ANTI-THAKSIN LEADER SURVIVES ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT

Sondhi Limthongkul during an interview at the Government House protest on September 3, 2008. Photo: Reuters / Sukree Sukplang

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he founder of the People's Alliance for Democracy, formed in 2005 to oppose the then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was ambushed by gunmen just after 5 am this morning as he was being driven to work at his Manager newspaper office.

Sondhi Limthongkul, his secretary and his driver were all hit by assault weapons fire after at least two attackers in a pick-up truck blocked Sondhi's vehicle, shot out the tires, then opened up on the occupants. Police found 84 bullet casings from AK-47, HK-33 and M-16 automatic weapons, as well as a dud M-79 shell which ended up in a nearby public bus.

After a two hour operation to remove a bullet fragment from his head, Sondhi is in good condition and able to speak. His driver, Adul Daengpradab, aged 28, remains in critical condition and a coma after five hours of surgery, having been shot in the head, chest and arm. Sondhi's secretary, Vayupak Mungklasin is in stable condition after suffering minor wounds. (update April 19: Adul remains in critical condition after another operation this morning.)

His supporters say that Sondhi has too many enemies to pinpoint likely culprits, and they would wait for results of the investigation without pointing fingers. The first thing on most minds will be possible revenge from Thaksin's red-shirted "Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship", but the media figure has also been critical of the police and military for their pathetic security performance which resulted in the emergency cancellation of the ASEAN summit last Saturday.

Sondhi walked by himself into the emergency room at a Bangkok hospital after suffering head and shoulder wounds on April 17, 2009. Photo: Asia Satellite Television

News video seen yesterday showed the red-shirts calmly walking between inert soldiers on their way to breaking into the ASEAN venue. The police and military commanders were nowhere to be found, and no one was giving orders.

The shooting is likely to cause a delay in lifting the emergency decree which remains over Bangkok and nearby districts. A cabinet meeting this morning decided to keep the decree in place until they are certain that peace has fully returned to Bangkok.

Meanwhile the man at the centre of the deep political divisions in Thailand, fugitive ex-Prime Minister Thaksin, may again be on the run. His passport was revoked by the government after the assault on the summit, but according to his spokesman as interviewed by a Dubai newspaper, he does not accept the revocation and plans to leave the Arab Emirate for an undisclosed location in Africa.

Another wrinkle in the Thaksin saga appeared after the political tycoon claimed to possess "other passports." The Nicaraguan government in January reportedly appointed him as a "special ambassador" to draw investment into that country, and presented him with a Nicaraguan passport when he met President Daniel Ortega in February.

The truth of this is still in question. The Nation has obtained a copy of a letter from the Nicaraguan embassy in Mexico in response to a request for clarification from the Thai embassy in Mexico. It seems to be a slightly vague denial, depending on who does the translating. The important part reads in translation, "The Embassy of the Republic of Nicaragua informs the Royal Thai Embassy in Mexico that the news under scrutiny have no substance (or "are unsupported". Either version is acceptable)."

I'm curious why Thaksin would choose to leave Dubai, with all its air-conditioned shopping centres which his family enjoys, and run to Africa of all places. It may well have something to do with the violent attacks by his supporters on the citizens of Bangkok — and specifically the Muslim community around the Darul Amarn mosque.

As his roving bands of attackers retreated to their 'protest central' late on Monday night, they attacked several neighbourhoods with gunfire (killing two at Nang Lerng). They also attacked the Darul Amarn mosque and destroyed cars and motorcyles in the Petchaburi Soi 7 neighbourhood. This community and the Muslim Association of Bangkok responded by petitioning the Emir of Dubai to stop providing shelter for the convicted fugitive troublemaker.

It is not impossible that Thaksin has worn out his welcome in Dubai as he had in the UK, which revoked his visitor's visa some time ago. His enduring connections in China, where he has also spent part of his exile, may possibly explain his flight to Africa — where a number of countries are almost completely dependent on the PRC's financial investment.
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Labels: Thailand

- posted by Agam @ 7:08 PM 0 comments

 
RIOT LEADERS SURRENDER, RED-SHIRTS GO HOME

Soldiers rested on Tuesday morning as the red-shirts began dispersing from Central Bangkok. Photo: AP / Vincent Thian

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eaders of the Thaksin "revolution" this morning urged their followers to return peacefully to their homes, and surrendered themselves to police. Bangkok is already returning to the normal peaceful chaos of the Songkran tradition, and the small trucks loaded with water festival revellers and barrels of the cleansing substance have been making the rounds in my neighbourhood today. With the Thai New Year celebrations nearly ruined by the upheaval of the previous four days, the government has extended the public holiday through the end of the week.

During the very early hours of this morning, as the roving red bands of arsonists and mayhem masters gradually retreated to their sit-in site at Royal Plaza, the rioters left a trail of damage behind them. More buses were set alight and petrol bombs were thrown into a number of buildings, including the Education Ministry. Earlier on Monday, after threatening to explode an LPG tanker to destroy a compound of flats in Din Daeng, the rioters had also thrown petrol bombs into the apartment complex itself. Residents extinguished the fire by themselves.

A local resident whose house was in danger of catching fire, shouts for help to extinguish a bus set alight by rioters early Tuesday morning. Photo: AP / David Longstreath

Around 1000 rioters last night attacked a neighbourhood in Petchaburi Soi 5 and 7 as they retreated to Royal Plaza, destroying cars and motorcycles and firing guns at the Darul Amarn mosque. Angry residents armed themselves with sticks and pipes and fought off the invaders, returning home as police forced the red shirts away.

Two armed men on motorcycle opened fire on a military checkpoint near Mahboonkrong just before midnight, critically wounding one soldier. Just before 3 am a group of men in a pickup fired at soldiers at Thukchai intersection, but there were no casualties.

Back at the Royal Plaza, the uprising's leaders vowed to make a last stand. One of the core leaders, Veera Musikhapong, was particularly defiant in offering his supporters' lives for Thaksin's cause. "I urge all our friends to come and gather with me here. If we are to die, let's die here," he said.

But Khun Abhisit's very strong, principled, and I dare say inspiring address to the nation last night was having the desired effect. Many of the protesters encamped on the Plaza gradually drifted away during the night, leaving only around 2,000 remaining by morning.

Veera Musikhapong (centre), a core leader of the "Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship" leaves the protest area after surrendering himself to authorities this morning. Photo: AP / Apichart Weerawong

Veera Musikhapong announced the end of the seige of the capital this morning by asking his red-shirted people to board the buses provided by the government for their return home, and assuring them that "the police will take good care of you."

Soon afterwards it was revealed by police that three men had been arrested in a pickup parked near the Chong Nonsri skytrain station (again this is in my neighbourhood, the same intersection where citizens chased off red-shirt road-blockers last Friday morning, see video here). Also seized with these men were 49 petrol bombs, four handguns and 77 bullets. One of them admitted that they were paid 5,000 baht to firebomb the Bangkok Bank headquarters and the CP Tower on Silom Road. They had received a 2,000 baht advance, about $57.

Some demonstrators took their own transportation home, while most opted for more comfortable buses supplied by the government. Photo: Reuters / Sukree Sukplang

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, whose future looked very doubtful after the fiasco in Pattaya on Saturday, has emerged from this crisis looking very strong indeed. Such episodes are unfortunately common in Thailand's recent history, but none has ever been handled so competently and transparently, and with so little bloodshed. Both confirmed deaths were caused by the "protesters" although there are unconfirmed reports today that one man who was injured in clashes with troops yesterday morning has also died.

As the red-shirts travel back to their homes today, I again hope that at least some of them will reflect on their actions and on what they accomplished, and for whose benefit. That obviously didn't take place after they did such damage to their country's reputation in Pattaya, but perhaps enough has transpired since then to finally provoke some introspection.

Here's a sample of what they need to ponder. This very short clip was recorded by a citizen from the 24th floor of the CMMU building overlooking Vipavadi Road, near the Din Daeng triangle. The incident happened in the pre-dawn hours of Monday. The person who posted it to YouTube offers it as evidence that the red-shirts in this, the longest and most difficult situation of what would be a very difficult day, were the ones who first resorted to violence, and that the soldiers acted properly to defend themselves. The poster offers encouragement and thanks for every soldier's forbearance as they endeavour to protect the citizens.



Thaksin's "peaceful protesters" with their "empty hands" score a direct hit with a petrol bomb on the ranks of soldiers in a defensive line, then plow through them with a car.

A couple more video links for those interested:

• Thaksin is interviewed on BBC, as it seems to slowly dawn on the interviewer that this guy is a really bad liar.
• Abhisit is interviewed on CNN after the network gave Thaksin a free ride to make ridiculous claims without challenge.

Labels: Thailand

- posted by Agam @ 8:22 PM 1 comments

 
RESIDENTS RESIST URBAN TERRORISTS; TERRORISTS KILL TWO

Residents arm themselves with sticks to defend their community, April 13, 2009. Photo: Reuters / Kerek Wongsa

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he people of Krung Thep ("Groong Taeb" - the real name of this town, if written in full is around two paragraphs) began resisting the invasion of emergency-bringers in numerous incidents this afternoon, reflecting the attitude which we saw the first glimpse of in your host's own neighbourhood last Friday at 11 am (as shown at the end of this post).

This afternoon about 500 local residents in Yommaraj confronted red-shirts setting fires on the road, clashing with them after the rioters refused to put out their burning barricades. Vendors and residents at the Nang Lerng market made themselves into a guard formation to protect their property, shouting and shooing away the thugs.

Later in the evening a gang of red-shirts entered Nang Lerng market pushing the vendors outside. Local people suspected the intention was to burn down the market (understandable after all the arson today) and clashed with the red-shirts. But this time Thaksin's boys came armed, and they opened fire at the residents. Around a dozen people were hit; Pom Pholphanbua, aged 50, and Yutthakarn Joichoychod, aged 18, have now died in hospital.

Earlier, dozens of residents near the Soamanus Temple armed themselves with guns and other weapons and came out to battle the "protesters," screaming at them to leave and firing shots into the air. Exchanges of fire were reported before army troops managed to stop the confrontation. Late tonight more shootings were reported around the Wat Soamanus community. Other clashes between people celebrating the Songkran water festival and red-shirts celebrating arson and anarchy were also reported today.

Mr. Thaksin (should his nickname be "Toxin" or "Thugsin"? The first is a closer phonetic match) appeared on CNN around dinner time, claiming that his non-violent protesters were only struggling for peace and democracy. "They come with empty hands," he lied. "The death toll is very high," he also lied, quite uncomfortably I thought. The interviewer was not sufficiently up on the situation to even ask halfway informed questions.

Soldiers stand next to the burned shell of a city bus, April 13, 2009. Photo: Reuters / Sukree Sukplang

A little while ago, PM Abhisit made another broadcast, as always these last days with his full cabinet around the table with him. I hope to find a translation later, because it was a very strong performance. He seems to be handling this extremely well, and looking stronger each time. He said that most of the city is now returning to normal, cleanup and removal of road obstructions has started, and most of the red-shirt protesters have now returned to their base at Royal Plaza. Some gangs are still roaming around.

I have begun to wonder if some of these thugs aren't using stimulants, and if so, is it provided to them like their money? Some of them appear to have lost complete control of themselves.

Many of the recorded scenes during the brutal attacks on Sunday at the Interior Ministry showed some of the attackers going absolutely insane, to the point of being restrained by fellow rioters. I'll not easily forget one man who stood on the roof of a smashed vehicle, stabbing his large Thai flag and pole through the broken windshield and into the passenger compartment, like a wild man. I'd like to think there wasn't a human inside at the time, but there may have been.

Another red-shirt who was standing on the same roof but beating on the car, felt compelled to restrain him. It wouldn't be easy for anyone to see his flag used in that way, but for the average Thai person especially. A rioter was offended, imagine that! All this is not going down well with the public, as we've seen today.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva spoke to the nation late on Monday night. Photo: Thai TV Pool

PM Abhisit also referred in his address tonight to the "attempts from overseas" to distort the facts, of course meaning the chief instigator of this whole mess in his undisclosed location. Journalists have been given complete freedom to report directly from every incident, to get as close as they dare (and these are the risks they take voluntarily in order to report the truth). I haven't been able to detect the slightest whiff of censorship — CNN and BBC are normally interrupted at times like this, but there was no disruption or delay of Thaksin's interview this afternoon.

Having seen quite a number of Thai prime ministers in similar situations over the years, I'd have to say (politics absolutely aside) that the current guy is the one I'd want making decisions in a crisis like this one. He's showing his character at the moment, and I think many are impressed. He expressed deep regret for the deaths of two innocent citizens, thanked security forces for conducting themselves well, and thanked the citizens for their bravery and assistance on a difficult day.

Abhisit's future is looking much less doubtful than it did on Saturday in Pattaya. He apologized to the nation for not having the time to speak to them since the morning's first clashes, but by 11 pm he had definite progress to report. Addressing the several thousand red-shirt protesters remaining at Royal Plaza, he politely asked those who may disagree with rioting methods to leave the protest site and return to their homes for the sake of the nation, and he promised that their safety would be ensured by the authorities.

It frequently happens, as it did with the yellow-shirts last year, that participants who happen to change their minds and want to go home are not permitted to do so by their own "security" forces (thugs). Toxic Thugsin's lieutenants had better not pull that one at a time like this. Let those jolly country ladies go home if they want to.

The way things look at the moment, it's probably not necessary to clear the Plaza before dawn. They can probably sit there for days with nowhere to go, and enough force on the street to prevent a replay of the day that's now becoming known as "Black Songkran."
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Labels: Thailand

- posted by Agam @ 11:55 PM 0 comments

 
CLASHES BEGIN AS REDS TERRORIZE A CITY

A citizen offers roses to symbolize the people's love for the soldiers in their efforts to re-establish peace in their city, April 13, 2009. Photo: AP / Wong Maye-E

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irect clashes between Thai military forces and the Thaksin-backed "revolutionary" red mobs broke out this morning at around 4 am as the troops moved in force to clear the Din Daeng intersection. Demonstrators commandeered a city bus and drove it into the ranks of soldiers who responded by firing their weapons, reportedly into the sky. Petrol bombs were used by the rioters, and around 70 people were reported injured in the incident — about one-third of these were military personnel, several of whom sustained wounds from gunshots allegedly fired by the demonstrators.

Demonstrators have also commandeered at least two LPG tanker trucks, in addition to the many city buses (several of which have been set ablaze) which they have used to blockade roads and hamper the troops' movement. Fires are also set at several locations using large tires for fuel. If this sounds like a dangerous combination for "non-violent" protest tactics, it's because Thaksin's mobs care nothing about this capital or the safety of its people. One of the LPG tankers was parked right next to an apartment building, and protesters taunted the soldiers by opening the gas valve and threatening to send the whole place sky high.

The main rail station is closed and all city bus services have been stopped for passenger safety. The security forces seem to be slowly gaining the upper hand in this second straight day of anarchy in the City of Angels. The push to regain order (over a situation in which widely-spread flashpoints are kept going by relatively small groups of protesters) appears to be proceeding methodically. An effort to disperse the main grouping of Thaksin's "revolutionaries" ensconced with their big stage at Government House may be expected before day's end. Or, let's just say before dawn tomorrow.

Thaksin's lieutenants who are directing these mob actions are claiming that a number of their followers have been killed in the crackdown, but hospital officials have flatly denied this. At last report no one has been killed so far, but the total number of casualties is not precisely known. [Security officials have just confirmed (4:20 pm) that no lives have been lost as yet. Injuries have been sustained by both protesters and soldiers.]

Some time ago I saved a quote by the late Michael Crichton, found in comments on a news story about a completely unrelated matter, for later use at an opportune moment. This seems as good a time as any.

"Briefly stated, the Gell-Mann Amnesia effect works as follows. You open the newspaper to an article on some subject you know well. In Murray's case, physics. In mine, show business. You read the article and see the journalist has absolutely no understanding of either the facts or the issues. Often, the article is so wrong it actually presents the story backward-reversing cause and effect. I call these the "wet streets cause rain" stories. Paper's full of them.

"In any case, you read with exasperation or amusement the multiple errors in a story-and then turn the page to national or international affairs, and read with renewed interest as if the rest of the newspaper was somehow more accurate about far-off Palestine than it was about the story you just read. You turn the page, and forget what you know.

"That is the Gell-Mann Amnesia effect. I'd point out it does not operate in other arenas of life. In ordinary life, if somebody consistently exaggerates or lies to you, you soon discount everything they say. In court, there is the legal doctrine of falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus, which means untruthful in one part, untruthful in all.

"But when it comes to the media, we believe against evidence that it is probably worth our time to read other parts of the paper. When, in fact, it almost certainly isn't."

Naturally this effect is as relevant to television news as it is to newspapers. This morning I took a short break from constantly bouncing my receiver between all the local broadcasters, for a brief look at how CNN and BBC are covering this.

Thaksin supporters are looking for bloodshed. From their idol's latest phone-ins to incite them, this is precisely what he's hoping for as well. Photo: AP / Wong Maye-E

If you have a choice, I recommend to pick BBC for accuracy on this story. Their man on the street at the moment, Alastair Leithead is very good, and not at all given to theatrics. CNN on the other hand has the incorrigible drama queen Dan Rivers, who was a Thailand rookie when the 2006 coup d'etat took place and distinguished himself with spouting the most inane rubbish about Thai history I've ever seen on any media. Dan's been providing some very breathless reports today, but none of it very enlightening.

BBC also has the veteran South East Asia correspondent Jonathan Head on the scene here. This is one journalist who really knows what he's talking about in this region, and who has had my respect for many years for his work in Thailand and Indonesia.

While the CNN anchor this morning was talking with Rivers by phone, breathless Dan needed to relocate himself and "rang off." Then it was, "And now for some deeper background information on the crisis with [other anchor lady] who is monitoring events at our News Center." She then proceeded to go over some bullet points of essential information for people to understand things in context. And nearly all of it was absolute crap. Anyone who absorbed it would understand things less than if they hadn't seen it at all.

For just two examples (I didn't write it down, too busy yelling at her for being so stupid), she talked about the Thai Rak Thai party (Thaksin's original personal political vehicle) as though it was one of the main players today. The party was disbanded years ago! Then she got into the red - yellow thing, proclaiming that "yellow is the symbolic colour for Prime Minister Abhisit's Democrat Party." Aaaggghhh! Just shut up already if that's the best your "researchers" can do.

I've had this experience enough times in recent years on subjects that I do know something about (Burma, Tibet, Thailand), that I now feel well inoculated against the Gell-Mann Amnesia effect. Some news sources may be judged as more trustworthy than others, but don't extend complete trust in any of them. The "most trusted source in news" has different nicknames around my house, and when I come up with a printable one, I'll let you know.

The news photo stream from the wireservices on the Thai crisis can now be found here. English daily paper The Nation has begun a timeline of events starting early this morning, and continually updated.
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Labels: Thailand

- posted by Agam @ 4:28 PM 2 comments

 
THAKSIN DEMANDS REVOLUTION

Vandals smash the car of Niphon Promphan, Secretary-General of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, at the Interior Ministry in Bangkok, Thailand, Sunday, April 12, 2009. Photo: AP

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he red mob regrouped Sunday in Bangkok, bringing near anarchy with them to the city. The capital and parts of five neighbouring provinces were placed under emergency measures, enabling the military to step up and assist the insufficient police forces. Evidently the introspection I had hoped for in Saturday's post did not materialize.

Mr. Thaksin's mobs displayed more of their thuggery, smashing cars and seriously injuring government officials at the Interior Ministry. Prime Minister Abhisit was reported to be slightly injured. His Secretary-General, Niphon Phromphan, and other officials were not so lucky. Niphon suffered head injuries and broken ribs after protesters smashed his car and attacked him.

Niphon is attacked by the mob, suffering head injuries and broken ribs. Photo: Reuters / stringer

The protesters blocked the vehicles and grabbed Pol Sergeant-Major Chanin Singlek and beat him up, before they turned to the other vehicle and did the same to two military officers, one identified as Major Pakorn Somphant, who were inside the car.

The group grabbed a pistol from Pakorn's holster and fired one shot in the air. The pistol was passed on to other protesters and all the bullets were fired in the air. Nattawut Saikua, a protest leader who went to the ministry and later spoke to reporters at the scene, accused Pakorn of shooting at the crowd of protesters, but the major denied it.

Niphon's driver was also attacked. Photo: Reuters / stringer

Niphon was trapped in his personal BMW, without help or intervention by some 100 security officials stationed in the ministry compound, while the protesters continued smashing his car for about five minutes. Niphon and all three officers were later allowed to be taken to hospitals by the protesters, who had initially stopped ambulances from entering the ministry compound.

The main stage for Thaksin's red people is located at Government House, where tens of thousands are being fired up tonight by their leaders — including video messages from Thaksin himself, calling on them to gather in greater numbers and fight.

The deposed prime minister said he will return to lead his supporters, if a coup takes place.

This would be the time for people to come out and revolt after the army brought tanks into the city, he said.

Thaksin said that should he come back, the Democrat party will join forces with a 'dictatorship' and hurt people.

He asked people to stay strong and fight for democracy for their children.

"I will monitor the situation closely. Anytime the army uses force, I will return if necessary and I will not let influential figures pressure the people," said Thaksin.

The self-exiled premier said he planned to make phone-ins throughout the night.

Unidentified official brutalized by mobs at the Interior Ministery on Sunday. Photo: Daily News / AP

Democracy for the children, that's cute. The fight is for one thing alone, and that's Thaksin's own interests. He is now getting even, having others do his fighting while he "monitors the situation." And composes his next incendiary message for the mob.

On Saturday night after the visiting foreign leaders had all left, and the leaders of the Democratic Alliance Against Democracy had declared their great victory in damaging their own country, Prime Minister Abhisit unexpectedly returned to the scene of the crime and said the following to the Thai people:

"In this loss to the country, anyone or any group of people that announces a victory should be regarded as true enemies of Thailand. Whatever status I have, I will never allow these people to become influential," he told a press conference at the summit venue.

Mobs extract a motorist for a beating, reportedly after he criticized their uncivilised actions. Photo: AP / David Longstreath

Tonight will show whether Abhisit has the support of military and police commanders, or not. I hope the jolly country ladies shaking their stupid clappers and watching Thaksin on the big screen at ground zero will be safe, but I won't shed any tears if the thugs who did what you see in these pictures get what's coming to them. They bear no resemblance to the real democracy movement I witnessed up close in 1992, and they should be ashamed for thinking of themselves that way.

But let's end here for the moment with some humour. The Chinese government-controlled Xinhua news service carried this report on Saturday morning, as the first disruptions hit Pattaya trapping Premier Wen Jiaobao and other leaders in their hotels. The dispatch was republished by the Wall Street Journal, and has disappeared from Xinhua itself.

PATTAYA, Thailand (Xinhua) -- The meeting of foreign ministers of China, Japan and South Korea, which was scheduled to be held here at 7 a.m. local time Saturday morning, was delayed due to anti-government protests, officials said. The protestors are demonstrating against the Chinese government's policy on Tibet, according to published reports.

AFP reported earlier that the meeting was cancelled, citing a senior Chinese official.

The meeting was scheduled to include discussion of North Korea's recent rocket test, according to published reports.

It's difficult to believe that anybody, even writing for Xinhua, could be that stupid. Tens of thousands of Thai redshirts were ransacking a resort hotel to protest Chinese policy in Tibet? Maybe they really are that paranoid over their colony, but if so it's verging on insane.

Oh, and here's the kicker of the day.

Those words don't mean what they think they mean. Photo: AP / Wong Maye-E

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Labels: Thailand

- posted by Agam @ 3:36 AM 0 comments

 
RED MOB HALTS ASEAN SUMMIT **updated**

Red shirts pour into the lobby of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort hotel, venue for the ASEAN meeting in Pattaya, Thailand on April 11, 2009. Photo: Reuters / Claro Cortes IV

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upporters of ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra have stormed the international press centre at the ASEAN (and its dialogue partners) summit this afternoon in the resort city of Pattaya. The government has just announced that the summit will be cancelled in the interests of safety for the foreign leaders, who had arrived as guests of the Kingdom yesterday. A state of emergency has been declared over Pattaya to ensure the safe departure of the foreign dignitaries.

After having wreaked havoc on Bangkok transportation yesterday with the blockade of major avenues, their occupation of a main hub for the city's travellers — the Victory Monument traffic circle — and an emerging dispute between some of the "red shirt" leaders, it had seemed that Thaksin's remote-controlled uprising might be losing steam yesterday.

A Thaksin supporter brandishes a long knife in Pattaya, Thailand on April 11, 2009. Photo: AP / David Longstreath

A clash between his supporters and local residents in Pattaya early this morning resulted in some injuries to both sides, the stranding of several foreign leaders inside their hotels, and what was then called the "postponement" of the morning ASEAN-China meeting.

After the yellow-shirted "People's Alliance for Democracy" squandered any broad public support it may have had last year with its ridiculous occupation of two airports, who would now stand up to this red-shirted "Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship" mob? Nobody in Bangkok, apparently. But the people of Pattaya had high hopes for the economic benefits from this international meeting in their city after tourism was so badly damaged by the antics of the yellow mobs in December.

Bring out the blue shirts! Is this beginning to sound stupid yet?

A "democracy loving" Thaksin supporter wields a long stick and a small axe for the "battle in Pattaya" to disrupt an ASEAN summit. Photo: Reuters / Sukree Sukplang

It is claimed that the blue shirts, who made their first appearance in confronting the reds this morning, were just local Pattaya people who had vowed to protect the venues for the summit from mob disruption. The DAAD leaders (the Nation newspaper humorously translated the acronym in one story today as "Democratic Alliance Against Democracy", which may be closer to the truth) accused the blue group as actually being soldiers or military officers in disguise. The reds were armed with giant firecrackers, molotov cocktails (reportedly no molotovs were thrown), clubs, knives, and slingshots with which they fired metal bolts at the blues. Photos show the blue shirts also armed with sticks and slingshots, but they were greatly outnumbered.

While I was watching local live coverage between 12 and 1 pm, the scene showed the interior of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort hotel with a scattering of people seeming to be fleeing from something down a broad stairway from a mezzanine level to ground level. Within minutes, hundreds of the red shirted mob flowed like a great red river down the same staircase, wandering around the lobby with raised fists, waving flags, and apparently wondering "What do we do now?"

The mob crashes through the lobby window, joining hundreds already inside. Photo: Reuters / Sukree Sukplang

Part of the glass facing of the lobby was smashed, allowing more to enter from the front. More than a thousand of these folks milled around trying to look purposeful between gleefully chatting on their mobile phones (I imagine, telling the folks back in Buri Ram or wherever, "We won!"). One pudgy fellow in a straw stetson (he's no impoverished farmer, I can tell you that) began arranging for his "press conference" in front of the official ASEAN meeting backdrop.

Arisman Pongruangrong, sans farmer's hat, declares victory in the war for Pattaya. Photo: AP / David Longstreath

This was Arisman Pongruangrong, one of the core leaders of DAAD. He claimed that two of his red shirt taxi drivers were seriously injured in the morning fracas and that one later died. He accused elected Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva of "ordering" the killing, and claimed that his red people today showed their power and were "the ones who really loved democracy." He directed the mass of Thaksin supporters now occupying the hotel to disrupt all ASEAN meetings and to "hunt" for the prime minister from room to room.

While Thailand hangs its collective head in shame, its rightfully earned reputation for hospitality now shattered in the world's eyes and unable to provide a safe and conducive setting for a major regional conference, the man who pulled all the strings to bring this off from his hideout in China (or wherever he is this week) will be claiming victory. In his constant "video messages" from abroad, Thaksin demanded that his red lackeys should step up the pressure and ensure that the ASEAN meeting could not proceed. If it can be stopped, he said, it will be a great victory for them.

This fellow seems to portray what many Thais will be thinking about him and his fellow red-shirted warriors as they consider the day's events. Photo: AP / Wong Maye-E

Well he got his wish by causing the worldwide embarrassment of his former country. But he has pushed his ultimate aim farther from his grasp. His intention is to overthrow the current coalition government (which includes essential support from a breakaway faction of his own proxy party in parliament), to have the criminal cases against him tossed out of court, and eventually to return to the Kingdom in triumph.

It will never happen. The only way he returns to this country will be after his extradition from one of his hideouts (hopefully in handcuffs). He is a corrupt criminal on the run from justice, and having him freely able to pull strings and incite his anti-democratic mobs from afar is an intolerable situation.

The current governing coalition was formed early this year, not because of the yellow shirted "People's Alliance for Democracy" airport occupation (although they certainly claimed credit), but due to the final verdict of a longstanding legal prosecution on illegal campaign activities by Thaksin's proxy party. Thaksin's puppets resigned, and minor parties as well as a good part of the puppet party supported the Democrats to form the new government, with Khun Abhisit as prime minister.

There is nothing undemocratic about any of that. The red protesters who carry signs accusing Abhisit of being a "dictator", a "supporter of terrorists" and a "killer" just simply don't have a clue about democratic systems (or the meaning of words). They were paid to come to Bangkok, and now Pattaya, to carry out this disruption (I've been informed by someone who would know, that they each got 1000 baht per day - about $30 US). You have only one guess as to where that money came from.

If your answer involves a certain formerly richest Thai-Chinese tycoon in the country with the initials TS, you win tonight's star prize. The entire Norwich City Council! [But, I've already got one!]

Another DAAD leader, Natthawut Saikua, has declared "the war in Pattaya is over now," and that since they had "gained victory" he ordered his troops to return to Bangkok, and rejoin fellow red shirts at Government House.

They will be stoked over their successful disruption of an event that has now been cancelled twice. This is not over yet.

Breaking news pages at The Nation and at Bangkok Post. ASEAN summit photo stream from the wire-services here.

UPDATE, 9:30 pm: After such a contentious day for this country, what might be the mood out in "Thaksin country"? His base is mainly in parts of the north and north-eastern regions, where most of these red-shirts originated from. A citizen journalist in Isaan (north-east) commented on Thanong's blog at The Nation this evening, after surveying the atmosphere:

Today I drove along Khonkaen city to see how this Thaksin city show. Dont be surprised. I tried to find single a red shirt inside city. None. I made many interviews with the city people and found all of them sniffed off the red.

I wonder really which media color this city as Thaksin's red stronghold.

I don't think there are many Thais who will feel pride over what happened today. Perhaps a good portion of the red shirts, returning by bus and truck to Bangkok after their exciting victory, may pause during the trip and think about what it is they've really done. A few might even realize that they're not actually the heroes they were trying to be.

The Songkran holiday started today — the long major public holiday of the year — the Thai New Year and water festival. Attacking ASEAN was the DAAD's last ditch effort to keep things going (they mobbed PM Abhisit's SUV and smashed the window with him in it a few days ago, and crippled much of Bangkok yesterday). They needed to launch the war on Pattaya, or their troops would have all gone home already.

Between now and next Thursday every Thai wants to be in their hometown celebrating with parents, grandparents, making merit, doing the cleansing rituals, having fun. That last is very important, probably the most important. Thaksin, his cronies and their useful idiots have managed to take most of the fun out of it this time.

The state of emergency is now lifted from Pattaya and Chonburi, the foreign officials have all safely departed. Abhisit's future is, unfortunately in my view, looking doubtful. There is troubling information that both the military commander and the police commander involved in the security operation in Pattaya were nowhere to be seen when the mob stormed the building. If true, it's more of a black eye than the red dummies.

The following scene took place yesterday morning, very close to where I live (this is the Sathorn - Narathiwat junction). Some red motorcyclists and taxis attempt to close the intersection, citizens jeer at them from the walking bridge. "AWK BAI! AWK BAI!" ("GET OUT!") "MAI OW! MAI OW!" ("WE DON'T WANT YOU!")

It only takes one man to first stand up, the guy in the gray shirt pushing barricades away after motorcyclists had kicked them aside. Suddenly more men join him in admonishing the reds and trying to keep the road open. The Thaksin-loving gridlock masters flee amid a roar from the citizens.

So there was one victory yesterday in Bangkok at least.


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Labels: Thailand

- posted by Agam @ 5:04 PM 1 comments

 
WORDS UNHEARD

HM the King's New Year greeting card. Nai Daeng lays at his right, and her son Thong Daeng sits at his left. Photo: HM

H

e was absent from his customary birthday-eve address to his people last month (due to illness), but he spoke to Thailand last night in a New Year's Eve broadcast. At the end of a horribly messy year that opened with exile tycoon proxy politics, proceeded into dual non-stop protesting, and culminated in Thailand taking itself hostage, the dust had finally seemed settled. A new government has been sworn in.

King Bhumibol called on his people to be careful in their thinking and actions, and to look at every angle of a situation. Meticulous analysis of the advantages and disadvantages in any action would enable people to know what should be done, and what should be avoided. The success and happiness of people, and the peace and order of the nation, will benefit from the right thinking and right actions of individuals.

It seems very simple, yet some need to be reminded of even the simple things. A few hours after his broadcast, the New Year countdown ritual was performed in the crowded Santika, a popular night club in Ekamai Soi 9. As a first act of 2009, person[s] decided it would be a right action to set off fireworks beneath highly flammable soundproofing materials. I don't think they considered all the pros and cons.

Santika Pub Photo: The Nation

The inferno spread quickly across the ceiling, and everyone charged for the front door -- the only door most of them knew. Lesson: On entering a venue for the first time, check around for the exit signs. There were three other exits. Few people knew they were there, and most stampeded to the front. The foreign media has been saying that there was only one door out of the place. That's not true.

At the moment, 60 people are known to have perished -- both Thais and foreigners -- and more than 200 are injured. Foreign victims have been identified from Australia (possibly Austria), Netherlands, Nepal and Japan. The event had been promoted as "Goodbye Santika Party," as the venue was due to move to a new property.

Just because one can do something -- like setting off pyrotechnics in a crowded club -- doesn't mean you should. A similar case in the US about 6 years ago killed over 100 people.

"Hey, let's take over the Government House. Yes we can!" . . . "Hey, even better -- let's take over both airports and hold Bangkok hostage. Because we can!" . . . "These spark fountains will look so cool to ring in the New Year, and ring out Santika. The partiers will love it!"

And so at the end of a messy year that most Thais are glad is over, 2009 enters its first minutes with a hellish man-made disaster. Person[s] acted without considering the downside -- exactly what His Majesty was talking about. Had those person[s] been listening to him before the party, someone might have paused to think about it first.

And a lot of people might still be alive to see 2009.
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Labels: Thailand

- posted by Agam @ 9:25 PM 0 comments

 
THE DUST SETTLES, HORSE-TRADING OVER

Finally. Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the Democrat Party and the likely next Prime Minister. Photo: Abhisit.org

T

back-room dealing and horse-trading was running fast and furious over the past four days, over who would form the next government of Thailand. Tuesday's Constitutional Court ruling, which dissolved three of the governing coalition parties (in turn prompting the airport hostage-takers to finally go home), had thrown the political landscape into the air -- despite the fact that the Court's decision had been widely expected.

It's advisable to remember that this entire long-running episode was mainly about one man, Thaksin Shinawatra -- now a fugitive from justice in exile -- and the political machine he had built (and its various incarnations). He had been deposed in a peaceful and popular coup d'etat five months after returning to power in an illegitimate April 2006 election. His self-funded vehicle, the Thai Rak Thai (Thai Loves Thai) Party was legally dissolved as a result of fraudulent electoral behaviour. The same group reincarnated itself as the Palang Prachachon (People Power) Party, winning a plurality one year ago in the election which returned democratic rule from the interim military-appointed government.

The PPP needed support from the smaller parties in order to keep the government out of the hands of the second largest group in Parliament (the Democrat Party), settling on the firebrand ex-Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej for party leader and Prime Minister. Samak was recently disqualified from the position due to his commercial media activities, so the PPP replaced him with Mr. Thaksin's brother-in-law, the rather wimpish Somchai Wongsawat. Following last week's decision by the Constitutional Court, Somchai and many other executives of the three dissolved parties were prohibited from playing for five years.

[A more detailed blow-by-blow account of the following events may be enjoyed in a diary format, beginning on Wednesday night by one of The Nation's editors, Tulsathit Taptim. I quite like his attitude. When mulling over a couple of early front-runners for the PM spot -- controversial old dinosaurs both -- he came up with this eminently quotable line: "Anyway, if you put a gun to my head and ask me to choose between Chalerm and Snoh, my choice is simple. Pull the damned trigger."]

The members of People Power Party (those not losing their seats by the Court's decision) have now reconstituted as the Peua Thai (For Thais) Party -- now the third incarnation of Thaksin's machine -- though not all PPP members have signed up. The handful of small parties had been expected to stay loyal, and the parliamentary session tomorrow was expected to anoint whomever the Peua Thai chose this weekend as its leader.

But it is not to be (yippee!). Some of the small parties had been giving mixed signals, and a faction of the ex-PPP (known as "Newin's Friends") were not going along with the plan. Mr. Thaksin, apparently in Hong Kong, began to panic. He is said to have called the faction leader, Newin Chitchob, to summon him out of the country for a bit of persuasion. Newin refused to go. Thaksin's panic attack got worse as he saw the possibility of his protectors losing their grip. So on Friday he sent his (recently divorced - and yes, for political and financially beneficial reasons) ex-wife Pojamarn to Bangkok to sort out the mess.

I can only wonder how Mr. Thaksin's blood pressure is doing today, for Pojamarn has failed in her mission. In a last ditch effort to re-stitch the torn garments of Thaksin-proxy government, inducements were offered to the minor parties (including offering the Prime Minister-ship to a minor party "senior advisor").

Too late. Most of the minor parties had resolved to "stay together" and act "for the good of the country." In a press conference last night (right in my own neighbourhood) which was delayed somewhat by all the last minute attempted deal-making, Democrat officials along with representatives of most of the minor parties announced a coalition which should prevail in any vote tomorrow. Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, absent any funny business or trick manoeuvres by Thaksin's cronies, will most likely become Thailand's next Prime Minister.

The new Democrat-led coalition claims 252 sitting MPs at the moment, in a depleted House which should have 480 MPs. Of those, 33 members are now banned from political activities and by-elections will need to be held. From the remaining 447, seven others have been suspended and are awaiting trial in the Supreme Court for electoral fraud, leaving only 440 to meet tomorrow.

A Democrat-led government under these conditions will be anything but rock-solid, and likely won't be long-lived either. Minority governments are like that, especially here. But I was impressed by many of the statements of the minor party representatives and the rebellious Newin faction people. They seem to realize that this is correct thing to do for the good of the country, and insisted that there had been no bargaining for personal or vested interests.

One question is whether the "Red Shirts" will be sent out into the streets to "pull a PAD" -- in a mirror image of what we've just been through. I don't think anyone is that stupid, so Thaksin can sit in Hong Kong, or Beijing, and suck on that for a while.

In related news no less important to the Thai people, His Majesty's condition is improving. He is now able to take liquid meals and intravenous feeding has been reduced, along with his fever. Get well soon, Your Majesty! Things are looking up at long last.
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Labels: Thailand

- posted by Agam @ 5:11 PM 0 comments

 
AN ABSENCE TO REMEMBER

A

fter all the recent conflict in Thailand, with the nation literally isolated and held hostage by a political activist group, Thais were keenly anticipating the annual address by their king -- traditionally given on the eve of his birthday. Today Bhumibol Adulyadej turns 81 years old.

Yesterday afternoon, thousands came to the Chitralada Palace to offer their best wishes, and to catch a glimpse as he arrived at the reception hall. There he receives his birthday greetings from a broad spectrum of Thai society invited for the occasion, including government ministers and other national officials. What follows is the only lengthy address he will make to his people during the year. The King normally takes the opportunity for a "teaching moment," addressing current problems with advice and suggestions, and generally fulfilling his role as guiding light and Strength of the Land.

For the first time since his coronation, he wasn't there.

The fallen hearts could be seen in many confused faces as the open vehicles arrived at the hall with other members of the royal family. His Majesty and his usual companion for the event (his favourite dog, Thong Daeng) were absent. Inside the hall, the Crown Prince was seated next to an empty throne. He offered a very few words of appreciation and wishes for the people's health and prosperity on behalf of his father. Then Princess Sirindhorn (the people's favourite possible heir, affectionately called "Prathep") came across the stage and knelt at the microphone, speaking more directly to the assembled worriers. (The event is carried live on radio, broadcast later in the evening on television.)

His Majesty was feeling very weak, she said, and had been unable to eat food. He is on saline solution, and seems to be suffering a respiratory infection. His doctors advised him to rest as much as possible. Personally, I think he's suffering from a broken heart.

The King inspects the Trooping of the Colours, December 2, 2008 Photo: Adrees Latif / REUTERS

A week ago, many people were expecting him to magically solve the political impasse that saw protesters seize both the international and domestic airports of Bangkok, during his annual "teaching moment." Even those occupying the two facilities appeared content to just sit tight and wait for it. It occurred to me that the best teaching he could give on Dec. 4 would be to remind his people that he won't always be here to save the country from destroying itself (as he has done with great care in the past). Too many Thais are simply unwilling to face that reality.

Red Shirts vs. Yellow Shirts, pro-Thaksin vs. anti-Thaksin; pitched battles in the streets, moving on to gunfire and grenades -- all of it over the most divisive figure in Thai politics, now an exile fugitive from justice. The Yellows, appropriating the King's colour for their own benefit, had seized the seat of government with occupation, then our link to the world, holding the country for the ransom of their political preference. What good king would not have a broken heart, to see his nation behave in such a way?

A year ago yesterday, I quoted former Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun (probably the best PM in living memory, himself appointed by coup makers, and who served only a year in office):

"I have often said that the status that our King has risen to after 60 years' reign is something that he has earned. It is not a hereditary thing. When he was made a King at the young age of 17 or 18, nobody knew what kind of King he was going to make. But I think that by his diligence and by his determination and dedication, he has developed into a very good King," Anand said.

"When you talk about our King, he is not only a great King, but he is a good King. I make this distinction, for you can be great man with so many shortcomings and so many faults, but when you say he is a good man, to me it means more. So to me, the fact that he is a good King personally means to me much more than that he is a great King. To be a good King, to be a good man, is something you have to earn. You do not inherit [it]."

As it turned out, the airports stand-off was resolved this week when the Yellow Shirts declared victory and went home. The Constitutional Court had ruled the dissolution of three government parties, the largest of which is the Thaksin proxy party. The Prime Minister, Thaksin's brother in law -- among dozens of other of the parties' executives -- was banned from "playing politics" for five years. This of course had nothing to do with the "People's Alliance for Democracy" actions, but was simply the upholding of previous Supreme Court decisions. The PAD claimed it as their own victory in any case.

The Alliance had taken control of Government House in August, and the two airports early last week. During the course of these actions, at least 7 people have been killed and many injured -- nearly all of them in conflict between the Yellows and the Reds, as both of these had their thuggish "guards" armed with clubs, knives and guns. Radio stations on both sides were attacked with firearms and bombs, and the occupations of Government House and the domestic airport were attacked with RPG's. PAD goons at the international airport captured police personnel (who have been scrupulous in avoiding violence), in one case "interrogating" the officer and placing him under "arrest." A policewoman was paraded on their stage for abuse before being sent on her way. Journalists at one airport had their car shot up by the PAD "guards."

Now government workers are beginning to get back into their offices at Government House, which was vacated before the airports stand-off had ended. They are shocked at the amount of damage done, and the number of valuable things that have been stolen during the long occupation. Very many people who may have sympathized with the goals of the Alliance are now absolutely disgusted with them.

People who were sitting-in at the airports are now telling their stories. Once they joined, there was no way out. No one was permitted to leave, and everyone's citizen card was confiscated by the organisers. One young man who wanted to leave on the same night the PM resigned was badly beaten, shot, and thrown into a canal for dead (I heard he survived). The next morning, the airport was voluntarily cleared.

If His Majesty's absence yesterday has caused some Thais to reflect on their own possible contribution to his ill health, it would be a good lesson. As sickening as I found the whole anarchic exercise, one can only wonder how the Strength of the Land would have felt about it. He has devoted his life in full measure toward the development and progress of his people. I believe he is the main reason why this country didn't succumb to the grisly China-sponsored communist insurgency of the 60's and 70's. After all he has done to keep this country free, in leading by example, a source of pride and nationhood, it must have been difficult for him to watch the past few weeks and months.

The Thai people, on the whole, cannot think of their country without him. It's too empty, too difficult to imagine, so they don't. Let them contemplate that now -- especially those "leaders" who have propelled their various "movements" and brought the country into such ruin and international disrepute. Let them contemplate what their country has which no other does, and probably no other ever will (actually, only the Tibetans have a comparable relationship with their monarch, but no country).

Many people here today are feeling yesterday's absence quite deeply. He has never not been there on December 4, and this year he wasn't. A massive introspection is called for today, particularly on the part of those "leaders" and "activists" who need to remember why they are here in the first place.
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Labels: Thailand

- posted by Agam @ 3:48 PM 0 comments

 
THE 100th DAY OF THE 'LAST WAR'

Pro-government mobs began gathering on Sunday, attacking the anti-Samak sit-in at Government House early Tuesday. Photo: AP / Wason Wanichakorn

I

t's been exactly one week since the anti-Thaksin "People's Alliance for Democracy" occupied the grounds of Government House in Bangkok, but it's also been exactly 100 days since the latest round of PAD protests began against Thaksin's proxy Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej. On May 26 the PAD erected a stage near the Makkawan Bridge, and the anti-Samak / anti-Thaksin protests have been continuous since then.

Protesters have been demanding that Thaksin face trial on his many charges, and since the ex-PM fled to Britain last month, for his extradition. As an admitted proxy for the fugitive tycoon, Mr. Samak faced determined opposition for his announced plan to amend the constitution, which many believe is intended to protect his patron from criminal liability (for which he could face long prison terms). Mr. Thaksin's wife has already been found guilty of corruption in a land deal not long before the couple and their children flew to Beijing "for the Olympic ceremony" (and promising to return to face the courts). Why anyone expected them to return is a question beyond my pay-grade. The assurances that "Mr. Thaksin bought a return ticket" were just silly.

The protests were stepped up last Tuesday, when PAD occupied the grounds of Government House in their tens of thousands. Had they adhered to non-violent principles, they would be in much better shape today. A serious mistake was made when the group's 'security contingent' -- calling themselves "Srivijaya Warriors" -- forcibly took control of the state broadcaster NBT, and the whole country saw video images of rough looking masked men armed with sticks and clubs forcing journalists out of their workplace in the middle of the night.

Thais really don't like that sort of thing, and many who may have sympathized with the goals of the PAD became disgusted with that incident. Police quickly took back control of NBT and around 85 arrests were made. The sit-in at Government House continued and protests broke out in other parts of the country, closing down several airports in the South and much of the rail service. State enterprise workers threatened to bring the country to a complete standstill. An emergency debate was called for Sunday afternoon, in a joint session of the House and Senate which lasted over 11 hours.

Much talking was accomplished (some of it very good), but nothing more. Mr. Samak steadfastly refused to end the crisis with his resignation, or by dissolving the House for new elections. Meanwhile, bussed-in pro-Samak demonstrators were gathering at Sanam Luang to set up an 'anti-anti-government protest.' This was a clear sign that the conflict was about to get nasty, and in fact reminded me of one of the rumoured reasons for the 2006 coup d'etat.

Anti-Samak "right-wing forces", according to international media. Photo: AFP / Nicolas Asfouri

Anti-Thaksin demonstrations had been going on for months at that time (before and after the April 2006 elections, which were later ruled to have been illegally carried out). Civilian militias loyal to Thaksin had already begun attacking the PAD protesters, and there were indications that border patrol forces loyal to him were on the way to the capital to crush the protests once and for all. Many who sympathized with the coup believed that the armed forces acted pre-emptively to avert a far worse catastrophe.

With the Parliament and Senate unable to find a negotiated solution on Sunday night, pro-Samak partisans continued flowing into the city from the provinces yesterday (Monday). Last night around midnight, they began marching from Sanam Luang, along Ratchadamnoen Avenue toward the PAD protest site, with the aim of evicting the demonstrators. The PAD people had been preparing for such an event, collecting motorcycle helmets and sticks and running drills for their 'security forces.'

The prime job for police last night was to keep the two groups from clashing, but somebody apparently had other ideas. A decision had to have been made somewhere, to allow a violent clash between the 'yellow group' (a colour the anti-Samak people wear, to signify love for His Majesty) and the 'red group' (a colour the pro-Samak people are wearing, to signify ... I don't know. Red Guards? Or the Red Gaurs [Krating Daeng]?)

The best English language account I've found today comes from Nirmal Ghosh writing in Singapore's Straits Times (but try to ignore the idiotic headline).

The pro-government crowd, many wearing red shirts and red headbands, marched quickly towards the Makkawan bridge and was met by a double row of police in full riot protection gear but without batons.

The police let the crowd through. Then they simply walked away, watching from a distance as the almost medieval battle erupted.

(By the way, the photo on that page is of the pro-government group burning effigies of PAD leaders, which isn't at all made clear over there.)

Mr. Samak this morning promised an investigation into the violence this morning, and it should start with what the hell happened to the police "being able to handle things." This seems calculated to intensify the crisis and create a pretext for what followed -- this morning's declaration of emergency rule in Bangkok (a measure that the Army chief had rejected last week, telling the PM to solve it with political means). As of now, the Army is the police in this city, with the police in a support role.

A man rests at the protest site on Monday. Photo: AP / David Longstreath

At least one person was killed in this morning's violence and over 40 have been injured (some critically). Some of these have been gunshot wounds. The pro-Samak red-shirts are said to have dispersed around mid-morning. Mission accomplished. Yellow-shirts continue their sit-in at Government House.

The Election Commission has today made a long-awaited ruling on the future of Samak's political party, which leads the government's coalition. Thaksin's "Thais Love Thais Party" was dissolved before last year's election, found to have seriously violated election laws. It reconstituted itself as "People Power Party" with Mr. Samak as the admitted proxy for Thaksin as party leader. Now the PPP itself has been found responsible for vote buying, with the Election Commission today voting unanimously to seek a disbandment order from the Constitutional Court. It could still take a while.

The only funny thing about all this has been watching the international media trip over each other trying to pigeon-hole the players into "right-wing" and "progressive" sides. Absolutely ludicrous! The PAD people are described as "monarchists" (and who isn't, may I ask?) and "right-wingers" because they have the support of some in the traditional elites.

Yet just 8 months ago when reporting the post-coup election, these same news outfits were delving into Mr. Samak's own "right-wing history" against the pro-democracy movements of the 1970's (and in 1992, when his [then] party stood with the dictator). Surely this was on many worried minds as events seemed to be heading toward a replay last week, and him of all people sitting in the Prime Minister's chair. Note to editors: drop the "right-wing" demonization thing on this, you'll never figure it out.

This mess is far from over yet, not least because an increasing number of citizens are growing disgusted with both sides. And the more that trend continues, the easier it will be for the majority to feel the way they did in September 2006. The Army is still saying that it won't, but some people are already wishing that it would.

And it all traces back to the single most divisive figure in modern Thai history (now sitting comfortably in London), who came thisclose to being disqualified before he first took office in 2001.

Follow developments in Bangkok's two English language newspapers:

The Nation
Bangkok Post

A gallery of wire-service photos:

Thailand Protests - Yahoo! News Photos

Labels: Thailand

- posted by Agam @ 7:12 PM 1 comments

 
BANGKOK'S TURN WITH THE TORCH

B

angkok made me proud today. A very passionate crowd of Tibetans and their Thai and non-Thai supporters gathered in front of the United Nations building, to demand that this Beijing torch should not be paraded through Tibet the way it was paraded through the streets of this city today. There were no disruptions to the program, and the final ceremony passed off without any interuption (I watched it on tv after returning home).

A journalist told me there had been some problems at Democracy Monument, but I didn't get any details (he asked me to do an interview, so he got to ask the questions). He did attribute the problems he saw to poor organisation, and from what I saw farther along the route at the UN building, I can only imagine what might have happened. There were plenty of police everywhere, but security measures seemed decidedly one-sided.

Steel barricades had been lined up along the boulevards on both sides of the broad Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue, outside of which are two more parallel lanes. The pro-Tibet group stayed where they were told, outside the barricades.

Right off the bat comes a small contingent of China supporters, marching up the narrow side-road and right into them. I feared for a physical confrontation, but the Tibet supporters stayed back and out of their way.

It was clearly an attempt to get something started, but the peaceful protesters were not biting.

The Chinese group parked themselves as close as possible while staying on the opposite side of the lane (not very far), shouting "Liars! Liars!" and singing patriotic songs (I suppose). Very provocative, but no clashes.

Police eventually shooed them further along the lane and put up a barricade between the two groups.

I overheard a Thai man telling another that it was interesting the Chinese group had a few small Thai flags. I'd just assumed they were mostly Thai-Chinese, and told him of the Post story yesterday which noted a complete lack of Thai flags when a small group welcomed the torch at 2:30 am that morning. The man himself was a local journalist (not with the Post), and he felt that that was probably the reason for the few Thai flags among PRC supporters today.

"None of those people are Thais," he said. "All are foreign Chinese students studying here, though some have probably learned a bit of Thai language."

I later noticed that they did speak to each other in Chinese, not Thai. The local journalist also found it interesting that many of those protesting the human rights abuses of China actually were Thai-Chinese.

Chinese descended folks have lived here for hundreds of years. The people waving those red flags are not them.

About 10 minutes later, along comes another contingent of PRC supporters, right up the lane and in the faces of the pro-Tibet (and pro-Burmese democracy, Save Darfur, etc.) group. There was no control of these people at all, and they were definitely determined to try to get something going.

However, the people they were yelling at remained calm and were not provoked. Soon after the barricade went up, the Chinese students crowded right up to it on their side, while on the other side people stayed well back. One young fellow was practically out of his mind with rage, as he led his crowd in vigorous slogan chanting (the only English I got was "Liar! Liar!" I guess it's all they could think of). I tried for a good picture of Mr. Hyper but he moved around too fast.

The pro-Tibet demonstrators were mainly local people, with some foreigners as well. This girl is carrying a photo of one of the visiting monastic students who were studying at Sera Monastery last month, just outside Lhasa.

A large number of these student monks were arrested on the Barkhor on March 10. Many people came prepared with photos of political prisoners, and most were wearing the names of people who were victims of the mass crackdown in Tibet.

I found Khechok's name on the sidewalk, and carried him the rest of the day. He is a monk, age 23, from A-Khor Monastery, Chone County, Kanlho "TAP" (Ch: Gansu province). He was arrested on March 23, 2008.

The photo she holds is of Lodoe, age 30, who is from Oenpo (dbun po) Monastery and he was studying at Sera. You can see part of her name tag for a different detainee. This was the only photo for which I asked permission, and she kindly agreed.

All this takes place in front of the United Nations headquarters for South East Asia. Many of the chants were directed at "UNO" and some of the banners as well.

A number of Tibetans were present, and they led some chanting in Tibetan language also. Most call-and-response chants were equally divided between Thai and English.

Unfortunately the only photo I took which gives any idea of the size of the crowd, is the very top one. And it shows perhaps a third of the people who were there to support human rights.

Here, one of the Tibetan protesters (baseball cap) helps to hold up an appeal to the United Nations.


This is the ultra-hyper guy; the picture really doesn't do him justice. He was amazing. When they were really getting into it, I stood across the barrier for a few minutes, silently watching their patriotic singing and flag waving.

I was wearing an old pin I've had for many years, just a photo of His Holiness. I hadn't taken out my little Tibetan flag yet, and I just stood alone and watched them (everyone else was staying well back from them).

One of the girls noticed my pin, and whispered to her friend. The friend passed it on. I watched their pumped-up excitement, and looked into each of their eyes from about 2 metres away. I wanted to show them kindness with my own attitude, not any anger or disdain. I felt detached from the politics of it, and just looked into each face as they focused on me and shouted ever louder.

I think I detected signs of recognition in a few of the girls. They're supposed to hate him, and here he was pinned to my shirt as I stood before them, absolutely non-threatening and without a word, with my best kindly look in my own eyes.

I don't know if it did anything, but it felt like the right thing to do. I walked away feeling much better.

The press wanted some photos in front of the UN building after the torch went by (I didn't even see the darn thing). Everyone was pretty exhausted after the convoy passed by, busloads of what looked like the smurfy blue People's Liberation Army Sacred Flame Protection Units, and some buses with dignitaries for the wrap-up show on stage at King Rama V (on horseback) statue in the Royal Plaza. There was also a Samsung cheerleaders' float.

I've never seen such passionate protesting in my life, as when these vehicles passed by. Many throats will be hoarse tonight, including this one. I've no idea where the sacred little flame was.

The Tibetans and a few others gathered for the press photos under the words "United Nations," but most everyone else couldn't be bothered. Many seemed wary of some straggling groups of marchers who followed the convoy, waving big PRC flags.

Somebody from that side tried to jump the barricade to get at the protesters, but it was quickly diffused. That's what I mean about security being pretty one-sided. The protesters behaved very well, but some of the PRC supporters did not. The protesters were told by police where to stand, where not to go, and they did. There seemed to be no restrictions on the anti-protesters, who were frequently provocative. I'm thankful nothing ugly happened, but it was close from where I stood.

This is only a report from one small section of the 10+ kilometre route. Now to go home and check BBC / CNN to see what went on elsewhere. The loose affiliation of local groups known as Free Tibet Network has put up a lot more photos on their blog.

Labels: China, Thailand, Tibet

- posted by Agam @ 11:50 PM 0 comments