Thailand Freezes Accounts to Hit Reds

Despite public promises of compromise by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Thailand’s military-backed government is continuing to tighten the screws on protesters, most recently freezing bank accounts belonging to 83 wealthy suspected supporters of the two-month insurrection which ended in May.

“I insist that the government has never intended to persecute anyone,” Abhisit told reporters after freezing the accounts. However, what is going on outside on the streets appears to belie that as the Army’s crackdown continues. As Asia Sentinel reported on June 16, at least 435 Red Shirt protesters remain in Thai jails and prisons, with more believed to be added every day.

Although the government must call elections before 2011 is out, Abhisit is showing no sign that they will be held any time soon. The government has also launched a massive, expensive public relations campaign to convince Thais and the international community that this Buddhist majority, Southeast Asian nation is back on track.

Asia Sentinel