Radical red shirts 'stocking arms' for city fight

Weapons & ammunition said to be hidden around Bangkok to retaliate against coup or use if Election Commission or judiciary postpone election.

POLITICS 

Radical reds 'stocking arms' for city fight

Militant cells ready to act if poll delayed

16/01/2014

Achara Ashayagachat

Violence by armed red-shirt militants against anti-government protesters is possible but remains a far-fetched scenario unless the military or other agencies force a delay in the Feb 2 election, red-shirt sources say.

Independent red-shirt militants and former supporters of the Pheu Thai Party from the lower Northeast region told the Bangkok Post that weapons and ammunition have been hidden in Bangkok and surrounding areas for some months.

"This is not to hit the protesters but to retaliate against a coup and anyone who forces the public and government agencies such as the Election Commission [EC] and the judiciary to postpone the election," said a red-shirt source in Ubon Ratchathani.

He said the underground wings of the red-shirt movement were beyond the control or command of any single boss.

"There are strong anti-coup and anti-court sentiments among the red-shirt mavericks who are familiar and experienced with weapon use," he said.

Thaksin Shinawatra, widely viewed as the de facto leader of the Pheu Thai Party, disagreed with arms stockpiling for fear of being unable to control the militants and their actions, said the source.

He said the red shirts have access to heavy arms through sources in the North and Northeast.

Cherdchai Tontisiri, a red-shirt core leader in Khon Kaen, said many people back the Feb 2 election.

If the military and other agencies intervene in the dispute, red shirts would travel to Bangkok and challenge them...

...Pichit Likitkijsomboon, Thammasat University's economics associate professor and a red-shirt supporter, said concerns over bloodshed should not be considered from only the protesters' perspective.

"People fear if the government doesn't postpone the election, there will be a civil war. On the contrary, if there is no election as announced on Feb 2, there will also be anger. Those remaining underground will come out to chart their own course," said Mr Pichit.

Such a fatal and insecure situation would benefit no one when lawlessness and violence prevail, he said.

Mr Pichit admitted there are conflicts within the red-shirt movement as there are a number of splinter groups, opportunists and elements which cannot be controlled.

He said he believes these red shirts will reunite if they were called to arms...

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/389759/radical-reds-tocking-arms-for-city-fight

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