By Masaru Goto

Reporting from Bangkok, Thailand

A member of The United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) throws a Molotov cocktail at soldiers. Image: © Masaru Goto

The political protests that took place in Bangkok between March and May this year appeared to be a reflection of the divide between Thailand’s rich urban and poor, rural populations. A conflict between Benz drivers and bus riders.

In roughly two months, 80 civilians and six soldiers were killed, and more than 2,100 were injured.

Then, following the eventual government crackdown that cleared the National United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) protesters, known as “Red-Shirts” from their encampment in the Ratchaprasong shopping district, rioters burned 35 buildings in downtown Bangkok, including the Stock Exchange, several banks, and the Central World shopping mall.

During the two months of conflict, when smoke hung heavy over Bangkok from burning tires, while “civilian” protesters threw thousands of Molotov cocktails, a government sniper shot a protest leaders in the middle of a press interview, and hundreds of bystanders were injured by bullets and bombs launched by both sides, I walked the streets, photographing the chaos, speaking with people on both sides.

WARNING: Some images in this gallery show extreme violence and may be disturbing.

PHOTOGALLERY – Click to enlarge

Afterwards, a Thai television reporter asked me if I thought Thailand had just been immersed in civil war.

I replied: “I’ve seen demonstrators throw grenades and Molotov cocktails, indiscriminately killing civilians. I’ve seen unarmed civilians shot down by military snipers, shot down like animals while crossing the road. Yes, I think this was civil war.”

As is often the case, the political conflict in Thailand earlier this year was the result of conflict between a relative handful of people in and out of government. The rest of the Thai people were caught up against their will, forced to choose between the statements and promises of both sides, and unable to verify much, if any, of the truth of what was being said.

The UDD leaders painted the conflict in broad strokes: we’re fighting against rich people who exploit us to live in luxury in the city.

The government countered in the same broad strokes: terrorists are trying to destroy Bangkok, destroy our homes and our lifestyles and our country.

The UDD leaders promised they would lead their followers in battle to the death if necessary.

The government said it had no choice but to use armed force to remove the protesters.

And the people believed the government and thought it a shame, but unavoidable, that innocent civilians were killed and injured by government troops.

And then things reached a point of no return.

Enough blood had been spilled, enough bodies had piled up, that those in the front lines were uninterested in calls to step back, in calls to end the killing (on both sides) of Thai people by Thai people.

Quiet has returned to Bangkok, but quiet is not the same as peace.

Time has run out for Prime Minister Abhisit’s government and elections are likely to be held early next year.

The Thai electorate has become politicised and polarised and it is unclear if a leader can emerge to unify the country.

What is clear is that the survival of Thailand’s democratic institutions depends on the cooperation of citizens, government officials, military leaders and the royal family.

Masaru Goto is a photojournalist with 20 years of experience documenting social and human rights issues in South America, Asia and Japan.
For more photographs from “Thailand divided” by Masaru Goto, click here.

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