Live: Finally, The Final Showdown

What a familiar day. The PAD trying to depose the government. Civil disobedience – or Thailand’s first civil coup? – may turn violent. Or the movement may just run out of steam. Finally. But determination is only the forename of the PAD crowd. We don’t know what the day will bring. Join our live-blogging.

As a first teaser PAD raids state-run NBT TV station at about 7.30 am with the NBT staff fleeing and masked PAD slobs cheering. Meanwhile, the PAD leadership dispatches mobile units to various government agencies. PAD speaks of 300,000 supporters on the streets. Thai police count a few thousand. Well, there are tens of thousands.

Government House is effectively shut down by PAD supporters trying to cut telephone lines and electricity – or shall we call them PAD hooligans? Highways in the South and Northeast are disrupted by PAD crowds and roads leading into Bangkok shall be cut off. The final straw for the government? Or PAD? Latest event on top.

2.25 am: Me taking a nap. New daylight’s not far away. To meanwhile chill out see the BBC’s Thailand protest in pictures.

Samak sanctioned by His Majesty: The Nation quotes Samak: “I was granted an audience with His Majesty the King. His Majesty asked me to enforce the law with extreme caution, to be soft and gentle. I beg all of you to understand and sympathize with me.” And further on quoting Samak that no food would be permitted to enter Government House compound and that more officers from outer provinces would be deployed to Bangkok to help with maintaining security. Samak concluding: “They want bloodshed in the country. They want the military to come out to stage a coup.”

2.00 am – August 27th: Midnight has passed. While I drove from Prachuab province to Bangkok, Bangkok Pundit compiled some excellent updates/assessments. Was a surprisingly quiet drive back to Bangkok. Not one policeman to be seen – even not at two usual checkpoints. They must all be busy elsewhere.

Arrest warrants for PAD leaders: The Nation confirms our earlier reports: “Police were preparing to issue arrest warrants for five leaders from the People’s Alliance for Democracy … The five PAD leaders include Sondhi Limthongkul, Chamlong Srimuang, Pibhop Dhongchai, Somsak Kosaisuk and Somkiat Pongpaiboon.” Forcing PAD supporters to revolt for their martyrs?

PAD outmaneuvered? Our government spokesman is confident that the government will take control of the situation, the how-to though is kept confidential. He also says that Prime Minister Samak believes that protesters would understand the situation better and would leave the rally sites. Via Bangkok Post.

9.45 pm: No reports yet about police raids at Government House. TV Channel 9 quotes a PAD leader as assuring the protesters not to worry, they did not destroy anything, the police had no law to arrest them. The should just stay put there, quietly and peacefully. Well, but the NBT operation had obviously gone wrong. Will Samak’s “starving campaign” (see below) start to work sooner than later?

9.30 pm: Criminals PAD? “Recaptured” NBT shows footage of confiscated weapons and masked PAD thugs destroying government property. So much about the waning goodwill for the PAD? These images work. According to Thai media reports some 80 arrested persons are charged with various offenses and denied bail.

8.50 pm: Still not one death or injury reported. ASTV confirms the demonstrators arrested with weapons at NBT were PAD members. They’d belong to the “security arm” of the PAD.

Asia Times on today’s events: The Asia Times‘ old Bangkok hand Shawn W. Crispin brilliant as ever. A foretaste: “Thailand’s topsy-turvy politics took a turn for the chaotic on Tuesday … The all-important wild card is the royal household, which by law is above Thai politics. The highly revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej has on at least two nationally televised occasions endorsed Samak and his administration, notably on the eve of a previous PAD-declared “doomsday.” Anupong and Prayuth are also both known to have close personal ties with Queen Sirikit. While the PAD has consistently claimed its movement aims above all at protecting the monarchy from usurping politicians, its attacks on Tuesday on government buildings which bear royal insignia make those claims as doubtful as its eponymous commitment to democracy.”

Worried Thai Industries: Bangkok Post reports the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) calls on the PAD not to stage any violence because it could damage the country’s image. Well, too late it seems.

7.30 pm: ASTV reports first peaceful arrests – of PAD news anchors. In the hours before a wild-goose chase was going on. With the authorities trying to track down PAD’s mobile broadcasting unit(s). Bangkok Post adds PAD leaders will be arrested.

7.20 pm: ASTV speaks of 25,000 PAD demonstrators around Government House. No police to be seen, just one police car.

6.35 pm: Rebel NBT keeps on broadcasting an own PAD program. They seem to broadcast from an external studio.

Samak goes on: Emphasizes his respects for the courts and that he’s facing some strange court action. He mentions the Duangchalerm issues, the fire trucks, his cooking shows. Regarding PAD: They want the military to come out again and stage a coup again.

Chamlong sure of victory, But: Chamlong fears government will use high-pressured water hoses to disperse protesters at Government House. He senses victory if PAD maintains its hold until tomorrow morning. Via TOC.

Breaking News 6.15 pm: Samak, live on NBT, says PAD leaders will be arrested. They’re in the outskirts of Bangkok and will be brought back to face the judge. Samak: We ask them to come out with no weapons. I will not resign. I have no reason. But the old hate is still lingering. Samak: All the police will come out. People will need food, they have to come out. We will let nobody in. That’s right, Samak announces to possibly starve the protesters. Samak: We think by tomorrow morning it will be finished. People will go back to work at Government House. Samak goes on Bangkok people do not support the protest today. They did not wear the “colored shirt” today, he says. They dress just normal. Samak distances PPP from TRT. “Proxy or not proxy, it’s I. Different thinking, different man.” And Samak, yes, quoted Shakespeare: “To be or not to be.” Samak!

Samak speech: Says five, maybe six PAD people are trying to decide everything, that government must go. Condemns illegal seizure of NBT. Even though they have their own television, says Samak. But they want another one. Country has so many other problems, says Samak, since the revolution (coup). This afternoon I therefore made a declaration. I gave authority to issue 6 pm deadline. As it seems to the outside world that this country is in a bad shape. They (PAD) don’t like the former prime minister and they don’t like me, says Samak. But this is just a group of people. I travel the country and know what people really feel and need. And this government has done nothing wrong. Samak goes on the PAD left NBT already.

6 pm: Samak addresses the foreign press. Live press conference, in English, broadcasted by NBT.

6 pm deadline: Avoiding confrontation, the government takes 24 hours to disperse the protesters, The Nation reports.

5.40 pm: A female PAD newscaster at taken-over NBT calls on viewers to leave home and join the protests. Footage shows blocked roads. Bangkokians love the PAD protests.

Savvy Samak? Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej will address the foreign news media in Bangkok at 6 pm. Lots to be going on at 6 pm. Or maybe he just wants those foreigners off the street once the cleaning starts. Via TOC.

6 pm ultimatum: Interior Minister orders police to evict protesters out of Government House by 6 pm – via The Nation.

5.20 pm: ThaiPBS TV suggests the weapons confiscated from PAD mob at NBT may have been “infiltrated” by government. Earlier on the confiscation of knives, machetes, golf clubs and one pistol were reported. If you ask for my take: Those mummed thugs positively identified as PAD supporters didn’t look exactly friendly.

Hopeless endeavor: From earlier on, The Nation: “Police try to block protesters from entering a studio of National Broadcasting Television on Tuesday.”

No New Friends: According to the Bangkok Post Thai media associations deplore PAD’s seizure of NBT. Hmm, what life for journalists under a Sondhi government.

4.30 pm: Ultimatum issued: Police give PAD until 6 pm to evacuate Government House, reports TOC.

3.50 pm: TOC reports on arrest warrants soon to be issued for protest leaders.

Situation Room: I’d expect police and military checkpoints to be set up along major highways. Avoid overnight traveling by car if not absolutely necessary. Samak gets some unintended supporters today.

Samak issues ultimatum: The Nation’s on a roll.

Other Bangkok bloggers on the protests: Check out Bangkok Pundit’s live-blogging, Bangkok Bugle, bloggeress Meaw & More (with photos), The Shark and glorious Thai Crisis.

PAD declares early victory: The Nation updates on Sondhi’s latest speech. Sondhi vowed to continue the protests until Samak resigned. Looks like the “occupation” could drag on for days?

Protesters occupy key locations around capital: Among them, reports The Nation, Government House and the Ministries of Education, Transport, Agriculture and Finance. One can only wonder why the government didn’t secure those locations.

Stern Samak warns live on TV: Stopping short of declaring emergency, as The Nation reports. TOC has more on Samak insisting that he will not back down.

3.00 pm: Thai stocks extend losses. Main index SET down over two percent one hour before trading ends.

Situation Room: Coming back to the “Thai Khu Fah” strategy: Looks like PAD’s gonna sit it out. Quietly increasing pressure. Or who will throw the first stone? Critical will be the dark hours if the protests continue into the night. Lots could happen without anybody being responsible.

Finance Ministry under pressure: PAD mounts pressure at Finance Ministry, reports the BANGKOK POST. Mr. Suriyasai said the PAD plans to protest in front of the ministry for at least three days to pressure Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee to resign. The water and electricity supplies to state agencies will be cut off, he added.

Update Bangkok Pundit: For how long can Samak bite his tongue?

3 pm: CNN jumps on the bandwagon. Questions looming: Gonna be the longest day in Bangkok? Will he resign?

2.45 pm: Chanting and cheering in and around Government House.

Samak to break silence: Samak to make announcement, reports The Nation.

2.15 pm: PAD enter Government House, reports TOC. Their campaign of seizing government institutions is going on and according to TOC more and more PAD supporters are flooding into Bangkok. Protesters are told by leaders to sit and wait. We soon gonna hear the conclusion of the “Thai Khu Fah” strategy? The Nation on protesters entering government house.

Meanwhile, nearby: While CNN keeps quiet on Bangkok, the de facto hunger strike of Aung San Suu Kyi is worth a mention. Oops, the BBC joins in, with the bare basics though: “One report says police have now ended the occupation of NBT. The protesters say Mr. Samak is merely a proxy for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, now in exile.”

1.25 pm: Government resists, but …: Spokesman says government could soon be forced to take action – via TOC.

1.25 pm: “Worst Case Scenario: Uncontrollable Protesters.” Bloomberg’s Daniel Ten Kate, formerly of Asia Sentinel, updates an earlier story. Quoting a spokesman for the Defense Ministry: “Now the situation is not that serious except at the NBT station.”

PAD lost the plot? “The PAD appear to have lost the plot with some of their actions today,” analyzes Baht & Sold. “Months if not years of PAD peaceful protests created a degree of goodwill – which looks very perilous at the moment. Unfortunately the PAD have now set themselves up for whatever the government may throw back at them. Very sad for that. Meanwhile it appears the bulk of the protesters are still at the bridge site, however, obviously there are several other groups raiding various targets in other areas. One wonders when the “main” target may be revealed …”

1.20 pm: International PAD fatigue. Still not one report on CNN, BBC or other major networks, following the policy much ado about nothing.

12.45 pm: Not The Nation joins in with two new classics: PAD Seizes French Embassy – as protesters accuse France of Republican ideas, 18th-century lèse majesté – and Sondhi: “Let the rule of mob prevail” – about Sondhi stepping up the PAD’s campaign against People, Alliances and Democracy.

General Anupong Paojinda: To reporters: “The military will not stage a coup d’etat. The public must not panic and must carry on their daily lives. The army will not get involved in politics.”

ASTV analysis: “We have a feeling that the PAD is trying to gain points in waiting for police action. They want to somewhat be the victims and induce change within the country, possibly by a military coup d’état. Will the police take action? Clearly there are grounds for the police to move in and start arresting more groups of people in terms of civil disobedience and trespassing on private property. But the government is very quiet, it does show a little bit of weakness on them.”

Finance Ministry stormed: The Nation reports that PAD supporters enter the Finance Ministry at 11.39 am.

12.15 pm: TOC reports arrested protesters carried weapons – knives, machetes, golf clubs – one a pistol. TOC reports on unconfirmed reports that female staff have been detained at TBA. Next target – unconfirmed: Channel 3. Would be the first time in Thai history that a “civil coup” succeeds.

11.50 am: Police set up war room – via TOC.

Escape through air ventilation shaft: Bloomberg has an update and concludes with an encouraging citation: “We have a tale of two cities, and these two groups could never be reconciled. The military may need to serve as the judge.”

Chamlong demands release of protesters: THE NATION reports that PAD leader Chamlong Srimuang wants some 80 arrested PAD (martyrs?) released. They were rounded up for raiding the NBT head office early Tuesday.

No coup …: THE NATION reports that Army Commander in Chief General Anupong Paojinda insists the army will not intervene. TOC confirms.

Creative chaos: TOC reports that PAD cuts off water and electricity at National Police Office. Pure provocation of violence.

11.15 am: One cannot become but sarcastic. Imagine the work power lost by PAD’s professional protesters demonstrating since May for the ouster of the Samak government. Millions of potential hours of productivity lost. Nobody over there has a day-to-day job? Imagine if this “coup” would be successful. The Sonthi coup would look in comparison like a picture-perfect democracy.

11 am: The Thai blogging world becomes active. Lost Boy Matt reports “People’s Alliance for Democracy goes berserk,” adding important PAD quotes. Bangkok very own top blogger Bangkok Pundit posts “PAD tries to win the silent majority” – with updates. Thai bloggeress Meaw & More from earlier on: “Taxi radio said the PM will use final measures to address the rally. Speakers said the emergency decree may be declared soon.”

10.45 am: Despite the nervousness, the Thai stock market doesn’t seem overly worried yet. The main index SET opened some ten points in the red hovering around the same level in the morning session.

International media reports: Al Jazeera joins in on TBA quoting a newscaster: “All 150 of us were rounded up for a short while before police arrived and talked them down to the ground floor.”

Strongman Sondhi: PAD’s leader Sondhi Limthongkul announces that the PAD had gained a complete control of the NBT station following a raid. Sondhi orders the state-run station to relay the broadcast of his ASTV, a satellite television station. A ASTV reporter calls the day “Sondhi’s last stand.” Mentioning John Wayne

10 am: Bangkok’s major business areas such as Sukhumvit are not (yet) affected by the showdown. PAD dispatches its units to government agencies. Major world news networks such as CNN and BBC didn’t pick up the story yet.

9.25 am: TOC reports Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej is meeting with leaders of the armed forces. Samak had earlier promised no use of force against protesters – but if government-property gets destroyed, what options remain?

7.30 am: PAD supporters storm government-run NBT, reports The Nation. Later on Bangkok Post adds further details, as is TNA. Noteworthy TNA line: “Police also seized guns, knives, golf clubs and mild drugs from the trespassing protesters.”

Backgrounder: Thai premier says protest will pose no threat, reports IHT/AP.




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August 26, 2008 | Filed Under Politics 

Comments

6 Responses to “Live: Finally, The Final Showdown”

  1. People’s Alliance for Democracy goes berserk | The Lost Boy on August 26th, 2008 11.25 am

    [...] from AB and BP. Filed under Thailand affairs, The Boy. Leave a [...]

  2. ThaiCrisis on August 26th, 2008 4.45 pm

    Revolution … my arse. ;-)

    And what if? What will think and do the millions of people who voted for the PPP in December 2007?

    And for the TRT in April 2006, 2005 and 2001?

    This is the core of the problem: Political stalemate (because of the coming royal succession).

    The PAD solved, solves and will solve nothing.

    This is a pathetic show.

  3. KV on August 26th, 2008 8.00 pm

    They are picking up blood from their noses. Just hoping to get water hosed down. This is bad for government: For any government it is embarrassing that buildings are taken over and protestors sitting in BUT on the other hand, starting to remove them with any normal anti-protestor means (like water guns) would just lead the minority to start crying for military intervention, and if there is enough guys in military who hate Samak, they will do it regardless of the fact that military should be under the government (well, PAD wants military to be over everyone and everything else except the King) …

    Idiot protestors. Wanting military and police intervention. They want it more than government change. Shit I hate this shit of Thai moroons. I totally understand the Samak and the goverment wanting to get them out of there, it is embarrssing not just for an Asian country but anywhere in the world. Think if Whitehouse or American senat was taken over, wouldn’t that be embarrassing if Bush didn’t do anything … Samak needs to get them out, but can’t … :-(

  4. chang dek on August 27th, 2008 3.38 am

    Let them eat som tam!

  5. Bangkok Crime Scene: The Politics of the Mob « Christopher G. Moore’s Blog on August 27th, 2008 4.43 pm

    [...] Absolutely Bangkok: http://absolutelybangkok.com/live-finally-the-final-showdown/#comment-1355 [...]

  6. PAD Protests « Asian Correspondent on October 22nd, 2009 5.28 pm

    [...] time permits, I will update throughout the day For other coverge, Absolutely Bangkok is live-blogging, Maew has some updates and pictures.For some blog comment, see Jotman, Bangkok Bugle, and Thailand [...]

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