Thai troops have broken through protest barricades in Bangkok as he army launched a long-planned clearance operation against opposition demonstrations in the city centre.
19 May 2010
By Damien McElroy and Ian MacKinnon in Bankok
The Telegraph (UK)
Heavy gunfire and explosions were heard across the city as armoured personnel carriers stormed the tyre and bamboo barricades. Troops outflanked protestor positions by storming across Lumpini Park in central Bangkok.
Hundreds of protestors remained at the main Ratchaprasong demonstration site overnight despite a military build up. As the troops moved forward, armed men on the protest side returned fire with assault rifles.
Thai TV said that five people were wounded and ambulances were seen leaving the scene.
As troops closed in from several sides, checkpoints were set up to filter movement in and out of the area. Platoons also used the elevated rail line cutting through the area to advance on the demonstrators and water cannons targeted staged positions.
Under a banner proclaiming "Peaceful Protestors not terrorists" the remaining protestors, including a few hundred women and children, vowed not to leave.
From the north there was heavy gunfire on Wireless Road in the vicinity of the British and American embassies. Resident of the area watched in horror from roof tops as the operation began.
Government officials said that the government and army chiefs gave the order to move only after determining that leaders were incapable to disperse the demonstrations even if negotiations were successful.
"The protest must end immediately and leaders must surrender and stop the violence," said chief negotiator Korbsak Sabhavasu. Mr Korbsak blamed former prime minister Thaksin Shinwatra for preventing compromise from exile.
A government spokesman warned people in affected areas to stay indoors as troops "narrowed down" the protest area. "We would like to reassure residents of Bangkok that operations are designed to stabilise Bangkok," said Panitan Wattanayagorn. "Thank you for your cooperation." "This is D-Day," said one soldier.
Thick black smoke from a mountain of burning tires darkened the skies, billowing over the skyscrapers of a city that has been wracked by violence that killed at least 39.
The demonstrators began the protest in mid-March, `demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, dissolution of Parliament and immediate elections.
They created an encampment in Bangkok's posh downtown Rajprasong district in April, surrounding themselves by a barricade of tires and bamboo spears, some of which appeared to be in flames.
"This is the last push. Looks like the government really wants to end it this time," said Senator Lertrat Rattanawanit, who had tried to mediate between the two sides. "They have laid out the steps, giving out deadlines for people to move out and all that. It's a pity that using force is inevitable."
Asked if losses could be prevented, he said: "It's impossible."
The protest site contains dozens of office buildings and condominiums, as well as two hospitals, including one right next to the main stage.
Using loudspeakers, authorities told women and children to leave the protest site, the state-owned NBT television network reported today.
Since 1946, when King Bhumibol Adulyadej took the Thai throne as an 18-year-old, Thailand has seen nine coups and more than 20 prime ministers. Only two of 17 constitutions since absolute monarchy ended in 1932 have mandated parliaments that are entirely elected. The king, who is revered across the nation, has been in hospital since Sept. 19 and hasn't spoken publicly about the current demonstrations.
Mr Abhisit himself has never won a national election: He was picked by legislators in December 2008 after a court dissolved the pro-Thaksin ruling party for election fraud. The decision coincided with the seizure of Bangkok's airports by protesters wearing yellow shirts who oppose Mr Thaksin.
19 May 2010
By Damien McElroy and Ian MacKinnon in Bankok
The Telegraph (UK)
Heavy gunfire and explosions were heard across the city as armoured personnel carriers stormed the tyre and bamboo barricades. Troops outflanked protestor positions by storming across Lumpini Park in central Bangkok.
Hundreds of protestors remained at the main Ratchaprasong demonstration site overnight despite a military build up. As the troops moved forward, armed men on the protest side returned fire with assault rifles.
Thai TV said that five people were wounded and ambulances were seen leaving the scene.
As troops closed in from several sides, checkpoints were set up to filter movement in and out of the area. Platoons also used the elevated rail line cutting through the area to advance on the demonstrators and water cannons targeted staged positions.
Under a banner proclaiming "Peaceful Protestors not terrorists" the remaining protestors, including a few hundred women and children, vowed not to leave.
From the north there was heavy gunfire on Wireless Road in the vicinity of the British and American embassies. Resident of the area watched in horror from roof tops as the operation began.
Government officials said that the government and army chiefs gave the order to move only after determining that leaders were incapable to disperse the demonstrations even if negotiations were successful.
"The protest must end immediately and leaders must surrender and stop the violence," said chief negotiator Korbsak Sabhavasu. Mr Korbsak blamed former prime minister Thaksin Shinwatra for preventing compromise from exile.
A government spokesman warned people in affected areas to stay indoors as troops "narrowed down" the protest area. "We would like to reassure residents of Bangkok that operations are designed to stabilise Bangkok," said Panitan Wattanayagorn. "Thank you for your cooperation." "This is D-Day," said one soldier.
Thick black smoke from a mountain of burning tires darkened the skies, billowing over the skyscrapers of a city that has been wracked by violence that killed at least 39.
The demonstrators began the protest in mid-March, `demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, dissolution of Parliament and immediate elections.
They created an encampment in Bangkok's posh downtown Rajprasong district in April, surrounding themselves by a barricade of tires and bamboo spears, some of which appeared to be in flames.
"This is the last push. Looks like the government really wants to end it this time," said Senator Lertrat Rattanawanit, who had tried to mediate between the two sides. "They have laid out the steps, giving out deadlines for people to move out and all that. It's a pity that using force is inevitable."
Asked if losses could be prevented, he said: "It's impossible."
The protest site contains dozens of office buildings and condominiums, as well as two hospitals, including one right next to the main stage.
Using loudspeakers, authorities told women and children to leave the protest site, the state-owned NBT television network reported today.
Since 1946, when King Bhumibol Adulyadej took the Thai throne as an 18-year-old, Thailand has seen nine coups and more than 20 prime ministers. Only two of 17 constitutions since absolute monarchy ended in 1932 have mandated parliaments that are entirely elected. The king, who is revered across the nation, has been in hospital since Sept. 19 and hasn't spoken publicly about the current demonstrations.
Mr Abhisit himself has never won a national election: He was picked by legislators in December 2008 after a court dissolved the pro-Thaksin ruling party for election fraud. The decision coincided with the seizure of Bangkok's airports by protesters wearing yellow shirts who oppose Mr Thaksin.
5 comments:
Dear Thais!!
We are Khmer really sad to see you that!! but I think this is your sin or result of your descrimination and look up and down to low class people so Civil war or class war will be happen if you don't change your behavior
Abhisit clearly and strongly has been supported by the Monarchic institution and the yellow-shirt movement. He was not demoractically elected, but through the game of constitutional administration court decision to dissolve the pro-Thaksin's PPP party. From this point, he started become the Thai PM and also created a lot of political conflicts within Thai society.
Abhisit is so stubborn beacuse he is being supported by the said institution. He must resign and dissolve the house to give a really fresh election to all parties.
Altogether pray for thailand a peace. peace in thailand peace in the world.
I don't know why everyone seems to put the blame on Abhi-Shit? It's NOT Abhi-Shit government......you all should call "the Monarchic and the Military Government".
Phnom Penhean
Everybody knows that Thai real nature is thief, today, Thai king proves it, Thailand is run by a dictator, the Thai king, he should be abolished.
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