Anti-junta demonstrations grow in Bangkok
<noinclude>
{{Thailand}}
{{date|June 11, 2007}}
__NOTOC__
Anti-junta demonstrations in [[w:Bangkok|Bangkok]] reached their largest point yet on Saturday night, when between 10,000 and 15,000 protesters marched from [[w:Sanam Luang|Sanam Luang]] to the [[w:Royal Thai Army|Royal Thai Army]] headquarters to call for the resignation of [[w:Council for National Security|Council for National Security]] chairman General [[w:Sonthi Boonyaratglin|Sonthi Boonyaratglin]].

Yesterday, Sonthi, the leader of last year's [[w:2006 Thai coup d'état|coup d'état]], rejected the protesters demands, saying he would remain as chairman of the military's governing body in the best interests of [[Thailand]], and that he wasn't doing the job for personal gain.

"And I doubt the motives of these people who are organizing the rallies," Sonthi was quoted as saying by ''[[w:The Nation (Thailand)|The Nation]]'' newspaper.

The demonstrations continued yesterday, albeit smaller, with crowds estimated at 3,000. The organizer is People's Television (PTV), a satellite television station that supports ousted prime minister [[Thaksin Shinawatra]]. Organizers have vowed to continue the demonstrations until the junta gives up power.

The protest movement has grown over the past two weeks, after the junta partially lifted the ban on political activities, and since a [[w:Party dissolution charges in Thai politics, 2006|Constitutional Tribunal ruling]] that dissolved the former ruling [[w:Thai Rak Thai|Thai Rak Thai]] party, which was led by Thaksin, and banned 111 of the party's officials from politics for five years.

[[Image:Sanam Luang.jpg|left|thumb|250px|A file photo of Sanam Luang, the staging venue for the demonstrations.]]
The government has tolerated the protests, if only just barely. Text messages were sent out by the junta to mobile-phone subscribers, asking them to stay away from the protests. Police have surrounded the demonstration venue, Sanam Luang, an open field near the [[w:Royal Palace, Bangkok|Royal Palace]] in Bangkok, an in effort to keep the demonstration contained.

But Saturday night, the 1,000-strong riot force, using only shields and no other weapons, was unable to keep the crowd, estimated at up to 15,000, in place. "We could not repel them and that has to be fixed," Manit Wongsomboon, commander of Metropolitan Police district 1, was quoted as saying by the ''[[w:Bangkok Post|Bangkok Post]]''.

Sonthi said he did not view the situation as serious or see a need to impose a state of emergency.

"There is nothing to worry about, they [protestors] can come, but everything will be within the rule of law," he was quoted as saying by the [[w:MCOT|Thai News Agency]]. 

General Pongthep Thetprateep, spokesman for interim Prime Minister [[w:Surayud Chulanont|Surayud Chulanont]], said the premier agrees.

"The PM is following the situation closely. No one wants to impose a state of emergency. It is the last resort. If they do not listen and assault officials and destroy things then it may be necessary. There is a better way out right now," Pongthep was quoted as saying by ''The Nation''. 

===Surayud: Thaksin shameful===
Surayud, the head of the military-installed government, yesterday appealed for acceptance of the Thai Rak Thai's dissolution by the public. He said several major policies implemented by the [[w:Populism|populist]] government of Thaksin would continue, including a low-cost medical scheme.

"We must thank the Thai Rak Thai party for creating and implementing projects which benefit poor people, but at the same time we must accept the verdict of the Constitution Tribunal on dissolving this party because it had committed several political blunders," Surayud said in an address on television and radio.

Surayud had harsh criticism for Thaksin.

"The rule of law came under fierce attack from the powerful, the rich and cronies. Corruption washed through our government," Surayud said. "Even Thaksin accepted that this was the case when he told ''Time'' magazine's readers around the world a few months ago that 'corruption in Thailand won't go away, it's in the system'. What shameful words for any ex-prime minister of our country to say, especially one who had promised to wage a war against corruption.

"I would like to ask you this: Do we want to allow those people with ill intentions to steal our nation's wealth day-by-day? I don't think we do."

===Senator attacked===
At the Sanam Luang rally on Saturday night, former [[w:National Assembly of Thailand|senator]] Kraisak Choonhaven was attacked by around 70 demonstrators.

"You are not on our side. Go away," one of the demonstrators shouted at Kraisak, according to a report in today's ''Bangkok Post'', which also published photos of the attack, showing one demonstrator launching a flying kick at the senator as he was rushed away by aides. The senator, a critic of ousted premier Thaksin, received some bruises.

"This is the rudest demonstration I've ever seen," Kraisak was quoted as saying at a press conference by the ''Post''. "Crowd control police had to exercise extreme patience in dealing with such a misbehaved mob."

===New constitution being drafted===
A new constitution, which the Constitutional Drafting Assembly began debating today, is being drawn up. One of the provisions of the draft charter is that once it is enacted, the Council for National Security will be no more.

The drafting assembly, which has been fractious, must approve or reject the draft in 25 days. If the draft is approved, a national referendum, scheduled to be held in mid-August, will be held. If the draft is rejected, the Council for National Security could choose a an old constitution. Most likely, that would be an amended form of the 1997 "people's constitution," a military spokesman was quoted as saying on Radio Thailand by the ''Bangkok Post''.

Among the controversial points in the draft charter, is a provision to make [[w:Buddhism|Buddhism]] the state religion, a move that critics say could further galvanize Muslim insurgents in [[w:southern Thailand|southern Thailand]].

The drafting body disagreed on motions about Buddhism and the creation of a national crisis council, and the motions were dropped.

As the constitutional assembly begins, a hunger strike is taking place by Buddhist monks outside Parliament House.

The Constitutional Drafting Assembly chairman, Noranit Sethabutr, told the Thai News Agency that the body "would have to find the best and most peaceful way to push through the draft."

===New party forming=== 
In the wake of the dissolution of the Thai Rak Thai, a new anti-junta party has formed, with around 60 former Thai Rak Thai lawmakers as leaders.

The movement has been referred to by various names, including Khon Rak Thaksin Mai Oaw Padejkarn (Supporters of Thaksin Against Dictatorship) or literally, "Love Thaksin, No Dictatorship," or simply, Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship.

==Related news==
*{{Wikinews|title=Ex-Thai PM Thaksin's assets are frozen|date=June 11, 2007}}
*{{Wikinews|title=Thai junta partially lifts political ban|date=June 5, 2007}}
*{{wikinews|title=Thai Rak Thai dissolved, ex-premier Thaksin banned from politics|date=May 30, 2007}}
*{{wikinews|title=Demonstrators demand Buddhism be made Thai national religion|date=April 26, 2007}}

==Sources==
*{{source|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/06/11/politics/politics_30036522.php
|title=Sonthi rejects calls to resign
|author=
|pub=The Nation (Thailand)
|date= June 11, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/11Jun2007_news02.php
|title=Sonthi rejects demand for resignation
|author=Post reporters
|pub=Bangkok Post
|date= June 11, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=119351
|title=Charter on 25-day countdown
|author=
|pub=Bangkok Post
|date= June 11, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.vnanet.vn/Home/EN/tabid/119/itemid/199558/Default.aspx
|title=Thousands protest Thai military-backed rule
|author=
|pub=Vietnam News Agency
|date= June 11, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/11Jun2007_news04.php
|title=Rude shock for Kraisak at PTV rally
|author=Kultida Samabuddhi
|pub=Bangkok Post
|date= June 11, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/06/11/politics/politics_30036512.php
|title=Leaders incited melee: Kraisak
|author=
|pub=The Nation (Thailand)
|date= June 11, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/06/11/headlines/headlines_30036517.php
|title=PM attacks politicians 'who steal'
|author=
|pub=The Nation (Thailand)
|date= June 11, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=29849
|title=PM urges public to accept party dissolution rulings
|author=Thai News Agency
|pub=MCOT
|date= June 10, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=29846
|title=CDA debate on draft charter opens Monday
|author=Thai News Agency
|pub=MCOT
|date= June 10, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=29829
|title=10,000 anti-coup demonstrators expected at Sanam Luang rally
|author=Thai News Agency
|pub=MCOT
|date= June 9, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://2bangkok.com/07/rallies/june8-07.shtml
|title=Anti-government rally at Sanam Luang
|author=
|pub=2bangkok.com
|date= June 8, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/070607_News/07Jun2007_news03.php
|title=Motions dropped as charter drafters clash
|author=
|pub=Bangkok Post
|date= June 7, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/070607_News/07Jun2007_news01.php
|title=Groups unite to oust CNS
|author=
|pub=Bangkok Post
|date= June 7, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/280780/1/.html
|title=Motions dropped as charter drafters clash
|author=
|pub=Bangkok Post
|date= June 7, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/06/07/headlines/headlines_30036229.php
|title=Group 'aims to topple junta'
|author=
|pub=The Nation (Thailand)
|date= June 7, 2007}}

{{publish}}
{{archive}}

[[Category:Thailand]]
[[Category:Asia]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Thaksin Shinawatra]]
[[Category:Surayud Chulanont]]
[[Category:Buddhism]]
[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Bangkok]]
[[Category:Hunger strikes]]
[[Category:Constitution of Thailand]]

</noinclude>
__NOTOC__
Anti-junta demonstrations in Bangkok reached their largest point yet on Saturday night, when between 10,000 and 15,000 protesters marched from Sanam Luang to the Royal Thai Army headquarters to call for the resignation of Council for National Security chairman General Sonthi Boonyaratglin.

Yesterday, Sonthi, the leader of last year's coup d'état, rejected the protesters demands, saying he would remain as chairman of the military's governing body in the best interests of Thailand, and that he wasn't doing the job for personal gain.

"And I doubt the motives of these people who are organizing the rallies," Sonthi was quoted as saying by The Nation newspaper.

The demonstrations continued yesterday, albeit smaller, with crowds estimated at 3,000. The organizer is People's Television (PTV), a satellite television station that supports ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Organizers have vowed to continue the demonstrations until the junta gives up power.

The protest movement has grown over the past two weeks, after the junta partially lifted the ban on political activities, and since a Constitutional Tribunal ruling that dissolved the former ruling Thai Rak Thai party, which was led by Thaksin, and banned 111 of the party's officials from politics for five years.

A file photo of Sanam Luang, the staging venue for the demonstrations.
The government has tolerated the protests, if only just barely. Text messages were sent out by the junta to mobile-phone subscribers, asking them to stay away from the protests. Police have surrounded the demonstration venue, Sanam Luang, an open field near the Royal Palace in Bangkok, an in effort to keep the demonstration contained.

But Saturday night, the 1,000-strong riot force, using only shields and no other weapons, was unable to keep the crowd, estimated at up to 15,000, in place. "We could not repel them and that has to be fixed," Manit Wongsomboon, commander of Metropolitan Police district 1, was quoted as saying by the Bangkok Post.

Sonthi said he did not view the situation as serious or see a need to impose a state of emergency.

"There is nothing to worry about, they protestors can come, but everything will be within the rule of law," he was quoted as saying by the Thai News Agency. 

General Pongthep Thetprateep, spokesman for interim Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, said the premier agrees.

"The PM is following the situation closely. No one wants to impose a state of emergency. It is the last resort. If they do not listen and assault officials and destroy things then it may be necessary. There is a better way out right now," Pongthep was quoted as saying by The Nation. 

"We must thank the Thai Rak Thai party for creating and implementing projects which benefit poor people, but at the same time we must accept the verdict of the Constitution Tribunal on dissolving this party because it had committed several political blunders," Surayud said in an address on television and radio.

Surayud had harsh criticism for Thaksin.

"The rule of law came under fierce attack from the powerful, the rich and cronies. Corruption washed through our government," Surayud said. "Even Thaksin accepted that this was the case when he told Time magazine's readers around the world a few months ago that 'corruption in Thailand won't go away, it's in the system'. What shameful words for any ex-prime minister of our country to say, especially one who had promised to wage a war against corruption.

"I would like to ask you this: Do we want to allow those people with ill intentions to steal our nation's wealth day-by-day? I don't think we do."

"You are not on our side. Go away," one of the demonstrators shouted at Kraisak, according to a report in today's Bangkok Post, which also published photos of the attack, showing one demonstrator launching a flying kick at the senator as he was rushed away by aides. The senator, a critic of ousted premier Thaksin, received some bruises.

"This is the rudest demonstration I've ever seen," Kraisak was quoted as saying at a press conference by the Post. "Crowd control police had to exercise extreme patience in dealing with such a misbehaved mob."

The drafting assembly, which has been fractious, must approve or reject the draft in 25 days. If the draft is approved, a national referendum, scheduled to be held in mid-August, will be held. If the draft is rejected, the Council for National Security could choose a an old constitution. Most likely, that would be an amended form of the 1997 "people's constitution," a military spokesman was quoted as saying on Radio Thailand by the Bangkok Post.

Among the controversial points in the draft charter, is a provision to make Buddhism the state religion, a move that critics say could further galvanize Muslim insurgents in southern Thailand.

The drafting body disagreed on motions about Buddhism and the creation of a national crisis council, and the motions were dropped.

As the constitutional assembly begins, a hunger strike is taking place by Buddhist monks outside Parliament House.

The Constitutional Drafting Assembly chairman, Noranit Sethabutr, told the Thai News Agency that the body "would have to find the best and most peaceful way to push through the draft."

The movement has been referred to by various names, including Khon Rak Thaksin Mai Oaw Padejkarn (Supporters of Thaksin Against Dictatorship) or literally, "Love Thaksin, No Dictatorship," or simply, Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship.
Thailand Asia Politics and conflicts Thaksin Shinawatra Surayud Chulanont Buddhism Religion Bangkok Hunger strikes Constitution of Thailand