Red Shirts March in Chiang Mai
Hundreds of red-shirted anti-government protesters took to the streets this afternoon in Chiang Mai. The march was peaceful and good-natured as a mixture of young and old joined a procession of pedestrians, motorbikes and tuk-tuks along a route that led right the way round the perimeter of the old town of Chiang Mai.
Thailand’s second city is a stronghold for the red shirts who are aligned to former PM Thaksin Shinawatra. Placards in Thai, English and Japanese called for the removal of the current prime minister, Abhisit and the return of the local hero, Thaksin. Although there was a jovial party atmosphere, the message was firm and clear; the red shirts don’t view the current government as legitimate and the protests won’t stop until the government is removed. Many of those on today’s march have vowed to take their protests to Bangkok.
A Very Thai Protest
I have no political leanings towards either the yellow camp or the red camp and I can genuinely see both sides of the argument. I wore a neutral white shirt as I walked along the route of the march and took photos and listened to opinions. Today’s protesters are passionate about their beliefs and their support for democracy and although they were putting across a serious message, it was done in what I can only describe as a very Thai way.
It was a party-like atmosphere which bemused at least one tourist I saw who was asking if this was part of the Chiang Mai Flower Festival! It was surreal at times this afternoon, especially when the march made its way past Thapae Gate. On one side of Thapae Gate there was a stage that had been set up for the flower festival with a concert and dancing going on whilst on the other side of the gate was the regular Sunday Walking Street Market. Bisecting the two cultural events was the parade of red shirts who were getting plenty of smiles and waves from locals and tourists.
The protesters were well organized with volunteers directing traffic and handing out free bottles of water and refreshments. There was no hint of any trouble and the handful of police I saw along the route were only there to assist with traffic duties. I hope that future protests planned for Bangkok remain as peaceful as the one witnessed in Chiang Mai. Whatever happens in the coming months, any government is going to have its work cut out healing the deep political rifts that have formed in Thailand.
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