Political un-rest and rally

[STEVE G]

Think he's been switched off by a sniper, just 30 seconds after the first whistle blew

SJ

That might cause more problems than it solves.
I can't imagine that you would plan to do that so it points at more meddling from other hands trying to incite violence.

[BaaBaa.]

A mere flesh wound?

[richard]

Well here we go

Passports up to date?

UK Embassy have issued a warning

So much for my local rocket festival

[caller]

The New York TImes claims he was shot during an interview with the reporter who wrote this:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/14/world ... ai.html?hp

Seems he was taken out by a sniper. It could have been another media person!

And the British Embassy is closing:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8681601.stm

[STEVE G]

Another deadly clash:

(Bangkok Post)One person was killed and at least 10 people were wounded in the clashes between authorities and anti-government protesters outside Lumpini Park on Thursday night.

Demonstrators led by the red-shirt United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) threw stones at close circuit television cameras, blockaded the area with steel fences and large tree pots and tried to provoke the troops who were less than 30 metres away from the protest venue.

The soldiers fired warning shots with rubber bullets.

The latest outbreak of violence resulted in one dead and at least 10 injured.

[sandman67]

man

dropping him in front of reporter

thats proper balls

that'll teach him to call Abba a wimp

guess the gloves are off now

some good footage on CNN

[sandman67]

General Khattiya’s last words before being shot were, “The military cannot get in here.” Those words were spoken in Thai; he sometimes also spoke in broken English.

no frickin way..... man sometimes life is just....

[BaaBaa.]

some good footage on CNN

[BaaBaa.]

General Khattiya’s last words before being shot were, “The military cannot get in here.” Those words were spoken in Thai; he sometimes also spoke in broken English.

no frickin way..... man sometimes life is just....

Before today, he was described as being "untouchable," boasting of his revered status to another reporter just moments before the bullet struck him in the temple, asking rhetorically, "Who would dare to get me?"

[cozza]

Sarge,

Sorry, I was not intending to attack your legitimacy, I was just stating what that journo said.

I think it was taken the wrong way, why I posted it was to reinforce the significance of Thaksin in this mess.

[STEVE G]

man

dropping him in front of reporter

thats proper balls

that'll teach him to call Abba a wimp

guess the gloves are off now

some good footage on CNN

The guy probably deserved it, but it's wouldn't be a clever move.
I'm more inclined to believe it was either someone in the military taking revenge or someone stiring up trouble because if his supporters go underground they've just been given a justification for embarking on a campaign of political assasination.

[margaretcarnes]

some good footage on CNN

Whatever the reasons for this shooting - whatever the guy has, or has not done - whichever side he is on - let's just take a serious look again at the way the situation was handled. And remember guys - this is how serious injuries are routinely handled in Thailand.
Thanks to CNN we can now see in action the complete lack of awareness of any form of basic first aid. Where's the recovery position? Where's the checking of airway?
Oh no - grab the victim and just maul him around. Doesn't matter that he might have a spinal injury. Might be in shock. Might be choking. Might have a severed artery or two.
Oh no - just keep on taking photos and get him out of the way as quickly as possible.
This is TIT in action IMO. And sadly now for the whole world to see.

[hhfarang]

Both the British Embassy and the American Embassy have closed. Hope nobody has an annual renewal coming up soon!

US closes embassy in Thailand, 'very concerned' about violence

WASHINGTON, May 13, 2010 (AFP) - The United States Thursday closed its embassy in Bangkok and said it was "very concerned" about the violence between the Thai government and protesters there.

"We're very concerned, we're watching it (the violence) very closely," State Department spokesman Philip Crowley told reporters, adding the US embassy was closed to the public because it is near the trouble.

"It is closed and American citizens services will be available for emergencies only... Essential personnel right now are manning the embassy, but it's not open," Crowley said.

"We continue to encourage both sides that violence is not the route to resolve these issues. Ultimately, the government and the demonstrators have to get back together again and reach agreement on the path forward," he said.

"The government has to continue to have a dialogue with the demonstrators and they need to reach an agreement on a path forward," Crowley said.

"There are fundamental fissures within Thai society and the only way to resolve this and to develop a civil and inclusive society is through peaceful negotiation," he said when asked if there is a threat to democracy.

Thai "Red Shirt" protesters clashed with troops in the heart of the capital Thursday, leaving one dead and eight wounded.

The clashes came after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva shelved a plan for November elections and hopes faded for a resolution to a crippling two-month crisis that has sparked periodic violence, leaving 30 people dead and about 1,000 injured.

Britain to shut Bangkok embassy amid protests

LONDON, May 13, 2010 (AFP) - The British embassy in Bangkok will close on Friday amid the violence in the Thai capital, a Foreign Office spokeswoman told AFP.

"The embassy will be closed tomorrow but we'll still have a hotline," the spokeswoman said.

"We'll be monitoring the situation in Bangkok on a day-by-day basis."

The United States closed its Bangkok embassy Thursday.

Thai "Red Shirt" protesters clashed with troops in the heart of the capital Thursday, leaving one dead and eight wounded.

The clashes came after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva shelved a plan for November elections and hopes faded for a resolution to a crippling two-month crisis that has sparked periodic violence, leaving 30 people dead and about 1,000 injured.

[charlesh]

Margaret with all due respect a bullet wound to the head is just that. It is not normally associated with a broken neck unless subsequent to the initial injury, nor choking from say an obstruction or sucking wound to lungs. The level of attention you suggest ie. stuffing around for non existent injuries may well see him croak it. At least that was what I was taught in first aid small arms course some years back.
However your general comment is spot on the level of first aid is highly dubious here in LOS - you are lucky to get to hospital alive and even more lucky if they can save you!!!!!
I always cringe when I see the latest victims of our Islamic friends playing with pyrotechnics or those on the receiving ends of land mines being bundled into utes/sedans etc. Prognosis - NOT GOOD!

AND HHF nice quote (United States Thursday closed its embassy in Bangkok and said it was "very concerned" about the violence between the Thai government and protesters there). Hope it didn't upset their golfing day or Ambassadorial functions planned for the weekend!

[Super Joe]

boasting of his revered status to another reporter just moments before the bullet struck him in the temple

IF it was the government forces that carried it out then this would be bad PR, I thought he was shot inside the protest site


Media report:
Co-leader Jatuporn Prompan said: "If the death can bring democracy and justice, we are ready to die. We are ready to face it. We are here to take the bullets." … "Reports said some UDD core members remained inside a container behind the stage surrounded by many guards."
Class.

SJ