Protest 'will be a test for tolerance'

Protest 'will be a test for tolerance'

A veteran academic and peace advocate predicted that Saturday's anti-government rally would be a test case for tolerance in Thai society.

Chaiwat Satha-Anand, a politics professor politics at Thammasat University, asked all parties to use their political experience, and above all to have tolerance to help frontline student protesters make a "peaceful transition".

"Can we achieve it without losing blood and inciting hatred? We can become a civilised society where people can quarrel and get better [now that] we see issues more clearly," he told a public forum on Thursday evening.

The event was held under the theme of "Lessons Learned with Recommendations from Past Political Protests" at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC).

Prof Chaiwat described protesting students as "biologically younger, but digitally older than other generations".

"Growing up in a virtual world, they have a different perception of time and history," he told forum participants.

"So when you ask them to wait, they feel that it is too slow. The danger lies in the fact that the government is trying to buy time," he said.

Despite news from intelligence sources indicating that today's rally would be peaceful one, Prof Chaiwat did not rule out potential violence.

He also dismissed the notion that a high turnout would guarantee public safety.

Prof Chaiwat said the factor that could turn the protest violent or vice versa is the "radical flank effect" -- the academic term to describe the high influence of radical leaders.

"The study shows that radical protest leaders can overshadow other views, which will increase the risk of violence. Both the government and protesters will have to deal with this situation. I am not worried about a third party, but concerned about the [natural] development of political struggle," he said.

Meanwhile, Thapanee Eadsrichai, an experienced field reporter who has covered this student political campaign, said society could expect the protesters not to shy away from demanding reforms to the monarchy.

Despite challenges, Ms Thapanee asked media to cover all groups' demands in a transparent and straightforward manner, even if it risks defying taboos.

"The media must bring these issues to discuss in the public arena," she said.

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