Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Sunday

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THE NATION: Whereabouts updates of high-profile ppl: Pojaman, Panthongtae and Pinthongta in Singapore since May 14. Paethongtarn flew to Paris same day

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ThaivisaNews: Manager web also reports Chavalit flew to Kun Ming, China, on May 14. Jaturon reportedly went to same destination May 15. /via @tulsathit

ThaivisaNews: No announcement from CRES about the curfew yet. Stay tuned for updates.

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MCOTEnglishnews: Tyres burned, gunshots heard on Ratchawithi Rd; Natthawut says UDD will not bar Red Shirts from leaving Ratchaprasong if curfew enforced

THE NATION: Latest casualties as of 12pm: 24 dead, 205 injured. Five foreigners are among the injured:Erawan centre

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Army uses weapons with armed group only : Sansern

The army will use weapons only with armed groups and terrorists, Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation's spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said Sunday.

The army will never use weapons with innocent people.

He also asked people to screen news and information particularly from the red shirts leaders.

Referring to photos which showed snipers shooting on Saturday, Sansern insisted that the snipers and other soldiers are ordered to follow rules that they would fire warning shots first and if necessary, they would shoot legs and arms of the protesters.

-- The Nation 2010-05-16

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@RichardBarrow: BBC are reporting that government spokesman just told them that the CURFEW for today has been canceled (TBC)

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Chaturon denies he had fled abroad

Chaturon Chaisaeng, former Thai Rak Thai Party acting leader, denied that he had fled abroad.

In a statement sent to newsrooms, Chaturon said he left the country to see his doctor abroad on Saturday and will return to Thailand Sunday afternoon.

-- The Nation 2010-05-16

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[george]

According to @forestmat - civilians are pinned down by a sniper at Victory Monument. /via @RichardBarrow

RichardBarrow: Sniper spotted in Ratchawithi Hospital. @forestmat tells us civilians at Victory Monument are running for cover.

Pic of redshirts in Chiang Mai: http://twitpic.com/1o89aw

Picture: MRT station Khlong Toei Exit Number 1: http://twitpic.com/1o9m4v /via @freakingcat

Bloomberg: 'Thai Street Battles Kill 25; Premier Declares Curfew, Vows to End Protests' http://bit.ly/bmbxcX

BBC just quotedThai Army spokesman, that curfew plan is cancelled. >>Not CONFIRMED - they r still in the meeting. /Nation

Barcamp: Famous for its technology meetups. This Saturday's meet up has now been canceled by @jfxberns

Protester with self made rocket at Khlong Toei http://twitpic.com/1o9n7v /via @freakingcat

Finance Ministry postpones issuing public savings bonds under Thai Khem Khaeng programme, earlier scheduled on Monday /MCOT

Women and kids hv moved ut fr Rajprasong to Pratumwanaram temple: TVThai

@Suthichai TR@Charoen_online - Avoid the bridge crossing the two and Warin district in Ubon Ratchathani provinces.

photo_journ Fierce gun battle now. Not known betwee who. Bon kai frontline #2. Protesters pinned.http://twitpic.com/1o9our

[george]

EXTREME DANGER ZONES: Bon Kai/Lumphini and Din Daeng/Ratchaprarop - MAP: http://bit.ly/9rlioz

Sorry we can't just call #Bangkok "Streets of Tyres" now that Ubon in N.E is reportedly covered by smoke from tyre-burning. /@Veen_NT

AFP: Thai authorities have chosen "brute force" over conventional crowd control tactics to contain protests, but may be wary of launching a major crackdown for fear of igniting wider unrest, experts said.

Soldiers pass the Bada Bing bar in Bangkok's shuttered Go-Go district: http://twitpic.com/1o9qi6 /via @markmackinnon

One tourist in a normally packed bar in Patpong http://twitpic.com/1o9pg8 /via @markmackinnon @richardbarrow

Soi Ngam Dupli apartments filled with smoke: http://twitpic.com/1o9qqy /via @Aleursic

Media under fire across the street from Bon Kai /via @Photo_journ

Nation: CRES is still in the meeting to announce curfew when and where, The Nation Govt House reports.

TAN: Tyres set on fire at Ubon provincial hall by 2-3 hundred DAAD protestors

Ratchaprasong has been reported to have less people but still women and children. /via @agnesdherbeys

Black smoke at the Century Park Hotel, Din Daeng: http://twitpic.com/1o9qqy /via @RichardBarrow

RichardBarrwo: Call from @forestmat saying thick black smoke at Din Daeng. Difficult to see soldiers. Loud bangs and gunfire.

Roadblock at rama IV http://twitpic.com/1o9sfe /via @lindavanderwijk

"Moved on Rama4 behind protesters. High velocity rounds incoming. Some injured. Ambulance shot at". /via BBC's @aleithead

[george]

Picture: Women and children still situated within Ratchaprason: http://twitpic.com/1o9uml /via @agnesdherbeys

CRES: Talking about everything that has happened within the past few days

Seems to be yesterday announcement fr Sansern and military officers /Nation

Panitan: govt will also help facilitate taking sick people out of protest site. UDD seems to respond to the plan.

Sansern speaking breifly and now Lt Gen Daopong speaking on TV

Coalition parties is putting pressure on PM Abhisit to resign due to failure of handling the situation:Thairath reports

MCOT: Red Shirt leader Nattawut: Protesters can leave protest site if curfew is imposed; some protesters move to temple near protest site

Update: Government not announced any sort of curfew announcement yet. Only that they are to help evacuate redshirt protesters.

Nation: Fierce gun battle is reportedly happening at Bon Kai area - probably the border btw the govt and protesters.

MCOT: Death toll in BKK clashes rises to 25 with 240 persons injured: Erawan Emergency Centre

Still waiting for official announcement about curfew in Bangkok. According to BBC it is cancelled. /RichardBarrow

"Heavy, heavy gunfire on Rama4 near Sathorn". /via @markmackinnon

WireUpdate: Time for International Community to Act on Thai Political Crisis, Says Lawyer of Thaksin Shinawatra - http://bit.ly/cNmvdD

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ThaivisaMews: Moved on Rama4 behind protesters. High velocity rounds incoming. Some injured. Ambulance shot at. Burning tyre rolled, live rounds followed /via aleithead BBC

TAN Network: CRES has postponed its announcement for implementation of curfews in Bkk; delay to this evening

THE NATION: Protesters can call 086-381-4386 and 081-632-4353 for free buses to go home. NGO organizes free buses to send them to bus terminals.

THE NATION: Roads closed on Rama4, Samyan-Sapan Lueang (yellow bridge) intrsectn to BantadTong and Chaorenpol

ThaivisaNews: Bad traffic in Lad Phrao and Ratchada area. People rushed to deptartment stores to stock food, /via @wannasiri_tv

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THE NATION: CRES has postponed curfew announcement to evening and thank red leaders for allowing kid and elderly out of the rally site :INN

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Two 'Red Shirt' protesters shot: AFP photographer

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Two Thai anti-government "Red Shirt" demonstrators were shot Sunday during fresh clashes in Bangkok, said an AFP photographer.

On a road close to the protesters' main base, two men were shot and left badly wounded as several hundred demonstrators confronted troops, he said.

The pair were among "Red Shirt" protesters throwing stones, Molotov cocktails and firecrackers under an expressway when they were shot. They were taken away by ambulances soon after the incident.

Intense clashes between soldiers and Red Shirts around their protest zone in a downtown commercial district have left at least 24 dead and more than 200 wounded since Friday.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-05-16

Published with written approval from AFP.

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Thai authorities to send Red Cross to evacuate protesters

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thai authorities said Sunday they would send the Red Cross to an anti-government protest site in the capital, to help evacuate the area of women, children and the elderly who want to leave.

"Authorities will help them to go home," army spokesman Colonel Sunsern Kaewkumnerd told reporters.

"They can leave the protest site by every route, and not only children, women and the elderly. Men can also leave the site but they have to show they are unarmed."

He said the operation would last until 3.00 pm (0800 GMT) Monday.

The government moved last Thursday to seal off the area to prevent more demonstrators entering, although they have been allowed to leave.

Two days of intense clashes between soldiers and "Red Shirt" protesters on the fringes of the demonstrators' encampment have left at least 24 dead and more than 200 wounded.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-05-16

Published with written approval from AFP.

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PTV cameraman shot but saved by bulletproof vest

Thai PBS reported at 4:12 pm that a cameraman of PTV was shot at his back but he was saved by a bulletproof vest.

A field reporter of Thai PBS recounted live on TV that the PTV cameraman, Phutthapong Chusaeng, was shot while lying down on the ground along with him.

The cameraman suffered from severe pain in the back because of the bullet impact but the bullet did not piece through the vest.

The two were on the roadside between the Rama IV expressway and Lumpini Tower building.

-- The Nation 2010-05-16

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ThaivisaNews: "Heavy smoke coming from Bon Kai, seen from Sukhumvit". http://twitpic.com/1oa4l4 /via @iBangkok

ThaivisaNews: Bon Kai Update: "Massive tyre fire in front. Army still shooting. Pinned down for now". http://twitpic.com/1oa2ce /via @photo_journ

THE NATION: PTV photographer has been shot in his back in the clash @ Bon Kai. Bullet didn't go through his bullet proof jacket:TVThai

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Update: Journalist under the expressway is from PTV. Updates soon. /http://bit.ly/du1Ocl

"All unarmed men around me, But saw one man with what looked like a handgun concealed by a box. 1st weapon I've seen." /via @aleithead

Update: Journalist was wearing a Flak Jacket, bullet did not go through.

Live Picture: Rama4 / klong Toei Market Intersection. New tires just delivered: http://twitpic.com/1oa2de /via @lindavanderwijk

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The number of children & women at Pathumwanaram Temple is up to 800 now. (via Neaw_NBC) /via @tulsathit

Urgent: National Stadium near MBK at 4pm is a gathering spot for those who want to go home, transportation will be provided /TAN

Bon Kai Update: Sniper has been spotted/heard (TBC) /via @photo_journ

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'John Lennon - Imagine' now playing over ThaiPBS riot footage. http://bit.ly/bfd1ng

(16:30) Truck on fire at Din-Daeng: http://twitpic.com/1oa94j /via @aleursic

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"Lots or people moving away from Rama4 now. Its weird, some gunshots sound like are coming from the protesters side". /via @vaitor

Ubon Ratchathani, huge fire on the streets: http://bit.ly/btXSRl /via @noamisri

"Fire on the barricades is much stronger than yesterday! I am worried that it will spread and buildings are set on fire". /via @vaitor

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Erawan centre: Latest casualties toll in clashes from May 14-16 (14:00): 25 dead, 215 injured

One man died, Sunday, as street clashes continued in Bangkok. said emergency services. /AFP

Thai troops in action on Rama IV road in Bangkok: http://twitpic.com/1oab8g /via @markmackinnon

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Bon Kai Update: Rama IV, Bon Kai from Chua Ploeng Rd: http://twitpic.com/1oaalg /via @photo_journ

TAN: At SalaDaeng, protestors release lanterns & lit fire crackers to annoy helicopters hovering above, phone signals cut from time to time.

"Red fireworks pitiful in response to M-16 fire of Thai troops. Odd that army isn't pushing forward to clear Rama IV". /via @markmackinnon

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THE NATION: Thai PBS has reported a PTV cameraman was shot in the back but saved by bulletproof vest. btw, our timeline updates http://bit.ly/bjrSYQ

"Villagers cooking in the area of Sri Ayuthaya. Meals include: shrimp paste and rice". http://tweetphoto.com/22664919 /via @Bancha_nna

TAN: Up to 800 children/women at the Evacuation Center in Pathumwanaram Temple

Live report from Thai PBS showed most demonstrators in front Rajprasong stage are aged women and some young children. /via @paisal_nt

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Din Daeng Update: Smaller Gunfights going on, much more calm. Tires keep being put on to the fires, never ending fires. /ThaiPBS

About 2000 people at the 4th barricade under flyover on Rama4. Entrance & exit ramps Barricaded http://twitpic.com/1oadpf /via @photo_journ

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Message to Americans in Thailand

Town Hall meeting: Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the S31 Hotel,

545 Sukhumvit 31, Klongtoey-Nua, Wattana, Bangkok, in the large

ballroom.

You are invited to attend a Town Hall meeting on Tuesday. Ambassador

Eric G. John, along with other officials from the Embassy, will be

present to discuss the current situation in Bangkok.

The Town Hall meeting for American citizens only will be held on

Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the S31 Hotel, 545 Sukhumvit 31,

Bangkok, in the large ballroom. The S31 Hotel can be reached at

66-2-260-1111, or at www.s31hotel.com.

Bring your passport or other form of U.S. citizenship! You must present

proof of U.S. citizenship at the door in order to be allowed in to the

Town Hall meeting. You will not be admitted without proof of U.S.

citizenship.

Acceptable forms of U.S. citizenship are:

--U.S. passport,

--U.S. birth certificate plus photo identification,

--Consular Report of Birth Abroad plus photo identification, or

--Naturalization Certificate.

This opportunity is intended for American citizens and is an

off-the-record meeting intended to inform American citizens about the

latest developments in Bangkok.

The American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy can be reached by

phone at 66-2-205-4049 and by e-mail at ACSBKK (at) State.gov.

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TAN: Many pickup trucks seen carrying tyres passed Klong Toey intersection heading towards Bon kai

THE NATION: The number of reds running amok in Ubon is in the hundreds.

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Victory Monument, Protester's truck with tyres was shot in the arm (name: "Sen Admontri"). Truck is stuck in the middle of the road /ThaiPBS

Tires being burnt in Udon Thani. 36 photos & brief explanation: http://bit.ly/9ov4UP /via @bangkokpundit

People around Victory Monument, be careful! Starting to get tense around the area /ThaiPBS

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Death toll climbs up to 25

By The Nation

Erawan Emergency Center revives death toll of the Bangkok Crisis to 25, and injured to 215, as of 4.20pm.

The Center identified the latest victim as Somchai Prasupan, 43.

The center's director Dr Phetpong Kamjornkijakarn said that rescue workers find many difficulties in their attempts to move injured people and bodies of those killed because of the clashes between troops and red shirts leaders.

Some rescue workers are attacked and injured during their duties, the doctor said.

Therefore he called for all parties of the conflict to refrain from attacking the rescue workers and injured people in ambulances.

-- The Nation 2010-05-16

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"More tires being delivered to Rama4. Everything well controlled, many middle aged people. Not a wild, out of control mob" /via @photo_journ

THE NATION: Concerning curfew, discussions still going on within CRES. Announcement will be made this evening.

THE NATION: It's likely that curfew may not be announced today. but stay tuned.

Latest we heard is CRES won't declare curfew if they still can "control the situation".

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Update: (17:07) CRES: Decide not to announce the curfew today. Worrying it'll affect people in those areas. /via @Waakorn_NBC

Breaking News: Thai authorities abandon plan to impose curfew in Bangkok despite fighting / AP

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TAN: CRES not to impose curfew as of now situation still under control, saying it can affect daily life of people

TAN: (17:10) Nation TV: Reports of an intense stand-off/fighting at Din Daeng intersection. Reds burning tyres and troops firing. /via @tulsathit

Correction: Tires being burnt in "Ubon Ratchathani" - 36 photos & brief explanation: http://bit.ly/9ov4UP