IN BANGKOK
THE CALL was patched through, from an “undisclosed location”. It was from Jakrapob Penkair, 42, now in hiding with a warrant of arrest out for him for helping lead the red shirts of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) in its protests in Bangkok earlier this month.
He is the only one of the original leaders of the Red Shirts who has not surrendered to Thai authorities – who are trying to find him.
His voice sounded strong. He said he was "in the midst of setting up a base" from which to run the Red Shirt movement.
"This is a place to work from, where people can brainstorm, follow the situation and analyse it closely," he said.
He said the attempt last week to assassinate Sondhi Limthongkul, a key leader of the royalist People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) was a an indication that "they are trying to get rid of the leadership of both the reds and the yellows.
“They are trying to gain control now," he said.
The interview was the first contact he has had with the foreign media since disappearing underground on April 14.
Subsequently however, he has lined up interviews with a string of wire agencies throughout Monday.
He told me the Red Shirts had concentrated on educating people over the last couple of years. Now the movement was in an "action" phase.
Striking an ominous note he said: "I believe people are now planning and thinking whether or not peaceful means serve them best. We are not encouraging violence, but have to admit that people have been repeatedly disappointed."
"Legal standards have been clearly unfair and unjust. I am not saying there will be violence I the days ahead. But the remaining opportunities for a peaceful solution are every day decreasing.
“We still talk about a peaceful way in which people can get their rights back. But people have the right to defend themselves against aggression," he said.
Asked to comment on the charges and warrant against him, he said, "The whole system has been distorted, there’s no justice awaiting me or any of us."
Read more in my report in Tuesday’s edition of The Straits Times.