(6 March) Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army has suggested that troops checkpoints in Bangkok might be redecorated to convey a friendly appearance.

"We may place flowers on them and install some pink curtains," Gen. Prayuth Chan-Ocha told reporters today.

His remark came after a number of citizens complained that they felt intimidated by various "bunkers" manned by army troops in downtown Bangkok.

The bunkers – mostly composed of sandbags and green camouflaging nets – have been constructed around the perimeter of the protest sites of the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) in recent weeks.

Army officials insisted that the soldiers were not armed, except for a few officers who were permitted to carry handguns, and their presence was aimed to maintain public safety amid the spree of almost-nightly attacks on protest sites.

Nevertheless, the troops deployment drew criticism from pro-government supporters who view the army as siding with PCAD protesters, and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has recently expressed her concern that presence of soldiers in financial districts of Bangkok may damage the country's image.

Gen. Prayuth said he accepted these complaints, but also asked the public to understand the army. 

"We have to build the bunkers to shelter the soldiers, because the soldiers were not armed," Gen. Prayuth said.

He added, "We will make the bunkers look more friendly. But soldiers are soldiers. Do you want us to look weak and humble and neat like traditional dancers?"

(6 March) Anti-government activists have urged the police to take swift action against a group of alleged "separatists" in northern Thailand.

The activists were led by Ms. Chitpas Kridakorn, a leading member of the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) and a former member of the Bhirombhakdi clan, which owns the famous Singha beer. 

In a letter handed by Ms. Chitpas to the police at the Royal Thai Police headquarters this morning, the group claimed that a secessionist group called "Sor Por Por Lanna" is currently active in the northern and northeastern regions of Thailand, with the aim of establishing an independent state of Lanna.

It appears Ms. Chitpas' group was referring to a pro-democracy group with similar name which has previously declared that it has no secessionist agendas.

Furthermore, she urged the police to prosecute Mr. Wuttipong Kochthammakul, a prominent Redshirt activist, for his alleged role in the gun-battle between pro-government and anti-government protesters at Laksi district in Bangkok on 1 February. 

Mr. Wuttipong has also defamed the Royal Family in many occasions and so deserves legal prosecution, Ms. Chitpas claimed.

Related Story: Army Declares War On Non-Existing Separatists

(6 March) India-born anti-government activist has appealed to His Majesty the King to overrule the government's effort to have him deported.

The Centre for Maintaining of Peace and Order (CMPO) has previously vowed to pursue a deportation process against Mr. Satit Segal, a prominent businessman and a core leader of the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD).

According to the CMPO, Mr. Satit has violated the emergency decree, which bans all political gathering, by engaging in anti-government campaigns alongside other PCAD leaders. The CMPO also warned that other foreigners who joined the protests might face similar action.

Mr. Satit has repeatedly insisted that although he never official received the Thai citizenship, he has been residing in Thailand for decades and no state agency has ever taken action against him in the past.

The Indian Embassy today confirmed to our correspondent that the CMPO has finalised its procedure to revoke Mr. Satit's rights of abode in Thailand. In theory, the police can now arrest Mr. Satit and promptly deport him to India.

As a response to the development, Mr. Satit has appointed his lawyer to file a royal petition to His Majesty the King at the Royal Household Bureau at around 09.00 today.

The petition calls for His Majesty the King to bestow clemency upon the India-born activist and suspend his deportation notice.

The lawyer was accompanied by Mr. Satit's brother, Mr. Arthit Segal. He said his brother could not file the petition himself today due to security concerns.

Mr. Arthit stresed that Mr. Satit has been a loyal subject of the Thai monarchy, and his political activism is driven by his desire to honour the monarchy.

"My family, especially my 90 years old mother, is very saddened by what is going on," Mr. Arthit said.

He also claimed that Mr. Satit has never received any summon or notice of his alleged wrongdoing by any state agencies, including the CMPO.

Mr. Satit's lawyer added that Mr. Thaworn Senniam, a PCAD core leader, will take legal action against the CMPO for its effort to deport Mr. Satit. 

Meanwhile, CMPO chaiman, Mr. Chalerm Yoobamrung, declined to comment about Mr. Satit's royal petition, but insisted that his agency is bound by duties to prosecute Mr. Satit for his involvement in the ongoing protests.

"If he didn't do anything, why would I sign his deportation order?" Mr. Chalerm told reporters, adding that he has no personal grudge toward the India-born businessman. 

"I don't even personally know him," Mr. Chalerm said.

(5 March) A top governmental official has suggested that a grenade attack at an anti-government protest leader's resident might be an attempt to frame the government.

Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Deputy Prime Minister and adviser to the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO), delivered the remark hours after a grenade was hurled at the residence of Mr. Nataphol Teepsuwan, a core member of the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD).

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

(5 March) Two anti-government protest guards have been arrested for possessing handguns and a number of combat equipment without permits.

The men were searched by the police as their vehicle passed through a police checkpoint in front of Pheu Thai Party headquarters on New Petchaburi Road in Bangkok at around 05.30 today.

The search uncovered two handguns, 24 handgun bullets, two body armours, three gas masks, one walkie-talkie radio, and ID cards for security unit of the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD).

The police identified them as Mr. Bundit Samulbongkarn, 41, and Mr. Ekkachai Polphakdee, 34. The suspects were natives of Chumpon and Songkhla provinces.

 They have been charged with possessing firearms without valid permits, possessing radio equipment without valid permits, and carrying firearms into residential areas without due cause.

The suspects refused to give testimony to the police, insisting that they would only testify in the court. 

(4 March) The wife of a local Redshirts leader in Udon Thani province is running for a Senator's seat.

Ms. Arphon Sarakham, the wife of Mr. Kwanchai Praipana, was greeted by a large group of supporters as she arrived at Udon Thani City Hall to officially register for the senatorial campaign.

Many of them handed red roses to Ms. Arphon as their expression of support for her.

At least 3 other candidates will contest the seat.

Ms. Arphon is a former director of FM 97.50 radio station based in Udon Thani province. Her husband, Mr. Kwanchai, is a prominent member of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) and is widely revered by Redshirts in the province.

Mr. Kwanchai is still recovering from gunshot injures in a hospital after a group of assailants attempted to assassinate him in January.

(4 March) A member of the Redshirts has been beaten and left to die in a river east of Bangkok by a group of anti-government militants, police reports claim.

The police said in a statement that Mr. Yuem Villa was found near Bang Pakong River by locals in Chachoengsao province few days ago. 

He was reportedly sent to Bang Pakong Hospital where he is still being treated for his injuries.

According to the police, Mr. Yuem identified himself as a security guard and a member of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD). He is also described as a native of Uttaradit province and an employee of Lohakij Auto Parts Import Company in Bangkok.

Mr. Yuem reportedly said he was relaxing in Lumpini Park on the morning of 24 February when he was approached by a pair of anti-government protest "guards".

The guards allegedly belonged to the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), which has been organising rallies in the vicinity of Lumini Park.

Police reports claim that PCAD guards searched Mr. Yuem and found a UDD membership card which was issued in 2010. Upon the discovery, the PCAD guards allegedly escorted Mr. Yuem to a tent where a PCAD core leader, Mr. Issara Somchai, interrogated him and several guards physically assaulted him.

Mr. Yuem was reportedly detained in the tent until 1 March, when, according to the reports provided by the police, the guards tied his hands and feet and placed him into a car. 

The guards allegedly drove Mr. Yuem to a bridge over Bang Pakong River on Bangna-Trat Road and proceeded to drop him into the river, with his feet and hands still bound by ropes.

However, he was promptly rescued by a group of locals who were on a boat nearby, the police said.  

Medical workers at Bang Pakong Hospital said Mr. Yuem suffered bruises on his body while his lung was also damaged. 

The police say the investigation is ongoing. 

Reports of violent acts and intimidation committed by PCAD guards have been circulating in the media in recent weeks. Some of the guards are believed to be armed.