Two dead as violent clashes rock Thai capital

BANGKOK, Thailand (CNN) -- Two people died Monday during a clash between the protesters and city residents, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said in a televised address.

A wall of heavily-armed Thai troops closes in on protesters in central Bangkok.



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A reporter told CNN that he saw six bodies on the ground near the train station, where a confrontation took place. He said he did not know whether they were alive.

The report came shortly after former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, whose supporters have engaged in escalating clashes with Thai police, reiterated Monday that he is willing to return to his country but would not say when.

"Well, you know I am ready to go when the time is right," Thaksin told CNN. "But now, I like to see peaceful protests by the demonstrators. Actually, you know, they are all innocent people. They come with bare hands; they are asking for true democracy and justice. But they got back undemocratic ways with a lot of brutal suppression." Watch Thaksin denounce government »

Thaksin would not say when he might return. Earlier, he had asked his supporters to "come out for a revolution," saying he would lead them in a march to the capital if necessary.

He fled Bangkok last year while facing trial on corruption charges.

Thaksin spoke to CNN as clashes between protesters and police intensified Monday, the beginning of the Thai New Year.

The army fired a volley of shots at the anti-government protesters, who are demanding that the current prime minister step down. It was not immediately known whether the troops fired rubber bullets or live gunshots. iReport: See images from the protests

Demonstrators commandeered at least two buses, rigged the steering wheels and sent them toward police officers, who fired at the vehicles in response. Other buses were seen burning. Watch more about the situation on the streets »

Earlier in the day, protesters hurled gasoline bombs, blocked intersections and set fires in many parts of Bangkok, the capital. Scores of riot police descended on the streets. At least 70 people -- 23 soldiers and 47 protesters -- were wounded in clashes, some from gunshot wounds, the prime minister said in a televised address. iReport: Numerous buses set ablaze"The first objective is to clear up the traffic blocks around the city," said Panitan Wattanayagorn, a Thai government spokesman. "The second is to return the government offices and compound back to the officers. Lastly, reduce the threat to the prime minister and his cabinet ministers."


The Thai New Year, or Songkran, began Monday and is traditionally a multi-day celebration in the country. People roam the streets, drenching one another and passers-by with water guns or containers of water.

This year, however, thousands of "red shirt" protesters -- so named for their clothing -- have rallied for days, saying that Abhisit's 4-month-old government is not democratically elected and that he should call new elections.
COLOR CODE

RED SHIRTS
United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship
Support
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra
Makeup
Mainly from outside the cities and the poor
Demand
More money to combat poverty
YELLOW SHIRTS
The royal color and symbol of the People's Alliance for Democracy
Support
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva
Makeup
Monarchists, wealthier Thais
Demand
Conservative economics and values and a strong military


The demonstrators have given the prime minister repeated deadlines to resign, but those have come and gone.

"He insists under the circumstances, where there is a lot of deep division in the society ... resigning won't solve any standing conflict," Panitan said.

On Sunday, Abhisit declared a state of emergency in Bangkok and surrounding areas after the protesters forced the postponement of a summit of Asian leaders in the southern coastal city of Pattaya, embarrassing the government.

Protesters took over two gas tanker trucks Monday, slashed the tires of a police van and surrounded the prime minister's office, which seemed devoid of any security presence.

The government, which had appeared unable to order the army or police to use force in tamping down the protests, set up a "center" Monday with the heads of the police, army, air force and navy to coordinate a response, Panitan said.

"We're trying as best as we can to go on with our daily lives, and we are hoping that our prime minister is able to resolve everything peacefully soon," resident Supatra Jenstitwong said.

The protesters are loyal to Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 coup. The government has blamed him for fomenting the latest clashes.

"Now that they have tanks on the street and the soldiers are coming out, so it is time for the people to come out for a revolution," Thaksin told supporters, speaking by video link from an unknown location.

Immediately after Abhisit's state-of-emergency declaration, dozens of protesters stormed the country's interior ministry and pelted Abhisit's car with rocks, chairs, flags and sticks as he escaped.

Protesters climbed atop two military armored cars after lying in the road and blocking their path. A police officer was led away by demonstrators and beaten, said Sathit Wongnongtoey, an official in the prime minister's office.

"It's unprecedented," opposition member Jakrapob Penkair said Monday. "I wouldn't say it is a revolution. At least it's a starting point of the people's uprising against the old power."

The emergency measure allows officials to arrest and detain protesters without a court order, and to restrict gatherings, authorities said.

Bruce Bugajski and his brother arrived Sunday night for a four-day trip to Thailand and were driven to their hotel by a cabdriver with a red ribbon on his dashboard, signifying his support for the protesters. The normally congested highways leading into the city were deserted.

"He had a picture of the old prime minister," Bugajski said. "He said that's who he wants to get back to power down here." (from CNN News)



I think the situation is going to get very dangerous...

My Sister and her family are in Thailand and are stuck inside a house ,they were told not to venture out for any reason ,She is hoping to get to the airport on wednesday to travel back to Guernsey.

I have a friend there too...she has been there since jan and is due back sometime this month....hope she is back sooner rather then laters ......

Forza Red Shirts

Bangkok is a huge city and its well known were the demonstrations are being made,just keep away from those areas,there is no way i would stay indoors.If i was on holiday and was scared i would go to another part of the country for example phuket.

The Red Shirts are expected to make their way home today and tomorrow but they have made their point with the failure of the aesan summit,have no doubts they will be back again,the yellow shirts know that if there is another election the red shirts will win again,the current goverment have not been voted in by the people.They were put in power by the military after the recent demonstrations by the yellow shirts.

Thai politics is spilt mainly between the reds and the yellow shirts with yellow shirts mainly bangkok residents middle to upper classes,the red shirts who have never really had a say until recently when toxic taksin realised he could gain power by getting their votes,however hes as corrupt as the yellows,the one thing that is transparent in thai politics is corruption.Saying that better out in the open than swept under the carpet.

However under the current ruling of one man one vote the reds with their rural power and the poor of thailand will always out number the yellows who for some reason believe one man one vote is wrong lol.


Its a funny old world in thailand politics :)


http://www.nationmultimedia.com/index.php

GD wrote:

I think the situation is going to get very dangerous...

Why do you say that ? The Red Shirts have already stated they will make their way home,i have many freinds who live in bangkok and not one feels intimidated or afraid its just commons sense to avoid the main demonstration areas and believe me Bangkok is one huge city.


http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/30100519/60-buses-take-up-protesters-from-Royal-Plaza


http://www.bangkokpost.com/

Digger wrote:My Sister and her family are in Thailand and are stuck inside a house ,they were told not to venture out for any reason ,She is hoping to get to the airport on wednesday to travel back to Guernsey.

I find that a little odd,its well documentated were the troubles are and thais have no disputes with farangs and believe me farangs stand out big time.

This is all about yellows v reds


I wouldnt stay indoors

Hmmmmm perhaps it more to do with 'Friendly Fire' which is an Oxymoron that the USA and Britain are very fond of using when non military or military 'innocents' get killed!!! :x

karma wrote:Hmmmmm perhaps it more to do with 'Friendly Fire' which is an Oxymoron that the USA and Britain are very fond of using when non military or military 'innocents' get killed!!! :x

Nothing to do with freindly fire,its normal people standing up for their beliefs

Chok, please read what I was replying to!!!! It was to your suggestion that FOREIGNERS should not have to stay in their hotels as you wouldn't - You then stated that it was yellow v red - I then said the warning not to leave their hotel room could be to prevent them (foreigners) from getting caught up in so called 'friendly fire'!!!! because that is what happens in a war zone.......and dead is dead whether it be 'friendly' dead or 'hostile' dead!!!! I have no idea what the war is about so would not have been commenting on it.....

If I was on holiday there I would just make sure i was wearing a shirt thats not red or yellow and hope whoever has a gun is not colour blind,

It seems to me that as long as you have common sence and stay from the main demonstartion areas you should be reletivly safe,

karma wrote:Chok, please read what I was replying to!!!! It was to your suggestion that FOREIGNERS should not have to stay in their hotels as you wouldn't - You then stated that it was yellow v red - I then said the warning not to leave their hotel room could be to prevent them (foreigners) from getting caught up in so called 'friendly fire'!!!! because that is what happens in a war zone.......and dead is dead whether it be 'friendly' dead or 'hostile' dead!!!! I have no idea what the war is about so would not have been commenting on it.....

Okie Dokie

8)