Photos from Manager Online

Photos by Tatikarn Dechaphong, Prachatai

Photos by Piyasak Usab, Thai People Press

Photos by bact'

About 200 members of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) gathered to celebrate a Fermented Fish Party at the Royal Plaza, in front of Suan Amphorn on 30 August 2007.

At the same time, inside Suan Amphorn on the other side of the Royal Plaza, Mr. Meechai Ruchupan, President of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) presided over a reception dinner on the occasion of the promulgation of the 2007 Constitution. Those present at the ceremony included cabinet members, members of the Council for National Security (CNS), members of the NLA, former members of the Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA), members of the Constitution Drafting Committees (CDC), members of the independent agencies, and foreign ambassadors to Thailand.

During the reception, a video "The Route toward the 2007 Constitution" was presented by Mr. Noranit Setabutr, former CDA President. The video outlined the process of drafting the 2007 constitution, and Mr. Meechai welcomed the success of the 2007 Constitution.

General Sonthi Boonyaratklin, Army Chief and Chair of the CNS, said that the constitution was valuable especially in a situation where the international community is keeping an eye on Thailand. "We want democracy, and the promulgation of this constitution means that we have reached the midway point. We are now moving to the elections on 23 December, and, as Mr. Meechai Ruchupan stated, the results of the election will be an indicator of the effectiveness of democracy in the country.

Police Confiscate Fermented Fish Car - Claim Damage to Country's Reputation

As the celebrations of the promulgation of the constitution were going on inside Suan Amphorn, outside a "Fermented Fish Party" celebrated the 10 million voters that rejected the constitution.

About 150 metropolitan police officers, under the supervision of Pol Maj. Gen. Manit Wongsomboon, Commander of Metropolitan Police 1 and Pol Col. Chalothorn Sritawachpong, Dusit Police Station Superintendent, surrounded the demonstrators.

Pol Maj. Gen. Manit said that the police had asked the demonstrators not to use the Royal Plaza since the area is under the supervision of Royal Household Bureau, and prior permission has to be granted.

Pol Col. Chalothorn said that he did not mean to disrupt or pressure the demonstrators, but requested them not to use the area as the NLA was using the area to celebrate the 2007 Constitution with foreign ambassadors and consuls in attendance.

At around 5.30 pm while the demonstrators were preparing to read a statement and march from the area to the Parliament building, ten demonstrators dressed in traditional Northeastern dress started a traditional dance to liven up their fellow demonstrators.

The police officers then approached and linked their arms around the dancers, which created a little confusion. The police wanted the demonstrators to remain still and refrain from using amplifiers, giving the reason that it was a royal area. The police also confiscated a truck belonging to the protesters and briefly took it to Dusit Police Station. The truck contained traditional musical instruments, speakers, and fermented fish jars that had been prepared for the ceremony.

After negotiations, the police promised that the truck would be returned but to the Parliament building, instead of the demonstrators driving it from the Royal Plaza to Parliament.

Mr. Somyot Pruksakasemsuk, leader of the 24 July Democratic Group and leader of the UDD, commented that the demonstration was the people's right according to the Section 53 of the 2007 Constitution. The protesters were assembling peacefully but were prevented from using the Royal Plaza on a pretext. He said that this constitution is not truly democratic and the people can not put their hopes in it, since restrictions on tradition Northeastern dances and on eating traditional food is a violation of human dignity.

Dictators should be Shaken by 10 million Voters

At around 6.00 pm, Ms. Arunwana Sanikawatee, a Thammasat University student acting as a representative of the demonstrators, read a statement at the Royal Marker in the Royal Plaza, praising every voter that rejected the constitution and dictatorship. The statement said that the 10 million votes rejecting the constitution are the voices of ordinary citizens. It was an important victory for democracy-loving people, an important step forward that will shake the dictators.

Anchovy Made in the Rain

The demonstrators then moved to the Parliament building where the Parliamentary Security Police immediately closed the gates.

As the demonstrators were lining up, with Dr. Sant Hatateerat and Dr. Weng Tojirakarn present and ready to open the Fermented Fish Party, heavy rain started. Since only one tent was prepared, many demonstrators had to remain outside in the rain.

During the heavy downpour, traditional dancers were dancing outside the tents to encourage the demonstrators during the rain.

At 7.30 pm the activities resumed after the rain stopped. Flowers were presented to Navy Lieutenant Chalad Worachat, who has vowed to stay in a man-made prison in front of parliament until Thailand returns to democracy.

Democracy Destroyed by Soldiers as the Peoples' Political Awareness Grows

At 8.00 pm, Mr. Methapan Potiteeraroj, Deuty President of UDD, officially opened the Fermented Fish Party and invited demonstrators to pound different Papaya Salad mortars representing the military until the mortars were broken.

A speech entitled "Democratic Benefits Given by Northerners and Northeasterners from the Past to Present" was given by Dr. Suthachai Yimprasert, Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University.

Dr. Suthachai said that the ordinary people around the country have been playing similar roles in supporting democracy, which we can see from two situations. First whenever there is an election, the people will enforce their rights to participation. And secondly in a historical context, the tearing up of constitutions and coups d'etat have only been committed by the ruling class and the military, but never the ordinary people.

However, we can see interesting points in the recent history of the North and Northeast. After the 1932 revolution and the election after that, we see that the peoples in the Northeast have been very aware. Local politicians also played a role in this.

When the Japanese army invaded Thailand, the first group to surrender was the army and the military. However, those who resisted were the people. In provinces such as Sakon Nakhon, arms training was organized by the people in the Phu Phan mountains.

The first abolition of a constitution was carried out in 1947 by the military. It was the third constitution that was destroyed. As the military were bringing democracy backward, it was the people who stood up to fight for democracy.

Dr. Suthachai continued that Northeasterners have played an important role in resisting dictators, while Northerners contributed in other roles such as the formation of the Peasants and Farmers Federation by Northern farmers.

He observed that we see a level of awareness of the people from the two regions every time there is an election. High numbers of people in the two regions would vote whereas Bangkok had low turn-outs.

Therefore, the claims by the ruling class that the people are not politically aware and do not care about elections cannot be justified. He reiterated that it is the military that has been destroying democracy and intimidating the people.

Dr. Suthachai referred to the two major accusations that the peoples are Thai Rak Thai supporters and that people were bribed to vote against the constitution. He explained that it the people have the right to make an independent choice about what party to support. And the claim of vote-buying is flawed, as not a single person was arrested on this charge.

Dr. Suthachai stated that the two accusations are groundless; because the accusers are not brave enough to say that the 10 million votes rejecting the constitution are 10 million voices rejecting dictatorship. He concluded that Northerners and Northeasterners have shown the ruling class that people will not easily accept military dictators.

Translated by Pokpong Lawansiri