Thai Red Shirts Urge Govt To Probe Deadly Unrest

[webfact]

Thai Red Shirts urge govt to probe deadly unrest

BANGKOK, July 4, 2011 (AFP) - Thailand's "Red Shirt" opposition protest movement on Monday urged their triumphant political allies to "find the truth" behind last year's bloody military crackdown on their mass rally.

Nattawut Saikuar, one of the Red Shirt leaders, said that now the opposition Puea Thai party had clinched the vote, attention should focus on bringing to justice those responsible for violence that left more than 90 people dead.

"During the election campaign, political parties have to present their policies to people, but once they become the government, it's the government's job to find the truth," he told reporters in Bangkok.

The Reds are broadly loyal to fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra whose sister Yingluck Shinawatra is set to become Thailand's first female premier following a sweeping poll victory on Sunday.

The Reds' demonstration to topple the elite-backed government brought Bangkok to a standstill in April and May 2010, drawing an estimated 100,000 people at its peak until it was broken up by soldiers firing live rounds.

The country's worst civil unrest in decades also left 1,900 people injured and several major buildings in central Bangkok were set on fire.

Following Sunday's poll win, Thaksin's party vowed not to "seek revenge" over the clashes in an attempt to avoid alienating other key players, such as the military.

In a report in May, Human Rights Watch (HRW) accused the army of using snipers and crushing civil disobedience with disproportionate force.

Thai analyst Thongchai Winichakul said the military would be concerned about "whether they would be investigated and possibly punished" by the new government over the political violence.

"They want a deal to avoid punishment," said Thongchai from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the United States.

During its campaign, Puea Thai said it wanted an amnesty for politicians who have been charged or convicted, a move that would pave the way for Thaksin's return.

The divisive former billionaire tycoon was ousted in a 2006 coup and currently lives in Dubai to avoid a jail term for corruption. He also faces terrorism charges in relation to the unrest in Bangkok last year.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-07-04

[webfact]

Thida calls on new govt to bring Abhisit, military leaders to justice over red-shirt killings

Thida Thavornset, the chairwoman of the red-shirt movement, Monday called on the new government to bring those responsible for the killings of red-shirt people to justice.

Thida said she would demand the new government to provide justice over the killings of 91 people and the injuries of 2,000 people.

She said she would call on the government to investigate and pinpoint those who ordered the crackdowns on the red-shirt protesters.

She said outgoing prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and officials in the Centre for Resolutions of Emergency Situation would be held responsible for the deaths and injuries.

-- The Nation 2011-07-04

[whybother]

Shouldn't that be "Thai Government urge Government to probe Deadly Unrest".

[charmonman]

Thida calls on new govt to bring Abhisit, military leaders to justice over red-shirt killings

Thida Thavornset, the chairwoman of the red-shirt movement, Monday called on the new government to bring those responsible for the killings of red-shirt people to justice.

Thida said she would demand the new government to provide justice over the killings of 91 people and the injuries of 2,000 people.

She said she would call on the government to investigate and pinpoint those who ordered the crackdowns on the red-shirt protesters.

She said outgoing prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and officials in the Centre for Resolutions of Emergency Situation would be held responsible for the deaths and injuries.

-- The Nation 2011-07-04

Well, so much for "reconciliation" and "no revenge" (election slogans of the Pheua Thai). Didn't take long.

[OzMick]

2 very different headlines - probe the cause (the last thing they want), and bring Abhisit and military to justice. Almost oxymoronic. And very reconciliatory.

[Kanine]

The game will be to pin Abhisit and Suthep and then call for amnesty for all including both of them and Thaksin. Who will reject the amnesty then??

[dobadoy]

Aw, they'll be plenty more of this. It's a great way to get Big Bro' home. Get Abhisit up on daft charges, then give him and Big Bro' both a pardon - it's call "Reconciliation", people.

Before history gets re-written, as it surely will, lets not forget that some of the redshirt leaders were all ready to make a deal to quit Rachaprasong 'till Veera went mysteriously missing, Weng suddenly shut up, and Seh Deang told everyone no one was going home till the military came in.

Let's not forget that the crackdown was the hardcore redshirt/TS plan all along and Abhisit did so much to avoid it that he made himself a laughing stock even with his own supporters.

Edited July 4, 2011 by dobadoy

[hammered]

The game will be to pin Abhisit and Suthep and then call for amnesty for all including both of them and Thaksin. Who will reject the amnesty then??

If it goes that far although there are other establishment figures that may be better targets and have less chance of being tossed under the bus by the establishment, something that Kraisak commented on. It is about who has the power and who are the real players.

[dumpling]

so it begins ......I watched this result with a real sense of foreboding , Thaksin is back in control and the axe is going drop on many heads.

All of those who opposed him here in the country and those from nations and a specific country who said they didn't want him to stay should be worried.

This is a real step backwards I think we will see many changes over the next 12 months.

reconciliation replaced with revenge!!!

I hope i am wrong .

[warfie]

Until someone can prove to me that Abhist and / or Suthep gave orders to the Army along the lines of "Go shoot the bastards". I believe that the blame rests squarely (pun intended) upon the shoulders of the instigators of the riot.

[frodo]

Not even a full day yet and the revenge, or as Yingluck would say "reconciliation" has started.

If all 91 deaths cannot be proven that it was the military who "killed" all 91 and Abhisit gave the orders "Shoot to kill" as Thida and Natthawut suggest, will the red mobs take the street demanding justice? Will Natthawut or Jatuporn (providing he gets his bail and immunity from justice) still lead them and demand that PT step down or the city will burn since they failed to prove it was exclusively the military and Abhisit? No double-standards.

[virtualtraveller]

Yes, let's have a full and proper investigation starting with the money trail, who planned it, their intentions, the details of the negotiation, the burning of the buildings...I find it disgusting the way Thida blythly insists that Abhisit and co should now be held responsible and STILL these UDD goons remain in total denial that they did ANYTHING wrong.

I'm all for giving the Yingluck govt a chance but if any of these UDD leaders are part of it, they should expect pressure from day 1.

What happened at Ratchaprasong was no different from a coup attempt, and those responsible for trying to overthrow a civilian govt should be hanged!!

[Crushdepth]

Go right ahead, they can look into the use of guns and M-79 grenades by red shirts against the public and public officials, and the links to the red shirt leadership. Plenty of interesting answers waiting to be had.

[OJAS]

Shouldn't that be "Thai Government urge Government to probe Deadly Unrest".

Or more to the point "Thai Government urge their Lackeys in Parliament to probe Deadly Unrest". Yingluck looks to be caught between the devil and the deep blue sea as this seems to be a case of damned if she does (PAD back on the streets) and damned if she doesn't (UDD back on the streets). So the violence continues regardless.

Edited July 4, 2011 by OJAS

[ballpoint]

Shouldn't that be "Thai Government urge Government to probe Deadly Unrest".

Or more to the point "Thai Government urge their Lackeys in Parliament to probe Deadly Unrest". Yingluck looks to be caught between the devil and the deep blue sea as this seems to be a case of damned if she does (PAD back on the streets) and damned if she doesn't (UDD back on the streets). So the violence continues regardless.

It will certainly be interesting when she names Thaksin's cabinet. How many of the red leaders will be on the list, and holding what portfolios? Should they only get a token bone thrown to them then the look on Thida's face when she realises they have been used for one man's purpose will be priceless. Welcome to the real world.

On topic, I'd really like to see Abhisit turn up to a truly neutral court, such as the ICC, armed with the videos of the red leaders arson threats, the videos of Thaksin claiming he would end the whole red protest if they pardoned him, the video of the turning point in the election negotiations, when the red team were set to agree on a November date only to receive instructions otherwise, the statements from the channel 3 employees and Central World security guards who witnessed red arson attacks and were prevented at gun point from escaping and/or calling for help, the statements of the Din Daeng residents from the 2009 protests, who's homes were threatened by the reds LPG tanker, and the only deaths from both years with any real evidence to conclusively show who was responsible - that of the market sellers murdered by the reds in 2009 and the soldiers killed by the reds in black in 2010. As he has no irons in the war on drugs, Tak Bai, Krue Seh, Shipping Moo and assorted other "fires", he would also have no problem in bringing them up too. "Defendant released, prosecution into the dock!" I'd imagine that Thida will be told to shut up very soon. Whether she does or not will tell us much about her true motives, and could lead to that term that has been much bandied about lately "interesting times".

[sillybilly]

Can anybody tell me if the Reds are still going to do their monthly protesting or is all that going to stop now??

[themockrat]

Well, so much for "reconciliation" and "no revenge" (election slogans of the Pheua Thai). Didn't take long.

The post is about the UDD asking the new coalition government. Not about the new coalition government deciding anything.

Contrary to popular belief, the UDD and the PTP are 2 different teams.

Edited July 4, 2011 by themockrat

[themockrat]

Shouldn't that be "Thai Government urge Government to probe Deadly Unrest".

Or more to the point "Thai Government urge their Lackeys in Parliament to probe Deadly Unrest". Yingluck looks to be caught between the devil and the deep blue sea as this seems to be a case of damned if she does (PAD back on the streets) and damned if she doesn't (UDD back on the streets). So the violence continues regardless.

It will certainly be interesting when she names Thaksin's cabinet. How many of the red leaders will be on the list, and holding what portfolios? Should they only get a token bone thrown to them then the look on Thida's face when she realises they have been used for one man's purpose will be priceless. Welcome to the real world.

On topic, I'd really like to see Abhisit turn up to a truly neutral court, such as the ICC, armed with the videos of the red leaders arson threats, the videos of Thaksin claiming he would end the whole red protest if they pardoned him, the video of the turning point in the election negotiations, when the red team were set to agree on a November date only to receive instructions otherwise, the statements from the channel 3 employees and Central World security guards who witnessed red arson attacks and were prevented at gun point from escaping and/or calling for help, the statements of the Din Daeng residents from the 2009 protests, who's homes were threatened by the reds LPG tanker, and the only deaths from both years with any real evidence to conclusively show who was responsible - that of the market sellers murdered by the reds in 2009 and the soldiers killed by the reds in black in 2010. As he has no irons in the war on drugs, Tak Bai, Krue Seh, Shipping Moo and assorted other "fires", he would also have no problem in bringing them up too. "Defendant released, prosecution into the dock!" I'd imagine that Thida will be told to shut up very soon. Whether she does or not will tell us much about her true motives, and could lead to that term that has been much bandied about lately "interesting times".

What about the video of the announcement of the neutral politicians, who went in to negotiate with the red shirt leaders around 5am in the morning, when they announced that the protests would be ended peacefully, only to have the army run in shooting like mad an hour after?

[up-country_sinclair]

I hope the PTP resists the urge to go down this road, because I believe it will only lead to more bloodshed.

[themockrat]

The Democrats had a year to investigate who killed the 90+ Thais last year. They couldn't find anything. For whatever reason.

Let's hope the Puea Thai finds out who killed them.

[dobadoy]

What about the video of the announcement of the neutral politicians, who went in to negotiate with the red shirt leaders around 5am in the morning, when they announced that the protests would be ended peacefully, only to have the army run in shooting like mad an hour after?

Didn't I say history would be getting re-written? I'm not sure I can bear to watch all the appaling lies and dangerous games that are going to come avalanching down like a mudslide in the rainy season over the coming months.

Someone wake me up when sanity returns.

[patjem]

Aw, they'll be plenty more of this. It's a great way to get Big Bro' home. Get Abhisit up on daft charges, then give him and Big Bro' both a pardon - it's call "Reconciliation", people.

Before history gets re-written, as it surely will, lets not forget that some of the redshirt leaders were all ready to make a deal to quit Rachaprasong 'till Veera went mysteriously missing, Weng suddenly shut up, and Seh Deang told everyone no one was going home till the military came in.

Let's not forget that the crackdown was the hardcore redshirt/TS plan all along and Abhisit did so much to avoid it that he made himself a laughing stock even with his own supporters.

since it's the courts that decide, not the government, Thida won't be able to force the outcome without facts, which need to be somewhat more sound than a doctored recording

[Who, me ?]

Well, so much for "reconciliation" and "no revenge" (election slogans of the Pheua Thai). Didn't take long.

The post is about the UDD asking the new coalition government. Not about the new coalition government deciding anything.

Contrary to popular belief, the UDD and the PTP are 2 different teams.

UDD = PTP = THAKSIN

[Who, me ?]

Shouldn't that be "Thai Government urge Government to probe Deadly Unrest".

Or more to the point "Thai Government urge their Lackeys in Parliament to probe Deadly Unrest". Yingluck looks to be caught between the devil and the deep blue sea as this seems to be a case of damned if she does (PAD back on the streets) and damned if she doesn't (UDD back on the streets). So the violence continues regardless.

It will certainly be interesting when she names Thaksin's cabinet. How many of the red leaders will be on the list, and holding what portfolios? Should they only get a token bone thrown to them then the look on Thida's face when she realises they have been used for one man's purpose will be priceless. Welcome to the real world.

On topic, I'd really like to see Abhisit turn up to a truly neutral court, such as the ICC, armed with the videos of the red leaders arson threats, the videos of Thaksin claiming he would end the whole red protest if they pardoned him, the video of the turning point in the election negotiations, when the red team were set to agree on a November date only to receive instructions otherwise, the statements from the channel 3 employees and Central World security guards who witnessed red arson attacks and were prevented at gun point from escaping and/or calling for help, the statements of the Din Daeng residents from the 2009 protests, who's homes were threatened by the reds LPG tanker, and the only deaths from both years with any real evidence to conclusively show who was responsible - that of the market sellers murdered by the reds in 2009 and the soldiers killed by the reds in black in 2010. As he has no irons in the war on drugs, Tak Bai, Krue Seh, Shipping Moo and assorted other "fires", he would also have no problem in bringing them up too. "Defendant released, prosecution into the dock!" I'd imagine that Thida will be told to shut up very soon. Whether she does or not will tell us much about her true motives, and could lead to that term that has been much bandied about lately "interesting times".

What about the video of the announcement of the neutral politicians, who went in to negotiate with the red shirt leaders around 5am in the morning, when they announced that the protests would be ended peacefully, only to have the army run in shooting like mad an hour after?

After they were offered what they wanted, and they rejected it on silly reasons

[Who, me ?]

The Democrats had a year to investigate who killed the 90+ Thais last year. They couldn't find anything. For whatever reason.

Let's hope the Puea Thai finds out who killed them.

Sure it will be easier for them...They won't have to go too far to find

[themockrat]

Well, so much for "reconciliation" and "no revenge" (election slogans of the Pheua Thai). Didn't take long.

The post is about the UDD asking the new coalition government. Not about the new coalition government deciding anything.

Contrary to popular belief, the UDD and the PTP are 2 different teams.

UDD = PTP = THAKSIN

No, you're wrong. UDD and PTP work towards the same goal, but they're different teams.

[Who, me ?]

Well, so much for "reconciliation" and "no revenge" (election slogans of the Pheua Thai). Didn't take long.

The post is about the UDD asking the new coalition government. Not about the new coalition government deciding anything.

Contrary to popular belief, the UDD and the PTP are 2 different teams.

UDD = PTP = THAKSIN

No, you're wrong. UDD and PTP work towards the same goal, but they're different teams.

Will you ever stop you biased red propaganda?

[dobadoy]

since it's the courts that decide, not the government, Thida won't be able to force the outcome without facts, which need to be somewhat more sound than a doctored recording

True, true, true...given an independent judiciary.

[Pi Sek]

The post is about the UDD asking the new coalition government. Not about the new coalition government deciding anything.

Contrary to popular belief, the UDD and the PTP are 2 different teams.

UDD = PTP = THAKSIN

No, you're wrong. UDD and PTP work towards the same goal, but they're different teams.

You are right that it is not the government asking/deciding about anything, but you can't really say they're different teams because they have the same players in many cases. The Red Shirt movement on the other hand, which includes the UDD, is a different matter. You didn't see Sombat, who I thought was one of the most promising hopes as an instigator change in the Red Shirt movement (and the most adept at taking the piss out of the 'system'), get offered a PT party list membership.

[Pi Sek]

Re-reading this topic, I actually find it sickening that Nattawut in particular has the gall to call those responsible for deaths last year to justice. I certainly would say that his recent term wasn't nearly enough, but the cases are still pending so I can't say much. I don't mind Thida calling for justice so much because that's her job, but I don't believe for a second she is stupid enough to hold "outgoing prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and officials in the Centre for Resolutions of Emergency Situation ... responsible for the deaths and injuries". They were clear in their orders... if something went wrong, which I suspect it did, it probably happened on the ground in the heat of the battle. I fear we'll never know the whole story. Sad.

On topic, I'd really like to see Abhisit turn up to a truly neutral court, such as the ICC, armed with the videos of the red leaders arson threats, the videos of Thaksin claiming he would end the whole red protest if they pardoned him, the video of the turning point in the election negotiations, when the red team were set to agree on a November date only to receive instructions otherwise, the statements from the channel 3 employees and Central World security guards who witnessed red arson attacks and were prevented at gun point from escaping and/or calling for help, the statements of the Din Daeng residents from the 2009 protests, who's homes were threatened by the reds LPG tanker, and the only deaths from both years with any real evidence to conclusively show who was responsible - that of the market sellers murdered by the reds in 2009 and the soldiers killed by the reds in black in 2010. As he has no irons in the war on drugs, Tak Bai, Krue Seh, Shipping Moo and assorted other "fires", he would also have no problem in bringing them up too. "Defendant released, prosecution into the dock!" I'd imagine that Thida will be told to shut up very soon. Whether she does or not will tell us much about her true motives, and could lead to that term that has been much bandied about lately "interesting times".

That would indeed be a trial worth seeing. No doubt a prosecution team including Robert Amsterdam would have to resort to the likes of, "Did you hate the Red Shirts after they ambushed your car at the Pattaya Summit?"

The Democrats had a year to investigate who killed the 90+ Thais last year. They couldn't find anything. For whatever reason.

Let's hope the Puea Thai finds out who killed them.

I agree. But - given extenuating circumstances such as time elapsed, no possible crime scene investigations in many cases and feelings of no recourse from the Law on multiple sides - I very much doubt that even Sherlock Holmes commanding a team of history's greatest fictional detectives would stand a chance of finding out the exact truth of everything that happened last year. A deep shame, because I think Peua Thai will fail too, no matter how much or little effort they put into it.