 May 2010 : Thailand in flames after UDD disbanded
Thailand torched after UDD leaders surrendered. After a 66 day- protest by the National United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), the UDD leaders surrendered. Disappointed supporters, however, went on a rampage and torched 39 buildings in Bangkok and provinces. Rioting started a few days prior to the surrender in the peripheral area of the main protest site at the Rajaprasong intersection. It soon spread into the central business district of Bangkok. The World Trade Centre, the biggest shopping complex in the country and others were burnt partly because fire trucks were barred from entering the area. The following chronological summary illustrates more violence than has ever been seen in the recent history of the country. On 1st May, the National Human Rights Commissioners called on the Government and UDD protesters to stop the confrontation and the violence. They purposed that both sides restart their dialogue and for the Government to resolve protesters’ problems of disparity and injustice urgently. On 5th May, the Prime Minister responded to the protest with a 5-point Reconciliation Roadmap. Subject to acceptance of the Roadmap, a general election would be held on 14th November 2010. The 5-point Roadmap was:
On 6th May, UDD leaders accepted the Roadmap on conditions that the Government announces a definitive date for parliamentary dissolution. On 7th May, they demanded the lifting of the Emergency status as well as the return of all troops to the barracks before protesters would disband. That night, there was gun fire at Saladaeng, killing one policeman and injuring 4 civilians. Half an hour later, three M79 grenades were launched at a military checkpoint on Rama IV road, injuring another five policemen. On 9th May, Maj. Gen. Kattiya Sawasdiphol (aka Seh Daeng), leader of the militant wing of the UDD announced his objection to the Roadmap, claiming he was directly authorized by Thaksin to remove and appoint new UDD leaders. He confirmed that a resolution between the Government and the UDD would not succeed unless:
Meanwhile, Pheu Thai Party Spokesman, Prompong Nopparit, brought relatives of UDD supporters who died in 10th April clash to petition the Human Rights Commission and later to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI). On 11th May, UDD leaders announced that protesters would not disband until the Deputy Prime Minister, Suthep Thaugsuban, is charged. Suthep presented himself to the DSI the next day but UDD leaders said he must go to the police. The Prime Minister said that it was clear that UDD leaders had rejected the Reconciliation Roadmap; therefore, his proposal to dissolve Parliament and hold a new election on 14th November was cancelled. Nevertheless, the Government would continue to proceed with the 5-point Roadmap. On 13th May, the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) announced measures to pressurize protesters. Starting at 18.00 hours, they would shut off water and electricity supply in the protest area. Check points would be set up to prevent people from joining and mobile communication disconnected. CRES reconfirmed its 7 escalating measures to tackle the situation and added that live bullets would be used, if necessary, such as when an officer is being attacked or in order to protect his weapons. The State of Emergency was extended to another 15 provinces inclined to violence. At 19.02 on 13th May, within UDD barricades near the Saladaeng intersection, Seh Daeng was shot in the head while being interviewed by a member of the foreign press. He was rushed to hospital but remained unconscious after an operation. He was pronounced dead on 17th May. Seconds after Seh Daeng was shot, a M79 was launched into the area, causing 2-3 injuries. Later that night, protesters and troops clashed, causing more injuries and one dead. The situation worsened and schools in the area which had been expecting to open had to postpone opening dates while others had to find alternative sites. On 14th May, military road blocks around Rajprasong were beginning to be successful, so UDD guards started to burn tires and set fire to vehicles on the streets. Fighting broke out in many areas and there were evidence of armed men in black joining protesters. In Lumpini Park, they exchanged gunfire with troops causing one dead. On 16th May, no protester from the outside was allowed to go into the Rajprasong area and it was anticipated that there would soon be food shortages. Riots in the periphery area, particularly in Bon Kai and Rajaprarop, intensified and numerous tires were burnt until the area was covered with black smoke. Buildings were torched, and since fire trucks were prevented by rioters from entering the area, the buildings burnt down. It was later confirmed by the Prime Minister, that during those few days, armed men among the rioters prevented firefighters entering the buildings. As rioters threw fire bombs to buildings in the conflict area, residents had to evacuate. UDD leaders allowed women, children and old people to leave the Rajaprasong intersection and take refuge in a nearby temple, Wat Pratumwanaram. They also announced that they would restart a dialogue with the Government on condition that the UN acts as an intermediary. At the same time, riots occurred in many provinces so the State of Emergency was extended to 5 other provinces in the Northeast. The Government then declared Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th May as extra Public Holidays; later extended to Friday 21st. CRES also cut financial support to the protest by freezing 106 bank accounts; this was later increased to 146. All transactions by these accounts require prior approval of CRES. Early on 19th May, troops started to put pressure on protesters inside the cordoned area at Saladaeng. Those outside reacted by becoming more violent. At 06.30, they set fire to the Office of the Narcotics Control Board in Din Daeng and later to many buildings on Rama IV Road including an underground station and a branch office of Kasikorn Bank. Protesters again barred firefighters from entering the area and some of the buildings were completely destroyed. At 07.10 another big bonfire was lit near Chulalongkorn Hospital, but the hospital was saved by staffs and all patients from the two nearest buildings were evacuated to others in the compound. (Chulalongkorn Hospital had been operating only partially since 5th May). After armored vehicles fought their way through grenade fire and barricades, an enormous quantity of M16 bullets were found in the rubbish. At 11.06 at Rajaprasong, chaos broke out when frightened UDD leaders were warned that several men were seen on elevated BTS rail. It was later discovered that these were actually UDD own guards. At 12.00, UDD barricade at Sarasin Road was breached and more weapons found. At 12.30 a military sniper was shot and had to be rushed to hospital under heavy gunfire. At 13.00, M79 grenades injured 6 soldiers. At 13.23, UDD leaders called off the protest and rushed to report themselves to the National Police Headquarter, a few hundred yards away, before being arrested. They were detained at the Rama VI Border Police Brigade in Petchaburi. Only Chatuporn Prompan being an MP was granted bail. Seconds after the surrender was announced on the protest stage, a bomb exploded at the back. Arsonists set fire to Central World, Siam Paragon shopping centers and Siam Cinema, shops were looted and firefighters and troops could not enter the area because of gunfire which continued all night. The violence was the most disastrous incident in Thai history for nearly 250 years. More fires were set around the Rajprasong area, including the Maleenond Building, TV3 broadcasting station, an electricity sub-office and the Stock Exchange of Thailand’s library. Damages were severe because firefighters were unable to intervene. At 16.00, a curfew during 1800-0600 hours was declared in the Bangkok Metropolitan area and later extended to 22 provinces. After the surrender was announced, hundreds of protesters walked to the nearby National Stadium to board Government-provided buses home. The rest took refuge in Wat Pratumwanaram, Amarin Plaza Building and the Police Hospital. There was gunfire throughout the night, so they remained there until the next morning. When police went into Wat Pratumwanaram, they found six dead and ten burnt in the fire of Central World. A total of 39 buildings in Bangkok were set on fire during 19th and 20th May with some torched during curfew. CRES announced later that military operation on 19th May stopped at the Sarasin intersection and no troops entered the core area of UDD protest at Rajaprasong until the morning of 20th May. After the UDD group at Rajprasong disbanded, their comrades in Khon Khaen, Udon Thani, Ubon Ratchathan and Mookdaharn set fire to their provincial halls. Again firefighters were prevented from entering the premises, so all four halls were destroyed. There were other protests in other provinces too, such as the burning of tires, schools and buildings. On 20th May, all protesters were helped to the National Stadium to board buses home. The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security provided each with free transport and a 200 Baht food allowance. The clearing operation started on 19th and 20th May. In Wat Pratumwanaram, Rajprasong intersection and surrounding areas, numerous guns and explosive devices, including M79 grenades, launchers, M16 and AK47 bullets were found. Some were weapons seized from soldiers in the 10th April incident but others are not used by the Thai army at all. CRES later disclosed that of the 68 items previously taken on 10th April, 10 were still missing. Moreover, four vehicles equipped with explosive devices were found in the Rajprasong area. On 22nd May, in a briefing made to the diplomatic corps and media, CRES explained 4 reasons for their launch of the 19th May operation. They were:
Seven video clips were shown as evidence that UDD leaders incited protesters to set fire to properties if they were to be dispersed. There were photographs of men in camouflage, military and police uniforms. Some even wore bullet-proof jackets labeled: ARMY. After the violence ended, a Democrat MP, Ratchadaporn Kaewsanit, said that the UDD lost its battle from the start because it failed to promote the three bases of Maoist revolution: the masses, the political party and the army. First, the protest did not sufficiently mobilize the masses; second, the political party that participated did not offer policies for the benefit of the masses; and third, UDD fighters were not a disciplined army, they were more like rioters. However, she thought that defeated protesters were likely to go underground and become insurgents, if they receive financial assistance. These views coincided with Thaksin’s comments. During an interview with foreign press, Thaksin said that he expected the protesters to continue their fight underground, but he denied any connection to the violence himself. On 22nd May, the foreign press reported a member of the Opposition saying that prior to the protest, Thaksin had asked a group of retired and active military officers to train and arm people, these were to be called the “People’s Army”. They were to fight in small groups in urban areas, with a mission to turn Bangkok into a war zone. This was disapproved of by Chaturon Chaisang, a former leader of the Pheu Thai Party, who said that he believed in justice, and that the Party should fight in Parliament, not by inciting violence. He also admitted that the Reds failed because they did not know when to stop the protest. The Democrat Party spokesman stated that the reconciliation program should continue at the same time as efforts to alleviate hardships for those affected by the protest. If people of different political opinions can learn to co-exist peacefully with each other, there would be true freedom and genuine democracy in society. On 23rd May, the Bangkok Governor and local authority officials cooperated with thousands of volunteers to clean the streets of Bangkok. The 68-day protest started non-violently and with a vow of peace, but it degenerated into country-wide arson attacks destroying buildings and causing lost opportunities for the people of Bangkok and the provinces. In terms of lives, there were 88 dead, including those killed in the course of their duty, being: 9 soldiers, 2 policemen, 2 journalists and 2 emergency crew members. There were a total of 1,895 injuries. On 24th May, the Cabinet approved preliminary remedial measures for individuals and businesses affected by fire. Those whose shops were destroyed by fire would get financial assistance of 50,000 Baht each and provided with temporary venues for their trading. In addition, through the EXIM Bank, the Government would provide a maximum loan of 1 million Baht each at an interest rate of 3 per cent. The first 300,000 Baht would be interest free and one-year principal repayment exemption while the rest, 700,000 Baht, would have a two-year principal repayment exemption. As for those who lost their jobs due to prolonged protest and fire, employees under the social insurance scheme will get a monthly compensation of 7,500 Baht from their employers and an extra 7,500 Baht from the Government for a maximum of 6 months. People not covered under the scheme would receive a monthly 7,500 Baht from the Government for a period of 3-6 months. In Parliament, the opposition, Pheu Thai Party, submitted a motion of no-confidence on the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Suthep Thaugsuban, and four other ministers. They accused the Prime Minister of mismanaging the UDD protest. The motion was submitted for a debate in an extraordinary session, after consideration of the 2011 budget was completed. On 25th May, the Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Thaksin Shinawatra on charges of terrorism according to Articles 135/1, 135/2 and 135/3, following the request filed by the Department of Special Investigation on 19th May. Losses from UDD protest After the protest ended, economic loss is not immediately calculable, but it was obvious that damages went beyond actual loss since there was also lost opportunities for businesses of all sizes in the private sector. On 20th May, the Federation of the Thai Industries declared that the protest affected all sectors in the tourist industry nationwide. It was feared that hundreds of thousands employees in this industry might lose their jobs if small businesses closed down. The gem industry had suffered a loss of several billion since jewelry is discretionary spending. Textile would face long term decline in export as foreign buyers fear that Thai manufacturers would not be able to meet deadlines. If confidence in Thailand sunk to a low level, an economic rebound is very difficult. Between 24th and 31st May, 27,752 people affected by fire and other casualties registered for assistance with the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority. Surrogacy Bill On 11th May, the Cabinet approved a draft Bill on the Protection of Children Born through Assisted Reproductive Technology, known as the “Surrogacy Bill”. It prohibits surrogate mothers from fertilizing their own eggs with sperms of the legal fathers in order to prevent emotional attachment. Moreover, surrogate mothers must be legally married and there must be written consent from both families. Constitutional Court ruled Kasit not wrong On 12th May, the Constitutional Court found that the Foreign Minister, Kasit Piromya, did not interfere in judicial process and had not violated Articles 268 and 226(1) of the Constitution. He can, therefore, remain in office. Senator by Selection, Ruenkrai Leekitwattana, claimed that Kasit, in a letter to the Prime Minister proposing a resolution to the Thai-Cambodia problem and recommending the Government to speed up cases against Thaksin, was interfering in judicial process. The Court decided that Kasit’s letter was within the normal responsibility of a Foreign Minister. Under Article 12 of the Foreign Affairs Act, the Ministry’s duty is to analyze foreign affairs, and as relations between Thailand and Cambodia were at a low point then, Kasit’s duty was to make such a recommendation. In addition, the suggestion to the Government to speed up Thaksin’s cases was not interference since the independence of the Court in its deliberation and judgments are provided for by the Constitution. Moreover, the letter showed no evidence that Kasit or his supporters gain any benefit from such a recommendation. Therefore, he can remain in office according to Article 182 clause 1 (7) of the Constitution. Thaksin’s accounts fraudulent The National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) found that Thaksin Shinawatra, while in office as Prime Minister, Education Minister and MP between 2001 and 2006, falsified his asset accounts. However, all instances, except three, were beyond limitation periods. Therefore, the NCCC would submit evidence of the three to the Attorney-General to file a petition to the Constitutional Court. If the Court agrees with the fraudulent finding, Thaksin would be barred from taking political office for 5 years. Currently, the Attorney-General (A-G) is investigating contract amendment cases against Thaksin, i.e. IP Star, Pre-paid Mobile Phone and the Pre-paid Mobile Phone Network Roaming. If the A-G finds that there is sufficient evidence, he will file a petition to the Court. In the Airport Link case, the NCCC found that the former Governor of the State Railway of Thailand and the former chief of the Legal Department were guilty of malfeasance in amending the bidding contract to favor the contractor. The Commission found no evidence connecting this case to the former Transport Minister, Suriya Jeung-rung-roengkit. The Airport Link is a rapid rail system running between Suvarnabhumi Airport and downtown stations. Construction cost was 25,000 million Baht. Judges appointed in Thaksin’s appeal Regarding Thaksin’s appeal in his asset seizure case, the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Person Holding Political Positions called a meeting of 142 judges on 27th April. The meeting voted for a panel of 5 judges to rule on the appeal. They are Peerapol Ptichayawat (Vice-President of the Supreme Court), Somsak Chantra (President of the Bankruptcy Division of the Supreme Court), Manas Leungpraset (President of the Commercial and Economic Division of the Supreme Court), Thana Wankovit (President of the Supreme Court Criminal Division for Person Holding Political Positions) and Direk Ingkaninan (President of the Labor Division of the Supreme Court). No old vans on streets The Department of Land Transport announced a new regulation enforced on 1st June 2010 that all passenger vans used for public transport are to be no older than 10 years from first registration. Replacement vans should be no older than 2 years, have high ceilings and use Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as fuel. Breaches of the new regulation will be dealt with according to the law. The public can report any breach to the Public Passenger Protection Center number at 1584. Loan of 400 million to refinance state pawn shops On 25th May, the Cabinet approved a loan of 400 million baht to be taken by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security and allocated to state pawn shops. This is to support a policy of lowered interest rates charged by pawn shops between 1st January and 30th September 2010. The loan is approved but not guaranteed by the Finance Ministry. Tax break for property development extended On 25th May, the Cabinet extended tax reduction on mortgages and land registration fees to assist property development for another month, or until 30th June 2010. Registration fee for business consolidation is also exempted. Tax exemption for foreign corporations In order to promote foreign investment, foreign corporations having Regional Operating Headquarters (ROH) in Thailand will have their corporate tax waived for 15 years. This applies to income earned for services provided to companies outside of Thailand. Income for domestic services will be charged at 10% corporate tax for 15 years, a third of the standard rate of 30%. Expatriates working for ROHs will also be eligible for reduced personal income tax rate of 15% for eight years, compared with the normal progressive scale of 5% to 37%. The lower personal tax rate applies only for ROHs that generate at least half of their income from services provided to firms outside of Thailand. From : http://www.fpps.or.th |