BANGKOK – The latest phone-in from deposed PM Thaksin Shinawatra to the anti-government rally went unanswered and was routed straight to voice mail, sources reported Tuesday.
“We’re not exactly sure what happened,” said a red-shirt leader who requested anonymity. “I guess with all the excitement lately we forgot to assign someone to watch the phone.”
It is believed the call was unscheduled and was intended as a surprise gift to his supporters. Thaksin’s call was left to ring unanswered until it was directed to DTAC voicemail. A copy of the left message was obtained by NTN, and in it Thaksin repeats the word “Hello?” about twelve times before hanging up.
Previous phone calls from Thaksin, the spiritual leader of the UDD, were seen as pivotal and inspirational to rallying the rank-and-file members who supported his return to the leadership of the Thai government. However, events of the last week apparently diverted most supporters from the main rally site and onto Bangkok roads, where red-shirts were last seen passing out sloganeering stickers and waving to supporters among Bangkok’s residents.
Although Thaksin is believed to remain an iconic figure among the red shirts, his influence appears to be waning among both the leadership and common supporters. Many of the red shirts, when questioned about Thaksin’s last phone call, were unable to recall what he said.
“He told us not to pour the blood, I think,” said one local supporter who had attended the weekend rallies. “Or maybe he told us to pour the blood. I don’t remember.”
Rumors that Thaksin called again fifteen minutes after his first call, and then tried to call several of the UDD leaders on their mobile phones, and then tried to call the Bangkok Post to ask where everyone was, were unconfirmed.
