From Yannawa to South East Asia: Bangkok Protest

Protesters arriving at 11.00 AM at Police Headqurters.

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Related links:
bangkok-protest-truce-waffenstillstand-04.12.2013
bangkok-protest-update-sunday-morning-01.12.
bangkok-protest-update-thursday-28
battleday-in-bangkok
protest in Bangkok - a summary
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On Saturday the leading anti-government movements joined forces and formed a unity-front to raise the pressure on the Yingluck-administration.
The Bangkok Post newspaper wrote:
Former Democrat MP Suthep Thaugsuban, who is spearheading the rally at the Democracy Monument, welcomed the leaders and representatives of various anti-government groups to the stage on Saturday. They included protest leaders Nitithorn Lamluea of the Network of Students and People for Thailand's Reform (NSPTR) and Samdin Lertbut of the Dhamma Army. Suriyasai Katasila of the Green Politics Group, Gen Preecha Iamsuphan of the People's Democratic Force to Overthrow Thaksinism, Somkiat Pongpaiboon of Anti-Thaksin Coalition, and Somkiat Homla-or of the Business Club for Democracy were also present.
(http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/381374/three-protest-groups-unite-take-to-stage)

This Monday morning, November 25th, the anti-government movement led Suthep Thaugsuban, started it's three days rally campaign. They marched to 13 (actually 14, but they didn't had to march to the military headquarters because they already have protest camp there) different locations like ministries and TV-stations in Bangkok. The locations were: 1. Armed Forces Supreme Command, 2. Royal Thai Air Force headquarters, 3. Royal Thai Army headquarters, 4. Royal Thai Navy headquarters, 5. Royal Thai Police headquarters, 6. Metropolitan Police Bureau, 7. Channel 3, 8. Channel 5, 9. Channel 7, 10. MCOT (Modernine), 11. NBT television station and Public Relations Department, 12. Interior Ministry, 13. Budget Bureau, 14. Foreign Affairs Ministry

Just before Suthep gave the starting signal, he promised that the protest will be peaceful and the protester won't use force. They want to topple the government and drive the Shinawatra clan out of Thailand.

Protesters on the Skywalk opposite the Police Headquarters.

Again, Suthep's promises were not worth the breath he wasted on them. A short while later, our friend Nick Nostitz, a well known book author and photo journalist, was attacked by an anti-government mob. After some leading figures of the protesters discovered him in the crowd doing his job, they pointed at Nick and accused him of working for the Redshirts (what is complete nonsense by the way). Immediately he was attacked by some hooligans and luckily he was rescued by spirited security guards (of the protesters)? or police forces? (sorry, the reports are contradicting) who brought him to safety.
Such a behaviour is outrageous and not tolerable. No one has the right to attack a journalist for doing his job AND it doesn't matter if you agree with his work or not. But this has been always a problem in Thailand. Freedom of speech never really existed or was ever tolerated.

Nick Nostitz after the attack (copyright by photographer unkonwn, http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1063863)

The owner of a gold shop and supporter of the Network of Students and People for Thailand's Reform (NSPTR) was arrested on Monday morning, November 25th, at a security checkpoint in front of the Pheu Thai Party office on Phetchaburi road with an 11mm handgun, 75 rounds of ammunition, many metal nuts, a catapult - and a whistle - in his possession...(http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/381582/police-arrest-whistle-blower-carrying-firearm)

Another incident, as reported by AP, had happened at the Finance Ministry: ...Thai protesters have entered the Finance Ministry compound in the country's capital in an escalating anti-government campaign to topple the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
A crowd of protesters swarmed into the compound's courtyard Monday as a massive anti-government march fanned out to 13 locations in Bangkok...

(http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/11/25/4495570/bangkok-braces-as-protesters-fan.html#.UpMHINK97Sk)

8.30 PM, Si Ayutthaya Road, protesters in front of the Foreign Ministry.

The protesters already established a mobile stage. A band played live music.

Protesters on the compound of the Foreign Ministry are dancing to live music.

The text means: Reform media, reform Thailand

During the protest we were told by some protesters and heard also from several other sources, that many people of the anti-government movements are dissatisfied with democracy at all. Some could even imagine to return to an absolute monarchy. In their opinion Thailand is not ready for democracy.

Let's all hope that situation calms down again instead of worsening in the coming days.