Wounds will take a long time to heal

[Flashermac]

Bangkok Post

21 May 2010

 

 

77 deaths. Over 1,400 injured. Hundreds of billions of baht in losses. Our country’s image stained with blood and smoke and flames.

 

No one knows how long it will take to close the deep divisions that have opened within Thai families and society. No one knows if we can heal the deep wounds suffered over the past several years. The past five years have changed us  the country and its people  irrevocably.

 

But whatever our future, there is no doubt that all Thais  no matter what our personal beliefs and views  must play a role in ensuring that such a dismal state of affairs never happens again. We owe it to ourselves and our children to heal the wounds and feelings of injustice and inequality widespread within society.

 

The Red March  which rapidly grew into the Red Crisis  comprised of many elements. There were those who genuinely and passionately felt that for so long they had been abused. They believed  erroneously  that Thaksin Shinawatra had a magical elixir that would cure them of their of inequality and injustice, perceived or real. So heated was their passion they were prepared to fight and to die for it in the name of “democracyâ€Â.

 

Then there were the opportunists, who selfishly and without care of the results of their actions, acted on Thaksin’s behalf. Some felt the time was ripe to overthrow the Monarchy and usher in a new regime. Others marched due to lingering resentment of the 2006 coup.

 

If there is anything we must learn from the nightmare of the past five years it is that it will take years, if not a generation, to tend to the wounds, right the wrongs and reduce the gaps that have so divided us. Let us never forget  for Thais do easily forget.

 

But just as we should not forget the task ahead, we also should not forgive. The actions of some among the red shirts of the past several weeks were unconscionable, actions taken with full knowledge of their leaders and tacit approval by Thaksin to wreak havoc and destabilise the government, the country’s image and economy for their own aims.

 

[color:red]Red shirt leaders have repeatedly, and conveniently, said they had no control over the unruly elements. But as leaders, they cannot deny responsibility for the protesters – whatever faction they belong to.[/color]

 

While it may be argued that some of the violent incidents can be attributed to inflamed passions over principles and beliefs  the torching of buildings, the shootings to prevent rescue operations and use of war weapons are heinous acts which are planned  someone organised it, someone funded it and someone supported it. And they must be punished.

 

 

 

Rink

[Flashermac]

Arson was pre-planned, says Sansern

 

12:27pm (yesterday)

 

 

The arson around the capital and in other provinces after the surrender of some red-shirt leaders on Wednesday had been planned ahead, Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said on Thursday.

 

Some of the red-shirt leaders had urged the protesters to burn down buildings and loot, he said.

 

"In Bangkok, there have been attempts to set fires at 39 places including government offices, private properties, television stations," Col Sansern said.

 

Efforts to put out the fires were being hampered by gunmen, who were attempting to attack the firemen, he said.

 

[color:red]Col Sansern then showed a video clip showing red-shirt leader Natthawut Saikua telling protesters, "Burn them, brothers and sisters. I will be the only one taking responsibility."[/color]

 

[color:orange]Col Sansern also said that there were attempts to attack protesters taking refuge at Wat Pathumwanaram, where more than 5,000 red-shirts were staying on Wednesday.

 

Six bodies were found inside Thai Red Cross Society tent inside the temple grounds, he said.

[/color]

 

 

BP