Siam Pitak's sudden rise brings questions
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Barely a month ago, no one had heard of the Siam Pitak (Protect Siam) group. Now almost everyone knows it. On Sunday, led by retired General Boonlert Kaewprasit, Siam Pitak organised an anti-government protest that drew 20,000 people - beyond the expectat
The sudden rise of the group raises many questions, however. Why would Gen Boonlert announce that, if he had the power, he would stage a coup to overthrow the current government? If you are planning to stage a coup, why let your targets know? Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin certainly did not warn Thaksin in 2006. Perhaps, as most people believe, the announcement was made to “test the water”, to see if enough people would attend the rally.
What I do know is that, in politics, one cannot achieve anything alone, let alone a coup. Rather, a coup is typically staged by a coalition of influential individuals – whether in uniform or in suits. While Boonlert is the evident leader and spokesperson of Siam Pitak, few know the identities of his backers.
Nevertheless, the rally was a success. I do share the protesters’ sentiment. Just as it is dangerous in business to have a monopoly, so too it is dangerous to have power concentrated within a single family. The so-called Big Four in the Shinawatra family are Thaksin, his ex-wife Potjaman and his two sisters, PM Yingluck and Yaowapa Wongsawat.
Edward Kitlertsirivatana
Bangkok
