Thailand’s red-shirt protesters find sympathizers in military
Rogue soldiers, active and retired, are supporting Thailand’s ‘red-shirt’ protesters, the Army chief said Sunday.
Bangkok, Thailand
As Thailand’s ‘red-shirt’ protesters continue to occupy a swath of downtown Bangkok, defying authorities and occasionally clashing violently with them, concerns are rising over the alleged participation of pro-red disgruntled soldiers.
The presence of these rogue soldiers complicates the task of putting down the red shirts’ antigovernment demonstrations, now in their seventh week, and points to a deepening rift within Thailand’s powerful Army.
On Sunday, Army chief General Anuphong admitted in a televised interview that active and retired soldiers were aiding the protesters, but said that the Army was united in its operations. “If there are any rifts, they are on the individual level,” he said.
