I reached the Sathon-Rama IV intersection at a corner of Lumpini Park about 500m from the top of Silom road, at around 8am today. It had been the scene of at least two skirmishes the previous night which left at least one red shirt dead. The intersection had been taken over by surging angry crowds.But I had left around midnight, anticipating that the skirmishes would continue all night.
This morning there were fewer red shirts at the intersection but their mood was still volatile. They were manning a makeshift roadblock just a few metres from the army's own roadblock up the road towards Silom. I took a look around Sala Daeng and found it quiet, then made my way to Ratchaprasong to find out what the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) leaders were up to. Getting around was a bit difficult as several Skytrain and underground stations are closed.
I found Nattawut Saikua, Dr Weng Tojirakarn and Jaran Ditta-apichai poring over pictures and reports in the morning papers and discussing the attempt to kill major general Khattiya Sawasdipol, better known as Seh Daeng.
Seh Daeng had been cut down by a bullet to the head the previous evening as he was talking to journalists including International Herald Tribune correspondent Tom Fuller. Initial thoughts of people on the scene were that the shooter was a sniper.
I managed to have a chat with Jaran, a former political science professor and national human rights commissioner.
He confirmed to me reports that Veera Musigapong, Visa Kantap and his wife Phaijit Aksornnarong, and Adisorn Piangket, had left the leadership committee of the UDD.
Veera Musigapong at the rally at Ratchaprasong last month : voice of moderation departs the UDD. -- ST PHOTO: NIRMAL GHOSH
But ‘’Veera is still in Thailand, and is still working’’ he said – meaning that he was working on behalf of the UDD and in touch with figures in the government.
‘’He disagreed with continuing the rally, he thought the UDD should accept the government’s offer of an election on November 14’’ he said.
‘’He foresaw that if we continue there will be violence like what happened last night. But he is still in touch with the government to de-escalate the situation.’’
The four no longer sat in on the UDD leaders’ meetings, he said.
I asked whether the UDD would continue the rally in the wake of last night’s clashes and the harder line the government is taking. There also seemed fewer people at Ratchaprasong, and mood seemed more somber than on previous days.
That would depend on a meeting of the leadership committee this afternoon, he said. One demand remains unchanged – that deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban ‘’enter the judicial process’’ to answer charges of having ordered armed troops to disperse red shirts on April 10, when day-long skirmishes finally erupted in an all-out street battle that left at least 25 dead and hundreds injured.
The UDD was likely to issue new demand later today, for a dissolution of parliament, as well as accountability for last night’s clashes which left at least one person and possibly two dead.
‘’Even though the army is encircling us we know they will not crack down’’ he said. We know (defence minister) Prawit Wongsuwan and (army chief) general Anupong Paochinda don’t want that. The government doesn’t want that either. We are still in touch with people in the government.’’
‘’Hopefully there will be a peaceful solution soon, within three days. But after Sunday, I think nobody knows what will happen.’’
I asked for more details on the differing opinions in the leadership. He said ‘’Many leaders do not want us to stop. It is our duty to convince them, but it is not easy. Some say fight, some – like myself – say we cannot win this in just one struggle. There will have to be several steps, and with several means, not just rallies.’’
He said Mr Veera – a veteran politician seen as a moderate – had taken the decision to leave four days ago.
12:30 hrs - A riot has broken out as troops attempt to gain control of the Sathon-Rama IV intersection. At least one army or police vehicle has been set on fire and tear gas has been used.