absolutelyBangkok archive · Politics
Originally published March 3, 2010
Doomsday is the word of the day again with the reds’ million-man march in Bangkok approaching on March 14. Well, they’re lucky if they get a 100,000 people, a seasoned observer told aB.come after the FCCT’s recent press conference of the red shirts’ United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship UDD.
Red leader Jaran Ditthapichai assured us they’ll get half a million or more people from mainly the north and northeast, assuming their pick-up trucks get gas — didn’t you hear the rumor about a government-sponsored closure of gas stations? And assuming they can pass security checkpoints.
That’s right, the reds claim that the government instructed bus companies to not transport red shirts to Bangkok. With tens of thousands of red shirts and their thousands of pick-ups soon stretching all the way from Sanam Luang to Rama V expect some major traffic nuisance. Well the red shirts are giving the prime minister a choice. Dissolve the house. Or suppress us.
Couldn’t count anymore how often Khun Jaran (picture below) mentioned the “or suppress us.” But questions by the Asia Times’ Shawn Crispin made him even go a step further. Couldn’t count how often “civil war” got mentioned. Civil war as a possibility. But the red shirts would be innocent.
UDD spokesman Sean Boonpracong gave the whole event an air of righteousness. Said after the coup in 2006 there was death silence with girls in camouflage dresses dancing and flowers on tanks, but there was silence while Thaksin got demonized and the aristocracy succeeded in maintaining the privileges of ancient times.
Some four months later Thaksin became part of “our democratic movement,” Sean said. Crowds got bigger — until the reds’ “international reputation took a beating after the Pattaya and Bangkok incidents” last April. But they’ve learned from the past, we were told. Since then all protests were peaceful and yes, the “government wants to paint us as a violent mob, but the worst will not materialize.”
That was Sean, a smooth, a good talker. I’m not debating the intelligence of Jaran Ditthapichai, but he didn’t make everyone feel comfortable in there as Sean did. Intentionally. I don’t mind Khun Jaran meeting the other night with the Oct. 14 Generation, with “leftists, former guerillas, communists,” said Jaran. “They think there will be violence,” he smiled. “I tried to convince them, but they didn’t believe me.”
Well Khun Jaran, after listening to you for quite some time I don’t really believe you as well. And this is why:
According to you the red shirts from all over the country will start entering Bangkok after nationwide rallies on March 10. On the 13th every road leading to Bangkok will be turned into a caravan of reds. Bangkok’s middle class will love it.
They’ll not welcome you with open arms. Not debating here about the rights and wrongs of the current administration, but I think the patience this time is very limited and not much is needed until Bangkokians have had it.
UDD spokesman Sean (picture below) assured “we will structure our rally strictly. No weapons.” Regional group leaders will control their own people. If something happens, people will surround that something happing.
But what realiztic objectives are the reds fighting for?
“Our aim is very small,” smiled Jaran. “We force Abhisit to dissolve parliament. We need a big demonsration to achieve this small aim. Our strategy is to give him a choice, yes you heard of the Theory of Choice. Almost a 100% of people don’t believe he’ll give in. But he has to choose. Suppression of the red shirts. Or dissolve parliament.”
Well I’m sure among the nearly a 100% of people who think the government will not give in. Jaran: “I believe that Abhisit will dissolve parliament. He’ll see the biggest demonstration in Thai history.”
How glad I was that a feisty Bangkok Post reporter followed up with this question:
“Are you copying the yellow shirts with pressure tactics? And you think this is democracy? What’s your ideology. And why you always mention members are former communists?”
By then Dr. Weng Tojirakarn (picture below) had joined the panel, the doctor who once himself lived in the jungle and opened a clinic for the poor. Seeing him there actually I thought of a Sondhi Limthongkul look-alike. And as fervent was his rhetoric:
“The past is the past. We want democracy under the king. Whoever is against this is not UDD. But in economics and politics the bureaucratic regime drags Thailand back. We have to overthrow the bureaucratic system. By nonviolent means, for the rule of law, for the good of the people and the return of the 1997 constitution.”
Overthrow of the bureaucratic regime.
Well then, in a few days “we will be all over Thailand,” smiled Jaran. “An incredible logistical challenge for us,” assured Sean.
“Some of you are frightened,” Jaran went on. “Bangkok traffic will be paralyzed. I’m sorry to say that.”
We learn that they distanced themselves from Seh Daeng, Pallop Pinmanee and the likes. They want to prevent another Songkran 2009. “No one wants to die for democracy,” we learn. “We’re back using peaceful methods again. So what will happen these next weeks? Some incidents we cannot control.”
Jaran: “If we would adopt violent means, we would only need some 20,000 well-trained people. But because we adopt peaceful means we need 500-600,000 people.”
Dr. Weng: “It’s the nonviolent way. Last time’s violence was a plot of the military and bureaucratic regime. We were rather stupid fools for what happened at the interior ministry. We learned a lot.”
Still, if “Abhisit suppresses us, maybe there will be civil war,” Jaran said smilingly. “Nobody knows. If the red shirts get suppressed or the demonstration is dissolved, no one knows what will happen.”
They’ll stop if they cannot go ahead, Jaran assured. “But we will try. We already let Abhisit run the country for too long. We must kick this government out.” No coup, no revolution. “Just dissolve the parliament. We force him to choose.”
The panel seemed confident enough that their actions are carried by popular support. Bangkok’s yellow middle class is joining them, we learn, and “more than 70% of soldiers and 80% of the police all over Thailand are red. We will neutralize them,” said Jaran.
Well, if that’s what the Thai people want I probably lost touch with what’s going on. “I’d like to say we will not declare civil war,” Jaran concluded. “The government will if they suppress us violently.”
The reds, our sacrificial lambs.
What a prospect.
And what strategy again?
From the absolutelyBangkok archive. Back to all stories