[Note: CPT-Philippines authorized CPTer Rey Lopez to travel to Thailand as a peace observer and document how the historic Red Shirts nonviolent movement is playing out in Bangkok.  The letters have been edited for length and clarity.]

Dear friends,

The Red Shirts area for the first time was attacked in the Rochodoemen area.  A big army fire truck just rolled over our tents and made a mess of the kitchen facilities that are feeding the Red Shirts all over Bangkok.

I think the Thai government is employing the classical Roman empire legion wedge formation to penetrate the Red Shirts area while the Red Shirts are employing encircling wave upon wave tactics with the Thai mamas shouting while the while young Red Shirts tackled the army and police in a tug of pushing melee.

The government is trying to destroy the command communication of the Red Shirts.  They attacked the Red Shirts main TV stations and closed down several Red Shirts web sites.  I am part of the Korat Red company 24 and they told me that they are stopping Red Shirts from the provinces [who are] Pouring in the Bangkok area.

The critical stage of the battle for Bangkok is approaching.  Let us all hope that the violence will be minimal and the Thai philosophy of the middle way will hold.  I could not return to Kurasap teacher dorm since I am in the Sunam Lunag area and the army was able to put a wedge between the Red Shirts in Sunam Luang and Ratchadomoen.

I hope I could find my way to the big tent of the Monk Rector from Pattaya who has a non -violent tent in Sumam Luang park.

By the way, all the humvees, army trucks, army jeeps, and tear gas being used here against the Thai people are courtesy of Uncle Sam with our tax dollar money.

Guys, you are missing a very important stage in Thai history.  The Thai Prachachon (people) are out of the bottle.  Nobody can force them back in the bottle that confined them for so many years.

…I am glad I kept the small bottle of alcohol, vinegar, and cotton balls that was given to me by the Red Shirts.  Vinegar easily removes the sting from the eyes from the tear gas that smells like garlic. 

Hey, they are shooting real bullets now.  I have to go since the e-mail cafe I am using is very vulnerable to stray bullets.

Do not worry.  I am not taking unnecessary risks.

Now I know and have seen the real meaning of the slogan the people, united, will never be defeated.

The Red Shirts movement will have far-reaching effects on how nonviolence can effect social change in the whole world.

Reynaldo C. Lopez