

I would have thought there are 2 reasons not to:
1 Self interest -risk of injury, arrest etc & who knows what that might do to your chances of getting visa extension etc in future ?

2 Non-interference in another country's affairs. In principle, the Thai's ought to decide matters regarding their government or constitution. For comparison, I wouldn't be too happy with overseas nationals without British citizenship protesting against a government elected by British citizens here in the UK.
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Re: Protest in Pattaya

Post by Gaybutton »

Of course I fully agree with Jun. And the protest in Bangkok did get violent. I am glad there was no violence in Pattaya. A farang arrest potentially could end in fines, prison, loss of visa, and deportation. Whether consequences would be as serious as all that, I would not want to find out the hard way. Political protests and demonstrations in Thailand are not the right place for foreigners, no matter what your own political beliefs might be.

I am not going to put the article on my board, but if you want to read and see what took place in Bangkok, click the link:

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/po ... protesters
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