Protestors remain strong

Tensions remain high in Bangkok ten days after clashes between the military and anti-government protestors left 25 people dead and hundreds injured. The army said it was now prepared to take tougher measures in the case of further clashes, using elite troops.

According to army spokesman Colonel Sunsern Kaewkumnerd, the army was ready to take decisive action, including the use of live bullets, if provoked.

Protesters remain firm

Charan Dittapichai is a leader of the United Democratic Front against Dictatorship, or UDD, better known as the Red Shirts. He says the protesters will remain resolute in the case of a crackdown.

He does not believe the army will crack down in seven days, as they are threatening to do. "It cannot. I don't believe that the army can do that. And if they do, no one knows what will happen because at least 30 percent who come here are not afraid of death."

The UDD says Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government must resign and call new elections. But the government and coalition partners say elections in the current heated climate would do little to end the current political crisis.

On Tuesday tens of thousands of Red Shirt protesters gathered at the rally site, near major malls and department stores that have been forced to close for almost three weeks at the cost of millions of dollars.

"They're trying to demonize us"

Sean Boonpracong, a UDD spokesperson, says while there are fears the deep social divisions could be exacerbated, the government is to be blamed, not the protestors.

"They're trying to blame us as intransigent. You have to remember the government and their conservative allies are more powerful than us. I think you should ask them what they're prepared to offer. But they're trying to demonize us as being a terrorist group. And it's really counterproductive to hear that type of really extreme rhetoric."

Army officials said protestors have stockpiled home-made weapons including acid banks and clubs spiked with nails in preparation for a crackdown. There is concern that demonstrators may also have firearms.

"I am afraid because I cannot see any sign from now on how we can pass this moment peacefully," says Pinpaka Ngamsom, the assistant editor for online news service, Prachatai.com.

"If you see all the factors right now it's difficult for Thailand. If you look at the Prime Minister it's hard for him to turn away and if you look to the red shirts for the leader it's also very hard for them to turn away, and if you look at the protestor they strongly believe that they can win."

The worst crisis in two decades

The current political crisis is the most severe test for the country in almost 20 years.

Prime Minister Abhisit survived a similar crisis last year, one also led by the red shirts who are backing former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Thaksin remains overseas to avoid a two year jail term for corruption. But it is also reported Thaksin is consolidating his support even now within police and military ranks.

Author: Ron Corben (Bangkok)
Editor: Sarah Berning