Appointed senators predict violence

The military’s 2007 Constitution re-introduced appointed senators. As the term suggests, they are unelected, being selected by committees that represent the interests of the Bangkok establishment. Most of them are vehemently opposed to Thaksin Shinawatra. Many of them are active supporters of the People’s Alliance for Democracy and get most of their news from ASTV/Manager, which is currently at mouth-frothing levels of excitement as it posts story after story of the most sensational news of alleged red shirt/Thaksin conspiracies.

So it is no surprise that the Bangkok Post (16 February 2010) reports that the “so-called group of 40 senators expects government buildings to come under attack in the lead up to the … Thaksin Shinawatra’s assets.” More specifically, appointed senator Somchai Sawaengkarn says “up to 10,000 people affiliated with the red shirts would be mobilised to seize parliament prior to the court ruling.” To date it is only PAD that has sought to do this, back in October 2008. Somchai wanted to red shirt leaders to be jailed, “including Arisman Pongruangrong, who urged his supporters to bring along petrol when joining a rally in Bangkok.”

Another appointed senator Prasarn Maruekapitak worried about the safety of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, predicting violence against him.

PPT points out that some of these appointed senators were amongst those who condoned yellow-shirt violence in 2008, even visiting them to offer support during the PAD’s occupation of Government House. Double standards, of course, but these senators are part of the “final showdown” crowd.

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