Last week's blatant raid on Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital by a red shirt mob led to an outcry from the public, as well as affecting patients, their relatives and medical personnel. The event also caused Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to announce he would not allow such an incident to occur again.
That was one reason for the special Cabinet meeting on Sunday, the agenda of which related to the lingering protest by the red shirts.
It included approval of Bt277 million for the Royal Thai Police and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to fund their work relating to the ongoing protests. Of this sum, Bt249 million will be spent on operations by 29,700 police assigned to maintain law and order between March 17 and April 6. Another Bt28 million will go toward DSI inquiries into cases involving terrorist acts and other security-related offences.
In his television programme "Confident in Thailand with PM Abhisit" on Sunday morning, the prime minister said the special Cabinet meeting later that day would discuss empowering the military to take certain action. He said the government has opted for a clear choice and made a decision about the matter. "Now it is in the process of implementation. The action must succeed and have minimal side-effects," Abhisit said during his show broadcast on state-run NBT.
After their special meeting, which was held at the 11th Infantry Regiment, Cabinet members took part in a closed-door meeting for another two hours, during which unrelated officials were not allowed. That was an indication the government will get tough with the red-shirt protesters who have occupied Rajprasong shopping district for more than a month.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who heads the government's Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES), said that this year's political turmoil was much different from the riots in April last year, when the situation was far less severe.
The prime minister said during the special Cabinet meeting: "If a riot happens, the government will seek Cabinet approval for the military to use weapons in a suppression operation". He said this was allowed under Article 7 of the Emergency Decree.
That means the power to crack down is already in the government's hands.
In regard to security forces to be employed in the operation, the Army is well prepared. Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan told the Cabinet: "The men are ready for any crackdown on the mob. The work could be done as early as today." But he also expressed concern about possible loss of life, particularly among the protesters, many of whom are unarmed. He suggested a lenient approach to prevent fatal results - advice that was supported by the prime minister.
Certain Cabinet members asked about an appropriate time for the crowd-dispersal operation. They also noted that tomorrow is Coronation Day and there is a celebration of His Majesty the King's 60th anniversary on the throne from tomorrow until Sunday, so it may be inappropriate for a crackdown on that date. The defence minister responded that "the job had nothing to do with the Coronation Day celebrations".
Suthep told the Cabinet the number of protesters at the rally site was now about 6,000 during the day and 13,000 at night. He said intelligence showed fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra ordered MPs from the opposition Pheu Thai Party to help transport people from their constituencies to join the protest in order that the number would not drop.
Given the facts, it appears the time for a crackdown is approaching. The CRES asked the Cabinet for three more checkpoints to be set up around the protest site - up from six at present, in order to prevent more weapons being smuggled into the area. Text messages will also be sent to mobile phones in order to urge protesters to leave the area and return home.
An important development from the prime minister is the "road map" for reform to try to solve the national crisis. The plan is expected to be announced to the public in a day or two.
Commenting on the matter, a source from the Cabinet said, "Given what the prime minister told Cabinet, I think after he announces the road map, that could be an appropriate time for the government to deal with the red shirts."
The comment appears to be in line with the prime minister's remark that the situation would improve after May 5.
Let's wait and see if that is just a threat, and if there will be any action.