Protesters determined to stay the course and oust government

Oyster farmer Thammanoon Pedthung from Surat Thani, 62, believes the shutdown has to be stepped up because the government has been indifferent. Laying siege to state premises may put pressure on the government, but the measure has also caused negative consequences for the business sector, he says. If the government’s downfall is brought about by court verdicts in various cases against the government, the PDRC will not have to work hard, he adds.

 

Auto-parts trader Chamrin Charoenthawornchai from Bangkok, 52, says more people have taken part in the shutdown because they knew the government was really bad and they could help oust it. But it was stubborn, she said, because it did not want to have court cases haunting it.

 

She believed the country would be much better if it undergoes major reforms.

 

 

Gardener Chira Chanmuangthai from Krabi, 62, said although the government has not resigned after one-month of the shutdown campaign, he would continue taking part in the rally till they receive victory. 

He said he was not worried about his work in the south because his family could take care of it. He was more concerned about the country.

 

Garment trader Chaicharn Thorher from Bangkok, 50, said since the shutdown campaign had so far failed to oust the government, the PDRC may have to turn to courts for help. If the government did not accept the courts’ authority, the last resort is the military. “If the military does not come out, then people should besiege the PM. I will fight till we win,’’ he said.

 

Food trader Kanha Thanomthai from Phuket, 50, said she could not believe that the government was so “thick skinned”, but she would continue with the rally till PDRC chief Suthep Thaugsuban won. If Suthep was arrested, she would follow him everywhere, she said.

 

Former bank teller Nattaporn Charoenrit said although the protesters have not won, they achieved certain level of success in creating political awareness especially young people and those in the entertainment sector against corruption. Good people must not allow bad people to do bad deeds.

 

Chatchada (last name not revealed) from Ayuthaya, said she felt tired and disheartened sometimes but with her strong will she said defeat was out of the question. She judged the level of the campaign’s success as half way, saying when there was no daily attack on the protesters it was a victory.

 

Phetchaburi resident Daeng Kiewcha-um said the campaign had made a significant progress with increasing numbers of people not only from Bangkok but provinces joining the demonstration to oust the government. Since the government is not going to give up easily, the protesters have no choice but continue their struggle.