LETTER FROM SANAM LUANG
The war is far from over
Participants in last Friday’s political rally at Sanam Luang shield themselves from the rain while listening to a speaker.
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The orderly anti-Thaksin crowd were all there at Sanam Luang on Friday night. It was meant to be a precautionary farewell among the allies, a gathering to celebrate the victory of people's power.
It has been a long journey for the group from that first rally at the Royal Plaza on February 4 when the crowd started roaring "Thaksin Awk-pai" - the mantra that bellowed out over the streets of Bangkok as they marched from site to site for nigh on two months. When Thaksin Shinawatra announced he would not accept the post of prime minister when a new parliament convenes, the "Thaksin Awk-pai" chant lost much of its impact. So the baying of the hounds was little heard on Friday night. That aside, Friday's meeting was a dream-come-true thanks to their orderly behaviour and peaceful unity. Who would have thought that rally after rally involving massive numbers in such a short space of time would not have produced some violence? Isn't that a victory to be proud of? Regardless of the venue - from the Royal Plaza, Sanam Luang, Makkawan Ransan Bridge, and in front of Siam Paragon - and the size of the crowd, we never heard of even a single bottle being thrown. To the dismay of the government, this "disobedient crowd" was also able to march to Government House in an obedient way. Knowing Thais, most gatherings invariably involve alcohol. Not so throughout the anti-Thaksin rallies. On offer on the grounds were soft drinks, Thai snacks and easy-to-cook Thai dishes. Except for two cases - a protester dying from dehydration and an accident in which a van hit a protester - the rallies held by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) could safely be declared "non-violent" and acts of "civil disobedience". It was indeed a masterpiece to show the powers-that-be the quality of those who made up the crowd that wanted to get rid of Thaksin. From day one, the rallies retained their unique atmosphere and it developed and grew. The entertainment programmes on stage expanded from a few "songs-for-life" bands to all kinds of music. A Chinese Opera troupe came up with more and more gags, producing gems of political satire. Statement T-shirts diversified rapidly from the popular "square-face" to many other messages involving democracy. Street vendors who experienced a brisk business added more and more to their wares as time passed. Photographs might show the crowd was fashionable with their statement T-shirts and protest accessories. They might be portrayed as fun-loving people, laughing at satirical Chinese Opera and humming along with songs-for-life artists. Yet they succeeded in demonstrating that they came to every single rally with a serious intent. They were the group that knew their rights and understood the meaning of peaceful assembly. The anti-Thaksin demonstrators have now tasted the sweetness of victory. The gatherings were the biggest democratic protest and perhaps the longest-running in Thai political history. The crowd came from all walks of life, covering a wide range of professions. Age-wise, the demonstrators ranged from infants to senior citizens. On Friday night, there was one very significant indication that the fight for true democracy had not only started but was going to be continued on solid foundations. I spotted a long line - nothing uncommon at the rallies. But this time they weren't lining up for food or anti-Thaksin products, but to sign up to democracy groups and give their contacts. The PAD and Chulalongkorn University's networks for democracy received overwhelming responses as the queues were long and people didn't move away, even though it started raining at almost 11pm. It seemed everybody realised that the group had won the battle but there was more tough work ahead. Now the common goal shared by the anti-Thaksin crowd was not "Thaksin Awk-pai" any more. It is political reform and a complete end to the Thaksin regime. The message of the demonstrators is clear. They have won the battle but the war is still raging. So it was a cautious farewell for all, knowing full well that they may have to regroup when needs be. The fight for democracy will go on. For the demonstrators who gave their time to join the rallies and marches, braved the traffic and put up with dirty toilets, your effort has paid off. Things would not have turned out the way they have if each of you had not decided to leave home to join the rallies. As for me, I have no regrets. Hopefully, this will be my last letter from an anti-Thaksin gathering. It is a farewell. But a precautionary one.
Veena Thoopkrajae The Nation
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