george Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 PM orders schools in BKK to postpone opening of new semester to May 24. The PM stated, "I know parents are concerned about security. Death toll in Bangkok clashes rises to 24, plus 222 persons injured ThaiPBS: People on Rama 4 esp. Bon Kai community without power & water. Only a few shops have food. Troops are to help soon. /via @terryfrd "It's strange when motorbikes have to turn off lights to take people home, so they are not picked off by snipers". /via @neilbkk1 BBC World News showing live pictures of black smoke over Bangkok. THE NATION: PM said CRES will today consider imposing curfew in Bangkok. Update: Weng repeats the 3 red demands today, 1. Ceasefire and withdraw 2. Immediate Dissolution 3. End of SOE /via @terryfrd BBC Reporter: "Welcome to Bangkok. They call it the land of smiles. But there is a lot of unhappiness in the country." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 Thailand is "Breaking News" on BBC World with live pictures of black smoke over Bangkok. TAN: Local English teacher goes on BBC world. Says situation in BKK appears "calm and subdued" New York Times: 'The Fury Outside My Window' - Personal piece on Bangkok's street wars. http://nyti.ms/bozs9X /via @journotopia Dr Weng: Estimates there are between '10,000 - 20,000' reds at Ratchaprasong, so gov cannot get them out by tomorrow. /via @terryfrd MCOT: PM: Red Shirt protest affects Thai economy, causes unemployment; Govt prepares budget disbursement to stimulate economy Picture: A medic running for cover during the gunfire yesterday. http://nyti.ms/dd8fHG /via NYT RichardBarrow: RT @thaikamala: Hi, all live info on UBC True Vision are scrambled, CNN BBC ..Why? >= No problem here in Bangkok. Nation: PM says curfew is being considered for certain "dangerous areas." /via @suthichai Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 Video/Photo roundup, the last few days in Bangkok: 'More Deadly Clashes in Central Bangkok' http://bit.ly/aRxjJ8 /via @legalnomads Picture: 'Frightening landscape' that has taken over #Bangkok. http://nyti.ms/ardbdP /via NYT TAN_Network: One person shot in the head at Bonkai Times Online: 'Thai army closes in for the kill' http://bit.ly/aNzf5O jayarc @georgebkk Weng's estimates r way off target. No more than 3,000 last night. Many redshirts would like to get back into the zone but can't Kwanchai: Says soldiers should b wearing skirts. Ridicules claim of self-defence. Troops have war weapons. We are the ones using self-defense. You've closed us off, people try to go out and you shoot them /via @terryfrd 2Bangkok Situation Update: Claims of civil war - http://2bangkok.com/10/100516CivilWar.shtml This morning Soi Rangnam is deserted, but open for pedestrians. Soldiers still guarding Ratchaprarop /via @aleursic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 "I wonder how great a role tiredness & hunger will play. The army, of course, can rotate their troops" /via @wizardofwindsor PM Abhisit sends e-mail to UN chief /Bangkok Post ------------------------------------ Thaivisa Member: I was just walking through most of the red shirt area. I am doing that everyday because I happen to live right in the middle of it- and I want to see what kind of food I can still buy before I need to live of my reserves. My estimate is that there are still at least 10'000 people around in the huge red shirt camp. Sure, there are not many people on the street in front of the stage but there are many more sleeping and resting in the thousands of tents from Chitlom to Ploenchit, from Rajprasong to Siam and from Rajprasong right down to Lumpini Park. People are sleeping and resting under many building entrances. Maybe at night time your people have not seen them but if you go there now at daytime and open your eyes you will conclude that the estimate of 3'000 is at least 3 times too low. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 Nation: Curfew being considered for Ratchaprasong, surrounding areas. TAN: Soldiers can shoot if protesters come within 36 meters (120 ft) of army lines (Sansern) TAN: Several hundred protesters gathered earlier today in Klong Toey district. "Just drove past UN building in Bkk. Several protesters in front with signs calling Abhisit "Killer" /via @tri26 "Shots and explosions at Sam Liam, Din Daeng. The whole neighborhood reeks of tyre smoke." /via @mickpurcell THE NATION: PM (on weekly TV): It will be known soon if measures like curfew to prevent those not involved from being drawn into the situation will be added. According to PM, CRES would also consider declaring some areas off-limits. TAN: Din Daeng: Protesters lighting tyres now. Soldiers are shooting to scare off Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 Channel 3: Protesters tried to set fire to Lotus Express at Lumpini Park. Troops fired at protesters to halt the arson attempt. NATION: Update: Panitan: PM has emailed UN sec-gen saying Thailand can cope with this "internal" conflict. "Smoke can be seen rising around Silom. Much more than burning tyres. Can anyone see a fire?" /via @willphd @pattmessenger: Victory Monument toward Din Daeng intersection http://bit.ly/d6t8a9 "Yes, huge plume of black smoke coming from Silom area - biggest yet". /via @CarolynONeill BangkokDan: Am I missing something? Don't hear red supporters call on their leaders to stop. Dictatorship of the mob. That's how tyrants rise to power. --------------------------------- Thaivisa Member: I forget to mention another observation. Yesterday I was walking around the area of the old Big C (Ratchdamri 2, Bangkok Bazar and Petchburi 30). This is quite a huge area and I saw many red shirts around there and many sleeping and resting under building entrances around. There are still many sois not only there in the red zone where many protesters are camping out and hiding so it is very easy to underestimate their number especially at times when they are not out on the street Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webfact Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 @RichardBarrow The rain has stopped across much of Bangkok and Red Shirts have started to set fire to tyres. Black plumes of smoke can now be seen by many. THE NATION: Channel 3 corrected its report, saying blaze spread from tyres burning on road to commercial buildings and protesters put out the fire. ThaivisaNews: Channel 3: Corrected their report, Blaze spread from tyres burning on the road ,to commercial buildings and protesters put out the fire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webfact Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 Mainly women and children left at Rajaprasong The army is battling to set up a perimeter around the 3.5 sq-km (1.2 sq-mile) red shirt encampment where at least 5,000 people remain. The remaining people are mainly women and children hiding behind barricades made of tires, poles and concrete, topped by razor wire. Other protestors have dispersed elsewhere including the Klong Toey district of the capital. Thitinan Pongsudhirak, political scientist at Chulalongkorn University said:"The troops may be making some progress on sealing the area but at a great costs". He added that a rise in the number of casualties could weaken the PM's position and his credibility. -- Tan Network 2010-05-16 [newsfooter][/newsfooter] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webfact Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 PM Emails UN Sec-Gen The Prime Minister has e-mailed UN Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon to reassure him that Thailand's conflict is a domestic issue which can currently be resolved without international assistance. -- Tan Network 2010-05-16 [newsfooter][/newsfooter] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webfact Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 Din Daeng Focus of Action Din Daeng has become the center of action as red shirt protestors and others light tyres defiantly. Soldiers are currently shooting sporadically to disperse the crowds. -- Tan Network 2010-05-16 [newsfooter][/newsfooter] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webfact Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 @RichardBarrow: CH.3 reporting that burning tyres at Lumphini Park has spread to a Tesco Lotus Express shop. THE NATION: Among injured victims is Kritchana Panitpong, ex-boy band singer. His friend died. Both shot on a high-floor condo balcony in Soi Rangnam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webfact Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 BMA medical centre revives death toll of 2 days of clashes to 24 The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Emergency Medical Service Centre Sunday morning revived the death toll from two days of clashes between protesters and security forces to 24. The EMS Centre said so far 198 people were injured. Of the killed, 23 were men. -- The Nation 2010-05-16 [newsfooter][/newsfooter] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 Thaivisa Member: I would say that the black smoke is coming from Lang Suan, not from Silom. Here a pic out from my window Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webfact Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 THE NATION: Problem is the flame from the stack of tyres has accidentally expanded to a nearby area - Lotus Express near Lumpini Tower. #Thai PBS @RichardBarrow ThaiPBS: The fire on Rama IV Rd. is between the Red Shirt fort at Bon Kai and the army further up the road at Sala Daeng ThaivisaNews: "A Soldier told me there have been several arrests of redshirts on Sathorn yesterday night around 4am". /via @vaitor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webfact Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 THE NATION: RT @veenarat: RT @MJBank: It's confirmed that stock market will b closed tomorrow. THE NATION: ppl living in Lumpnin nite Bazaar area srt having problems of food supply shortage. They also complain abt pollution from the smoke.#TPBS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webfact Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 THE NATION: Nation field reporter saw a woman shot at her head at 10 am while observing protest at Bon Kai community. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webfact Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 Protesters seize traffic light booth at Din Daeng Intersection, cause huge fire with tyres Channel 3 reported at 11:30 am that red-shirt protesters seized traffic light booth at the Din Daeng Intersection and light a big fire in the middle of road using tyres. Think smoke was seen billowing. The protesters also threatened to fire at authorities if they attempt to break up the rally at the intersection. -- The Nation 2010-05-16 [newsfooter][/newsfooter] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webfact Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 US warns citizens travelling to Thailand, evacuating staffs The United States has warned its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Thailand and began evacuating non-essential embassy staff and families due to unrest in the country. "US citizens should defer all travel to Bangkok and defer all non-essential travel to the rest of Thailand," a statement said. "The Department of State has authorized the departure of all non-emergency US government personnel and eligible family members from Bangkok," the statement added. The US Thursday closed its embassy in Bangkok and said it was "very concerned" about the violence between the Thai government and protesters there. US embassy personnel who live in affected areas are being relocated to housing outside of the affected areas, the State Department said. The warning came as the troops continued for the second day the operations to end the red shirts protest. -- The Nation 2010-05-16 [newsfooter][/newsfooter] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webfact Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 THE NATION: PPl in Ratchaprasong having probs with food supply Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webfact Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 MCOT: Sounds of gunshots, explosions continue in Bon Kai, one person shot and injured; Protesters burn tyres in Dindaeng Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webfact Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 THE NATION: BMA: 3 or 4 garbage trucks have been hijacked, some burnt down. THE NATION: RT @rrystrom:My mother-in-law said pppl wanted 2 bring home their children&old ppl from rajprasong yday but was refused 2leave by r-guards.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webfact Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 THE NATION: anyone wanna leave the protest, head to Police Hospital or Wat Pratumwanaram and you'll receive assistance. #Ch3 ThaivisaNews: INN: As PM mentions curfew, #redshirts say they are not afraid and there will be an uprising if gov issues a it. /via @veen_NT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webfact Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 THE NATION: RT @freakingcat: MRT Khlong Toei all cc tVs destroyed, all street lights destroyed at Khlong Toei last night by gang on motorbikes ThaivisaNews: "Khlong Toei stage gets also fortified as trucks with tyres arriving constantly. Posters: 'Don't kill our people'" /via @freakingcat THE NATION: Chulalongkorn Hospital's special clinic after office hours and all surgery operations will also be suspended until further notice. ThaivisaNews: Redshirts taken away by ambulance who had inhaled too much smoke. /via @vaitor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webfact Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 THE NATION: Declared off-limits (totally) are Phetburi Rd from Rajthewi to Expressway and Phythai Rd from Rajthewi to Sam Yan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webfact Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 From Thaivisa Facebook: Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, Jaturon Chaisaeng, Thaksin's wife and kids already left the country. Is that some kind of indicator?!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webfact Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 THE NATION: CRES set to announce curfew on several areas this afternoon (via Neaw_NBC) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webfact Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 THE NATION: Chula Medical school will postpone the days for new students to sign contract to May 24-25. New school day has not been set. THE NATION: Thks for all weather report - looks like at least 80% or more of BKK will have rain pour, Onnuj/Rangnam/Bang Plad/Muang Thong started. THE NATION: @veen_NT: (12.09) One man was reportedly shot in head frm a highrise - Thai TV. Everyone's strongly advised 2 AVOID all sensitive areas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webfact Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 PM: Ending of rally deemed as best solution to ongoing political crisis BANGKOK (NNT) -- The termination of the anti-government rally was deemed as the best solution to resolving the ongoing political crises, according to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva stated during his weekly talk show, "Confidence in Thailand with PM Abhisit", that the reopening of the schools under the supervision of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) located near the protest venue of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) had been postponed to 24 May 2010 in the wake of the intensifying political unrest. PM Abhisit said the government's Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) was exploring additional security measures to effectively deal with the ongoing rally situation. He insisted that the ending of the protest was deemed as the concrete solution to prevent further losses as the ongoing anti-government rally was initially aimed at instigating violence and the armed militants infiltrated the anti-government group to attack security forces. He has instructed the general public to avoid the protest site as legal measures must be lodged against those broke the law and also urged the UDD key leaders under arrest warrants to enter the judicial process and return to the reconciliation table. He said all parties, also Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban or himself must comply with the rule of law. -- NNT 2010-05-16 [newsfooter][/newsfooter] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webfact Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 ThaivisaNews: AFP: Thailand's revered king is the "only hope" for an end to a wave of deadly violence in the capital, a top protest leader said Sunday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webfact Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 ThaivisaNews: rain has stopped here in Bangkok THE NATION: Even watching from yr balcony in clash areas is not safe, considering what happened to an ex-singer and his friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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