The balance after five days of protest

By Khan Peter

The announced protest march on March 12 by the UDD involved everything and everyone Thailand on edge. The Redshirts were convinced that they could mobilize a million people. A red mass of a million people would make such an impression that the government would have to resign. It would only be a matter of time, four days maximum.

The four days have now passed and we can draw up the (interim) balance:

– The turnout was disappointing, much fewer demonstrators than expected.

– The current government has not succumbed to the pressure.

– Both the Redshirts and the government have behaved in a controlled manner and there has been no violence.

– The government has not accepted any ultimatum from the Redshirts.

– An opening has been offered to talk to each other.

– Many demonstrators are now on their way home.

It seems like the Redshirts don't really have an answer to the deadlock that has ensued. The blood protest seemed an emergency measure. They did make it to the world press with this lurid action, but that will not have been the primary objective. Because violence has not materialized and the government has also put little obstacles in the way of the demonstrators, there are no losers. But certainly not winners. The only gain is that the Redshirts have shown that they are not just out for mess and instability. A label that has been stuck on by incidents from the past. Because the mob remained under the control of the Redshirt leaders, they now also deserve appreciation and respect. The government is willing to talk to the Redshirts. But that is only a small step towards democratic political reform.

It is disappointing to see that the division in Thai society, the struggle between the yellow shirts and the red shirts, still exists. The dissatisfaction among the Redshirts can lead to new crisis situations. While the yellow shirts don't really see the need to change anything.

A Bangkok Post columnist rightly noted that those in power in Thailand must ask themselves why so many poor people have embraced a billionaire with a questionable reputation. That is a signal that there is something structurally wrong in Thai society.

As it looks now, nothing will change in Thailand in the short term. But there's no way back. The Redshirts will not let their hope for a better future be taken away.

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