October 14, 2020 (Tony Cartalucci - ATN) - Again - just as during the flopped September 19 rally - a supposedly "student-led" movement appears primarily made up of billionaire fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra's paid and bused in "red shirt" supporters seen literally wearing their red shirts and carrying pictures and even flags with the fugitive billionaire's image on it.
One flag also includes the face of Khattiya "Seh Daeng" Sawasdipol who led 300 armed terrorists in the killing of nearly 100 people and the burning of Bangkok in 2010.
Who are the "Red Shirts?"
Officially the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) - the red shirts are responsible for the most violent chapters of 21st century Thai politics.
FULL DETAILS OF 2010 RED SHIRT VIOLENCE: US-funded Front Supports Thai Terrorist Sympathizers
In 2014 when protesters took to the streets against Thaksin Shinawatra's sister serving as prime minister in his absence, the red shirts showed up again - carrying out almost daily and nightly armed attacks on protester sites. Over 20 were killed including women and children. The violence was not only carried out by the red shirts, but celebrated on stage by red shirt leaders and their followers (VIDEO) at counter-rallies that year.
The appearance of red shirts (again) today in Bangkok at the supposed "student rally" only comes as a surprise to those getting their news from Western sources who have deliberately misrepresented ongoing anti-government protests to lend them legitimacy and hide for as long as possible their true nature, their violent history, and their real agenda.
Similar tactics were used by the Western media in hiding the extremist nature of "protesters" in Libya, Syria, and Ukraine where they were later revealed to be terrorists belonging to Al Qaeda's various affiliates and to Neo-Nazi militias respectively.
The spectre of violence hangs over Thailand as the US finds itself in an increasingly confrontational footing across Asia-Pacific as it tries - and fails - to roll back China's rise and its growing relations with neighboring states including - and perhaps especially - Thailand.
China is now Thailand's largest trading partner, largest foreign investor, largest source of tourism, and even Thailand's largest arms suppliers, replacing the United States.
China and Thailand are also working on major infrastructure projects with Huawei involved in Thailand's national 5G rollout and through the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail link that will eventually connect China-Laos-Thailand-Malaysia together in an unprecedented manner.
With virtually every aspect of the "student" protests funded by the US government and the US providing communication tools to protesters ahead of last month's rally - it is clear that the US seeks to either remove the current government in favor of Thaksin Shinawatra and his political allies - or destabilize Thailand sufficiently to render mutual benefits between it and China moot.
READ MORE: The Complete Guide: US Government Role in Thailand's "Student Protests"
Only time will tell if Thailand can overcome this latest round of US-backed destabilization and eventually dismantle the network of subversion behind it - just as nations like Cambodia, Vietnam, and even China itself are in the process of doing.
Until then, those observing Thailand's ongoing political crisis must be acutely aware of who the "red shirts" are, the violence they repeatedly carry out, US efforts to install their leader Thaksin Shinawatra and his political machine into power - and the fact that the Western media has deliberately hidden this from their daily articles on the subject - a pattern of deception that will only increase as protests grow and violence draws nearer.