Redshirts: more than just simple farmers
By Khun Peter By now, days 6 and 7 of the 'Red March' have passed. Just a short update of the news: Yesterday there was the blood protest at Abhisit's house. Today Abhisit announced that it wants to talk to the Redshirt leaders if the protests remain peaceful. The UDD has announced that it will not enter into talks with Prime Minister Abhisit for the time being. There are discussions within the UDD about how to protest. The 'hardliners' including some …
Over the past few days we have kept you closely informed about the situation in Thailand and in particular in the capital Bangkok. The announced protests and demonstrations of the UDD Redshirts made the world news. While there are still large groups of Redshirts in Bangkok, estimated at around 15.000, we have decided to limit coverage somewhat. As a result, other news and backgrounds also receive attention on Thailandblog. Should the situation be…
The balance after five days of protest
By Khun Peter The protest march announced on March 12 by the UDD put everything and everyone in 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: …
News update: a bloody day in Bangkok
Day 5. 'The Red March' – UDD warns: 'There Will Be Blood' – Redshirts donate protest blood – Grenade explodes at judge's house – Red march no consequences for economy – Redshirts perform a blood ritual – Blood ritual again tomorrow at the house of Prime Minister . . UDD warns: 'There Will Be Blood' The United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship, UDD, threatens to spread blood at the entrance of Government House. Redshirts donate protest blood The…
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The Flight of the Red Vampires
By Hans Bos March 16 will undoubtedly go down in history as 'Bloody Tuesday' in Thailand. That says enough about the degree of madness in Thai politics, although only 20.000 of the possibly 100.000 red shirts have some blood removed. Instead of the announced one million demonstrators, less than 100.000 showed up. And instead of the promised 3000 liters of blood, the red leaders have to color Bangkok red with only 200 liters. …
Bleeding for Democracy
Today, Bangkok will be all about the next step for the Redshirts. A blood donation to support the protests. Every Redshirt is asked to donate 10cc of blood. This will be used to drench the parliament house of the incumbent government in blood. Thousands of liters must flow over the streets so that the Prime Minister Abhisit and his ministers have to walk on the blood of the people. It shows a lot of drama and…
Respect, respect and more respect for the reds!
By Khun Peter They were feared, the red army of stupid peasants from Isan. Simple souls who only wanted to protest for money. Suckers who blindly follow the billionaire and professional swindler Thaksin. They would burn down Bangkok. The airport would be occupied, the tourists would flee Thailand screaming. A civil war at least. Dead, wounded and crippled would fall. Chaos, anarchy and unrest in beautiful, peaceful Thailand. And once the reds get to the…
News Update: Grenade Attack and Blood Actions
Day 4. 'The Red March' – Redshirts move to Bangkhen – Government rejects ultimatum Redshirts – Headquarters 'Yellowshirts' guarded – Redshirts return to Ratchadamnoen – UDD denies actions at Airport – Two soldiers wounded in missile attack – Blood as the stake of the battle . . Redshirts move to Bangkhen Early this morning the Redshirts, led by Jatuporn Promphan, moved to the 11th Infantry Regiment on Pahon Yothin in Bangkhen. Government rejects…
News Update: Redshirts Issue Ultimatum
Day 3. 'The Red March' – No disturbances on 3rd day of protest – Ministry counts 'only' 47.000 demonstrators – Uncertainty about Thaksin's stay – Redshirt leaders set ultimatum – State of emergency only in extreme cases – Demonstrators to 11th Infantry Regiment – After end of ultimatum , new promotions from Redshirts . . No disturbances on 3rd day of protest There were no disturbances on the third day in Bangkok either. The Redshirts deploy their own order services to demonstrators…
Protests: historic event in Thailand
By Marwaan Macan-Markar (Source:IPS) Tens of thousands of supporters of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra gathered in the capital Bangkok this weekend to demonstrate against the government. The demonstrators come from rural areas. By Saturday evening, about 80.000 red-clad protesters from the north and northeast had gathered in the capital. Since the country became a constitutional monarchy in 1932, analysts say, such a scene has not occurred in the country. The…
Redshirt leaders demand dissolution of Thai parliament
UDD leader Veera Musikhapong made an official statement today at Fa Phan Bridge in Bangkok demanding that the current government of Abhisit Vejjajiva resign. The statement, read by UDD leader Veera Musikhapong, said that since the September 19, 2006 coup d'état that overthrew the Thaksin Shinawatra government, Thailand has been a dictatorship. We ask the government to relinquish its power and return it to the Thai people.
The 'weekend of truth'
By Hans Bos The weekend of truth has started in Bangkok. Will the 'red shirts' succeed in gathering enough demonstrators and paralyzing Bangkok? Will it be 'only' 100.000, as Prime Minister Abhisit's government thinks, or will their number grow above 500.000? And do the red leaders also succeed in keeping the mob under control and preventing disturbances? A survey of 1226 residents of Bangkok shows that…
When the money runs out? Retreat to the provinces!
By Hans Bos The demonstration of the 'red shirts' in Bangkok costs an estimated 600.000 euros per 100.000 participants per day. That money is intended for transport, attendance fees, food and drink for the participants. The red shirts have an estimated 2 to 3 million euros in cash. That means they can keep up their 'rally' for a maximum of 5 days. If the incumbent government of Prime Minister Abhisit has not been overthrown by then, the 'red shirts' will retreat …
Bangkok prepares for Redshirts invasion
– Thaksin family out of the country – Internal Security Act in force – No police violence against demonstrators – Dissolution of parliament not an option – Yellow shirts keep aloof – Red shirts deploy boats Tension in and around Bangkok is rising. The government, army and police are preparing for a 'turbulent' weekend. We've listed the latest news for you. Thaksin family out of the country Thaksin's family, including his …
It's 'sink or swim' for the 'red shirts'
By Hans Bos It will be the litmus test for the sitting Prime Minister Abhisit. Is he strong enough and able to survive next weekend's demonstrations? Or will the 'red shirts' have their way, paralyze the whole of Bangkok and Abhisit calls new elections under pressure? Estimates of the expected numbers of demonstrators range from 30.000 to one million. Experts say that 150.000 red shirts are enough to cover the metropolis of Bangkok, with an estimated 12 …
Exciting weekend ahead
By Hans Bos Thailand will hold its breath next weekend. Especially now that strangers have stolen 6000 (!) guns, grenades, ammunition and explosives, the tension can be cut. The 'red shirts' have announced that they will gather as many as one million demonstrators between Friday 12 and Sunday 14 March for a show of force in the administrative heart of Bangkok. The stolen weapons come from the 4th Army Engineering Battalion in the southern province of Phatthalung and…