Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Tuesday

[Thaivisa News]

"Now at Rajaprasong. Sparse crowd, a few children among them" http://twitpic.com/1ost0u /via @journotopia

AFP: Australia's Qantas lets passengers delay flights to Thailand /Updates: http://bit.ly/9xf0dq

AFP: Australia's Qantas Airways on Tuesday let passengers delay trips to Thailand or bypass the country without penalty.

AFP: The airline made the offer "due to continued civil unrest/political tensions in Thailand", its website (http://bit.ly/kwKKn) said.

AFP: Passengers who have already bought tickets can defer trips in and out of the country, bypass Thailand as a stopover port.

AFP: Passengers can even change destinations at no extra charge, Qantas said. /updates: http://bit.ly/9xf0dq

CRES brands Red Shirt leader Natthawut 'major terrorist', tighten blockade Reds

[Thaivisa News]

At ratchaprasong, the #redshirts guards take a female journalist behind the stage. http://tweetphoto.com/22910119 /via @satien_nna

According to @LAGuyinBKK - Army troops are checking cars at Sukhumvit Soi 3. /Updates: http://bit.ly/9xf0dq

Update: Female Journalist, was making a documentary of the women and children in the temple. /via @satien_nna

Update: Female Journalist was thought by the protesters to be fake. assaulted her inside temple. #Redshirts Guards help her! /v @satien_nna

Update: The Burmese Journalist: http://tweetphoto.com/22909814 /via @satien_nna

URGENT: from carlson hotel central resrevation office:potential bomb attack in Sathorn road / riverfront hotels /via @swissinbangkok

"A bullet went through my office window at Zuellig House on Sunday night" http://tweetphoto.com/22904436 /via @hamishjkeith

[Thaivisa News]

Good news, too many blood donors at Central Bangna. Pls head to The Emporium if you wanna donate your blood. /via @veen_NT @noppatjak

Thailand Rejects Reds Ceasefire Call As Nonsense: http://bit.ly/buRGgw

Thai Government Announces Additional Public Holidays On May 19-21: http://bit.ly/a6zDPV

AFP: Thai troops violate law in Bangkok action according to Amnesty

AFP: Amnesty International on Tuesday accused Thailand's army of "reckless use of lethal force"

AFP: The London-based rights group said Thai troops were violating the law by firing live ammunition in several areas around Bangkok

AFP: "Eyewitness accounts and video recordings show clearly that the military is firing live rounds..(1/2)

AFP: ..at unarmed people who pose no threat to the soldiers or to others" said Amnesty's Thailand specialist Benjamin Zawacki (2/2)

AFP: "This is a gross violation of a key human right -- the right to life," he said in a statement.

"I'm hearing repeated pops/bangs in the distance from lower Suk... past 5 mins...def. not thunder" /via @LAGuyInBKK

AFP: Amnesty accused army snipers of killing two medics wearing white medical uniforms as well as a 17-year-old boy.

[Thaivisa News]

AP: 'Thai protests expose troop rifts, incompetence' http://bit.ly/bRPXBN

MCOT: Red Shirt leader accepts Senate offer to mediate talks with government http://bit.ly/cl8EAo

Urgent: A highly-ranking bank source told me Jatuporn and Chavalit have been added to the financial blacklist. /via @tulsathit

MCOT: 52 petrol stations in risk-prone areas already closed http://bit.ly/c4pNR3

Urgent: Also in the added list are Por Pratunam and Suchinda Cherdchai or "Je Kiew", the female transport tycoon. /via @tulsathit

Re Amnesty comments: The quotes were taken straight from an AFP article.

Update: Here is the official press release from Amnesty: http://bit.ly/9KIQTw

Update: Here is the official press release from Amnesty: http://bit.ly/9KIQTw

[Thaivisa News]

MACOT: Banharn urges Reds to end all protests today; to ask govt to pull back troops, police, if not, his party to leave coalition govt

The journo attacked by protetsers in Pathumwanaram Temple is a Thai coordinator for Irrawady and France 24. /via @tukky_nt @veen_nt

Details of Seh Daeng's guard and right-hand man arrested: http://bit.ly/brVi0g /via @tukky_nt

Bon Kai is mostly quiet. Firecrackers from time to time. http://tweetphoto.com/22913295 /via @babyfishie

Urgent: Dont go to Emporium to donate your blood. They have run to full capacity now. /via @veen_NT

A Ladprao resident confirmed traffic on Ladprao near Big C is blocked by #redshirt. Stacks of tyres and a stage set up. /via @veen_NT

MCOT: Amnesty Intl accuses Thai troops of violating law by firing live rounds at unarmed people in BKK

Update: Another tweet: Traffic on Ladprao near Big C is blocked by #redshirts - Stacks of tyres + stage set up. /v @arzupancic

"30 activists and protesters will gather under Din Daeng Tollway.will take off clothes to show they do not have weapon" /v @pattweet_NT

[Thaivisa News]

CRES says it is not yet necessary to impose a night curfew in Bangkok as it may cause problems and limitations /BkkPost /via @richardbarrow

"Piles of fresh vegetables arrived today in Bangkok Red Shirt camp" http://twitpic.com/1ot8lx /via @Markmackinnon

AFP: 'Thai troops violate law in Bangkok action: Amnesty' http://bit.ly/bB6C8v

"10 minutes ago ambulance seen speeding away,people say snipers able to reach under expressway,didnt go there,too dangerous" /v @freakingcat

Big C 'lad prao' has closed. Gathering crowd under a nearby expressway. http://tweetphoto.com/22912787 /via @phensasitorn @tulsathit

"Half looted 7-11 on Soi Lang Suan" http://yfrog.com/2mdsc3037qj /via @beejoir

"Roadblock in front of KT market, Reds distribute stickers "Don't kill our people" singing and speeches on stage, relaxed" /via @freakingcat

[Thaivisa News]

"Big C mall lad phrao is closed. Crowd is growing bigger, barricades higher and streets are partly closed" /via @vaitor

"Huge pile of ice for the protesters" http://yfrog.com/jqdsc3087bj /via @beejoir

"Big plumes of smoke can be seen rising from the area next to Century hotel & Chewa thai" http://twitpic.com/1otalu /via @ozzip

"View towards expressway bridge Khlong Toei, less reds, but fear of snipers" http://twitpic.com/1otb5k /via @freakingcat

"Empty Rama 4 Khlong Toei, view towards Stage" http://twitpic.com/1otbd9 /via @freakingcat

TAN: Red-shirts stack tires and set up stage in front of Big C on Lardprao Rd; Big C closed

[Thaivisa News]

TAN: SCB shuts down 43 branches & 29 exchange booths, 6 branches close at noon; SCIB shut down 33 ATMs

Klong Toei stage area looking pretty stocked up. http://twitpic.com/1otcm0 /via @freakingcat

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon calls for both sides in Thailand to exercise restraint: http://bit.ly/9Ikhbq /via @tulsathit

Emergency American Citizen Services, new temp location: Westin Grand Sukhumvit. Tel: 022078000 /via @AM_Thailand

Okay Fun-filled time. 30 naked protest will be gather under Dindang Tollway.They'll take off clothes 2 shw they dont hv weapon /via @veen_NT

Protesters smile at the Khlong Toei stage. "Very relaxed" says @feakingcat http://twitpic.com/1ote36

The Nation: 'PM to respond to the mediation offer of the Senate Speaker' http://bit.ly/9RXcyS

Update: The naked protest named "naked for life" will take place at 4pm in Din Daeng /via @KANG_NT @tukky_nt

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Thaivisa Member: I just went through the intersection where Lad Phrao meets Ekamai/RamIntra . The red shirts are gathering under the freeway there with truckes with speakers and lots of tires

Thaivisa Member: stage setup, tyres burning but mcdonalds deliveries still go ahead

[webfact]

Chaos Flares up in Dindaeng

Violence has flared up in Dindaeng with tires being burnt and the invasion of Century Park Hotel by the red-shirt group. The protesters raided the hotel to search for soldiers. Security officers are evacuating guests but there have been no reports as to the number of guests left in the hotel as of yet. Firecrackers and gunshots ring out periodically.

On Lardprao Road, red-shirts have stacked tires and set up a stage in front of the Big C Superstore. The store is now closed.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-18

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Khattiya's guard and right-hand man arrested

A red-shirt guard Pichet "Phumkitti" Sukjiddathong has been arrested on suspicion of involving in the violent riots, classified as terrorism, Metropolitan police officer Colonel Songpol Wattanachai said on Tuesday.

Pichet, seen as the right-hand man of the late Maj General Khattiya "Seh Daeng" Sawasdipol who was the de facto leader of the red-shirt guards and succumbed to a gunshot wound in the head on Monday, was spotted at Soi Samsen 6 in Dusit District before his arrest.

-- The Nation 2010-05-18

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PM to respond to the mediation offer of the Senate Speaker

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is expected later this afternoon to respond the offer of Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondet to mediate peace, government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said on Tuesday.

"The prime minister is aware of Prasopsuk's mediation offer and will respond to this himself," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-05-18

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CRES

Nuttawut accused

Reds leader Nuttawut Saikua has been behind the terrorist attacks in Bangkok, Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said Tuesday.

"It is not possible that Nuttawut, a core leader of red shirts, does not know about the ongoing attacks in Bangkok. Yet he has repeatedly denied his involvement in the attacks," Sansern told reporters.

Sansern said Nuttawut is "a major terrorist leader".

PM's secretary general Korbsak Sabhavasu, a main negotiator, earlier said Nuttawut had offered a ceasefire on the condition that the government withdrew the troops and stopped firing at people.

Nuttawut told Korbsak that if the government agreed to meet his demands, he would remove the red shirts protesters outside the Rajprasong rally site.

Korbsak said his statement clearly showed he is a core leader of the reds and involved in the terrorist attacks in Bangkok.

Sansern told reporters that Korbsak's statement provided proof of his labelling of Nuttawut as a major terrorist leader.

-- The Nation 2010-05-18

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[Thaivisa News]

The Nation: 'PM to respond to the mediation offer of the Senate Speaker' http://bit.ly/9RXcyS

Update: The naked protest named "naked for life" will take place at 4pm in Din Daeng /via @KANG_NT @tukky_nt

"Looks like Ladprao-Ramintra will be another 'street of tyres" http://twitpic.com/1otend /via @Warakorn_NBC @veen_NT

(15:00) Henri Dunant; Military checkpoint. http://tweetphoto.com/22916437 /via @noppatjak

(15:14) RamaIV staging area from expressway overpass: http://yfrog.com/5z9jzj /via @jazzinchiangmai

Thai Immigration Bureau: If you need re-entry permit during extra holidays, it can be done at Suvarnabhumi Airport: http://bit.ly/bsLe9M

Thai Immigration: Overstay fees occurred during extra hols will be waived if you contact Immigration direct after hols: http://bit.ly/bsLe9M

BTS: All stations will be shut tomorrow (May 19th). Sorry for the inconvenience. /updates: http://bit.ly/9xf0dq

Bangkok University & its International College will b closed until May 21st, both Rangsit & City campuses. Call: 023503500 /v @PesidentPaul

[Thaivisa News]

Kids who want to apply for this coming semester(1/2010) are welcome. Admission Office is still open. Call: 023503500 /via @presidentPaul

TAN: BTS skytrain announces continued closure again tomorrow (Wednesday, May 19)

"Just been to new stage on Rama 4. A hundred people maybe and a ploy to keep the foreign media away: awful singing. It worked." /v aleithead

The Nation: 'Police to round up reds for setting up two alternate rally sites' http://bit.ly/b6uf5K

Urgent: 'Urgent Call for blood in Phuket' http://bit.ly/blf4mi

TAN: Gunfire shattered glass at bank in Bonkai area; red-shirt protesters throw molotov cocktails at soldiers

[Thaivisa News]

Update: JAL halves flights to Bangkok due to unrest. Japan Airlines said Tuesday it will halve its weekly flights to Bangkok from June.

AFP: JAL "strives to responsively adjust its capacity to match sudden changes in demand resulting from event risks..(1/2)

AFP: ..that confront the airline industry, such as the current anti-government demonstrations in Bangkok," it said. (2/2)

AFP: JAL said it will reduce its scheduled flights departing from Osaka and Nagoya to Bangkok from 14 per week to seven during the month.

MCOT: Cabinet reduces subway fares by Bt one at all stops from July 3, 2010 to July 2, 2012

"At the Red camp about 30 minutes ago" http://bit.ly/a3PhfD /via @Micael_Yon

Some life coming back to SIlom, Suriwong at 15:53: http://tweetphoto.com/22918550 /via @noppatjak

[Thaivisa News]

"Sniper shooting soi Nuang duplee, frontline of Rama4. If come here pls b careful Don't walk right side. Shooting NOW" /via @kosukeokahara

"Sniper shooting inside 20 meters soi nang duplee- right in front of our eyes - just Now again" /via @agnesdherbeys

Urgent: Soi Nang Duplee has reports from tweeple of a sniper shooting now. Avoid that area.

"Burning question. Corner of Soi Sribumphen & Ngam Dupli, south side of Rama 4" http://twitpic.com/1otmyy /via @journatopia

(14:33) For those of you who live on Lang Suan, near Lumpini Park. Here it is: http://twitpic.com/1otahs /via @journotopia

[Maestro]

Escalating violence in Bangkok

CNN's Sara Sidner speaks with a Red Shirt leader about violent protest in Thailand.

-- CNN 2010-05-18

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BTS Close Again Tomorrow

The BTS Skytrain has announced a further closure for Wednesday, May 19 due to the dangerous situation in Bangkok.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-18

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Gunfire Shatter Glass at Bank in Bonkai

The Bonkai area sees more violence with gunfire at a bank, shattering its glass. Red-shirt protesters have also thrown molotov cocktails at soldiers.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-18

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Police to round up reds for setting up two alternate rally sites

Metropolitan Police commissioner Lt General Santhan Chayanont on Tuesday said investigators were preparing to arrest five red shirts responsible for obstructing traffic and setting up rally stages at Victory Monument and at Nang Lerng near the 111 Foundation headquarters, the previous office of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party.

The five, including Somchai Paiboon and Nawin Boonsert, have been accused of violating the emergency rule by forming the alternate rally sites as a contingency plan if the Rajprasong rally was disbanded.

Santhan said police managed to disband the Nang Lerng rally site and reopen Nakhon Sawan Road to traffic and that the red shirts were trying to regroup at Victory Monument.

-- The Nation 2010-05-18

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Female reporter attacked by angry protesters

A Thai female reporter for France 24 TV was nearly lynched while she was interviewing a woman inside the Pathumwanaram Temple at noon Tuesday.

Nice Pojanametbalsatit had to run away from the angry protesters and rescued by guards before she was taken to the are area behind the Rajprasong rally stage.

She was interviewing a middle-aged woman who came to live inside the temple with two children.

During the interview, some protesters shouted that the reporter and her TV crew were setting up the interview to discredit the protesters.

-- The Nation 2010-05-18

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Satit: govt won't mind if senators can talk reds to end protest

PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey said the government would not mind if senators could help ask reds to agree to a ceasefire.

But Satit said the only way to end the crisis peacefully is for protesters to disperse so terrorists could not exploit the demonstration.

A group of senators offered mediated talk between the government and the red-shirt leaders. The red-shirt leaders said they welcomed the mediation by the senators.

-- The Nation 2010-05-18

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[Maestro]

'Tense' clashes in Thai capital 20100518

Click on the image below to here the voice report

Danny Pruce, deputy head of mission at the British Embassy in Bangkok, explains the latest in the crisis.

Leaders of the anti-government red-shirts in Thailand have said they are willing to negotiate with the country's authorities after five days of violent protests.

At least 37 people have been killed in clashes between protesters and troops.

-- BBC 2010-05-18

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CRES: Govt to Talk to Red-shirts When They've Dispersed

The Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) announced that it'll only enter into a negotiation process when the red-shirt protesters have dispersed.

As the middleman the Senate will be responsible for persuading the protesters to disperse, only then the government will be willing to meet with the red-shirt core leaders.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-18

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BANGKOK WARFARE

Jakarta calls for Asean Summit on Thai riots

By The Nation

SINGAPORE: -- President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has sent a letter to the Asean chairman (Vietnam), asking for a summit meeting to address the security situation in Thailand.

Indonesia's Antara news agency quoted Yudhoyono as saying that Asean needed to have a common and constructive stance with regard to the current situation in Thailand, an Asean member country.

Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of his working visit to Singapore Monday evening, the president said as the world is paying attention, it would certainly not be good if Asean does nothing.

"I think there must be an exchange of views. We must show that we care," he said.

Moreover, Asean also had a charter expressing the need to form a common community in 2015.

Without wishing to interfere deeply into the domestic affairs of Thailand, he said, it would be appropriate for Asean to give support to the Thai government to settle its problem well and avoid any form of violence.

President Yudhoyono recalled that the 1997/1998 monetary crisis had begun with a crisis of the Thai baht which later spread to other Asian countries and that Indonesia was among the countries hardest hit by the meltdown.

"The crisis now is different but something constructive has to be done," he said.

Citing an analogy, he said the European Union had immediately met and coordinated to save one of its members, Greece, which was in a crisis due to its huge debt burden.

Asean, he said, could do the same to help Thailand overcome its political crisis that had now begun to disrupt the security situation.

At the meeting with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loon at the Botanic Garden, President Yudhoyono had also taken up the Thai crisis issue.

The Asean chairmaship is now held by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

-- The Nation 2010-05-18

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[Maestro]

Thai voices: 'Action overdue'

last updated at 09:28 GMT, Tuesday, 18 May 2010 10:28 UK

People in Thailand discuss the impact of ongoing violence in the capital Bangkok and share their thoughts on the nation's future.

Annie L Pongpairoj, housewife, Bangkok

We live about 10km away from the main centre area and things are normal here. I want to stress this - Bangkok is big and the danger zone is only a tiny area.

Read more: news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8688037.stm

-- BBC 2010-05-18

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[Thaivisa News]

More names 2 financ blacklist: Slum angel Prateep, Jakkapop, Sutham Saengprathum, Chanchai Ruayrungrueng, Yaowaret shinawatr /via @tulsathit

Din Daeng now: http://twitpic.com/1otyqw /via @agnesdherbeys @RichardBarrow

"Red speaker says they all feel reassured that CNN has arrived. They can sleep well now" /via @terryfrd

AFP: Thai government says no talks until protesters disperse

AFP: The Thai government said Tuesday there would be no negotiations with protesters in the capital until they end their crippling rally.

AFP: "The situation could be resolved and lead to negotiations when demonstrators disperse," said Satit Wonghnongtaey

Still some kids in the Red Camp: http://bit.ly/9IMDEG /via @Michael_Yon

Thaksin's lawyer, Robert Amsterdam is interviewed by Al-Jazeera: http://bit.ly/PoANm /via @tulsathit

The Emporium at Phrom Phong will close at 8 pm today. /via @veen_NT

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People warned of hazards from burning tires

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Medical Council of Thailand has warned protestors against car tire burning, saying that the activity produces toxic fumes, which are hazardous to health and can cause cancer.

Speaking of the widespread tire burning among anti-government protestors around Bangkok and other provinces, President of the Medical Council of Thailand MD Somsak Lolekha said, besides thick black smoke, the blazed tires also gave off toxic fumes and carcinogen. The smoke can cause recurrence of asthma and heart disease and adversely affect pregnant women and fetuses after inhaling. The toxin can also mix with a mother’s breast milk.

In addition, as it contains heavy metals, the smoke can cause severe environmental impact after being released into the atmosphere.

-- NNT 2010-05-18

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Reopening of gold shops in Bangkok´s Chinatown likely tomorrow

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Gold shops in Bangkok’s Chinatown are likely to be reopened tomorrow after the unrest situation in Bangkok starts unwinding, according to Mr Jitti Tangsitpakdi, President of the Gold Traders Association.

Mr Jitti said that all gold shops located in Bangkok’s Chinatown are expected to resume trading service tomorrow after the unrest situation in commercial districts such as Silom, Ratchaprasong and Rama IV road became at ease.

Mr Jitti continued to say that the unrest at major business areas in Bangkok had discouraged people from going out and buying gold. Only rows of closed shops have been lately seen on the empty street of Yaowaraj. He also attributed the decline in gold trade to the adjusting up of gold prices making buyers rather keep their money.

All gold shops in Bangkok’s Chinatown were ordered closed at 12.00 hrs yesterday in response to the announcement of the Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) declaring 17 and 18 May as official holidays in Bangkok.

As for gold prices announced by the Gold Traders Association as of 17 May 2010, a gold bullion is sold at 19,000 THB and at 18,900 THB for buyback price. Ornamental gold is bought at 18,631.64 THB and its selling price is 19,400 THB per baht weight.

-- NNT 2010-05-18

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