The RED SHIRT Crisis in Bangkok!

[Snick]

The fighting has affected most of my favorite places. Siam paragon b4. Now nana cowboy patpong and fortune town. Plus the subway and skytrain closed.

I am safe where I live. But why would I want to stay when there is nothing to do. And things might get worse.

If u are travelling to Thailand go to Pattaya Phuket etc.
Airport is unaffected and likely to stay that way.

[TTChang]

(Bumpa STIKKA @ May 15 2010,05:40) I'm staying indoors where it's safe!

I knew you'd find a pathetic excuse to avoid Guess Bar tonight  

[TTChang]

THIS IS THAILAND ..... 3 TIT examples
1) "The situation is under control and has been resolved in many spots but the military operation will continue because there are many thing to do to restore normality," government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said today.

2) ".....  in better news for Phuket, TTR Weekly reports that Thailand's major travel associations are confident the Thailand Travel Mart can go ahead as scheduled, despite the extended state of emergency.  The show is scheduled for June 2-4, at Bangkok's Muang Thong Thani, with an anticipated turnout of 355 international buyers"

3).  "Thailand has won a seat on the Human Rights Council, which can give the country confidence in its human rights policies despite the ongoing political tensions.
Vimon Kidchob, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, said  "The result demonstrates the confidence that the international community has in our human rights policies amid the political tension for which the government is trying its utmost to find a solution through peaceful means"

At least there is one element of truth in the first statement.  Army reluctance to get involved early on now means a complete breakdown. Any end game will be very ugly. So much for the Democrat Govt being supported by the Army. Abhisit wont last long in power now IMO

[rxpharm]

A speculative analysis on my part:

I think that the army is looking to battle the armed group of the Red Shirt protesters. The current battles outside the main demonstration area involve mostly the armed "red shirt guards" and the "black shirt ninjas" as M79 grenades, guns and automatic weapons are involved.

I don't think they will move on the main demonstration area where there are still large numbers of women and children, and the strategy remains to force them out by blockade of food, water and reinforcements.

Reading some of the news flashes from The Nation - there are reports of fighting between the military and armed groups of black clothed men in the Bon Kai area.

I think the the armed group are attempting a break out to escape following the sniper attack on their commander Seh Daeng. Now leaderless they know it is a matter of time before they are captured if they remain in the main demonstration area.

I am filled with sadness that such mayhem is happening and pray that it will end soon. I also hope that the worse case scenario of civil war doesn't happen.

[f0xxee]

Hi RX,
I just don't see the Civil War scenario playing out. There is not enough support except for the North E and North. Even that has been subdued since the Reds foolish occupation of the hospital and barricade of the same, and the renege on the Roadmap deal. I think the end game will be ugly, and that the RS leaders should evacuate the women and tykes now rather than use them as shields. I dont see a lot of respect for the reds down my way, and I belive they have shown themselves to be without a plan fo thier own or any particular goal after the disolution of the parliment.

[Torurot]

Army: Part of central Bangkok is 'live fire zone'
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100515/...iland_politics
2 mins ago

BANGKOK €“ The Thai army has designated an area in central Bangkok as a "live firing zone" in a warning to protesters and local residents.

Soldiers unrolled razor wire across roads leading to the Ratchaprarop area Saturday and pinned Thai and English-language notices saying "Live Firing Zone" and "Restricted Area. No Entry."

The signs indicate soldiers may shoot protesters still hiding there.

Ratchaprarop is a mostly commercial area with high-rise buildings, hotels, and shops. It was the scene of some of the worst fighting Friday night between troops and Red Shirt anti-government protesters.

Explosions and street fighting have killed 16 people and wounded nearly 160 since Thursday in central Bangkok.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
___

Associated Press writers Thanyarat Doksone, Vijay Joshi, Chris Blake, Grant Peck and Jocelyn Gecker contributed to this report. Additional research by Warangkana Tempati.

[Snick]

We are all guessing
The biggest question is how much support do the redshirts have
I am hearing reports of both current red shirt supporters disgusted with their behavior and insincere attempts to reach a deal; and reports of people galvanized by the attacks on the reds (even though reds initiated it).

Time will only tell which trend wins out.

[manarak]

the whole thing is just heartbreaking.

I hate Thaksin for staging this tragedy.

Most reds have been manipulated into believing they fight for democracy.


Numbers wise, I am still a somewhat appeased by the thought that there are only about 500 armed reds and 3000 protesters who aren't elderly or children.
If the reds had wide support from the population, even if this was only in the northeast, they would be blockading every major city there, and probably Chiang Mai as well.
But it is apparently very clear that they haven't got the support/manpower to do so. That's the bright side of this situation.

[BlueBallz]

There is a good reason for the reporters wearing flak jackets and helmets!! The shit is flying around trust me. I am spending a lot of time inside "the exclusion" zone. Close to Ratchaprasong area as I have a place near Panthip. Went out today to meet a friend for lunch near Asoke and we what normally is about a 5 km trip turned out to be a 20km see all of Bangkoks Tollways extraveganza!!!

One of the mannned chokepoints is right by the Ratchetewi BTS Station and we were fortunatre that they let our taxi thru to our condo as we had a fair bit of shopping while we were out. Provisions running low......thank goodness the 7 11 down on Petchburi is still open!!!

I can tell you last night there were about 3 HUGE explosions right down the street last night. A couple of minutes later we heard the crackling of semi automatic gunfire. The govts statement have been, largely, full of shit. The govt is ratcheting up the pressure and its gonna end in bloodshed-especially since the generals shooting. I dont know how that guy is alive BTW.

Lets see what fun and games they have in store for tonight. By the way, Asoke felt like it was a totally different city. The "war zone" is concentrated. Most working class here support the Reds and HATE HATE HATE the current PM!!!

I am supposed to go back to new york on Monday. i very well might have to spend the night in a hotel somewhere else outside the "exclusion zone" as I dont see how I will be able to get a cab the way thigns are now. Even at this time of day, there is NO traffic on Petchburi outside Panthip. If you know ANYTHING about this area, you will know how bad the traffic is normally in the hood!!!

Now more than ever- BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!!!

[PigDogg]

  That's what I call on the ground reporting!!!!    

Tonight (Saturday) is the logical night for the shit to hit the fan.

[guydesavoy]

Thanks for the update BB. I trust you will get out safely and on time

[Snick]

RedShirt with a grenade launcher
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hmSPbugDAA

[pacman]

I have just watched the TV news & saw the latest scenes of the situation being presented to the world.

The reporter wore a helmet & flak jacket & the images of armed soldiers firing live ammunition will ensure there will be very few tourists visiting LOS anytime soon.

Dead bodies laying in pools of blood, people fleeing in terror, empty streets behind enormous barricades, soldiers armed with heavy artillery.... it looks like a Rambo movie but as a holiday destination... forget about it.

Trust those Thais to destroy their own tourist industry.

[Snick]

Tourist industry ?...what tourist industry.

Thailand has been shooting themselves in the foot over tourism for years, this week they switched to full auto.

[Snick]

PM was just on TV. The english summary is that they will disperse the reds at their main site. Period. No more negotiations.
This is an armed rebellion aimed at overthrowing the state, not a peaceful protest.