Red Factions Forming Despite Relative Return to Normalcy

Published : May 22, 2010 :: 15:05:08 [ 2,591 views ]

Red Factions Forming Despite Relative Return to Normalcy

Various anti-government factions appear to be forming in the aftermath of the recent violent crackdown on Red Shirt supporters despite a relative normalcy being restored in the Thai capital. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has revealed his governments continued effort to map out a plan for national reconciliation, urging the Thai population to “help each other rebuild the (our) nation for the happiness of all."

Bangkok, the 22^nd of May 2010 [PDN]: Although giving some indication that the ‘road map’ to recovery was still to be put into practice, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva did not state whether the previously planned November 14 elections were still to be held. In a national address the premier stated; “The government would continue the road map for national reconciliation as announced earlier and we would have an additional plan to repair all the damage brought about by the conflict – mental, economic, social and even political.”

At present, in the continued effort to cleanup and restore normalcy in its entirety to the streets of Bangkok, municipal workers, emergency services and the military and police are working round the clock to remove all signs of the recent 9-week protests from the capital. Firefighters will remain stationed at the, near completely destroyed, Central World shopping center to monitor the still smouldering and potentially dangerous remains. Sniffer dogs and bomb disposal experts continue to scour the city for explosives and crude homemade devices whilst Skytrain and public transport services are expected to return to the affected areas by Monday morning.

A sweep of the Ratchaprasong intersection was conducted on Friday, with soldiers and bomb experts discovering several potentially deadly weapons and explosive devices along with numerous petrol bombs, slingshots and handheld weapons. Reportedly various professional C4 explosive devices have also been found in several vehicles around the affected area of Bangkok, strengthening fears of more potentially deadly attacks. The army yesterday conducted a sweep of several buildings thought to be in use by fugitive Red Shirt protesters including; Rajdamri Hotel, Regent House, Erawan Hotel, Centre Point and Four Seasons Hotel, however no arrests were made.

Despite the premier’s address and the relative normalcy that seems to have been restored to the capital, various factions have begun to emerge in support of a continuation of the Red Shirt cause. Social activist Somyot Pruksakasemsuk informed the media that he would form a new group called ‘Democratic Conference’ to revive the red-shirt group’s struggle for a truly democratic government whilst former Communist insurgent and leader of the Red Siam party Surachai Danwattananusorn said the group would stage a rally at Sanam Luang to carry on the reds’ fight once the state of emergency was lifted.

Meanwhile, various influential Red Shirt protesters who have returned to their homes in the North and North Eastern provinces of Thailand have stated that they would now regroup following events in Bangkok before proceeding with their fight for democracy.

Comments

Rob Valence

said :

@The Truth: interesting read, I just hope the website doesn't get shut down because of your comment (just to make it clear: I am not comfortable with the suppression of free speech regarding the monarchy of Thailand, but I'm not Thai so I have to and will accept it).

It would just be good if you would avoid things like "Xxxxxxxx" or throwing around with numbers or rumors you can't give any source for. The way you wrote, one has to think that you are driven by frustration and hate. Probably you have heard these claims 'somewhere' or read them 'somewhere' (of course also without any credible source). IF you had them, it would be an interesting read, but so..

Email : rob-valence-rv1@googlemail.com Date : 2010-05-24 10:13:23

Rob Valence

said :

Your article confirms what I was thinking before: actually, the Red Shirts were a communist movement.

Which just makes it more ironic that it was led by a super-rich super-amataya figure like Thaksin and a bunch of (self-declared and non-elected) leaders with brand-new Mercedes and Lamborghinis parked at their homes.

Good luck to the new movements, hope they will be more serious about Thailand and their people's interests than the Red Shirts are.

Email : rob-valence-rv1@googlemail.com Date : 2010-05-24 10:05:36

naff

said :

I have been trying to make sense of all this insanity and I am taking a wild guess here as nothing else seems to explain what happened.
Who will stump up the cash for the 34 buildings including bank branches, businesses and shopping malls torched in the aftermath?
If this was terrorism then "normally" insurance does not cover this.
Is the goverment planning to borrow the money from the IMF?
Will the rebuilding costs be anything like as much as the estimates (especially if cheap Burmise labor is drafted in?
If not look at business people who funded this rebelion(those who can pocket the difference between estimates and actual costs) and I don't mean you know who has been in excile since 2006.

Email : jheinzepnaff@gmail.com Date : 2010-05-22 19:53:29