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Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban speaking on television tonight

JANUARY 13 SHOWDOWN: Suthep Sets Date for Protest to Shut Down Bangkok

Wednesday, January 1, 2014
PHUKET: Thailand mass protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has set Monday, January 13 as the date on which opponents of the government will ''close down Bangkok.'' Announcement of the date is likely to bring tourism cancellations and travel warnings.

Khun Suthep said on television this evening that he will walk the roads of the capital and enlist supporters as he goes. ''Please get ready,'' he said. ''Pack your bags to join me. We are going to shut down Bangkok.''

Rallies will begin on January 5 with various sites targetted, he said. Water and power would be cut off in the leadup to the January 13 shutdown showdown from 9am. Twenty stages would be set up at Bangkok intersections, Khun Suthep said.

The move is seen as the toughest test yet for caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra who has called a national election for Thailand on February 2. Khun Yingluck has promised reforms after the poll, which she and the ruling Pheu Thai party could expect to win comfortably.

However, Khun Suthep also wants Khun Yingluck and her powerful brother, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, barred from politics in Thailand.

One side argues that democracy comes with a government elected by a majority while the other side says the Shinawatra family has corrupted the entire system over the past eight years and a fresh start must create a new democracy.

Over two months the protests in Bangkok and Thailand's provinces have been growing with deaths and injuries coming as the standoff becomes more intense.

Thaksin, once an immensely powerful figure, still wields massive influence but faces arrest and jail for an outstanding corruption conviction if he returns to Thailand.

Provinces are also being asked to help organise the January 13 shutdown showdown and Phuket is considered to be one of the key power bases for the protest movement. All 14 southern provinces are likely to be sending citizens north to Bangkok as the protest swells.

Although Thailand's tourism has been free from mass cancellations through two months of protests, the likelihood is that with Bangkok facing shutdown, visitors will aim to go elsewhere.

Phuket is fortunate in that direct flights arrive in large numbers on the holiday island. Protests have been low key compared to Bangkok.

While Phuket airport was shutdown in 2008 as a prelude to the extended occupation of Bangkok's two international airports, further airport invasions are considered unlikely.

Comments

Comments have been disabled for this article.

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One side argues democracy comes from the election of a government by the majority and the rest of the free world and it's press seem to agree with this version of democracy but no doubt you'll have a rant Miss ED as is your democratic right for now

Posted by Scunner on January 2, 2014 10:08

Editor Comment:

Making assumptions is a hallmark of the ignorant, Scunner, and you make a lot of assumptions. The values that underpin a democracy are what's important. Those who are elected must govern for everyone. Democracy for the benefit of a few is no different to North Korea.

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Classic fully expected response and what about the majorities view will that be taken into account in your future world

Posted by Scunner on January 2, 2014 10:44

Editor Comment:

No idea what you are talking about, Scunner. Your inability to make your thoughts plain and support them with logic has been one of your problems. But it's good to see you have written two comments in a row without verbal abuse. This is a sign of your progress.

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What no response

Posted by Scunner on January 2, 2014 10:57

Editor Comment:

We have a bit more to do than hang on your every word, Scunner. Come to think of it, the rest of the world has a bit more to do. Get real, please.

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Thailand is no orphan in the current global political circus, both sides of politics are so similar, that, no matter who you vote for will make no difference... and who is to blame for this ?? the public of course , we have become lazy , we accept the media campaigns as gospel , when in fact its all smoke and mirrors ... and now ,as in Thailand when its gone to far , the public wake up ... sadly its too late for this developing democracy to make changes peacefully ...the opposition offer nothing for ALL the people , only a few ....and around we go !!

Posted by chris on January 2, 2014 11:20

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The people of Bangkok must be delighted !

Posted by James on January 2, 2014 13:56

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More than surprised that some people actually listens to the old warmonger Sutthep ... but then again uneducated masses are easy to manipulate , history has shown that again and again, fascism in Europe and Japan, communism and the many religious dictatorships that can be found around the world ...and in each case people are just being used or maybe to put it more correctly misused. Here in Thailand the word democracy was only introduced to cover over the old feudal system that is still in place and controlling everything ... you can put makeup on a pig but it is still a pig. Sutthep and his cronies want to put time back 20 years so they are back in charge of the "democracy" so they can stuff their own pockets again, they are tired of seeing Thaksin and his cronies having the biggest cut of the cake.

Posted by Sailor on January 2, 2014 16:43

Editor Comment:

Unsurprisingly cynical of you, Sailor. I guess you must at least know the man to have formed such an opinion. Or is it all just surmise, with a tinge of prejudice? Which particular ''religious dictatorships'' are you talking about?

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The electorate voted......accept their decision. Next time around you can come up with some policies that will appeal to ALL Thai people. Maybe your party can win office that way?.......Maybe?

Posted by It's too late on January 3, 2014 04:51

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will Suvarnabhumi airport be closed ?

Posted by Anonymous on January 3, 2014 14:12

Editor Comment:

No reason why Suvarnabhumi Airport would be closed.

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what will happen with the tourists already in Bangkok during those days and having a flight on 13th? Will all the roads to the airport be close?

Posted by mj on January 3, 2014 18:37

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Yes, cynical for sure, but if that is how it is then that the way it is... (moderated)

Posted by Sailor on January 4, 2014 02:25

Editor Comment:

One-sided diatribes are not what's needed. You've expressed your opinion over and over again here. Give us sane analysis, please. Propaganda - from either side - is a waste of time.

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Me and my friends have booked tickets for Bangkok on 12th Jan 2014 from India and will reach Bangkok Don Mueog (DMK) airport on 13th Jan 2014. our return tickets have been done for 17th Jan 2014. Is it safe to come with the announcement of shutdown from 13th Jan 2014.

Kindly adivce us to take a decision.

Posted by K Suresh Kumaar on January 6, 2014 04:55

Editor Comment:

Your safety should not be an issue but moving around Bangkok will be difficult, especially if your accommodation is in the area where 20 major intersections are likely to be blocked. Single lanes will remain open but progress will be slow. Our advice would be to head out of Bangkok to Chiang Mai or Pattaya for a more pleasant holiday.


Friday March 29, 2024
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