The people of Thailand are rallying in Bangkok on Thursday to mark one year since
the Thai army moved in to remove thousands of anti-government demonstrators, known
as the Red Shirts, from their encampment in the capital’s centre. The violence killed
more than 90 people and wounded some 2,000 between April and May of last year.
“There
are lots of issues that the current government has yet to resolve, like the fact-finding
into the deaths,” says Dr. Apichart Intravisit of Assumption University in Bangkok.
“The
effects of the protests are still hanging over.”
By chance, the anniversary
coincides with party leaders’ ballot draw that determines their position on the ballot
for the upcoming general election. The Pheu Thai Party associated with deposed Prime
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his Red Shirt supporters drew the desirable No 1 spot,
while incumbent Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's Democrats drew No 10. Red Shirt
leaders are standing this year as Pheu Thai candidates.
“The rally today …
would comprise only of the ceremonial part,” Dr Intravisit told Vatican Radio. “There
will be no political campaign at this point since we are in the 45 days until the
elections, so the Pheu Thai party .. some of them may show up but they may not speak.”
Listen
to Dr Apichart Intravisit’s full interview with Kelsea Brennan-Wessels: