Thailand: Tension Grows

In a Bangkok Post top story, five pro-government supporters were held by security guards for the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) . Scuffles broke out and a woman was punched in the face after the guards claimed they were armed and ready to incite violence. The four women and one man were intercepted by the guards wearing red shirts which said "Choose Samak, Love Thaksin" in a pick-up truck stuck in traffic. The guards claimed that a group of men in the back of the truck fired slingshots at them and that one also threw an axe but missed. The guards then paraded the man and women, who were found inside the truck, in front of a group of PAD supporters. They were then handed over to police for questioning.

This incident is of importance because it shows the rise in tension between the two groups and absence of stability within the political system of Thailand right now. Some people fear that things will continue this way or worsen because of events to come. A rally is planned for the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorships (UDD) on Saturday and a political talk show in Bangkok is said to attract a crowd of UDD supporters when the former prime minister will address the rally by telephone from London.

Despite the tension, the fact that a televised political talk show will be airing the viewpoints of former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, proves that there is still evidence of press freedom within the country and broadcast stations are not censoring themselves from covering a variety of material.


By: Allison Kershner