Clashes Continue, Turning Central Bangkok In Virtual Warzone

[humfurry]

ENGLISH ANNOUNCEMENT from the Thai government on the Thai TV, NOW !!

Please post what is being said. I am out of the country, but interested to know the updates.

Cheers, Rick

The usual Rick... The govt is using focre to respond to force and plans to return Bangkok to normal conditions soon.

[frodo]

ENGLISH ANNOUNCEMENT from the Thai government on the Thai TV, NOW !!

Watching now...

OMG, he just used the word normalcy ... here we go again

I also noticed he said "Foreign residents," not "Guests."

[BKjohn]

Red shirts toughen demands

The red-shirt leaders Friday announced they would no longer compromise with the government and toughened their demands for the administration to comply with.

The red-shirt leaders demanded Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to meet the five demands as following:

1) The government must cease fire immediately.

2) The government must withdraw troops immediately.

3) The government must lift the state of emergency immediately.

4) The House must be dissolved immediately.

5) Abhisit and Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban must resign and must not be in the caretaker Cabinet.

-- The Nation 2010-05-14

Thaksin demands, Jataporn demands, Reds demand, Phua Thai demands

demand, demand, demand

or what?

and what about us?

maybe if we demand they obey the law and go home

or would that be just more wasted rhetoric for the benefit of the media.........?

he forgot one:

The government must make sure to shoot to kill every red shirt leader and terrorist

[BKjohn]

sorry double post no idea why by TV very slow now

Edited May 14, 2010 by BKjohn

[chadintheusa]

Richard barrow: Have lost my Loxinfo connection for second time tonight. Have switched to True now. Coup coming?

What kind or reporting is this. Internet connection problems are not indicative of a coup in the making. Given the tense atmosphere I would expect more responsible journalism.

If all your tv channels suddenly go to nationalistic programming then you might have something to worry about. That happened during the last coup in 2006.

[BKjohn]

Red shirts toughen demands

The red-shirt leaders Friday announced they would no longer compromise with the government and toughened their demands for the administration to comply with.

The red-shirt leaders demanded Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to meet the five demands as following:

1) The government must cease fire immediately.

2) The government must withdraw troops immediately.

3) The government must lift the state of emergency immediately.

4) The House must be dissolved immediately.

5) Abhisit and Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban must resign and must not be in the caretaker Cabinet.

-- The Nation 2010-05-14

Thaksin demands, Jataporn demands, Reds demand, Phua Thai demands

demand, demand, demand

or what?

and what about us?

maybe if we demand they obey the law and go home

or would that be just more wasted rhetoric for the benefit of the media.........?

he forgot one:

The government must make sure to shoot to kill every red shirt leader and terrorist

[hughben]

PanusD RT @aleithead: Lots of bullets and big bangs - even more confusing in the darkness. Interviewed a British guy manning the red barricades. Watch later!

Suicidal tourist or mercenary?

No a complete dumbshit

[eggomaniac]

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.

EGGsactly!

IF there were fair elections; IF corruption was reduced among legislators; IF there were Stable terms of office; and IF Thaksin AND Sondhi were in jail for the crimes they commited, there would be no Red movement.

There are enough, street level, Thais, reds AND yellows who want Peace and Prosperity for Thailand, that clashes would end.

The Joseph Solution supplies the Remedies for political sanity to prevail.

[asiantraze]

I have two points to make,

1, Just because i am not thai or a resident doesnt mean i dont care, or that my worries or opinions are not valid. I live here and contribute to society. As for the FARANG tourists that you seem to dislike so much- they prop up the economy in this country, without them the economy will crash imo. So try to lose the bigotry

2,i have travelled all over the country and i have seen first hand people being TOLD they will vote red or else.... i dont call this support. A lot of my friends are from outside bkk and are poor, they DONT support reds!! Yet some friends of mine in Pattaya who are Thai, and not poor DO support the reds. imho a large proportion of rural people do support red, BUT nowhere near the 50% you are claiming. How can the reds staying here in bkk be helping their families and their crops? The payments will stop as soon as their usefullness runs out, what then for the poorest of these people???? I'm sorry but the reds have to go, the only reds who will profit from this are not the normal truly poor people you are championing, this is all about money and power, not impoverished people from Issan

Nice post...

So, please let us just not mislead readers into believing that 50% of the Thai population supports the reds, what? 50%? That is almost close to 30 million Thais, is it? We have never seen this number anywhere near Ratchaparasong or Silom! No, not even in the countryside when they started to swarm in municipal buildings. So, yes, please lying is bad.

I wonder what other big fat lies do reds believe.

Neither have we seen 30 million "multi-colored" shirts. Does that mean that the government only has ...what ...5000 supporters that turned out at the last pro-government rally? What I'm trying to say is that not everyone that supports something will go onto the street. There are many "silent supporters" for both sides.

If we are to believe your logic, that means there are many less Democrat supporters than red shirt supporters. Since the multi-colored shirts peaked at about 5000 at their biggest rally, and the red shirts at 100,000. So ...I'll believe your logic, but it means that there are 20 red shirts for every pink shirt. You tell me if you're wrong with your thinking or not.

Hey, did I ever mention something about multi-colored shirts here? This is what I am saying when people go blind and "red"-subdued. Yes, blind because the "reds" (surely not 50% of all Thais) are paid by the day when they go to the rally site of their interest...And, this is a fact.

[ETatBKK]

ENGLISH ANNOUNCEMENT from the Thai government on the Thai TV, NOW !!

Please post what is being said. I am out of the country, but interested to know the updates.

Cheers, Rick

The usual Rick... The govt is using focre to respond to force and plans to return Bangkok to normal conditions soon.

no new, no surprise ! they just said government wants to return to the stability as soon, and don't hang around :-)

this is just what government wants, and not it is now

[jcbangkok]

Journalist Shot?

I see no Green Arm Band or anything such as a camera to indicate he is a journalist. I also see no blood at all which makes me believe he got shot with a rubber bullet.

[minburi2]

Four killed and 46 people injured

As of 8 pm, Erawan Center reported that four were killed and 85 injuries in Friday's clashes between troops and red shirts protesters.

Nation, make up your mind!! how many injured????

[FatherF]

TAN_Network

Civil Court rejects red shirt request to stop crackdown; says it's within their administrative right 3 minutes ago via Digsby

[redparrot]

Sondhi Limthongkul Resigns as New Politics Party Leader

Sondhi Limthongkul appears on ASTV for the first time in months. He's announced his decision to step down as leader of the New Politics Party. He explained that he needed to take up the post as New Politics Party to allow the party to be establish. He estimates that the New Politics Party could get as many as 50 seats.

50 seats where? In jail?

[hammered]

Wonder how Sondhi's resignation as NPP leader comes into all this? He doesnt do anything without a reason.

[jcbangkok]

sorry double post no idea why by TV very slow now

They have been having serious intermittent problems the last 24 hours.

[humfurry]

Journalist Shot?

I see no Green Arm Band or anything such as a camera to indicate he is a journalist. I also see no blood at all which makes me believe he got shot with a rubber bullet.

No gear... can't tell whats he was/is... except stupid for being where he should not have been. I love the way she said he was "pleading for help" I didn't hear that on the soundtrack.... sheesh...I expect that on this forum... but from a news anchor?

[Netfan]

Anybody living close to Victory? I live in Din Daeng and coming home at 6pm on a motorcycle taxi there were gunshots and people running next to the traffic lights at Century Park Hotel. I got off the motorcycle ready to run with them but the traffic started moving, so I was able to complete the journey with chocolate stains in my pants! Amazing how many onlooking apparent civilians there were all wanting to see a piece of the action.

I always thought I was quite far away from it, just shows - nowhere's safe....

There has been fighting reported a while ago at Din Daeng.

Din Daeng, Victory Monument and RangNam were hotspots '09 Songkran. King Power Rang Nam and Din Daeng flats were where the reds threatened to blow up hijacked gas tankers. At Din Daeng the "elite" residents (working poor) went after the red shirts, who had to run to the police for protection.

[Sunderland]

Journalist Shot?

I see no Green Arm Band or anything such as a camera to indicate he is a journalist. I also see no blood at all which makes me believe he got shot with a rubber bullet.

His name is Nelson Rand. He's a journalist with France 24. He was earning his living doing what many other journalists are forced to do. He was taken to Chula Hospital. He had rifle bullet wounds to his foot, wrist and abdomen.

And who the hel_l are you? Some keyboard jockey sitting at home moaning.

[samtam]

Still intermitent firing by the army on Sathorn Road (N) towards the river. The fire outside the Australian Embassy seems to have gone out. Can't see, but don't appear to be many people, Red or otherwise in the vacinity, so it's unclear whom the army are firing at.

[eggomaniac]

You mean, no Thaksin, no problem, Thailand is back to what it was a few years back?

Easy, do a "Sae Deng"...

Sorry to bust your bubble, but I think the red movement is moving beyond Thaksin. He's like the car's 5th wheel. If it falls off, the car will keep rolling. The government and red shirts need to go back to negotiating or this will turn very ugly, very fast.

Thaksin is the steering wheel.

You are the full-up ashtray.

Best comment of the evening award is yours!!!

great, keep us awake!!

Thailand was a MESS before Sondhi bank rolled Thaksin into power, calling him 'the best PM ever'.

Thailand will be a MESS when new figures replace the currents 'actors'.

Thailand's MESS IS bigger than Thaksin AND Sondhi, times 10!~

Edited May 14, 2010 by eggomaniac

[BKjohn]

Anybody living close to Victory? I live in Din Daeng and coming home at 6pm on a motorcycle taxi there were gunshots and people running next to the traffic lights at Century Park Hotel. I got off the motorcycle ready to run with them but the traffic started moving, so I was able to complete the journey with chocolate stains in my pants! Amazing how many onlooking apparent civilians there were all wanting to see a piece of the action.

I always thought I was quite far away from it, just shows - nowhere's safe....

There has been fighting reported a while ago at Din Daeng.

Din Daeng, Victory Monument and RangNam were hotspots '09 Songkran. King Power Rang Nam and Din Daeng flats were where the reds threatened to blow up hijacked gas tankers. At Din Daeng the "elite" residents (working poor) went after the red shirts, who had to run to the police for protection.

Running seems to be a special of their leaders

The sounds heard at about 6:20 pm prompted the red-shirt leaders to flee down the stage and hide behind the stage, leaving the protesters to lie down in front of the stage.

Red guards also ran for cover.

[redparrot]

Wonder how Sondhi's resignation as NPP leader comes into all this? He doesnt do anything without a reason.

He resigned so that he can once again lead the mighty yellow PAD. He wouldn't want to be accused of any conflicts, so he first resigned from the party that he founded, as both chairman and member, now he'll lead the PAD once again and when he has achieved his political objectives, he'll go back and will re-join his party and assume the position of chairman once again.

This way nobody will be able to say that he did it for his own political benefit.

[redparrot]

Running seems to be a special of their leaders

The sounds heard at about 6:20 pm prompted the red-shirt leaders to flee down the stage and hide behind the stage, leaving the protesters to lie down in front of the stage.

Red guards also ran for cover.

You're suggesting if the army shoots at you, you will just stand there and not run away for cover?

[LevelHead]

And all because of the PAD in 2006 and the subsequent illegal coup which threw the best ever constitution Thailand had, into the bin.

The coup leaders in 2006 should have their immunity revoked (why are they immune from prosecution anyway) and be tried for treason. That might stop coups in future.

[Neurath]

Wonder how Sondhi's resignation as NPP leader comes into all this? He doesnt do anything without a reason.

Bad juju. He's decided to fight outside the electoral/parliamentary process. Very bad news.

[redparrot]

Officials say they will continue with their crackdown and will start using harsher measures if protesters refuse to disperse within two days.

What are harsher methods than using live bullets? Chemical weapons?

[jcbangkok]

Journalist Shot?

I see no Green Arm Band or anything such as a camera to indicate he is a journalist. I also see no blood at all which makes me believe he got shot with a rubber bullet.

His name is Nelson Rand. He's a journalist with France 24. He was earning his living doing what many other journalists are forced to do. He was taken to Chula Hospital. He had rifle bullet wounds to his foot, wrist and abdomen.

And who the hel_l are you? Some keyboard jockey sitting at home moaning.

He is an idiot is what he is. I saw another version of this where he speaks and he sounded like an American ... not French.

Edit: You appear right. Just watched another video of Nelson Rand and looks and sounds like the same guy.

Do we know for sure if he was shot with live rounds or if they were rubber bullets? I only hear the word "shot" being used and don't see any blood in this video.

Bottom line is he is still an idiot for being were he was with no protection and nothing to identify himself as a journalist ... both things the army has advised journalists to do.

Edited May 14, 2010 by jcbangkok

[bkkjames]

Found this on Sky News.

He was hit by three bullets from a military assault rifle and has been "gravely wounded".

"I've just come out of the hospital where I spoke to the surgeon," Rand's colleague Cyril Payen said in a live France 24 report monitored in Paris.

"It has been confirmed he was hit by three bullets. One hit his leg, one his torso and another his wrist, which has multiple fractures.

"The doctors say his condition is now stable but that he was gravely wounded."

..[/i]

[lannarebirth]

Journalist Shot?

I see no Green Arm Band or anything such as a camera to indicate he is a journalist. I also see no blood at all which makes me believe he got shot with a rubber bullet.

His name is Nelson Rand. He's a journalist with France 24. He was earning his living doing what many other journalists are forced to do. He was taken to Chula Hospital. He had rifle bullet wounds to his foot, wrist and abdomen.

And who the hel_l are you? Some keyboard jockey sitting at home moaning.

He is an idiot is what he is. I saw another version of this where he speaks and he sounded like an American ... not French.

It's been reported that he is Canadian.