Deaths in Bangkok

[bumper]

This is getting a lot closer to Udon and the three incidents like this so far:

Red shirts seized trains and detained soldiers in Khon Kaen
By The Nation

Red shirts in Khon Kaen separately detained altogether 230 soldiers after seizing their trains as they were about to travel to Bangkok to join their comrades to disperse the red shirts protesters.
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About 1,000 red shirts in Khon Kaen gathered at Khon Kaen train station at about 1.30pm after listening to a community radio programme which claimed that soldiers would leave for Bangkok to disperse the protesters.

They then seized the train which also carried 21 army vehicles and detained 80 soldiers on board.

Their commander then ordered his soldiers to get off the train. He told the red shirts that the soldiers would go to Pattani not Bangkok as claimed, but to no avail. Khon Kaen governor and other senior officials who rushed to the scene also failed to convince the red shirts to free the soldiers and trains.

A red shirt leader said that the leaders in Bangkok ordered the group to detain the soldiers and trains for five days.

"They told us that don't allow the soldiers to leave otherwise they would join other soldiers in Bangkok in dispersing the protesters. If we allow that happens, a large number of protesters would be killed, the leader said.

The red shirts then set up tents over the rail tracks to prevent the train from leaving the stations.

Later at about 4.30pm, a group of 1,000 soldiers blocked an intersection in Khon Kaen's Ban Pai district and seized three army buses which had 150 soldiers on board for the same reasons.

A police commander said that the soldiers were from an army camp in Udon Thani province. They were assigned to work in deep south province of Pattani, not in Bangkok as claimed by the red shirts leaders.

[nkstan]

I would say that the Red leadership has crossed the line when they order their people to detain police and soldiers!Seems to me that treason might be an issue for them to face!

[nkstan]

Skytrains suspend service at all stations

authority has suspended service of all skytrain stations after red shirts leaders called for the protesters to destroy all stations.

Earlier BTS suspended only four stations near the Rajaprasong rally sites; Chidlom, Ploenchit, Rajdamri and Siam. All entrances and exits were shut down.

Red shirts leaders told the cheering crowds that BTS is servants of Amataya, and urged the protesters to go and destroyed the stations.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/

[FrazeeDK]

Yes, evidently the Red speakers did make some inflammatory remarks against BTS.. Yes, it was closed down for a day or so.. It's open now and I've yet to observe any direct action taken against BTS by the Reds.. They could easily jam up any station or jam up any train by filling it with their people. It hasn't happened... Why havent' they done anything?? I don't know.. And I despite traveling on BTS regularly I've yet to see any Red Shirts traveling on the trains at all.

Of course, all the malls around Rajaprasong (less MBK) have been pretty much closed since all this stuff started nearly 3 weeks ago.. The international news media speaks of "hotels and malls under virutal siege" which of course is utter B.S. as the Reds have never targeted any of the malls or hotels in the area, they merely jammed the roads up making access difficult.. It was the government that initially caused the mall closures by warning owners that "bad things" might happen after the Reds got into Rajaprasong.. Several opened for brief periods to test the waters and closed up again. And, they're suffering the losses accordingly.. Now, of course with an iminent threat of armed government action, they'd be fools to open. Many hotels in the Rajaprasong area have closed until next week, again I'd surmise in fear of a government clearing action. As I mentioned, MBK mall has been open continuously and appears to be doing a booming business..

[nkstan]

DK,what do think about the Reds leader telling the group to go destroy the BTS?Or do you consider the Nations article as another non-truth?

[Laan Yaa Mo]

Do not put too much trust in the Nation as it is run/supported by PAD.

I think Bump gave good advice about checking three or four independent sources prior to quoting any of them.

[nkstan]

Do not put too much trust in the Nation as it is run/supported by PAD.

Really?

[Laan Yaa Mo]

[quote]Thanong Khanthong has been a vigorous and outspoken supporter of the People’s Alliance for Democracy and the 2006 military coup[quote]


He took over ownership of the Nation in 2008 or 2009.

I am still a bit doubtful about the statement I posted, and will dig around a bit more tomorrow. I think it is Thaivisa members that have pointed this out a lot.

http://thaipoliticalprisoners.wordpress ... -monarchy/

Wiki mentions him as the owner of the paper.

Basically, I will just type in his name and google it and see what comes up.

[trubrit]

Do not put too much trust in the Nation as it is run/supported by PAD.

Really?

Well whether it is run by Pad I don't know , but like its sister English language paper The Bangkok Post, it certainly follows their and the governments, rhetoric .
You don't have to be a English language genius to see that Stan .Look at the violence of last night that both sides admit was provoked by the yellows, both papers described it as "clashes" between them. Whereas previous disturbances, thought to be, or at least blamed on the reds , were described, with the full power of the pen, as ,mob violence, riots.
A good example of biased reporting was on the breaking news link on this forum . Some Thai papers carried a photo of the room occupied by the red leaders after it was stormed by the police .It was obvious from the picture that both tear gas canisters and bullet cases were scattered all over the place . The aftermath of a hasty forced entry with all guns blazing . The link on here said " Teargas and other ammunition was found in the room " :-" Come on smell the roses mate .

[bumper]

Heating up closer to home as well

Army may need ISA in Khon Kaen

* Published: 22/04/2010 at 12:56 PM
* Online news: Breakingnews

The government will be asked to consider imposing the Internal Security Act (ISA) in Khon Kaen province if red-shirt protesters continue to refuse to allow a train transporting soldiers and vehicles to the far South to leave the railway station there, 2nd Army Region commander Weewalit Chornsamrit said on Thursday.

Lt-Gen Weewalit said he had asked the Khon Kaen governor and commander of Khon Kaen Provincial Police to negotiate with red-shirt leaders there this morning.

If negotiation proved fruitless he would report this to the goverment and propose the use of the ISA in the northeastern province.

On Wednesday, about 500 red-shirt protesters in Khon Kaen prevented a train transporting 50 soldiers and about 20 military vehicles from leaving the railway station as they believed the soldiers and vehicles were being deployed to help disperse red-shirts gathered at Ratchaprasong intersection in central Bangkok.

The military said the troops were part of a rotation of personnel in the deep South, and were moving to a strict timetable.

The protesters said they would block the train for five days. Lt-Gen Weewalit said that was unacceptable.

It would take at least three days for the train to travel to Pattani, its destination, and at least one more day for the troops to prepare their weapons and vehicles for operations, he said.

Insurgents could use any gap in this timeable to strike, which could cause damage beyond imagining, Lt-Gen Weewalit said.
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Things not looking good in Bangkok either

Thai army warns protesters 'time running out'
Posted: 22 April 2010 1301 hrs

Anti-government protesters set up barricades around their rally headquarters.


BANGKOK : Thailand's army warned Red Shirt anti-government protesters Thursday that "time is running out" to leave their rally site in Bangkok's commercial heart before a likely crackdown.

But the mostly poor and rural Reds, who have paralysed an area of the capital that is home to five-star hotels and major shopping centres, remained defiant and ruled out talks with the authorities until the military withdraws.

Tensions remained high in Bangkok after overnight scuffles between the red-shirted demonstrators, who are seeking immediate elections, and hundreds of rival pro-government protesters calling for the Reds to go home.

The supporters of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who include local residents and business owners, confronted the Reds and threw bottles, while some of the anti-government protesters hurled stones, bottles and firecrackers.

One foreign tourist was reported to have been slightly injured.

The red-clad movement has ruled out immediate talks with the government, despite the threat of "decisive" action by the army.

"We don't want you to risk your lives. If there is a clash you could be hurt by stray bullets," said army spokesman Sunsern Kaewkumnerd. "Your time is running out. Please leave the area."

Sunsern said there were currently 6,000 of the red-shirted protesters at the site, down from 14,000 Wednesday evening.

But there was no air of compromise as the protesters dug in, following street clashes in Bangkok earlier this month that left 25 people dead.

The Reds have fortified their rally base in central Bangkok with home-made barricades made from bamboo poles and piles of car tyres.

"When there are guns pointed at our heads, we cannot talk," said a Reds leader, Weng Tojirakarn. "The easiest way (to resolve the crisis) is to dissolve parliament and then we will all go home."

Piles of sharpened bamboo sticks and broken paving stones have been stockpiled, triggering fears of new confrontations with security forces who are threatening to use tear gas and live fire if necessary.

The Reds are seeking immediate elections to replace the government, which it accuses of being elitist and undemocratic.

The United States urged both sides to seek a peaceful resolution to the weeks-long crisis, which has shut down the Thai capital's retail and hotel heartland, worsening the damage to the economy of the tourist destination.

"We would continue to encourage both sides to work out their disagreements peacefully," State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said. "We don't believe that violence in any shape or form is a solution to this political challenge."

Hundreds of members of the security forces and Red Shirts are now facing off at the perimeter of two zones in central Bangkok, separated by a long stretch of the makeshift barricade.

The political crisis has spread to the rural northeast, where protesters have blockaded a military train and forced busloads of troops to return to their bases.

Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said that although negotiations were the best way out of the crisis, there was little chance the two sides would sit down together.

"There have been several attempts to connect with the Red Shirts. I'm sure you are fully aware how difficult it is to talk to them in a unified manner," he said.

Talks last month ended in failure after Abhisit's offer of elections at the end of the year was rejected by the Reds, who insist on immediate polls.

The protesters are mainly supporters of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and is living in exile to avoid a jail sentence for corruption.

The Reds say Abhisit's government is illegitimate because it came to power in a parliamentary vote at the end of 2008 after a court ruling removed Thaksin's allies from office.

- AFP/il [/quote]

[nkstan]

My post of ''really?''was just that.Although I would believe that there is very few unbiased people in Thailand ,let alone reporters,I had no knowledge of the ownership being a member of PAD!

[FrazeeDK]

the only "faceoff" I see are masses of troops facing the Reds is at the Rama IV/Silom/Rajadamri intersection. The troops have fortified the head of Silom and the Reds the end of Rajadamri. That's where altercations have occurred two nights running between the Reds and the "no Color/yellows". Kinda funny that the Military didn't stop the "no color/yellows" who initiated the attacks from the troop side of the intersection. the other major intersections; Wittayu, Rama I, Pratu nam appear to have small groups of police lounging about but no overt troop presence. The Red presence tonight at Rajaprasong is indeed light. The Reds have their "black shirt' guards still out at the perimeter intersections of their occupied area doing a cursory screening of vehicles and pedestrians. When walking back home tonight I saw a squad in route march.. coming in from Wittayu/Ploenchit heading toward Rajaprasong.. Since it was about 6:15PM I reckoned they must be "day shift" They were all dressed in black jungle fatigues with the red bandanas and kerchiefs and black boonie caps.. About 11 guys and a woman.. The rhetoric piped down Ploenchit from the stage seemed a more reasoned speech, perhaps a 'guest speaker" who was concentrating on the double standard of how the governemtn (then PPP) military and Police treated the PADs at the airport as opposed to how the Reds are treated now..

[bumper]

Funny all the Thai news source blame the red shirts for starting the fight, Hard to believe what you read in the news here, Sounds a lot different from the view on the ground

[jackspratt]

Well someone is upping the ante!

Bomb blasts claims first victim
A woman became the first fatality of a series of bomb blast on Thursday night, leaving 56 others injured.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/20 ... 27775.html

At Sala Daeng skytrain station.

[jingjai]

http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255304220057

At least 1 died, 75 injured from Silom blasts

BANGKOK, 22 April 2010 (NNT) – At least one fatality and 75 injuries have been reported from a series of five explosions at Sala Daeng station of BTS sky train, Dusit Thani Hotel, and Bangkok Bank Headquarters in the business district of Silom in the heart of Bangkok on Thursday night.

The first three explosions took place on Sala Daeng station of BTS sky train near the skywalk, where troops, BTS staff, and media members were stationed there in their operation. About three people have been injured from the blasts, two of them are reported to be foreigners.

The next bomb then exploded at 20.50 hrs near Dusit Thani Hotel, located at the beginning of Silom Road. At least four people have been injured by the incident. Another explosion broke out at 21.00 hrs at Bangkok Bank Headquarters on Silom Road, injuring more than 20 people.

BTS sky train has stopped operating while all shops along Silom Road have been closed down. Troops have closed down the road prohibiting entry to and exit from the area. Patients have been rushed to Bangkok Christian Hospital, Chulalongkorn Hospital, Lerdsin Hospital, and Saint Louis Hospital.

According to initial investigation, the explosions were assumed to be M79 grenades launched in forms of projectile. Official investigation is underway.

Some of the injured are reported to be those attending the rally of multi-color-clad demonstrators gathering at Silom Road to protest against the movement of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD).

[Khun Paul]

Any person with a mmodicum of intelligence can deduce for themselves that in any democracy, attack is the best form of defence . In relation to recent events in bangkok and even Kohn kaen, it would seem taking a completely unbiased view that the Red Shirts are upping the ante as they seem to want Democracy on their terms.

Constant accusations by the Reds of Military and Police in mufti attacking them seems a bit too much and although one can often take the side of the poor down-trodden people ( and one does initially ) when you look at the big picture their actions to date have caused injury and harm to many tourists ( including foreigners), damaged a Historic monuments ( not caring ) and also done untold damage to Thailands prestige around the world, yet they say they are for Thailand.
if you take the government side, the complete inaction of Militaruy or even the Police to act when needed speaks volumes as well.

So saying people are for Reds or Yellows or even for anyone is stupid. Most of the people I talk too, require a degree of normality across the board in order to continue with their lives in an ordered way.
The vast amount of Thais want peace and the Government to continue until in the fulness of time an Election is held and the process begins again.
No matter what occurs now Thailand is ripping itself apart and the recent actions have polarised support . This will lead if they are not careful to decline into what many people fear,possible outright confrontation in many towns and cities, involving millions.

The question which people are not asking is, what will happen then, well for me, a country which over the past 20 odd years has clawed its way out of a 3rd world country to what it is now, will sink back into a deep recession and become the poor man od Asean as many international and foreign companies leave for a better environment, coupled with the fact that the Sovreign is not at all well, Thailand will over the next few years be searching for its soul again.

[trubrit]

Funny all the Thai news source blame the red shirts for starting the fight, Hard to believe what you read in the news here, Sounds a lot different from the view on the ground

Ray with most of the terrestrial TV channels being controlled by the government or army it is unrealistic to expect to get a balanced report. I suggest if you have True Move you tune in to number 7, not to be confused with the army channel elsewhere. There you will find TNN Thai. It is the old ITV programme that some may remember was closed down by the Government and all the employees sacked about 2 years ago.It is blocked on ordinary receivers.(wonder why? :-" )It is NOT a red channel, but does present a reasonably objective view of events .ie: It doesn't treat all its viewers as idiots and expect them to believe what it transmits, but realises intelligent people can not be deceived for too long and will make their own mind up .refreshing in this society . Don't you think?
It also has a web site http://www.tnnthailand.com which is good for all sorts of news and current affairs. Unfortunately it is only in Thai.

[jackspratt]

It is blocked on ordinary receivers.(wonder why? :-" )..............

Could it be that TTN does not hold a public TV license, and therefore, along with many other cable and web based TV stations, cannot be FTA (free to air)?

[trubrit]

It is blocked on ordinary receivers.(wonder why? :-" )..............

Could it be that TTN does not hold a public TV license, and therefore, along with many other cable and web based TV stations, cannot be FTA (free to air)?

Could it be?Could be.! Your becoming the master of speculation Jack..
Anyway a link with some rather gruesome photos of the latest outbreak of violence .
http://www.matichon.co.th/news_detail.p ... =01&catid=

[jackspratt]

It is blocked on ordinary receivers.(wonder why? :-" )..............

Could it be that TTN does not hold a public TV license, and therefore, along with many other cable and web based TV stations, cannot be FTA (free to air)?

Could it be?Could be.! Your becoming the master of speculation Jack..
Anyway a link with some rather gruesome photos of the latest outbreak of violence .
http://www.matichon.co.th/news_detail.p ... =01&catid=

I am the master of speculation!

But please, to clear up your own speculation, can you tell us if TTN holds a public TV license, and is therefore entitled to broadcast free-to-air?