Thai General Assassinated as Fighting in Bangkok Continues
May 17, 2010
By: Randi Zung

Protected by a barricade of old tires and bamboo stakes, the Red Shirts have been camped out in the streets of Bangkok for nearly two months to call for the resignation of current Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.  According to BBC News, on May 10, a brief sign of progress was made when the Red Shirts initially accepted Abhisit’s offer to dissolve parliament in September and hold new elections in November.  However, the deal later fell through when the Red Shirts continued to demonstrate, stating that they would not dissolve until Abhisit surrendered himself to the police.  Following the reconciliation plan’s fallout, Abhisit authorized security officials to “restore normalcy as soon as possible.”

On May 13, renegade Thai General Khattiya Sawatdiphol was shot in the head by a sniper during an interview with the New York Times.  Khattiya, popularly referred to as Seh Daeng – meaning Commander Red, was shot while inside of the Red Shirt base as military forces prepared to surround the encampment.  Earlier in the day, the military announced plans to encircle the protestor encampment, which is currently located in a Bangkok’s Lumpini Park.  Following the shooting, Khattiya was immediately taken to a nearby hospital by Red Shirt demonstrators.  Neither the police nor the government has released any official statements regarding the incident.

According to the New York Times, Khattiya is currently viewed as a controversial figure.  He is disliked by the government for his abandonment, as well as detested by Red Shirt leaders who accuse him of inciting violence.  Moments before he was shot, in response to his critics’ accusations, Khattiya denied claims that he was responsible for a series of recent bombings that have resulted in the deaths of at least 25 Thai individuals.  Abhisit has referred to Khattiya as a “terrorist” and stated that Khattiya has been a major obstacle to restoring peace.  When he was shot, Khattiya was on suspension without pay, and the Thai military was debating whether or not he should be stripped of his rank.

On May 17, the Thai government announced that Khattiya died from his gunshot wound.  Since Khattiya’s shooting last Thursday, a series of violent clashes between the Red Shirts and Thai security forces have resulted in the deaths of thirty-six individuals, BBC News reported.  Currently, approximately 5,000 Red Shirts remain in the encampment despite the Thai government’s repeated calls for evacuation. 

During a nationally televised announcement, the Thai government stated that protestors who did not disperse would face two years in jail.  The announcement, which specifically warned women, children, and the elderly to leave the Red Shirt camp, was followed by another government declaration that protestors would soon be removed by force. 

In addition BBC News reported that the Red Shirts have been throwing homemade bombs and launching fireworks at Thai soldiers.  Protests are now occurring in areas outside of the capital city, including a report of a military bus being set on fire in the northern city of Chiang Mai.  Thailand has declared a state of emergency in an effort to prevent more protestors from descending on Bangkok.

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