Thailand’s prime minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, has said he will implement his reconciliation road-map despite opposition from some quarters. Crucially, the prime minister’s reconciliation road-map does appear to have the support of the police, the army and the main parties in the coalition government. Despite this support, it won’t be plain-sailing for the Thai prime minister who still has to navigate some turbulent times ahead.
Red Shirt Protests Not Dispersing Yet
Leaders of the red shirt protesters in central Bangkok broadly accepted the reconciliation plan earlier in the week, but are still holding out for Abhisit to announce the exact date that parliament will be dissolved. The red shirts have said they will continue their protests for the moment, but there is hope that they could be called off within the next week. However, that is not guaranteed and the Thai government has still not ruled out the use of force to disperse the protests if they continue. Abhisit has also made it clear that if the red shirts don’t disperse peacefully, it may jeopardise the time-scale for the proposed elections in November.
Yellow Shirts Angry With Thai Prime Minister
Representatives from the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) have met with the Thai prime minister and voiced their displeasure with the announcement to hold early elections in November. PAD are also known as the yellow shirts and their prolonged protests in 2008 provided the catalyst for the downfall of the previous governments supported by the red shirts.
The yellow shirts are staunch royalists and are angry at what they perceive as the government’s capitulation to the ‘red shirt terrorists’. In particular, PAD has accused some red shirt leaders of being anti-monarchist and wanting to change Thailand to a republic. PAD doesn’t believe Abhisit has been strong enough in protecting the state and the monarchy.
Multi-Colour Shirts Not Happy
Abhisit’s road-map has also met with disapproval from the multi-coloured shirts. Like the yellow shirts, this group of concerned citizens and business people believe that the government haven’t been firm enough in dealing with the red shirt protesters.
International Community Praises Thai PM
Abhisit may be under fire from rival factions within Thailand, but outside of the kingdom the Thai prime minister has been receiving praise for his diplomatic and statesman-like approach to the situation.
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