Coup pre-empted red-shirt violence
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All of the recent commentators on the coup forget the situation on the ground in Bangkok on September 18, 2006. There had been a string of events in previous months where Thaksin supporters had used physical violence.
The People’s Alliance for Democracy, on the other hand, while civilly disobedient through breaking trespass laws, did not physically attack its opponents. That night it became clear that Thaksin’s supporters were going to use large-scale violence against an upcoming PAD rally on September 20. At this point, he would return to Thailand, with an alibi for the violence, declare a state of emergency, and assume absolute power. Everyone in Bangkok expected all hell to break loose. Then the military stepped in and took control.
That there might be a coup had been rumoured for months, including that it would be a government coup, by Thaksin himself, to gain control of the Thai Army. The situation was getting worse every day, with more and more violence from the Thaksin side. While it was an undemocratic step, I for one breathed a sigh of relief on September 19. Thaksin, who clearly was working to become the dictator of Thailand, a country I dearly love, had been thwarted.
Roland Watson
Philadelphia
