THOUSANDS of Thai opposition protesters faced down volleys of tear gas and water cannon yesterday to storm a television station, seeking a resumption of anti-government broadcasts, as tensions remained high in Bangkok’s ongoing political maelstrom.
Thailand has been riven by political unrest since a 2006 coup that ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, although the economy continues to perform well despite the backdrop of lingering unrest.
The protesters threw rocks and petrol bombs before they climbed over barbed wire and forced open the gate of the TV station compound, defying an emergency decree.
Anti-government protesters have staged demonstrations since March 12th in Bangkok, bringing chaos to the capital and deeply dividing Thai society.
The use of force by the Thai security forces in response to the assault is an indication that things may be poised to escalate in this particular political crisis. But it remains difficult to read which way the security forces will go.
The occupation of the TV station was the latest blow to the reputation of prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, which has been badly jolted by months of protests by red-shirted opposition groups, many of whom support Mr Shinawatra, an international fugitive. The protesters subsequently left the TV station.
The protesters want immediate elections, while Mr Abhisit has offered elections at the end of the year, one year earlier than required by law.
However, the “Red Shirts” want action much more quickly.
During the Red Shirts’ assault on the TV station, which is located in a northern Bangkok suburb, at least 10 protesters and three security personnel were injured.
The protesters then held negotiations with the police about allowing their TV channel “People Channel” to broadcast again, and security forces and protesters withdrew from the compound side by side.
The Red Shirts offered water to soldiers and police, and showed reporters a small cache of weapons, including M-16 assault rifles, they had seized from soldiers.
The Red Shirts are demanding that Mr Abhisit dissolve the government and call elections within 15 days. He has offered to do so by the end of the year.
Mr Abhisit has always favoured a non-confrontational approach, but the state of emergency marks a more serious state of affairs.
A state of emergency gives the military authority to restore order and allows authorities to suspend certain civil liberties and ban all public gatherings of more than five people.
Judging the loyalties of the security forces has been a real problem for the government.
After the clash yesterday, some security forces were seen throwing down their shields and riot gear and shaking hands with the protesters.
While the army is a force unto itself, and probably the main arbiter of power in Thailand, the police are split in their loyalties, making it difficult for the government to enforce its orders.
The opposition insists the Abhisit government was not elected by popular mandate, but equally Mr Thaksin also favoured anti-democratic measures during his time in power, making it a difficult political situation to read.
Mr Thaksin, who was elected twice before the coup toppled him from power and who was later sentenced to two years in jail for corruption, fled into exile and lives mostly in Dubai. His core support is among the rural poor and in the north of the country.
Mr Thaksin’s supporters are most likely to win an election, so Mr Abhisit has refused to step down and he has the backing of the country’s monarchy, the Bangkok elite and the army.
