Thai Forces Use Tear Gas, Water Cannon Against Protesters

[webfact]

Thai forces use tear gas, water cannon against protesters

by Thanaporn Promyamyai

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thai security forces fired tear gas and water cannon Friday as thousands of "Red Shirt" protesters stormed a television broadcaster to try to put an anti-government channel back on air.

The authorities said about 12,000 demonstrators massed outside Thaicom, a day after the government pulled the plug on their People Television (PTV) under emergency rule aimed at quelling the almost month long rallies.

A tense stand-off ensued with thousands of security personnel at the site on the outskirts of Bangkok. Some protesters managed to force their way into the compound of the broadcaster, which was protected by barbed wire.

It was the first time tear gas and water cannon have been used since the mass demonstrations began in mid-March.

Earlier the government had warned it would not tolerate any intrusion.

"We will use every means to keep PTV off the air," said Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is overseeing security.

"If protesters turn violent, security officials are ready to retaliate with tear gas and rubber bullets," he said.

The authorities mobilised tens of thousands more security personnel to try to restore order in the capital, where rallies have highlighted Thailand's deep rift pitting Bangkok's ruling elite against the mainly poor and rural Reds.

The Red Shirt protesters have defied a state of emergency announced by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Arrest warrants have been issued for 24 leaders of the "Red Shirt" demonstrators, who have occupied the capital's commercial district for almost a week, paralysing traffic and causing major stores to shut.

The army said it had called up 33,000 extra police and troops in and around the capital, where supporters of fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra -- ousted in a 2006 coup -- have been staging rolling rallies for about a month.

"It's crucial for the military and police to bring the situation under control," army spokesman Sunsern Kaewkumnerd told a news conference. "Police and soldiers will decisively enforce the law."

There are now more than 80,000 security personnel in Bangkok -- more than the number of protesters, whose number peaked at about 60,000 on Thursday night at two locations, according to police estimates.

The Reds want immediate elections, arguing the government is illegitimate because it came to power with army backing through a parliamentary vote in December 2008 after a court decision ousted Thaksin's allies from power.

"The government is not concerned about people's lives but worries that glass at shopping malls may be shattered.

That's why the government has not yet used force to crack down," said one of the Reds' leaders, Jatuporn Prompan, who himself has immunity from arrest because he is a member of parliament.

The government announced emergency rule Wednesday after protesters briefly forced their way into the parliament compound. Lawmakers fled and several senior government figures were evacuated by military helicopter.

Abhisit was due to attend a Southeast Asian summit in Vietnam this week but cancelled the visit because of the mass rallies and remained holed up at an army barracks.

His government has banned public gatherings of more than five people and given broad powers to police and military under emergency rule in the capital and surrounding areas.

But it is anxious to avoid a repeat of clashes last April that left two people dead.

Rights groups condemned the media clampdown.

"It is deplorable that the authorities are using the state of emergency to censor neutral or opposition news outlets," Reporters Without Borders said.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-04-09

Published with written approval from AFP.

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[londonthai]

state of emergency should not be used against the cornerstone of the democratic process - independent mass media.

Many now would be convinced, in thailand and abroad, that thailand really is an authoritarian regime state, ruled by the army and police, with disregard to laws

Edited April 9, 2010 by londonthai

[Jingthing]

state of emergency should not be used against the cornerstone of the democratic process - independent mass media.

It is martial law. It is temporary. If this media is used to incite violent insurgency and promote a violent rebellion, it bloody well SHOULD be shut down. The speech from the red leaders became illegal speech. Not all speech is legal, even in the west.

Edited April 9, 2010 by Jingthing

[4223rhodes]

There is a good report coming thru on BBC with video on sight at Thaicom. The Thai stations are predictably running Muay Thai, lakorn, and game shows.

[yoshiwara]

state of emergency should not be used against the cornerstone of the democratic process - independent mass media.

Many now would be convinced, in thailand and abroad, that thailand really is an authoritarian regime state, ruled by the army and police, with disregard to laws

Rioting is the cornerstone of the Thaksin democratic process.

Thaksin respect for law?

A joke.

[alex_aka_P]

state of emergency should not be used against the cornerstone of the democratic process - independent mass media.

Have you ever seen a TRULY INDEPENDENT mass media?

More than that - have you ever seen a TRUE DEMOCRACY?

C'mon. They are not exist, and will never be (especially in Asia). Both are just a tools to achieve someone's benefits (power/money/leadership/etc - pls.underline one or all).

Edited April 9, 2010 by alex_aka_P

[ChiangMaiFun]

state of emergency should not be used against the cornerstone of the democratic process - independent mass media.

It is martial law. It is temporary. If this media is used to incite violent insurgency and promote a violent rebellion, it bloody well SHOULD be shut down. The speech from the red leaders became illegal speech. Not all speech is legal, even in the west.

Utter UTTER nonsense - never happens in my country even when you get extreme Muslims saying death to Americans and Europeans - this is absolutely the last thing nthey should have done - muzzle free speach - everyone will see Abhisit as an Army Puppet

[4223rhodes]

state of emergency should not be used against the cornerstone of the democratic process - independent mass media.

It is martial law. It is temporary. If this media is used to incite violent insurgency and promote a violent rebellion, it bloody well SHOULD be shut down. The speech from the red leaders became illegal speech. Not all speech is legal, even in the west.

Utter UTTER nonsense - never happens in my country even when you get extreme Muslims saying death to Americans and Europeans - this is absolutely the last thing nthey should have done - muzzle free speach - everyone will see Abhisit as an Army Puppet

Well, he is an Army Puppet to put it politely.

[ChiangMaiFun]

state of emergency should not be used against the cornerstone of the democratic process - independent mass media.

Many now would be convinced, in thailand and abroad, that thailand really is an authoritarian regime state, ruled by the army and police, with disregard to laws

spot on - very bad move - should have let them rant and rave - appalling advice to the PM - clashes now unavoidable - and it isn't going away folks!

[Jingthing]

state of emergency should not be used against the cornerstone of the democratic process - independent mass media.

It is martial law. It is temporary. If this media is used to incite violent insurgency and promote a violent rebellion, it bloody well SHOULD be shut down. The speech from the red leaders became illegal speech. Not all speech is legal, even in the west.

Utter UTTER nonsense - never happens in my country even when you get extreme Muslims saying death to Americans and Europeans - this is absolutely the last thing nthey should have done - muzzle free speach - everyone will see Abhisit as an Army Puppet

I think you are lying, sir. If someone got in front of an angry mob and encouraged them to violently overthrow the government during a time of open revolt, I am sure there are laws in the UK (and every other country) to arrest them. Its the old you can't yell fire in a crowded theater situation.

Edited April 9, 2010 by Jingthing

[chantorn]

"If anything, the firing of that tear gas is what provoked them to push through and break through the lines into the building." Reported by BBC (neutral enough?).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8610740.stm

[Yunnie]

All I got to say is... About dam_n time... I'm completely not oppose to using force now. I'm so tired of the whole thing. Now if the Reds would all just go home so BKK can function normally again.

Its one thing to protest for something but its another thing entirely when you take over places and start blocking major sectors of the city, forcing businesses to close down.

Not only is the city losing money and eventually the county as well, but those workers in the businesses also dont get paid!

Thailand has lost BILLIONS this past month from the reds sitting in the main shopping center, but also from lost of tourism - canceled hotels, trips to BKK, trips to Thailand as a whole. And when the economy the way it is... this is very bad situation for Thailand, its goingt o take even LONGER to dig out from the economic crisis then other places.

[ChiangMaiFun]

state of emergency should not be used against the cornerstone of the democratic process - independent mass media.

It is martial law. It is temporary. If this media is used to incite violent insurgency and promote a violent rebellion, it bloody well SHOULD be shut down. The speech from the red leaders became illegal speech. Not all speech is legal, even in the west.

Utter UTTER nonsense - never happens in my country even when you get extreme Muslims saying death to Americans and Europeans - this is absolutely the last thing nthey should have done - muzzle free speach - everyone will see Abhisit as an Army Puppet

I think you are lying, sir. If someone got in front of an angry mob and encouraged them to violently overthrow the government during a time of open revolt, I am sure there are laws in the UK (and every other country) to arrest them. Its the old you can't yell fire in a crowded theater situation.

have I ever called you a lier in debate? you may believe I am wrong or mistaken but I believe you let your high standards down by calling fellow debaters liers - please retract

[ChiangMaiFun]

"If anything, the firing of that tear gas is what provoked them to push through and break through the lines into the building." Reported by BBC (neutral enough?).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8610740.stm

Jinglethingy and JDasia and others will say this is red propaganda!

[MB1]

state of emergency should not be used against the cornerstone of the democratic process - independent mass media.

Many now would be convinced, in thailand and abroad, that thailand really is an authoritarian regime state, ruled by the army and police, with disregard to laws

spot on - very bad move - should have let them rant and rave - appalling advice to the PM - clashes now unavoidable - and it isn't going away folks!

Should have let them rant and rave!, I don't see it as ranting and raving, according to the article some protesters managed to force their way into the compound of the broadcaster, which was protected by barbed wire so maybe the security forces used the tear gas and water cannon to diperse them before things escalated.

This could be a sign of worse things to come, lets hope the reds realise this and start going home.

[lannarebirth]

It is martial law. It is temporary. If this media is used to incite violent insurgency and promote a violent rebellion, it bloody well SHOULD be shut down. The speech from the red leaders became illegal speech. Not all speech is legal, even in the west.

Utter UTTER nonsense - never happens in my country even when you get extreme Muslims saying death to Americans and Europeans - this is absolutely the last thing nthey should have done - muzzle free speach - everyone will see Abhisit as an Army Puppet

I think you are lying, sir. If someone got in front of an angry mob and encouraged them to violently overthrow the government during a time of open revolt, I am sure there are laws in the UK (and every other country) to arrest them. Its the old you can't yell fire in a crowded theater situation.

have I ever called you a lier in debate? you may believe I am wrong or mistaken but I believe you let your high standards down by calling fellow debaters liers - please retract

It doesn't matter how many times you make the connection, the "yellow shirts" are a different entity than the government in power. Just like the communists are a different entity than the Phuea Thai Party.

[lannarebirth]

"If anything, the firing of that tear gas is what provoked them to push through and break through the lines into the building." Reported by BBC (neutral enough?).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8610740.stm

Correct me if I'm wrong please, but it was reported here that the tear gas came on the heels of molotov coctails being thrown from the crowd of protesters? Was that information incorrect?

[ChiangMaiFun]

state of emergency should not be used against the cornerstone of the democratic process - independent mass media.

Many now would be convinced, in thailand and abroad, that thailand really is an authoritarian regime state, ruled by the army and police, with disregard to laws

spot on - very bad move - should have let them rant and rave - appalling advice to the PM - clashes now unavoidable - and it isn't going away folks!

Should have let them rant and rave!, I don't see it as ranting and raving, according to the article some protesters managed to force their way into the compound of the broadcaster, which was protected by barbed wire so maybe the security forces used the tear gas and water cannon to diperse them before things escalated.

This could be a sign of worse things to come, lets hope the reds realise this and start going home.

rant and rave on their TV channel - thye do have many valid points - taking them off air will only escalate the problem - watch and see!

[JacknDanny]

state of emergency should not be used against the cornerstone of the democratic process - independent mass media.

It is martial law. It is temporary. If this media is used to incite violent insurgency and promote a violent rebellion, it bloody well SHOULD be shut down. The speech from the red leaders became illegal speech. Not all speech is legal, even in the west.

Utter UTTER nonsense - never happens in my country even when you get extreme Muslims saying death to Americans and Europeans - this is absolutely the last thing nthey should have done - muzzle free speach - everyone will see Abhisit as an Army Puppet

Where are you from??

I dont believe a word you are saying............... unless you hail from Outer Mongolia!!

[neverdie]

So what happened after they fired the tear gas?

[londonthai]

closing down http://prachatai.com website and the other ones, far away from any form of violence, was abuse of the power by the governmental agencies. Human rights groups as well as journalists assossacion were fast to criticise this kind of abuse

Edited April 9, 2010 by londonthai

[anotherpeter]

"If anything, the firing of that tear gas is what provoked them to push through and break through the lines into the building." Reported by BBC (neutral enough?).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8610740.stm

Jinglethingy and JDasia and others will say this is red propaganda!

I'd actually say it was just an opinion.

The red shirts had been threatening to push through and break into the compound. They just didn't do it until after the tear gas had been fired.

They were breaking the law just being there. They were confronting the army just being there. Reasonably legitimate reasons for firing tear gas to make them disperse.

Unfortunately, the army didn't back it up and actually stop them from getting through.

[roamer]

Announce a dissolution of parliament and it might, just might, prevent LOS from going down the tubes. For those of you who advocate tougher measures your only prolonging the inevitable, this won't be put to bed this easy, these are seismic events taking place and they will change Thailand forever. Wake up and smell the coffee.

[neverdie]

Human rights groups as well as journalists assossacion were fast to criticise this kind of abuse

Always the first groups to complain about anything and everything.

[Britannia]

state of emergency should not be used against the cornerstone of the democratic process - independent mass media.

It is martial law. It is temporary. If this media is used to incite violent insurgency and promote a violent rebellion, it bloody well SHOULD be shut down. The speech from the red leaders became illegal speech. Not all speech is legal, even in the west.

Utter UTTER nonsense - never happens in my country even when you get extreme Muslims saying death to Americans and Europeans - this is absolutely the last thing nthey should have done - muzzle free speach - everyone will see Abhisit as an Army Puppet

I think you are lying, sir. If someone got in front of an angry mob and encouraged them to violently overthrow the government during a time of open revolt, I am sure there are laws in the UK (and every other country) to arrest them. Its the old you can't yell fire in a crowded theater situation.

You are for sure not from Britain. There you can say whatever you like about whomever you like, insight riot, spread racisem demonstrate, But to qualify to do so you have to come from somewhere outside Europe

[anotherpeter]

rant and rave on their TV channel - thye do have many valid points - taking them off air will only escalate the problem - watch and see!

Is playing doctored video/audio of Abhisit ordering violence a valid point?

[Jingthing]

Human rights groups as well as journalists assossacion were fast to criticise this kind of abuse

Always the first groups to complain about anything and everything.

It is hard to apply liberal western standards to the current situation in Thailand. Maybe 50 years from now.

[phupaman]

Hi All.

Chaiangmaifun, I seem to recall a famous mad Mullah incitng moslems to maim and kill preaching in the street outside a North London Mosque, I believe he is still a guest of HMPrison service, You cannot incite violence and get away with it in the UK.

phupaman.

[anotherpeter]

Announce a dissolution of parliament and it might, just might, prevent LOS from going down the tubes. For those of you who advocate tougher measures your only prolonging the inevitable, this won't be put to bed this easy, these are seismic events taking place and they will change Thailand forever. Wake up and smell the coffee.

That would actually ensure it did go down the tubes. Because there would just be another group out ther protesting that they didn't get what they wanted.

The reds are not a majority. The yellows are not the majority. But they are both the ones that cause all the problems.

The majority are out there trying to earn a living. The majority are waiting for the next elections to vote. The majority will probably vote the same way that they did in the last election.

And if that happens we will have the same red protestors out there demanding that their minority should be in power.

[Garry9999]

Human rights groups as well as journalists assossacion were fast to criticise this kind of abuse

Always the first groups to complain about anything and everything.

It is hard to apply liberal western standards to the current situation in Thailand. Maybe 50 years from now.

Jing, I'm curious about your avatar, is it in some way supposed to be negative to the Reds? Who is the guy anyway?