BANGKOK – In an failed attempt to protest the new Democrat-led coalition government, several thousand supporters of the court-dissolved People’s Power Party marched on Suvarnabhumi International Airport yesterday with the apparent intention of occupying it in a peaceful act of civil disobedience, and were promptly shot by police.
The protesters, a loose coalition of PPP supporters, Thaksin loyalists, former members of the upcountry Coalition of the Poor, and various moderates who disagreed with the recent actions of the PAD, formed a large group on the inbound traffic lanes about 2km from the main terminal. Dressed in red and holding aloft signs and placards bearing messages accusing the army of a “silent coup” and the PAD of being anti-democratic, the protesters walked towards the terminal, where a line of airport police supported by riot troops from the BMA immediately opened fire on them with automatic weapons.
No one from the protesting group returned fire, and after about 12 minutes of continuous shooting and reloading the police ran out of ammunition. No police were injured, although one gunnery sergeant complained of fatigue. He was later visited by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit in hospital.
Casualties are estimated at 4,867, including 344 children. Forensic investigators have concluded that most of the deaths were caused by gunshot wounds, though the source of the bullets will have to be further investigated before responsibility can be assigned. A spokesperson for the police insisted that the department acted responsibly and in self-defense. “These agitators, possibly communists, were approaching the airport, which is a highly secure area,” he explained. “Any act of violent unauthorized intrusion that disrupts international transport is a terrorist act and we are authorized to use deadly force.”
Prior to the shooting, protesters expressed confidence that the civil disobedience would be successful. “If the PAD can shut down the airport, so can we,” one woman was quoted as saying. “The police have already proven themselves impotent and fearful of a well-organized group of protesters.”
While a number of international media outlets have strongly criticized the shooting, referring to it as a “massacre” and “bloodbath of the most autocratic kind” the Thai media have unanimously sided with the police, including editorials in Thai Rath and Matichon expressing hope for the new “strong rule of law.” An army spokesperson has also expressed solidarity with the Royal Thai Police, citing the fact that “no one is above the law and criminals must be dealt with harshly.”
Newly chosen prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva expressed condolences to the families of the dead, but was measured in his comments. “Great violence has been perpetrated by extremists on both sides,” he said. “And great losses are felt by both sides. Isaan has lost thousands of its citizens, and Bangkok has lost many of its valued domestic servants.”
Surviving protesters expressed shock and outrage at the police shooting. “This unprovoked act of violence proves that the government is a sham,” said Truth Today host Veera Musigapong, who was shot in the leg. “Such cold-blooded, extrajudicial killings of unarmed persons would never have taken place under Thaksin.”
