The nation’s middle-class has been outraged at the use by police of lethal teargas and government-conspiracy secret explosives, without warning, against non-violent PAD protestors armed with nothing more than sticks, sharpened rods and guns.  This blatant attack on that part of society with an exaggerated sense of its own importance and an inadequate sense of reality is leading to further repercussions.

The PAD has repeated its calls for the removal of the Prime Minister (and any replacement from the same party), for the dissolution of Parliament, for the banning of the People’s Power Party (and any successor party), for the extradition of ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra and withdrawal of his passport, for the end to constitutional amendment efforts, for the need for constitutional amendments to usher in a ‘New Politics’, for the closure of any TV station that fails to follow the PAD line, for aggressive military and economic action against Cambodia to secure 4.2 square kilometres for the fatherland, etc etc.  These have all been enacted under the strategies of a ‘final battle’, a ‘final push’, a ‘final whistle’, etc., together with promises that if they don’t succeed, the PAD will disband. 

Or alternatively, not disband, but make new demands and think up a new ‘final’ something.  (Prachatai has obtained a scribbled note from PAD Headquarters, formerly known as Government House, that lists ‘final countdown’, ‘final judgement’, ‘final draft’, ‘final finale’ and ‘final solution’; ‘final responsibility’ is listed but crossed out.)

The PAD has now also sought court protection against any further use by police of crowd control methods to control their particular crowd.  This is in addition to ignoring court summons for the arrest of the PAD leaders and demanding the release of those already arrested.

They further aim to charge the Prime Minister at the International Criminal Court, to which Thailand is not a party, and where it is unclear under which of the ICC areas of jurisdiction (crimes against humanity, genocide, war crimes, or the crime of aggression) the PAD intends to file.

Apart from the PAD leaders deciding what further measures to take in the name of their victimized followers, sympathetic individuals and groups around the country have taken action in support of the PAD goal of allowing a self-selected group to decide what can and cannot happen in Thailand.

A Thai Airways pilot has courageously refused to allow MPs onto his flight because they were legally elected by their constituents under the People’s Power Party. 

Doctors at Chulalongkorn University Hospital have bravely chosen to ignore their Hippocratic Oath and terms of service by stating that they will refuse to treat injured police officers and have called on doctors at other hospitals to follow their lead in defying the law and professional ethics. 

The Chair of the National Human Rights Commission, Dr Saneh Chamarik, has tut-tutted over the hospital beds of injured protestors and issued a statement condemning the use of violence against protestors, but not of protestors against police.  It is not known whether he is considering a second letter to the UN Secretary-General in line with his 29 July message where he blamed the World Heritage Committee for endangering human rights by ‘overlooking’ the views of Thailand in the Phra Vihear dispute.

There are fears that the dehumanization of the police and government will spread to include PPP and coalition MPs, pro-government senators, anyone who speaks out against the PAD, anyone who questions the PAD, anyone who says they couldn’t give a left-handed about the PAD, the minority of human rights activists that fail to see the righteousness of the PAD position, any woman caught with a condom in her possession, independent media organizations, anyone failing to read the Manager and watch ASTV, foreigners (especially Khmers), anyone suspected of republican sympathies, anyone wearing red, anyone who fails to produce on demand a flappy-clappy, and so on and so on.

Measures to be taken against such people will not stop at the denial of medical treatment and air transportation.  These people, being obviously deficient in intelligence and a proper concern for the welfare of the country, will no longer be considered competent to make responsible decisions at the ballot box and will be denied voting rights.  They will also lose the right to be considered as a person before the law and consequently be unable to seek legal redress against any discriminatory action taken against them.

They will be given a fair chance to change their ways, but those who fail to satisfy PAD commissars of their true faith in the PAD leadership will be dismissed from their jobs, denied union membership, and their children will be barred from attending school.  Their land ownership documents will be revoked, their bank accounts will be blocked and any pension or dividend income diverted to more socially useful purposes, to be determined by the PAD. 

Public facilities will be segregated.  PAD supporters will have access to privileged park benches, water fountains, seats on public transport, beaches and so on.  Non-PAD non-persons will have to make do with whatever is left.

It is hoped that in this way, any possible divisive conflict in society will be avoided and Thailand will become a prosperous, peaceful democracy and an example to the world.