By Avudh Panananda
Even though many are heaving a sigh of relief now that Bangkok appears to have calmed down, the political predicament is far from over and the torching of buildings in the capital might just be the start.
A power struggle is part and parcel of the political system anywhere in the world. But Thais have often opted for military tactics and combat activities, hence turning a supposedly peaceful struggle into an all-out battle.
Many are blaming ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra for the latest predicament. Though demonising Thaksin has generated enough publicity, the fact still remains that one man, despite his bitterness, vengeance and vast riches, could not singlehandedly have caused mayhem of this magnitude.
Thaksin's cohorts were probably more involved in the havoc wrought.
Based on remarks made by Thaksin and his cohorts, particularly Pheu Thai Party chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, the red-shirt movement is purportedly a tool for breaking the political polarisation.
The so-called battle is nothing but a shameful ploy designed by the main opposition party to grab power via engineering the downfall of the Democrats through bloodshed, forcing a coalition switch or fresh elections.
After the red shirts voluntarily disbanded in the face of the military's anti-riot measures in April last year, the opposition movement resumed the protest in March, this time backed by armed guerrillas waiting to unleash atrocities since April 10 in plain view of a television audience.
If the reds had confined their activities to their rally sites at Phan Fa Bridge and Rajprasong, the government would in no way have been justified to use force.
However, it is unfortunate that agitators worked overtime on April 10 and from May 13 provoking the security forces to unleash their guns.
The atrocities can never be condoned regardless of each side's attempt to portray its actions as bravery and the other side's as cruelty. It is inexcusable for the agitators to incite arson and riots after the rally was brought to a violent end on May 19.
It is a disgrace that opposition and coalition lawmakers are trying to fault one another for the mayhem instead of behaving with suitable decorum to bring about the speedy recovery of a country that has been badly pummelled.
Despite the death toll of 85 with nearly 2,000 injured, the bloodbath did not end the polarisation.
As for the pacifist red shirts, their commitment to non-violence has been less credible due to the fact that 11 soldiers and policemen were killed in action and about 411 security forces sustained injuries. Furthermore, some 116 M79 and RPG attacks took place against more than 40 targets.
Between May 13 and May 19, almost 60 M79-grenade launcher attacks were aimed at the perimeter of the security forces.
The deaths, injuries and damages caused should prove that guerrilla warfare could never succeed in bringing about an uprising or advancing democracy.
If the reds are planning to take their fight underground, they should think again. There is no guarantee that they can successfully bring about political change. Terrorism will certainly cause misery, but a democratic system cannot be built by a band of guerrillas.
The first step toward building a Thailand free of political violence is getting strategists like Chavalit and Chamlong Srimuang, the fire behind the yellow shirts, to go into permanent retirement. Though these veterans may not have openly advocated violence, their military way of thinking has inevitably led to the use of force.
The resumption of peace and normalcy hinges on two key factors - an end to the use of military means to influence the political outcome and the disbandment of the red and yellow-shirt movements.
Source: The Nation
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