Pattaya Daily News

Published : May 25, 2010 :: 18:05:18 [ 5,141 views ]

An Irish-Australian man being held captive in a Thai prison has claimed, in an interview with the Australian media organisation the ABC, that he was merely a peace broker between the Thai military and anti-government protesters and that he was being detained on only minor charges. In addition a British man has been detained on terrorism related charges, accused of inciting a group of Red Shirt protesters in last Wednesday nights destructive end to the 2-month long occupation of Bangkok.

Bangkok, the 25^th of May 2010 [PDN]: Ex-soldier Conor David Purcell [30] was arrested in Bangkok by police on Sunday, following a roundup of suspects involved in last weeks violence that left more than 50 dead and hundreds injured.

Speaking to the Australian media organisation the ABC, Purcell stated that he was merely a liaison between the military and anti-government protesters during the violent confrontations. He claims that he was the only one prepared to perform such a duty as rubber bullets and homemade missiles were being exchanged between the two groups.

Although he has maintained that he is only facing a charge for breaking the government imposed curfew, Australian officials and several Thai national newspapers suggest he will also face charges for inciting violence as well as various immigration offences.

Amidst the confusion are Purcells claims that he served in the Australian Defence Force, with reports ranging from him having trained as a sniper for a period of seven years to suggestions that he was merely a former soldier in the army reserves.

Youtube videos have now begun to surface of Purcell on the Red Shirt stage condemning the Thai military for shooting upon Red Shirt protesters. “I would like to ask the Thai soldiers do you come from Thai mothers? Do you have Thai sisters? I saw you shoot into Thai mothers, Thai sisters, Thai uncles.”

During his interview with the ABC Mr. Purcell claimed, “Last Saturday night I was tear-gassed and shot twice in the dark. It is against military regulations to fire into a crowd when it is dark,” he said in the video. They dropped tear gas on a crowd that contained women, some children, monks, journalists, reporters, businessmen.”

Another foreigner also embroiled in the aftermath of the, near 9-week long, protest in Bangkok is Brit Jeff Savage [49]. Savage was arrested in Pattaya by Royal Thai Police officers for allegedly inciting Red Shirt protesters to burn down the Central World shopping center in Bangkok, claims which he has strenuously denied.

Once again a Youtube video has appeared with Mr. Savage in a rage stating; “We are going to smash the Central Plaza mall to s**t and burn it down.” When asked about his involvement in the subsequent burning of South East Asia’s second biggest shopping center he stated; “I wasn’t there when it burned down but if I was I would have helped the b*****ds.”

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Type : Thailand News
Story : John Weston
Photo : Internet

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