Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Saturday

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BTS_SkyTrain: BTS will shortly notify passengers of service timetable on the next day via www.bts.co.th

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Related topic discussion:

Journalists in firing line in Thai clashes

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Journalists-...as-t365403.html

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TAN Network: BBC News reported: UN Sec-Gen Ban Ki-moon has condemned the violent clashes in Bangkok and has urged the government and protesters to talk.

MCOTEnglishnews: Erawan Emergency Medical Centre: 16 dead, 141 injured in clashes between troops and Red Shirt protesters on Friday

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BTS halts services Saturday

The Bangkok Transit System announced that its skytrain services on both routes will be completely halted for Saturday on safety concern.

For more information, please contact 0-2617-7300 ext 1834, 1842.

-- The Nation 2010-05-15

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TAN Network: TR @Bancha_nna 9.45am Clashes reported @ Soi Rang Nam; cars U-Turn on Sri Ayutthaya and Ratchaparop to avoid clashes causing heavy traffic.

TAN Network: Field reporters have tweeted that there are noticeably fewer press at Ratchaprasong stage today after some were injured yesterday.

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Officers shoot van speeding through checkpoint, three injured

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Military officers last night opened fire at a speeding van in a bid to stop it from breaking through the checkpoint near Makkasan Airport Link station.

At 00.30 hrs, the Toyota Commuter van moved with high acceleration on Ratchaprarop Road heading towards Din Daeng Intersection and refused to stop at the military checkpoint near Makkasan Intersection after it was flagged down by the officers. The incident forced the security officers to fire bullets to puncture the tires; however, the van continued charging at the checkpoint. Both rubber bullets and live rounds were used, and the vehicle was successfully brought to a stop.

On the van, the military officers found a middle-aged man with alcohol stench, who was injured by a bullet on the right side of his body. The officers also found a large collection of knives and memorabilia of the anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD).

Two passersby, a 10-year-boy and a taxi driver, were also hit by stray bullets. All three wounded were rushed to Phyathai 1 Hospital.

-- NNT 2010-05-15

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All MRT, BTS stations closed today

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The MRT subway and the BTS skytrain will stop operating at all stations today due to the uncertainty of the ongoing downtown standoff between security officers and protestors.

Major General Chatchai Praditpong, Bangkok Metro Public Company Limited (BMCL) Director of Event Support and Promotion, said the company would suspend the MRT services today for the safety of passengers while the political unrest was heating up in the city. Further announcement will be made by the company if there is any new development.

The BTS Skytrain also announced its closure on both Silom and Sukhumvit Lines today while the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service, which was due to commence today for free of charge, is also postponed.

All commuters are welcome to contact the MRT hotline at 02-624-5200 and the BTS hotline at 02-617-7300, ext 1834, 1835, 1836, 1837, 1842, or 02-617-6000 for more information.

Violent clashes between the state troops and the anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) protestors broke out throughout yesterday in Bangkok’s commercial district. The incident has left at least 16 people dead and 157 injured.

-- NNT 2010-05-15

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THE NATION: Another gunfight erupted on Rajprarop Road at 9:20 am Saturday, causing a Coke transport worker to be injured in crossfire.

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Weng calls on reporters to return to Rajprasong

Weng Tojirakarn Saturday morning called on reporters to return to cover the demonstration at Rajprasong.

He said no reporters turned up at the rally stage apparently because their editorials did not allow them to cover the demonstration.

Weng said red-shirt guards would provide protection to reporters.

The no-show of reporters indicated that troops were about to suppress protesters at Rajprasong, weng said.

-- The Nation 2010-05-15

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Coke worker injured in crossfire at Rajprarop

Another gunfight erupted on Rajprarop Road at 9:20 am Saturday, causing a Coke transport worker to be injured in a crossfire.

The gunfire lasted about 10 minutes.

Matichon Online said some injured people remain at the bunker of the troops.

-- The Nation 2010-05-15

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BANGKOK DANGEROUS

Timeline of Mayhem in Bangkok - Day 2

Timeline of Mayhem in Bangkok - Day 2

9.20am - Another gunfight erupts on Rajprarop Road, causing a Coke transport worker to be injured in a crossfire. The gunfire lasted about 10 minutes.

Matichon Online says some injured people remain at the bunker of the troops.

9am - No reporters are seen at Rajprasong rally site. red shirts leader; weng Tohjirakan, asks the media to return to cover the protest at Rajprasong rally site. He guarantees maximum protection for the media.

8.55am - BTS and MRT services suspend all services of all routes until midnight for the second day

8.20am - red shirts protesters burnt a garbage truck near Bon Kai area.

8.06am - Erawan Emergency Center reports 16 deaths and 141 others injured. Seven of them are in ICU in 11 hospitals.

7.50am - Troops reinforce at Rajprarob Intersection by erecting more barricades and prohibit people from entering the area.

7.40am - At Rajprasong rally site, protesters wake up. Reds leaders take turn to give speech on stage.

7.30am - At Saladaeng, tensions rise after clashes between troops and protesters on Friday night. Troops could be seen everywhere.

7.25am - red shirts protesters burn two public telephone booths and a police booth near Thai-Belgium Bridge.

7.20am - Driver of a van who tries to break barricades is injured after troops fired at his van's tyres. He is reportedly on his way to deliver food and necessities at Rajprasong rally site.

6.30am - UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon expresses concerns on the violence in Thailand. He asks all parties concerned to talk.

6am - The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Emergency Health Centre revived the death toll of Friday's clashes between troops and protesters to 16.

157 people were reported to be injured so far.

-- The Nation 2010-05-15

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Seh Daeng remains in critical condition

The Vajira Hospital director said Maj Gen Khattiya Sawasdiphol or Seh Daeng remained in critical condition Saturday, second day after he received a brain operation.

Vajira director Wanchai Charoenchokthawee said Khattiya's brain swelled a little bit more and his blood pressure remained stable.

He said Khattiya will remain in the intensive care unit and his condition will remain critical for several more days.

-- The Nation 2010-05-15

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TAN Network: Red-shirt leader Kwanchai Praipana has been quoted as saying, "We will surrender in our next life."

TAN Network: Red-shirt leader Dr.Weng Tojirakarn says some police and even soldiers are shooting at their peacekeepers, demands govt stop operations now.

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BreakingNews Update: Thai Red Shirt leaders tell protesters to stay and fight, say they have days’ worth of food water - Reuters

@RichardBarrow Emporium is open today. /via @lindavanderwijk

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TAN Network: St.Francis, Trium Udom Phayathai, and Sri Ayutthaya schools announce they will delay school opening to May 24th.

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ThaivisaNews: Kwanchai threatens to use Ratchaprasong malls as strongholds if troops come in /via @RichardBarrow @terryfrd

ThaivisaNews: Pua Thai figures Somchai Wongsawat and Prompong Nopparit are reportedly visiting Seh Daeng at Vachira Hospital.

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TAN_Network: Bangkok areas still dangerous: Ding Daeng ints, Pratunam, Ratchaparop, Soi Moh Leng+, Rama 4 rd., Soi Bon Gai, Lumpini Park, Sala Daeng ints

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Ongoing clashes this morning

Clashes between red-shirt protesters and soldiers are still being reported at Thai-Belgium bridge, Rama IV expressway intersection, Lumpini Park, Din Daeng intersection, Soi Rang Nam, and Bon Gai intersection. The clash under Ram IV expressway ramp intersection has left 2 injured. Earlier this morning at the Thai-Belgium bridge, red-shirts set on fire 2 telephone booths and a police booth. A pick-up truck filled with supplies for red-shirts tried to break through a roadblock of soldiers who opened fire leaving 3 injured. Heavy traffic is being reported at the Victory Monument and Din Daeng intersection where roads are blocked by protesters and soldiers in a tense confrontation. At 9.45am, clashes were reported at Soi Rang Nam. Cars on Sri Ayutthaya and Ratchaparop roads near Soi Rang Nam u-turned to avoid clashes causing heavy traffic. Field reporters have tweeted on Twitter that there are noticeably fewer press at Ratchaprasong stage today after some were injured yesterday.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-15

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THE NATION: TNN: 3 or 4 residents of Bon Kai community near Lumpini Boxing Stadium were shot and injured by unidentified snipers Saturday morning.

THE NATION: Nation field reporter said Silom Road became ghost town at 10: 30 am Saturday with only some 7-11 shops remaining open.

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3 or 4 Bon Kai residents injured by snipers

Three or four residents of Bon Kai community near Lumpini Boxing Stadium were shot and injured by unidentified snipers Saturday morning, TNN reported.

The station said the snipers might be hiding on a deserted building on the side of the boxing stadium.

The residents were shot at their chest and were rushed to a hospital.

-- The Nation 2010-05-15

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ThaivisaNews: Shopping malls closed: MBK, Platinum, Silom Complex, Central Chidlom, Paragon, Zen, Central World, Gaysorn & Siam Square! /v @richardbarrow

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THE NATION: Jatuporn told protesters to stay put at Rajprasong.

THE NATION: Senator Wallop Tangkhananurak urged red-shirt leaders to evacuate children and aged people out of Rajprasong protest zone immediately.

THE NATION: Red-shirt leader Jatuporn Phromphan quoted as saying the conflict has come too far to negotiate, so PM Abhisit must resign.

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Dangerous Areas in Bangkok

Bangkok areas still deemed as dangerous include:

1. Ding Daeng intersection

2. Pratunam intersection

3. Ratchaparop

4. Soi Moh Leng+

5. Rama 4 road

6. Soi Bon Gai

7. Lumpini Park and boxing stadium

8. Sala Daeng intersection

-- Tan Network 2010-05-15

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Silom Road becomes ghost town

BANGKOK: -- Silom Road, which is always bustling, became deserted Saturday morning with only a few 7-Eleven shops remaining open.

At 10:30 am Saturday, troops used orange plastic roadblocks to set up several layers of barricades from Silom-Narathiwat Intersection to Saladaeng Intersection.

-- The Nation 2010-05-15

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Conclusion by Acting Govt Spokesman

Acting Government Spokesman Panitan Wattanayakorn concluded that there have been 16 M79 grenades fired, mobs in 26 provinces, and 17 dead as well as more than 140 injured so far.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-15

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ThaivsaNews: Rachaprasong stage area this morning (10:55) http://twitpic.com/1nvlqm /via @potapotypoter

MCOTEnglishnews: CRES asserts troops can control situation some points, adjusts security measures to prevent Red Shirts from squeezing security forces

THE NATION: Thick smoke is seen on Channel 3 during live report from Soi Ngam Duplee-Expressway Intersection at 11 am as protesters burned more tyres

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Protesters burn more tyres on Rama IV Road

Red-shirt protesters burned more tyres on the Rama IV Road in front of Soi Ngam Duplee near the expressway, causing thick smoke to billow over the area.

Channel 3 reported that the smoke from tyre burning is covered the road.

A live camera of the station showed thick smoke over the Ngam Duplee-Expressway Intersection at 11 am.

-- The Nation 200-05-15

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THE NATION: Channel 3: 2 explosions and sounds of gunfire were heard in front of Ua-Chuliang Building near Saladaeng Intersection at 11:40 am.

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ThaivisaNews: Thai Airways advised passengers for all flights to arrive at Suvarnabhumi 3h before scheduled flight; Silom branch office closed

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TAN Network: Red-shirt leader Dr.Weng Tojirakarn admits the red camp is running out of supplies, told supporters to bring supplies through small routes.

AFP: At least three people were killed Saturday in fresh unrest in the Thai capital, according to an AFP photographer who saw their lifeless bodies lying on the ground.

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THE NATION: Channel 3: Pathumwanaram Temple offers itself as refuge for any side on condition that no weapons would be allowed to be carried in.

TAN Network: PM's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongteuy has denied rumors that PM Abhisit and Deputy PM Suthep have been shot, an attempt to cause panic.

TAN Network: Acting Govt Spokesman Panitan Wattanayakorn: soldiers are only trying to maintain roadblocks, not dissolve Ratchaprasong camp.