Bangkok: 10+ Dead, Hundreds Hurt In Bangkok Clashes

[MellowYellow]

Watching the BBC coverage just now. Many clips showing the reds clearly instigating the beginning of the violence and also showing many reds carrying guns and even a few AK47 assault rifles. I think they will have a tough time getting any world opinion on their side when they have clearly brought this on themselves. The red leaders should be arrested ASAP and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Peace

We've clearly seen how dangerous these red protesters are. They came here for violence and mayhem. The 10 million residents of Bangkok deserve to be protected from them. They couldn't be allowed to continue to break the law and not expect a government response. Hopefully the red leaders will spend the rest of their lives in prison for the crimes they have committed against their country. Time to end the protests, have the courage to walk away peacefully.

With all the claims and counterclaims of violence and threats of violence, how many have died in this protest prior to last night?

How many have died on either side prior to the government using the military to attack it's own citizens?

For all the rhetoric on both sides, the number was ZERO until the army stepped in.

[CosmicSurfer]

BBC World News has just shown a shot of a RED Shirt carrying a Kalashnikov Automatic weapon, with a Clip loaded. Thai troops only had what looked like toy shotguns firing Rubber bullets.

CS

TOY SHOTGUN - ANOTHER WEAPONS EXPERT --- and how do u know the clip was loaded --- from what u say the army was outgunned by the reds - oh come on - get real -

I spent a summer cleaning weapons for the Israeli army on a kibbutz I was staying on after the '73 War.. so I guess that does make me some sort of an expert.

And a toy looks like a Toy.. 30 years in the Toy business gives me that experience.

The Shotguns carried by the soldiers looked like Toys.. obviously meant for plastic bullets, not the real thing.

And about those shot with REAL bullets... No one has said forensically from which direction thy were shot.

Maybe they were shot from the rear by red shirts behind them!

I hypothesize this as a more likely scenario.

But in NO International coverage that I have seen has the Thai army carried any real looking gun... YET!!!

CS

Edited April 11, 2010 by CosmicSurfer

[beejoir]

Central Bangkok, Wireless/Pechburi is like a ghost town..... there is NO ONE.... like NO ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sisaketmike]

TRT = Thai Rak Thai = Thai Rak Taksin = Taksin Rak Taksin ??????

Red shirts = nice people or socialist - communist - terrorist ?????????

Don't tell me that they are innocent and did not use weapons and grenades.

Most of them are INNOCENT. Poor rice farmers or construction workers without a job from the Isan. They’re really the poorest in this country; watching soap operas about rich people don’t really make them happy. The joke is that they’re getting paid, get rid of Khun Thaksin and all will stop.

[madi]

Some quick comments

I see lots of Thai propaganda from Thais using farang name here again. All against the Red.

Of course since the regime is doing this.

When an army charges its own people, not police but army and kill at least 15 and wounds over 600 more, this would be a major crackdown BUT.

When the group in red is attacked by army and fights back and refuses to run, we do not have a riot, we have a war.

All the propaganda about Taksan here is pathetic.

The Reds are not fighting for taksan and you know it. They are fighting for themselves and freedom.

If taksan were gone tomorrow, this fight would not end because the People want to be free.

Oh yeah

I posted that this would likely happen just a few days ago and some idiots here called me names.

It happened and now they say more nonsense.

How much do Thais who post here pretending to be Farang get paid?

And--do you have a plan if this fight goes against your anti red side?

Will you leave the nation on the run?

Good luck.

You will need it. This could be war.

Farangs will be windsprinting from Thailand soon.

[connel707]

Just saw Abhisit on TV. Impressive how much self control he shows.

Wondering if such a balanced PM is not showing too early in Thai history.

Facing him, shameless Zimbabwe-style red shirts leaders fooling innocent people to clash with the army for the sake of a billionaire hiding in Dubai.

Not enough for them to excite them to risk their lives for an agenda they're not aware of, they then go drag their bodies from the hospital to parade them to excite other ones to get hurt for their master on the run.

Sickening!

Did anybody else notice the smirk on his face?

no, only you would be sick enough to imagine he would smirk whilst people are still dying in hospitals all over Bangkok

f off I have friends that are missing!!

WoW.... you have friends..?

[ALLSEEINGEYE]

Watching the BBC coverage just now. Many clips showing the reds clearly instigating the beginning of the violence and also showing many reds carrying guns and even a few AK47 assault rifles. I think they will have a tough time getting any world opinion on their side when they have clearly brought this on themselves. The red leaders should be arrested ASAP and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Peace

We've clearly seen how dangerous these red protesters are. They came here for violence and mayhem. The 10 million residents of Bangkok deserve to be protected from them. They couldn't be allowed to continue to break the law and not expect a government response. Hopefully the red leaders will spend the rest of their lives in prison for the crimes they have committed against their country. Time to end the protests, have the courage to walk away peacefully.

With all the claims and counterclaims of violence and threats of violence, how many have died in this protest prior to last night?

How many have died on either side prior to the government using the military to attack it's own citizens?

For all the rhetoric on both sides, the number was ZERO until the army stepped in.

Try looking at the bigger picture, there was zero deaths before the red shirts broke the law and illegally took over several areas of Bkk. As somebody stated earlier, if you keep poking a tiger long enough, eventually you will get bit. The reds declared war hundreds of time and are still calling for war. Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it !!! Peace

[connel707]

Anyone still claiming that protesters are there because of money should feel deeply ashamed of themselves.

We don`t claim, we know for a fact.....is anyone so stupid to believe many many Reds are not being paid... they are the ones who should feel deeply ashamed of themselves...

[CosmicSurfer]

...

With all the claims and counterclaims of violence and threats of violence, how many have died in this protest prior to last night?

How many have died on either side prior to the government using the military to attack it's own citizens?

For all the rhetoric on both sides, the number was ZERO until the army stepped in.

As the Thai military has fought in NO actual wars for 100's of years, its entire purpose is to provide a vehicle for Corrupt generals to strut their stuff in garish uniforms....and....

To maintain law and order along the borders and within its own citizenry. They are only an extension of the governments power to maintain order. As such they are doing their job with their assigned area of operations. This is unlike Western countries where their military is barred from Internal/Domestic operations by law, and where police forces are much less corrupt and self-serving, and better trained to deal with violent demonstrators and mobs.

CS

[CharlieHarper]

But in NO International coverage that I have seen has the Thai army carried any real looking gun... YET!!!

CS

Don't know if you have access to Thai TV but plenty of footage of troops with AK47 style (I'm NOT a weapons expert) guns all day yesterday.

[madi]

Anyone still claiming that protesters are there because of money should feel deeply ashamed of themselves.

We don`t claim, we know for a fact.....is anyone so stupid to believe many many Reds are not being paid... they are the ones who should feel deeply ashamed of themselves...

So the army officers who ordered their men to fire life arms into crowds of Thais, are they paid?

Who pays them?

They are guilty of murder.

[Richard W]

and rubber bullets don't kill ---

They do if you don't use them properly - the UK government had problems with them killing in Northern Ireland.

[LomSak27]

We don`t claim, we know for a fact.....is anyone so stupid to believe many many Reds are not being paid... they are the ones who should feel deeply ashamed of themselves...

Go to the top of the page

We don't claim, we know for a fact - who are you ... GOD ?!

Interesting, if I recall correctly this is exactly what the army and police would not do to the PAD protesters. I wonder why?

[connel707]

From a Red Shirt protester:

when i was in the rally this evening, the mood was overwhemling excited,joy,crowed,lots of noice, lots of people but when we hear that the red shirts have lose their lives everything changed. the picture of those people who loose the life were shown in the projecter. i was sitting beside one lady. the leader started to... play the martydom songs, although i didn't understand the song but i feel the song & i feel the changed environement. slowly my tears started to fall down after seeing those pictuers frm phan pha. i can't control myself. it's said that if you are man you shouldn't cry but this quote was wrong today. i expreance it. i look around me , & got the same result. woman with tears & emotionally shocked

i'm really sorry for those who lost their life. these people are the real hero., a true martyer. these people name should be written in the history book fighting for democracy. these people deserve it. i'll pray for god may be their soul be peace in heaven. a deeply condolence to their family too.

this will be a moment ...i'll never forget in my life. wherever i go, i'll always carry these memories. these people who lost their life are my real hero.

"LONG LIVE DEMOCRACY"

And...your point being...... you picked a real good name....

[kurtgruen]

Anyone still claiming that protesters are there because of money should feel deeply ashamed of themselves.

We don`t claim, we know for a fact.....is anyone so stupid to believe many many Reds are not being paid... they are the ones who should feel deeply ashamed of themselves...

My take on it is...

In the beginning, most people got paid to be there. May it be to make money, or just to be able to go to the protests, because they didn't have money. Since things turned violent, we will be left mostly with hard core Reds....ones who came on their own money, others who got paid to be there, but strongly believe in their cause, some, who came for the money, but got swept up by the talks on stage and the few unfortunate ones, who are still stuck in the middle and are afraid to leave, for whatever reasons. Does this sound like a reasonable take on the situation?

Either way, the numbers, from now on, will only go one way....down. The hard core red shirts are there to stay. Some of the others, who are scared, will get out, when they have the chance (without being seen and loosing face, in front of their fellow red shirts)

[OzMick]

Some quick comments

I see lots of Thai propaganda from Thais using farang name here again. All against the Red.

Of course since the regime is doing this.

When an army charges its own people, not police but army and kill at least 15 and wounds over 600 more, this would be a major crackdown BUT.

When the group in red is attacked by army and fights back and refuses to run, we do not have a riot, we have a war.

All the propaganda about Taksan here is pathetic.

The Reds are not fighting for taksan and you know it. They are fighting for themselves and freedom.

If taksan were gone tomorrow, this fight would not end because the People want to be free.

Oh yeah

I posted that this would likely happen just a few days ago and some idiots here called me names.

It happened and now they say more nonsense.

How much do Thais who post here pretending to be Farang get paid?

And--do you have a plan if this fight goes against your anti red side?

Will you leave the nation on the run?

Good luck.

You will need it. This could be war.

Farangs will be windsprinting from Thailand soon.

But you will be right, Mr T will take care of you! Have you worked out in your tiny mind the loss to the thai economy if tourism stops by half, or the farangs running businesses here pack it in?

You are like the drivers I see in Isan - I want to overtake now, oncoming traffic be dam-ned! The consequences if something goes wrong are not even considered.

Keep it upand you will end up with the same freedom levels and living standards of Myanmar.

[waza]

This guy has taken some very good footage. Excellent reporting from him http://www.youtube.com/user/thaifaq#p/a/u/0/ztF6hUryt88

[MellowYellow]

Watching the BBC coverage just now. Many clips showing the reds clearly instigating the beginning of the violence and also showing many reds carrying guns and even a few AK47 assault rifles. I think they will have a tough time getting any world opinion on their side when they have clearly brought this on themselves. The red leaders should be arrested ASAP and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Peace

We've clearly seen how dangerous these red protesters are. They came here for violence and mayhem. The 10 million residents of Bangkok deserve to be protected from them. They couldn't be allowed to continue to break the law and not expect a government response. Hopefully the red leaders will spend the rest of their lives in prison for the crimes they have committed against their country. Time to end the protests, have the courage to walk away peacefully.

With all the claims and counterclaims of violence and threats of violence, how many have died in this protest prior to last night?

How many have died on either side prior to the government using the military to attack it's own citizens?

For all the rhetoric on both sides, the number was ZERO until the army stepped in.

Try looking at the bigger picture, there was zero deaths before the red shirts broke the law and illegally took over several areas of Bkk. As somebody stated earlier, if you keep poking a tiger long enough, eventually you will get bit. The reds declared war hundreds of time and are still calling for war. Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it !!! Peace

How many dead is an acceptable number to stop the "mean people" on stage saying "mean things"?

What is the number who have to die before it is NOT OK to attack your own citizenry with the military?

How many can your tiger kill before it is too many?

[Beardog]

i'm not up on politics- can anyone explain simply why the majority of posters are anti-thaksin & what makes him so much worse than other people in power? don't governments tend to be as bad as each other?

Ahh It might be Taksin is a criminal on the run & insiting a war so he can get what he believes his stinkin money back at any cost while he dines on caviar, champagne, & truffles while watching the bought & paid for fools die.

Or maybe it is because of his self centered egotistical nature. This war is all about his money & absolutely nothing to do with democracy. If he truly cared about Thailand he would be assisting the poor with cash donations to better & enrich their lives upcountry. You can't bullshit a bullshitter & Mr T. Is full up on himself.

What makes him worse is he is funding this war.

[granuaile]

We don`t claim, we know for a fact.....is anyone so stupid to believe many many Reds are not being paid... they are the ones who should feel deeply ashamed of themselves...

Go to the top of the page

We don't claim, we know for a fact - who are you ... GOD ?!

Interesting, if I recall correctly this is exactly what the army and police would not do to the PAD protesters. I wonder why?

A Thai friend of mine who is a supporter of the redshirts and lives in Ubon Rachatani told me they were paid. She said cut off the money and no demonstration. I think she would be in a position to know. As for the state of mind of the redshirts and their belief in free speech she said if I came there and said I like the reds I would not leave alive...

[CosmicSurfer]

But in NO International coverage that I have seen has the Thai army carried any real looking gun... YET!!!

CS

Don't know if you have access to Thai TV but plenty of footage of troops with AK47 style (I'm NOT a weapons expert) guns all day yesterday.

Charlie Harper .. That was (is) the name of the leader of the Blues band I used to manage back in Canada.

I live in Bangkok, and I was referring to the News footage about last nights events.. not footage the was shot at any time Before last night.

I am also watching Thai coverage, and have seen no soldiers with automatic weapons last night either.

CS

Edited April 11, 2010 by CosmicSurfer

[OzMick]

[e]

How many dead is an acceptable number to stop the "mean people" on stage saying "mean things"?

What is the number who have to die before it is NOT OK to attack your own citizenry with the military?

How many can your tiger kill before it is too many?

Can you name one "civilised" country that doesn't use it's military and/or national guard to back up police in event of civil unrest?

police are not set up to handle the numbers here, and use of the military is fully justified. You want the killing to stop? So does everbody else, except for those screaming "WAR!" and "No negotiation!" What colour shirt are they wearing?

[kurtgruen]

We don`t claim, we know for a fact.....is anyone so stupid to believe many many Reds are not being paid... they are the ones who should feel deeply ashamed of themselves...

Go to the top of the page

We don't claim, we know for a fact - who are you ... GOD ?!

Interesting, if I recall correctly this is exactly what the army and police would not do to the PAD protesters. I wonder why?

Not trying to drag the past back into this, but since you are presenting misinformation, I just want to say...

You have a very short memory, they tried (police), and it did lead to loss of life, too....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVF3Js_Yh3A

[madi]

i'm not up on politics- can anyone explain simply why the majority of posters are anti-thaksin & what makes him so much worse than other people in power? don't governments tend to be as bad as each other?

Ahh It might be Taksin is a criminal on the run & insiting a war so he can get what he believes his stinkin money back at any cost while he dines on caviar, champagne, & truffles while watching the bought & paid for fools die.

Or maybe it is because of his self centered egotistical nature. This war is all about his money & absolutely nothing to do with democracy. If he truly cared about Thailand he would be assisting the poor with cash donations to better & enrich their lives upcountry. You can't bullshit a bullshitter & Mr T. Is full up on himself.

What makes him worse is he is funding this war.

Is that all you can say? Taksan?

Thai army shoots at Thais and kills at least 15 and wounded is over 500.

This is an act of war on Thais by the Thai ruling regime.

Your attempt to change the topic is pathetic.

Who ordered the army to shoot.

They are guilty of murder.

[ALLSEEINGEYE]

How many dead is an acceptable number to stop the "mean people" on stage saying "mean things"?

What is the number who have to die before it is NOT OK to attack your own citizenry with the military?

How many can your tiger kill before it is too many?

I am not sure if we are agreeing here or disagreeing. But to answer your question, in my opinion 1 dead is too many, on either side. With that in mind I do not think anybody didn't see this coming and that is my only point. This is a very dangerous situation and has gotten progressively worse over the last few days. The combination of an unruly mob and the military face to face usually only leads to one conclusion, and here we are. Peace

[skippybangkok]

Errr Madi,

I believe the 15 includes the military who were either skewered with bamboo, shot o hand grenaded by the obviously not agressive and non violent reds.

[MellowYellow]

[e]

How many dead is an acceptable number to stop the "mean people" on stage saying "mean things"?

What is the number who have to die before it is NOT OK to attack your own citizenry with the military?

How many can your tiger kill before it is too many?

Can you name one "civilised" country that doesn't use it's military and/or national guard to back up police in event of civil unrest?

police are not set up to handle the numbers here, and use of the military is fully justified. You want the killing to stop? So does everbody else, except for those screaming "WAR!" and "No negotiation!" What colour shirt are they wearing?

I think you best peruse this forum and some of your like minded posters. Also and article published byt the Nation a couple of days ago. You will find many posters, Democrat Senators, and New Politics members calling for violent crackdown.

Oh yeah, The United States specificlly prohibits US Armed forces from engaging in police activity with it's own citizenry.

National guard are citizen soldier militia, taking orders from state governors.

But, please answer my questions.

How many people can the army kill in this "civil unrest" before it is too many?

How many of the "red menace" threats came to fruition and how many dead bodies did they generate?

How many are dead after 1 day of military intervention?

[maechanman]

great photos here

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/04/u...n_thailand.html

[ROBJSThailand]

This is really bad and none of us like to see what is going on. There are some bad things happening that is for sure....however I do think we should also not allow ourselves to get too bogged down in just concentrating our minds on only negative and sad things happening in Thailand. This is only in various pockets of Bangkok and a few smaller places outside. Tragic and horrible.....but....The rest of Thailand; the majority of people are going on life as normal. So albeit this is all very sad and naturally worrying for anyone living here, it is not the whole big picture. Terrible yes, worrying yes, sad yes.... but life goes on and there are I believe 60 odd million people in Thailand and they are not involved. Remember the race riots in the UK in the 80's: 650 properties burnt, widespread looting and a policeman had his head cut off and put on a 16 foot pole then used to taunt police. His name was PC Blakelock if any remember those disturbing times. USA riots, numerous dead and injured, looting and mayhem. The French riots even worse. Australian race problems, Italy etc etc.... All countries have problems and often it turns to violence. Thailand is not the only country to have such problems. Different reasons but violence is violence. It is not nice to see. But sadly, its how human beings behave sometimes. How many people die of gun related crimes every day in the USA. How many people stabbed on a Friday night in England. Football match violence..........the list goes on. Does it mean the end is coming. No of course not. And people still go to the USA and Europe on holiday, albeit violence is common. Life goes on. Of course...I do not wish to sound like I am in anyway trivialising the terrible and shocking past few days here, but we must be clear headed about this and not get carried away with only bad bad bad. No one can predict the future and we can only hope it gets better. I am optimistic. This is a tiny percentage of what is going on in Thailand right now. Lets hope they start to calm down and lets hope things get resolved. Sure it is terrible and not good for Thailand or anyone.....but keep optimistic ! Hope is all we have in life when things go bad !

Well said Gold2005!! One of the most sensible comments throughout all this situation. Let's hope things calm down as soon as possible and Thailand returns to the great Country it really is

[madi]

Errr Madi,

I believe the 15 includes the military who were either skewered with bamboo, shot o hand grenaded by the obviously not agressive and non violent reds.

http://www.youtube.com/user/thaifaq#p/a/u/0/ztF6hUryt88

The truth is here.