2010 Thai military crackdown

2010 Thai military crackdown

A makeshift shrine on the spot where a protester was shot

A makeshift shrine on the spot where a protester was shot
Location Bangkok, Thailand
Date April to May 2010
Attack type
 Extended large-scale military crackdown
Deaths 87 (79 civilians, 8 soldiers),[1] 51 missing civilians as of 8 June.[2]
Non-fatal injuries
 at least 2,100
Perpetrators Royal Thai Army and associated Royal Thai Government security forces

On 10 April and 13–19 May 2010, the Thai military cracked down on the National United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) protests in central Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. The crackdown was the culmination of months of protests that called for the Democrat Party-led government of Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve parliament and hold elections. The crackdowns occurred in the vicinity of protest sites near Phan Fah bridge and Ratchaprasong intersection. More than 85 were killed, including more than 80 civilians according to the Erawan EMS Center.[3] Two foreigners and two paramedics were killed.[4] More than 2,000 were injured, an undisclosed number of arrests occurred, and 51 protesters remained missing as of 8 June.[2][3] The Thai media dubbed the crackdowns "Cruel April" (Thai: เมษาโหด Mesa Hot) and "Savage May" (Thai: พฤษภาอำมหิต Phruetsapha Ammahit).[5][6][7] After the protest leaders surrendered at the conclusion of the 19 May crackdown, dozens of arson attacks occurred nationwide, including at CentralWorld.[8]

On 10 April, troops executed an unsuccessful crackdown on protesters at Phan Fah bridge on Ratchadamnoen Road, resulting in 25 deaths (including one Japanese journalist and 5 uniformed soldiers) and over 800 injuries.[9] Troops fired on protesters near Makhawan Rangsan bridge during the afternoon. Later that evening, automatic gunfire, explosives, and tear gas were used in clashes on Khao San Road and Khok Wua intersection.[10][11] The Erawan Center noted that among the dead protesters were soldiers in disguise.[10] The military claimed that soldiers only used live rounds to defend themselves, and claimed that the military deaths were due to terrorists.

Ratchaprasong was surrounded with armoured vehicles and snipers in the days leading to 13 May.[12] On the evening of 13 May, Khattiya Sawasdiphol ("Seh Daeng"), a popular security adviser to the protesters, was shot in the head by what was apparently a sniper's bullet while he was giving an interview to The New York Times. The state of emergency, already in place in Bangkok, was expanded to 17 provinces and the military commended an extended crackdown, leading to an additional 41 civilians deaths (including an Italian photographer) and more than 250 injuries by 8:30 pm on 18 May.[13] One military death occurred due to accidental friendly fire.[14] The military claimed that all civilians killed were either armed terrorists or civilians shot by terrorists, and noted that some civilians were shot by terrorists disguised in Army uniforms.[15] The military declared the area a "live fire zone," and medics were banned from entering.[4][16][17][18] On 16 May, UDD leaders said they were ready for talks as long as the military pulled back, but the government demanded the protesters' unconditional dispersal.[19] 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.[20] Armored vehicles led the final assault into Ratchaprasong in the early morning of 19 May, killing at least five.[21] Soldiers were reported to have fired on medical staff who went to the aid of the shooting victims.[21] By 1:30 pm, UDD leaders surrendered to police and told protesters to give themselves up. Dozens of arson attacks soon broke out nationwide. A curfew was declared and troops were authorized to shoot on sight anybody inciting unrest.[21]

Background

In Thailand, a series of political protests against the Democrat Party-led government occurred in March to May 2010 as a result of an ongoing political crisis. Anger against Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government was high throughout 2009, due to the controversial legal and military maneuvering that led to the formation of the government. In February 2010, Abhisit tightened security in anticipation of a controversial Supreme Court ruling on former President Takshin Shinawatra. When the 26 February ruling confirmed the bribery accusations, protests were limited, but the UDD announced it would organize a 14 March protest and call for new elections. Abhisit further tightened security in anticipation of the protest. The media was censored, and radio stations and television stations sympathetic to the protesters were shut down.

Timeline

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2010 UDD protests.

On Thursday, 13 May, 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, was shot by an unknown sniper around 7 p.m. local time while being interviewed by The New York Times. A backer and part of the protesters' more radical wing, he had accused red-shirt leaders of not being hardline enough.[22][23]

On Friday, 14 May, Thai police 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. One of the Red Shirt leaders, Nattawut Saikuar, accused 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 confirmed they were to close for security reasons.[24]

Rama IV Road during clashes, 15 May 2010

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.[25] 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.[26]

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.[27]

Rescue workers try to reach two wounded men under army fire, 15 May 2010
Smoke from burning tires hangs over Bangkok, 16 May 2010

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.[28] Total casualties since 12 May amount to 24 killed, with 187 injured on the night of 14/15 May alone.[28] One of the dead was a sergeant of the Royal Thai Air Force, who was killed by friendly fire.[29]

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 was estimated the protesters would only be able to hold out for a few more days, and after that have to start plundering the available local shops.[30]

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. The redshirt leaders started telling the public that the foreign media, such as CNN, BBC, Reuters, and many others, cannot be trusted as they are biased, prompting a backlash of their international followers.[31] On 17 May Thai Army Major General Khattiya Sawasdiphol, who was shot in the head by a sniper on 13 May, died.[32]

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 utilized a broom handle to rapidly fire firecrackers.[33] 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.[34][35] By the end of the day, the casualty toll had risen to 37 dead and 266 wounded.[36]

Sporadic clashes continued on 18 May, but these skirmishes were less intense than some previous confrontations had been.[37] 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.[38] The Army moved in soon afterward, backed by armoured personnel carriers (APC) 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 kerosene soaked barricades to deter advancing soldiers and obscure their view.[39]

May 19 army assault

Soldiers of the Royal Thai Army take cover next to a Type-85 AFV near the Red Shirt barricade at Chulalongkorn Hospital
Wikinews has related news: Curfew imposed in parts of Thailand

On 19 May, the army launched an all-out assault using APCs and breached the Red Shirt barricades, leaving at least five dead, including Italian freelance photojournalist Fabio Polenghi.[40][41] Two soldiers were seriously wounded in a grenade attack possibly from a M79. The protest leaders surrendered to police in an attempt to avoid further bloodshed. The majority of protesters booed at the protest leaders as they declared an end to the protests and did not follow them to surrender to the authorities. Fighting between Red Shirt protestors and the army continued in many parts of the city. Red Shirt 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, and barricades built to keep out the army. The total death toll since 14 May is believed to stand at 52. 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.[42][43]

Death of Sergeant Phongchalit Phitayanonthakan

Sergeant Phongchalit Phitayanonthakan (จ่าอากาศเอกพงศ์ชลิต พิทยานนทกาญจน์), aged 51, of the Royal Thai Air Force's Ground Security Force Corps was shot and killed by friendly fire at an Army checkpoint at 1:20 AM of 17 May. Phongchalit and a Pilot Officer Aphichat Songyong (เรืออากาศตรีอภิชาติ ซ้งย้ง), aged 26, were wearing plainclothes and driving an unmarked Vigo pickup truck to the Saladaeng Intersection checkpoint at high speed. Army troops at the checkpoint reported being fired upon by the people in the truck.[44] The Army troops manning the checkpoint fired on the truck causing it to lose control and hit police vehicles parked nearby. The two men were taken to nearby Bangkok Christian Hospital, but Phongchalit was dead on arrival. Aphichat was injured, and later picked up from the hospital by commanders of the RTAF Ground Security Force Corps. The commanders had no comments about the circumstances of Sergeant Phongchalit's death.[45][46][47] Phongchalit was one of the two troops killed in the extended 13–19 May military crackdown.

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.[48] However, numerous reports including one by the International Federation of Journalists noted that Polenghi was shot.[49][50][51] Autopsy results showed that Polenghi died from a high-velocity bullet that entered the heart, and caused damage to his lungs and liver.[52][53] A reporter from Der Spiegel who was with Polenghi noted that he was photographing from the protesters' side and was running from advancing soldiers.[54] The Italian Embassy announced it was pursuing its own investigation.[48]

In May 2013, the results of a lengthy investigation in Thailand revealed that Fabio Polenghi, 48 years old at the time of his death, was felled by a .223 calibre bullet from a soldier's weapon and was running away at the moment he was killed. Testimony from journalists Michel Maas, Manit Kamnan and Bradley Cox were included in the proceedings.[55][56] Polenghi's work had appeared in Vanity Fair, Vogue, Marie Claire, and Elle.[57]

Aftermath

In the hours after the major military operations had wrapped up, a curfew was placed on Bangkok for the first time since 1992, as well as on 23 provinces. Unrest spread to other cities across the country as sympathizers to the redshirts vandalized government facilities in Udon Thani and burned down the town hall, with the province's Governor requesting military intervention to stop the unrest.[58] Early estimates into the economic impact of the fighting by the Thai finance ministry placed the total cost of the fighting at $1.5 billion. Foot and motor vehicle patrols conducted by the Thai military were confronted by Red Shirt holdouts with small arms fire in an attempt to restrict the military's movement through territory previously held by the protesters.[59] After the surrender of the protest leaders, dozens of arson attacks occurred throughout the nation, including Central World shopping center and the Stock Exchange of Thailand.[60]

References

  1. ↑ Erawan EMS Center, รายชื่อผู้เสียชีวิตจากสถานการณ์การชุมนุมของกลุมนปช.
  2. 1 2 MThai, มูลนิธิกระจกเงาเผยจลาจลคนหาย74พบ23, 30
  3. 1 2 Erawan EMS Center
  4. 1 2 Nation, Rescue teams bemoan soldiers' lack of trust, 27 May 2010
  5. ↑ กรุงเทพธุรกิจออนไลน์, พฤษภาอำมหิตกับองค์การนิรโทษกรรมสากล, 2 มิถุนายน 2010
  6. ↑ บ้านเมือง, สะเก็ดการเมือง: หมอพรทิพย์ ลุยสอบเมษาโหด, 23 เมษายน 2553
  7. ↑
  8. ↑ "Bangkok protest leaders surrender as curfew begins". The Irish Times. May 19, 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
  9. ↑ http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/294211/road-to-victory-is-red
  10. 1 2 The Nation, Keeper shot dead at zoo believed a victim of political violence, 15 April 2010
  11. ↑ "Thai Red-Shirt supporter Gen Khattiya shot". BBC News. 13 May 2010. Archived from the original on 16 May 2010. Retrieved 15 May 2010.
  12. ↑ CSM, Thai PM preps snipers, police to seal off Red-Shirt protest site, 13 May 2010
  13. ↑ ศูนย์บริการการแพทย์ฉุกเฉิน สำนักการแพทย์ กรุงเทพมหานคร, รายงานเหตุการณ์การชุมนุมของกลุ่ม นปช.
  14. ↑ TNN, ยิงอากาศโยธินควบวีโก้เข้าสีลมโดนสอยดับ1เจ็บ1, 17 May 2010
  15. ↑ Bangkok Post
  16. ↑ The Nation, Medics banned from entering 'red zones', 16 May 2010
  17. ↑ Brisbane Times, 16 dead, more likely as Thai authorities ramp up protest crack down, 15 May 2010
  18. ↑ "Thai violence claims more lives". BBC News. 15 May 2010. Archived from the original on 19 May 2010. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  19. ↑ "Thailand toughens stand against spiraling protests". Reuters. 16 May 2010. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  20. ↑ Amnesty International, Thailand: Military Must Halt Reckless use of Lethal Force, 17 May 2010
  21. 1 2 3 "Red Shirts on rampage in Bangkok". The Sydney Morning Herald. 19 May 2010. Archived from the original on 22 May 2010. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  22. ↑ Fuller, Thomas; Mydans, Seth (13 May 2010). "Explainer: Thai General Shot; Army Moves to Face Protesters". New York Times. Archived from the original on 16 May 2010. Retrieved 23 May 2010.
  23. ↑ "Explainer: Thailand's political crisis". CNN. 26 February 2010. Archived from the original on 20 May 2010. Retrieved 18 May 2010.
  24. ↑ Sian Powell and Joanna Sugden (14 May 2010). "Violent stand-off in heart of Thai capital". The Times (London). Retrieved 16 May 2010.
  25. ↑ Erskine, Carole (May 14, 2010). "Ten Dead And 125 Injured In Thailand Violence". Sky News. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  26. ↑ "As it happened: Unrest in Bangkok". BBC News. 14 May 2010. Archived from the original on 17 May 2010. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  27. ↑ Ian MacKinnon and Damien McElroy (14 May 2010). "Ten killed in Thailand as police join Red Shirt protest". The Telegraph (London). Archived from the original on 17 May 2010. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  28. 1 2 David Williams and Kat Higgins (May 15, 2010). "Thai PM Speaks Out Amid 'Live Firing Zone'". Sky News. Archived from the original on 18 May 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
  29. ↑ Parry, Richard Lloyd (18 May 2010). "Thai stand-off as Red Shirt peace talks rejected but Army stays away". The Times (London). Archived from the original on 20 May 2010. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
  30. ↑ Doherty, Ben (15 May 2010). "Redshirts warn of civil war as Thai troops told to shoot on sight". The Guardian (London). Archived from the original on 18 May 2010. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
  31. ↑ Parry, Richard Lloyd (17 May 2010). "Violence reduces central Bangkok to a 21st-century Sarajevo". The Times (London). Archived from the original on 17 May 2010. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
  32. ↑ "Seh Daeng pronounced dead at 9:20 am". The Nation. Archived from the original on 19 May 2010. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
  33. ↑ "Ceasefire Call Amid Battle for Bangkok". YouTube. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
  34. ↑ Reds defy deadline, rally continues, Bangkok Post, May 17, 2010 at 05:37 PM.
  35. ↑ "1st sign of ceasefire talks in Thai standoff". Cbc.ca. 17 May 2010. Archived from the original on 20 May 2010. Retrieved 18 May 2010.
  36. ↑ "Thai govt says no peace talks unless protests end". Yahoo! News. 18 May 2010. Archived from the original on 21 May 2010. Retrieved 18 May 2010.
  37. ↑ "Thailand government rejects Bangkok protest talks offer". BBC News. 18 May 2010. Archived from the original on 20 May 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
  38. ↑ Adrees Latif and Damir Sagolj (19 May 2010). "Bangkok burns as protest leaders surrender". Reuters. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
  39. ↑ "Troops break into Red Shirt camp - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". Abc.net.au. Archived from the original on 22 May 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
  40. ↑ Oliver, Merrill D; Dunlap, David W. (May 19, 2010). "Pictures of the Day: Bangkok and Elsewhere". New York Times. Retrieved 2013-05-29.
  41. ↑ http://cpj.org/2010/05/italian-journalist-shot-in-bangkok-unrest-others-w.php
  42. ↑ "RTÉ News: Thai forces to fire on looters and arsonists". Rte.ie. Archived from the original on 22 May 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
  43. ↑ McElroy, Damien (19 May 2010). "Thailand protests: Red shirts surrender as army storms Bangkok camp". London: Telegraph. Archived from the original on 22 May 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
  44. ↑ Khao Sod, ยิงดับทอ.ขับปิกอัพย่านสีลม-ผบ.รูดซิปปาก, 17 May 2010
  45. ↑ TNN, [ยิงอากาศโยธินควบวีโก้เข้าสีลมโดนสอยดับ1เจ็บ1 http://www.atnnonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14118:11&catid=40:top-stories&Itemid=68], 17 May 2010
  46. ↑ Thai Rath, 18 May 2010
  47. ↑ Daily News, ทหารอากาศถูกยิงตาย1 เจ็บ1, 17 May 2010
  48. 1 2 Higgins, Andrew (23 May 2010). "Thai officials use a powerful visual to explain violence". The Washington Post. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  49. ↑ AP Photo/Wally Santana in Daylife
  50. ↑ International Federation of Journalists, Condemns Killing of Second Journalist in Thailand, 20 May 2010
  51. ↑ Matichon, สหรัฐฯแถลงประณามเผากทม. ร้องแกนนำช่วยหยุดยั้ง สื่อต่างชาติชี้ปัญหารุนแรงในไทยมีรากเหง้า, 20 May 2010
  52. ↑ Thai Rath, จับตาสถานการณ์เหตุจลาจล, 26 May 2010
  53. ↑ Nation News Channel, ตัวแทนสถานทูตอิตาลีรับศพช่างภาพอิตาเลียน, 20 May 2010
  54. ↑ Spiegel Online, The Day the Thai Army Moved In, 24 May 2010
  55. ↑ "Thailand court says Italian journalist 'killed by army bullet'". BBC News. Retrieved 2013-05-29.
  56. ↑ "Fabio Polenghi fatally shot by military, inquest finds". Bangkok Post. May 29, 2013. Retrieved 2013-06-02.
  57. ↑ "Ucciso il fotografo Fabio Polenghi, "Voleva essere testimone delle emozioni"". la Repubblica.it. May 19, 2010. Retrieved 2013-05-29.
  58. ↑ "Thai curfew extended as cleanup begins". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, with files from the Associated Press. 2010-05-20. Archived from the original on 23 May 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
  59. ↑ Talmadge, Eric (2010-05-20). "Thai Government Declares Protest Violence Mostly Quelled". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
  60. ↑ MacKinnon, Mark (May 19, 2010). "In a Bangkok Buddhist temple, the groans of the wounded shot seeking sanctuary". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2013-05-29.

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