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A well-groomed Prime Minister delivers her surprise speech on tv  tonight

PM Goes on National TV to Explain Protest Security Edict

Thursday, November 22, 2012
PHUKET: Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra appeared on national television tonight about 8.40pm to explain why the government issued a special security order in advance of a large public protest in Bangkok this weekend.

While her speech was calculated to calm concerns and win further support for national reconciliation and parliamentary debate, her appearance was a reminder of the deep divisions in Thailand.

As a signal to the increasing internationalisation of the region, the five-minute speech carried subtitles in English.

PM Yingluck, fresh from a week that has seen her greet US President Barack Obama and China's Premier Wen Jiabao, presented as a leader of some authority dealing calmly with a possible upheaval.

The speech reinforced conventional democratic values but the Cabinet decision to impose the Internal Security Act for nine days in three Bangkok districts is a troubling sign.

The security law enables the government to prevent the use of certain routes or vehicles, impose a curfew, ban gatherings, carry out searches of buildings and censor the media.

Optimists within the broad Pitak Siam protest group forecast a crowd of as many as 500,000 protesters at Royal Plaza in the capital this Saturday.

Often in the past, forecasted figures of protest numbers have fallen well short of expectations.

A group of 400-500 people from Phuket and a similar sized group from Phang Nga are heading north for the event.

In line with PM's cautious tone on national television tonight, National Security Council chief Paradorn Pattanatabut told reporters earlier in the day: ''Based on our intelligence, the rally will be intense with a huge turnout of protesters.''

Firmly in the minds of viewers will be the knowledge that real reconciliation has failed to materialise in Thailand since the enduring struggle between red and yellow political opponents brought blood to the street of Bangkok two years ago.

Comments

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I don't understand how people on Phuket, which are so dependent on the income from tourists can participate in an event, which might destroy this season.
Low season is for trouble making. High season is for money making - elementary.

Posted by Sherlock on November 22, 2012 21:32

Editor Comment:

People are participating out of political principle. Non-violent public protest is one of the basic tenets at the heart of democracies. You're the first person to suggest that Phuket's high season is somehow at risk.

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General Boonlert, the Pitak Siam boss (really a front for the yellowshirt PAD) has said it is his objective to organize a coup and topple the government. Would that affect tourism in Phuket? Er, yes.

I hope PM Yingluck - who so far is doing a very good job in most respects - succeeds in averting the threat and maintaining and deepening Thai democracy - from which Phuket can only benefit.

Posted by PeteC on November 23, 2012 08:53

Editor Comment:

There have been coups in the past but Phuket's tourists realise that it's more than 800 kilometres from Bangkok. Direct flights keep it accessible even when the capital is in uproar or under water. A coup would have no effect on Phuket visitors.

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@ Ed..you're the first person to suggest that Phuket's high season is somehow at risk.''
Maybe the first on this site...but my Thai wife and her friends said last night after watching PM Yingluck talk about how concerned they all are about possible/probable repercussions...

Your statement "A coup would have no effect on Phuket visitors." is nonsense and you well know that,[but will never admit it on here]..

Posted by davidj949 on November 23, 2012 10:14

Editor Comment:

Coups are usually bloodless and usually involve a quick transfer of power, 949. It's up to you to demonstrate that there would be any effect on Phuket. What you should admit is that your outlook on life is bleak and purposeless. Time and again, I have been forced to tell you that if you don't have something to add in a constructive sense, don't waste my time. I guess you and the rest of the doomstayers will go on enjoying the constant pending disasters of your life.

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You always react with such venom Morison. you are scared to death of posting the truth,,,your puppetmasters may cut you free...
I have far more faith in what some Thai business women have to say in this matter than a nasty bitter twisted foreigner posing as a journalist in Thailand, because he is un hireable back in Australia...Wake up and stop the nasty responses to anything you aren't allowed to agree with.!!

Posted by davidj949 on November 23, 2012 10:59

Editor Comment:

There's no ''venom'' in my response, 949, except in your head. But it's always the case that when you can't debate the principle, you resort to personal attacks. Pathetic, really. How sad your life must be.

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davidj949...It's not often that that I agree with the ED but on this one I back him 100%...During my time in Thailand, coups, as the Ed puts it, are just a quick transfer of power and thats about as far as it goes...there is little to no bloodshed, it makes the headlines for a day or two...the baht may drop a bit and Phuket barely blinks an eyelash over it as well as the tourists coming here. Som nam na

Posted by sky on November 23, 2012 11:13


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