At each they handed the officials a sign to hang on the door, reading “Temporarily closed until Yingluck resigns”.
Led by Ouaychai Kumban, exhorting protesters and officials alike with a loud-hailer, the convoy’s first target was the Provincial Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.
Next was the Highways Department – where they were cheered by excited children at the Phuket Kindergarten opposite. Then it was on to the Customs Department, where they handed a notice to the Director, Nunthita Sirikup, to hang on her door.
Finally a smaller group drove down to Cape Panwa, where they “requested” the Royal Thai Navy base to close. In this case, they did not hand officers a “Temporarily closed” sign. The base remains open.
Over the past few weeks protesters and officials have played a game of cat and mouse, with government offices closing and officials keeping their heads down for a few days, and then quietly opening up again.
In many cases, however, officials – particularly Phuket-born ones – have been clearly on the side of the protesters, and many have joined the marches and processions.
The exception to the game of cat and mouse has been Provincial Hall, symbol of the central government’s authority, which has now been shuttered for a couple of weeks. The protesters’ main encampment is right outside, and it is not expected to reopen any time soon.