Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Saturday

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ThaivisaNews: Urgent: All journalist associations agree to order all journalists to pull out from all fighting areas at dusk. /via @chavarong @veen_NT

THE NATION: This is getting more dangerous as #redsirts leader accept that they have lost commucation with those outside Rajprasong. #Thai PBS

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Protester dies in his sleep at Rajprasong

A protester was found dead inside a tent in front of the Royal Thai Police head office at noon Saturday.

He was identified as Sompong Simanon, 40.

His body was sent to the Forensic Medicine Institute for an autopsy.

-- The Nation 2010-05-15

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UDD: 10 protesters died in early Saturday clash, bombs hidden inside park

BANGKOK (TNA) -- Ten or more Red Shirt protesters of the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) were killed early Saturday, a UDD leader claimed Saturday during fierce fighting between government forces and the protesters in central Bangkok.

Nattawut Saikuea told a press conference that the bodies of UDD protesters were carried away to a Buddhist temple near the Red Shirt rally site at Ratchaprasong and that protesters were prevented by soldiers and police from taking the bodies out of the temple.

Mr Nattawut said he did not understand why the soldiers had to carry the bodies to the temple.

His claims were not verified.

Urging Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to rethink using the army to encircle the protesters, Mr Nattawut said a troop withdrawal from Ratchaprasong could ease political tensions. He said that political problems must be solved through political means and not by military force.

Claiming that some 70 protesters have died in clashes with the army and police since the UDD encamped on Ratchadamnoen Avenue in mid-March, Mr Nattawut said his movement did not want to see any more losses of life among the protesters.

Despite the deaths of UDD protesters, he said his group would contact the government through the media only and the government must first stop using force against the protesters to end political unrest.

Claiming that the protesters had found a large amount of explosives hidden at Lumpini Park where the protesters are also denmoinstrating, Mr Nattawut said he asked Pol Maj-Gen Wichai Sangprapai, commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau Division 1, to help inspect the area.

Bloody clashes occurred in front of the park and nearby areas on Friday. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-05-15

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ThaivisaNews: "With no media & medic coverage in some areas, things will certainly turn much deadlier after 6pm" /via @wern_d

ThaivisaNews: Red MC says: "4,000 - 5,000 reds at Din Daeng have cut off soliders supplies. We don't eat, neither do they!" /via @terryfrd

MCOTEnglishnews: Explosion at Suan Lumpini, M79 grenade hit 4th floor of police flats, Lumpini Station, 3 women, 1 police officer wounded; windows shattered

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TAN Network: Vajira Hospital has pulled out paramedic teams from Rajprasong after its staff got shot dead.

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ThaivisaNews: DSI Tharit: 17 people arrested today with a 1 year jail sentence. The penalty is reduced to 1/2 a year as they cooperated with authorities.

ThaivisaNews: Tharit: All found to be breaking the law will be punished the same as others according to the SOE rules.

THE NATION: Latest CRES press announcement brings many men in uniform.

THE NATION: Death toll 17. More than 140 injured.

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Troops virtually declare curfew on Rajprarop, Soi Rangnam

Troops virtually declared curfew on Rajprarop and Soi Rangnam.

They announced that members of the public could not enter the two roads after 6 pm.

-- The Nation 2010-05-15

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Nation: Again, a repeated statement by CRES that this is not a "crackdown" but an operation to blockade rajprasong to wear down reds.

ThaivisaNews: CRES: Live weapons were fired at Army officials and police, also at public who were passing by. Neccesary to step up security measures.

THE NATION: @js100radio reports lots of reds gathering at Klong Toey intersec, removing close circuit cameras.

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ThaivisaNews: CRES: Stressing the fact that there is no intention to hard the general public.

ThaivisaNews: CRES: Task assigned to region 1 army is to be sure no weapons are illegally brought in to the city and rally sites.

THE NATION: CRES indicates some deaths and injuries were not caused by govt troops' shooting.

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MCOT: Lerdsin Hospital: One more medical rescue worker dead, shot in head while on duty; death toll rises to 18

THE NATION: CRES indicates some deaths and injuries were not caused by govt troops' shooting.

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THE NATION: darkness falling again. Is the day too long or too short? Recap for every1, pls stay home and if u haev to go out, avoid downtown.

THE NATION: (18.39) another M79 grenade is launched at Lumpini Police Station. Initially, no one is reportedly injured. via js100radio.

THE NATION: Chaiwat Pumpuang, photographer& friend of mine, was shot in the leg 2day. and MCOT just reported a rescue worker fatally shot in the head.

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Riots in Bangkok continue

CNN's Sara Sidner has the latest from Bangkok, Thailand, where the violence seems far from ending.

-- CNN 2010-05-15

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THE NATION: CRES has ended press con. New thing is its accusation that some casualties were caused by armed elements of the other side.

                      Another new thing i forgot to mention about CRES announcement is the quick/harsh legal process against SOE violators.

                      27 people arrested over past few days have been sentenced to 1/2 yr in jail without probation.

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THE NATION: Chaiwat is now having a surgery at the hosptial.

                      Erawan centre reported death toll is 22 now.

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Fighting spreads in Thai capital, 16 dead

By Jason Szep and Ambika Ahuja – Sat May 15, 2:10 am ET

BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thai troops fired at protesters on Saturday in a third day of fighting on Bangkok's streets that has killed 16 people as soldiers struggle to isolate a sprawling encampment of demonstrators seeking to topple the government.

Clashes continued across central Bangkok as soldiers behind sand bags or atop buildings fired live rounds at protesters armed with petrol bombs. One was shot in the chest while trying to ignite a tire in Bangkok's usually bustling business district.

Read more: news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100515/ts_nm/us_thailand_312

-- Reuters 2010-05-15

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27 protesters get 6-month jail term

The Pathumwan District Court sentenced 27 protesters to six months in jail, Department of Special Investigation Director-General Tharit Pengdit said.

The 27 protesters were arrested Friday.

The court found them guilty of violating the emergency decree.

They were initially sentenced to one year in jail but the court commuted their penalty by half because they pleaded guilty.

-- The Nation 2010-05-15

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A 10 year old boy shot dead today.

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Thaivisa Member: Just spoken to my Mrs. who is station supervisor at BTS National Stadium.

Red Shirts have entered Chidlom, Siam and Rajadamri stations and are in the control rooms there. They forced the supervisors to leave.

There are no BTS staff at those three stations now, only protesters.

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In pictures: Bangkok violence

Click here for slideshow

-- BBC 2010-05-15

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THE NATION: PM: As long as rally continues, risks will only escalate. Only end of rally can we prevent future losses.

THE NATION: PM: If govt turns back, this will set a standard of using armed groups to overthrow government.

THE NATION: PM: We share the same goals as most Thai people and concerned organisations.

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THE NATION: PM: I'd like to tell everyone, every organisation that the only way to end violence is for the rally to end.

THE NATION: PM: A lot of people wonder what they shud do. Whatever they want to do, i'd like to plead with them not 2 bring themselves in2 the conflict.

THE NATION: PM: And if not necessary, pls don't enter the sensitive areas.

THE NATION: PM: There will be much confusion regarding information. Pls be firm.

THE NATION: PM: The other side can say anthing, but govt has to be responsible for information we give out.

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THE NATION: PM: Losses shall not be used to pressure government.

THE NATION: PM: I'd like to re-affirm you that govt action now is necessary and for long-term interests of the country.

THE NATION: PM: Success will depend much on your cooperation, which I want to seek from you once again.

THE NATION: PM: When rally ends, the roadmap will tackle all serious problems that we face.

THE NATION: PM: Thank you.

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ThaivisaNews: ThaiPBS: 21:00, 9+ explosions heard around Lumpini park and near Wireless intersection.

ThaivisaNews: Watching ThaiPBS: A large decrease in Male entities at Ratchaprasong. Only one shown on the news report.

ThaivisaNews: ThaiPBS: Women at ratchaprasong site "Used to with gunshots and explosions now". Still believe in their leaders. /via @ohohcita

ThaivisaNews: Just crossed Rama 4 at Klong Toey market. Rama4 completely blocked towards Lumpini. No military in sight. /via @lindavanderwijk

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ThaivisaNews: BTS: Tomorrow, May 16th, Sukhumvit & Silom line out of service. Sorry for the inconvenience. Call centre: 026176000

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ThaivisaNews: Lot of military and police presence around Bumrumgrad Hospital, Sukhumvit Soi 3. /via @lindavanderwijk

ThaivisaNews: 6 people were killed and 31 wounded in today's clashes. 22 have been killed, 172 wounded over the past two days.

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MCOT: BTS Skytrain and MRT underground to suspend all services at all stations for another day on Sunday for safety reasons

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THE NATION: Lastest violence is reported in front of Lumpini Police Station, M 79 attack again - 3 of them. no injury reported yet. #TNN

THE NATION: Four foreigners among injured are one Canadian, one polish, one Burmese, and one Liberian.

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ThaivisaNews: Anyone with friends and family within Bangkok, aware them of this map, crucial: http://bit.ly/bzhfpz /Created & updated by @RichardBarrow

ThaivisaNews: Update: Police apartment at Lumpini, injuried have been taken to Bumrungrad Hospital. Five people including 1 child.

THE NATION: Pls note that the M79 that hit Lumpini Police Station just happened like half an hour ago.

THE NATION: Casualties so far: 22 dead and 194 injured (21.40) # TNN

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THE NATION: Thai Red Cross Society asks people to donate blood during May 16-17, details in Thai http://bit.ly/bp5eXW

THE NATION: Automatic gun fire, and huge explosions ever few seconds! Heating up big time here. Chidlom/Petchburi.

THE NATION: Gun fire reported at Victory Monument area and ppl at busstops were fleeing the bullets. terrible

THE NATION: Lots of explosions.. lights out at Petchaburi Road.. scary.

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ThaivisaNews: TNN: Gun fire reported at Victory Monument area and ppl at bus stops were fleeing from bullets. /via @veen_NT

ThaivisaNews: M-16 fire mixed with grenade and bigger explosions all down Petchburi towards Soi Chidlom right this second. /via @beejoir @richardbarrow

ThavisaNews: Update: A temp Stage has been set up on the Rama4 Exit between the Klong Toey Xpressway. Equipped with Speakers etc.

ThaivisaNews: Urgent: Phetburi has been confirmed to have a group of soldiers hit by fireworks, lots of gunfire reported. /via @vaitor

THaivisaNews: Power is down around the Klong Toey district. /via @js100radio