Security intelligence warns of new round of anti-government rallies once emergency is lifted
Some provincial leaders of the red shirts have also begun warning about a new round of anti-government activities and rallies in several provinces, including Chiang Mai where anti-government sentiment and movement still run strong, according to the security intelligence appraisal.
Some red-shirt leaders such as Srichan Chanong and Hansak Benchasripitak, who have not been arrested on any charges, have been moving around freely. Also, leaders of the Love Chiang Mai 51 group, and hardline red shirts such as Petchawat Wattanapongsirikul and Kanyapak Maneechak are still at large. Once the emergency is lifted, they expect to instigate violence as they have done earlier, according to the intelligence.
In Chaiyaphum, red-shirt leader Mongkon Nopchaiyaphum said he had already planned his anti-government movement and once the emergency decree is lifted, more than 1,000 protesters would converge at the Provincial Hall.
Source said the red-shirt leaders have already staged an underground movement, distributing news about the murder of Korat red leader Uan Buayai, saying Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva wants to get rid of all red leaders in every province to prevent them from staging protests. The move has enraged protesters who have vowed to put up strong resistance against the government.
A second generation red-shirt leader in Udon Thani said since their leaders have been arrested, they were now ready to take up the leading role after having been trained in red schools.
He said although he and other red leaders faced arrest, they would lead protesters to Bangkok to stage a new round of rallies. He said red-shirt leaders face all kinds of harassment, from telephone bugging to being hunted down.
Some red-shirt leaders had escaped abroad and are undergoing training that would provide them experience in anti-government rallies. They are ready to get back and stage rallies.
"This time our rally will be effective. It is dangerous, but we must do it,'' he said.
Jiranan Chantrawong, a red-shirt leader in Chiang Rai, supported the government move to lift the emergency, saying the red shirts in the province would not stage rallies because they believe the political turmoil has hurt the economy and badly affected the livelihood of the people.
She called on the government to soon hold general election so that the people are allowed to vote for parties they want to run the country.
Meanwhile, Democrat Party spokesman Dr Buranat Samutrak quoted an Asia Times Online report that hardcore red-shirt leaders such as Arisman Pongruangrong and Suporn Attawong would team up with Jakrapob Penkair to stage a militia movement from abroad. The plan would be implemented by second generation red-shirt leaders with full financial backing from their foreign network, according to the report.
He said this plan was in line with that of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who wants to interfere in the country's internal affairs after the red chaos.
Burana said Thaksin planned to use wrong information to instigate turmoil in the country with claims about rapes in Wat Pathum Wanaram and police assaulting suspects, as well as the allegation that men in uniform are behind the murder of Korat red leader Uan Buayai.
He said Thaksin hopes to use these incidents in his defence at the International Court of Justice with the help of foreign publicists and lawyers he has hired to help him.
The spokesman urged the independent committee investigating the violence during the two months to come up with findings soon so that Thaksin cannot distort the truth surrounding the red chaos.
He said the revelations by the Office of Anti Money Laundering Commission that Thaksin's family withdrew and transferred more than Bt11 billion into accounts of people involved in the anti-government movement would be a significant evidence in the investigation of the committee.