Red-Shirt Leader Weng 'Turned Crisis Into Opportunity'

[webfact]

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Red-shirt leader 'turned crisis into opportunity'

By Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD) co-leader Weng Tojirakarn was recently released on bail after nine months in jail on charges of terrorism after the red-shirt uprising last year ended in a deadly crackdown on May 19.

Here, Weng speaks to The Nation's Pravit Rojanaphruk about his time in prison, politics and internal divisions within the red-shirt movement.

How did your life change after May 19 and after nine months in prison?

I have been jailed before so I knew what to expect. Before May 19, I had two thoughts: if we won, we would have elections; if not, I would be jailed or killed. I turned crisis into opportunity while in jail.

I accepted my fate gladly, and considering our brothers and sisters were killed by snipers, it wasn't so bad. I did five things while in prison. First, I jogged 10 kilometres each day and practised table tennis. Second, I practised music, particularly guitar. This will be used in the future struggle. Third, I learned Chinese, which is useful. Fourth, I practised Buddhist meditation and mindfulness. And fifth, I talked with other jailed leaders about politics and the future course of the struggle, and read books.

It's been reported that you are going to run as an MP for the Pheu Thai Party in the upcoming election. Is this true, and if so why?

My emphasis is on the people's struggle. I'm not even sure if there's going to be an election. Prayuth [Chan-ocha, the army chief] seems upset about the findings that soldiers killed the demonstrators.

If you could go back in time to the days prior to the first violent clashes on April 10 last year, would you have done anything differently?

As far as I am personally concerned, I don't think I made any wrong decisions. I insisted upon non-violent struggle and recognised that victory would be achieved incrementally. But for the organisation, we were weak and some did not respect the rule of the majority.

Those who invaded Chulalongkorn Hospital did it without approval. They completely destroyed the honour and public support for red shirts. The arrow of popular approval dipped right afterwards. Even when snipers killed red shirts, people thought they deserved it.

Do you consider yourself a political prisoner?

In the eyes of the amataya we are bad people, but not in the eyes of the people. A long political struggle still lies ahead of us, however.

In Egypt and Tunisia, once the people became fed up, they rose up to overthrow the rulers. We're called terrorists while those in the deep South killing people on a daily basis are merely referred to by the government as people who cause "unrest". In fact, they're separatists.

Several red shirts have been arrested under lese majeste law in past months without any qualms being raised by red-shirt leaders. Last week, red-shirt leader and Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan attacked the Abhisit Vejjajiva government for not doing enough to protect the monarchy during a House debate. Is the red-shirt movement becoming a royalist movement?

First, I reiterate that we uphold the law and the rule of law. People have the right to hold views regarding lese majeste but we cannot cause trouble without considering the law. If there are people who are not satisfied with the law, they should petition MPs to have it debated. I have no problem if some people like or dislike lese majeste law.

Next, if the law is written as such, we must not violate it. We cannot simply act on whim if we disagree with it. Though we are in the right, the struggle should adhere to principles.

Many of the middle class continue to see red shirts as being essentially violent, anti-monarchist and responsible for the burning of Bangkok. Would you like to tell them anything?

It's becoming increasingly clear that soldiers committed the six killings at Wat Pathumwanaram. Regarding the fire at Central World, which Jatuporn will talk about next week during the censure debate, guards insisted soldiers held them at gunpoint and set the place on fire. The burning of city halls in the provinces and that of Central World was orchestrated by the military. As for the men in black, they appeared to be war veterans and the question is, who did these soldiers work for and why has the government failed to arrest any of them? The bullet wounds of [Reuters photographer] Hiroyuki Muramoto also don't match the claim that the gun used was an AK-47, as the wounds resemble those of an M-16.

The red-shirt movement is like a phoenix, if you know what I mean.

-- The Nation 2011-03-08

[Buchholz]

I accepted my fate gladly

His actions say otherwise whether it was the constant bail attempts or requests to be excused from remand because he had allergies that exacerbated by his confinement.

[timekeeper]

Second, I practiced music, particularly guitar. This will be used in the future struggle.

presumably he will use it as a weapon to attack police, army and anyone else he wants to intimidate to further the red revolutionary's cause

[timekeeper]

It's been reported that you are going to run as an MP for the Pheu Thai Party in the upcoming election. Is this true, and if so why?

because i want to get immunity so i can slide out of the terrorist charges.......

[Buchholz]

Second, I practiced music, particularly guitar. This will be used in the future struggle.

presumably he will use it as a weapon to attack police, army and anyone else he wants to intimidate to further the red revolutionary's cause

it's for his new career:

[kjun12]

Second, I practiced music, particularly guitar. This will be used in the future struggle.

presumably he will use it as a weapon to attack police, army and anyone else he wants to intimidate to further the red revolutionary's cause

Your unsubstantiated attacks on this man tend to indicate that you dislike he and the red shirt movement. I shared your view at one time just because they caused me inconvenience by blocking streets in Bangkok. Later, I realized that this is a selfish and unthoughtful position and I have come 180 degrees. What these people want is a chance to vote in an honest election. I may not care for the man they support for prime minister but a democracy lets people elect the those they want to get into government. This is a basic tenet of democracy.

This man appears to be clear and well thought in his responses. He deserves more respect than what you have afforded him.

[whybother]

Your unsubstantiated attacks on this man tend to indicate that you dislike he and the red shirt movement. I shared your view at one time just because they caused me inconvenience by blocking streets in Bangkok. Later, I realized that this is a selfish and unthoughtful position and I have come 180 degrees. What these people want is a chance to vote in an honest election. I may not care for the man they support for prime minister but a democracy lets people elect the those they want to get into government. This is a basic tenet of democracy.

This man appears to be clear and well thought in his responses. He deserves more respect than what you have afforded him.

These "people" had several offers of elections, but rejected them.

People shouldn't get an election just because they feel like it. They get to vote every 4 years (or less) as per the constitution.

When the government fails to hold elections within the time frame specified by the constitution, then the people have a right to protest and call for an election.

Edited March 8, 2011 by whybother

[khaowong1]

Your unsubstantiated attacks on this man tend to indicate that you dislike he and the red shirt movement. I shared your view at one time just because they caused me inconvenience by blocking streets in Bangkok. Later, I realized that this is a selfish and unthoughtful position and I have come 180 degrees. What these people want is a chance to vote in an honest election. I may not care for the man they support for prime minister but a democracy lets people elect the those they want to get into government. This is a basic tenet of democracy.

This man appears to be clear and well thought in his responses. He deserves more respect than what you have afforded him.

These "people" had several offers of elections, but rejected them.

People shouldn't get an election just because they feel like it. They get to vote every 4 years (or less) as per the constitution.

When the government fails to hold elections within the time frame specified by the constitution, then the people have a right to protest and call for an election.

Good response.

[Ricardo]

Your unsubstantiated attacks on this man tend to indicate that you dislike he and the red shirt movement. I shared your view at one time just because they caused me inconvenience by blocking streets in Bangkok. Later, I realized that this is a selfish and unthoughtful position and I have come 180 degrees. What these people want is a chance to vote in an honest election. I may not care for the man they support for prime minister but a democracy lets people elect the those they want to get into government. This is a basic tenet of democracy.

This man appears to be clear and well thought in his responses. He deserves more respect than what you have afforded him.

"honest election", you mean the sort former-PM Thaksin used to run, which the E.C. took such exception to ?

I agree that honest elections will be an important step towards a stronger democracy here, but fear that the elimination of vote-buying or propaganda by whomever is currently in-power or the ending of murders & intimidation of opposing-politicians, are all a long way in the future. Meanwhile any progress towards that happy day is welcome !

And Weng says "if we won, we would have elections", so how does he reconcile that thought, with his having publicly (on live television) rejected the offer of an election ? Oh sorry, not good enough for the 'big boss', who phoned to instruct that he didn't like the deal on-offer, so we did as we were told & rejected it !

Perhaps the thread title ought to say, "Turned Opportunity into Crisis", rather than the other way round ?

[anterian]

Your unsubstantiated attacks on this man tend to indicate that you dislike he and the red shirt movement. I shared your view at one time just because they caused me inconvenience by blocking streets in Bangkok. Later, I realized that this is a selfish and unthoughtful position and I have come 180 degrees. What these people want is a chance to vote in an honest election. I may not care for the man they support for prime minister but a democracy lets people elect the those they want to get into government. This is a basic tenet of democracy.

This man appears to be clear and well thought in his responses. He deserves more respect than what you have afforded him.

These "people" had several offers of elections, but rejected them.

People shouldn't get an election just because they feel like it. They get to vote every 4 years (or less) as per the constitution.

When the government fails to hold elections within the time frame specified by the constitution, then the people have a right to protest and call for an election.

Good response.

A good comment by kjun12, but an irrelevant response from those who followed. Thje original comment was about a man, not about a party, there is a difference.

[philw]

Second, I practiced music, particularly guitar. This will be used in the future struggle.

presumably he will use it as a weapon to attack police, army and anyone else he wants to intimidate to further the red revolutionary's cause

Your unsubstantiated attacks on this man tend to indicate that you dislike he and the red shirt movement. I shared your view at one time just because they caused me inconvenience by blocking streets in Bangkok. Later, I realized that this is a selfish and unthoughtful position and I have come 180 degrees. What these people want is a chance to vote in an honest election. I may not care for the man they support for prime minister but a democracy lets people elect the those they want to get into government. This is a basic tenet of democracy.

This man appears to be clear and well thought in his responses. He deserves more respect than what you have afforded him.

Thank you for a well thought out reply to the usual diatribes.

Wengs replies in the quoted interview make eminent sense.

[whybother]

A good comment by kjun12, but an irrelevant response from those who followed. Thje original comment was about a man, not about a party, there is a difference.

You may have missed this in kjun12's post: "What these people want is a chance to vote in an honest election."

Edited March 8, 2011 by whybother

[Emptyset]

"honest election", you mean the sort former-PM Thaksin used to run, which the E.C. took such exception to ?

What do you mean by this?

And Weng says "if we won, we would have elections", so how does he reconcile that thought, with his having publicly (on live television) rejected the offer of an election ? Oh sorry, not good enough for the 'big boss', who phoned to instruct that he didn't like the deal on-offer, so we did as we were told & rejected it !

Yeah, he rejected the first offer, which was for an election nine months later. A lot can happen in nine months and it was also obvious they wanted an election before Prayuth became Army commander. Democrats & powers that be didn't want this, both played their best hands and reds lost. OK, fair enough - but let's not pretend Abhisit's offer was anything to do with principles.

[Buchholz]

Second, I practiced music, particularly guitar. This will be used in the future struggle.

presumably he will use it as a weapon to attack police, army and anyone else he wants to intimidate to further the red revolutionary's cause

Your unsubstantiated attacks on this man tend to indicate that you dislike he and the red shirt movement. I shared your view at one time just because they caused me inconvenience by blocking streets in Bangkok. Later, I realized that this is a selfish and unthoughtful position and I have come 180 degrees. What these people want is a chance to vote in an honest election. I may not care for the man they support for prime minister but a democracy lets people elect the those they want to get into government. This is a basic tenet of democracy.

This man appears to be clear and well thought in his responses. He deserves more respect than what you have afforded him.

Thank you for a well thought out reply to the usual diatribes.

Wengs replies in the quoted interview make eminent sense.

Except he did a "Weng" throughout.

It would have been nice if he would have simply answered the questions asked of him.

He dodged and spinned and did not answer any of these questions put to him:

It's been reported that you are going to run as an MP for the Pheu Thai Party in the upcoming election. Is this true, and if so why?

Do you consider yourself a political prisoner?

Is the red-shirt movement becoming a royalist movement?

They might as well not bothered to call it an interview; instead just a few of Weng's wenging muses.

.

Edited March 8, 2011 by Buchholz

[asiawatcher]

"... It's becoming increasingly clear (?????) that soldiers committed the six killings at Wat Pathumwanaram. Regarding the fire at Central World, which Jatuporn will talk about next week during the censure debate, guards insisted soldiers held them at gunpoint (?????) and set the place on fire. The burning of city halls in the provinces and that of Central World was orchestrated by the military (?????). As for the men in black, they appeared to be war veterans and the question is, who did these soldiers work for and why has the government failed to arrest any of them? The bullet wounds of [Reuters photographer] Hiroyuki Muramoto also don't match the claim that the gun used was an AK-47 (wrong...), as the wounds resemble those of an M-16."

Weng the consumate politican, a spin doctor doing what he does best - twists fact into fiction and raises his own appraisal and claims it to be truth. A dangerous man. One to be wary of.

[brianb1944]

Second, I practiced music, particularly guitar. This will be used in the future struggle.

presumably he will use it as a weapon to attack police, army and anyone else he wants to intimidate to further the red revolutionary's cause

Your unsubstantiated attacks on this man tend to indicate that you dislike he and the red shirt movement. I shared your view at one time just because they caused me inconvenience by blocking streets in Bangkok. Later, I realized that this is a selfish and unthoughtful position and I have come 180 degrees. What these people want is a chance to vote in an honest election. I may not care for the man they support for prime minister but a democracy lets people elect the those they want to get into government. This is a basic tenet of democracy.

This man appears to be clear and well thought in his responses. He deserves more respect than what you have afforded him.

But surely not the adulation that you accord him, if by honest elections, you mean that you can sell your vote to the highest bidder, they already have had them for years. It is in fact how Abhisit got into parliament.

[Ricardo]

"honest election", you mean the sort former-PM Thaksin used to run, which the E.C. took such exception to ?

What do you mean by this?

I'm referring mainly to the April-2006 'election', but would also highlight such gems as 'provinces which don't vote for us can't expect any government funds later-on', which I feel to be a threat to the voters, not honest-electioneering.

And Weng says "if we won, we would have elections", so how does he reconcile that thought, with his having publicly (on live television) rejected the offer of an election ? Oh sorry, not good enough for the 'big boss', who phoned to instruct that he didn't like the deal on-offer, so we did as we were told & rejected it !

Yeah, he rejected the first offer, which was for an election nine months later.

Several months, certainly, but surely not as many as nine ?

A lot can happen in nine months and it was also obvious they wanted an election before Prayuth became Army commander. Democrats & powers that be didn't want this, both played their best hands and reds lost. OK, fair enough - but let's not pretend Abhisit's offer was anything to do with principles.

My comments in bold above.

I didn't claim in my post that "Abhisit's offer was anything to do with principles", now did I ? I just pointed out that, although Weng now says he wanted an election, that in fact he rejected it at the time !

Edited March 8, 2011 by Ricardo

[Emptyset]

"honest election", you mean the sort former-PM Thaksin used to run, which the E.C. took such exception to ?

I'm referring mainly to the April-2006 'election', but would also highlight such gems as 'provinces which don't vote for us can't expect any government funds later-on', which I feel to be a threat to the voters, not honest-electioneering.

Well, technically the election was finally annulled because of the EC (because of the voting booth design), not because of anything Thaksin did, IIRC. What Thaksin said wasn't right, though of course, it is somewhat true that MPs in govt will be able to bring home a greater slice of the pie than those not.

I didn't claim in my post that "Abhisit's offer was anything to do with principles", now did I ? I just pointed out that, although Weng now says he wanted an election, that in fact he rejected it at the time !

True!

[Arkady]

Weng obviously enjoyed much better conditions in prison that other remand prisoners. For a start remand prisoners wear leg irons 24 hours a day which would make jogging 10km a day somewhat challenging. I am sure that guitars are normally allowed in any Thai prisons. The strings could easily used to hang, or rather decapitate, themselves or any one else and the neck and body could be fashioned into sharp staves. I think Weng and the other red shirt leaders should try a spell in prison as ordinary prisoners like the 100 or so red shirt prisoners who have not been released on bail. I wonder why the attorney general has not bothered to put all of them on trial. I suppose this will never happen.

I would like to think that Weng would embark on a career as a prison reformer but he seems to think that prison is quite a nice place.

Edited March 8, 2011 by Arkady

[truethailand]

"... It's becoming increasingly clear (?????) that soldiers committed the six killings at Wat Pathumwanaram. Regarding the fire at Central World, which Jatuporn will talk about next week during the censure debate, guards insisted soldiers held them at gunpoint (?????) and set the place on fire. The burning of city halls in the provinces and that of Central World was orchestrated by the military (?????). As for the men in black, they appeared to be war veterans and the question is, who did these soldiers work for and why has the government failed to arrest any of them? The bullet wounds of [Reuters photographer] Hiroyuki Muramoto also don't match the claim that the gun used was an AK-47 (wrong...), as the wounds resemble those of an M-16."

Weng the consumate politican, a spin doctor doing what he does best - twists fact into fiction and raises his own appraisal and claims it to be truth. A dangerous man. One to be wary of.

I can see a lot of facts from Weng that may or may not be proved. The only way this will be proved is to remove the Dems from office and let somebody else hold the enquiry. I still believe that if it appears likely (and I do believe it will happen) that PT will win an election, something, someone or an event will stop them taking office. All the current cover ups will be exposed in months... They will never let that expose happen

[jdinasia]

Second, I practiced music, particularly guitar. This will be used in the future struggle.

presumably he will use it as a weapon to attack police, army and anyone else he wants to intimidate to further the red revolutionary's cause

Your unsubstantiated attacks on this man tend to indicate that you dislike he and the red shirt movement. I shared your view at one time just because they caused me inconvenience by blocking streets in Bangkok. Later, I realized that this is a selfish and unthoughtful position and I have come 180 degrees. What these people want is a chance to vote in an honest election. I may not care for the man they support for prime minister but a democracy lets people elect the those they want to get into government. This is a basic tenet of democracy.

This man appears to be clear and well thought in his responses. He deserves more respect than what you have afforded him.

I suggest you read up a bit about Mor Weng. Your post also ignore that elections were offered and declined last year BEFORE the reds started escalating the violence. The basic tenets of democracy do not include evading responsibility for your crimes, nor do they include staging an insurrectionist movement that is armed, nor do they include allowing for a convicted fugitive to run a country. The fact that Weng lied prolifically in that short interview should tell you something, but I am guessing it won't.

[rubl]

I can see a lot of facts from Weng that may or may not be proved. The only way this will be proved is to remove the Dems from office and let somebody else hold the enquiry. I still believe that if it appears likely (and I do believe it will happen) that PT will win an election, something, someone or an event will stop them taking office. All the current cover ups will be exposed in months... They will never let that expose happen

A fact is only a fact if it can be proven, you are referring to information with unproven value. Personally I don't think to prove something about Dr. weng requires a new government, or removing Dem's from office. Just watching some of the PTV clips with broadcasts from the main stage at Ratchaprasong April-May 2010 and other speeches already give an indication of the integrity of Dr. weng. At least he (reluctantly) offered excuses and said the red-shirts had probably been a bit hasty storming a hospital. Haven't heard or read any on common guild for 90 deaths though

EDIT: add: the current and previous cover-ups are indeed being exposed. We already know a bit more about those 60+ grenade attacks, the 'burn-it-my-way' stance, the 'last drop of blood', but not my blood heroism. more to come.

Edited March 8, 2011 by rubl

[Buchholz]

I can see a lot of facts from Weng that may or may not be proved.

You do realize that to be a "true" fact, it has to be proven. That is applicable to "thailand" as well as elsewhere.

edited to add: oh, I see now that rubl has already schooled you.

.

Edited March 8, 2011 by Buchholz

[pedro01]

Hard to know if you should laugh or cry at that interview.

One on hand, it is so full of mistruths, you have to wonder who would buy into it. On the other hand, the fact is that so many misguided people are buying into it that it can only mean more trouble for Thailand.

It would be interesting to know what Weng really believes. Is he an intellectual that has brought 100% into the communist manifesto and sees propoganda as a means to an end? Is he just motivated by financial reward? Does he really believe what he is saying in this interview?

[TAWP]

I can see a lot of facts from Weng that may or may not be proved.

Allegations or fables can never be called facts. It does however highlight how you function when it comes to handling the truth.

[Emptyset]

Hard to know if you should laugh or cry at that interview.

One on hand, it is so full of mistruths, you have to wonder who would buy into it. On the other hand, the fact is that so many misguided people are buying into it that it can only mean more trouble for Thailand.

It would be interesting to know what Weng really believes. Is he an intellectual that has brought 100% into the communist manifesto and sees propoganda as a means to an end? Is he just motivated by financial reward? Does he really believe what he is saying in this interview?

What do you think he's lying about specifically? Maybe he just believes what Jatuporn says (which wouldn't be that surprising having spent so long together), so he's not lying even though what he says may be untrue, well, we'll know soon enough I suppose.

Nope, he isn't a communist anymore, if he ever was one. I doubt he's motivated by financial reward either, given the numerous similar causes he's been involved in in the past. I think he actually believes what he's saying... perhaps he's wrongheaded, but his heart is in the right place. That's also what some people that know him think, even Somtow, the fierce critic of the red shirts said he didn't doubt Weng's integrity, having worked with him on a project for children (or some such).

[rubl]

What do you think he's lying about specifically? Maybe he just believes what Jatuporn says (which wouldn't be that surprising having spent so long together), so he's not lying even though what he says may be untrue, well, we'll know soon enough I suppose.

Nope, he isn't a communist anymore, if he ever was one. I doubt he's motivated by financial reward either, given the numerous similar causes he's been involved in in the past. I think he actually believes what he's saying... perhaps he's wrongheaded, but his heart is in the right place. That's also what some people that know him think, even Somtow, the fierce critic of the red shirts said he didn't doubt Weng's integrity, having worked with him on a project for children (or some such).

Dr. weng had a rather solid education in propaganda and related tricks while studying in Vietnam many years ago. He has sworn off communism, but that doesn't mean he has forgotten or sworn off all the tricks he learned. K. Jatuporn's rants are child's play compared with the semi-intellectual speeches of Dr. weng. Never ever let your left hand know what your right hand does. This applies to politicians in general and it seems UDD leaders specifically.

The link to k. Somtow saying he didn't doubt Dr. weng's integrity having worked with him on a project for children, reminds me of what people used to say about some other 'well respected' people like Stalin and Mao, etc., etc.

(edit: my heart is also in the right place, the left side that is )

Edited March 8, 2011 by rubl

[Emptyset]

Dr. weng had a rather solid education in propaganda and related tricks while studying in Vietnam many years ago. He has sworn off communism, but that doesn't mean he has forgotten or sworn off all the tricks he learned. K. Jatuporn's rants are child's play compared with the semi-intellectual speeches of Dr. weng. Never ever let your left hand know what your right hand does. This applies to politicians in general and it seems UDD leaders specifically.

The link to k. Somtow saying he didn't doubt Dr. weng's integrity having worked with him on a project for children, reminds me of what people used to say about some other 'well respected' people like Stalin and Mao, etc., etc.

Assuming the article that states he was in Vietnam is correct, then yes. My point was that not everyone in the CPT was ideologically committed to Maoism (or communism in general - nor even socialism), many joined out of necessity, as even moderate leftists and liberals were being harassed or even killed. One thing about Weng is he doesn't seem very 'worldly' to me, he seems more ideologically driven than someone who places a great detail of emphasis on the empirical facts staring him in the face - the sort of ivory tower idealist that many leftist academics are typically characterized as. Though obviously Weng isn't really an academic, nor one that would ever think of staying above it all in his ivory tower, but still, he does seem a little removed from reality in many of his statements, no stickler for the empirical facts, but not deliberately trying to deceive anyone either. On the Jatuporn/CTW point specifically though, I'm fully except his video to be fake or edited, but isn't it strange that Prayuth stated the troops were there just to help fire fighters? Meaning soldiers were indeed in CTW on the 19th? Don't know what to make of that.

Stalin and Mao? I see your point but I hope you're not seriously comparing Weng to two of the most despicable mass murderers in history.

[jdinasia]

There have been reports linking the red shirts to Maoist tactics. One of which, in the propaganda side of things, is to repeat a simple message constantly. Another of which is to have a militant arm that you can disassociate from etc etc etc ... Weng doesn't deny his past involvement with the CPT nor being chosen for further "study" in Vietnam.

The reds aren't Maoist at all ... they just use the tactics.

[jayboy]

There have been reports linking the red shirts to Maoist tactics. One of which, in the propaganda side of things, is to repeat a simple message constantly.

And what reports were those?

In any case if, on the subject of propaganda, regurgitating a fatuous and simpleminded message repeatedly, I don't think the Redshirts are the only or even the main offenders in Thailand.