By Michael E. Sanchez
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia
BANGKOK, Thailand- On Tuesday, protesters dug their heels deeper, fortifying their encampment in Bangkok’s hotel-and-shopping district and threatened to “wage a big war” to bring down the government. The Thai army has stated its intentions to use live ammunition against “red-shirt” anti-government protesters in certain circumstances.
A spokesman for the army said that soldiers were ready to use their weapons “decisively”. The army warned that is was ready to use force if provoked. Soldiers in combat gear guarded nearby sections of the capital, are prepared to use tear gas and rubber bullets, in addition to live ammunition in self defense, if fighting were to occur. The Thai army alleges that protesters were arming themselves with crude weapons such as small bombs, and sharpened bamboo poles. Spokesman Col Sansern KaeKamnerd told reporters “We can no longer use the soft to hard steps…We have to keep a distance between troops and demonstrators. If they try to break the line, we will start using tear gas, and if they do break the ling, we need to use weapons to deal with them decisively.”
The “Red Shirt” protesters, mostly comprised of poor, rural demonstrators, have demanded that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva call early elections. They have occupied the tiny Rajprasong district for more than a month and now are camping in nearby main roads covering several city blocks. On Monday, security forces moved to nearby Silom Road to prevent Red Shirt incursions in the the area’s central business district.
This standoff in Bangkok has cost city merchants tens of millions of dollars. Key protest leader Nattawaut Saikua stated ” We will fortify our rally campground to ward off any invasion before we go out to wage a big war.” He also stated that once troops move out of Silom Road, the Red Shirts would stage a march down the road.
Saikua indicated that the protesters were open to negotiations to end 40 days of confrontations in the city, saying “Our group is always open to outsider suggestions. Whatever group wants to propose a solution to the crisis, we’re happy to hear these solutions.”
However there has been no sign of compromise on the horizon, although Abhisit said he would not set a date for protesters to be forced out of their encampment.
For more information, please see:
BBC News- Thai Army ‘Ready To Use Live Fire Against Red-Shirts’– 20 April 2010
WDAM.Com- Thai Protesters Fortify Camps in Heart of Bangkok– 20 April 2010
Inthenews.co.uk- Thai Army Ready To Use Weapons “Decisively’ Against Protestors– 20 April 2010
