All red-shirt appointees are qualified, ex-security guard says

 "As long as the country is not yet democratic, we never know. There's still hierarchy," said Aree in his spacious new office at his first day of work.

Red shirts will give the Pheu Thai government time to work for a while, he said, in reference to the new ruling party, which is now populated by a number of red-shirt political appointees, himself included.

 One key challenge for the government, Aree told The Nation and two other reporters from its sister publications, would be whether the truth behind the deaths of 92 persons in April and May 2010 would emerge and whether those responsible would be punished.

"It's impossible [to ignore]. The law must be the law. Those who lost [loved ones] must receive justice. The wrongdoers must be punished. The government must make the truth known, or else there won't be peace."

Last year, on May 19, as red-shirt leaders gave themselves up and arsonists attacked nearby buildings, Aree decided to escape from the authorities and possible terrorism charges.

"I decided not to turn myself in [to the police] as long as the emergency decree remained in force, because there wouldn't be justice until it was lifted," Aree, now dressed comfortably in a suit and tie, said. He threw away his mobile phone and refrained from visiting family members in Nakhon Si Thammarat while hiding in Bangkok until the lifting of the emergency decree nine months later. Among his advisers were some police officers.

"We demonstrated, calling for what is right - but in the end we got body bags," he recalled.

In his new job, Aree said he is well aware of criticism, or even ridicule, from people who think he's not fit for the new job. He described at length how many ministerial advisory posts he held in the past, including his stints as an MP candidate. Also, added Aree, he was a former academic counsellor at Ramkhamhaeng University and had advised some 300 student groups while at the university.

"Every red shirt who has been appointed [to a government position] is qualified," Aree insists.

 Aree is less committal when asked about what he thinks of issues confronting the Interior Ministry such as the call for provincial governors to be elected instead of being appointed by the powerful and conservative ministry. "I have no idea yet. We must look at various impacts," he said, adding governors ought to be more efficient and turn their workplace into "one-stop services" for the public.

 Though in a considerably important position now, Aree, 58, is still facing terrorism charges as a result of his role in last year's events. In a sign of confidence, Aree said he doesn't know what the maximum penalty is. The case is still being reviewed by the Office of the Attorney General.