As the recent political unrest in Bangkok has reached something of a boiling point I thought I would write a blog devoted sole on this subject so that those reading back home can get a quick summary of what is happening. The situation is a little complicated and what each side/person vows to do seems to change from time to time so when you read this things may have been resolved although I highly doubt that. The divide here is wide and deepening each day.
Major Players:
The PAD: Always wearing yellow the PAD is a political group (movement) that is essentially against Thaksin who they had a major role in overthrowing through a coup in 2006 (could be wrong on the exact year). Currently Thaksin’s brother-in-law Somchai is the PM and not surprisingly the PAD are against him as well in what they see as a Thaksin puppet government who essentially only support the interests of the Bangkok elite. The PAD is supported by businessmen, academics, the army, and some say the palace.
PM Somchai: PM of Thailand and brother-in-law of Thaksin. Has declared the protest at the airport undemocratic, illegal, and a terrorist act. Refuses to step down and dissolve the government. Was democratically elected, I believe, three times.
Army chief Anupong Paochinda: Supports PAD and at the beginning of this week asked for the government to be resolved and for the PAD to stop their protest at the airport. Clearly if the government was dissolved the PAD will have won and the authorities will be seen as giving into what has been called a terrorist act.
The Problem: The problem really in my mind is with the refusal of the army and police, but to a lesser extent, exercise their authority in upholding the law. Because the Army chief supports the PAD he initially refused to intervene to end the protest at the airport. This has put pressure on the PM who although has denied that he would replace the Army chief, fearing civil unrest and escalating the problem, may have to do so in order to resolve the protests which some economists are now stating that it will cost the country around 4 billion dollars from the tourist industry. The big story now is whether there will be a coup or not. There have in the past been a total of somewhere around 18 coups so it is not something unheard of. The PAD are calling on Anupong to create a coup which he has stated he would not do but since he also refuses to resolve the protest the PM may be pressured into replacing him at which point he may, in order to maintain power, go ahead with a coup.
In the News:
Capital increasingly tense as coup rumours spread: Published on November 28, 2008
Anupong said to have exchanged phone ultimatums with Somchai
Chamlong warns police of people's uprising if protesters forcefully dispersed
Chamlong Srimuang, a co-leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, Friday warned police that the people nationwide will rise up against the police and government if police use force to break up demonstrations.
ASTV bombarded with grenades, gunfire
Assailants fired two M79 grenades against the ASTV head office early Friday morning, apparently trying to blow off satellite transponder dishes on the roof. The assailants arriving on a long-tail boat also fired assault rifles at the back of the head office building for about five minutes before speeding off to the direction the Pin Klao bridge.
If you’d like to read more about it I recommend the English newspaper here in Thailand The Nation (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/)
A lot is going on but if you don’t wear yellow or red, avoid crowds and stay alert everyone is quite safe.
Andrew
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