Tens of thousands of Red Shirt supporters gather at a rally in Khon Kaen Saturday night. The rally marked the beginning of the election campaigning. If the Prime Minister dissolves the gov, there will be elections. The Red Shirts are trying to form a party to run in the election.
After reading this post, you may be concerned for my safety. As my mother asked, how do you know you won't be charged with criticizing the government? I don't. But I'll reassure you that my writing and analysis is taking the necessary precautions so as not to be accused.
It's project time! In the next two weeks I will be an investigative reporter investigating the different reports following the April May 2010 crackdown. So here's the dirty details....
One year ago Red Shirt supporters rushed to the streets to protest the government. The government/military responded with force. 92 people were killed and justice has not been achieved. Different groups have been assigned to write follow up reports on the events. Some reports are sponsored by the government, another by Robert Amsterdam, the lawyer of former Prime minister Thaksin, another by the People's Information Center and one by Human Rights Watch. Each report has a different perspective and goal. Significant progress has not been made on these reports to find justice. The report by Amsterdam is in the process of being submitted to the International Criminal Court to charge the current PM with crime against humanity.
Here's where I come in with my fellow students. With no coordination between these different parties on the reports, progress is not being made to achieve justice for the families of the victims and for the reconciliation in the nation. In the coming week my group and I will be critically analyzing the different reports to essentially find what is missing, and submit recommendations to the group. We will also write a summary of the progress accessible to the public and a feature news story on our findings. Our report will be submitted to the different groups writing the reports like the Truth and Reconciliation Committee. Next week we are working to host an event bringing together leaders from the different report teams to talk to each other. It's all really exciting!
Below are pictures from the Red Shirt political rally I attended Saturday night. I went backstage to interview Red Shirt leaders.
Interviewing Kwamchai, a Red Shirt leader in a NE province. Was imprisoned after the 2010 protests for 9 months after being charged as a terrorist.
Interviewing Nattawut Saikua, one of the top 3 Red Shirt leaders. He was the one to announce the beginning of demonstrations in Bangkok March 2010. Also charged as a terrorist. See me in the background taking diligent notes! Look like a reporter, eh?
This is former Prime Minister Thaksin video skyping from abroad. He was ousted in a 2006 coup and is living in exile maybe in Dubai. He skyped in to rally excitement from the Red Shirts (prob because he wants a political comeback). I took this pic from behind the screen backstage.
One year ago I was reading a blurb about the protests in Newsweek not even knowing where Thailand was on the map. One year later I'm back stage at a red shirt rally. Funny how things can change in one year...
So I hope I've peaked your interest in Thai politics. Go wikipedia it all!
Now wish me luck that I won't get charged with criticizing the king.... jusssst kiddin mom.
