Bangkok: 10+ Dead, Hundreds Hurt In Bangkok Clashes

[grandpops]

Another report (can't get it to paste today for some reason)

Says troups agreed to withdraw last night and "sued for truce" and the UDD refused to negotiate at first.

They really must have had the upper hand at this stage for the army to be the one wanting the truce.

The lady next door is singing..... and belive me, she is a big girl!

Nearly over for Abhisit?

[snorkelador]

If you look at the video of yesterday protest the fight wouldn't even start if the army didn't open fire.

Which VDO are you talking about? Give us the link!

And nothing would not have started if the red shirt leaders had set both sides up into this trap. Anything could have set this bloodshed off. The M79 and M29 grenades fired against the soldiers by whomever, AK47 carried around by red shirts as well as petrol bombs and LPG tanks unleashed at the army also let the soldiers no choice than defending themselves before retreating, which they did.

[moresomekl]

Unlike many here with their statements like , kill em all , they deserve it , am not fanning the flames . But perhaps you prefer parrots who repeat the same mantra . Am sorry if i disturb you

It disturbs me that you make reference to these two statements in a response to me, especially since I am the sort of person that has always posted for a peaceful resolution to the situation, other than that, you don't disturb me but your constant political rubbish that you sprout every 2nd or 3rd line is getting very boring. You've made your political point how MANY TIMES are you going to repeat it?

Did not say you , did say some . Whatever ... this is a forum of discussion

[CosmicSurfer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJt8K8Scalk...feature=channel

Red shirt international spokesman Sean Boonpracong being interviewd on al jazzera says soldiers being held hostage are really reds at heart.

LOL.

Both sides seemed divorced from reality.

The red spokesman dancing around the fact that they are holding soldiers captive and the government spokesman denying any knowledge of use of live ammunition.

In actual fact, the government HAS NOT denied the use of live ammo...

They just say that it is only shot into the air when things get too out of hand.

The only thing they are shooting AT protesters are plastic/rubber bullets.

Personally I suspect that those shot with live bullets have been shot by untrained demonstrators firing guns without aiming, so they can duck and run.

I'll wait for Pooying Porntip's forensic autopsy about what direction the shots came from before accusing anyone.

CS

[yoshiwara]

Sorry the PM should step down by now , he is responsible for the blood shed

Can you actually smell the foul stench that your constantly spewing onto this thread? Do you think you could give it a rest for a while?

Heard that. This guy is a wind-up merchant with his head in a dark, dank place.

I was under the impression that according to Thaksin the ones responsible for all this trouble are the mentally unstable homosexuals surrounding Abhisit.

Not one forum red cheerleader has cared to follow up on this diatribe against gays made by Thaksin

Nonetheless the latest PR issued by Thaksin fashionistas state that red is now the new black.

Edited April 11, 2010 by yoshiwara

[whiterussian]

Personally I suspect that those shot with live bullets have been shot by untrained demonstrators firing guns without aiming, so they can duck and run.

[eeconomist]

Like I said the PAD stations may be biased, but it isn't Yellow shirts killing soldiers in the streets of Bangkok, it is REDS. Violently overthrowing the government isn't the democratic way to change things. The way that democracy is being used at the moment I'm not sure why anyone would believe in democracy anyway. It doesn't seem to work particularly well.

Of course the yellow shirts and the soldiers won't kill each other. They are on the same side!!!

Common sense!!

[Dario]

can somebody explain to me how over 250 soldiers got wounded, most by gunshots and grenades?

?? The red shirt TERRORISTS have the grenades and have weapons with real bullets not plastic as used by the army.

I respect the PM for what he has done he has played it well with warning after warning request after request, Agreed to hold elections. What more can he do???

But still it was not good enough for the terrorists. I hope they get another round of smacking later today. Quite frankly they deserve everything they are getting.

I second that, BUT, H.E. has made one marginal mistake: as soon as the warrants for the Red shirt leaders were issued, he should have arrested them, BECAUSE without them the Red Shirts are just like a flock of turkeys. With the "leaders" like Arisman & Cie behind bars, 18 lives could have been saved. Possibly more, just watch today.

Edited April 11, 2010 by Dario

[neverdie]

For those in Bangkok that might want to help.

THE NATION: Blood needed at King Mongkut Hospital - especially group O and B. Donation at Chalermprakiat Bldg.

[Sunderland]

All sides to blame. However, there were some disturbing pictures on Thai forums of soldiers pointing rifles horizontally/downwards at protesters standing not more than 10 yards away. Probably rubber bullets, but you are going to do a lot of damage at such close quarters.

Why didn't the army/police continue with the tear gas and water cannons to disperse the majority of the crowd before evening? It looked like there were only a couple of water cannons and a few hosepipes being used! You can drive protesters back quite successfully without the need for rubber bullets unless the situation deteriorates, as it did later. It seemed like a half-hearted dispersal which descended into a stand-off and then the inevitable battle which could be blamed on either side.

Fake soldiers, fake reds, fake leaders, fake hearts, fake democracy ... Thailand has confirmed its position as the hub of fakes. Well done!

[Tony121]

pouring blood on the streets

killing soldiers

taking soldiers hostage

parading there dead on stage

sounds more like the taliban than a democracy movement

[Sunderland]

For those in Bangkok that might want to help.

THE NATION: Blood needed at King Mongkut Hospital - especially group O and B. Donation at Chalermprakiat Bldg.

Was the organized donation of blood yesterday morning by the anti-protest movement organized in anticipation of yesterday evening's events?

[CosmicSurfer]

Like I said the PAD stations may be biased, but it isn't Yellow shirts killing soldiers in the streets of Bangkok, it is REDS. Violently overthrowing the government isn't the democratic way to change things. The way that democracy is being used at the moment I'm not sure why anyone would believe in democracy anyway. It doesn't seem to work particularly well.

Of course the yellow shirts and the soldiers won't kill each other. They are on the same side!!!

Common sense!!

I thought the soldiers were "Watermelons"...

Green outside and Red inside....

This is all sooooo Confusing...

I wish people would just make up their minds already....

Oooppps.. forgot where I was for a moment.

CS

[whatsupdoc]

can somebody explain to me how over 250 soldiers got wounded, most by gunshots and grenades?

?? The red shirt TERRORISTS have the grenades and have weapons with real bullets not plastic as used by the army.

I respect the PM for what he has done he has played it well with warning after warning request after request, Agreed to hold elections. What more can he do???

But still it was not good enough for the terrorists. I hope they get another round of smacking later today. Quite frankly they deserve everything they are getting.

I second that, BUT, H.E. has made one marginal mistake: as soon as the warrants for the Red shirt leaders were issued, he should have arrested them, BECAUSE without them the Red Shirts are just like a flock of turkeys. With the "leaders" like Arisman & Cie behind bars, 18 lives could have been saved. Possibly more, just watch today.

And the Red leaders would have been arrested without any battle???? Don't think so.

[whiterussian]

Question is what will fill the vacuum?

Best to sort these things out pronto.

I'd hate to think this is a just dress rehersal.

Edited April 11, 2010 by whiterussian

[CosmicSurfer]

All sides to blame. However, there were some disturbing pictures on Thai forums of soldiers pointing rifles horizontally/downwards at protesters standing not more than 10 yards away. Probably rubber bullets, but you are going to do a lot of damage at such close quarters.

Why didn't the army/police continue with the tear gas and water cannons to disperse the majority of the crowd before evening? It looked like there were only a couple of water cannons and a few hosepipes being used! You can drive protesters back quite successfully without the need for rubber bullets unless the situation deteriorates, as it did later. It seemed like a half-hearted dispersal which descended into a stand-off and then the inevitable battle which could be blamed on either side.

Fake soldiers, fake reds, fake leaders, fake hearts, fake democracy ... Thailand has confirmed its position as the hub of fakes. Well done!

BINGO !!!!

CS

[geriatrickid]

I flew into Bangkok yesterday afternoon. The casualty count does not include the collateral damage. Many are minor but some of the civilian injures were definitely non combatants. I know because I checked. My point being, that if any of you knuckleheads want to go site seeing, please do not. A bullet does not discriminate once it ricochets and a brick thrown by someone in anger will land wherever gravity dictates. Stay away from the zone.

[CosmicSurfer]

Question is what will fill the vacuum?

Best to sort these things out pronto.

I'd hate to think this is a just dress rehersal.

But that is the whole point....

Once the Reds win, The Yellows come back.

Welcome to the Amazing Thai Merry-Go-Round !!

Seriously.. the system here is So broke that there is (unfortunately) NO way to fix it.

And no one is seriously talking about it either... All the excuses of Thai culture, Lese-Majeste and Corruption have all colluded into the worst mess Thailand has ever faced.

Now this country will reap its rewards... A total break down hangs on a "life-thread" and it is really unfortunate that the only constructive solution is to get down to the foundation and start over again.

CS

Edited April 11, 2010 by CosmicSurfer

[Sunderland]

Like I said the PAD stations may be biased, but it isn't Yellow shirts killing soldiers in the streets of Bangkok, it is REDS. Violently overthrowing the government isn't the democratic way to change things. The way that democracy is being used at the moment I'm not sure why anyone would believe in democracy anyway. It doesn't seem to work particularly well.

Of course the yellow shirts and the soldiers won't kill each other. They are on the same side!!!

Common sense!!

I think you'll find that if the army had taken similar action against the yellows at government house or the airport(s) we would have been reading similar headlines back then. There is no concrete proof why the army didn't act against the yellow seiges, but many people suspect the reason was that the army's and the PAD's interests were too closely linked. That the army were not called out to tackle the illegal occupation of the airport and government house does seem highly hypocritical now.

There are a lot of Thai people in Bangkok now who have been sitting on the fence who are now pretty disgusted with the double standards that are clearly evident. You can disagree if you want. I am only talking about the middle class Thais that I know through my work. I don't think many people would be able to vote at this time for anybody they can trust and that is causing a lot of Thais in their 20s to feel ashamed and embarrassed about the way their country is being portayed internationally.

So rant and rave all you want. It doesn't actually help the bigger picture and it will take a lot to sort out this political chaos that now prevails.

[neverdie]

For those in Bangkok that might want to help.

THE NATION: Blood needed at King Mongkut Hospital - especially group O and B. Donation at Chalermprakiat Bldg.

Was the organized donation of blood yesterday morning by the anti-protest movement organized in anticipation of yesterday evening's events?

I just looked into my magic crystal ball and couldnt see the answer to this question BUT no doubt some will claim this was so.

Whats more important is the message gets out and perhaps some people might be close to the hospital & willing to help out.

THE NATION: Blood needed at King Mongkut Hospital - especially group O and B. Donation at Chalermprakiat Bldg.

[BigBikeBKK]

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.

Um, do you know what you are talking about? The US National Guard ARE armed forces. They are military reserves recruited by the states and equipped by the federal government; subject to call by either. And when the police can't handle a mob then the National Guard can be activated by EITHER the state OR the Federal Government. Here in Bangkok it's obvious the red mobs are too large and well armed for the police to handle. Hence it is appropriate that the Army be called in to put down the mob.

[siampolee]

THE NATION: Calling O-negative blood type. Donation needed. pls head to Chalermprakiat Bldg at King Monkut hospital. Now...

Where are all the blood donors who contributed blood to the red Shirt Brigade cause ?

Strange how concern for the ordinary man and woman in the streets who have been injured in the ongoing violence are ignored by those who are supposedly championing their cause.

Come on Jutaporn, Arisman , Veera and Weng let's see your principles in action.

[MellowYellow]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJt8K8Scalk...feature=channel

Red shirt international spokesman Sean Boonpracong being interviewd on al jazzera says soldiers being held hostage are really reds at heart.

LOL.

Both sides seemed divorced from reality.

The red spokesman dancing around the fact that they are holding soldiers captive and the government spokesman denying any knowledge of use of live ammunition.

In actual fact, the government HAS NOT denied the use of live ammo...

They just say that it is only shot into the air when things get too out of hand.

The only thing they are shooting AT protesters are plastic/rubber bullets.

Personally I suspect that those shot with live bullets have been shot by untrained demonstrators firing guns without aiming, so they can duck and run.

I'll wait for Pooying Porntip's forensic autopsy about what direction the shots came from before accusing anyone.

CS

At least WATCH the video and listen to the government spokesperson before you just make up whatever it is you want to say.

[OzMick]

http://blogs.straitstimes.com/2010/4/11/spiral-of-violence

So when it was kicking off big time this guy was trying to file his story in an internet cafe instead of on the street collected some facts for us.

"While we talked and checked whether other friends were safe, a man was led by stripped to the waist, whimpering in fear, being bashed around by red shirt guards. He seemed to have been some kind of infiltrator"

A tactic used all over the world by security forces in order to create an excuse for a crackdown, place undercover agents in the crowd to ignite violence.

or maybe he was wearing the wrong colour shirt?

[MellowYellow]

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.

Um, do you know what you are talking about? The US National Guard ARE armed forces. They are military reserves recruited by the states and equipped by the federal government; subject to call by either. And when the police can't handle a mob then the National Guard can be activated by EITHER the state OR the Federal Government. Here in Bangkok it's obvious the red mobs are too large and well armed for the police to handle. Hence it is appropriate that the Army be called in to put down the mob.

LOL just LOL

Yes I know what I'm talking about. The rules when federally mobilized are VERY different.

Off you go.

Do some research.

[CosmicSurfer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJt8K8Scalk...feature=channel

Red shirt international spokesman Sean Boonpracong being interviewd on al jazzera says soldiers being held hostage are really reds at heart.

LOL.

Both sides seemed divorced from reality.

The red spokesman dancing around the fact that they are holding soldiers captive and the government spokesman denying any knowledge of use of live ammunition.

In actual fact, the government HAS NOT denied the use of live ammo...

They just say that it is only shot into the air when things get too out of hand.

The only thing they are shooting AT protesters are plastic/rubber bullets.

Personally I suspect that those shot with live bullets have been shot by untrained demonstrators firing guns without aiming, so they can duck and run.

I'll wait for Pooying Porntip's forensic autopsy about what direction the shots came from before accusing anyone.

CS

At least WATCH the video and listen to the government spokesperson before you just make up whatever it is you want to say.

I have listened to Abhisit and other government spokesman.. as for the Reds...

Sorry... I prefer to get my news from Reputable International sources.

I won't pollute my mind with propaganda from the red/yellow/pink/blue/green or black shirts, Fox News or the Republican liars either.

I have a brain. I use it. I don't don't listen to anyone who obviously has a corrupt agenda, nor anyone that can't separate legitimate grievances (like Rights, Freedom, Poverty, Education and Health) from the lobbing of power hungry demagogues that only want to skim the creme, or those who allow themselves to be bought by corrupt lobbyists and despots.

CS

Edited April 11, 2010 by CosmicSurfer

[kurtgruen]

Question is what will fill the vacuum?Best to sort these things out pronto.

I'd hate to think this is a just dress rehersal.

I think the Ronald McDonald clown will. I've seen him standing next to the soldiers. (he'll probably do a lot better job than any of the others, on either side, too)

[BigBikeBKK]

with the Abhisit illegitimate regime .

Just because some red shirt apologists call the Abhisit government names does not mean it is an "illegitimate regime". Save your name calling for the sandbox.

[yoshiwara]

Like I said the PAD stations may be biased, but it isn't Yellow shirts killing soldiers in the streets of Bangkok, it is REDS. Violently overthrowing the government isn't the democratic way to change things. The way that democracy is being used at the moment I'm not sure why anyone would believe in democracy anyway. It doesn't seem to work particularly well.

Of course the yellow shirts and the soldiers won't kill each other. They are on the same side!!!

Common sense!!

I think you'll find that if the army had taken similar action against the yellows at government house or the airport(s) we would have been reading similar headlines back then. There is no concrete proof why the army didn't act against the yellow seiges, but many people suspect the reason was that the army's and the PAD's interests were too closely linked. That the army were not called out to tackle the illegal occupation of the airport and government house does seem highly hypocritical now.

There are a lot of Thai people in Bangkok now who have been sitting on the fence who are now pretty disgusted with the double standards that are clearly evident. You can disagree if you want. I am only talking about the middle class Thais that I know through my work. I don't think many people would be able to vote at this time for anybody they can trust and that is causing a lot of Thais in their 20s to feel ashamed and embarrassed about the way their country is being portayed internationally.

So rant and rave all you want. It doesn't actually help the bigger picture and it will take a lot to sort out this political chaos that now prevails.

I might rant but you certainly do rave.

Its our old friend double standards being wheeled out again.

Creating a fog to cover the red attack with guns and molotov cocktails.

Red cheerleaders into action!

[BigBikeBKK]

I am afraid you are right , next time who can say it wont be tanks and flame throwers .

That would be a perfectly appropriate and justified response to red mob grenades, fire bombs and AK47s. Don't forget the red shirt leaders have already declared WAR on the government. They will reap what they sow. A sad day for all Thais.