April 7, 2007
Carleton Cole
At a subdued candlelit gathering in front of the Chinese embassy, protesters called on China to end repression of the not-exactly-autonomous territory.
As the flame for the Beijing Olympics arrived in China a week ago today, ready for its global odyssey, eight pro-Tibetan protesters sat on the ground in front of the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok and passed a light of their own from candle to candle.
In Thai and English, the small group on Ratchadaphisek Road - outnumbered by watchful police - stated their demand for peace in Tibet for a dozen or so journalists taking notes and tussling for the best photo angles. "This is the second demonstration we've held in front of the Chinese Embassy - the first was on March 19," Free Tibet Network (FTN) coordinator Pokpong Lawansiri told The Nation.
"The purpose of the FTN is to make Thais and expatriates more aware of the crackdown in Tibet."We are reiterating our demand for the Chinese government to end the crackdown and allow freedom of expression and assembly," he said. "We also call on the Thai government and the Thai Olympic Committee to make it clear that they do not agree with the Chinese government's violation of human rights."
During the demonstration the protesters stepped aside to allow a stately black sedan to pass through the embassy gate. A young woman, who asked to be identified only as Ploy, shouted at the car, "Tibet is not part of China!"She held a section of a large Tibetan flag, a sign reading, "China we are watching you!" and a photo of Tibet's spiritual leader with the caption "Long Live His Holiness the Dalai Lama".
During the demonstration the protesters stepped aside to allow a stately black sedan to pass through the embassy gate. A young woman, who asked to be identified only as Ploy, shouted at the car, "Tibet is not part of China!"She held a section of a large Tibetan flag, a sign reading, "China we are watching you!" and a photo of Tibet's spiritual leader with the caption "Long Live His Holiness the Dalai Lama".
The protesters also held posters denouncing Chinese rule in Tibet, some wearing T-shirts bearing the Tibetan flag, with its snow lion symbol.
The subdued rally lasted just over an hour. In contrast to the recent bloody pro-Tibetan street clashes and arrests in Lhasa and Kathmandu, there was no threat of violence. The police assigned to the event, with little to do but keep watch, took photos of the small assembly.
"I've come here tonight because I have known Tibetans," Ploy said. "I've visited them in southern India. I lived with them for a month."People say Thailand is the Land of Smiles, but when I met the Tibetans I knew that they were from the real Land of Smiles, more than us. We have the same Lord Buddha."
A pamphlet was distributed promoting an upcoming seminar on Tibet at Thammasat University, espousing "the peaceful middle path of the Dalai Lama". Pushing for autonomy for Tibet, it said, echoing his stand, is more logical than holding out for independence. Yet among the monks in Tibet and young Tibetan exiles in India who have never seen their homeland, demands for independence are growing louder.
"I'm just an ordinary guy from London," said Ron Aslan, one of the two Westerners participating in the demonstration. He was promoting the website http://www.avaaz.org/, which is hosting an online petition abhorring the violence in Tibet, and held a sign saying, "1.5 million say it's time for dialogue with the Dalai Lama".
"We will continue to hold protests," said Pokpong. "I believe in the rights of all people, whether they're Thai, Burmese, Cambodian, Chinese or Tibetan. "I believe in universal human rights, beyond borders. Tibetans and Thais are the same. When Thais see Tibetans being discriminated against, we should rise up and condemn it."
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