Red shirts dig in for a showdown
April 8, 2010 by TTRweekly Staff
Filed under News
Red shirt protesters will continue their occupation of Ratchaprasong district, over the weekend, despite the declaration of a State of Emergency that makes it illegal for gatherings of more than five people.
Now rolling into its third week, thousands of protesters are showing no signs of giving up. On the contrary, they are entrenched in the centre of commercial Bangkok for the long-term despite the heavy financial toll that their presence is having on shopping malls and five star hotels in the area.
Under the state of emergency, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has banned public gatherings of more than five people and given broad powers to police and military under emergency rule announced Wednesday in the capital and surrounding areas.
This is the fourth time that a prime minister has resorted to a state of emergency in just two years, a telling statistic on why the country’s tourism and economy is suffering.
Most Asian neighbours are upgrading their travel advisories and recommending citizens go else where until the situation is stabilised in Thailand.
Tensions have escalated after red shirt protestors invaded the parliamentary compound on Wednesday afternoon, prompting lawmakers to flee some by army helicopters. Police and security officers appeared helpless to intervene.
Tourist chiefs and business leaders have urged the demonstrators to end their action, warning it is taking a heavy toll on the nation’s economy.
However, Mr Abhisit’s government is in a bind and critics challenge the wisdom of declaring a state of emergency. They say he will be dammed if he acts against the protesters and dammed if he doesn’t.
Thailand has again reached an impasse when none of the political options, open to law makers, appear to lead to a long-term solution and economic stability.
Well, when I passed by the Thai Com office in a taxi today the mob that invaded the premise a couple of days ago has dwindled to a few dozen red shirts in the front compound. The driver made a dry comment that the immense summer heat has taken its toll adding that the protesters from his home province are paid a thousand Baht per vehicle and 500 Baht per head to come and join the rally in Bangkok. It seems the tourism industry’s loss is the country folk’s gain. Just wondering the whereabout of the big boss who is paying all these bills.
Golly! I took the Petcheburi Road bridge over Rajdamri on my way to have my nails done this morning and, to amazement, all of the Reds were gone! The street was full of taxis. Minutes later I passed Ploenchit on Chidlom Road. There were some disused baracades that were completely abandoned. I hear the Reds are building a stage in Lumpini park, which sounds perfect for them. The hookers in the park will get plenty of business and the entire mob can simply be locked in the park if they get too frisky.
Unfortunately, it is still not yet safe for proper ladies to get red nail polish.