Pro- and anti-govt groups rally in NY, out of sight of PM

The pro-government group led by People’s Alliance for Democracy and People’s Democratic Reform Committee in the US occupied a corner of 47th Street and First Avenue – while the opposition, calling themselves Thai democracy-lovers, occupied another corner some 10 metres away at the same location.
They were all Thais – some holding US citizenship – and mostly know each other, but political divisions over the past few years has kept them on different sides. The pro-government group, which is indeed the yellow shirts, called for the junta to stay on while the anti-government group – which is red shirts – wants the military government to step down and call an early election.
Their demonstrations in New York were mixed up with other protesters on other issues – such as the Falun Gong and Sudan. They held posters, shouted slogans and distributed leaflets to passers-by, mostly delegates to UN meetings.
Willie Thong, a coordinator of the anti-government group, said his group had called for the junta to return power to the people, restoration of the 1997 constitution and early elections.
“I have lived in the US for more than 40 years. I don’t know former premier Thaksin Shinawatra personally and I don’t hate General Prayut Chan-o-cha, either,” he said, “There is nothing personal. We are here to call for democracy, as the coup and junta have damaged our home country.”
The Thai economy has slowed down since the coup last year. Thailand’s human rights status was downgraded and it will possibly be sanctioned due to such poor practices, he said.
Meanwhile, the pro-government group said it supported Prayut as he was fair and honest. He was cleaning up the country from corruption caused by former premiers from the Shinawatra clans.
The anti-government group ended its one-day protest with participation by outspoken academic Pavin Chachavalpongpun from Kyoto University. He said he had joined the group to call for justice for himself after revocation of his passport and allegations of lese majeste for his refusal to report himself to the junta.
The pro-government group ended its gathering two hours earlier than the opponents, but will be back again on Sunday and Monday (US time) with more people, according to coordinator Pailin Kumsiri.
Initially the government’s supporters planned to be present a day after the opposition due to fears of a clash. They changed their plans later to rally on the same day and will have a large group to outnumber the opponents on other days.
Pailin said her group had received a message of thanks from government Deputy Spokesman Werachon Sukhondhapatipak for their support. The opponents were not contacted by government officials.
Prime Minister Prayut did not see the protest as he spent his day mostly visiting the 9/11 memorial and holding meetings at UN functions. He had a bilateral meeting with UN Office on Drug and Crime executive director Yury Fedotov, before receiving an International Telecommunication Union Global Sustainable Digital Development Award at the UN headquarters building.