THAI PROTESTS

ANYONE who has spent any time in Thailand and enjoyed the hospitality of the easy-going Thai people will be puzzled by the scenes of mass protest and violence on Bangkok's streets that have dominated media coverage for three or four weeks. The current occupation of the central shopping district and the financial centre of Bangkok by some 15'000 “Red Shirts” has led to some dramatic TV coverage as the protestors battle with the heavily armed Thai police and army. This year's toll is 25 killed and 800 injured and there are serious concerns that the number will increase dramatically if a way is not found for the protestors and the government to reach an agreement on reducing the tension.

The background of the Red Shirts is primarily rural and left wing but the only demand they have made on the government is for an election to be held soon, rather than in 2011 when it is due; they believe that the government of prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva took office illegally. The prime minister has offered talks about an election later this year but has made no promise and he generally shows little enthusiasm for negotiations with the protestors who consider the exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra the legitimate leader of the government. In the past the revered King of Thailand might have mediated between the two sides but he is now old and ill and thought unlikely to intervene.