Bangkok clashes death toll climbs to 18, with 800 hurt

[LaaMok]

At least 18 people are now known to have died in clashes between Thai troops and opposition supporters in Bangkok, and more than 800 were hurt.

 

The worst violence came when soldiers and police made an unsuccessful attempt to retake an area held by opposition supporters on Saturday evening.

 

They fired tear gas and rubber bullets while protesters hurled petrol bombs, in the deadliest violence in 18 years.

At the height of the confrontation, live rounds were reportedly fired.

The army then called for a truce, saying its troops were pulling back. At least four soldiers were among the dead.

 

The army were firing live rounds on civilians. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself

Paul, British teacher

 

Eyewitness: 'Shot in the chest'

 

Hundreds of red-shirted opposition supporters also reportedly forced their way into government offices in the northern cities of Chiang Mai and Udon Thani in protest at the crackdown in the Thai capital.

Both the security services and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government had promised to show restraint in dealing with the demonstrators in order to avoid a repeat of last year's riots, when two protesters were killed.

But the BBC's Quentin Sommerville in Bangkok says the deaths of so many more in Saturday's clashes can only mean greater political uncertainty for the country.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8612783.stm

[greenthumb420]

That doesn't sound good if it is spreading to other cities and towns around Thailand. Sounds like it is really starting to escalate.

Damn and I arrive on the 22nd for my first trip to thailand.

 

Are the protesters mainly from the northern region?

Because I will be spending the first half of my trip in the southern Islands.

[jocky king]

Families of 18 dead will not let it lie.. Cival War looked increasing possible... Very Sad..

Edited April 11, 2010 by jocky king

[probe]

Another sad day for Thailand.

[Owl]

It's very sad to hear about all deaths and violence that is happening in Bangkok right now!

[whitespider - RIP]

The army claim they only fired live rounds over head height. If they are "warning shots only" why use live rounds? Every bullet has to return to earth somewhere.

 

Must be some bloody tall Thais all of a sudden. One Brit in Khao San said last night he saw an old man shot in the eye and another in the chest.

 

Much as I dislike the rallies (both yellow and red) I think the government has lost what little credibility they had left now and I agree with JK that civil war is a possibility (not probable though). One political commentator was saying that if there is Civil war it could lead to the end of the country and the likely result would be a division split between NE, Central and South. As 70% of the population live in the rural areas and Isaan makes up almost 50% of the (non mountainous) land mass of Thailand this would have very dire consequences for all.

 

People seem to forget the Yellow protests lasted 193 days - f**k all done to them.

 

Unbelievable pressure now on the Kings Songkran speech. I think the declaration of the State of Emergency was timed to try and prevent that pressure but in all probability has made it worse.

[takaianaa]

grenades, molotov cocktails, guns... i was really naive enough to think it wouldnt happen like that in thailand... now thais are killing thais... fuck it...

if u watch the videos, it looks like civil war already to me...

 

still... i think most ppl want it to stop asap - all we can do is hope that it will come to an end soon

 

anyone got some background information about the whole issue? I read a lot about thaksin but not really about the current pm... is the current goverment as shitty as the thaksin's?

 

i see that the current pm wouldnt win again - but is this the only reason why there are no new elections to stop the fuckin protests?

[whitespider - RIP]

grenades, molotov cocktails, guns... i was really naive enough to think it wouldnt happen like that in thailand... now thais are killing thais... fuck it...

if u watch the videos, it looks like civil war already to me...

 

still... i think most ppl want it to stop asap - all we can do is hope that it will come to an end soon

 

anyone got some background information about the whole issue? I read a lot about thaksin but not really about the current pm... is the current goverment as shitty as the thaksin's?

 

i see that the current pm wouldnt win again - but is this the only reason why there are no new elections to stop the fuckin protests?

 

I dont think there was anything shitty about Thaksins government - just the man himself. They did more for Thailand than any other previous administration had ever done, although they nearly bankrupted it in the process.

 

Many "reds" are NOT Thaksin supporters.

 

here is a brief synopsis

 

A legitimately elected government was overthrown by a military coup.

 

The army retained control for a while then called a new election.

 

The same people won the election.

 

Those people were removed by 4 judges - most agree in the pay of the army.

 

Those same people, for all sense and purpose , installed the current government who had no mandate and were never elected.

 

Thats what its all about - the reds know they will win any election thats why they want one. The rest know they will lose any election which is why they resist it.

 

 

FWIW I take no sides, both are as bad as each other but an election is the right thing to do. Will it sort it out? Unlikely as red will win (easily) and then the yellows will start again.

[Bitch Controller]

i saw a whole bunch of reds in trucks in different areas of Sukhumvit on Friday, bit intense.

 

whatever happens, if it gets a little worse, Im getting the fuck out. I dont want to be caught up here with all that shit going down, Pattaya isnt worth the hassle IMO.

[jocky king]

Just seen on Sky News.. Deaths had now risen to 20...

[farang1]

It is only a matter of time before the violence spreads to Pattaya, Thailand's second largest city from my understanding. My plane leaves on May 8. However, I have the uncomfortable feeling that the Thai government may shut down the airport, or that the US may actually forbid travel there. I am asking those of you who are there now, especially ex pats, to please keep the rest of us informed about these developments. In particular, those of us who are yet there need to know when the violence has spread to Pattaya and how bad it is. The US media will only focus on Bangkok.

[maimeepanhaa]

The underlying mistrust and hatred among thais is quite astonishing ....

 

Hidden for the most part except when it hits the big stage like this ....

 

 

To the post above, the problems will for the most part stay in Bkk and the larger provincial cities, Pattaya aint one of those. course never say never.

Edited April 11, 2010 by maimeepanhaa

[Manya]

Hmmmm, I've got another 4 1/2 months before I go back. Hope things calm down by then.

[whitespider - RIP]

Pattaya, Thailand's second largest city from my understanding.

 

Mute point. Its official population is 104,000 mnaking it the 11th largest but it has a massive migrant (non regiestered) population plus of course the tourists. However as the (official) population of Samut Prakan is 400,000 its certainly not 2nd.

[sarsbuk]

Some very gruesome pictures on this facebook page. Don't look if you are squeamish......

 

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=33909&op=1&o=global&view=global&subj=311248993851&id=100000968729112

[sarsbuk]

Sorry for posting twice... I tried to edit and it messed it ip!

[whitespider - RIP]

Sorry for posting twice... I tried to edit and it messed it ip!

 

Deleted one for you

[fostraswift]

i'm flying out next saturday...need to keep an eye on this

 

at what stage should people not go?

[praf974]

i'm flying out next saturday...need to keep an eye on this

 

at what stage should people not go?

 

if they cancel your flight ..

[sarsbuk]

i'm flying out next saturday...need to keep an eye on this

 

at what stage should people not go?

 

Flying out a week Monday..... Think I better get the Super advanced Travel insurance

Edited April 11, 2010 by sarsbuk

[fostraswift]

Flying out a week Monday..... Think I better get the Super advanced Travel insurance

 

most travel insurance wont cover this i reakon, didnt get insurance yet so have to look into it

[sarsbuk]

most travel insurance wont cover this i reakon, didnt get insurance yet so have to look into it

 

I won't be stopping in BKK..... Getting picked up at airport and heading straight for Patts.

[jack daniels esq]

i saw a whole bunch of reds in trucks in different areas of Sukhumvit on Friday, bit intense.

 

whatever happens, if it gets a little worse, Im getting the fuck out. I dont want to be caught up here with all that shit going down, Pattaya isnt worth the hassle IMO.

 

I said the same thing on another site and they got all bent out of shape - whilst they sit and sip their warm, happy-hour

beer - all bitter and twisted about almost everything in life - I guess there is zero Songkran for us kids this year -

time for Thaksin to come home to pappa .....

BR>Jack

[mdmx33]

Well it looks like the faeces have definitely hit the oscillating metal cooling blades!

 

I was supposed to be in Thailand now but have postponed until the 14th May due to a broken ankle. I am pretty glad I’m not around Bangkok at the moment as this looks very nasty on some of the media channels on the internet. The Facebook page that previous guy added has some gruesome images of some poor chaps. I find it very surprising that the Army chief Anupong Paojinda has let his own countrymen be shot in the street in front of the worlds eyes. The whole world is watching and I for one have to say I don’t know what the answer is. If they dissolve parliament and have fresh elections then the UDD and related parties will most likely win. If this happens then the yellow PAD will resurface on the streets and protest. If these two groups, the UDD and PAD were to meet on the streets under the current situation you would see many more Thai’s and probably a few foreigners killed in the ‘civil war’. I’m not an expert on Thai politics but I would of thought a special someone may have been more vocal during these very traumatic times.

 

I have to say I’m seriously now considering both cancelling my holiday and hoping to come and stay for longer at Christmas/New years if this escalates. Maybe even try out the Philippines where the pound still gets you a few quid from what I’ve been led to believe.

[lavista4u]

I cannot turn myself around thinking how could Buddha loving peaceful folks who not even are allowed to kill ants, flies and animals resort to mindless killing .

 

 

seriously, i believe a monger or a bar girl if made president, would do a much better job...they don't have big ego's and a craze for power..atleast, they play by some RULES