Protesters try to distance lower ranks from commanders

Tens of thousands of red-shirt protesters tried to score a symbolic victory yesterday by trying to cajole troops deployed at eight spots around old Bangkok, mostly inside temples, to return to their barracks.

It was a surprise bid to win the hearts and minds of lower-rank soldiers, to distance them from their commanders and the Abhisit Vejjajiva government, while also giving fellow red shirts a reason to celebrate.

Red-shirt leaders were quick to declare victory by 3pm and, emboldened by their relative success, they went on to try to pressure troops out of Government House, although they later agreed not to enter the compound.

They also vowed to march today to the 11th Infantry Regiment, where Prime Minister Abhisit is based, in order to force him to dissolve the House of Representatives.

At Nang Lerng Racecourse - the Royal Turf Club - Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship leader Weng Tojirakarn managed to urge dozens of troops to abandon the premises at around 12.30pm.

"Soldiers are children of the people. Let us leave some space for them to go. They can't wait to return home," Weng told the soldiers through a megaphone on a lorry in front of the Royal Turf Club. "Leave this to be a matter between the red shirts and Abhisit Vejjajiva, the man who dodged conscription!" he said.

Troops soon began making their way out as a compromise in order to avoid confrontation, the Army later insisted.

Soldiers on Army vehicles smiled shyly as many red shirts clapped and shouted "Chaiyo!" in celebration. Some soldiers accepted red roses offered to them.

The story at Wat Somanas Vihara, near Phitsanulok Road, was more muted, as some of the troop contingent withdrew. The temple, funded by the Army and where soldiers are cremated, was surrounded by hundreds of red shirts until their leaders ordered the reds to retreat at 2.30pm.

"I want to ask you guys what have we got from 77 years of military solution [to Thai politics]!" a middle-aged red shirt shouted in rage. A black-clad red-shirt guard had to calm him down and persuade him to leave the venue, telling him a compromise is good enough.

One soldier inside the temple amusingly examined a small foot-clapper offered by demonstrators while another officer, with a pair of dark sunglasses, was busy recording the crowd outside the temple on his hand-held video.

Roads around spots such as Phitsanulok and Nakhon Sawan thoroughfares were flooded by red-shirt vehicles and human traffic. Some locals were apparently not pleased and gave them an unfriendly glare, while others joined the cheering and dancing.

Back on Rajdamnoen Avenue, the atmosphere was festive with a lot of dancing on the streets and rousing speeches on stages.

A middle-aged red-shirt woman was asked by a western journalist why poor Thais like the red shirts seemed to no longer obey those in power unlike the older generations. The woman replied in English: "They're like American ways now. They see things more."

Others are speculating as to whether the government is trying to hold out until Songkran, two weeks from now, when they expect the crowd to be returning home for the traditional new year. Some red-shirt leaders have urged their rural-based followers, who are camping out in Bangkok, to be prepared to stay through Songkran if need be.