http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/poli...-training-camp
Police raid red training camp
11 held for planning 'mission of violence'
- Published: 4/10/2010 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: News
Police have arrested 11 red shirt supporters who they allege were training at a resort in Chiang Mai in preparation to launch violent acts and political assassinations.
Pol Maj Gen Chaiya Siriampankul, the acting commissioner of Police Region 5, which oversees the upper northern provinces, yesterday acknowledged the arrest but refused to provide details.
A joint police and administrative officer raid was carried out at Phu Fa resort in Chiang Mai's Mae On subdistrict on Saturday evening. Eleven people who police said claimed to be hard-line red shirt supporters were arrested on suspicion of training to carry out a mission of political violence and assassinations.
The raid came after one man who allegedly took part in the training approached a village headman near the resort to ask for directions. The headman thought Kittichai Chansawasdi was behaving suspiciously and reported him to police.
Mr Kittichai allegedly confessed to police that he had been part of a group training at the resort for a secret mission. He said he had fled from the camp because he was unable to sustain the demanding regimen and had been physically assaulted during training.
Mr Kittichai said the group had been at the resort since Sept 7 after having received arms training near the Cambodian border.
Pichit Tamoon, a United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship leader in Chiang Mai, called on police yesterday to provide details of the charges being brought against the 11 red shirts.
He said they were arrested without a warrant even though the emergency decree in Chiang Mai had been lifted.
In another development, Puea Thai Party deputy leader Plodprasop Suraswadi has outlined a five-step plan that he says is necessary for national reconciliation.
Mr Plodprasop said he would like to meet with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to discuss his proposal in the interest of bridging the country's political divide.
Mr Plodprasop's reconciliation plan calls for the government to stop persecuting members of the red shirt movement, the lifting of the emergency decree, an end to action by those behind recent bombings, an end to insults of the monarchy, and the abandonment of plans to hold mass political rallies in Bangkok.
He said the steps would clear the way for national reconciliation.
Mr Plodprasop said Mr Abhisit must "play host" to the reconciliation process.
"I want to meet and talk with the prime minister," Mr Plodprasop said.
"It's time to work together, so the country can move forward."
He said his proposal would provide a framework for negotiations.
Mr Plodprasop said he would also like his party to send 10 to 20 representatives to negotiate with the government.
The proposal would be raised for discussion today when the Puea Thai Party's coordinating committee meets. He would also seek its endorsement at tomorrow's meeting of party MPs.
Thanusak Lek-uthai, a Puea Thai MP for Uttaradit and a deputy leader of the party, agreed with Mr Plodprasop's suggestion that a Puea Thai delegation meet with Mr Abhisit.
He said it would be best if the prime minister took the lead in reconciliation efforts and encouraged all sides to participate.
Chaiya Promma, a Puea Thai MP for Nong Bua Lamphu, said the party's leaders, including chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and chief of MPs Chalerm Yubamrung, must participate in the peace talks.
Puea Thai list MP Jatuporn Prompan, a key leader of the red shirt movement, should also take part, Mr Chaiya said.