Bangkok Violence Escalating

[pdogg]

Yesterday a cop was killed, a cab driver beaten unconscious, and journalists are more concerned than ever for their own safety.

 

Here's the cab driver incident.

 

 

 

Taxi Driver Beaten Unconscious By Protesters
 

(26 December) A taxi driver has been mobbed and beaten unconscious by anti-government protesters who were blocking Vibhavadi Road in Bangkok. 

 

The protesters were sealing off both inbound and outbound roads, which connects Bangkok with Don Mueang Airport, at around 16.00 today when the taxi driver attempted to convince the protest guards to let him pass the blockade. 

 

The man′s request was denied, and he scolded at the protesters for blocking the traffic, which greatly enraged the group of protesters nearby.

 

His car was vandalised by the protesters while the driver himself was mobbed and beaten. He was left bleeding on the ground for some time before rescue workers arrived at the scene and transported him to hospital.

 

His condition is not immediately known.

 

 

http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNE9EQTFPVGt6Tmc9PQ==

[pdogg]

 

One seriously wounded protester died on Friday morning, raising the death toll from yesterday's clash between the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand and police to two.

 

The number of injured people as of 9.30am was 153, according to Health Department chief Dr Suphan Sithamma.

 

Dr Suphan said the first person to die was Pol Sr Sgt Maj Narong Pitisith, who was pronounced dead at the Police Hospital yesterday.

 

The other fatality was a male protester, aged about 30, who was shot in the chest and treated at King Mongkut Hospital.  He died at 3am this morning.

Of the 153 wounded, 38 are still being treated at Ramathibodi, Ratchawithi, King Mongkut, Police, Phayathai 1, Phayathai 2, War Veterans, Paolo, Central General, Lat Krabang and Lertsin hospitals.

 

Special attention was now on three spots prone to violence - Government House, Thai-Japanese sports complex and Metropolitan Police headquarters - where emergency rescue units had been put on alert, Dr Suphan said.

 

Dr Narong Apikulvanich, deputy director-general of the Health Department, said a rescue volunteer was also shot in the chest and seriously injured while performing his duty in front of Gate No 3 of the Din Daeng sports complex.  He was being treated at a private hospital.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/386912/protester-dies-from-gunshot-wound

[pdogg]

 

Protest leader Suthep declares Bangkok seizure after New Year

BANGKOK, Dec 28 – Anti-government protesters will launch an intensive seizure of Bangkok after the New Year to reclaim sovereignty for the people, protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban announced.

In a harsh speech to demonstrators at Democracy Monument last night, the former Democrat MP called on provincial people who wanted to join the “Bangkok blitz” to wait for a signal and promptly travel to the capital.

He said, “Bring your clothes, food and necessities for our victory may take months. Bangkok residents should clear their work before the New Year. We will shut down and occupy Bangkok a few days after the New Year. We won’t leave even a single inch to let people in the Thaksin regime to abuse us.

“Bangkok people who feel uncomfortable will have time to manoeuvre, leaving those with the hearts to fight to join hands in wiping out the Thaksin regime.”

He thanked the private sector for clearly showing their stance in favour of national reform and said Thai people from all walks of life should cooperate in accomplishing the movement for Thailand’s future.

Mr Suthep said those killed and injured in clashes with the authorities will be given financial aid from the fund of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).

Relatives of ill-fated victims, including a policeman, will be given one million baht each, he said, adding that money in the PDRC’s account was withdrawn before it was frozen at the order of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).

Owners of vehicles and motorcycles damaged during the clashes will also get compensations from the PDRC fund, he said.

He said he learned that authorities have assigned a special unit to arrest core protest leaders particularly he and Nititorn Lamlua, advisor of the Network of Students and People for the Reform of Thailand (NSPRT), before December 30.

“It doesn’t matter if I’m the core leader or not. People are ready to continue the fight until they win. Our sadness [for the protesters’ deaths and injuries] will be the driving force for our unity,” he said.

Mr Suthep expressed appreciation to the Election Commission for urging the government to delay the February 2 general elections after Thursday’s clashes and called on provincial election commissioners not to act against the will of the people.

Nationwide registration of constituency candidates in the provinces starts today and ends on Wednesday.

http://www.mcot.net/site/content?id=52be4abd150ba054740002e8#.Ur6-yIUesy4

[SLBT]

It's going to be a nightmare I suppose, to travel anywhere close to the usual haunts like Sukhumvit. Skytrain is a possibility

[deepthroat]

Oh fuck.... I'm arriving BKK on January 19. They better have the airport freed up by that time or I'm going to have to kick some ass.

[rxpharm]

There should be no issues with the airport except trying to get there from Bangkok when your return flight is due. The lesson was learned the last time when PAD occupied the airport - and it won't be repeated by the anti-gov't group or the Redshirts.

 

When I flew out of BKK on Dec. 22 I was advised to give at least 4 hours to get to the airport as the demonstrators were going to march along a number of major roads.

 

If you are planning to go to Pattaya/Phuket after your flight arrival and then just transit through Suvarnabhumi, you will be ok. The other option is to use the airport train link to Makkasan station if you're arriving in Bangkok and staying a few days if the demonstrators are blocking major roads. Makkasan station is about 5-10 minute taxi ride to the Sukhumvit area. Take the Cityline as it is less than the express and it is only about 10-15 minutes longer to Makkasan station than the express. If you are flying with Thai airways you can check your bags in at Makkasan station if you use the Express line to the airport on your departing flight.

[azza33]

This Suthep character seems committed to causing a mass break out of violence.

This will end ugly this time.

[rxpharm]

I think his strategy is to provoke the army into a coup. There is no indication the current gov't will do any reforms prior to an election, and considering what they did to the amnesty bill, changing it after it left the main house, just before the senate approved it, unlikely they will go ahead with reforms after an election.

 

There are even a few Pheu Thai government members who have said a military coup is preferable to Suthep's "selected" temporary governing council.  The latest news interview with the commanding general of the Thai army notably did not rule out a coup, when he has in every instance prior dismissed the question, saying it would not happen. 

[RandiUno2]

Yikes, I have a good buddy going to Cambo and Chang Mai starting Jan 18...Do you think there will be trouble Chang Mai...

I told him to stick to Cambo this year...

Cheers,

Randi

[stoolpusher]

Just grate ....I land at Dom Mueang on the 12th of Feb and then to Nana should I get a taxi to other airport and then skytrain to nana or taxi strait to Nana

[rxpharm]

Doubtful there will be any problems in Chiang Mai. That is the stronghold of Thaksin, so there won't be many anti-gov't protestors there.

[rxpharm]

Just grate ....I land at Dom Mueang on the 12th of Feb and then to Nana should I get a taxi to other airport and then skytrain to nana or taxi strait to Nana

Just take a taxi from Dong Mueang as per usual, it should be ok. If I recall correctly the roads don't go by any major protest site. The only problem is if there are any marches along Sukhumvit. If you hear that there are, have the taxi driver take you to the nearest Sky Train station to DM, and then take the BTS to the Nana Station.

[stoolpusher]

Thanks rx I will do that My friend Mr Pong has a Private  taxi  I will ring him for info as it will be to late for him to pick me up 

he lives near the airport and works out of nana hotel .

[deepthroat]

There should be no issues with the airport except trying to get there from Bangkok when your return flight is due. The lesson was learned the last time when PAD occupied the airport - and it won't be repeated by the anti-gov't group or the Redshirts.

 

When I flew out of BKK on Dec. 22 I was advised to give at least 4 hours to get to the airport as the demonstrators were going to march along a number of major roads.

 

If you are planning to go to Pattaya/Phuket after your flight arrival and then just transit through Suvarnabhumi, you will be ok. The other option is to use the airport train link to Makkasan station if you're arriving in Bangkok and staying a few days if the demonstrators are blocking major roads. Makkasan station is about 5-10 minute taxi ride to the Sukhumvit area. Take the Cityline as it is less than the express and it is only about 10-15 minutes longer to Makkasan station than the express. If you are flying with Thai airways you can check your bags in at Makkasan station if you use the Express line to the airport on your departing flight.

 

Rx, as usual you have given me the information I need in order to feel reassured.

 

Of course there's no guarantee, but after reading this I went from thinking I have a 25% chance of getting to LOS to feeling like I've got a good 70-85% chance of the trip coming off without a hitch. I'll take those odds.

 

Yes, I'll fly into BKK then go direct to Patts. I end up back in BKK for 5 nights before I fly home in February, by which time things should have sorted themselves out. If not, I'll have time on the ground to figure out a plan.

 

Thanks again.

[RandiUno2]

Doubtful there will be any problems in Chiang Mai. That is the stronghold of Thaksin, so there won't be many anti-gov't protestors there.

Thnks RX...information is power...or something like that...appreciate the input.

[pdogg]

 

People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban declared Saturday night that the entire capital Bangkok will be completely shut down by millions of people opposing the Thaksin regime.

 

Addressing several thousands of supporters at the Democracy Monument, Suthep said the shutdown of the capital will begin when people return to Bangkok after the long New Year festival holidays.

 

He said the shutdown or what he described was the seizure of the capital would be the day when “People’s Revolution” would begin to end  and uproot the Thaksin regime.

 

He attributed his term of shutdown as to seize all government offices, encirclement of the caretaker prime minister’s house, as well as all houses of her cabinet ministers, all significant intersections and commercial complexes by the people who will turn out in millions.

 

The shutdown will also mean government offices across the country by supporters who he said have been advised to get ready for the People’s Revolution.

 

He vowed that the shutdown by millions of anti-Thaksin protesters will be peaceful and empty hand to make known to the world that Thailand will be the first country in the world that millions of people will come together to take back the sovereign power back from corrupted and evil regime.

 

He defended the PDRC’s final push as legitimate reasoning that the Constitution states clearly that the people can retake their power back to uphold constitutional democracy if the sovereign power  the people give to the administration was abused.

On the day when Bangkok is completely shut down, he said government officials could not work as their offices will be sealed off by the people, as well as all those cabinet ministers.

 

There will be no place in the capital where Ms Yingluck Shinawatra could walk now, he said.

 

He asked for understanding from the people for causing them inconvenience during the shutdown of the capital which might take a week or two weeks but will last and victory declared before the February 2 election.

 

He then advised Bangkokians who have not taken part in the shutdown to get ready and leave the capital to relax at resorts or other places to avoid the inconvenience in the capital that will affect their daily life.

 

He also called on government officials to take side now as to continue working would be tantamount to support the legitimacy of the illegitimate government.

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/pdrc-shut-bangkok-end-next-week/

[azza33]

This guy is hell bent on starting a civil war.

[Tomcat]

im in Bangkok now and wished i had stayed in Pattaya

 

my bet is that a 10pm curfew will be imposed next week... i hope this crap starts on Sunday after i leave

[mardhi]

This guy is hell bent on starting a civil war.

 

Does seem somewhat odd for a guy about to go on trial for murder of citizens in 2010 Red Shirt riots.   Probably leave the rest to your own imagination.

[ArchieBunker]

The guy is totally out of control.  He must have some support  in "high places" or else he wouldn't try to pull off this kind of bullshit.  Someone needs to do to him what they did to Sa daeng a few years ago..........Wheres Lee Harvey when you REALLY need him???

[azza33]

The guy is totally out of control.  He must have some support  in "high places" or else he wouldn't try to pull off this kind of bullshit.  Someone needs to do to him what they did to Sa daeng a few years ago..........Wheres Lee Harvey when you REALLY need him???

Only problem is one bullet isn't going to fix the problems.

No matter who wins, seems one side wont accept the other.

Problem for Thailand is they want a democracy but don't seem to understand you need to take the good with the bad in an imperfect system.

[rxpharm]

Azza is right - after all the shooting of militant Red Shirt Maj Gen Kattiya Sawasdiphon did not solve any problems did it?

 

As I mentioned before, it seems his strategy is to "force" the army to perform a coup to reduce the violence and generate reform before an election takes place. For those who say go ahead with elections anyway, check out this thread: http://www.ladyboyreview.com/forum/index.php?/topic/3841-vote-buying/?hl=%2Bvote+%2Bbuying

 

The problem is they cannot get a corrupt government out of office even with an election - of course both parties have been shown to be corrupt, but certainly Pheu Thai, formerly TRT have been more corrupt.

 

The reforms take take place must try to address those issues and reduce corruption.

[Snick]

It might if it was fired in Dubai

 

Only problem is one bullet isn't going to fix the problems.
 

 

[pacman]

Thanks Snick. I had to think about that for a second. And I agree with you.

 

Dubai, current residency of former PM Thaksin, brother & puppet master of current PM Yingluck.

[xyzzy]

As I mentioned before, it seems his strategy is to "force" the army to perform a coup to reduce the violence and generate reform before an election takes place.

 

Agreed, since the Yellows can't win an election the only end game I can see is a military coup and then rules changes that somehow benefit the Yellows.