Wednesday, June 7, 2023
  • About us
    • Write for us
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms of use
    • Privacy Policy
  • RSS Feeds
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us
DefenceTalk
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports
No Result
View All Result
DefenceTalk
No Result
View All Result

Tensions mount as Thai govt rejects talks

by Agence France-Presse
May 17, 2010
in Defense Geopolitics News
3 min read
0
14
VIEWS

BANGKOK: Thai troops were locked in a tense confrontation with besieged protesters Monday after three days of street battles in the capital that left at least 33 dead and 239 wounded.

Guests at a luxury hotel overlooking the sprawling protest site in the heart of Bangkok were forced to shelter in the basement after the building came under gunfire and was rattled by an explosion in the early hours of Monday morning.

Fire gutted three commercial buildings in another area.

On Sunday, the government swiftly rejected an appeal by the “Red Shirt” protesters for UN-mediated talks.

A top protest leader also urged the revered king to intervene in the crisis.

The violence has turned parts of this city of 12 million people into no-go zones as troops use live ammunition against demonstrators, some of whom are themselves armed.

The Reds, whose vast base is under siege by troops, said they were ready to enter peace talks with the government immediately as long as the United Nations mediated.

“We want the UN because we don’t trust we will receive justice from organisations in Thailand,” protest leader Nattawut Saikuar said as the death toll from the urban warfare mounted.

The idea was rejected by the government, which has repeatedly warned foreign governments not to meddle in its affairs.

“No governments allow any organisations to intervene in their internal affairs,” spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said.

Previous talks between the two sides have failed to reach an agreement, despite an offer — since withdrawn — by the embattled premier to hold November elections if the opposition demonstrators went home.

At the Dusit Thani hotel, which overlooks the Reds’ encampment, guests rushed to the basement as staff warned them the hotel was under attack, according to an AFP journalist inside.

“I was in bed. There was a big explosion very close to my room. I went out of the room, other people did too and at that moment the wall outside was hit by bullets,” AFP photographer Pedro Ugarte said by telephone.

It was unclear where the shooting came from.

Authorities said they would send workers from the Red Cross to help protesters — particularly women, children and the elderly — who wanted to leave the vast protest area by 3:00 pm (0800) Monday.

“Men can also leave the site but they have to show they are unarmed,” army spokesman Colonel Sunsern Kaewkumnerd told reporters.

The army put off a plan to impose a curfew in parts of the city but did not rule out restricting night-time movements if the situation worsened.

Australia said it would close its embassy to visitors from Monday due to “ongoing violent clashes” including in front of the mission. The US and British embassies have already closed.

The government extended a state of emergency to five more provinces, ordered schools to stay shut Monday and declared two days of national holidays to keep civilians off the streets as they battled for control of the city.

Facing a military armed with assault rifles, the protesters have fought with homemade weapons including Molotov cocktails, fireworks and slingshots.

Some demonstrators have been seen with handguns and the authorities say grenades have also been fired by anti-government militants.

All of the fatalities in recent days have been civilians.

The Reds called on the king to intervene, saying he was the “only hope” for an end to the two-month-old crisis, which has left 63 people dead and about 1,700 wounded, including 25 fatalities in a failed army crackdown on April 10.

“I believe Thais will feel the same, that His Majesty is our only hope,” Jatuporn Prompan told reporters at the rally site, where thousands of protesters were camped.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej chastised both the military and protest leaders during a 1992 uprising, effectively bringing the violence to an end, but has avoided commenting directly on the current crisis in public.

The Reds accuse Abhisit’s government of being elitist and undemocratic because it came to power in a 2008 parliamentary vote after a court ruling ousted elected allies of their hero, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Thai society is deeply divided between the urban elite and rural poor, with most of the Red Shirts from the north and impoverished northeast.

Tags: Bangkokproteststhailand
Previous Post

India to Set Up New Defence Technology Commission

Next Post

Japan, China in spat over nuclear arsenal

Related Posts

china third aircraft carrier PLAN

China sends warships and aircraft around Taiwan for second day

April 8, 2023

China sent warships and aircraft near Taiwan for a second day on Friday and insisted the island remains "an inseparable...

Japan defence ministry seeks $50 billion budget

Japan changes rules to allow aid to foreign militaries

April 6, 2023

Japan will begin offering aid to the militaries of "like-minded countries" under new rules announced Wednesday, as Tokyo builds a...

Next Post

Japan, China in spat over nuclear arsenal

Latest Defense News

China made third-largest air incursion this year, says Taiwan

China would gain swift air superiority over Taiwan, US leaks show

April 19, 2023
china third aircraft carrier PLAN

China sends warships and aircraft around Taiwan for second day

April 8, 2023
Japan defence ministry seeks $50 billion budget

Japan changes rules to allow aid to foreign militaries

April 6, 2023
Trump order targets Chinese internet giants TikTok, WeChat

TikTok hit with UK fine, Australia government ban

April 6, 2023
Finland gears up for historic NATO decision

Long NATO delay spells trouble for Sweden and alliance: experts

April 6, 2023
Russia says fired anti-ship missiles at mock target in Sea of Japan

Russia says fired anti-ship missiles at mock target in Sea of Japan

March 28, 2023

Defense Forum Discussions

  • The Russian-Ukrainian War Thread
  • Royal Canadian Navy Discussions and updates
  • Royal Australian Navy Discussions and Updates 2.0
  • Indonesian Aero News
  • Australian Army Discussions and Updates
  • AI Robots & the Future of Modern Warfare
  • Russia and the West
  • Future Energy Pathways
  • Royal Australian Air Force [RAAF] News, Discussions and Updates
  • Indonesia: 'green water navy'
DefenceTalk

© 2003-2020 DefenceTalk.com

Navigate Site

  • Defence Forum
  • Military Photos
  • RSS Feeds
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports

© 2003-2020 DefenceTalk.com