REDSHIRTS TARGET PUBLIC HEALTH MINISTER, REGIONAL POLICE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CHIANG MAI 000096

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PROP ECPS TH
SUBJECT: REDSHIRTS TARGET PUBLIC HEALTH MINISTER, REGIONAL POLICE
COMMISSIONER AND PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT

REF: CHIANG MAI 59 (COMMUNITY RADIO STATIONS) AND PREVIOUS

CHIANG MAI 00000096 001.2 OF 002


Sensitive but unclassified; please handle accordingly.

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Summary and Comment
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1. (SBU) In their latest wave of protests July 6 and 9,
redshirts in northern Thailand confronted Public Health Minister
Wittaya Kaewparadai, the Chiang Mai Regional Police Commissioner
and the seat of the Provincial Government. The Minister is the
latest in a string of visitors supportive of the current
governing coalition to be singled out, though, in contrast to
previous ones, this round of protests was peaceful. The police
were targeted out of what turned out to be unsubstantiated fear
on the part of the redshirts that the bail granted to some of
their local leaders in the wake of their actions to support the
April riots in Bangkok would be revoked.


2. (SBU) Comment: Though the number of redshirt supporters
willing to participate in such rallies in the north appears to
be on the decline, community radio remains an effective tool for
these groups to organize such gatherings, despite agreement
between the Vice Governor, pro-redshirt and pro-yellowshirt
radio stations (Ref A) not to engage in political activity. If
the RTG wants to curb this sort of redshirt activity, it will
have to take serious steps to enact and enforce restrictions on
community radio programming, in conjunction with continued
robust law enforcement efforts. Nonetheless, the decision by
local redshirt leaders to discontinue the July 9 protest after
speaking directly to senior regional and provincial officials
demonstrates that even when political tensions are high,
violence can be avoided. End Summary and Comment.

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Health Minister Kaewparadai Under Siege
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3. (U) According to Consulate contacts, approximately 200
redshirt supporters gathered in front of a government-run
hospital in Chiang Mai on the evening of Monday, July 6 to
protest the visit of Public Health Minister Wittaya Kaewparadai,
who was due to kick off an H1N1 awareness campaign with a speech
and by handing out masks to attendees. On short notice, Rak
Chiang Mai 51 (RCM51 - the largest redshirt group in Chiang Mai)
used its community radio station to call supporters to the
hospital. Due to the limited time they had to prepare, many
protestors arrived without the customary redshirts and red caps
they usually sport. Contrary to press reports, our contacts
told us that only 200 redshirt supporters turned up - not the
500 some publications cited.


4. (U) As the Minister was launching the campaign, the redshirt
supporters broke through police and security cordons and entered
the hospital. Minister Wittaya was therefore unable to carry on
with the event, departing rapidly under police escort after
delivering his opening remarks. Upon learning that the Minister
had departed, the protestors disbanded peacefully. In contrast
to previous similar protests that turned violent, there were no
injuries and no damage to hospital property.

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Targeting Police and Provincial Government Out of Fear?
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5. Redshirts followed up on their July 6 rally by calling on
supporters throughout northern Thailand via community radio on
July 8 to rally at RCM51's headquarters on July 9. They
organized this gathering in response to comments reported in the
press by Chiang Mai Vice Governor for Security Affairs Pairot
Saengpoowong in which he allegedly said that bail for three
RCM51 leaders granted in the wake of their actions to support
the redshirts April riots in Bangkok should be revoked. About
400 supporters from some northern and central provinces
participated.


6. (U) At around noon on July 9, the group marched from RCM51
headquarters to Region 5 Police Headquarters to protest what
seemed to be the imminent revocation of the bail previously
granted to three RCM51 leaders. While at the police
headquarters, several leaders met with the Police Commissioner,
who assured them that there was no move afoot to revoke their
bail. The group then proceeded to the Provincial Hall and
demanded a meeting with Vice Governor Pairot, which was hastily
arranged.


7. (SBU) According to Vice Governor Pairot, he told the
redshirt leaders that his comments had been misinterpreted.

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What he meant, he said, was that if individuals out on bail
continued their political activities, the authorities would have
to consider whether that bail should be revoked. Pairot told us
he clearly conveyed to RCM51 leader Phetchawat
Wattanapongsirikul that any further political activity would
result in the revocation of his bail. He also suggested to
Phetchawat that if RCM51 wanted to continue activities like the
July 6 rally, leaders other than himself and his two colleagues
who were granted bail in April needed to take charge.


8. (SBU) Pairot told us on July 10 that he believes RCM51
leaders clearly understood the implications, and that Phetchawat
appeared afraid of additional legal action against him. (Note:
The director of the hospital at which the redshirts rallied on
July 6 had been preparing to press trespassing and disturbing
the peace charges.) We will continue to monitor the situation.


9. (U) This cable was coordinated with Embassy Bangkok.
ANDERSON