Red's Riots in Bangkok Thailand Once Again

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News and Events From Mid-March to Mid-May 2010
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Bangkok on Fire

In mid-March 2010, the Reds came to Bangkok once again to start the riots. Since then, thousands of protesters have turned a large area of Bangkok into a virtual state within a state. The mob occupied a large business district, destroying normal life and all regular activities of city residents. Many businesses and public institutions are closed, and people are out of work.

The truth is, Reds are not fighting for democracy as Thailand already has a democratically elected government. The mob is fighting for the return of (their paymaster) Thaksin, who killed far more innocent people than have died here and once famously said: "Democracy is not my aim".

The Red's protest is not about 'haves' versus 'have nots'. It is an example of the raw power of money that can buy anything in this corrupt and lawless country. A lack of the rule of law and corruption have made Thailand a failed state in the first place.

The Red's private security, which in fact is an armed assault force (called black-clad guards) blends with unarmed people and cold-bloodedly lures the government forces, well knowing that it will result in death, victims of which then can be paraded for propaganda.

Mixing in non-combatants with combatants is the very definition of using human shields. Some protesters even brought along little kids and paraded them on the barricades, forward-facing armed troops (in other words, putting an innocent child in the line of fire).

Insanity Rules

Redshirt Child in the Line of Fire at Tyre Barricade on Rama IV Road

The red mob threw bombs among peaceful bystanders in Sala Daeng, shot RPG at the Dusit Thani Hotel, targeted Lumpini Police family barracks with M79 grenades, and fired grenades in other places at soldiers who did not move. They blocked public traffic in the heart of Bangkok and raided Chulalongkorn Hospital.

Red's Riots Again in Bangkok

Until mid-May 2010, I saw nothing done to stop the violent mob.

An election date has been negotiated, paving the way for reconciliation with a majority of Reds' leaders, who embraced the road map. Not good enough. The mob persists in maintaining its destructive presence. Night after night, I am bombarded by sounds from their colossal speakers. Furthermore, the routes that were once easily accessible to me remain obstructed and heavily fortified with a formidable arrangement of bamboo spears, razor wire, and discarded tires.

Two-Meter-High Bamboo Barricade in Bangkok

Initially, I criticized the way Thaksin was booted out, but what a man he was. In intense competition, he still was the worst Thai Prime Minister in present times, both from the human rights and corruption point of view. He is now a convicted criminal hiding somewhere in Montenegro.

I have been to the Redland (north and north-eastern provinces of Thailand) numerous times. The locals are known for their genuine kindness, humility, as well as hardships. At the same time, they are poor, ignorant, stubborn, and brainwashed by their "leaders" who manipulate them with a load of lies day-by-day. Then again, being unable to think for themselves and having no independent knowledge to rely on, the Reds believe whatever they are fed.

Add to this that for many Reds who are rioting in Bangkok, it is an easy way to get some money from Thaksin. If they go home, they can't find a job that pays baht 500/day (plus free food and accommodations).

Enough is enough for goodness sake, remove the mob as peacefully as possible, but remove them.

Bangkok On Fire

Professional thugs and hooligans in action, setting up fire to tires and throwing Molotow cocktails. The mob terrorized millions of people in Bangkok, robbing and looting shops. Are these the honest grassroots people who come to Bangkok to demonstrate for more democracy and against double standards? Somehow, they do not look like poor and underprivileged farmers from Isaan.

Live Firing Zone in Downtown Bangkok

Several residential areas in Bangkok are declared 'live firing zones'. Gunshots are coming from all directions. The situation elsewhere across the capital looks uncontrollable, as the standoff between the mob and the government troops continues. The red mob attempted to blow up a gas tanker rolled into the Rama IV Road à±¼ one of Bangkok's major arteries. The firefights, violence, and hostilities on the streets of Bangkok reached rather dangerous proportions after nearly a week of street fighting that started on Friday, 14 May 2010.

70 or so young children and their parents are among hundreds of redshirts who have sought refuge at Pathumwanaram Temple, near the main rally site between the CentralWorld and Siam Paragon. A big banner flying at the temple reads: "Compassion and Forgiveness Zone. No Arms Allowed".

Liberation of Bangkok

Early morning on Wednesday, 19 May 2010 the government troops backed by armored vehicles, tanks, and water trucks began the crackdown at Rajprasong, Silom, Sala Deang, and Lumpini Park areas. The first round of intense gunfire was heard at about 6 A.M.

Bangkok's Central World Ablaze on 19 May 2010

The Buddha statue and Thai national flag in front of Central World shopping mall after it was set ablaze by the red mob when the government troops advanced towards the red-shirt's encampment.

Rioting and fires swept Bangkok after troops stormed a protest encampment, forcing protest leaders to surrender, but sparking clashes that killed at least four people and triggered unrest in northern Thailand. A total of 88 people died during the Reds rally (from 12 March to 19 May 2010); 1,885 people were injured, 17 of them are still struggling for life in intensive care units.

Thai police arrest core protest leader Jatuporn Prompan

The furious redshirt mob singled out a new enemy in their ongoing struggle, turning their anger on the media, the most visible messengers in the conflict: local TV stations, newspapers, and even some foreign journalists. They set on fire Channel 3 TV building on Rama IV Road and arson rampage scores of properties across the capital.

Violent riots coincided with robberies and shop-looting. At the height of tensions, protesters were seen looting department stores in scenes of 'smash and grab' tactics. The luxury Gaysorn Plaza near the redshirt's stronghold was raided by the mob. Some pricey goods have been found on redshirt protestors returning home to their respective provinces on free buses. Luxury items worth more than THB 10,000 have been found by police at checkpoints outside Bangkok.

An overnight curfew was imposed in Bangkok on 19 May from 20:00 to 06:00 the next morning. The first curfew in 15 years, as the Thai capital is gripped by looting and torching. The air in Bangkok is bitter. The breeze carries a stinging black smoke pouring from flaming piles of tires and burning buildings. Big dark clouds going up into the sky are spreading all over the capital.

Bangkok in Black

As protests spread upcountry, a curfew has been extended to cover 23 Thai provinces to prevent rioting and arson. Government buildings in the northern provinces became targets of arsonist attacks including the provincial halls of Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Mukdahan, and Ubon Ratchathani, and the official residence of the Chiang Mai governor.

A curfew over Bangkok and 23 provinces have been extended for three more nights to Saturday, 22 May from 21:00 to 05:00.

Reds Riots Aftermath

Following the Money

The Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situations (CRES) blacklisted several dozens of companies and individuals, banning them from making financial transactions. The CRES cites the emergency decree, which empowers the authorities to impose such a ban for national security and public safety.

Numerous companies and individuals have been implicated in financing redshirt protesters. They include fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, his former wife (who just recently withdrew US$ 36 Million in cash) and their children, his sister Yaowaret Shinawatra and other relatives, and politicos: former transport minister Suriya Juengrungruangkit, former deputy interior minister Sermsak Pongpanit, former senator Wiboon Chamchuen, Pheu Thai politico Plodprasop Suraswadee, businessman Prayuth Mahakitsiri, redshirt leaders, and businesses with connections to the Shinawatra family.

Arrest Warrant Against Thaksin on Terrorism Charge Has Been Issued

On 25 May 2010, the Criminal Court finally approved issuing an arrest warrant against fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on terrorism charges. Thai government accused Thaksin of inciting unrest and bankrolling the mass rallies of Red Shirts protesters. The 'terrorism' warrant is aimed at boosting the attempts to extradite Thaksin and diminish his alternatives of sanctuary.

"Terrorism is the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives."   - FBI -

The court initially approved a special investigation request to issue 10 arrest warrants for terrorist suspects, including Thaksin. But two hours later, the court revoked its decision on Thaksin and asked the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to send back Thaksin's case for the court to reconsider. The DSI sought and received the latest batch of nine warrants on the nine suspects involved in violating the emergency rule. The nine suspects are Adisorn Piengket, Wiphuthalaeng Phattanaphuthai, Payap Panket, Jeng Dokjik, Wichien Khaokham, Aree Krainara, Suksek Pholsue, Surachai Thewarat and Rachot "Kob" Wongyod.

Failure and Disgrace of the Thai Police

The right for peaceful demonstrations is upheld by the Thai constitution as long as it doesn't infringe on the rights of others. The Reds' rallies in Bangkok began in a relatively nonviolent manner, but in a short while they metastasized like cancer into an armed insurgency. The Thai government then issued an Emergency Decree to curtail the freedom of assembly. A breakdown of law and order happened under the police nose in the Rajprasong area, explicitly declared off-limits to the Red's protests when the Thai police failed to enforce it.

The police have a lot to answer for by allowing the redshirts to occupy, camp down, and erect a stage at Rajprasong that blocked traffic and clearly infringed on the rights of other citizens to pass by and go about their normal business. This took place virtually in front of National Police Head Quarters, so they can't say they didn't notice it. How they can be trusted with any security operations against the Redshirts?

Furthermore, as the Reds dug in and began bringing weapons into the site, the police looked the other way. When Red militants (so-called black-clad guards) from the site attacked peaceful protesters on Silom Road with M79 grenades, the police stationed between the two groups failed to lift a finger. When angry Reds broke into Chulalongkorn Hospital, the police pretended not to notice a wanted Redshirt leader standing next to them.

When the military finally moved in to blockade the campsite, the police again failed to assist them, allowing militants to escape into surrounding neighborhoods and turn sections of the city into war zones.

The protest exposed the intolerable failure on the part of Thai police to uphold the law and protect the citizens from unspeakable violence. It can't be overlooked, there has to be a reckoning for this failure.

Latest Update

At the end of May, amid the dicey political situation safety and normality were gradually restored in Bangkok, now called The City of Lost Angels.

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