sportmuaythai

I'm not sure if this topic is permisable on this page. If not, then mod pls erase my topic. A few of you may be aware that there is a major political uprising in Thailand currently. I'm not here to discuss politic, but about self defense. It's not about muaythai BTW. I was at the government house to support the protest, and the situation found me facing the riot police squad with shield and batton. This was a case of unarmed citizen against the police. We were quickly taught how to block police advance, bare handed, and how to retrieve teargas etc. I really cherish the experience of looking at police in the eyes, witnessed fear and determination from fellow volunteers. And finally the grateful feeling of having paid debt to motherland.
BTW I was also involved in the PAD's seige of the Ministry of Finance.

Bangkok Post | PAD mass protest

People's Alliance for Democracy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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fire cobra

Hello SportMuay,

Can you tell us more of your experience during that time you were there?

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ltindiandaeng

I do not live in Bangkok and was not involved or even witness any of the political strife. During my career I was the team leader of the riot squad at prison I worked at, and thus have been involved in riot situations on the other side. I watched news and was not impressed at all with tactics of police involved in any of the demonstrations that were televised. I do however have a school and teach stick defense tactics to mostly farmers who are looking to defend their crops. But as a farang, and not a Thai citizen, I myself try to avoid becoming involved in Thai politics, regardless of my personal feelings on the subject. As an American I will say I believe in democracy and the right of free expression.

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sportmuaythai

Dear fire cobra, I was at the Finance Ministry only to add volume to protesters. The seize was very casual. Initially, the Ministry closed its gates, and wouldn't even allow females who gathered there to use toilets. despite gentle pleas. When a PAD leader arrived (after almost two hours), we crowded at the gate and seriously asked the police to open the gate, which they did. While we entered the compound, we didn't enter any building, and were asked not to damage any property. It was PAD's intention to comdemn the Ministry for interfering with the National Bank of Thailand, and for the Dept. of Revenue for illegally trying to retrieve the frozen assets of the ex-primeminister's children, and return the money to them (the children!).
On the fateful Friday, I had a hunch that the police would launch attacks, because most protesters would be tired and many would leave the government house on Thursday night to rest. On friday afternoon, protesters would return in great number since they would have the weekend to participate, and the police wouldn't be able to carry out their attack. I arrived at the government house at 4:30am Friday to find the house sparsely occupied. A woman told me that many left because words were spreading that the police would qattack in the morning. Later, I found out that they had already made half of an attempt to attack at gates to test the strength of defenders. About 8 am, people were shouting for help at a gate near wher my sister and I were sitting. Immediately, I felt that every one there had a duty to protect the house, and defend the PAD leaders from Police. I asked my sister to look after my day pack and ran to volunteer.
I'll come back to post my experience, but I need to leave now. Watch for the final episode

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aseepish

I hope everything went well.

There's not a lot of news coming out of Thailand that gets much attention in the north American press - this is the only information I have to go on.

BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Thai MPs elect new prime minister

I hope that a peaceful resolution to this crisis comes soon. Stay safe!

__________________
"It was about that time I realized that searching was my symbol, the emblem of those who go out at night with nothing in mind, the motives of a destroyer of compasses." -Cortázar

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fire cobra

Thanks SportMuay,

Do you think the situation will settle down soon?,please keep us posted on developments and as Asheepish says stay safe.

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Ghost

Politics in Thailand is retarded. Well done though sportsmuaythai.
You are doing the right thing and you need more protesters to join you.

Until Thailand gets its act together politically it will remain in the dark ages and the people will continue to live at a lower standard than they should. Too many corrupt leaders.

__________________
There are no second chances.

“Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength.”

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sportmuaythai

Thanks for all kind words. To continue:
Since we were defending with no weapon, even flag poles had to be removed. Volunteers were placed across the gate, and each front guy had a row of four persons to assist him with the push against the police intruder. For footing, I was taught the usual stance, same as that of muaythai. The weak forearm is placed horizontally across shoulder blades of the guy ahead, open palm, and the other hand graps back of the wrist of the weak arm. The push is in rythm according to whistle signal given by our leader. We were also instructed how to lay on the ground or sit down, neck and head protected, in case the police broke thru, and not to fight lest we would be savagely beat up. Later I found out that some police would beat up even non resisting females. So it depends on each individual police man.

The police came from three different departments. The border patrol, and the special riot suppressing unit were well disciplined, and these would present no probolem with us. The third group of police men came from stations in Cholburi province ( Pattaya is one of the districts in Cholburi), and they would be used to actually beat up the protestors. The provincial police men are accustomed to mistreating civilians, and extort money. So playing bully is natural.
Apology, I have to leave again. Will resume reporting soonest.

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fire cobra

Thanks for the update SportMuay,once again stay safe.

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sportmuaythai

Initially, I was stationed as the first man of the next five persons in my row, ready to move in to assist the guys ahead in case they tired out or couldn't resist police thrust. First guys of the second group had to look out, if police decided to enter thru the buildings on both sides of the gate. If the police took this route, they would have to drop from first or second floor to the ground to gain entry, which was not convenient. Later I learned that the government house was built like a fort or a castle, there is a trench about knee deep all around. This was to our advantage, since first police man in line would be dropped, and next police of that row would not be efficient in pushing the police in front. The gate I was protecting had this advantage, but most other gates had bridges built since the second world war. We had been at peace so long, the security for the government house was compromised. Same situation where there are buildings on both sides of the gate where I was stationed. If police gained entry thru the gate, they still faced another obstacle. There is a water-filled moat about four feet deep all around, with limited narrow bridges to the interior.
First men of the second group also were given thick plastic garbage bag to trap tear gas, should they be used against us!
There were about 30 police men at my gate. Head of this unit had a slight smile, and told us " Mai mee arai" ( nothing on agenda). I tried to smile back at him to ease tension, but our leader kept his guard up. It appeared that the poloice were playing cat and mouse with us. They would be "battle ready" for about twenty minutes, for which we had to be "full alert". Then they would ease for the rest of the hour. Then they would be ready again, just to march out. To our chargrin, a new group of police would move in and be action ready for twenty minutes before resuming at ease. The police were rotating their groups to keep each gate guessing. At the first full alert, I was a bit tense, and realized what I got myself into. There was good possibility that I could get my head or limbs severly injured. However, my fear quickly subsided, and I just focus on the situation at hand. I also harboured no ill feeling towards the confronting police, since they were just doing their duty. Our leader started a rousing song which we joined him, and this helped our moral. Of course, the police were accustomed to this psychology, and I think that they weren't bothered.
When the police resumed "at ease", we did the same, and I couldn't help noticing that several of our guys were quite shook up. Many were puffing cigs one after another, and I feared that their smoke-filled lungs wouldn't get them thru three minutes of extreme exertion. Also the physical shape of our volunteers were pathetic. Many were pot bellied, and I don't think that they ever exercised at all. But to look into their eyes, you could see their determination, and I couldn't help give them a supportive understanding. Beside, we had about 60 guys while the police had about 30, so the odd appeared about even.
At about 10am, the gate beside mine had fallen, and there were yells for additional volunteers to help. There was a lot of commotion at the back, and several guys asked if we should go and help. But our leader told us to remain sentinel at our gate, else the police would take advantage in getting thru our gate. He said that the central defence would handle the situation. This proved true since the advancing police got pushed backed quickly, all unknown to us. Time moved quickly. At noon, some police disappeared, and we could hear noises in the building beside the gate. Straining our ears and eyes, we tried to see if they were indeed trying to enter thru the building. Unknown to us, they were taking turn for lunch break. At this time, a female volunteer was passing out fruits and snack, and mineral drinks + energy drink similar to RedBull. I took none, prefering to be more alert. However, the courage and tiredlessness of this female volunteer really impressed me.
Regret another interuption. Will come back with conclusion tomorrow.

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fire cobra

Very interesting from a confrontation/self defence point of view SportMuay,please keep the reorts coming and stay safe!.

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