Krump! Krump! The sound of tear gas canister explosions could be heard over the loud anti-government speeches which were amplified from the large stage area set up by supporters of the Thai royalist group Pitak Siam at Bangkok’s Royal Plaza.
From the backstage area, a retired Thai army general and leader of the protesters, Boonlert Kaewprasit made his way towards where police were throwing tear gas at protesters at an intersection some 150 meters away.
Encumbered by entourage and a gaggle of media, it was slow going for General Boonlert through the crowd of tens of thousands of his orderly supporters who were predominantly middle class Bangkokians, many of whom held images of Thai royalty.
The crowds also made way for several people who were injured in the clash as they were assisted to a first aid station set up by volunteers.
It happened just after 2pm and it was the second violent incident on Saturday Nov 24 at one of the rally entry points blocked by large numbers of riot police. Photos were soon quickly circulating showing damage done to a protester’s vehicle which had allegedly been shot at.
After the tear gas around the intersection had cleared and the former general had returned towards the stage area, a small number of protesters including some hecklers remained to face off with the larger number of riot police. Many of the police wore gas masks and full riot gear. At times they beat their batons on their shields in unison creating a war-like rhythm.
It was a muscular show of force from the government led by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra against the well organized Pitak Siam.
While the rally was attended by tens of thousands of people, General Boonlert had hoped for a larger number to show their opposition to Prime Minister Yingluck’s government who rally supporters say they say is nothing more than a puppet for her brother – former premier Thaksin Shinawatra who lives abroad to avoid criminal charges.
“This whole country it belongs to Thaksin. He’s bought everything,” said one of the rally attendees, Chris Krittiyathamrong who was there to show his opposition to official corruption and government policies that he believes is sending the country bankrupt.
“The majority of these people who have come here have had enough [of government corruption],” he said.
Internal Security Act
Two days before the rally Prime Minister Yingluck announced the use of an internal security act in three districts of Bangkok to give the police more powers to deal with Pitak Siam’s rally.
“… If a large number of people are mobilized by incitement, led by those who seek to overthrow an elected government and democratic rule - which is against the constitution - and there is evidence that violence may be used to achieve those ends, then this is a case of national security,” said Prime Minister Yingluck during a public broadcast.
“It is the government’s duty to preserve law and order, protect the lives and property of everyone -- including those who are protesting and those who are not involved,” she said.
Vachara Riddhagri, a spokesperson for Pitak Siam said the government had overreacted to the rally which he said was peaceful and within their constitutional rights right to conduct.
“Yesterday evening they gathered all the policemen – about 18,000 men – who came out and cordoned off this area and then they blocked off nine roads leading to the [site of the rally] since yesterday evening,” said Mr Vachara.
The police’s action in blocking off key entry points to the rally site, Mr Vachara said, was designed to provoke violence.
“It has been planned by the government, by the police, to escalate the situation and to accuse us of causing this violence.”
According to the Bangkok Post the Head of the Thai police Adul Saengsingkaew said the blame lay with protesters who instigated the two incidences of violence by throwing objects at police and attempted to pull down police barriers.
Out of concern that the police – who are largely considered to be pro-Thaksin by the Thai population – would attack the protesters after dark, General Boonlert called off the rally at 5pm to avoid any loss of life and resigned his leadership role from the group.
The Bangkok Post reported that 61 people were injured during the violent incidents on the rally’s fringes and 130 people were arrested.
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