For some, anti-govt protest lacks spirit of PAD rallies of old
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THE LATEST "anti-Thaksin regime" rally at Lumpini Park is reminiscent of a similar anti-Thaksin gathering five years ago.
However, the atmosphere at this “People’s Army to Overthrow the Thaksin Regime” rally is different, less exciting so far than the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD)’s protest.
The People’s Army group put up a large temporary stage in front of the King Rama VI Monument bearing the message: “Join us in overthrowing the Thaksin regime”. Speakers took turns onstage to attack the government.
Joining in the rally were both Bangkokians and people from other provinces.
The out-of-towners set up tents around the King Rama VI monument and separated their quarters into provinces such as Tak, Phitsanulok, Chanthaburi, Krabi and Udon Thani. These people from other provinces usually stay for three to five days.
A woman called Mai said she’d come from Tak with her friends, driving a private car. She planned to return home tomorrow, but her friend Kratai was determined to stay until the protest disperses.
Another man, Mek from Udon Thani, said he voted for the Pheu Thai Party in the 2011 general election, but decided to join in this People’s Army rally because the government wasn’t working for the people and couldn’t solve the country’s economic troubles.
A woman who identified herself as Somkid, 67, said she was from Bangkok. She was a supporter of the PAD, and said she was now demanding that the Pheu Thai-led government resign.
Somkid was a nurse in the US and returned to Thailand only five years ago. She claimed that every day she reads three to four newspapers and looks for information on the Internet to get more news about the government.
“My reason for joining this rally is because I can see this government is corrupt, so I want to show politicians that voters don’t want corrupt leaders,” Somkid said.
Both Bangkokians and people from other provinces said the rally would be livelier and more powerful if the PAD’s leaders joined in.
Rally crowds are always more enthusiastic when their stomachs are full.
At this one, there’s a tent called the “centre kitchen” that welcomes everyone with free meals. It has a volunteer kitchen too.
A woman who identified herself as Jit said her kitchen provided meals for supporters all day. The most popular dish among rally-goers seems to be omelette with rice.
One difficulty with this rally is that there are no shower rooms or toilets. Protesters use Lumpini Park’s toilets and facilities provided by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).
Like all rally sites, this one offers a golden opportunity for vendors to operate their businesses. Several vendors have set up street stalls to sell white masks and T-shirts emblazoned with anti-government messages.
Prapai Kiewsra, 53, a souvenir vendor, said she is a PAD supporter and has been selling anti-government souvenirs since the group’s rally in 2008.
“I wanted to go to the rally but my daughter won’t allow me to join in because she fears I may get hurt if violence breaks out. So I decided to order souvenirs from Sampheng, a large wholesale market, to sell at the rally. But several times I left my shop to join in the rallies.”
Kanlaya Cherdchid, 55, a T-shirt vendor, said she has been joining PAD rallies since 2008. She began to think it would be a good idea to sell something at the rally sites. So she created screen-printed T-shirts and sold them to protesters.
However, some regular vendors at the venue worry they are looked down on, as if they were part of the rally.
Phun Panwaewngam, 29, said he’s been selling fruit at Lumpini Park for a long time, but when the area was occupied by the rallies he was wary of being seen as one of the protesters.
