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Violence erupted at Central World Plaza between pro- and anti-Thaksin supporters yesterday after a visit by the caretaker PM to open an education fair. Among those injured was anti-Thaksin protesters Vasuporn Boonmee, who received a gash to the neck.

Thaksin critics assaulted in latest clashes

By David Ogan

22 August 2006

Confrontations between pro- and anti-Thaksin elements escalated into full-scale violence yesterday in what was the third hostile encounter between the two sides in three days.

The mayhem, which grimly overshadowed the brisk scuffle at Siam Paragon on Saturday and Sunday’s confrontation at the Ratchapat Chandrakasem Institute, erupted as Thaksin presided over the opening of an education fair at the newly opened Central World Plaza.

Sporadic brawls broke out in different parts of the shopping mall after Thaksin left in the afternoon. It took hundreds of police officers, who were anticipating trouble, nearly an hour to restore order. Five anti-Thaksin protesters were hospitalized.

Senior figures in the caretaker government accused the anti-Thaksin People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) of provoking the violence, adding that members of the public should make their opinions known at the ballot box on October 15.

However, PAD leaders said members of the public had a constitutional right to peacefully express their disapproval of the government, and accused Thaksin supporters and security forces of instigating the violence.

Political observers expressed concern about the recent upsurge in violence between the two camps and predicted that hostilities would continue if Thaksin remains in office.

As Thaksin tried to speak at the opening of Digital TK Park on the eighth floor of Central World Plaza yesterday, he was greeted with calls of “Thaksin get out!”

Thaksin supporters responded with their trademark call of “Thaksin fight on!”

Similar incidents were repeated on several floors of the plaza and outside in the parking lot.

In one incident, a young man kicked an elderly anti-Thaksin demonstrator to the ground. Police rapidly intervened but made no arrests.

Agriculture Minister Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, the deputy TRT leader, said she was dismayed at what she had seen.

“From what I have observed during recent tours of several regions around the country, it appears the anti-Thaksin groups were [intent on disrupting society],” she said.

“I want to ask all sides not to do anything that will provoke the other side to react.”

Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva also expressed concern over the recent escalation in violence by both pro- and anti-Thaksin demonstrators.

“The right to express political opinions belongs to everyone,” he said. “However, this should be done within limits and not [be] violent.”

Abhisit went on to criticize Government Spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee and other ministers for accusing certain elements of masterminding the anti-Thaksin protests.

Suriyasai Katasila, a founding member of PAD, yesterday denied allegations the alliance had orchestrated the anti-Thaksin protests over the weekend.

Suriyasai also said claims that anti-Thaksin elements were plotting to assassinate the prime minister were bogus.

“The government aims to tarnish PAD’s credibility,” Suriyasai said.

“[The accusation that the People’s Alliance for Democracy is behind the violence] is untrue. PAD’s core premise is in opposing Thaksin through peaceful means in accordance with the Constitution,” he said.

“We have organized mass demonstrations attended by more than 100,000 people where not a single violent incident occurred,” he said.

“It is Thaksin himself who has created enemies all around the country.”

Pol Lt Gen Achirawit Suphannaphaysat, the national police spokesman, denied his officers had used excessive force when dealing with anti-Thaksin protesters.

“It is the job of the police to protect the leader of the country, no matter what party he belongs to,” he said.

Academics have also expressed concern about the recent clashes, adding that members of the public have a legal right under the Constitution to peacefully express their views.

“The political crisis was a result of Thaksin’s actions. [He] incited public distrust,” said Thavee Surarithikul, Dean of Political Science at Sukhothai Thammathiraj University.

“The expression of their disapproval of a political leader is a freedom they may exercise at any time. It is protected under the framework of the law,” he said.

“It is Thaksin himself who must stop all activities that incite violent confrontations,” Thavee said.
Pale PM looks weary of dodging 'guerrillas'

Guerrilla tactics employed by the detractors of Thaksin Shinawatra, have taken their toll on the caretaker prime minister.

Thaksin looked pale and disheartened yesterday as he was forced to take a back elevator at the Central World Plaza in downtown Bangkok to escape a small group of protesters who planned to embarrass him with "Thaksin get out!" shouts.

Security was tight as Thaksin was scheduled to attend an exhibition at the Digital TK Park, on the eighth floor of the Central World Plaza. His detractors wanted to repeat a similar incident at Siam Paragon on Saturday when a young boy and some grown-ups hurled abusive remarks at Thaksin.

This has become a new guerrilla war, if not a social sanction, waged against Thaksin. The PM's supporters, however, were quick to defend him by punching or kicking his opponents.

Yesterday was a repeat of the Siam Paragon incident where Thaksin's supporters resorted to Thai boxing to hurt detractors while the police turned a blind eye to the ugly scenes.

The pressure for Thaksin not to seek re-election is rising, as there are more fears that violent clashes between his opponents and supporters will turn into a political crisis.

As Thailand is facing a bitter political divide, clashes between Thaksin's supporters and opponents could continue until the October 15 election if Thaksin insists on fighting for the premiership.

Thawee Surarithikul, dean of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University's political science faculty, warned the current political situation is similar to October 6, 1976 when the public was divided between left and right.

He said the government at that time used stiff measures in suppressing its opponents whom it believed were communists. Many people fled into the jungle to take up arms against the government.

Speaking before yesterday's clash between the two groups at Central World Plaza, Thaksin yesterday denied a statement by Chat Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa that he had told him he would take a break from politics.

Thaksin said he had not met Banharn on the matter. When asked what they talked about over a shark-fin soup dinner two weeks ago, Thaksin said the shark-fin soup dinner with Banharn was a long time ago.

Gothom Arya, chairman of the National Economic and Social Advisory Council (Nesac), advised Thaksin not to judge his political standing based on the number of his supporters or opponents.

Gothom said the scuffles that had occurred in the past few days between supporters and opponents stemmed from the fact that Thaksin had not announced whether he would stand for re-election. His supporters wanted to give him moral support to get re-elected, while his opponents were trying to force him to stay on the sidelines.

"Thaksin must find a peaceful place to do some soul-searching before the conflict widens or turns more violent,'' he said.

Caretaker Senator Sak Khosangruang also called on Thaksin to make a sacrifice before the conflict develops into a full-blown crisis. He criticised Thaksin for stepping up security for himself saying it created a negative image for both the country and the leader.

"The media reported that state security officials were the one's who assaulted the people,'' he said. "It could be the thin end of the wedge. Thaksin must review his role now,'' he said.

Caretaker Senator Sophon Supapong called on Thaksin to step down and enter the monkhood. He warned Thaksin was taking the wrong path by trying to cling to power and creating a rift in the country. "When he has a problem with people, instead of trying to reach an understanding with them, he brings out his supporters to create a stand-off with those who oppose him. We must stop this confrontation in our society immediately,'' he said.

Sophon said he had once advised Thaksin to enter the monkhood and come back to build four temples in Thailand as he would find true happiness and be more valuable than he is now. "Being a PM, he should stop and not instigate conflicts among the people. Thaksin should do some soul-searching about whether he is really happy creating conflicts in society. To contribute to the country, he can do so with a different status,'' Sophon said.

He said Thaksin was taking the wrong path in trying to uphold his power by pushing for the election on October 15 and trying to delay the dissolution of the Thai Rak Thai Party.

The Academic Network for Democracy issued a statement demanding Thaksin stop using force against his opponents.

"Use the law, not force. Do not exaggerate the news trying to make you look like a victim,'' the statement said.

A number of people signed the statement including Pratapjit Neelapaijit, a daughter of lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit who has been missing for over two years.

While observing the exhibition at Central World Plaza, Thaksin recited a poem by Sri Praj, one of Ayudhaya's greatest poets, to a group of children. "This Land bears witness for me. I am a disciple with a master. If I do wrong, I would be glad to go to the scaffold. If I do no wrong and you insist on killing me, let the sword return to you," Thaksin said.

Then he turned to the children and said: "The situation is like mine now. I have to go this way."

Thai Rak Thai Party secretary-general Suriya Jungrungreangkit said the party felt uneasy that Thaksin had not committed to either getting re-elected or taking a political break. Suriya said most party members would like him to take the premiership again but Thaksin had not made a decision yet.

Asked to comment about Banharn's statement that quoted Thaksin as saying he would take a political break and support caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak as the next PM, Suriya said the party and most local people want Thaksin to be re-elected.

Suriya said he believed Somkid would contest the next election in the party-list system. The media had earlier reported Somkid would not accept any post after the next election.

A human rights activist group yesterday issued a statement condemning Thaksin for causing conflict in the country and for refusing to step down, while also condemning the Pathumwan Police Station for discrimination and the pro-Thaksin group for using force against anti-Thaksin groups.

"No political party and no politician should allow such human rights violations like those that happened [yesterday],'' Metha Maskhao, co-ordinator of the group said.

Thaksin was scheduled today to preside over the ceremony to launch a Police Award project at the Police Club on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road.

The Nation
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Anti-Thaksin coalition calls for probe of 'police beatings'

BANGKOK, Aug 22 (TNA) -- Political protest in the Thai capital heated up Tuesday as the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) has called on National Police Commissioner Pol. Gen. Kowit Wattana to investigate Monday's assault on anti-Thaksin demonstrators and to publicly unveil results of the probe within seven days.

The anti-Thaksin movement vowed to raise what it described as the biggest ever protest in Thailand's capital, should the police chief's handling of the matter be considered ''unsatisfactory.''

Media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul, a leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, also called on caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Pol. Gen. Chidchai Vanasatidya and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Pol. Lt-Gen. Viroj Chantarangsi to look into the incident in which several democracy coalition demonstrators against the prime minister were physically assaulted by alleged plainclothes police while several police officers in uniform looked on without intervening at the fashionable Central World shopping centre on Monday.

Mr.Sondhi said that an unidentified police colonel was seen talking with the assailants and police officers in charge of questioning of the injured demonstrators at Pathumwan police station.

PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila warned that the biggest-ever protest might take place shortly, if police probing the incident fail to bring the assailants to justice.

Somsak Kosaisuk, another leader of the anti-Thaksin movement, also denounced the brutal attack on elderly persons.

Mr. Sondhi said the PAD will submit a petition to Pol. Gen. Kowit on Friday and wait for the outcome of the police probe for seven days.

TNA
EDITORIAL

Democracy cannot be strong-armed

Thaksin's refusal to condemn the violence against detractors reflects his disregard for freedom of speech

The clashes between supporters and detractors of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Saturday and Monday are symptomatic of a deeper malaise. Thaksin's leadership crisis and questions about his legitimacy as a democratic leader have led to the polarisation of Thai politics, which divides people into pro- and anti-Thaksin camps, each harbouring a deep hatred for the other. Bitter confrontations between the two sides at various times and places over the past several months finally erupted into unsightly violence when anti-Thaksin protesters were attacked by the prime minister's bodyguards and thuggish supporters in the full glare of television cameras. On Saturday, several protesters shouting anti-Thaksin slogans at the prime minister, who may have irritated him but otherwise posed no threat whatsoever to the premier's personal safety, were violently subdued by bodyguards who punched and kicked them. On Monday, uniformed police stood idly by while pro-Thaksin hooligans beat up several defenceless protesters.

Having previously refrained from providing any comment on these incidents, Thaksin, the man at the centre of the controversy, finally broke his silence yesterday, blaming the police for failing to maintain law and order. He did not express any concern for the victims of this senseless violence or make any statement regarding the need for authorities to investigate these incidents and bring the wrongdoers to justice. Most democratically elected leaders would at least try to show magnanimity toward political adversaries who had been physically assaulted simply because they happened to hold differing political views. As the nation's leader, Thaksin has the responsibility to guarantee the rule of law in general and public safety in particular, which makes it possible for citizens to enjoy unfettered rights regarding freedom of speech and freedom of political assembly.

It must not be forgotten that citizens in a democracy have the right either individually or collectively to voice their political views or stage demonstrations in support of politicians or in opposition to them, as long as they do so peacefully and do not infringe on the rights of others.

At the very least, a leader in a democratic society should prove capable of tolerating dissenting voices and even hecklers on occasion with good grace. Obviously that was too much to ask of Thaksin, whose credibility as a national leader has plummeted exactly because of his total disregard for the rule of law in his pursuit of selfish gain at the expense of the public interest. His small-minded vengefulness toward his critics and political opponents is well established. And now to this list of shortcomings Thaksin has added extreme paranoia: every act of public protest against him by individuals or groups is now seen as part of a conspiracy to hasten his political demise.

There are disturbing questions that remain unanswered. One is whether Thaksin had knowingly allowed or encouraged his bodyguards and unruly supporters to make an example out of protesters and hecklers by using physical assault as a means of deterring other anti-Thaksin demonstrators. The other is whether Thaksin intended to escalate the confrontation between his supporters and opponents.

Of course, Thaksin would be wise to provide the public with a plausible denial of his role in all of this.

Beleaguered Thaksin, faced with growing opposition to his leadership and widely perceived to be extremely corrupt, has beaten a retreat in a desperate attempt at self-preservation by alluding to the supremacy of the ballot box. According to him, all political differences that led to the ongoing political crisis should be settled peacefully by the outcome of the upcoming general election scheduled for October 15. Thaksin should know that setting a date for a general election does not take away a citizen's right to protest publicly or pester him with embarrassing anti-Thaksin slogans.

Thaksin may now be showing that he either does not care enough about violence against his opponents or that he has something to hide.

Be that as it may, victims of the recent violence must be encouraged to press criminal charges against their assailants. Police likewise have the responsibility to investigate and get to the bottom of the matter to bring to justice not only those violence-prone bodyguards of the prime minister and accompanying hooligans but also the masterminds of these attacks, if there are any, no matter how high up they are among Thaksin's henchmen.

The Nation
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