Thailand Anti-Government Protesters Aim for ‘Day of Victory’ · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

The anti-government movement in Bangkok is called the “Whistle Revolution” as protesters whistle to show their discontentment. Photo by Camille Gazeau, Copyright @Demotix (11/29/2013)
Thailand’s anti-government protesters are aiming to occupy the Government House today and nine other government buildings in order to bring down the administration of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. This developed after a protester was killed and several others were injured during a clash between government supporters and protesters.
Protesters have occupied several buildings in the government complex but today many of them have dispersed in order to occupy other government offices and media stations. The Twitter hashtag #bangkokprotests is useful to monitor the protests.
Yingluck may have survived a no-confidence vote in parliament but the tension in the capital is far from over. Protesters wanted her removed from power because she is accused of being a puppet of her elder brother, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin was ousted by a coup in 2006. He is in exile after being found guilty of plunder by a local court.
The intensity of protests today is reminiscent of the 2008 crisis when protesters occupied the airport, and other key facilities of Bangkok.
A barbed wire was placed by the police to prevent the entry of protesters in government-owned buildings and media stations
หน้าช่อง 5 อีก_าพ เมื่อเวลา 11.54น. วันนี้ จากเฟซอี๊ด pic.twitter.com/0hAjMx3lwO
— Nalinee Siriked (@Nalinee_PLE) December 1, 2013
From channel 5, another photo at 11:54pm from Face-Eid
A student protester was hurt by a grenade fragment
จะจะ!นักศึกษาโดนาะเก็ดระเบิด เข้าหน้าเมื่อเช้า pic.twitter.com/i3ChFPxzFQ
— เอกชัย ผดุงเกียรติ (@tumtv9) December 1, 2013
Up close! A student hurt by a bomb blast in his face this morning
Tear gas was fired by the police against protesters during the Sunday morning protest:
ภาพตำรวจยิงแก๊สน้ำตา โดยชยานนท์ ปรานีต #NationTV http://t.co/7PdSWcglcM
— chalieo khongtug (@man_Rw) December 1, 2013
Photo of a police firing tear gas by Chayanond Praneet
Protestors preparing buckets of water at gov house in preparation for tear gas. Police have warned them this morning that gas will be used
— George Thaivisa (@georgebkk) December 1, 2013
This water has some chemicals in it, it burns the eyes and the skin like tear gas. Just tried myself, argh
— Alessandro Ursic (@aleursic) December 1, 2013
Many were relieved to hear that Red Shirt government supporters have decided to call off a rally this Sunday which would help in avoiding further clashes between them and the protesters. Red Shirts were gathered at the Rajamangala Stadium.
http://t.co/0jgxg8Flk1 view away from stage 2hrs ago @ #Redshirts rally @ stadium #TEPCam
— John Le Fevre (@photo_journ) November 30, 2013
In the Rajamangala Stadium after dispersal of the red shirts via @Phop_NTV: 08.33 ราชมังคลา หลังมวลชนเสื้อแดงทยอยกลับ pic.twitter.com/QiHuaMo3EU
— Aim_The Nation (@Aim_NT) December 1, 2013
Geez they “called off” the red shirt rally like 15 minutes ago and the stadium is already empty….that's fast!
— Dave Oliver (@daveoli) December 1, 2013
Protesters have criticized the bias of mainstream media which they used as a justification in trying to overtake media stations:
A rare development: Complaints by anti-govt. supporters that the mainstream TV channels are biased.
— Piriyathep K (@PKinbangkok) December 1, 2013
All this fighting over ‘ideology’ sprouted by a bunch of raving hypocrites. Not even ORIGINAL and masses fall for it.
— Nikky (@Nikky_Bangkok) December 1, 2013
For those that keep asking why anti-government protesters are “storming” Dusit Zoo in #Bangkok, it is because police are stationed there
— Richard Barrow (@RichardBarrow) December 1, 2013
Further reports this morning tho from Ramkhamhaeng Uni saying shots being fired. #Thailand
— Zoe Daniel (@seacorro) December 1, 2013
With a large and very loud crowd headig to Labour Ministry. Sea of Thai flags. Protesters heading in several directions.
— Jonathan Head (@pakhead) December 1, 2013
The government admitted that the protests have affected the delivery of public services in the country:
While the Government has dealt with the protests with utmost restraint to avoid casualties, it has also been able to ensure continuity in the administration of the state and law enforcement.
Although the provision of public services by some agencies has been affected, the Government has contingency plans to ensure that there is sufficient and comprehensive provision of public services.