Bangkok: the "red shirts" protest against police violence
Bangkok (AsiaNews) - This morning the "red shirts" marched through the streets of Bangkok carrying coffins on their shoulders, a symbol of the victims of the clashes on 10 April. Most of the coffins were empty, but at least two of them contained the bodies of anti-government protesters killed in clashes with police. Meanwhile, repercussions of the crisis on Thailand are becoming more serious, with heavy losses on the stock market for major companies.
In a speech to the nation, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said that the government intends to "ensure respect for the law" and is not opposed to "open dialogue with leaders of the protest." Since March 12, thousands of "red shirts", close to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in exile and supported by the opposition party United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), have taken over certain areas of the capital, demanding the dissolution of parliament and new elections.
Tensions precipitated on April 10, when clashes between demonstrators and police left 21 people dead including , Japanese Reuters cameraman Hiroyuki Muramoto. The number of wounded is over 800, at least 90 of them in serious condition. Among the dead are four police officers, including two high-ranking commanders in charge of field operations.
The incident has sparked fresh controversy between the government and opponents who accuse the military of using lead bullets on demonstrators. The authorities deny the accusations, stressing that they had used rubber bullets. Some media have shown a series of frames that show "unidentified" men dressed in black, pointing guns against the police. The government has decided to cancel the most important celebrations for the Thai New Year, scheduled for April 12 to 15.
The UDD secretary general insists that "the prime minister should dissolve Parliament" and coalition parties "distance themselves from the Democrat Party". Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said he had spoken with the leaders of the coalition and all agree on "the revision of certain provisions of the Code" before new elections, which should be held "within three months."
Thai analysts and policy experts are focusing on the economy to find a solution to the institutional crisis. Preca Piempongsarn, Professor of Political Science at Ubonrachathani University, stressed the "signals" that "the Democrat Party have failed to solve economic problems at the root."
Thienchai Wongchaisuwan, an independent analyst, warns that it is necessary to "give greater emphasis to the role of population within the community" because people can not just "wait for government subsidies" and hope for "free and transparent elections" as a fundamental part of democratic process.
Somkiat Phonpai, leader of the Assembly of the Poor, says that "the government should return natural resources to the people" so that "the poor who lost their jobs can find employment in their places of origin and are not forced to move to cities to survive. "
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10/05/2011
