Thailand’s tourism boss targets thousands instead of millions as public health is prioritised above all /Thai Examiner



Thailand's tourism boss targets thousands instead of millions as public health is prioritised above all

James Morris and Son Nguyen

Government's economic team has approved work permits for Elite cardholders investing over $1 million over 5 years as the new, limited, foreign tourism regime becomes embedded. This includes packages and offerings until at least the end of March 2021. Despite plans for a vaccination programme in Thailand in the latter half of 2021, any return to mass-market tourism will only come when the risk or threat of Thai citizens has been eliminated or severely reduced. Amidst the gloom, however, there is some hope that a mooted new international airline policy requiring all passengers be vaccinated may herald a possible change to the government's plans.

The Thai government is setting out its stall for a 'new normal' in foreign tourism with minuscule numbers and package offerings in connection with the 14-day Alternative State Quarantine scheme (ASQ) and Thai Airways flights as it appears to be hunkering down for the long haul with mass tourism seen as off-limits until mass vaccination programmes in Thailand and throughout world bring the current global chaos caused by Covid-19 to an end with the resumption of international flights and mass tourism. Comments this week on the rejection by the government of a Ministry of Public Health proposal to reduce the fourteen day quarantine period to ten, led the Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand to affirm that the 'safety' of 'Thai citizens' was still the utmost priority.

Thailand's Tourism Authority Governor Yuthasak Supasorn has emphasised that the public health of Thai citizens is the priority for the government as Thailand embeds its new, limited tourism offerings up to the end of the High Season which targets thousands of tourists instead of millions.

The Governor of Thailand's Tourism Authority, at the end of last week, made it clear that the government's plans for foreign tourism in 2021 will be based on the 'new normal' of 14-day quarantine and travel packages offerings combined with Thai Airways flights and local hotel operators participating in the Alternative Quarantine Scheme.

Governor Yuthasak Supasorn made it clear that, as things presently stand, there will be no quick return to mass-market tourism as he confirmed that the government had rejected a proposal from the Ministry of Public Health to reduce the quarantine period from 14 days to 10 with 4 days access to public areas together with the use of a tracking device.

Vaccines may reopen the skies to international flights as national vaccination programmes are already being quickly ramped up in developed countries

A counterforce to the Thai government's current trajectory, however, may be a reopening of the international flight network ahead of plans after informal talks in recent days between airline CEOs worldwide.

On Monday, Irishman Alan Joyce, the CEO of Australia's Qantas, one of the first airlines to cut back flights at the beginning of the year and ground its fleet, indicated that mandatory vaccination of passengers would be a definite requirement for his airline and others based on his discussions with peers worldwide.

This may present the Tha government, at some point, with an opportunity to reappraise the situation and give the tourist industry a fillip if the outcomes are positive elsewhere. 

Currently, there is a 90 to 95% effectiveness rate projected for vaccines that have received the green light including those from Pfizer, Moderna and now AstraZeneca which is the vaccine that Thailand will initially use.

There are also signs that developed countries such as the USA, Germany and the others within the European Union are moving quickly to roll out vaccination programmes against the disease which could lead to real herd immunity if over 55% get the jab.

Safety of Thai citizens the priority says tourism chief

'With re-opening the country, we have to think of the safety of our citizens as a priority,' Mr Yuthasak said this week as new waves of the virus sweep the United States, Europe and Asia with medical experts now warning of a 4th, 5th and even 6th wave if a worldwide vaccine is not administered.

Even so, for now, the best-case scenario would be a reopening to mass-market or open foreign tourism sometime towards the end of 2021 with many industry observers and tourism experts suggesting that it will be 2022 before things get back to normal.

Miniscule percentage of last year's visitors to be seen by the end of the year and into the High Season

Mr Yuthasak told the media this week that the numbers expected in Thailand by the end of the year under the strictly controlled new access environment would only see 10,000 tourists, a minute fraction of normal levels or something like 0.05% of traffic in the latter half of last year.

The Tourism Authority Governor has confirmed that a similar regime will be in place up to the end of March 2021 or right up to the end of the High Season for tourism when only 2,000 tourists per month are expected under packages design by the authority to compliment a new, limited Thai Airways Winter Schedule and local packages from Alternative Quarantine Scheme hotels. 

New Thai Airways flight schedule with weekly flights to and from three European destinations and one to Australia supported by tourism packages

The new Thai Airways schedule will see weekly flights from London, Copenhagen and Frankfurt combined with a weekly flight from Sydney Australia and a small network of Asian flights with departures and arrivals of up to three times per week.

In the meantime, the government's Economic Situation Administration Centre met last Wednesday and finally agreed on a proposal to give work permits to certain Elite cardholders who invest $1 million in Thailand's business and property sectors over five years when they purchase the more expensive version of the card for ฿1 million.

Elite cardholders to get work permits with $1 million investment over 5 years in business or property

Mr Yuthasak said that the initiative would bring increased investment into Thailand with a potential gain of ฿1 billion in Elite card fees going to the company that runs the scheme and a further ฿30 billion in foreign investment into the country.

The scheme has been now agreed in principle but must go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Interior Ministry for review and possible tweaks to the regulations before it is presented to the cabinet for final approval.

'Bubble' proposals are a busted flush

Meanwhile, Thailand's tourist chiefs are ruling out any sort of 'bubble' arrangements with other countries as simply too dangerous and unpredictable. 

An array of such proposals have been bandied about since the kingdom's border closure in April when the ongoing nature of the Covid-19 threat became apparent.

More official government conferences in resort locations planned to help out struggling hotels

Mr Yuthasak said he was thinking of resorts such as those in Phuket and Ko Samui as he outlined an internal government programme to push for more conferences and official seminars in these locations and across the kingdom as a way to boost domestic tourism.

The tourism boss also referenced a ฿50 billion to ฿100 billion fund that was earmarked to support tourism operators during this extended crisis.

'The tourism support fund for ฿50 to ฿100 billion is still under consideration by the Ministry of Finance and needs more study,' the tourism chief said.

'For domestic tourism, the TAT is looking into adding more privileges for the 'We Travel Together' and the 'Kamlang Jai' campaigns, and will rush to make its proposals to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) in order to stimulate the tourism during the new year holidays.'

No vaccine, no entry – the next challenge of Covid-19. The Thaiger

No vaccine, no entry – the next challenge of Covid-19

By 

The Thaiger

24-11-2020

OPINION

With the announcements this week about several vaccine candidate trials, either being completed or at the end of their Phase 3 testings, and the applications to government bodies for 'emergency approval', we now have to face the next question.

What restrictions will be imposed on those people who don't have the vaccine, or even actively choose not to have the vaccine?

And more locally…

Will Thailand allow people to enter Thailand without first having the Covid-19 vaccine?

Given the Thai Government's low-risk strategy, well almost zero-risk strategy, and reluctance to take any chances with a second wave of Covid 19, it is highly likely there will be a stipulation that anyone entering Thailand will need a vaccine certificate or stamp in their passports.

Couple this with the Thai population's continued fear of allowing foreigners back into the country at this time, in poll after poll, and it's a safe bet there will be a "no vaccine, no entry" restriction imposed.

On a positive note, the Thai government may drop the 14 day quarantine for people that have had the vaccine (but not in the early days).

At this stage we know that most of the vaccine trials have had a 95% efficacy. We also know that the leading BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine needs an original jab plus a booster and has to be transported at extremely low temperature.

To complicate matters, there is not yet sufficient evidence that having had a bout of Covid-19, whether asymptomatic or not, guarantees you immunity. Or, if it does, for how long?

All these factors will mean that some level of quarantine will probably be in force as the Thai government slowly re-opens its borders to a wider groups of vaccinated travellers. This would remain in force until the world has a better knowledge of both the proven efficacy of the vaccine, or vaccines, and the re-infection rates.

So, even if we start getting groups of the world's populations vaccinated before the end of the year, and that's still a very big IF, there's a lot more water to pass under the bridge until a coherent, reliable vaccine strategy can be understood and implemented.

Then there will be a rump of people, either hard core anti-vaxxers, or others who are at least skeptical of a new vaccine, who will want to wait or not want the vaccine at all. Public education, some strong science and a successful roll out of the early vaccines will be a key to winning over a lot of the world's population.

Somehow governments and health authorities are going to have to wind back much of the disinformation floating around the internet about vaccines that is so factually out of whack with reality, it's going to be one of the greatest public health challenges of all time, to reassure people about the science of vaccines and vaccination.

All this, in the middle of a pandemic that, for now, is still on the ascendency as far as new cases and deaths are concerned.

But there is little doubt rejoining the world of international travel, even local travel, could become restricted to only those who are vaccinated. The rest will be stuck roaming around their own countries, or states, for… years with a raft of restrictions on their lives. Who knows.

Will shopping centres or public buildings also impose a "no vaccine, no entry" policy? Hotels? Public buildings? Job applications?

On top of the economic stress which has fallen on a lot of the world, with so many governments now facing the headwinds of deep recession, the vaccine 'haves' and 'have nots' will add even more public disquiet.

At this stage nobody is sure how the vaccine will be rolled out in Thailand. The Thai government has already signed up for several of the leading vaccine candidates and will most likely provide the vaccine for free to citizens under its public health system.

What does that mean for foreigners living here? If you are covered, with a work permit, under the country's public health, are you able to get the vaccine for free too? Will the thousands of foreigners on private health insurance be covered?

Surely the insurers will want its customers to be vaccinated. Sick customers cost them money. So, will insurance renewals be limited to only people who have been vaccinated? Will visas be renewed only if you have been vaccinated?

At this stage there are no firm answers to any of these questions.

And then there is the SARS Cov2 virus (Covid-19) itself, a living virus which has the ability to mutate and adapt. Will these new vaccines be effective against all mutations? Again, this is all ahead of us.

We're certainly now entering a new phase of this pandemic. New challenges, new questions. The rising numbers of cases throughout 2020 is only the first chapter of a book that will be many more years in the making.

PM rules out martial law - Bangkok Post

 PM rules out martial law

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday rebutted speculation that there could be another military coup or the enforcement of martial law to quell the current spate of anti-government protests ahead of a planned mass event in front of the Crown Property Bureau tomorrow.

Razor wire is installed on the walls of the Crown Property Bureau on Phitsanulok Road as part of stepped-up security ahead of a planned protest by pro-democracy demonstrators tomorrow. (Photo by Arnun Chonmahatrakool)

After the government met to prepare for the Ratsadon group's demonstration, the premier said the government was trying to prevent confrontations between opposing protest groups and pledged equal enforcement the law againt both sides.

Gen Prayut said the government would not discriminate against anyone and called on the protesters to be considerate of the officers whose job it is to maintain order.

He also stressed that martial law would not be introduced to prevent this or future rallies and dismissed the idea that there might be another coup d'état with the same goal in mind.

As the prime minister, he said did not want to see Thais kill and use violence against one another and told the media to ask the anti-government protest leaders why they have to go to the Crown Property Bureau.

Last Thursday, Gen Prayut declared that "all laws and all articles" would be enforced against protesters who broke the law.

He gave his warning after street rallies by pro-democracy protesters demanding his removal and reform of the monarchy.

Gen Prayut also brushed aside a claim made on Facebook by protest leader Arnon Nampa that he might resign before tomorrow's rally.

Deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) Pol Maj Gen Piya Tawichai said yesterday nine companies of police officers and another company of crowd control officers will be deployed to provide security during the demonstration.

Police had yet to decide whether to designate a protest ban within a 150metre radius of the bureau and close nearby roads to traffic, the official said.

Barbed-wire barriers have been set up around the bureau and signs that read "palace area" have been put up in front and on the side of the place.

Saint Gabriel's College which is l ocated near t he bureau has announced that it will close tomorrow due to the demonstration.

Chulalongkorn University warned its students and staff to be careful while travelling to the university due to incidents that might cause inconvenience and affect their safety this week although it did not elaborate further.

MPB commissioner Pol Lt Gen Phukphong Phongpetra said police had so far investigated 107 cases related to the protests — 24 of which have been sent to public prosecutors. The rest remain live as officers take statements and gather further evidence, he added.

Meanwhile, Pol Lt Gen Jaruwat Waisaya, an assistant to the national police chief, called a meeting to discuss all the cases brought about by the protests in Bangkok in order to consider laying more charges against the movement's leaders in line with

Section 112 of the criminal code, better known as the lèse majesté law.

The pro-monarchy Phalang Phaen Din Siam group, led by Bancha Panniwat and Sumet Trakulwunnu, issued a statement announcing their own plans to stage retaliatory events today and tomorrow near the Education Ministry to disrupt the anti-government rally at the nearby Crown Property Bureau.

If the People's Movement protesters want to go to the bureau, they must wade through the Phalang Phaen Din Siam group, whose leaders have said they will no longer allow any disrespectful behaviour towards the monarchy.

Mr Bancha said his group would demonstrate near the bureau beside the Education Ministry from 3pm today, insisting that they were not looking for a confrontation of any kind.

He also called on supporters show up at the same spot at 8am tomorrow.

"They can rally anywhere but not here," Mr Bancha said.

He also said that many other royalist groups would be joining the Phalang Phaen Din Siam demonstration but vowed that violence would not be used against members of the People's Movement.

Protest leader ‘Penguin’ warns of the ‘smell’ of a coup and urges followers to take to the streets - Thai Examiner

Protest leader 'Penguin' warns of the 'smell' of a coup and urges followers to take to the streets

Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor

The dangerous clashes seen last week and the fizzling out of reconciliation efforts in parliament to bring the two sides together have left the kingdom at an impasse. Currently, both sides appear to be preparing for a deepening conflict with authorities promising arrests and no compunction about charging activists while key protest leader, Anon Nampa, has been calling for protesters who can deal with tear gas.

Fears are growing among leaders of the anti-government protest movement that a coup may be on the cards as a dangerous standoff has developed between the sides after violent clashes last week. 

One of the key protest leaders Parit Chiwarak (centre) also known as 'Penguin' in a social media post on Sunday warned of the growing possibility of a coup d'état and called on protesters to come out again on to the streets if it happens. At the beginning of the month, the new army leader, General Narongpan Jitkaewthae (inset), ruled out such a possibility saying the chances were 'zero'.

On Sunday, a leading protest leader on social media warned of the possibility of a coup d'état due to the growing tensions between the protest movement and the government.

Parit Chiwarak or the 'Penguin' is one of the main leaders who has emerged from this student-led movement since July. Mr Parit is the President of the Student Union of Thailand.

'Smell' of a coup says protest leader 'Penguin'

Speaking on Facebook, he said that the political environment in recent days has changed remarkably so that many observers are comparing it to the days preceding the 2006 coup. He told his audience that the 'smell' of a coup was particularly strong right now and had grown in recent days.

The purpose of his message was to encourage the public to come out again to protest even if such an event were to take place.

Army chief ruled the prospect out in early November

The current Commander in Chief of the Thai Army, General Narongpan Jitkaewthae, earlier in November, ruled out any possibility of a coup saying the chances of the army taking such a step were 'zero'.

On Monday, November 9th, General Narongpan, in response to reporter's questions, said: 'If everyone is sensible and considers the issue from all angles, then we will know what to do'. 

He later qualified this statement by ruling out the possibility of a coup.

Constant speculation since protests erupted again in July of a coup in spite of repeated official denials

Speculation on the subject of a coup has been a near-constant since the level and scale of street protests has been seen to grow without the government and the student-led movement showing any sign of compromise. 

Last week saw some of the most violent disturbances in four months of unrest with six people receiving gunshot wounds on Tuesday night and MPs being forced to leave parliament from the rear by riverboats to avoid clashes between helmeted anti-government protesters, police and counter-protesters.

House reconciliation efforts have fizzled out after some optimism at the beginning of the month with 'compromise' remarks from the Monarch

Efforts by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chuan Leekpai, appear also to have not gained traction and appear to have fizzled out while the curt parliamentary rejection, on Wednesday last, of the one constitutional reform bill supported by street protesters, was another blow to hopes of a compromise.

After the violence on Tuesday and vandalism to the Royal Thai Police headquarters on Wednesday, senior police officers and the Prime Minister, Prayut Chan ocha, have promised to take the gloves off when it comes to legal proceedings against all those involved who break the law.

The protests, which erupted in July, are seen as a continuation of protest activity which had arisen before the Covid 19 lockdown in March calling for a more progressive Thailand.

There did appear to be a spirit of optimism at the beginning of the month after His Majesty the King told foreign-based news organisations that Thailand was the land of 'compromise' but after last week's clashes, matters have now reached another low point.

Another coup a 'disaster' for Thailand

Anon Nampa, a prominent human rights activist, and another leading figure in this protest movement, earlier in November described the potential outcome of another coup in Thailand as a disaster. By the end of this week, he was seeking protest volunteers who can combat tear gas.

Many academics and political scientists support the efforts by the House Speaker to seek reconciliation between the parties but the protest movement itself has remained resolutely aloof from the initiative and instead has stuck with its three demands that have emerged over the past few months of street strife.

These are the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha, substantial constitutional reform and changes to bring the monarchy within constitutional oversight provisions. 

Hundreds of road accidents with deaths and injuries reportedly occurred during four-day special weekend, Chonburi number one, says Thai Ministry of Transport - Pattaya News

Hundreds of road accidents with deaths and injuries reportedly occurred during four-day special weekend, Chonburi number one, says Thai Ministry of Transport

Monday, 23 November 2020, 20:26

PHOTO: Manager Online

National –

The Ministry of Transport revealed today, November 23, the summary of national travel and road accidents during the long holiday, between the 19th to the 22nd of November.

More than 10.68 million people were reportedly using public transportation over the holiday. About 14.05 million vehicles were traveling out of Bangkok and 13 million vehicles of this amount were private cars.

PHOTO: 77Kaoded

As for car accidents, there were reportedly 455 accidents with 82 deceased and 466 injured since the first day of the weekend, according to the Ministry of Transport. 78.64% of the accidents were caused by excessive speeding, which occurred mostly in Chonburi province about 27 times.

153 road accidents involved motorcycles, in which 47 motorcyclists were reportedly killed and another 165 were injured. Motorcycle-involved accidents occurred mostly in Nonthaburi and Lamphun provinces, both 11 times.

Additionally, a total of 21 road accidents involved several public transportation and truck accidents. 13 were caused by trucks, 5 were by public buses, and 3 were by trains. 10 deaths and 22 injuries were reported. No boat and plane accidents were announced.

The Pattaya News has previously stated the amount of traffic accidents in the area have increased. 

Thailand to allow people to grow cannabis at home - pilot project begins in January - Daily News

 Thailand to allow people to grow cannabis at home - pilot project begins in January

 

File photo for reference only
 

What has been called Thailand's "Ganja Model Phase Two" is expected to take shape as early as January.

 

Part of the process of moving forward from the criminalization of weed to allowing it to be grown by private individuals to supply the medical marijuana market will be a pilot project to be undertaken in an area of Buriram in Thailand's north east. 

 

Dr Kitti Losuwannarak, director of the medical ganja research group at the Ministry of Public Health, said that they were working on the final details of plans to be presented to Health Minister and DPM Anutin Charnvirakul. 

 

This will contain details about how the drug can be sold to hospitals and in what way and contain information about support networks.

 

It is likely to get a favorable hearing, notes Thaivisa. Anutin as head of the Bhum Jai Thai party campaigned at the last election on a manifesto of allowing everyone to grow marijuana and earn money. 

 

Once vilified, pictures of the leaf appeared on election billboards around the country. Thailand is moving forward - albeit slowly and with caution - into a new era.

 

Kitti said that law changes that still need to be ratified are a matter for state government but while that is happening various matters are progressing. 

 

The aim of phase two is to have medical ganja products produced in the private sector available in all hospitals from the smallest clinics in sub-districts to large hospitals. Work is ongoing about how they are prescribed by medical personnel.

 

Growing marijuana in the private sector as a community enterprise or agri-business is now the focus. It is likely to be articulated in  what Daily News called a "wellbeing charter".

 

The pilot program will run in four villages in the area of Non Malai, Hin Lek Fai sub-district, Khu Muang district, Buriram. It will involve ten households.

 

The ganja will not need to be grown indoors but will have to be grown in a walled and protected area outside. 

 

Kitti said CCTV will not be necessary but growers will need to supply regular updates with pictures taken on phones. 

 

The aim is to grow quality plants using the right earth and necessary nutrients.

 

Malai Hospital will be supplied with the finished product and they will produce simple medications with more complex tasks performed at Khu Muang hospital that is larger. 

 

Kitti said that this small scale pilot is expected to start in January and will later hopefully lead to widespread opportunities to grow marijuana throughout the country to supply the medical community.

 

Source: Daily News

 

Poll suggests Thais are less concerned about Covid-19 - mask wearing down considerably - Sanook

 Poll suggests Thais are less concerned about Covid-19 - mask wearing down considerably

 

Picture: Sanook

 

Thais have been warned not to let down their guard regarding the pandemic. 

 

Health Ministry official Kiatphoom Wongjarit noted that the USA and Europe were increasingly in the grip of the virus that was also on the rise again in Asia in places like Bangladesh, Malaysia and Pakistan. 

 

Most cases in Thailand had been brought in from abroad he noted. recent reports are nearly all in quarantine. 

 

While the wait for a vaccine continues the Department of Disease Control (DDC) conducted a survey from 7th to 20th November asking 3,140 people about the virus. 

 

This revealed that people displaying no symptoms were now wearing masks 68% of the time down from a high of 96% in May. 

 

Only 88% of people with symptoms were wearing masks down from nearly 95%.

 

Only about 55% of people were wearing masks when out in the streets. 

 

Kiatphoom stressed the need for people to continue the DMHT protocols - distancing, mask wearing,hand washing and (rapid) testing. 

 

Source: Sanook

 

 

MINIMINI “ semester “ I Pattaya.....

.....kan sägas i några få ord....TOMT, ÖDE, LUGNT


Angry protests won’t solve issues - Bangkok Post

Angry protests won't solve issues

Frankly speaking, this is one of the few times that I agree with political scientist Kasian Tejapira of Thammasat University, despite our political differences, albeit for a different reason.

In his Facebook post on Friday night, he said: "Politics is about finding friends, not venting anger or taking revenge by means. The goal of politics must be clear and be the guide of the struggle. Of course, venting anger or taking revenge is understood and is normal for human beings. But while engaging in political struggle, be careful not to destroy the united front, isolate yourself, undermine the righteousness of the struggle of tens of thousands of people who have joined (the struggle) …."

So far, Mr Kasian's opinion is the only lone voice of sanity and decency that I have heard in our deeply divided society, which is steadily losing its sanity and conscience, dominated by mutual hatred and blind loyalty. But his warning to the protesters appears to be out of concern that they may lose support from the people.

The scholar pointed out that political legitimacy is the capital of the protesters and they must keep it, not destroy it.

Like the other voices of the supporters of the Khana Ratsadon (or whatever is its name, which has been spearheading the ongoing protests), Mr Kasian did not mention the incident, described as the last straw, which prompted Prime

Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha to announce that he would get tough with law-breaking protesters and would use every law and "every section of the laws" to deal with them.

He has sent a clear signal that the lese majeste law − or Section 112 of the Criminal Code − whose enforcement has been suspended for many months as granted by HM the King, will be re-invoked against the protesters who offend the monarchy.

It is understood why all the opposition parties and MPs and even rights groups have chosen to keep their mouths shut on this ugly and inhumane incident in question which took place during the protest in front of the Royal Thai Police headquarters on Wednesday night.

One unidentified protester spraypainted a few words deemed provocative, cruel and heartless at the base of a huge portrait of HM the Queen Mother. Instead of mentioning or criticising the protesters for this hate message, which is the cause of the anger of the opposing side and the re-invocation of the lese majeste law, they all cried in unison that the government was declaring war on the peaceful protesters, that the issue of the lese majeste law would exacerbate and political conflict bla bla bla.

Commonsense dictates that, in order to solve a problem, one has to look at its cause and not just its effects, can that incident be ignored or must it be addressed if use of the lese majeste law is to be avoided.

Or maybe opposition MPs, right groups and cheerleaders of the protest movement agree that such provocative and outrageous graffiti is acceptable because it does not hurt anyone physically.

Since when is it acceptable to curse someone who is sick and cannot defend himself or herself? Would it be acceptable too if that same kind of inhumane act were applied to the parents or relatives of the protest leaders or their cheerleaders?

Civilised people don't hurt those who are sick, weak or disabled. Yet some tolerate this abuse and still have the temerity to suggest that others seeking to prevent a repeat of such abuse may need psychiatric counselling.

Splashing paint on state property or somebody's property to vent frustration is definitely not a peaceful act, although it was considered a non-violent act by a protest leader to justify the vandalism at the Royal Thai Police headquarters and at a temple just across the road during the protest on Wednesday night.

If this is a peaceful and acceptable act, how about someone splash paint on theprotest leader's house or car?

Violence by the protesters − or by their opponents or the authorities − is unacceptable as it will only fuel more violence. Likewise, police use of the lesemajeste law against alleged offenders of the monarchy must be done with extreme care as that might backfire, too.