PAD rallies as yellow shirts

AP (29 April 2010) reports that PAD has re-emerged. PPT hadn’t noticed that they had gone away. As we have pointed out several times, the so-called no color and multi-color rallies have been organized and led by PAD people and had PAD speakers. The point being made, perhaps, is that rallies at various military bases were this time held in PAD’s own name. The main rally was in Bangkok outside the 11th Infantry Regiment, where Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has his headquarters and home behind the razor wire and protected by the troops.

PAD proclaimed that: “The crisis in Thailand has rapidly and intensively spread and become a state of anarchy,” adding: “We would like to see the brave soldiers help us get rid of this illegal activity and bring peace to Thai society as soon as possible.”

According to The Nation (29 April 2010), PAD also rallied in Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen and Phuket. In Bangkok, PAD’s letter was presented by  Chamlong Srimuang and Pipob Thongchai. It was addressed to Abhisit and army chief General Anupong Paojinda. The significance of PAD support was seen in the fact that Abhisit’s adviser Panitan Wattanayagorn and secretary of the Royal Thai Army Major General Jiradej Sitthipraneet received the letter in fromt of the PAD crowd. Chamlong told the crowd that the “law must be strictly enforced and adhered and there will be more casualties if the government does not more quickly tackle the ongoing problem.”

PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila said that “PAD urged the government to take legal action against terrorists who mingled with the red shirt protesters and bring normalcy back to the country as soon as possible.” He added that PAD “will not pressure the government or the army by giving the deadlines, saying the group believes that both the government and the army will adhere to the law.” He also confirmed that PAD “will not mobilise it supporters to confront with the red[shirt]s.”

Of course, this is disingenuous, but the other color rallies are seen as significant for the government and, at present, are able to draw a broader support base than a PAD rally would.