Red shirts pray for those killed in the violent crackdown last year in Bangkok.

Thousands of red clad protestors gathered around the Ratchaprasong junction in Bangkok to commemorate their friends and comrades who were killed one year ago to the day. Killed when Thai forces violently cleared their protest camp in central Bangkok. Some of the protestors were then accused of burning a rich shopping mall and causing billions [...]

Posted in: Anti-Government Protests, Asia, Bangkok, Politics, Thai, Thailand
Posted on 19th May 2011

Monks pray for the dead at the commemoration rally. Bangkok, Thailand. 19/05/2011.

Some of the protestors were then accused of burning a rich shopping mall and causing billions of dollars of damage to the businesses in the city. 92 protestors were killed in the anti-government protests between April and June in 2010. Many red shirts remain in jail under terrorism or ‘lese majeste’ related charges, including the former Pheu Thai party opposition MP Jatuporn Prompan who is also a leading light of the red movement. At the six month anniversary rally of the crackdown in November 2010, his powerful speech calling for veracity regarding the deaths and injuries caused in the riots touched the souls of his many supporters.

On this first birthday commemoration of their dead, one red shirt leader, Nattawut Saikua, prayed with monks for those killed and injured in the clashes. Mr Saikua did not speak to the gathered crowds because he has now become a party list MP candidate for the opposition Pheu Thai Party. The election in Thailand takes plave on July 3rd 2011.

Jutaporn Prompam did not attend the rally as he is still in jail: http://www.stephenfordphotography.co.uk/2011/05/jatuporn-prompan-messianic-red-shirt-leader-and-former-pheu-thai-mp-is-jailed-thai-election-campaign-2011-kicks-off/.