Its Songkran in Thailand. This usually means fun times and relaxation with the family. In many other parts of the world Easter is ensuring that millions are enjoying a well-deserved holiday break.
But there will be no immediate vacation for the Thai government, or its security forces, as they struggle to come to grips with the postponement of the East Asia Summit (ASEAN++) which was scheduled for Pattaya this weekend. Earlier today, thousands of Red Shirts stormed the venue and the Thai government has announced that the planned meetings are now off. A state of emergency for Pattaya and the surrounding province has reportedly been declared. All of the normal Thai sources are carrying the story, and it has broken through to the top rung on the major global news services. This is the big news of Easter 2009.
As a protest tactic the storming of the East Asia Summit venue must rank alongside last year’s week-long siege at Suvarnabhumi Airport for its audacity. Both episodes show that, at least in the case of Thailand, crowd numbers and commitment can overwhelm the security forces. Looking at the pictures from the frontline in Pattaya it appears that the police were, with much effort, pushed out of the way.
The Reds have declared their intention to return to Bangkok to continue their protests.
What next?
At this stage, some key details remain unclear and the initial reports are, as is the nature of such things, relatively sketchy. Exactly what happened during the effort to storm the Summit site is still hazy. New Mandala readers with thoughts or information on this evolving situation can offer their comments here.
23 responses so far ↓
1 Sidh S // Apr 11, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Clearly a grand PMThaksin-Reds victory and their many sympathizers, foreign and Thai, in NM must be rejoicing. For me it is another very sad day – a very dark day in fact – for Thailand. For one, in the midst of the global recession, this is not merely about Thai lives but the billions that constitute ASEAN +6… All for one man’s 7O billion baht assets and his court cases and his very twisted version of Thai democracy…
2 Colum Graham // Apr 11, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Surely this could have been foreseen and the conference hosted by Malaysia. Even on short notice, there would have been far less negative publicity for Abhisit and the apparent victory for “the Reds” would have never occurred. And the conference could have actually been held, despite my inclination to believe that whatever was going to be agreed upon at the conference would have already been agreed upon by Humphrey Appleby types prior.
However, that news sources are exponentially reporting this reactionary course again, without suggesting a clear political aim for the Reds, other than to highlight lampooning the opposition (Democrat Party) with righteous claims of injustice and the Thaksinist-Orwellian fallacy, doesn’t bode for more progression than when this all happened last year.
Is the recipe followed by the yellow shirts last year being followed by the red shirts this year, and will we all get the same political curry with slightly different flavouring? Will we be in for the same dish next year?
Personally I hope we get a green chicken curry and environmental fundamentalists emerge! I am surprised the curry metaphor hasn’t been used yet. Or has it?
3 Hla Oo // Apr 11, 2009 at 10:13 pm
Someone once wisely said that there is only one type of democracy based on the complete freedom of people, and other sorts of so-called democracy like what they now have in Singapore will eventually fail.
Now the brave masses of Thailand are proving correct that statement by forcefully protesting against the illegitimate government and all overpowering monarchy backing that illegal government.
Freedom and rule of law has to be complete, or people will rise up if the ruling class have given them only a partial freedom. As long as Thai Army is not willing to shoot fellow Thais like brutal Burmese Army has been doing to its own people the people of Thailand will get what they want in a very near future.
Keep up the good fight for your freedom!
4 Bystander // Apr 12, 2009 at 12:14 am
If this conference is that important, they would have moved it elsewhere at the first sign of trouble. There’s no particular reason why it has to be in Thailand. Rather, it is a gamble by the Abhisit government. If he can pull it off, it is a big plus for him. But he failed apparently. It’s increasingly clear that he’s no more than a glorified spokesperson.
Strategically, the PAD is the one gaining here. Democrats are damaged and their internal divisions will only worsen. Thaksin and the reds are demonstrated as a potent force, and the democrat demonstrated to be too soft, too moderate, and ineffectual against the reds. In the near future, the PAD will formally emerge as a bona fide political party to scoop up all the former voters of the then-wrecked democrat party.
Further extremization is to be expected. The center cannot hold.
5 Glenn // Apr 12, 2009 at 1:08 am
“The people of Thailand will get what they want….”
Well, from the polling data I have seen what “the people of Thailand” want is an end to this idiotic political posturing and constant instability caused by the mobs in the streets of whatever color shirt they happen to be wearing. Even if Thaksin and the red shirts get what they want do you really think it will end there? All of these wrongs (on both sides) are never going to make a right. And the people who have paid the price all along will continue to do so.
6 Mungo Gubbins // Apr 12, 2009 at 2:26 am
I would be fascinated to hear if the majority of Thaksin enthusiasts are still using the same definition of ‘terrorism’ today as they were after the PAD airport seizure.
7 Yo // Apr 12, 2009 at 2:27 am
-A niece of a friend of my friend was invited to wear red and come to BKK from PhaYao with 1000 Baht per day.
-A food-stall owner in KangKhoi Saraburi told me while I ate at hers that she would like to join her friends who came to BKK just to wear red and join the mob and earn 500 baht a day. But she was afraid she could never come back home so she refused the temptation to earn the 500. And she said those friends who joined did not know the details but just to wear red.
-A driver told me his little boy was invited to wear red and join the mob as a child of that acquaintance in exchange for 500 a day, but the driver was angry and refused that man’s invitation.
-My cousin told me her friends from Udorn invited some other 20 friends to earn 500 a day and wear red and drive to join the red army. But they joined only 1 day because they were not provided with food and drink. They complained that their immediate stomach’s need is more important than their money need of 500 Baht per day.
-Lastly, but shockingly, my mother just told me yesterday that an old daily-waged employee of hers took a one-day leave because he was invited to have a tour visit to BKK with meals and 500 Baht just to wear red and attend the mob.
-Should I laugh or should I cry?
8 Nero Hansen // Apr 12, 2009 at 4:01 am
Well, successful change is by nature incremental. Any examples of revolting mobs that brought progress? Does anybody really belief that politics of burning bridges is of any benefit? The masses might be “brave” in their terms … but how about the vast majority of Thais who are really sick of them (UDD and PAD)?
9 nganadeeleg // Apr 12, 2009 at 12:37 pm
I agree lawless mobs need to be kept in check, but both Somchai previously & now Abhisit were indecisive because DEEP DOWN they both knew they they had NOT addressed the GENUINE concerns of their opponents – therefore they lacked the moral authority to act decisively.
10 Milk Vicky // Apr 12, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Its been more than a few hours since the “civil disobedience” in Pattaya, but why are reports still “unclear”?
11 R. Dayley // Apr 12, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Mr. Aphisit’s miscalculations demonstrate a serious lack of political skill. Prideful brinksmanship has its risks. Thaksin took his ambitions to the brink and invited scorn and then a coup. Aphisit is no less foolish for his miscalculations. How could he fail to realize the PAD’s methods could work both ways, an obvious conclusion to many of us months ago? Now he’s embarrassed himself in front of Asia’s leaders, and the world. His pride clouded his judgement, just as it did Thaksin, Chamlong, Samak and the others. Does any leader in Thailand have political acumen?
Can he fully recover? It seems unlikely. Aphisit just invited his respected neighbors into his house to witness first hand his dysfunctional family rather than wisely calling off the dinner party before they arrived. His government’s recriminations against the UDD will follow but that will hardly demonstrate leadership or generate new respect from his Asia peers. Unless Aphisit pulls a political rabbit out of a hat and this will be remembered as blunder of large proportions.
Eton and Oxford look a little less grand today in the eyes of Asia’s leaders. “Aphisit is no brilliant LKY,” they must be saying.
12 R. N. England // Apr 12, 2009 at 4:28 pm
The main rule of the game is becoming clearer. The opposition tries to push the government into perpetrating a significant act of violence. If that happens, the government loses office: a deeply Buddhist rule that promotes internal peace, though it makes governance difficult if not impossible. The Abhisit/military government stuck to the rule at Pattaya, even at the expense of losing face at home and abroad. It was in a lose-lose situation, and it chose the best way out. This impotence is not as bad as it seems because the Thai government is traditionally a corrupt, incompetent, parasitic joke. People get on with their lives quite peacefully without much need for it.
Interestingly, the only significant violence at Pattaya was caused by the dark blue thugs led by Newin Chidchob, the chief protector of, and profiteer from the corrupt monopoly at Suvarnobhumi Airport. Perhaps he will lose out in the next elections, and millions of travellers will get better deals at the airport shops.
Aversion to violence and its perpetrators is an aspect of Thai Buddhist culture that seems to be gaining strength. It gives us hope that the present political conflict will be resolved peacefully.
13 dantampa // Apr 12, 2009 at 4:34 pm
It’s quite amazing to watch the wheels of the Thai elite’s propaganda machine shift into gear in the wake of the debacle at Pattaya, to create their version of what happened at Pattaya in April 11.
They would like the world to believe that a mob of red shirts attacked the Royal Cliff Hotel on that morning, totally without provocation.
In fact, as the evidence now emerging on the internet shows that the current government, armed with a police force and army over which it exercises little control, decided to take matters into its own hands on the morning of April 11, and use the masked blue shirts of Newin Chidbob’s Pinkertons to provoke violence against the protestors.
When the armed blue shirts first appeared at the scene , Deputy PM Suthep immediately told the press that they were “local residents” of Pattaya who had spontaneously appeared to “fight for the government.” How such local vigilantes managed to organize and appear overnight fully equipped in blue tunics, hats and masks was mystifying.
But the internet is now filled with videos of Newin Chidchob, organizer of the blue shirts, meeting at the very scene of the planned attack on the night before with Deputy PM Suthep. The two can be seen walking the area and plotting their tactics.
Singificantly, the Bangkok Post has reported today that: “PAD core members said the group was ready to organise a gathering …but the government told them on Friday that some high-ranking police and military officials may take such an opportunity to use force to disperse the protesters.”
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/140251/pad-tells-government-to-muscle-up
In the past 12 hours, the internet has also produced unmistakeable photos of Newin Chidchob himself, clad in blue , barking orders from the back of a motorbike at the scene of the attack at Royal Cliff.
http://bangkokpundit.blogspot.com/
The truth is that the Abhisit government made a desperate attempt in the hours prior to April 11, to secretly employ an army of paid thugs in blue shirts led by Newin Chidchob to attack protestors nearing the site of the ASEAN summit. It was that attack that set into motion the events that spiralled out of control and led to the cancellation of the ASEAN summit. The real question is what this government will do in the wake of such perfidy exposed.
14 R. N. England // Apr 12, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Why on earth did the government choose Pattaya? What a bungle! The reds would never have dared to cause such a disturbance in the King’s backyard at Hua Hin where the last big conference was held. The only answer I can think of is profits for the Pattaya hospitality mafia. Newin again?
15 t4e // Apr 12, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Two Red Shirt Leaders Arisman + Jatuporn P
whisked away by police to some undisclosed place.
Emergency declared in entire Bangkok+all nearby areas (apparently to stop Red Shirts coming from provinces).
Violent attacks expected by Govt gangs(yellow + blue shirts) on the Reds at Govt House
Not a good time for Thais / Thailand
t4e
16 Sidh S // Apr 12, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Interesting optimistic points RN England#12. Dantampa#13, let’s try to look at the full evidences, if only to prevent further radicalization. There are also plenty of evidences of Reds unprovoked aggression over the past week. Attacking PMAbhisit’s motorcade, blocking Bangkok traffic or hindering foriegn leader’s movements was not provoked nor necessary…
One of the many paths forward to get out of this vicious cycle (apart from the elites sorting their conflicts out and end the manipulation of the masses) is the proper funding and training of security forces towards professional crowd/riot control.
17 nongmar // Apr 12, 2009 at 8:36 pm
4.15pm Bangkok time;
Jackrapop has just appealed to the ‘world’; and I’m paraphrasing here, the red shirts are non-violent, they are demonstrating against the state, but they will defend themselves against violence inflicted upon them by state forces.
Democracy tv (satellite) has just been ‘pulled’, whether that’s by the govt or some other reason, I don’t know.
Evidently shots have been fired at the Ministry of the Interior and 2 people have been killed.
I did also see a tank as well as wheeled vehicles on the street in front of a govt building (I’m guessing the MoI).
18 Regular Reader // Apr 12, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Jakrapob : King of Spin………..who would believe anything he says.
Just look at the TV to see what’s going on !!
19 Andrew Walker // Apr 12, 2009 at 9:29 pm
This was sent to me by email. AW
20 nongmar // Apr 12, 2009 at 10:26 pm
err Regular Reader,
I took your advice. I was able to choose from comedy, a Korean drama, or ‘love the country’ ads featuring the voice of ‘Bird’ Macintyre followed by another announcement by the PM.
It doesn’t matter what station you watch, red or NBT, it’s going to be biased
21 Regular Reader // Apr 12, 2009 at 11:31 pm
Dear Nongmar, okay I got a bit carried away with the excitement of the past couple of hours, but Jakrapob is hardly a great spokesman for any colour (shirt) of Thai person – as far as I am concerned.
Also, I think you should get a new remote and/or cable operator. I was able to watch a lot of news coverage on many different channels, and go back to the soaps and Korean dramas in between !
22 Mungo Gubbins // Apr 13, 2009 at 2:38 am
It’s all hard work here in our suburban moobarn. Everyone is busy preparing 5,000 servings of somtam to distribute free to the red shirts tomorrow lunchtime. It wasn’t easy acquiring the necessary quantity of laxatives (we cleaned out every pharmacy for miles around), but we think we may have done enough to secure at least one day relatively peaceful day for the celebration of Songkran.
23 Hla Oo // Apr 13, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Many decades ago, I still remember, when poor Thai farmers under the influence of Communist Party of Thailand were active in grass root level political organization called Farmers Federation of Thailand, the royalist and military employed many death squads and picked the known FFT leaders up one by one and murdered them.
The slaughters were so effective, Thailand still does not have an effective left leaning political organization like Labor or Socialist parties in other democratic countries. But the underlying conditions of oppression for the emergence of lefties are still there and now coming out as a popular mob movement without well-know leaders except Thaksin, ironically the richest man of the land, and his band of popularly-elected Member of Thai Parliament representing the rural constituencies.
This could be the long expected end of political monopoly by the extremist right wing monarchists in seemingly conservative Thailand.
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