Police officers walk in a line formation during a protest over the government's handling of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Bangkok, Thailand, August 16, 2021. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Police in Thailand used water cannon to break up a demonstration at the national police headquarters on Tuesday, a day after clashes during which a young protester was left in a coma with a bullet lodged in his head.

 

Protesters gathered in central Bangkok for a third successive day to demand Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha resign amid rising anger over his handling of the country's COVID-19 epidemic, which saw a record 239 deaths on Tuesday.

 

"We are out here protesting but in return we get tear gas and rubber bullets and a violent crackdown", activist Songpon "Yajai" Sonthirak said at the protest, which saw clashes for the seventh time in the past 11 days.

 

"We stressed that we are out here peacefully to express our disapproval of the government's performance."

 

Demonstrations have gained momentum in recent weeks as groups who sought Prayuth's removal last year return with broader support from people angered by a worsening coronavirus situation. Thailand is on course to pass 1 million cases this week.

 

Police spokesman Kissana Phathanacharoen said protesters threw paint, ping-pong bombs, water bottles and other objects into the police headquarters. There were separate clashes near Prayuth's residence.

 

"After repeated warning we needed to enforce the law by using high water pressure that follows international standards," he told reporters.

 

A man who attended Monday's protest was comatose after a gunshot wound to his neck, a hospital said, with its X-ray showing a bullet lodged close to his brain. The victim's mother told local media her son was 15.

 

Police said live ammunition was not used to disperse demonstrations.

 

At least six people were injured in clashes on Monday https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/clashes-thailand-pressure-builds-pm-over-coronavirus-crisis-2021-08-16 near Prayuth's residence, Bangkok's emergency service said. A medic working with protesters said a minor was also struck by a bullet.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-08-17

 

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4 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

X-ray showing a bullet lodged close to his brain.

It's getting uglier by the day. 

Anyone else seen the pic of what appears to be a sniper at Dindaeng Police Station?

4 minutes ago, RotBenz8888 said:

It's getting uglier by the day. 

And far worse is yet to come.

5 minutes ago, edwinchester said:

Anyone else seen the pic of what appears to be a sniper at Dindaeng Police Station?

obviously a serious security concern for the government and thai national security. 

I am sure Khun Prayut is aware of this.

Looked insane tonight at Din Daeng from what the news showed just a few ago.  Went for my evening Jog up Rama 4 at 5pm and had to avoid a large police presence at Ratchaprasong/Rama 4.  Glad I turned and went up surawong instead of the way I normally would have gone as I would have turned right and run by the University and RTP HQ.  This group in power needs to step aside I am afraid.  The younger generation who will lead the country in the next few years have zero confidence in these dinosaurs who are grasping at power still.  Had this not been a military led Junta Government and a regularly elected government there would have been a coup already.

4 minutes ago, steven100 said:

obviously a serious security concern for the government and thai national security. 

I am sure Khun Prayut is aware of this.

More than likely a police sniper or a few of them on overwatch.....just my opinion

11 minutes ago, edwinchester said:

Anyone else seen the pic of what appears to be a sniper at Dindaeng Police Station?

can you post please

I have spoke with many Thai students and middle aged thais about these protests,  and many ( majority )  say that these protestors are only doing harm to Thailands image given the COVID19 virus pandemic.

Their protests should be postponed until the country is free or as near as free from the virus transmission and infection as possible.  Then come back and protest if you so desire. 

I would imagine Prayut is keeping a very close watch on developments from a very safe distance.

 

With bullets flying about you never know when one may find a truly deserving recipient.

1 hour ago, dj230 said:

can you post please

 

There's a topic running here:

 

 

1 hour ago, steven100 said:

obviously a serious security concern for the government and thai national security. 

I am sure Khun Prayut is aware of this.

Mate,

6 minutes ago, metisdead said:

 

There's a topic running here:

 

 

thanks, i saw that one but he mentioned there was a sniper 

Edited August 17, 20215 yr by dj230

2 hours ago, steven100 said:

I have spoke with many Thai students and middle aged thais about these protests,  and many ( majority )  say that these protestors are only doing harm to Thailands image given the COVID19 virus pandemic.

Their protests should be postponed until the country is free or as near as free from the virus transmission and infection as possible.  Then come back and protest if you so desire. 

Strange that, as the majority of students and middle aged Thais who have spoken to me about this topic have said the exact opposite (and one or two have said other things I shall not repeat here). 

We (you and I) obviously don't move in the same circles, which is rather reassuring I suppose.  

6 minutes ago, djayz said:

Strange that, as the majority of students and middle aged Thais who have spoken to me about this topic have said the exact opposite (and one or two have said other things I shall not repeat here). 

We (you and I) obviously don't move in the same circles, which is rather reassuring I suppose.  

agree with you, my thai friend's, and indeed their children - some of them very brave, support the protests, and as with your friends they express very frank views which cannont be repeated here.

3 hours ago, steven100 said:

I have spoke with many Thai students and middle aged thais about these protests,  and many ( majority )  say that these protestors are only doing harm to Thailands image given the COVID19 virus pandemic.

Their protests should be postponed until the country is free or as near as free from the virus transmission and infection as possible.  Then come back and protest if you so desire. 

I am sure Mr. Prayut would appreciate this very much. Providing years of cover.

I know, and have spoken with, quite a few Thais, younger and middle aged.

Not ONE supports the Covid Csar. Not ONE thinks the protests are bad.

And our village shuts the water off 6pm every day for shortage/saving??

 

Good to no the police has no shortage of it!

 

11 hours ago, steven100 said:

I have spoke with many Thai students and middle aged thais about these protests,  and many ( majority )  say that these protestors are only doing harm to Thailands image given the COVID19 virus pandemic.

Their protests should be postponed until the country is free or as near as free from the virus transmission and infection as possible.  Then come back and protest if you so desire. 

This is the most ludicrous statement I have ever read on TV/Asean - and that is saying a lot !

4 minutes ago, canthai55 said:

This is the most ludicrous statement I have ever read on TV/Asean - and that is saying a lot !

why ?   you think their opinion that they are worried about these protestors spreading the virus more is ludicrous also ?

Some troll posts and the trolling replies have been removed. 

12 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

This group in power needs to step aside I am afraid.  The younger generation who will lead the country in the next few years have zero confidence in these dinosaurs who are grasping at power still.  Had this not been a military led Junta Government and a regularly elected government there would have been a coup already.

Those who grabbed power and removed a democratically elected government do not then step aside. For any reason. And the chances of a coup against those who staged a coup is highly unlikely, I'd guess. The army removing an army-led government? Possible, but ......

13 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

More than likely a police sniper or a few of them on overwatch.....just my opinion

There were plenty of them during the 2010 protests, all dressed in black so easy to recognise them. Of course, they denied they were police.

Edited August 18, 20215 yr by Bangkok Barry

10 hours ago, djayz said:

Strange that, as the majority of students and middle aged Thais who have spoken to me about this topic have said the exact opposite (and one or two have said other things I shall not repeat here). 

We (you and I) obviously don't move in the same circles, which is rather reassuring I suppose.  

All the young Thai people I know are fed up. They don’t mind the protest. I am shocked with how many of them think likeminded on political opinions. The boys at top are screwed with the new generations coming through. Things will certainly change or Thailand will get very messy.

6 minutes ago, XJPSX said:

All the young Thai people I know are fed up. They don’t mind the protest. I am shocked with how many of them think likeminded on political opinions. The boys at top are screwed with the new generations coming through. Things will certainly change or Thailand will get very messy.

I have been really surprised by just how vocal the younger generation has become over the past year or two. I've heard things recently that 10 years ago were taboo here.

On the one hand, I am happy that they finally understand and realize how unfair things are here and they want to see a "better Thailand", but on the other hand I don't want to be here when the proverbial shxt hits the fan. It could get very ugly. 

18 hours ago, RotBenz8888 said:

It's getting uglier by the day. 

Perhaps it's the same X-ray as that of the policeman with an airgun pellet in his neck?

18 hours ago, steven100 said:

I have spoke with many Thai students and middle aged thais about these protests,  and many ( majority )  say that these protestors are only doing harm to Thailands image given the COVID19 virus pandemic.

Their protests should be postponed until the country is free or as near as free from the virus transmission and infection as possible.  Then come back and protest if you so desire. 

Pathetic. 

35 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

Pathetic. 

Why??  

19 hours ago, steven100 said:

I have spoke with many Thai students and middle aged thais about these protests,  and many ( majority )  say that these protestors are only doing harm to Thailands image given the COVID19 virus pandemic.

Their protests should be postponed until the country is free or as near as free from the virus transmission and infection as possible.  Then come back and protest if you so desire. 

Every Thai I know thinks the exact opposite. 

 

Nearly all of them to a man or woman hate Prayut, want him gone immediately and support the objectives of the protestors. 

 

Funny that huh? 

 

Nice avatar too mate. 

6 hours ago, djayz said:

I have been really surprised by just how vocal the younger generation has become over the past year or two. I've heard things recently that 10 years ago were taboo here.

On the one hand, I am happy that they finally understand and realize how unfair things are here and they want to see a "better Thailand", but on the other hand I don't want to be here when the proverbial shxt hits the fan. It could get very ugly. 

Inevitable now and the reckoning is getting closer, day by day. 

 

The person that stopped it before is now gone and there's no-one they respect enough to listen to anymore. 

 

Biggest risk right now for any investments in Thailand especially business or property is political. 

 

I am worried about my businesses in Thailand, they can't be quickly relocated  but we are looking at all risks and contingencies going forward. 

Semi related.   A big social media hoopla has erupted over Adam the English teacher for saying something like " it's time to see the light". 

 

Even here last Cally I am starting to believe many people get paid for political posting on social media.   It can be on any topic, global warming, viability of wind and solar vs big oil. Masks or not, vaccine or not.    It really is becoming a bit confusing even for a well educated scientific mind much less the typical education levels in this World. 

Edited August 18, 20215 yr by Elkski