Bloody Future For Bangkok?

Not hard to see Thailand’s security crackdown coming. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has warned the Red Shirts will be “removed” from their protest site at Rajprasong, a shopping district in Bangkok, within 48 hours if they don’t disband. The Red Shirts are vowing to hold their ground.

But they also provide another view. While the two objects may not collide directly, that's not how several Red Shirt leaders survey the battlefield.

First one Red Shirt, Natthawut Saikua, claimed he has inside knowledge that Abhisit had ordered an operation if the protesters refused to withdraw. Jatuporn Promphan, another red-shirt leader, said Army chief General Anupong Paochinda has ordered 70 companies of police and heavy weaponry to be deployed.

According to The Nation:

“Jatuporn said Anupong had instructed 70 companies of police to report to him at the 11th Infantry Regiment by noon today. He said 23 companies of soldiers would move to Lumpini Park, three companies of quick-response units, 200 motorcycles and pickup trucks - apart from 150 motorcycles from other military units that would operate in plainclothes but be fully armed with M16 and A2 guns, including 2,000 shotguns.

About 80 of them would disguise themselves and mix with red-shirt protesters and would shoot at the leaders when the crackdown order was issued, he claimed. Four Black Hawk helicopters and a Chinook helicopter would be used. Twenty special task force officers were being readied to rappel down ropes and capture red-shirt leaders.

Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situations spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd admitted they were preparing to suppress the protesters at Rajprasong but waiting for the right timing. He confirmed the deployment of 70 companies of police from the Police Region 1-7 to execute the crackdown. Police commanders of seven regions would oversee their subordinates and work under the policy of the centre.”

Jatuporn said the crackdown would be carried out today or tomorrow. Propaganda or reality? The wait won't be long.

"We are ready to fight till death,” promised Jatuporn. “No matter how many weapons they are going to use.”