Followers of the PAD and its rival the UDD have been getting some tips on defence from former army men
By Wassayos Ngamkham and Wassana Nanuam
Eleven years ago, Capt Songklod Chuenchupol made the front page as a whistle-blower, exposing rampant corruption and drug dealing behind the walls of the barracks. This time around, the former military officer is back in the limelight, not as a fraud buster but as a self-defence and weapons trainer for the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) volunteer guards.
They are trained in defence against riot control police and supporters of the pro-government group, the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD).
Wearing a green combat uniform and black beret with one hand holding a megaphone, Mr Songklod oversees the PAD guards at the ASTV station on Phra Athit road.
''The UDD supporters are Thais like us, but they are just misled. For this reason, please only beat them until they are unable to walk, not beat them to death,'' Mr Songklod said through a megaphone.
Back in 1997, then-Capt Songklod, an officer at the 2nd Weapons and Maintenance Battalion, submitted a petition to Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai against his superiors in the Third Army on charges of corruption and drug trafficking.
The disclosure brought him fame but cost him his military career. However, since he shares the same anti-corruption ideals as the PAD, Mr Songklod does not have second thoughts about supporting its cause.
In order to achieve success through teamwork, Mr Songklod is in charge of creating unity in diversity because the PAD volunteer guards come from various backgrounds. Some are carrying weapons for the first time in their lives.
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| "The UDD protesterds are Thais like us, but they are just misled. For this reason, please just beat them until they are unable to walk, not beat them to death." — CAPT SONGKLOD CHUENCHUPOL |
Each night the former military officer trains the PAD guards in weapons use, self-defence skills and other basic tactics.
Hundreds of PAD guards, mostly die-hard loyalists, make their rounds every night at the protest grounds to foil attempts by gangs allegedly hired to make problems for the PAD supporters.
Key self-defence weapons wielded by the guards are sticks, metal bars and golf clubs.
They also carry catapults, clay balls, and marbles for long-distance attacks as well as aluminum jar lids as protective shields.
''I train them in how to defend themselves rather than attack others,'' said the former army cadet from Class 37.
Mr Songklod calls two 50-strong companies of PAD guards on Phra Athit road the ''catapult companies'' because they use catapults as their weapons.
The former military officer insists he does not want any blood to be shed if unnecessary.
Asked if he is backed by anyone, Mr Songklod simply said: ''I come of my own free will. I don't know anybody in the protest at all.''
Army specialist Maj-Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol, known as Seh Daeng, recently claimed he is a fighting and tactics trainer to the pro-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) supporters.
But he blamed his ''students'', who were mostly taken from northeastern provinces, for a lack of discipline which left several injured and one dead after a clash with the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy early on Tuesday.
UDD supporter Narongsak Kobthaisong was killed in the clash at the Makkhawan Rangsan bridge. He was beaten on his head and face.
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| "I'm sorry that someone died under my training despite the fact that I did not lead them into it. The one who died is deputy chief of staff." — MAJ-GEN KHATTIYA SAWASDIPOL |
Maj-Gen Khattiya admitted he had been training about 1,000 UDD members in military tactics, but denied ordering them to attack.
He said UDD members were not fully prepared when they moved to confront the PAD guards.
''During the demonstration at Sanam Luang, one leader on stage ordered supporters to stand up and walk ahead to Makkhawan Rangsan bridge [where PAD supporters were on guard]. Most grabbed wooden sticks or metal clubs they found scattered around them,'' he said.
He conceded many UDD members were taken from upcountry and they could easily be roused for a fight.
''I'm sorry that someone died under my training despite the fact that I did not lead them into it. The one who died is deputy chief of staff [in the UDD guard forces]. I appointed him,'' said Maj-Gen Khattiya.
UDD guards were deployed as companies, each company with 20 platoons.
He helped the UDD with guard training because he did not like the PAD or its political strategy.
''My daughter returned recently from studying overseas, and joined the PAD rally. I tried to talk her out of it, but did not get my way,'' he said.
Maj-Gen Khattiya insisted he did not receive money or any other benefit in return for helping the UDD. He was merely a volunteer.
Maj-Gen Khattiya denied he had been courted by former executive of the now-dissolved Thai Rak Thai party Newin Chidchob, who is said to be behind the UDD movement. He said he gave his help freely because he disagreed with the PAD protests.
Maj-Gen Khattiya went to join a funeral chanting ceremony for Narongsak at Wat Samien Naree last night.
The UDD had announced an end to their demonstrations nationwide in an effort to help the government handle the political situation.
The group moved from Sanam Luang to stage a rally in Pak Nam, Samut Prakan, after the government declared the state of emergency decree last Tuesday after the fatal clash. UDD leaders said stopping the rally was mainly to give the government the opportunity of solving the country's political problems.
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