Anti-government demonstrators committed to non-violence must remain non-violent despite attacks. Credible media are showing pictures of protesters abandoning non-violence – men with tricolour wristbands grabbing a would-be voter by his throat, or a man with a PDRC guard armband aiming a revolver at a distant target.
Meeting defiance/violence with violence is self-defeating, because it costs the protesters their moral legitimacy. Also, the demonstrators have neither the training nor equipment to engage in physical combat.
Instead, the protesters should coordinate closely with the military, whose duty it is to provide safety to those engaging in lawful activities.
Overthrowing a government is not a picnic, and those who can’t stand the heat should get out of the kitchen.
Burin Kantabutra
Bangkok
Protesters must remain non-violent – The Nation.