Isaan Red Shirt Committee Members Meet for First Time
KHON KAEN – Nineteen newly elected red shirt committee members, representing each of the Northeastern provinces, led a rally for the first time on Thursday to establish themselves as the movement’s new Isaan representatives and celebrate the release of eight red shirts on February 22.
Red Shirt supporters cheering in fron of the stage. Photo credit: Lukas Winfield
Over 10,000 supporters cheered on as they heard from both newly elected and newly discharged leaders of the movement.
After over nine months of detention, red shirt leaders Kwanchai Sarakham, Nisit Sinthuprai, Natthawut Saikua, Wiphuthalaeng Pattanaphumthai, Yossawaris Chuklom (also known as Jeng Dokchik), Korkaew Pikulthong, Weng Tojirakam, and red shirt guard Pichet Suchindathong, were released on bail for terrorism charges following the April-May crackdown of anti-government protests.
Only three days out of prison, Kwanchai reminded his audience to look forward.
Kwanchai Sarakham receives a bracelet from a fan. Photo credit: Lukas Winfield
“This is a big day for the Isaan leaders. Today, they have selected the committee for Isaan and solidified all the positions. The committee develops our strategies and gives guidance to the red shirt movement,” he announced.
Among these strategies is their ongoing non-violent push for the release of over 100 red shirts who remain in detention and have yet to be granted bail.
Thida Tojirakarn, who was named a leader of the movement after the arrest of her husband Weng Tojirakam, said the release of prisoners was a good sign.
“It shows that negotiations with the government are possible and that the government can be flexible,” she encouraged her supporters. “They were released because of the effort red shirts put in visiting prisoners and demanding documents from the government.”
Sisters of Isan displays Isan (the northeastern part of Thailand)’s value and their construction at the beginning of the 20th century together with Thailand as a modern state. The book has recorded the stories of two sisters growing up and working from the countryside to Bangkok. At the same time, the book shows the perspectives of Isan people through their belief, lifestyle, culture, social norm, value and fate. This book covers the changes by over 50 years of Isan workers and Thailand. Hence, beyond two sisters who had shifted from rural to urban landscape, the stories inside reflect how Thai society has come. The struggle is not something Isan people choose, whereas, reading this book may imply the answer. Sisters of Isan is not just a book. This infers lives… the Isan’s lives.
The atmosphere of the general election today in the Northeast was bustling. Even in areas where it rained, voters still showed up to exercise their rights.
A team of local artists have proposed a design for a memorial commemorating the “Holy Man Rebellion” in Ubon Ratchathani province. They want to promote the area to become a historical tourist destination and symbolize a kind of a public apology to those slaughtered.
Media of the margins join hands to build bridges through their effects that lead to increased understanding and reduced conflicts in society. A former TV anchor of Thairath says the media can serve as a bridge that connects people with different opinions. The Editors of local media outlets, as well as the alternative media, Prachatai, in Bangkok, speak out about their roles and hopes for a better Thailand
