Summary of developments related to anti-government protests led by Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban,

as of 2 December 2013, at 15.00 hrs

1. Latest situation regarding the protests

       30 November

-          Clashes occurred between 2 groups in front of Ramkhamhaeng University, resulting in 3 dead and 52 injured.

        1 December

-          Protesters continued to gather in 3 areas, with some 20,000 at the Democracy Monument, 1,500 at the Ministry of Finance, and 15,000 at the Government Offices Complex. From these positions, the groups fanned out to several venues, including the National Police Headquarters, Bangkok Metropolitan Police Headquarters and the Thai PBS television station. The protesters were told to disperse by their leaders at around 22:45 p.m. A few remained at the Ministry of Interior and Department of Public Relations.

-          A group of some 500 protesters led by General Preecha Iamsuppan remained assembled at Makawan Rangsan Bridge.

-          A group of some 4,000 students led by Mr. Nititorn Namluea gathered in the Nang Learng area. Several protesters attempted to penetrate the barriers protecting the restricted area. Riot police responded with tear gas. Protest leaders were later able to control their supporters.

-          Antigovernment protesters at government installations in greater Bangkok used makeshift stages to give protest speeches, with live audio-video links to other main protest stages. Most of the linked protest stages are in the Southern provinces.

-          International news agencies have continued to cover the situation. Most covered the events of 1 December, though accounts about the incident in front of Ramkhamhaeng University were unclear.

        2 December

-          At 13:30 hrs, a group of protesters attempted to enter the compounds of Government House and the Bangkok Metropolitan Police but were repelled by teargas and water cannon.

-          At 10 a.m., Deputy Prime Minister Pol. Gen. Pracha Promnok announced that the Prime Minister had appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul as the new head of the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) as the protesters’ actions had damaged Thailand’s image. Mr Surapong called for the protests to be within the bounds of the Constitution and not to disable the functioning of government agencies and services. He emphasized that government officials are civil servants who served all Thais equally. All government officials were urged to carry out their functions normally and be patient.

2.      Statements by various parties

The Government:

1 December 2013 - Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnok announced that the actions of Mr. Suthep and other protest leaders in trying to seize government quarters and television stations were illegal. The government had come to power through elections, in accordance with the Constitution. The actions taken by Mr. Suthep met the criteria of treason. Regarding the incident in front of Ramkhamhaeng University, police officers were gathering evidence to build a case against the perpetrators.  The government asked for cooperation from citizens to stay home between 22:00 – 05:00 hrs for their own safety.

2 December 2013  - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra gave a televised statement emphasizing that the Government is ready to engage in dialogue with all stakeholders and to consider every proposed option, including a Parliament dissolution or PM resignation, if such option will help restore peace in the country. However, the condition set by the protesters for the establishment of a “People’s Assembly” is unconstitutional and could not be materialized under this present Constitution. 

CAPO

CAPO statements emphasized that police operations will use utmost restraint and only crowd control measures in line with international standards and the limits of the law. The Police have invited the National Anti-Corruption Commission and National Human Rights Commission to observe their operations.

Thai Armed Forces

28 November - The Commander-in-Chief of the Thai Army in a press interview said that he continued to monitor the situation and asked all sides not to try to draw in the military. Instructions have been issued for the military to provide medical assistance to any wounded whenever possible.

30 November - The Thai Armed Forces authorized military personnel to perform limited duties in Bangkok and surrounding areas to protect government property, in response to a request from CAPO. The Army Commander-in-Chief urged protesters to avoid the use of violence, including attempts to destroy public property.

Anti-government groups

1 December - Mr. Suthep declared on television that the government and Puea Thai Party had acted unconstitutionally by not accepting the ruling of the constitutional court. This justified the Thai people exercising their rights through anti-government protests. The protest organizers, being against the Amnesty Bill and for constitutional righteousness, therefore aimed to remove the Thaksin regime and wished to reaffirm that their actions were in accordance with the Constitution.  Mr. Suthep said that he had met with the Prime Minister and did not accept the authority of this government. Dissolution of Parliament or resignation by the Prime Minister, he said, would not be accepted either. He urged instead the creation of a People’s Council and People’s Government, and called for all government officials to stop performing their duties.

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