Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bangkok (Agenzia Fides) - An apparent calm reigns today in Bangkok, while the people celebrate "Songkran," Thai New Year or the "Festival of Water" which for three days (April 13-15) occupies the minds and hearts of Thais. But today, local sources of Fides say, the New Year's is being lived on a low-key in the capital. Given the current crisis, the government has prohibited demonstrations or celebratory events. There are no typical traditional noisy celebrations and tensions remain high between the army and demonstrators, in recent days resulting in clashes that have claimed lives and produced over 800 wounded. The "Red Shirts," who for over a month have been protesting in the streets demanding new elections, have announced that they will respect the occasion and will not hold new rallies. And the meaning itself of “Songkran” (a Sanskrit word meaning "movement" or "change") encourages, on an “astrological level,” the hopes of the Red Shirts.
Meanwhile, the current political crisis seems to be rapidly evolving. As Fides sources highlight, the crisis seems to have involved a split within the military, which is divided between Generals who support the government and those who support the opposition, calling for a political resolution of the current stalemate.
Amidst this impasse, like a bucket of cold water on the government, came the ruling of the Electoral Commission, which recommended that the Democratic Party, the party of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, be dissolved for fraud and illegal funding. Abhisit, who took power in December 2008, could be forced to resign by a Court that will verify these allegations.
The pressures on the Prime Minister have intensified. Yesterday, following the ruling of the Commission, General Anupong Paochinda, Army Chief of Staff, in a joint press conference with the Deputy Prime Minister, has agreed that dissolving Parliament and call elections ahead of time could help overcome the present crisis.
The country is also undergoing a major economic setback. The Ministry of Finance has announced that the GDP, previously estimated for 2010 to be between 3.5 and 4.5%, will likely fall to 0.2 to 0.5% due to prolonged instability.
A source of Fides in Bangkok said: “There is concern, at this point, for an internal feud among the generals, which could have unforeseeable consequences. There are two ways out: either the government relents and calls new elections or Thaksin Shinawatra stops funding the protesters and the protest recedes. The events are a reflection of the rift in Thai society between the urban middle class and the people of the countryside, which have found their leader in Thaksin.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides 13/4/2010)
