Ji Ungpakorn on events in Bangkok

PPT posts the full text of Ji Ungpakorn’s latest update below. In particular, PPT notes with concern the report of the mistreatment of the latest lese majeste prisoner to be arrested, Tanyawut Taweerotemakul. If any PPT readers have further information that you are willing to share, please send it to us at thaipoliticalprisoners@gmail.com

Latest from Bangkok

Giles Ji Ungpakorn

After the military-backed Abhisit Government rejected a peace offering by pro-democracy Red Shirts, this unelected Government is preparing for a military crackdown against civilians. Rather than hold democratic elections, they are prepared to cling to power with violence and blanket censorship of all forms of media.

• Mobile motorcycle troops carrying lethal weapons are driving around Bangkok intimidating people wearing red shirts on the streets.
• 30,000 troops are massing to use lethal force against civilian pro-democracy protesters in Bangkok.
• NGOs and “peace” groups continue to support the Government stand and blame both sides for any violence. NGOs therefore believe that the people don’t have a right to demand democracy and that the Government has a right to mobilise troops against them.
• Khon Kaen Red Shirts have stopped van loads of police and taken their weapons. Police seem to have cooperated.
• Red motorcycle “cavalry” are setting up road blocks on outer ring road around Bangkok to stop troops.
• In Sakon Nakorn, North-east, Red Shirts have block a paramilitary border patrol police barracks.
• Red motorcycle “cavalry” have surround troops with weapons at Rungsit mint, just north of Bangkok.
• Thousands of Red Shirts in Udon, in the north-east, seize a police station and all the arms! Fighting for Democracy!
• Previously, the army and the Government shot dead 20 civilians on 10^th April in Bangkok. Abhisit and his Government continue to lie about the events and claim that the Red Shirts are “terrorists”.
• Agent provocateurs have fired M79 grenades on two occasions, while the army and the Government are openly backing fascist mobs who try to provoke the Red Shirts. These fascist mobs are PAD supporters wearing different coloured shirts and claiming to be “people of Bangkok”. They have used bottles and sling shots against the Red Shirts. One soldier put a gun to a policeman’s head to stop the police from arresting fascists throwing bottles. The PAD want a mainly appointed parliament. They took over the international airports with the help of the army in 2008.
• The King is silent and waiting, as ever, to see which side wins. The Queen and Crown Prince have shown support for the army.
• Red eagle, Tanyawut Taweerotemakul, the latest lese majeste prisoner and manager of UDD USA’s site, has been beaten up in prison