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[MKAsok]

Traffic at Victory Monument re-opened

     At  14.20, Thai PBS reported that the traffic at the Victory Monument could  be open, as the buses that were parked to block the raods were removed.  
At Sri Ayutthaya-Rama 6 Intersection (in front of the Foreign  Ministry), the red-shirted protesters still block the road and use a  bus as obstrucle.

At  the Urupong Intersection, a water tank truck is placed to bloc the  Yommarat Expressway exit. At the Pratunam Intersection, black smoke  from tire rubber burning could be spotted in the road which is only  passable by motorcycles.

Naii says:

At the Pracha  Songkhro (Din Daeng), the protesters brought plastic bags to cover the  gas tank truck that was put to block the road.

The Nation

[OnNutter]

Tonycheston, on 2009-04-13 09:50:23, said:

Is sky-train running as normal?

BTS Skytrain appears to be ok at On Nut end, from my window I can see the trains running in and out of the station although not quite running to their normal 3 minutes frequency but this will be due to the holiday.

[MKAsok]

I can see thick black smoke next to the Golden Mount, and also near the expressway at what I'm guessing is Si Praya or maybe Rama IV. I'm guessing this is people burning tyres, but I could be wrong. There's a hel_l of a lot of smoke coming from the expressway area...

[phaethon]

Missed the start with simultaneous translation on TAN.

He's asking people not to come back from Songkran all at once, and there may be searches for weapons being brought into the capital.

No it's not a coup, the senate will meet tomorrow.

Edited by phaethon, 2009-04-13 15:41:27.

[terryp]

Red-shirts pull back to Govt House

    By: bangkokpost.com
    Published: 13/04/2009 at 03:26 PM

Red shirt leader Natthawut Saikua told supporters the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship would use Government House as its final stronghold in rallies against the government, and urged red shirt members to amass at the site to deter a crackdown by troops.

He urged protestors elsewhere not to clash with authorities, but said they were to return to Government House to secure the main venue should they encounter clashes.

Jatuporn Prompan, another red-shirt leader, told audience at the main rally site there had been a war room meeting between Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and the military. He claimed the meeting concluded it was impossible to block DTV’s broadcasts and the military was unable to control red-shirts upcountry. The Army planned to hinder demonstrators at Government House by cutting food and water supply, said Jatuporn. He added that according to the meeting’s conclusion, top cabinet members and the prime minister were to remain inside a military base. He also alleged the meeting agreed to allow police dealing with demonstrators to carry firearms.

[qualtrough]

Government announcement on TV a few moments ago. I didn't take notes, but believe it was the Army head along with some emergency committee. He was flanked by police, military, and others. Said they had met to discuss how to proceed in protecting the rights of all Thais and restore the situation, etc. Key points:

• We will not shoot unless fired upon.
  
• Y'all don't need to come back from Songkhran on the same day, and be patient as we will be checking for weapons.
  
• Why can't we all just get along?

As I said, I didn't take notes, so may have been more or I could have misinterpreted something.

[phaethon]

"Supreme Commander Songkitti Chakkrabat ... is the head of a committee overseeing the situation under state of emergency. The committee comprises of chiefs of the army, navy and air force." (from Bangkok Post)

Edited by phaethon, 2009-04-13 16:06:03.

[terryp]

BTS have closed the main gates at Victory Monument (only side gate open)

[phaethon]

TV Announcement with simultaneous translation on TAN at about 16:20

Govt. Spokesman:

Many areas returned to normal.

Gas truck - authorities in charge of situation, but it will take time to remove the gas truck from the area (near Din Daeng).

Task force has issued an English statement to embassies and consuls.

Foreigners with concerns can seek help from any law enforcement officers.

If you (Thai people) have foreign friends, help and reassure them.

Protection of lives is the first priority.

Law and Order must be  restored and justice done.

Military role: three issues -
1) Opening of traffic and dispersal of protests at 4am, Din Daeng and VM - situation remains satisfactory
2) Protesters attempting to damage the credibility of the police and army - spreading rumours of deaths and injuries. No deaths have been reported.
3) Images on national TV showing authorities using weapons - weapons are fired in the air, NOT directly at protesters. Officers are using practice ammunition (bullets 'made of paper') which make noise but do not cause injury.

National Police chief said:

Following PM's direction to cause the least possible injury to protesters.

PM is worried about reports of arrests and wishes to see justice. Police General appointed to oversee investigation.

General said he will see justice is seen to be done.

Next update (English) at 5pm on TAN, Ch. 26.

Edited by phaethon, 2009-04-13 16:31:47.

[MKAsok]

^ TOC also described the current situation at the Din Daeng intersection as being "very confusing."

[henryalleman]

Smee, on 2009-04-13 08:32:57, said:

My Wife reported police checkpoints on the roads in Nakhon Sawan this morning, police checking destinations presumably to monitor movements in and out of Bangkok.

My wife just came back from Nakhon Sawan to Pakret she said everything normal.

[MKAsok]

2 Big fires - it looks like Democracy Monument and Lan Luang near Krung Kasern...

[rappongi]

the tv report at 4ish seems to be accurate about protesters regrouping --
we were watching the pratunam intersection most of the day from our balcony -- it fluctuated between total traffic blockage this morning, to checking cars (for what we're not sure) and letting most pass, to using parked city buses as blockades and fairly large tire fires this afternoon.
the red shirts seemed to proliferate and intensify around 4, but then all took off in a calvacade westwards down petchaburi, w/ loudspeakers and mopeds etc.
it's quite quiet here now.

[phaethon]

TAN Update 17:00

Urupong intersection - scuffle between red shirt protesters and people "claiming to be yellow shirts"

Diverting rail/bus services to Bang Sue from Hua Lumpong - check with railway authority or bus company before returning to Bangkok.

VM under control but traffic limited.

Din Daeng Intersection, Rattanakosin Island and Urupong intersection still some concern.

[pampal]

From Bang Sue railway station ppl can take the subway to Bangkok.

[VitalGirl]

Thanh-BKK, on 2009-04-13 10:10:37, said:

Hi.

I heard the Reds have blocked/closed the Doi Ti intersection/road at Lampang (i'm not familiar with the area!) where one needs to get through to travel between Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

I am now in Chiang Mai and wouldn't mind staying here however i have to work on Wednesday and hence will need to get back to Bangkok tomorrow. As my Isuzu won't fit into a regular aircraft that means i need that road to be passable.

Any news on that situation?

Kind regards....

Thanh

Don't risk it... turnoff at Lamphun and drive through to Thoen the back way... adds two hours and bypasses Lampang... good single lane road, gorgeous country side and no problems that way at all...

[MKAsok]

Also two big 'tyre fires' in the north of the city. Can't say where because it's too far away. Something is also seriously on fire in the west of the city on the Thonburi side - this is white smoke so doesn't look like tyres. Oh, there's a new 'tyre fire' just started at what looks to be around Hua Lamphong.

[Foodie]

phaethon, on 2009-04-13 17:19:09, said:

TAN Update 17:00

Urupong intersection - scuffle between red shirt protesters and people "claiming to be yellow shirts"

Diverting rail/bus services to Bang Sue from Hua Lumpong - check with railway authority or bus company before returning to Bangkok.

VM under control but traffic limited.

Din Daeng Intersection, Rattanakosin Island and Urupong intersection still some concern.

What is TAN ch 26. Can I get it in Pattaya?

[terryp]

16.02: Military successfully remove LPG tanker from the front of Din Daeng flat
17.04: Homemade bomb thrown at Army headquarters, more riot units called forth

http://www.thailando...?DataID=1013746

[offset]

BBC state education ministry ablaze

[MKAsok]

Residents near Soamanas Temple battle red-shirts

     Dozens of people living near the Soamanus Temple armed themselves with  guns and other weapons came out to battle the red-shirted protesters.

The people became angry after the protesters threw fire bombs and set fire to air-conditioned buses.

They shouted at the protesters to leave and some of the residents fired into the air.

Officials  inside the Army head office announced through loudspeakers, urging the  people to go back home and leave the authorities to handle the  situation.

After the protesters and local residents exchanged fire, troops had to fire into the air to warn both sides to stop.

The Nation

[yeti]

BANGKOK - A BUILDING in Thailand's education ministry complex is ablaze after being hit by petrol bombs, a security guard said Monday as anti-government protests raged in the capital.

'There were several bomb blasts at 5pm (6pm Singapore time) and suddenly the fire broke out,' security guard Pradap Wongdara told AFP.

'Protesters hurled pavement slabs into the building first and then followed by throwing several molotov cocktails,' he added.

The ministry is located next to the Royal Plaza, where hundreds of troops were being deployed late Monday.

Dozens of protesters who had been stationed at the plaza quickly headed towards the central protest centre at Government House less than one kilometre away. -- AFP

[phaethon]

Foodie, on 2009-04-13 18:15:01, said:

What is TAN ch 26. Can I get it in Pattaya?

Thai ASEAN News - I don't know enough about Thai TV to be sure, but when my TV card scanned for channels, in my apt. at least, TAN appeared on channel 26. No idea what package they're feeding me, but it's and English language channel with news and twee infomercials, shouldn't be difficult to find if you have it.

A new statement is being made now by Suthep Thaugsuban (Deputy PM) on all news channels (except TAN  ) .

Edited by phaethon, 2009-04-13 19:46:58.

[MKAsok]

^AKA TOC - Can be streamed from here.

[Sedona]

Tanks rolled about 15 minutes ago down Phaholyothin towards Victory Monument.