Red Letdown

Well either it was too hot or their numbers just didn’t cut it yet, but a few hundred red shirts marching along selected locations in Bangkok called it a day after the widely announced start of the government’s end this Friday, March 12th. Was day 1 just a teaser?

Or has the number of protesters fallen way short of expectation? “They expected thousands at each gathering point,” tweeted The Nation’s Tulsathit Taptim, “but protest leaders only managed to gather hundreds at each spot,” said his government intelligence source.

Much too early to call it a bust. They gave a foretaste of what is possible. The reds spread. Still, not enough funds from Dubai? If we’d known this Bangkok wouldn’t have had to cancel so many events. But now all hopes and fears have been postponed to Sunday, and no one knows how many red shirts will make use of the army’s park-and-ride service with bus transport.

That’s right, upcountry pick-up trucks are banned from Bangkok’s streets, but the army nevertheless selflessly ferries the ones it has to contain from the suburbs to the protest areas. You’re tempted to say that’s no honorable way to topple a government. But then again, this is the labyrinthine Thainess in action.

Apart from a Pathum Thani incident doomsday took off peaceful – as a real letdown if you’re a red shirt supporter. Obviously the reds didn’t get the numbers they were hoping for. Support in Bangkok is limited to say the least. But rest assured, assure the reds, Saturday and Sunday shall turn Bangkok into the northern provinces.

Again, the government will transport provincial reds from Bangkok’s suburbs to the downtown protest areas. Why should they dig their own grave? Overly optimistic that the red shirts can’t even amass a hundred thousand Thaksinists?

No reason to be optimistic yet, no difference if you’re red, yellow, white or colorless. If the reds are true to their word, they won’t even need fifty thousand, but a few thousand dedicated agitators. Or much ado about nothing?

Much too early to say. The reds lose all credibility if their final battle just goes poof. Confusion is part of their strategy. Some leaders say the really will go on as long as it takes, others say for a few days, some stick to the three-day schedule.

First day over, no questions answered, back to square one. But it’s safe to say that this was not the opening day the reds were hoping for.

It is also safe to say that the security forces stand behind the authorities. Called by a red leader the “watermelon army,” because “inside red,” ideological loyalty remains weaker than hierarchical subordination.

This being Thailand though, everything can change in no time at all, and the reds would be a real disappointment if they don’t even have one ace up their sleeve. This is no time to mock the reds. Thousands are on the way to Bangkok. This is no time for schadenfreude.

We’re all aware their motives and grievances are real. Question remains how to fight for them.

Thailand’s political drama goes on as long as disenfranchisement is not addressed.

Stay tuned.

Key will be how quickly they can move people across town.

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Comments

10 Responses to “Red Letdown”

Oneditorial on March 12th, 2010 11:11 pm

I hope everything will continue smoothly and the protesters will march peacefully like they do in the movie called “V for Vendetta.” I will be in the city presently. The idea that I might be landing into the vortex in the land where I was born simply renders me ecstatic!

Quality comment? 0 0
Jaded on March 13th, 2010 1:47 am

The panic reactions to the prospect of red shirted poorer people demonstrating in Bangkok do seem to have been overdone. I can imagine how all those people who have stayed at home, stocked up on food and fuel and candles are feeling right now. Underlying the panic of course is the guilty consciences and paranoia of the usurpers of political power. The oddest thing about this is that the mainstream media boycott of red shirt events has meant that the assumptions being made about what is likely to happen are based on the flimsiest of evidence. Ignoring the red shirts has produced a dividend. Nobody is really sure what to expect …

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Catherine on March 13th, 2010 10:08 am

From what I was told, the red shirts didn’t even start leaving their areas until Friday noon.

Also, they intended on stopping at several points along the way for speeches, etc.

So no, the main group from the north would not make it to BKK by Friday. Most will appear on Saturday, with the rest arriving on Sunday.

I believe the ones already in BKK on Friday live in BKK or close by.

Quality comment? 0 0
stoic on March 13th, 2010 11:35 am

Even if a million red shirts show up on Sunday, Bangkok they lost big time on Friday. No Isaan construction workers, no migrants from the north and northeast joined them. That’s the letdown.

As we’ve seen from The Nation’s video how money was and is handed out (on YouTube you find a version from the incident filmed from a different angle), this won’t only be the nation’s biggest, but also most expensive demonstration.

And well whoever’s investing wants a certain return.

Even if not a single shot is fired and not a single drop of blood reported, blocking roads for the sake of “democracy” or freedom is a violent act. Paralyzing Bangkok not violent, have some people lost their mind?

The reds will have to provoke big style, but Bangkokians already gave them the thumbs down. They’ll be kicked out, and not in a nice way.

And the help of the courts is also not on their side.

A zero sum game, really.

Quality comment? 0 0
Qualtrough on March 13th, 2010 11:40 pm

One of the things that irks the supporters of the red shirts the most, and who can blame them, is people like stoic who speak of blocking roads as violent, but somehow seem to have a different standard when it comes to shutting down international airports and and occupying government house. I guess that is different. Tell me too, how many yellow shirts responsible for that action have been brought to justice for that? As far as any courts not being on the red shirt’s side, I wonder why that is? Could it be that a twice legally elected government was brought down by a coup, and the constitution abrogated? I guess that is different too, and not violent at all. The double standard is amazing, too bad so many cannot or will not see it. I never liked Thaksin, but I can certainly see why the red shirts are really ticked off.

Quality comment? 0 0
Robin on March 14th, 2010 9:22 am

Qualtrough wrote:

“… I never liked Thaksin, but I can certainly see why the red shirts are really ticked off.”

I can see why, too, for the reasons Qualtrough mentioned (which I agree with), as well as the not-always-accurate propaganda they’re being fed, as described by GeGee’s observations up north.

Legitimate grievances + brainwashing = passionate, potentially volatile behavior.

I hope all sides can keep jai yen today and this week.

Quality comment? 0 0
stoic on March 14th, 2010 9:54 am

What if Isaan is not worse off today than under Thaksin?

This is what’s it all about, and talking to people in and from the north they don’t seem that neglected.

So what’s this latest day of reckoning really about?

Quality comment? 0 0
Hobby on March 14th, 2010 2:07 pm

“So what’s this latest day of reckoning really about?”

DOUBLE STANDARDS – it’s that simple!

BTW, even though many may not physically protest (for various reasons), there are plenty of sideline supporters cheering on those protesters that are prepared to make the sacrifices such as stop work, travel long distances, be subjected to searches, and stand in oppressive heat for long hours.

If it’s a choice between two colors, there is only one side that has any resemblance of democratic interest.

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Red March in Bangkok, Day 1 / Thaksin: “I’ll travel to Europe tomorrow!” « Saiyasombut on March 15th, 2010 3:45 am

[...] Absolutely Bangkok: Red Letdown [...]

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Anonymous on May 19th, 2010 12:31 am

I don’t really understand the problems they have in Thailand. It would be better for them to work together and try to find a good solution for the future of the country.

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