1 dead, four people shot at Ramkhamhaeng University after clashes

[george]

BANGKOK UNREST

1 dead, four people shot at Ramkhamhaeng University after clashes

by Thanaporn PROMYAMYAI

Photo: The Nation

BANGKOK, November 30, 2013 (AFP) - Mass opposition protests aimed at overthrowing Thailand's embattled prime minister turned violent on Saturday with one person shot dead and 21 wounded as the government called on the army to protect key state buildings.

The demonstrators, who want to replace Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's government with an unelected "people's council", have mounted the kingdom's biggest street rallies since political violence in Bangkok three years ago left dozens dead in a military crackdown.

The protests were triggered by an amnesty bill, since abandoned by the ruling party, that opponents feared would have allowed the return of fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, Yingluck's brother, whose overthrow by royalist generals in 2006 unleashed years of political turmoil.

Thaksin is adored by many of the country's rural and urban working class for his populist policies while in power, but hated by many southerners, middle-class Thais and the Bangkok elite, who see him as corrupt and a threat to the monarchy.

As tensions soared in the capital, opposition demonstrators attacked a bus carrying "Red Shirt" government supporters heading to their own rally at a sports stadium in Bangkok, throwing stones and other objects, according to an AFP photographer at the scene.

Protesters also hurled bottles at police near the venue in the Ramkhamhaeng district, where more than 70,000 Red Shirts were gathered. The capital's main tourist areas were unaffected by the violence.

Gunshots were later fired near the stadium, claiming the first life in the recent protests, according to police, although the circumstances were unclear.

"A 21-year-man was shot dead by two bullets to his left side," said Boonchuay Pochantong, an official at a nearby police station in the capital.

Twenty-one other people suffered a range of wounds including from gunshots and stabbings, according to an official at the city's Erawan emergency centre.

But by midnight the situation appeared to be calm with Red Shirt leaders calling on their followers to stay in the rally stadium overnight to avoid fresh confrontation.

While the protesters' numbers have fallen sharply since an estimated crowd of up to 180,000 people joined an opposition rally on November 24, they have increasingly sought out high profile targets in what experts believe could be an attempt to provoke a military coup.

Demonstrators used piles of sandbags Saturday to try to climb over barriers protecting Yingluck's offices at the Government House, but were prevented by police from entering. Yingluck was not believed to be present at the time.

Government calls on army

With the situation deteriorating, authorities announced more than 2,700 troops would be mobilised to reinforce security in Bangkok, the first time a significant number of soldiers have been deployed to cope with the unrest.

Protesters have stormed a number of government buildings in the capital over the past week, meeting little or no resistance from police.

"We have information that there will be efforts to escalate violence in several areas," said National Police spokesman Piya Utayo.

Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban said demonstrators would try again on Sunday to take control of Yingluck's offices.

"Tomorrow our group will enter the area of Government House," he said in a speech to supporters.

Organisers of the anti-government demo have urged people to turn out in strength this weekend in a final push before celebrations for revered c's birthday on December 5, which is traditionally marked in an atmosphere of calm and respect.

Yingluck said security officials were "ready to defend" Government House, but added that they would do so with "leniency".

"I want to ask protesters not to confront each other in a way that may lead to violence," she said.

Hundreds of opposition protesters also massed at two major state-owned telecoms firms, cutting the power supplies in a move that caused widespread disruption to Internet services in the country.

"I feel tomorrow we will win," protester Sanit Ounjai, a 45-year-old rubber farmer from southern Thailand, told AFP.

The protesters' arch enemy Thaksin lives in self-imposed exile to avoid a jail term for a corruption conviction that he contends is politically motivated, but is widely believed to be the real power behind the ruling party.

Pro-Thaksin parties have won every election for more than a decade but Yingluck has given no indication that she is thinking of calling fresh polls as a way out of the crisis.

Yingluck's Puea Thai party came to power in 2011 elections on a wave of Thaksin support, after a bloody 2010 military crackdown on Red Shirt protests under the previous government left some 90 people dead.


-- (c) Copyright AFP ]2013-12-01

[george]

More than 20,000 policemen, Army to be deployed to defend 10 sites from protesters today

BANGKOK: -- More than 21,000 police will guard key state offices including Government House today, when anti-government protesters plan to take control of 10 targeted locations, as part of their "fight to uproot the Thaksin regime".

The government's Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) and the Metropolitan Police will deploy 21,550 policemen in and around government offices in Bangkok, including Government House and Parliament, a police source said.

At the request of the CAPO, soldiers from Thailand's three-armed forces will be sent today to help police deal with protesters attempting to occupy government offices in the capital, a high-ranking source in the military said. The unarmed troops will be responsible for preventing damage to state property and government offices, the source said, adding that they would not confront protesters.

"Soldiers will assist the police, but police will still be at the forefront of operations. Troops will not man checkpoints or patrol the streets," the source added. The prime minister yesterday also confirmed that unarmed soldiers would help with maintaining peace and order in certain areas.

The CAPO yesterday ordered closure of 14 road sections around Government House and Parliament and declared areas around the Royal Thai Police headquarters, Police Hospital and Chulalongkorn Hospital off-limits for protesters.

Metropolitan Police chief Maj-General Camronvit Toopkrajank chaired a meeting yesterday about security measures for the compounds, in preparation for the planned occupations. Participants including many senior police were informed about crowd-control measures and suppression of a protest - in line with international standards.

The Metropolitan Police chief prohibited all staff against taking leave at this time until further notice, the source said. About 50 fire extinguishers were distributed to different divisions of the Metropolitan Police in case of fire, according to the source.

Some 8,400 policemen would be deployed to guard Government House, Parliament and the Metropolitan Police Bureau, another police source said. Protest leader Suthep Thauguban, who is also secretary-general of the newly-formed People's Democratic Reform Committee, did not name Parliament among the 10 state offices the protesters will try to seize control of today.

Deputy Metropolitan Police commissioner Maj-General Samroeng Suwanpong said yesterday police would "seriously enforce" the Internal Security Act (ISA) against any protester attempting to enter Government House, Parliament and other key government offices. The authorities would focus on negotiations with protesters but would not allow them to trespass into a government office, CAPO spokesman Police Maj-General Piya Uthayo said yesterday.

"It is now clear that the protests are not peaceful. It is illegal to trespass into government offices. Also, weapons have been found at protest sites," Piya said. "Police will not allow protesters to trespass into important government offices, including Government House, Parliament and Royal Thai Police headquarters, as running of the country will be affected," he said.

"All the measures taken will be in line with the international standards. The focus will be on negotiation."

He said that the CAPO was pleased to have representatives from human rights organisations, academia and the media to observe the police's handling of the protesters.

Many government offices in Bangkok, which is now under the ISA, have been guarded by thousands of police and surrounded by concrete barriers and barbed-wire fences.

Crowd-control equipment such as batons, shields, teargas canisters, and vehicles equipped with long range acoustic devices and high-pressure water jets have also been spotted inside compounds. The police's preparation came as Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday ruled out the use of violence to tackle the protests.

"Today, we choose to be condemned as a weak government, not using force and being invaded by protesters," the prime minister said in a television broadcast. "It is better than setting a deadline to regain our ground and leading to people's suffering," she said.

The numbers of anti- and pro-government demonstrators have "increased continuously" yesterday, according to CAPO deputy spokesman Maj-General Anuch Romayanand. He said police were deployed at Ramkhamhaeng University, which is adjacent to Rajamangala Stadium, where the red shirts were gathering in support of the government, in an attempt to prevent violence.

He claimed there had been attempts to create violence between both sides. Peace advocates urged both sides yesterday to avoid violence. Gothom Arya, director of Mahidol University's Research Centre for Peace Building, said that conflict should not lead to violence, as it could cause death.

-- The Nation 2013-12-01

[wolf5370]

All bets are off now - it chaos and mayhem time - before its moan-you-children-fathers-husbands time. There will continue to be blood on both sides - with reports of police shooting people (true or not) and not coming to students aid when called (or the Uni. rector's) then there is no chance the cops will be trusted to keep the peace. The army are here - plenty of photos of them debarking from trucks in full camo sans visible signs of weaponry (although doubtful they would need to carry arms whilst travelling from their bases - might be in another secure truck - I doubt they would come unprepared). The main difference between this and 2010 (or even the Airport takeover for those that can't resist) is there are actually two factions on the street - not one and the government. Both are in violation of the IRA (and many other laws of course at this point) - neither looks set to follow government orders either (although a good section of the cabinet have taken turns on the stadium stage - including interior minister, the guy in charge of the police - nice one, conveniently ignoring the ISA there then!). This is going to be bloodier than anything since the 70's (last time students were killed indiscriminately) - listen for the sound of those tanks arolling. So much for YL's "We will not call the military" - they are here.

Tomorrow (today now) is the V Day we were told - with planned marches to ten or more strategic places - I wonder if that will still go ahead or Suthep will call it off in favour of a safer ploy, whatever that could be.

[wealth]

a little too late for that step ...

one shot while army personal is on duty and they'll come back with loaded weapons, - as always.

Better to investigate the root cause. Will they?

The sport center was used by thousands of students every day and they instigated deadly violence against them ... reason enough to get tough on those who are behind it. Lots of truthful hints in the other thread.

I also don't think that the students broke the gate at the closed-by University either. They were hunted down by some thugs for which I have enough reasons, pointed out some suspects and to believe of what I have witnessed, seen by myself and heard during the last ten days.

Keep politics aside and clear the high crime committed and students will have peace. Don't let this issue in the open, youngsters now want and need answers.

Edited November 30, 2013 by wealth

[Lite Beer]

Four people shot at Ramkhamhaeng University after clashes
The Sunday Nation:

BANGKOK: -- At least four people were injured in Ramkhamhaeng University yesterday evening after gunshots were heard. The drama was thought to be related to clashes earlier with red-shirts from the nearby Rajamongala Stadium.

Meanwhile, the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) has announced the closure of Ramkhamhaeng Road from Ramkhamhaeng to Lam Sali Intersection, after violence in the area.

Earlier in the afternoon, dozens of protesters in an anti-red shirt rally harassed men near the university by blowing whistles at them. The red shirts are holding a rally to support the government at the stadium.

Some protesters beat on a taxi transporting red shirts with their fists and sticks and later some protesters threw rocks and beat a passing public bus.

A group of men also showed their opposition to the reds by setting a red T-shirt on fire, then stamping on it.

These incidents prompted RU rector Assoc Prof Wuttisak Larpcharoensap to order all the protesting RU students to go back into the university compound.

The rector said a number of men on motorcycles from the stadium had provoked the protesters earlier.

There was a fistfight and one student got minor injury, according to a reporter with the pro-Democrats' Blue Sky TV network at the scene.

Hundreds of Ramkhamhaeng University students yesterday joined in an anti-red shirts rally in front of the university, after a female student was attacked by the red shirts because she wore a whistle necklace.

The protesters set up stage at about noon. After representatives from Hua Mark and Wang Thonglang police stations came to receive their petition on the case and protesters were seeing them off, a fistfight between two men and a group of the protesters began. Protest leaders and police tried to break them up.

While inbound Ramkhamhaeng Soi 61 had been already blocked, police later set up barricades to separate the two groups.

Meanwhile, red-shirts from several provinces were mobilised yesterday to join the Bangkok rally, including from Udon Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Kalasin, Pathum Thani and Phitsanulok.

Red-shirt leader Thida Thawornseth yesterday told a pro-government rally at Rajamangala Stadium that the red shirts should not allow the protesters to overthrow an elected government.

More protesters coming

Udon Thani red-shirt leader Kwanchai Praipana, who is bringing 1,500 people on board 20 buses to Bangkok, claimed that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Friday phoned and asked him to mobilise supporters.

A leading red-shirt in Nakhon Ratchasima's Muang district, Somphot Prasartthai, said at least 1,500 reds from Muang district were registered to board 15 buses and 20 vans.

He said that at least 13,000 people from the province’s 32 districts would be mobilised to Bangkok and would remain until they had victory over the anti-government protesters. He said they would not use violence but were keen to show that there were as many people in support of the government.

Kalasin red-shirts also yesterday mobilised 3,000 people to support the Yingluck government along with other reds in Bangkok, Kalasin area 3 red-shirt coordinator Pian Donpanya said.

In Phitsanulok, 20 buses carrying over 500 red-shirts departed at 9am to join the Bangkok rally, while 1,500 reds were coming from Muang district in Pathum Thani also.

Suthep Thaugsuban, key leader of the anti-Thaksin regime campaign, has called for more supporters to come to Bangkok particularly from the South.

In Satun's Muang district, former People's Alliance for Democracy protester Udomsri Chantharassami hosted a "tea party campaign to aid the nation", serving people with "Patongko" deep-fried dough sticks, fermented rice noodles and rice noodle with coconut milk at a field in tambon Khlong Khud, to raise funds for her group's travel expenses to join the Bangkok rally. And inChumphon, demonstrators outside city hall said they had prepared 15 buses to take volunteers to join the Bangkok rally.

-- The Nation 2013-12-01

[wprime]

Since the AFP is so obviously pro-government, allow me to enter a few clarifications:

As tensions soared in the capital, opposition demonstrators attacked a bus carrying "Red Shirt" government supporters heading to their own rally at a sports stadium in Bangkok, throwing stones and other objects, according to an AFP photographer at the scene.

They were attacked by RU students after Jatuporn ordered his troops to burn down their uni.

Gunshots were later fired near the stadium, claiming the first life in the recent protests, according to police, although the circumstances were unclear.

"A 21-year-man was shot dead by two bullets to his left side," said Boonchuay Pochantong, an official at a nearby police station in the capital.

By unclear circumstances they mean the red shirts, on behalf of the government, shot an RU student dead.

But by midnight the situation appeared to be calm with Red Shirt leaders calling on their followers to stay in the rally stadium overnight to avoid fresh confrontation.

What were the red shirts doing outside their stadium in the first place? Attacking RU. Only mentioning their withdrawal makes RU seem like the aggressors.

With the situation deteriorating, authorities announced more than 2,700 troops would be mobilised to reinforce security in Bangkok, the first time a significant number of soldiers have been deployed to cope with the unrest.

Justifying the government's use of military force against its people is the government's job, not the media's.

"We have information that there will be efforts to escalate violence in several areas," said National Police spokesman Piya Utayo.

Yes, the Jatuporn is ordering his troops to commit murder and other violence - but if you just say it like this it makes it look like the anti-government protestors are the one's ordering violence.

[jaidam]

I doubt anybody could have predicted that bussing in thousands of amped-up red shirts could have led to violence occurring. Sad and surprising in equal measures. It is also a shame that Yingluck will be presumably arrested and charged for premeditated murder in a personal capacity.

[Shurup]

Here we go again...

[briboy]

just watched the SHORT time that the ABC here in Aus allocated and it was YL saying how it will damage the Kingdom and if they love TH stop everything, the rest was dedicated to how the red shirts are hard done by, impartial reporting??

Edited November 30, 2013 by briboy

[Emptyset]

Since the AFP is so obviously pro-government, allow me to enter a few clarifications:

As tensions soared in the capital, opposition demonstrators attacked a bus carrying "Red Shirt" government supporters heading to their own rally at a sports stadium in Bangkok, throwing stones and other objects, according to an AFP photographer at the scene.

They were attacked by RU students after Jatuporn ordered his troops to burn down their uni.

Propaganda abounds. You're only repeating the words of notorious pro-government tweeter Andrew Spooner when you claim that Jatuporn told reds to burn down RU (his alma mater) - only he claimed Democrats had been ordered to burn down Rajamangala. I don't know why anyone serious pays attention to Spooner and I don't know why anyone pays attention to his equivalents on the other side either.

Actually I do. It's because people want to avoid engaging with difficult and complex issues. They prefer to view this conflict as a simplistic Manichean morality play, where one side is good and the other is evil, denying that maybe things aren't that clear cut. That there are shades of grey. That maybe we shouldn't be so certain. It's those who consider things fixed that get things wrong.

Edited November 30, 2013 by Emptyset

[Beetlejuice]

Here we go again.

Over the last few years it`s been living in a country of political uncertainty. Some how, some way, the Thais need to get their act together, otherwise this is going to bring the whole nation down.

I fear that the one already dead is only the beginning and there will be many at these rallies today who will not be here to see in the new year, a lot more casualties to follow.

As far as I can see, this can only go 2 ways, either a stalemate or a full blown civil war. Better keep our fingers crossed and fasten our seatbelts, as this time the country maybe in for a rough ride.

Edited November 30, 2013 by Beetlejuice

[PaullyW]

So much for the people in denial who were so confident that things would not turn violent.

[whybother]

So Kwanchai and his red shirts couldn't decide by themselves that they needed to come to Bangkok to "protect democracy". They had to be told to do it by Thaksin.

Sent from my phone ...

[canuckamuck]

One side was delivering a load of $hit and the other side brought the fan. Here we go again.

[slipperylobster]

I doubt anybody could have predicted that bussing in thousands of amped-up red shirts could have led to violence occurring. Sad and surprising in equal measures. It is also a shame that Yingluck will be presumably arrested and charged for premeditated murder in a personal capacity.

Huh? I am scratching my head on this.

Thousands of Red shirts and Thousands of yellowshirts

Tempers starting to flare up

Government property seized

Military and police presence

History of violence

Prolonged period of demonstrations

Ok...nobody can predict that somebody might get hurt?

I was expecting free coffee and donuts for all.

[ChrisY1]

"Udon Thani red-shirt leader Kwanchai Praipana, who is bringing 1,500 people on board 20 buses to Bangkok, claimed that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Friday phoned and asked him to mobilise supporters."

Does the International media need much more proof of who really manages things here in Thailand......

There's been some serious money spent getting the northern thugs to BKK.....Thaksins getting serious now.....and he doesn't care the outcome!

[whybother]

Reports are saying that those shot were red shirt guards.

Sent from my phone ...

[Somtamnication]

The craziness has started. What a sad day. These people are not only crazy, but stupid.

And Suthep telling everyone he does not want any Shinawatras in Thailand. Again, attacking the PM's 10 year old. <deleted>?

Sadly, more deaths to follow.

[Emptyset]

Reports are saying that those shot were red shirt guards.

Sent from my phone ...

No, I think one killed was a student and the other killed was a red shirt guard? Will try to confirm.

[whybother]

Reports are saying that those shot were red shirt guards.

Sent from my phone ...

Actually, someone shot at about 2am was a red shirt guard, and another shot a short time ago. Both dead.

Sent from my phone ...

[Emptyset]

Sky News reports...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0DHVMosqeQ&

[isawasnake]

How is this all not just universally labeled "Suthep's fault"? He got what he wanted, and then continued to add fuel to the fire of the protesters. It is obvious that his motive is to cause mayhem/death/chaos in the country.

[whybother]

The craziness has started. What a sad day. These people are not only crazy, but stupid.

And Suthep telling everyone he does not want any Shinawatras in Thailand. Again, attacking the PM's 10 year old. <deleted>?

Sadly, more deaths to follow.

No one is attacking the PMs son.

Sent from my phone ...

[Somtamnication]

I did not mean a physical attack. I meant the issue with the pickup with four thugs harassing the kid. And Suthep, again, repeating myself, saying that he does not want any members of that family in the country.

That, to any civil person, means it is an "attack" on everyone, including this 10 year old.

[whybother]

How is this all not just universally labeled "Suthep's fault"? He got what he wanted, and then continued to add fuel to the fire of the protesters. It is obvious that his motive is to cause mayhem/death/chaos in the country. 

So, in 2010 it was all Suthep and Abhisit's fault, and now it is again all their fault. I don't think you can have it both ways.

Sent from my phone ...

[johnlandy]

The only surprise is (if it were a surprise) is that it has taken so long for the blood to start flowing and the deaths to start.

And all the while 'the square faced man' is on the beach in Dubai saying "it's not me" when in fact he is, has been and will remain the number one disease afflicting the realm.

There is a very simple solution and I am uncertain why it has never been acted upon

[whybother]

I did not mean a physical attack. I meant the issue with the pickup with four thugs harassing the kid. And Suthep, again, repeating myself, saying that he does not want any members of that family in the country.

That, to any civil person, means it is an "attack" on everyone, including this 10 year old.

Four thugs didn't harass Yingluck's son either.

I think you've been taken in by the propaganda.

Sent from my phone ...

[GeorgeKi]

All this because one evil man - Suthep - wants to escape a court appearance for mass murder. He is prepared to destroy his country to escape justice - clearly the most evil & repugnant man in post-war Thai history. Reports now coming in on news thread that the guns-for-hire yellow fascists bussed in to cause mayhem & terror have now shot & killed some pro-democracy red protesters. The Yellows are fascist terrorists, no more no less, being manipulated by this monster trying to escape justice - and Bangkok may burn because of him.

[binjalin]

All this because one evil man - Suthep - wants to escape a court appearance for mass murder. He is prepared to destroy his country to escape justice - clearly the most evil & repugnant man in post-war Thai history. Reports now coming in on news thread that the guns-for-hire yellow fascists bussed in to cause mayhem & terror have now shot & killed some pro-democracy red protesters. The Yellows are fascist terrorists, no more no less, being manipulated by this monster trying to escape justice - and Bangkok may burn because of him.

and all because the amart cling to 'their' right to be in power and the masses voted for PTP and shame on Abhisit for not condemning it and pronouncing his support for democracy at least he could have had a chance then of gaining some respect

[whybother]

All this because one evil man - Suthep - wants to escape a court appearance for mass murder. He is prepared to destroy his country to escape justice - clearly the most evil & repugnant man in post-war Thai history. Reports now coming in on news thread that the guns-for-hire yellow fascists bussed in to cause mayhem & terror have now shot & killed some pro-democracy red protesters. The Yellows are fascist terrorists, no more no less, being manipulated by this monster trying to escape justice - and Bangkok may burn because of him.

Please link to the news thread post that says that any of the protesters that were bused in were anywhere near Rajamangala stadium. Unless you're talking about the red shirts that were bused in.