Thai protesters enjoy free food massage
Written by Admin on Friday, September 5th, 2008
Thai protesters enjoy free food massage
By JOCELYN GECKER,Associated Press Writer AP - Friday, September 5
BANGKOK, Thailand - Once only open to the ruling elite, Thailand’s stately Government House has turned into a cross between a refugee camp and a village fairground.
Thousands of anti-government protesters occupying the prime minister’s office compound have set up a fully functioning tent community with free food, outdoor showers, entertainment, massages and lots of manicured shrubs for hanging laundry to dry.
The siege, in its 11th day Friday, is aimed at forcing Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to resign. The demonstrators have not yet succeeded in kicking him out of office, but they have certainly kept him out his office.
To ease the kinks caused by round-the-clock protesting, massage services are available under the shade of palm trees for 100 baht (US$3) an hour.
In a live radio broadcast Thursday, Samak called the situation a national embarrassment and refused to step down _ drawing boos and jeers from thousands of protesters fanning themselves on lawn chairs outside his office.
“I am outside and can’t work properly,” Samak said, his speech broadcast from a sound stage set up on the Government House lawn.
Samak initially based himself at a military headquarters outside the capital, Bangkok, but his aides say he has lately worked from an office at the Defense Ministry.
“Is it shameful? Yes it is,” Samak said.
The protests have caused one of the biggest political crises since Thailand became a constitutional monarchy in 1932. It is the first time in the country’s history that civilians have overrun the seat of government.
Built in the early 20th century and modeled after a Venetian palace, the Gothic-style Government House is one of Bangkok’s most distinguished buildings.
“Welcome! Would you like something to eat?” asks Pongping Kumna, a protester manning the free food stand just past the entrance gate. Tables are piled high with donations, many ordered from popular Bangkok eateries.
Recent offerings included sauteed chicken with chilies and basil, Thai-style noodles from a famous downtown noodle shop, McDonald’s hamburgers and for dessert, shaved ice with fruit flavoring and chocolate doughnuts.
“We have everything we need here. There’s no reason to leave,” said Pongping, 44, a clothing shop owner from the southern beach town Krabi, who has camped at the compound for nine days.
Protesters have tapped into the Government House’s electricity source. Extension cords have been run for essentials like charging mobile phones and powering televisions.
The anti-government channel ASTV, owned by protest leader Sondhi Limthongkul, is broadcast round-the-clock on TV sets scattered around the grounds.
Fiery anti-Samak speakers take the stage, alternating with pop singers, like one recently crooning James Taylor songs as the crowd clapped and swayed.
When needs for supplies arise, protest leaders take the microphone and request donations from supporters who have responded by trucking in portable toilets and rudimentary outdoor showers with curtains for privacy.
The stench of urine and garbage is a problem they are trying to address.
Signs taped to the building’s ornate facade note: “The Government House is the property of the Thai people. So all Thais should keep it clean.”
For medical needs, there are several first-aid stations, which also hand out free shampoo, soap, mouthwash and razors.
Doctors from hospitals and clinics around Thailand have taken leave of their day jobs to join the protest, said Bangkok ophthalmologist Somporn Reepolmania, pointing out a surgeon, dentist, psychiatrist and anesthesiologist.
“We are protesting against Samak and against the corrupt politics of Thailand,” he said. “The government has no morals, no ethics, and the system doesn’t work. We have to change it.”
The group leading the protests, the People’s Alliance for Democracy, argues that Western-style democracy does not work for Thailand. It says the ballot box gives too much weight to the impoverished rural majority who are susceptible to vote buying that breeds corruption. It wants Parliament to be revamped so most lawmakers would be appointed rather than elected.
Thailand has experienced 18 military coups, but the military so far has ignored the demonstrators.
The alliance’s security volunteers sit behind a barbed-wire barricade at the entrance, which is stacked with motorcycle helmets for protection and golf clubs, bamboo rods and rudimentary shields.
Protesters say they are not afraid of conflict. Some have traveled long distances to take part in the demonstrations.
“I flew from Los Angeles to Bangkok to be with (my) people,” said United Airlines flight attendant Maree Lertphraewphun, who has lived in the United States for 38 years. She requested vacation to join the protests.
“If I happen to die, I will die with them,” she said.
