Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Tuesday

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Tuesday May 18 Red-Shirt rally live updates

Here you can follow the live updates from the media, hour by hour.

To make it easy to follow, this thread is read-only.

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Related topic: Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Monday

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UN rights chief urges Thais to negotiate end to violence

GENEVA (AFP) -- The UN's human rights chief called Monday on anti-government protesters and political leaders in Thailand to "set aside pride and politics" and negotiate an end to the violence in the country.

"Ultimately, this situation can only be resolved by negotiation. I urge leaders to set aside pride and politics for the sake of the people of Thailand," said Navi Pillay in a statement.

The political standoff in Thailand has left at least 37 people dead in violent street clashes between protestors and the army since Friday.

A leader of Thailand's anti-government "Red Shirt" protesters called a top aide to the prime minister Monday to propose a truce after several days of violent clashes in the capital, the aide said.

The Reds also called Sunday for UN-mediated talks to end the crisis.

However, the Thai government has rejected foreign involvement, saying it was an internal matter. Authorities had also set a deadline for protesters to clear out by 0800 GMT Monday.

"As the latest government deadline passes, there is a high risk that the situation could spiral out of control," the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said.

"To prevent further loss of life, I appeal to the protestors to step back from the brink, and the security forces to exercise maximum restraint in line with the instructions given by the government," she added.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-05-18

Published with written approval from AFP.

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[Maestro]

Under fire in Bangkok

A British man living in Thailand tells CNN's Dan Rivers about coming under fire in his apartment.

-- CNN 2010-05-17

[Thaivisa News]

Incredible pictures of the warfare within Bangkok, a must see: http://bit.ly/cuhNpg

Some more brilliant pictures taken over the past few days. http://bit.ly/dhnDQe /By @vaitor

The Nation: 'No Guns Here' http://bit.ly/dtzrw8

(00:04) Satellite stage in front of Ramkhamhaeng U. has officially been started: http://tweetphoto.com/22836154 /via @dumbbellism

CNN: 'Thai mom: 'I want to die' for Red Shirt cause' http://bit.ly/cTdzeg

"I heard sound likes gunfires and bomb blastings from Ramkamhaeng university, new Red stage" /via @takkolo

"First loud boom of the night heard in central Bangkok. Twas oddly quiet until now" /via @markmackinnon

"Supposedly Ramkamhaeng University students fighting with red-shirts." /via @NickDay13

ThaiPBS: 00:20 Confrontation started in front of Ramkhamhaeng U. Both sides trying 2 provoke another group /v @ohohcita

Infront of the Ramkhamhaeng Uni. guards have a meeting, asking if reds to help guard: http://tweetphoto.com/22839761 /via @dumbbellism

Update: (01:00) "There is nothing going on here at the red stage over outside RamkhamHaeng Uni" /via @dumbbellism

[Maestro]

Thai mom: 'I want to die' for Red Shirt cause

Bangkok, Thailand (CNN) -- She calls herself "Aim." She is 43 years old and has two children, one a teenager, the other seven years old. She has a smile on her face even though she is sitting outside in air so thick with humidity and heat that it's hard to breath.

She seems like a regular working mom until you ask her about the government's announcement it was about to crack down and move the Red Shirt protesters out of the swanky area they have occupied for more than five weeks in Bangkok.

Read more: edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/05/17/thailand.protester.profile/index.html?iref=allsearch

-- CNN 2010-05-17

[Maestro]

BANGKOK DANGEROUS

Teetering on the brink

By The Nation

Published on May 18, 2010

f peace is not achieved soon, country could be in for bigger urban warfare/Reds ready for truce talks, but dangerous showdowns continue/Thaksin again described as the real mastermind seeking heavy casualties

Thailand teetered yesterday between a last chance for peace and what could be even bigger urban warfare than has already occurred these past few days.

It all hinges on behind-the-scenes talks reportedly taking place and whether increasingly uncontrollable pockets of angry protesters can be reined in.

The casualty toll slowed its climb a bit during the day, but many observers believed the night could explode into something worse than the wee hours of yesterday morning. That is when grenades hit the prestigious Dusit Thani Hotel, trapping terrified guests, reporters and staff in a dimly lit basement until dawn.

Despite the red shirts' apparently softened stance, underlined by their leaders' readiness for unconditional truce talks, angry protesters outside of the Rajprasong rally site continued dangerous showdowns with troops throughout the day. The turmoil spread upcountry, with Chon Buri's Laem Chabang Port threatened and roads blocked in Khon Kaen.

A moment for optimism came early in the afternoon. Sources from the Pheu Thai Party disclosed a last-minute agreement had been reached for the government to revive the November 14 election pledge and grant the red leaders some legal guarantees, with the Rajprasong rally being ended in exchange.

If hope was not completely shattered, it was undermined by continued tensions between troops and out-of-control protesters, culminating in a major scare in the evening when a petrol lorry was commandeered and parked in Klong Toei district with a fire lit underneath its rear end.

The battles in Klong Toei's Bon Kai community continued sporadically, albeit with less intensity than in previous days. The red shirts managed to expand their perimeter on Rama IV Road to the Klong Toei intersection, beyond the Expressway. What looked like a permanent alternative stage to Rajprasong was set up, although the area looked more like a war zone.

Bon Kai is a largely red community, and a rally stage there could serve several strategic purposes. But questions remain over how independent the Bon Kai reds are or can be from the Rajprasong leaders, who yesterday looked more eager to hold talks with the government than ever before.

The government continued to pile on the pressure, asking the protesters to leave Rajprasong immediately after a 3pm deadline. However, high-ranking sources gave different signals as to whether a compromise was close.

The latest Centre for the Resolu-tion of the Emergency Situation announcements continued to brand the three-day bloodshed as an operation against "terrorists". Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was again described as the real mastermind from afar, wanting to create heavy casualties to discredit the Abhisit Vejjajiva government. Newsmen, rescue workers and bystanders, as well as innocent red protesters, were warned they could be snipers' targets and urged to stay away from sensitive areas.

The financial crackdown on their alleged main sponsors seemed to affect the rank and file at Rajprasong but not those running amok elsewhere. But some observers believed last night could make or break the anti-government campaign, with troops looking to stage a major sweep of Lumpini Park, the alleged stronghold of red militants accused of stacking sizeable weaponry there.

Prime Minister Abhisit was again quiet, but his arch-rival, Thaksin, managed to create a new stir when a photo was circulated on the Internet showing him and one of his daughters in a glamorous shop in Paris. The picture was purportedly taken over the weekend, when Bangkok, as some newspapers put it, was burning and his supporters - whom he vowed to return for "when the first bullet is fired" - were either dropping or defying Army bullets.

-- The Nation 2010-05-18

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[Maestro]

Crisis in Thailand deepens

A Thai government spokesman explains why it has refused a NATO offer to mediate negotiations with protesters.

-- CNN 2010-05-15

[Maestro]

CRES'S BAN

Millions found in aides' accounts

By The Nation

Published on May 18, 2010

Authorities will shortly ask two close aides of Pojaman na Pombejra, ex-wife of Thaksin Shinawatra, to substantiate their recent cash withdrawals of Bt600 million and Bt800 million.

The Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) said yesterday that massive amounts of money had been withdrawn by Akarat Changlao and Kanchanapa Honghern, respectively, on behalf of Pojaman.

The money was taken out of bank accounts in cash and left the banks in several vehicles.

On Sunday, the CRES issued a ban on financial transactions by 106 individuals and legal entities, including Thaksin and Pojaman.

A CRES source said individuals and legal entities suspected of helping to fund the unrest usually reported that they withdrew the money to buy expensive amulets and lottery tickets.

The CRES also found one of the red-shirt protest leaders had more than Bt100 million in bank deposits. He will be summoned to substantiate the sources of his huge income.

The unidentified leader was also found to have purchased luxury vehicles and two mansions worth at least Bt10 million each.

Another 20-50 names, including Jatuporn Promphan, another key protest leader, plus a major listed company in the real-estate sector, could be added to the blacklist.

-- The Nation 2010-05-18

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BANGKOK WARFARE

Bangkok residents fear for safety, squeezed for basic necessities

By Wannapa Khaopa

Onravee Tangmeesang

The Nation

Published on May 18, 2010

Concerned about their property as fighting rages on

Over the past five days, residents in central Bangkok have been finding it difficult to stay safe and find basic necessities.

Two residents in areas where clashes have broken out spoke to The Nation yesterday about their experiences.

Ratana Duangkaew, a resident in the Rajprarop area, left her home because she was worried about her safety. However, she is still concerned about her property because the clashes are taking place in front of her home.

James, 23, who rents a flat with his father in the Bon Kai community, said hearing constant sounds of gunfire and explosions was scary. Also, their life was becoming difficult due to water and electricity being cut off.

"I hear gunfire and bombs all the time. I live under constant pressure and am stressed out. On Saturday or maybe Sunday, there was an oil tank parking in front of my community and a guy was trying to set it on fire. I was horrified. Luckily, that guy was shot. That was when I decided to move out," Ratana said.

She called some hotlines for help, but they all advised that she stay indoors. Ratana said what was happening around her home was too difficult to bear, so she asked soldiers for permission to leave. Now, she is living with her relatives outside Bangkok, though she is still uncertain about the safety of her property.

"I'm worried about my home and property. I really need the soldiers or police to keep their eyes on all houses in the dangerous areas. People might break into the homes and steal things," she said.

Meanwhile, James too has moved out of his flat and checked into a hotel.

"After the clashes started occurring, we stayed indoors for safety. We were so nervous because we could not watch TV to monitor what was happening outside, and wondered if we would be safe. I couldn't recharge my mobile phone either because there was no electricity."

James said the violence and the cutting off of utilities had forced people to flee their residences. Also, there were fewer food stalls yesterday and if the situation continued, there would be food shortages, he added.

Some 30 per cent of the 5,000 to 7,000 residents in the community have not moved out, said Bangkok

Metropolitan Administration spokesman Thanom Onketpol.

The BMA's plan to distribute food to people in the community stuck at home was cancelled yesterday for safety reasons.

However, Thanom said the BMA would start handing out food, medical supplies and basic necessities as soon as soldiers allowed them into the affected areas.

Yesterday alone, its 1555 hotline received more than 100 calls from frustrated residents, most of whom wanted to get out of the area.

The lack of water, electricity and food and the cancellation of mobile-phone signals, as well as smoke from burning car tyres, was making life difficult.

The BMA has set up temporary shelters around Din Daeng, at Wichuthit School, for up to 600 people, at Wichakorn School for 400 people and at Sam Sen Nok School for up to 500 people. Food, a sleeping area, bathing and toilet facilities are offered at the shelters.

-- The Nation 2010-05-18

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BURNING ISSUE

Put the warfare aside to make way for peace

By Avudh Panananda

The Nation

Published on May 18, 2010

It is about time the government and the red shirts come to an honourable agreement, otherwise Thailand will remain engulfed in a protracted war.

Violence will continue to escalate if the two warring sides fail to bring about a tactical breakthrough to pave the way to negotiations.

The government is wielding military might, while the red shirts are acting in defiance. True to their primal instincts, the two will just continue fighting and sizing each other up before they are ready for parley.

In less than four days, since government forces began blockading the red-shirts' Rajprasong rally site, 35 people have died and 255 injured. And the death toll is rising.

Predictions for the security blockade to succeed are not good at the moment. It took two days, Thursday and Friday, for the forces to seal off the rally site - and paranoia within the government's command centre is partly the reason behind such clumsy field operations.

The government and military leaders appear to be working in an atmosphere of mistrust, because operation plans keep getting leaked to the red shirts.

Even though most tactical decisions are made no more than two hours before implementation, leaks still occur at the expense of effective field operations.

Since Wednesday, there's been a crowd of armed red shirts waiting to welcome security forces at least half an hour before each skirmish.

In key battlegrounds like Bon Kai, Din Daeng and Rajprarop, troop rotations or reinforcements could be predicted by the sudden surge in red-shirt crowds.

The first two days were devoted to repelling red-shirt ambushes, just so the security forces could erect their checkpoints and since Friday night, they have been fighting guerrilla tactics employed to undermine their checkpoints.

Despite the blockade, electricity, water and other basic necessities are not in short supply at the rally site, and though the number of red shirts has dwindled, it's not significant enough to make a difference.

While the security forces have been preoccupied with skirmishes and maintaining the blockade, the red shirts are busy sending each other text messages about ways to infiltrate the blockade by using back alleys, particularly those along Sukhumvit and Phloenchit Roads.

On the side of the red shirts, the leaders continue delivering sermons about non-violence from the stage, while agitators plan and carry out pre-emptive strikes. First they tried to prevent the blockade from being completed, and failing this, they moved on to launch attacks to undermine the blockade perimeters.

The red shirts also plan to erect alternative rally sites, near the Pheu Thai Party headquarters on Rama IV Road and the 111 Foundation, formerly the headquarters of disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party. This is a contingency plan, in case the government manages to seal off Rajprasong.

The red-shirt tactics appear to have been lifted straight from the textbook for urban guerrilla warfare compiled by leftists and ex-communists after the October 1976 bloodshed. Thailand foiled the plan to bring guerrilla warfare from rural areas to the capital by granting amnesty to activists who fled after the bloodshed.

More than three decades later, the same urban guerrilla warfare has erupted, but under different circumstances.

In order to defend Rajprasong, the red agitators are staging ambush at sites well away from their defence perimeters to stop troops from advancing toward the rally site.

The skirmishes are on at Sala Daeng, Bon Kai, Rajprarob, Rang Nam, Din Daeng and Victory Monument because the red shirts want to safeguard two strategic points, Sala Deang and Rajprarop, both arteries into Rajprasong.

-- The Nation 2010-05-18

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[Thaivisa News]

Some smooth jazz going on over at ThaiPBS: http://bit.ly/bfd1ng

Video from the supposed 'photo shopped' picture of the men around the dead protester. http://bit.ly/bDVKT9 /via @NickDay13

(01:11) "The situation is starting to look worrying now at Ramkhamhaeng University. Clashes starting" /via @dumbbellism

Red stage at RamkamHaeng chck the picture before the gunfire here" http://tinyurl.com/38hd37l /v @pdoouble0k

Confirmed from 2 sources: Gunshots have been going off at Ramkhamhaeng University red shirt stage. Not confirmed who between yet.

(01:20) "Clashes sound 2 B intensifying at RamKH U. Some reports say anti redshirt students R letting off steam: /via @Agam_T

"The Battle in Bangkok" (AlJazeera English) http://bit.ly/ahL1b9 /via @fred_on_rails @RichardBarrow

[Thaivisa News]

Urgent: "inbound road of ramkamheng towards the university is blocked and looks as if there is some commotion out there" /via @ozzip

Urgent: (01:39) Now that stage at Ramkhamhaeng U is cancelled, we've moved to Lad Prao Soi 88 stage, opposite to Soi 71 /via @ohohcita

"Bangkok calm. Went from Rajprasong to Silom. Soldiers looked more ready for cigarette and a nap than a fight" /via @markmackinnon

"Police on ramkhamhaeng road, dont see any crowd yet... some people look a bit upset though" /via @vaitor

[Maestro]

Bangkok residents: We feel like hostages

By Miranda Leitsinger, CNN

May 17, 2010 -- Updated 1452 GMT (2252 HKT)

(CNN) -- Gunshots and explosions ring out. Soldiers, police and army trucks rumble through neighborhoods in the Thai capital; a plane flies overhead. Businesses are shuttered as barbed wire lines the streets.

Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/...?iref=allsearch

-- CNN 2010-05-17

[Thaivisa News]

Recap: Dusat Thani hotel within 'the city of angels' was attacked in the early morning. Shots were fired and and RPG hit the hotel.

Recap: Rumours spread among guests that there were army snipers inside the 517 room.

Recap: Thai's woke up to the daunting message, 'Seh Daeng is Dead'. He passed away from a kidney failure this morning at 09:20

Recap: Major-General Khattiya Sawasdipol died at the age of 58 after being put into hospital by an unknown sniper.

Recap: Today saw the deadline for the redshirts at Ratchaprasong. 3pm was given yesterday for everyone who wanted to be out, to be out!

Recap: That time came, and past. Many people predicting this, it was not a shock to the country. The question was, what will happen tonight

Recap: With Seh Daeng passing away, rumours were going about from his followers, that they will get revenge tonight.

[Thaivisa News]

Recap: MRT & BTS were all shut today, and also got announced that tommorow (another public holiday) they will be shut aswell. ALL lines.

Recap: Thai police said atleast 5000 people within the zone at 3pm. Warned that staying there will result in 2yr jail sentence, Many times.

Recap: The most famous part of the day was the pictures and video of the Baby being put on top of a tyre barricade. Shocking stuff.

Recap: Red leaders called PM's top aide, Korbsak Sabhavasu to offer reds to fall back as long as soldiers stop firing the live rounds.

Recap: No response has been given to this. "He declined to say whether the government would agree to the Reds' call"

Recap: Considerably quiet day compared to the previous 3 days with much less deaths.

Recap: Some commotion at RamkhamHaeng University tonight but that has seemed to fixed itself.

[Maestro]

Thais must step back from brink, says United Nations

last updated at 19:13 GMT, Monday, 17 May 2010 20:13 UK

Thailand must step back from the brink and begin talks to end clashes between protesters and troops, the UN says.

UN rights chief Navi Pillay said Bangkok was in danger of spiralling out of control, after five days of violence which has seen 37 people killed.

instructions given by the government."

The demonstrators, who want Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to step down, have been occupying large areas of the city since mid-March.

Read more: news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8688299.stm

-- BBC 2010-05-17

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Canadian travel warning for Thailand

The Canadian Foreign Office warns against all non-essential travel to Bangkok.

-- CBC 2010-05-17

[Maestro]

Thailand and 'live fire zones'

Phil Robertson of Human Rights Watch says Thailand should revoke "live fire zones."

-- CNN 2010-05-17

[Maestro]

Tense standoff continues in Thailand

CNN's Dan Rivers reports from Bangkok on the ongoing violence between the Thai government and Red Shirt protesters.

-- CNN 2010-05-17

[Maestro]

Violence on the streets of Bangkok

CNN's Dan Rivers investigates gunfire in Bangkok as the standoff between protesters and government troops continues.

-- CNN 2010-05-17

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500 take refugee in temple

By Chularat Saengpassa

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- About 70 children and their parents are among hundreds of red shirts who have sought refuge at Pathumwanaram Temple, near the main rally site.

Many of the children were hungry and had contracted dermatitis.

"When we handed out food, they were clearly overjoyed," Thongpoon Buasiri, an official with the Foundation for a Better Life for Children, said yesterday.

She and other staff were providing assistance to the anti-government demonstrators who agreed to relocate from the rally at Rajprasong intersection to the temple, located nearby between CentralWorld and Siam Paragon.

The evacuation was planned under the auspices of the Thai Red Cross Society to provide a safe haven for women, children and the elderly.

No healthy men are allowed in except those who are with their families. Nearly 500 adults and children are now in the temple grounds.

A big banner flying at the temple said: "Compassion and Forgiveness Zone. No Arms Allowed".

Rama IV Road, in front of the temple, has been cordoned off by the protesters. If a crackdown is launched at the main rally site, the temple will be off-limits to weapons or violence.

Dr Pichit Siriwan, a senior official with the Thai Red Cross Society, led a mission to the temple after the government and red-shirt leaders agreed that humanitarian operations should be allowed there.

A total of 450 kits were distributed to 450 families inside the temple, while a mobile medical unit was set up to give free check-ups.

"The relief items include bottled water, canned fish and instant noodles," Pichit said.

Although the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation strongly advised the demonstrators to vacate the rally site, few have really left.

"Even if soldiers move in, I will stay put to fight for democracy," said Samniang Ngamsawas, 62. She said she had come to the temple only because she got sick.

"If I'm well, I'll be at the red-shirt stage," the elderly woman said.

Many mothers with young children were also as determined to continue protesting, the foundation official said.

"I asked a mother of four why she didn't take her children back home because the new semester has started.

Her reply was that since she planned to remain at the rally site, sending the children back would mean there would be no one to take care of them at home," Thongpoon said.

Many demonstrators had told her that many children had already left the rally site to go back to school.

"I was told that the number of children there was much higher last month," she said.

Another mother said she did not need to take her children to see a doctor for dermatitis.

"They will recover. They will not die from it. Let's fight for the red shirts' goal first," she said.

But some demonstrators had grown worried about their young family members.

"When I came to join the rally, I also brought along two grandchildren. Now, I'm concerned about their safety," a woman admitted. She wanted to leave the rally site but feared what might happen.

"I was told that the soldiers around the rally site are not Thais. So, I think it's safer to huddle together inside the temple compound," she said.

-- The Nation 2010-05-18

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37 dead over past four days

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- As of 6pm yesterday, 37 people were declared killed, including Maj-General Khattiya Sawasdipol, in violent clashes that erupted last Thursday.

According to the Erawan Centre (the Emergency Medical Service Centre), 256 people have been injured since Friday. On Sunday alone, 41 people were injured and up to nine people killed. Among those injured, seven are foreigners.

Street battles broke out in Bangkok between anti-government protesters and soldiers since last Thursday night.

Tension has been running high since the red shirts started rallying against the Abhisit Vejjajiva government on March 12, and incidents since then have claimed 63 lives and injured a total of 1,659 people.

However, it was only after an unknown gunman shot Khattiya in the head last Thursday night that the red-shirt demonstrators started openly challenging security officials.

Khattiya - who has long stood by the red-shirt demonstrators - succumbed to his wounds yesterday.

The escalating violence forced the government to declare yesterday and today as public holidays.

Meanwhile, Medical Services Department's director general Rewat Wisarutwet said all hospitals under his jurisdiction were ready to deal with emergency cases.

"These hospitals should be able to accommodate 190 inpatients," Rewat said.

According to him, Rajvithi Hospital also has 40 ambulances on standby because it is located close to a clash point.

Yesterday, ten victims were rushed to Rajvithi. One was shot in the head, one in the back, one in the left wrist and another in the left arm. The fifth victim had a wound, but its exact location was unknown.

"We are ready to provide treatment but we hope the situation will not be that bad," Rewat said.

-- The Nation 2010-05-18

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Fire Broke out Near Bangkok Bank in Din Daeng

A fire broke out at a 4-story flat near Bangkok Bank in Din Daeng.

A redFshirt protester said he saw a teenage boy threw a home made fire bomb at the building.

Fire remains out of control (7.30 A.M.).

-- Tan Network 2010-05-18

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4-story building at Din Daeng Intersection hit by arson attack

Several TV channels reported Tuesday morning that a big fire started at a 4-storey building near Bangkok Bank Din Daeng branch.

The building is opposite from the Century Park Hotel.

Some red-shirt guards said a teenager walked into the 4-storey building with a bottle of oil and the fire started.

The blaze was still raging at the time the report was aired.

-- The Nation 2010-05-18

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Several Roads Remain Closed on 5th Day of CRES Operation

Several roads remain closed on the 5th day of the operation by the Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRESj with several pockets of protesters in hot 'red zones' in Bangkok threatening to relocate to other areas.

The roads that are closed off to traffics today incl. Ratchathewee inters-Prathunam-Mitr Samphan, Phayathai (frmRatchathewee-Pathumwan-Sam Yan) and Sukhumvit (frm Ploenchit inters-Pathumwan).

-- Tan Network 2010-05-18

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US embassy's visa section closes until Friday

By The Nation

US Embassy in Bangkok will close its non-immigrant and immigrant visa section from Monday until Friday following the chaos in Bangkok.

The embassy's statement said due to continuing security concerns in the area and access issues on Wireless road, the embassy is currently operating under emergency personnel staffing only.

The non-immigrant visa interview appointment during the period scheduled for the period will be rescheduled.

It is not possible for the embassy to establish a new appointment time as the ongoing security situation in the vicinity of the U.S. Embassy is uncertain.

As soon as the US Embassy has determined the situation to be safe for staff to return to work and for visa applicants to travel to the Embassy, it will advise the applicants through e-mail or phone with details on new appointment dates.

-- The Nation 2010-05-18

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LETTERS TO EDITOR

We will repeat this again and again

Published on May 18, 2010

Natthawut Saikua told a press conference that the red-shirt leaders were willing to hold talks but the government must call an immediate cease-fire and pull troops out from around Rajprasong. He said the government must also stop calling protesters 'terrorists', and the talks must be mediated by the UN.

It is so simple for the red-shirt leaders to demand and demand, but it's even simpler for them to just tell the protesters to go home and end all the chaos. You had your chance and walked away from the road map. Remember that the UN is not your father! The world saw your protesters infiltrated by terrorists who used weapons to kill indiscriminately. You know who they are, but it is easier to blame the government.

I hope that you, the red leaders, enjoy your hundreds of millions of baht in jail for the rest of your lives, because all the people killed because of your greed and selfishness.

Thailand is not ready for democracy like the West, because most people are easily swayed by money. Good education and human capital are the most important pillars for our society, otherwise history will keep repeating itself.

Surasak Piputtana

Bangkok

Two-faced demands harder to tolerate

I can't believe the hypocrisy of the DAAD demanding the Army stop using force. Apparently the DAAD is running out of grenades and rockets, and while they are prepared to use farmers as shields they still kill soldiers - yet they don't want any aggression in return.

Every demand from the DAAD is of a dictatorial nature and yet they claim they are against dictatorship. Go home, wait for the election call. Thaksin has destroyed all your credibility by sponsoring rebellion. It's okay for him sitting by his swimming pool sipping a Martini while farmers and peasants risk their lives for him.

Tim Devlin,

Toronto, Ontario

A daughter with more sense than her father

I had no love for Seh Daeng, but when asked about her father's shooting, rather than cry for vengeance, his daughter replied that she hoped his shooting would be the last. The lady has class. I wish other Thais involved in this conflict would emulate her very noble attitude, instead of acting like spoiled children.

Dean Barrett

Bangkok

Reds' use of Union Jack is an insult

I strongly object to the fact that DAAD leaders are sometimes wearing the Union Jack (the flag of the United Kingdom) on their clothing. Britain is a democratic country that has no place for terrorists.

I also object to the contents of the petition handed by red shirts to the British Consulate in Chiang Mai. I hope that if there is a reply, it will be that Her Majesty's government does not deal with terrorists.

Outraged Brit

Bangkok

Appalling pollution goes unnoticed

We shouldn't be surprised to see so many tyres burning in the streets. After all, this is a much-enjoyed spare time entertainment in the North and Northeast of the country. I have never seen so much rubbish, including tyres, being burned as when living in Isaan.

No one gives a dam_n about the pollution. God help Bangkokians if that lot is going to rule the country one day.

Womble

Bangkok

Cease-fire only when reds do the same

I have no problem with red leader Nattavut's proposing internationally-brokered negotiations by the UN (which, I remind him, Thaksin emphatically said is not his father, and hence he need not listen to), or by internationally-respected dignitaries such as East Timor President Jose Ramos Horta.

But Nattavut demands that before negotiations start, the government cease fire immediately, pull out troops besieging Rajaprasong, and stop calling the reds "terrorists". I suggest that he show his offer of negotiations is in good faith by turning in the black-clad snipers and pull his followers out of Rajaprasong. When he does that, troops will have neither need to fire, to besiege, nor to call the reds "terrorists".

The ball's in your court, Nattavut. Give others the same rights that you demand for yourself, including the right to live and work in peace.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

-- The Nation 2010-05-18

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Widespread Reports of Residents Stocking Supplies

Despite a relatively quiet morning in the various hot spots throughout the city, there are widespread news reports that city residents are stocking up on food supplies in fear that the conflict could stretch out.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-18

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[george]

TAN: Entire Wireless Rd closed, access on Silom (heading towards Sala Daeng) only given to local residents living in Silom

#Bangkok: Gun shots and firing of M-79's throughout Monday night at Bon Kai community, Rama 4 area. Oil truck still at Rama 4 Rd

Bangkok: Fire breaks out at apartment bulding near Bangkok Bank in Din Daeng, fire still not under control. Believed to be arson attack

TAN: #Bangkok arson attack: Emergency crews on the scene, but cannot get near enough to fire next to Bangkok Bank at Din Daeng

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Thaivisa Member:

Not just in the hotspots. I was a Central Chaengwattana Sunday and there were unusually large queues of people buying unusually large amounts of food in Tops.

Most were obviously stocking up, and this in the outer suburbs.