Ji on the TCIJ

Giles Ji Ungpakorn has posted this account of the newly highlighted Thailand Information Center for Civil Rights and Investigative Journalism or ศูนย์ข้อมูลและข่าวสืบสวนเพื่อสิทธิพลเมือง. In fact, PPT received this not long after a ThaiPBS television show highlighted the work of various poll watching groups. It heavily featured Charas Suwanmala, the former Dean of the Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University.

As Ji notes below, Charas is not exactly an unbiased political figure, having supported the 2006 coup and various yellow-shirted movements, including those that were associated with attacks on red shirts rallying in Bangkok last April and May. One of our earlier posts mentioning Charas is here.

In the ThaiPBS show, Charas presented a position that was pretty close to the People’s Alliance for Democracy, questioning the value of elections and being totally dismissive of politicians. The underlying message is that he does not believe that “the people” can make appropriate decisions because the politicians of all parties are hopeless. In essence, Charas attempts to undermine a basic right to elect a government. In essence he continues to support those in the PAD, military and so on who oppose elections for Thailand.

Ji’s post follows:

Exposing the new “Thailand Information Center for Civil Rights and Investigative Journalism”

Today Suchada Jakpisut announced a new “investigative” website named the “Thailand Information Center for Civil Rights and Investigative Journalism” which claims to expose wrong-doing in Thai society.

But before you get excited, just consider a few hidden facts about this site.

1.  “Thailand Information Center for Civil Rights and Investigative Journalism” is fully funded by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, a Thai Government organisation which gives money to NGOs. Thai Health Promotion Foundation is funded by ‘sin taxes’ collected by the Government from producers and importers of alcohol and tobacco.

2. Try searching for key issues in Thailand’s political crisis in the “Thailand Information Center for Civil Rights and Investigative Journalism” website. You will find NOTHING on lèse majesté, state murders of unarmed demonstrators last year, the secret military budget, corruption in the Royal projects or corruption in the Democrat Party. But you will find an article “exposing” Yinglak Shinawat, leader of the Peua Thai Party… and there is about to be an election….

3. At the bottom of the website for “Thailand Information Center for Civil Rights and Investigative Journalism” you will find links to various organisations which have been tainted with supporting the Military-backed Government: for example, the Thai journalists association, SEAPA, the Election Commission and the National Human Rights Commission.

4. More interesting links closely connected to the “Thailand Information Center for Civil Rights and Investigative Journalism” are organisations set up or run by Prof. Dr. Charas Suwanmala, former Dean at Facuty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University. He rose to fame when he organised an anti-red shirt rally in the centre of Bangkok. He has been involved with “Thailand Democracy Watch”. This is based at Chulalongkorn University, the university which gave my book “A Coup for the Rich” to the Secret police, resulting in my prosecution for lèse majesté. “Thailand Democracy Watch” never once criticised the 2006 coup or any destruction of Democracy since.

5. Another site linked to the “Thailand Information Center for Civil Rights and Investigative Journalism” is “Thailand Political Database” set up by the same Prof. Dr. Charas Suwanmala along with an organisation calling itself “Siam Intelligence Unit”. The steering committee of the “Thailand Political Database” has such illustrious characters as Wira Somkwamkit (PAD extremist who crossed over into Cambodia to start a war), Dr Monkol Na Songkla ( ex- military-appointed Minister in the junta’s government of 2006) and Yellow Shirt media personality Jermsak Pintong.

So the “Thailand Information Center for Civil Rights and Investigative Journalism” is just another “GNGO” (Government-backed Non-Government Organisation), or in other words a Government media site pretending to be an NGO.

More of those double standards

PAD guards at the airport seizure

There seems to be a sudden resurgence of news that demonstrates the double standards at work in the judicial system. PPT noted the remarkably blatant efforts by the political police at the Department of Special Investigation in an earlier post today. The Bangkok Post adds to the rottenness of politicized decision-making.

Here’s the main point:

The national police chief has dropped terrorism charges against Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and nine key figures of the People’s Alliance for Democracy in connection with the seizure of the Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in late 2008.

Yes, these 10 are among 25 suspects charged with terrorism offenses, so 15 still face charges, but these PAD leaders haven’t seen the inside of jails for month on month as red shirt leaders did.

Those let off were: least surprising, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, Chaiwat Sinsuwong, Gen PathompongKesornsuk , Praphan Koonmee, Therdpoum Chaidee, Veera Somkwamkid, Anchalee Paireerak, Sarocha Porn-udomsak, Pichit Chaimongkol and Banjong Nasae.

The decision on dropping the terrorism charges came from Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s top cop Wichien Potposri, even though police investigators “earlier recommended indictment of all 25…”. Can anyone be surprised by this decision?

Royal pardon

MCOT News tells us that the two yellow-shirted ultra-nationalists jailed in Cambodia for “spying” have “decided not to appeal their sentence to a Cambodian court, but will ask the Thai government to seek a royal pardon from the Cambodian king, according to their legal adviser.”

Veera Somkwamkid of the Thai Patriot Network and his secretary Ratree Pipattanapaiboon chose to appeal to the king rather than to seek “an intervention from international organisations in the case.”

This reminds PPT of the way in which red shirts were denigrated by the yellow shirts and so many others when they sought a royal pardon for Thaksin Shinawatra in Thailand.

Bangkok Post photo

Way back in 2009, PPT posted this: “The UDD has accused the Abhisit Vejjajiva government of deliberately delaying the red shirt petition that requests a royal pardon for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra (Bangkok Post, 17 October 2009: “UDD: Govt tries to drag out petition”). The current red shirt rally in Bangkok was called to put pressure on the government to move the petition forward. It is now “60 days since the petition was submitted to the Office of His Majesty’s Principal Private Secretary.” The red shirts accuse the government of having “ignored the wishes of 3.5 million people who signed their names in support of the petition…”.

Now what happened to that petition?

Security, yellow shirts, south

The Bangkok Post reports that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva “has called a meeting of chiefs of security agencies … to discuss the escalating southern unrest problem following the recent militants attack on a military camp in Narathiwat’s Rangae district where four soldiers were killed and several others injured.”

It needs to be noted that it was only a matter of a couple of weeks ago that Abhisit and his security chiefs were touting their success in the south and how well things were going.

As an aside the ever acting-allowing-him-to-keep-sponsored-housing government spokesman Panitan Wattanayakorn managed toassure hyper-nationalists that the “cases of [yellow-shirt] Veera Somkwamkid, a coordinator of the network, and his secretary Ratree Pipatanapaibul, facing charges with espionage will also be discussed.”

It makes little sense to consider the long-festering and bitter civil war in the south and a bunch of so-called patriots trying to provoke Cambodians and stoke nationalist royalism. But, then again, perhaps Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwon and army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha can see connections between royalism, nationalism and the need to maintain a huge military presence in the south.

Prachatai has an excellent report from Krungthep Thurakij newspaper that outlines the cost of the southern conflict for the state and taxpayers. It says that the total expenditure in the south since 2004 has been a whopping 145 billion baht:

The government budget for each year is as follows: 13,450 million baht (2004), 13,674 (2005), 14,207 (2006), 17,526 (2007), 22,988 (2008), 27,547 (2009), 16,507 (2010) and 19,102 (2011).

These budgets are, however, for government programmes, and do not include the salaries of government officials, compensation for those affected by the unrest, the current government’s Thai Khem Kaeng programme, and arms procurement by the army through special procedures.

Over the 7 years, there have been 11,523 violent incidents, including 6,171 shootings, 1,964 bombings and 1,470 arson attacks. 4,370 people have been killed (3,825 civilians, 291 soldiers and 254 policemen) and 7,136  injured.

And the dopey yellow shirts deserve attention too??

With several updates: Abhisit reveals the contradictions of dealing with PAD

Yes, we dubbed him “Teflon Mark,” but we think Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is digging himself into an ever deeper hole on the yellow-shirted border crossers.

The Bangkok Post reports that Abhisit is talking tough,warning Cambodia, reassuring the nationalists in Thailand that his government is not caving in to Cambodia: “The ruling cannot be used to support any claim by Cambodia over border demarcation,” he said in a statement indicating that the yellow shirted nationalists remain important for his government.

The prime minister sent Panich Vikitsreth, a Bangkok Democrat MP to the Thai-Cambodian border, saying “a group of Thai citizens had lodged a complaint with the government, saying they could not  make use of their land within the disputed border area.”

Recall that he earlier denied sending Panich to this particular location. That particular untruth seems now forgotten.

Panich was sent to the border with Veera Somkwamkid, co-ordinator of the Thai Patriot Network joined to the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), and with members of the conservative Santi Asoke sect, another PAD ally that often sends it members into the front line of militant of nationalist actions. They follow PAD leader Chamlong Srimuang.

Abhisit says that “the PAD and Santi Asoke were also concerned about the issue, so Mr Panich volunteered to join them in an inspection of the area.”

It is clear that Abhisit knew of the trip and who was involved. Of course, the Democrat Party has a long-established connection to these groups,even if it is criticized from time to time by the yellow-shirted media.

Then Abhisit joins those who have managed to deliberately lied in the face of clear evidence to the contrary when he says:  “I don’t believe those seven Thais intended to either trespass on or spy in Cambodia…”.

PPT doesn’t believe spying was involved, but the intent to cross the border to provoke arrest is clear.

Abhisit is under pressure from PAD for more militant actions, but he is also dealing with them on this issue. And that is where his problem lies, for the extreme right pushes him for more. For example, Prasong Soonsiri, former National Security Council chief, former foreign minister and a royalist coup planner close to PAD, accuses the government of being “too submissive.”

His view is that “the government to insist that the seven Thais were arrested on Thai territory and not to accept the Cambodian court’s verdict if they are found guilty.” He adds that these seven have “contributed to society.”

Abhisit is locked into these lies and alliances with the conservative right.

Update 1: The problem for Abhisit continues as PAD scream for “no retreat,” yelling a nationalist mythology that claims land that is both in dispute but also land that “is Thai” even if not within its current agreed boundaries. See this in the Bangkok Post, where PAD issued a statement demanding that “the government to force Cambodia to free seven detained Thais without any condition.” PAD claims there is evidence – has anyone seen it? – “showing that the seven Thais were arrested in Thailand’s territory.”

PAD “condemned” all those “who had told reporters that the Thais had entered into Cambodian territory.” This included: “Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon and Sakaeo provincial governor Sanit Naksuksri.” Notice that Abhisit is missing from the list, because he hasn’t fallen into this traitor’s trap. Still, he gets a bollocking for “failing to use their authorities [sic.] to pressure Cambodia to free seven Thais.”

The yellow-shirt people group also condemned Prime Minister Hun Sen, Cambodian government and soldiers for arresting the Thais in Thailand’s territory and brought them into Cambodia court, despite Thailand had helped Cambodian refugees during the civil war in the neighbouring country. PAD called on the government to reject any ruling by the Cambodian court – what if they are declared innocent and freed? – and demands an “an official ultimatum to Cambodia…”.

As we noted above, Abhisit cannot easily escape the alliance that was forged in the period when the Democrat Party needed PAD activism to get them closer to snatching power. That debt is large and difficult to repay in full.

Update 2: In The Nation, Abhisit says this: “I want to bring back the seven now and all other issues will be dealt with at a later date…”. The yellow shirts really have him jumping!

Update 3: Bangkok Pundit has a neat twist on this story, linking Panich to the Santi Asoke sect: “Panich’s involvement arose because he is a Santi Asoke follower and former Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs.” This is followed-up with another interesting statement: “Panich was strongly supported in the by-election in 2010 by Santi Asoke’s Dharma Army.” The Democrat Party can’t escape its debt to the yellow shirts.

Further updated: Minor border crossing

Just in case any reader was thinking that the Cambodia border issue was becoming anything like normal, this from MCOT News:

Thailand’s National Security Council (NSC) on Wednesday urged the public not to raise the detention of seven Thai nationals by Cambodian authorities as an international issue, saying this is a normal incident which could occur along the borders.

NSC Deputy Secretary-General Anusit Kunakorn seems to think that it is “normal” having a bunch of hyper-nationalists from the so-called Thai Patriots Network, a yellow-shirted group, traipsing about on the border with Democrat Party MP for Bangkok Panich Vikitsreth, who was on the phone to the prime minister’s office, as they barged across the border apparently seeking to be arrested.

The NSC’s Anusit said:

that the infringement of sovereignty usually occurs between Thailand and the neighbouring countries, while reaffirming seven detained Thais did not intend to trespass on Cambodian territory.

Huh? Clearly they did. The men knew and say they were in Cambodia (see here). And, “one of the detainees, Veera Somkwamkid, was once arrested for his illegal entry in last August.”

Royal Survey Department Deputy Director-General Maj-Gen Noppadon Chotsiri adds to the muddle by saying:

his department sent a team to inspect the area after the arrest was reported and found that the Thais were detained 55 metres from boundary posts No. 46 and 47. The area (where they were arrested) was still under dispute and waiting for demarcation…. The seven might have entered the land from misunderstanding.

The misunderstanding seems to be on the general’s part, for the men made directly for a place to be “arrested for sure!” as they put it.

But all of this takes the heat off Abhisit….

Update 1: And do read Bangkok Pundit‘s latest post that has comments on Abhisit spinning faster than a tornado and apparent poor geography of the country he leads.

Update 2: It seems that, despite the video evidence to the contrary, lawyers for the detained border crossers are claiming they had “crossed the disputed border by accident.” The story continues: “He [Panich] said he came [to the border area] because Thai people claim it is their land. He said he was walking without knowing that he was entering Cambodian territory and was captured by the authorities.” Okay, we understand he wants to get out of jail and back to Thailand, but the blatant lie has important political consequences in Thailand. He can’t be believed and it seems to us that the prime minister is seriously compromised (and surprisingly quiet now).

Updated: PAD and other nationalist rants on Cambodia

A few days ago PPT briefly posted regarding yellow shirts arrested and held in Cambodia after going with Democrat Party MP Panich Vikitsreth to “inspect” the border in Sa Kaeo. As we reported back then, according to the Thai government, they were inside Cambodian territory by several hundred meters when arrested. Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya was about to fly off to Cambodia to rescue them while Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has called for the “immediate and unconditional release.” At about that time  Siam Voices had a round-up on the arrests in Cambodia story. This was followed by  Foreign Minister Kasit returning from Cambodia, admitting that ” a survey by officials from the Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs and the Royal Thai Survey Department found that the group, which included Democrat MP Panich Vikitsreth and yellow-shirt activist Veera Somkwamkid, were about a kilometre inside Cambodia.”

Bangkok Pundit now has a post on how the reporting of this story and the government’s position was rolled out.

In that post, BP has an account of an old general and yellow shirt Preecha Iamsuphan, a classmate of PAD leader and ultra-nationalist Chamlong Srimuang, demanding: “Thai soldiers must invade to obtain the return of Thai territory…”. He ranted on: “Now, there is only one answer, that is go to war. A battle to teach the Cambodians a lesson that when Cambodians take a gun over the Thai border then Thais need to take their guns over the Cambodian border in return. To chase off the Cambodians from all parts of Thai territory that they have encroached on so that it can be returned.”

Of course, it makes no difference to him that the evidence is of no entry by Cambodian soldiers into Thailand. He is talking about long-disputed territory and even Preah Vihear, where Thailand lost a World Court case. He wants it all “back.” And, he isn’t the only one. As Bangkok Pundit points out, when the yellow-shirted nationalists bang drums and rattle sabers, there is a lot to be lost for even the yellow-loving Democrat Party. At the time we checked, the last 9 stories at MCOT News related to Cambodia, PAD and the arrests:

Thai PM: Preah Vihear dispute won’t affect Thai-Cambodian relations
Monday, January 03, 2011 7:52 AM

Activists urged to avoid further conflict, not rally at Cambodian border
Monday, January 03, 2011 4:49 AM

Activists to rally at border, demanding release of Thai detainees
Sunday, January 02, 2011 6:23 AM

Thai activists submit letter to UN seeking help to release 7 detained Thais
Saturday, January 01, 2011 7:13 AM

Thai officials conduct investigation to secure release of Thai detainees in Cambodia
Saturday, January 01, 2011 6:32 AM

Cambodian Court sets no date trial of seven Thais detained for illegal entry
Friday, December 31, 2010 7:48 AM

Thai, Cambodian commanders hold border talks
Friday, December 31, 2010 3:48 AM

Thai FM fails to free Thais detained in Cambodia
Thursday, December 30, 2010 11:04 PM

Thai FM leaves for Phnom Penh for talks on release of seven detained Thais
Thursday, December 30, 2010 8:01 AM

The so-called Thailand Patriot Network has petitioned the UN and then gathered at Government House to protest the case of seven detained in Cambodia. They announced plans to rally at the border aiming “to pressure the neighbouring country to release the group.” The group is led by Chaiwat Sinsuwong and Karun Sai-ngam. PPT readers may remember Chaiwat from this post in October where he was charged with various offenses, including “terrorism” as a PAD leader occupying the airports. Expect Chamlong’s Dhamma Army to be the bulk of the protesters and local residents may oppose the yellow shirted rally.

Update: For those who think he wasn’t in Cambodia, watch this clip and hear Panich on the phone asking a colleague to tell the prime minister’s secretary that he was inside Cambodia.

http://www.youtube.com/v/5YTbiVA16Ss?version=3

PAD in the courts

The Bangkok Post reports thatthe Criminal Court has “approved an application by the Crime Suppression Division for warrants for the arrest of five People’s Alliance for Democracy leaders over the blockade of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in late 2008. The five are Chaiwat Sinsuwong, Veera Somkwamkid, Somboon Thongburan, Tonfam Saeng-arthit and Somchai Wongwech. All of them are charged with illegal assembly, inciting unrest and other minor offences. Mr Chaiwat and Mr Veera are additionally charged with acts of terrorism.”

PAD lawyers have petitioned the court to have the warrants withdrawn.

Meanwhile, The Nation reports that General Pathompong Kesornsuk, a former Supreme Command adviser and who appeared, in uniform on the PAD stage, has “turned himself in to police to acknowledge charges related t the seizing of Bangkok airports in 2008.” With Sirilak Pongchok, he faces “three counts of charges related to the seizing of the Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Don Mueng Airport. Pathompong was charged with making public statement in violation of the Constitution; unlawful gathering with more than ten people intention to harm others or create turmoil, and violating the emergency decree. Sirilak was accused of unlawful gathering with more than 10 people.”

Abhisit’s compromised politics

Update 1: For another take on these events, see Ji Ungpakorn’s new post “Two Faces of Thailand” at his Political Writings on Thailand. If readers tell us the link and URL  is blocked in Thailand, we will post in full. Email us at: thaipoliticalprisoners@gmail.com

Update 2: Apparently Ji’s site is blocked, so we include his full text below PPT’s original post.

PPT’s post: At the end of an earlier post, PPT stated that because of its embedded support for PAD, the government that is led by the Democrat Party and Abhisit Vejjajiva is compromised.By this we do not mean that every member in the Democrat Party is a PAD supporter. Rather, we recognize debates in that party about PAD, most especially now that it claims to have its own New Politics Party while the Democrat Party remains home to PAD leaders. In that post we pointed out that one telling indicator of the government’s compromised position is its determination to maintain troops and the ISA in Bangkok, where there was no clash and where demonstrators dispersed and went home as promised. Meanwhile, the government was concerned to deal ever so softly with PAD demonstrators in Srisaket.

The Nation (21 September 2009: “Red shirts say they will protest again next month”) has more reports that relate to this perspective. It is reported that police have stated “that the security measures over the Dusit district remain in force until tomorrow, regardless of the voluntary crowd dispersal.” Some 4,500 policemen will “continue to keep peace in Dusit,” said Metropolitan Police spokesman Colonel Piya Utayo.

Why? Because there are still fears of violence: “[p]olice patrols will continue in 176 areas around the capital as a preventive measure to deter violence…”. There hasn’t been any (except in Srisaket). Metropolitan Police deputy commissioner Major-General Amnuay Nimmano “said the rally was peaceful and there was no violence erupted as feared.”

So why does the ISA continue and why do police continue to conduct patrols in certain areas. This is little more than the government intimidating people they think support red shirts. And it goes further, for the ” police will begin checking taped speeches by rally organisers to see whether they made any inflammatory remarks in violation of their conditions for temporary release, pending trial.” This refers to the Songkhran Uprising and is another form of intimidation.

In a related report, The Nation (21 September 2009: “PAD vows to uphold Thai sovereignty over disputed area”), PAD seems “victorious” in Srisaket. “Yellow-shirt activist Veera Somkwamkid … vowed to uphold Thai sovereignty over 4.6 square kilometres of terrain near Preah Vihear Temple claimed by Cambodia. Veera also threatened to take legal action against officials condoning the encroachment.”

Prime Minister Abhisit pleaded that “his government was trying to resolve border problems via the legal process and not force.” His authorities also allowed the yellow-shirted monarchists to get close to the disputed area and make nationalist statements in order to “pacify” the situation. Veera proclaimed: “We Thai patriots want to declare our intent to form a people’s network to restore Thai sovereignty to the surrounding areas of Prasat Phra Wiharn…” and urged the “Thai military to take action under martial law to repel the [alleged Cambodian] transgression.”

While there were claims that the core PAD leaders were distancing themselves from Veera, it is reported that the “five co-leaders of the People’s Alliance for Democracy have remained in close contact with Veera and the people’s network over the temple issue, PAD spokesman Suriyasai Katasila said.”

Presumably that includes Democrat Party member Somkiat Pongpaiboon.

Suriyasai proclaimed that “PAD fully backed the attempts to protect Thai territorial integrity and was not back-pedalling from Veera as alleged…”. He also claimed that the “scuffle” with local villagers was instigated by the government, presumably criticizing Suthep Thaugsuban, who was in charge of security, and perhaps also Army chief Anupong Paojinda. But, aligning with Abhisit, and Foreign Minister and PAD supporter Kasit Piromya, he added: “We agree with the option for a negotiated settlement of the border dispute…”. He called for a clear timetable.

Abhisit showed his preparedness to deal with PAD when he admitted “that several border issues were too sensitive to bring up in public, so interested parties should hold discreet discussions with the government in order to update themselves on the status.”

So PAD remain insiders, at least as far as the premier is concerned. They are treated with kid gloves while intimidation is used against perceived opponents. Such a compromised position may seem politically expedient but the government’s lack of even-handedness in dealing with the two groups is hardly likely to be identified as anything other than repaying political debts and it does nothing for the rule of law and human rights.

***** ***** ******

Two faces of Thailand

Giles Ji Ungpakorn

http://siamrd.blog.co.uk/

http://wdpress.blog.co.uk/

http://redsiam.wordpress.com/

On the 19th September this year, the 3rd anniversary of the military coup that wrecked Thai Democracy, two demonstrations took place. They sum up the two faces of Thailand.

One demonstration, by tens of thousands of Red Shirts in Bangkok, was organised in order to continue the demand for full Democracy. It was a peaceful and friendly demonstration. Yet the military-backed Democrat Party government, headed by Abhisit Vejjajiva, declared a State of Emergency and lined up thousands of police and soldiers to deal with the demonstrators. Previously, back in April, Abhisit had urged soldiers to fire on the Red Shirts. Two people were subsequently killed and 70 injured by government soldiers.

The other demonstration was organised by PAD fascist thugs. The PAD are the Yellow Shirt royalists. The aim of this demonstration was to attack Cambodian villagers living and working at the ancient Kao Prawiharn temple inside Cambodia. Since last year the PAD have been trying to cause a war with Cambodia by whipping up extreme nationalism. The temple was built by the ancient Khmers and clearly belongs to Cambodia, both from a legal and historical point of view. On the 19th September the PAD went to the border armed, as usual, with guns, bombs and clubs. They attacked the police and then a group of local villagers who were opposed to them. Local villagers on both sides of the border have traditionally held joint religious ceremonies together at the temple on this day. This has not happened since the PAD forced the closure of the temple last year.

Teptai Senpong, personal spokesman for Prime Minister Abhisit, earlier stated that there was no reason to declare a State of Emergency in the border area, “as the PAD were defending Thai national interests”. The present Foreign Minister is a PAD supporter who took part in the illegal occupation of the international airports last December. He is famed for being rude about the Cambodian government. Suriyasai Takasila, PAD spokesperson, said that the PAD leadership would not turn its back on Wira Somkwamkit, the PAD leader who headed the violent raid on the border. Naturally, the PAD riot and their extreme nationalism was supported by ASTV. The government will not prosecute the PAD and their leaders for their illegal violence. They never have. At the same time numerous Red Shirts are in jail or face prosecution.

Just like when the PAD took over the airports, they cared little for the impact on local people’s employment and livelihood. They cared little if the sons of poor farmers, conscripted into the Thai army, were to die in any pointless shoot out with their brothers in the Cambodian army.

The progressive, peaceful and democratic face of Thai society is the Red Shirts. The violent, fascist and authoritarian face is the face of the Yellow Shirt conservative royalists who control the state, the Army, the Monarchy, the government and the media. The one thing they do not control is the hearts and minds of most Thai citizens.

Most Thais are waiting for the King to die. But that in itself will solve nothing, despite the fact that his son his universally hated and held in contempt. No real democracy can be built without dismissing the Generals, the Judges, the Privy Council, the Royal Family and the corrupt politicians. Will the Red Shirts be up to this People’s Revolution? Can it be an overwhelming movement of citizens in order to minimise bloodshed? These are the issues on many people’s minds today.