Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Monday

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THE NATION: The killed Japanese reporter had apparently shot some videos. We are checking if Reuters will release any content.

THE NATION: Suthep blames deaths on terrorist snipers.//this echoes what I heard fr our military expert.

THE NATION: Mall update: as of now Siam Discovery, Siam Paragon, Siam Center, MBK, Central Chidlom are opened till 7pm.

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Red Shirts parade coffins through Bangkok streets

BANGKOK (TNA) -- Thailand's anti-government 'Red Shirt' protesters on Monday paraded empty coffins with photos of 14 protesters killed

during Saturday's clashes between government troops and protesters which left 21 persons dead, including five soldiers and more than 800 injured.

The motorised red-clad procession of cars, pickups, taxis and motorcycles pushed off from the iconic Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Avenue and continued to key streets through the capital.

Police have been deployed to key locations to facilitate the Red Shirt procession and motorists.

Jatuporn Prompan, key leader of the ‘Red Shirt’ United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) said the group has shut the door for negotiations with the government, even though the coalition parties resolved to reduce the timeframe to dissolve the House to six months from nine months as earlier proposed by the government.

The Red Shirt leaders renewed their call for Mr Abhisit to step down and leave the country, saying there is no point in further negotiations with the

government.

For nearly a month, since March 14, the protesters have encamped at Phan Fa Bridge on Rajdamnoen Avenue. The protesters later occupied the prime business and high-end shopping area at Ratchaprasong intersection for 10 consecutive days, while keeping up their protest at the main protest site at Phan Fa Bridge.

After two rounds of talks between the government and the Red Shirt leaders failed, tensions flared up when the security force on Saturday tried to

clear the area around Phan Fa. Confrontation between protesters and security forces led to fierce clashes at Bangkok’s Khok Wua Intersection.

The Erawan Emergency Centre reported 21 dead and 863 injured on Monday. Both sides blamed the other for firing live ammunition and using military weaponry during the clashes.

Meanwhile, Police General hospital has conducted autopsies on 11 bodies including the Japanese cameraman who worked for Reuters news agency.

Hospital Director Pol Lt-Gen Jongjate Aojanepong said the processes were witnessed by a joint committee at the Institute of Forensic Medicine. The

bodies will be returned to their families on Monday afternoon. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-04-12

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THE NATION: Mall Updates: the closing time is now 8pm for all malls. -Siam Paragon, Siam Discovery, Siam Center.

THE NATION: Former Khon Kaen governor led red shirts to block entrance of City Hall to pressure PM for House Dissolution in 24 hrs. via NNA.

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FLASH NEWS: TAT Sets up Hotline for Tourists

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has set up a special hotline, 1672, for tourists to call and inquire about the ongoing anti-government rallies.

The center will also be able to give international visitors advice on areas to avoid visiting during the demonstration.

-- Tan Network 2010-04-12

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THE NATION: Thai composite stocks index (SET) at midday of Monday stood at 749.30, down 40.36 points, or 5.11 percent, the most in the past six months.

Postponed: ComWorld 2010 at Royal Paragon Hall postpones to May 20-23 (from Apr 29-May2) thanks to the current situation

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THE NATION: Jatuporn: We'll negotiate with Banharn only if his Chat Thai Pattana Party pulls out of coalition.

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THE NATION: PM might give a press conference soon.

THE NATION: Satreewittaya school alumni starting a social media campaign against reds, who painted graffiti deploring use of school as army shelter.

TAN NEtwork: Coming soon: Live ENG translation of PM Abhisit press con on TAN Network

THE NATION: Chavalit dismisses "national govt". House dissolution is only option, he says

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Arisman Demands CAT Resolve Problems with PTV Singal

BANGKOK: -- Key red-shirt leader Arisman Pongruengrong travels to CAT Telecom to demand that PTV signal isn't being interrupted.

Meanwhile, on another front, PTV procession of empty coffins, heading to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's residence in Sukhumvit, has reached Lad Prao area.

-- Tan Network 2010-04-12

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THE NATION: Chavalit dismisses "national govt". House dissolution is only option, he says.

THE NATION: The body procession by Reds causes heavy traffic in many areas - call JS 100 radio 1137 to check the traffic.

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THE NATION: PM statement upcoming

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THE NATION: PM speaking on TV now.

THE NATION: PM: "We are getting clearer picture now."

THE NATION: PM: "There has been a group of terrorists who exploited the rally, leading to the tragic situation."

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TAN Network: NOW: PM Abhisit gives live press con.PM says has met with coalition partners abt timeframe for House dissolution.

THE NATION: PM: "There has been a group of terrorists who exploited the rally, leading to the tragic situation."

THE NATION: PM: "Our task is separate the terrorists from the innocent protesters."

THE NATION: Pls note: this is the first time the PM used the word "terrorist".

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THE NATION: "As for political situation, govt coalition parties continue to consult each other so we have parallel measures to deal with situation."

THE NATION: "A committee will be set up to investigate the incident."

THE NATION: "Rehabilitation will continue for everyone who suffers losses."

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TAN Network: PM:ad-hoc committee to be set up to investigate violent confrontation on Apr 10,calls for public to support govt.

THE NATION: Recapping: PM said there was terrorist infiltration Saturday to turn the situation bloody. cont

THE NATION: Govt will further investigate to get a clearer picture of what happens and let the public know the results, he said.

THE NATION: PM speech lasted only 5min.

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Urgent: PM on air, announcing terrorists commit sabotage Saturday

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva announced on TV Monday that the government would distinguish terrorists from demonstrators.

Speaking on TV pool, the prime minister urged demonstrators not to allow themselves to be tools of terrorists.

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PM says political solution is being worked out

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the political sector, including coalition partners, are trying to reach a political solution.

Speaking on TV pool, he said the solution might come sooner than the initial schedule.

-- The Nation 2010-04-12

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THE NATION: Urgent: a red mob led by Arisman had taken Jirayut Rungsrithong, CEO of CAT telecom, to unknown destination.

THE NATION: Handy phone numbers for Today- BTS Hotline 02 617 6000, Tourist assistant 1672, Traffic report JS100 radio 1137, Bus update 184.

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Urgent: Arisaman leads 300 motorcyclists to capture CAT Telecom CEO

Arisaman Pongruangrong led some 300 motorcyclists to take CAT Telecom CEO Jirayuth Rungsrithong from the CAT Telecom head office at noon Monday.

-- The Nation 2010-04-12

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MCOT: PM vows to stay on to solve crisis through political means; separate innocent protesters from ‘terrorists

THE NATION: Jatuporn: Govt snipers were hiding in Satriwithaya school.

THE NATION: Autopsy announcement postponed to 3 pm (via noppatjak)

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CAT Telecom CEO taken away by red-shirt motorcyclists

By The Nation

Arisaman Pongruangrong led some 300 motorcyclists to take CAT Telecom CEO Jirayuth Rungsrithong from the CAT Telecom head office at noon Monday.

Arisaman led the protesters to the Cat Telecom head office on Chaeng Wattana Road in Bangkok's Lak Si district at 12:30 pm.

The arrival of the red-shirt motorcyclists terrified CAT Telecom officials.

Security officials tried to prevent the protesters from entering the building.

But Arisaman managed to meet Jirayuth and took him out on a motorcycle.

The protesters demanded CAT Telecom to reconnect broadband connection of PTV station to the satellite uplink station.

Arisaman did not say where he led the CEO to but reporters heard Jirayuth was led to the CAT Telecom's telecom centre in Nonthaburi.

-- The Nation 2010-04-12

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THE NATION: It's believed CAT Telecom chief cud be taken to satellite centre in Kaelai to facilate restoration of PTV signals.

THE NATION: Jatuporn: Govt snipers were hiding in Satriwithaya school.//School director denied, saying no snipers at school. via NNA

THE NATION: Autopsy announcement now.

THE NATION: There will be no details on the Japanese reporter because of relatives' requests.

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THE NATION: 10 bodies - causes of deaths were from being hit by high-power rifle bullets.

THE NATION: One person died from chronic disease.

THE NATION: Our reporter @noppatjak said the autopsy press con had not many crucial details. Will keep you posted.

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THE NATION: Pheu Thai has reiterated its stand. No talk. House dissolution now. Punish "murderers". End SOE now.

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Some 200 red-shirt protesters guard Thai Com uplink station

Some 200 red-shirt protesters rallied in front of the Thai Com uplink station in Pathum Thani's Lat Lum Kaeo district.

Pathum Thani Police chief Pol Maj Gen Methi Kusolsrang said the protesters informed him that they wanted to remain there to guard the station so that troops could not be deployed to seize it.

-- The Nation 2010-04-12

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Defiant Thai protesters parade their dead

by Patrick Falby

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thai "Red Shirts" paraded the bodies of dead protesters and empty coffins though the tense capital Monday, warning the time for negotiation was over after the bloodiest political unrest in 18 years.

The protesters vowed to press on with their bid to overthrow the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva following weekend clashes in Bangkok which left 21 people dead and more than 800 injured.

Pick-up trucks carrying two bodies and 14 empty caskets draped with Thai flags led a procession of cars, trucks and taxis filled with Red Shirts that snaked its way through central Bangkok, to cheers from some bystanders.

"There will be no talks with the government. We will not talk with killers," said Reds leader Jatuporn Prompan. "What else is there to talk about?"

Seventeen civilians, including a Japanese cameraman, and four soldiers were killed Saturday after the army launched a crackdown on the supporters of fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, following almost a month of mass demonstrations.

The Red Shirts, who hail from mainly poor and rural areas of Thailand, insist they will not end their campaign until the government calls fresh elections, and Abhisit stands down and leaves the country.

"We want people in Bangkok to know what happened to the Red Shirts because the government and the army control the news," said Chakkricth Kadeeluck, a 34-year-old watch seller from Chonburi, east of Bangkok.

"The Red Shirts want the people to know the truth."

Abhisit offered last month to hold elections by the end of 2010 -- one year ahead of schedule -- to end the stand-off, but protest leaders rejected the proposal.

The government also played down local media reports that Abhisit might offer to bring forward the polls to October.

"There was no talk of elections in October yet," government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn told AFP.

Thousands of Reds, who accuse the current government of being elitist and army-backed, have refused to end a month of mass rallies that have dealt a heavy blow to the country's vital tourist sector.

Deepening fears about the impact of the political crisis on the economy sent Thai stocks plunging more than five percent in early afternoon trade on Monday as Thailand's neighbours voiced their concern about the turmoil.

The Reds charge that the government is illegitimate because it came to power in 2008 after a court ousted allies of fugitive ex-premier and telecoms tycoon Thaksin from power.

Many are seeking the return of Thaksin, who was toppled in a bloodless coup in 2006, hailing his policies for the masses, such as cheap healthcare.

Shaken tourists have been seen packing up and leaving the capital after bloody clashes spread into the Khaosan Road backpacker district, where Thai flags, red roses and incense sticks were placed on pools of blood.

Saturday's violence erupted when troops tried to clear one of two sites in the centre of the city which have been occupied by the protesters for the past month.

As the clashes intensified gunshots echoed around the city and both sides accused the other of using live ammunition. Emergency services said two protesters were killed by gunshot wounds to the head.

The army later retreated, calling for a truce with the demonstrators. One group of soldiers was taken hostage by the Reds but police said they had been released on Sunday.

The bodies of four soldiers killed in the clashes were due to be returned to their families for private funeral ceremonies after autopsies.

The family of the Japanese cameraman who was fatally shot in the chest while covering the clashes arrived Sunday in Bangkok, where his wife said she was "bewildered" at the tragic turn of events.

"He was the best husband and father. I am very sorry that he couldn't come home with that smile," she said in a statement.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-04-12

Published with written approval from AFP.

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PM blames terrorists infiltration

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Monday said there has been a group of "terrorists" who exploited the rally of innocent and unarmed protesters, leading to the tragic situation on April 10.

In a TV-pool broadcast, Abhisit said that the government has the clearer picture of what happened during the weekend when the red shirts protesters battled with the army.

At least 21 victims, both the army and the protesters were killed while 800 others injured.

Abhisit said that the government's task is to separate the terrorists from the innocent protesters.

"Once we could separate the innocent protesters from the terrorists, we would do to make sure that the terrorists must take responsibility for the tragedy.

The government would conduct rehabilitation process and will continue for everyone who suffers losses of lives and business damage.

"As for political situation, govt coalition parties continue to consult each other so we have parallel measures to deal with situation."

A committee will be set up to investigate the incident, he said.

-- The Nation 2010-04-12

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PM: Terrorists responsible for Saturday bloodshed must be punished

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The government has promised to prosecute terrorists instigating violence during clashes between security officers and supporters of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) during the April 10 crackdown.

Speaking in a televised press conference on Monday at 14.00 hrs, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva announced that the authorities would try to differentiate innocent citizens from unrest perpetrators in order to take action against unidentifiable armed forces creating violence during the rally dispersal.

The prime minister admitted that these unrest instigators could be regarded as terrorists as they took the opportunity when people were protesting for democracy and justice to incite unrest with the objective to create a transition in the society.

Prime Minister Abhisit also confirmed that the government always heeds the demands of the UDD. He said all parties in the coalition government have been coordinating and compiling results from the previous two negotiation sessions between the government and the UDD.

The prime minister said the clashes on Saturday must be investigated with the government setting up a probing panel similar to the one appointed to solve the 2009 Songkran political turmoil.

In addition, Prime Minister Abhisit stated that rehabilitation to those affected from the clashes must be made continuously while damages to the economy and entrepreneurs will not be overlooked. He then asked for cooperation from the public to facilitate operations of the authorities accordingly.

The clashes on Ratchadamnoen Avenue between security officers and UDD protestors on Saturday resulted in 21 fatalities and almost 1,000 injuries.

-- NNT 2010-04-12

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TAT's aide to tourists

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Tourists injured by the Saturday clash are invited to file insurance claims to International SOS Co Ltd at 02-205-7711, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Prakit Piriyakiet, deputy governor for marketing communications at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said that the agency has also discussed with the insurer to count the Japanese photographer shot dead during the clash as a tourist. He would be entitled to compensation of Us$10,000. TAT has sent a letter of condolence to the Japan Embassy in Bangkok.

Prakit added that TAT Governor Suraphon Svetasreni has already paid an injured German tourist a visit. He quoted the tourist as saying that the accident was inevitable as that he still maintains the Phuket itinerary.

-- The Nation 2010-04-12

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Jatuporn says no to talk with govt

BANGKOK: -- Jatuporn Promphan Monday said he would not hold a talk with Banharn Silapa-archa, the de facto leader of the Chat Thai Pattana Party, unless the party pulls out of the Democrat-led coalition.

Earlier the day, Banharn offered to represent the government to hold a peace talk with the red-shirt movement.

-- The Nation 2010-04-12

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9 protesters killed by high-powered rifles: autopsy results

BANGKOK: -- The independent autopsy panel announced that 9 protesters were killed by high-powered rifles while another protester died of heart failure due to chronic diseases.

The panel announced that the autopsies have been completed for 11 bodies so far.

One of them was the Japanese reporter whose results were withheld at the request of his relatives.

High-powered rifles can only be used by specially gunmen.

The panel announced that the slain protesters were shot at their head or heart.

-- The Nation 2010-04-12

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Government, Military Seen in Discord over Protests

BANGKOK: -- Images of heavily-armed red-shirt protesters battling off state authorities have begun to make rounds on foreign media outlets with international analysts pointing to discord between the military and the government as the reason for the failure to disband demonstrations.

The New York Times today ran a photograph of red-shirt demonstrators wielding heavy arms against soldiers attempting to dissolve their protests at the Khok Wua Intersection this past Saturday, an incident that ended in the death of 21 people and injuries to over 800.

The images were in the same vein as other photos and videos aired by media throughout the world showing that the red-shirt group has well-trained and well-armed members.

International media members have, however, pointed to a divide between the military and the government as the main cause for the failure to end the protests, reasoning that the military has chosen to disregard state orders and take serious action against the red-shirt mobs.

A German expert on Thailand has stated that after the 2006 coup that deposed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the military was able to acquire power and afford itself a level of autonomy from the government.

The analyst noted that events this past Saturday gave Army Commander-in-Chief General Anupong Paochinda the opportunity to either allow Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's administration to fall or help to sustain it until the next military reshuffle in September, when his successor will be chosen.

Nonetheless, the analyst reminded that allowing the protest to continue only increases the possibility for more clashes and damage to the economy but cautioned that re-elections could place a pro-Thaksin party in power and leave the military open for retribution.

The analysis concluded by saying that the failure by the military to resolve the demonstration in an orderly fashion will make it extremely difficult for the Abhisit administration to stay in power long enough to reshuffle the Army ranks in a way favorable to General Anupong.

-- Tan Network 2010-04-12

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