BANGKOK — The Royal Thai Army has warned that the military is willing to step in to bring about "order" if Thailand’s political unrest continues to escalate.

The warning was broadcast live on the army-owned TV Channel 5 this afternoon, hours after unidentified militants fired grenades and automatic rifles at an anti-government rally in Bangkok, killing at least three people and injuring over 20. 

The statement, which was issued on behalf of army commander-in-chief Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, strongly condemned the attack:

"The public should condemn all sides who employ violence and use military-grade weapons on innocent citizens, and the public should send information or clues [concerning the perpetrators] to the Army."

The statement praised all efforts to seek a peaceful solution to the political crisis, but also noted, "however, legal channels and dialogues might not achieve much in this period of time, because there are many debates and disputes. [The efforts] may be too slow to respond to the situation, which indicates a rise in violence."

The army went on to issue its strongest warning of a military intervention since anti-government protesters first took to the streets last November:

"We would like to warn all groups, especially those who employ violence with military-grade weapons on innocent citizens, to cease these actions immediately. If the situation continues to be marked with violence, it will be necessary for the military to launch a full-scale effort to end the violence, in order to maintain order [and safety] in lives and properties of the people."

"If the situation escalates to the point that unrest breaks out, for the sake of public order, the army may be required to deploy the armed force to resolve the situation. In that stage, if any individual or any group of individuals or any armed group responds to the army [with violence] or continues to harm the innocent people, those individuals will be subject to extreme measures of suppression under the laws by the security forces, in which the wrongdoers will not be able to seek any compensation."

Although the army's statement did not clarify under what legal provisions the military would launch these "extreme measures of suppression," some observers believe the statement refers to a possible invocation of Martial Law. Under Thai law, commanders of the armed forces are authorized to unilaterally impose Martial Law in the event of unrest or foreign invasion.

The statement also warned against any defamation of the army, which will be taken as "a slandering of dignity and pride of the army. All soldiers will not accept such gesture."

The statement added that the army "belongs to the Nation, the Religion, the Monarchy, and all Thai citizens. It does not belong to any certain side. However, the army will defend dignity, pride, and uphold the public order of the nation and the people in the fullest capacity when the need arises." 

The army made no mention of the current caretaker government, suggesting that they may be willing to deploy troops without the consent of acting Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisarn. 

The statement is bound to raise the ire of many pro-government supporters, who have long viewed Gen. Prayuth and the army as sympathetic to the anti-government cause. 

Since the current crisis erupted last November, Gen. Prayuth has refused to rule out the possibility of military coup, raising fears that the army is contemplating yet another coup against the elected government.

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, to whom the current administration is allied, was ousted by the army in 2006.

Thailand has experienced eleven successful military coups since it became a constitutional monarchy in 1932. 

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

BANGKOK — A reporter for Channel 7 said the group of Redshirt taxi drivers who attacked him yesterday have apologised for their actions.

The Channel 7 television reporter, Thomchan Boonsaiya, 49, said he was attacked  by a group of pro-government taxi drivers yesterday after they called him to report on their story.

According to Mr. Thomchan, the taxi drivers claimed they had been hired to attend the Redshirt rally in western Bangkok, but were never paid for attending. Mr. Thomchan said he agreed to meet with the taxi drivers and cover their story in front of the Thammasala Police Station on 14 May. 

But when Mr. Thomchan arrived at the police station around 2:00 a.m. with his TV camera, the Redshirts waiting for him attacked him physically and forced him to delete footage on his camera. 

According to police, the Redshirts ceased their assault on Mr. Thomchan when a woman from their group shouted that they should not harm the media. The demonstrators were not armed at the time, police said.

Mr. Thomchan said he spoke with the Redshirts who attacked him in a meeting mediated by police today. 

Mr. Thomchan said the leader of the taxi drivers' group apologised to him, and explained that he thought Mr. Thomchan was a reporter from an anti-government press agency looking to discredit the Redshirts. When the leader shouted and moved aggressively toward Mr. Thomchan on the night of the attack, the other taxi drivers followed suit without knowing the situation, Mr. Thomchan told Khaosod English.  

"They said we are sorry, we were too impatient, and we accept that we were at fault," Mr. Thomchan said. "I told them they should at least ask or talk to me first before they attack me."

The Channel 7 reporter added that he would not press charges now that he and the Redshirts have reached an understanding. 

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

BANGKOK — At least three people were killed and 24 injured in a combined grenade and gunfire attack on an anti-government protest rally site in Bangkok early this morning.

Witnesses said the attack took place at around 2:50 a.m. near the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Avenue, where hundreds of supporters of the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) have been camping in their bid to oust the government of acting Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisarn.

According witnesses, two loud explosions were heard near the monument, followed by sporadic bursts of gunfire lasting for "many minutes."

When the attack subsided, two people were found dead, and the wounded were promptly sent to hospital. The deceased victims were identified as Narayos Chanpetch, 21, and Somkuan Nuankanai, 51. 

A third victim died from injuries at the hospital this morning, reports say. 

The names of the injured have not been released, but police reports indicate that at least two women were among the wounded. The injuries appear to have been caused by firearm bullets and shrapnel from explosives, police say. 

A police bomb squad later entered the area at around 6:00 a.m. to collect evidence of the attack, which took place metres away from tourist hot spot and backpacker haven Khaosan Road. One hotel on Ratchadamnoen Avenue was also reportedly damaged by the blast. 

Pol.Cpt. Lertchai Puelongchai said police suspect that the perpetrators were armed with M79 grenade launchers and possibly M16 rifles. The suspects most likely arrived in several vehicles and launched their attack from Kok Wua Intersection before fleeing.

Several PCAD guards reported that they saw several vehicles make repeated turns around the protest site prior to the attack.

Shadowy militants have harassed PCAD protest sites at night several times over the past few months, resulting in a number of injuries and fatalities. The incident on Ratchadamnoen Avenue this morning is the deadliest since the grenade and gunfire attack on a PCAD rally in Trat province on 22 February, which killed one five-year-old girl and injured around 40 demonstrators.

The police have not arrested any suspects in connection with these attacks. 

A total of 24 people, mostly civilians, have lost their lives in the sporadic violence that has plagued Thailand since the latest round of political turmoil erupted last November, according to Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Erawan Centre. 

Although many speculate that hardline members of the pro-government faction are behind the recent escalation of violence against PCAD protesters, a prominent pro-government activist has denied the allegation.

Speaking at a press conference at the pro-government rally on Aksa Avenue in western Bangkok, chairman of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) Jatupon Prompan said the UDD is not responsible for the attacks on anti-government demonstrators in any way. He also urged the police to swiftly investigate the incidents.  

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish