By Alok Bhatt
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia
BANGKOK, Thailand – Red-shirt protesters in Thailand, supporters of ousted populist leader Thaskin Shinawatra, clashed with the Thai military force on April 10. Thaskin was overthrown in 2006 by protesters against the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD). These anti-Thaskin political groups identify themselves with yellow attire and have successfully brought down two governments that supported Thaskin. The group now identifies itself as The People’s Alliance for Democracy and functions as a political party without visible political activism.
The red-shirt UDD, on the other hand, has established multiple educational sessions over the past year and marched in numerous areas in promotion of their cause. However, on April 10th, a military effort to clear UDD red-shirts from a camp lead to the deaths of seventeen protesters and four military men. The red-shirts were protesting the Prime Minister position held by Vejjajiva, who they assert was actually elected undemocratically.
Along with red-shirt street demonstrators, Thaskin has backing from intellectuals and proponents of democratic rule who seek to educate others on their policies. The multiple constituencies from which Thaskin derives support comprise Thailand’s UDD, many of whom may be identified by their distinctive red attire. Thaskin’s red-shirt supporters desire to reinstate Thailand’s populist policies framed under his half-decade of leadership. Red-shirts also demand a state with significantly less military rule and an increase in democracy.
The ouster of Abhisit Vejjajiva from office, however, may not be sufficient to quell the political unrest consuming Thailand. The Thai people witnessed the violence of red-shirt political protests reach tragically excessive levels, resulting in the bloodiest demonstrations since 1992. Aside from nearly 25 deaths, well over 800 persons were injured by tear-gas and other anti-riot weapons. Despite the chaos, the red-shirts have refused Vejjajiva’s offers to hold elections within six months. However, the red-shirts have also claimed that reinstating Thaskin would not be enough to meet their demands; they desire equal treatment of all peoples in Thailand.
Abhisit seems to have used to confusion caused by the rallying to launch propaganda against the red-shirt campaign, claiming that full investigations must go under way to place liability where it is due. The red-shirts, however, have decided to remain resilient until the Thai government as it exists today ceases to act against their demands.
For more information, please see:
BBC – Q&A: Thailand protests – 13 April 2010
BusinessWeek – Ousting Abhisit May Not End Deadly Thailand Protests – 14 April 2010
Christian Science Monitor – Thailand’s red-shirt protests darken… – 12 April 2010
