Play
Regarding the situation in Bangkok, I have just come back from a meeting and travelled through the area where the ‘red shirts’ have cordoned off the central shopping part of the city. We are able to move about the city freely at present but just have to be aware of potential trouble spots..
Everything is calm at the moment although there was some trouble yesterday on the main road to the north out of the city, a group of red shirts’ clashed with security forces leaving one soldier dead and 18 persons injured.
Thursday 29 April 2010
Tuesday 27 April 2010
Protests about the protests
Thailand pictures , news in pictures , photo in Thailand
THE MULTICOLOURED group gathers at Bangkok's Chatuchak Park yesterday to express their opposition to the protracted protest by the red shirts at the Rajprasong intersection. Similar gatherings were also organised in Chiang Mai and Udon Thani yesterday.
THE MULTICOLOURED group gathers at Bangkok's Chatuchak Park yesterday to express their opposition to the protracted protest by the red shirts at the Rajprasong intersection. Similar gatherings were also organised in Chiang Mai and Udon Thani yesterday.
Skytrain Shut Down
Play
Yesterday Red Shirt protesters put tyres on the track to stop the skytrain running early in the morning, this caused chaos with commuters. Later in the day the protesters removed the tyres and the skytrain restarted. Today all services skytrain and subway are normal and the government it trying to contain the protesters in one area (the main shopping area by the Rajprasong junction). Troops and police have set up barriers to stop the Red Shirts from moving out of their 'base' and causing more trouble. It is difficult for the government as thet dont want more bloodshed but some of the protesters are prepared to die for thier cause.
Yesterday Red Shirt protesters put tyres on the track to stop the skytrain running early in the morning, this caused chaos with commuters. Later in the day the protesters removed the tyres and the skytrain restarted. Today all services skytrain and subway are normal and the government it trying to contain the protesters in one area (the main shopping area by the Rajprasong junction). Troops and police have set up barriers to stop the Red Shirts from moving out of their 'base' and causing more trouble. It is difficult for the government as thet dont want more bloodshed but some of the protesters are prepared to die for thier cause.
Friday 23 April 2010
But the Army Issue an Important Statement
Some grounds for optimism tonight as the army issue a statement underlining their committement to the monarchy and to peaceful resolution of the problems. The Head of the army said the following :-
The use of force to disperse the red shirts will cause untold damage and farreaching implications but the problem will not end," Sirichan quoted Anupong as telling the Army top generals during a twohour meeting.
Anupong deemed it necessary to bring about an understanding among Thai citizens, she said, adding the Army's role is to act as cushion to prevent the opposing sides from attacking one another.
The military will ensure the rule of law and unruly crowds would be penalised in accordance to relevant laws, she said.
In the Army assessment report, the predicament was instigated by concerted efforts designed to grab power and overthrow the monarchy, she said.
The top generals were instructed to relay Anupong's message urging the Army ranks not to get involved in the rallies, she said.
She stated that Anupong wanted the Army to play a critical role of bring about understanding as a way to heal the social divisions and that he also emphasised that the priority of the armed forces was to safeguard the country.
"Keeping the national interest in mind, the Army remains ready to help resolve the predicament via reasoning and not attacking fellow Thais," she quoted Anupong as saying.
The use of force to disperse the red shirts will cause untold damage and farreaching implications but the problem will not end," Sirichan quoted Anupong as telling the Army top generals during a twohour meeting.
Anupong deemed it necessary to bring about an understanding among Thai citizens, she said, adding the Army's role is to act as cushion to prevent the opposing sides from attacking one another.
The military will ensure the rule of law and unruly crowds would be penalised in accordance to relevant laws, she said.
In the Army assessment report, the predicament was instigated by concerted efforts designed to grab power and overthrow the monarchy, she said.
The top generals were instructed to relay Anupong's message urging the Army ranks not to get involved in the rallies, she said.
She stated that Anupong wanted the Army to play a critical role of bring about understanding as a way to heal the social divisions and that he also emphasised that the priority of the armed forces was to safeguard the country.
"Keeping the national interest in mind, the Army remains ready to help resolve the predicament via reasoning and not attacking fellow Thais," she quoted Anupong as saying.
Most people are confused as to what exactly is going on, some observations:
Most people are confused as to what exactly is going on, some observations:
By Thanong Khanthong, The Nation, Published on April 23, 2010
1. The red shirts are rallying against the 2006 coup. They are staging a modern version of a people's revolution. They have all three elements necessary for a revolution: A party, mass support and an army. The April 10 clash between red shirts and troops represents the first round of an armed struggle against the government. They are applying pressure with the street rally, via parliamentary means and also through violence. At the same time, a third party is carrying out acts of sabotage almost on a daily basis.
2. The red shirts want to amend the Constitution to weaken the monarchy. Dr Weng Tojirakarn, one of the red-shirt leaders, admitted the other day that one of the political aspirations of the red shirts is to reduce the Thai monarchy to a similar status to that of Japan, the UK, the Netherlands and others.
3. The chief sponsors of the red shirts are Thaksin Shinawatra, the Pheu Thai Party, the elite, the military and an unnamed militia, the police, big businesses, NGOs and leftists. This movement also appeals to the masses both in Bangkok and upcountry.
4. In essence, the red-shirt phenomenon is a clash between new money and old money for power - which has little to do with the claims of the masses.
5. Apart from weakening the monarchy, the red shirts intend to give amnesty to banned ex-Thai Rak Thai politicians and also to core leaders of the red shirts now detained under the Internal Security Act.
6. The Democrat Party is at risk of being dissolved. The Election Commission has ruled that the party should be dissolved for financial irregularities. But the case will have to be vetted by the attorney general and it may or may not go to the Constitution Court. There have been attempts to accelerate this process to dissolve the party. If Abhisit dissolves Parliament, he would serve as acting PM. If the Democrats are dissolved while he is PM, there will be a political void. With a dissolution, there exists only the Senate. The Senate president will go through a process to pick a new PM. The Constitution could even be amended to allow a non-MP to serve as PM. Thus the motivation of some who call for a House dissolution.
7. PM Abhisit is indecisive. He is afraid that if troops move in to evict the red shirts, they might be met with armed resistance. If there are more deaths, he will be blamed. Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban and Army chief Gen Anupong Paochinda are also reluctant to use force. The indecisiveness and stalemate has raised security problems in the capital to boiling point.
8. Negotiations for a truce are difficult. Abhisit has called the armed red shirts "terrorists". If he were to hold talks with the red shirts now, it would amount to negotiating with terrorists. It is difficult to distinguish the terrorists from the innocent protesters.
9. The police are doing virtually nothing against repeated red-shirt violations of the law. Illegal weapons are brought into Bangkok in vast quantities.
10. People in multicoloured shirts, tired of the chaos, are coming out to air the message of peace. They have been partially infiltrated by the yellow shirts, who are waiting anxiously for the government to take decisive action against the reds.
11. All parties are playing at brinkmanship, holding the entire country hostage. Abhisit himself is caught between a red-shirt revolution and a possible military coup,
By Thanong Khanthong, The Nation, Published on April 23, 2010
1. The red shirts are rallying against the 2006 coup. They are staging a modern version of a people's revolution. They have all three elements necessary for a revolution: A party, mass support and an army. The April 10 clash between red shirts and troops represents the first round of an armed struggle against the government. They are applying pressure with the street rally, via parliamentary means and also through violence. At the same time, a third party is carrying out acts of sabotage almost on a daily basis.
2. The red shirts want to amend the Constitution to weaken the monarchy. Dr Weng Tojirakarn, one of the red-shirt leaders, admitted the other day that one of the political aspirations of the red shirts is to reduce the Thai monarchy to a similar status to that of Japan, the UK, the Netherlands and others.
3. The chief sponsors of the red shirts are Thaksin Shinawatra, the Pheu Thai Party, the elite, the military and an unnamed militia, the police, big businesses, NGOs and leftists. This movement also appeals to the masses both in Bangkok and upcountry.
4. In essence, the red-shirt phenomenon is a clash between new money and old money for power - which has little to do with the claims of the masses.
5. Apart from weakening the monarchy, the red shirts intend to give amnesty to banned ex-Thai Rak Thai politicians and also to core leaders of the red shirts now detained under the Internal Security Act.
6. The Democrat Party is at risk of being dissolved. The Election Commission has ruled that the party should be dissolved for financial irregularities. But the case will have to be vetted by the attorney general and it may or may not go to the Constitution Court. There have been attempts to accelerate this process to dissolve the party. If Abhisit dissolves Parliament, he would serve as acting PM. If the Democrats are dissolved while he is PM, there will be a political void. With a dissolution, there exists only the Senate. The Senate president will go through a process to pick a new PM. The Constitution could even be amended to allow a non-MP to serve as PM. Thus the motivation of some who call for a House dissolution.
7. PM Abhisit is indecisive. He is afraid that if troops move in to evict the red shirts, they might be met with armed resistance. If there are more deaths, he will be blamed. Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban and Army chief Gen Anupong Paochinda are also reluctant to use force. The indecisiveness and stalemate has raised security problems in the capital to boiling point.
8. Negotiations for a truce are difficult. Abhisit has called the armed red shirts "terrorists". If he were to hold talks with the red shirts now, it would amount to negotiating with terrorists. It is difficult to distinguish the terrorists from the innocent protesters.
9. The police are doing virtually nothing against repeated red-shirt violations of the law. Illegal weapons are brought into Bangkok in vast quantities.
10. People in multicoloured shirts, tired of the chaos, are coming out to air the message of peace. They have been partially infiltrated by the yellow shirts, who are waiting anxiously for the government to take decisive action against the reds.
11. All parties are playing at brinkmanship, holding the entire country hostage. Abhisit himself is caught between a red-shirt revolution and a possible military coup,
Thursday 22 April 2010
Trouble in Silom Road
Play
Bomb explosions hit the third floor of Saladaeng skytrain station on Thursday night, just 500 meters away from where the multicolor people were gathering to protest ahainst the red shirts.
Thousands of police are confronting with red shirts protesters at Sala Daeng Intersection on Friday morning 23 April.
Police ordered through megaphone that they would demolish the protesters' barricades made of bamboos and typres.
Police ordered the protesters who formed a wall behind the barricade to retreat.
However the protesters at the orders of their leaders on stage refused to back off. However lster the red shirts have agreed to adjust their position by moving back 100 meters from Saladaeng Intersection but will not dismantle their barricades made of spike bamboos and tyres, the Metropolitan Police Region 5 commander said on Friday morning.
Hopefully the situation can be controlled
Bomb explosions hit the third floor of Saladaeng skytrain station on Thursday night, just 500 meters away from where the multicolor people were gathering to protest ahainst the red shirts.
Thousands of police are confronting with red shirts protesters at Sala Daeng Intersection on Friday morning 23 April.
Police ordered through megaphone that they would demolish the protesters' barricades made of bamboos and typres.
Police ordered the protesters who formed a wall behind the barricade to retreat.
However the protesters at the orders of their leaders on stage refused to back off. However lster the red shirts have agreed to adjust their position by moving back 100 meters from Saladaeng Intersection but will not dismantle their barricades made of spike bamboos and tyres, the Metropolitan Police Region 5 commander said on Friday morning.
Hopefully the situation can be controlled
Monday 19 April 2010
Soldiers in Silom
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Silom Road 20 April
Red-shirt protesters promise another day of chaos in the capital today and the security forces are standing guard to protect Silom Road, thousands of troops have been deployed.
Today in Silom Road there are riot police and a lot of soldiers who have a variety of arms, some have rubber bullets and some have shields and batons and some have automatic weapons. Soldiers are everywhere, We have soldiers in our building, they have been sleeping here. Along the street razor wire has been set up in locations ready to block access when needed.
But the traffic is flowing freely down the middle of the road and there are people going about their normal business with stalls on the streets as usual. The shops are all open, there are some tourists taking photographs. The music in the background is being played by the soldiers ... to try and calm the atmosphere. Every now and then people bring up cold drinks or food to the soldiers and the police. Everybody is going about their normal daily lives but with a very significant military presence on the streets.
The Government is determined to stop the Red Shirts from moving into the Silom business area, We will see what happens today
Silom Road 20 April
Red-shirt protesters promise another day of chaos in the capital today and the security forces are standing guard to protect Silom Road, thousands of troops have been deployed.
Today in Silom Road there are riot police and a lot of soldiers who have a variety of arms, some have rubber bullets and some have shields and batons and some have automatic weapons. Soldiers are everywhere, We have soldiers in our building, they have been sleeping here. Along the street razor wire has been set up in locations ready to block access when needed.
But the traffic is flowing freely down the middle of the road and there are people going about their normal business with stalls on the streets as usual. The shops are all open, there are some tourists taking photographs. The music in the background is being played by the soldiers ... to try and calm the atmosphere. Every now and then people bring up cold drinks or food to the soldiers and the police. Everybody is going about their normal daily lives but with a very significant military presence on the streets.
The Government is determined to stop the Red Shirts from moving into the Silom business area, We will see what happens today
Today I went for a cycle ride past the SC Park Hotel
Today I went for a cycle ride near my house and I passed SC Park Hotel off the Pradit Manutham (Ekkamai-Ram-Indra) Road.
On Friday there was an attempt to capture some of the Red Shirt leaders who were staying there, Arisman, Suporn Attawong, Payap Panket and Jeng Dokjik.
The operation reportedly started at 3am, with stake-out forces stationing themselves near the hotel's entrances and exits, with a few disguising themselves as guests. Problem was, nobody knew for sure which rooms the leaders were staying in. The four reportedly arrived at the hotel at around 4am.
Then around 6am another group of officers, purportedly working for an assistant police chief, arrived. One of them then committed a grave blunder by asking the hotel reception for house keys that could open all suspicious rooms.
That apparently did it. Phone calls must have been made by certain staff members and within minutes red shirts living nearby were gathering at the hotel. By the time the two groups of officers became aware of each other's presence, the hotel was crawling with red shirts.
When the policemen finally got hold of the keys, Arisman was already playing a Mission Impossible hero by climbing out of the window, albeit with some difficulty due to his weight
The SC Park Hotel incident has inflamed gossip about tamruad makuathed or tomato police, (the term for pro-red police who allegedly might have dragged their feet when it comes to legal action or operations against the protesters). Maybe Fridays operations were simply lousy and ill conceived, or maybe there are tamruad makuathed moles within the force,
There are also taharn taengmo, (melon soldiers) – melons are green outside and red inside and there are taharn sapparod , ( pineapple soldiers) who are aligned with the yellow shirts. Now the yellow shirts have issued a demand to the government to resolve the crisis within seven days or else they will rally as well.
Sunday 11 April 2010
Hardcore reds took out troops' commanders
After the violence on Saturday night, at the latest count, 21 people have died, five of whom were soldiers and 14 ordinary folks, including a Japanese photographer working for Thompson Reuters. There are about 850 injured in 16 hospitals in Bangkok, 30 soldiers are in critical condition.
The government soldiers suffered heavy casualties. The army chief-of-staff from the Second Infantry Regiment was killed by a gunshot to the head and the chief of the Second Infantry Regiment was seriously wounded. His legs were hit by an M79 grenade. Other key commanders also sustained wounds.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva finally decided to act against the escalating violence by the red shirts by trying to enforce the emergency decree. But he lacked experience and tactical support from those responsible for implementing the Emergency Command Centre at the 11th Infantry Regiment. They all underestimated the resilience of the red shirts, fully armed and capable of a fierce fight.
The soldiers dispatched to quash the red shirts at Phan Fa Bridge in the afternoon of Saturday were not only outnumbered by the red shirts, they had to operate under the strict rules of the emergency decree. They could only use teargas, water cannons, batons, shields and plastic bullets against the protesters. Abhisit had insisted that the soldiers could use real bullets only at critical moments when they had to protect their own lives. But the key fighters of the red shirts were armed with M16 rifles, M79 grenade launchers and other military weapons. Rajdamnoen Avenue turned into a war zone. The less equipped government soldiers on Rajdamnoen were destined for a rout.
The government decided to call off the military operation. The soldiers were fighting a losing battle. Abhisit wanted to give both sides a cooling-off break and have them lay down their weapons and examine the loss of lives and injuries.
Further negotiations look difficult because the red shirts have resorted to armed struggle and resistance on a mass scale. Pressure is building on Abhisit for having miscalculated the red shirts' counterattack capability. The emergency operation to reclaim Phan Fa Bridge turned into a total defeat. The red shirts clearly hold the upper hand.
Abhisit has expressed his regret at the human toll and the huge number of injuries. But the premier intends to restore law and order to the capital. Now we are wondering how this crisis will end.
This is from http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/04/12/opinion/
The government soldiers suffered heavy casualties. The army chief-of-staff from the Second Infantry Regiment was killed by a gunshot to the head and the chief of the Second Infantry Regiment was seriously wounded. His legs were hit by an M79 grenade. Other key commanders also sustained wounds.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva finally decided to act against the escalating violence by the red shirts by trying to enforce the emergency decree. But he lacked experience and tactical support from those responsible for implementing the Emergency Command Centre at the 11th Infantry Regiment. They all underestimated the resilience of the red shirts, fully armed and capable of a fierce fight.
The soldiers dispatched to quash the red shirts at Phan Fa Bridge in the afternoon of Saturday were not only outnumbered by the red shirts, they had to operate under the strict rules of the emergency decree. They could only use teargas, water cannons, batons, shields and plastic bullets against the protesters. Abhisit had insisted that the soldiers could use real bullets only at critical moments when they had to protect their own lives. But the key fighters of the red shirts were armed with M16 rifles, M79 grenade launchers and other military weapons. Rajdamnoen Avenue turned into a war zone. The less equipped government soldiers on Rajdamnoen were destined for a rout.
The government decided to call off the military operation. The soldiers were fighting a losing battle. Abhisit wanted to give both sides a cooling-off break and have them lay down their weapons and examine the loss of lives and injuries.
Further negotiations look difficult because the red shirts have resorted to armed struggle and resistance on a mass scale. Pressure is building on Abhisit for having miscalculated the red shirts' counterattack capability. The emergency operation to reclaim Phan Fa Bridge turned into a total defeat. The red shirts clearly hold the upper hand.
Abhisit has expressed his regret at the human toll and the huge number of injuries. But the premier intends to restore law and order to the capital. Now we are wondering how this crisis will end.
This is from http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/04/12/opinion/
Saturday 10 April 2010
The Situation in Bangkok, Sunday 11 April
Yesterday started off with red-shirt protesters mulling a return to the Thaicom uplink station in Pathum Thani after the red shirt TV station was taken off the air again on Friday night. Then skirmishes began in Bangkok near the First Army Region headquarters, and soon after that tension escalated as troops formed lines to try to edge red shirts from the streets. Water cannon and tear gas were used, baton charge initiated and finally rubber bullets were fired.
18 people died including 4 soldiers and one Japanese journalist.
This is from the Nation newspaper this morning - The saddest thing is everyone had predicted this and there were so many opportunities to prevent it. In the end, either the curse was too strong or the dark wills of some of those involved to see it happen simply overwhelmed efforts to stop it from happening. A nation that once thought it had matured learned the hardest way that it hadn't.
The red shirts protests have revealed a deep well of resentment, a perception that the political deck is stacked in favour of an establishment elite who believe they have a right to rule. The red-shirts are demanding the right to elect their own government through the ballot box. The government has consistently said that it respects the red-shirts' right to demonstrate but thinks the protesters' grievances would be better expressed through the system rather than on the streets.
18 people died including 4 soldiers and one Japanese journalist.
This is from the Nation newspaper this morning - The saddest thing is everyone had predicted this and there were so many opportunities to prevent it. In the end, either the curse was too strong or the dark wills of some of those involved to see it happen simply overwhelmed efforts to stop it from happening. A nation that once thought it had matured learned the hardest way that it hadn't.
The red shirts protests have revealed a deep well of resentment, a perception that the political deck is stacked in favour of an establishment elite who believe they have a right to rule. The red-shirts are demanding the right to elect their own government through the ballot box. The government has consistently said that it respects the red-shirts' right to demonstrate but thinks the protesters' grievances would be better expressed through the system rather than on the streets.
Violence in Bangkok Today
The Government House was hit by an M79 grenade at around 20:00 hr on Saturday, causing some damage,
Violence in Bangkok on Saturday
At 8 pm, protesters in one part orf bangkok hurled bombs at the troops, prompting troops to retreat to be in front of the Borworniwes Temple. The protesters kept on throwing bombs at troops while troops retaliated by firing tear gas and rubber bullets at the protesters. Several soldiers were injured and were dragged out of the battle scene by peers. Many were seen soaked with blood.
Some 40 tear gas canisters were dropped from a helicopter on to the protesters at Phan Fa bridge at 7:40 pm. Many protesters were seen suffering from the gas with tears running from their eyes. Earlier at the same site, Thai PBS reported that a helicopter dropped teargas canisters onto protesters. But the protesters retaliated by releasing balloons at the helicopter.
At about 6:48 pm, troops were trying to advance to push protesters at the another location in Bangkok, leading to a clash. Reports from the scene, showing protesting hurling things at troops. The clash continued until 7:25 pm when troops managed to push protesters from the area. Just now at 8.30pm Thai PBS reported that protesters used guns they seized from troops to fire back at soldiers at the Kokwua Intersection The station's field reporter that both side exchanged gunfire.
The reporter said some troops fired into the sky while others fired at the protesters. The red-shirt guards advised the protesters to take cover while exchanging gunfire with troops.
The Nation reported live at 8:30 pm that many people were injured at the Kokwua Intersection. Nation reporters at the field said troops fired rubber bullets at protesters but protesters fired real bullets at troops, injuring several of them. The injured troops were rushed to hospitals.
Earlier in the day Red shirts leaders told the cheering crowds that BTS is servants of Amataya (rich classes), and urged the protesters to go and destroyed the stations. The BTS sky-train system closed down shortly after. Guards of red shirts protesters use black plastic bags to cover security cameras of skytrain stations near Rajprasong rally sites.
Some 40 tear gas canisters were dropped from a helicopter on to the protesters at Phan Fa bridge at 7:40 pm. Many protesters were seen suffering from the gas with tears running from their eyes. Earlier at the same site, Thai PBS reported that a helicopter dropped teargas canisters onto protesters. But the protesters retaliated by releasing balloons at the helicopter.
At about 6:48 pm, troops were trying to advance to push protesters at the another location in Bangkok, leading to a clash. Reports from the scene, showing protesting hurling things at troops. The clash continued until 7:25 pm when troops managed to push protesters from the area. Just now at 8.30pm Thai PBS reported that protesters used guns they seized from troops to fire back at soldiers at the Kokwua Intersection The station's field reporter that both side exchanged gunfire.
The reporter said some troops fired into the sky while others fired at the protesters. The red-shirt guards advised the protesters to take cover while exchanging gunfire with troops.
The Nation reported live at 8:30 pm that many people were injured at the Kokwua Intersection. Nation reporters at the field said troops fired rubber bullets at protesters but protesters fired real bullets at troops, injuring several of them. The injured troops were rushed to hospitals.
Earlier in the day Red shirts leaders told the cheering crowds that BTS is servants of Amataya (rich classes), and urged the protesters to go and destroyed the stations. The BTS sky-train system closed down shortly after. Guards of red shirts protesters use black plastic bags to cover security cameras of skytrain stations near Rajprasong rally sites.
Red Shirts versus the Government
Yesterday Red shirts protesters broke soldiers' barricades and entered a TV satellite station
The protesters managed to raid the site although the soldiers threw smoke bombs to stop them.
The protesters threw objects at soldiers and the buildings, trying to break into the building.
They reportedly seized police trucks parking inside the compound and forced open and seized weapons from the trucks. The Emergency Operations Command deploy about 7,000 riot forces to guard the satellite uplink station.
Also thousands of red shirts beseiged the Police General Hospital, In beseiging the hospital, the red shirts wanted to contain the riot forces deployed awaiting instruction inside the police compound. A line of monks were seen leading as shield for the red shirts while a line of policewomen were deployed to deter the red shirts from advancing.
Under Buddhist disciplinary rules, monks are not allowed physical contacts with females.
Today the Government have lost patience and the troops are out in force with tear gas and rubber bullets to clear the protesters
Sunday 4 April 2010
Trouble in the South of Thailand
I published some information about the protests in bangkok, but today, more than eight years after the latest wave of violence first hit the southernmost provinces in Thailand, the authorities are no longer able to ignore the political underpinnings of these attacks. A new generation of Malay Muslim insurgents has emerged and these fighters appear to be much more daring and brutal than the generation that had put down their arms in the early 1990s.
On an almost daily basis these angry young men take on government security forces and instil great fear in the local population. They have succeeded in driving a bigger wedge between the Thai state and the Malay-speaking community in the Deep South.
There is a very good account of the situation in the South in this article in the Nation: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/03/28/life/The-South-I-used-to-know-30125745.html
Protests in Bangkok
The red shirts seized a major traffic and business centre in Bangkok yesterday. They were hoping to ignite a political dynamite that could blow away the Abhisit government's legitimacy. But their leaders must also have been aware of the opposite scenario: the tens of thousands of protesters might be in effect telling Bangkokians to vote Democrat whenever the next election comes.
The attempt to remind everyone about the occupation of the Suvarnabhumi Airport in November, 2008 was not that wise given two key differences between then and now - the Democrats were not the ones who took the airport, and, unlike the yellow shirts before them, the reds have nobody to fall back on. During the airport seizure, the military was looking the other way, but this time the Democrat government was mapping out responses from inside the 11th Infantry Regiment headquarters. At that time The People’s Power Party faced serious legal issues, but this time the Democrats have no pending legal issues.
Crowds lined the streets and footbridges to wave and cheer as the noisy convoy passed. Office workers, shopkeepers and waitresses, they are not the rural poor who make up the red-shirts base, but they work in Bangkok and are from the North of the country and are sympathetic to the Taksin cause because they have lost faith in the system.
This week's rally has tapped into a well of resentment, a perception that the political deck is stacked in favour of an establishment elite who believe they have a right to rule. The red-shirts are demanding the right to elect their own government through the ballot box. The government has consistently said that it respects the red-shirts' right to demonstrate but thinks the protesters' grievances would be better expressed through the system rather than on the streets.
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