Dressed for war

Viewers of the red shirts' People Channel yesterday might have been surprised to see redshirt leaders Jatuporn Promphan, Veera Musigapong and Nattawut Saikuar dressed for war.

It seemed a provocative move considering their leader, fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, had just told them to postpone their antigovernment rally until the controversy over his Cambodia trip had died down.

Redshirt leaders sing

The footage of the three dressed as warriors and singing "Poo Chana Sib Thit" ("Victor of the Ten Directions") came from the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship's fundraising con¬cert held at Khao Yai on November 14.

That was the same day that Thaksin flew out of Cambodia.

Redshirt leader Nattawut Saikuar said the concert - ti¬tled "Puean Ruam Rong, Phi Nong Ruam Rob" ("Friends Singing Together, Brothers Fighting Together") - was de¬signed as fun entertainment and to raise funds for the antigovernment rally later this month.

Battle cries

As such, the footage showed mostly luk thung songs with lively rhythms. Still, the high¬lights of the TV coverage were "Poo Chana Sib Thit and "Lan Klong Rob" ("War Drums"), songs related to battle sung by redshirt leaders.

Echoing this battle cry was the show's producer, Arisman Pongruangrong, who wore a commando outfit and arrived on stage in a golfcart decorated as a helicopter. The singerturnpolitician sang about a dozen songs - including several about fighting. Also featured on the bill were socialites Darunee Kritboonyalai and Methee Amornwuthikul.

Music videos with a fighting theme are a big hit with People Channel's producers, who use them to fill breaks between programmes.

Another key redshirt leader, Kokaew Pikulthong, reported that Bt10 million of the target¬ed Bt18 million had been raised from the concert. But as the planned rally was postponed in deference to Thaksin's wishes, the money raised will be used for a later rally.

The organisers are planning to offer VCDs of the concert for sale in two weeks.