Bangkok Crisis Breaking News Only

[terryp]

BTS have closed the main gates at Victory Monument (only side gate open)

[phaethon]

TV Announcement with simultaneous translation on TAN at about 16:20

Govt. Spokesman:

Many areas returned to normal.

Gas truck - authorities in charge of situation, but it will take time to remove the gas truck from the area (near Din Daeng).

Task force has issued an English statement to embassies and consuls.

Foreigners with concerns can seek help from any law enforcement officers.

If you (Thai people) have foreign friends, help and reassure them.

Protection of lives is the first priority.

Law and Order must be restored and justice done.

Military role: three issues -

1) Opening of traffic and dispersal of protests at 4am, Din Daeng and VM - situation remains satisfactory

2) Protesters attempting to damage the credibility of the police and army - spreading rumours of deaths and injuries. No deaths have been reported.

3) Images on national TV showing authorities using weapons - weapons are fired in the air, NOT directly at protesters. Officers are using practice ammunition (bullets 'made of paper') which make noise but do not cause injury.

National Police chief said:

Following PM's direction to cause the least possible injury to protesters.

PM is worried about reports of arrests and wishes to see justice. Police General appointed to oversee investigation.

General said he will see justice is seen to be done.

Next update (English) at 5pm on TAN, Ch. 26.

Edited April 13, 2009 by phaethon

[MKAsok]

^ TOC also described the current situation at the Din Daeng intersection as being "very confusing."

[henryalleman]

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.

My wife just came back from Nakhon Sawan to Pakret she said everything normal.

[MKAsok]

2 Big fires - it looks like Democracy Monument and Lan Luang near Krung Kasern...

[rappongi]

the tv report at 4ish seems to be accurate about protesters regrouping --

we were watching the pratunam intersection most of the day from our balcony -- it fluctuated between total traffic blockage this morning, to checking cars (for what we're not sure) and letting most pass, to using parked city buses as blockades and fairly large tire fires this afternoon.

the red shirts seemed to proliferate and intensify around 4, but then all took off in a calvacade westwards down petchaburi, w/ loudspeakers and mopeds etc.

it's quite quiet here now.

[phaethon]

TAN Update 17:00

Urupong intersection - scuffle between red shirt protesters and people "claiming to be yellow shirts"

Diverting rail/bus services to Bang Sue from Hua Lumpong - check with railway authority or bus company before returning to Bangkok.

VM under control but traffic limited.

Din Daeng Intersection, Rattanakosin Island and Urupong intersection still some concern.

[pampal]

From Bang Sue railway station ppl can take the subway to Bangkok.

[VitalGirl]

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

Don't risk it... turnoff at Lamphun and drive through to Thoen the back way... adds two hours and bypasses Lampang... good single lane road, gorgeous country side and no problems that way at all...

[MKAsok]

Also two big 'tyre fires' in the north of the city. Can't say where because it's too far away. Something is also seriously on fire in the west of the city on the Thonburi side - this is white smoke so doesn't look like tyres. Oh, there's a new 'tyre fire' just started at what looks to be around Hua Lamphong.

[Foodie]

TAN Update 17:00

Urupong intersection - scuffle between red shirt protesters and people "claiming to be yellow shirts"

Diverting rail/bus services to Bang Sue from Hua Lumpong - check with railway authority or bus company before returning to Bangkok.

VM under control but traffic limited.

Din Daeng Intersection, Rattanakosin Island and Urupong intersection still some concern.

What is TAN ch 26. Can I get it in Pattaya?

[terryp]

16.02: Military successfully remove LPG tanker from the front of Din Daeng flat

17.04: Homemade bomb thrown at Army headquarters, more riot units called forth

http://www.thailandoutlook.tv/toc/ViewData...?DataID=1013746

[offset]

BBC state education ministry ablaze

[MKAsok]

Residents near Soamanas Temple battle red-shirts

Dozens of people living near the Soamanus Temple armed themselves with guns and other weapons came out to battle the red-shirted protesters.

The people became angry after the protesters threw fire bombs and set fire to air-conditioned buses.

They shouted at the protesters to leave and some of the residents fired into the air.

Officials inside the Army head office announced through loudspeakers, urging the people to go back home and leave the authorities to handle the situation.

After the protesters and local residents exchanged fire, troops had to fire into the air to warn both sides to stop.

The Nation

[yeti]

BANGKOK - A BUILDING in Thailand's education ministry complex is ablaze after being hit by petrol bombs, a security guard said Monday as anti-government protests raged in the capital.

'There were several bomb blasts at 5pm (6pm Singapore time) and suddenly the fire broke out,' security guard Pradap Wongdara told AFP.

'Protesters hurled pavement slabs into the building first and then followed by throwing several molotov cocktails,' he added.

The ministry is located next to the Royal Plaza, where hundreds of troops were being deployed late Monday.

Dozens of protesters who had been stationed at the plaza quickly headed towards the central protest centre at Government House less than one kilometre away. -- AFP

[phaethon]

What is TAN ch 26. Can I get it in Pattaya?

Thai ASEAN News - I don't know enough about Thai TV to be sure, but when my TV card scanned for channels, in my apt. at least, TAN appeared on channel 26. No idea what package they're feeding me, but it's and English language channel with news and twee infomercials, shouldn't be difficult to find if you have it.

A new statement is being made now by Suthep Thaugsuban (Deputy PM) on all news channels (except TAN ) .

Edited April 13, 2009 by phaethon

[MKAsok]

^AKA TOC - Can be streamed from here.

[Sedona]

Tanks rolled about 15 minutes ago down Phaholyothin towards Victory Monument.

[colino]

Deputy PM warns of sabotage

In a televised programme, Suthep, who is in charge of national security, said that people should take cautiousness when travelling in Bangkok and nearby provinces due to red-shirted protesters.

"I would like to warn the public to be more careful on their travelling during this period of time. There could be sabotage or attack during the night. Leaders of the protesters reportedly plan to stage unrest to damage the country," Suthep said.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Monday warned people of possible sabotage during Monday night, saying red shirted leaders would do anything to destroy the country's image

The Nation

[sbk]

Please keep the OP's request to restrict this to news only, thanks. There are enough threads running you can add your commentary to already.

[kalaminsa]

Red-shirted protesters shot a person dead and injured two others when residents of the Nang Lerng Market came out to criticise the protesters, PM's Office Satit Wongnontaey said.

Satit told Channel 11 that the protesters shot at three people and one was killed while the two others were injured.

The Nation

[MKAsok]

^BBC also reporting this calling it a 'gun battle in a residential district.'

From The Nation

One shot dead by red-shirted protesters

Red-shirted protesters shot a person dead and injured two others when residents of the Nang Lerng Market came out to criticise the protesters, PM's Office Satit Wongnontaey said.

Satit told Channel 11 that the protesters shot at three people and one was killed while the two others were injured.

The body was kept at the Central Hospital.

The man was identified as Pom, 50.

Satit said the media could check more information at the hospital.

[easethesqueeze]

Trouble on Prachasongkro road in Din daeng today.

The reds had blocked the road with a massive coach.

Everyone was enjoying songkran, lots of families and kids everywhere when someone set a car and some tires on fire near the coach.

There was lots of smoke and a few minutes later a load of reds turned up on Motorbikes.

Then the army turned up, about 200 soldiers and armoured personnel carriers.

The festivities stopped and everyone started to run into the shops and bars to get away from the trouble.

The reds started throwing bottles and other projectiles and there were some faceoffs.

The army moved to put out the fire and remove the coach to free up the road.

There were some reds trying to get the rest of the crowd to join in with the antagonization of the army but most people just wanted to watch and take photos etc.

On my way back we came across a gang who were armed with machetes/bottles/sticks etc who were looking for reds as they were angry the demo's had interrupted their songkran festival. They were stopping people on moterbikes and checking if they were reds!? Don't know how common this is, they were fairly young maybe early twenties and seemed quite drunk. But there were a lot of them and they looked pretty serious.

[petedk]

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said late Monday night shootings had occurred at the Wat Soamanus community.

It was not clear which side opened fire.

The Nation

[petedk]

From TNN

The government have asked reporters to stay away from Government House.

[Mario2008]

As has been said, news only.

[Tod Daniels]

This just off the Nation Website:

Veera Musikapong, leader of red shirted protesters, announced at 11am to immediately end the protest at the Government House. A state-run Channel 11 reporter quoted Veera as ordering the protesters to pack their belongings and left the protest site.

He also was heard asking soldiers who formed columns in preparation to move towards the rally site to step backwards for 20 metres.

A reporter of Channel 11 reported that Veera reiterated that their decision to end the protest did not mean that they surrendered to the government but because they did not want their protesters to be harmed in the crackdowns.

Veera said the groups of men who sabotaged in the city such as burning buses and attacking people were not red shirts as they were just gangsters.

"Our red-shirted protesters have conducted the protest in peaceful way, under the rights of expression and democracy system," Veera was quoted as saying.

Veera claimed that all leaders agreed to the decision.

[tominchaam]

Veera, other red-shirted leaders head to Metropolitan Police head office.

Veera Musigapong and Suporn Atthawong led other red-shirted leaders to surrender at 11:18 am.

They walked in line, heading to the Metropolitan Police head office but they had to stop shortly because some guards and demonstrators were angry and did not wanted them to surrender.

The Nation

[phaethon]

The press conference broadcast just after 11 was by the Deputy PM, Chief of Police and a police Major-General to announce and show-off three suspects caught near Chong Nonsi BTS station. They were carrying in their vehicle petrol in bottle (Molotovs?) and firearms with ammunition. The police believe they were heading to attack a "CP" building and the Bangkok Bank at Silom.

Observation: this is well away from the other trouble spots.

[MiG16]

just heard on BBC that leaders of the protesters have called for those assembled at the government house to disperse.

however, no indication as to how the crowd has reacted, or not.