Saksith Saiyasombut 5/5/10 Saksith Saiyasombut 5/5/10

Red Shirt Leaders Accept PM's Offer, But...

Unsurprisingly, the red shirts have accepted Abhisit's offer that will eventually lead to new elections on November 14, but not without a list of their demands to be fulfilled before anything happens.

The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) has resolved to join Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's roadmap for reconciliation, Veera Musikhapong said after a meeting of UDD leaders on Tuesday evening.

Mr Veera, the UDD chairman, said all red-shirt leaders made the resolution unanimously because the UDD had long proposed for it. Moreover, the UDD did not want to see more deaths and injuries as a result of the political conflict.

However, the UDD, in entering the reconciliation process, wanted the prime minister to set the timeframe for House dissolution because it is within his power to do so and leave it to the Election Commission to fix the election date.

Moreover, the government must immediately show its sincerity by ending all forms of intimidation against the red shirts, he said.

"UDD accepts PM's reconciliation roadmap", Bangkok Post, May 4, 2010

Other demands include...

(...)

- Red-shirt leaders do not need an amnesty for terrorism and lese majeste charges.

- The government must stop dragging the monarchy into political conflicts.

- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) must take over all cases involving incidents on April 10, 22 and 28.

(...)

- The government should return basic rights to the citizens such as the freedom of movement, expression and the right to know. (...)

- The DSI should also charge the yellow-shirt group, which had earlier closed Bangkok airports, on counts of terrorism and lese majeste.

- The red-shirt protesters reserve the right to continue their rally in the heart of the capital until Abhisit announces the date for House dissolution.

- The government should reopen all red-shirt media outlets and give the movement freedom of communication.

"Acceptable if...", The Nation, May 5, 2010

They have a fair point that the prime minister can not simply set the date for new elections as he has to dissolve parliament first. Also, as mentioned yesterday, section 108 of the constitution says:

Section 108. (...) The dissolution of the House of Representatives shall be made in the form of a Royal Decree in which the day for a new general election must be fixed for not less than forty-five days but not more than sixty days as from the day the House of Representatives has been dissolved and such election day must be the same throughout the Kingdom. (...)

Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand 2007, Unofficial translation

Assuming that November 14 is supposed to be election day, parliament must be dissolved between September 15 until October 1.

The only eye-catching thing for me was the refusal for an amnesty for the red shirt leaders on terrorist and lease-majesté charges. But on the other hand, the yellow shirts probably would protest heavily if their opponents would get a free pass (like the PAD themselves, as the court case against their leaders for seizing the two airports in 2008 has been countlessly postponed until today).

What's next? We are now, if we do not have yet another sudden twist, entering the definite last phase of these anti-government protests now. One issue that was missing from the red shirts answer last night was when the protesters will leave and give up the Rajaprasong rally site they have been occupying for a month now. Obviously the red leaders wanted more concrete concessions by the government before anyone goes home. It will only be a matter of time when they will disperse and by the looks of it, it will be very soon.

As for Abhisit, the ball is back on his court and it's not only up to him how this will fold out, but also his Democrat Party and the coalition partners. One might wonder why Abhisit has not talked with them before the offer? On Tuesday morning, all people (except for deputy prime minister Suthep and a few Democrat MPs) on his side were stumped, including his mentor and former prime minister Chuan Leekpai who was "not aware" of the PM's plans and opposes them, saying that he shouldn't give in to the red shirts demands and that there are other ways to the solution. Abhisit has now a lot convincing to do during the meetings with his own party and the coalition parties, that at least have partly shown their support for the roadmap (or at least the idea of it).

Also one thing that we will see appearing is who will claim victory. The red shirts will because the government has caved in to the protesters and has partly fulfilled some demands, the government will because a political solution was found with no further bloodshed. Either way, like Abhisit said "not all parties will be satisfied with this proposal," as the (surprise, surprise!) the yellow shirts have already voiced their displeasure.

Negotiations Between Red Shirts and Government Failed Again

"Red base through their bamboo fort! #redshirts #redtweet" (Picture courtesy of @Dany_k)

In the light of the deadly blasts on Thursday evening in Silom, killing one person (not 3 as previously reported), a tiny glimmer of hope emerged as the anti-government red shirts offered to continue negotiating talks with the government, but was soon dashed as they rejected the red shirts' compromise.

The red shirts demanded parliament to be dissolved in 30 days (instead of previously two weeks or right away) and an independent inquiry on the deadly clashes of April 10, in order for the protesters to disperse.

But prime minister Abhisit rejected the offer. In an interview with Al Jazeera English, he explained why.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yJ_IkjBu4I&playnext_from=TL&videos=ECEfSsruZ0I&w=600&h=360]"Thai PM rejects offer from red shirts", video by Al Jazeera English

With the rejection by the prime minister hopes for a peaceful and soonish solution have been yet again shattered.

On Sunday Abhisit appeared on TV, siting alongside with army chief Gen. Anupong Paochinda, to elaborate further on his decision.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on television Sunday that he continued to seek a peaceful solution to the country’s tense political standoff but that he would not give in to what he called intimidation by anti-government demonstrators.

With his military commander, Gen. Anupong Paochinda, sitting beside him, he rejected a call by the “red shirt” protesters for a dissolution of Parliament within 30 days, saying, “The ultimatum is just aimed at getting the attention of the foreign media.” (...)

“Negotiations must be done to find a solution for most of the country, not just the red shirts, who are just part of society,” Mr. Abhisit said.

"Thai Prime Minister Stands His Ground", New York Times, April 25, 2010

There was a minor incident that might have prevented Abhisit to get his message across to everybody*.

The program went off the air briefly, with the prime minister later blaming the disruption on "ill-intentioned people." Thailand's police force, army and other agencies are believed to be infiltrated by Red Shirt supporters, but it was unclear whether the opposition somehow disrupted the television signal.

"Thai PM says he underestimated protesters", Associated Press, April 25, 2010

*It can be debated that anyone watches the prime minister's weekly television show - it's boring!

Saksith Saiyasombut 4/24/10 Saksith Saiyasombut 4/24/10

Shameless Self-Plug: Al Jazeera's Listening Post on Media Coverage of Thai Protests

This is not going to help ending my continuous praise for Al Jazeera English's regular and good coverage on Thailand and the current protests in particular. The channel's media magazine Listening Post examines the media's role in the anti-government protests and how both sides are battling each other on the airwaves and online. Also, yours truly makes an appearance on the Global Village Voices segment where I give my opinion about the media coverage of the protests, beginning at the 8:15 minute mark - followed by Chiranuch Premchaiporn, webmaster of the embattled news site Prachatai.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIqkTX_FKDU&playnext_from=TL&videos=WLUBzJqT_jI&w=600&h=360]

Troops Deployed to Silom Area as Rumors of Crackdown Continue

Pictures emerged from Bangkok on Monday morning of troops securing various spots in Silom, the financial area of Bangkok. A few hours ago rumors of a crackdown have been making the rounds at the main rally site of the red shirts as the mood has been reported as tense. Tony Joh of Thai-FAQ.com, who has also filmed the violent escalations, has posted a video of today's developments and gives a pretty spot-on analysis of the current situation.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksErwZmYQUQ&w=600&h=360]"Is a crackdown on the red protesters imminent?", video by Tony Joh of Thai-FAQ.com

The morning news on ThaiPBS were the first to show footage of the troops moving in Silom.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfpGYrZwYME&w=600&h=360]Video via YouTube. Watch Part 1 here.

All the commotion of the morning turned out to be a strategic move of the army to secure Silom after the red shirts have planned (or at least hinted) to rally there.

Nonetheless rumors of a crackdown are still persistently making the rounds. Matichon has on Monday evening quoted red shirt leader Jatuporn to have 'leaked intelligence of an army crackdown' (in Thai). He explains that he has received the details by so called 'watermelon soldiers', who are sympathetic to the red shirts. The precursor was the planned meeting of army commanders on Monday headed by the newly installed head of the security operation, army chief Gen. Anupong. This meeting has been postponed to the end of the week though. However, as Jatuporn claims, the meeting actually took place secretly in the evening.

The 'leaked details' list several numbers of troop sizes, weapons, (rubber) bullets and drills. Furthermore, it plans the dispersal of the protestors ("3. สลายผู้ชุมนุม"), capturing the red shirt leaders dead or alive ("2. จับแกนนำ...ทั้งที่เป็นการจับเป็นและจับตาย") and invoking of a total media blackout ("1. ปิดสื่อทั้งหมด...") of red shirt news outlets, including SMS services ("จะเป็นการปิดการส่งข้อความสั้น"). But what stands out most of all these alleged 'leaked details' is that "it was said in the meeting that the loss of 500 lives is acceptable" (ในที่ประชุมมีการพูดว่า สูญเสีย 500 ชีวิตก็ต้องยอม).

Rumor or not - I took this admittedly extreme example to showcase how rumors like these increase the tension in the current situation. As mentioned at the beginning, the rumors of a crackdown on Monday morning let the mood at the rally site drop significantly. This rumor however, seems to be less plausible.

Even though the army has intensify their efforts around the red shirts, with special units called in, troops placed on the rooftops of the high buildings surrounding the Rajaprasong area and also allowed to use live rounds (for their self-defence, of course); how are they going to disperse so many people at the rally? How will the military be able to control this large crowd in a dispersal (I'm not even talking about a peaceful one!)?

As I said many times before, this deadlock to getting more unsolvable day by day. The longer this will drag on, the more abrupt the end will be.

Saksith Saiyasombut 4/13/10 Saksith Saiyasombut 4/13/10

Al Jazeera English's "Inside Story: Thailand on the edge"

Al Jazeera English is in my opinion one of very few international media organizations that has regular and well-balanced coverage on the ongoing Thai political crisis in recent years (see their 45-minute special). So in a very timely fashion they aired today a new edition of Inside Story about the recent developments in Thailand again, hosted by Hamish Macdonald. He is joined later by a panel consisting of UDD international spokesman Sean Boonpracong, Pravit Rojanaphruk, political editor at The Nation ("a pro-government newspaper" as noted by the host) and Dr. Tim Forsyth from the London School of Economics. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_91YdFJtIc&playnext_from=TL&videos=Mw09ilO9Ow0&w=600&h=360]

What I particularly like is the description of the yellow and red shirts that goes a bit more beyond the usual "red=Thaksin-supporters and yellow=royalists"-narrative.

Already a few weeks ago, when the red shirts were symbolically spilling blood onto the streets and gates, they aired another Inside Story on Thailand with nearly the same panel, except that time they were joined by Supong Limtanakool of Bangkok University.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERYhkA9rjvI&feature=related&w=600&h=360]

Saksith Saiyasombut 4/10/10 Saksith Saiyasombut 4/10/10

The Crackdown Has Begun UPDATE 21 killed, 858 injured

After a whole month of protests, it appears that the government is cracking down on the red shirts. The situation is currently very hard to overlook from here with many unconfirmed and unvetted information coming in. Nearly all TV channels in Thailand are in news blackout mode as they are airing the usual fluffy nonsense instead of live pictures from the scene.

So far, no serious injuries or casualties has been reported. There are several hot spots around Bangkok. The army has been using rubber bullets and also fired warning shots in the air. BTS Skytrain has suspended it's service.

To keep up with latest, Bangkok Pundit has a live blog, New Mandala has an open thread, Nick Koleszar of media140 has posted links to livestreams of Thai TV news.

I will try to update live on Twitter (@Saksith) as the events are unfolding.

UPDATE (Sunday, 2.00 PM CEST):

The Nation has reported that the number of deaths and injured has risen to 21 and 858 respectively.

UPDATE 7 (10.30 PM CEST): My last update for today. Stay safe out there!

Cover of The Nation, April 11, 2010

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL0s7ADT11A&playnext_from=TL&videos=nVPKhzE_I10&w=600&h=360]Video by Associated Press

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIR6XqQWz_M&feature=channel&w=600&h=360]Video by Al Jazeera English

The Nation has the most recent numbers of deaths and injured. Be also sure to read the whole article for details.

Eleven people were reported to have died and 678 injured from clashes between security forces and red-shirt demonstrators in different parts of the capital, National Emergency Centre's director Phetpong Kamchornkijakarn said late last night.

He said of the casualties, nine were civilians and two were soldiers. Of the civilians killed, eight were red-shirt protesters, while the ninth was a Japanese man who worked as a photographer for Thomson-Reuters.

"11 dead, 678 injured in Bangkok clashes", The Nation, April 11, 2010

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva last night expressed sorrow for the deaths following clashes between soldiers and protesters.

In his speech broadcast at 11.25 pm, Abhisit said he and his government still have the duty to ease the situation and restore peace in the country. "I promise the government will carry out [the task] with transparency, fairly and in a way that benefits the country and the people," he said. (...)

He said there must be independent investigation to be conducted by experts to determine the causes of deaths. "Both sides should not accuse each other of causing the losses."

"PM mourns loss of lives", The Nation, April 11, 2010

UPDATE 6 (5.30 PM CEST):

Four civilians and four soldiers were killed in clashes between the army and red shirt protesters, the Bangkok deputy governor said on Saturday without giving details.

Deputy governor of Bangkok Malinee Sukavrejworakit also said 242 people were wounded.

"Thai "red shirt" clashes kill eight - Bangkok governor", Reuters, April 10, 2010

UPDATE 5 (4.40 PM CEST):

The first casualties are being reported on both sides. Emergency medical services 5 are being reportedly killed and 300 injured The red shirts at the Rajprasong stage have shown bodies wrapped in Thai flag.

Additionally the red shirt leaders have reported that a Japanese Reuters reporter named Huroyuki Muramoto has been killed with a shot wound to the stomach.

Both army and red shirts have retreated from the Kok Wua intersection, as it is reported secretary-general Korbsak Sabhavasu will try to contact the red shirt leaders for negotiating talks.

UPDATE 4 (3.55 PM CEST):

The situation at Kok Wua intersection near Khao San Road is seriously deteriorating by the minute as we speak. TV pictures show massive riots, smoke and fire. Injuries on both sides are being reported.

UPDATE 3 (3.05 PM CEST):

Al Jazeera English reports that clashes have reignited as red shirts have hurled petrol bombs at police and military forces. Other reports suggest that it is at Kok Woa intersection. Also, the area near the famous Khao San Road was jammed packed with red shirts. Right now the police has blocked off Khao San Road as gunshots were heard around the area.

The large bulk of the red shirt protest are still at Rajaprasong Intersection. A Twitterer has captured a long line of red shirts queuing up for free food.

Meanwhile, the name of the injured foreign journalist is Vinai Dithajon, a photographer for ONASIA. AP Photographer Thanyarat Doksone (@babyfishie on Twitter) has talked to him and "He's safe. The 'bullet' has been removed from his calf." Reports are conflicting wether the bullet is real one or 'just' a rubber bullet.

UPDATE 2 (2.10 PM CEST):

The situation appears to cool down at the moment as the security forces have backed off from the Ploen Chit area.

There were reports of helicopters throwing tear gas into the crowd of protestors around the area at Phan Fah and Rajadamnoen Road (see eyewitness picture from earlier below).

At least 135 people, including dozens of soldiers and police, were wounded in the violence near the Phan Fah bridge and Rajdumnoen Road, a red shirt base near government buildings and the regional U.N. headquarters.

(...) At least five people suffered gunshot wounds near Phan Fah bridge, including a freelance photographer shot in the stomach, hospital officials said. The injuries were believed to be from rubber bullets.

"Thai troops open fire, move in on "red shirts"", Reuters, April 10, 2010

About 600 Thai "red shirt" protesters broke into a local government office in the northeast city of Udon Thani, angry at a crackdown on their movement in the capital, local television said.

Earlier, hundreds of red shirts forced their way into the governor's office compound in the northern city of Chiang Mai.

In Udon Thani, the protesters broke through the gates, cut barbed wire, removed barricades and entered the compound of the town hall, local television said.

The red shirts had vowed that they would besiege governors' offices in the provinces if there was a crackdown on their one-month-old protest in the capital for fresh elections. (...)

"Thai red shirts protest in second province", Reuters, April 10, 2010

UPDATE 1 (12.15 PM CEST):

Government spokesman Panitan and army spokesman Col. Sansern just finished addressing the public about the current situation. Col. Sansern said that the armed forces were only shooting into the air to disperse the crowd and two soldiers were injured.

A ThaiPBS reporter showed that their cars have been hit by a stray bullet.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwP8-YFPY1k&w=600&h=360]

There have been reports that a foreign, possibly American, reporter has been injured by a bullet. Pantip forums has a screenshot from PTV showing the man being treated.

Teargas at Khok Wua intersection. (Picture by @legalnomads)

Saksith Saiyasombut 4/10/10 Saksith Saiyasombut 4/10/10

Red Shirts Storm Satellite Station as Questions About Army's Loyalty Arise

(Picture by @SaiManasvee)

First it was taken off air, then back on, and now it is off air again.

Today's action saw yet another escalation in the increasing fierce anti-government protests of the red shirts as they stormed a television satellite compound in the North of Bangkok in order to get their television People's Channel back on air again.

People's Channel (PTV) was founded by former executives of the now disbanded Thai Rak Thai party of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, whose involvement and financial support is being regularly denied. This channel acts in the same way as a mouthpiece for the red shirt protesters as it does for the yellow shirts with their channel ASTV. Almost non-stop they are broadcasting the happenings on the rally stages and were also very quick to show the events surrounding the actions unfolding, such as the bizarre blood stunt.

It was hardly surprising that under the state of emergency decree this channel was about to be taken off air, as much hardly surprising as the red shirts were going to try to regain control at the aforementioned satellite. What was surprising though were the scenes on the ground as the protesters clashed with military and police.

Hurling rocks and Molotov cocktails, the protesters breached the barbed-wire perimeter of Thaicom Public Co. Ltd. within minutes, but did not enter the main building. As they moved into the compound, security forces threw tear gas canisters and fired water cannons but then quickly retreated into the main building as thousands of protesters swarmed around it. (...)

After the clash, some security forces were seen throwing down their shields and riot gear and shaking hands with the protesters. In recent weeks, police have frequently shown sympathy with the protesters and analysts say the security forces, especially the police, are split in their loyalties, making it difficult for the government to enforce its orders.

The Red Shirts offered water to soldiers and police, and showed reporters a small cache of weapons, including M-16 assault rifles, they had seized from soldiers.

''We've got the upper hand. But we no longer can claim we are peaceful,'' said Thep Jitra, one of the protesters. ''I suppose (those who broke into compound) have been emotionally repressed for so long. I'm sure this is such a release for them. This is payback time.''

"Thai Protesters Storm Into TV Station", Associated Press via The New York Times, April 9, 2010

The incidents today yet again poses the question about the (for a lack of a better term) loyalty of the security forces. As mentioned in the article above, there have been scenes of sympathy with the red shirts. While this is in conformity with the non-confrontational stance of the government towards them (and so far mostly that was the case), there are doubts about on which side the armed forces are now, especially since the enforcement of the state of emergency has still not occurred yet.

Warangkana Chomchuen of NBC News raises the issue of so-called 'watermelon soldiers' within the ranks of the army.

Ever since that incident [Black May 1992], handling government protesters of any ideological stripe with force has become sensitive and the army doesn’t want to be a villain.

But many believe the army remains active behind the scenes and that the relationship between the military and politicians is inseparable. Especially since politicians help advance soldiers’ careers, and cordial relations with the government help smooth the way for budget allocations and weapons purchases.

In recent weeks, however, the term "watermelon soldiers" has been used to describe troops who wear green uniforms, but are sympathetic to the Red Shirts.

"Whose Side is the Thai Military On?", Warangkana Chomchuen, NBC News, April 9, 2010

The term 'watermelon soldiers' has been also mentioned by one of the red shirt leaders (cannot remember which one) earlier this week just shortly after the state of emergency has been declared, saying that many high-ranking officers are indeed 'watermelon soldiers' and will try to avoid to disperse the protesters.

Meanwhile, PTV has been yanked off the air again, as the red shirts left to returned to Bangkok and the army moved back in again. The cat and mouse game continues.

Government-Red Shirt Talks, Round 2

Screenshot by ThaiTVNews

The second round of negotiating talks between the government and their opposing red shirts have seen an increased amount of feisty words, but still lacking any breakthrough deal. Though some progress was there, as seen again for everyone on nationwide TV and radio.

Thailand's prime minister offered Monday to dissolve parliament by the end of the year, but protesters demanding he step down did not immediately accept the compromise, which could have helped resolve the country's political crisis.

(...) The Red Shirts are calling on Abhisit to take action within 15 days, but seemed to express some willingness to extend their deadline.

There were no agreements reached Monday, and even the question of further meetings was left in limbo.

"The negotiations with the government have come to an end. But just how we'd move on from here, I would have to discuss this with my people," Jatuporn told reporters afterward.

(...) Monday's meeting, which lasted two hours, began on a more combative note than Sunday's initial talks, with representatives of the two sides pointing fingers and interrupting each other.

"The current climate is marred with tension and violent tendencies," said Abhisit, in what appeared to be a reference to several unexplained nonfatal grenade attacks around Bangkok in recent days. "One of my concerns is that, as prime minister, I need to create a favorable climate for elections. I have to also consider the opinions of the greater public — who do not necessarily align with particular colors."

(...) Abhisit said he wanted time for his government to carry out such tasks as passing a new budget. But taking action at the end of the year would also allow him to oversee the annual reshuffle of the military, which often interferes in politics. (...)

"Thai PM offers to dissolve parliament by year end", The Associated Press, March 29, 2010

Initially on of the main argument points is if the constitutions has to be amended before, as the reds demanded, or after an election, which the government favors partly for the reasons stated above. It is up the to the red shirts now, whether they still want the government to dissolve now or accept a greater timeframe that could be the end of the year or a few months earlier as mentioned by the reds during the talks. The next (possible) meeting will be on Thursday as PM Abhisit is out of the country.

Full video of Tuesday's talks can be watched here.

Saksith Saiyasombut 3/29/10 Saksith Saiyasombut 3/29/10

Red March on Bangkok - PM Abhisit Talks With Red Shirt Leaders UPDATED

UPDATE: Added two links, one with full video of the talk and Bangkok Pundit's summary of what's been said, down below. As we enter the third week of the anti-government protests by the red shirts, Sunday witnessed an interesting turn of events as prime minister Abhisit Vejjajva agreed to talk with the red shirt leaders, live on nationwide TV!

This is so far to a degree astonishing, since at the beginning of the day everything looked like another protest day with no concrete movement in any direction whatsoever. In the morning the red shirts have rallied at the 11th infantry regiment (again), where PM Abhisit resides since the start of the protests. Abhisit himself was not present at the military base, who hosted his weekly TV show from a different location, saying he would "not bow to ultimatums." But then, about two hours later...

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is ready to hold negotiations with representatives of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, and his secretary-general Korbsak Sabhavasu is coordinating with the UDD to make the necessary arrangements, PM's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey said in a televised statement on Sunday morning.

The decision came as a large number of red-shirt protesters were massing outside the 11th Infantry Regiment camp where Mr Abhisit has been staying for the past two weeks since the rally began.

Mr Sathit said the government wants the situation in the country to return to normal as soon as possible.

(...) Mr Korbsak said the mass gathering of red shirts in front of the 11th Infantry Division camp was considered by the prime minister as a threat and intimidation. He said the withdrawal of the red shirts would improve the climate.

On Sunday morning, the UDD gave the prime minister until 10.15am to arrange the talks. Soon after this, Mr Sathit appeared on television to tell the public of the latest developments.

"Govt, reds edge towards talks", Bangkok Post, March 28, 2010

Thanong Khanthong of The Nation (yes, that bloke!) had his very own theory even before the announcement.

Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, the defence minister, and Gen Anupong Paochinda warned Abhisit that he has to step forward to hold talks with the Red Shirts. Otherwise, the Military would abandon their support of the Abhisit government and the Coalition would be asked to form a new government with Pheu Thai Party as a core.

The prime minister must have felt that he is being forced into the corner. (...) The Democrats' bargaining power appears to be eroding. The soldiers, who come out of the barracks under the Internal Security Act, are getting tired and feeling very edgy. If the Red Shirts provoke the Military further, there could be accidental shooting by one of the soldiers. The Military are afraid that if their soldiers were to shoot the Red Shirts first, they and the government would immediately lose legitimacy.

"Abhisit Is Being Forced Into the Corner", by Thanong Khanthong, Nation Blog, March 28, 2010

At 4 PM in the afternoon both sides met at a neutral location, the King Prajadhipok’s Institute, an educational center on the outskirts of Bangkok. Given the very sudden nature of the events, some negotiations preluded the talks. The government side was represented by prime minister Abhisit, secretary-general Korbsak Sabhavasu and Democrat Party executive Chamni Sakdiset. For the red shirts Veera Musikhapong, Jatuporn Prompan and Weng Tojirakarn sat at the table.

After three hours of calm talks, both sides agreed to postpone until Monday at the same time. Overall this talk laid the fundamental arguments of both sides. It cannot be expected that a breakthrough deal would occur right at the first meeting, but the fact that both sides were able to sit down and make their points clear to everybody is encouraging. Bangkok Post has written a quick summary of the talking points.

The biggest surprise for me then was that the entire talk was televised on national TV, one of the pre-talk demands by the red shirts. Almost all free-tv channels broadcasted the meeting live and even though I can imagine that many people (read: not politically interested) simply changed channels or switched off, the availability of transparency during such an important turning point is no doubt a good thing. The cameras might have led the participants to leave any hostility and polemics at the door. Also, as an analyst on ThaiPBS said, it gave supporters of the red shirts and yellow shirts (who have been very quiet during the past weeks) to hear the central points of both sides, since they tend to watch and listen to media organizations of their own peer. (The Christian Science Monitor has written a piece about partiality in Thai media.)

Where are we now? From a factual standpoint we moved nowhere! The deadlock between both fractions has hardly loosen, no resolutions were made during the first talk and the central demands stayed the same. In fact Jatuporn, one of the red shirt leaders at the table, gave Abhisit two weeks time to consider dissolving the house and later in the evening on the rally stage declared that there'll be just a 'yes' or a 'no'. This reduces the talk on Monday to a do-or-die situation. A walkout or any similar acts by the red shirt tomorrow would swiftly destroy any momentum. But what we can gain from Sunday's landmark talks is that these people are ready to sit down and discuss why we got into the political mess in the first place. A quick solution is still far, far away but in these tense times, it's the little things that count.

What Else? No. 2 - Prude Lakorn Edition

“What Else?” is a regular look at all the other things that happened in Thailand, Germany, on the web and in between. A quiet week here on the blog, but I have a few articles prepared. Meanwhile, let's have a quick look what's left this week.

Patrick Winn examines why the M79 grenade launcher is the preferred weapon against political targets. The troubling part is not the easy usage or its availability, but the increasing frequency it is used to terrorize certain political fractions and the broad unrest it creates.

Tumbler, a fellow blogger and twitterer, has dug up a very compelling example that the rift between the so-called 'educated' and 'un-educated' existed long before the deep political crisis of today. A 2008 study on "How East Asians View Democracy" has asked among other things this question: “Do you agree or disagree: People with little or no education should have as much say in politics as highly educated people?”. The results from Thailand are more than sobering...

Does anybody of you watch Thai TV soaps, also known as lakorns? Well, it's always the same pattern isn't it? Andrew Biggs, a Bangkok-based journalist and TV/radio host, has written a piece for the Bangkok Post on a certain hypocrisy often seen on Thai TV. Explicit violence? Hell yeah! On-screen love? God forbid, NO!

And finally it's time for the "WTF?! of the week" where I ‘honor’ stories, persons or anything that makes us initially shout those three letters of confusion. Photographer John Le Fevre has tweeted that English language section of Thailand's government PR department website was blacklisted by Google for being a malicious site, which I also retweeted. But currently Google says the site is not suspicious and it appears to be back to normal again. However, Andy from the blog "Changwat, Amphoe, Tambon" has tipped me off (thanks for that!) that the website of the Thai Senate is still spreading malware through its site:

Of the 258 pages we tested on the site over the past 90 days, 166 page(s) resulted in malicious software being downloaded and installed without user consent. The last time Google visited this site was on 2010-03-05, and the last time suspicious content was found on this site was on 2010-03-05.

Malicious software includes 24 exploit(s), 14 scripting exploit(s), 11 trojan(s). Successful infection resulted in an average of 1 new process(es) on the target machine.

"Google Safe Browsing diagnostic page for www.senate.go.th", Google, March 5, 2010

Ouch! The best part is, according to Andy, that this hasn't been fixed since December! While he calls it a "Webmaster fail", I call this the "WTF?! of the week"! One cynic fellow has told me this is yet again another evil plot by the elites to keep the common person away from informing oneself about our political institutions - well, click it at your own risk...

Saksith Saiyasombut 2/24/10 Saksith Saiyasombut 2/24/10

"Thailand: Warring Colours" - A Beginner's Guide to the Thai Political Crisis

In December 2009 Al Jazeera English have aired a 45-minute long documentary "Thailand: Warring Colours" about the ongoing political crisis. I think it does a good job summarizing the key moments and issues that are plaguing the country for years. Some newsmakers like Prime Minister Abhisit Vejajiva and well, you-know-who are being interviewed as well as activists from both colors and many other voices. This is a beginner's guide for understanding the current political situation. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2Gmt7dvOWs&w=600&h=360]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZLLSE-VFe4&w=600&h=360]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JmCjwZQHJk&w=600&h=360]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b24xix2bxaI&w=600&h=360]

For a comparison, here's my take summarizing the issue back in September 2009 on the third anniversary of the military coup of 2006 in a webcast when I was working with Asia News Network.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgOBRHum800&w=600&h=360]