PM urged to condemn attack by red shirts

Green Politics Group coordinator Suriyasai Katasila yesterday called on Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and red-shirt leaders to make public their stance on the attack against anti-government protesters by red shirts.

About 200 red shirts on Friday allegedly assaulted and beat up a small group of white-masked people in this northern city. Video clips and pictures of the assault have been shared in social media stirring widespread criticism.

Unless they support such actions, they must express their opposition, stop and prevent as well as punish the people who did so, he said.

“If you continue to allow this [the assault by the red shirts], it will lead to tension, violence and even political change,” he added.

Police were present but did not try to stop the red shirts from attacking the white-masked demonstrators, who rallied at the Health Park behind Chiang Mai University before the attack. Some 200 red shirts had gathered at the Grand Waroros Hotel before moving to attack the white masks.

V for Thailand Facebook page, which mobilises the white-masked protesters, called on its supporters to gather today at 1pm in front of the Royal Thai Police headquarters. The group would stand “quietly” at 2pm. 

Amid concerns of a clash, the group said there would be 300 volunteer guards. Meanwhile, the allies of the white masks would also rally in many provinces at the same time.

Democrat MP Nutt Bantadtan, also the party’s deputy spokesman, said the problem of political division among Thais had worsened, especially after Pheu Thai Party MPs mobilised people against the white-masked group.

He called on police officers to put more efforts into keeping peace and order at rallies.

Nutt was referring to a press conference of Pheu Thai MPs Sunai Julpongsathorn, Worachai Hema, and Sanguan Pongmanee that accused the anti-government Thai Spring group led by former Assets Examination Committee member Kaewsun Atibodhi of being involved in money extortion.

Pheu Thai MPs Sanguan, Worachai, Sunai, Chavalit Vichayasuthi and Krumanit Sangpoom on Friday announced at a press conference they would hold 100 rallies nationwide to expose the anti-government movements and the attempt to topple the government.

Pheu Thai deputy spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard said the government was worried about the intensification of the white masks’ rally in Chiang Mai and there are some people who disagree with them.

“I want to send a message to the three groups. Whether you want to rally wearing white masks or not, it is your right. But the government is concerned and does not want to see violence. Any group wanting to protest must be careful. Real life on the street is unlike in the cyber world as there are both people who agree and disagree,” he said, adding that protesters needed to avoid provocation.

He said he did not believe the red shirts would have hurt any people as police officers had already taken care of the event.

On social media, while many argued in support of both sides, a lot of users called for reconciliation and respect for people having different opinions.

A survey by Abac Poll revealed yesterday that almost 55 per cent of respondents said they were against any anti-government political group calling for a military coup.