During the UDD protests in 2011, spectators and people watching televized news saw the burning of Central World and various other areas across Bangkok. Several car tires were placed as a road block and set aflamed by red-shirt protestors.

Core red-shirt leader Nattawut Saikua was accused of telling supporters to “burn it all down”, is this true?

REVIEW

There is proof from a video recorded while UDD members were gathering in a protest in Chanthaburi province in 23 January, 2011 and Nattawut Saikua, a key red-shirt leader was caught saying on camera to 
 

“Burn it down my fellow friends, I will take full responsibility!”

In the following 25-minute video clip, Mr. Nattawut said during 2:45-3:00 that if you (the military) seize power from the government, we will start burning nationwide, burn it down fellow friends I will take full responsibility!”.

Thais will never forget the devastation that followed, because in May 2011 parts of Bangkok was cloaked by thick smoke, and flames could be seen far away following the destruction of Central World mall. 
 

The allegations lodged against Mr. Nattawut had been silent until February 2018 when he reported to the Technology Crime Suppress Division where he submitted the video in question for revision.

Mr. Nattawut defended himself, claiming that the people were not yet aware of where or when the big gathering would take place. He also said that there were rumors at the time that they would take over Bangkok but, Mr. Nattawut had resassurred the people that there will be no hostile take-over.

“The things I said on stage did not refer to the burning of Bangkok or any other places, and the video is misleading and causes people to be misinformed” Mr. Nattawut said.

Although there are loopholes which allowed the red-shirt leader to get away, there is no denying (nor did he himself) that he said what he said. He never clarified what he intended to burn.