Sombat Boonngam-anong, head of the Red Sunday Group, has been leading dozens of followers in symbolic protests against the government's deadly crackdowns in April and May every Sunday, making headlines in defiance of the emergency decree for two months now. He speaks to The Nation's Pravit Rojanaphruk about his motives and the future acts of protest. Here are some excerpts:
It appears that your activities have been rather successful, at least in attracting the attention of the media and fellow red shirts. Why?
Well, first I think the red shirts have not been destroyed along with the leadership structure. If there were a million red shirts [prior to the May 19 crackdown], there are still a million today. Second, [the red shirts] were removed from any role in expressing their political views through demonstrations. I am just their representative and they want to express themselves. Red Sunday's actions are symbolic. It helps them face their own fear and they feel safe enough to participate, as they feel the government will not threaten them [if they engage in this type of activity].
How do you see yourself as different from other red-shirt leaders who are portrayed as closely linked to Thaksin Shinawatra?
I receive no money from Thaksin. None at all. I'm still accepting Bt100 to Bt200 donations at a time. So first, I have no link to Thaksin, although I have respect for people like [detained red-shirt co-leader] weng Tojirakarn.
The red shirt co-leaders never considered the prospect of symbolic protest. I proposed it to them back in 2009 and again backstage this April but they couldn't comprehend it. All this doesn't mean that any ties to Thaksin deprive the red shirts of their legitimacy, however.
The mainstream media appear to have given you and your group adequate media exposure. Why? Is it because it suits their preference in that they want to see more red shirts like your group instead?
First, our actions are acceptable to even those who do not like the reds. They have so far spared us from their opposition. The [mainstream] media gave us an opportunity. I think they want to give some space to the red shirts, whom they can believe to be truly standing for democracy. It's not just [popular tabloids] like Daily News but also [television stations] like TPBS, Channel 7 and Channel 3, which give us adequate exposure. Secondly, I think social networking through Facebook helps spread information about our activities like never before, and the mainstream media couldn't just ignore us.
Is your group's activities just something that is ad-hoc by nature and done to fill in the time until core red-shirt leaders return to the stage?
I never intended to do this. But nobody else was doing it. There will be many more organic movements. And the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship can resume their work. I won't stop and it's okay if news about our activities fades from the media after some time. Things should transpire naturally.
I'll do my best however in order to be creative in my activities and secure some space in the media.
Looking back, what do you see as the failures of the red-shirt movement?
I think the fault was in allowing the government to go into a military mode. The government got enough time to receive a licence to kill from many in the middle class. Second, I always thought the red shirts were not ready to call for a general election. It's better to allow the Democrats to run the country and expose their weaknesses. I had also called for more grassroots people to be able to speak onstage and said the leaders were speaking too often and some of their speeches were redundant.
How do you think the Red Sunday Group differs from other red-shirt groups?
Many use Facebook [where Sombat posts his views and latest activities]. It's filled with more young people compared to other red groups. Perhaps they do not enjoy listening to long and fiery speeches [at major red-shirt rallies].
What do you think of the continued imposition of the emergency decree in Bangkok and surrounding provinces?
In reality it's meant to pressure political gatherings into becoming smaller in size. Only a few have been prosecuted under the decree. But it has a psychological impact. Some types of [red shirts] dare not come out on the streets [to protest]. In this regard, it is fairly successful because the continuation of the decree prevents people from engaging in political activities, especially in places like Udon Thani.
Some critics say you are out to make yourself famous and that your work will not lead to any change.
I have been in NGO work for 20 years. When The tsunami struck [southern Thailand six years ago], I was made famous by the international media because I ran an international volunteer group in Khao Lak. I like to think those who criticise me do not know me. The activities we do are important. They gather and revive the spirit of the red shirts.
I would like to ask for the opportunity [to prove ourselves]. People have staged [major] political protests twice, only to have them end in violence. So I ask for the opportunity to realise the full potential of [a symbolic protest] and see what it can achieve.