Saturday, November 24, 2012

Pitak Siam anti-government mass rally


Siam leader Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit called off the rally at the Royal Plaza at 5:18 pm. The Anti-Government Rally at Royal Plaza on Saturday November 24, 2012 has been called off by the organizers of the event after clashes with police, the tight security, closed roads and inclement weather failed to draw the numbers of supporters the had hoped to receive.

We love the King
The Pitak Siam (Protecting Siam) have been attempting to destabilize the elected government as its predecessor “movements” did in 2005-6 and 2008. 



A group of anti-government protesters including the Santi Asoke monks listen to the mobile stage at the corner of Government house

One of several canopies on Ratchadamnoen Avenue

A jab that the prime minister is only a pretty face by the protesters.


Monks cross the site to listen to speakers on the mobile stage
There were clashes at the Makkawan Rangsan Bridge and Misakawan Intersection where police threw tear gas to disperse protesters attempting to dismantle the security barriers. These photos were all taken at the main rally site.

Thailand exporting oil to the USA? Why? Gas is more expensive in Thailand than neighboring countries. 

Ratchadamnoen Avenue looking towards the Golden Mount from the Royal Plaza

It seems that every group regardless of color protest for the same thing.

It seems as if they have only just cleared all of the barbed wire from the last protests. 



 I have seen clashes between the protesters and police at the Makhawan bridge back in 2008 and did not wish to get shot in the head so I stayed clear of the problem areas. 

There are always many food sellers and the variety available seems to be one of the main reasons why people enjoy these types of events. Here is sun dried beef or buffalo meat. 

Red curry "Kanom Jeen" available for sale at the protest site, food is often more popular than the speakers on the stage


"Protesters from the royalist Pitak Siam group, led by retired military general Boonlert Kaewprasit, repeatedly tried to breach police lines in the Thai capital and rammed a six-wheel truck into a security barrier but were held back." - Reuters, Nov 24, 2012

I quickly walked across the main area and down to the Misakawan intersection next to Government house. I did not cross over the the Makhawan bridge where the tear gas incidents occurred but I will have to on Monday morning. My office is right next door. I listed to the speakers who were mostly complaining about the police. I  exited the rally via Sri Ayuthaya road and returned to my neighborhood via Samsen and Sriyan. 

เสธ. อ้าย ยกเลิกการชุมนุมอย่างเป็นทางการ #ม็อบเสธอ้าย


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