In this May 1, 2010 file photo, Thai Maj. Gen. Khattiya Sawasdiphol, left, also known as 'Seh Daeng', a rogue commander for the anti-government 'Red Shirts' gathers with others during a dispute over a barricade near Chulalongkorn Hospital. According to Thai media sources Khattiya, who was shot by an unknown sniper five days ago, died of his wounds on Monday, May 17, 2010. (AP Photo/David Longstreath, File)Monday, May 17, 2010
By CHRIS BLAKE
Associated Press
BANGKOK – A rogue Thai general who aided anti-government protesters and was shot by an unidentified sniper died Monday from his wounds, raising fears of new violence after five days of street battles that have killed 36 people in downtown Bangkok.
Thai news reports said that Maj. Gen. Khattiya Sawasdiphol, a renegade army officer accused of creating a paramilitary force for the Red Shirt protesters, died Monday of gunshot wounds. The death came five days after he was shot in the head by a sniper in downtown Bangkok while talking to journalists inside the perimeter of the protest zone.
Channel 9 television, Thai Rath newspaper and other media outlets reported Khattiya died in a hospital, where he was being treated since Thursday's attack.
The attack on Khattiya triggered widespread street fighting between anti-government protesters and the army in central Bangkok.
The Red Shirts have been protesting since mid-March demanding the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, the dissolution of Parliament and new elections.
Anti-government unrest that has boiled over in downtown Bangkok spread Sunday to other areas of the capital. The Thai military has defended its use of force, and the government flatly rejected protesters' demands that the United Nations intercede to end the chaos.
Rapid gunfire and explosions echoed before dawn Monday outside luxury hotels bordering the barricaded protest zone, where the military has attempted to seal in thousands of demonstrators camping in the downtown streets. Guests at the upscale Dusit Thani hotel were rushed to the basement for safety.
Reporters at the scene said the gunfire came both from government forces and protesters holed up inside the encampment who appear to have stockpiled a sizeable arsenal of weapons.
Thai news reports said that Maj. Gen. Khattiya Sawasdiphol, a renegade army officer accused of creating a paramilitary force for the Red Shirt protesters, died Monday of gunshot wounds. The death came five days after he was shot in the head by a sniper in downtown Bangkok while talking to journalists inside the perimeter of the protest zone.
Channel 9 television, Thai Rath newspaper and other media outlets reported Khattiya died in a hospital, where he was being treated since Thursday's attack.
The attack on Khattiya triggered widespread street fighting between anti-government protesters and the army in central Bangkok.
The Red Shirts have been protesting since mid-March demanding the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, the dissolution of Parliament and new elections.
Anti-government unrest that has boiled over in downtown Bangkok spread Sunday to other areas of the capital. The Thai military has defended its use of force, and the government flatly rejected protesters' demands that the United Nations intercede to end the chaos.
Rapid gunfire and explosions echoed before dawn Monday outside luxury hotels bordering the barricaded protest zone, where the military has attempted to seal in thousands of demonstrators camping in the downtown streets. Guests at the upscale Dusit Thani hotel were rushed to the basement for safety.
Reporters at the scene said the gunfire came both from government forces and protesters holed up inside the encampment who appear to have stockpiled a sizeable arsenal of weapons.
8 comments:
Finally, he dead..civil war has begun..
thai and siam soldiers robbed, tortured, and killed many Khmer refugees during 1975-1991 by shooting their victims in their limbs leaving some partially lifeless before dying. them scumtrash thai/siam crooks will get what they deserve as karma gradually takes effect on their country and people with crook's mentality. they sold their soul to the devil for teaching in their school text books wrongfully claiming Khmer ancient temples, land, artifacts, tradition, and culture etc.
What can the United States do to support Thailand—and what are other international partners doing?
A3: Thailand is the oldest treaty ally of the United States in Asia. The United States and Thailand are very close in terms of trade and investment, security cooperation, and people-to-people ties, and they are close partners on transnational issues such as humanitarian assistance and disaster response, drug interdiction, and nonproliferation.
Accordingly, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell visited Bangkok last week taking the opportunity to meet with all key actors and encourage resolution of the dispute and steps toward reconciliation. He also spoke about America’s strong support for the Thai people, reassuring friends that the United States cares deeply about them and wants to help.
On May 9, Campbell met with Red Shirt leaders—Jaturon Chaisaeng and Noppadon Pattama—over breakfast. The government also had been invited but pulled out of the discussion at the last minute. It was later reported that the U.S. ambassador to Thailand, Eric John, was rebuked by Thai foreign minister Kasit Piromya over “Washington's perceived intervention in Thai domestic politics.” On the other side, Red Shirt activists have indicated that they believe the United States has been pro-government in its actions, such as following through with the annual “Cobra Gold” joint military exercises with the Thai.
This proves the point that it is very difficult for the United States, ASEAN, or any international partner to proactively try to mediate the conflict. It is likely that the U.S. government will continue to reach out to the Thai people and ensure they understand that the United States supports them at this time of crisis. Programs focused on health care, education, and other basic needs will be deeply appreciated.
The role of China is less clear. The Chinese government’s response to the situation in Thailand has been muted. As history shows, the Chinese got an enormous boost in bilateral relations with Thailand during the Asian financial crisis in 1998–2001. The U.S. response to that crisis was seen as aligned with the IMF’s perceived cold and unsympathetic prescriptions for harsh cutbacks and belt tightening, a gut blow as many Thais lost their jobs and life savings and had to pull their children out of school. On the other hand, the Chinese, for the first time in modern history, brought financial aid to the table for the Thais and an “Asian values” mantra that hit the mark.
It is quite possible that the Chinese are once again seeking to find a diplomatic victory within a Thai tragedy. Clearly, the move toward open societies and democracy among Southeast Asian countries has not been perceived as a positive trend by Beijing. To have one of the region’s most high-profile democracies crash and burn, as Thailand is doing, could be used by China to demonstrate deficiencies in the democratic model of governance. What’s even more worrisome is the fact that if indeed Thai parties are lining up to grab power as they see a vacuum about to be created, brinksmanship and violence, along with divisions in society, politics, and even the military, are likely to remain for the near to mid-term. In such a zero-sum environment, if parties collide and fight for control, stability may come only from a military solution.
Would it be in China’s interest to promote a strong player that could consolidate power in such a scenario? Chinese actions in Burma and Cambodia certainly don’t argue otherwise.
"The Red Shirts, many who hail from the impoverished north and northeast, say Abhisit's coalition government came to power through manipulation of the courts and the backing of the powerful military, and that it symbolizes a national elite indifferent to their plight." http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/as_thailand_politics
=This is the issue of the neglected underclass of people who had been robbed for generation out of economic progress, good education, good job, and a decent healthcare...To think that Thailand is a democratic country is a foolish thinking and it is obvious that majority of Thai people are not participating in the so called democratic process that is why majority of them are left out while the few elite enjoy themselves in higher standard of living and going to good school such as AH ABIHSIT who graduated from Oxford and now all these Thai elite bastards want to tell what is good for the poor Thai?
AH ABISHIT ILLEGAL GOVERNMENT CAN GO TO HELL!
it is time for thais to bite each other, no longer for khmers from now on.Long live kingdom of Angkor.
USA and Thai longest trade and ally just because for Thai pussy only.
The end of Thai-American King glory.
Abhisit does exactely like Hun Sen did in 1997. They should be friends because they both destroyed opponent to win election.
Post a Comment