Live coverage of Thai conflict by Reuters...

[Poll_Blind]

HERE

Not video, sort of like live-blogging I guess. Anyway, stories and pictures coming out very quickly (no video) with the ability to comment on them as they appear.

If anyone knows of stations carrying live coverage or streaming coverage of any (other) sort, feel free to post a follow-up with that information.

PB

[tkmorris]

1. I am woefully uninformed on this

I am having a hard time getting what it is all about in nutshell format from the Reuters site. What is the redshirts beef here?

[Poll_Blind]

3. In a super-duper nutshell:

The red shirts believe the current government is illegitimate and basically puppets of the economic "elites" and the military. You can skim here but the red shirts aren't necessarily all for the same thing, although they all seem to hate the current government- if that makes sense. Government spokesman just came on Thai TV (less than an hour ago) to say the security forces were taking action against a number of places in the city (and probably elsewhere). The Reuters link in my original message is mostly covering in the main encampment in Bangkok.

ASTV in Thailand is sort of covering what's going on but mostly commentary. You can find it streaming on the web.

PB

[tkmorris]

5. Thank you very much for the info

You given me enough of a starting point to begin learning from at least.

[jberryhill]

16. Two things

1. Grantcart is the most informed DUer on this topic.

You will hear the yellow shirts described as the "urban elite". You might translate that as "educated".

The red shirts are the rural population which was skillfully cultivated by the Thaksin government, which played populism well, while engaging in kleptocracy.

Now, here's the weird part. There is one thing all Thais agree on - the king is wonderful. Granted, you go to jail for believing otherwise, but he's genuinely popular. He is, however, past the point of being able to exercise his faculties, and so a big piece of the Thai social glue just isn't working well. Plus, nobody is particularly thrilled with his heir apparent son and would probably prefer his sister (who is adored).

Finally, the Thai people are among the most gracious people on earth, and their country and culture are stunningly beautiful. I hope they get past this.

[grantcart]

8. The red shirts are paid operatives of Thailand's most eggregious human rights violator

Thaksin is a meglamaniac who has been found to have profited as Prime Minister with a judgement of B78 billion.

He is spending about 5 billion to try and destablize the recently elected government by having a "do over".

He continues to undermine red shirt leaders who have tried to negotiate an end to the anarchy in Bangkok that has had his paid army occupy 6 square miles of Bangkok throwing 15,000 out of work.

Seh Daeng the former CIA mercenary that was shot openly proclaimed that he wasn't for a negotiated settlement but for "revolution"


http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/05/14/politics/Who-would-dare-to-get-me-30129281.html

Q : And what about the King Taksin Force that you trained?


K : That was over two years ago. The force disbanded itself. The red guards you see now travel to Bangkok along with the protestors from 75 provinces. They come and work together.

Q : What is your view on infighting among the red-shirt leadership?


A : The "dove" leaders took money from the government and the "hawk" leaders want to expose them, but they don't dare to. But the "hawk" leaders have me, so I expose the "dove leaders".

Q : Who are the dove leaders?


K : Nattawut Saikua, Jatuporn Promphan, Dr weng Tojirakarn, and Wisa Khanthap.

Q : Who are the hawk leaders?


K : Arisman Pongruangrong, Suporn Atthawong, Khwanchai Praipana and Payap Panket.

Q : Your are not included?


K : I don't get involved with the protest.

Q : You are not a hardcore?


K : No. I work separately from the leaders. I don't speak on the stage. I work on the security for the protest. The leaders want me out, but I'm not leaving. I will take care of the protesters, because I know they will be killed if I leave.

Q : The infighting will weaken the protest?


K : No. The doves are bad leaders. The red shirts have come to fight and die. How can they make a deal for themselves? The PM's road map, the surrender of Suthep Thaugsuban at the DSI, and at the CSD. I exposed them all. The red shirts have come here for House dissolution, not for the road map.

Q : What do you have to explain to the people about the red shirts' demand?


K : We come here for House dissolution and now we are fooled by the first-tier leaders. Now we are waiting for the second-tier leaders, who have now given a pledge to carry on the protest and now one backs out. Arisman is the leader.


It is not certain if Jatuporn will join the bandwagon. He jumped in and just jumped out.

Q : How many men are still with you if the protest is over, or if the doves give up?

K : Everyone will stay, because the essentials are all here - water, food, tents, generators and mobile toilets.

Q : If Suthep surrenders to CSD, the protest is over?


A : As agreed. No one will give up. They are ready for a revolution. The hawks are ready to do it since Wednesday night. Arisman announced openly to bring back the 1997 Constitution and Thaksin



The last Prime Minister under Thaksin's control was Samak who was Minister of the Interior during the October 6th Massacre and the greatest foe to progressive forces in the last 30 years.



Seh Daeng has been training a group of former Army rangers for the last 2 years and the Nation is reporting that the Thai military has just captured 20 of them.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/20-armed-men-in-black-captured-by-soldiers-Arisman-30129752.html

The secutiry forces on Wednesday's morning captured 20 armed men in black fighting at Sarasin Junctuion. The men are being detained at Kian Kwuan building on Wireless Road.

After the forces advanced through the reds barricades at Saladaeng, the next flashpoint is Sarasin Junction where the reds set up a defence line to protect the Rajprasong rally site.

As of 11 am, the Sarasin skirmish is still raging on.

Red-shirt leaders at Rajprasong were seen holding a closed-door meeting in the face of advancing security forces. One of the hardcore leaders, Arisman Pongruangrong, has reportedly been trying to flee the rally site. The security forces have been alerted to arrest him as his escape route might be via Pratunam.

Chief coalition whip Witthaya Buranasiri is reportedly in contacts with the red-shirt leaders. One option is the arrangement for the leaders to surrender in order to avoid the loss of life.





People outside of Thailand who continue to paint Thaksin as a progressive force are at a loss to explain why the traditional supporters of the progressive movement, University Students, Academia, Old Guard Siamese reformers and so on have all turned against him even though all supported him when he first became Prime Minister.

The refusal of some of the Red Shirt leaders to meet the PM halfway with his "Path to Peace" that included an early election, their most insistent demand, has exposed the Red Shirt leadership into two groups, one part that wants to negotiate a peaceful end to a now meaningless protest and the other hardline group that is trying to use violence to destabilize the country so that they can bring in a new government by force.

Three or four weeks ago the Red Shirts could have negotiated an end to the protest and made political capital, now they are being reduced to the militant few.

[comrade snarky]

4. It's not simple...

As I understand it some of the Red Shirts are followers of the old prime minister Thaksin. He was run out of office by the military a few years ago for being a massive crook, which to be fair, he is. Problem is he actually did a lot for the poorer rural people so there was a quite a bit of anger when he was driven out and fled the country to avoid a likely prison term.

The red shirts appear to be a combination of Thaksin supporters (the bought, the profiteering and those who saw him as maybe a crook but a crook who gave a damn about them) and people who are honestly angry about living under an unelected government. This latter group (I think) also includes a new movement called the Multicolor who want peaceful elections but don't want the association with Thaksin.

The yellow shirts are supporters of the current government run by the new appointed prime minister Abhisit. They are afraid if elections do happen it will mean the return of Thaksin, who is currently hiding in Dubai, or at least his puppets. Which of course would be a problem what with him being a massive crook and all. From what I've read I think some of the people supporting the unelected government fear Thaksin is a wanna-be dictator whose election would be the last one for a long time.

It's a messy situation and it's hard to find decent info on what's going on. Much of the English language Thai media like the Bangkok Post is pretty yellow, I've seen a lot of paternalistic coverage of the red shirts portraying them as country rubes who can't understand the complexities of modern politics.


Of course not being Thai I'm probably only understanding about 1/2 of what's going on.

[tkmorris]

6. Thanks to you too comrade

I do recall hearing that some of Thaksin's supporters were bitter about him being removed but it's been awhile. I wonder why it's all blowing up now? Thanks again, gonna try to get an education on this through Google.

[Forkboy]

7. There's an interesting post up from your link, made about an hour ago.

I worked for a well known news organization for years. I have owned property in Bangkok for 20 years. Let's get some facts out. The Military is in BUSINESS. They own banks, rubber plantations, rice plantations, hotels etc. They are partners with the business elite. Unlike the USA military, the Thai military is not 100% taxpayer funded. It partially funds itself. It has been a force in Thailand for over 6,000 years. In the past, efforts by Thailand's military to significantly expand its business ventures have met stiff resistance, especially from Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin then attempted to fragment the military and started to woo factions of the Military over to himself. He was trying to create a faction of the military 100% loyal to HIM PERSONALLY. The Generals decided to COUP his ass for stopping their business expansions and trying to divide the Military. Thaksin wooed the rural poor knowing full well it would cement his power due to sheer numbers. Does he care about the Red Shirts? Not a chance. He's funding this protest in order to hopefully create a government more sympathetic to HIM. He wants the $1.4 BILLION he stole while in power released. The government offered elections in November of this year!!!. Thaksin does NOT want that. It is not soon enough. He needs a new election before the Military Leader shake-up in September. As is the case, the wealthy Generals rise to the top and cement partnerships with the business elite running Thailand now. Thaksin will have no chance after September. The military sees no advantage in a Thaksin Red Shirt regime. It is bad for their businesses. In this case, democracy has nothing to do with this protest. This is a power play at the highest level with the "red shirts" as pawns.

[G_j]

9. I just learned a hell of a lot

great post.

[comrade snarky]

12. The military is a huge political force

Military coups have happened a bunch of times in Thailand.

Another force in Thai politics is the royal family. The King is beloved by most of the people. He's an amazing old guy, one of the things he's done is donate a bunch of his land to conservation projects and alternative fuel research. In the past he's been the one to tell the military that it's time to give power back to the people or other times he's helped diffuse rising tensions. A year or two ago when red shirt protesters took control of the Bangkok airport he is the one who told both sides to settle down and talk.

And then they did! That's how much influence he has.

Thing is he's getting old and there are rumors he's not well. That and no one is crazy about his kids. There's a son who is outright unpopular and a daughter who's more liked but no one is sure she can take the throne. How much of that is old fashioned sexism I honestly don't know. Whatever happens it's not good news if the king dies. Some people I've read are worried Thaksin might try to take the royal title if that happens. Possible? Likely? No idea...


I just cant agree with this guy though "In this case, democracy has nothing to do with this protest."

It's statements like his that drip with that paternalistic contempt for rural people. I'm not saying he's wrong about Thaksin... It's just a massive oversimplification of a big block of people. Some of whom have been willing to fight and die for what they believe in. I'm basing that partly on conversations with red shirt protesters I've read about on travel sites from eye witnesses. From what they've said the red shirts don't trust the current government to actually hold the elections in November. They're afraid if these Bangkok protests disband they wont be able to repeat the effort if the Abhisit government calls backsies.

[grantcart]

18. Neither the military, the army or the institution of the Monarchy are

unified blocks.

The military has involved itself at various times in coups. Sometimes it was to steal power and other times it was to stop the elite parties from looting the treasury and to return to a more democratic system.

Since the 1970's the King, for obvious reasons we don't have to go into here, has been steadily trying to reduce the involvement of the Royal Family into the political field and he has been largely successful.

For example in the 70's the parties would get together have an election and then go to the King and he would appoint the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister and the parties would be happy in generating their own low level kick backs knowing that no one party would every get keys to the entire budget.

In the 80's the King refused to name a PM or FM and the political parties then had to struggle with more responsiblity for the entire government. The King limited himself to rare instances where he would make a symbolic act, like accompanying Prem to Korat, to demonstrate that he was against a particular coup and wanted the Army to return power to the poltical parties.

Analyzing the political role of the Army is very complex and would be worth a PHd dissertation. It is also not as right wing or inherrently corrupt as might be perceived, although both of those problems exist. To begin with the Army is Thailand's most merit oriented institution. No other part of society, business or the universities, for example, have a wider geographical inclusion of the country and no other institution places less value on who your ancestors were. To make it in the Thai Army you have to be able to make it with your peers. As a result there is a strange phenomenon of 'graduating class cohesion' where the class of 78 (from the Thai West Point) will form a strong cohesive group that will work to support each other and another class of 82, for example will form a competing group. One graduating class will become intermarried and close to one political party and philosophy and the next year will be connected to a completely different group.

Every single political party and group will have some ties to the Army. This includes all of the political parties and both the Red Shirts and the Yellow Shirts, all have Army ties.

[Forkboy]

19. Thank you, to you and Grantcart both, for the added info.

I appreciate it.

:thumbsup:

[grantcart]

21. May Pen Rai

http://www.tsujiru.net/compass/compass_1994/reg/tanaka.htm


Can you imagine what Mai Pen Rai means? It was the first or second expression I had learned in Thai. When I heard the taxi driver saying this word, I was half delighted and half surprised, because I could understand the meaning. Every guide book that I had read beforehand said that Thailand is a country of Mai Pen Rai. It means "never mind," "do it as it goes," or "you're welcome." I never thought it to be true, but it was true

[Forkboy]

22. That was a cool little piece.

I'm not sure I'd survive anywhere that hot (New England is too hot for me), but I imagine it's a fascinating place to be. I've read from many places that the people there are very nice. Not the plastic nice we get here sometimes, but genuinely nice, and fairly laid back (always a plus for me). This story certainly confirms the laid back part! :)

[grantcart]

29. What he says about Taksin is 100% correct

What he says about the Thai Army is not.

The Thai Army is not a monolithic entity. Not all Army generals are wealthy. In fact there have been a number of Army Supreme Commanders that have been relatively modest financially, and that includes some that have gone on to become Prime Ministers.


Of course there are some Generals and Police Generals who have had wealth and used their position to create vast amounts of wealth - well Thaksin is one of them.


One of the things that the writer notes is that the promotions in the Army are in September and their will be a new set of leaders. In this way the Thai Army is much more fluid than the Pakistani for example.

Power in the Thai Army is based on coalitions that are formed at their West Point. Those classmates work together to help each other. Some of those class groups are interested in business, the next one might be interested in politics. Some are very conservative but others are very reformist and even progressive. There have been key points in the past where 'young turks' have seized the power in order to make the country less dictatorial and more democratic.


On the other points the author is correct.

[comrade snarky]

15. No problem, it's a lot to take in

Be sure to read grantcart's links. He does a lot better job explaining the yellow shirts position.

One of the things that kicked off the protests was the Thai high court reaching a final decision about Thaksin's giant pile of fraud money still in Thailand. They decided he didn't get any of it back.

Well, he didn't like that and began bankrolling protests. Some of the red shirts really do seem to be his people.

[grantcart]

11. The yellow shirts are not supporters of the current government

The yellow shirts are not committed to a political party or coalition but committed to removing Thaksin, his vast looting of the government and his policy to use extra judicial killings, something that Thailand has never experienced on a mass basis before:

Here is an example of Thaksin's handiwork

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tak_Bai_Incident

The Yellow shirts did not organize to take political power:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Alliance_for_Democracy

A significant portion of the Yellow Shirts comprise of Buddhist laypeople who have renounced seeking political power.

For example Chamlong SriMuang was governor of Bangkok and a lay ascetic owning no personal posessions, his house used to have no walls and anyone could take any of his possessions if they wanted.

Rather than accept coalition status and join a corrupt government Chamlong left his own party:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamlong_Srimuang

During the recent demonstrations the "Yellow Shirts" have consistently oppossed the early dismissal of the current government on the grounds that it has just been elected and the Red Shirts are a privately financed protest group with a heavily armed militia that is aimed soley at bringing back Taksin. Taksin has openly stated that if he is brought back and gets back the B 78 billion that the courts have taken from him from stealing that he would 'share' it with the other red shirts.


edited to add: Seh Daeng the former CIA mercenary that was shot last week, his daughter is a "yellow shirt" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seh_Daeng

edited to add the Nation is reporting that 20 "black shirts" (heavily armed former paratroopers that have been photographed shooting from behind the red shirt protesters) have just been detained:


http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/20-armed-men-in-black-captured-by-soldiers-Arisman-30129752.html

The secutiry forces on Wednesday's morning captured 20 armed men in black fighting at Sarasin Junctuion. The men are being detained at Kian Kwuan building on Wireless Road.

After the forces advanced through the reds barricades at Saladaeng, the next flashpoint is Sarasin Junction where the reds set up a defence line to protect the Rajprasong rally site.

As of 11 am, the Sarasin skirmish is still raging on.

Red-shirt leaders at Rajprasong were seen holding a closed-door meeting in the face of advancing security forces. One of the hardcore leaders, Arisman Pongruangrong, has reportedly been trying to flee the rally site. The security forces have been alerted to arrest him as his escape route might be via Pratunam.

Chief coalition whip Witthaya Buranasiri is reportedly in contacts with the red-shirt leaders. One option is the arrangement for the leaders to surrender in order to avoid the loss of life

[comrade snarky]

14. I was off there

You're right, they're not really Abhisit supporters. It's more complicated than that.

This is such a hard conflict for me, that's why I find it so engrossing.

I'd want to be with the red shirts because personally I wouldn't want to live with a military appointed government, but then again the last thing I'd want is Thaksin or his puppets back in power. He's too damn dangerous.

[grantcart]

17. The military had no involvement in creating the current coalition

The Constitutional Court found that Thaksin's parties had been involved in massive vote buying and was banned.

The Democrats have become the largest party by sweeping the by elections.

One could make a case that the Courts picked the government but not the Army. For the record this is the first time when a high profile case ended with the really rich guy losing leading most observers to feel that the Judges were moved by a rare case of patriotism that made it impossible to bribe them.

Taksin was found guilty of massive defrauding of the Government and assessed damages of B 78 billion. This has been largely substantiated by the fact that while it is normally impossible to trace the money in these cases the Court had no problem impounding B 45 billion. This is what the current stand by the Red Shirts is really about as it is clear to all that the political excuses are no longer viable and this is Thaksin's gambit to create enough instability and civilian casualties that the government will either fall or pay him to go away, but neither is going to happen.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Representatives_of_Thailand





As this article shows the Red Shirts started demonstrating even as they were losing elections, this coalition government has nothing to do with the Army but is the result of legitimate elections:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/01/12/politics/politics_30092986.php


Yesterday's by-elections for a total of 29 new MPs tilted in favour of the Democrat-led coalition government, which won 19 more House seats while opposition Pheu Thai and Pracharaj parties got just 10.
According to unofficial poll results, the opposition parties retained seats only in the Northeast and Lampang while losing their previous three seats to the Democratled coalition parties.

As a result, the government's majority was boosted to 255 from 236 compared to the opposition's 205 MPs, up from 195.


Widespread redshirted antigovernment protests ahead of the byelections in 22 provinces were partly blamed for the opposition parties' losses.


Critics said the protesters' move could have backfired because some voters had become tired of endless protests and inappropriate tactics such as egg attacks.


For example, former premier Chuan Leekpai of the Democrat Party, was attacked with eggs by protesters in the northern province of Lampoon while campaigning for a government MP candidate.


Chuan was also attacked by protesters while visiting Lopburi, another byelection province.


Banyat Banthadthan, another Democratic leader, also faced the egg attack while campaigning for the government in Pathumthani province

[Forkboy]

2. Thanks.

A lot of stories to follow tonight, and this is one of them. I'm hoping for a peaceful resolution, but not expecting one.

[G_j]

10. thank you

:hi:

[grantcart]

13. Reuters is largely quoting from the Nation's LBN log which is here

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/breakingnews/

Sometimes it loads slowly.

[FrenchieCat]

20. I'm paying attention, as my brother and his wife and son live there.....

[grantcart]

23. Updates from BKK English language newspapers - Red shirt leaders fleeing

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/Panithan-Red-shirt-leaders-have-fled-30129757.html

Acting government spokesman Panithan Wattanayakorn announced on TV that some red-shirt leaders have fled out of Rajprasong rally site.

He did not name names.

He said the security forces have successfully in securing area around Lumpini Park.

Panithan said troops were advancing further towards Rajprarsong and he urged demonstrators to walk to the Pathumwan Intersection so that they could be sent home by the authorities


http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/20-armed-men-in-black-captured-by-soldiers-Arisman-30129752.html


The secutiry forces on Wednesday's morning captured 20 armed men in black fighting at Sarasin Junctuion. The men are being detained at Kian Kwuan building on Wireless Road.

After the forces advanced through the reds barricades at Saladaeng, the next flashpoint is Sarasin Junction where the reds set up a defence line to protect the Rajprasong rally site.

As of 11 am, the Sarasin skirmish is still raging on.

Red-shirt leaders at Rajprasong were seen holding a closed-door meeting in the face of advancing security forces. One of the hardcore leaders, Arisman Pongruangrong, has reportedly been trying to flee the rally site. The security forces have been alerted to arrest him as his escape route might be via Pratunam.

Chief coalition whip Witthaya Buranasiri is reportedly in contacts with the red-shirt leaders. One option is the arrangement for the leaders to surrender in order to avoid the loss of life.

The Nation




The Bangkok Post is reporting that the army has retaken Lumpini Park - Thailand's Central Park

Troops are able to secure part of the area around the Ratchaprasong rally site on Wednesday morning, using armoured personnel carries to destroy barricades of tyres and bamboo staves set up by the protesters as clashes between troops and protesters continue around the capital.

At least four people, including an Italian reporter, were killed and more than 50 were wounded in the operation, local media reported.

Director of Police Hospital Jongjet Aoajenpong confirmed the Italian reporter was shot in the stomach and died before arriving at the hospital.

Government spokesman Panithan Wattanayakorn said in a televised address at 11.30am that the operation to secure Lumpini Park area was successful, adding that it was done under strict control of rules and regulations.

Authorities have prepared buses at the Pathumwan intersection for protesters wishing to return home, he said.



http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/178430/jatuporn-ready-to-surrender

Seven leaders of the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) will surrender to police on Wednesday afternoon, opposition chief whip Witthaya Buranasiri said.

Mr Witthaya said they are: Jatuporn Prompan, Natthawut Saikua, Weng Tojirakarn, Wiphuthalaeeng Pattanaphumthai, Korkaew Phikulthong, Yosvaris Chuklom and Nisit Sinthuprai.

Senator Lertrat Ratanavanich said UDD leader and Puea Thai Party MP Jatuporn had contacted the opposition chief whip and said he wanted to surrender to the police at 1.30pm today.

He said a group of Puea Thai MPs will travel to the Royal Thai Police headquarters to witness the surrender.

"I believe other UDD core members, besides Mr Jatuporn, will turn themselves in to the police as well," he added.

[grantcart]

24. Bangkok Post reporting that Red Shirts have entered the city halls in

Khon Khen and Udorn and put them to flames.



This will only further diminish the image of the Red Shirts who will wake up and find tomorrow that they just tourched their own City Halls.

A whole bunch of people are going to end up visiting Thai prisons when this is over.

[grantcart]

25. several twitter contributors are reporting that Jatuporn is announcing

that all remaining Red Shirts should go to the national stadium to get busses to go home.

http://twitter.com/tzarimas/thailand-unrest

[grantcart]

26. TNN: Red leaders on the way to the Police station. The press are crowding around them!

several twitter contributors have said they see this on their TV

[grantcart]

27. twitter feeds detailing all red shirt leaders have surrendered

http://twitter.com/tzarimas/thailand-unrest



# terryfrd Here comes Vipu Thalaeng and Nattawud, still hearing explosions. Phisit goes in. top red guard still giving protection. half a minute ago via TweetDeck

# Jodi Ettenberg legalnomads TNN: Red leaders on the way to the Police station. half a minute ago via TweetDeck

# Richard Barrow RichardBarrow A big media scrum now of people trying to get pictures of the red shirt leaders turning themselves in to the police. half a minute ago via TweetDeck

# Kenneth Todd Ruiz kennethtoddruiz Channel 3 is showing footage of Red Shirt leaders at police headquarters. They have surrendered. #redshirts less than a minute ago via web

# Wizard of Windsor WizardofWindsor Here comes Nattawut. his name's announced on a loudhailer like he's being substituted off a football pitch! less than a minute ago via web

# George Thaivisa georgebkk TAN: Jatuporn seen paying respect to image of HM the King before walking inside to meet police interrogators less than a minute ago via TweetDeck

# tukky_nt tukky_nt Natthwut, Nisit, and Wiphuthalang are following to the 2nd floor less than a minute ago via TweetDeck

# TAN News Network TAN_Network red-shirt protesters tried to accompany their leaders into Natl Police Office for their surrender but were blocked from entering

[ConsAreLiars]

28. There were a couple hours of live video with reporters there where the action was happening on AJE

More than that, but that was what I saw while watching AJE. http://english.aljazeera.net/

They are doing other stuff now, although the banner text is doing updates.

I watch AJE using the software provided at http://www.livestation.com/downloads

(edit small typos)
\
And edit also to add, AJE was the only source for what was happening in Sri Lanka when the Government/Tamil Tiger conflict was at it's most intense levels. Again, reporters there. Live coverage. What CNN once, long ago, might have become.

(Live coverage is back on.)

[grantcart]

31. AJE does really good work - most of the time.

[grantcart]

30. The thank you speech that did the Red shirts in

Doesn't translate well but this short thank you speech at the Thai Academy Awards
did more to undermine the red shirts than the army tanks.

If you know a Thai speaker ask them to explain it to you as it doesn't translate into English well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CA0QY9Vdy4

edited to add that millions saw it broadcast live on Sunday and the Thai version rendered a million hits in one day - the Thai version.

[grantcart]

32. Red shirt gangs torching department stores announce hunt for press

Also loss of electricity in some neighborhoods


# babyfishie TNN24 has live picture of fires in front of Central World department store. less than 5 seconds ago via web

# TAN News Network TAN_Network INN: Dindaeng sees torching of police kiosk and power generator less than 10 seconds ago via web

# marco SwissInBangkok Asok out of electricity...anyone nearby as well? half a minute ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®

# veena T. veen_NT Mob without leaders is much more dangerous. The bad sign is the angry reaction when leaders announced the end of rally. half a minute ago via TweetDeck

# George Thaivisa georgebkk TAN: INN: Dindaeng red-shirt protesters announce independence from main gathering and said it will hunt down members of the press less than a minute ago via TweetDeck

# TAN News Network TAN_Network ASTV: red-shirt protesters throwing things and torching shops at and around Central World; torching of gas cylinder in front of Natl Police less than a minute ago via web

[grantcart]

33. More twitter updates -- some red shirts going home some setting fires

# TAN_Network 4 public buses hijacked; all public bus service suspended less than 5 seconds ago via web

# George Thaivisa georgebkk 'Firetruck just beside at soi baan plai nuan cannot get out! Reds destroy everything!!!' /via @freakingcat less than 10 seconds ago via TweetDeck

# bangkok bangkok Curfew to be imposed across Bangkok (Sidney Morning Herald) http://bit.ly/bcPSQN ChannelNewsAsia: http://bit.ly/9mlB9q half a minute ago via TweetDeck

# Richard Barrow RichardBarrow I am on the road at the moment heading north to Samrong as there were reports of Reds heading our way. Nothing yet. less than a minute ago via Tweetie

# Wizard of Windsor WizardofWindsor The army, on the one hand, has to contain the ongoing problem of snipers, while also securing new areas, & suppressing other riots 1 minute ago via web

# freakingcat freakingcat Firetruck just beside at soi baan plai nuan cannot get out! Reds destroy everything!!! 1 minute ago via Twitterrific

# George Thaivisa georgebkk MCOT: 300 Red Shirt protesters begin to go home on transport provided by authorities at Supachalasai Stadium 2 minutes ago via TweetDeck

# TAN News Network TAN_Network Siam Paragon and Zeer Rangsit also being torched; Ubon Ratchathani provincial town hall torched and gunshots ringing out 2 minutes ago via web

# bangkokpundit bangkokpundit CTW RTs a message that fire is out at CTW https://twitter.com/CentralWorld/status/14280845973 2 minutes ago via Echofon

# freakingcat freakingcat My god!!! Huge fire at electricity work khlong toei just beside our house! Huge thick smoke!