Thai soldiers are securing the area around the Silom business area and planning to retake a key intersection from the Red Shirt Protesters. Could we see more violence and death in the next few days? The last major confrontation between the Army and the Red Shirts left many people dead and injured on both sides. The Army withdrew, and even had some of their weapons seized.
In a recent article is was told that the soldiers will be carrying live rounds instead of rubber bullets. The reasoning is that they need to defend themselves as there were soldiers shot at and killed in the last confrontation. I can’t say I blame them for wanting to carry live ammo. But this has the potential to get ugly. I hope calmer heads prevail, but these protesters are attempting to hold a city and country hostage to get their demands met. And they are willing to fight and kill to get their way. This is breaking into civil unrest and the government needs to put an end to it before it gets out of hand.
It was said that one of the PM’s staff has sought an audience with the King in hopes that he will intervene in the Political struggle. He is revered and his wishes are always respected in Thailand. Though in the last two protests he remained silent. The protests in November of 2009 was resolved before the King’s birthday as it would have been disrespectful to carry on during his celebration. However his birthday isn’t till December, and I think something bad will happen long before then if things aren’t worked out.
I love Thailand and it’s people, it is such a great country. I hate to see the struggle and pain that these events are causing.
