The United States deeply regrets the violence on the streets of Bangkok April 10, and the loss of life. Violence is not an acceptable means of resolving political differences. We call on the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) and the Thai security forces to
show restraint going forward. The United States firmly believes both sides can and should work out disagreements peacefully through earnest negotiation. We once again stress the importance of all players in Thailand working to resolve differences in a way that strengthens democracy and rule of law. We strongly support the Thai nation and its
people during this difficult period.
Jim Taylor, what do you know about “Mark and his pals?” you seem rather educated but I seriously doubt that you possess an unbiased heart. K. Abhisit was installed by no one. People seem to forget or conveniently overlook that he was elected by the same process with which Samak and Somchai came to power. Abhisit’s administration has been the most transparent one in Thai history. Let independent investigations bring the truth to light. Then you may judge.
My heart goes out to all those out there who are doing there best no matter how wrongly misguided they may be. If only one man would stop and think beyond his own self interests, this would all be over. unfortunately that man does not see dharma. God have mercy on his soul. May this all end peacefully and may lessons be learned.
“…he massive golden banner with [H]is face that usually hangs across the face of one of the buildings had been replaced by a purple one with a with [H]is daughter on it.”
Curious indeed. While all and sundry were debating and bemoaning the closing of Siam Paragon’s retail environs, very few appreciated the proximity of that protest site to Sra Pathum palace, the pied-a-terre of the selfsame Princess.
Combine this with a recent disinterest in the traditional protest site at Sanam Luang where one might gain the attention of another Authority… Perhaps Team Red is signally something just a bit beyond refreshing of elective democracy?
EDIT: Sorry for the lack of timeline- I arrived at the Red Shirt roadblock at around 11pm, saw the memorial service at around 11:30-12-:00, arrived at the APC’s at 12:30, and went home after 1am.
And for those of you doubting my story, I don’t know what there is to doubt. I didn’t see any of the action firsthand, I just saw the aftermath. Take it or leave it, but AFAIK the Army hasn’t returned yet so the APC’s (or what’s left of them) should be left sitting on the edge of the Democracy Monument roundabout if you want to verify it with someone else. And almost EVERYONE I saw had cameras, so there will be plenty of videos and pictures running around.
The fact that the red-shirts are fighting and dying for elections will make it hard for the civilised world not to be on their side, and it seems likely that they will get what they demand. Given the bias previously shown by Thai electoral officials in disqualifying representatives from their side of politics, it seems likely that the reds will demand that the elections be supervised by the UN.
Well said, Roberto Marsalis. As outsiders, it’s not our position or right to champion one side or another. Everyone has opinions and is welcome to voice them, but it’s really difficult for most of us to appreciate most of the subtleties of this long-running political impasse.
More importantly, why do we cheer these random, well-meaning but naive fellow Farang ‘observers’–? I appreciate everyone’s desire to witness history. However, by going down to Rachadamnoen just to ‘check things out,’ you’re adding to the problem. You increase traffic congestion, making it harder for first responders to get to where they’re needed. You increase the pressure on both security forces and protestors. There are official representatives and plenty of independent media, Thai and foreign, whose job it is to get the word out. It’s not your job. If the word weren’t getting out, that would be different–but it is. So you’re really not helping.
Additionally, what happens when you wander down there in your sense of ‘it can’t happen to me’ and get injured or killed? First, you draw away medical assets from injured folks who actually have a right to be there. Second, you throw off the whole balance, as an even more intensive blame game starts–who killed the ‘innocent’ foreigner? And what are the long-term impacts towards the Thai economy? Sadly, even if dozens of Thais are killed, foreigners will psychologically recover pretty quickly. However, let just one foreign tourist get killed…what psychological effect will that have on people considering a trip here, even months down the road when/if things calm down? And you DO know the critical role that tourism plays in the Thai economy? What does that do to the thousands of Thais whose everyday income depends on tourists? That kind of long-term crippling action towards Thailand’s tourism income is not that of anyone who claims to care about the country–Thai, foreign or otherwise.
This is real. Think of someone besides yourself, and keep a distance. Thais are engaged in a conflict over the future of their nation…and these ‘observers’ are getting a cool story to tell in a bar. Nice.
I was there at Rajaprasong all night last night. The people were upbeat and decided to be there to guard against a possible crackdown. I’ve met a group of former students from the 1973 protest who are now in their late 50s. Had a great conversation with them before getting some shut-eye in front of Central World. The night sky was beautiful but the air was filled with sadness.
there have been fifteen deaths of protestors (and a Japanese photojournalist- does this remind anyone of what happened in Burma?) as of midnight last night. It i time for academics to stop trying to assume any middle ground niceties and liberal guff (names withheld): as I stated five years ago on NM blog: we have a neo fascist regime in power; a puppet government installed by the coup leaders and an amart assuming the mantle of a vernacular “democracy”… It is nice to observe, and for those of us not there, but lets give unequivocal support to the prodemocracy movement, the masses, by disclosing the double-speak and mischief of Mark and his pals…
Thanks for the information but it isn’t war (yet). Just a horrific waste of human life, something Thailand does every few years. Fortunately it usually makes people stop, negotiate and pull back from the brink.
While it probably did look like war to Nicholas the title is inflamatory and not helpful (unless you are a newspaper owner), it is a bloody protest. If the toll is higher than Songkan road toll, last year, 373 motorists died and 4,000 were injured during Songkran I might use that word but should such deaths occur it wouldn’t make anyone right/honest/justified. It would just be another awful waste.
Good report. Thank you for taking the time to record your eyewitness account for those of us following events from the safety of our homes.
I suspect the portraits had been removed due to respect (concern they might get peppered by bullets and flying debris from the anticipated crackdown), rather than republicanism.
[…] lady singing from where you are? Marky-Mark is holed up afraid to show his head- is he the winner? The scene at Phan Fa "A column of Armoured Personnel Carriers extending into one of the side streets. Swarming all […]
Hi Bh V, I’m not sure I understand what you are referring to. I commented on the ‘watermelon’ soldiers at ThaiCom on the 9th of April who gave up their arms instead of fought and killed fellow Thais. No one died in that situation, the radio waves were turned back on (temporarily) and the problem was resolved. Now, 15 dead, over 600 injured because the military (goverment) wanted to ‘clear’ out the protesters in the ‘off limits’ districts. Tragic.
“I hope for the countries sake that the Red Shirts get the change they are seeking. No other resistance in Thai history has ever accomplished what they have tonight.”
What a bold thing to write. Pray tell me what have they accomplished tonight?? While you as a farang may have very good intentions, it comes across as an arrogant sense of entitlement to voice such a strong opinion one way or the other.
Thai people killing Thai people is not an accomplishment. Let us hope that a peaceful resolution can be found, that this wound doesn’t fester or deepen, and that the way forward is indeed constructive and good for the country as a whole.
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Crackdown in Bangkok – after 8 PM
I took this clip about 1:30 am of Sunday 11th, the person who was crying was the brother of the death person.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrcQia4RRZc
Warning Graphic!
War at Khao San
US issues this statement on the situation in Bkk:
The United States deeply regrets the violence on the streets of Bangkok April 10, and the loss of life. Violence is not an acceptable means of resolving political differences. We call on the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) and the Thai security forces to
show restraint going forward. The United States firmly believes both sides can and should work out disagreements peacefully through earnest negotiation. We once again stress the importance of all players in Thailand working to resolve differences in a way that strengthens democracy and rule of law. We strongly support the Thai nation and its
people during this difficult period.
Crackdown in Bangkok – after 8 PM
This is how Bangkok Post journalist Don Sambandaraksa responded to the reports of deaths on his twitter page last night (twitter.com/smartbrain):
RT @fishmyman: @smartbrain Are you happy now? that the reds have died? < Oh, I am elated, but I'm a bit busy on my Playstation now.
This is the Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/smartbrain?ref=ts
Crackdown in Bangkok – after 8 PM
Singapore Straits Times eyewitness account of last night in Bangkok by their astute correspondent Nirmal Ghosh:
http://bit.ly/9lJFBu
War at Khao San
Jim Taylor, what do you know about “Mark and his pals?” you seem rather educated but I seriously doubt that you possess an unbiased heart. K. Abhisit was installed by no one. People seem to forget or conveniently overlook that he was elected by the same process with which Samak and Somchai came to power. Abhisit’s administration has been the most transparent one in Thai history. Let independent investigations bring the truth to light. Then you may judge.
My heart goes out to all those out there who are doing there best no matter how wrongly misguided they may be. If only one man would stop and think beyond his own self interests, this would all be over. unfortunately that man does not see dharma. God have mercy on his soul. May this all end peacefully and may lessons be learned.
The scene at Phan Fa
“…he massive golden banner with [H]is face that usually hangs across the face of one of the buildings had been replaced by a purple one with a with [H]is daughter on it.”
Curious indeed. While all and sundry were debating and bemoaning the closing of Siam Paragon’s retail environs, very few appreciated the proximity of that protest site to Sra Pathum palace, the pied-a-terre of the selfsame Princess.
Combine this with a recent disinterest in the traditional protest site at Sanam Luang where one might gain the attention of another Authority… Perhaps Team Red is signally something just a bit beyond refreshing of elective democracy?
The scene at Phan Fa
EDIT: Sorry for the lack of timeline- I arrived at the Red Shirt roadblock at around 11pm, saw the memorial service at around 11:30-12-:00, arrived at the APC’s at 12:30, and went home after 1am.
And for those of you doubting my story, I don’t know what there is to doubt. I didn’t see any of the action firsthand, I just saw the aftermath. Take it or leave it, but AFAIK the Army hasn’t returned yet so the APC’s (or what’s left of them) should be left sitting on the edge of the Democracy Monument roundabout if you want to verify it with someone else. And almost EVERYONE I saw had cameras, so there will be plenty of videos and pictures running around.
Here’s one for starters: (1st of 4)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czeGy8E-01s
The scene at Phan Fa
The fact that the red-shirts are fighting and dying for elections will make it hard for the civilised world not to be on their side, and it seems likely that they will get what they demand. Given the bias previously shown by Thai electoral officials in disqualifying representatives from their side of politics, it seems likely that the reds will demand that the elections be supervised by the UN.
The scene at Phan Fa
Well said, Roberto Marsalis. As outsiders, it’s not our position or right to champion one side or another. Everyone has opinions and is welcome to voice them, but it’s really difficult for most of us to appreciate most of the subtleties of this long-running political impasse.
More importantly, why do we cheer these random, well-meaning but naive fellow Farang ‘observers’–? I appreciate everyone’s desire to witness history. However, by going down to Rachadamnoen just to ‘check things out,’ you’re adding to the problem. You increase traffic congestion, making it harder for first responders to get to where they’re needed. You increase the pressure on both security forces and protestors. There are official representatives and plenty of independent media, Thai and foreign, whose job it is to get the word out. It’s not your job. If the word weren’t getting out, that would be different–but it is. So you’re really not helping.
Additionally, what happens when you wander down there in your sense of ‘it can’t happen to me’ and get injured or killed? First, you draw away medical assets from injured folks who actually have a right to be there. Second, you throw off the whole balance, as an even more intensive blame game starts–who killed the ‘innocent’ foreigner? And what are the long-term impacts towards the Thai economy? Sadly, even if dozens of Thais are killed, foreigners will psychologically recover pretty quickly. However, let just one foreign tourist get killed…what psychological effect will that have on people considering a trip here, even months down the road when/if things calm down? And you DO know the critical role that tourism plays in the Thai economy? What does that do to the thousands of Thais whose everyday income depends on tourists? That kind of long-term crippling action towards Thailand’s tourism income is not that of anyone who claims to care about the country–Thai, foreign or otherwise.
This is real. Think of someone besides yourself, and keep a distance. Thais are engaged in a conflict over the future of their nation…and these ‘observers’ are getting a cool story to tell in a bar. Nice.
War at Khao San
I was there at Rajaprasong all night last night. The people were upbeat and decided to be there to guard against a possible crackdown. I’ve met a group of former students from the 1973 protest who are now in their late 50s. Had a great conversation with them before getting some shut-eye in front of Central World. The night sky was beautiful but the air was filled with sadness.
War at Khao San
there have been fifteen deaths of protestors (and a Japanese photojournalist- does this remind anyone of what happened in Burma?) as of midnight last night. It i time for academics to stop trying to assume any middle ground niceties and liberal guff (names withheld): as I stated five years ago on NM blog: we have a neo fascist regime in power; a puppet government installed by the coup leaders and an amart assuming the mantle of a vernacular “democracy”… It is nice to observe, and for those of us not there, but lets give unequivocal support to the prodemocracy movement, the masses, by disclosing the double-speak and mischief of Mark and his pals…
War at Khao San
Thanks for the information but it isn’t war (yet). Just a horrific waste of human life, something Thailand does every few years. Fortunately it usually makes people stop, negotiate and pull back from the brink.
While it probably did look like war to Nicholas the title is inflamatory and not helpful (unless you are a newspaper owner), it is a bloody protest. If the toll is higher than Songkan road toll, last year, 373 motorists died and 4,000 were injured during Songkran I might use that word but should such deaths occur it wouldn’t make anyone right/honest/justified. It would just be another awful waste.
The scene at Phan Fa
This ‘report’ is drooling with ill intended macabre glamour and smells of lies at every single line.
I can’t believe you can delusion yourself so deeply.
The scene at Phan Fa
Good report. Thank you for taking the time to record your eyewitness account for those of us following events from the safety of our homes.
I suspect the portraits had been removed due to respect (concern they might get peppered by bullets and flying debris from the anticipated crackdown), rather than republicanism.
The scene at Phan Fa
[…] lady singing from where you are? Marky-Mark is holed up afraid to show his head- is he the winner? The scene at Phan Fa "A column of Armoured Personnel Carriers extending into one of the side streets. Swarming all […]
A brief fight, and many watermelons
Hi Bh V, I’m not sure I understand what you are referring to. I commented on the ‘watermelon’ soldiers at ThaiCom on the 9th of April who gave up their arms instead of fought and killed fellow Thais. No one died in that situation, the radio waves were turned back on (temporarily) and the problem was resolved. Now, 15 dead, over 600 injured because the military (goverment) wanted to ‘clear’ out the protesters in the ‘off limits’ districts. Tragic.
The scene at Phan Fa
“I hope for the countries sake that the Red Shirts get the change they are seeking. No other resistance in Thai history has ever accomplished what they have tonight.”
What a bold thing to write. Pray tell me what have they accomplished tonight?? While you as a farang may have very good intentions, it comes across as an arrogant sense of entitlement to voice such a strong opinion one way or the other.
Thai people killing Thai people is not an accomplishment. Let us hope that a peaceful resolution can be found, that this wound doesn’t fester or deepen, and that the way forward is indeed constructive and good for the country as a whole.
RM
The scene at Phan Fa
I have RT it few times – this is THE BEST story I’ve read so far !
The scene at Phan Fa
BTW, sorry, forgot:
Thanks a lot to you and all the others reporting!
The scene at Phan Fa
What’s the timeline for this report?