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dam-l LS: Protesters fear bloody crackdown

Protesters fear bloody crackdown 

THE Assembly of the Poor (AOP) warned yesterday that the continuing
confrontation between authorities and protesters at the Pak Mool Dam may
lead to a violent crackdown similar to the one in October 1976 when scores
of demonstrators were lynched by vigilantes. 

In a statement released yesterday, the group, which is behind the protest
at the dam, accused the authorities of giving "false information" to local
residents about the possible negative impact the protest could have on them
in order to create animosity. 

The assembly said that in issuing warnings about possible electrical
failures and flooding in Ubon Ratchathani and other northeastern provinces,
the local authorities aimed to incite violence similar to that seen on
October 6, 1976 at Sanam Luang and inside Thammasat University. 

On that day, right-wing vigilantes backed by policemen and soldiers stormed
Thammasat University, where students were protesting against the return of
former dictatorial prime minister Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn, who
had entered the country as a novice monk. 

Scores of the protesters were killed inside the university compound and
some were dragged across the road to Sanam Luang and lynched by the angry
mob. Some were burnt alive, while others were hung from tamarind trees and
beaten to death. 

"The Assembly of the Poor is still firmly behind a peaceful protest and
deplores any action that will lead to violence and loss of life similar to
what happened on October 6, 1976," the statement said. 

Ubon Ratchathani deputy governor Prapas Boonyindee, who issued a warning
about possible electrical failures and flooding as a result of the
prolonged protest, yesterday denied the his comments were aimed at
provoking hatred towards the protesters. 

"I am sure I have performed my duty properly. I can't let anyone damage Pak
Mool Dam because it is public property," Prapas said. 

Hundreds of villagers affiliated with the AOP have been gathering at the
dam's power plant, operated by the Electricity Generating Authority of
Thailand, since May 15 to protest against the dam's negative impact on
their livelihood, mainly fishing. All four generators at the plant have
stopped working as the protesters have denied Egat's maintenance workers
access. The dam's five water gates also remain closed for the same reason. 

Community leaders and residents from three villages in Ubon Ratchathani's
Sirindhorn district reported that the Mool River had overflowed and flooded
their farms yesterday, provincial disaster prevention official Seri
Boonkwang said. 

Egat public relations director Amnart Chotechuang said the agency had
received more than 50 complaints from villagers in Sirindhorn district
about their plantations being flooded. 

In Ubon Ratchathani, police have yet to arrest the 14 protest leaders,
although warrants have been issued. A senior policeman, who requested
anonymity, said the main reason was that those people were mixing with
other protesters and their arrests could lead to violence. 

At 10.40am yesterday, some 200 protesters from the AOP camping out near
Government House moved to block the front gate. Armed with ladders, they
threatened to break into the compound if authorities used force to disperse
the protest at the dam. 

Some 200 police officers, including a crowd-control unit, were dispatched
to keep order at the Government House's front gate. There were no reports
of any trouble. 

Deputy national police chief Sant Sarutanont said yesterday protesters who
try to break into Government House could face police dogs used to control
crowds. 

"The dogs will certainly do their job, otherwise they will be seen as
failing to do their duty properly," he said. 

BY PONGSAK BAI-NGERN and 

ANAN PAENGNOY 

The Nation 

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