US embassy cable - 05BANGKOK1737

UNCLAS BANGKOK 001737 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR DS COMMAND CENTER, DS/IP/EAP, DS/ITA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC, TH, PHUM, Protest/Demonstration 
SUBJECT: PEACEFUL PROTEST IN BANGKOK 03/08/2005 
 
REF: RSO SPOT REPORT 03/08/2005 
 
1. (U) SUMMARY:  On 3/08/2005, approximately 35 individuals 
staged a 30-minute peaceful protest at the US Embassy in 
Bangkok.  The protesters sought the return of an antique 
royal headdress, currently on loan to an exhibit in San 
Francisco, from the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the United 
States.  This is the third such protest regarding the return 
of the royal headdress in a week.  Thai Police(RTP), Local 
Guard Force(LGF), Surveillance Detection(SD), and Regional 
Security Office(RSO) personnel were present during the 
protest, which ended without incident.  The group's leader 
presented a letter to an Embassy official.  Local print and 
broadcast media were present.  END SUMMARY. 
 
2. (U) At approx. 0800 hrs, RTP informed the RSO that a 
protest, by 35-40 people, was going to occur at 1100 hrs in 
front of the US Embassy.  Embassy personnel and facilities 
were alerted by RSO.  Marine Security Guards(MSG,s) and LGF 
were placed on alert. SD personnel were dispatched to the 
staging area to obtain information. 
 
3. The group numbered 35 at its maximum and was lead by 
Member of Parliament Chuwit Kamolvisit, a notorious (former 
brothel owner) but popular member of the opposition Chart 
Thai political party.  The group demanded the return of an 
Ayutthaya era royal headdress alleged to have been illegally 
smuggled out of Thailand in the mid-1900's, now owned by the 
Philadelphia Art Museum and on an exhibition in California. 
 
4. This was the third demonstration in less than a week 
regarding the return of the royal headdress.  RTP and embassy 
security were present throughout the demonstration.  The 
leader of the group spoke for approximately 15 minutes and 
then presented a letter to an Embassy Political Officer. The 
demonstrators were not violent nor did they conduct any acts 
of civil disobedience.  By 1215 hrs, the situation had 
returned to normal. 
BOYCE