via Khmer NZ News Media
Updated June 22, 2010 11:58:13
Thailand's anti-government Red Shirt protestors are reportedly preparing to regroup, following their bloody defeat by the military last month. Hundreds of Red Shirt protestors, many of whom support ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, have been arrested. But many more are in hiding, with some believed to have sought refuge in Cambodia. The government of Abhisit Vejajiva is yet to lift an emergency decree blanketing one third of Thailand, fearing further unrest.
Around 88 people were killed during the 10-week protest which ended after the military stormed the protest encampment in Bangkok's city hub.
Presenter: Liam Cochrane
Speakers: Sean Boonpracong, the international spokesman for Thailand's anti-government Red Shirt movement
Listen:Windows Media
BOONPRACONG: I think it is a bit premature, there's been so much discussion by the government just to make sure that they can justify using the emergency decree a little bit longer and we were told they want to keep it for the rest of the year which to me is highly unconstiutional and I think that the fact that there is huge disatisfaction and rage against what took place last month, I think that there are now confirmed ninety dead and two thousand injured.
LIAM COCHRANE: At this point how any of your supporters are still on the run?
BOONPRACONG: There are at least 819 warrants for arrest nationwide and plus unaccountable incidents that are not reported in the press of constant harassment and intimidation reported all over the country and the fact that people are in incredible fear, they are on the run, no doubt about that. And I think that right now is really not the time to re-organise because we are just trying to survive and stay alive in this brutal crackdown.
LIAM COCHRANE: You say there have been unreported incidents of harassment and intimidation, can you say what those incidents were?
BOONPRACONG: Being beaten up, you know in three and four provinces where there is the emergency decree, but those are not widely reported as much. In the Bangkok case, there are still 150 people being detained, many of whom, both men and women, are charged. There are many reports of death coming out still, including a 12 year old, these are being reported by the mainstream media. So those are real, but besides that of course the media blackout on the Reds is still in force, so we don't know how we can call ourselves a democracy when what we have is a state of dictatorship in place. So we don't want to be overly accused of constantly bringing you bad news, but here you are, this is the current state of Thailand.
LIAM COCHRANE: I'd like to ask you about the Red Shirt protestors who are being detained. There are reports of human rights violations against them, what do you has happened to people behind bars?
BOONPRACONG: Well, the guards especially are being beaten and of course, we haven't had access to them. We haven't had much chance to visit them. There is sketchy information. The picture is a war zone, even in the heart of the capital here so we don't have much to report on.
LIAM COCHRANE: Can I ask you about the reports that some Red Shirt protestors are hiding in Cambodia?
BOONPRACONG: We have heard those reports ourselves but we haven't talked to them, but they're probably trying to stay quiet and not create a diplomatic ruffle with Thailand but of course we are glad that they are alive, if that's proven to be the case. But at this moment we are not mounting anything against the government, just staying alive is the key issue for now.
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