Leaders of demonstrations that plunged the Thai capital into chaos yesterday called off their protests following rioting that left two dead and more than 120 injured across Bangkok.
Police issued warrants for 14 protest leaders, including the former prime minister whose ouster is at the heart of three years of political turmoil.
The swift and unexpected resolution ended with a final crowd of 2,000 die-hard protesters dutifully lining up for waiting government buses to take them home. There were no confrontations with the combat troops ringing the demonstrators’ last stronghold, nor any visible anger. Many looked broken, tired and almost in shock.
PHOTO: AP
Thailand’s Deputy Police Commissioner Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit said that four of the protest leaders had surrendered and would be interrogated. They were seen taken to nearby police headquarters.
Later, metropolitan police spokesman Suporn Pansua said the Bangkok Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against 14 protest leaders including deposed Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who went into self-imposed exile last year before a court convicted him of violating a conflict of interest law.
The arrest warrants cited the protest leaders for creating a public disturbance, which carries prison terms of up to seven years, and illegal assembly, which carries a term of up to three years.
“We have decided to call off the rally today because many brothers and sisters have been hurt and killed,” protest leader Suporn Attawong said. “And we will not allow more deaths.”
Jakrapob Penkair, another protest leader, also said the movement, which is demanding the resignation of Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and new elections, “would continue fighting.”
The leaders did not specify what they would do next.
“We have not achieved our goal of toppling the status quo and returning power to the majority of the people. We have not achieved our goal of returning the army to the barracks and stopping the ruling elite from intervening in politics. Until that happens, many won’t be giving up,” Jakrapob said.
The protesters flashed victory signs and shed tears as they walked away or boarded buses provided by the military. In the end, even the police struck a tender note.
“Please take care of your children and the elderly. Please be careful and if you need anything, let the police know,” one police commander said through a megaphone. “While you are waiting [for the buses], please stay in the shade.”
The government announced it was adding two more days to the three-day Thai New Year holiday, which began on Monday, to ensure safety and repair damage from the violence.
Despite the turmoil, thousands of Thais, along with foreign tourists, reveled through the night and doused each other with water to usher in the New Year.
“I don’t feel that we lost. We were only in a disadvantageous position. We only had heart. We didn’t have weapons,” said Siri Kadmai, a 45-year-old worker.
SECURITY: As China is ‘reshaping’ Hong Kong’s population, Taiwan must raise the eligibility threshold for applications from Hong Kongers, Chiu Chui-cheng said When Hong Kong and Macau citizens apply for residency in Taiwan, it would be under a new category that includes a “national security observation period,” Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said yesterday. President William Lai (賴清德) on March 13 announced 17 strategies to counter China’s aggression toward Taiwan, including incorporating national security considerations into the review process for residency applications from Hong Kong and Macau citizens. The situation in Hong Kong is constantly changing, Chiu said to media yesterday on the sidelines of the Taipei Technology Run hosted by the Taipei Neihu Technology Park Development Association. With
CARROT AND STICK: While unrelenting in its military threats, China attracted nearly 40,000 Taiwanese to over 400 business events last year Nearly 40,000 Taiwanese last year joined industry events in China, such as conferences and trade fairs, supported by the Chinese government, a study showed yesterday, as Beijing ramps up a charm offensive toward Taipei alongside military pressure. China has long taken a carrot-and-stick approach to Taiwan, threatening it with the prospect of military action while reaching out to those it believes are amenable to Beijing’s point of view. Taiwanese security officials are wary of what they see as Beijing’s influence campaigns to sway public opinion after Taipei and Beijing gradually resumed travel links halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the scale of
A US Marine Corps regiment equipped with Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) is set to participate in the upcoming Balikatan 25 exercise in the Luzon Strait, marking the system’s first-ever deployment in the Philippines. US and Philippine officials have separately confirmed that the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) — the mobile launch platform for the Naval Strike Missile — would take part in the joint exercise. The missiles are being deployed to “a strategic first island chain chokepoint” in the waters between Taiwan proper and the Philippines, US-based Naval News reported. “The Luzon Strait and Bashi Channel represent a critical access
Pope Francis is be laid to rest on Saturday after lying in state for three days in St Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff. The cardinals met yesterday in the Vatican’s synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis’ successor, as condolences poured in from around the world. According to current norms, the conclave must begin between May 5 and 10. The cardinals set the funeral for Saturday at 10am in St Peter’s Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College