Clashes Continue, Turning Central Bangkok In Virtual Warzone

[webfact]

Clashes Continue, Turning Central Bangkok in Virtual Warzone

BANGKOK: -- After starting their “all out’ crackdown against the red shirt protesters last night, military personnel intensified their operation at around noon today.

Soldiers closed down North Sathorn Road and worked their way down to the Wireless Road area.

Gunshots and bomb-like sounds were heard continuously throughout the day. Several injuries have been reported, including a Mathichon photographer, who was shot in the hip and a foreign journalist who was shot in the hand.

The foreign journalist has been identified as France 24 journalist Nelson Rand, a Canadian who has been resident in Thailand for at least 5 years.

Clashes have occurred along the Rama 4 Road, from the expressway all the way to Silom Road.

Soldiers have been seen the perimeter of Lumpini Park, shooting what is believed to be rubber bullets into the park, where red shirt protesters have set up camp.

Demonstrators have since retaliated by seizing a police truck and torching it on Wireless Road. They also successfully seized two army trucks and damaged it to the point that it has been deemed useless.

They have also been firing firecrackers back at the soldiers.

At the Thai-Belgium Bridge on Rama 4 Road, protesters have torched tires, one very close to a PTT gas station, prompting fears of a possible explosion. The fires have been since put out.

Reports indicate that military personnel have been able to secure Wireless Road. Military helicopters have been seen circling the area, believed to be scoping out hot spots in the protest area.

Meanwhile, public transportation in the area has completely ceased. The BTS Skytrain has announced that it will stop service from 4 P.M. onwards. The MRT has closed down eight of its surrounding stations.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-14

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

Thai troops open fire in standoff with protesters

by Patrick Falby

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thai troops opened fire on the streets of Bangkok on Friday as they ramped up pressure on "Red Shirt" protesters to give up their campaign to topple the government after a two month standoff.

Volleys of gunfire sent residents fleeing in panic near the Suan Lum Night Bazaar, popular with tourists, while protesters set fire to an empty police bus and vandalised army vehicles and water cannon.

Two journalists, one of them a Canadian with the France 24 television channel and the other a Thai photographer, were shot and wounded. Their conditions were not known.

Troops were seen repeatedly firing into Lumpini Park, close to the Red Shirts' sprawling encampment, which has been fortified with razor wire, truck tyres doused with kerosene and sharpened bamboo poles.

It was not clear if the troops were firing live ammunition, but the army has warned in the past it would use lethal force against "terrorist" elements.

A line of about 100 soldiers carrying assault rifles was seen near the park, according to an AFP reporter. Three Red Shirts were seen being detained by the security forces.

Army spokesman Sunsern Kaewkumnerd said there were about 2,000 Red Shirt protesters in the area and that the order was given Friday morning to disperse them after they had "intimidated authorities with weapons".

Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwon said the operation was meant to force the movement's leaders back to talks with the government.

"The military operation aims to put pressure on the Red Shirts to come back to the negotiating table," Prawit told AFP.

An army spokesman, however, said the military had no plan to force protesters out of their main fortified rally site on Friday.

Around the wider protest area, which extends for several square kilometres (miles), soldiers blocked roads and set up checkpoints to seal off the area.

"The total seal-off measure took place since yesterday evening," said Sunsern, adding that the electricity company had cut off the power to part of the capital.

As part of the operation, some of Bangkok's commuter rail system was shut, including a section through the key tourist area of Sukhumvit Road.

The army had warned Thursday it would deploy snipers around the Reds' protest site and use armoured vehicles to prevent more demonstrators joining thousands who have occupied a large area of central Bangkok for two months.

The army's decision followed the shooting late Thursday of renegade Major-General Khattiya Sawasdipol, a high-profile Reds supporter, who had been accused of trying to stymie government moves to reconcile with the protesters.

He was unconscious in the intensive care unit of Vahira hospital with a "low" chance of survival from a head wound, said Chaiwan Charoenchokethavee, the hospital director.

Another demonstrator died after being shot in the head in clashes with security forces Thursday night. Eleven others were wounded.

Core Red leaders had publicly distanced themselves from Khattiya, known by his followers as Seh Daeng, but after his shooting one top protester vowed there would be no surrender.

"If you think the shooting of Seh Daeng will scare leaders and make them not dare to take the stage, you are wrong," one of the protest leaders, Jatuporn Prompan, said at the rally site. "We will not leave here as losers."

The army denied involvement in the shooting as protesters dug in.

The fresh violence came after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva shelved a plan to hold early elections in November and hopes faded for a resolution to the crippling political crisis.

The mostly poor and working class Reds, who launched their campaign in mid-March for immediate elections, initially agreed to enter the peace process but efforts to reach a deal that would see them go home eventually broke down.

The Reds consider the government illegitimate because it came to power in a 2008 parliamentary vote after a court ruling ousted elected allies of their hero, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was unseated in a 2006 coup.

Bracing for further possible unrest, the government on Thursday extended a state of emergency to 15 more provinces. Almost one-third of the country including Bangkok is now under emergency rule.

At least 30 people have been killed and about 1,000 injured in Bangkok in a series of confrontations and attacks since the protests began -- Thailand's worst political violence in almost two decades.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-05-14

Published with written approval from AFP.

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[gemini81]

there is no need for "negotiations" with these war mongers at this point, round them up and punish them. they are keen on burning buses and inciting violence.

when I passed through the area about 1:00 pm I could feel the tension in the air. happy I got outta there in time before it really started up. Man oh man are the supporters just a bunch of filthy scrubs. you have to seem 'em and then you can't deny.

[MaxLee]

Soon we will have UDD protesters in every part of Thailand, not only Ratchaprasong and Silom.

[Jingthing]

Soon we will have UDD protesters in every part of Thailand, not only Ratchaprasong and Silom.

By protesters do you mean armed insurgents?

[BkkMD]

Sounds like a good day to make a visa run

[Sao Jiang Mai]

Am utterly appalled at the reds. They had such sympathy a month and a half ago, now they are just a bunch of criminals working for their master Thaksin to the detriment of the entire nation. Disgusting.

[BygonKeaw]

there is no need for "negotiations" with these war mongers at this point, round them up and punish them. they are keen on burning buses and inciting violence.

when I passed through the area about 1:00 pm I could feel the tension in the air. happy I got outta there in time before it really started up. Man oh man are the supporters just a bunch of filthy scrubs. you have to seem 'em and then you can't deny.

What a fool you really are for going through that area today.

Another silly farang.

Im just waiting for pictures of drunk ones mingling with the reds and making us all look very stupid indeed.

[mommysboy]

Soon we will have UDD protesters in every part of Thailand, not only Ratchaprasong and Silom.

I have just returned this minute from a very unwise trip to Pratunam. The whole main road seemed to be a 'no mans land'. As we departed some razor wire barricades near the new train station were being dismantled and then there was tear gas and gunfire. I noticed that behind police/army lines, some people were breaking up paving slabs, I can't think they were red shirts, and it leads me to think there is a counter mob of some sort.

[Jingthing]

Am utterly appalled at the reds. They had such sympathy a month and a half ago, now they are just a bunch of criminals working for their master Thaksin to the detriment of the entire nation. Disgusting.

OK. However, I can't understand any civilized person having any sympathy for them at all after Pattaya Asean and Black Songkran.

[MaxLee]

Soon we will have UDD protesters in every part of Thailand, not only Ratchaprasong and Silom.

By protesters do you mean armed insurgents?

If you say so, then yes. People are on the run wherever they want to... they even manage to take over military machinery according to the news, destroy vehicles. Is that enough proof?

[ScouseTommy]

Thai troops open fire in standoff with protesters

by Patrick Falby

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thai troops opened fire on the streets of Bangkok on Friday as they ramped up pressure on "Red Shirt" protesters to give up their campaign to topple the government after a two month standoff.

Volleys of gunfire sent residents fleeing in panic near the Suan Lum Night Bazaar, popular with tourists, while protesters set fire to an empty police bus and vandalised army vehicles and water cannon.

Two journalists, one of them a Canadian with the France 24 television channel and the other a Thai photographer, were shot and wounded. Their conditions were not known.

Troops were seen repeatedly firing into Lumpini Park, close to the Red Shirts' sprawling encampment, which has been fortified with razor wire, truck tyres doused with kerosene and sharpened bamboo poles.

It was not clear if the troops were firing live ammunition, but the army has warned in the past it would use lethal force against "terrorist" elements.

A line of about 100 soldiers carrying assault rifles was seen near the park, according to an AFP reporter. Three Red Shirts were seen being detained by the security forces.

Army spokesman Sunsern Kaewkumnerd said there were about 2,000 Red Shirt protesters in the area and that the order was given Friday morning to disperse them after they had "intimidated authorities with weapons".

Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwon said the operation was meant to force the movement's leaders back to talks with the government.

"The military operation aims to put pressure on the Red Shirts to come back to the negotiating table," Prawit told AFP.

An army spokesman, however, said the military had no plan to force protesters out of their main fortified rally site on Friday.

Around the wider protest area, which extends for several square kilometres (miles), soldiers blocked roads and set up checkpoints to seal off the area.

"The total seal-off measure took place since yesterday evening," said Sunsern, adding that the electricity company had cut off the power to part of the capital.

As part of the operation, some of Bangkok's commuter rail system was shut, including a section through the key tourist area of Sukhumvit Road.

The army had warned Thursday it would deploy snipers around the Reds' protest site and use armoured vehicles to prevent more demonstrators joining thousands who have occupied a large area of central Bangkok for two months.

The army's decision followed the shooting late Thursday of renegade Major-General Khattiya Sawasdipol, a high-profile Reds supporter, who had been accused of trying to stymie government moves to reconcile with the protesters.

He was unconscious in the intensive care unit of Vahira hospital with a "low" chance of survival from a head wound, said Chaiwan Charoenchokethavee, the hospital director.

Another demonstrator died after being shot in the head in clashes with security forces Thursday night. Eleven others were wounded.

Core Red leaders had publicly distanced themselves from Khattiya, known by his followers as Seh Daeng, but after his shooting one top protester vowed there would be no surrender.

"If you think the shooting of Seh Daeng will scare leaders and make them not dare to take the stage, you are wrong," one of the protest leaders, Jatuporn Prompan, said at the rally site. "We will not leave here as losers."

The army denied involvement in the shooting as protesters dug in.

The fresh violence came after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva shelved a plan to hold early elections in November and hopes faded for a resolution to the crippling political crisis.

The mostly poor and working class Reds, who launched their campaign in mid-March for immediate elections, initially agreed to enter the peace process but efforts to reach a deal that would see them go home eventually broke down.

The Reds consider the government illegitimate because it came to power in a 2008 parliamentary vote after a court ruling ousted elected allies of their hero, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was unseated in a 2006 coup.

Bracing for further possible unrest, the government on Thursday extended a state of emergency to 15 more provinces. Almost one-third of the country including Bangkok is now under emergency rule.

At least 30 people have been killed and about 1,000 injured in Bangkok in a series of confrontations and attacks since the protests began -- Thailand's worst political violence in almost two decades.

<img src=http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/pics/afplogo.jpg target="_blank">

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-05-14

Published with written approval from AFP.

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

School cancelled today, kids to scared to come in!! Business is at a standstill. Whilst the reds are here who is looking after their crops and their families???? Sukhumvit is not a nice place to be at the moment been through twice today and i would describe it as very tense, and potentially chaotic. This should have been dealt with weeks ago! I am all for getting rid of the hardcore reds, they are little more than terrorists, angling for the best deal. But i feel for the people they have duped with their rhetoric!! I can only see this going horribly wrong and leading to bloodshed on a large scale, which is sad because i do love this country!!! No end in sight!

[nonthaburial]

Glad to see the first report was updated as it is without doubt that live rounds were being fired in the news report I have just seen

[BygonKeaw]

Soon we will have UDD protesters in every part of Thailand, not only Ratchaprasong and Silom.

By protesters do you mean armed insurgents?

So thats every single red or just the hardcore ones like yellows, muslims, yanks etc etc

I am not a red nor yellow just a simple farang that lives in bangkok btw. I cant choose a colour as its not my business.

This is a terrible time for all thais and maybe farang thai wannabees jingthing

[BKjohn]

Am utterly appalled at the reds. They had such sympathy a month and a half ago, now they are just a bunch of criminals working for their master Thaksin to the detriment of the entire nation. Disgusting.

OK. However, I can't understand any civilized person having any sympathy for them at all after Pattaya Asean and Black Songkran.

The only ones that have sympathy for them are the reds themselves - like their fan club here - time for negotiation is over and I hope the government realizes that the only way to win this is to go full out and destroy them once and for all

[4223rhodes]

Am utterly appalled at the reds. They had such sympathy a month and a half ago, now they are just a bunch of criminals working for their master Thaksin to the detriment of the entire nation. Disgusting.

OK. However, I can't understand any civilized person having any sympathy for them at all after Pattaya Asean and Black Songkran.

So, you can't understand half of the population. That is not surprising. I've met Red-supporters, rich and poor and middle class, actually I've known many for years. They are good people who, frightening to some, support greater democracy and less military intervention in Thai politics. I've met a few Yellows too and some are also good people. The most rabid yellows seem to be the farangs who are unnecessarily afraid of being lifted off their pedestal.

[Jingthing]

Yes, you can't negotiate with the reds. All they do is make demands and their goal is clear now. Total takeover of Thailand to create a red Thaksinista dictatorship. The exact opposite of pro-freedom, pro-peace, pro-freedom.

[frodo]

Soon we will have UDD protesters in every part of Thailand, not only Ratchaprasong and Silom.

By protesters do you mean armed insurgents?

We were told by our school today to leave early. Seems the Phathumthani Reds will be heading to Lam-Luka area to stir up trouble sometime this evening.

[losworld]

If anyone now has any doubts about the true intentions of the redshirt leaders they are utter fools. It should be abundantly clear that this is nothing more than Thaksin's agenda and not a true democratic movement. Any clear headed leader would have taken what had been gained and acted in the best interests of the people attending by disbursing the rally.

I sympathize with those who were duped into believing they were accomplishing something meaningful for their region and hope something positive does come out of it. However, I would not be surprised if this type of behavior does not serve to reinforce negative stereotypes of the north east.

What we are witnessing here is Thaksin's complete betrayal of the people who supported him.

A truly sad day for Thailand.

[Insight]

3hrs of sunlight left before the spooks come out. Hoping the army are fully prepared.

Thaksin wanting to negotiate a sign the reds are on the back-foot, or is he merely reading from the script...?

[Jingthing]

So true, los, but some can't seem to be able to remove their RED colored glasses.

[4223rhodes]

3hrs of sunlight left before the spooks come out. Hoping the army are fully prepared.

Thaksin wanting to negotiate a sign the reds are on the back-foot, or is he merely reading from the script...?

Well, Abhisit used the illusion of negotiations as a prelude to his murderous military offense against civilians. Might Thaksin stoop to Abhisit's level? Why not?

[BKjohn]

Am utterly appalled at the reds. They had such sympathy a month and a half ago, now they are just a bunch of criminals working for their master Thaksin to the detriment of the entire nation. Disgusting.

OK. However, I can't understand any civilized person having any sympathy for them at all after Pattaya Asean and Black Songkran.

So, you can't understand half of the population. That is not surprising. I've met Red-supporters, rich and poor and middle class, actually I've known many for years. They are good people who, frightening to some, support greater democracy and less military intervention in Thai politics. I've met a few Yellows too and some are also good people. The most rabid yellows seem to be the farangs who are unnecessarily afraid of being lifted off their pedestal.

Half the population ???????????

You are living in a fantasy world you ....... little red .......

[ScouseTommy]

I have to agree, its a sad day for Thai's whether red or not, because the only people likely to get anything out of this are the red leaders and the people funding them and the elite!! The average Thai will get nothing, except perhaps a bullet if they are rabid enough, or brainwashed enough to stay and protest in Silom e.t.c.

[jgm005]

Probably quite true I live almost in the heart of Red Country, Nongbulamphu, and many folks are going to head to BKK. I am just keeping my mouth quiet up here. The Red party line rules and there is no other viewpoint.

Soon we will have UDD protesters in every part of Thailand, not only Ratchaprasong and Silom.

[BygonKeaw]

Am utterly appalled at the reds. They had such sympathy a month and a half ago, now they are just a bunch of criminals working for their master Thaksin to the detriment of the entire nation. Disgusting.

OK. However, I can't understand any civilized person having any sympathy for them at all after Pattaya Asean and Black Songkran.

The only ones that have sympathy for them are the reds themselves - like their fan club here - time for negotiation is over and I hope the government realizes that the only way to win this is to go full out and destroy them once and for all

Thats a bit harsh...kill the innocent protestors in the camp that are sticking up for the rights whether they are right or wrong?

It never ceases to amaze me how farangs on thaivisa seem to think they know best about thailand and how to deal with thailands problems.

What is also very funny is that i have scoured the thai tv channels to seem some live coverage and all i can find is thai soaps and other nonsense things...yet thaivisa has thousands of high intelligent members going crazy about others people problems..If you are a farang with a thai passport then fair enough..its your problem as well you fellow country mens.

[nickupton]

Soon we will have UDD protesters in every part of Thailand, not only Ratchaprasong and Silom.

By protesters do you mean armed insurgents?

Then let us hope that the army deals with them in the same way as they are dealing now with those at Ratchaprasong.

[sweeneythailand]

Am utterly appalled at the reds. They had such sympathy a month and a half ago, now they are just a bunch of criminals working for their master Thaksin to the detriment of the entire nation. Disgusting.

OK. However, I can't understand any civilized person having any sympathy for them at all after Pattaya Asean and Black Songkran.

are

democracy is what the fight is all about freedom of the people to vote and elect a government of their choice and not the choice of the Armed Forces in Thailand this civil war the only losers are the Thais themselves the Reds fighting for their lives because of the repression they are suffering under the rich and powerful this has been going on for hundreds of years and now they will not give up. The Prime Minister will have to resign in the face charges of the people. This is the work of the New World order and the Bushes and the Blair's Rothschild's and Rockefeller's of this world are destroying democracy. Is it is going to end I think not -- I wish it would . The UK now has a new government Thailand needs one to. don't blame the people who want change is twice the government that was elected have been deposed.

[MaxLee]

I don't know what happened, but for a short period I couldn't access thaivisa.com because of this:

http://www.thaivisa.com/404.0.html

Everytime I clicked something on Thai visa I was getting this message. What was going on???

Anyhow. Any more casualties by now???

[nickupton]

Am utterly appalled at the reds. They had such sympathy a month and a half ago, now they are just a bunch of criminals working for their master Thaksin to the detriment of the entire nation. Disgusting.

OK. However, I can't understand any civilized person having any sympathy for them at all after Pattaya Asean and Black Songkran.

are

democracy is what the fight is all about freedom of the people to vote and elect a government of their choice and not the choice of the Armed Forces in Thailand this civil war the only losers are the Thais themselves the Reds fighting for their lives because of the repression they are suffering under the rich and powerful this has been going on for hundreds of years and now they will not give up. The Prime Minister will have to resign in the face charges of the people. This is the work of the New World order and the Bushes and the Blair's Rothschild's and Rockefeller's of this world are destroying democracy. Is it is going to end I think not -- I wish it would . The UK now has a new government Thailand needs one to. don't blame the people who want change is twice the government that was elected have been deposed.

It seems to me that the problem is reds don't understand how the parliamentary system works or how vote buying is cheating and that those who engage in it cannot be called democratically elected.