State of emergency rules announced!!

[Admin]

Just watched on TV now. 

The government annnounce on many provinces as under state of emergency. !!

Closest area to buriram is NAKHON RATCHASIMA (KORAT).

Not recommended to go Bangkok area until things get clear...

[nookiebear]

Current News seems to be suppressed

[Admin]

Bangkok Skytrains run limited stops 
Bangkok Post: 14 May 2010
2 subway stations closed Friday

* Published: 14/05/2010 at 08:41 AM


Two subway stations -- Silom and Lumpini -- are closed on Friday, BMCL said in the morning.

Trains operate as normal -- from 6am until midnight -- at all other stations, it said.

The closing of the two stations came after violence erupted in Bangkok on Thursday night, which left one red-shirt protester dead and several injured.

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Skytrains stopping at 9 stations only

* Published: 14/05/2010 at 07:48 AM


Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) announced that skytrains are stopping at only nine stations, with no service in the centre of the city, on Friday following fresh violence in Bangkok.

On BTS Silom line, there are five stations that remain open. They are Chong Nonsi, Surasak, Saphan Taksin, Krung Thonburi and Wong Wian Yai.

On BTS Sukhumvit line, skytrains run from Mor Chit to Ratchathewi and back to Mor Chit, and from On Nut to Asok and back to On Nut.

[Admin]

Red-shirts reject any reconciliation attempt 
: 14 May 2010
Red-shirts Turn down Reconciliation
TAN NEWS UPDATE

The red-shirt group held a press conference, turning down any attempts at reconciling with the government.

The group asked the prime minister how many bodies he wants to see and claimed the military is behind the shooting of Army Specialist Major General Khattiya Sawasdipol or Seh Daeng.

The group will come up with retaliatory measures this evening.

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BREAKING: Red-shirts Retaliate by Torching Bus
UPDATE : 14 May 2010

The red-shirt group has retaliated against officers by torching a bus of the National Police Office on Wireless Road and firing homemade rockets at soldiers.
 

[Admin]

BBC Update!

[Admin]

Red leader warns of tragedy, up demands 
The Nation: 14 May 2010
Natthawut warns big tragedy will happen Friday night
The Nation (approx 5:40 pm)

Natthawut Saikua, a red-shirt leader, Friday demanded Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve the House immediately and pull out troops or a big tragedy will happen to the country at night.

"If the prime minister does not order ceasefire, tonight will likely see a big tragedy. It is likely that Thai people will be forever feel pain in their heart because of what will happen tonight," Natthawut said.

He said the prime minister must dissolve the House and stop using violence against the protesters.

He said he did not mean the red-shirt protesters would use violence but confusion could prevail at night.

[Admin]

Bangkok Skytrain closed Saturday 
The Nation: 15 May 2010
BTS halts services Saturday

The Bangkok Transit System announced that its skytrain services on both routes will be completely halted for Saturday on safety concern.

For more information, please contact 0-2617-7300 ext 1834, 1842.

[Admin]

Business leaders plead for order 
Bangkok Post: 15 May 2010
Business leaders plead for order
Foreigners losing confidence fast

Business leaders have reiterated their calls for the government to urgently restore law and order after clashes between red-shirt protesters and security officers yesterday turned central Bangkok into a virtual war zone.

"The government, the army and security officers have to do something now to restore law and order. You cannot let people go around shooting and blocking roads," said Nandor von der Luehe, president of the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Thailand.

"The way foreigners are looking at Thailand is very negative. How can you have confidence in the country if you cannot come to work because the office is closed because of the political conflicts?"

Mr von der Luehe said it was a pity that the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship had spurned the reconciliation offer from Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

"The PM has tried political means to reconcile with the protesters but it takes all sides to work together to achieve reconciliation," he said. "[Nonetheless] we are still hopeful that they can find the solution."

The Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce issued a statement saying said peace must be restored soon.

"Extended protests and violence in the middle of a major city such as Bangkok are sending a message to the international community that the rule of law is not working in Thailand and makes investors less confident," said chamber president Andrew Durieux.

"With each additional death and injury, investor confidence goes down further and the recovery takes longer and will cost more."

Meanwhile, Thailand's neighbours are looking more attractive now, as they can all provide clear rule of law and safety.

"Obviously our members who have business operations or live within or close to the 'Red Zone' are concerned. Many have expressed frustration at the length of the protests, causing confusion for them and their business partners to make business plans," said Mr Durieux.

Dusit Nontanakorn, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said that prolonged demonstrations, particularly in Bangkok's main shopping and business area, could harm the country to the extent that the overall economy collapses.

Even if the protests could be ended, he said, the government still had a lot of hard work ahead, including economic stimulus efforts and reducing income disparity. "Everybody in the entire social structure must team up together to get out of this trouble before the destruction of the entire country."Thanit Sorat, vice-chairman of the Federation of Thailand Industries, said the damage caused by the anti-government protests would create an opportunity loss for exports by the third quarter at a time when the world economy is on the high side.

"Foreigners will not travel to Thailand to buy or inspect products, which will cause third-quarter exports to decline to 15-16% growth, compared with an average of 20% in the second quarter and 20-30% in the first quarter," he said.

Exports should not be seriously affected if logistics are not disrupted, such as the closing down of roads, airports or shipping routes, he said.

Mr Thanit said foreigners that are coming to invest need to plan two years in advance, but now they might be switching to other countries with lower risk, such as Vietnam and Indonesia.

The tourism sector, which has already been damaged severely by the protests, should take two to three months to recover after the problem has subsided. "However, the damage caused to investment is a long-term one," he said.

Prakit Piriyakiat, deputy governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said seven countries had now raised travel advisories for Thailand to the highest level, warning their people not to travel to Thailand in light of refreshed political clashes.

They are Saudi Arabia, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, China, Vietnam, and Taiwan.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/economics/37363/business-leaders-plead-for-order

[Bigbus]

Maybe wrong place to post this....got in Thailand about 8 hours ago...nothing hapenning at the airport....actually I have never seen that little of people pick up the bags...flew in on CX 713 on a B777 and the was 160 seats open...
I guess everything that is happening is down town BKK.

Good to ne back in LOS....

[Admin]

Thank you very much for your report.

Please guys, report us on the way to/from Bangkok AIRPORT - Buriram.
Is the road clear from protestors?
Is it safe to go to the airport these days?
routes to avoid from when driving to Bangkok airport these days? (Suvarnabhumi international airport,not Don Muang airport).

Thank you in advance.

[Admin]

Bangkok BTS, MRT to remain closed 
Bangkok Post: 16 May 2010
BTS and MRT to remain closed

* Published: 16/05/2010 at 04:02 PM


BTS announced on its website on Sunday that both the Silom and Sukhumvit Skytrain lines will remain closed on Monday over fears for passenger safety.

BTS said it will announce if it will resume services on Tuesday.

The MRT will also suspend underground services on Monday for safety reasons.

It will continue to assess the situation to determine if it can resume services on Tuesday

[nookiebear]

Just been reprted that Seh Daeng has died in hospital this morning at 09.29am

[Admin]

Reds defy deadline, rally continues
Published: 17/05/2010 at 05:37 PM
Bangkok Post: Online news: Local News

Several thousand of protesters, including women and children, remained at the Ratchaprasong rally site on Monday evening, defying the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation's order that they leave by 3pm or face two-years imprisonment.

There were still about 5,000 protesters at the Ratchaprasong rally site when the 3pm deadline passed, police spokesman Maj-Gen Prawut Thawornsiri said.

Shortly after 2pm, military helicopters dropped leaflets on the encampment, urging the protesters to leave immediately. This angered the protesters, who shot homemade rockets at them.

“Some protesters received distorted information,” government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said on the Thai PBS television network. “We need to communicate with them clearly. It will take time.” There was no word on when the ultimatum extension would end.

According to television reports, a telephone call from Korbsak Sabhavasu, the prime minister's secretary-general, to red-shirt leader Natthawut Saikua prompted the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) leaders to hold an urgent meeting, which began shortly after the 3pm deadline.

On receiving the call from Mr Korbsak, UDD leaders went inside a shipping container office for a meeting.

Acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation would hold a meeting at 5pm to discuss steps to be taken to retake the occupied area after the 3pm deadline.

He declined to go into detail, saying only that priority would be given to evacuating children and the elderly from the rally site.

Mr Panitan said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was still in high spirits and determined to overcome all problems.

Earlier the day, UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan said red leaders were ready to call protesters back to the Ratchaprasong rally site and begin dialogue with the government if troops stop firing at protesters.

Protest leaders are willing to negotiate with the government without pre-conditions if Mr Abhisit orders the removal of troops stationed around the rally site in Bangkok. The offer was aimed at reducing the loss of lives, he said.

The government would not respond to the UDD's call for talks until the UDD ends the protest rally, government spokesman Panithan Wattanayakorn said.

Mr Panitan said UDD leaders should first show sincerity by ending their rally, ceasing attacks on government security forces and stopping all riotous acts.

If the UDD did this, the government would reactivate its reconciliation plan, he said.

In the morning, two red-shirt guards were arrested in Ratchathewi area with a large quantity of weapons, Metropolitan Police chief Pol Lt-Gen Santhan Chayanont said at a press conference.

Pol Lt-Gen Santhan identified the two as Prasong Manee-in, 55, of Bangkok's Lat Phrao district, and Kowit Yaemprasert, 55, from Pathum Thani province.

They were arrested when Mr Prason was driving a pick-up truck past a military checkpoint in Soi Phaya Nak near the Asia Hotel.

Soldiers found in the truck about 60 items including knives, axes, iron bars, bottle bombs, ping pong bombs, large firecrackers, communications radios, and ID cards of UDD guards.

Mr Prasong said he was formerly a soldier of the 3rd Cavalry Battalion and then a construction worker before joining the UDD rally, where he met Mr Kowit.

He said he was not aware the seized items were loaded onto his truck.

The number of casualties from the clashes between government forces and UDD protesters between May 14 and 17 was now 35 killed and 252 injured, the Emegency Medical Centre or Erawan Centre said in the morning.

The death toll went up because one of the injured, Maj-Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol, better known as Seh Daeng, died from his head wound on Monday morning.

Of the 242 injured, there are six foreigners - one each from Canada, Poland, Burma, Liberia, Italy and New Zealand.

[nookiebear]

Excellent live coverage on Sky News

[Admin]

Thai Red-shirt leaders surrender 
The Nation: 19 May 2010

Pockets of red shirts continue to riot

By 2.15 pm, half an hour after the surrender of the red-shirt leaders on Wednesday, a number of red shirts have continued to riot.

Some red shirts were seen trying to torch Central World shopping mall to express their anger for ending of the Rajprasong rally.

The reds camping out at Klong Toei remain sceptical that their leaders really turned themselves to police. They vowed to continue protesting.

The reds at Samyan continue to wreak havocs by burning tyres and blocking traffic near the Pheu Thai Party on Rama IV Road.

Buses services in Bangkok have been suspended for the afternoon after a number of buses were seized by rioting protesters.
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1.45pm - Reds leaders who do not surrender include Dr Weng Tohjirakarn, Arisamun Pongruengrong, Somporn Attawong and Darunee Kritbunyalai.

1.50pm - Nuttawut tries to calm down reds protesters who try to follow him into the Police Headquarter. He persuaded them to go home and that vehicles are prepared for them at Supachalasai National Stadium.

1.45pm - Reds leaders who do not surrender include Dr weng Tohjirakarn, Arisamun Pongruengrong, Somporn Attawong and Darunee Kritbunyalai.

1.45pm - Other leaders; Nuttawut Saikua, Kwanchai Praipana, Wiputalaeng Wattanapumthai and Nisit Sintupai are taken to the police headquarter.

1.40pm - Jatuporn Prompan is taken to Police headquarter after announcing ending Rajprasong rally.

1.30pm - red shirts leader Jatuporn Prompan and Nattawut Prompan declare ending the rally at Rajprasong rally site.

He claimed he wanted to fight on but he did not want to see any more killings.

"I know everybody is hurt that the rally that we have joined for months have to come to an end," he said.

He said he wanted to stop ongoing killings which saw the red shirts died more.

Nattawut then took the stage and said that the protest ends because he did not want to see more deaths and killings.

He said it was very difficult for him to decide ending the protest.

The red shirts protesters at the rally site welcomed the announcement with boos and jeers.

1.10pm - Wittaya Buranasiri, opposition chief whip, says he is at Maboonkrong Department Store, waiting for police and troops before going to Rajprasong rally site.

He says he would escort red shirts leades who want to surrender from the stage. "The leaders want me to witness and assure their safety when they surrender," he said.

12.20pm - Red shirts leader Jatuporn Prompan reportedly wants to surrender. Senator Lertrat Rattanawanit says Jatupron expects to surrender with police at 1pm. "If Jatuporn, a Pheu Thai MP, surrenders, he should be given fair treatment."

12.10pm - Nation photographer says he is with troops in Lumpini Park. He sees two bodies of reds guards. One of them has a grenade in his pocket. In a tent in the park believed to be rest area for monks, he saw cartridges and 500 bullets in a box.

12.10pm - Nation photographer says he is with troops in Lumpini Park. He sees two bodies of reds guards. One of them has a grenade in his pocket. In a tent in the park believed to be rest area for monks, he saw cartridges and 500 bullets in a box.

12pm - An Italian reporter is killed. His name is not yet known. He was shot at his stomach and died before reaching a hospital.

11.55am - Panithan says Arisamun Pongruengrong has escaped from the rally site. He asks the public to report to officers if they see him. Hot line : 02- 551-1515

11.45am - Reds shirts guards urge protesters taking shelters in Pathumwanaram Temple to leave the temple and re-join the rally at Rajprasong rally site.

A TV9 reporter quoted the guards as telling the protesters that situation at the rally site return to normal. Some agree to leave while some others refuse to do so.

10.58am - Arisamun Pongruengrong, a red shirt leader, reportedly escapes from Rajprasong rally site. Police tell the public to help hunt for him or alert police if he is seen.

10.25am - Convicted ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra calls for the government to re-open a talk with red shirts leaders. He says he has never been involving with the protests.

10.15am - Troops can re-control Rama IV, Sarasin, Wireless and some parts of Lumpini Park.

9.30am - Center for the Resolution for Emergency Situation announces in a special television programme that troops and security officials are moving into many areas controlled by red shirts in order to stabilise the security and situation. The operations will continue throughout the day.

9.30am - Center for the Resolution for Emergency Situation announces in a special television programme that troops and security officials are moving into many areas controlled by red shirts in order to stabilise the security and situation.

The operations will continue throughout the day.

Government spokesman Panithan Wattanayakorn suggests that people avoid going into the areas where troops are pushing forward. He also asks the public to alert police in case of fires and attacks. He asks the public to stay calm and be confident in the operations.

8.56am - Motorists on Rattanathibet road blow horn and yell at red shirts protesters who use tyres to block the road. The blocking cause heavy traffic congestion.

8.49am - Smoke is still coming into the hospital's buildings. A doctor of the hospital tell Nation Channel that there is no plan to evacuate the patients.

There are about 200 patients in the hospital. The hospital suspends out-patient service since Monday.

7.50am : Exchange of gunfires starts as troops try to move armoured personnel carriers closer to bamboo barricades of red shirts protesters at Saladaeng intersection.

The troops face difficulty moving the vehicles as reds fired at them. Snipers deployed at skywalks and Sala Daeng BTS stations fire to protect the troops who attempt to handle with grenades found along the barricades.

Reporters at Rajprasong rally site are told to move to Police Department Headquarter.

7.45am - Chulalongkorn Hospital authorities prepare to evacuate patients staying in building close to Henry Dunant Road after red shirts set fire on typres, sending thick smoke into the sky and moving closing to the hospital's building.

7.39am - A group of "men in black" try to break into Klong Toey MRT subway by smashing door and window glass. They reportedly pour petrol in their attempt to set fire.

7.31am - At Sala Daeng intersection, troops are told to fire at protesters only if they fire at the troops. The protesters are seen retreating to Rajprasong area.

7.30am - Firefighters could control fire at anti-narcotic office at Samliam Din Daeng.

7.10am - Tear gas is fired at protesters at Sala Daeng Intersection.

7am - As troops move to break the barricades at Sala Daeng Intersection, red shirts leader Nuttawut Saikua tell protesters at Rajprasong rally site to stay calm and prepare for dispersing. The protesters are given cloth to protect them from tear gas.

Red shirt leader Dr weng Tohjirakarn is seen wearing bullet proof vest at the back of the stage.

6am to 7am - red shirts use tyres to set up barricade and block Rattanathibet road in Nonthaburi province. The block worsen the traffic congestion. Police fail to convince them to cancel the blocking.

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Gov’t Tells Protesters: DISPERSE NOW!
TAN UPDATE : 19 May 2010

PM Secretary General Korbsak Sapavasu gave an interview to Channel 3 news stating that the protest leaders have the option of stopping this morning’s operations by dispersing their rally immediately. Korbsak insisted that it is the only way out of Thailand’s current political crisis and state of violence.

The PM’s secretary general said that there is no possibility of negotiations at this point because the government is obligated to protect the public from terrorists who are amidst the protesters. He said that negotiations can only start after the red shirt leaders disperse their rally and surrender themselves to authorities.

The red shirt leaders are currently in serious closed door discussions as to how to handle the situation. They say they were taken off guard after yesterday evening’s discussions with representatives from the Senate. It was agreed that the Senate would try and convince the government to withdraw its troops and enter into negotiations.

They were surprised as news of more than 20 armored personnel carriers arrived on Silom Road. Fire trucks were also present as authorities used broadcast trucks to announce that it was time for protesters to leave the area.