Thailand: On the Brink of Civil War

UDD Leadership Statement, 16:13 Bangkok Time, 14 May 2010:

1.  The government must stop the use of force, cease fire, and immediately withdraw troops back to barracks.  The government must end the state of emergency which has been an excuse to kill citizens.

2.  Parliament should be dissolved immediately, and Abhisit and Deputy Sutep must step down from public office since they have no legitimacy.

3.  Those responsible for the violence, the assassination attempt against Seh Daeng, and the killings of at least two civilians and numerous injuries, must face the justice system, just as the UDD leaders will do because of government-instigated charges.

If the government does not accept these demands, the situation in Bangkok and other parts of the country will be extremely serious.

There is already a civil war situation.

My Comments:


Sporadic clashes are occurring in Bangkok and the provinces.  The government is desperately trying to cling to power by murdering pro-democracy demonstrators.  Splits are appearing in the security forces with reports of some police or army units returning fire with the advancing troops.  This is indeed a civil war situation and the government cannot hope to control the situation.

Red Shirts are determined to stand firm.  Millions of people are extremely angry with the government, the military, and the monarchy.

Giles Ji Ungpakorn

Update, around 19:00 Bangkok Time:

Army assassination squads are being deliberately used against innocent Red Shirts.   A sniper has shot dead a Red Shirt woman near the Rajprasong stage.


Giles Ji Ungpakorn is a Thai socialist, currently in exile in the U.K.  See, also, “Thailand: Seeing through the Mist of Tear Gas” (MRZine, 16 April 2010).




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