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Taksin says "NO" to prosecution of people that murdered pro-democracy demonstrators
Red Thai Socialist - April 20, 2012
In Bangkok in April and May 2010, the Military, hand in hand with the Abhisit Government, deliberately deployed armed troops and snipers to kill unarmed Red Shirt protestors who were demanding a return to democracy. A handful of soldiers were also killed by a hand grenade in April, probably by a rival military faction.
In July 2011, Taksin's sister, Yingluk, and her Pua Thai Party, won a landslide election victory. Millions of Red Shirt supporters made this happen. Yet, immediately after their election victory the Government began increasing the use of the Lese Majeste law against more radical Red Shirts who oppose the Monarchy-Military alliance. The non-political Aa-Kong, a 60 year old man, was caught up in this as well, being sent to prison for supposedly sending text messages. Those facing Lese Majeste trials have repeatedly been denied bail. Yingluk was also photographed in many "best friend poses" with General Prayut Junocha, head of the Army. He is one of the guilty men who caused the 2010 blood bath. Government Ministers have stated very clearly that they will not support any amendment of Lese Majeste. This is in direct opposition to the growing campaign against Lese Majeste and attempts by progressive law academics to reform the Constitution by getting rid of military-initiated laws after the 2006 coup.
Taksin and his Pua Thai Party, which he advises from abroad, have always proclaimed their loyalty to the King. This is hardly surprising since all the Thai elites, including the Military, the business leaders and the politicians, all use the weak King to legitimise what they do. A key "coordinator" in all this is the President of the Privy Council, General Prem Tinsulanon. Previously Prem was vilified by Red Shirts and even Taksin, for being the supposed "master mind" of the 2006 coup. But recently Yingluk has also been posing for photos with Prem as one of his "best friends". In the interview with Taksin (just before the 11th minute), Taksin says that Prem "never gets involved with politics". He ends his interview by saying, in a roundabout manner that he hopes to return to Thailand with the King's best wishes.
The Thai ruling class has used bloody violence against civilian protestors in 1973, 1976, 1992, 2004 and 2010. Every time they have given themselves amnesty. Taksin is hoping to return to Thailand by walking on the corpses of dead Red Shirts and spitting in the faces of the political prisoners. He is also aware that as Prime Minister in 2004, he is responsible for the deaths of nearly 90 un-armed protestors in the South.
By tying themselves too closely with the Pua Thai Government, the national Red Shirt movement (UDD) has ceased to be an independent social movement for democracy and its main role today is to de-mobilise the Red Shirts while the elites come to a compromise in order to protect their status quo.
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