Red Shirt protest in Thailand
-
Bangkok death toll rises to 35
BANGKOK- THE number of dead from three days of street battles in Bangkok has risen to 35, including the first military death, emergency services said on Monday.
'There were two more deaths last night including a soldier and a protester,' said a member of the official emergency medical centre in Bangkok, where troops and anti-government 'Red Shirt' protesters are locked in a tense confrontation.
The official said the number of wounded had risen to 244. Among the wounded were six foreigners, he said.
A 31-year-old air force member was shot while on patrol Sunday night in the flashpoint Silom district, on the edge of the Red Shirts' fortified encampment, the official said, adding that he died in hospital. --AFP
-
war of attrition
17 more days~!
-
things are getting worse in thailand.
-
its sad....i like thailand and its people.....
-
Thai renegade general dies
BANGKOK - THAI news reports say a renegade army general who worked for Red Shirt protesters has died of gunshot wounds in hospital Monday, five days after he was shot by a sniper.
Channel 9 television, Thai Rath newspaper and other media outlets said Maj. Gen. Khattiya Sawasdiphol died on Monday. Maj. Gen. Khattiya was the military strategist of the Red Shirts. He was shot in the head on Wednesday.
The attack triggered widespread street fighting between anti-government protesters and the army in central Bangkok. At least 36 people - all civilians - have died in the violence.
The Red Shirts have been protesting since mid-March demanding the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, the dissolution of Parliament and new elections.
Violent clashes in Bangkok have left 35 people dead, officials said Monday, after the government ruled out foreign intervention to end the two-month stand-off.
The worsening violence has turned parts of the city into no-go zones as troops use live ammunition against anti-government demonstrators, who have blocked streets with burning tyres, and fought back with homemade weapons. --AP, AFP
-
Thai army breaks through
LATEST: Thai government says operation to contain protesters will continue all day
At least four people wounded in clashes as Thai army disperses protesters in Bangkok: Thai TV
BANGKOK - THAI troops used armoured vehicles to break through the main barricade into the camp of anti-government protesters in central Bangkok on Wednesday, a Reuters cameraman said.
He saw an armoured personnel carrier lead a fire engine through the burning barricade and two more personnel carriers followed after them. The protesters had earlier set alight the barricade, made up largely of tyres and doused in fuel.
Two people were shot in a gunfight near the main protest site.
Earlier, troops opened fire at a fortified encampment of anti-government protesters in central Bangkok.
Associated Press reporters saw the troops positioned on an overpass overlooking the encampment firing automatic rifles sporadically at the encampment on Wednesday. There was no sustained shooting.
Some troops were also seen crouching on the elevated tracks of a light rail system that runs over the encampment.
The firing came after a large number of troops and armored carriers gathered at the edges of the encampment at daybreak amid reports of a final assault on the camp the protesters have occupied for weeks.
At least 39 people have been killed and more than 300 people wounded in seven days of clashes in Bangkok. -- AP, REUTERS
-
a country divided.
-
Thaksin: Stop blaming me
Published: 19/05/2010 at 11:20 AM - Bangkok Post
Convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra posted a Twitter message on Wednesday, calling on the government to hold talks with anti-government leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) directly.
The ousted premier said the government needed to understand that holding negotiations with the UDD was way beyond him.
"Stop blaming me. It has been four years and you [the government] are not satisfied," the message said.
Thaksin said he had always told the red-shirt leaders to jointly make decisions without worrying about him since they were most aware of the situation. -
LATEST: Thai military has successfully gained control of Lumpini area south of protest site: Government spokesman
Television reports show that bank building near protest site is on fire
BANGKOK - FOUR armoured personnel carriers have entered an anti-government encampment in central Bangkok, punching a hole in the tire-and-bamboo barricades and driving in with troops behind them.
About 100 troops took up positions along the wall of central Lumpini Park and trained their guns inside. The armoured personnel carriers provided the troops cover. But there were no protesters in sight, and the troops did not fire.
The troops moved past smoldering fires, apparently set by retreating protesters. The assault marked the first significant push into the protest zone in the crackdown that began before Wednesday.
Gunbattles broke out between troops and anti-government protesters after security forces broke through barricades and pushed inside the rally base, an AFP reporter saw.
Gunfire was being exchanged from both sides and at least one 'Red Shirt' protester was seen carrying a weapon.
An AFP photographer saw two people shot and lying motionless on the ground inside the camp. At least seven other protesters have been injured and sent to hospital.
In the face of the barrage, some 100 other protesters fled towards the movement's main rally stage in their heart of their encampment in Bangkok's main shopping district, which they have occupied for six weeks.
Thousands of Thai 'Red Shirts' stood their ground at their protest camp , but said they feared for their lives as security forces advanced on their Bangkok rally site. -- AFP, AP, REUTERS
-
Italian journalist, two 'Reds' killed in Bangkok protests
Posted: 19 May 2010 1215 hrsBANGKOK : Thai troops battled with anti-government protesters Wednesday, after smashing into their rally zone using armoured vehicles and tearing down towering barricades of tyres and razor wire.
Gunfire was being exchanged in clashes in the protest encampment, which the "Red Shirts" have occupied for six weeks, defying a military containment operation launched last Thursday that left 39 dead.
An AFP photographer saw two protesters lying dead inside the camp, while hospital officials said an Italian journalist was also killed in the clashes. At least seven others were wounded and sent to hospital.
In the face of the barrage, some 100 other protesters fled towards the movement's main rally stage in the heart of their sprawling encampment, which has shut down Bangkok's main shopping district.
Reds leaders tried to quell a rising sense of panic among some 5,000 supporters including many women and children who are still inside the rally base despite the violence and orders to leave.
Some were openly crying and others put on face masks in fear of tear gas attacks.
"Please stay calm today, no matter what happens we will stay here together," leader Nattawut Saikuar said from the stage where protesters were gathered for safety, directing them to a nearby Buddhist temple if necessary.
"Those who fear for your life go to the temple, but those who volunteer to stay here you are free to do so."
The government said the offensive was aimed at establishing a secure perimeter around the protest base, but the military offensive now appeared to be aimed at completely closing down the camp.
"The operations are designed to make sure that the security officers can provide security and safety to the public at large. The operations will continue throughout the day," said government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn.
"We would like to reassure the citizens and residents of Bangkok that the operations are designed to make sure that we stabilise the area," he said in a televised address.
A senator involved in failed last-minute peace talks said he feared the military operation, launched after the Reds defied a Monday deadline to disperse, would cause serious loss of life.
"The government has chosen to decisively enforce the law. The signals are that absolutely the army will win, but the losses will be unbearable," said General Lertrat Rattanavanich.
"Certainly based on all the signs that I have seen there will be a crackdown, not containment," added the senator, who was one of a group in the upper house who tried to act as mediators.
Hundreds of army and police advanced towards the protest zone in the pre-dawn hours, with trucks dropping off troops wearing balaclavas and carrying weapons and riot shields, while a helicopter circled overhead.
Several large fires broke out at barricades and major buildings around the protest zone, sending out massive clouds of black smoke that obscured the Bangkok skyline.
Dozens of soldiers crept along Wireless Road, which runs parallel to the protest zone, crouching behind trees and poles and scurrying up foot bridges near the US embassy, which has been closed.
"Danger zone," one soldier said, waving reporters back as muffled cracks rang out from nearby Lumpini park, which the protesters had spilled into during an occupation that has forced hotels and shopping centres to close.
Security forces have battled with the Reds since last Thursday as they attempted to seal off the rally base, turning parts of the city into no-go zones as troops used live ammunition against protesters, who fought back mainly with homemade weapons.
The Reds are campaigning for elections to replace the administration of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, which they consider illegitimate because it came to power with the backing of the army in a 2008 parliamentary vote.
They are mostly supporters of fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra who was ousted in a 2006 coup. A controversial court ruling ejected his elected allies from power, paving the way for Abhisit's government to be appointed.
Many countries have warned their nations against travelling to Thailand. Australia Wednesday said travellers should not visit Bangkok, citing the deteriorating security situation. – AFP/jy -
I supposed now it is okay to use military against civilian protesters......
the world moral ethics has gone down to toliet......
-
Originally posted by Arapahoe:
I supposed now it is okay to use military against civilian protesters......
silence is consent. The King said nothing.
-
yeah and the consent on the coup.......
-
shoot to kill order now kick in in BKK.
sad.
-
today Strait times
Pg A11 covers Thailand Turmoil.
Pg A20 articles written by Nirmal Ghisoh.
Pg A24 Thailand Trade Exhibition in Singapore......Life goes on....
-
Situation under control
BANGKOK - Thai security forces have ended their offensive at a sprawling protest encampment in central Bangkok and the situation is under control, the army spokesman said on Wednesday.
'The general situation is under control,' Sansern Kaewkamnerd said in a televised address. 'Security forces have ended their offensive.'
His announcement came after seven leaders of Red Shirt protesters surrendered to authorities after the deadly army assault on their fortified encampment. They have been led away by police in central Bangkok. Sansern described them as 'terrorist leaders'.
A curfew is to be imposed across Bangkok on Wednesday night, defence minister General Prawit Wongsuwon said after the military offensive ended. Grenades exploded nearby as the Red Shirts announced their decision. Two soldiers and a journalist were wounded. Angry protesters also tried to set fire to a high-end shopping mall, and black smoke billowed over Bangkok's skyline.
The Red Shirt leaders said they are ending their sit-in to prevent more deaths. The army assault on their protest encampment killed two protesters and an Italian photographer.
Away from the capital, thousands of i anti-government protesters set fire to a provincial hall in the northeast, an official said on Wednesday.
'Some 2,000 Red Shirt protesters set fire to the Udon Thani provincial hall,' the province's governor, Amnat Pagarat, told AFP. 'The situation is under control now after soldiers arrived and cleared them,' he said. 'Two rooms on the ground floor have been destroyed,' he added. -- AP, AFP, REUTERS
-
Riots after surrender
BANGKOK - RIOTING and fires swept Bangkok on Wednesday after troops stormed a protest encampment, forcing protest leaders to surrender, but sparking clashes that killed at least four people and triggered unrest in northern Thailand.
Protesters torched five buildings, including the Thai stock exchange and Central World, Southeast Asia's second-biggest department store complex, and attacked local Channel 3 television station as riots spread across the city of 15 million people.
Power was lost in typically bustling Sukhumvit Road district, an area packed with tourists and high-end residential complexes, just hours after the army said the situation involving thousands of anti-government protesters was under control.
The chaos followed a military operation in the morning in which troops in armoured vehicles and firing semi-automatic weapons advanced on an area occupied for more than six weeks by thousands of the 'red shirt' demonstrators.
As they surrounded the main protest site, top protest leaders offered to surrender, as supporters urged them to fight on, many screaming and crying as gun fire rang out nearby.
Moments later, live television showed four 'red shirt'protest leaders in police custody and an army spokesman said in a televison broadcast the protest site was under army control and the military had halted operations. But that didn't stop the unrest after six days of chaotic street fighting. Rioting was seen in five areas of the city as protesters lit fires and burned tyres. Some hotels set up wooden barricades. -- REUTERS
-
Rocks vs M-16's
lol
-
ah chey .... anticlimax .....
lots of wind but gone like a limp fart the red shirts ....
I was expecting a much higher body count ...
-
another
event -
When is this protest going to end? It harms thailand's economy.
-
civil war liao....... that's the only way to end..... i still support the red shirt....
-
who the fark is the red shirt? they are the ones who been causing all these chaos. if they are not satisfied with the next government, how? chaos and mayhem again?
-
Originally posted by I-like-flings(m):
civil war liao....... that's the only way to end..... i still support the red shirt....
you dun know what the hell you are talking about...on what basis?
-
Thailand is heading for military led govt again.
Once the military junta returns, it will be harder to get rid of them.