Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Friday

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ThaivisaNews: Bangkok: PM Abhisit on TV Pool now

THE NATION: js100 radio reported that many patients were travelled by their cars not the ambulances because there are not enough of them for relocation.

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THE NATION: PM 's official announcement now.

THE NATION: PM: Govt won't tolerate public being intimidated by protesters.

THE NATION: PM: Chula hospital is a very sensitive case.

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TAN network: LIVE:PM reiterates govt won't allow reds to intimidate general public. Employed int'l standards to disperse reds at Thai Mkt

THE NATION: PM: So hospital admin decided to handle situation by itself.

THE NATION: PM: No need to condemn what happened, as the international community is already doing that.

THE NATION: PM: Discussion going on how to increase security at the hospital in an acceptable way.

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THE NATION: PM: Hospital admin had decided they did not want troops' presence there, which was understandable.

THE NATION: PM: Discussion going on how to increase security at the hospital in an acceptable way.

THE NATION: PM: there has been constant progress in efforts to solve the whole problem. Govt's checkpoint/blockade have proved more effective.

THE NATION: PM: Some of govt actions can't be publicized. Please rest assured that we are working full-time to solve the crisis.

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THE NATION: PM: The arrest of Methi has given us very useful information.

THE NATION: There have also been key progress in efforts to find political solutions that can lead to real reconcilation.

THE NATION: The announcement ended. At beginning, he talked briefly ab Vibhavadi, saying wat happened wud b investigated and wrongdoers punished.

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PM announces CRES will not allow protesters to intimidate public again

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva went on TV Friday to announce the Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation would not allow red-shirt protesters to intimidate the public again.

Abhisit said he was sorry that the protesters stormed into the Chulalongkorn Hospital Thursday night.

Abhisit said the authorities would take necessary actions to prevent the protesters from intimidating the people again.

The prime minister said the protesters caused hardship to the people around their rally sites by intimidating the people.

-- The Nation 2010-04-30

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Thaivisa Member:

The reason the Army/government is waiting is:

1) violently cracking down on the reds will give them sympathy and more votes, the reason the redshirt leaders took over center bangkok is to provoke the government into doing this; that failed and now they are getting desperate and doing things like ransacking hospitals.

2) not cracking down makes everyone get tired of, or hate the redshirts, which start to look like a bunch of thugs, not victims or democracy activists.

3) The economic impact of the occupation is really not as bad as it looks, ritzy hotels and places like Gaysorn are possessions of just a few rich people, not the rich class altogether..most Thai peoples economic life hardly revolve around Siam Paragon, it's just 3 malls and a few hotels, bkk has more ritzy malls and hotels just down the bts or a short drive away. Tourists soon realize that the situation here really isn't that dangerous and there are many better places in Thailand for them to go.

4) cracking down too quickly increases the chance of civilian deaths because the reshirts hide armed men with grenades and guns amounst the crowd and use human sheilds, they then scream "murderers" in other words they want the police to massacre the unarmed civilians because it helps them politically.

5) The longer the police army wait, the more protesters go home, there's not that many reds down there now, i was there 2 days ago and moral seems to be low, people getting bored, again thats why they start getting desperate and doing stupid things like raiding hospitals or trying to break out of their protest zone-which failed.

6) in another month of standoff the red shirts will be more willing to negotiate a more reasonable time frame for new elections.

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100 policemen dispatched to guard Chulalongkorn Hospital

Assistant Police Commissioner-General Pol Lt Gen Worapong Chiewpreecha said 100 policemen from the Pathumvan Police station have been dispatched to guard the Chulalongkorn Hospital.

The policemen will not allow red-shirt protesters to storm inside like what they did Thursday night.

The protesters stormed inside the hospital Thursday nigh to hunt for troops but found none.

Their action prompted the hospital to transfer patients to other hospitals.

-- The Nation 2010-04-30

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THE NATION: PM also mentioned legal action against those responsible for the chula hospital raid.

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PM Abhisit Clarifies Dispersal of Red-shirts at Thai Market

During a live TV address, PM Abhisit Vejjajiva clarified that the authorities had followed international standards in dispersing the red-shirt protesters who were gathering near the Thai Market in Pathum Thani Province.

-- Tan Network 2010-04-30

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MCOTEnglishnews: Chulalongkorn Hospital to transfer Buddhist Supreme Patriarch, Sangharaja, to Siriraj Hospital; affirms no double standards practice

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US warns against travel to Phuket

PHUKET: -- In the latest blow to the Phuket tourism industry, the US State Department has added its name to the growing list of foreign missions recommending that its nationals avoid travel to Thailand at this time.

“Due to escalating violence in central Bangkok, demonstrations in Chiang Mai, and other incidents throughout Thailand, all US citizens should avoid nonessential travel to Thailand. This replaces the Travel Alert dated April 22, 2010, to update information on security concerns and to recommend against nonessential travel to Thailand at this time.

The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (aka UDD or “red-shirts”) continues to demonstrate in central Bangkok. The UDD may change or expand its demonstration locations at any time. Various other groups are engaging in pro-government or counter-demonstrations in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. There have been several minor clashes between the UDD and other demonstrators. These clashes may escalate with no warning. For areas currently affected by demonstrations, please refer to the local media,” it reads.

The warning goes on to summarize the current security situation and the events leading to it.

The American Citizen Services Unit of the US Embassy can be reached by calling 02-2054049 and by email at: [email protected]

The US Embassy is located on Wireless Road, just a short walk from the upscale Rajprasong shopping district that has been taken over by UDD protesters.

The upgrade follows similar moves by other governments, including those of the UK and Canada that advised against travel to all parts of Thailand earlier this week.

The UK tabloid The Sun today posted a report on its website with the headline ‘Brits plan holiday in hel_l’, with the subheading: ‘Thousands of foolhardy Brits still plan to travel to Thailand - despite the continuing bloodbath.”

The report makes no mention of the fact that there have been few incidents of violence related to the political drama outside the capital.

-- Phuket Gazette 2010-04-30

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MCOTEnglishnews: PM believes world community will condemn Red Shirt storming of Chula Hospital; asserts he's not ignoring it

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@RichardBarrow: DSI has arrested Rayong man for posting in Facebook messages deemed offending national security and the monarchy /BkkPost

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Foreign allies reluctant to meddle in Thai crisis - Focus

by Claire Truscott

BANGKOK (AFP) -- The international community is urging a peaceful resolution to Thailand's protracted political crisis but is unlikely to intervene in the affairs of the key Western ally, experts say.

Following a series of violent confrontations in the heart of Bangkok and weeks of mass anti-government protests that have hit many businesses, including foreign hotels, diplomats say privately they are very worried.

But foreign governments seem unlikely to put strong pressure on either the protesters -- who want greater social equality -- or the authorities, who are insisting that they will not be bullied into calling snap elections.

"There's no real pressure being applied. People are just listening to both sides but trying to keep neutral ground," said one European diplomat on condition of anonymity.

Governments across the world have issued calls for "restraint" and for a negotiated solution following the worst political violence in almost two decades, which has left 27 people dead and hundreds injured this month.

"To date the level of bloodshed has not been such that a decisive intervention from the outside is going to happen," said Michael Montesano, a Singapore-based Thailand expert.

The United States, a longstanding and staunch ally of Thailand, is among the countries that have condemned the violence.

The US embassy has also "intensively engaged in discussions" both with the Thai government and the "Red Shirts", a US State Department spokesman told reporters in Washington on Wednesday.

"And our message remains ... to peacefully resolve the situation," he said, without disclosing whether those talks were ongoing.

Washington is thought unlikely to move beyond the usual expressions of concern and calls for restraint in a country that is often seen as a pillar of stability in the region despite its frequent political upheaval.

"The US policy is to hope that this doesn't become terribly violent and to try to push Thailand towards a more normal stable procedural democracy. Nothing they have said strikes me as particularly meaningful or Thailand-specific," said Montesano, of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.

But one Western diplomat believes that the Thai government, led by British-born, Oxford-educated Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, is particularly sensitive to the US comments, even if they have been relatively restrained.

"These statements were read and heard. A certain coldness on the US side was noted," he said.

This message is also likely to make Thailand's military wary of staging another coup, he said. Tense diplomatic relations followed the last coup in 2006 that deposed the Red Shirts' political icon, Thaksin Shinawatra.

Governments refused to maintain their diplomatic links with the junta that stayed in power for a year, while some US military assistance was suspended.

The Red Shirts have sought in vain to increase international pressure on their government by delivering letters to the UN and US, British and European Union embassies seeking support.

But few expect to see UN peacekeepers or EU observers on the streets of Bangkok any time soon.

"There is no need for international intervention at this point in time," Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya told a news conference Thursday during a visit to Jakarta.

A group of lesser-known diplomats irked the Thai government by visiting the Red Shirts' protest compound last week -- a move that was criticised by Kasit.

The Reds accuse the current government of being elitist and undemocratic, because it came to power on the back of a parliamentary vote that followed a controversial court decision ousting Thaksin's allies from power.

But diplomats note Abhisit's ascent to power was within the constitution.

And with close diplomatic and economic ties at stake in a region home to military-ruled Myanmar as well as communist Vietnam and Laos, Thailand's allies seem unlikely to do anything to upset the current administration.

"World governments still consider Thailand a relative beacon of democracy in the region, so if we let them down what hope is there for all the other Asian allies," said the European diplomat.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-04-30

Published with written approval from AFP.

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THE NATION: BTS opens today until 8pm.

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PM says govt's efforts to solve problems related to red-shirt protests have progressed

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva announced on TV Friday that the efforts by the government and the Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation have progressed a lot.

He said the checkpoints and blockade set up to block people from joining the protests have proved more effective.

The prime minister added that there was a clash between protesters and the authorities at the Henri Dunant Road Thursday night because the authorities would not allow the protesters to expand the rally site to the road.

The prime minister added that there was also some progress in the efforts to seek political solution for the problem.

-- The Nation 2010-04-30

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HOSPITAL RAID

Govt will not permit reds to intimidate public : PM

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said his government would not allow protesters to intimidate the public after they broke into Chulalongkorn Hospital on Thursday night, prompting hospital to evacuate patients.

The government will surely take legal action against those who are responsible for the hospital's raid.

About 200 red shirts protesters stormed into the hospital, claiming that they wanted to search for troops and police they said who were hiding in the hospital building.

The protesters were led by Payap Pankaet, a red shirt leader. The raid prompted the hospital to evacuate the patients to other hospitals.

The hospital suspended receiving outpatients following the raid.

Speaking in a special television programme, Abhisit said the government had frequently discussed about security and protection with the executives of the hospital which is located next to Rajprasong rally site.

At that time, the executives decided that troops and security officials were not needed.

"The hospital's administration told us that it does not wish the troops to enter the hospital's premises because the hospital has to be neutral and safe. The administration therefore takes care of its own safety and security," Abhisit said.

No one expected such raid would happen at a hospital.

However, after the raid, the government will renew discussion with the hospital's administration about the security and safety.

He asked the people, which are thinking the government has done nothing to protect them, to understand the government and the authorities concerned as they have done their best but could not reveal the detail of the operation.

-- The Nation 2010-04-30

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HOSPITAL RAID

We're sorry we raided a hospital : Dr Weng

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A red shirts leader issued an apology for the red shirts' raid at Chulalongkorn Hospital on Thursday night, claiming reds' guards told the leaders that they saw soldiers inside the hospital.

"On behalf of all leaders, I apologise to the public and Chulalongkorn Hospital for the incident," weng Tojirakarn, a medical doctor, said.

"The situation got out of control. It is not our policy to obstruct hospital operations."

Medical Council slammed the reds' action and asked protesters to respect medical personnel.

"All parties must refrain from exploiting hospital grounds for political gain," the council said in a statement.

-- The Nation 2010-04-30

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Ex-PM Chavalit denies anti-monarchy accusation

BANGKOK: – Puea Thai Party chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh on Friday submitted documents to the Centre for Resolution of Emergency

Situation (CRES) after being accused of involvement in an anti-monarchy movement by the CRES.

Former prime minister Gen Chavalit had already planned to report to the centre although a summons has not yet been issued for him.

However, he went to the 11th Infantry Regiment only to submit documents to CRES without entering to meet senior officials.

Donning a military uniform, the first time in 20 years, he said, Gen Chavalit was accompanied by opposition Puea Thai members of parliament when handed in document regarding his "work records" to the CRES.

Maj-Gen Jiradej Sitthipraneet, secretary of the Royal Thai Army and Tawin Pleansri, secretary-general of the National Security Council received the documents. He spent only 20 minutes at the 11th Infantry HQ before leaving.

Gen Chavalit also urged Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva not to order a military crackdown against Red Shirt protesters, but denied involvement in an anti-monarchy movement as alleged by CRES. The former prime minister said he has not spoken with ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra recently.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, in his capacity as CRES director, on Wednesday said that CRES would issue a summons for Gen Chavalit and others suspected of involvement in an alleged plot to overthrow the monarchy.

The centre earlier revealed the chart of a movement attempting to overthrow the monarchy. The CRES director said that officials are collecting evidence to issue summonses for the suspects, including Gen Chavalit.

-- TNA 2010-04-30

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Red shirts to clear Rajdamri Road in front of Chulalongkorn Hospital

Red-shirt protesters will stop blocking the gate of Chulalongkorn Hospital on the Rajdamri Road, a leader said Friday.

Suporn Atthawong said he had been assigned by other leaders to coordinate with the hospital to clear part of the Rajdamri Road in front of the hospital to make it more convenient for people to enter and leave the hospital.

The bunkers on the Rajdamri Road in front of the hospital would be removed and reassembled on the road island to prevent protesters from crossing over to the hospital again, Suporn said.

-- The Nation 2010-04-30

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THE NATION: Thaksin tweeted 7 mins ago saying he arrived in Uganda last night. Wherever he goes he always follow the red shirted "fighter"'s move.

THE NATION: Live from Chula @jin_nws - A group of ab 10 nurses express their sorrow by showing signboards opposing hospital invasion. They wept too.

THE NATION: "goosebumps as i heard them" - they walked around and sung "An Kwam Karuna Pranee" - (song about mercy...)

THE NATION: And Red realized the damage has been done. @jin_nation reported that #redshirts have cleared the way on Rama IV Rd to open access for Chula.

THE NATION: Thaksin said he came fr Moscow. He came 2 Uganda for business.

THE NATION: Thaksin praised a "Mor Lum" singer 4 her lovely performance on the stage (Rajprasong).

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MCOTEnglishnews: Thai authorities arrested, charged an anti-govt "Red Shirt" supporter in Rayong for allegedly insulting kingdom's royal family on Facebook

THE NATION: Thaksin lent his support 2 the reds & admired their determination 2 fight 4 democ. Some injured people said they'll fight after recovery.

THE NATION: And he is alive and tweeting

THE NATION: Thaksin's tweet came ab 20mins ago. He said he had arrived in Uganda last night. He said he always follow redshirts move.

THE NATION: Latest tweet fr Thaksin's son @oak_pttt....My dad. is fine not even a cold....I will always be yours (reds') supporter.

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Thai man arrested for Facebook post about monarchy

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thai authorities have arrested and charged an anti-government "Red Shirt" sympathiser for allegedly insulting the kingdom's royal family on Facebook, police said Friday.

Wipas Raksakulthai, 37, was arrested at his home in eastern Rayong province on Thursday accused of violating the country's lese majeste legislation with a posting on the social networking website last month.

"Wipas has posted an inappropriate message and breached national security by insulting the monarchy on Facebook on March 19," Thailand's department of special investigations said.

The department's statement said the suspect admitted he was supporter of the Red Shirt movement, which has occupied key areas in the Thai capital in attempt to force snap elections, but he denied insulting the monarchy.

Internet content seen as overtly critical of Thailand's king -- who enjoys a semi-divine status among many citizens -- has been under close scrutiny since the Reds began their campaign in 2006.

More than 6,200 web pages have been removed since 2007 for insulting the Thai royal family, according to officials.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who has been a stabilising force during six politically turbulent decades on the throne, has been in hospital since last September.

Anyone can file a lese majeste complaint in Thailand, and police are duty-bound to investigate it.

The Thai government earlier this week accused several members of the Red Shirt movement of attempting to overthrow the monarchy, including two former prime ministers.

Under the Thai criminal code, insulting the monarchy or a member of royal family can result in jail terms of up to 15 years.

The Reds -- who want immediate elections to replace Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government -- have periodically clashed with security forces during their occupation of sections of the Thai capital over the past month.

Many of the Reds come from Thailand's rural poor and urban working classes and seek the return of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and now lives overseas to avoid a jail term for corruption.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-04-30

Published with written approval from AFP.

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Red shirts may stop blocking Pathumwan, Chidlom intersections

The red-shirt protesters may stop blocking the Pathumwan and Childlom intersections so that a school and some shopping centres could be reopened, Suporn Atthawong, a leader said Friday.

Suporn said the red-shirt leaders may make a decision in the evening to stop blocking the two intersections, especially the Pathumwan.

Suporn said bunkers at the Pathumwan intersection might be removed and the protesters might pull back until the Chalermpao Intersection so that Siam Paragon and Siam Center could be reopened.

He said the blockade at the Chidlom Intersection might be ended because Mater Dei School, which is located there, will be reopened next month.

Suporn said the red-shirt leaders were discussion how to facilitate parents and students traveling to the school but have not reached a conclusion yet.

Suporn said the red-shirt leaders might also allow the traffic on the Henri Dunant to be resumed.

-- The Nation 2010-04-30

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MCOTEnglishnews: Forensic experts conclude soldier dead in Wednesday clash between army and protesters died from gunshot in head; cannot identify weapon

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KHON KAEN REDS

Reds block airport and search for multicoloured leader

KHON KAEN: -- Red shirts protesters block an exit road of Khon Kaen airport on Thursday to search for a leader of multicoloured demonstrators who is scheduled to join a rally in the province.

They stopped every vehicle going out of the airport and searched for Dr Tul Sitthisomwong.

Tul is a leader of the multicoloured protests organised to counter the red shirts protest and to show their opposition to the reds' demand for PM Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve the Parliament.

-- The Nation 2010-04-30

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TAN Network: Reds surround Khon Kean airport in hopes of trapping multi-shirt leader Dr. Tul Sittisomwong

TAN Network: Lawyers representing red shirt leaders have filed defamation charges against PM for accusing them of trying to topple monarcy

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MCOTEnglishnews: Chula Hospital gradually transfering patients to other hospitals; Red Shirts remove bunker, open one lane of Ratchadamri Road to traffic

THE NATION: All doctors could do was to give heart patients (who got apppointment at #chula) medicine and asked them to go home.TR @js100radio

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Red Shirts Surround Khon Kean Airport

Red shirt protesters have surrounded the Khon Kean Airport after receiving news that the coordinator of the multi-colored shirt group, Dr. Tul Sittisomwong would be arriving on an afternoon flight.

Some media reports are suggesting that upon his arrival, Dr. Tul immediately got on a flight back to Bangkok.

-- Tan Network 2010-04-30

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TAN Network: INN: Gen Chavalit said "the monarchy can help build democracy; urges PM to dissolve House, set up interim gov't

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Red Shirt Lawyers Sue PM for Defamation

Lawyers representing red shirt leaders have filed defamation charges against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva for accusing them of trying to topple the monarcy. The Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situations earlier released a diagram illustrating an intricate web of individuals who are alleged to be part of a network to topple the monarchy.

-- Tan Network 2010-04-30

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