Reds Seize Insurrection Intersection For Afternoon

BANGKOK, Thailand -- To mark the fourth anniversary of Thailand's 2006 coup, thousands of pro-democracy Red Shirts on Sunday (September 19) seized Bangkok's most luxurious intersection, and mourned the 91 Reds who died during clashes earlier this year when they occupied the same crossroads.

"There are deaths here," they chanted while others cheered, sang defiant songs, lit candles, released red balloons, strung the streets with long red ribbons, and wore symbolic red clothing.

The shoulder-to-shoulder crowd defied harsh "state of emergency" laws banning political rallies in Bangkok, and boosted each others' morale after their nine-week insurrection in Bangkok was crushed on May 19.

The 5,000-10,000 protesters ignored police who failed to keep the key intersection open for vehicles during the afternoon, but peacefully left the area after sunset, as promised.

Hundreds of other Red Shirts held simultaneous rallies in northern Thailand's cities of Chiang Mai, Nong Khai and elsewhere.

The Reds remain angry over the destruction of this Southeast Asian nation's democracy, which resulted when Thailand's U.S.-trained military staged a bloodless coup on September 19, 2006, ousting three-time election winner Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Mr. Thaksin is currently a fugitive, based mostly in Dubai, dodging a two-year jail sentence for corruption during his five-year term when he pursued populist but authoritarian policies, including a nationwide "war on drugs" which killed more than 2,000 people in murky circumstances which were never fully investigated.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who took office in December 2008, is perceived by the Reds as benefiting from the coup because earlier attempts by pro-Thaksin politicians to form a government were undermined by a lack of support from the extremely politicized military.

It was unclear why Mr. Abhisit allowed Sunday's (September 19) Bangkok rally to go ahead, because it clearly reinvigorated the Reds who were cowed after their leaders were jailed.

Several imprisoned Red leaders remain chained, in shackles, after Prime Minister Abhisit alleged they were "terrorists" for leading their failed insurrection, and more than 250 other suspected Reds are also reportedly behind bars.

Many Thais and foreigners in Bangkok expressed fear on Sunday (September 19) that the huge rally in the Ratchaprasong intersection -- equivalent to New York's Times Square -- would inspire the Reds to renege on their promise to leave in the evening, and could create in a fresh insurrection.

When some Reds arrived in the intersection with push-carts selling food, and others laid plastic sheets on the ground to offer anti-government publications, some Thais and foreigners went online to tweet their anxieties that the Bangkok rally might extend beyond sunset.

"I also worry about the Red Shirts if they don't go home tonight," said one middle-class female executive who avoided the intersection.

Thailand's TV stations ignored the protest and broadcast soap operas and other muted fare throughout the day.

The loud and boisterous rally was the first large demonstration by the Red Shirts since May 19, and was eyed by mostly unarmed police and other security forces.

The intersection is walled by five-star hotels, upscale offices and apartments, and luxury shopping malls including the charred remains of one large shopping complex which was targeted during more than 30 arson attacks on May 19 after the military crushed the Reds' barricades.

The 2006 coup meanwhile has blackened Thailand's politics, and the junta leaders gave themselves amnesty from prosecution after ripping up a popular 1997 constitution and orchestrating their own 2007 charter.

"Since Sept. 19, 2006, the military budget has almost doubled, going from 85 billion baht ($2.8 billion) at that time, to 154 billion baht ($5.1 billion) this year," reported the staunchly anti-Red English-language Bangkok Post on Sunday (September 19).

After the military used armored personnel carriers, assault rifles and other weapons to crush the Reds, the armed forces have enjoyed a powerful position, with Prime Minister Abhisit dependent upon their support for his political survival.

Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, who led the coup, retired from the military in 2007 and leads the small Matubhum Party with six seats in Parliament.

***** Richard S Ehrlich is a Bangkok-based journalist who has reported news from Asia since 1978. He is co-author of "Hello My Big Big Honey!", a non-fiction book of investigative journalism. His web page is http://www.asia-correspondent.110mb.com

(Copyright 2010 Richard S Ehrlich)

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