CRISIS
PENCHAN CHAROENSUTHIPAN
The dozens of women _ young, middle-aged and old _ who serve as human shields protecting the nine key leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) show no fear in carrying out their risky mission. One of the PAD's female guards, Tong, 34, who runs her own business, said she was not afraid of confronting anti-riot police, as she believed the officers would not dare to attack women.
''If I have no other choice, I will squeeze their private parts until their faces turn green,'' she said.
Mrs Tong and 10 of her family members have been involved with the PAD rally since it began in May.
She has been assigned to guard gate 4 of Government House, opposite the Office of the National Counter Corruption Commission.
The gate is located near barriers set up by police armed with anti-riot gear.
She said she never gave a thought to the danger when she volunteered to be a human shield for the PAD leaders, who she said deserved protection.
''[The PAD leaders] expose facts about the wrongs carried out by corrupt politicians,'' she said.
Rak, 26, a bachelor's degree holder, said she volunteered as a guard for the PAD as many of the demonstrators were elderly or middle-aged people.
She has learned how to protect herself and others if anti-riot police moved to disperse the protest by using tear gas or pepper spray.
''I honestly believe that the police will not act violently against women,'' Rak said.
Maew, 21, a native of Trat, said she accompanied her father, who wanted to join the PAD.
She decided to be a PAD guard to protect her father and other demonstrators. She said she feared nothing.
Human shields are the PAD's main strategy for dealing with police. Those who serve as human shields are mostly women who volunteer for the front-line positions to protect their leaders. Each human shield comprises 300 to 400 women.
Those serving as human shields said they would firmly join hands to form a chain if police attempted to break up the protest.
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