by Garry Harbottle-Johnson

CHIANG MAI, Thailand, 27 November 2008 – Tensions escalated this afternoon and evening throughout Thailand as the country fears the civil disorder and protests against the current government may turn into a military coup or open fighting.

Education Minister Srimuang Charoensiri issued an urgent order at 2:30pm sending all officials and staff home due to intensifying coup rumours.  Later in the afternoon, staff at Ogilvy and Matter were given the same instruction.

I was told by 3 different people that late afternoon (4pm), tanks and armoured personal carriers were seen in the area of the Democracy Monument, and also heading for the Bangkok Police Headquarters.  At 5pm, Thai Internet-TV channel ASTV reported troops were moving to important locations, to secure them and prevent violence by mobilised government supporters, whereas the government-owned Thai terrestrial Channel 3 reported an Army spokesman as saying the tanks in Bangkok were nothing to do with a coup attempt, but were vehicles on their way back from a ‘training exercise.’

From Chiang Mai, government Spokesman Natthawut Saikua announced an urgent plea to soldiers to remain in their barracks.  He said he had left the Cabinet meeting to make the announcement, while the meeting was still in progress, because there were high speculations about a coup.  Natthawut said the government would like to call on the military not to mobilise troops because the military leaders would not be purged as had been speculated earlier in the day.

Around sunset, the Nation newspaper reported -

30 emergency medical teams prepared for police’s operation to clear airports: Chalerm

Public Health Minister Chalerm Yoombamrung said he instructed the permanent secretary for Public Health to prepare 30 emergency medical teams in the aftermath of expected police’s crackdown on protesters.  He said police would try to negotiate with protesters first.

“But if the negotiations fail, let’s keep our fingers crossed,” Chalerm said.  “I want the negotiations to be successful because I don’t want to see bloodshed.”

The Nation’s report was followed very quickly by one with a different tone on the Bangkok Post website -

The pro-government United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) will call its red-clad supporters to disperse the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) demonstrators at Suvarnabhumi airport, if the government does not take direct action against them, UDD leader and political talk show host Veera Musikhapong said on Thursday.

Mr Veera, referring to national army chief Anupong Paojinda’s suggestion for the government to dissolve the parliament and the PAD to leave Suvarnabhumi airport, said the proposal is deemed void since both sides have rejected it.  He said the best solution is for the cabinet to take legal action against the PAD by exercising police authority and letting the army impose the Emergency Decree to restore the situation.  Otherwise, supporters of the UDD will take care of the PAD themselves because the country would face more damage, if the crisis prolongs, according to the UDD leader.

People Power party (PPP) MP Jatuporn Promphan said if the government does not receive cooperation from the police and military by driving the protesters out of Suvarnabhumi airport, the police and army chiefs may have to reconsider their roles.   Mr Jatuporn said he is afraid that the Civil Court’s injunction ordering the PAD to leave Suvarnabhumi airport will not be followed.

If true, Veera Musikhapong’s declaration is tantamount to opening a civil war between the two factions – the yellow-shirted Royalist PAD, and the Parliamentarian red-shirted UDD.

I have tonight received unconfirmed reports that PAD are moving against the military and civilian cargo airport of U-Tapao, to Bangkok’s southeast, near the Thai Navy base of Sattahip.  Further unconfirmed (as yet) reports from a normally reliable source say that PAD have also started attempts to occupy the international airports on the holiday resort islands of Phuket and Samui.

Reported to me mid-evening, by an acquaintance within the PAD ranks at Bangkok’s airports, was that there was high expectation of a major (decisive) event happening this evening.  No further details were known, only the timing.  This arrived at the same time as reports that tanks were rumoured to be on the move within the capital, and similar reports have been heard all day, also without confirmation.

Suriyasai Katasila, a leading member of the People’s Alliance for Democracy, announced Thursday evening that the PAD-led protesters would fight off police if they are deployed to crack down on the protesters at the Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports.  “If the government wants to clear the protesters, let it try. The PAD will protect all locations because we are using our rights to demonstrate peacefully without causing damages to state properties or rioting,” Suriyasai said.  (Nation Online breaking news).

The increasing frequency and regularity of reports such as those above may be part of PAD’s strategy, and aimed at forcing the government’s hand, or they may just be signs of panic and over-excitement amongst the Thai populace.  Unfortunately, all English language news channels are focussing on the story in Mumbai and have abandoned coverage from Thailand, therefore normal channels of corroboration are not operating normally.

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat has declared a State of Emergency for Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi Airports.   Somchai said the imposing of the emergency state will be a temporary situation.  The Metropolitan Police Bureau will be in charge of enforcing the decree at Don Muang Airport under the supervision of Interior Minister Police General Kowit Wattana.  The Royal Navy and the First Region Police Bureau will be in charge of recovering Suvarnabhumi Airport, Somchai said.

As local time approaches midnight, and no further solid reports are appearing, it would appear that all sides involved are now mustering their forces and resources.  PAD protestors at Government House in the city centre have been warned to change their yellow shirts for other colours if they decide to leave the compound.  PAD leaders believe wearing the King’s colour on the streets after dark would lead to them being attacked, and injured or worse.