Following the bloody April 10 clash between soldiers and red-shirt demonstrators, the Non-Violence Network - which aims to resolve conflicts peacefully - has recruited volunteers to act as "listening friends" to visit injured people from both sides.
The following are comments from reports on their website (http://nonviolencenetwork.com)
First red-shirt demonstrator, a 35-year-old man who sustained a broken arm: "I was at the clash scene and I saw some soldiers crying. I knew they didn't want to come but it was an order they must observe. While running away from tear gas, we (demonstrators and soldiers) met in a small alley and sat back-to-back until the smoke was gone, after which we fought again. I thought it was odd that strangers with no previous argument would suddenly attack each other."
First soldier, a private from Saraburi province, who was drafted six months ago: said he was shocked when suddenly a bomb explode amid his group and he saw fellow troops hurt. "Personally, I don't want to clash with the demonstrators because we are all Thais, but it was my duty. Now I want the turmoil to end and everyone to stop protesting - but talking and discussing how to develop the country together," he said.
Second red-shirt demonstrator, a red-shirt guard from Ratchaburi, who sustained a broken facial bone from a rubber bullet: said he joined the protest out of frustration over social inequity and the double standards of Thai society. He stressed that their rally didn't need the red-shirt symbol and said he didn't want violence but peaceful talks.
Second soldier, a private from Chanthaburi, with a leg wound from shrapnel from an M79 grenade: said he was injured at 9pm near Wat Bovornniwet, but fortunately some people at a boiled rice shop dragged him inside to treat his wound before rushing him to hospital. He was frightened when they were surrounded by red shirts, he said. He only wants peace and for both sides to negotiate peacefully.
Third red-shirt demonstrator, a 30-year-old man with a rib injury and bleeding in his lung from shrapnel from an M79 grenade: he couldn't believe that soldiers would resort to violence using guns and war weapons. "I believe bullets must have come from the soldiers' side, as the direction they came from was the opposite of the red shirts. I'm not angry at soldiers, I'm angry at those ordered them to do this. The only solution to end all this is to dissolve Parliament."
Third soldier, a private from Kanchanaburi who sustained injuries to his left leg and ankle as well as bruising on his body: he said he was at Khok Wua intersection but not allowed to carry a gun or other weapon. During the clash after 6pm, soldiers were told to walk forwards but suddenly chaos erupted with red-shirts everywhere. He regained conscious later inside an ambulance. "That day, the red-shirt people carried wooden sticks, slingshots using metal nuts, and glass bottles," he said.
Fourth red-shirt demonstrator, a man who sustained a broken hand and a fractured leg bone after a state official beat him with a club. "I went to give moral support to the red-shirts and intended to join a Songkran party at khao san Road later. During the clash, I knew I couldn't run fast enough so I sat down to avoid being assaulted but I didn't escape it. Everything happened so fast and violently that it felt unreal. Luckily, someone took me to hospital," he said adding that he joined the protest because he wanted justice, eradication of double standards and he wanted the government to listen to the poor.
Fourth soldier, recalling the clash at Khok Wua intersection: said he was ordered to shoot at the sky with real bullet but he didn't have a chance to pull a trigger because a bomb hit him, causing injuries that maimed him for life. "I couldn't believe it would become so violent. During the afternoon, some red-shirt demonstrators brought us wet towels and food and we talked as if we were brothers. I'm not angry or hate the red-shirt people because I understand they want Thailand to be better," he said.
Fifth red-shirt demonstrator, a man, aged 31, was hit by bomb shrapnel in his chest, legs and arms. Linked to respiratory machine, he was unable to comment but his elder brother said the family lost contact with him at about 3pm and learnt he was hurt the next day.
"I'm not on anyone's side, but I am disappointed the government decided to disperse the demonstration at that time because it was too dark, too risky," he remarked.
Fifth soldier, a private from Sa Kaew, who sustained a leg injury from bomb shrapnel: said he didn't think it would be so violent and felt uneasy to about carrying out his duty because they were all Thais and all human.
Sixth red-shirt demonstrator, a 52-year-old man from Chiang Mai, who was hit by a metal object that pierced his liver: said he joined the protest determined to call for justice, democracy and for Parliament to be dissolved. He said he would return to the protest after getting better, but wanted all leaders to negotiate properly.
Sixth soldier, Sgt Anupol Hommalee died at Phramongkut Hospital intensive care unit on April 13 (last Tuesday) from head injuries. His mother and younger sister sat by his bed wracked with grief. His mother said it was too fast and too soon for her son to lose his life to a political conflict in which both sides blamed the other for the violence.
