Having been in Pattaya the other weekend when the Asean summit was due to take place, I can say that apart from around the Royal Cliff hotel and peach conference hall, and other than traffic problems, there were no other reports of violence and problems within the city. The following day however when the red shirts moved onto Bangkok, this was obviously not the case. Thaksin has a large part to play in this, as he should not have spurred his followers on in such a way, even using words like revolution. Thai people are normally friendly decent folk, who do not take part in violent clashes as we all saw. I only hope that someone can reconcile these 2 groups. Thailand is still a great country where everyday most people constantly smile and have fun. Let’s hope the Songkran holiday can help a little. Thailand relies on tourism and as such can well do without these on street battles.
It’s pity to see your opinion. I am Thai, educated as highest as the university can give to people. I travelled to see more than twenty countries in every continent. I am not Taksin follower but I like his policy and what he did to the poor during his term as Priminister. I, and many other friends are not the kind of people that money can buy. Many people want to go to Bangkok on protesting but they didnot have enough money to stay long. Many of us donated the money for them to go to filled their ambitious.
I am very much disappointed to see the journalists from USA and UK changed their versions two days after the clashed after reported the truths for many days.
I just wonder if they can buy?? I was depressed so much.
Very interesting, and very well reported, but come on, you can not call this unbiased. Bangkok residents who didn’t sympathise with the reds (many of whom were undoubtedly hooligans and provocative) should not all be labelled as PAD. There is nothing wrong with having a bias. Most of us do. But it is very clear where your symphasies lie and your reporting was biased accordingly. However, you shed light on many frightening facts being hidden by the Thai media/government/army and I think it is very important what you do. Biased or not.
Great insight into what happened and I for one who has lived around both Yellow and Red Shirts protests in Ratchawat appreciate the reporting of these events. I must say though that there is little doubt where your allegiances lie. Let just hope some peacful solution can be found to this situation and Thailand can be the best it can be.
It’s made clear at the beginning that it’s a one-man report. If you then find fault with the piece for being what it quite clearly states that it is, I would respectfully suggest that the problem lies with you, and not with the reporting.
As for “speaking and listening in Thai”, I would also respectfully suggest that that’s not such a unique accomplishment as you seem to imply.
Just a brief report with no attempt to paint a full picture just yet?
A one-man account full of “I was tolds…” and other nonsense typical of non-journalists who think a high rating on the blog charts entitles them to muddy the waters in the search of a particular truth.
But you were there of course!
So was I, speaking and listening in Thai. What a travesty that those hired peasants somehow represent the Thais, and that you somehow represent an independent view because you were there.
You have instead helped us deeper into the mire.
Please go away!
Great report and pics. Great to have some firsthand sources for once, instead of all the speculation that passes for journalism in the press.
Les Abbey, Nick was reporting what he saw. He didn’t see any dead bodies, red or civilian, as stated clearly. Nor does he make it a left/right polarity, but assigns them responsibility for the uncontrolled part of their protests and chides their further alienation of a biased press. This was a first-hand report, not a lofty editorial. The closest he comes is this:
“The Red Shirts have to be heard, much of what they say is valid criticism, and a contribution to progress in Thailand. To accuse them of simply being tools of Thaksin to get his wealth back, is an extremely dangerous misjudgment based on ideology and not on fact.”
That’s not an ideological endorsement, just a practical observation. And Jonathan Head has consistently referred to Thaksin’s corruption and oppression of the media and human rights, but in the context of being the elected state leader of Thailand. Perhaps that’s too even-handed for you? Head reports facts — coups, history, election results, developments — whereas “Thaksin’s ambitions” are speculation. He’s doing his job professionally, just as Nick is doing his passionately, and both should be applauded for filling the vacuum left by a toothless Thai press (ok, Matichon’s not that bad).
And to think that he produces all this most important work essentially unpaid and independently, on a shoe-string budget, while the well-paid editors in Thai papers can only manage to serve their audience with propaganda (though they like to speak about mass media reform…).
Will The Nation or Bangkok Post be daring and humble enough to accept their failings and reprint his reports, and pay him decently for it??
The government will have to do some explaining about the blue shirts… Will its spokesperson come out to admit that they were not “volunteer businesspeople from Pattaya?”
I can’t help but echo the sentiments of all previous comments, but this is a superb account of the situation. It opened my eyes to the harsh reality of what really happened, and I admire your commitment to and understanding of the Thai people, not the foreign press. Also very good integration of photojournalism and written accounts.
It seems the military gave you fairly unprecedented access in the middle of the conflict, they didn’t seem to shoo you to the nearest 5 star hotel.
Once again very well done, I can only wish I had such words for the state of Thai politics.
A great report. While it was a long piece, everything written was necessary. The gonzo element is very important, and that you make it clear that it is your account gives it a greater impact in regards to evidence of what went on. I feel I was there. Thanks.
Once again a fantastic piece of reporting. There’s a great sense of intimacy in the writing, and with both sides of the conflict at that.
I hope the big media will pick up on this (but I’m not too optimistic – International media has lost interest already, and the local media printing actual reporting is just unthinkable)
There’s way too much in the article to digest in one day. One tidbit I picked up on is the police recording IDs of the red shirt protesters. I’m afraid there will be some serious prosecution in the coming weeks, but it also reminded me of my time in Korea. Back then my girlfriend was sending her resume for job offers, and not only did she have to provide quite extensive personal info, she also had to fill in information on both her parents, including their employment history, address and national ID number. When I asked why these outlandish measures she just answered: oh that’s to filter out people who took part in the leftist student protests in the 70s and 80s…
The two known deaths were local residents of the Nang Lerng market area shot by red shirts. The Muslim residents of Petchburi Soi 7 were attacked by red shirts. So who were the thugs? It all becomes a little bit Alice in Wonderland if you do not care to report with some balance. With provincial godfathers supplying part of the red shirt crowd and as you reported, pro-Thaksin support still so high amongst the police force this is no simple left/right or pro-democratic/anti-democratic dispute.
What about the working class residents of the apartments at the Din Daeng intersection trying to save their homes? Were they thugs also? All I could see were red shirts using Thaksin’s cousin’s gas tankers as a threat to these residents. Some of the Thai left and some of the foreign correspondents like Head have given Thaksin camouflage to hide his ambition.
If Thais want PEACE they ALL have to want and work for the same and that is UNITY. If they do not listen to each other and compromise for the good of Thailand, they will remain stuck in the red-mud.
There is lots to learn from this experience, every Thai should look forward now and I hope they do…
Thankyou Nick for such a personal account and for the extraordinary photos. Your work is very important, and I hope we can continue to hear multiple ‘insider’ voices on what’s happening in Bangkok. So sad to see Thailand tearing itself apart.
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The crushing of the Red Shirts
Thanks
The crushing of the Red Shirts
Having been in Pattaya the other weekend when the Asean summit was due to take place, I can say that apart from around the Royal Cliff hotel and peach conference hall, and other than traffic problems, there were no other reports of violence and problems within the city. The following day however when the red shirts moved onto Bangkok, this was obviously not the case. Thaksin has a large part to play in this, as he should not have spurred his followers on in such a way, even using words like revolution. Thai people are normally friendly decent folk, who do not take part in violent clashes as we all saw. I only hope that someone can reconcile these 2 groups. Thailand is still a great country where everyday most people constantly smile and have fun. Let’s hope the Songkran holiday can help a little. Thailand relies on tourism and as such can well do without these on street battles.
The crushing of the Red Shirts
Van Tasker
It’s pity to see your opinion. I am Thai, educated as highest as the university can give to people. I travelled to see more than twenty countries in every continent. I am not Taksin follower but I like his policy and what he did to the poor during his term as Priminister. I, and many other friends are not the kind of people that money can buy. Many people want to go to Bangkok on protesting but they didnot have enough money to stay long. Many of us donated the money for them to go to filled their ambitious.
I am very much disappointed to see the journalists from USA and UK changed their versions two days after the clashed after reported the truths for many days.
I just wonder if they can buy?? I was depressed so much.
As soon as I saw Nick’s article, I felt better.
The crushing of the Red Shirts
Very interesting, and very well reported, but come on, you can not call this unbiased. Bangkok residents who didn’t sympathise with the reds (many of whom were undoubtedly hooligans and provocative) should not all be labelled as PAD. There is nothing wrong with having a bias. Most of us do. But it is very clear where your symphasies lie and your reporting was biased accordingly. However, you shed light on many frightening facts being hidden by the Thai media/government/army and I think it is very important what you do. Biased or not.
The crushing of the Red Shirts
Great insight into what happened and I for one who has lived around both Yellow and Red Shirts protests in Ratchawat appreciate the reporting of these events. I must say though that there is little doubt where your allegiances lie. Let just hope some peacful solution can be found to this situation and Thailand can be the best it can be.
The crushing of the Red Shirts
Van Tasker
I don’t think Nick is helping Thailand into the mire – it’s doing a pretty good job on its own!
The crushing of the Red Shirts
@Van Tasker,
your rhetoric is somehow classic ( i.e. hired peasant) …. you speak and understand Thai but it wont help you if you can’t open your eyes ….
The crushing of the Red Shirts
It’s made clear at the beginning that it’s a one-man report. If you then find fault with the piece for being what it quite clearly states that it is, I would respectfully suggest that the problem lies with you, and not with the reporting.
As for “speaking and listening in Thai”, I would also respectfully suggest that that’s not such a unique accomplishment as you seem to imply.
The crushing of the Red Shirts
Just a brief report with no attempt to paint a full picture just yet?
A one-man account full of “I was tolds…” and other nonsense typical of non-journalists who think a high rating on the blog charts entitles them to muddy the waters in the search of a particular truth.
But you were there of course!
So was I, speaking and listening in Thai. What a travesty that those hired peasants somehow represent the Thais, and that you somehow represent an independent view because you were there.
You have instead helped us deeper into the mire.
Please go away!
The crushing of the Red Shirts
An excellent, unbiased and concerning report. Well done to you for putting yourself in the firing line.
The crushing of the Red Shirts
Great report and pics. Great to have some firsthand sources for once, instead of all the speculation that passes for journalism in the press.
Les Abbey, Nick was reporting what he saw. He didn’t see any dead bodies, red or civilian, as stated clearly. Nor does he make it a left/right polarity, but assigns them responsibility for the uncontrolled part of their protests and chides their further alienation of a biased press. This was a first-hand report, not a lofty editorial. The closest he comes is this:
“The Red Shirts have to be heard, much of what they say is valid criticism, and a contribution to progress in Thailand. To accuse them of simply being tools of Thaksin to get his wealth back, is an extremely dangerous misjudgment based on ideology and not on fact.”
That’s not an ideological endorsement, just a practical observation. And Jonathan Head has consistently referred to Thaksin’s corruption and oppression of the media and human rights, but in the context of being the elected state leader of Thailand. Perhaps that’s too even-handed for you? Head reports facts — coups, history, election results, developments — whereas “Thaksin’s ambitions” are speculation. He’s doing his job professionally, just as Nick is doing his passionately, and both should be applauded for filling the vacuum left by a toothless Thai press (ok, Matichon’s not that bad).
The crushing of the Red Shirts
Great reporting, Nick!!
And to think that he produces all this most important work essentially unpaid and independently, on a shoe-string budget, while the well-paid editors in Thai papers can only manage to serve their audience with propaganda (though they like to speak about mass media reform…).
Will The Nation or Bangkok Post be daring and humble enough to accept their failings and reprint his reports, and pay him decently for it??
The government will have to do some explaining about the blue shirts… Will its spokesperson come out to admit that they were not “volunteer businesspeople from Pattaya?”
The crushing of the Red Shirts
I can’t help but echo the sentiments of all previous comments, but this is a superb account of the situation. It opened my eyes to the harsh reality of what really happened, and I admire your commitment to and understanding of the Thai people, not the foreign press. Also very good integration of photojournalism and written accounts.
It seems the military gave you fairly unprecedented access in the middle of the conflict, they didn’t seem to shoo you to the nearest 5 star hotel.
Once again very well done, I can only wish I had such words for the state of Thai politics.
The crushing of the Red Shirts
A great report. While it was a long piece, everything written was necessary. The gonzo element is very important, and that you make it clear that it is your account gives it a greater impact in regards to evidence of what went on. I feel I was there. Thanks.
The crushing of the Red Shirts
Once again a fantastic piece of reporting. There’s a great sense of intimacy in the writing, and with both sides of the conflict at that.
I hope the big media will pick up on this (but I’m not too optimistic – International media has lost interest already, and the local media printing actual reporting is just unthinkable)
There’s way too much in the article to digest in one day. One tidbit I picked up on is the police recording IDs of the red shirt protesters. I’m afraid there will be some serious prosecution in the coming weeks, but it also reminded me of my time in Korea. Back then my girlfriend was sending her resume for job offers, and not only did she have to provide quite extensive personal info, she also had to fill in information on both her parents, including their employment history, address and national ID number. When I asked why these outlandish measures she just answered: oh that’s to filter out people who took part in the leftist student protests in the 70s and 80s…
The crushing of the Red Shirts
The two known deaths were local residents of the Nang Lerng market area shot by red shirts. The Muslim residents of Petchburi Soi 7 were attacked by red shirts. So who were the thugs? It all becomes a little bit Alice in Wonderland if you do not care to report with some balance. With provincial godfathers supplying part of the red shirt crowd and as you reported, pro-Thaksin support still so high amongst the police force this is no simple left/right or pro-democratic/anti-democratic dispute.
What about the working class residents of the apartments at the Din Daeng intersection trying to save their homes? Were they thugs also? All I could see were red shirts using Thaksin’s cousin’s gas tankers as a threat to these residents. Some of the Thai left and some of the foreign correspondents like Head have given Thaksin camouflage to hide his ambition.
The crushing of the Red Shirts
Thanks Nick…
If Thais want PEACE they ALL have to want and work for the same and that is UNITY. If they do not listen to each other and compromise for the good of Thailand, they will remain stuck in the red-mud.
There is lots to learn from this experience, every Thai should look forward now and I hope they do…
The crushing of the Red Shirts
Excellent piece of journalism Nick. You wrote with passion and feeling – the hallmarks of great journalism.
Will any of this be getting into print anywhere?
Andrew
The crushing of the Red Shirts
Great work, Nick, well done indeed!
The crushing of the Red Shirts
Thankyou Nick for such a personal account and for the extraordinary photos. Your work is very important, and I hope we can continue to hear multiple ‘insider’ voices on what’s happening in Bangkok. So sad to see Thailand tearing itself apart.