Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Friday

[webfact]

Friday April 30 Red-shirt rally live updates

Here you can follow the live updates from the media, hour by hour.

To make it easy to follow, this thread is read-only.

FOLLOW US:

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

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

- Breaking News via SMS text messages to your mobile phone or handheld device

To subscribe dial *424010011 on AIS, One-2-Call, DTAC or True Move networks

14 days complementary subscription for Thaivisa members.

If you have questions about the Breaking News SMS service, email [email protected]

________________________________________________________________________________

Current weather in Bangkok, plus forecasts:

http://weather.thaivisa.com/bangkok

[webfact]

Yellow shirts urge PM, Army Chief to crack down

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thousands of yellow shirts yesterday called on the prime minister and the Army chief to deal urgently with the ongoing security threats from the red-shirt mobs wreaking havoc in Bangkok and other areas of the country.

Their co-leaders, Chamlong Srimuang and Piphob Thongchai, handed over the petition from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to Acting Government Spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn and Army secretary Maj-General Jiradet Sitthipraneet. The petition was addressed to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Army commander-in-chief General Anupong Paochinda,

The representatives of the government and the Army accepted the petition amidst tight military security. The petition called for measures to deal with the country's security threats from "terrorists" and a movement aimed at bringing down the monarchy.

The PAD followers, many clad in yellow, gathered in front of the 11th Infantry Regiment in the Bang Khen area, where the prime minister has stayed since the red shirts began their protests in Bangkok in mid-March.

It was the first time PAD followers had gathered on the street in great numbers since their one-week airport seizure in late 2008.

Similar PAD events took place in other provinces, including Ratchaburi, Phitsanulok, Khon Kaen, Buri Ram, Udon Thani, Phichit, Chiang Mai, Rayong, Songkhla, and Phatthalung. Local PAD leaders and followers handed the petition in at local military camps in 38 provinces, according to PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila.

"The crisis has rapidly and intensively spread and become a state of anarchy. It has reached a critical point and has damaged the economy and society," said the PAD's petition. "We would like to see the brave soldiers help us get rid of this illegal activity and bring peace to Thai society as soon as possible."

Chamlong said yesterday the government had to enforce the law and the military should be brave in dealing with "the terrorists at Rajprasong". He was referring to armed men said to have mingled with red-shirt protesters at their main site in the city's important shopping district.

"Soldiers must not utter two words, "fear" and "difficulty". With these two words, you won't successfully be able to deal with the terrorists at Rajprasong. There will be more deaths and loss," he said.

Piphob said the PAD wanted further violence to be avoided and the government to strictly enforce the law. He urged the Army chief to do the same thing "or more innocent people will be killed by terrorists".

Suriyasai said yesterday the PAD would not give any deadline for the government and the Army to do as they requested. "But we will follow the developments closely," he added.

-- The Nation 2010-04-30

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

Related topic dicussion:

Bangkok: Red-Shirts Storm Chulalongkorn Hospital

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Bangkok-Red-...ng-t360763.html

[webfact]

POLITICAL STALEMATE

EU calls for peaceful resolution

By The Nation

US says its diplomats are intensively engaged with both sides to resolve situation

BANGKOK: -- The European Union's office in Bangkok yesterday called for upholding the law and seeking a peaceful resolution to the current political predicament through negotiations to end it in a democratic manner.

EU ambassador David Lipman issued his statement after a meeting with four red-shirt representatives who delivered a plea to the EU to send observers to the rally site at Rajprasong in a bid to prevent a crackdown.

The plea was signed by red-shirt leader Veera Musigapong.

In his statement, the EU ambassador voiced regret at the loss of life and those injured but stopped short of addressing the request for intervention to avert what Veera described as a possible human rights' catastrophe.

In Washington, US State Department spokesman PJ Crowley told reporters yesterday that American diplomats are "intensively engaged in discussions" with Thai government officials and with opposition forces, the Associated Press reported.

"Our message remains what it has been since this situation evolved, which is to peacefully resolve the situation," the spokesman said.

Barred Thai Rak Thai leader Chaturon Chaisang yesterday slammed the government for gross violations of human rights related to its use of force against the red shirts.

He threatened to prosecute government leaders, including Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, in the International Criminal Court if the opposition could grab power and lead the next government.

"Abhisit is a civilian but has ordered a military crackdown - this is a serious violation of human rights," he said.

Chaturon said the government was trying to frame the red shirts by fabricating evidence that they were terrorists and that they were part of the underground movement designed to harm the monarchy.

"The frame-up charges are just a pretext for the use of force to remove the reds from Rajprasong," he said.

He urged the government to stop framing the red shirts as terrorists which, he said, would only lead to the worsening of social divisions.

The red shirts were democracy advocates and not terrorists, he said, adding the government's list of suspects accused of being anti-monarchy included only the names of political opponents.

One accused was Pheu Thai Party chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, who had a solid track record of defending the monarchy, while none of Chavalit's accusers ever fought for the King, he said.

Meanwhile, protest leader Jatuporn Promphan said yesterday the red shirts would not leave the Rajprasong protest site unless it was necessary. "We will be more careful to avoid daily killing," he said.

On the government side, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said yesterday the authorities would stop using a "soft approach" in dealing with red shirt mobs.

"I won't allow more of our officials to get injured and killed. We will follow international measures to deal with the protesters. But if they don't stop, the officials will have to defend themselves," he said. However, he added they would not follow an eye-for-an-eye policy.

-- The Nation 2010-04-30

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

CENSURE DEBATE

Pheu Thai not to push for censure debate

By Naya Jaikawan

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Pheu Thai Party yesterday decided to drop its plan for a censure debate on the grounds that the "blood-soaked" government was unworthy of the opposition's scrutiny.

"By unanimous decision, Pheu Thai will not file the motion of no-confidence," opposition MP Chalerm Yoobamrung said.

Pheu Thai executives and MPs turned out in full force for a 45-minute debate before ruling out the censure.

Chalerm said it was pointless to grill Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva as "he led the only democratic government in the world tainted by bloodshed".

The government had violated all principles related to the rule of law and committed too many mistakes beyond being salvaged by the parliamentary mechanism, he said.

"The order to crack down on protesters at night was too evil for censure in Parliament," he said.

He said the grilling would not achieve anything because the Democrats were indifferent to corruption and bloodshed.

Even though the censure debate was cancelled, the main opposition party would continue to act within its mandate to deny the Democrats an easy time in clinging to power, he said.

Evidence of suspected irregularities will be released to the public, he said, claiming rampant graft violations in key ministries such as Interior, Finance and Transport.

Certain ministers enriched themselves by speculative trading in the stock market, the reason why the government wanted to prolong the turmoil, he said.

He dismissed speculation about a linkage between his party's decision and the red-shirt protest.

The red shirts are demanding the dissolution of Parliament but if the censure debate were to take place, the government would be barred from calling a snap election.

-- The Nation 2010-04-30

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

OPINION

OVERDRIVE

The war of colours is about to begin

By Thanong Khanthong

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Major General Chamlong Sirmuang and other yellow-shirt leaders yesterday went to the 11th Infantry Regiment to submit a letter to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Army chief General Anupong Paochinda. First, they demanded that the government and the military work on a clear plan over how they will deal with terrorists and others who have violated the law, as part of the effort to restore stability to the country.

Second, the government must announce internal security measures in provinces where the red shirts' movement to establish a new political regime is strong. Martial law must be declared in Bangkok to quash the unlawful rally, which aims to overthrow the monarchy and establish a new political regime.

Third, the yellow shirts or the People's Alliance for Democracy must work with the military in other provinces to defend the nation and the monarchy.

The message from the yellow shirts was quite clear: If Abhisit and General Anupong fail to restore the rule of law, the yellow shirts will take matters into their own hands. By implication, this means that they will be ready to arm themselves and work with any military factions who are willing to restore order and to defend the crown. It amounts to a declaration of war between the two colours. The red shirts have staged their rally since March 12. They demand that Abhisit step down or dissolve Parliament. But their political agenda goes far beyond a House dissolution.

The red shirts, with the aid of armed supporters, clashed against government troops on April 10, resulting in heavy casualties for the government side. After that bloody battle, they relocated their rally site to the Rajprasong intersection in downtown Bangkok. Now they have fortified their position at Rajprasong, turning it into a sort of military encampment. Sharp bamboo sticks and car tyres are employed as barricades to defend them from troops who may move in to disperse them. One faction here is heavily armed with dangerous weapons.

Opinion continues: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/...n-30128263.html

-- The Nation 2010-04-30

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

RED RALLIES

Stress increase as protests prolong

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The stress over politics of Bangkok residents and those in Central Thailand has gradually increased as the red-shirt demonstration prolonged, Mental Health Department chief revealed yesterday.

Dr Chatree Bancheun said that the department's survey results showed that Bangkok residents' stress level went up from 17 per cent, to 24 per cent, to 32 per cent after the Silom clash, and it was at 37 per cent. Central residents' stress was at 53 per cent before it dropped to 20 per cent and then rose to the current score of 25 per cent. He said this was Bangkok and central provincial folks had a high level of stress over politics due to their proximity to the protest sites, but the overall picture wasn't worrisome yet.

Mental Health Development Office Dr Amporn Benjaponpitak said that most people injured from the April 10 clash returned to join the red-shirt rally. She said that the assessment found that this group was angry because they viewed themselves as victims and those did them wrong must be responsible or be dead. She said that they also felt while receiving medical treatment that others were not friendly to then. Amporn said the Silom multi-color-shirt demonstrators also were angry but in a less intense degree and they viewed themselves as serving their country and the high institute.

-- The Nation 2010-04-30

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

Police selling weapons denies reds involvement

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A policeman who recently carried dozens of grenades with him yesterday pleaded guilty to arms trafficking but denied any involvement in the redshirt movement.

"I am not politically active," Pol Sen Sgt Parinya Maneekhot said yesterday, "I've just procured and delivered weapons to earn extra money".

Parinya was arrested at the time redshirt demonstrators have been rallying in Bangkok to topple the Abhisit Vejjajivaled government. Since the rally started last month, many grenade attacks erupted in the capital and nearby provinces.

"Our investigation is ongoing. We will determine whether he is linked to the recent grenade attacks," Pathum Thani police chief Maj General Methee Kusolsang said.

Methee has already dismissed Parinya, a policeman at the Khukhot Police Station, from services. However, if Parinya's name is cleared, he still has a chance to get the reinstatement.

Parinya has become a wanted suspect since Wednesday. The hunt on him started right after he accidentally left his ID card during his attempt to evade security officials Wednesday evening.

At 4.20pm on Wednesday, security officials rushed after a motorcyclist - who was later identified as Parinya - after he suspiciously changed his route upon seeing the checkpoint.

When chased, the man dropped a Styrofoam box initially on his motorcycle into a garbage bin and sped away. Because the soi he went into was a dead end, he left his motorcycle and scaled the wall to make his escape.

A plastic bag containing his ID card fell down during the climb.

Security officials collected the bag and then checked his abandoned box. Inside were 63 M69 grenades.

Parinya did not return to his police flat on Wednesday night. Policemen searched his car there and found three M16 machine guns, 100 M79 grenades, three M79grenade launchers and many more ammunition.

There was also a list of purchase orders.

Parinya did not report to work yesterday either. Instead, he went around to withdraw cash from various banks using a pickup with a fake license plate.

Other policemen tracked him down and arrested him while his vehicle stopped at a red light in Pathum Thani yesterday afternoon.

Parinya did not resist the arrest. Inside his pickup were more than Bt700,000 cash, fake license plates and an unregistered pistol.

During the interrogation, Parinya said he was on his way to deliver the grenades to a customer at the Bang Khen Post Office at the rate of Bt1,200 per grenade when he ran into the checkpoint on Wednesday.

Parinya's colleagues at the Khukhot Police Station described Parinya as a diligent, cheerful man who preferred to keep some distance from others. He reportedly did not like to be accompanied.

Parinya is married to Saengmon Kamchai, who moved with their oneyearold baby to Chiang Rai last month.

Methee said the Provincial Police Region 1 had some information that could link Parinya to another warweapon case in Ayutthaya too.

-- The Nation 2010-04-30

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

HIGHWAY SHOWDOWN

Panel set up to oversee autopsy of slain soldier

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Army Medical Department set up a neutral committee yesterday to oversee the autopsy on the body of Private Narongrit Sara, who was killed during violent clashes at the National Memorial in Don Muang on Wednesday.

During the Wednesday fracas, 33-year-old Rajit Chantamun also sustained gunshot injuries to her right leg.

This is the first time a female has been injured in the clashes between redshirt protesters and troops, the most recent of which wounded 18 people, of whom 16 are civilians and two soldiers.

Rajit is being treated at Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital.

Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital director Chupan Charnsamorn said seven victims of the recent clash were being treated at the hospital.

One of them is in ICU, having lost 5 litres of blood to internal bleeding in the abdomen, and a less serious wound in the back.

He said the other six patients were mostly treated for broken bones or wounds caused by metal piercing, and should fully recover within a week.

Meanwhile, Narongrit died immediately at the scene of the clash and his corpse was moved to Phramongkutklao Hospital.

The soldier's younger sister Kansuda, during an interview on TV Thai, said Narongrit was preparing to take exams for the sergeant ranking on May 2.

Colonel Dr Piraphon Pokpong, head of the hospital's emergency department, said an autopsy would be conducted on the soldier's body at 10am today by five forensic experts from Siriraj Hospital, Chulalongkorn Hospital, Ramathibodi Hospital, Phramongkutklao Hospital as well as the Institute of Forensic Medicine. The Army's neutral panel will ensure transparency and accurate autopsy results.

Of the 16 civilians injured on Wednesday, two were severely wounded, with one sustaining injury in the abdomen and another to his chest. The two soldiers sustained injuries to their head and legs. Of the 18 victims, three have already been discharged from hospital.

Meanwhile, the Erawan Emergency Medical Centre reported on Tuesday that 80 people had been injured by the grenade attacks at Sala Daeng intersection on April 22, and 14 of the victims are still undergoing treatment.

So far, more than 1,000 people have been injured and 27 killed this month from bloody clashes.

-- The Nation 2010-04-30

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

Red Leaders Disapprove of Payap's Raid of Chulalongkorn Hospital

Core red-shirt leaders have expressed their disapproval for Payap Panket's move to raid Chulalongkorn Hospital last night.

Payap had accused the hospital of sheltering soldiers.

He led a group of red-shiret guards in a search for soldiers alledgedly hiding inside the hospital.

Chaos broke out as medical personnel panicked and patients were forced to be evacuated.

-- Tan Network 2010-04-30

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

Security Remains Tight in Silom and Saladaeng

Security remains tight in Silom and Saladaeng after the red-shirts' search of Chulalongkorn Hoospital last night.

A key red-shirt speaker Payap Panket claimed soldiers were hiding inside the hospital.

Chulalongkorn Hospital admitted more than half of its in-patients have been transferred to Siriraj Hospital.

-- Tan Network 2010-04-30

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

Chulalongkorn hospital transfers patients as red shirts vow to return

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=3553499

[webfact]

MCOTEnglishnews: Chula Hospital director: Move all patients to Siriraj is only option

MCOTEnglishnews: Medical Council of Thailand condemns Red Shirt protesters who stormed hospital, searching for troop

[webfact]

Red shirts cancel plan to return to Chulalongkorn Hospital on Friday

BANGKOK: -- Red shirts protesters cancel their plan to return to Chulalongkorn Hospital on Friday to check whether there are troops hiding inside the hospital buildings.

Nation television channel reporter quoted Dr weng Tohjirakarn, a red shirts leader, as saying that the red shirts protesters decided to cancel the plan as it would badly affect the patients receiving treatment in the hospital.

Weng, a medical doctor, was not at the scene when about 200 red shirts protesters stormed into the hospital buildings on Thursday night to check reports that troops were hiding inside.

The protesters, led by Payap Panket, vowed to return to re-check on Friday.

Weng said on Friday he would like to extend apology to what happened on Thursday.

-- The Nation 2010-04-30

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

Patients from Chulalongkorn Hospital transferred to Siriraj

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Authorities from the King Chulalongkorn Hospital will transfer over half of the patients from the facility to the Siriraj Hospital to ensure safety.

According to the Director of King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, MD Adisorn Patradul, the patient transfer started this morning, after coordinating with the Siriraj Hospital director.

Currently there are more than 500 patients residing at the hospital. The King Chulalongkorn Hospital director said that they will gradually move more than 250 in-patients to the mentioned hospital under the consent of patients and their relatives. However, MD Adisorn said that some patients may not wish to transfer and they have the right to do so. Meanwhile, it was reported that anti-government protestors of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) have cancelled their plan to make another search of the hospital today.

Last night, UDD protestors and guards led by Payap Panket searched the King Chulalongkorn Hospital located on Ratchadamri Road for military and security forces believed to be hiding out. The hospital has closed its out-patient services today, handling only emergency cases. However the medicine section of the hospital is available for patients in need to retrieve their medication.

-- NNT 2010-04-30

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

THE NATION: First thing first. Chula Hospital are now relocating some patients to Siriraj & other hospitals to prepare for possible redshirt attack

THE NATION: it seems no more hospital 'visit' for reds. Another leader Rambo knows it really damages reds: "Payap acted on his own."

[webfact]

THE NATION: Weng: I wasn't there,but 50-100 of our ppl. invaded hospital. Not appropriate & we must apologise. Let's not act like PAD

[webfact]

Deputy PM: Reclaiming Ratchaprasong is Hard

BANGKOK: -- The Deputy Prime Minister in charge of security affairs says reclaiming Ratchaprasong area is not an easy task, due to the anti-government group's human shields. He added the ammunition seized in the Don Muang area clash is real.

Deputy Prime Minister overseeing security affairs, Suthep Thaugsuban, has said the operation to reclaim the rally site is tough, because the red-shirt people are using human shields by means of children, women, and senior citizens. He added that the Center for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation or CRES has learnt a lesson from the April 10th clash at Rajdamnoen Avenue.

He said he cannot know if the government will be able to disperse the protest ahead of the Coronation Day ceremony, next week. However, the deputy prime minister is convinced there will be no confrontation between the government and Thaksin's supporters.

As for the clash in the Don Muang area, Suthep stressed that authorities must take tough action against the red-shirt people, as they were marching to break law and to cause havoc in the general public.

He insisted the seizure of weapons in the clash was not a set-up by military personnel as claimed by the pro-Thaksin movement.

Suthep added that police are gathering evidence and will arrest those linked to the M79 guns. Concerning the death of a soldier, he said the autopsy result is pending, as there was rain during the clash.

Prime Minister's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey pointed out that the practises by the red-shirt force in many cases involve terrorism, as they have employed weapons.

He added that authorities are having problems maintaining peace, as the red-shirt people no longer wear red outfits, which mean they have bad intention. As a result, the minister called on other people to stay away from the rally site.

Concerning Thaicom, which refused to block the red-shirt's distorted televised remark, Satit said the Information and Communication Technology Ministry will soon discuss the issue with the satellite firm, as the issue involves national security.

-- Tan Network 2010-04-30

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

THE NATION: Red's excuses- fake, he acts alone & etc - reflect bad management inside

THE NATION: Weng should not have been worried about acting like PAD. They've surpassed PAD as they are the first to invade hospital!!!

[webfact]

THE NATION: Central Childom opens 10 am - 7 pm. Silom Complex 10.30am-7pm. ZEN still closed.

[webfact]

THE NATION: Weng is thinking of sending an apology to Chulalongkorn Hospital and the public, vowing that it'll never happen again. via Nation TV.

[webfact]

THE NATION: Good news is that Reds decided (this time group's decision) not to go to Chulalongkorn hospital today. (last night someone said they would).

THE NATION: But bad news is due to last night's invasion, the hospital are moving patients to Siriraj and nearby hospitals.

MCOT: Ex-PM Chavalit wears Army uniform when he appeared at CRES HQ to answer allegations of attempting to overthrow monarchy; submits documents only, leaves

[webfact]

THE NATION: last night just shows again red leaders are loose cannon. Can't even agree with eachother. How can they have democracy?

THE NATION; watching ambulance picking up patients and relocating them is so depressing. It is worse than closing an airport or a mall.

[webfact]

THE NATION: Kinokuniya has shifted a number of books&magazines from its Paragon to its Emporium branch. Tables between the shelves.

________________________________________________________________

Court Jails Red-shirt Four Months for Don Muang Clash

The court has decided to jail seven red-shirt people for their involvement the clash in the Don Muang area, saying the action was violence-oriented and disturbed the general public in spite of the State of Emergency.

The court yesterday ruled against seven red-shirt members for acting violently and jeopardising the general public, which resulted in loss in life and damage to property, after they marched to the Thai market and clashed with the security forces a few days ago.

The court said the red-shirt's action was hazardous, so it has decided to sentence these men to four months in jail. However, those who plead guilty will serve only half the penalty due to their confession.

After the read the verdict, the relatives of the culprits bailed them out with 40,000-baht.

As for the only man who denied the charges, the public prosecutors agreed to file a charge against him separately.

Meanwhile, the court also approved the request by Thungsonghong police to detain six people who were arrested on Wednesday, as they allegedly possessed M79 guns found near the Don Muang clash site.

-- Tan Network 2010-04-30

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

Related topic discussion

Chulalongkorn Hospital Evacuated After Stormed By Red-Shirts

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Chulalongkor...-S-t360807.html

[webfact]

Chavalit submits letter to CRES disputing allegations of conspiracy to topple monarchy

Former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh Friday morning submited a letter to the Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation to dispute allegations that he was involved with the conspiracy to topple the monarchy.

Chavalit was dressed in the military uniform.

He submitted the letter to military officers in front of the 11th Infantry Regiment without going inside. The CRES head office is located inside the regiment.

Chavalit said he was followed by several aides so it would be inconvenient to go inside the regiment's compound.

-- The Nation 2010-04-30

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

MCOTEnglishnews: CRES steps up security at Chulalongkorn Hospital with 100 police; assailant who fired RPG at Ministry of Defence is identified

_________________________________________________

Suspect detained for allegedly firing RPG at Defence Ministry

Tharit Pengdit, the director-general of the Department of Special Investigations, disclosed Friday that a man has been arrested for allegedly firing a rocket-propelled grenade at the Defence Ministry earlier.

Tharit said the suspect was being detained by the military.

Tharit said it could not be disclosed now as to whether the suspect is a civilian or military officer.

-- The Nation 2010-04-30

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

THE NATION: have phoned a photographer at Chula hospital. The relocation of patients have actually started since last night after the reds invasion.

[webfact]

THE NATION: Two kinds of relocation - internal &external. The first is moving patients to anth building far from red-dominated area.

THE NATION: The external one: moving patients to Siriraj and other hospitals. But Chulalongkoran have done it with the relatives' consent.

[webfact]

THE NATION: (11.12) Chulalongkorn Hospital's latest statement says the relocation is done. OPD & medical classes are suspended for another day. #NNA

THE NATION: to sum up: Chulalongkorn will not accept any new patient except a critical case. Read it in thai: http://bit.ly/dlWbAX