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| Southeast Asia |
| Thais dig in for next clash |
| 2010-04-12 |
| [Straits Times] A TEMPORARY calm returned to parts of Bangkok roiled by street battles on Saturday that left 21 people dead, but the government and protesters both dug in their heels yesterday. Troops were ordered back to their barracks, though it was clear that they could be called on again. There was no sign of any substantive negotiations between the government and the 'red shirts' of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD). 'We have communication with them but not negotiation yet,' the Prime Minister's spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn told foreign media at the fortified military base from where the government administers emergency measures. 'You cannot negotiate when people are...breaking the laws,' he said, referring to the UDD's protest sites - at the upscale Ratchaprasong intersection and Rajadamnoen road in old Bangkok - which have been declared illegal." Dr Panitan also said facilities at six military bases have been prepared to house red shirts when they are arrested. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #2 The current Thai government came to power in a military coup. Thaxin's party has won the last three elections. The current goverment only retained power by disqualifying winning candidates from Thaxin's party. This is essentially a battle between the working middle class and those aspiring to be middle class (the red shirts), and the Bangkok elites. Unfortunately the king is old and ill. He has strongly favoured democracy in the past, which would be in favour of the red shirts and against the current government. I suspect there may be a surprise coming, with the military rank and file turning against the senior officers (part of the Bangkok elite). |
| Posted by: phil_b 2010-04-12 21:46 |
| #1 Red Shirts = poor farmers paid by Toxin with embezzled money and promised positions of power when he returns |
| Posted by: Jith Ghibelline8809 2010-04-12 00:32 |