No End in Sight - Some Personal Thoughts
Democracy Monument draped in red cloth (Picture courtesy of @Ohochita)
I was glued to my computer, scrambling through websites, Twitter messages and live streams, trying to get the latest updates on what is happening in Bangkok at the very moment. Reports of violent clashes, gunshots and absolute chaos were spreading from the capital. Next to my desk was the television set to the news channels, either struggling to give a clear overview of what is going on or (in case of German TV news) just blubbering sheer nonsense. To see this all unfolding from a very far distance in an office chair in Germany was utterly frustrating. This was in April 2009 during the Songkran riots.
Fast-forward to April 2010, same chair, same emotions.
Both sides, government forces and red shirt protesters, were showing hardly any sign of giving in. In fact, defiance on both sides was growing more and more each day. With each successful action of the red shirts, such as the storming on the parliament compound or at the satellite TV station, their confidence grew. In the beginning though it appeared the government had the upper hand, with their non-violence tactic catching the red shirt leaders off guard and thus leading them to pointless ad-hoc stunts (like the now infamous symbolic blood spilling). But with each day the red shirts were roaming and occupying the streets of Bangkok, the government was pushed with its back against the wall more and more.
All the more vigorous were the violent clashes on Saturday, killing 21 people and injuring over 850. There is no other way to describe the crackdown as a catastrophic failure. It was a chaotic mess, with soldiers and red shirts fighting each other, a mysterious 'third force' also contributing to the casualties and reporters, civilians and tourists caught in the crossfire - this was worse than last year! Last Saturday marks yet another dark moment in the recent history of this country.
What many like to neglect is that the red shirt movement is now more than just a proxy mob of Thaksin, not just a tool of anyone to overthrow the current government. It is a true unavoidable force in Thai politics with legitimate claims, with a sound political consciousness that is now haunting the political elites and bureaucrats for failing to recognize the sign of times. The problems cannot be solely linked back to Thaksin (as he is trying to promote himself as the beacon of freedom and democracy, while there is no doubt that he is not) - it is a collective failure!
When the situation was calming down in Bangkok and the first moments for me to cool down from the hours of constant information bombardment came by, I had not the feeling of horror or shock, but sheer frustration. Frustration about the inevitable fallout, about the at times idiotic coverage (or even the lack thereof) by some 'news programs' again, about the helplessness over the situation, but mostly about that we are not back to the status quo of four weeks ago - we are now even further away from it!
Both sides are even more defiant than before, even less unwilling to give in, even less likely are the chances for any peaceful, non-violent and political way to end this stalemate. To see Thailand going backwards each day with no end in sight is just discouraging - the distance from where I'm witness this happening does not make a difference anymore, it is equally frustrating.
Note: This commentary was written shortly during the aftermath of the violent clashes, which explains the more emotional tone of this article. That are, after all, my personal thoughts.
The Crackdown Has Begun UPDATE 21 killed, 858 injured
After a whole month of protests, it appears that the government is cracking down on the red shirts. The situation is currently very hard to overlook from here with many unconfirmed and unvetted information coming in. Nearly all TV channels in Thailand are in news blackout mode as they are airing the usual fluffy nonsense instead of live pictures from the scene.
So far, no serious injuries or casualties has been reported. There are several hot spots around Bangkok. The army has been using rubber bullets and also fired warning shots in the air. BTS Skytrain has suspended it's service.
To keep up with latest, Bangkok Pundit has a live blog, New Mandala has an open thread, Nick Koleszar of media140 has posted links to livestreams of Thai TV news.
I will try to update live on Twitter (@Saksith) as the events are unfolding.
UPDATE (Sunday, 2.00 PM CEST):
The Nation has reported that the number of deaths and injured has risen to 21 and 858 respectively.
UPDATE 7 (10.30 PM CEST): My last update for today. Stay safe out there!
Cover of The Nation, April 11, 2010
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL0s7ADT11A&playnext_from=TL&videos=nVPKhzE_I10&w=600&h=360]Video by Associated Press
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIR6XqQWz_M&feature=channel&w=600&h=360]Video by Al Jazeera English
The Nation has the most recent numbers of deaths and injured. Be also sure to read the whole article for details.
Eleven people were reported to have died and 678 injured from clashes between security forces and red-shirt demonstrators in different parts of the capital, National Emergency Centre's director Phetpong Kamchornkijakarn said late last night.
He said of the casualties, nine were civilians and two were soldiers. Of the civilians killed, eight were red-shirt protesters, while the ninth was a Japanese man who worked as a photographer for Thomson-Reuters.
"11 dead, 678 injured in Bangkok clashes", The Nation, April 11, 2010
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva last night expressed sorrow for the deaths following clashes between soldiers and protesters.
In his speech broadcast at 11.25 pm, Abhisit said he and his government still have the duty to ease the situation and restore peace in the country. "I promise the government will carry out [the task] with transparency, fairly and in a way that benefits the country and the people," he said. (...)
He said there must be independent investigation to be conducted by experts to determine the causes of deaths. "Both sides should not accuse each other of causing the losses."
"PM mourns loss of lives", The Nation, April 11, 2010
UPDATE 6 (5.30 PM CEST):
Four civilians and four soldiers were killed in clashes between the army and red shirt protesters, the Bangkok deputy governor said on Saturday without giving details.
Deputy governor of Bangkok Malinee Sukavrejworakit also said 242 people were wounded.
"Thai "red shirt" clashes kill eight - Bangkok governor", Reuters, April 10, 2010
UPDATE 5 (4.40 PM CEST):
The first casualties are being reported on both sides. Emergency medical services 5 are being reportedly killed and 300 injured The red shirts at the Rajprasong stage have shown bodies wrapped in Thai flag.
Additionally the red shirt leaders have reported that a Japanese Reuters reporter named Huroyuki Muramoto has been killed with a shot wound to the stomach.
Both army and red shirts have retreated from the Kok Wua intersection, as it is reported secretary-general Korbsak Sabhavasu will try to contact the red shirt leaders for negotiating talks.
UPDATE 4 (3.55 PM CEST):
The situation at Kok Wua intersection near Khao San Road is seriously deteriorating by the minute as we speak. TV pictures show massive riots, smoke and fire. Injuries on both sides are being reported.
UPDATE 3 (3.05 PM CEST):
Al Jazeera English reports that clashes have reignited as red shirts have hurled petrol bombs at police and military forces. Other reports suggest that it is at Kok Woa intersection. Also, the area near the famous Khao San Road was jammed packed with red shirts. Right now the police has blocked off Khao San Road as gunshots were heard around the area.
The large bulk of the red shirt protest are still at Rajaprasong Intersection. A Twitterer has captured a long line of red shirts queuing up for free food.
Meanwhile, the name of the injured foreign journalist is Vinai Dithajon, a photographer for ONASIA. AP Photographer Thanyarat Doksone (@babyfishie on Twitter) has talked to him and "He's safe. The 'bullet' has been removed from his calf." Reports are conflicting wether the bullet is real one or 'just' a rubber bullet.
UPDATE 2 (2.10 PM CEST):
The situation appears to cool down at the moment as the security forces have backed off from the Ploen Chit area.
There were reports of helicopters throwing tear gas into the crowd of protestors around the area at Phan Fah and Rajadamnoen Road (see eyewitness picture from earlier below).
At least 135 people, including dozens of soldiers and police, were wounded in the violence near the Phan Fah bridge and Rajdumnoen Road, a red shirt base near government buildings and the regional U.N. headquarters.
(...) At least five people suffered gunshot wounds near Phan Fah bridge, including a freelance photographer shot in the stomach, hospital officials said. The injuries were believed to be from rubber bullets.
"Thai troops open fire, move in on "red shirts"", Reuters, April 10, 2010
About 600 Thai "red shirt" protesters broke into a local government office in the northeast city of Udon Thani, angry at a crackdown on their movement in the capital, local television said.
Earlier, hundreds of red shirts forced their way into the governor's office compound in the northern city of Chiang Mai.
In Udon Thani, the protesters broke through the gates, cut barbed wire, removed barricades and entered the compound of the town hall, local television said.
The red shirts had vowed that they would besiege governors' offices in the provinces if there was a crackdown on their one-month-old protest in the capital for fresh elections. (...)
"Thai red shirts protest in second province", Reuters, April 10, 2010
UPDATE 1 (12.15 PM CEST):
Government spokesman Panitan and army spokesman Col. Sansern just finished addressing the public about the current situation. Col. Sansern said that the armed forces were only shooting into the air to disperse the crowd and two soldiers were injured.
A ThaiPBS reporter showed that their cars have been hit by a stray bullet.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwP8-YFPY1k&w=600&h=360]
There have been reports that a foreign, possibly American, reporter has been injured by a bullet. Pantip forums has a screenshot from PTV showing the man being treated.
Teargas at Khok Wua intersection. (Picture by @legalnomads)
Red Shirts Storm Satellite Station as Questions About Army's Loyalty Arise
(Picture by @SaiManasvee)
First it was taken off air, then back on, and now it is off air again.
Today's action saw yet another escalation in the increasing fierce anti-government protests of the red shirts as they stormed a television satellite compound in the North of Bangkok in order to get their television People's Channel back on air again.
People's Channel (PTV) was founded by former executives of the now disbanded Thai Rak Thai party of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, whose involvement and financial support is being regularly denied. This channel acts in the same way as a mouthpiece for the red shirt protesters as it does for the yellow shirts with their channel ASTV. Almost non-stop they are broadcasting the happenings on the rally stages and were also very quick to show the events surrounding the actions unfolding, such as the bizarre blood stunt.
It was hardly surprising that under the state of emergency decree this channel was about to be taken off air, as much hardly surprising as the red shirts were going to try to regain control at the aforementioned satellite. What was surprising though were the scenes on the ground as the protesters clashed with military and police.
Hurling rocks and Molotov cocktails, the protesters breached the barbed-wire perimeter of Thaicom Public Co. Ltd. within minutes, but did not enter the main building. As they moved into the compound, security forces threw tear gas canisters and fired water cannons but then quickly retreated into the main building as thousands of protesters swarmed around it. (...)
After the clash, some security forces were seen throwing down their shields and riot gear and shaking hands with the protesters. In recent weeks, police have frequently shown sympathy with the protesters and analysts say the security forces, especially the police, are split in their loyalties, making it difficult for the government to enforce its orders.
The Red Shirts offered water to soldiers and police, and showed reporters a small cache of weapons, including M-16 assault rifles, they had seized from soldiers.
''We've got the upper hand. But we no longer can claim we are peaceful,'' said Thep Jitra, one of the protesters. ''I suppose (those who broke into compound) have been emotionally repressed for so long. I'm sure this is such a release for them. This is payback time.''
"Thai Protesters Storm Into TV Station", Associated Press via The New York Times, April 9, 2010
The incidents today yet again poses the question about the (for a lack of a better term) loyalty of the security forces. As mentioned in the article above, there have been scenes of sympathy with the red shirts. While this is in conformity with the non-confrontational stance of the government towards them (and so far mostly that was the case), there are doubts about on which side the armed forces are now, especially since the enforcement of the state of emergency has still not occurred yet.
Warangkana Chomchuen of NBC News raises the issue of so-called 'watermelon soldiers' within the ranks of the army.
Ever since that incident [Black May 1992], handling government protesters of any ideological stripe with force has become sensitive and the army doesn’t want to be a villain.
But many believe the army remains active behind the scenes and that the relationship between the military and politicians is inseparable. Especially since politicians help advance soldiers’ careers, and cordial relations with the government help smooth the way for budget allocations and weapons purchases.
In recent weeks, however, the term "watermelon soldiers" has been used to describe troops who wear green uniforms, but are sympathetic to the Red Shirts.
"Whose Side is the Thai Military On?", Warangkana Chomchuen, NBC News, April 9, 2010
The term 'watermelon soldiers' has been also mentioned by one of the red shirt leaders (cannot remember which one) earlier this week just shortly after the state of emergency has been declared, saying that many high-ranking officers are indeed 'watermelon soldiers' and will try to avoid to disperse the protesters.
Meanwhile, PTV has been yanked off the air again, as the red shirts left to returned to Bangkok and the army moved back in again. The cat and mouse game continues.
Further reading:
- Siam Report: Red Shirts Move to Take Back PTV
- The Big Picture (Boston.com): Unrest in Thailand (outstanding photo gallery)
- CNN: Video: 'Red Shirt' protestors storm TV compound
Foreigners at the Red Shirt Protest
The Nation ran an article today asking a few (western) foreigners participating in the red shirt protests.
An American appeared on the stage yesterday, despite the government's enforcement of the emergency decree. (...)While on stage, he addressed the crowd in English, saying that the United States took a long time to establish democracy. "What you're doing is amazing and I hope you achieve it," he said.
"This is becoming a people's movement. The country has been divided in the last month and I am worried about the direction it is heading in," said Frank Klose, a German who has been living in Thailand for the past 20 years.
Klose, a resident of Bangkok and Ubon Ratchathani, added that it was his third time at the protests and he was hoping a dissolution of Parliament would help resolve the current chasm.
However, he admitted he was not too knowledgeable about Thai politics, and mainly came in support of his Thai wife, who is a strong activist.
A desire to see the dissolution of Parliament was shared by other foreigners present. (...)
"I am here to support freedom of speech, freedom of protest and corruption free elections. We should have a democracy without interference like in the US," added the dual American and Canadian citizen, who has been living in Bangkok for 15 years and asked to remain anonymous.
"Foreigners joining the rally", by PierLuc Gagnon, The Nation, April 9, 2010
Least to say that these soundbites do in no way represent the whole movement and it is probably impossible to pick out all westerners in the crowd. But I can see the red shirts trying to gain some credibility endorsement by the mere presence of western foreigners at the rally site (like with everything gains some prestige with a token farang standing at hand, right?) - it can't hurt.
In comparison The Irrawaddy has written back in early March that the government has warned Thai employers to bring migrant workers to the red shirt protest.
Thailand's Ministry of Labor warned Thai employers not to bring any migrant workers to join ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra's supporters, who are scheduled to launch a major anti-government protest in Bangkok this weekend.
The warning was made by Phaitoon Kaewthong, Thailand's minister of labor, after reports circulated suggesting that Thaksin supporters known as Redshirts will bring laborers including foreign migrant workers to join the Redshirt protest, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Labor on Monday.
In a written statement sent to The Irrawaddy on Monday, Andy Hall, director of the Bangkok-based Human Rights and Development Foundation's migrant justice program said: “If migrants were to attend this red-shirt rally, it would surely be because they were forced to attend by their employers, as we saw with the previous red and yellow shirt rallies in Thailand.”
“If it is not enough to exploit migrants economically and physically, now they are being exploited politically by both sides of the political conflict,” said Hall.
"No Migrants at Redshirt Rally", by Saw Yan Naing, The Irrawaddy, March 8, 2010
Bangkok Pundit has blogged about this issue as well, where migrant workers and their Thai employers were threatened with hefty fines, and already back in November 2009, citing deputy prime minister Suthep Thuagsuban's rationale on why foreigners should not protest with the red shirts.
Well, so says Deputy Prime Minister Suthep in an interview with Matichon which BP has summarized below:
Suthep stated that there were reports of others being brought in to protest against Abhisit on his trip to Chiang Mai on November 28. Suthep warns the protest letters not to allow others who are not Thais to protest because it is not possible to communicate with such people* (อย่าปล่อยให้กลุ่มผู้ชุมนุมที่ไม่ใช่คนไทยมาร่วมชุมนุม เพราะพูดกันไม่รู้เรื่อง) and they cannot be controlled (และไม่สามารถควบคุมได้). They may also create problems (คนพวกนี้อาจจะเข้ามาสร้างปัญหา).
Suthep also wanted to pass a message onto non-Thais that peaceful protests under the constitution was limited to Thais only. Therefore, if a foreigner protests, they have broken the law.
*edited this slightly.
"Non-Thais to protest with the reds", Bangkok Pundit, November 23, 2009
Suthep definitely had Burmese, Lao, Cambodian or any other Asian migrant workers in mind when telling foreigners not to meddle with Thai politics (since we can take care of ourselves very well, right?). So what about the farang red shirts? Is it also hard to communicate with them? And do these regulations apply to them and legal actions will be taken against them as well?
Further reading:
Political Websites Blocked / News Summary for Thursday
Let's get one thing out of the way first: there has been not crackdown or any violence yet! Even though the situation is so far the same, more than ever there has been a state of uncertainty. Under the state of emergency decree the government has blocked 36 political websites, mostly supportive to the red shirts. Among the blocked sites is also Prachatai (it has now changed it's domain from com to net and it appears to work). Needless to say, there have been negative reactions. Also banned is the red shirt's own television station. The legal basis for this crackdown is this passage from the state of emergency decree:
2. Prohibit the release of news, distribution or dissemination of newspapers, publications or any means of communications containing content which may cause fear amongst the public or is intended to distort information leading to misunderstanding of the emergency situation to the extent of affecting the security of the state or public order or the good morals of the people throughout the Kingdom;
"State of emergency declared in Bangkok UPDATE Additional regulations censorship and ban on political gatherings", Bangkok Pundit, April 8, 2010
The other major developments so far are: Prime minister Abhisit Veijajiva has cancelled his trip to the ASEAN summit in Han Noi, an arrest warrant against the red shirt leaders (including Arisman) who let the situation at the parliament escalate under their watch, and by the time of writing this blog post the red shirts will march again on Friday, but it is not known where.
Also as a side note.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has cancelled all of its Songkran activities in the wake of intensifying redshirt rallies and the state of emergency.
"BMA cancels all its Songkran events", The Nation, April 9, 2010
(Caution: Sarcasm!) Great! First the take away the malls, now another songkran is ruined! Thank you red shirts!
Further reading:
- Nirmal Ghosh (The Straits Times): Defiance at Red Rally
- Newley Purnell for CNNGo: State of emergency: What life is really like in Bangkok (good for visitors!)
- Richard Barrow: Is Bangkok Really Dangerous? (essential information for tourists)
- Patrick Winn (Global Post): Emergency in Bangkok's Gucci District
State of emergency declared in Bangkok as red shirts stormed parliament compound
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDv1jZnA9Qo&playnext_from=TL&videos=kUWoSM_cuI8&w=600&h=360]Prime minister Abhisit Veijajiva declaring state of emergency. Video by ThaiTVNews.blogspot.com The anti-government protests by the red shirts are now in a critical phase as the government of prime minister Abhisit Veijajiva declared a state of emergency today. This marks so far the most significant escalation in a series of incidents in the past few days where the red shirt have increased the pressure on the government to dissolve parliament.
Earlier today a group of thousands red shirts went to parliament today and were pushing at the gates. Moments later, the gates were flung open and a group of them stormed onto the compound. Nirmal Ghosh described what set off the protestors to storm the parliament:
Apparently two "bombs" which may have been teargas canisters, were lobbed into the Red Shirt crowd, or just found in the crowd. Neither of them exploded.
But the crowd became angry and egged on by Arisman Pongruengrong, managed to barge through the gate, scuffling past outnumbered police who re-formed just outside the entrance to the main building. Some opposition Puea Thai MPs then came out and asked the Red Shirts to leave, and there was some argument.
"High Noon at Thai Parliament", by Nirmal Ghosh, The Straits Times, April 7, 2010
The "bombs" Nirmal mentioned were supposed to be tear gears canisters. A Matichon reporter asked the police about the claims:
ช่วงเวลาเดียวกันกับที่กลุ่มผู้ชุมนุมได้ทลายประตูเหล็กเพื่อบุกมายังรัฐสภา จนทำให้เจ้าหน้าที่ตำรวจหลายนายล้มระเนระนาด ทำให้กระป๋องแก๊สน้ำตาหล่นออกจากขากางเกง เป็นเหตุให้กลุ่มผู้ชุมนุมหยิบกระป๋องแก๊สน้ำตาไปให้นายอริสมันต์บนเวทีปราศรัยทันที โดยแก๊สน้ำตาทั้ง 2 กระป๋องยังไม่ได้ใช้งาน เห็นได้จากสลักยังไม่ดึงออก
At the same moment when the protestors were trying to slam open the metal gates to the compound, many police officers were knocked to the ground, causing the tear gas canisters to fall off their pants. The protestors then grabbed them and showed it to Mr. Arisman on the (mobile) stage. The two gas canisters were not set off yet, as the rings on it were not pulled yet.
"ลำดับเหตุการณ์ นาทีต่อนาที "เสื้อแดง" บุกรัฐสภา "สุเทพ" ตะกาย ฮ.หนี นปช.ใกล้ถึงตัว "ชวน"", Matichon, 7 April, 2010
While the reds were storming the ground of the parliament, MPs had to abort a session and flee to safety by climbing over fences, like deputy prime minister Suthep Thuagsuban, and were airlifted out of the compound. Matichon reports that he was accompanied by fellow MPs, one of them armed.
The leader of this group of red shirts today, former singer Arisman Pongruengrong, is well-known to be one of the more outspoken and radical figures in the movement. He was same leader of a group that rallied and eventually stormed the building of the Electoral Commission last weekend and was also involved in the red shirts' ambush on the ASEAN summit in Pattaya almost exactly one year ago - what happened then should still be on everybody's mind.
And like during the incident during the weekend, there were reports of fake reds stirring up trouble.
There were reportedly some agents provocateurs among the demonstrators. Some people wearing Red Shirts were relieved of pistols and bullets by the protesters’ own security teams. They were then handed over to police.
One of the Red Shirts' security personnel – a former policeman – was angry: "We found these weapons on people who were wearing red shirts but who don’t belong to us. So we want to know who they belong to and how did they end up on the parliament grounds? Someone is trying to shed a bad light on the Red Shirts and to incite violence."
"Thai prime minister declares state of emergency in Bangkok", Deutsche Welle, April 7, 2010
This escalation probably broke the camel's back as this happened then later in the evening:
Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has declared a state of emergency in Bangkok amid escalating anti-government protests.
In a televised address, Mr Abhisit said the move - which gives sweeping new powers to the security forces to tackle protesters - would help restore order.
(...) This is the fourth state of emergency in the capital since 2008.
"Thailand PM declares state of emergency in Bangkok", BBC News, April 7, 2010
Mr Abhisit said a centre for solving the emergency situation had been set up, with Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is in charge of security affairs, as director. The centre is empowered to take action under the emergency law and enforce various orders issued under the law.
"State of emergency declared", Bangkok Post, April 7, 2010
Bangkok Pundit has a very thorough analysis of the emergency decree and what the government can and cannot do.
The situation is yet again very tense as the government, stunned by today's actions, has turned up the heat on the protesters, a sign that their patience of diplomatic and careful handling of the red shirts is wearing thinner and thinner. The red shirts themselves showed shortly after the announcement no sign of dispersing and vowed to stay defiant. Even though a state of emergency is now declared, it is still an open question about how it will be enforced. Surely nobody wants a repeat of the Songkran riots of last year. So this also puts the spotlight on what the army will do. There are unconfirmed hints that they, with the coalition partners of the government, will abandon Abhisit.
Further reading:
- The Nation: Abhisit govt needs to be extremely careful
- Bangkok Post: Red shirts are going too far
- Al Jazeera English: Video: Bangkok placed under emergency
Red Shirts Paralyze Central Bangkok, Malls Closed
Picture of #redshirts in front of Central World looking south to the stage/intersection (Courtesy of Richard Barrow)
This is (yet) a(nother) make-or-break situation for the anti-government protests by the red shirts as they roamed the streets of Bangkok yet again at the beginning of their fourth week (and since we already have April, it makes the wordplay 'Red March' redundant). On Saturday tens of thousands have gathered and are now blocking the area around Rajprasong Intersection, a large commercial district in central Bangkok with the largest shopping malls (Central World, Siam Paragon, Siam Center, Siam Discovery, MBK, Central Chidlom etc.). Most of these malls have closed now and looking at the pictures coming out of there, the roads are now a sea of reds.
(Pictures courtesy of Richard Barrow)
One notable incident today was an 18-year old boy running his Porsche into a few parked red shirt motorcycles. AP has pointed out this interesting bit:
Police, who found a handgun in the car, later identified the driver as Thanat Thanakitamnuay, grandson of prominent businessman and former Deputy Prime Minister Amnuay Viravan.
"This is just what's wrong with this country. A rich man can drive into protesters and get away," said Sakda, a factory worker from suburban Bangkok. He declined to give his full name.
"Thai protesters occupy capital's commercial center", Associated Press via Washington Post, April 3, 2010
The quote is hardly surprising and the symbolism of this incident is also very obvious. As for the brat who has driven the Porsche, I predict that daddy will sort everything out for him. Shame for the car, though.
Meanwhile, the red shirts have vowed to stay overnight at the Rajprasong Intersection despite the government saying they have gone "too far" with the most recent blockade and also imposing a deadline for the protestors to leave at 9 PM Bangkok time. As of writing this blog post, the deadline has passed but police have announced that the negotiating talks with the red shirts failed as they refuse to leave (duh!). Police will try to talk again on Sunday morning.
It is the first time the red shirt protests have become a real inconvenience for the people of Bangkok as the protestors have now occupied the real heart of the city around Rajprasong Intersection, Rama I Road and Ploen Chit Road. The area is not only a busy commercial district with high-profile shopping centers, malls and hotels, but also the intersection of the two BTS lines (Siam), the location of the Erawan Shrine and thus, needless to say, a popular area among tourists. This weekend will be interesting to watch how long the patience of Bangkokians will last until the ongoing protest of the red shirt will start to backfire and lose support.
Further Reading:
- Bangkok Pundit: Another historic march for democracy
- media140: Images from Big Saturday in Bangkok – Part 1
- The Bangkok Bugle: Reds bring Bangkok to a standstill
- Richard Barrow (Thai-Blogs.com): Red Shirts Close Biggest Shopping Malls in Bangkok
No April Fools' Day in Thailand
Update: Of course this was an April Fools' Day joke by 2bangkok.com - but given the Ministry of Culture's track record, it wouldn't have been surprising if they have really done it... 2Bangkok.com reports it, among other high-profile English websites in Thailand, has received a letter from the Ministry of Culture.
It advises that, owing to the political climate, creating April Fools' Day news items might "cause misunderstanding" and that the ministry would initiate action against Thai websites posting fake news items. Fake items posted in past years are to have a clear disclaimer added.
Interestingly, later in the letter, it mentions that April Fools' Day is not a Thai tradition, but a "foreign holiday."
Due to the possible risks and legal costs related to this MOC notice, we have decided to forgo April Fools' stories this year.
"No April Fools' Day jokes?", 2Bangkok.com, April 1, 2010
Playing the "heated political situation"-card? Check! Playing the "legal threat"-card? Check! Playing the "foreign and Thai tradition don't mix together"-card? Check! Congratulations, full house!
But then again, I have not seen this letter mentioned anywhere else...!
Further reading:
- Bangkok Post Blogs: New Facebook group: We're sick of the Ministry of Culture