VOA: The World Bank estimates that in 2012, Bangkok accounted for 26 percent of Thailand’s gross domestic product, but it received more than 70 percent of government spending.
Bangkok Post: “Wage inequality has been encouraged to support export-driven economic growth based on cheap labour…. In 2010, the poorest 10% of the population received about 2% of Thailand’s wage….
Vocativ: The government has already given in to many of the group’s demands. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, whose two terms have been marred by almost constant protest, has dissolved parliament and called for new elections in February.
Bangkok Pundit: Abhisit [Vejjajiva] does not think that the protestors can topple the government and that protest leaders will have to intensify their efforts, raising the chances of violence.
Khaosod: Blue Sky TV [of the so-called Democrat Party and official TV station to the anti-democracy movement] has announced a crackdown on sales of counterfeit whistles in anti-government rally sites. The satellite channel … said on a Facebook post that sales of unauthorised whistles would no longer be tolerated…. But Blue Sky has previously complained that many vendors in PCAD rally sites have copied the special design of whistles officially adopted by the channel, which come in shapes similar to a lightning, and stated that these actions amount to copyrights infringement. The channel also sells its own “premium” lightning-shaped whistles, costing up to 999 baht per piece.
The Nation: Three armed naval officers have allegedly been found working unlawfully as guards for hardline anti-government movement Students and People Network for Thailand’s Reform (STR), police said yesterday.
Khaosod: Although PCAD protest sites have been targeted by drive-by shootings and bomb attacks in the past, the gunfire attack at Chalermla Bridge last night is widely seen as one of the most high-profile incidents so far, as it took place in the downtown heart of Bangkok, and in extreme proximity to Sra Pathum Palace, the official residence of Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhorn…. “Gen. Prayuth has ordered us to pay attention to the area surrounding Huan Chang Bridge,” Maj.Gen. Warah said, using the common name of Chalermla Bridge, “As it is very close to Sra Prathum Palace. He also asked us to reach understanding with the protesters that they must make way for royal convoy. The protesters understood that”.
Bangkok Post: Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha is worried that an armed group might be behind sporadic attacks launched during the anti-government protests in Bangkok. Deputy army spokesman Winthai Suwaree said Gen Prayuth is worried about the security situation near rally sites.
The Nation: Despite the protests being small, “Since the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) launched its ‘Bangkok shutdown’ campaign on Monday, it has been spending more than Bt10 million daily to maintain its eight new rally sites – double the amount it was spending when the protest was confined to the Democracy Monument, PDRC spokesperson Akanat Promphan said…. PDRC core-leader Satit Wongnongtaey admitted that the cost of managing the protest had risen seven-fold since the “shutdown” campaign was launched, adding that the PDRC really needed donations and that it was not just a gimmick.
Update: The latest press release from the anti-democrats relates to the funding issue above:
PDRC spokesperson slams Chalerm Yubamrung for discrediting the public; thanks citizens for their goodwill and support
Akanat Promphan, spokesperson for the PDRC, rebuked caretaker Labor Minister Chalerm Yubamrung today for maliciously slandering innocent citizens donating cash and provisions to the PDRC. Chalerm’s accusations of public “redonations” of money from PDRC secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban to the public, then back to Suthep were groundless, said Akanat, as all monies were given wholeheartedly to support Ratchadamnoen and now Pathumwan kitchen. “Help comes in all forms and denominations. Is Chalerm really accusing the toddlers and schoolchildren handing us 5-and-10-baht coins of deceit?” he asked.
Spokesperson Akanat also highlighted the PDRC’s gratitude to the public for giving so much and so freely. “All of our operations are publicly and voluntarily funded by the goodwill of citizens who are determined to eradicate the Thaksin regime, unseat his proxy government, and undertake critical reforms before the next election. Any assistance by the PDRC to help the public achieve its objectives are also freely provided, such as food, medical attention, and security. The caretaker government is fully aware of this yet continues to attempt to discredit the PDRC and innocent protesters,” criticized Akanat. “Its efforts would be better spent on finding those responsible for violently attacking peaceful and law-abiding citizens. In particular, those responsible for the injuries and deaths at Ramkhamhaeng University, Thai-Japanese Youth Center/Din Daeng, and the anti-government protest sites are still at large.”
A couple of points: Is the anti-democrat movement really taking money from toddlers? More seriously, the claim that all operations are “publicly and voluntarily funded by the goodwill of citizens” seems to be negated by the report in The Nation above which suggests that Suthep Thaugsuban and others have been kicking in substantial funds. There’s plenty of other business funding to the movement, and this has been consistent since 2005.
Finally, Akanat showed an example of a recent attempt in social media to discredit the PDRC by forging pricing announcements for PDRC services (pictured in the attached image: a banner charging each vehicle 200 baht for PDRC security services near Chatuchuk/Lat Prao stage). He reiterated that the PDRC has always operated and will continue to operate free of charge for the public good.