Thailand: Regime Threatens Covert Violence Against ProtestersEditors Note: The advice Tony Cartalucci gives below about how to organize a peaceful protest, especially amid potential government violence, is applicable anywhere. Beware of agents provocateur and staged confrontations with regime supporters for January 13, 2014 rally. Be prepared, and the regime will crumble. Thailands current regime led by unelected de facto dictator Thaksin Shinawatra and his nepotist-appointed proxy and sister Yingluck Shinawatra has issued a threat to protesters regarding an upcoming January 13, 2014 mass mobilization. Bangkoks English paper The Nation reported in its article, Justice minister warns people against joining Bangkok Shutdown protest, that: Caretaker Justice Minister Chaikasem Nitisiri Monday warned people against joining the Bangkok Shutdown protest on Monday, saying it is illegal and dangerous. Chaikasem said Suthep Thaugsuban, secretary-general of the Peoples Democratic Reform Committee, was facing sedition charge, which carried the maximum penalty of death sentence. As a result, if the people support Suthep by joining the Bangkok Shutdown protest, they would also be regarded as committing wrongdoing, Chaikasem said. He said the protesters could also be injured from clashes with PDRCs opponents. Image: Anti-regime protests have been massive, frequent, and most importantly, peaceful. The regime, desperately clinging to power, has conspired to use violence to discredit protesters and has already when it could deployed its red shirt enforcers to create violence and bloodshed. It has also deployed unidentified black-clad gunmen atop government buildings to shoot at its own police. It should also be remembered that just recently, the regime has admitted to deploying unidentifiable black-clad gunmen atop government buildings during deadly violence on December 26, 2013. To date, every mass mobilization by anti-regime protesters has been peaceful. There have been three mass mobilizations one on November 24, December 9, and December 22, 2013 that have seen hundreds of thousands of people take to the streets not only across Bangkok, but in provinces across the country. The only violence that has taken place was when the regime purposefully deployed its red shirt enforcers to confront protesters, as was seen yesterday (and on several other occasions) in the northern city of Chiang Mai. Recent threats are to be interpreted not as a position of strength by the regime, but as a sign of immense weakness. Protesters should take this not as cue to shrink from the battle, but to redouble their efforts to ensure a quick and complete toppling of the regime. Whomever the regime deploys against protesters will be undoubtedly outnumbered 1000-1. Use this advantage wisely to quickly but peacefully and humanely deal with the regimes provocations. By doing so, protesters will prove through actions what they have insisted on in words that they represent a real alternative to the violence, intimidation, and thuggery of the Thaksin Shinawatra regime and his red shirt enforcers. What Protesters Should Do on January 13, 2013 It is not enough to simply look better than Thaksin Shinawatra, his illegal proxy regime, and his violent red shirt enforcers. For this movement to be successful and to sustain itself, it must actually be better. It will only be able to do so if it makes a plan, wisely prepares for contingencies especially provoked and staged violence carried out by the regime itself and sticks to the principles that have made now 3 unprecedented, mass mobilizations already possible. Image: Red shirts in 2009. Their violence and intimidation are legendary. It is ugly when they do it, it is ugly when you do it. The regime plans fully to incite violence and undermine the credibility of protests that have seriously crippled its ability to sustain its 10 years of until now, unchecked criminality. If your movement truly is better, dont just say it is, prove it through your actions. Dont be a red shirt! When confronted with a choice during upcoming mass mobilizations and if you find yourself in doubt simply remind yourself, Dont be a red shirt! Tony Cartaluccis articles have appeared on many alternative media websites, including his own at Land Destroyer Report, Alternative Thai News Network andLocalOrg. Read other contributed articles by Tony Cartalucci here. 