Police warn of arson and kidnapping
Panic-mongering or real warning? According to Royal Thai Police spokesperson Piya Uthayo, protesting rubber farmers in Nakhon Si Thammarat have threatened to set fire to government buildings and take senior officials hostage. This would have appeared from 'intelligence reports'.
Yesterday, the blockade of the Khuan Nong Hong intersection continued unabated. The road has been cordoned off with burnt police vehicles and the demonstrators have cut down a tree to prevent the standing riot police from reaching the protest site.
The police keep a close eye on the demonstrators from a distance. To prevent fighting, a platoon of riot police remains at a safe distance. But if the demonstrators use violence that poses a danger to the population, the police will act, says Piya. The demonstrators are then warned in advance, for example about the use of tear gas.
On Monday, tear gas was also used in a failed attempt to break the blockade. The protesters, Piya says, threw acid at the police. Some 78 officers were injured in clashes and ten police vehicles went up in flames.
Provincial Governor Wiroj Jiwarangsan has the public disaster prevention law declared applicable, which means that the public is not allowed access to the protest location. On Highway 41, police have set up checkpoints to divert traffic and prevent dangerous objects from heading towards protesters. Arrest warrants have been issued against nineteen demonstrators; some have already been arrested.
Parik Panchuay, a coordinator of rubber farmers in Cha-uat district, said the government should talk to farmers' representatives who reject the government's offer. The rubber farmers are prepared to enter into consultations.
But the government doesn't seem to budge. It is swallow or choke: that is what Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong (Finance) said earlier. The minister is supported by other rubber farmers who do accept the government's offer. The government has offered to give rubber farmers a subsidy of 2.520 baht per rai, equivalent to 90 baht per kilo unsmoked rubber sheets. The dissident farmers are demanding 100 baht per kilo and 6 baht per kilo of palm kernels.
Prime Minister Yingluck stated after Tuesday's cabinet meeting that the protests are a local issue. The governor and authorities should be able to control it. The Prime Minister's Deputy Secretary-General says the government is not yet considering more stringent laws, such as the Internal Security Act and Emergency Decree, which give the police far-reaching powers.
(Source: Bangkok Post, Sept. 18, 2013)
The Democrats have already said that these rubber farmers should not be ousted or prosecuted, whatever they do. We don't want a repeat of 2010, the Democrats said.
Of course, if the government intervenes with a great show of force and there are injuries (and possibly deaths), Mrs. Yingluck should not be surprised to see her charged with aggravated assault or even murder; just as it is now with Mr. Abhisit who was a PM and drove the red shirts out of central Bangkok. THAT is why the government is keeping aloof for the time being and letting the regional government do the dirty work… it is a delicate game of cat and mouse….