The Redshirts are Coming

[urleft]

Understand the Redshirts are back.  They blocked me last year in April, could not get to the Train.  I arrive back to BKK on 10 April, hopefully this will blow over.  But it does not sound good.   

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?from=rss_World&set_id=1&click_id=3&art_id=nw20100315114848265C776297

Bangkok - Grenade attacks on a Bangkok military base wounded two soldiers on Monday as tens of thousands of anti-government protesters massed at another barracks in the Thai capital, a military spokesman said.

Four M-79 grenades exploded at the base in the centre of the capital at 1.30pm, injuring one soldier in the arm and the other in the stomach, army spokesman Colonel Sunsern Kaewkumnerd said.  ......

[nookiebear]

Understand the Redshirts are back.  They blocked me last year in April, could not get to the Train.  I arrive back to BKK on 10 April, hopefully this will blow over.  But it does not sound good.   

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?from=rss_World&set_id=1&click_id=3&art_id=nw20100315114848265C776297

Bangkok - Grenade attacks on a Bangkok military base wounded two soldiers on Monday as tens of thousands of anti-government protesters massed at another barracks in the Thai capital, a military spokesman said.

Four M-79 grenades exploded at the base in the centre of the capital at 1.30pm, injuring one soldier in the arm and the other in the stomach, army spokesman Colonel Sunsern Kaewkumnerd said.  ......

The Bangkok Post today is saying 6 grenades were launched

[dave the dude]

They are threatening to throw Blood at the Government building which sounds very wasteful and unhygienic

[urleft]

Wow, more fun.  This has made the drudge report.  For those that do not know, Drudge broke the Monica Lewisky Scancal for Clinton.  http://www.drudgereport.com/


http://apnews.myway.com/article/20100316/D9EFHT582.html

Thai protesters give blood to pour on streets   

BANGKOK (AP) - Anti-government protesters started donating their own blood Tuesday as part of a plan to splatter the Thai government headquarters in a symbolic sacrifice to press their demands for new elections.

Hundreds of red-shirted demonstrators formed long lines to have their blood drawn by nurses, a day after their leaders vowed to collect 1 million cubic centimeters of blood - the equivalent of 1,000 standard soft drink bottles - to spill at Government House by Tuesday afternoon.

As many as 100,000 so-called Red Shirt protesters converged Sunday on the Thai capital to demand that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva agree to dissolve parliament by midday Monday. Abhisit refused and blanketed the capital in security, but said his government was open to listening to what else the protesters have to say.

Frustrated, the protest leaders announced the "blood sacrifice," a tactic slammed by the Red Cross as wasteful - and unhygienic since diseases like hepatitis and HIV-AIDS can be spread if needles are reused.

"This blood belongs to fighters for democracy. What is its color? Red!" an announcer shouted as protest leaders were having their blood drawn on a stage near a white tent where lines of blood donors formed.

Several orange-robed Buddhist monks, who are forbidden by law from taking part in political activities, were among the first in line with one proudly showing off a syringe filled with his blood.

"I believe (in our leaders) and find their strategies rational and acceptable. If they say that we soldier on, I'm ready," said Suriya Laemthong, 28, who admitted to a fear of needles and shielded his eyes with a baseball cap and hand as a nurse pricked his arm. But Suriya said he doubted that the blood spilling would compel the government to step down.

The Red Shirts include supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and other activists who oppose the 2006 military coup that ousted him for alleged corruption and abuse of power. They believe Abhisit came to power illegitimately with the connivance of the military and other parts of the traditional ruling class who were alarmed by Thaksin's popularity.

On Monday, thousands of protesters departed from their encampment in downtown Bangkok to besiege an army base on the edge of the capital where Abhisit has partly been based during the protests.

Abhisit told a nationwide television audience that his government's goal is not to "remain entrenched" but that it would not step down in response to the protesters. He said the government would listen to the demonstrators.

Two soldiers were wounded Monday by four grenades that exploded inside the compound of the 1st Infantry Regiment, known as the King's Own Bodyguard, army spokesman Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd said. He did not blame Red Shirt demonstrators, who were not in the area, but said there has been intelligence that some elements had been planning such attacks.

However, the protests have to date been remarkably peaceful although embassies have issued warnings to their nationals of possible violence and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Kurt M. Campbell canceled a scheduled visit Tuesday.

The U.S. Embassy said Campbell, on a swing through Asia, skipped the trip since he did not with to add to "logistical burdens facing our Thai friends at this time."

After withdrawing from the 11th Infantry base, protest organizers announced they were asking each demonstrator to donate between two and 20 teaspoons - 10 to 100 cubic centimeters - of blood. Their initial goal would be to collect 1,000 liters (264 gallons), which would require donations from between 10,000 and 100,000 people - roughly the protest crowd's peak size.

More blood would be spilled at the headquarters of the ruling Democrat Party and the prime minister's house if the protest demands were not met.

Dr. Ubonwon Charoonruangrit, a senior official of the Thai Red Cross Society, worried about the risks of untrained people drawing blood, and added that 1 million cc of blood could "save many lives."

Some 100,000 Red Shirt protesters have been camped out along a boulevard in the old part of Bangkok, though their number had visibly fallen Monday. A force of more than 50,000 soldiers, police and other security personnel has been mobilized in the capital.

For a second straight day, Thaksin spoke to the demonstrators by video, urging them to continue their struggle in a nonviolent fashion.

Thaksin is a billionaire businessman who fled Thailand in 2008 ahead of a conviction on a conflict of interest charge for which he was sentenced to two years in jail.

Thailand has been in constant political turmoil since early 2006, when anti-Thaksin demonstrations began. In 2008, when Thaksin's political allies came back to power for a year, his opponents occupied the prime minister's office compound for three months and seized Bangkok's two airports for a week.

---

Associated Press writers Thanyarat Doksone, Jocelyn Gecker and Kinan Suchaovanich and photographer David Longstreath contributed to this report.

[urleft]

Thai Red Shirts hurl own blood at PM's house   

Mar 17, 7:59 AM (ET)

By JOCELYN GECKER
 
 

BANGKOK (AP) - Leaders of Thailand's anti-government protesters, who have hurled their own blood at the offices and home of the prime minister, said Wednesday they will remain camped out in capital indefinitely, though in smaller numbers.

Hoping to bring down Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government, red-shirted protesters hurled plastic bags filled with their own blood into his residential compound Wednesday - following similar protests the day before at his office and the headquarters of his Democrat Party.

Several thousand later gathered in front of the U.S. Embassy, saying they wanted to tell the international community that their government is illegitimate.

The "blood sacrifices" grabbed attention, but put the Red Shirt movement no closer to its goal of forcing new elections.

The announcement of plans for an extended protest contrasts sharply with pre-demonstration boasts that they would mount a "million-man march," putting enough pressure on the government to topple it within a few days. More than 100,000 demonstrators converged on the capital Sunday, but their demands and deadlines were snubbed by Abhisit, and the crowd shrunk Wednesday to around 40,000, according to Maj. Gen. Vichai Sangparpai, a commander in the metropolitan police.

The protesters consist of supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by a 2006 military coup for alleged corruption, and pro-democracy activists who opposed the army takeover. They believe Abhisit came to power illegitimately with the connivance of the military and other parts of the traditional ruling class and that only new elections can restore integrity to Thai democracy. They also believe a new vote would bring Thaksin's allies to power.

After a strategy meeting, the Red Shirt leaders said they will maintain their protest, but on a smaller scale. They are encamped in an area of the old part of Bangkok that is a traditional venue for political protests.

"We'll maintain our stronghold, but there will be rotation of manpower," said one of the protest leaders, Veera Musikapong. "When the time is right, we will call for a 'million-man march' again."

The group also reaffirmed its commitment to nonviolence, and announced it is breaking ties with allies who had made high-profile threats of attacks if faced with government repression.

"We can rotate the people from Bangkok and provinces," said Nattawut Saikua, another protest leaders. "If we camp out here, Abhisit can't go home. Now he has to stay in an army camp. He can't come to work at the Government House or even stay in Bangkok."

Abhisit has been sleeping at an army base and taking frequent trips out of the city since preliminary protests began Friday.

On Wednesday, riot police first blocked all approaches to Abhisit's walled compound in an area that is home to many wealthy Thais and expatriates. But after negotiations, three dozen demonstrators were allowed to squeeze through the police cordon carrying about six 1.3-gallon (5-liter) plastic jugs filled with frothy blood over their heads.

They splattered blood across Abhisit's front gate and poured some of it into plastic bags that they hurled at the home, leaving the walls, roof and grounds smeared with red.

A heavy afternoon downpour ended as the blood spilling finished, leaving dark red puddles in the street that a white-suited medical cleanup team quickly hosed away. Some climbed on the prime minister's tile roof to remove the empty, blood-soaked bags.

The protesters' march to Abhisit's house and police cordons, thrown up after the government invoked an emergency decree, halted traffic in one direction on Sukhumvit Road, a major thoroughfare, paralyzing parts of the neighborhood. Restaurants closed their doors and residents of luxury condos were prevented from driving out of the area.

Many residents watched from their balconies or wandered into the street to take pictures. Most anti-government protests in the past have been confined to Bangkok's government district several miles (kilometers) away.

On Tuesday, thousands of Red Shirts formed long lines to have their blood drawn by nurses. Leaders claimed to have collected 80 gallons (300,000 cubic centimeters).

---

Associated Press writers Thanyarat Doksone and Kinan Suchaovanich, and photographer David Longstreath contributed to this report.

[urleft]

Now they're after the American Embassy.   



Email from the U.S. Embassy. Giving a warning to U.S. citizens.

March 17, 2010

This warden message alerts U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in Thailand that a gathering of United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (aka UDD or “red-shirts”) protestors may demonstrate in front of the U.S. Embassy on Wireless Road sometime today, March 17, 2010. The protesters will likely arrive before 12 noon.

U.S. citizens should be aware that the UDD protesters may be in the possession of blood specimens. As a precautionary measure, the front entrances to the Embassy compounds may be forced to close to visitors during the demonstrations. This means that there is a possibility that American Citizen Services may be closed for part or all of the afternoon hours, even to those who already have an appointment. We ask Americans to exercise caution if you are going to be in this vicinity or in the area of any demonstrations.

We wish to remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations.

U.S. citizens living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs website where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information can be found. The U.S. Embassy also encourages U.S. citizens to review “A Safe Trip Abroad”, which includes valuable security information for those both living and traveling abroad. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

U.S. citizens traveling or residing in Thailand are encouraged to register with the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy. The American Citizen Services section of the U.S. Embassy Bangkok is located at 95 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. The American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy can be reached by calling 66-2-205-4049 and by e-mail at acsbkk@state.gov. The emergency after-hours telephone number is 66-2-205-4000.

[dave the dude]

Had a couple of warning e-mails from the British Embassy a while back but don't understand WHY they have picked on the US Embassy in Wireless Rd?

Any comments?

[urleft]

Had a couple of warning e-mails from the British Embassy a while back but don't understand WHY they have picked on the US Embassy in Wireless Rd?

Any comments?

They moved to the American embassy after the Deputy PM told the media that "foreign intelligence" had been intercepting Thaksin's phone calls and during those calls Thaksin suggested violence be used.

The red shirts immediately jumped to the conclusion that "foreign intelligence" could only mean the U.S. 


Jeeze, any country with half a brain would know the US has no foreign intelligence, just look at how they're handling Isreal, Iran, and Russia.  What a bunch of losers   

[Admin]

Had a couple of warning e-mails from the British Embassy a while back but don't understand WHY they have picked on the US Embassy in Wireless Rd?

Any comments?

They moved to the American embassy after the Deputy PM told the media that "foreign intelligence" had been intercepting Thaksin's phone calls and during those calls Thaksin suggested violence be used.

The red shirts immediately jumped to the conclusion that "foreign intelligence" could only mean the U.S. 


Jeeze, any country with half a brain would know the US has no foreign intelligence, just look at how they're handling Isreal, Iran, and Russia.  What a bunch of losers   

hehe.. I can't agree with you more.. 

[perra]

Probably the the SIS = Scottish Intelligence Services. They must have heard about You guys in Buriram. 

[Admin]

Reds to force Thai troops to barracks 
Bangkok Post: 27 Mar 2010

Reds to force troops back to barracks

Online news: Breakingnews

Protesters gathering at main rally site at Phan Fa Bridge have agreed to rally at eight locations where troops are standing by, red-shirt leader Natthawut Saikua announced at the rally stage on Saturday morning.

The seven targets are Wat Bovornniwes, Wat Tri Thosathep, Wat Makutkasattiyaram, Wat Kae Nang Leong, Wat Sommanas Viharn, Nang Loeng racecourse, Dusit Park and Pranakon Commercial College.

“The red-shirts will politely talk with the soldiers there, asking them to return to their barracks and give their weapons back, to prevent them from being used to kill the protesters,” Mr Natthawut said.

If the soldiers troops refuse to do as asked, the red-shirts would then use their bare hands to remove all barricades and barbed wire from the target sites.

“If there is any violence, then the government must be held responsible for it,” the UDD leader said.

[urleft]

Reds to force Thai troops to barracks 
Bangkok Post: 27 Mar 2010

Reds to force troops back to barracks

Online news: Breakingnews

Protesters gathering at main rally site at Phan Fa Bridge have agreed to rally at eight locations where troops are standing by, red-shirt leader Natthawut Saikua announced at the rally stage on Saturday morning.

The seven targets are Wat Bovornniwes, Wat Tri Thosathep, Wat Makutkasattiyaram, Wat Kae Nang Leong, Wat Sommanas Viharn, Nang Loeng racecourse, Dusit Park and Pranakon Commercial College.

“The red-shirts will politely talk with the soldiers there, asking them to return to their barracks and give their weapons back, to prevent them from being used to kill the protesters,” Mr Natthawut said.

If the soldiers troops refuse to do as asked, the red-shirts would then use their bare hands to remove all barricades and barbed wire from the target sites.

“If there is any violence, then the government must be held responsible for it,” the UDD leader said.

Protesters are asking for trouble here.  The chances of getting soldiers to basically mutiny (refuse orders) is somewhere between zero and none. 

Troops trained in riot control can easily disperse a crowd.  The USA M-16 Rifle is a POS in my opinion, but add a unsheafed bayonet with troops in formation, you will definitely evacuate the area.  Rifles with sheafed bayonets can also be very intimidating. 

I do not expect anything good to come from this.   

[Vombatus]

I was in Bangkok over the weekend and was all business as usual. You would know anything of the protest were it not for seeing the occasional redshirted couple, or pick up with protesters in.

Earlier in the week I flew to to Chiang Mai - no issues anywhere. I read that a couple of bombs had gone off in CM - I saw  nothing, heard nothing and everyone appeared to be going about their business normally.

[Admin]

Thai PM, red-shirts, Sunday negotiations 
Bangkok Post: 4 Apr 2010

UDD, govt may reach compromise

Bangkok Post
4/04/2010 at 09:23 AM

In special live telecast this morning, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva announced that the government and the UDD protesters are reaching a possible compromise after an intensive talk that should avoid the conflict from escalating to the regret of everyone.

Mr Abhisit thanked the people in Bangkok for showing patience and giving moral support to the government. He called on the UDD to continue its peaceful assembly as allowed by the constitution to demand the government addressing their problems and for democracy, but not to hurt the country's economy as nobody wins but the country loses.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/173634/udd-govt-may-reach-compromise
---------------

Thaksin appreciates traffic blocking

Bangkok Post * Published: 3/04/2010 at 10:00 PM


Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has praised the red shirts for blocking Ratchaprasong intersection today, saying they were sacrificing for the sake of democracy.

In his about 30-minute video-link address to the gatherings of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) both at Phan Fa Bridge and the intersection tonight, Thaksin described the UDD’s movement as a way of “building the future of the nation”.

He also called on more supporters of the UDD to come out and join the protesters at both protest sites.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/173630/thaksin-appreciates-traffic-blocking

[Admin]

Thai PM, red-shirts, Sunday negotiations 
Bangkok Post: 4 Apr 2010

UDD, govt may reach compromise

Bangkok Post * Published: 4/04/2010 at 09:23 AM

In special live telecast this morning, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva announced that the government and the UDD protesters are reaching a possible compromise after an intensive talk that should avoid the conflict from escalating to the regret of everyone.

Mr Abhisit thanked the people in Bangkok for showing patience and giving moral support to the government. He called on the UDD to continue its peaceful assembly as allowed by the constitution to demand the government addressing their problems and for democracy, but not to hurt the country's economy as nobody wins but the country loses.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/173634/udd-govt-may-reach-compromise
---------------

Thaksin appreciates traffic blocking

Bangkok Post * Published: 3/04/2010 at 10:00 PM


Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has praised the red shirts for blocking Ratchaprasong intersection today, saying they were sacrificing for the sake of democracy.

In his about 30-minute video-link address to the gatherings of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) both at Phan Fa Bridge and the intersection tonight, Thaksin described the UDD’s movement as a way of “building the future of the nation”.

He also called on more supporters of the UDD to come out and join the protesters at both protest sites.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/173630/thaksin-appreciates-traffic-blocking