Peace advocates blame both sides for Tuesday bloodshed

They are also holding the whole society responsible of failing to prevent violence, saying that the public should collectively try hard to prevent further bloodshed.

"Nobody can deny responsibility. In a conflict, neither side is absolutely right or wrong," said Naree Charoenphonviriya, a prominent peace advocate and head of Peace Witness Volunteer Project in the deep South.

Ngamsuk Ruttanasatain, a lecturer at Mahidol University's Research Centre for Peace Building, also urged people to pay more attention to any initiative that fosters peace and resolution.

The lecturer was part of a vigil at the Democracy Monument, and spent time speaking to a small group of peace activists on both Tuesday night and last night.

"People who are not part of either party should wake up and recognise the problems the country is facing," she said. "How can our children and grandchildren live in a world filled with hatred?"

Ngamsuk said the core principle of non-violence included love and compassion, but the way both sides were being demonised was "very worrying". She urged people against violence to make their voices heard, while Naree suggested that a peace zone or a physical buffer against the two sides be set up.

Naree said things were looking hopeful because late Tuesday night an off-duty military man in uniform had succeeded in establishing calm at the protest site just before 11pm.

The military man was heard telling PAD protesters: "Lives can never be replaced."

Naree said the idea of non-violence was powerful, but both sides needed to adhere to peace.

"Violence isn't something we can't control," Naree told The Nation. "Many people do not wish to see violence, but cannot make their voices heard. These solutions must come from the political level."

She also urged the mass media to consider their role and see if their reports are fanning more hatred or not. Naree said the media's job was to inform people and not allow itself to be used as a means to manipulate either side by reported distorted news and propaganda.