Two developments here in Thailand today:
First, Thai PM Abhisit Vejjajiva’s car was attacked by ant-government red-shirt protesters in Pattaya this afternoon. It was the first violence targeted at Abhisit since he came to power in December. Reuters has the story.
And second, tension is mounting ahead of a massive red-shirt rally planned here in Bangkok tomorrow. Abhisit has vowed to prevent a “civil war.” The AP has this story.
Many people here in Bangkok are talking about the large UDD (anti-government) protest planned for tomorrow (Wed. the 8th).
Today’s Bangkok Post has this story: “PM ready to quell uprising”
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva insists the government will not allow “a civil war or a people’s uprising” as fears of a possible bloodbath were raised ahead of Wednesday’s major red-shirt protest at Government House.
In a special televised address to the nation Monday night, Mr Abhisit said there were concerns Wednesday’s rally would escalate into civil war or a people’s revolution but he wanted to assure that the government would take steps under the law to stop this happening.
The prime minister also urged the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship protesters to refrain from any actions deemed to affect the country’s key institutions and national security.
He assured people that security forces were well-prepared and would work in unison to ensure the red-shirt protest proceeded under the rule of law.
For background information, here’s a recent CSM story: “In Thailand, populist protesters turn the tables on the government.”
Today’s Bangkok Post has a story about a UDD (anti-government) rally planned for Wednesday, April 8 and the possible return of the PAD: “PAD plans revolt against red shirts” Sub-hed: “Fears of bloodshed spark comeback plans”
The People’s Alliance for Democracy is pledging to stage a comeback and mount a counter-rally if the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship’s political gathering on Wednesday escalates into violence.
The PAD, which has kept a low profile since the Democrat-led coalition government came to power in December, fears the red-shirt rally could deteriorate into violence and lead to military intervention.
Supporters of Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda will also hold a rally on Wednesday, raising fears they could be on a collision course with the red shirts.
The PAD, you’ll recall, is the group that shut down Bangkok’s international airport for a week in late November.
Today’s WSJ has this story: “Thaksin Ups Ante In Thai Struggle”
BANGKOK — Thailand’s fugitive former leader, Thaksin Shinawatra, has picked a fight from which he may find it hard to back down — and which economists say could hinder this Southeast Asian economy’s efforts to recover from the global slump.
Mr. Thaksin on Friday rejected the Thai government’s offer of talks to resolve political conflicts. He told his supporters — who are barricading the main government complex in Bangkok — to prepare for a “people’s revolution” in defense of democracy.
“Negotiation is out of the question. We are talking about the nation’s future now,” Mr. Thaksin told cheering supporters in a live video link from an undisclosed location overseas. He urged people to turn out for a mass show of support in Bangkok on April 8.
AFP: “Heavy gunfire at Thai-Cambodia border: commander”
PHNOM PENH (AFP) — Heavy gunfire broke out Friday on the disputed Thai-Cambodian border, a Cambodian commander told AFP, following a brief exchange of shots earlier in the day.
“We are in a gun fight with the Thai soldiers now. There is heavy gunfire along the border,” commander Bun Thean told AFP.
He said shots had been fired between troops in at least three spots near the ancient Preah Vihear temple on the border, which has never been fully demarcated.
Cambodian soldier Yeim Kheang, stationed at the border, confirmed to AFP by telephone that both sides were firing shots, saying the exchange began at 2:00 pm (0700 GMT).
There was no immediate response from Thailand.
You can find more info on this issue in a Newley.com post from October here.
Reuters: “Thai govt seeks talks with Thaksin to end protest”
BANGKOK, April 1 (Reuters) – Thailand’s government offered on Wednesday to negotiate with exiled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to end a week-long street campaign threatening its efforts to stave off an economic recession.
The offer was swiftly rejected by a leader of the pro-Thaksin group that has surrounded Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s offices in Bangkok to force him out, the latest escalation in Thailand’s three-year-old political crisis.
“Our objective is to remove them. Why would we talk to them?” said Jatuporn Prompan, a leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), an extra-parliamentary group that accuses Abhisit of being a pawn of the military.
Police have taken no action against the thousands of red-shirted protesters despite a court order on Tuesday that they allow ministers to enter Government House.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said the government wanted to avoid violence and he offered talks with Thaksin, who has exhorted his supporters to “bring back democracy” in nightly video speeches from an undisclosed location.
“If talks can bring peace to the country, I am ready to meet him anywhere, because Thaksin is the only person that can end the siege,” said Suthep, who is in charge while Abhisit attends the G20 Summit in London.
There’s also a story from the BBC and one from the FT. And here’s one from VOA about politics and the Thai economy.