Thailand's crisis not to end with rally
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Dispersion: Force exerted under pressure
Anyway, as the hope of reconciliation turned bleak again, Abhisit faced ever more pressure than before. Prolonged rally in the core area paralyzed the traffic and damaged business activities and tourism of Bangkok, and the clashes between "red- shirts" and troops on April 10 and the last week had tarnished Thailand's image as a tourism destination.
The rally had already caused economic growth to drop by more than 0.5 percent, Ekniti Nitithanprapas, director of the Macro Economic Policy office, said on Monday.
According to the Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silpa- archa Tuesday, the number of incoming passengers at Suvarnabhumi airport had dwindled from an average 30,000 to 20,000 passengers a day, as foreigners were concerned about the widespread chaos and the security situation. So far 19 countries had warned their people to avoid visiting Thailand.
In this situation, the citizens, businessmen, investors and tourists are increasingly voicing their dissatisfaction on the government's softness in handling this issue.
Facing ever-mounting pressure to end the rally and losing faith on "red-shirts" sincerity to peace talks, the Abhisit government sternly demanded the protesters to withdraw Ratchaprasong first before any talks become possible, which was turned down by the " red-shirts" leaders. Dispersion by force became Abhisit's only option.
Rally ends, crisis remains
Hours after the "red-shirts" leaders officially called an end to the protest, thick smoke darkened the Bangkok skyline as perpetrators set fire to shopping centers, stock exchange office, buses and media offices. Bursts of gunfire echoed across the capital. A curfew was imposed in Bangkok and some other areas for Wednesday night.
Local media expects the protesters who refuse to heel their leaders' resolution will in the next few days revenge the killed rally via violence and attacks, and this will in turn arouse some citizen and elites' anti-red sentiment. Thailand's society is further sliding downward to dangerous division.
The red-shirts' de-facto leader Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Thai premier ousted in a 2006 coup and now living in exile, told Reuters on Wednesday that "a military crackdown can spread resentment and these resentful people will become guerrillas". That might be true. Bangkok citizens must prepare themselves for possible sabotage and riots.
Local media also reported protesters set fire at a building of the city hall of Udon Thani and vandalized a city hall in Khon Kaen. The red anger may spread nationwide.
On the other hand, Abhisit's government did not gain any fame from this operation. More than 60 people died in the clashes since April 10, and it will be hard for the government to shake off the responsibility. The political prospect for Abhisit and his government is grim.
