the redshirts were peaceful and the leaders made sure that protesters were unarmed by having the police use metal detectors for all people entering the main site

however, the group is very large and diverse and, compared with the yellow shirts, has only a loose concensus, non-hierarchical leadership

right now the leaders are calling their supporters in Bangkok to retreat back into the main rally site surrounding Government House and at Sanam Luang and settle down for an expected siege by the army

a policeman was reported to be asking why the army needed to be called in, he thought police should have been armed and allowed to manage the situation

the army’s reputation for management of internal protests is poor, both for loss of life but also that governments calling in the military normal