[ARepublicanForAllReasons]

This is just bizarre. From what I could glean from the article, a small army of sorta-communist peasants, armed with spears and molotov cocktails, has built a fort just outside the capital city of Bangkok and faced down the Thai army to a stand-still.

The red shirts have rocks and petrol bombs, made from energy-drink bottles, stashed to hurl at troops. They also have litres of motor vehicle oil and mung beans to make the road slippery. Further inside the camp, sources say, the red shirts have dozens of M79 grenades ready to launch if the camp itself is attacked.

Armed to the teeth I see. Those mung beans sound especially scary.

Has the Thai military ever heard of helicopters and tear gas? Do they possess, say, two or three tanks in operating condition? Or are they just afraid of what the neighbors will think if they open fire on communist rebels?

[Cindy]

It’s an ongoing situation.

Here’s the FR keyword - article index for more info:
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/thailand/index

[killjoy]

From what I could glean from the article, a small army of sorta-communist peasants

They are not communists. The exact opposite. Their demands are free and fair elections. Nothing at all communist related.

Or are they just afraid of what the neighbors will think if they open fire on communist rebels?

The Thai Army is currently shooting anything that moves on the streets. This includes journalists, civilians, women and children. it is not a joke.