Troops deployed to prevent reds from entering financial district
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[li]Published: 19/04/2010 at 11:12 AM[/li][li]Online news: Local News[/li][/ul]
Hundreds of troops poured into central Bangkok to protect Bangkok’s financial hub on Monday, raising the stakes in the standoff between the government and red-shirt protesters.
Military and riot police, many of them with weapons, were seen deployed in Silom financial district early in the morning, close to the reds’ current rally base around Ratchaprasong intersection.
“There are several units currently armed to defend themselves from attacks by terrorists who are hiding among the protesters,” acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said.
Some troops hunkered down with their weapons on overpasses above Silom’s major thoroughfare, while others napped on the sidewalk after the deployment which took place in the early hours of the morning.
Security personnel had stacked uncoiled barbed wire at the roadside. Many were seen armed with assault rifles and shotguns while some had only riot shields.
Mr Panitan would not comment on whether a crackdown was imminent against the protesters, who are demanding the ouster of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his government.
“The plan to retake the area remains but operational units will analyse how and when to avoid confrontation and clashes,” he said.
Troops deployed to protect high-rise buildings in Silom area and risk locations were armed, but those near the protesters would not carry weapons, he said.
A soldier, asking not to be named, said they were there to block the reds if they came up Silom Road. “We will not attack them, we are blocking them,” he said.
The deployment was the first by the military on the tense streets of Bangkok since a failed crackdown on the anti-government protesters nine days ago that left 25 people dead and more than 800 injured.
Hours after the troops were seen on Silom, red-shirt leader Weng Tojirakarn said protesters will not mobilise to the financial area because they were aware that soldiers would use full force to protect the area.
He said the protesters would continue to rally at their base at Ratchaprasong intersection until the government dissolves the lower House.
The protesters will not disperse, he said.
Mr Weng said the red-shirts would instead go to the UN office to ask for justice in the April 10 clashes between troops and protesters, which resulted in the deaths of 25 people and left more than 800 injured.
They would also ask UN officials to observe the anti-government rally at Ratchaprasong area, he said.
St Joseph’s Convent, located in a small side street off Silom Road, announced the school would close for two days – Monday and Tuesday. bron: http://www.bangkokpost.com
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[li]Published: 20/04/2010 at 10:03 AM[/li][li]Online news: Politics[/li][/ul]
Security forces are being allowed to use live ammunition in self-defence as the government reiterates its vow to keep the red shirts from the business district of Silom and reclaim Ratchaprasong intersection.
Soldiers file into Silom Roadyesterday to guard the capital’scommercial heart. The troops were mobilised after the antigovernment United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship threatened toexpandits protestfrom Ratchaprasong intersection to Silom Road. ALISASUWANRUMPHA
The spokesman for the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situations (CRES), Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd, said yesterday troops could use their weapons if their lives were threatened but must avoid excessive use of force.
"The officers have the right to use weapons in self-defence, he said.
"Some of them were stabbed in the neck or hit by paving bricks [during the April 10 clashes that left more than 800 people injured and 25 dead]. These incidents are life threatening.‘’
Meanwhile, in a controversial development yesterday, Puea Thai Party chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh requested an audience with His Majesty the King to ask him to intervene in the political stand-off.
United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) leaders announced yesterday that red shirts would not march on Silom Road today due to the heavy presence of armed troops, but they would assess the situation and decide on an alternative venue for a rally. See also: Silom takes deployment of troops in its stride Arthit says national reform the solution Academics seek referendum DSI hunts for B5bn ‘linked to Thaksin’ No room for intimidation Prolonged rally may cost B100bn
Col Sansern said the CRES had reviewed the rules concerning the use of force and instructed authorities to
strictly abide by them.
"They have to start from soft to heavy measures in order to stop the dhprotesters from breaking the laws. They
must not over-react and must demonstrate that they do not intend to take lives of the protesters trying to pressure them,‘’ he said.
Col Sansern said the rules on the use of force had been clarified to senior army officers and unit commanders attending a meeting chaired by army commander Anupong Paojinda.
In stark contrast to what was seen at the Phan Fa Bridge rally site about a week ago, hundreds of troops stationed along Silom Road yesterday were carrying rifles.
Office workers avoid razor wire stretched across the pavement on Silom Road to secure the area against seizure by red shirt protesters. PATTARACHAI PREECHAPANICH
About three troop battalions were deployed to step up security before dawn because of concerns the red shirts might expand their demonstration to Silom.
An army source said unit commanders wanted their men to be properly armed if they were to be dhengaged in operations.
"They are not going to fight with shields, batons and rubber bullets. That would be a suicide mission,‘’ the source, a colonel, said.
The source said Gen Anupong had no plans to disperse the protesters at Ratchaprasong but he would not give up Silom to the protesters.
In an interview broadcast on Channel 11 at 9pm yesterday, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the government would reclaim Ratchaprasong from the protesters.
Mr Abhisit, however, refused to give a time frame as to when the government would end the red shirt rally.
A foreign reporter wears a bullet-proof vest.AJapanesecameraman waskilled during the April10clashbetweensecurity forcesandred shirt protesters. TAWEECHAI TAWATPAKORN
"It is not good to give a deadline because that would pressure the authorities and affect the effectiveness of their operations,‘’ he said.
"The situation is now in good hands and we have given a clear policy.‘’
Gen Chavalit said yesterday he was seeking an audience with the King to ask for his intervention in the confrontation.
"Without His Majesty’s graciousness, I am not sure about the losses that will happen in the next one or two days and
[such losses] will leave a scar Thai people don’t wish to see,‘’ the former prime minister said.
"I wholeheartedly believe that His Majesty will show us kindness. Throughout my years of service I have never seen His Majesty ignore his children.‘’
Gen Chavalit said he had made efforts to contact the Office of HM the King’s Private Secretary to request an audience.
He also issued a joint statement with former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat calling for a dissolution of the
A soldier takesuppositiononapedestrian bridge over Sala Daeng intersection yesterday as troops prepare to repel red shirt protesters if they tried to lay siege toSilom Road. SAROTMEKSOPHAWANNAKUL
House, revocation of emergency rule and for force not to be used to disperse the protesters.
Mr Somchai said that if he or Gen Chavalit were prime minister, they would have resigned or dissolved the House.
Gen Chavalit’s move to petition HM the King drew sharp criticism.
Deputy Interior Minister Thaworn Senneam said it was very inappropriate to involve HM the King in the political conflict.
He said that Gen Chavalit and Mr Somchai and the Puea Thai party are allies of the UDD which is known to have offended the institution in their campaign.
People’s Alliance for Democracy dhcoordinator Suriyasai Katasila said the move by Gen Chavalit and Mr Somchai was seen as an attempt to pressure the royal institution.
Riot police officersare deployed alongSilom Road near the Sala Daengintersectionas people arrive for work. THITIWONNAMONTHA
He said the Puea Thai Party and the red shirts had changed their goal from seeking a dissolution of the House to wanting to run the country.
In a related development, the Civil Court yesterday threw out a personal petition by Puea Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit against Mr Abhisit and Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban over the government’s decision to shut down the satellite based People Channel.
The court said the government had the legitimacy under the state of emergency to exercise such powers.
The red shirts, led by Jarupan Kuldilok, yesterday lodged a petition with the United Nations’ Human Rights Council asking it to send observers and troops to monitor the red shirt protest.
They also handed over video footage of April 10 clashes to back their allegations that the government ordered troops to kill red shirt demonstrators in the operation to take Phan Fa Bridge.
Soldiers rest at Sala Daeng BTS station yesterday as people pass by. PATTARACHAI PREECHAPANICH
Soldiers stand guard outside an eatery in SoiThaniya.Someoffice workers showed their support bygiving themfoodanddrinks. THAPANANTHONGSAPHIRAN
People wave flags to show moral support for government forces assigned to guard Silom Road in case red shirt protesters move their rally to the area. PATTARACHAI PREECHAPANICH
Soldiers on guard on the pedestrian bridge at Sala Daeng BTS station. THANAPAN THONGSUBHIRAN
Bangkok, Apr.20 (ANI): Thailand’s opposition United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), also known as the “Red Shirts” has said that it will not march into the Silom business district as earlier planned, because armed soldiers have already occupied the spot.
Buzz up!
UDD core leader Natthawut Saikua said: “The government might have a plan to harm the red-shirts, so we won’t go there. We will go to that area only after the deployed soldiers are withdrawn from the business center.”
The Bangkok Post further quoted Saikua , as stressing that the UDD would keep on rallying at the Ratchaprasong intersection until the House of Representatives is dissolved, no matter how long it takes.
Meanwhile, Thai troops have said that they will follow seven steps to counter the Red Shirts.
They will begin with soft measures and then get gradually harsher, to deal with protesters. If all else fails, troops will use real weapons.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban warned that the troops deployed in the financial district are equipped with weapons and live ammunition and are authorised to fire in self-defence
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[li]Published: 20/04/2010 at 02:44 PM[/li][li]Online news: Related Stories[/li][/ul]
The United front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) would not mobilise its red-shirt supporters to the Silom Road area as earlier planned, because armed soldiers have already occupied the business and financial centre, UDD core leader Natthawut Saikua said on Tuesday.
“The government might have a plan to harm the red-shirts, so we won’t go there. We will go to that area only after the deployed soldiers are withdrawn from the business centre,” Mr Natthawut said.
He stressed the UDD would keep on rallying at the Ratchaprasong intersection until the House of Representatives is dissolved, no matter how long it takes.
The decision came after spokesman for the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situations (CRES) said on Tuesday that troops will use decisive measures, including the use of force, against red-shirt protesters under certain circumstances.
Col Sansern said action will defintely be taken if protesters move out from the Ratchaprasong intersection, which they are using as their rally site.
Troops will follow seven steps, beginning with soft measures and then getting gradually harsher, to deal with protesters, he said.
If all else fails, troops will use real weapons, he said.
“Security forces will begin by firing tear gas and if they cannot stop protesters, then soldiers will start taking decisive action with live bullets,” he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban warned that the troops deployed in the financial district are equipped with weapons and live ammunition and are authorised to fire in self-defence.
“The government intends to enforce the law, but that does not mean it will happen today or tomorrow,” he said of looming plans to shut down the movement.
“Everything will be carefully implemented to lessen damage… I cannot say when.”
Col Sansern also said the protesters had prepared molotov cocktails, grenades, sharpened staves and acid for use against soldiers armed with only batons and shields. So the troops were ordered to keep some distance – about 30 or 40 metres – from the protesters.
He rejected the red-shirts’ claim that army chief Anupong Paojinda had ordered a crackdown on the protesters within seven days, saying he had not seen any such document.
The red-shirts have set up six perimeter checkpoints to prevent soldiers from entering the rally area to disperse the protesters from their Ratchaprasong stronghold, according to Mr Natthawut.
The first checkpoint, on Ratchadamri Road alongside Lumpini Park, near Silom, is under the supervision of Kwanchai Praiphana, Payap Panketh and Suporn Atthawong, he said.
The Maboonkrong checkpoint is under the control of former Puea Thai MP Waipoj Arpornrat, while Somchai Paiboon oversees the Henri Dunant checkpoint.
The checkpoint at Pratunam intersection is being run by Worawuth Wichaidit, the checkpoint on Ploenchit Road is in the charge of Nisit Sinthuprai and Pethchawat Wattanapongsiri is overseeing the checkpoint on Lang Suan Road, Mr Natthawut said.bron:http://www.bangkokpost.com
Thai gov’t offers talks if protesters abide by law
By THANYARAT DOKSONE (AP) – 1 hour ago
BANGKOK — Thailand’s prime minister is ready to negotiate with protesters seeking a change of government, but only when the demonstrators who have illegally occupied city streets agree to abide by the law, his spokesman said Wednesday.
“The attempt to negotiate has been ongoing, but the official talks can’t proceed as long as the demonstration remains unlawful. The current atmosphere doesn’t provide room for talks to move forward,” said Panitan Wattanyagorn, spokesman for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s government.
While the main standoff in central Bangkok between anti-government protesters and security forces remained tense but mainly peaceful Wednesday, there were several signs of the potential for disorder to spread.
Unknown attackers fired one or two rocket-propelled grenades at a fuel depot near Bangkok’s main airport early Wednesday morning, punching a hole in a large tank containing aviation fuel, and starting a small fire that was put out before causing much more damage.
In the northeastern province of Khon Kaen, anti-government protesters were reported to have blocked a train carrying military equipment.
According to the website of the Bangkok Post, some 200 of the so-called Red Shirt protesters blocked a train carrying military vehicles, which they claimed were headed for Bangkok.
The protesters consist mainly of poor rural supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and pro-democracy activists who opposed the military coup that ousted him in 2006. They want Abhisit to dissolve Parliament right away and call new elections.
They believe Abhisit’s government is illegitimate because it came to power through a parliamentary vote — not a general election — after disputed court rulings ousted two elected, pro-Thaksin administrations. The conflict has been characterized by some as class warfare, pitting the country’s vast rural poor against an elite that has traditionally held power.
The Red Shirts’ position on holding talks with the government is unclear, although one key leader recently indicated a willingness to negotiate.
Protesters occupying Bangkok’s main shopping district fortified their encampment Wednesday with tire barricades and homemade armaments including bamboo spears and wooden shields, while soldiers and riot police stood guard nearby.
Hotels and retailers in the protest zone, which spans about 1.8 square miles (3 square kilometers) say the rallies have cost tens of millions of dollars in losses. Several five-star hotels in the area have announced they will be closed for the rest of the week and have relocated guests to safer hotels. Upscale shopping malls situated in the middle of the protest have been shut for weeks.
No new clashes were reported as the Red Shirts, who have occupied Bangkok’s streets for more than five weeks, abandoned plans to march into the central business district after soldiers in full combat gear were garrisoned there to bar the way.
Panitan did not spell out exactly what steps the protesters would have to take for the government to restart a dialogue but said violent elements linked to the protesters are a particular sticking point. When the army tried to sweep protesters from one of their encampments on April 10, masked men with military weapons fought back, helping to trigger fierce street fighting that left 25 people dead and more than 800 wounded.
“The situation has changed now that violence has occurred and terrorism has been involved,” said Panitan. “In order for talks to happen, the protesters have to first stop the movements that are linked to terrorism. They have to show that they are under the law.”
“The most important point is the protesters should have a firm standpoint,” he added. “We don’t know what they want to do really.”
Key protest leader Nattawut Saikua earlier indicated the demonstrators were open to negotiations to end the confrontations and chaos in the city, which is taking a toll on the economy as well as residents’ patience.
“Our group is always open to outside suggestions. Whatever group wants to propose a solution to the crisis, we’re happy to hear these solutions,” Nattawut said.
However, the Red Shirts have issued contradictory statements about their willingness to talk. Two days of televised talks held several weeks ago between Abhisit and protest leaders failed to find any common ground.
Ziet er niet zo goed uit Hieronder nog een artikel dat zonet verschenen is op hln.be
Een duizendtal Thaise opposanten, de zogenaamde roodhemden, hebben in het noordwesten van het land een militaire trein onderschept. De trein vervoerde soldaten, materiaal en wapens. Dat laten de plaatselijke spoorwegen weten. De trein, die achttien wagons telt, moest door Khon Kaen, een bastion van de roodhemden. Daar werd hij tegengehouden door de opposanten. Volgens het leger worden de wapens echter nog steeds bewaakt door 50 tot 60 soldaten.
Sinds midden maart eisen de roodhemden, aanhangers van de voormalige premier Thaksin Shinawatra, vervroegde verkiezingen. Om dat af te dwingen bezetten ze al meer dan een maand een deel van de hoofdstad Bangkok. De trein was echter op weg naar het zuiden van het land, waar een opstand van moslims woedt. Sinds januari 2004 vielen daarbij al meer dan vierduizend doden. (afp/ddh)
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[li]Published: 21/04/2010 at 04:59 PM[/li][li]Online news: Local News[/li][/ul]
The red-shirts must be on alert as there were signs that the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situations (CRES) was preparing to order troops to disperse anti-government protesters soon, core leader of the United front for Democracy against Dictatorship Jatuporn Prompan said on Wednesday afternoon.
“The CRES has ordered businesses around Ratchaprasong area to gradually shut down. If your mobile phone signal is cut off, it means that the crackdown operation has started,” Mr Jatuporn said.
He criticised CRES spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd for accusing the red-shirts of preparing weapons, including bottle bombs, grenades, sharpened stake and acid for use against security forces.
He said the red-shirts could not fight soldiers armed with shotguns and M16 assault rifles.
In the afternoon, the CRES ordered police to close Rama IV Road to traffic from Henri Dunant intersection to Witthayu Road intersection and to prevent people from joining the rally at Ratchaprasong intersection.
The police were preparing a traffic plan to deal with the expected congestion.
Pol Gen Adul Aaengsingkaew, an adviser to the police force, had assigned the metropolitan police chiefs to take action against people who violate the emergency decree.
Police at fortified red roadblocks around the Ratchaprasong area had been told to advise people suspected of trying to joining the red-shirt rally to stay away from the protest venue.
They were being warned that if they took part in the demonstration, violators of the law could face a maximum two years in jail and/or a 40,000 baht find.
Meanwhile, a freight train carrying military vehicles and equipment has been held up by the red=shirts in Khon Kaen province, police said.
About 200 red shirts led by Sabina Zar gathered at the train station in Muang district of Khon Kaen about 2pm and held up a freight train carrying about 25 vehicles, including Humvees and GMG trucks, from the Siharajdecho military camp in the province.
They claimed the vehicles and other equipment were destined for Bangkok to be used to disperse the red-shirts at Ratchaprasong intersection.
The red-shirts refused to let the train depart, even though deputy provincial governor Payat Chanprasert and Khon Kaen police chief Pol Maj-Gen Patthani Siripathani tried to explain to them that the military cargo was en route to Pattani province in the South, not Bangkok.
As of 5.30pm, the number of red shirts continued to swell, apparently mobilised by Red Radio FM 98.75.
In the morning, CRES spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the centre will summon another 54 people to give information in connection with the red-shirt protests. Most of them are operators of community radios, cab drivers and taxi motorcycle drivers, and red-shirt guards.
Col Sansern repeated earlier warnings that the Ratchaprasong area is unsafe for innocent people because there are weapons cached there for use against security forces.
The CRES, security personnel and police would use decisive measures against red-shirt protesters who try to mobilise to other locations in Bangkok, including Silom Road or Siriraj Hospital. They would be contained in their rally site at Ratchaprasong, but that does not mean they would be allowed to stay there permanently, he said.bron:http://www.bangkokpost.com
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[li]Published: 22/04/2010 at 03:51 PM[/li][li]Online news: Local News[/li][/ul]
Red-shirt leaders appealed to the United Nations on Thursday to send a peacekeeping force to Bangkok to prevent the army using force to disperse the protesters.
The protesters, led by their leaders Weng Tojirakarn, Jaran Ditthapichai and Korkaew Phikulthong, submitted a letter addressed to UN secretary general Ban Ki Moon to the UN offices in Bangkok, making an “urgent request” for the international community to intervene.
They said they feared a repeat of the April 10 crackdown on protesters, which left 25 people dead and more than 800 others injured.
“We want to the UN secretary general to understand that the government has used force against unarmed protesters,” Mr Weng said.
The United front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) wants the UN to send a peacekeeping force to oversee the anti-government rally site at Ratchaprasong intersection, to prevent the government using force to disperse the protesters, Mr Weng said.
In the letter, which was distributed to the media, red shirt leader Veera Musikapong asked the UN chief to “condemn and stop this government’s crackdown so that innocent lives will not be lost.”
“On behalf of millions of Thais, (we are) making an urgent request for the United Nations to intervene to prevent an imminent military crackdown on our supporters who are peacefully protesting in Bangkok,” the letter said.
The letter said there were signs the government would use force against the red-shirts. It had already deployed 10,000 soldiers at Silom road and police around the protesters’ Ratchaprasong rally site.
The protesters were joined by about 50 Puea Thai Party MPs, who petitioned the UN to investigate the violence between the troops and the protesters on April 10.
The MPs were led by Yasothon MP Peeraphan Phalusuk and Chacheongsao MP Thitima Chaisaeng, who accused the government of an abuse of human rights in using force to crackdown on the anti-government demonstrators.
Mrs Thitima said said Puea Thai MPs also planned to go to the American and British embassies to hand over similar petitions.
Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd, spokesman for the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situations (CRES), said the appeal to the UN was inappropriate.
“This is an internal matter,” he said.
Col Sansern warned protesters camped in the Ratchaprasong area to leave the rally site and return home because troops were kust waiting for an appropriate time to take back the area.
"Your time is running out. Please leave the area and report to the authorities.
“This is not a threat. This is real,” he said on Thursday.
Innocent people who report to authorities would not be prosecuted. “But after we take action, then you will be arrested and prosecuted,” he said.
Authorities will take decisive action against protesters when they disperse the mob, he warned.
According to Col Sansern, there were about 6,000 red-shirts at the site on Thursday morning, although the number was around 14,000 on Wednesday night.bron: http://www.bangkokpost.com
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[li]Published: 23/04/2010 at 02:00 PM[/li][li]Online news: Local News[/li][/ul]
Red-shirt protesters and security forces confronted each other in Silom financial district on Friday, after a series of bomb explosions killed one person and wounded 86 others in the area on Thursday night.
The tension eased after the red-shirt protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) and police agreed in the morning they would each pull back 100 metres from the fortified barricade erected at Sala Daeng intersection.
Agreement was reached during tense negotiations between Kwanchai Praipana, a red-shirt leader and chairman of the Rak Udon Group, and Pol Maj-Gen Wichai Sangprapai, the Metropolitan Police Division 1 chief.
Pol Maj-Gen Wichai asked the red shirts to also dismantle their barricade at Sala Daeng, but Mr Kwanchai refused, despite police reassurances over loud hailers that they had no intention to use force to disperse them.
Police and the red shirts then each retreated 100m from the barricade, built across the mouth of Ratchadamri Road at the intersection with Rama IV and Silom roads.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said before midnight on Thursday that three people were killed, but the toll was revised by the Erawan Emergency Centre on Friday morning to one woman confirmed killed and another 86 people wounded…
Meanwhile, authorities have arrested one of the 24 red-shirt key figures they have been after, Department of Special Investigation director-general Tarit Pengdit said on Friday.
Mr Tharit said Methi Amornwuthikul, an actor and anti-government protester, had that red-shirts opened fire with guns at army soldiers on the night of April 10 on Ratchadamnoen Avenue and said they acted on the orders of UDD leaders.
Mr Tarit said this in a televised statement at the Centre for the Resolution for Emergency Situations (CRES).
Mr Methi was arrested by police in Khlong San district early on Thursday in possession of an assault rifle stolen from the military during the clash on the night of April 10.
The DSI chief said in the course of interrogation Mr Methi admitted he was among the crowd of protesters who opened fire at army soldiers with war weapons in front of Satriwitthaya School when the military moved to retake the area around Phan Fa bridge from the red-shirts.
Mr Methi said the shooting was ordered by the UDD leadership, Mr Tarit said.
The actor had admitted protesters stole a number of weapons, including machinegunes, from the troops and that he had given distributed them to other people. Mr Methi was caught with a stolen assault rifle.
Mr Tarit said Mr Methi gave useful information about armed men in black who opened fire at the soldiers. He said these men were suspected to have been involved in the fatal M79 attack on Silom road on Thursday night.
According to Mr Tarit, Mr Methi also said that after the rally was relocated to the Ratchaprasong intersection leaders held a daily planning meeting at an undisclosed location.
Mr Tarit strongly condemned those who were involved in and organised acts of terrorism. They were liable to the death penalty.
The DSI chief said in an earlier interview that evidence was being gathered to arrest the men in black.
He said Mr Methi was still being detained under the emergency decree law at a safe place.
Mr Methi had earlier appeared on the UDD stage and participated in Puea Thai Party activities.bron: http://www.bangkokpost.com
**Dissolution deadline 30 days, talks set to restart **
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[li]Published: 24/04/2010 at 12:00 AM[/li][li]Newspaper section: News[/li][/ul]
Politics plunged back into crisis on Saturday when Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva rejected a compromise offer from the red shirts, who said they were now braced for a crackdown.
Thousands of supporters of the multi-coloured group gather at the Royal Plaza yesterday afternoon to oppose the red shirt rallies and support the government. THAPANAN THONGSUBHIRAN
Hopes for an agreement to end weeks of protests, which have been punctuated by deadly street clashes, evaporated as Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva ruled out the offer by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) to disperse its protest if polls were called in 30 days.
“No, I reject it. Because they use violence and intimidation I cannot accept this,” Abhisit said of the proposal which would have seen a ballot held in 90 days and was a softening of earlier demands for snap polls.
“The dissolution (of parliament) must be done for the benefit of the entire country, not just for the red shirts, and it must be done at the right time,” he told reporters.
In an immediate response the UDD leaders said they would now prepare for a military crackdown to clear their heavily fortified rally encampment which has paralysed Bangkok’s upscale district for three weeks.
“Abhisit has ordered a crackdown on protesters within 48 hours, that is the information I have learned,” said Reds leader Natthawut Saikua.
Mr Natthawut did not say where the information came from but other red shirt leaders said earlier Saturday they had learned from sympathisers in the army that troops were being mobilised despite ongoing negotiations.
Army spokesman Colonel Sunsern Kaewkumnerd kept up the pressure Saturday, saying an offensive could still be launched to target red-shirt “terrorists”.
“At the appropriate time, it would not be a dispersal, it would be a crackdown on those terrorists. At the moment the conditions are not right but I’m convinced that at some point we can crush them all.”
Mr Natthawut said the reds would strip off the symbols of their allegiance - the red T-shirts and other garb they have sported for weeks - to help them fight back against the government.
He said they would stick to a policy of non-violence, but other red-shirt figures speaking on a stage at their sprawling camp in the heart of Bangkok promised a “guerrilla war” against the government.
The United Nations and foreign governments have urged both sides on Thailand’s political divide to find a peaceful resolution, after two bouts of street violence on April 10 and last week left 26 dead and hundreds injured.
“The 30-day concession is just aimed at getting the attention of foreign media. I don’t think it is the answer to the problems,” Mr Abhisit said.
“Tomorrow (Sunday morning Thailand time) everything will become more clear when I and the army chief will jointly appear on my weekly television address.”
Fears of a crackdown escalated earlier this week amid warnings from the military that protesters would face live weapons fire in any new clashes.
Army chief Anupong Paojinda toned down the rhetoric on Friday, saying that the use of force was no solution to the crisis, which has damaged the economy and its international image as the Land of Smiles.
“The best thing is to create understanding among the people. The army’s job now is to take care of the people, and not allow Thais to attack each other,” he said.
Mr Abhisit condemned fresh violence on Thursday that saw a series of grenade blasts tear through a pro-government rally, saying the attacks, which left one dead and scores injured, “aimed to kill ordinary people”. (AFP)
EARLIER REPORT
Red shirt leaders have softened their stance and proposed to the government a new deadline - that it dissolve the House in 30 days, in a move which has drawn both scepticism and hope.
The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship’s previous stance was that the government must dissolve the House in 15 days. The stance was tightened to immediate dissolution after the April 10 clash between the red shirts and security officers which killed 20 civilians and five soldiers.
The compromise offer made yesterday came after red shirt leaders allowed a group of foreign diplomats to observe their rally base at Ratchaprasong intersection in the afternoon.
UDD leader Veera Musikhapong told the diplomats that the UDD was proposing a new stance, that it dissolve the House in 30 days and that new elections be held 60 days after that. This should give the government 90 days to prepare.
He was to hold informal talks with the government last night on the proposal of a new election time-frame of 90 days.
He said that UDD leaders had reached a consensus on a new time frame out of concerns for the safety of the public following Thursday night’s M79 grenade attacks in Silom which killed one woman and wounded more than 80 others.
“We are open to negotiation. We want to save lives and are ready to make sacrifices and negotiate,” he said.
“This is a compromise time frame and the government should find it acceptable,” he said.
Mr Veera said the UDD also wanted the government to end all forms of intimidation and set up a committee to investigate the April 10 and April 22 attacks and to take responsibility for the deaths. See also: World warns against travel to Bangkok Their Majesties offer Silom victims aid This has gone far enough Post Bag Using inequality as an excuse for protest Tourism outlook grim
“If the government can accept the conditions, we will negotiate. When an agreement is made, we will disperse and peace will return to the country,” he said.
Red shirt co-leader Jatuporn Prompan accused the government of waging a proxy war and manipulating people to pursue its course.
“We just want to tell the world we are sensible and we know when to back down,” he said, citing the meeting with the foreign diplomats.
"It pains me when people say that when there is an incident, it is the leaders who always survive.
“So we think there should not be any more deaths even though we are willing to fight until death ourselves,” he said.
Red shirt demonstrators pulled back their defence line about 100 metres from the Sala Daeng intersection to avoid confrontation with the multi-coloured group gathering on Silom Road. THITI WANNAMONTHA
While the government has yet to formally react, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he would not be “intimidated” into finding political solutions.
“I have a duty to solve the problem. If I can’t I should not be here,” he said.
Before the red shirts’ compromise offer, pressure was mounting for the government to take action and strictly enforce the law following the Silom grenade attacks.
Some Thai people said that if the government could not do anything, then it should resign. A coup was also a tempting choice.
“End the protest, dissolve the House, or stage a coup. I don’t care, but I want action. There will be damages no matter what, but it is better than this ambiguity,” said Manusak Laparojkij, one of the South’s largest motorcycle distributors.
Ruam Chart Pattana MP Somchai Chatpattanasri said if the prime minister did not resign he should negotiate with the red shirts about a House dissolution.
Insisting that he was speaking as an individual and not on the party’s behalf, he said the prime minister had no time to waste.
Army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda yesterday ruled out use of force to disperse the protest - to avoid huge losses on both sides.
A source said the army chief told a meeting of 200 unit commanders that the red shirts were armed and dangerous.
About 400 of them were armed and several thousand were trained in combat.
Their artillery included M79 grenades, M67 grenades, rocket propelled grenades, and assault rifles, some of which were seized in April 10 clashes.
The source said a dispersal could also trigger the red shirt movement in the provinces, and violence could escalate.
Army deputy spokeswoman Sirichan Ngathong quoted the army chief as saying that the uprising now had two objectives - to return to the corridors of power, and overthrow the monarchy.UDD co-leader Natthawut Saikua dismissed claims that the UDD was linked to the bomb attacks on anti-red shirt demonstrators on Silom Road. He insisted the UDD had stuck to a non-violent approach.
Mr Natthawut said the UDD felt regret for the families of the dead and injured.
He called on the government to step up efforts to find and punish those involved in the grenade attacks.bron: http://www.bangkokpost.com
[ul]
[li]Published: 25/04/2010 at 02:50 PM[/li][li]Online news: Local News[/li][/ul]
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva vowed to clear Bangkok’s commercial heart of anti-government Red Shirt protesters as he appeared on national television Sunday in a show of unity with his army chief.
Red shirt protesters sit on tyres guarding the fortified camp next to Silom Road in the financial district of central Bangkok.
But Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva did not say when security forces planned to regain control of the red shirts’ vast protest site, which has been fortified with barricades made from truck tyres and sharpened bamboo poles.
The red shirts, who are demanding elections to replace the government, have occupied the Ratchaprasong intersection for three weeks and fear a crackdown is looming after Mr Abhisit rejected their offer of a compromise.
“There will be a retaking of Ratchaprasong but the process, the measures, how and when it will be done we cannot disclose because it depends on several things,” said Mr Abhisit.
“The main point now is not whether or not to disperse but how to solve the whole problem,” added the premier, who has been holed up in a military barracks since street rallies erupted in mid-March.
The pre-recorded televised appearance by the premier and army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda was seen as an attempt to quash speculation of a rift between the two men on how to deal with the crippling political crisis.
Gen Anupong said the military – which mounted a 2006 coup that forced then-premier Thaksin Shinawatra out of power – would follow government orders.
“We are an army for the nation, for the monarchy and for the people. We will do our job without taking sides,” he said.
The highly influential army chief said Friday, however, that the use of force was no solution to the crisis, which has twice descended into deadly street violence this month, leaving 26 dead and hundreds injured.
When troops tried to sweep reds out of Bangkok’s historic area on April 10 they suffered a humiliating retreat and there is growing talk of “watermelon” soldiers – green outside but red inside – who support the protesters.
Gen Anupong played down talk of a split within the army, which has been sending out mixed signals on how it prefers to handle the demonstrators, who are defying a state of emergency and a ban on rallies in the capital.
He admitted, however, that some serving troops apparently fought alongside the red shirts in the April 10 clashes.
Hopes for an agreement to end the long-running protests were dashed Saturday when Mr Abhisit ruled out the red shirts’ offer to disperse if parliament was dissolved in 30 days for elections in three months’ time.
In response the Reds – mostly rural and urban poor who support ex-premier Thaksin – said they would prepare for a military offensive to clear their camp, which has forced hotels and malls to close.
“If Abhisit fails to crack down on us he will have to leave office, and if he succeeds in pushing us out using force, Reds rallies will break out in every region of the country,” vowed leader Nattawut Saikuar.
There have been mounting incidents of open defiance against security forces in recent days. On Sunday some 1,000 Reds used a truck to block a main road into Bangkok and halt 500 police being drafted in aboard trucks.
In northeast Udon Thani province, another 150 police were prevented from travelling to the capital by a group of 1,000 protesters who blocked their way late Saturday.
Fears of a crackdown escalated earlier in the week amid warnings from the military that protesters would face live weapons fire in any new clashes.
After grenade blasts Thursday left one dead and scores injured at a pro-government rally, there are concerns over the risk of more conflict breaking out between the warring factions.
The elite-backed “Yellow Shirts,” who vowed a week ago to take action if the government fails to deal with the rival Reds, plan to meet Monday to discuss their next step after their deadline expired.
Meanwhile, pro-government multi-coloured demonstrators gathered at Victory Monument and nearby flyovers amid tight security late Sunday afternoon.
Its leaders asked the crowd to oppose the red shirt protests, saying it caused trouble to the public. They called for the army chief to order unarmed troops to end the protest at Ratchaprasong.
Tul Sitthisomwongon, a group leader, said that the multi-coloured group gathering will continue at Victory Monument everyday from 4pm to 6pm until the anti-government red shirts end their protest.
They are scheduled to hold a mass gathering at Wong Wien Yai on April 29 while their members in other provinces will also gather in their provinces on the same day to sing the national anthem at 6pm.bron:http://www.bangkokpost.com
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[li]Published: 26/04/2010 at 04:20 PM[/li][li]Online news: Local News[/li][/ul]
The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship has passed a resolution for the red shirts in the provinces to block police from joining the government’s planned crackdown on protesters at the Ratchaprasong intersection, UDD secretary-general Natthawut Saikua said on Monday.
Mr Natthawut said with this resolution in effect, red shirts in many provinces had asked police not to leave for Bangkok, as ordered by the government.
“The UDD network throughout the country will ask the police not to join the planned crackdown at Ratchaprasong,” he said.
Mr Natthawut said blockades had already been set up, including one at the Finance Ministry’s mint on Phahon Yothin Road in Rangsit, Pathum Thani, and also in several other provinces.
The blockade would be set up again at Rangsit today, he said.
The UDD secretary-general said he believed that because of the pressure on him Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva would soon decide to dissolve the House of Representatives because he was not able to order government forces to do as he wanted.
Jatuporn Prompan, a UDD leader, said most police did not agree with the government’s plan to disperse the protesters at the Ratchaprasong intersection, believing the dispersal would cause injuries and deaths.
“Whoever orders the use of force to suppress the people will take the consequences when there is a change of government,” he said.
Arisman Pongruengrong, known to be a hard-core UDD member, said the government wanted to break up the protesters to cover up the shooting of people in the April 10 bloodshed, adding that the shooters were soldiers acting on the prime minister’s orders.
In the morning, about 100 red shirts of the Phitsanulok 51 group blocked the entrance to the 31st Border Patrol Police headquarters in Chao Phraya Chakri camp in tambon Tha Thong of Muang district in Phitsanulok province.
The red shirts, led by group leader Panukrit Patchara-aree, said they learned that one company, or 155 border patrol policemen, was to be despatched to Bangkok for a crackdown on UDD protesters at the Ratchaprasong intersection.
So they blocked the road, the only access to the camp, to prevent the police from leaving.
Pol Lt-Col Somwang Khamthong, deputy chief of the BPP unit, asked them to let the police pass, but to no avail.
The company of border patrol police managed to break through the blockade in the afternoon. After five hours of being blockaded, trucks with border patrol police on board managed to leave the Chao Phraya Chakri camp after a 10-minute clash between baton-wielding police and the protesters.
The protesters threw wooden sticks and bricks at the police and tried unsuccessfully to puncture the vehicles’ tyres.
At about noon, another group of red-shirt protesters blocked the passage of police vehicles heading for Bangkok as they were passing through Ayutthaya province.
The vehicles were carrying police from Lop Buri province heading for Bangkok to reinforce officers in the Ratchaprasong area, where the red-shirts have their rally site.
According to Puea Thai Party MP for Ayutthaya, Surachet Chaikosol, there were 14 vehicles, each carrying 11 police officers.
The police were to have waited at the Ratchaprasong intersection for the government’s order to crack down on protesters, but the red-shirts could not let that happen so they blocked the vehicles, Mr Surachet claimed.
In the eastern province of Chachoengsao, about 200 red shirts laid siege to the provincial police headquarters to prevent police from being sent to Bangkok.
They blocked all three gates of the headquarters with 15 mini-buses and took turns verbally attacking the government for using force against the people.
They decided to lay siege to the police HQ on learning that two companies of anti-riot police would be sent from Chachoengsao to Bangkok to take part in the government’s planned crackdown on the protesters at the Ratchaprasong intersection.
Pol Maj Gen Monthon Mee-anan called for an urgent meeting of police to discuss this matter.
Meanwhile, police reported that metal spikes were found to have been scattered at various locations in Chachoengsao, including on Highway 304 (the Chachoengsao-Kabin Buri road), the gateway to Bangkok.bron: http://www.bangkokpost.com
Anti-government protesters stopped a military truck and a humvee heading into Bangkok on Monday night.
Their aim, to prevent more security troops from entering the capital.
More than 200 protesters are setting up informal checkpoints along Vipavadee Rangsit Road, a main avenue connecting Bangkok to northern provinces.
The protesters are scanning private vans and buses to make sure there are no troops inside.
On Monday the protesters quickly surrounded a humvee carrying four soldiers, and a truck with about a dozen more, preventing them from moving.
Some of the red-shirts rode with the soldiers to a police station, making sure the vehicles did not proceed to the city centre, where the red-shirts maintain a heavily fortified protest site.
Similar blockades have been set up in many of Thailand’s north and north-eastern provinces.
The red-shirts, supporters of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, have been seizing military cargo and vehicles.
In Pathum Thani, troops detained 20 protesters and chased away hundreds who were blocking the roads.
The leaders of the anti-government protesters called for resistance, saying a military crackdown was imminent.
The protesters, known for wearing their trademark red-shirts, have been instructed to don clothes of other colours to avoid arrest.
A continuing stalemate deepens the Thai political crisis, after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva recently rejected a compromise offer from the red-shirts.
The red-shirts responded by vowing more aggressive measures including laying siege to a high-end mall.
The protesters are back to their original demands of immediate dissolution of parliament and snap elections.
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[li]Published: 27/04/2010 at 04:27 PM[/li][li]Online news: Local News[/li][/ul]
The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship will on Wednesday send teams to various parts of the capital city to explain “the facts” of its activities to the public, UDD leader Nathawut Saikua said on Tuesday.
If the government set up road blocks, they would break through them and encourage people to join their protest, he said.
The teams would spread out from Ratchaprasong intersection on Wednesday morning.
“We will announce the routes tomorrow. The campaign will last three or four hours. We want Bangkok people understand the red-shirts better, because the government has blocked our media outlets,” Mr Nathawut said.
The mobile teams would use strictly peaceful means to get their message across, he said.
He said the UDD would also file a defamation complaint with police against the government and the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situations (CRES) for accusing its leaders of being terrorists and operating a movement to overthrow the monarchy.
“In saying that the UDD has increased the level of its activities to full-scale terrorism, do the government and the CRES mean to use this as an excuse to kill people in the heart of the city?” Mr Nathawut said.
The protesters would also seek bail for the protesters arrested by the security forces in Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani on Monday, Mr Nathawut said.
He claimed that the UDD members, in conducting searches of vehicles entering the capital city, only wanted to block the movements of police and weapons into Bangkok.
Mr Nathawut said red-shirt operations in many parts of the country were successful, and they were able to stop more than 2,000 police and soldiers from entering Bangkok.
He claimed many provincial governors cooperated with the UDD because they knew it would be difficult for the government to survive and Abhisit Vejjajiva would lose the prime ministership in about one month, when he expected the ruling Democrat Party would be dissolved by the court.
Mr Natthawut also said that UDD members will organise rallies matching the gatherings of the multi-colour shirts group, starting on Wednesday.
"If the multi-coloured group gather at the Victory Monument, we will rally at the Democracy Monument. If they go to Chatuchak park, we will go to Lumpini park.
“If the multi-coloured group can do it, so can we,” Mr Natthawut said.
The government must apply the same standards in its treatment of the red-shirts and other groups.
“If Mr Abhisit wants to crack down on us, why doesn’t he crack down on the multi-coloured people too?” he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said authorities will not allow protesters to set up any more road blocks throughout the country, and police were under orders to arrest UDD core members if they refuse to open lanes for traffic.
UDD protesters on Monday blocked roads in Pathum Thani, Saraburi, Chachoengsao, Phitsanulok and Ayutthaya provinces to prevent police and troops from going to Bangkok.
Police will first negotiate with protesters, and more police would be deployed if protesters move reinforcements to the area. If they refuse to open the road to traffic, then police would use the authority to arrest them under the imposition of the Internal Security Act (ISA), Mr Suthep said.
The deputy prime minister said he had called a meeting with the metropolitan police chief and other senior police officers late Tuesday afternoon to discuss measures to end the rallies .
“If anyone thinks their job is too difficult, they can ask for a transfer,” Mr Suthep said.
He said it would not take much longer for authorities to solve the political problem, but he would not give a deadline.bron:http://www.bangkokpost.com
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[li]Published: 28/04/2010 at 09:58 AM[/li][li]Online news: Breakingnews[/li][/ul]
An M79 grenade was fired at the Taling Chan branch of Bangkok Bank PLc (BBL) on Phra Borom Ratchachonnee road in Bangkok’s Taling Chan district about 3am on Wednesday, Pol Lt Col Monchai Atungsongsaengdee of Taling Chan police station said. No one was hurt.
The explosion occurred in front of the bank, damaging a parked carand an advertising board of a nearby company. The bank was not damaged.
Thavorn Lokthaisong, 35, a bank security guard, who was on duty from 7pm until 7am this morning, said when he heard the blast he looked toward the Phra Borom Ratchachonnee, but saw no vehicles passing by.
He believed the grenade was fired from the elevated road in front of the bank.
Forensic police were inspecting the scene.bron: http://www.bangkokpost.com
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[li]Published: 30/04/2010 at 12:00 PM[/li][li]Online news: Local News[/li][/ul]
Chulalongkorn Hospital began evacuating patients on Friday morning for safety reasons after red-shirt protesters stormed the hospital on Thursday night looking for soldiers.
About 200 supporters and guards of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) led by leader Payap Panket searched hospital buildings, claiming it was being used as a hideout by the security forces.
The group later left and threatened to return for a new search at 10am Friday. UDD leaders this morning reprimanded the protesters and said there would be no more raids.
Hospital director Adisorn Patradul said in the morning that patients were being transferred to Siriraj and other hospitals.
The evacuation was voluntary, the decision being made by the patients and their relatives, he said. The patients have the right to remain at the hospital if they wish.
According to television reports, the hospital evacuated more than 1,000 patients this morning. About 600 remained there.
The hospital, located next to the red-shirt rally site on Ratchadamri Road, closed its out-patient service on Friday and suspended all surgery. It is only handling emergency cases.
UDD leader Weng Tojirakarn on Friday issued an apology for the raid, describing it as “inappropriate, too much, and unreasonable”.
“On behalf of all [UDD] leaders, I apologise to the public and to Chulalongkorn Hospital for the incident,” Mr Weng said. “The situation got out of control. It is not our policy to obstruct hospital operations.”
Another UDD leader Suporn Attawong said the leaders have agreed the protesters would not storm the hospital again.
The leaders warned Mr Payap that his actions were not appropriate and had painted the UDD in a negative light.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said in a televised address on Friday that the hospital executives admitted what happened was unexpected.
He said the government had earlier consulted with the hospital executives about deploying police and soldiers at the hospital but the executives declined the offer. They said doing that could cause a misunderstanding that the hospital was taking sides in the political conflict.
The hospital raid had been condemned by the international community, he said.
Mr Abhisit said the government was consulting with the hospital about measures to prevent a recurrence of the incident while maintaining the hospital’s neutrality according to international standards.
He promised to take legal action against all concerned in the past incidents.
The Medical Council of Thailand, meanwhile, slammed the UDD’s raid on the hospital and asked protesters to show respect for medical personnel.
“All parties must refrain from exploiting hospital grounds for political gain,” the council said in the statement.
The hospital also called on protesters to move 100m away from the hospital and not to block its entrances.bron:http://www.bangkokpost.com
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[li]Published: 1/05/2010 at 05:26 AM[/li][li]Online news: Local News[/li][/ul]
Police are boosting security at all city hospitals after the red shirts stormed Chulalongkorn Hospital on Thursday night.
The red-shirted United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship was yesterday forced into a humiliating apology after its raid prompted severe criticism.
Weng Tojirakarn, a red shirt leader and medical doctor, issued a deep apology'' for the raid, calling it inappropriate, too much, and unreasonable’'.
Assistant national police chief Worapong Chiewpreecha said the search at Chulalongkorn Hospital by the red shirts threatened patients, relatives, and medical personnel.
The government’s Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) ordered police to ensure that all hospitals are safe places.
Before and after ABOVE AND RIGHT:Red shirt protesters dismantle their blockade on Ratchadamri Road yesterday afternoon to allow Chulalongkorn Hospital to ferry its patients to other hospitals in the city. They closed it again in early evening (see larger picture). The blockade was put in place to prevent security forces from dispersing their rally. SAROT MEKSOPHAWANNAKUL AND SOMCHAIPOOMLARD
The Royal Thai Police will deploy police to secure all hospitals and more than 100 police will guard Chulalongkorn Hospital, which was searched by red shirt protesters led by Payap Panket on Thursday night.
They suspected the hospital was sheltering soldiers, but their search turned up nothing.
Deputy Bangkok police chief Amnuay Nimmano promised police would arrest Mr Payap when they had the chance.
Red shirt leaders, apologising for the raid, said Mr Payap’s action was too quick for other protest leaders to stop.
The red shirts lifted their blockade at the hospital entrance on Ratchadamri Road yesterday afternoon.
However, they returned to block the hospital again in early evening, on the advice of pro-red shirt army specialist Khattiya Sawasdipol, also known as Seh Daeng.
Chulalongkorn Hospital was in a chaotic situation yesterday as staff moved patients to ``safer’’ buildings.
Nurses pushing patient beds and trolleys full of medical equipment hurried down the hospital’s hallways throughout the day as an estimated 600 patients under treatment at two buildings on Ratchadamri Road were moved to other buildings on the opposite side of Henri Dunant Road.
Some patients were even told to lie on the floor as some buildings were not yet ready to take them.
Of the total 1,500-bed capacity, only about 600 patients remained at the hospital yesterday morning. Because of the uncertain situation, it is essential for the hospital to reduce the number of in-patients, so we can take care of every patient thoroughly and impartially,'' said hospital director Adisorn Patradul. We couldn’t handle thousands of patients and hospital staff running about in panic if violence occurred,‘’ he said.
A total of 129 patients in paediatric, cancer and trauma wards had been transferred to 27 hospitals in the city’s safe zones while many more patients were asked to return home.
Dr Adisorn said the Supreme Patriarch was still staying at the hospital, but had been transferred to Wongwanich building for two days.
Siriraj Hospital director Teerawat Kultanant said the hospital was ready to take the Supreme Patriarch if need be.
Safer ground Chulalongkorn Hospital staff members evacuate a patient from a building near Ratchadamri area to another building further from the red shirt demonstration. Some patients have been transferred by their relatives to other hospitals. SOMCHAIPOOMLARD
Dr Adisorn insisted troops had never been sent to hide in the buildings as the red shirt leaders claimed. They were paranoid, he said. `The hospital has to follow the Red Cross principle of treating every patient with impartiality.‘’
A 70-year-old male patient suffering from intestinal cancer fell into a coma while he was being transferred to Bam rasnaradura Hospital in Nonthaburi province as part of the post-raid transfer measures. He stopped breathing, but medics found he still had a pulse. He was sent to intensive care at Kasemrad Prachachuen Hospital instead.
The UDD raid came under heavy criticism for its botched raid.
``I do not need to express my condemnation, because I think not only Thai society but also the world community condemns this behaviour,‘’ Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said.
Organisations of kidney patients, HIV-infected people, consumers and cancer patients and networks of medically damaged parties said yesterday the red shirts had proved to be inhumane and had violated patients’ human rights.
Deputy Bangkok governor Dr Malinee Sukhavejworakit said Anne Ryniker, deputy head of the regional delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross, met her yesterday and expressed concerns about the red shirts’ move.
The National Human Rights Commission said the raid would only compound hatred, violence and disunity.
In another development, about 500 red shirt protesters blocked the exit of Khon Kaen airport to search vehicles for Tul Sitthisomwong, a prominent figure in the pro-government multi-coloured group. Dr Tul took an immediate flight back to Bangkok.
The Thai Journalists Association and the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association yesterday condemned red shirt protest leader Jatuporn Prompan for threatening a reporter who asked him if he had any evidence to prove his claim that security authorities used Chulalongkorn Hospital as a base.
The associations said Mr Jatuporn’s argument with the reporter was conveyed through loudspeakers at the red shirt protest site and provoked red shirt protesters to threaten reporters and break into Chulalongkorn Hospital.bron:http://www.bangkok.com
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[li]Published: 1/05/2010 at 12:51 PM[/li][li]Online news: Asia[/li][/ul]
Leaders of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) slammed management at a Bangkok hospital Saturday, saying its chaotic evacuation of patients was a ploy to make the anti-government group look bad.
Nurses take a break as patients are transfered from Chulalongkorn Hospital to a diferent one in Bangkok, on April 30. Chulalongkorn Hospital in the Thai capital evacuated most of its patients after anti-government Red Shirt protesters stormed inside in the mistaken belief that troops were hiding there.
The red-shirts have faced heavy criticism after about 100 supporters raided Chulalongkorn hospital Thursday evening under the mistaken belief it sheltered security forces preparing a crackdown, following deadly street violence.
The 1,400-bed hospital evacuated most of its patients because of the incident, and UDD leaders have apologised profusely.
“The hospital did not hear our apology. They dramatised the evacuation of patients, turning it into a tragedy to paint Red Shirt people as bad,” UDD core member and opposition Puea Thai Party MP Jatuporn Prompan said in news conference.
“We have been made to look like terrorists and very soon the crackdown will begin,” he added.
The red-shirts, who have occupied sections of Bangkok for over a month in their bid to force snap elections, have alleged the hospital was used in an April 22 grenade attack on a pro-government rally that killed one and wounded dozens.
The government said the grenades were fired from inside the UDD’s camp – an accusation the movement has denied.
Tensions are high in Bangkok following the worst political violence in almost two decades which has left 27 people dead and almost 1,000 injured this month in a series of bloody confrontations.
Thailand’s Medical Council criticised the storming and asked protesters to respect medical personnel, while police said they would deploy 100 officers to the hospital to ensure neither security forces nor Reds use the grounds.
Many of the demonstrators come from Thailand’s rural poor and urban working classes and seek the return of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and now lives overseas to avoid a jail term for corruption.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva vowed to prosecute those who were involved in the hospital incident.Bron:http://www.bangkokpost.com
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[li]Published: 3/05/2010 at 02:43 PM[/li][li]Online news: Politics[/li][/ul]
Armoured vehicles are being readied for use in the dispersal of the prolonged anti-government rally at Bangkok’s Ratchaprasong commercial district, spokesman for the government’s Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said on Monday.
The armoured vehicles would protect soldiers from attack by the protesters, who could be armed, and would help avoid violence, Col Sansern said. The vehicles had not reached Bangkok yet.
Col Sansern used the term รถหุ้มเกราะ (rod hum gror) – which generally refers to armoured humvees.
He said there were an estimated 6,000 to 8,000 UDD protesters at Ratchaprasong.
“There are fewer protesters, thanks to the officials who have set up more checkpoints,” he said.
“The number of demonstrators is not the main determinant for the government to decide when it will begin the crackdown. We need to take into account the safety of people, especially the elderly and children in front of the UDD stage,” the army spokesman said.
He said the anti-government leaders should allow reporters to ask people at the rally whether they want to continue the protest or return home.
He said the protesters were being overseen by the UDD guards.
Col Sansern said the CRES wondered whether the protest leaders were hiding weapons in Lumpini Park, as they refused to retreat from the area.
“The CRES also would like to affirm that no troops have been deployed in Chulalongkorn Hospital,” he said.
Troops were stationed around the hospital to maintain security, but had never used the hospital grounds as a hideout, as claimed by the UDD.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva confirmed in the parliament that he was working on a reconciliation roadmap to end the deadly standoff with UDD protesters.
“I will present a political solution or roadmap” to end the crisis, Mr Abhisit told the House
“To find a political situation, we have to listen (to everybody), not only to the government, politicians, protesters or a group of people who oppose the protests,” he said.
In an interview with Japanese media, Mr Abhisit said he hoped to announce the roadmap within the next few days.
“This conflict and the situation cannot simply be resolved through force,” he said, according to Japan’s public broadcaster NHK.
UDD protesters have occupied parts of Bangkok since mid-March in their bid to force immediate elections to replace a government they see as elitist and undemocratic.
Twenty seven people died and nearly 1,000 were injured last month in civil unrest in Bangkok, which is under a state of emergency.
Mr Abhisit last month rejected a compromise offer by the UDD to disperse if elections are held in three months’ time, and the protesters have reverted to their original demand for snap polls. Mr Abhisit earlier offered a nine-month dissolution of the House, to be followed by a general election about two months later.
“I have never ruled out a House dissolution, but not today or in 15 or 30 days as requested by the protesters,” he said on Monday.
Many of the demonstrators seek the return of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and now lives overseas to avoid a jail term for corruption in office. bron:http://www.bangkokpost.com
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