Editorial: The Real Tragedy Of 2010 Crackdown

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10 April 2014, 20:16

It was the Democrat administration who ordered the crackdown in 2010, but the Pheu Thai government has also failed to address the suffering of those affected by the violence.

Today marks the fourth anniversary of the decision by former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to – in the words often recited by the Redshirts – "give coffins to those who were asking for ballot boxes."

On 10 April 2010, soldiers acting under the order of the Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES), which was chaired by Mr. Abhisit and his deputy at the time, Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban, moved against demonstrators who were occupying stretches of Ratchadamnoen Avenue in Bangkok in their bid to call for a fresh election.

Mr. Abhisit's decision left more than 20 people dead, mostly protesters, by the time the operation was called off. It was the bloodiest confrontation Thailand has seen in decades, but it was merely the beginning of a far more devastating outcome; the military later crushed the Redshirts in May 2010, resulting in a total body count of at least 90 people.

The damage from the crackdown extends beyond the loss of lives: Thai society has become far more polarised than ever before, some factions of the Redshirts turned to radicalisation, while dozens of political prisoners have languished in prison since the final days of the military operation in 2010.

Hopes were stirred among the Redshirts and human rights activists in Thailand when Yingluck Shinawatra surged to power via a landslide election victory in 2011, with a promise that her government would pursue legal prosecution against the perpetrators of the 2010 crackdown, and issue amnesty bills for ordinary citizens who had been jailed simply because they were caught up in the chaos of the protests.

Over the next few years, we saw debates surrounding the amnesty idea, mainly about who should and should not benefit from the amnesty. The prevailing consensus among the public, and among the Redshirts supporters, was that only protesters of all sides should be dissolved from any pending legal cases against them, while political leaders, officials, and politicians should be excluded from the plan.

However, in November 2013, the Pheu Thai Party, most likely egged on by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, eventually came up with a "Blanket Amnesty" or "All-in-Basket Amnesty" bill that gave everyone a free pass, including Mr. Thaksin himself.

The bill would not only dissolve corruption convictions against Mr. Thaksin; it was written in a such a way that it could absolve Mr. Thaksin of any responsibility for his heavy handed approach to the southern insurgency in 2005 as well. This raised legitimate speculation that the amnesty bill was designed specifically for the exiled helmsman of the Pheu Thai Party.

The plan offended members of virtually all political sides and segments of Thai society. Outrage turned into street protests. The street protests forced Ms. Yingluck to hastily withdraw all amnesty plans from Parliament and later dissolve the House in December of last year.

Now the administration of Ms. Yingluck seems doomed, along with any hope of an amnesty plan for the political prisoners who are still imprisoned.

Because of its misguided pursuit of the "Blanket Amnesty," the Pheu Thai Party ended up sabotaging the hopes that these prisoners could be freed from captivity and be released back into the embrace of their families and friends.

Furthermore, it is also incredible that the Pheu Thai-led administration has not bothered to at least sign the order, via the legitimate channel of the Ministry of Justice, to grant these imprisoned citizens a temporary release.

Although the court procedure against Mr. Abhisit and Mr. Suthep, who have been charged with murder due to their roles in authorising the 2010 crackdown, still continues, it is unclear whether any justice will be administered if (or, some would say, when) the new power clique replaces Ms. Yingluck's government. Most likely, the new government, hostile to Pheu Thai Party, will order all court procedures to a halt once they take power.

The Pheu Thai Party has unwittingly unleashed the force of anti-democracy by handing them the Blanket Amnesty Bill as a rallying point. In doing so, that force of anti-democracy is now threatening any chance of achieving the first legal prosecution and punishment of Thai state officials for crimes against their own citizens.

It has been four years since the first shot flew over Democracy Monument on that fateful April night, yet so little has been achieved by Pheu Thai Party, in spite of the votes and trust the Redshirts have offered them.

There is no question that the widespread violence 4 years ago was tragic, but what is even more tragic is the missed opportunities by the Pheu Thai Party to at least ease the suffering of those affected by the crackdown in the years that followed.

This is the real tragedy of 2010 crackdown.

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Subdued Vigil Marks Red Crackdown Anniversary

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10 April 2014, 18:07

(10 April) The Redshirts have marked the anniversary of the military crackdown on their protests 4 years ago, while anti-government protesters held a separate vigil for the soldiers who died in the operation.

The Redshirts had been occupying Ratchadamnoen Avenue and the financial district in Bangkok for weeks to demand a fresh election when former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva authorised the military to disperse the protest campsite around Democracy Monument on 10 April.

The operation failed to dislodge the protesters, and dragged on into a night of chaos. Masked gunmen allied to the Redshirts later appeared and exchanged gunfire with the soldiers, while the troops responded by firing live ammunition towards the demonstrators, before Mr. Abhisit eventually called off the operation.

By the next morning, 29 people were dead, including five soldiers and a Japanese cameraman who was working for Reuters. Another military crackdown in May 2010 finally brought the protests to an end, with a total death toll of more than 90 lives.

Bangkok is experiencing a reverse situation on the 4th anniversary of the "Bloody April" crackdown, with the Prime Minister elected by the Redshirts in power and anti-government protesters led by a deputy of Mr. Abhisit at the time occupying parts of Bangkok, calling for the election in Thailand to be suspended until their demands for nation "reforms" are met.

The Redshirts chose to mark the anniversary with simple exhibition detailing the incident on 10 April 2010 at Imperial World Lat Phrao shopping mall in eastern Bangkok, and a Buddhist ceremony in the morning in memory of Redshirts demonstrators who lost their lives 4 years ago.

The exhibition also featured a musical performance and speeches by core leaders of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) in the evening.

The low-profile event contrasts with mass rallies called by the UDD to commemorate the 10 April crackdown in previous years. Mr. Jatupon Prompan, chairman of the UDD, explained that the idea of holding a rally around Democracy Monument was abandoned due to the presence of anti-government protesters who are encamped near the monument.

"We don't want to provoke any violence, it may affect our brothers and sisters," Mr. Jatupon said.

A separate ceremony to honour Redshirts demonstrators killed in the violence was conducted by a UDD splinter group in their rally in front of the National Anti-Corruption Commission HQ in Nonthabuir province.

In an ironic twist, a group of anti-government protesters also briefly rallied on Ratchadamnoen Avenue to mark the 4th anniversary of the crackdown, led by Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban, sec-gen of the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) and former Deputy Prime Minister who oversaw the deadly crackdown 4 years ago.

However, the PCAD vigil was more focused on the soldiers who lost their lives in the crackdown, including Col. Romklao Thuwatham, a field commander of the attacking troops at the time.

The demonstrators later marched back to their rally site in Lumpini Park without any incident.

Mr. Suthep and Mr. Abhisit are facing murder charges for their roles in the 2010 crackdown, though Mr. Suthep has postponed his appearance to the court, citing the need to lead his protests against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. Both men contested the charge, insisting that any death in the crackdown was caused by shadowy armed militants.

Nevertheless, previous court inquests have indicated that a number of civilians have been killed by soldiers operating under the orders of Mr. Abhisit and Mr. Suthep, including the six civilians who took shelter in a Buddhist temple on 19 May 2010.

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Royalists Suspect Thakin's Link To Canadian News Agency

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10 April 2014, 16:47

(10 April) A group of royalist activists have urged the police to take legal action against a Redshirts leader for allegedly defaming the monarchy in an interview with Vice News.

The activists also demanded that the authorities investigate any possible links between the Canada-based news agency and former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Mr. Wuttipong Kochthammakul, the leader of the "hardcore" Redshirts faction in Nonthaburi province, found himself in a hot water after the video of Vice News interview surfaced earlier this week that showed him talking about His Majesty the King in a negative way.

Cries for Mr. Wuttipong, who is also known by his nickname Ko Tee, to be prosecuted under the Thai lese majeste (insult of the monarchy) laws went up almost immediately from the ranks of anti-government critics, who have long viewed the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her allies as anti-monarchy republicans.

The government has attempted to distance itself from Ko Tee's remarks, while Ms. Yingluck herself reportedly instructed the police to investigate and prosecute the activist for his offensive remark.

Insults of the Thai Royal Family are punishable by up to 15 years in prison per offence.

Today a group of royalists under the name Citizens Volunteer For Defence Of Three Institutes Network met with police officers at the Crime Suppression Division HQ in Bangkok to file charges of Article 112 of the Thai Criminal Code against Ko Tee. The group brought a DVD copy of the Vice News interview as evidence.

Their leader, Mr. Baworn Yasinthorn, told reporters that Mr. Wuttipong has clearly violated Article 112, which prohibits any remarks deemed offensive to the monarchy, in the interview, and that he could no longer stand idly by. "So, we are here to press charges," Mr. Baworn spoke of his supporters.

Furthermore, Mr. Baworn asked the police to investigate whether Vice News is related to Mr. Roberts Amsterdam, a Canada-born lawyer and lobbyist hired by the former Prime Minister, who is also facing a separate lese majeste charge filed by an anti-government activist on Monday.

A quick Wikipedia research by Khaosod correspondent fails to uncover any published evidence of the suspected connection.

Mr. Baworn also expressed his concern over Ko Tee's threat in the interview that his supporters have been hoarding weapons and training for combat for the event of a civil war.

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Royalists Suspect Thaksin's Link To Canadian News Agency

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Khaosod English

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10 April 2014, 16:47

Still image from an April 2014 Vice News interview with Wutthipong Kochthammakul.

(10 April) A group of royalist activists have urged the police to take legal action against a Redshirt leader for allegedly defaming the monarchy in an interview with Vice News.

The activists also demanded that authorities investigate any possible links between the Canada-based news agency and former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Mr. Wuttipong Kochthammakul, the leader of a "hardcore" Redshirt faction in Nonthaburi province, found himself in hot water after the video of a Vice News interview surfaced earlier this week showing him speak about His Majesty the King in a negative way.

Cries for Mr. Wuttipong, who is also known by his nickname Ko Tee, to be prosecuted under the Thai lese majeste (insult of the monarchy) laws went up almost immediately from the ranks of anti-government critics, who have long viewed the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her allies as anti-monarchy republicans.

The government has attempted to distance itself from Ko Tee's remarks, while Ms. Yingluck herself reportedly instructed the police to investigate and prosecute the activist for his offensive remark.

Insults of the Thai Royal Family are punishable by up to 15 years in prison per offence.

Today a group of royalists under the name Citizens Volunteer For Defence Of Three Institutes Network met with police officers at the Crime Suppression Division HQ in Bangkok to file charges of violating Article 112 of the Thai Criminal Code against Ko Tee. The group brought a DVD copy of the Vice News interview as evidence.

Their leader, Mr. Baworn Yasinthorn, told reporters that Mr. Wuttipong has clearly violated Article 112, which prohibits any remarks deemed offensive to the monarchy, in the interview, and that he could no longer stand idly by. "So, we are here to press charges," Mr. Baworn spoke of his supporters.

Furthermore, Mr. Baworn asked the police to investigate whether Vice News is related to Mr. Roberts Amsterdam, a Canada-born lawyer and lobbyist hired by the former Prime Minister, who is also facing a separate lese majeste charge filed by an anti-government activist on Monday.

A quick Wikipedia research by Khaosod correspondent fails to uncover any published evidence of the suspected connection.

Mr. Baworn also expressed his concern over Ko Tee's threat in the interview that his supporters have been hoarding weapons and training for combat in the event of a civil war.

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Commuters Warned Of Accidents As Songkran Exodus Begins

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10 April 2014, 15:13

Public workers in Nakhon Ratchasima province erect a sign suggesting a shortcut for motorists on Mittaparp Road to help them avoid busy choke points during Songkran holidays, 10 April 2014

(10 April) Officials have warned motorists to take extra care on the roads as the Thai traditional New Year festival kicks off on Saturday.

Millions are thought to be traveling on the roads throughout the long holiday period of Songkran, which spans from 12 April to 15 April this year, such as families leaving the cities for vacations in outlying provinces, and urban immigrants returning to their rural hometowns.

The annual exodus from Bangkok metropolis is so large that many parts of the usually-busy capital city will appear deserted. Even the anti-government protest movements have agreed to enact a sort of truce during Songkran holidays, indicating that no major demonstration or rallies will take place until the holiday period is over.

A high number of road accidents and fatalities accompany Songkran each year, partly due to exhausted or drunk drivers during the holiday season.

This year, the government has urged each provincial authority to curb the problems by, among other procedures, setting up checkpoints to deter drunk-driving, placing traffic police officers at important chokepoints along the highways, and launching campaigns to inform motorists of the risks associated with commuting during the Songkran holiday period.

The government previously initiated a PR campaign called "Zero Death Songkran" to set up an ambitious – some would say virtually impossible – goal of achieving no road fatalities throughout the Songkran holiday season this year.

In Pitsanulok province, where highways connecting the northern region of Thailand with Bangkok meet, Mr. Wattana Kannapat, the provincial governor, opened a ceremony to raise awareness to motorists along the local roads today at a bus terminal in Mueang district.

Mr. Wattana said the authorities will double their vigilance to maintain road safety from 11-17 April, under a campaign called "Build Culture of Safety, Reduce Accidents Across Thailand For Songkran".

The governor added that he hoped the campaign would help Pitsanulok lessen the number of injuries and deaths resulting from road accidents this year; the previous year's record for Pitsanulok stood at 64 injuries and 7 fatalities.

Speaking at the bus terminal today, Mr. Wattana also assured the public that police officers will administer breathalyser and urine tests on a daily basis to public transport staff in the province to look for any trace of alcohol or narcotics consumption.

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Caught On CCTV: Cab Driver Shot Dead By 'Jealous Man'

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10 April 2014, 13:53

(10 April) The police have released CCTV footage of the murder of a taxi driver who was shot dead following a fistfight in Bangkok earlier this week.

Police said Mr. Duangchan Buakiew, 39, was shot in Soi Lat Phrao 114, Wang Thong Lang district, at around 03.00 on 8 April. A group of local residents rushed him to hospital, but he later succumbed to his severe injuries.

Medical workers found 2 gunshot wounds in Mr. Duangchan's stomach, and another on his left leg. The police also discovered 5 .45 bullet cases at the scene of the crime.

Witnesses told the police Mr. Duangchan was "flirting" with a girlfriend of another man prior to the incident. The man reportedly became enraged and engaged in a fistfight with Mr. Duangchan out of jealousy, but he eventually lost the fight to Mr. Duangchan and fled from the area.

In the CCTV footage obtained by the police, Mr. Duangchan could be seen walking to wash his bruised face in a water tank in an apartment's parking lot in Soi Latphrao 114, apparently thinking the fight was over. However, shortly afterwards the man, now armed with a hand gun, caught up with him and proceeded to shoot Mr. Duangchan dead.

Witnesses said the taxi driver could be heard pleading for mercy, but was ignored by the perpetrator, who fled the crime scene after the incident.

Police identified the man as Mr. Teerapat Rattanapat, a textile vendor and native of Nakhon Si Thammarat province. The court has approved the arrest warrant for Mr. Teerapat, and the police have urged any citizens who recognise the man from the CCTV footage to pass the information to the police force.

The police also dismissed a rumour that Mr. Duangchan was in fact a pro-government taxi driver who had been murdered by an anti-government protest guard, insisting that the case was purely motivated by a personal dispute.

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Bangkok 'Tollway OTOP Shop' Inaugurated

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9 April 2014, 20:38

(9 April) Shoppers can now browse for local goods produced by local communities across Thailand at state-sponsored shops under expressways in Bangkok.

Located under Ram Intra – Ploenchit – Silom Tollway in central Bangkok, these OTOP (One Tambon One Product) shops have been constructed by the Department of Community Development and opened to the public today.

The shops feature "quality items" such as foods, beverages, tools, accessories, clothes, and other souvenirs produced by local artisans in various Tambons (subdistricts) all over Thailand.

The OTOP program was initiated under the government of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and remains one of the most successful and least controversial legacies of his populist administration.

The shops under the "Under Tollway" project consist of "OTOP the Gallery" under Ploenchit expressway, the "OTOP Walking Street" under Silom section of the expressway, and the "OTOP Avenue" located just below Ram Intra tollway. All of the shops are operated daily from 10.00-22.00.

Each venue has been aimed to attract foreign tourists, businessmen, and office employees in their respective areas, said Mr. Pisan Prathanchawano, deputy director of the Department of Community Development, at the opening ceremony today.

Mr. Pisan said he'd like to express his sincere thanks to the Expressway Authority of Thailand, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the police, and OTOP shop-owners for participating in the project.

"I believe this program will be successful if we Thai citizens support these quality Thai products," Mr. Pisan said.

Mr. Kwanchai Wongnitikorn, director of the Department of Community Development, added that since OTOP kicked off 10 years ago, the program has generated more than 80 billion baht in revenue for local communities in all regions.

He hopes the project will greatly expanded now that additional OTOP shops have been opened in prime financial districts of the capital city.

"This project will not only consider the profits and income. It will also adhere to OTOP's main principle, which is to … help develop the skills and products of the local procurers, so they can rely on their own business in a sustained manner," Mr. Kwanchai told reporters.

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Buddha Issara To Sue Khaosod For B100 Mil.

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9 April 2014, 20:01

Anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban and Buddha Issara

(9 April) Anti-government monk activist has pledged to sue Khaosod and Matichon for libel, demanding 100 million baht in compensation.

Buddha Issara and his supporters marched from their rally site in Chaeng Wattana Road to the Criminal Court on Ratchadapisek Road today, where he submitted his letter to the court officials detailing his intention to file lawsuit against the two newspapers.

The monk alleged that Khaosod and Matichon have unfairly defamed him in their news coverage. He said he wanted the newspapers to pay him 100 million baht in damage.

Nevertheless, it is understood that Buddha Issara has not taken any formal steps in filing the libel lawsuit, and his appearance at the court today was merely symbolic.

The monk and his companions later had a brief "sit-in" on Ratchadapisek Road and ate their lunch, before marching away without incident.

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Buddha Issara To Sue Khaosod For B100 Mil.

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9 April 2014, 19:28

(9 April) Anti-government monk activist has pledged to sue Khaosod and Matichon for libel, demanding 100 million baht in compensation.

Buddha Issara and his supporters marched from their rally site in Chaeng Wattana Road to Criminal Court on Ratchadapisek Road today, where he submitted his letter to the court officials detailing his intention to file lawsuit against the two newspapers.

The monk alleged that Khaosod and Matichon have unfairly defamed him in their news coverage. He said he wanted the newspapers to pay him 100 million baht in damage.

Nevertheless, it is understood that Buddha Issara has not taken any formal step in filing the libel lawsuit, and his appearance at the court today was merely symbolic.

The monk and his companions later had a brief "sit-in" on Ratchadapisek Road and ate their lunch, before marching away without any incident.

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PM Orders Inquiry Over Ko Tee’s Monarchy Remark

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9 April 2014, 18:03

Mr. Wuttipong Kochthammakul, 16 January 2014

(9 April) Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has ordered an investigation into the footage of a Redshirt activist mentioning His Majesty the King in a negative way, a top official said.

Mr. Suranand Vejjajiva, Secretary to Ms. Yingluck, said the Prime Minister has specifically asked the police to launch a criminal prosecution against the activist, Mr. Wuttipong Kochthammakul, on the charge of lese majeste (insult of the monarchy).

Mr. Wuttipong, aka Ko Tee, who leads a local Redshirt group in Pathum Thanee province, has appeared in a documentary about the ongoing political crisis in Thailand, produced by Canadian-based news agency Vice.

In the documentary, Mr. Wuttipong talked negatively about His Majesty the King to the host. Due to strict lese majeste laws, Khaosod cannot reproduce or republish the remarks.

The video appeared to have been filmed in the days prior to the general election on 2 February, but was not uploaded to Youtube until this week.

Mr. Suranand added that the police will find and prosecute “the person who uploaded the clip”, although he did not say whether there will be any legal action against the news agency.

Any remark deemed offensive to the Royal Family is prohibited under the Article 112 of the Criminal Codes, with the maximum penalty of 15 years in jail per offence.

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