Anti-government protesters blocked a main road leading into Bangkok about north of the city on Sunday. (Sukree Sukplang/Reuters)April 25, 2010
By SETH MYDANS and THOMAS FULLER
The New York Times
BANGKOK — Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on television Sunday that he continued to seek a peaceful solution to the country’s tense political standoff but that he would not give in to what he called intimidation by anti-government demonstrators.
With his military commander, Gen. Anupong Paochinda, sitting beside him, he rejected a call by the “red shirt” protesters for a dissolution of Parliament within 30 days, saying, “The ultimatum is just aimed at getting the attention of the foreign media.”
The red-shirt protesters, many of them from poor rural areas outside the city, have occupied parts of Bangkok for more than six weeks.
They are calling on the government to step down and hold a new election.
“Negotiations must be done to find a solution for most of the country, not just the red shirts, who are just part of society,” Mr. Abhisit said.
In recent days, counterdemonstrations have grown among people calling themselves the no-colors or the multi-colors, supporting Mr. Abhisit and opposing a dissolution of the government.
On Sunday afternoon, more than 5,000 of these protesters gathered across town from the red shirts, holding up signs that proclaimed their allegiance to the government and to the monarchy. As they gain momentum, these protesters have begun emulating the red shirts, selling flags, T-shirts, caps and headbands.
The emergence of counterdemonstrators has raised concerns about a clash in the streets that could lead to uncontrolled violence. On Thursday, five grenades exploded as the two groups were taunting each other across a makeshift barricade, killing one person and wounding scores of others.
The class divide between the two groups was illustrated Sunday afternoon as a Mercedes sedan drove past Victory Monument, its passengers cheering and waving Thai flags.
On Friday the red shirts eased their demand for an immediate government dissolution, saying that they would give Mr. Abhisit 30 days to make preparations.
“I never reject a political solution, but a political solution must not create a precedent that intimidation will bring about social change,” Mr. Abhisit said.
“Thirty days is out of the question,” he added. “I don’t think this problem can be solved within 30 days.” In response, the red shirts said on Sunday that they would hold their ground, deepening an impasse that has seen few public overtures toward a peaceful solution.
On Sunday in a new tactic, protesters gathered in the heart of the city’s commercial district began replacing their red shirts with ordinary civilian clothes, saying that they wanted to protect themselves from attack.
“They will do everything to block us from coming here,” said Rassamee Pimpila, 56, a school principal from the northeast.
He added: “It’s like a war. We have to eat and sleep on the street,” although one nearby department store, Central World, which has been forced by the protests to close its doors, has allowed the red shirts to use its lavatories.
General Anupong has said little throughout the recent weeks of tension and has appeared reluctant to take strong action against the demonstrators, apparently fearing widespread chaos and bloodshed.
The army’s first attempt to disperse the protesters, on April 10, was met by fierce resistance and cost 25 lives and caused hundreds of other casualties.
“We won’t use violence,” General Anupong said, “but as I’ve said earlier, the situation has escalated toward violence, so the military will have to adjust its measures.” He did not elaborate.
“As the prime minister said, if there is anything needed to bring back peace, we’ll do it.”
Mr. Abhisit has said that the red shirts have been infiltrated by terrorists seeking to destabilize the tense standoff, but the red shirts have disavowed any connection with these armed men, who are believed to be rogue elements of the military.
On Sunday the red shirts displayed a large banner in English that read: “Peaceful protesters not terrorists.”
Responding to reports of splits within the military that could hamper any strong steps he might order, the general said, “Being a huge organization, it’s possible, but the number isn’t significant enough to say that the military is divided. More importantly, everyone strictly follows orders.”
The unity of the armed forces and particularly of the police has been called into question by evidence of half-hearted resistance to provocations by the red shirts and even of possible collaboration by some elements.
Particularly in the northeast, the police and local officials have openly expressed their support of the red-shirt movement.
On Sunday, local television reported that red shirts near the northeastern city of Udon Thani had stopped a convoy of 178 police officers heading to reinforce deployments in Bangkok.
“We are the nation’s, people’s and His Majesty’s army,” General Anupong said. “Individually there might be some problems, but it’s not significant. The whole army institution remains solid, just like I said.”
With his military commander, Gen. Anupong Paochinda, sitting beside him, he rejected a call by the “red shirt” protesters for a dissolution of Parliament within 30 days, saying, “The ultimatum is just aimed at getting the attention of the foreign media.”
The red-shirt protesters, many of them from poor rural areas outside the city, have occupied parts of Bangkok for more than six weeks.
They are calling on the government to step down and hold a new election.
“Negotiations must be done to find a solution for most of the country, not just the red shirts, who are just part of society,” Mr. Abhisit said.
In recent days, counterdemonstrations have grown among people calling themselves the no-colors or the multi-colors, supporting Mr. Abhisit and opposing a dissolution of the government.
On Sunday afternoon, more than 5,000 of these protesters gathered across town from the red shirts, holding up signs that proclaimed their allegiance to the government and to the monarchy. As they gain momentum, these protesters have begun emulating the red shirts, selling flags, T-shirts, caps and headbands.
The emergence of counterdemonstrators has raised concerns about a clash in the streets that could lead to uncontrolled violence. On Thursday, five grenades exploded as the two groups were taunting each other across a makeshift barricade, killing one person and wounding scores of others.
The class divide between the two groups was illustrated Sunday afternoon as a Mercedes sedan drove past Victory Monument, its passengers cheering and waving Thai flags.
On Friday the red shirts eased their demand for an immediate government dissolution, saying that they would give Mr. Abhisit 30 days to make preparations.
“I never reject a political solution, but a political solution must not create a precedent that intimidation will bring about social change,” Mr. Abhisit said.
“Thirty days is out of the question,” he added. “I don’t think this problem can be solved within 30 days.” In response, the red shirts said on Sunday that they would hold their ground, deepening an impasse that has seen few public overtures toward a peaceful solution.
On Sunday in a new tactic, protesters gathered in the heart of the city’s commercial district began replacing their red shirts with ordinary civilian clothes, saying that they wanted to protect themselves from attack.
“They will do everything to block us from coming here,” said Rassamee Pimpila, 56, a school principal from the northeast.
He added: “It’s like a war. We have to eat and sleep on the street,” although one nearby department store, Central World, which has been forced by the protests to close its doors, has allowed the red shirts to use its lavatories.
General Anupong has said little throughout the recent weeks of tension and has appeared reluctant to take strong action against the demonstrators, apparently fearing widespread chaos and bloodshed.
The army’s first attempt to disperse the protesters, on April 10, was met by fierce resistance and cost 25 lives and caused hundreds of other casualties.
“We won’t use violence,” General Anupong said, “but as I’ve said earlier, the situation has escalated toward violence, so the military will have to adjust its measures.” He did not elaborate.
“As the prime minister said, if there is anything needed to bring back peace, we’ll do it.”
Mr. Abhisit has said that the red shirts have been infiltrated by terrorists seeking to destabilize the tense standoff, but the red shirts have disavowed any connection with these armed men, who are believed to be rogue elements of the military.
On Sunday the red shirts displayed a large banner in English that read: “Peaceful protesters not terrorists.”
Responding to reports of splits within the military that could hamper any strong steps he might order, the general said, “Being a huge organization, it’s possible, but the number isn’t significant enough to say that the military is divided. More importantly, everyone strictly follows orders.”
The unity of the armed forces and particularly of the police has been called into question by evidence of half-hearted resistance to provocations by the red shirts and even of possible collaboration by some elements.
Particularly in the northeast, the police and local officials have openly expressed their support of the red-shirt movement.
On Sunday, local television reported that red shirts near the northeastern city of Udon Thani had stopped a convoy of 178 police officers heading to reinforce deployments in Bangkok.
“We are the nation’s, people’s and His Majesty’s army,” General Anupong said. “Individually there might be some problems, but it’s not significant. The whole army institution remains solid, just like I said.”
5 comments:
Die you stupid Jorn (thief) Thai!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Army stand beside the Gov, unlike the last gov, army help to push them away.
I hope the red shirt won't give up soon. If they stand against the gov longer they will win.
Bangkok tolum phnom penh roleay becoz of unjust regimes.
Thailand is worse than communist China.
Thai must leave khmer territory and its people alone, if they want to live in peace or else karma will continue to come their way, mark my words. The souls of millions of innocent khmer will be watching over them. God Jesus said "don't take advantage of the downfall or I will make you pay the price". Wisdom
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