Thai government defends itself during censure debate over deadly crackdown on protests

Thai Parliament debates crackdown on Red protest

BANGKOK — Thailand’s House of Representatives began debate Monday on a censure motion against the coalition government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, focusing on its deadly crackdown on anti-government Red Shirt protesters earlier this month.

The opposition Puea Thai Party alleges the army used excessive force that resulted in civilian casualties when it moved in using live ammunition to end the two-month-long protest. The thousands of Red Shirts camped in the heart of the Thai capital had been calling for Abhisit to dissolve Parliament immediately and call new elections.

Because the government holds a majority of House seats, it is almost certain to win a no-confidence vote scheduled for Wednesday. But the debate is part of a broader political struggle to win public support in this increasingly divided country.

With a state of emergency still in effect from the time of the protests, the government is able to censor satellite television and the Internet, limiting its opponents’ ability to tell their side of the story. The Puea Thai Party, which holds roughly the same point of view as the Red Shirts, can now use the debate to make its case on national television, though there had been controversy on what photos and videos it would be allowed to show.

Critics have accused the army of shooting unarmed demonstrators, including medical workers. The government blames armed elements among the demonstrators for many of the casualties, but has promised a full, independent investigation.

Over the duration of the protest, 88 people died from street clashes, grenade attacks and sniper fire, while some 1,800 were wounded.

Abhisit and five other Cabinet members are the targets of no-confidence motions. Another part of the debate will cover corruption allegations, though those are of much less interest.

During Monday’s debate, opposition lawmakers lambasted the government for using excessive violence on protesters, arresting and mistreating Buddhist monks who had joined the protest, and censoring the media.

A particularly contentious issue concerned six civilians found shot dead at Wat Prathum Wanaram, a Buddhist temple within the demonstration area that had been designated a “safe zone” for women, children, the elderly and the infirm. They fled there after the demonstration collapsed May 19 after soldiers moved in to clear the area.

The Red Shirts and opposition politicians charge that soldiers positioned on Bangkok’s elevated mass transit Skytrain track in front of the temple were responsible for the deaths.

“What happened at Wat Prathum cannot be ignored,” said Jatuporn Prompan, a Red Shirt leader and a Puea Thai MP who headlined the debate. “You can’t hide the sky with your palm. The truth must come out.”

Commenting on the civilian casualties at the temple, Abhisit said: “I feel no different than you. We need neutrality and justice as we uncover the truth of the matter.”

In Geneva on Monday, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, said in a speech to the human rights council that while she recognized Thai authorities had the responsibility to restore order, “they must abide by international standards concerning the use of force and due process for those detained.”

“To foster longer-term political reconciliation, I urge the government to ensure that an independent investigation of recent events be conducted and all those found responsible for human rights violations are held to account,” she said.

The Red Shirts consist mainly of rural supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and pro-democracy activists who opposed the military coup that ousted him in 2006. They believe Abhisit’s government is illegitimate because it came to power under military pressure through a parliamentary vote after disputed court rulings ousted two elected pro-Thaksin governments.