Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Thursday

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Death toll of Wednesday violence stands at 14

Public Heath Minister Jurin Laksanavisit announced Thursday 8 people were killed and 133 others were injured during the crackdowns on protesters and their riots Wednesday.

But Jurin's figure did not count the six bodies found inside the Pathumwanaram Temple. The Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation has yet to investigate the cause of the deaths of the six, including a woman.

-- The Nation 2010-05-20

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Arisman arrested

Police arrested anti-government hardcore member Arisman Pongruangrong according to Metropolitan Police spokesman Piya Uthayo.

Arisman, a former pop star turned red shirt leader, managed to sneak out of the red-shirt rally at Bangkok's Ratchaprasong district on Wednesday while core members of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) turned themselves in to police.

Arisman is being detained at Naresuan Camp, in Phetchaburi province.

48 others were arrested Wednesday night for causing violence and unrest. They are being detained for violating the CRES's curfew which has been imposed again for today between 9pm and 5 am.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-20

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No need for massive cash withdrawals: BOT

By The Nation

Bank of Thailand today assured the public that cash available at ATMs nationwide is sufficient and there is no need to withdraw massive amounts of cash.

Chim Tantiyaswasdikul, the Assistant to the Governor, Information Technology Group, said that all 11 bank note offices nationwide are operational during May 20-21, though this is the holiday for all commercial banks. He said there is no need for cash hoarding, except those in sensitive areas where some ATMs are destroyed and cash transfer service is prohibited. All ATMs in other areas are fully operational, he added.

"We insist that there is no measure to discontinue the ATM service as rumoured. All credit cards are also accepted," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-05-20

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MCOT: Fire bomb elements found in container between Ploenchit and Chidlom intersections, able to unleash powerful blast within 100m radius

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PTT begins petrol delivery

After the closure of several gas stations in central bangkok and some surrounding areas PTT has begun delivering petrol again.

All petrol products will be available again except in 35 gas stations in inner Bangkok.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-20

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Bank branches in shopping malls can reopen at weekend

Prasarn Trairatworakul, the chairman of the Thai Bankers Association, said Thursday bank branches in shopping malls can reopen on Saturday and Sunday.

He said banks will have to assess the situation whether to resume services of their branches, which are located in rally zone, on Monday.

Prasarn said most ATM machines are still operational but their banks may have to refill cash in the machines first.

-- The Nation 2010-05-20

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Related topic:

Thai Political Violence Far From Over: Analysts

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thai-Politic...na-t367401.html

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BOT Orders Banks to Open at Department Stores

The Bank of Thailand (BOT) has ordered commercial banks including KBank, SCB, Krung Thai Bank and others to open their branches at Bangkok's department stores.

Commerical banks will resume business at these branches and are to open May 22nd and 23rd.

Prasarn Trairatworakul, chairman of the Thai Bankers Association, said bank branches in shopping malls will be offering regular banking services this Saturday and Sunday. However, banks will have to assess whether to open branches located in the rally zone on Monday.

Most ATM machines in Bangkok are working. However, due to lack of refill, users have reported difficulty withdrawing cash in a few locations.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-20

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BTS' services will remain suspended Friday

Dr Anat Arbhapirom, director of Bangkok Transit System, said Thursday that the services of the skytrain will remained suspended on Friday on safety concern.

The public can call 02-617-6000 and 02-617-7300 ext 1834-1844.

-- The Nation 2010-05-20

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[Maestro]

Bangkok scenes from iReporters

A look at the unrest in Bangkok through the eyes of iReporters.

-- CNN 2010-05-19

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"Did hear any bangs in Chidlom" /via @beejoir

TAN: Also we are hearing reports of loud bangs heard in Ratchprasong area

TAN: Explosion heard in Lumpini park area around

"Hearing reports about a bang in Rajprasong" /via @tulsathit

TAN: Reports of ARISMAN arrested stand unconfirmed, apologies for confusion.

...but we will take last orders at 7PM in order to have time 2 deliver and give our staff sufficient time 2 safely return 2 their homes(2/2)

Food By Phone opening times: Please be informed that followig the curfew impsosed by the government we will open as usual at 10:30AM..(1/2)

MCOT: Fire bomb elements found in container between Ploenchit and Chidlom intersections, able to unleash powerful blast within 100m radius

TAN: Reports coming in of heightened activity at Ratchprasong again as troops scan for snipers along roof tops

Re the arisman tweet: Waiting for confirmation, everyone is confused after the other reports that he was already in police hands.

Death toll of Wednesday violence stands at 14: http://bit.ly/cHxia7 /via @nationnews

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MECC to resume service from 4pm

The Metropolitan Electricity Call Centre will start its service from 4 pm today (Thursday). Bangkok residents are urged to call its hotline on 02 611 5369. The 1130 number given out is currently out of service.

Several areas have gone without electricity in parts of the conflict zone including the Bon Kai residential area where residents have complained of power cuts. In parts of Rangam in the Victory Monument area, residents are still going without electricity.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-20

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[Thaivisa News]

Thai Political Violence Far From Over: Analysts: http://bit.ly/9AjSGe

AFP: Thai protest leader urges followers to shun violence

AFP: A top Thai protest leader urged supporters of the anti-government "Red Shirt" movement Thursday...(1/2)

AFP: ... to refrain from violence after riots in the capital, saying "democracy cannot be build on revenge." (2/2)

TAN: Suspects arrest in Samut Prakan prov, by Udon Pol. On them cloth found, petrol, other fuel and igniters.

TAN: Khunying Rojanasunan showing various evidence on tv via CRES announcement

AFP: "I want to talk to real Reds. I want you to hold to our principle of non-violence," said Veera Musikapong

AFP: "Democracy cannot be build on revenge. Good things are build on non-violence," he said at the police station

CRES conference focused on red weaponry found so far, a lot including bomb-making ingredients within rally site. /via @terryfrd

Khlong Toey stage is gone: http://twitpic.com/1pcef0 /via @lindavanderwijk

Most damning evidence, included clear photos showing how systemetic some of the arson incidents were, carried out by teams. /v @terryfrd

[Thaivisa News]

Col Sanserm showed a photo of a firefighter who was cut down moving to scene of a fire. /via @terryfrd

AFP: Honda suspends factories over Thailand conflict

AFP: Honda Motor suspended operations at two Thailand factories making cars and motorcycles due to the violent political turmoil

AFP: "We suspended operation of one plant manufacturing cars and another for motorcycles in Thailand today," a Honda spokeswoman said

AFP: "We'll decide whether to operate our business on a day-by-day basis, watching the changing situation there," she said.

'Shops opposite Paragon gutted by fire': http://twitpic.com/1pcg7h /via @RichardBarrow

CRES recap: 1) Police found #redshirts weapon found in Sarasin and Pathum temple including bomb-making equipment & chemicals /via @veen_NT

CRES recap: 2) Six bodies have been sent for autopsy. They were in a tent /via @veen_NT

CRES recap: 3) Police has follow-up cases as so many robberies and shop looting occurred after the riots. /via @veen_NT

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Bangkok aftermath: 'Not the Thailand we know anymore'

From Romy Inocencio, for CNN

May 20, 2010 -- Updated 0741 GMT (1541 HKT)

Bangkok's Ratchaprasong area. The smoldering building in the background on the right is the Central World mall.

Bangkok, Thailand (CNN) -- Some Bangkok residents ventured out on Thursday to shop and take stock of the damage done to their city one day after the government evicted thousands of anti-government protesters from a downtown district, triggering fires, riots and intense street battles.

Read more: edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/05/20/thailand.protests.reaction/index.html?iref=allsearch

-- CNN 2010-05-20

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Thaivisa Member: a friend is trying to get a flight to Thailand from Australia. Flight centre wont sell him a ticket

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Channel 3 to resume live broadcast Friday following riots

Channel 3 will tomorrow resume live broadcast, starting with its midday news programme while the airing of tapped programme is expected by 6.00 pm today, news anchorman Kitti Singhapat said on Thursday.

The broadcasting has been disrupted following the riots on Wednesday. The angry reds torched the Maleenont Building, where the television station is located.

-- The Nation 2010-05-20

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Chulalongkorn Hospital to resume OPD service Friday

The Chulalongkorn Hospital announced Thursday that it will resume services of the Outpatient Department Friday.

It said the special clinic after office hours will be resume on Saturday.

The hospital said its surgery services will resume in full operations on Monday.

-- The Nation 2010-05-20

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Some 300 reds found hidden inside Amarin Plaza

Police on Thursday found 300 red shirts seeking refuge inside Amarin Plaza following the end of Rajprasong rally on Wednesday.

The red shirts wanted their MPs from Pheu Thai Party to arrange for transporting them home. Some 100 met their MPs and were escorted back. The remainders are still waiting for to meet their elected representatives.

-- The Nation 2010-05-20

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CRES shows pictures of evidence confiscated

The CRES has just gone on tv along with Khunying Rojanasunan. The team have shown evidence of weapons found in the red shirt encampment including M16s and bomb-making devices (fuel, igniters, scraps of cloth and other ingredients).

Both soldiers and police, in a joint effort, went in to the Ratchaprasong rally site and Sarasin Road where they found several chemicals. Photographic evidence now being shown on television.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-20

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MCOT: 200 soldiers, police nab DJ Toy, Ubon Ratchathani Red Shirt leader, who led Wednesday's angry mob to torch provincial hall; Reds' radio seized

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ThaiPBS: Five are added to financial blacklist including Suriya, Prayuth, Paiwong, Sersuck and Plodprasop (16.21) /via @veen_NT

MCOT: 200 soldiers, police nab DJ Toy, Ubon Ratchathani Red Shirt leader, who led Wed's angry mob to torch prov hall; Reds' radio seized

MCOT: French authorities are seeking to prevent Thaksin from speaking out in Paris on political crisis in Thailand: newspaper Le Figaro

The loss from CTW fire is initially estimated Bt1 billion /via @veen_NT @Apsorn

"Picture tour of my neighborhood (Pratunam/Rajadamri/Radjaprasong) this morning." http://bit.ly/bkb5sD /via @in0nymous

MCOT: Erawan Center: 51 dead, 394 injured in clashes between protesters-troops since May 14; 14 die, 91 injured in last 2 days

TAN: CRES lists 22 more individuals on financial blacklist incl: Prayuth Mahakijsiri

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List of 36 places in Bangkok hit by arsons

Following is the list of 32 places hit by arson in Bangkok as announced by Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES).

1. Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB)

2. A commercial building in Bon Kai community

3. Kasikorn Bank, soi Ngam Doo Plee branch

4. Siam Paragon Shopping Complex

5. CentralWorld Shopping Complex

6. Maleenont Tower

7. Government Savings Bank, Sam Liam Din Daeng branch

8. Metropolitan Electricity Authority, Klong Toei branch

9. Metropolitan Waterworks Authority, Klong Toei branch

10. Stock Exchange of Thailand

11. Sogo Department Store in Rajaprasong area

12. Siam and Scala Cinemas in Siam Square

13. Post Publishing PCL

14. Bangkok Bank, Asok branch

15. Bangkok Bank, Victory Monument branch

16. Bangkok Bank, Chan Road branch

17. Center One Shopping Mall

18. Siam Square

19. Siam City Bank, Siam Square branch

20. Bangkok Bank, Siam Square branch

21. shops in Siam Square soi 5 and 6

22. Mahatun Plaza Building on Ploen Chit Road

23. Bangkok Bank, Rama IV branch

24. 7-Eleven convenient store, Sam Liam Din Daeng branch

25. Krungthai Bank next to Mater Dei School

26. Krungthai Bank, Asok branch

27. Bangkok Bank, Bangjak branch

28. Tesco Lotus Express convenient store, Rama IV branch

29. Bangkok Bank, Sathupradit branch

30. Bangkok Bank, Saphanluang branch

31. Siam City Bank, Sam Liam Din Daeng branch

32. Siam City Bank, Sunthornkosa branch in Klong Toei district

33. 7-Eleven convenient store near Victory Monument

34. Bangkok Bank, Hua Lam Phong branch

35. Siam Commercial Bank, Prachachuen branch

36. Big C Superstore, Rajdamri branch

Three Provincial Halls upcountry were hit by fires in Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani and Udon Thani.

Note: CRES announced 32 places, but the list included two repetitive names.

-- The Nation 2010-05-20

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added//Thaivisa Member: The list of torched building always has included Mahatun blg at Ploenchit. Matichon's list does not.

I live nearby, so I checked: there's no trace of fire on Mahatun.

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Central Investigation Bureau Denies Arisman Has Been Arrested

Pol Lt-General Thangai Prasjaksattru, commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, denied key red-shirt leader Arisman Pongruengrong has been arrested and taken into custody. He explained that the Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation has not notified the department about any additional number of key leaders turning themselves in.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-20

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MCOT: French authorities are seeking to prevent ex-premier Thaksin from speaking out in Paris on political crisis in Thailand: newspaper Le Figaro

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Veera calls for his reds to go home and stop rioting

By The Nation

Red-shirt leader Veera Musigapong on Thursday pleaded for the red shirts to stay on the course of non-violence, saying the mayhem in the past few days was tragic and not a true path of the reds struggle.

"I can confirm the red shirts are no danger to the country - they are patriots who love their country's institutions, oppose dictatorship and want to advance democracy," he said.

Veera said he was deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and that he was regretful for riots erupted.

"I have said countless times about the democratic struggle via non-violence means and it is undeniable what happened in the past few days are because my fellow reds were angry and disappointed," he said.

He said he understood their pains but it was time for all sides to let go of anger.

"Anger is destructive and the advancement of democracy can never happen by being angry and vengeful," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-05-20

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'The Gov are quickly cleaning up Lumpini Park' http://bit.ly/cKufpX /via @Michael_Yon

BBC: 'Pakistan blocks access to YouTube' http://bit.ly/c9jE7S

TAN: Thaksin calls for peace. Also asking for the rights of suspects to be upheld via his lawyer

The provinces that will be under curfew until Saturday: http://bit.ly/dmDxuy /via @tukky_NT

MCOT: Noppadon asserts Thaksin not behind Bangkok riot, CRES must show evidence to back up its claim; '3rd hand' group may instigate

BBC: 'Thailand curfew extended to three more nights' http://bit.ly/bozgJC

Guardian: 'Thai government extends Bangkok curfew' http://bit.ly/c2lxQ0

CNN: 'Bangkok aftermath: 'Not the Thailand we know anymore' http://bit.ly/bhiaog

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Violence may break out tonight again in Bangkok

Violence is expected to break out sporadically in Bangkok again tonight and communities have been urged to cooperate with authorities and report any suspicious activities.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-20

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MCOT: Noppadon asserts Thaksin not behind Bangkok riot, CRES must show evidence to back up its claim; '3rd hand' group may instigate

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Bangkok and 23 others provinces under curfew until Sat

Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) on Thursday extended curfew in Bangkok and 23 other provinces for three more nights in a bid to end the riots which broke out after red shirts leaders surrendered to police on Wednesday.

The curfew will be from 9pm to 5am from Thursday to Saturday night to allow people more time to conduct their businesses. The curfew imposed on Wednesday was from 8pm to 6am.

CRES spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd announced the extension of the curfew in Bangkok and 23 provinces after 39 key places were set on fire by red shirt hardliners who were angry with the end of the rally at Ratchaprasong and the surrender of their leaders.

The provinces that are also under curfew are ; Nakhon Pathom, Chon Buri, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakarn, Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Si Sa Ket, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan, Lampang, Nakhon Sawan, Kalasin, Mukdahan, Nong Bua Lumpu, Roi Et, Sakhon Nakhon, Ubon Ratchathani

The curfew is issued to pave the way for the authorities to carry out security operation and handle armed groups who scattered in downtown Bangkok.

Col Sansern also said 39 places in Bangkok were burned Wednesday and said that while firefighters were extinguishing the fire in certain places, some of them are still inaccessable as armed groups are still attacking the authorities to prevent them from entering the scenes.

-- The Nation 2010-05-20

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