Army Infighting Caused Deaths During Red-Shirt Protests 2010: Academics

[webfact]

'Army infighting caused deaths'

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A group of academics claimed yesterday that conflicts between Army factions led to the fighting and high casualties during the red-shirt protests in 2010.

The group, calling itself the Information Centre of People Affected by the Crackdowns on Demonstrations in April-May 2010, presented its 933-page draft report on the political unrest in 2010 at a press conference at Thammasat University.

A source from the academics, who are seen as supporting the red-shirt movement, said the wording needed to be polished before the final report would be released.

Banthit Chanrojanakij, a political science lecturer and a former member of a committee of the Truth for Reconciliation Commission of Thailand (TRCT), said the conflicts had developed and culminated in the fighting at Kokwua Intersection on April 10, 2010 and the shootings and killings of some Army officers at the National Memorial later.

The Army claimed that unknown armed "men in black" were responsible for the shootings at the demonstrators and the troops at Kokwua Intersection and for other incidents.

According to the report, as seen by The Nation, not all the killings at Kokwua Intersection were committed by the "men in black" as claimed by the then Democrat government.

Conflicts between two groups of Army officers were also blamed for the killing of Colonel Romklao Thuwatham, who was in charge of the operation at Kokwua Intersection.

Puangthong Phawakkaraphan, a political science lecturer at Chulalongkorn University, said her centre needed to conduct its research in parallel with the TRCT's investigation because the TRCT showed no progress in its study.

She said the TRCT had neglected to find out whether the authorities had violated the rights of the demonstrators so the centre would do its best to uncover the truth and make it known to the public.

-- The Nation 2012-08-20

[whybother]

Really? A group of "academics"? I'm sure their "truth" will be an interesting read.

Sent from my HTC phone.

[Ricardo]

Well that's an interesting new (to me at least) theory, it wasn't the armed black-shirts, mingling amongst the red-shirt protesters, who did it but another army-faction.

But at least its agreed ("not all the killings") that some of the troops were shot by the black-shirts.

[MaiChai]

If they are such an esteemed group of academics, surely they could have summerised down 933 pages? You average ajarn would not have had the patience to read that and would have have thrown it back at the student. I would thus conclude that its not the quality academic piece that it claims to be?

[GentlemanJim]

People with half a brain in this country are so bloody dangerous and the people with no brains read their garbage and listen to them.

A source from the academics, who are seen as supporting the red-shirt movement, said the wording needed to be polished before the final report would be released.

Hopefully they will polish off about 900 pages.

Another thing that needs polishing is their title

The group, calling itself the Information Centre of People Affected by the Crackdowns on Demonstrations in April-May 2010,

People's Front of Judea anybody ?

[FOODLOVER]

"The group, calling itself the Information Centre of People Affected by the Crackdowns on Demonstrations in April-May 2010, presented its 933-page draft report on the political unrest in 2010 at a press conference at Thammasat University".

The I.C.P.A.C.D.A.M.2010, never heard of them.

[virtualtraveller]

Damned right the faction under army general Seh Daeng were rebelling against their own country with Ames paid for by the tax man.

[ramrod711]

Damned right, the faction under army general Seh Daeng were rebelling against their own country with Arms paid for by the tax man.

I agree, I've thought so all along.

[jonclark]

"conflicts between Army factions led to the fighting and high casualties during the red-shirt protests in 2010"

If we take this at face value it leads to one question.

Who was commanding the army faction which was in conflict with the real army under the control of the government?

One thing is sure whoever was attacking the army / defending the red shirts were organized, co-ordinated and armed. Lets hope this report names who was controlling them. Because as much as the red shirt PTP supporters on TV dislike the idea, those who were in armed resistance to the army aggravated the entire situation and made it worse and need to be brought to account.

My guess is there will be no names in this report only vague ideas, conspiracy and weak suggestion. My guess is it will blame the entire conflict on spontaneous mutiny by certain army factions to protect the innocent red shirts. If it was a mutiny under those circumstances the army would know exactly who it was and they would have been named and chastised on one hand whilst the UDD would have named publicly declared them up a heroes, defending Thailand and democracy

This report will do more to muddy the water than bring reconciliation and justice the families of the soldiers, and civilians killed.

Edited August 20, 2012 by jonclark

[theslime]

"The group, calling itself the Information Centre of People Affected by the Crackdowns on Demonstrations in April-May 2010, presented its 933-page draft report on the political unrest in 2010 at a press conference at Thammasat University".

The I.C.P.A.C.D.A.M.2010, never heard of them.

Thank You for the Laugh.

[Moruya]

Bizarre

[noitom]

The final report needs to be "polished." A euphemism for "coverup?"

[chainarong]

Well as they say opinions are like arso!!!lse everyone has one.

[philw]

What if there is some truth to their assertion ?

It is a theory that I have heard raised before and it raises some very serious questions.

[MikeOboe57]

"Conflicts between two groups of Army officers were also blamed for the killing of Colonel Romklao Thuwatham, who was in charge of the operation at Kokwua Intersection."

"This is our fraggie!"

"No, it's ours!"

"No, it's ours!"

"Let's make a deal. We get the supparot, you get the safety pin. You can decorate your hat with it like Seh Daeng. Deal?"

"Deal!"

The rest is history

[RogueExpat]

These outrageous claims by ad-hoc academic committees have lost all credibility, so much so, that even streching of the truth, small exagerations, or embellishments are now treated as telling porkies.

Same as most opinion polls - just paid results to lead the people.

Sad really, because this country needs input from academics.

[SouthernMan3]

'Army infighting caused deaths'

Oh really ?

In my opinion the deaths were caused by the red shirts being such a pain in the arse.

C'mon, a stronghold made of tires and a 'non violent rally'

Give us a break.

Do we have stupid tattooed on our foreheads ?

[OzMick]

What if there is some truth to their assertion ?

It is a theory that I have heard raised before and it raises some very serious questions.

Re your gullibility?

You find the concept of foreign mercenaries completely unacceptable, but brother officers of the RTA deciding to murder each other is plausible? Maroon.

[kimamey]

"The group, calling itself the Information Centre of People Affected by the Crackdowns on Demonstrations in April-May 2010, presented its 933-page draft report on the political unrest in 2010 at a press conference at Thammasat University".

The I.C.P.A.C.D.A.M.2010, never heard of them.

Icpacdam? Yes I think I've heard of him. A bit silly putting his pin number down though.

[tragickingdom]

The text should have been "Not all Killings have committed by the army". Bet you that the fast mind of Prayuth will conclude in three and half months time that the academics have defamed the holy army.

[Moruya]

The text should have been "Not all Killings have committed by the army". Bet you that the fast mind of Prayuth will conclude in three and half months time that the academics have defamed the holy army.

It always amuses me when someone reads an article and distorts a summary of it to fit their preconceived ideas.

[lounger]

the official report writers only have two buttons on the auto write. One is suicide the other not yet used. I recommend they label the second button 'friendly fire'

The polishing will be how to get all involved parties accounted for under one or other of the auto writer buttons. then we can all go home happy that there is no case to answer

[philw]

What if there is some truth to their assertion ?

It is a theory that I have heard raised before and it raises some very serious questions.

Re your gullibility?

You find the concept of foreign mercenaries completely unacceptable, but brother officers of the RTA deciding to murder each other is plausible? Maroon.

I actually think the possibility that there were Russian mercenaries involved ( your original assertion ) to be startlingly laughable.

However given the known tensions within the Thai military, it is quite plausible and a distinct possibility, that brother officers did in fact murder each other.

They do have considerable form and experience of murdering their brother Thais, do they not ??

Thanks for your opinion on my gullibility and other than a cake, colour, pyrotechnic or obscure Napoleonic Guard, what is a maroon ???

Or were you trying to say "moron"

[birdpooguava]

The fact that there was a lot of ill-feeling (murderous hatred?) between different regiments in the Thai army is widely reported. The obvious bias to a particular regiment in regards to promotions left others extremely bitter

[OzMick]

What if there is some truth to their assertion ?

It is a theory that I have heard raised before and it raises some very serious questions.

Re your gullibility?

You find the concept of foreign mercenaries completely unacceptable, but brother officers of the RTA deciding to murder each other is plausible? Maroon.

I actually think the possibility that there were Russian mercenaries involved ( your original assertion ) to be startlingly laughable.

However given the known tensions within the Thai military, it is quite plausible and a distinct possibility, that brother officers did in fact murder each other.

They do have considerable form and experience of murdering their brother Thais, do they not ??

Thanks for your opinion on my gullibility and other than a cake, colour, pyrotechnic or obscure Napoleonic Guard, what is a maroon ???

Or were you trying to say "moron"

"What a maroon!" is a mis-use of the word moron made famous to generations by Bugs Bunny. That the word also depicts a deep shade of red makes it singularly appropriate.

And my claim as to your gullibility stands.

[Thait Spot]

The fact that there was a lot of ill-feeling (murderous hatred?) between different regiments in the Thai army is widely reported. The obvious bias to a particular regiment in regards to promotions left others extremely bitter

are you able to reference that with an article of any credibility?

[philw]

The fact that there was a lot of ill-feeling (murderous hatred?) between different regiments in the Thai army is widely reported. The obvious bias to a particular regiment in regards to promotions left others extremely bitter

are you able to reference that with an article of any credibility?

New Mandala has this very good article and there are other sources out there.

http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2010/04/27/the-deep-political-crisis-within-the-royal-thai-army-officer-corps

[philw]

What if there is some truth to their assertion ?

It is a theory that I have heard raised before and it raises some very serious questions.

Re your gullibility?

You find the concept of foreign mercenaries completely unacceptable, but brother officers of the RTA deciding to murder each other is plausible? Maroon.

I actually think the possibility that there were Russian mercenaries involved ( your original assertion ) to be startlingly laughable.

However given the known tensions within the Thai military, it is quite plausible and a distinct possibility, that brother officers did in fact murder each other.

They do have considerable form and experience of murdering their brother Thais, do they not ??

Thanks for your opinion on my gullibility and other than a cake, colour, pyrotechnic or obscure Napoleonic Guard, what is a maroon ???

Or were you trying to say "moron"

"What a maroon!" is a mis-use of the word moron made famous to generations by Bugs Bunny. That the word also depicts a deep shade of red makes it singularly appropriate.

And my claim as to your gullibility stands.

"Bugs Bunny".................oh, sorry, I should have known.

Any further comment on the army on army bit , or are we having a cartoon break ??

[SuneeTH]

Rubbish.

The army only use rubber bullets and shooting at the legs.

How could such actions kill people?

[Orac]

The text should have been "Not all Killings have committed by the army". Bet you that the fast mind of Prayuth will conclude in three and half months time that the academics have defamed the holy army.

It always amuses me when someone reads an article and distorts a summary of it to fit their preconceived ideas.

Sounds about right for The Nation.