At home or work, Thais split over Red Shirt protests
BANGKOK — A week after an explosion of violence that shocked the nation, Thais are divided at home, work or among friends between sympathizers of the “Red Shirt” movement and supporters of the government. Between paperwork and answering the phone, employees at a Bangkok beauty salon speak emotionally of recent events — the two months of protests, the army crackdown and the subsequent looting and arson, which in all left 88 dead. “Thai people are divided into two groups: for the Reds or for the government. Same here and in every family. So we talk. We need to be careful because if we continue we become aggressive and there can be a fight,” said Suda, 45, who, like others, preferred not to give her full name. At the height of tensions between the protesters and the government led by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Suda and her colleagues were forced to evacuate their business near the “red zone” rally site. Now Bangkok’s commercial hub is back to business, the beauty salon’s boss is well-aware of the political disagreements simmering among his employees. “I can hear them argue. Fortunately they don’t fight, they make a kind of joke,” he said. The political crisis in the kingdom has deepened divisions in society. The red-clad movement, largely made up of urban and rural poor, pit themselves against the Thai elites, whom they say do not share fruits of economic growth. Opinions are often nuanced and the subject is sensitive. “At work most people agree with the government. I don’t support the Red Shirts but I cannot bear the government shooting at the people,” said Apiradee, 31, a publicity company employee. “At work I avoid saying that, because it would be hard to stay polite,” he added. Beside him, his colleague grits his teeth.... MORE Source: The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100528com3.html |
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