Thai Protesters, Army Make Tentative Peace Overtures

[webfact]

Thai protesters, army make tentative peace overtures

by Thanaporn Promyamyai

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thailand's army and anti-government protesters made tentative peace overtures Friday, seeking to avoid a looming crackdown and a repeat of clashes that left 25 people dead earlier this month.

The army chief said that the use of force was no solution to Thailand's crisis, which pits the red-shirted demonstrators against a government they condemn as illegitimate and undemocratic.

"The use of force will not end the current problems and would have many repercussions," army chief General Anupong Paojinda told a meeting of top brass, according to deputy spokesman Colonel Sirichan Ngathong.

"The best thing is to create understanding among the people. The army's job now is to take care of the people, and not allow Thais to attack each other."

Anupong told AFP on Thursday that he aimed to end the standoff without further bloodshed, saying authorities "can uphold the law with no people dead or injured."

His comments, which contrasted with warnings earlier this week that security forces were ready to use live ammunition if needed, came amid high tensions in the capital, which is under a state of emergency.

Five grenade blasts hit Bangkok's financial hub on Thursday night, targeting hundreds of pro-government supporters in attacks that left one Thai woman dead and scores wounded, including foreigners.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva condemned the attacks, which he said "aimed to kill ordinary people."

"I am determined to solve the problem," he told reporters, adding that any decision to forcefully disperse the demonstrators would not be taken lightly.

Abhisit, who has been holed up in a military barracks for weeks because of the protests, added: "I have a duty to solve the problem. If I can't I should not be here."

Thai police sought Friday to push the Red Shirts from a confrontation zone on the edge of the financial district where they have clashed with hardline pro-government mobs.

Hundreds of riot police, unarmed but carrying shields and batons, moved on the heavily fortified barricades which form the front line of the Reds' vast encampment that has paralysed the main retail district in the heart of Bangkok.

Police later withdrew after failing to win an agreement with the Reds, who stepped back but kept in place the barrier made of truck tyres, sharpened bamboo staves and plastic sheeting which has been doused with fuel.

Reds leader Veera Musikapong said they were open to elections in three months as a way out of the crippling deadlock -- a step back from their original demand for immediate polls.

"But the government has to stop threatening people and show responsibility for what has happened," he said.

Authorities are under pressure to end the street rallies which began in mid-March, but they appear wary to use force again after a failed crackdown on April 10 left 25 people dead and more than 800 injured.

The escalating crisis has triggered alarm at the United Nations and among foreign governments which issued urgent calls for restraint and warned their citizens to stay away from the protests or avoid Bangkok altogether.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said the grenades in Thursday's blasts were fired from within the sprawling Red Shirt encampment, but leaders of the protest movement denied they were responsible.

"The bomb attacks last night have nothing to do with our movement. We still adhere to a policy of non-violence," said Red Shirt leader Nattawut Saikuar, accusing the government of orchestrating the blasts.

Undaunted by the overnight bloodshed, thousands of supporters of the embattled government rallied in a different location Friday, calling for an end to weeks of protests that have damaged the kingdom's economy and reputation.

The Reds, drawn from the ranks of the rural poor as well as the urban working class, mostly support former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and now lives overseas to avoid a jail sentence for corruption.

Ramping up the pressure on Abhisit, the Election Commission has called for his ruling Democrat Party to be abolished over allegations of an illegal political donation in 2005 and misuse of a commission grant.

The first count will be forwarded to the Attorney General, who has 30 days to consider it. The election body faces an April 26 deadline on whether to forward the second case directly to the constitutional court.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-04-23

Published with written approval from AFP.

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[YouYouYou]

'To create understanding' .... mmm, I think it has already gone beyond 'understanding'. But, I see where the Military is coming from ..after all, their job is essentially 'to save lives'. However, from this stance, it's gonna drag on into next week me thinks and yes the gov. is indecisive, and yes, this is not helping the situation ...how many negotiations does it take to be resolved?

Good luck Thailand ...not the land of smiles anymore

[Born2lag]

How does this improve the situation? So they are JUST GONNA let the red shirts n yellow shirts kill each other?

[tracer5050]

we will just have to wait and see ??? may be a delaying movement for the army/

[melbpete]

So if there are elections in 90 days (as proposed by the reds), does that mean the PTP will be banned for electoral fraud in about 12 months?

[givenall]

'To create understanding' .... mmm, I think it has already gone beyond 'understanding'. But, I see where the Military is coming from ..after all, their job is essentially 'to save lives'. However, from this stance, it's gonna drag on into next week me thinks and yes the gov. is indecisive, and yes, this is not helping the situation ...how many negotiations does it take to be resolved?

Good luck Thailand ...not the land of smiles anymore

These Red Shirts behave like Iran regarding the Nuclear weapon. When the issue becomes too hot and critical and everyone is ready to invoke sanction, Iran comes with a proposal to calm things down. But it will start over again and again.

Need a final solution and fast, otherwise people will start taking over and do the police and army’s job

[Slaps]

Well I'm saying nothing till I've seen my Lawyer

[NCFC]

Well if the red shirts will accept a 90-day dissolution to end this chaos, then Abhisit should go for it.

Seems very reasonable

[keepsamuiclean]

Told my absolutely loyal (to me - farang) red shirt employee already that Sunday the Thai world would look differently. He asked back "sure?" Hope I can be sure - Methi and the grenades coverage from Lumpini Park could do the work.

[melbpete]

So now the reds are saying "Give in to our demands, and then we'll negotiate."

What is there to negotiate once the house is dissolved?

[NCFC]

So now the reds are saying "Give in to our demands, and then we'll negotiate."

What is there to negotiate once the house is dissolved?

Abhisit has already agreed to dissolve the house. The talks fell down over the timing of dissolution.

Three months is reasonable. Then there is no negotiation just an election. And a standoff by all sides in the mean time.

[melbpete]

So now the reds are saying "Give in to our demands, and then we'll negotiate."

What is there to negotiate once the house is dissolved?

Abhisit has already agreed to dissolve the house. The talks fell down over the timing of dissolution.

Three months is reasonable. Then there is no negotiation just an election. And a standoff by all sides in the mean time.

And the fixing of the constitution? Everyone says it needs to be fixed. Even the reds complained about how it affects their election chances.

Abhisit has put forward that ALL groups be involved in fixing it and then putting it to a referendum - before elections.

[NCFC]

Abhisit has put forward that ALL groups be involved in fixing it and then putting it to a referendum - before elections.

Yes I did notice that delaying tactic. The contents of the constitution should be part of the debate that takes place during the electioneering process, and the winners of the election then will have a mandate to set the framework of the new constitution which would then be put to the referendum. A much more democratic process.

[retdson]

So now the reds are saying "Give in to our demands, and then we'll negotiate."

What is there to negotiate once the house is dissolved?

Abhisit has already agreed to dissolve the house. The talks fell down over the timing of dissolution.

Three months is reasonable. Then there is no negotiation just an election. And a standoff by all sides in the mean time.

And the fixing of the constitution? Everyone says it needs to be fixed. Even the reds complained about how it affects their election chances.

Abhisit has put forward that ALL groups be involved in fixing it and then putting it to a referendum - before elections.

Personally, I've always felt that Abhisit is a fundamentally decent person in among a gang of shysters.

[Ricardo]

Well if the red shirts will accept a 90-day dissolution to end this chaos, then Abhisit should go for it.

Seems very reasonable

and ...

Abhisit has already agreed to dissolve the house. The talks fell down over the timing of dissolution.

Three months is reasonable. Then there is no negotiation just an election. And a standoff by all sides in the mean time.

It's good to see one of the Red-Shirt leaders willing to negotiate, hope the others also all agree, with the offer.

On the other hand, they had demanded a dissolution within 15 days, then add the usual 60 days to actually hold an election, and you'll see that the new offer has only changed from 75 to 90 days, not quite such a massive change, but at least a start.

[Deez]

Well if the red shirts will accept a 90-day dissolution to end this chaos, then Abhisit should go for it.

Seems very reasonable

Agreed. Seems like a decent compromise

[kuffki]

So basically

Reds are not going anywhere

Army is not going to do anything

Government can not do anything

Hmmm, sooooo whats next?

[Redsunset]

Abhisit looks incompetent, Anupong looks like he is in charge. Abhisit could not broker an agreement in one month and two negotiation sessions. Anupong says no killing and everyone stops? Sounds fishy too me. Sounds like Anupong cut this deal on the side with the red shirts. Makes Abhisit look lame.

Anyway, the Democrats are out of it with dissolution either for violating campaign regulations, or through vote. It's not over yet, but people get what they want at the expense of..... THE TAXPAYERS and the DEAD!!!!!

[kuffki]

Abhisit looks incompetent, Anupong looks like he is in charge. Abhisit could not broker an agreement in one month and two negotiation sessions. Anupong says no killing and everyone stops? Sounds fishy too me. Sounds like Anupong cut this deal on the side with the red shirts. Makes Abhisit look lame.

Anyway, the Democrats are out of it with dissolution either for violating campaign regulations, or through vote. It's not over yet, but people get what they want at the expense of..... THE TAXPAYERS and the DEAD!!!!!

What makes me wonder is why yesterday Anupong issued final warning, and today he is issuing no crack down orders.

Made a deal? got a payment? sudden attack of morality?

[AZBill]

Unfortunately there seem to be third parties involved that want to incite violence.

[AZBill]

Abhisit looks incompetent, Anupong looks like he is in charge. Abhisit could not broker an agreement in one month and two negotiation sessions. Anupong says no killing and everyone stops? Sounds fishy too me. Sounds like Anupong cut this deal on the side with the red shirts. Makes Abhisit look lame.

Anyway, the Democrats are out of it with dissolution either for violating campaign regulations, or through vote. It's not over yet, but people get what they want at the expense of..... THE TAXPAYERS and the DEAD!!!!!

What makes me wonder is why yesterday Anupong issued final warning, and today he is issuing no crack down orders.

Made a deal? got a payment? sudden attack of morality?

Innocent dead bodies on the streets of Bangkok can have a sobering effect.

[Redsunset]

Abhisit looks incompetent, Anupong looks like he is in charge. Abhisit could not broker an agreement in one month and two negotiation sessions. Anupong says no killing and everyone stops? Sounds fishy too me. Sounds like Anupong cut this deal on the side with the red shirts. Makes Abhisit look lame.

Anyway, the Democrats are out of it with dissolution either for violating campaign regulations, or through vote. It's not over yet, but people get what they want at the expense of..... THE TAXPAYERS and the DEAD!!!!!

What makes me wonder is why yesterday Anupong issued final warning, and today he is issuing no crack down orders.

Made a deal? got a payment? sudden attack of morality?

Innocent dead bodies on the streets of Bangkok can have a sobering effect.

Anupong is a watermelon - green on the outside, RED on the inside.... I think he is being PAID by THAKSIN not to crack down... he has been order to disperse the protesters.... he has DIRECTLY DEFIED the orders from the Prime Minister.

I think he should either be fired, or made Prime Minister!!!

Prime Minister Anupong....

[ETatBKK]

So basically

Reds are not going anywhere

Army is not going to do anything

Government can not do anything

Hmmm, sooooo whats next?

absolutely !! make no difference :

Internal Security Act > State of Emergency > who care ?

Yellow Shirt > Red Shirt > Multi-colour Shirt > what next ?

protest > seizure > violent attack > 'terrorist' > VERY SAD :-(

civil order ( police ) > military order ( army ) > almost no order now

PM > government > CRES > military > delegation, or escape ?

I am doubt on the 'fresh election' IF it is could be a fair one ?

[kuffki]

Abhisit looks incompetent, Anupong looks like he is in charge. Abhisit could not broker an agreement in one month and two negotiation sessions. Anupong says no killing and everyone stops? Sounds fishy too me. Sounds like Anupong cut this deal on the side with the red shirts. Makes Abhisit look lame.

Anyway, the Democrats are out of it with dissolution either for violating campaign regulations, or through vote. It's not over yet, but people get what they want at the expense of..... THE TAXPAYERS and the DEAD!!!!!

What makes me wonder is why yesterday Anupong issued final warning, and today he is issuing no crack down orders.

Made a deal? got a payment? sudden attack of morality?

Innocent dead bodies on the streets of Bangkok can have a sobering effect.

Anupong is a watermelon - green on the outside, RED on the inside.... I think he is being PAID by THAKSIN not to crack down... he has been order to disperse the protesters.... he has DIRECTLY DEFIED the orders from the Prime Minister.

I think he should either be fired, or made Prime Minister!!!

Prime Minister Anupong....

I do not know if you joking or serious about Anupong as PM, but everything is possible even something as crazy as this.

[Redsunset]

I'm being facetious, but now that you mention it... maybe it is not so far from the truth... fact is, he seems to be in charge and setting the agenda!

[kuffki]

So basically

Reds are not going anywhere

Army is not going to do anything

Government can not do anything

Hmmm, sooooo whats next?

absolutely !! make no difference :

Internal Security Act > State of Emergency > who care ?

Yellow Shirt > Red Shirt > Multi-colour Shirt > what next ?

protest > seizure > violent attack > 'terrorist' > VERY SAD :-(

civil order ( police ) > military order ( army ) > almost no order now

PM > government > CRES > military > delegation, or escape ?

I am doubt on the 'fresh election' IF it is could be a fair one ?

Lol, just one big COLORED mess.

By the way if the red backed party's win the election, rest assured yellow shirts will be out blocking and protesting again and while they are not as violent and extreme as red shirts they are very good and bringing down the country to its knees by seizing airport or something else they will come up with.

May be best would be to rent out country governing to another state(country) for sometime anyway. I know it sounds crazy but at least then no red or yellow will be protesting, may be then both will unite

Edited April 23, 2010 by kuffki

[elcent]

I'm being facetious, but now that you mention it... maybe it is not so far from the truth... fact is, he seems to be in charge and setting the agenda!

nah, he's not interested. but some of his buddies are, like sondhi and sonthi.

[kuffki]

I'm being facetious, but now that you mention it... maybe it is not so far from the truth... fact is, he seems to be in charge and setting the agenda!

nah, he's not interested. but some of his buddies are, like sondhi and sonthi.

He is retiring in few months, so there is a possibility that he was offered a seat or position with one of the party's for him to have such a sudden change of heart.

May be its a long shot, or may be he is setting himself up to be a defense minister in the new government. After all most retired generas go into politics for half of the time.

And this kind of move will be favored by the red shirts, so kind of ensures the votes-does not it?

[jcbangkok]

Well if the red shirts will accept a 90-day dissolution to end this chaos, then Abhisit should go for it.

Seems very reasonable

Agreed. Seems like a decent compromise

actually 9-months was a good compromise and that was offered almost 2-months ago. Not only that ...because the Reds refuse to negotiate we are left to only inturpret their demands such as ...

Reds leader Veera Musikapong said they were open to elections in three months as a way out of the crippling deadlock -- a step back from their original demand for immediate polls. "But the government has to stop threatening people and show responsibility for what has happened," he said.

... do we know if Abhsit still must also leave the country immediately?

And if the Reds can be believed this should all be over in a few more weeks when the leaders turn themselves in to police as promised.

[elcent]

I'm being facetious, but now that you mention it... maybe it is not so far from the truth... fact is, he seems to be in charge and setting the agenda!

nah, he's not interested. but some of his buddies are, like sondhi and sonthi.

He is retiring in few months, so there is a possibility that he was offered a seat or position with one of the party's for him to have such a sudden change of heart.

May be its a long shot, or may be he is setting himself up to be a defense minister in the new government. After all most retired generas go into politics for half of the time.

And this kind of move will be favored by the red shirts, so kind of ensures the votes-does not it?

he should have been retired 2 years ago or so, but they used special laws to extend his term to protect the PAD