Preparing for battle

No-one should ever take Sopon Ongkara seriously. However, as PPT has noted previously, his columns are a sound representation of the more hysterical elements of the anti-Thaksin movement associated with ASTV and rabid yellow-shirts.

His latest piece in The Nation (29 December 2009: “Rogue generals on Thaksin’s payroll cry for final showdown”) is a classic of this propaganda and fits neatly with General Prem Tinsulanonda’s warnings to the loyalists that PPT posted on a few hours ago.

Privy councilor Prem dressed up as a soldier for “bravery,” warned of civil war and rallied the forces, literally. Sopon adds to this developing fervor by naming dates for the coming red uprising that will result in “bloodshed” that will threatens “the nation” with “ruin.”

So-called rogue soldiers are said to be on Thaksin Shinawatra’s payroll to be the traitors leading “mere thugs with no honour and or valour.” But they are ready to launch a violent uprising. Sopon continues: “When should the mayhem and bloodletting take place?” Citing various pro-Thaksin sources, he says “sometime after Valentine’s Day, as instructed by Thaksin…” or in April.

If the trembling middle class was frightened enough, Sopon says: “Everything is hanging in the balance,” adding: “this must terrify many people, especially business people, who have been disheartened by the red shirts’ unending hate campaigns.”

This is to be the final battle. If Abhisit Vejjajiva’s government survives, “it should be the end of Thaksin’s attempt to return to power.”

The picture being painted by Thaksin’s opponents is clear. The language is similar to that used by the extreme right in 1975-76 when facing the battle with alleged communists. There’s a girding of loins going on and it is threatening of a “cleansing.”

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