Updated: Using the monarchy (again)

The Thai media is full of stories about “The Plot.” As Thai Rath and the Bangkok Post have it, the “Centre for the Resolution to Emergency Situations claims to have uncovered a plot to overthrow the monarchy.” CRES loudly proclaims that a “network behind the plot” happens to include “key leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, members of the Puea Thai Party and former banned politicians, academics and hosts of community radio programmes.”

This claim is apparently confirmation of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s statement that “CRES had put together the pieces of the ‘political jigsaw’.” Abhisit said that the people involved “could face legal action.” Abhisit let us know – as if it was some kind of surprise – taht he and the “armed forces have long suspected the UDD rally had a higher purpose than just forcing a dissolution of the House of Representatives.” Well, yes, they had said this dozens and dozens of time.

CRES spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd confided that the red shirt “demonstration, which started in mid-March, had attacked the higher institution through UDD leaders and the red shirts’ media.” Does he think most people have been living under a rock and haven’t heard these accusations from the premier and his spokespersons before? Bangkok Pundit has a diagram of the plotters that Sansern gave out, but PPT can’t read it. Just viewing it gives the picture of the complicated plot. PAD used to produce similar propaganda graphics of Thaksin’s octopus like networks. [Update: Pundit has now updated the chart with a clearer version, together with English translations. ]

The “plot” line is one that has been used before – think Finland plot and the Dubai plot in November 2009. How is this plot different to the Dubai plot? Why should anyone believe the claims?

We can poke fun at the antics of a desperate government, but this is serious, serious stuff. Now that Abhisit has decided to claim a plot – again – he is doing two related things. First, he is showing that the government is in serious trouble and they must resort to the ultimate “bottom line” and desperate accusation. Second, he is hoping that such a claim can bring out the right-wing and yellow-shirted in alliance with the government in order to show a united front in crushing the red shirt traitors. Desperation is likely to breed extremism.