Santi Asoke in for the long haul
By ThaiDay
Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang signs autographs at Sanam Luang this morning ahead of the second day of anti-Thaksin protests.
The devout Buddhist sect Santi Asoke this morning vowed to continue its fight to oust the embattled premier after a nightlong vigil at Sanam Luang.
“Absolutely… we will stay for many days, until our job is done,” said one member of the diehard Dharma Army, which says it is committed to toppling Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra because of his lack of moral integrity.
Despite a sleepless night, the sect’s leading figure Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, Thaksin’s former political mentor, was in high spirits this morning, meeting with local people and members of the media.
Barefooted and wearing a farmer’s outfit, Chamlong, who joined the push to remove the premier eight days ago, signed autographs for the public and fellow anti-Thaksin demonstrators.
Chamlong led a bloody four-day peoples’ power revolt 14 years ago which saw dictator Gen Suchinda Krayprayoon step down, and his arrival on the scene has boosted the anti-Thaksin alliance.
A Bangkok monastery belonging to the sect was hit by a bomb blast last week, which he said was a futile attempt to intimidate Santi Asoke and deter them from joining the rally.
Chamlong joined hundreds of the sect’s followers this morning to listen to a sermon by senior monk, Phra Bhodhirak.
He sat cross-legged among a sea of followers and monks in their signature blue shirts and maroon robes as curious onlookers gathered around.
Chamlong told reporters that Santi Asoke were in for the long haul – a statement backed up by piles of blankets, sleeping bags and food – and that Thaksin’s time was up. “We have the support of the people,” he said.
Steadfast members of the public who stayed at the protest site overnight said members of Santi Asoke had been busy in the early hours of this morning clearing Sanam Luang of litter ahead of a second day of protesting, due to begin at 4pm today.
By ThaiDay
Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang signs autographs at Sanam Luang this morning ahead of the second day of anti-Thaksin protests.
The devout Buddhist sect Santi Asoke this morning vowed to continue its fight to oust the embattled premier after a nightlong vigil at Sanam Luang.
“Absolutely… we will stay for many days, until our job is done,” said one member of the diehard Dharma Army, which says it is committed to toppling Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra because of his lack of moral integrity.
Despite a sleepless night, the sect’s leading figure Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, Thaksin’s former political mentor, was in high spirits this morning, meeting with local people and members of the media.
Barefooted and wearing a farmer’s outfit, Chamlong, who joined the push to remove the premier eight days ago, signed autographs for the public and fellow anti-Thaksin demonstrators.
Chamlong led a bloody four-day peoples’ power revolt 14 years ago which saw dictator Gen Suchinda Krayprayoon step down, and his arrival on the scene has boosted the anti-Thaksin alliance.
A Bangkok monastery belonging to the sect was hit by a bomb blast last week, which he said was a futile attempt to intimidate Santi Asoke and deter them from joining the rally.
Chamlong joined hundreds of the sect’s followers this morning to listen to a sermon by senior monk, Phra Bhodhirak.
He sat cross-legged among a sea of followers and monks in their signature blue shirts and maroon robes as curious onlookers gathered around.
Chamlong told reporters that Santi Asoke were in for the long haul – a statement backed up by piles of blankets, sleeping bags and food – and that Thaksin’s time was up. “We have the support of the people,” he said.
Steadfast members of the public who stayed at the protest site overnight said members of Santi Asoke had been busy in the early hours of this morning clearing Sanam Luang of litter ahead of a second day of protesting, due to begin at 4pm today.
