Thailand’s Red Shirt Movement: The Battle for Bangkok
DEVELOPMENTS
Months after the anti-government demonstrations ended on May 19th in Thailand, the Thai government announced that it has frozen the assets of those it believes helped finance the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship, most commonly known as the “Red Shirt” movement in the country. Thai’s Department of Special Investigation has listed and is currently investigating 83 people and companies that the government believes have funded the protests.
Close to over a hundred people have died and more than 1,800 have been wounded in the political violence which has devastated the financial institutions in Bangkok, Thailand’s financial capital. However, in the aftermath of the violence, supporters of the Red Shirt movement have called for new elections and have demanded that the current Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, step down or relinquish power.
Prime Minister Vejjajiva offered a national reconciliation plan with its centerpiece to be the calling of national elections in November. As a key component of the national reconciliation plan, Thailand’s cabinet appointed former attorney general Kanit na Nakhon as the chairman of the fact-finding committee to investigate the violent protests. While Vejjajiva hopes his announcement will break the political gridlock and restore peace to Thailand, his opponent, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinwatra, has rejected the reconciliation plan.
BACKGROUND
The constituency that comprises the Red Shirt movement is fascinating, in that it includes both the rural and the wealthy class. Both groups have had their financial interests threatened recently, and point to the national and fiscal stability under Shinwatra’s populist measures. Under his leadership, Thailand withstood the 1997 Asian financial crisis, recording a nearly five percent growth in 2002, and seven percent the year after. Furthermore, the country derives 8 percent of its GDP mainly from the tourism industry, and due to political instability, tourism has suffered.
Several Thai interests have converged to demonstrate for government reform; yet it is increasingly the rural community propelling both the movement, and its associated violence, forward, as it attempts to restore the leadership of Thaksin Shinwatra (he is currently facing exile in Britain.) Some farmers in the rural areas assert that they were never “interested in politics or donating money to a movement”; but they have gathered in large numbers to protest the current monarchy and actively impinge on the regime. And Thai officials believe that nearly $4 billion has been used to “fund the movement.” These supporters are also physically on the scene. In April, hundreds of Red Shirt supporters gathered to block a train, reportedly carrying military vehicles to Bangkok, after hearing the announcement on Red Station Radio, an anti-government FM station located just north of Bangkok. However, The Hindu reports that the largest Red Shirt gathering was at the cremation of Maj. Gen. Khattiya Sawasdipol, who was shot dead in the head by a sniper gun.
While pro-government advocates claim that the movement is violent, Red Shirts claim they are demonstrating the need for a people-based approach to governance and protection for human rights and democracy. The supporters also claimed that the military-backed government had censored the internet and attacked Facebook, in an attempt to curb Red Shirt communication and organization.
Months after the violence ceased in Bangkok, the debate in the Thai parliament has resulted in accusations and anger from both parties. The Vejjajiva government has pressed terrorism charges against Thaksin Shinwatra, while Mr. Shinwatra has “hired” an expert to bring international terrorism charges against the current government. The Wall Street Journal reported that Mr. Shinwatra is arguably Thailand’s most “powerful” civilian prime minister. But he is also accused of tailoring the government’s policy for his own financial interest. Opposition members have accused the current government of attacking unarmed demonstrators, medical workers, and protestors who took shelter in a temple.
The Thai government had rejected the movement’s offer to end the violence and enter into United Nations-mediated talks, staying firm with regards to the no-external-interference-policy with respect to internal matters.
ANALYSIS
Times of India reported that the United States supports Prime Minister Vejjajiva’s national reconciliation plan and that it wanted to “work with all sides” in finding a solution. The U.S. should continue to highlight that peace and democracy, based on the findings of the investigative committee headed by Kanit na Nakhon, are the building blocks for growth and stability in the country and the region. It should further coordinate with regional partners to ensure that the turmoil is resolved peacefully.
The United States Congress introduced legislation expressing support for the five-point “reconciliation plan” that includes: (1) upholding and protecting the constitutional monarchy (2) resolving differences through participation of all sectors (3) operation of free media (4) investigation of the violence by an independent committee and (5) instituting political reform. In sum, the resolution intends to essentially convey a message of bringing peace and stability and working towards instituting political reforms.
Considering the death of a Japanese soldier, regional partners like Japan must support and ensure the successful completion of the fact-finding committee. And with the commitment to transparency, accountability and openness, the Thai government should hold immediate national elections that demonstrate the upholding of human rights in Thailand. A trust-building step would be to repeal the Internal Security Act. The Red Shirts should also commit to accept the results of the free and fair elections, if held under the presence of international observers.
The current government should work to ensure that economic and social inequalities do not exist. In the presence of these harsh realities, some analysts believe that the political unrest is far from over and that the opportunities to topple the current government still exist.
Niki Shah is a frequent contributor to Foreign Policy Digest.
