THAI RAK THAI TESTS STRENGTH IN THE NORTH

UNCLAS CHIANG MAI 000126 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM TH SUBJECT: THAI RAK THAI TESTS STRENGTH IN THE NORTH REF: CHIANG MAI 124 (ARREST OF ANTI-COUP ACTIVISTS) ¶1. Summary. A July 11 rally in Lamphun province against the draft constitution appeared aimed at testing the popularity of deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his Thai Rak Thai (TRT) party in provincial areas. With over 50 TRT former Members of Parliament in attendance, the party also had a chance to gauge the loyalty of its future candidates and their ability to mobilize supporters. End summary ¶2. Organized by the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD) with the PTV group led by veteran politician Veera Musikpong on center stage, the evening rally lambasted the coup group for taking the country backward and urged a vote against the draft constitution. ¶3. An estimated 3,000-4,000 protestors assembled at a tobacco curing factory owned by a former TRT parliamentarian, despite road blocks set up by the military that created traffic jams along the Chiang Mai-Lampang Superhighway. Some MPs who brought protesters to the rally told Consulate political specialist that they videotaped checkpoints, threatening possible lawsuits for illegally stopping travelers in areas not under martial law. At a military stop in front of Mae Jo University north of Chiang Mai, organizers reportedly asked female rally-goers to distract soldiers with hugs, allowing vehicles to get around the obstacles and drive on. ¶4. The former TRT MPs, including 30 from the northeast, did not take the stage. Although happy over the number of protestors, one former MP from the northeast complained that most left before the end of the rally, displaying less fighting spirit than that of northeastern people. ¶5. According to a National Intelligence Agency (NIA) source, attendees received 300 to 500 baht a piece, depending on the distance they traveled. He sourced the budget to former TRT parliamentarians from Chiang Mai and Lamphun and drew a connection with the July 2 TRT party meeting in Bangkok co-chaired by Thaksin's sister, Yaowapa Wongsawat, that resolved to oppose the draft constitution. ¶6. DAAD planned a similar rally July 12 in Phrae while DAAD member Sombat Boonngarm-anong (reftel) has announced a July 14 protest in Phitsanulok, headquarters of the 3rd Army. ¶7. Comment. The 50-plus former TRT MPs at the Lamphun rally is likely the largest such group to gather outside of Bangkok since the coup. The rally presumably aimed to boost the morale of TRT supporters while also measuring the strength of the Council for National Security (CNS) and the continued popularity of Thaksin. With this kickoff for TRT-sponsored protests against the constitution and CNS, the party proclaimed it is back in the game. CAMP