Posted on 04/13/2009 12:37:18 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
Thailand’s political crisis descended into chaos on Monday as anti-government protesters and the military fought dramatic battles on the streets of Bangkok that left at least two dead and almost 100 injured.
The government on Monday night claimed to have regained control of the Thai capital’s streets. But some 4,000 protesters remained around the prime minister’s office in central Bangkok, surrounded by security forces.
Abhisit Vejjajiva, the prime minister, who declared a state of emergency in Bangkok and surrounding areas on Sunday, said in a nationally televised address that the military had been using as little force as possible.
“All the work I am doing is not to create fear or put pressure or to harm any group of people. It’s a step-by-step process to restore order and stop violence,” he said.
But protesters, who have been calling for Mr Abhisit’s resignation, said they were worried about what the security forces would do to move them off the streets after a day in which troops were accused of firing live rounds into crowds throwing rocks and firebombs.
“We are so afraid. We think they are going to come in and clear us out with bullets,” said Somchit Likhittaworn, a university lecturer who was in the middle of the demonstration. She said she and her friends were frightened to leave because they had heard that gangs of government supporters were roving around outside the perimeter.
The scenes on the streets drew international calls for an end to the crisis.
The US State Department said Washington condemned the “unacceptable violence” of the protests. The European Union expressed “great concern”.
The EU’s Czech presidency called for “protesters to refrain from further violent action in the street”, which it said could only deepen tensions and harm the country’s stability.
The clashes came two days after red-shirted anti-government protesters forced the cancellation of a high-profile Asian summit in an embarrassment for the Oxford-educated Mr Abhisit, who took office in December.
Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s, which already have a negative outlook on Thailand’s sovereign ratings, said the renewed unrest increased the risk of a downgrade.
The street battles began after security forces moved to clear protesters from a big intersection in central Bangkok that they had blocked with burning tyres.
Dozens were injured. The authorities took control of the intersection, but the protesters moved into surrounding streets, from where they threw petrol bombs and taunted soldiers.
They also rigged a driverless bus to run into the lines of troops, but caused no casualties.
Soldiers responded by firing at the protesters. The authorities say they used blank ammunition but the protesters have insisted they were live rounds.
There were other clashes outside the foreign ministry, where the protesters burnt a bus.
Government and hospital authorities last night said two men had been killed during the protests, after being shot in clashes between demonstrators and local residents.
The government and emergency services said almost 100 people had been injured, including 23 soldiers.
Thailand?
I flew out of Bangkok on Saturday AM ater a week and a half in country...not a moment too soon either I guess.
How could they tell?
My reaction too.
It's time to restore democracy, even if Thaksin's party wins. Thaksin was a scoundrel, but I think he was legitimately elected by a majority.
Wow, they must miss you. Maybe you should get back there, for their sakes.
Really quite unfair...Bangkok has these rallys from time to time, as for the rest of the country there’s nothing at all like this going on...the rest of the country is busy celebrating the Thai New Year.
If you or loved ones are in Thailand, please read this dispatch for some general hints on how to get out of Thailand in the event the Bangkok airport is blockaded again.
I was joking. The typical video footage one sees on the news of SE Asian city streets and market-places make it seem that things are pretty chaotic (not necessarily a negative word, in my opinion) all the time.
Yep! Just like here in U.S. Leftist troublemakers are always drawn-to, and concentrated-in, the cesspools called "cities".
My best friend’s nephew is there now as a missionary. I hope he’ll be safe. Hopefully, YWAM is on top of the situation.
it is really time for the average Thai people to stop this stupid tit for tat foolishness .
Nobody knows what they want anymore , they only think about what they don’t want . Every one of them , red or yellow , are breaking many Buddhist precepts by behaving in these manners .
They can’t be satisfied , they are acting like spoiled children , lead by people with few morals and very corrupted outlooks .
I actually believe that Thailand would be better off under
another military government , until such time as the people settle down and get real. Until such time as some decent leaders step forward .
Even His Majesty , the enfeebled King has no power or much influence anymore . He is just being cynically used by
all parties who claim they have his nod. Her Majesty the Queen did not help matters by tacitly supporting the Yellows either . Was it because they wore the shirts with the Royalty’s own logo on them at first ? How shallow can they get ? The Crown prince offers no greater wisdom or vision either . This may be Thailand’s last King . Perhaps Phra Thep could bring some sensibility to matters ?
But for now , look for the Thai military to send all the loonies packing , real soon. And they will deserve what they get . They are bringing it on themselves.
Because??
Seems to me that a basic tenet of a news story is the 'Why'?
Phuket.
My comment as to not a moment too soon had to do with the fact that taxi drivers support the protesters and often go on strike when these rallies occur. Being 40 minutes away from the airport at a hotel and having no other way to get there may have made things quite difficult
Sorry but maybe I'm reading your reply wrong? It comes off as condescending.
It was amusing as my Mom kept emailing asking if I was stuck in the “riots” the picture of in country versus media images were quite different.
That was one weird song that shot to the top of the charts. I remember Rick Dees wondering if the “head down over your pieces” bit was about homosexuals. Evidently he didn’t really listen to the lyrics.
Did Benny and Bjorn write the lyrics to that ditty or just the music?
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