10,000 protest U.S.-Thai free trade agreement talks

10,000 protest U.S.-Thai free trade agreement talks
Jan 9, 2006, 9:55 GMT
printer friendly email this article

Bangkok - Thousands of Thais representing a diverse swath of society ranging from garlic growers to HIV/AIDS activists gathered outside a hotel in Thailand's northern city of Chiang Mai Monday to protest closed-door talks on a Thai-U.S. free trade agreement (FTA).

Eye-witnesses said that more than 10,000 demonstrators gathered outside the posh Mae Rim Hotel in Chiang Mai, 560 kilometres north of Bangkok, in an effort to derail ongoing talks scheduled Monday through Friday between U.S. and Thai negotiators on setting up an FTA between the two countries.

The demonstrators included representatives from various non-governmental organizations such as the Alternative Farmers Network, the People Living with HIV/AIDS network, slum dwellers, garlic growers, academics and students.

Political opposition to the U.S.-Thai FTA is growing, fueled by suspicions that the negotiations are being held behind closed doors to cover up the benefits expected to accrue to Thailand's businessman prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his cronies.
(snip/...)

http://news.monstersandcritics.com/business/article_1074384.php/10000_protest_U.S.-Thai_free_trade_agreement_talks



Thaksin Shinawatra and pal

judging by the numbers protesting... know a piece of shit when the see/smell it. And the piece of shit is American/corporatist/capitalist bullshit. Don't let your leaders buy this crap just to line their own pockets. Take a lesson from Hugo.

People around the world are becoming wise to this administration. Whenever they hear the word "free trade", they think of "slave trade".

Looks like the elites will have to come up with some new PR scheme to get people to vote themselves into corporatism.

Princess of Feces