Suthep Thaugsuban (20.59): Brothers and sisters, fellow patriots everywhere, greetings.
(image credit: เวทีราชดำเนิน)
Today was our longest march ever. It was not 10 hours – our record when we visited our friends in Silom and Yaowaraj (Chinatown) – but 11 hours in all.Thank you for your astounding generosity. Cash, provisions, and even cough medication – I am in awe and grateful. A special thanks to all the students I met today. The many, many elementary schoolchildren who saved up their allowances in coins especially for Loong Kamnan brought tears to my eyes. Suksanari school’s chant of “Loong Kamnan, su su” was music to my ears.Students from all the educational institutions who came to greet us promised to help Occupy Bangkok on the 13th. Dhonburi Rajabhat University, Panichayakarn Ratchadamnoen, Chinoros school, and several others – I thank you.
Thank you again, DSI chief Tharit Pengdit, for freezing our accounts. Without you we probably would have never seen such overwhelming generosity.Upon returning to Democracy Monument this evening, I received some good news. I thank the Criminal Court for rejecting DSI’s request for arrest warrants for 35 of our protest leaders.
The government has been abusing the sovereign power of the people to do whatever it wants. It tried to pass an Amnesty Bill whitewashing graft, corruption, and murder, and it has violated and denounced the Constitution and the Constitutional Court again, and again, and again. This, my friends, is why it is time for the people to reclaim their sovereign power. But we will do so without arms, in a disciplined manner, and peacefully. We are not here to use force against anyone no matter how badly this sham government tries to taunt us. We will topple the Thaksin regime with our bare hands! The world shall witness our pure victory! On the 13th we will distribute prayer sheets. If anyone tries to trick us into using force, we will pray for them instead.
We shall announce our plans beforehand and we must remain disciplined. We’ve already released information on the 7 stages (Chaengwattana – Lard Prao – Victory Monument – Pathumwan – Ratchaprason – Lumpini – Asoke. Our other movements will be strictly confined to surrounding pre-announced government offices, so please listen carefully to core leaders’ instructions.
Let me repeat again that Operation Occupy Bangkok does NOT involve the shutting down of any form of public transportation or any airports. We are also leaving one lane open for public street transport such as buses and friendly taxis. Neither are we shutting down Laem Chabang port, the Stock Exchange of Thailand, the Bank of Thailand, or any commercial banks. Additional information: Ambulances, those with medical emergencies, tour buses, and hotel/restaurant/merchant vehicles may also pass freely.As we’ve said before, we want as little disturbance as possible. If this doesn’t work, we’ll start focusing on how to handle individual cabinet members and Yingluck. Government officials, please prepare for a long holiday starting on the 13th. Better yet, please come join us!
I heard about the protest staged by the vans-for-hire at Victory Monument today. I understand they are upset because the occupation of Bangkok will disrupt their business. However, we must continue on in order to bring down the Thaksin regime, and for this, sacrifice on all our parts is necessary.
Red-shirted friends, please consider carefully what the Thaksin regime has actually given you. Has it benefitted you, or the UDD leaders? For example, Nattawut Saikua is now a wealthy deputy minister (Commerce Ministry), Jatuporn Prompan wears a Patek Philippe watch, and Arisman Pongruangrong has just invested in an airline. Where does their money come from?
Red-shirted friends, please reflect on all the information about the Thaksin regime that we have been repeating. Please know that we are ready to welcome all of you at any time. Thaksin, his cronies, and his proxy government have exploited our country’s money and resources for their personal gain. They don’t care about Thailand’s future. They don’t respect the rule of law. How can we build a better future for our children and grand-children if they remain in power? How can we teach the next generation what corruption is if all such wrongdoings are granted amnesty by these crooks?
It’s time to give up, Yingluck. Stop pleading the military to intervene with your crocodile tears. If you want help, go to National Police chief Adul Saengsingkaew, Deputy National Police Commissioner Gen Worapong Chewprecha, and Metropolitan Police Bureau Commissioner Pol Lt Gen Khamronvit Thupkrajang. Those are the only police leaders that will help you now.
Jarupong (caretaker Interior Minister Jarupong Ruangsuwan), stop threatening to remove the Kamnan and other local officials from Surat Thani and Chumphon who no longer support your sham, corrupt government. Take a look at all these Kamnan and administrative officials from Nakhon Si Thammarat. No one respects you anymore, Jaropong! It’s time for you to resign. You have no place here – you have betrayed Thailand enough!
Kamnans speaking on behalf of local officials (Amphur heads, public health officials and local law enforcement) and residents of Phak Panang, Nakhon Si Thammarat (21.58): We support reform before election and will be here to occupy Bangkok on 13 January!
Brothers and sisters, witness the bravery of these provincial officials. More and more join us everyday. Therefore, those of you who are undecided, government officials who have not yet voiced an opinion, we implore you to join us from 13 January onwards to end the Thaksin regime. Together we stand, my friends. Thank you and good night!
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