I thought that it was interesting to read this article in the Bangkok Post (of all places!) and well worth posting it here if some had not seen it:

Emergency decree is setting the stage for tragedy

In order to move forward with meaningful reconciliation the government should lift theharsh laws which are only driving the opposition underground

http://www.bangkokpost.com/print/38686/

Bangkok Post

Published: 13/06/2010 at 12:00 AM

Newspaper section: News

The post-crackdown sentiments in many quarters of Thai society regarding the red shirt protest have reminded Thammasat University political scientist Kasien Tejpira of this poem authored in 1919 by William Butler Yeats in the aftermath of World War I. But among so-called red shirt sympathisers, it is a Thai ''song for life'' _ Tai Sip Kerd Saen (Ten Die, Hundreds of Thousands More Emerge) _ that reflects more precisely their feelings.

As its panacea to prevent such a mushrooming expansion of the red political movement, the Abhisit government is strictly holding on to the Emergency Decree. Instead of swiftly proceeding with criminal lawsuits against hardcore and obvious felons, the authorities are still busy chasing after those who simply voiced dissent against double standards and socio-political injustice.

Bored with the blame-game tactics of the red core leaders and the denials of the ruling government, the public has not seen either side take responsibility for its actions. Moreover, the public has yet to be told the results of post-mortem examinations of those who died on April 10 around Ratchadamnoen Avenue, on April 22 at Sala Daeng and from May 13-19 at Lumpini Park-Bon Kai, Ratchaprarop-Rang Nam, Sarasin-Ratchaprasong and Wat Pathum Wanaram.

While Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's reconciliation road map was beautifully phrased, grassroots people are not convinced that those in power are sincere about carrying it out.

On May 22, when 46-year-old Luen travelled from his home in Sakon Nakhon's Phu Pan district to Khao Wong in Kalasin province to attend the funeral of a volunteer medic killed at Wat Pathum, the police came to his house and left a warrant for his arrest with his wife.

Talking over the phone, the land rights activist said the warrant was a result of his joining a peaceful rally in Phang Khon district in Sakon Nakhon on May 16, a day after the government announced the Emergency Decree in the province.

Mr Luen, still in hiding, said: ''Not until there are reliable signs of due process under the law will I turn myself in and get bail. Under the decree, I'm not sure whether I'll get justice.''

He said people in Isan are now patiently waiting for a new election _ the only time their voices can be ex pressed in a meaningful manner.

Other Sakon Nakhon natives on the run are Sakrapee Promchat, a descendant of a Brahmin priest who poured blood in front of the Government House in protest, and a local politician. Both also fear that they will be denied due process of law. After all, they are not of the same stature as Chulalongkorn University assistant professor of history Suthachai Yimprasert, or labour activist Somyot Prueksakasemsuk, who were set free after eight-day and 21-day detentions, respectively. Ordinary Isan villagers can't rely on national or international pressure to help them if they are detained.

Pitsamai, a resident of Sakhon Nakhon's Waritchaphum district, said strange faces are popping up in several villages and spying on red shirts. ''They disguise themselves by soliciting for coffin donations,'' she said, adding that villagers no longer believe anyone, especially from the government.

''A deputy village headman said the district chief has announced some assistance for the red shirts, but people are doubtful. Villagers are censoring themselves when talking politics, and waiting for our time to come,'' said the 42-year-old protester who left Wat Pathum at noon on May 18.

Ongart, a Korat-based grassroots activist, also said people in Isan feel very bitter but don't voice their opinions.

''What reconciliation are we talking about _ between the superior and the inferior or the hand-tied and the free-handed?'' asked Mr Ongart.

He claimed the authorities are chasing after, if not killing, campaign canvassers and said people are wondering if there really will be an election even next year.

''Now, apart from setting up inter-district checkpoints such as those in Chaiyaphum, the plainclothes Internal Security Operations Command [Isoc] officers take shuttle buses into villages to places like Khon Kaen and Nong Bualamphu [to look for red shirts]. They also pay adults and youths to report the movements of any red sympathisers,'' he said.

Boonphin, from Samut Prakan, said arrest warrants for those joining splinter red shirt rallies nationwide have turned the people away from the quest for reconciliation.

''It is only rosy words when the government says all stakeholders would be involved,'' said the factory worker, adding that most people believe only certain groups will benefit.

His union office has lately seen strangers looking around and asking about some of the people who have spoken on the rally stages.

''This kind of malicious surveillance has pushed away certain workers, although there have been no arrest warrants,'' said Mr Boonphin.

Meanwhile, sources at the the 3rd Army Region (covering the North and Central parts of the country) say that the army and provincial governors have invited core red shirt leaders in the provinces for several rounds of talks and have disseminated the message to the general public that everyone should avoid the creation of further violence.

The sources in the North deny the existence of checkpoints such as those in Isan, but concede that patrolling and surveillance have been stepped up. ''We pay special attention to teenagers, so that they will not incite disturbances in the cities of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Phayao, and Nan,'' said one source.

The surveillance is also to prevent regrouping of the Puea Thai politicians and contacts with their sympathisers.

''We believe there is no movement now due to the decree, so it's better to extend the emergency,'' he said.

Thammasat University's Mr Kasien said that in the present circumstances a choice between two undesirable scenarios seems inevitable _ either authoritarianism by the elected government or anarchy instigated by the opposition.

To be able to move forward with meaningful reconciliation, pre-requisite steps are really needed, he said. These include abolishing the Emergency Decree as soon as possible so that the truth can unfold rather than be filtered or be sent underground, and allowing media freedom.

Somewhat cautiously the political scientist suggested that true reconciliation was still possible if all political forces _ regardless of their ideologies _ can be brought in through parliamentary, non-violent means to reach a consensus.

''We cannot stop quarrelling but we can stop killing.'' he said, adding: ''In the end, an amnesty seems necessary to restart the talking.

''Key institutions _ namely the monarchy and the military, as well as mass political movements need to collaborate in building up the parliamentary/peace forum premise,'' said Mr Kasien.

There must be consensus among Thai people that there would be no further terrorism and sabotage; no coups and no military intervention in politics; no military suppression of political protests; and no political abuse or utilisation of the monarchy, the October Generation lecturer said.

Moreover, the country must undertake efforts at economic redistribution and political liberalisation and democratisation, and institute more social welfare programmes.

Admitting that reaching such a consensus looks to be a tall order at the moment, Mr Kasien suggested Thai people should stop looking to phoo yai to solve the problems.

''We need to do it ourselves. Thais need to learn how to solve their problems without killing each other,'' said Mr Kasien.

About the author

Writer: Achara Ashayagachat
Position: Reporter

Edited by DNPBC0 - 13 Jun 10 at 18:51

Probably propaganda.