2010 Thai political protests

2010 Thai Political Protests

The UDD protest at Ratchaprasong intersection on 8 April 2010
Location Thailand (mainly Bangkok)
Date 12 March – 19 May 2010
Deaths 91[1]
Non-fatal injuries
 +2,100[2]

A prolonged series of political protests occurred in Bangkok, Thailand in 2010 from March to May against the Democrat Party-led government. The protests were organised by the National United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) (known as "Red-Shirts"). The UDD called for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve parliament and hold elections earlier than the end of term elections scheduled in 2012. The UDD demanded that the government stand down, and negotiations failed to set an election date. The protests escalated into prolonged violent confrontations between the protesters and the military, and attempts to negotiate a ceasefire failed. More than 80 civilians and 6 soldiers were killed, and more than 2,100 injured by the time the military successfully cracked down on the protesters on 19 May.

Popular opposition against Abhisit Vejjajiva's government rose throughout 2009, due to the controversial 2008 "judicial coup" that banned the Palang Prachachon Party and "silent coup" that allowed the Democrats to form a coalition government.[3][4] In February 2010, Abhisit tightened security in anticipation of the Supreme Court's ruling to seize Thaksin Shinawatra's bank accounts frozen since the 2006 military coup. The UDD did not protest, but announced protests on 14 March in Bangkok to call for new elections. Abhisit further tightened security. Censorship was heightened, and radio, TV stations and Web sites sympathetic to the UDD were closed.

Estimates for the number of protestors on 14 March ranged from 50,000 (by the government) to 300,000 (by the UDD).[5] At the beginning, protests were mostly peaceful, and initially centred at Phan Fah bridge. Most protesters came from outside Bangkok.[6] After initial UDD unilateral demands of an early election were unsuccessful, dozens of M79 grenade attacks occurred far from Phan Fah, but there were no injuries and no arrests. In April, protesters shifted to Ratchaprasong intersection. A state of emergency was declared in Bangkok on 8 April, banning political assemblies of more than five people. On 10 April, troops unsuccessfully cracked down at Phan Fah, resulting in 24 deaths, including one Japanese journalist and five soldiers, and more than 800 injuries. The Thai media called the crackdown "Cruel April" (Thai: เมษาโหด).[7][8] Further negotiations failed to set an election date. On 22 April, grenade attacks killed suspected to have been launched from Chulalongkorn Hospital killed one and injured 86 others. UDD members illegally entered Chulalongkorn Hospital in an unsuccessful search for the attackers, drawing widespread condemnation from the Thai press, as the protests started to become substantially more siege like, with barricades and armed guards creating a UDD fortress within the area of Ratchaprasong. Forensics expert Pornthip Rojanasunand later indicated that the hospital might or might not have been the source of the grenade attacks. No arrests were made for either the grenade attack or the illegal entry into the hospital.[9] A UDD proposal for elections in three months was rejected by Abhisit. On 28 April, the military and protesters clashed in northern Bangkok, wounding at least 16 protesters and killing one soldier. The UDD moved out of Phan Fah and consolidated at Ratchaprasong. On 3 May, Abhisit announced a reconciliatory road map and elections on 14 November. The road map was tentatively accepted by the UDD, but after they included additional conditions, the government cancelled negotiations.

By mid-may, the Ratchaprasong protest site camp was surrounded by armoured vehicles and snipers were positioned in case they were needed.[10] On the evening of 13 May, Khattiya Sawasdiphol ("Seh Daeng"), security advisor to the protesters and leader of the armed "Ronin" guards known as the black shirts, was shot in the head by a sniper's bullet while he was giving an interview to press. It is unclear who fired the shot; speculation was it was ordered either by the Army, by Thaksin to keep him quiet, or was simply a stray bullet. Thereafter, the state of emergency was expanded to 17 provinces and the military commenced an extended crackdown, dubbed by the Thai media as "Savage May" (Thai: พฤษภาอำมหิต). An additional 41 civilians deaths occurred (including one Italian journalist) and more 250 were injured by 8.30 pm, including soldiers.[11][12] One military death occurred, apparently from accidental friendly fire.[13] The government claimed all civilians killed were either armed terrorists or civilians shot by terrorists, and noted some civilians were shot by terrorists disguised in Army uniforms.[14] The military declared the area a "live fire zone", in which anybody, be they protester, resident, tourist or journalist would be shot on sight, with medics banned from entering.[15][16][17][18] On 14 May, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon encouraged protesters and the government to return to dialogue.[19] On 16 May, UDD leaders said again they were ready for talks as long as the military pulled back, but the government demanded the unconditional dispersal of the protesters.[20] A state of emergency was declared in 5 Northeastern provinces on 16 May. The government rejected a Senate call for a ceasefire and Senate-mediated negotiations. On 17 May, Amnesty International called for the military to stop using live ammunition.[21] Armored vehicles led the final assault into Ratchaprasong in the early morning of 19 May, killing at least five, including an Italian journalist.[22] Soldiers were reported to have fired on medical staff who went to the aid of the shooting victims.[22] By 1.30 pm, UDD leaders surrendered to police and told protesters to give themselves up. Dozens of arson attacks soon broke out nationwide on red-shirt targets including the CentralWorld building, various banks and civic buildings and government buildings. People arrested and charged for arson include a number of Red Shirt supporters. A curfew was declared and troops were authorised to shoot on sight anybody inciting unrest.[22] An undisclosed number of arrests and detentions occurred. 51 protesters remained missing as of 8 June.[23] The government claimed the protests cost 150 billion baht (approximately US$5 billion) to organise.[24]

Background

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, assumed office in December 2008

In 2009, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva faced rising public discontent with his government and near-constant rumours of a military coup. Respected King Bhumibol Adulyadej entered the hospital in September, silencing a unifying force for the country. In December 2009, pro-Abhisit academic Chirmsak Pinthong wrote an influential article in Naew Nah newspaper where he said that the nation was already in a state of civil war, although the slaughter had yet to begin.[25] Abhisit enacted numerous security measures throughout February and March 2010 to suppress the Red-Shirt protests.

Thaksin asset seizure court case

In February 2010, Abhisit established 38 security centres in the North and Northeast to facilitate crackdowns against anti-government and anti-coup protesters. 5,000 Army troops (54 companies) were deployed in 200 checkpoints to prevent protesters from entering Bangkok. In total, about 20,000 security personnel were deployed.[26] He also escalated efforts to monitor community radio stations, which were often used by rural residents to voice their discontent and by activists to organise protests.[27]

On 7 February 2010, Abhisit's personal spokesperson, Thepthai Senphong, compared "Red-Shirts" to dogs and vowed to use the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to crack down on Red-Shirt community radio stations. He noted that if using the NTC to enforce the media crackdown was illegal, the government would try to pass a special law that would make such a crackdown legal.[28] The NTC acting Secretary-General was also a member of the government-appointed Situation Monitoring Committee in the run up to Thaksin's February court verdict.[29]

The first and last page of the verdict with the signatures of the nine supreme court judges

The government claimed to foreign diplomats and foreign chambers of commerce that the National United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) would "spark violence" and "intensify its agitation and step up protests in Bangkok and around the country in order to disrupt the work of the government and the judiciary" in the period leading up to 26 February. On that date, the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions was scheduled to deliver its verdict on whether to seize former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's 76 billion baht (2.36 billion USD) in assets that the military junta had frozen years earlier.[30] Abhisit's father, a Director of CP Foods, announced that he was spending 300,000 baht ($9,300 USD) a month to provide supplementary security to the Premier.[31]

At noon of 1 February, bags of human excrement and fermented fish, were thrown into Abhisit's house. Abhisit linked the incident to Thaksin's assets seizure trial.[32] The Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban (in charge of security) explicitly blamed the UDD for the incident.[33] The perpetrator was arrested; he confessed and claimed that he threw the bags because he was fed up with the police's indifference to his complaints of people smoking cigarettes near his house.[32]

On the evening of 15 February, police and soldiers established scores of checkpoints and organised special patrols in inner Bangkok as reports from government security agencies continued to play up fears of anti-government rallies.[34] Abhisit's government expected major UDD-led unrest immediately following the announcement of the Supreme Court's 26 February verdict. However, the UDD said they did not protest against the verdict.[35] Instead they announced that they would hold a one million person protest in Bangkok on 14 March to call for elections. Rumours and suspicions that the protest was financed by Thaksin, as he had been found guilty, were widespread both in the media and among the population. The protesters arrived in Bangkok in smaller numbers than announced, wearing Thaksin face designs on their red T-shirts, flags, stickers, etc. Estimates of the overall cost of the protest according the number of mobilised people and the supposed amount that Thaksin had dedicated to it made people conjecture that it would not last longer than two months. Although the number of protesters decreased from around 150,000 on the first weekend to no more than 5,000 on 19 May on the Rajprasong intersection and although the evolution of the events was quite different from anybody's expectations, the suspected duration of the protest for two months was right.

Events leading up to 14 March protests

Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary General of the Democrat Party of Thailand Suthep Thaugsuban: relieved of security portfolio on 16 April 2010

Days prior to the planned protest on 14 March, checkpoints were set up to inspect caravans of protesters arriving from outside provinces to Bangkok. Police were given orders to detain any protester with weapons. Suthep Thaugsuban warned members of Cabinet that they and their families might become targets of UDD attacks. He denied the existence of a so-called blacklist "with 212 names of Thaksin's close relatives and associates, UDD leaders and activists, politicians from the opposition Pheu Thai Party, and even monks who appeared sympathetic to the Red-Shirts' cause".[36] Suthep however admitted that the government had at least 10 key leaders of the Red-Shirts under surveillance.[36] Suthep accused the Pheu Thai Party of hiring people to participate in the protests. Prompong Nopparit, a spokesman of the Pheu Thai Party, denied the allegation and requested evidence that backed the accusation. Nopparit called on the prime minister to dissolve the House as demanded by the protesters.[37]

In anticipation of the protests, the government announced the set up of a tactical operations centre –called the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (also known as Thai: ศอ.รส.)– at the 11th Infantry Regiment in Bangkhen under the Internal Security Operations Command. [38] In the Northeast, supporters of Abhisit's government issued threats against protesters that aimed to deter them from travelling to the Bangkok; provincial governors were ordered by central authorities to obstruct the movement of people.[39]

Abhisit informed the Democrat Party-led Bangkok Metropolitan Administration that he had intelligence of planned bomb attacks in at least two locations and grenade attacks in 30–40 locations in Bangkok. He claimed that the protesters would include 2,000 "well-trained hardliners."[40] He also claimed to have received intelligence that there was a terrorist threat of sabotage taking place on 14 March, but did not give any details about the nature of the plot. When questioned about the matter, Army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the Army had no such intelligence.[41] The UDD denied Abhisit's allegations and challenged him to reveal any evidence backing his claims. Suthep claimed that the UDD protesters planned to "besiege government offices and residences of important figures".[42]

On 7 March, it was reported that 6,000 assault rifles and explosives had been stolen from Engineering Regiment 401, part of the 4th Army Engineering Battalion in Patthalung.[43][44] Anonymous sources claimed that the weapons were moved to Bangkok where they would be used to incite unrest.[45] UDD leader Nattawut Saikua voiced suspicion that the Army had staged the theft to pin blame on the UDD for any violence.[46] A government raid on a car component factory found parts that could potentially be used to launch M79 grenades. Democrat Party spokesman Buranaj Smutharaks claimed that this showed that "there are violent elements" among the UDD.[47] However, Government Spokesperson Panitan later admitted that there was no evidence of a link between the parts and the UDD.[48]

On 9 March, the government decreed the Internal Security Act from 11 to 23 March.[49][50] A 50,000-strong security force was deployed in Bangkok. Suthep and Abhisit announced that they were moving into an Army safe house at the Peace-keeping Operations Command during the duration of the ISA.[51] On 12 March, Suthep announced that all police forces deployed in the capital would be only lightly armed – female officers would carry no weapons, while male officers would only carry batons and shields. He also announced that only SWAT teams and rapid-response units would be heavily armed, and that they would be dispatched only in the event of an emergency.[52]

As of Friday 12 March, police and military checkpoints were set up along all main routes leading to Bangkok to inspect protesters approaching the capital. The police issued a warning that bus operators transporting people to Bangkok without official permission could have their concessions revoked.[53]

Five bombs exploded in Surat Thani, a Democrat Party stronghold, in the early morning of 12 March. Nobody was injured or killed. It was not clear who was behind the bombings. No arrests were made.

Timeline

Protests in March

The protests on Sunday 14 March were very large and were peaceful.[56] However, Thailand's free-to-air TV channels, all controlled by the government or military, claimed that there were only 25,000 protesters in the main protest site at Phan Fah Bridge.[57] On Monday, tens of thousands of protesters moved in a caravan to the 11th Infantry Regiment, prompting Abhisit to leave the military base in a military helicopter to "observe traffic." On Tuesday, UDD protesters announced that they would be collecting 10 cubic centimetres of blood from volunteers and symbolically pouring the blood at Government House and other sites in Bangkok.

The peaceful rally through Bangkok on 20 March

Negotiations between the protesters and the government failed to result in a resolution of the situation. The protesters insisted that Abhisit dissolve Parliament and call fresh elections. The government refused to do so before it had amended the constitution. An estimated 100,000 demonstrators turned out on Saturday 20 March to parade 46 kilometres through Bangkok in a 10 kilometre-long convoy. This demonstration was peaceful, and aimed at gaining the support of local residents. As usual, the majority of the crowd were UDD 'Red-Shirt' activists who travelled from Northern provinces to demonstrate, but there also appeared to be some local support lining the streets. However, critics claimed that demonstrators had been bribed by the organisation's leadership and that this was a common practice that characterised the polarity of class divisions within the UDD.[58] On 27 March, protesters marched to seven locations in Bangkok where Army troops were stationed, convincing the troops to withdraw. Suthep Thaugsuban called the withdrawal a temporary "adjustment" and insisted that they would return to their positions later.[59] Protesters expanded their protest to Rajaprasong intersection, a major Bangkok commercial zone, in imitation of the People's Alliance for Democracy's (PAD) large-scale 2006 protests.[60] The government claimed that the protests were illegal and attempted to evict the protesters without a court order, as the Civil Court had ruled that the PM is already empowered to do so.[61] Abhisit's government has alleged that the 'Red-Shirt' protesters were 'rented'. Shortly after the demonstrations in mid-March, state spokesman Thepthai scoffed at the apparent support for the UDD, claiming that each protester was given between 2000 and 3000 Baht for their toil under the sweltering Bangkok sun. Sidewalk onlookers, he further alleged, were given 500 Baht each. This statement is in line with previous reports from Thai English-language newspapers claiming that protesters from rural areas had been paid to travel to Bangkok, although it overlooks the fact that previous 'Yellow-Shirt' protest organisers had also financially supported protesters in a similar way.[58]

There were dozens of bombings in Bangkok during the weeks of the protest, with nobody claiming responsibility and no arrests made. Nobody was killed in the bombings.

In two separate incidents, a car was driven into a group of protesters, causing injury to people. One of the incidents occurred at Rajprasong intersection the other at Silom Road.[62]

Occupation of shopping district

On 3 April protesters occupied the shopping district of Ratchaprasong in the city of Bangkok. The government declared a state of emergency on the evening of 8 April. The state of emergency permitted the military to detain people they considered a threat to national security, censor the media, and forbid gatherings of more than five people. Troops barricaded the uplink station for the Thaicom satellite to prevent it from airing People Channel, a TV station operated and initiated by the UDD that had been broadcasting freely for a year, enticing people to join the UDD and aggressively stirring viewers up with anti government sentiments. Protesters surrounded the station in the afternoon of 9 April. Tear gas was fired into the crowd, prompting the protesters to storm the station and the troops to withdraw.[63][64][65] After negotiations, the security forces allowed the station to resume broadcasting and the protesters left the uplink station. However, the government blocked the station's broadcast soon after protesters left the scene.[66]

Violent clashes April

UDD protesters the day before 10 April clashes

On the afternoon and evening of 10 April, violent clashes occurred when government troops unsuccessfully tried to take back control of the Phan Fah bridge protest site.[67] Shots and tear gas grenades were fired near the Makhawan Bridge close to the United Nations Bangkok Headquarters Building during the afternoon as troops unsuccessfully attempted to take back the protest area. The troops retreated to the Ministry of Education after several hours. Later that evening, the violence escalated on Khao San Road and at the Khok Wua intersection, with automatic fire, explosions, and tear gas being used. The violence died down by the early morning, with the temporary result being that the military was not able to seize the protest site.

According to the Erawan Bangkok Emergency Medical Service Center, 25 people were killed in the clashes. The dead included Japanese cameraman Hiro Muramoto, 10 protesters, nine civilians and five uniformed soldiers.[68][69] The Center noted more than 800 people injured.[70] Autopsies revealed that 9 out of the 10 dead protesters died due to gunshot wounds.[71] The military noted that the uniformed soldiers killed died from cerebral edema (swelling of the brain) after being hit on the head by thrown rocks.[72] Following the clashes government troops withdrew.[67]

The military initially claimed that it used rubber bullets and tear gas in the clash, while firing live rounds only into the air. However, video footage from the international media showed soldiers firing assault rifles in fully automatic fire mode in the direction of protesters. Protest leaders claimed that a number of protesters were hit by army snipers from nearby buildings.[71] The military later admitted that troops fired live rounds directly at protesters, allegedly shooting only single rounds to protect injured troops retreating from the clashes.[73] Protesters used rocks, sticks, petrol bombs, and according to the military, guns and grenades. Video footage also showed people of an unknown affiliation firing explosives from the tops of buildings.[73]

Protesters seized a large amount of military equipment left behind by retreating troops, including nine M-16 assault rifles, 25 Tavor TAR-21 assault rifles, six .50 calibre anti-aircraft guns, 116 riot shields, 105 batons and 80 suits of body armour. Troops also abandoned six personnel carriers and three high-mobility multi-purpose vehicles. Ammunition also went missing, including 580 rubber bullet rounds, 600 .50 calibre anti-aircraft rounds, and 8,182 5.56 mm M-16 rifle rounds.[74]

11 April: lit candles commemorating the casualties suffered by the protesters on 10 April

Protesters remained unwilling to end their protest, and they vowed to continue their rally until the Prime Minister dissolved the House of Representatives and scheduled elections. One Red-Shirt leader said that after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva dissolves the parliament, he must leave the country as soon as possible. Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said the government has no plans to back down either..... "The government will continue the operation to take back the roads from the protesters because their occupation is unlawful," he said.[75]

Reactions to clashes

On 12 April 2010, the Election Commission called for the dissolution of the PM's Democrat Party.[76] Meanwhile, Thai troops advanced on protesters in the early morning and used live ammunition. Protesters were repeatedly dispersed and driven back, but kept regrouping behind burning barricades, and threw numerous objects at the soldiers. By daybreak, the soldiers continued to charge on the protesters, while being pelted with petrol bombs.[77] Anti-government protesters said on 14 April 2010, they would all congregate at a single site in a ritzy Bangkok shopping district, preparing for a "final battleground" with the authorities. On 16 April, Thai security service officers entered the SC Park hotel to arrest the protest leaders whom the Deputy Prime Minister, Suthep Thaugsuban, called "terrorists." One of the opposition leaders, Arisman Pongruangrong, escaped by a rope from a window of the hotel as forces laid siege to the hotel. He said "[They] wanted to kill me. The policeman tried to kill me." Although government officials admitted the raid was unsuccessful there were rumours that this was the start of a wider crackdown. Suthep said "Innocent people should leave the protests because the authorities have to take decisive measures against terrorists."[78] On 16 April, Prime Minister Abhisit relieved Suthep from his 'security' responsibilities and replaced him with the Commander of the Royal Thai Army, General Anupong Paochinda.[79] In the subsequent week, several M-79 grenades were fired at government buildings, although no injuries were reported.[80] Protesters, meanwhile, built barricades with sharpened Bamboo in the Rajaprasong tourist district.[81]

On 21 April anti-government protesters stopped a train in northeastern Thailand that was carrying military vehicles.[81] Protesters, fearing the equipment was being moved to Bangkok, attacked the train in Khon Kaen, about 280 miles North of Bangkok.[81] They demanded that 10 Red-Shirt members accompany the train on its journey to ensure it did not head toward Bangkok.[81]

According to Fritz Yee, a Filipino member of the Red-Shirts, he commented that the situation was becoming more and more uncontrollable among the Red-Shirts and said while we "do not condone but we cannot control. There's no more control in the followers."[82]

Explosions and pro-government rallies in Bangkok

On the days leading up to 22 April, significant pro-government ("no color" or "multicolor shirts")[81] rallies appeared in Bangkok alongside the anti-government ones for the first time. Some of the demonstrators were clearly pro-government, meanwhile other ones were just Bangkokians tired of the disruption in their city life that Red-Shirts were causing[80] On Wednesday, 21 April, the two groups clashed near the opening to Silom Road.[80] On Thursday afternoon the two groups clashed again.[80] According to BBC reporter Alastair Leithead, a small group of people "walked through police lines and started throwing bottles and stones towards barricades manned by Red-Shirt protesters." The Red-Shirts responded by firing fireworks into the air.[83] Pro-government protesters urged the military to attack, shouting "Fight, fight!"[81] The police did not respond to the conflict.[83] Anti-Thaksin "Yellow Shirt" protesters threatened "to step into the conflict and push out the Red-Shirts themselves if the army doesn't take firmer action" against the Red-Shirt protesters, who are being encouraged by Thaksin Shinawatra from abroad.[80]

Early on 22 April, the Thai army warned Red-Shirt protesters that their chance to cease and desist was "running out".[84] 10,000 troops were moved to central Bangkok.[84] The military threatened to "use tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition, if necessary", to combat the UDD protesters.[84] "If we move in, we will attempt to arrest the leaders," said army spokesman Col. Sunsern Kaewkumnerd. "The government will be very decisive but in the beginning of the operation there may be chaos."[83] UDD leaders remained defiant, saying it was up to General Anupong Paochinda "whether to kill people or to stop the killing."[84]

On the evening of 22 April, around 8 pm local time,[81] a series of explosions in Bangkok alleged by the government to have been perpetrated by assailants linked to the red-shirt protesters killed one person and injured 86 more, including at least four foreigners.[85][86] The explosions were caused by at least five M-79 grenades.[83] Three of the grenades were set off at Saladaeng Skytrain station (the elevated railway that is the main public transport), one near the Dusit Thani Hotel, and one near a bank.[83] It was the first time during the protests that a grenade attack occurred in a densely populated area and the first time that serious injuries occurred, although dozens of grenade attacks had occurred since the protest started.[80] The government did not blame the Red-Shirt movement itself, but rather unspecified "terrorists" for the attack.[87] Suthep stated, "the M79 launcher had a 400-metre shooting range and it was clear that it was shot from behind the King Rama VI Monument where the Red-Shirts are rallying".[86] Red-Shirt leaders denied being responsible for the attacks.[87]

Following the blasts, Abhisit called an emergency meeting with security chiefs to assess the worsening crisis.[80][83] Thaugsuban said the government has no immediate plans to crack down on the protester encampment because there are a large number of women and children at the site.[86] A multi-agency investigation into the 10 and 22 April violence was announced.[87] UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called the situation "a moment requiring restraint on all sides".[87]

Early on 23 April, riot police went to the edge of the protesters' barrier and demanded it be dismantled. After a short standoff, both sides backed away from the barrier.[87]

Ceasefire offer

Barricades on the corner of Rama 4 road and Silom road

On 23 April, Red-Shirt leader Veera Musikapong offered to end the protests if the government agreed to dissolve parliament within 30 days and hold elections within days. "If the government accepts and is open to the talks, we are ready to disperse to restore peace in the country," he said.[88] He further implied that protest sites must not be attacked during any potential negotiations, and that an independent inquiry into the recent violence must be conducted. The offer marked a change from the protesters previous demand that parliament be dissolved immediately.[88] After talking with the opposition, Abhisit rejected their offer saying "Because they use violence and intimidation I cannot accept this [offer]".[89] "The 30-day ultimatum is not an issue," he added. "The dissolution [of parliament] must be done for the benefit of the entire country, not just for the Red-Shirts, and it must be done at the right time."[89] Abhisit promised to clear up the situation when he gave his weekly address on 25 April.[89]

On 26 April 2010, the Election Commission's request to dissolve the Democrat Party was forwarded to the Constitutional Court.[90] The move prompted King Bhumibol Adulyadej to break his silence on the protests, telling the group of newly appointed judges of courts of justice to show steadfastness and to carry out their duties "strictly and honestly."[91]

Violent conflict resumes

A soldier was killed and 18 protesters wounded in clashes between security forces and UDD members on Wednesday, 28 April. The clashes had started when troops and riot police blocked UDD protesters from going to Talad Thai to campaign for the anti-government rally. Protesters had attempted to advance on the Security forces, but were repelled by troops and police officers using tear gas and rubber bullets. Security forces then began to push forward, and drive protesters back down the highway using live ammunition, and fighting resumed after a temporary calm. After several hours, Security forces regained control of the area, and dispersed the protest.[92] The soldier who died was shot in the head, apparently by accidental friendly fire,[93] during a tense confrontation. It was the 27th fatality since UDD supporters set up their protest camp on the streets of Bangkok.[94]

On 30 April, more than 200 Red-Shirt protesters[95] forced their way into Chulalongkorn Hospital, which was close to the main protest camp, searching for soldiers theu claimed were hiding there. No soldiers were found in an hour of searching, during which time nurses were threatened and many patients frightened.[95] The next day, some 600 patients were evacuated to hospitals far from the protest site. UDD leader Weng Tojirakarn, himself a medical doctor, apologised for the assault on the hospital, calling it "inappropriate" and "unreasonable".[96] Reuters described the incident as "a clumsy storming of a hospital that raised questions over whether the movement is losing direction".[95]

On 2 May, Abhist said that his government was preparing to end the standoff. A special cabinet meeting ruled out declaring martial law, but authorised US$8 million to upgrade the police force in Bangkok.[97] Abhist told reporters, "We are sending a clear signal that we've given a lot of time for people to leave Rajaprasong ... we are now in the process of cutting off support and seal the area off before we actively move in."[97] He declined to be more specific about when troops would move in.[97] "We continue to exercise restraint and patience ... but the public patience is running out and the government has to ... uphold the law [for] the majority of Thai society," he added.[97]

As of 2 May, as many as 100,000 people have lost their jobs, gone bankrupt, or both, as a result of the protests shutting down Bangkok.[97] The government is planning on providing special assistance for those affected.[97]

The actions taken by the "Red-Shirts" were described then by newspaper form Abu Dhabi The National as more than that of merely protesting but even as "insurrection.".[98] However, the number of protesters was decreasing and rumours spread that the protesters were financed by former PM Thaksin in to get his conviction revoked.

Election proposal

Further information: Thai general election, 2010

On 3 May, Abhisit proposed to dissolve parliament on September an election on 14 November if the protesters were willing to stand down.[99] The following day Red-Shirt leaders expressed qualified support for the plan, but wanted more information about when parliament would be dissolved.[100][101] On the morning of 8 May, two policemen were killed and several bystanders were injured by a drive-by shooting near the Silom Financial district. Red-Shirt leader Weng Tojirakarn denied any involvement: "We are very sorry and we want to condemn the ones who were behind the attacks."[102]

Protesters demanded that Thailand's deputy prime minister be arrested for causing the deaths of 25 protesters when troops were used against protests on 10 April.[103] The protesters refused to end the rally, and on 13 May, the offer of an election was withdrawn.[104]

Violent clashes in May

Severely wounded protester carried away from Rama 4 road to safety, 15 May 2010
A Type-85 AFV prepares to assault the Red Shirt barricade at Saladaeng intersection, 19 May 2010
Burning fire engine in Chiang Mai, 19 May 2010

On Friday, 14 May, Thai police and army units moved in to surround and cut off the protesters main camp, meeting heavy resistance from the Red-Shirts resulting in the deaths of two people with dozens more injured, including Thai Army Major-General Khattiya Sawasdipol, better known as Seh Daeng (Commander Red), a self-described key military adviser to the Red-Shirts who was suspended from duty in the Thai army. A backer and part of the protesters' more radical wing, he had accused Red-Shirt leaders of not being hardline enough.[105] He was hit in the head by a sniper's bullet and died a few days later on 17 May .[106]

One of the Red-Shirt leaders, Nattawut Saikua, accused the Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva of starting a civil war. This came as there were reports of a policeman opening fire on soldiers near a police station in Bangkok, showing that there may be divisions within the security services themselves. Both the British and American embassies in Bangkok were closed for security reasons.[107]

Just before 3:00 pm GMT on 14 May, Sky News reported that the death-toll from the latest fighting had risen to five, with 46 others wounded. People in Bangkok claimed that the area has descended into a war zone as the two sides battled for control. During the clashes, France 24 journalist Nelson Rand was "gravely wounded" by bullets from a Thai Army assault rifle, although who actually used the weapon is still unknown. On Friday night, several grenade explosions were heard from a nearby shopping centre and municipal railway station in the up-scale shopping area.[108] As of 6:00 pm 14 May, the BBC reported that 7 people had died and over 100 were wounded in the latest violence in Bangkok, as Canada announced the temporary closure of its embassy.[109]

According to The Telegraph, as of 9:40 pm GMT 14 May, at least 16 people had been killed, none of whom were members of the security services. There were several incidents of police officers joining with the Red-Shirts and exchanging fire with the Thai Army, prompting fears that a civil war was coming. The number of injured was thought to be 157, with that number predicted to rise significantly as fighting continued.[110]

By 2:20 am GMT on 15 May, the death toll reached 16, with more than 157 injured. Street battles continued, with no end in sight.[111] Total casualties since 12 May amount to 24 killed, with 187 injured on the night of 14/15 May alone.[112] One of the dead was a sergeant of the Royal Thai Air Force, who was killed by friendly fire.[113]

Protest leaders once again warned of civil war if the army attempted to storm their camp. Several areas of the city near the protesters were designated as "live fire zones" by the military, and protesters entering these zones were to be shot on sight. Due to food and water shortages as a result of the army blockade, it is estimated the protesters will only be able to hold out for a few more days, and after that have to start plundering the available local shops.[114]

On 16 May, the death-toll rose to 33, with the number of wounded rising to 230. Reporters in the vicinity of the violence had to cancel live broadcasts due to the threat of sniper attacks from military forces in the area. The government urged the very young and very old to leave the camp by Monday afternoon, prompting fears of an army crackdown. They also started telling the public that the foreign media, such as CNN, BBC, Reuters, and many others, cannot be trusted as they are biased.[115] On 17 May Thai Army Major General Khattiya Sawasdiphol, who was shot in the head by a sniper on 13 May, died.[116]

On 17 May, Thai military helicopters dropped leaflets on the Red-Shirt's main encampment, urging them to leave. The Red-Shirts responded by firing homemade rockets at the helicopters. The encampment was completely surrounded, and the Thai government gave Red-Shirts a deadline of 3:00 pm local time to withdraw. Clashes continued, with Thai troops firing directly towards or at any movement around the protest perimeter with live ammunition, and protesters also using potentially lethal tactics, according to a Canadian journalist. Red-Shirts shot fireworks at the Army, and utilised a broom handle to rapidly fire firecrackers.[117] At least two Red-Shirt protesters were shot by Thai Army snipers. According to Thai medical officials, the casualty toll stood at 35 dead, and 242 wounded.[118][119] By the end of the day, the casualty toll had risen to 37 dead and 266 wounded.[120]

Sporadic clashes continued on 18 May, but these skirmishes were less intense than some previous confrontations had been.[121] The death toll rose to 39 as the day progressed, and it is widely believed that a military crackdown is imminent as troops and APC's gathered around the protest site urging residents and protestors to leave, declaring that a military operation is soon to commence.[122] The Army moved in soon afterwards, backed by armoured personnel carriers and smashed through the protestors main barricades. Two Red-Shirts were shot and wounded during the opening stages of this operation as other Red-Shirts set alight the kerosine soaked barricades to deter advancing soldiers and obscure their view.[123]

On 19 May, the Army launched an all out assault using APC's and defeated the Red-Shirts defences leaving at least five dead, including an Italian journalist and two soldiers were seriously wounded in a grenade attack. The protest leaders surrendered to police in a bid to avoid further bloodshed. The majority of protesters booed at the protest leaders as they declared to end the protests and did not follow them to surrender to the authorities. Fighting between Red-Shirt protestors and army continued in many parts of the city. At that moment, a campaign to create panic on the city started. Red-Shirts protesters set fire to the Stock Exchange, banks, at least two shopping centres (including Central World at the Red-Shirts main protest site), a TV station, a cinema which burnt to the ground, and hotels had to build barricades to protect themselves. The total number of burnt buildings was 35. The total deathtoll since 14 May is believed to stand at 44.[124] The inspiring leader of the protest, former PM Thaksin, denied to be the leader of the Red-Shirt movement from his refuge in Montenegro.

There were reports of clashes in Thailand's northern provinces after the surrender was announced, resulting in a town hall being burned by Red-Shirts in Udon Thani, the North-East province where most Red-Shirts come from.[125] Since 14 May 51 people have been killed in clashes, 12 of whom died during the army crackdown and subsequent fighting in Bangkok.[126]

The casualty count as of 22 May stood at 85 dead and 1,378 injured.[127]

Death of Fabio Polenghi

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban claimed that Italian photographer Fabio Polenghi was killed by a grenade launched from a terrorist M79 grenade launcher and died side by side with a soldier.[128]

However, numerous reports, including one by the International Federation of Journalists noted that Polenghi was shot.[129][130][131] Autopsy results showed that Polenghi died from a high-velocity bullet that entered the heart, and caused damage to his lungs, and liver.[132][133] A reporter from Der Spiegel who was with Polenghi noted that he was photographing on from the protesters' side and was running from advancing soldiers.[134] The Italian Embassy is currently pursuing its own investigations.[128]

Investigations

A government-ordered independent investigation exonerated the military and security forces of all blame in the killings. Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban claimed that the soldier didn't attack the protestor, but blamed them for running into military unit.[135] The government claimed that unidentified "Black Shirts" fired on protesters.

A Human Rights Watch investigation found that Black Shirts were often well-trained active duty and former soldiers claiming that their objective is to protect the Red Shirt protesters, but their real job was to terrorise the soldiers, and some actually wore military uniforms.[136]

19 September 2010 rally

The protest at Ratchaprasong intersection

The red shirts organised mass rallies across Thailand to mark the ousting of former Thai prime minister Thaksin by a military coup 4 years ago, and to mark the final day of the military crackdown on their protests 4 months ago which left 91 people dead. The peaceful gathering at Ratchaprasong intersection, an area in downtown Bangkok which was occupied by the red shirts between 3 April 2010 and 19 May 2010, the day that the Thai military violently ended the protests and on which day the protesters set fire to may buildings across Thailand including CentralWorld in Bangkok, attracted approximately 10,000 demonstrators.[137][138]

2011

Protests continued, as both the red-shirt UDD and the yellow-shirt PAD scheduled protests for mid-February 2011. CAPO (Center for the Administration of Peace and Order), first established in August 2009, was re-established to supervise imposition of Chapter 2 of the Internal Security Act (ISA) in seven districts of Bangkok, from 9 to 23 February, to control rallies planned by the PAD and the UDD;[139] the local reaction to the Cambodian–Thai border dispute forms a background to the revival of the CAPO.[140]

Continuing protests in early 2011 drew condemnation from the Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association, which claimed that the protests breached the Constitution by infringing upon the rights of others, whereby the ongoing gatherings closed streets in the Ratchaprasong area. Since the July 2011 election, political gatherings in public abated.

Literature

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