Protest vocabulary updates

March 20

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This was the day of the UDD huge mobile rally in which about 65,000 red-shirts made there way through Bangkok. The massive convoy passed without serious incident, much to the relief of the government and Bangkok residents

massive - very large in size, amount or number ใหญ่โต
convoy – a group of vehicles (or ships) travelling together  ขบวนรถ
incident – something that happens, usually something bad เหตุการณ์
relief – a feeling of happiness that something unpleasant has not happened or has ended การผ่อนคลาย
residents – people who live in a particular area ประชาชนที่อาศัยในท้องที่

A red shirt convoy through Bangkok yesterday was generally peaceful, triggering a mixed response from residents.

The convoy originated from Phan Fa bridge at 10am and spread out along various routes.

The situation remained under control, largely because most people stayed away from busy areas such as Siam Square.

Near Ratchadaphisek subway station, some red shirt supporters turned up to greet the passing convoy.

Security guards at the Suthisarn station closed the entrance, drawing boos and jeers from the protesters.

A couple of young monks rode pillion on a motorcycle fluttering the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) flags. Vehicles and motorcycles in the convoy kept honking as protest leaders, speaking through bullhorns, urged Bangkok residents to denounce the government.

The convoys caused traffic bottlenecks at many major intersections.

Disgruntled passers-by on Phetchaburi Road threw water bottles from the footbridges at the protesters. No scuffles broke out.

originate – to come from a particular place, time, situation, etc มาจาก, ริเริ่มจาก
route – the roads used to go from one place to another เส้นทาง
boos – expressions of strong disapproval or disagreement  คำอุทานแสดงการเหยียดหยามการไม่เห็นด้วย,โห่ฮิ้ว
jeers – shouting or laughing at someone in an unkind way ตะโกนด่า เสียดสี
rode pillion – sat behind someone on a motorcycle or bicycle
flutter – to move up and down or from side to side with short, quick, light movements, or to make something move in this way สะบัด, กะพริบ
honk – to make a loud noise using a horn บีบแตร
bullhorn – megaphone; a cone-shaped device which makes your voice louder when you speak into it, so that people can hear you although they are not near to you เครื่องกระจายเสียงไฟฟ้า (หรือโทรโข่งไฟฟ้า),
urge – to advise someone very strongly about what action or attitude they should take ผลักดัน, กระตุ้น
denounce – to criticise someone or something severely in public ประณาม, ติเตียน
unrest – angry or violent behaviour by people who are protesting or fighting against something สถานการณ์ที่ไม่สงบ
bottleneck – a narrow area where a water in a river or traffic on a road slows or stops ถนนส่วนที่มีการจราจรติดขัด คอขวด
intersection – a place where roads, lines, etc., join or cross each other สี่แยก
disgruntled – disappointed and annoyed about something ซึ่งทำให้ไม่พอใจ, ซึ่งทำให้ขุ่นเคือง
scuffle – a short and sudden fight, especially one involving a small number of people การต่อสู้กันอุตลุด

March 19

Today, there was talk of peace. For a time, it seemed that both the UDD leaders and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva might be making some headway in an attempt to find a way out of the political impasse.  The optimism didn't last long, however.

Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has thrown cold water on an attempt by the National Human Rights Commission to mediate a settlement between government and red shirts.

Thaksin yesterday rejected the panel’s legitimacy to act as a broker in the conflict.

make headway – to make progress with something that you are trying to achieve ก้าวหน้า, คืบหน้า
impasse – a situation in which progress is not possible because none of the people involved are willing to change their decision ทางตัน
optimism – a tendency to be hopeful and to expect that good things will probably happen การมองในแง่ดี,ลัทธิความเบิกบานใจ
throw cold water on – to say that something can’t, won’t or shouldn’t be done
mediate – to talk to two separate people or groups involved in a disagreement to try to help them to agree or find a solution to their problems ไกล่เกลี่ย
settlement – a formal agreement that ends a disagreement ข้อตกลง, การทำข้อตกลง
legitimacy – that fact that something is legal; the fact that something is fair and reasonable ถูกต้องตามกฎหมาย ความชอบธรรม
broker – to arrange something such as a deal, agreement, etc. between two or more groups or countries เป็นนายหน้า
conflict – an angry disagreement between people or groups ความขัดแย้ง

March 18

The UDD leaders were changing their strategy from a quick knockout victory to a prolonged battle, a class war. They also continued to belittle Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva for depending totally on the military for protection.

The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship has settled for a protracted protest, unveiling a plan to mobilise pickup trucks to descend on Bangkok’s streets on Saturday.

‘‘Abhisit can’t go home. He can’t go to Government House. He is confined to army barracks or must go to the provinces. He has to travel by helicopter.

Meanwhile, with the prospect of a prolonged rally, dozens of senators have agreed to seek a general debate to resolve the situation, Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej said.

prolonged – continuing for a long time ยืดเวลาออกไป
class – one of the groups into which people in a society are divided according to their family background, education, job, or income ชนชั้น
belittle – to say or think that someone or something is unimportant or not very good ดูถูก, ดูแคลน, เหยียดหยาม
protracted – lasting for a long time ที่ยืดเยื้อเป็นเวลานานunveiling
unveiled – announced something officially that was previously a secret เปิดเผย
confined – limited จำกัดในวง
barracks – a group of buildings where members of the armed forces live and work โรงหรืออาคารใหญ่เป็นที่พักทหาร
prospect – the possibility that something will happen  โอกา , การคาดการณ์
prolonged – continuing for a long time ยืดเวลาออกไป
resolve – to solve a problem, or to find a satisfactory way of dealing with it  แก้ไขปัญหา

March 17

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The early evening is often when UDD leaders announce their next moves. Tonight, there were some big developments that will surely be in tomorrow's Bangkok Post. First the UDD leaders ostracised the rogue general Khattiya Sawasdipol and Surachai Sae Dan, former allies who said the red-shirts had been defeated and that the core leaders were failures. "They are no longer with us," said both Veera Musikapong and Nattawud Saikua.

Secondly, Khun Nattawud said the rally would no longer be an all-out fight for victory, but it would be prolonged. The Government, he said, was clearly letting them rally until their energy is depleted and their numbers dwindle. Instead, the would now rotate their protestors in and out of the city and would stay indefinitely.

ostracise – to stop accepting someone as a member of a group and refuse to talk or listen to them ขับไล่, ไม่ยอมรับ
rogue – behaving in an unusual and possibly dangerous way ที่น่าสงสัยว่าจะก่อให้เกิดอันตราย
allies – people, groups or countries that agree to work together  ผู้ให้การสนับสนุน
core leader – one of the most active or most important leaders of a group แกนนำ
prolonged – continuing for a long time ยืดเวลาออกไป
depleted – having fewer people than usual or than before
dwindle – to become gradually less or smaller over a period of time until almost nothing remains ลดลงไปทีละน้อย  
rotate – to replace one thing with another from the same group in a fixed order สับเปลี่ยน
indefinitely – for a period of time with no fixed end ไม่มีข้อกำหนด

March 16

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The day was dominated by the blood rituals at Govt house and the Democrat party headquarters but there was also another story of importance:

Jatuporn changes his mind

Puea Thai list MP Jatuporn Prompan made an about turn on Tuesday, saying he would not after all ask his fellow party MPs to resign en masse to force a House dissolution.

Mr Jatuporn, a leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship,  said if an MP resigns and the Election Commission calls a by-election, then the MP must pay the 10 million baht cost of the poll. It was not a practical solution.

The Puea Thai Party has about 190 MPs in the House of Representatives.

The idea of opposition MPs quitting en masse was floated by UDD co-leader Veera Musikhapong.  Mr Jatuporn quickly said he would raise this proposal at a party meeting, but  said he would not be the first to resign because it might be seen as trying to pressure his fellow MPs.

Many Puea Thai MPs came out against the idea.

dominate – to be the most important issue, activity, problem etc in a particular situation ครอบงำ, มีอิทธิพลต่อ
ritual – a formal ceremony พิธีการ
headquarters – the place where an organisation or company has its main offices กองบัญชาการ
about turn – a complete change of mind
resign – to leave a job permanently ลาออกจากตำแหน่ง
en masse – all together as a group เป็นกลุ่ม,ด้วยกันทั้งหมด
by-election – an election held to fill an empty seat in parliament  การเลือกตั้งซ่อม
float (an idea) – to suggest a plan or an idea for consideration เสนอ

March 15

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The day began with one threat:.

The UDD says if the government does not agree to dissolve the House by noon today, its supporters will march on the 11th Infantry Regiment in Bang Khen district, where the government has set up a command centre.

The prime minister, his deputy and key military figures are based at the military compound. The red shirts have threatened to surround the base and hold its occupants hostage unless their demands are met.
UDD leading member Jatuporn Prompan yesterday warned the government of the consequences of using violence against the protesters at the military compound

key – most important  ที่สำคัญ
figure – someone who is important in some way บุคคลสำคัญ
surround – to be everywhere around something ล้อมรอบ
occupants – people who are in a particular place, vehicle, building, etc. at a particular time ผู้ครอบครอง
hostage – a person who is the prisoner of someone who often threatens to kill or harm them if they do not get what they want ตัวประกัน
consequences – results of effects of something ผลที่ตามมา

The UDD started their march on the 11th infantry regiment at 9:00 a.m. While most of them were still on their way, the prime minister politely rejected their ultimatum. This led to a second threat.

United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) core leader Natthawut Saikua has announced that he will take one thousand litres of blood donated by protesters and spill it around Government House on Tuesday, in retaliation for the government's decision not to dissolve the House.

The drawing of blood will begin about 8am on Tuesday, Mr Natthawut said.
 
Red-shirt leaders speak to protesters in front of the 11th Infantry Regiment on Monday.

A total of one million cubic centimetres (cc) would be taken from 100,000 volunteers, including protest leaders.

This would be a symbolic action. Cabinet ministers would have to walk over the protesters' blood when they enter Government House to work, he said.

If the government still refused to dissolve the House, then another million cc's of blood would be scattered oustside the Democrat Party headquarters.

ultimatum – a statement that orders someone to do something and threatens to punish or attack them if they do not คำขาด
donate – to give something such as money or goods to an organisation, especially to a charity, school, political party, etc. บริจาค
retaliation – doing something harmful or unpleasant to someone because they have done something harmful or unpleasant to you การตอบโต้,การแก้แค้น
draw blood – to take blood from someone, usually to be given to a patient who needs blood
symbolic – representing something important เป็นสัญญาณ เป็นสัญลักษณ์
scatter – to spread over a large area กระจัดกระจาย
headquarters – the place where an organisation or company has its main offices กองบัญชาการ

March 14

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Ultimatum is obviously going to be one of today's top words. The red-shirt leaders say they will formally issue their ultimatum to the government today.

issue – to announce something officially ออกประกาศ
ultimatum – a statement that orders someone to do something and threatens to punish or attack them if they do not คำขาด

March 13

Religious ceremonies are an important part of the launch of just about any major event in Thailand, from the fliming of a soap opera to the start of a campaign to oust a government.

Red shirt leaders and supporters across the country early yesterday performed rites boosting their morale and seeking victory for their mass rally tomorrow.

rite – a traditional ceremony, especially a religious one พิธีกรรม
boost morale – to increase the amount of enthusiasm that a person or group of people feel about their situation at a particular time สร้่างขวัญกำลังใจ
mass rally – a very large public gathering of people to support someone or to protest against something การชุมนุมใหญ่
soap opera – a television or radio series about the imaginary lives of a group of people.   เรื่องน้ำเน่า
campaign – a series of actions intended to produce political or social change การรณรงค์, การกระทำการหรือวางแผนเพื่อให้บรรลุตามเป้าหมาย

March 12

Notice that newswriters are continuing to use interesting phrases and expressions to convey the real tension people here in Bangkok are feeling. The other day, an editorial writer described the city as "waiting with baited breath". Today, the city is described as "on a knife's edge" as "expectation hangs thick in the air".

convey – to communicate something; to express a thought, feeling or idea so that it is understood by other people สื่อสาร
tension – the feeling caused by a lack of trust between people, groups or countries ความตึงเครียด
waiting with baited breath – waiting very nervously or anxiously
on a knife’s edge – of a situation where success or failure are equally possible
expectation hangs thick in the air – people are very anxious about something that is about to happen

Today's movement by red-shirt protestors is just a prelude to main protest which begins officially on Sunday.

About 3,500 red shirts led by Veera Musikhapong paused for speeches in front of the 11th Infantry Regiment barracks on Phahon Yothin road shortly after leaving their rendezvous point at the Lak Si democracy monument about 2pm on Friday.

prelude – an event that happens before and introduces a more important event การกระทำเบื้องต้น
barracks – a group of buildings where members of the armed forces live and work โรงหรืออาคารใหญ่เป็นที่พักทหาร
rendezvous (RON dey voo) – the place where people have agreed to meet สถานที่นัดพบ

Everyday there are new developments and that can mean a news set of vocabulary. Today began with a story on the red-shirt's preparations for the use of "bio-weapons".

Members of the Ayutthaya Red Shirt 49 group are packing pla ra (fermented fish) stink bombs and they have been urged to bring bags of faeces as standby weapons in case authorities attack them during the mass rally in Bangkok this weekend. 

The group said the pungent fish might be used to ‘‘repel’’ authorities if they are attacked during the mass rally in Bangkok on Sunday.

Meanwhile, red shirt leaders in the North have threatened to throw excrement at authorities if they are blocked from entering Bangkok as they converge for Sunday’s rally.

bio-weapons – biological weapons, harmful bacteria that are used as a weapon in war อาวุธชีวภาพ
fermented - changed chemically through the action of living substances, such as yeast or bacteria หมัก
stink – a very bad smell กลิ่นเหม็น
faeces – solid waste from your body อุจจาระ
standby – something which is ready for use if needed สำรอง
pungent - describes a very strong smell or taste, sometimes one that is unpleasantly strong ฉุน
repel – to keep something away, or to prevent it from entering something ขับไล่
authorities – people who have the power to make decisions or enforce the law เจ้าหน้าที่ผู้มีอำนาจ
excrement – faeces; solid waste from your body อุจจาระ
converge – to come from different directions to reach the same point ไปยังจุดหมายเดียวกัน

March 11

There was a new set of vocabulary today because the focus changed to how the UDD might have to rethink its strategy due to limited funds.

Funds limit length of rally

The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship is preparing to retreat to the provinces if its mass rally against the government in Bangkok this weekend falls flat, sources close to the movement say.

The UDD can only afford to keep its protest going for three to five days. If the government has not fallen by that time, it will have to withdraw and draw up a new strategy. The red shirts were expected to retreat and seize provincial halls if their rally in Bangkok could not produce any significant changes.

UDD leaders and their allies are soliciting donations to fund the protest which is set to begin nationwide tomorrow with a plan to assemble in Bangkok on Sunday.

funds – money needed or available to spend on something เงินทุน
retreat – to move back or away  ถอยกลับ
fall flat – to not be successful ไม่ประสบผลสำเร็จ
afford – to have enough money to be able to pay for something  มีเงินพอจับจ่าย  ซื้อหา
withdraw – to move out or back ถอนตัวจาก
provincial hall – the main government building in a provincial capital
ศาลากลางจังหวัด
assemble – to bring together and form a group นำมาร่วมกัน

Today, the prime minister also explained a bit more about how the Internal Security Act would be used.

The government would respect the red-shirts' right to unarmed and peaceful assembly and adhere to international standards for crowd control.  The ISA was only a tool to maintain law and order.  The protesters would not be obstructed or prosecuted, he said.

The prime minister said every measure taken by the government would be transparent and accountable for.  If all concerned acted within the law, there would not be any violence.

unarmed – not carrying weapons ไม่ได้ติดอาวุธ
adhere to – to obey a rule, law, agreement, etc. ทำตามกฎหมาย
maintain – to keep รักษา
obstruct – to make it difficult for something to happen ขัดขวาง
prosecute – to official accuse someone of a crime and to try to prove them guilty in a court of law ดำเนินคดี ฟ้องร้อง ซักฟอก
transparent – not keeping anything secret; open โปร่งใส
accountable – responsible for something that has happened ซึ่งรับผิดชอบ,สามารถอธิบายได้

March 10

I haven't seen a lot of new vocabulary today. Here are a few examples:

Mr Abhisit said red shirt supporters should now realise that while they are fighting hard for the interests of the Shinawatra family, the Shinawatras were living in the lap of luxury. It was irresponsible to leave their supporters in the lurch.

in the lap of luxury – in very comfortable and expensive conditions
irresponsible – done or said without thinking of the possible results of your actions or words ขาดความรับผิดชอบ
leave in the lurch – to leave someone in a difficult situation without helping them ทิ้งให้เดาไปเอง, ล้มเหลวที่จะช่วยเหลือคนที่ต้องการความช่วยเหลือ

The prime minister denied suggestions the government was trying plant news stories about possible violence, saying that would be pointless.

plant (stories,  information)– to introduce an idea or piece of information so that people will begin to think about it สร้างข่าว
pointless – having no good reason ไร้ความหมาย

Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 05:25 PM