Bangkok Crisis Breaking News Only

[colino]

At 10:50 am, protesters formed a procession to march from the Government House to the Rajvithi Hospital.

Their leaders said they would retrieve the body of a protester killed during the crackdown by troops at the Din Daeng Intersection.

The Nation

Protesters used buses to block roads at the Victory Monument Monday.

They also used buses to block the roads in front of the Rajvithi Hospital and the Phaholyothin Road in front of Channel 5.

The Nation

About 400 protesters used some 50 taxies to block the inbound Lard Prao Road.

They also blocked the outbound Lard Prao Road, leaving only one lane for traffic.

The Nation

Siam Paragon shopping mall, five branches of Central Department stores and Zen announced they would be closed until Wednesday.

The four Central branches are Central Chidlom, Central Lard Prao, Central Pinklao and Central Silom Complex.

Gold shops in Yaowaraj were also closed.

The Nation

Edited April 13, 2009 by colino

[surayu]

The area around Victory Monuments sounds like the crowd watching a major football match, any now and then there are some bullet fired and the loudness of the crowd get higher accordingly (like when there is a score), really!

[terryp]

PLEASE

As almost all the TV news crews and reporters have been forced out of the problem areas by The red shirts, can we please keep this for NEWS as many of us have family caught up in these areas and desperately need to know what’s going on

Thanks

[Alliecat]

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...s-intersections

Traffic closed at following areas, intersections

1 Inbound Vibhavadi blocked by 50 protesters and 10 taxis

2 Our Lady Intersection blocked by protesters

3 Intersection between Din Daeng and Victory Monument blocked by 50 protesters

4 Rajprarop Road heading to Din Daeng

5 Si Ayutthaya Intersection blocked by 200 protesters, using 2 buses and 1 truck

6 Urupong Intersection closed by 100 protesters using metal barricades

7 Rajvithi Road in front of Children's Hospital blocked by protesters

8 Inbound Phaholyothin near Victory Monument tollgate blocked by protesters

9 Phayathai Road in front of Rajvithi Road blocked by protesters, using buses and taxis

10 Roads around Government House closed by some 5,000 protesters

11 Royal Plaza blocked by 100 protesters using 1 one and 3 pick-up trucks

12 Rajvithi Intersection closed by police and soldiers

13 Upai Intersection closed by police and troops

14 Saowanee Intersection closed by police and troops

15 Wat Benjamabophit Intersection closed by police and troops

16 Phan Fah intersection blocked by protesters

17 Larn Luang Intersection blocked by protesters

18 Chor Por Ror Intersection blocked by protesters

19 Yommaraj Intersection blocked by 50 protesters and a bus

20 Thevakum Intersection blocked by protesters and metal barricades

21 Wang Daeng Intersection closed by troops

22 Sisao Theves Intersection closed by troops

23 Dindaeng Gateway under control of troops

[MiG16]

theres a similar thread running in the news subforum

you can find it here:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Traffic-Demo....html&st=50

[jfchandler]

4 soldiers shot by protesters: PM

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva addresses on TV, denying death report in the morning. He added that 23 soldiers and 47 protesters were injured. Four soldiers suffered bullet wounds.

Rajvithi Hospital director insists no protester killed

The director of Rajvithi Hospital insisted Monday that no protester was killed during the crackdown at the Din Daeng Intersection early Monday.

Warunee Jinarat, the director, said a protester, named Sawai, 40, was seriously injured but doctors had saved his life.

Sawai was shot at his left chest and his main vein was cut but doctors managed to mend it and save his life.

Abhisit urges protesters to go home

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva went on TV live at 11:45 am, urging protesters to go home so that the political situation could improve.

He said the government would rush to ease the tensions.

He said only peaceful rallies would be allowed.

He called on people to cooperate by filing information. He also told people to be confident that the government is trying to restore order as soon as possible.

-- The Nation

[surface]

Anyone know where the Din Daeng Flats are, respective to this article:

Protesters drive truck with gas cylinders into compound of Din Daeng flats

Residents of Din Daeng flats were terrified when protesters drove a truck fuelled by NGV gas into the compound.

The truck uses several NGV cylinders and the protesters shouted that the flat residents should leave immediately, prompting speculation that the protesters would explode the gas tanks.

The Nation

[geovalin]

Saphan Kwai, no red no army

X Suthisan - Vipavadee (was blocked by reds on Fridays) secured by army.

Vipavadee soi 3 (taxi radio HQ where yellows came to shot at reds in November) : nothing

Suthisan road : Songkran activities only 10% of the usual level of fun. Nealry no adults.

More strange : NO pick up with big barrels full of iced water. Are they banned?

[sbk]

Please post traffic updates here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Protesters-B...Mo-t256950.html

[biker Bob]

I live on Theparak road, a large dual carriageway coming off Sukhunvit towards Samut Prakarn. Usuall the road is always very busy. Today it is very very quiet. Traffic is still flowing but the seongteaws are almost empty and very few busses.

That is normal for Songkran out here.

[terryp]

12.30: Govt spokesperson held national televised address (IN ENGLISH) to reveal security measures are in place at various ports, airports and infrastructures to ensure security of public

[qualtrough]

About 30 minutes ago Tony Chen was reporting by phone live on AJE when shooting started breaking out. I think he was on Rajdamnoen somewhere, but not sure. A bus had been set on fire and they were also using water cannon. He had to stop several times because of the shooting which could be heard clearly. He said it appeared that nobody was hurt, but that it was hard for him to see.

[victor15]

Channel News Asia reporting on their newsticker below the screen (therefore time unknown), PM Abhisit has ordered Airports and Ports to be secured.

Channel news Asia live report now... (1:05 pm) Reporter saying 20 interesctions remain closed and occupied, hospital states no reds killed only injuries, 10,000 protesters remain at Govt House. Airports all functioning.... Songkran carries on in most areas,

[Smee]

My Wife reported police checkpoints on the roads in Nakhon Sawan this morning, police checking destinations presumably to monitor movements in and out of Bangkok.

[victor15]

Din Daeng residents told to evacuate as two gas trucks were parked there

The Nation (approx 1:35 pm)

Residents living on Din Daeng Road on Monday were told to flee the area as the red shirts seized two gas trucks each carrying eight tones to block the road by parking one of them near National Housing Authority flat.

Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai warned residents living half a kilometre in radius from where the gas truck is parked to leave the area as soon as possible. He admitted that the government did not have contingency plan to brace for such emergency.

PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey said he would order evacuation of people living in the flat and the communities in the vicinity of Ding Daeng fearing for their safety because the red shirts open and close the gas valves and the gas could be smelt in the area.

Edited April 13, 2009 by victor15

[paulward]

1.30 PM CNN reporter dan rivers says 2 buses used as battering rams by protesters 1 into a wall and 1 into an electric pylon.

Security forces fired live rounds at the buses but the buses were rigged no protesters on board. Report continuing live now.

[Interman]

Hi.

I heard the Reds have blocked/closed the Doi Ti intersection/road at Lampang (i'm not familiar with the area!) where one needs to get through to travel between Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

I am now in Chiang Mai and wouldn't mind staying here however i have to work on Wednesday and hence will need to get back to Bangkok tomorrow. As my Isuzu won't fit into a regular aircraft that means i need that road to be passable.

Any news on that situation?

Kind regards....

Thanh

At the moment I wouldn't risk it. Not working on Wednesday is the better option.

You can take the Li, Lamphun highway to Thoen, Lampang and then head south. Thoen is 1 hour south of that blocked junction.

[colino]

Thick smoke seen at Victory Monument

.

Red-shirted protesters reportedly set tire

rubbers on fire just opposite the Rajvithi Hospital and some protesters also drove a car over a fiberglass police statue near the monument. Police also asked people to get out of the pedestrian bridges around the monument but the skytrain station was not closed yet.

the Nation

[jfchandler]

Supreme commander chairs urgent meeting of armed forces and security agencies

Supreme Commander Songkitti Chakkrabat calls a meeting of all forces and national security agencies at 14.00 at the Thai Army Headquarters to discuss about the situation.

This was after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva had assigned the emergency-tackling command to be in charge of Bangkok and five vicinity provinces, which are under the Emergency Law. The order emphasized prohibition of all road ball road blockage.

Suchon submit petition seeking His Majesty's intervention

Former Senate speaker Suchon Chaleekrua led a group of former senators to file a petition, seeking His Majesty's intervention to end the political violence.

He filed the petition at the Royal Household Bureau to Intharachan Buraphan, deputy secretary-general of the bureau.

Senate speaker convenes urgent Senate meeting 10 am Tuesday

Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Bundej called an urgent Senate meeting at the Senate Secretariat at 10 am Tuesday to discuss the political situation.

Prasopbsuk said he saw that the government used too excessive force in suppressing the protests.

-- The Nation, Monday afternoon

[jfchandler]

Traffic around Victory Monument appears returning to normal

Traffic around the Victory Monument on Monday at 2.20pm seemed to return to normal after soldiers managed to disperse red shirted protesters.

TV footage showed that the roads around the monument which was previously turned into a battlefield by the protesters who blocked the roads by the buses they seized. They set fire on the buses. They even drived gas truck along a road near by.

The situation seemed to return to normal after full-gear soliders fired warning shots into the sky and sprayed water on the protesters. They were seen running away and left the buses behind.

-- The Nation, 2:30 pm Monday

[jfchandler]

Troops clear Din Daeng intersection

By: bangkokpost.com

Published: 13/04/2009 at 01:58 PM

Soldiers chased red-shirt protesters away from Din Daeng intersection after they tried to block the road by setting a bus on fire in Bangkok early on Monday afternoon. The protesters regrouped at nearby Victory Monument.

A combination of water cannon from the street and expressway overhead, teargas and a rolling volley of warning shots fired high into the air as the troops moved forward sent the red mob fleeing from the intersection towards Victory Monument.

One soldier was injured during the clash.

The burning bus was quickly extinguished by a water cannon mounted on a fire engine as the troops moved in.

An LPG tanker highjacked earlier by the protesters and driven to the Din Daeng area was found parked nearby King Power headquarters.

When inspected, it was found the tank contained only vapour. The protesters had earlier parked it near an apartment building and intimidated troops by periodically opening the valve to let gas from the tank. This cause the hurried evacuation of residents from a block of the Din Daeng flats.

Scattered groups of red-shirted protesters elsewhere in inner Bangkok continued to burn car tyres and block roads.

[jfchandler]

A total of 74 injured in crackdown on red shirts

The National Emergency Medical Service Institute's deputy secretary general, Dr Prachakvit Lebnak reported Monday that a total of 74 people were injured from the red-shirt protest crackdown since eraly morning until 14.00.

Of the injured, 71 were men and 3 were women.

The injured are admitted at Rajvithi Hospital, War Vataran Hospital, Phra Mongkut Hospital and Wachira Payabal Hospital.

Rajvithi Hospital also prepared 100 hospital beds to support those who might be injured from the situation.

Twenty-four people were to remain in hospitals for further treatments.

-- The Nation, Monday afternoon

[paulbkk]

I have just tried to get home to ratchaprarop, ratchaprarop is blocked, tried to drive the back way and was met with a blockade on fire, eventually drove the wrong way up the road, just to get home, the protesters are now starting fires on ratchaprarop, and the police are gathered on soi rangnam, happy F@#king songkran!!!!!

[MKAsok]

Traffic at Victory Monument re-opened

At 14.20, Thai PBS reported that the traffic at the Victory Monument could be open, as the buses that were parked to block the raods were removed.

At Sri Ayutthaya-Rama 6 Intersection (in front of the Foreign Ministry), the red-shirted protesters still block the road and use a bus as obstrucle.

At the Urupong Intersection, a water tank truck is placed to bloc the Yommarat Expressway exit. At the Pratunam Intersection, black smoke from tire rubber burning could be spotted in the road which is only passable by motorcycles.

Naii says:

At the Pracha Songkhro (Din Daeng), the protesters brought plastic bags to cover the gas tank truck that was put to block the road.

The Nation

[OnNutter]

Is sky-train running as normal?

BTS Skytrain appears to be ok at On Nut end, from my window I can see the trains running in and out of the station although not quite running to their normal 3 minutes frequency but this will be due to the holiday.

[MKAsok]

I can see thick black smoke next to the Golden Mount, and also near the expressway at what I'm guessing is Si Praya or maybe Rama IV. I'm guessing this is people burning tyres, but I could be wrong. There's a hel_l of a lot of smoke coming from the expressway area...

[phaethon]

Missed the start with simultaneous translation on TAN.

He's asking people not to come back from Songkran all at once, and there may be searches for weapons being brought into the capital.

No it's not a coup, the senate will meet tomorrow.

Edited April 13, 2009 by phaethon

[terryp]

Red-shirts pull back to Govt House

By: bangkokpost.com

Published: 13/04/2009 at 03:26 PM

Red shirt leader Natthawut Saikua told supporters the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship would use Government House as its final stronghold in rallies against the government, and urged red shirt members to amass at the site to deter a crackdown by troops.

He urged protestors elsewhere not to clash with authorities, but said they were to return to Government House to secure the main venue should they encounter clashes.

Jatuporn Prompan, another red-shirt leader, told audience at the main rally site there had been a war room meeting between Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and the military. He claimed the meeting concluded it was impossible to block DTV’s broadcasts and the military was unable to control red-shirts upcountry. The Army planned to hinder demonstrators at Government House by cutting food and water supply, said Jatuporn. He added that according to the meeting’s conclusion, top cabinet members and the prime minister were to remain inside a military base. He also alleged the meeting agreed to allow police dealing with demonstrators to carry firearms.

[qualtrough]

Government announcement on TV a few moments ago. I didn't take notes, but believe it was the Army head along with some emergency committee. He was flanked by police, military, and others. Said they had met to discuss how to proceed in protecting the rights of all Thais and restore the situation, etc. Key points:

• We will not shoot unless fired upon.
  
• Y'all don't need to come back from Songkhran on the same day, and be patient as we will be checking for weapons.
  
• Why can't we all just get along?
  

As I said, I didn't take notes, so may have been more or I could have misinterpreted something.

[phaethon]

"Supreme Commander Songkitti Chakkrabat ... is the head of a committee overseeing the situation under state of emergency. The committee comprises of chiefs of the army, navy and air force." (from Bangkok Post)

Edited April 13, 2009 by phaethon