Songkhla MP Sirichok Sopha, a close aide to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, tells Kornchanok Raksaseri and Jintana Panyaarvudh what is was like for the PM to stay for weeks in the 11th Infantry Regiment base during the anti-government red-shirt rally.
What was it like living there?
The PM's routine was to go to bed at about 2 or 3am, waking up at 6am. There were meetings, following the situation. Sometimes we could see the PM was worried, especially in case of deaths.
When he was free about 2am, he talked to his family on the phone.
What did he do in the daytime?
He followed developments. People came to see him all the time as the situation was changing very quickly. Our first goal was to shut down the red shirts' communications. We must close PTV, People's Channel and all their communications as they provoked people all the time. After that we thought about containing the rally.
Who was closest to the PM during the time?
I was with him almost all the time. But as an MP I would not attend the meetings with the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation. But I joined any unofficial meeting and provided information and analysis.
Sometimes MPs visited us.
Did you stay in the room next to the PM?
Our rooms were all on the second floor of the two-storey house. Out of the four rooms, the PM stayed in one, PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey stayed in one, I shared one with Deputy Education Minister Chaiwuti Bannawat. The other room was for the PM's police guards.
What was your impression?
I saw PM Abhisit's leadership. It's clear that he is thoughtful and decisive. But he would decide at the right time, when the situation was ripe enough and he had thoroughly considered all factors.
The PM listens to people's opinions, he listens to all. He replies to SMS's and calls.
We understood that the PM's decision to announce the reconciliation plan and the date for an election dissatisfied Democrat supporters. His mobile phone crashed as loads of people called to complain. I also understand the red-shirt leaders, they must have received such complaints too. But we got the support of people in the middle, the majority who wanted to see peace restored in the country.
When was the tensest day?
April 10, the day of the clashes at Khok Wua Intersection. When I saw the PM, he clearly looked worried. Maybe because it was the first casualties. The Army top brass were also hurt. They didn't expect the losses when their close subordinate also died. They knew there were armed militants but didn't think they would dare use M79 grenades. The atmosphere was like a void.
Who did the PM talk to?
He talked to Army chief General Anupong Paochinda, his deputy General Prayut Chanocha, the Army assistant chief-of-staff for operations Lt Gen Dapong Ratanasuwan, all the Army's Five Tigers including the chief-of-staff, and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan. Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban was also there all the time.
At the command headquarters, there's a restaurant where all of them took three meals together each day.
How was the relationship between the PM and the Army chief?
Good. Outsiders wouldn't have understood that when soldiers decide to do something, they won't always talk about it. It's secret. People will complain why he didn't do anything. He did a lot indeed.
Was there any tense or uncomfortable feeling between them?
No. The military was so disciplined. They honoured the PM as their commander. They are really professional.
What about the police?
There were many problems including that the police chief hasn't been appointed. That's a structural problem. We also understood that police still feel hurt for having to be responsible for the October 7 crackdown. They also received CD recordings of the yellow shirts blaming them. Unless they support the red shirts, they still feel hostile to the yellow shirts.
Acting police chief Patheep Tanprasert is a very thoughtful person. He's neutral and wouldn't do anything illegally.
Did anybody lose control during the crisis?
The PM was very strong. Some visiting politicians might have imagined too much. But when the PM explained things and the situation got better, they understood.
The PM never thought of resigning, as that would yield nothing good for the country. He is very firm, not vulnerable to outside pressure.
Did he think of the party's popularity or coalition's reactions?
He was much pressured after announcing the reconciliation roadmap. Another time was when people thought the government did nothing while the red shirts raided many places. Luckily, he stayed calm. Otherwise, thousands could have died.
Did he decide all by himself?
Yes, he decides by himself eventually. The rumours of his shadow or mastermind are not true. When others disagreed, he would take time to explain.
How much did his family take part in his decision-making?
Very little. His father mainly provided information. He had the opportunity to talk to his own family only very late at night.
He talked to Democrat chief adviser Chuan Leekpai from time to time. It's not true that they didn't talk.
The PM and you had to receive phone calls late at night, didn't you?
When the PM's mobile phone crashed, he transferred the line to mine so I couldn't sleep that night. I tried to be calm and explain things. Some calls from the red shirts said, "Murderer, you killed people!" But the next calls might say, "What are you doing? Why don't you kill them?"
Who planned the military operations?
The PM gave policies, such as no suppression but must contain the rally. Then the military would study and plan how to do the implementation.
The mission on May 19 was already in the works, wasn't it?
Yes. But for the surrender of the red leaders, that was a bonus.
But they already knew there