Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Saturday

[george]

Nation: Urgent: Hun Chiew director: Five people were killed.

Nation: NBT Station reported that red-shirt protesters stormed into the Hua Chiew Hospital and took away two bodies of red-shirt guards.

Nation: Photos of two dead bodies were showed at both rally sites- bad sign really.

Nation: Huroyuki Muramoto is the name of the killed Japanese reporter.

ThaiPBS: ThaiPBS: 5 ppl killed; 4 shot and one clubbed to death (via Bangkokpundit)

Nation: NBT Station reported that red-shirt protesters stormed into the Hua Chiew Hospital and took away two bodies of red-shirt guards.

AP - reporting 5 deaths in BKK including a Japanese journalist

[george]

Bangkok Post: Gen Prayuth insists red shirts must leave

5 killed in the clash: Central Hospital:TVThai

Nation: 64 troops injured so far (21.37). TV reporter at Kok Wua says tension easing in the area.

[george]

FLASH: At least 5 dead, 300+ wounded in red shirts clashes. Report: One foreign tourist was shot in chest after saying to soldier "f... you"

Bangkok Post: Govt seeks talks for truce with reds

Nation: Soporn called the two victims "democracy heros"

BNO News: Xinhua reports that a Reuters reporter has been killed in the clashes in Bangkok.

Bangkokpundit: There are some GRAPHIC photos of injuries here http://www.facebook.com/UDDThailand?v=wall

Those are some really sickening photos of the red shirt dead on the UDD facebook site. Very sad to see any dead.

[george]

BMA's deputy governor Dr Malinee Sukavejworakit revealed 242 people were injured from the clash and 8 killed. 4 soliders and 4 civilians.

Nation: BMA's deputy governor Dr Malinee Sukavejworakit revealed 242 people were injured from the clash and 8 killed. 4 soliders and 4 civilians.

Twitter unconfirmed: M79 was fired at military on Dinsor Road, causing death and injuries.

[webfact]

Foreign reporter among those killed

Central Hospital director Dr Pitchaya Nakwatchara said five people, including a foreign reporter, were killed as red shirts protesters battled with combined forces of police and soldiers.

The doctor identified the reporter; Hirouki Muramoto, a Japanese reporter of Reuters news agency.

Muramoto was shot at his chest, he said.

The others were Sawat Wangam, 43, who was hit at head, while the two others victims; Thanachai (last name unknown) and Noppachai Mekfangam, died after being shot at the chest.

Name of the fifth victim could not be identified.

-- The Nation 2010-04-10

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

THE NATION: Now hospitals have another task - to protect the bodies and not allow anyone to take them to instigate protester to revolt.

THE NATION: Arisman showed bullets on the stage and asked Suthep to take responsibility

THE NATION: Latest development, Erawan Emergency Medical Center revealed that 486 were injured from the clash and 8 killed.

THE NATION: Vachira, Mission, General and Hau Chiew hospitals are reported to stop admitting patients due to full capacity. via Pat Sarnsamak.

[webfact]

Clashes claim at least eight lives : Erawan center

Eight people, including a foreign photographer, were killed as red shirts protesters battled with combined forces of police and soldiers.

Erawan Rescue Center's chief Phetpong Kitjakarn said a total of eight people were killed during the clashes.

At least 486 people, soldiers and red shirts protesters were wounded.

He confirmed that one victim was a Japanese reporter of Reuters news agency.

Central Hospital director Dr Pitchaya Nakwatchara earlier identified the photographer as Hirouki Muramoto.

Muramoto was shot at his chest, he said.

The others were Sawat Wangam, 43, who was hit at head, while the two others victims; Thanachai (last name unknown) and Noppachai Mekfangam, died after being shot at the chest.

Name of the fifth victim could not be identified.

-- The Nation 2010-04-10

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

Korbsak to negotiate with red shirts leaders

By The Nation

The government has assigned PM's Secretary General Korbsak Sapavasu to negotiate with red shirts' leaders as clashes between soldiers and protesters continued.

Emergency Operations Command's spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said at 9pm that Korbsak will seek ceasing of all actions by both sides.

"We believe that at the moment, negotiation is needed to prevent further damage to properties and lives of both sides," he said.

He said the soldiers and police have strictly followed the rules by starting the countering measures from using shields, water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets.

However the protesters have used all means particularly explosives, guns and rifles, which caused the injuries.

The Command did not want to retaliate as the move will certainly cause more violence and more damage to the country.

-- The Nation 2010-04-10

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

Nine dead, hundreds injured in clashes in Bangkok

by Anusak Konglang

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thai security forces launched a crackdown Saturday on anti-government protests in Bangkok, sparking violent clashes in the heart of the capital that left nine dead and almost 500 injured.

"Nine people died -- four soldiers, four civilians and one journalist," Malinee Sukvechavorakit, the deputy governor of Bangkok, told AFP as almost a month of mass demonstrations turned bloody.

The dead journalist was a Japanese cameraman, Thai television reported.

Twenty soldiers were hurt in a blast while security personnel fired warning shots and tear gas after street fighting broke out in the city's historic district.

Red-shirted demonstrators hurled rocks as troops tried to clear them from one of their two protest sites in the capital, which is under a state of emergency.

The Thai military said it would pull back after the fierce clashes.

"Soldiers will have to withdraw. There is no place to shelter. We cannot do anything," army chief General Anupong Paojinda told AFP.

A grenade also exploded near to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's office in Government House but there were no initial reports of injuries in that blast. Abhisit remained holed up at an army barracks.

Thousands more demonstrators were also refusing to leave another rally site in the main commercial district of the Thai capital, demanding Abhisit dissolve parliament.

"Abhisit must leave Thailand," Reds' leader Veera Musikapong told the crowd. "We ask all government officials to stop serving this government."

The protests also spread to the northern city of Chiang Mai, where hundreds of Red Shirts massed outside a provincial hall chanting anti-government slogans.

Earlier, dozens of Reds tried to force their way into a military base in Bangkok but were repelled with water cannon. The army also deployed armoured personnel vehicles at some locations in the city.

"It's an operation to reclaim areas from protesters under the state of emergency," said government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn.

"The government has no other choice but to enforce the law and prosecute those who violated the law," he said. "The general public must avoid travelling to the area where the operation is taking place."

Abhisit invoked emergency rule Wednesday after the Reds stormed parliament, prompting lawmakers to flee. The embattled premier has insisted he will not cede to the Reds' demand to dissolve parliament for elections.

Tens of thousands of police and soldiers have been mobilised to restore order, but top Reds remained defiant.

"I'd like to tell Abhisit that you can come and crack down on our rally anytime," a Red Shirt leader, Nattawut Saikuar, said from the rally stage set up in the commercial hub of Bangkok that has become the focus of the protests.

"We want to stay until you dissolve the House."

The Reds, many of whom support ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, accuse the government of being illegitimate because it came to power with military backing in 2008 after a court ousted Thaksin's allies from power.

Arrest warrants have been issued for many of the top leaders of the red-clad movement, but so far none is reported to have been taken into custody.

A grenade exploded at the Police Crime Suppression Division unit in a northern suburb of Bangkok early Saturday but nobody was hurt, officials said -- the latest in a series of minor blasts.

The rallies are the latest chapter in years of political turmoil in Thailand pitting Bangkok's ruling elite against the mainly poor and rural Reds.

The country has been riven by political tensions since a bloodless coup ousted telecoms tycoon-turned-premier Thaksin in 2006.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-04-10

Published with written approval from AFP.

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

Open discussion topic:

THAI ARMY CRACKDOWN ON RED SHIRTS

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Bangkok-10-D...-B-t355116.html

________________________________________________________________________

You can also follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/georgebkk

or on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/farang

Up to 75 percent discount on hotel bookings in Thailand

Check it out:

http://hotels.thaivisa.com

________________________________________________________________________

Thanks for following us online!