Anti-coup protests mounting in Thailand

BANGKOK: Protests against Thailand’s generals and the post-coup government they appointed are growing and threaten to become serious, analysts say.

In a matter of weeks, the gatherings have grown from a handful of people opposed to the September coup on principle to several thousand, including supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who see an opportunity to boost his cause.

Now, the group which emerged to lead up to 100,000 people in Bangkok street protests against Thaksin last year is contemplating action as it loses patience with a government it sees as too slow to act to uproot his network.

Suriyasai Katasila of the People’s Alliance for Democracy said its five leaders would meet next week to decide what to do about the “turtle-riding hermit” government.

“If the government continues to work at a snail’s pace, it will invite street demonstrations from all sides,” he said.

The risk, in addition to distracting the government from working towards promised December elections by writing a new constitution, is street violence.

Although last year’s demonstrations in a city which turned on Thaksin in large numbers were peaceful, coup-prone Thailand has a history of protests against military governments turning violent.

“It doesn’t take much here. People can get nasty here,” said Bangkok-based consultant Christopher Bruton. “It doesn’t take a lot in a mob to have things turn violent. And if that happens, Thailand would take another dive.”

At the least, the growing protests are a distraction for the government, which says it is dedicated to restoring the democracy the generals accuse Thaksin of undermining and which is fighting a bloody insurgency in the Muslim-majority far south.

Last week, the Council for National Security (CNS), as the coup leaders call themselves, asked Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont to use emergency powers to end the protests. He refused.

This week, the generals ordered the police to take action against a signature campaign to ask revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej to fire his chief adviser, Prem Tinsulanonda.

The campaigners accuse Prem, a former prime minister and – like Surayud – a former army chief, of being behind the bloodless coup.

“If they can discredit Prem successfully, the legitimacy of the government and the CNS will be undermined,” political analyst Prayad Hongtongkhum said.

Prem had made no secret of his desire to see the back of Thaksin, a billionaire telecommunications baron with huge support in the countryside, urging “soldiers of His Majesty” to kick out corrupt and unethical leaders.

The generals insist he had nothing to do with their coup and the government has shut down two websites running the campaign, saying that a petition would “irritate” the king.

But analysts said that would not halt the protesters backing Thaksin against a government which is bent on removing him from politics by proving he presided over rampant corruption during his five years in power.

Prosecutors have charged Thaksin’s wife and her brother with tax evasion in a case which could land them in jail for up to 14 years. And another dozen probes into corruption allegations against Thaksin, his family and cabinet ministers are under way.

Prosecutors say they are likely to bring lese majeste charges, carrying jail terms of up to 15 years, against Thaksin.

Such moves will only galvanise anti-coup protesters and Thaksin supporters.

“They have to prevent the government and the CNS from meeting their goals, otherwise Thaksin will be waiting only for his dying days,” Prayad said.—Reuters