Daar komen ze weer.

[Mart]

Tanks are rolling out into the Bangkok streets
Posted by Thanong , Reader : 83 , 15:44:28
Print

April 12, 2009

15.45 hours:

Finally, tanks are rolling out into the Bangkok streets. Some people have spotted the tanks at Pratunam. Others have seen the tanks heading toward the residence of Gen Prem Tinsulanonda, the president of the Privy Council.

We are about to see the Abhisit government taking harsh measures against the Red Shirt anti-government protesters.

Security forces are being placed at 50 spots in Bangkok, following the declaration of the State of Emergency. Abhisit Vejjajiva, the prime minister, is having his back against the wall. He is acting tough.

Unfortunately, Abhisit does not seem to have any allies. The Democrats had a tense meeting yesterday, many blaming Suthep Thuagsuban, the deputy prime minister in charge of security affairs, for doing nothing to prevent the Red Shirt protesters from torpedoing the Asean Summit in Pattaya.

Suthep now will be the focus of the attention because he will be in charge of security measures in Bangkok. Suthep handled the security measures in Pattaya badly, if not reluctantly. He has proved to be a wolf sitting beside Abhisit.

Anarchy has reigned over Bangkok throughout today. The Red Shirt protesters have tried to secure the release of Arismun Pongruangrong, the leader of the Red Shirts implicated for leading the mob to break into the venue of the Asean Summit in Pattaya.

The Red Shirt protesters in the afternoon also attempted to hurt Abhisit and harm his car when he made his way to the Interior Ministry.

We expect to see additional mobilisation of Red Shirt protesters upon the announcement of the State of Emergency. The Red Shirt protesters smell blood. They aim to create more violence this evening.

But they would be countered with harsh measures.

The situation is very precarious for Abhisit. Can he trust that Suthep would be doing his best to save the government? Secondly, the role of Gen Anupong Paochinda, the army chief, remains dubious. So do the role of Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, the defence minister, and the police chief Patcharawat Wongsuwan.

If Abhisit were to survive, he would need to bring the military, the police and the top-notched security officials to his side.

As prime minister, Abhisit has the power to transfer key positions. If he does not use his power, he will be further squeezed until the anarchy goes out of control.

Under the State of Emergency, Abhisit has announced that the government is barring a gathering of more than five people, prohibiting the media from instigating the turmoil further, empowering the officials to take necessary measures to restore peace to Bangkok, etc.

Yes, we do see the underlying intention of the Red Shirt protesters to go for anarchy as a pretext for a military intervention.

Mr Phone-In must be singing his favourite karaoke songs now while Bangkok is burning.

Stay tuned for more update.

Khun
Were you seriously suggesting in c.8 that Thailand does NOT have censorship? That Thailand does NOT have human rights violations? That these things are irrelevant to the current crisis?

peacefulness and others think human rights and free speech don't matter, and I suspect that peacefulness is also weak on the right to live of those who dare disagree with any detail of his pet myths, but we do expect better of you.

I suggest reading the excellent pieces by your colleague Tulsathit Taptim. Whose latest is up to his usual standard.