The UDD would like to invite all Red Shirts supporters to come and pay tribute to the 98 lives that were lost and to remind their families that their sons’ and daughters’ heroic acts have not been forgotten.  On the 19^th there will be an exhibition of photos along with narration and a collection of video recordings of the tragic incidents that happened 3 years ago. Co-leaders of the UDD will give speeches throughout the day.  Entertainment on that day will be music and other performances provided by our brothers and sisters from every corner of Thailand. Co-leaders will also march with a small contingent of supporters to Wat Pathum Wanaram to leave flowers and wreaths as a mark of respect for the fallen.

There will be a Buddhist ceremony on the main stage that will include family members of the victims and former PM Thaksin Sinawatra is also set to phone in through SKYPE, followed by a VTR to review the sequel of events that transpired in May 2010 called “Battle of the Drenching Bullets”.

Program of the Red Shirts rally this Sunday, May 19 is presented below.

กำหนดการงาน 3 ปี“19 พฤษภา รำลึกวีรชนผู้กล้า…เรียกหาความยุติธรรม”

วันอาทิตย์ที่ 19 พฤษภาคม 2556 เวลา 10.00 น.เป็นต้นไป

ณ. สี่แยกราชประสงค์

• 10.00   Co-leader pay respect to the sacred Brahma at Rachaprasong intersection to mark the start of the rally
• 10.30   Onward, Open Exhibitions in tents on the side walk in front of Central World along with performances on the street and parades
• 12.00   Music and Performances on the main stage by “the commoner’s music”
• 12.30   Mobile stations on standby in front of Phathum Wanaram temple
• 13.30 – 14.30  Co-leader to pay respect for the fallen at Phathum Wanaram temple
• 14.31 – 15.00   Monk ceremony begin on main stage
• 15.01 – 15.30    Family members of the heroes give speeches and interviews
• 15.31 – 16.00   Mr. Robert Amsterdam’s speech
• 16.01 – 20.30   Speeches from regional representatives of the Red Shirts
• 20.31 – 21.30   SKYPE with Thaksin Shinawatra
• 21.31 – 22.00   Commemoration VTR
• 22.01 –22.20   The lighting of the candles
• 22.21 – 22.50   Prof. Tida Tawornseth’s speech
• 22.51 – 23.20   Mr. Veerakarn Musigapong’s speech
• 23.20 – 00.20   Mr. Jatuporn Prompan’s speech
• 00.21 – 01.21   Mr. Nattawut Saikua’s speech

On May 12, 2013, a hearing took place at the Bangkok Criminal Court on the investigation and autopsy reports concerning 6 corpses found inside the Pathumwan Temple grounds. These victims were shot dead during the government suppression of the UDD protest on May 19, 2010.  During the hearing the prosecutor brought in witnesses from the Forensic Department who were present at the crime scene to provide expert advice to the court.

The hearing began with a summary of the crime scene presented by Crime Scene Investigator Police Lieutenant Colonel Suranat Wongphromchai. He told the court that it was two days after the May 19 incident, that the Pathumwan Police Station called in the Forensic Department to assist in the investigation of the crime scene inside the Pathum-Woranaram Temple complex. The investigators said that the bodies were not there when the officers arrived at the crime scene.  Instead they found a pool of blood at the exit of the temple. Blood samples were later collected for DNA tests in order to identify the victims. Investigators also found 10 bullet holes in the floor at the back exit of the temple and 2 more at the front entrance.

Pol. Lieutenant Col. Suranat also reported that many more bullet holes could be found all over the temple grounds. Bullet holes were found on a metal sign in front of the temple, on the wall of the temple, on the advertisement sign under the BTS sky train, on the sky walk connecting the sky train stations, on the overpass and many more on the concrete platforms of the sky train.  Soldiers still patrolling the grounds on May 20 refused cooperation with the investigators.  Access was denied to sky train tracks and the sky walk area.  The entrance was either locked or blocked off.  PLC Suranat said that even though the investigators could not find any bullet cases from the crime scenes but using their past experience, they were able to identify bullet holes.

Ballistic analysis of the 23 bullet holes found on the temple grounds and Rama 1 Road by Pol. Maj. Teeranun Nakintarapong of the Ballistic Department, indicated that these shots had been fired from a higher angle and definitely not from a horizontal line of fire.   Bullet holes on the walls of the temple also suggest that shots had been fired from outside of the temple and not from the inside. Ten bullet holes on the floor at the exit of the temple showed they were fired from a 50-65 degree angle.  The muzzle of the gun had to have been placed on high ground and the firing of the shot in line with the lower level of the BTS railway. In other words, if someone were to stand on that high ground and fire a shot down to the floor, the ballistic impact would be the same as the ones found on the floor at the exit of temple. The investigator could not conclude that the bullet holes had anything to do with the deaths of the victims as they did not know where the victims were when the shots were fired.

The last person to be questioned by the court, Pol.Col Phipob Graiwattanapong, reported that shrapnel found inside the bodies of the victims ressembled that of a .223 caliber. However, this bullet shrapnel did not match any of the guns allegedly used in the May 19, 2010 event.   

At the end of the hearing, the new court hearing date for the trial was set for May 16, 2013.  On that date, the prosecutor will call in 3 more witnesses to the stand.

At 16:00 pm today (10/5/13), co-leader of the UDD, Mr. Korkaew Phikulthong was released on bail from Lak-si prison by the authority of the Ratchada Criminal Court with a surety of 600,000 baht as collateral.

Mr. Korkaew, a Pheu Thai Party list MP, was charged with contempt against the Constitution Court judges and was detained for 31 days before he was temporary released on the conditions that he must not appear on any rally stage and he cannot travel abroad without the court permission.

Many of the UDD co-leader went to congratulate Mr. Korkeaw for his released at Lak-si prison including, UDD President Tida Thawonsate, Mr. Vipoothalang Patthanaphomthai, Mr. Nisit Sinthupri and Mr. Yotsawaris Chu-grom.

At the event, there will be several exhibitions in honor of those who died, especially exhibitions of photographic evidence of the military crackdown in the Rachaprasong area.  There will also be speeches by various prominent UDD leaders.

At the press conference, UDD President Tida Thavonsate reiterated her support for the 312 members of Parliament, of both House and Senate, who had denounced the intervention of the Constitutional Court judges to block the amendment of the constitution.  The parliamentarians believe that Section 291 of the Constitution is undemocratic and that members of the Senate should be elected and not appointed.

UDD President Tida also condemned those who attacked Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra following her speech at the Democracy Forum in Mongolia. Finally, Dr. Waeng Tochirakarn pointed out that attacks against the Prime Minister only serve to show that there is still an on-going “political struggle” between the government and the opposition and that the current political situation in Thailand is unstable.

UDD leader Tida Tawornseth said,

The timing, the place, and the speaker were all perfect. The speaker was perfect because it was the Prime Minister who made the speech as the representative of the people. The speech was also perfectly suited for a democracy forum…What she was said was the truth and the whole world knows it!

PM Yingluck’s speech also invigorated a small 3-week long Red Shirt protest that has been taking placing outside the Constitutional Court and is expected to climax in a much larger demonstration on Wednesday, May 8th. The group is calling for the resignation of Constitutional Court judges after they agreed to consider yet another petition on the constitutionality of the charter amendments that are currently being debated by parliament. In so doing, the protesters believe that the Court is impeding the legislative branch from performing its functions and thereby violating the separation of powers principal.

UDD spokesman Thanawut Wichaidit expressed the UDD’s support for the protest,

[The protesters] are our brothers and sisters, with a shared ideology. They are in front of the constitutional court because they see the injustices within the current constitutional system.

Thanawut added that the protesters should be wary of “third hands” that could try to stir up violence and chaos.

Tida argued that the protest is positive proof that the people are unsatisfied with the current political system,

If Thailand’s democracy is really perfect, as the amaat and its servants suggest, then how can we explain what is happening right now, why are there mass protests in the streets?”

She reminded supporters and critics that the UDD has already submitted a petition with 27,000 signatures to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) in June 2012, calling for the removal of Constitutional Court judges. The NACC took a year to verify signatures and has only recently forwarded the case to a senate committee. Still, the 2007 Constitution stipulates that three fifths of the senate are required to remove a Constitutional Court judge, a virtual impossibility given that half of the senate is appointed by the same people that created the court in the first place.

Tida concluded,

If the people are playing by the rules and they’re still not being heard, then how else would you expect them to express themselves without protesting?

Consequently, Somyot emphasizes the importance of ensuring bail rights for political prisoners awaiting trial or in the appeal process. Having been denied bail 14 times already, Somyot is all too familiar with the unconstitutional treatment of 112 prisoners.

The letter reads as follows [English Translation]: 

9 April 2013

To: PM Yingluck Shinawatra

Thai people should be pleased that the Pheu Thai lead government is fulfilling its campaign promises with the rice pledging scheme and the increasing of the minimum wage to 300 baht per day in every province. These changes are improving the lives of the people. The most exciting project is the construction of double track railway and the high speed train that will run throughout the whole country. These infrastructures can only reshape and increase our economy competitiveness through the advancement of transportation technology.

But we should not forget that the appreciation for the current elected government comes with the price of bloodshed and freedom. It is unfortunate that political prisoners are being incarcerated like animals. This ill-fated circumstance is preventing us from welcoming the success of this government and the true democracy that we have fought for.

Reality is always painful. Members of the Coup Council who tore up the constitution and destroyed Thailand’s democracy, a crime which is punishable by death, received amnesty and their freedom but, because of a judicial conspiracy that has became a double standard in the process, ordinary citizens whose only crime was to stand up against martial law and a military appointed government are locked away without bail.

Granting amnesty will provide justice for the political prisoners. We deserved it because we are fighting for democracy, for peace and the prosperity of the country and we are part of the reconciliation process in the future.

Therefore we urge the government to release all political prisoners through amnesty legislation in all cases where the offender is punished for the struggle of democracy or as a result of political conflict and political rallies. We also ask the government to listen to the proposals made by Mr. Jaturon Chaisnag and Mr. Kanin Boonsuwan which suggest that the government; 1. Grants amnesty to all political prisoners 2. Passes the bill that was drafted by NRLC or Mr. Worachai Hema and 3. Drafts constitutional amendment on the amnesty law.

During the amnesty legislation process, we also urgently ask that the government take serious action to ensure bail for all political prisoners whose case is under appeal or in the supreme court of inquiry, which is their fundamental right under Article 39 to 40 Constitution 2550.

Sincerely yours,

Somyot Prueksakasemsuk

The ongoing attempts by the Pheu Thai government to reform the post-coup Constitution, in order to align it with modern democratic practices, have attracted condemnation from pro-coup forces. 

A group of Red Shirts are currently staging a protest outside of the Constitutional Court in response to its decision to consider a petition regarding the constitutionality of the constitutional amendments that have been proposed by the government. The group is arguing that by considering the petition, the Court is impeding the powers of the legislative branch. The UDD has also previously pointed out that the judiciary in Thailand has a biased agenda and hinders the democratic process.

Co-leader Tida said,

If the court ignores the power of the legislative branch, it ignores the power of the people. In a true democracy, all the power should be with the people.

The co-leaders also lamented the fact that the Red Shirt leader and Pheu Thai MP Korkaew Pikulthong has been denied bail once again and is currently in Laksi prison awaiting trial on charges of terrorism. According to Tida, the Constitutional Court intervened to ask the Criminal Court to deny Korkaew bail, clearly exceeding its jurisdiction. She went on to describe this as a demonstration of the injustice that is rampant in Thailand’s judicial system.

As long as there is injustice in the judiciary, there can never be peace in Thailand.

Furthermore, the co-leaders reiterated their appeal to the government to push forward for amnesty for all political prisoners, arguing that,

Justice delayed is justice denied.

The co-leaders also announced the opening of a new political school event in Loei on April 28th 2013.

On Friday April 19th, four Red Shirt prisoners were released from Laksi prison on bail as they appeal convictions for the arson attacks on the Udon Thani provincial hall that occurred on May 19th 2010.

The provincial court in Udon Thani agreed to release Arthit Saithong, Kittipong Chaikung, Daycha Komkhum, and Buarian Pangsa, after seven witnesses supported the bail requests. Despite facing severe sentences of up to 22 years, the four are committed to proving their innocence in the appeal process.

Mr Daycha Komkhum told Thai Red Shirts (TRS) that the justice system had failed him. He believes that Red Shirts have been used as scapegoats for the arson attacks. The recent acquittals of Red Shirts Saichon Paebua and Pinit Chanarong, accused of the arson attacks on Central World, support Daycha’s theory.

In his case, Daycha was arrested a month after the arson attacks on the basis of a picture which showed him carrying what he claims is a water bottle.

He said,

The scene was hectic and there was so much confusion. The police were desperate to make an arrest even if the evidence wasn’t there.

Red Shirt activists and UDD leader Tida Tawornseth welcomed the four prisoners as they were released from Laksi on Friday morning. They spent the rest of the day among friends at UDD headquarters. Despite the great support they received from Red Shirts in Bangkok, Daycha said he would spend his new found freedom with his wife and daughter in Udon Thani. 

Thailand has started to wake up after the celebrations of Thai New Year, Songkran. In traditional Songkran spirit, the UDD leaders announced 3 “wishes” that they will work towards during the new year: amnesty, constitutional reform, and justice.

Red Shirts continue to pressure the government to grant amnesty to political prisoners of all colours.

According to Dr Weng,

It is a good sign that the Amnesty Bill has been designated a priority issue by the parliament. Our goal is within reach.

UDD spokesperson Worawut also applauded Pheu Thai MPs that have come out in support of amnesty. He said,

It is important that Red Shirts support these MPs and show them that this is what we expect.

Tida, however, expressed cautious optimism about the prospects of the government being able to grant amnesty to political prisoners and amend the constitution.

Even when we make progress, I know that this will be a long struggle. The Democrat Party will try their hardest to stop our reforms.

As for the process of bringing those responsible for the murders of Red Shirt protestors in April-May 2010 to justice, the UDD leadership remains unyielding in its demands.

Tida reminisced,

Three years ago today we were still at Rajaprasong, we remember what happened. We will not let all those people die for nothing, we will bring the perpetrators to justice.

The rally that was held on Wednesday April 10th in honor of those who died was heralded a success by the leaders, who thanked all the Red Shirts who came out and joined the commemoration. The leadership also announced plans for another rally to be held on May 19th. The event will mark the third anniversary of the brutal end of the pro-democracy protests three years ago, when Abhisit’s unelected government unleashed the full might of the military on Red Shirts that were calling for elections.

However, Worawut also recognised that these events mean little unless they lead to action.

The murders need to face the full weight of the legal system… We will keep holding these events until we have justice.

Tida also announced plans to set up a commemorative museum in Bangkok that includes photos and objects from the protests. The venue is currently being renovated, and Tida hopes that the museum will be open to the public in 3 months.

The UDD leadership was greeted by Red Shirts with a Songnamphra ceremony in celebration of Songkran