Why did Surayud's Policy Fail in the South?

*All Photos Copyright*
Former Prime Minister and Privy Councilor Surayud Chulanont, looking slightly annoyed at me for taking his picture, at a Peace Fair organized by SBPAC in Yala August 1st 2008.

From the Bangkok Post titled: Number of attacks drop, but not the threat

Assistant national police chief Pol Lt-Gen Adul Saengsingkaew attributed the decrease to the rebels making "adjustments to their plotting of violence'.'

Although there were fewer attacks in recent months, the degree of violence was increasing, said Pol Lt-Gen Adul, who is commander of the Police Operation Centre's Forward Command in charge of the four restive provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, Songkhla and Yala. The office is based in Yala.

"The situation seems to be better on the surface, the insurgents still keep building confidence among themselves in the three provinces to show their power," he said.

He said one reason for the violence increasing last year was because the government of then-prime minister Surayud Chulanont launched its reconciliation policy in the far South.

Really? Policies of reconciliation caused more violence? I guess that implies that policies of securitization and war will result in Peace?

Although Prime Minister Abhisit's policy towards the South is still not clear, it is unfortunate to hear the same old tired security perspective about enforcing a negative peace.

Negative peace is simply the absence or limitation of violence because the peace is being enforced through the threat of violence.

Obviously, the southern citizen's long standing grievances have not been address but a heavy security arrangement prevents violence.

Which then raises the question; why did Surayud's policy of reconciliation fail? Two simple reasons.

At the time of the coup and the removal of Thaksin, southern insurgents had a point to make. Their fight was not simply with Thaksin but with years of physical and cultural violence committed by the Thai nation-state which enforces a strict ethno-Thai and religious-Buddhist nationalism which alienates the ethnic Malay Muslims in the south. To think they would stop fighting just because Thaksin was removed is naive because Thaksin was only a hawkish instigator, the fight is with the Thai state.

The second reason was because Surayud's 'reconciliation' was nothing more than a hollow apology. The only change offered were the kind words of Surayud which proved to be insincere as Bangkok had no intention of changing its policies on the south.

And now with Pol Lt-Gen Adul Saengsingkaew beating the war drum, it seems to be that further securitization of the southern border provinces is in order.

And, we all know that the last four years of hawkish security policies have failed to achieve nothing but a high body count.

Recipe for a Coup

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Makawan Bridge was closed again on Sunday October 26.

The anti-democratic People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) have unleashed their militia members to build roadblocks of piled tires and razor wire and are controlling the entrances.

This comes as ex-pol Salang Bunnag is calling for today - Monday the 27th - to be the beginning of the pro-government group's vigilante efforts to re-take Government House from the PAD protesters.

PAD have reportedly taunted them and said 'bring it on'.

The real worry is that PAD wants a bloody street clash in order to trigger a coup d'etat

So today, we shall see if violence flares and if a coup is triggered.

Who Kills the People?

The propaganda war over the bloody street clashes between the police and the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) is in full swing.

The two VCDs pictured above are being handed out at the various pro and anti government protests sites in Bangkok.

The top one in red is titled "Police Kill the People" (ตำรวจฆ่าประชาชน) and is PAD's view of the tragic events of October 7th.

The bottom VCD is called "PAD Kills the People" (พันธมิตรฆ่าประชาชน) and I received a copy while photographing Salang Bunnag's pro-government speech at Royal Plaza.

Both should NOT be watched if you are averse to the sight of violence, gruesome injuries, and death.

Both should NOT be watched if you are susceptible to believing one side or the other's propaganda.

But if you do want to see how each side is spinning the conflict, then you should really watch both.

What is clear from both - besides that they are both claiming to be the victims in the conflict - are two simple truths.

Thai police desperately need better equipment and training in non-lethal crowd control. They are, as many predicted before the violent clash, prone to violence and poorly trained.

The next truth is that the PAD leaders have whipped up their followers into a frenzied mob and have not simply allowed the violence but have specifically instigated violence. PAD has raised and nurtured an armed militia which is now beyond the capacity of the police and government to control.

PAD, of course, knows that when the police try to reign in the PAD's armed thugs, violence will ensue and will serve their purposes of delegitimizing the government.

Add into this volatile mix the above VCDs showing gruesome violence perpetrated by BOTH the police and PAD and it seems almost inescapable that further violence will erupt.

When Proxies go to War

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Pro-Government supporters cheering Police General Salang Bunnag at Royal Plaza, October 22, 2008.

Retired police General Salang has been repeating his threats to oust the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters from Government House and with a strange twist.

From The Nation:

"Salang said he would seal off Government House to starve off the protesters, who would be denied supplies of food and water for three days.

He said friendly foreign countries have agreed to supply him with the weapons, which would be used in the operation that would not create any loss of lives.

He declined to name the foreign countries or the details of his operation to reclaim Government House from the protesters."

And what 'friendly foreign country' would actually supply weapons to a former police general?

None of course, that is nonsense.

But, in the same way that PAD's million-baht-a-day protest enjoys certain royal patronage, there are other interested stakeholders who would happily arm Salang's vigilante group.

Its not simply that Thailand is awash with weapons anyway or that it is unlikely a difficult thing for former police officer to have access to the state's armories or that small arms dealers feeding insurgent armies in Burma would happy to sell arms or that Cambodia's small arms markets could supply countless weapons or even, god forbid, those Chinese-made 'non-lethal' tear gas grenades that proved to be seriously lethal might find their way back into use but it is more likely that Salang will be armed from the pro-government camp.

And by pro-government, that could simply be the government itself.

Given that the floundering government has lost much legitimacy over the violence that erupted on October 7th it is unlikely that they would risk another confrontation.

But a proxy militia – either funded by the government itself or by a certain unmentionable faction of an unmentionable institution – could certainly be employed to go to war with PAD.

What happened on 7/10/2008?

*Photo copyright*

Police with the controversial tear gas guns at Government House, Oct, 2008

A really interesting firsthand account of the PAD clash with police has emerged over at New Mandala by photographer Nick Hostitz.

"There is now a discussion about excessive force by police, and of course the use of teargas. From what I saw, I believe that the police had no other choice. Blame it on the miserable police budget that they had no less lethal teargas grenades, but not on the police officers on the ground that day."

"In this showdown PAD has used lethal force and if the police did not use teargas then this situation would have degenerated to hand-to-hand combat. And that, I am sure, would have cost many people their lives, on both sides. PAD had a few handguns, one or two police officers have been stabbed by flag poles. So, one would not like to imagine what would have happened if there was not the distance between the sides created by the teargas grenades. I doubt that any police officer intended to maim anybody but this day was a day of very few choices."

The full article with some great photos can be found here What Happened on 7/10/2008?

In addition, the Foreign Correspondents Club Thailand is hosting two programs covering the crisis:

Program #1

Thailand's Political Crisis:
Whose Human Rights?

Speakers:
Senator Monthian Buntan
Dr. Sriprapha Petcharamesree

Photojournalist Slide Show:
"What Happened on October 7, 2008?" by Nick Nostitz

More October 7 photos by Nick Nostitz are at:
http://rspas.anu.edu.au/rmap/newmandala/2008/10/11/what-happened-on-7102008/

Wednesday, October 15 at 8:00 pm
with buffet dinner at 7:00 pm
(Please see pricing and reservation procedure below)

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) attempted to block the country's representatives from meeting in Parliament on October 7, prompting police to fire tear gas at protesters to clear a way for lawmakers to access the building. From morning to night, police battled with demonstrators, some of whom carried clubs, iron bars and even guns, until they retreated to their base at Government House. Two were killed in the fighting and more than 470 others were injured, including about a dozen people with limbs blown off. Protesters accuse the police of using excessive force, while police deny using heavy explosives and retort that the demonstrators were hardly peace-loving democracy activists. The clashes have pushed the government to the brink yet again, with former army chief Chavalit Yongchaiyudh -- appointed to the cabinet less than a month ago -- abruptly quitting and calling for a coup.

The violent events last week have raised a number of key questions about the "rule of law" and "human rights" in Thailand. When is it appropriate for police to take action to disperse crowds? Can protesters still be considered peaceful if they carry weapons and violate the constitution? What about the human rights of voters who support the ruling party?

Program #2

Thailand in Crisis:
The Thai Media's Perspective



Tuesday, October 21, at 8:00 pm
with buffet dinner at 7:00 pm
(Please see pricing and reservation procedure below)

Hours after police fired tear gas on protesters on October 7, The Nation website had a large photo montage titled "Black October." The banner headline immediately recalled the street violence in 1973 and 1992 that took down governments. Other papers similarly pilloried police measures against protesters, whose use of satellite television channel ASTV, owned by protest leader Sondhi Limthongkul, has helped strengthen their movement.

What role is Thailand's media playing in the current crisis? Have they been biased toward the government or protesters? What values are shaping their coverage of events? How does the local media view foreign coverage of what is taking place?

Emergency Decree - Bangkok

*All images copyright*

PAD thugs at Makawan Bridge.

At 7 am, Tuesday September 2nd Prime Minister Samak declared a state of emergency under the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situation.

This is the same unpopular law that is in place in the southern border provinces which grants more power to the police and military while restricting civil liberties and press freedom.

Bangkok is now grinding to a halt with schools and businesses closing.

Next is a massive strike by labor unions which threaten to cut the electricity, water, train, and some airlines.

It is hard to see the Samak government riding out this storm without either the government's complete collapse or a serious crackdown by security forces.

Car Bombing

*All images copyright*

The following images are from the large car bomb that was detonated in the southern border town of Sungai Kolok, Narathiwat on Thursday August 21st.

This attack, according to the Yala bomb squad, was the largest car bombing in Southern Thailand.

There were two explosions. The first was hidden in a motorcycle and detonated to attract the police/military, first responders, media, and civilians who often crowd around.

The second bomb, a homemade devise made out of 2-3 large fire extinguisher casings and filled with metal shrapnel, was then remotely detonated by an insurgent who was
likely watching the scene.

The final photos are from Chalee Boonswat's funeral. He was a reporter for Thai Rath newspaper and was killed by the second explosion.

We Love Udon...So We Will Kill

*Warning* The first video is a little nasty as one PAD member seems to get set on by a pack "We Love Udon" animals. The police reaction is a case in point, the seem to do nothing.


Mob violence is really an ugly thing in Thailand.

As the following videos show, a group belligerent thugs calling themselves "We Love Udon" have decided to back up Samak's flailing government and physically put down a People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protest. I believe two died in the incident.

I have no respect for PAD. Their view of 'democracy' would be comical if it wasn't so disturbingly anti-democratic. And their acerbic ultra-nationalism hatred is seriously dangerous and represents the very worst of type of nationalist poison that infects societies and directs them onto a path of violence against minorities, against political opposition, on other religions, and eventually violence that often turns on itself killing the same fools who instigated it.

So, although I dont really feel bad that PAD lunatics are getting beaten by other lunatics, I do worry about how the police failed to intervene. Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of democartic process and the police are supposed to maintain order.

Yet Thai police have two reactions to virtually all violent incidents. The first is to ignore the situation, allow it to grow out of control, and wait until people are injured or killed.

The other process is to unleash brutal violence on any one in their path.

As these videos show, Thailand's notoriously incompetent and corrupt police decided to watch the violence instead of stop it.

When a riot begins, they are the law and their duty is to protect the people - even if that means keeping two ignorant, hate fulled, and violent groups from slaughtering each other.

Getting Away With Murder in Thailand

The always insightful Rule of Lords has a great peice on the insitutionalized impunity that Thai security forces opperate with.

"The effect of all of this is to make the proper working of the courts impossible, and for many, the criminal justice system little more than a cruel farce; for others like Yapa Koseng, just plain cruel. When a police charge sheet is crowded with the name of every member of a department as investigators, when undercover agents run around the countryside without keeping diaries of their activities, when army officers don’t know who is doing what under their command, getting away with murder is easy."

It is simply astounding that the security forces can not understand that their own violent behaviour is one of the primary causes of unrest in the southern border provinces.

In every interview I have done and every casual question asked to Malay-Muslim residents in the deep south about how they feel about the soldiers the answer is the same.

They live in fear of the military and police.

For an apt assesment of how Thai security forces act with legal (and presumably moral) impunity, please see the Rule of Lords: The Mechanics of Murder

Thailand's Drug Habit - Dateline Video

Hello Kitty and Thai Police - Together at last!

This photo was nicked from Bangkokpost.com but I, along with almost everyone who is following this story, will be eagerly scouring the Bangkok streets to take a souvenir photo of the real thing.

Thai police don't have a great reputation. And, as numerous critics might argue, their ongoing corrupt and violent antics certainly don't deserve a good reputation.

But Hello Kitty might help.

Officers guilty of "failing to report for duty, parking in a prohibited area, fighting, or being the subject of a complaint about poor service" would earn the above pictured Hello Kitty arm band.

Acting chief of the Crime Suppression Division, Pongpat Chayaphan, told the Bangkok Post that ''This new approach is intended to engender a feeling of guilt and discourage them from repeating the offense.''

I would like to suggest a couple of other offenses, ones that I have personally witnessed, that should also win a cute pink kitty arm band.

• For arresting the victim of a violent beating instead of the group of thugs that dispensed the beating. I am beginning to think this is actually common practice as I have seen it a few times times.


• For taking 50-100 baht bribes from taxi drivers.


• For giving an on the spot 'fine' of 2000 baht to a tourist near Khao San road for littering. (the fine was bartered down to 1500)


• For drunk driving. Very common.


• For drinking whiskey on the street with motorbike taxi drivers before both police and taxi drivers ALL get on their bikes and drive away.


• For charging me 100 baht to fill out a report of a lost phone.


• And for one of my favorite memories of Thai police; For drunkenly throwing a police helmet in the street while in a rage for not being bribed enough by a motorist.

This list could actually go on and on but I think the point is made.

I was tempted to add; For wearing skin tight uniforms while being comically overweight but I think half that problem rests with the department's decision to outfit their force with 'painted-on' tight uniforms.

Hello Kitty arm bands will certainly make for some humorous jokes at the expensive of the police but it does take the focus away from the a very serious crimes that Thai police are involved with.

But lets not venture into the real world now and look forward to spotting the first Thai cop sporting Hello Kitty pride. สวัสดีตำรวจ!