Recently, the closure of main airports dominated the international reports on Thailand.  These actions, organized by the Peoples Alliance For Democracy (PAD), are the culmination a 5-month battle and meant to signal the “final” call for the current Prime Minister and government to resign and return power to the people. A PAD organizer said that if this move was unsuccessful, PAD would “pack up and go home” soon.  Today the government announced emergency rule as a means to take control of the situation and the military seems unwilling to step in so PADs days may be numbered.

The perceived bias of reports from the major media outlets is troubling.  Some reporters do not want to jeopardize their connections inside with stories critical of the government.  Locally this is to be expected as the government dominates the major media outlets.  They downplay the situation and paint the PAD as an unruly mob.  It is not uncommon to see terms such as “fascists” and “thugs” used by some local and misinformed Westerners as well. 

While everyone is entitled to an opinion, a misinformed opinion is worse than none at all.  The history is too long to elaborate on now but we can provide a brief background and share opinions having been to both pro and anti government rallies and talking with locals about the situation. 

By most people's account, the ruling PPP (People Power Party) is a reincarnation of the Thai Rak Thai (TRT) party that Thaskin controlled and was dissolved by the courts over voting irregularities.  Former PM Samak was force out in September and Thaksin’s brother-in-law was appointed PM.   It is worth noting the PPP will likely be forced to dissolve in December on another vote buying case against a PPP executive.  The key players in PPP are busy regrouping under a new political party reportedly to be run by a relative of Thaksin. 

While the PPP states they were democratically elected, numerous reports from across the country about vote buying and poll manipulation tell a different tale.  In conversations with many Northerners (Thaksin country) few dispute the claims.  In fact, many people believe this long-standing practice is acceptable and therefore should not be an issue.  In addition to cash payments there are reports of cars, food, medicine and even Viagra being given away to bring out the vote.

The recent moves to disrupt the government were triggered by the ruling parties push to alter the current constitution to lessen the penalty for parties found guilty of voter manipulation and to allow amnesty for 111 members of the TRT that were banned from political participation for 5 years.  As mentioned, the ruling party faces possible dissolution in December for vote manipulation so it is in their interest to amend the charter.

I have been to both pro and anti government rallies to learn and understand more on the situation and get the “thai” perspective.   For foreigners, it is nearly impossible to fully appreciate the situation.  We are not Thai, we don’t think like Thai, most don’t speak the language and we are often too constrained by our pre-conceived notions of how things work (or should work).   While some disagree, my opinions are based upon dozens of hours of discussions with locals, frequent reading of the local and international media reports and (most importantly) my personal observations while attending the rallies.

As with any group, it is unfair to paint everyone with the same brush.  There are good people and bad people.  Hidden agendas, lies and manipulation abound especially in the political arena.   Much has been said locally about the “red shirts” (pro government, pro-Thaksin) and the “yellow shirts” (anti-government, anti-Thaksin) and much of what is said, IMHO is false.

“The PAD is an unruly mob.”

The term conjures up all sorts of negative perspectives, but I can say that in all my visits to the PAD rallies, they are not a mob but a predominantly peaceful and respectful group that wants to see a new dimension in Thai politics. I never once felt threatened or fearful.

While visiting red shirt rallies, while most were genuine, I was approached twice by thugs carrying machetes and steel pipes threatening to beat me if I take pictures.

“The PAD is a small group of urban elites.” 

There are urban elites in PAD but many more urban elites wearing the red shirts.  However I met with people from all over Thailand and include Thais, Chinese and Muslims from business owners to shop keepers to farmers. 

“The PAD is anti-monarchy.”

This is clearly false.  They are some of the most loyal people I have met.

“The violent incidents were instigated by PAD.”

Again this is false.  On October 7th, the police opened fire on peaceful PAD protesters killing two and wounding hundreds.  The video footage shows police firing explosive tear gas canisters directly into the demonstrators.  There have been several shootings and some grenade attacks; 80% directed at PAD supporters, not by them.  This can be support if you look at any of the local papers.

There is plenty more to this story, the shop keepers paid 1000 baht to wear a red shirt and go to their rallies, the 200 baht vote etc..... but this is enough for now.  I just hope that a few people we see this and think twice before jumping to an opinion about the situation here.