RED-SHIRTS CALL FOR U.S. TO BOYCOTT RTG

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 CHIANG MAI 000172 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MLS, EAP/EX, AND DS/IP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL ASEC TH SUBJECT: RED-SHIRTS CALL FOR U.S. TO BOYCOTT RTG REF: A. NOVEMBER 16, 2009 SPOT REPORT ¶B. CHIANG MAI 106 (REDSHIRTS PROTEST AT CONSULATE) CHIANG MAI 00000172 001.2 OF 003 Sensitive but unclassified; please handle accordingly. -------------- Summary and Comment -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Capitalizing on the on-going visit to Chiang Mai of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, over 50 members of red-shirt groups protested in front of Consulate Chiang Mai on November 16, strongly criticizing the current Royal Thai Government (RTG),and asking the U.S. to "boycott and not support" the RTG. The demonstration was peaceful, and ended shortly after representatives handed a letter to a Consulate officer conveying the group's views about the state of democracy in Thailand. Separately, the same group abandoned plans to "greet" Minister for Public Health Witthaya Kaewparadai as he arrived in Chiang Mai for meetings. ¶2. (SBU) This is the second red-shirt demonstration at Consulate Chiang Mai since July. It was clearly timed to coincide with the visit of FPOTUS Carter, who is in Chiang Mai heading a Habitat for Humanity delegation that is building 82 houses in the Province, and to capitalize on the publicity his presence has generated. Both demonstrations have been peaceful, and we have no indication these events are intended to stir up anti-American sentiment. Nonetheless, we will monitor future protests carefully. End Summary and Comment. -------------- Abhisit Get Out -------------- ¶3. (SBU) At approximately 10:40 local time on November 16, 60-70 red-shirted supporters of fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra belonging to a group named Lanna Red (a reference to the former independent Kingdom of northern Thailand)began protesting at Consulate Chiang Mai. Dressed in red t-shirts sporting the "Truth Today" logo, they shouted "Abhisit Get Out," (Note: The current PM is Abhisit Vejjajiva.) and displayed several placards with a variety of messages including "Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is the present and future," "We do not support double-standard no justice government," "puppet of the aristocratic government," and "Give democracy back to Thailand." The demonstration was peaceful, and ended at approximately 11:05 a.m. local time after representatives of the group handed a letter addressed to FPOTUS Carter to a Consulate officer that expresses the group's views about the situation in Thailand. The full text of the letter is at para 6. ¶4. (SBU) Comment: Truth Today refers to a talk show hosted on D Station, a satellite television channel set up by the UDD (United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship -- the umbrella organization for Thailand's pro-Thaksin red-shirt groups). The references to no justice and double-standard convey the red-shirts' view that numerous court cases involving Thaksin and other figures of his now-banned Thai Rak Thai Party were decided on political rather than legal grounds. The words "puppet" and "aristocratic" take aim at the leaders of the 2006 coup that deposed then Prime Minister Thaksin, and, in the eyes of the red-shirts, paved the way for the current coalition to take office. They also target Thailand's elite bureaucracy and influencial figures, most of whom support the current governing coalition. -------------- -------------- No Danger to Consulate or Personnel -------------- -------------- ¶5. (SBU) As was the case during the July 2009 demonstration (Reftel),the protest was peaceful throughout. Post received excellent support from the Royal Thai Police, who dispatched several dozen officers to man barricades and otherwise augment security. Separately, RSO briefed U.S. Secret Service Personnel about the demonstration before it took place (Post had been informed on November 15 of the likelihood of the protest),as well as FPOTUS Carter's personal staff. ¶6. (U) Begin text of letter: Chiang Mai Province 16 November 2009 To Former President of the United States, Mr. Jimmy Carter Thru the United States Consulate in Chiang Mai Subject: Explanation of current situation in Thailand CHIANG MAI 00000172 002.2 OF 003 For your plans to come join the charitable project for Thai people through Habitat for Humanity in building houses for poor, underprivileged people in Chiang Mai, we are thrilled and thank you for the honor of selecting Chiang Mai as a site for this charity. On behalf of the people of Chiang Mai, we are very pleased to welcome you and your wife. Thailand is governed by a democratic system like the United States. However, when a coup on 19 September 2006 overthrew the democratic government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, which was elected by a majority voice of the people because it was able to truly work for the benefit of the people to the extent that it was able to form a single party government for the first time in Thai history, it was revolted against by military dictators and he has been unjustly hunted for arrest ceaselessly ever since. The current situation is that the government of Aphisit Wetchachiwa lost the election and did not come from the direct acceptance of the people. He became the prime minister from stealing power from the people and cooperating with a clique of military leaders who had seized power, destroyed the government of the people, and established a government that was not in accordance with the democratic process. The actions of these military dictatorial warlords, who were all intimate associates with the President of the Privy Council, have been working to destroy the country ever since the coup against the government of the people on 10 September 2006. Over three years have passed, and at present they have not ceased. They are still enforcing a silent coup, holding the country, the Thai people, and the monarchy, which is deeply respected by the people, hostages so they can maintain power to govern the affairs of the country in their hands, by establishing a nominee government to come in and maintain their own interests, without any consideration of the people and the world at large that is interested in the affairs of Thailand at the present time. Inasmuch as you once held the position of President of the United States, which is the pattern of democratic rule by the power of the voice of the people, and are well-known and accepted internationally for dedicating yourself after leaving office to working to solve disputes in society, fostering human rights and democracy all over the world, to the extent that you won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, you probably already know the truth about the terrible situation of the Thai people. They are unable to peacefully live their lives. They lack love and harmony in their country. They don't have the opportunity to develop their country and don't have the ability to develop the quality of life of the people to overcome poverty and lack of opportunity according to the purpose of the charity that you, President Mr. Jimmy Carter aspire to. On behalf of the Thai people, we request through Former President Mr. Jimmy Carter to take the facts of the current troubles of the Thai people and present them to the people and president of the United States, Mr. Barack Obama, as well as the people and leaders of civilized countries all over the world, to boycott and not support the government of Mr. Aphisit Wetchachiwa, which would not have been formed through a democratic process, if it had not had a military dictatorship supporting it behind the scenes. It is deceiving the world. Please do not join in the activities of and do not recognize this dictatorial and evil government Respectfully, Citizens of Chiang Mai who Love Democracy The Thai People End Text. ¶7. (SBU) We note that the Thai language version of the letter, which was delivered at the same time as the English text, included some sentences not present in the English translation. In paragraph two, the Thai version contains a sentence berating the government for appointing as Foreign Minister a "terrorist and criminal," who was allegedly involved in the 2008 seizure of CHIANG MAI 00000172 003.2 OF 003 Bangkok's two airports by the Peoples' Alliance for Democracy. The Thai version also stated that the current aristocratic government seized power to look after its own "vested" interests. MORROW