Laksi Clash: 39 Shots Fired From Anti-Govt Position

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3 February 2014, 18:33

(3 February) More than 40 shots have been fired during the clashes between rival protest groups in northern Bangkok on Saturday, police said.

The gunbattle erupted in the evening of 1 February when scores of pro-election protesters, mostly Redshirts, attempted to retake Laksi District Office from the besieging anti-election protesters led by the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD).

At least 6 people were injured, one of them severely.

Pol.Lt.Gen. Kamrop Panyakaew, director of the forensic police, said in a press conference today that his force has investigated the ballistics and other evidences in the crime scene to determine the positions of the gunmen.

According to Pol.Lt.Gen. Kamrop, 39 shots have been fired from the position of PCAD protesters, and 3 shots from the direction of pro-election protesters.

Additionally, the police uncovered a large number of bullet cases used by high-powered firearms, such as AK-47, carbine rifles, and a shotgun. Bullet cases of several types of handguns were also found in the scene.

The police will investigate these evidences to identify the suspects on both PCAD and pro-election sides, Pol.Lt.Gen. Kamrop said. He added that arrest warrants of the first suspects are "being sought".

In the same press conference, Mr. Tharit Pendit, chief of the Division of Special Investigation (DSI), thanked the public for exercising their rights to vote instead of joining PCAD′s attempts to scuttle the 2 February election.

The DSI chief vowed to prosecute every person who attempted to sabotage the election, and urged the public to inform the police of any evidence about these individuals.

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Loose Container Crushes Public Van, Killing 1

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3 February 2014, 17:52

(3 February) A driver of a public mini-van has been killed by the fall of the loose container from a speeding truck in Pathum Thani province.

The incident reportedly took place at 15.10 on the motorway opposite Future Park shopping mall, when a truck took a turn on the road′s sloping curve at high speed alongside the public mini-van.

It is reported that the container, which was not properly attached to the truck, was filled with more than 40 tonnes of Siamese rosewood.

The driver of the van suffered severe injuries before he later died at the scene. Rescue workers had to extract his body out of the flattened van wreckage.

The van was operating on Rangsit-Ayutthaya route, but no passenger was aboard at the time of the accident.

Police have arrested Mr. Ranachai Kidsom, the driver of the truck, for further legal prosecution.

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PCAD Leaves Victory Monument & Ladprao

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3 February 2014, 16:15

(3 February) Anti-government protesters have left key rally sites at Victory Monument and Ladprao Intersection after more than 20 days of prolonged occupation.

The decision was announced yesterday by Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban, leader of the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), citing numerous violent attacks against protesters in the two locations.

Since PCAD occupied both locations on 13 January, unidentified assailants have mounted bomb attacks and drive-by shootings at the protesters almost on a nightly basis, in spite of security checkpoints set up by PCAD guards around the areas.

The most serious attack occurred on 19 January when a grenade was lobbed at a group of protesters at Victory Monument, injuring a number of demonstrators, vendors, and journalists.

PCAD leaders also acknowledged that both areas are connected with many alleys, roads, and bridges, permitting perpetrators to escape undetected after each attack.

The "relocation" started this morning when Mr. Suthep and his entourage arrived at Ladprao Intersection this morning and led the protesters down Phaholyothin Road toward Victory Monument, where they linked up with more protesters who had been camping there for weeks.

The combined group later marched to join another PCAD rally at Lumpini Park and Saladaeng Intersection, passing through other PCAD rally sites at Pathumwan and Ratchaprasong intersections. The protesters arrived at their destination at approximately 15.30.

The march of the protesters had caused heavy traffic in several areas.

Before the march, many protesters were seen packing their belonging items. Some helped dismantling stage equipment, as well field as kitchen equipment, and storing them into big trucks, which would carry the items to Saladaeng Intersection.

Meanwhile, PCAD guards were tasked with removing heavy equipment such as projector and stage. Others dismantled "bunkers" made of sandbags and car tyres which served as security checkpoints. The guards worked quickly, in order to allow traffic police to re-open the roads to the public as soon as possible.

It is reported that these areas have been re-opened to traffic by 15.00 today.

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Chiang Mai: Bomb Found In Front Of Redshirt Radio

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3 February 2014, 15:05

(3 February) A small explosive has been found in front of a Redshirts radio station in Chiang Mai province yesterday.

At around 11.30 the police were alerted of the incident, and quickly dispatched an EOD team to investigate the scene near Waroros Hotel and Wat Phra Singha Worawiharn Temple, where the Redshirts local radio station is housed.

The officers laid a car tyre over the explosive and later destroyed it with high-pressured water cannon.

Pol.Maj.Gen. Krit Kitilue said the bomb consisted of homemade TNT device without detonator, suggesting that the perpetrator simply intended to intimidate Mr. Petchawat Wattanapongsirikul, a local Redshirts leader and operator of the radio station.

Unknown assailants have also recently hurled a homemade explosive at the Mr. Petchawat′s radio station without causing any injury, Pol.Maj.Gen. Krit said, adding that the police will investigate CCTV footage in the area to identify the suspects.

Mr. Petchawat said he firmly believes the attack was politically motivated.

A certain "military officer" has previously warned him that he would be intimidated or even assaulted like another Redshirt leader in Udon Thani province, Mr. Petchawat told our correspondent. He refused to name the military officer.

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Mock Ballots Handed To Ratchathewi Authority

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3 February 2014, 14:47

(3 February) A group of residents in Bangkok's Ratchathewi district have handed their mock ballots to the district administration.

The group gained much news coverage when they decided to organise their own mock electionin Soi Yothee after the Election Commission (EC) called off the actual election in their district yesterday.

The EC claimed that the officials were unable to organise the voting amid anti-election protests organised by the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD).

Using chairs as election booth, paper boxes as ballot boxes, and elderly aunts as polling station staff, the gesture was seen by many as a poignant defiance of ordinary voters against the PCAD′s attempt to derail the 2 February election.

Today the group marched to Ratchathewi district office with their mock ballot box, in order to hand their mock ballots to the officials.

Ms. Maneenart Srichantra, deputy director of Ratchathewi district, met with the group and accepted the mock ballots. The group peacefully dispersed afterwards.

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Driver Takes Wrong Turn, Gets Shot Near PCAD Rally

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3 February 2014, 13:40

Barricades placed by the police at Thai-Japan Bridge to warn the public of protests ahead, 3 February 2014

(3 February) The police have advised motorists to stay clear of anti-government rally sites after one driver had been reportedly shot for approaching one of their campsites.

The incident took place on Thai-Japan Bridge in front of Wat Hua Lamphon Temple at around 22.00 last night, the police said in a statement, near a protest campsite maintained by the People′s Committee For Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD).

Mr. Praphan Promvisit, 33, said he was driving home from Samyan market when he took the wrong turn by entering the Thai-Japan Bridge, as he was unaware that the bridge has been occupied by PCAD guards. Several other motorists also reportedly followed his lead onto the bridge, thinking the bridge was open to traffic.

Mr. Praphan later ran into a "bunker" manned by PCAD militants in the middle of the bridge, so he rolled down his window and gestured at other drivers to back up their vehicles.

However, three shots were fired from the direction of the bunker shortly afterwards, according to Mr. Praphan. The bullets slammed into the car′s window shield, with one of them grazing Mr. Praphan′s ear, narrowly missing his face by an inch.

The man was later transported to a nearby hospital to treat his injury.

Responding to the incident, Pol.Maj.Gen Ake Angsananond, deputy chief of the Royal Thai Police, said he has instructed police officers to set up checkpoints near Thai-Japan Bridge and other roads leading to PCAD rally sites, in order to dissuade motorists from approaching the protesters.

He made no mention of any effort to identify or arrest the alleged gunmen.

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Warrants For Lak Si Gunmen To Be Issued 'Tomorrow'

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2 February 2014, 20:23

(2 February) The court is due to approve arrest warrants for armed militants involved in gunbattle at Bangkok′s Lak Si district by tomorrow, chief of Royal Thai Police said.

At least five suspects would be served with arrest warrants, said Pol.Gen. Adul Saengsingkaew, after the team of forensic police had "meticulously" investigated the trajectories and other evidence in the crime scene.

The clashes, which lasted for more than an hour and injured at least six people, saw supporters of pro-government Redshirts and anti-government protesters led by People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) exchanging gunfire with each other.

The National Police Chief also stated that he had instructed Pol Maj Gen Suranit Phrombutr, and Pol Col Phong Sangkhamurint, chief of Thung Song Hong Police Station, to interrogate both the wounded victims and witnesses who were present at the scene for further details.

Pol Gen Adul also suggested that gunmen involved in the incident could be "professionally trained" shooters.

As revealed in still-images and videos taken by journalists, the gunmen’s shooting poses and the use of a bag as a cover for their automatic rifles indicated that the group possessed remarkable combat capability, said Pol Gen Adul, but he refused to confirm the gunmen’s involvement with the military.

The Royal Thai Police Chief added that they need to further investigate the incident, and plead that the police had tried to curb the carrying of firearms into the protesting grounds to prevent possible escalation in the already fragile political situation.

However, many protesters still carried firearms to demonstration, Pol.Gen. Adul said, adding that he believes some of these weapons might have been stolen during the turmoil at Din Daeng Police Station in December, when anti-government protesters clashed with riot police.

The weapons could also have been illegally brought into the country via underground border trade, according to Pol.Gen. Adul.

"Nevertheless, we have continuously maintained many strict checkpoints around protest areas," Pol.Gen. Adul said.

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Man Paralysed In Pre-Election Gunbattle Seeks Compensation

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2 February 2014, 16:27

A masked gunman fires a rifle concealed in a bag from anti-government protesters' position, 1 February 2014

(2 February) The pro-election protester who has been paralysed by gunfire in the pre-election violence has pleaded for compensation from related authorities.

Mr. Arkaew Saelew is among the six people injured in the clashes between the Redshirts and heavily armed gunmen allied to the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) at Bangkok′s Laksi district yesterday.

Although a number of supporters of both sides were armed, the Redshirts were eventually outgunned by PCAD guards, who were seen wielding several automatic rifles.

Mr. Arkaew′s daughters, Ms Euangfah and Ms. Wilaiphon Saelew, told reporters at his bed side that he was participating in the pro-election march near Lak Si Intersection when he was shot in the neck.

The women stated that their father has to stay in Intensive Care Unit after medical personnel at Viphavadi Hospital removed the bullet from his neck but warned that he must be closely observed for possible infection from his wound.

Medical staff confirmed that Mr. Arkaew will suffer a permanent paralysis from his neck to his toes.

Mr. Arkaew′s family is also calling for aid from related authorities to compensate for his condition.

They insisted that their father does not belong to any political groups. Mr. Arkaew, they said, was simply demanding the election to take place on 2 February and had joined the march to support the poll – only to be assaulted as he was exercising his rights of assembly.

Today, two core leaders of the United Front for Demoncracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), Ms. Thida Thavornseth and Mr. Weng Tojirakarn, also visited Mr. Arkaew to express their gratitude for his fighting for the 2 February election.

Meanwhile, Mr. Amnuay Phanpairoj, UDD coordinator for Laksi district, claimed that the clashes between the UDD and PCAD on Saturday broke out when a car approached the UDD demonstrators at high speed on Local Road towards IT Square Mall.

The car tried to slam into the Redshirts supporters, Mr. Amnuay said, and in the subsequent chaos the Redshirts threw rocks and wooden sticks at the vehicle out of frustration in order to stop the car.

The violence erupted when the driver got out of the vehicle and threw two explosives at the Redshirts, Mr. Amnuay alleged.

The situation worsened when more bombs were thrown at UDD demonstrators from the nearby bridge, according to Mr. Amnuay. Sound of machine guns and bombs were later reportedly heard continuously at the scene.

The group then decided to hide inside IT Square Mall, Mr. Amnuay said, while the police and military officers who were stationed nearby refused to intervene and calm the situation.

“We insist that we did not try to provoke any violence. We only wanted to campaign for the public to participate in the election”, explained Mr. Amnuay.

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Election Over, Official Result Out By '23 February'

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2 February 2014, 15:08

Famous badminton champion, Ratchanok 'May' Intanon, casts her vote at Bang Khae district, 2 February 2014

(2 February) The 2 February election is over, but the Thais have to wait until at least 23 February to learn the outcome of the poll.

The delay is caused by cancellation of numerous polling stations in some of Bangkok′s districts and 10 southern provinces, where anti-election protesters blocked the election offices and other polling venues.

Future voting days will be held in areas where the public could not cast their votes today, Election Commission (EC) officials said.

In the meantime, no preliminary result of 2 February election will be announced, said Mr. Banchong Sukdee, deputy Permanent Secretary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

"The result will have to wait until the election is fully completed," Mr. Banchong explained, "Otherwise it would mislead the public".

According to Mr. Banchong, individual polling stations can count their votes and announce the result in front of the venue for the public to observe, but officials are not allowed to transfer these results to the Election Commission.

Furthermore, each district will not send its results to the central vote counting centre established by the EC, Mr. Banchong said.

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1991 Coup Leader Goes To Vote

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2 February 2014, 13:56

Soldiers queuing up for voting at a polling station in Dusit area, 2 February 2014

(2 February) The leader of the infamous 1991 military coup has cast his ballot in Dusit area this morning.

Gen. Suchinda Kraprayoon, who also served briefly as Prime Minister in 1992, arrived at the polling station with a number of retired military commanders to participate in the election.

"I want to see peace in our country," Gen. Suchinda told reporters at the polling station, "I wish every side in this conflict to engage in a dialogue".

However, the former leader refused to give any advice to the current political leaders.

Gen. Suchinda led a military coup to depose Gen. Chartchai Choonhavan in 1991, before he assumed the position of Prime Minister in 1992, leading to mass protests against him in May that year. The general eventually quit his position and largely stayed out of political spotlight ever since.

Other military leaders also cast their votes today, including Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, who has been subject to speculation and scrutiny from much of the media over his allegiance in the ongoing conflict.

Gen. Prayuth refused to be interviewed by reporters today, saying simply that "it′s election day".

Officials at the polling station realised after Gen. Prayuth left the venue that he has left his ID card at the booth, and contacted the general′s security team to pick it up later.

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