Dear friends,
I feel a chill when I pass through some streets in Bangkok alone at night in a taxi, after our protest action yesterday evening, and see soldiers with their guns. It is a dreadful feeling. It has been a long time since I have had this kind of feeling, of how life can be so fragile under the guns and tanks. The last time I felt this was in Rangoon, Burma, in 2001.
Many Thais are relaxed with guns and tanks while they organize tours to take pictures like it is a holiday, even though they stand next to soldiers whose guns are loaded and meant to kill. I feel amazed that people are so ignorant of the meaning of weapons in Thailand. I cannot imagine that parents in other countries would bring their children to take pictures of tanks and guns during unrest, as it is in Thailand. Maybe I am wrong?
For peace and democracy!
Lek....
Please read below an update from Thailand.
A: Brief update:
– Most of the community radio stations in Thailand are only running on songs. Most of their regular programmes have been put on hold. Many due to the coup’s statement and order.
– The Coup has issued over 23 statements and 16 orders - so far.
– A couple of Thai newspapers reported that Suphachai Phanichahak, a former director of the WTO [Doha 2002 - Cancun 2004] from Thailand is accepted to be named as the 24th Prime Minister.
B: A number of activities from various groups are planned, almost every day from now on:
– Today [26 Sept.] at 10 AM, the Thai Social Forum (TSF) Organizing Committee will have a press conference on the position of the TSF on the Coup and declare our determination to continue the TSF on October 21-23, 2006.
– 27 Sept., 4 PM, at the Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University, Chulalongkorn University Students for Liberty Group is organizing a seminar on “Why we protest against the Coup”.
– 28-29 Sept., Chiengmai Stadium, Northern NGOs network on natural resources are organizing an event "Toward small scale water irrigation: What is the Coup’s position? Expecting participation of over 500 farmers.
– 29 Sept., 8.30 Am - 12 AM, at Political Science, Chulalongkorn University, Thai Labour Campaign is having a book launch on entitled ’Race to the Bottom: Exploitation in the global garment industry’.
– 30 Sept., 11 AM, Thammasart University Hall, an academic seminar on ’30 years of Tongpan: People, Dams, Water and Land under Globalisation’. Tongpan, a well-known underground film in Thailand, was produced as a critique of the Government’s development policy and to expose the disparity in development after the 1976 crackdown on the people’s movement. (The film is about the frustrations of Tongpan, a poor farmer.)
This is what I have on hand so far, but there many actions are being organized for October.
C. I think it maybe good to share a little correspondence here so you can see also the difference in views on the Coup among the NGOs in Thailand.
For example - an email from one NGO to me:
Dear Pi Lek…
I respect your position and principle against the coup but when I read your mails which go out to people & movements mostly outside Thailand then I feel very uncomfortable. I do certainly feel that there are different opinions on the situation in Thailand and I wish your mails to people outside Thailand would reflect the different views and reaction to the current situation rather than reacting only on the negative developments.
Lek’s reply:
I send the news to the lists because they are not hearing it from mainstream media. Definitely I cannot stay neutral in this situation. All are entitled to their own views. Those on the list are surely wise enough to know what and who they should believe.
I cannot listen to the coup’s attempts to legitimise their position and remain silent when democracy is being torn down. This coup is no different to any other in Thailand.
And what positive development do You see in the coup?