Thailand: Civil war has started?

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Tuesday, 02 September 2008 04:02

This is already a civil war and threats from pro and anti government supporters are escalating. One died in a clash near the government house early on Tuesday morning. Select one of the THAI TV stations on the right at IMVITE at the home page for more updates or as long the electricity lasts after threats that power will be cut.

The army intervened early on Tuesday after pro-government demonstrators attacked opponents occupying Government House and killed at least one protester from the People's Alliance for Democracy.

Another 21 people were injured in the clashes, and the army commander ordered four companies of Army troops - about 400 soldiers - to the scene.

"Soldiers must leave the barracks to help restore peace," said army commander Anupong Paojinda. Troops were armed with batons and shields as they arrived at the scene.

The dead man was shot in the chest and beaten around the head, reporters at the scene said. Friends said he was a PAD supporters from Nakhon Ratchasima, who had only arrived in Bangkok on Tuesday with a busload of friends, to support the demonstrations aimed at forcing the government to resign.

The condition of the other, injured protesters could not immediately be learned.

The clash occurred when police yet again failed to hold their lines separating pro- and anti-government protesters near Government House.

Shortly before 2am, attacking groups trying to oust the PAD crowds from Government House broke through the police lines to confront PAD guards. Both sides were mostly wearing motorcycle helmets and carrying sticks, clubs and PVC pipes.

After the army appeared on the scene quickly, order was restored and the two sides retreated.

At about 1am, pro-government group or so-called Nor Por Kor marches towards Rajdamneon Nok Avenue and announces that they will try to reach the Government House to claim back the Prime Minister's office.

The pro-government group is equipped with sticks and they marched through about 300 policemen. There is a report that there is a clash but there is no confirmation.

The programme on stage at ASTV has stopped since 1.20am and key members asked the protesters to stay clam and asked 300 strong men to help guarding the rally site.

Shinawat Haboonpat, a leader of Nor Por Kor group, told Thai TV station that the pro-government group did not plan to talk to PAD.

Shinawat, the leader of former "Taxi loves Thaksin" group, said that he could not tell who else are the leaders of the Nor Por Kor group. He did not tell the TV station about the figure of the Nor Por Kor members.

Nor Por Kor group started marching to the Rajdamneon Nok Road at around 1pm. The protesters were seen on TV holding sticks and some were riding motorcycles.

... BUT

Pro-government group was reportedly erecting three tents on Rajdamnoen Road in front of the Rajdamnoen Boxing stadium.

... AND BEFORE

Union action targets PM, Cabinet, police stations

The Confederation of State Enterprise Unions yesterday threatened to cut off electricity and tap water to state offices from tomorrow as part of the ongoing anti-government protest.

The unions, with a combined 200,000 workers nationwide, yesterday resolved to hold a partial strike aimed at pressuring the government to cave in and resign.

Secretary-general Sawit Kaewwan said power, water and transport services would be halted from 9am tomorrow.

Unions say they are upset by the use of force by police against protesters last Friday.

Police stations and the residences of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and Cabinet members are among the targets for halted power and water services.

Households among the general public will not be affected.

Meanwhile, the board of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) yesterday resigned en masse following a strike by railroad workers in support of the ongoing anti-government protest by the People's Alliance for Democracy.

The seven members, led by Somsak Bunthong, said in a statement that their resignation was a show of responsibility.

Governor Yutthana Thapcharoen said he was encouraging SRT workers to continue performing their duties despite the labour union's call for a strike. At present, 129 routes out of a total of 244 remain in service.

Chatchai Chaiwiset, chairman of a network of private buses under government concession, said large numbers of his buses would be mobilised to run in place of city buses if Bangkok Mass Transit Authority workers joined a mass strike being called by state-enterprise labour unions.

The chairmen of three state-owned banks said they believed their colleagues might join the mass strike but that their jobs would be performed by replacement workers, to ensure continued banking services.

Metropolitan Waterworks Authority governor Charoen Chaikittisin said the stoppage of water service threatened by the MWA's labour union would not affect regular households. He urged MWA workers wanting to go on strike to request leave.

Provincial Electricity Authority governor Adisorn Kiatchokewiwat said he did not believe PEA workers would actually suspend power to government agencies as threatened by the PEA's labour union. Some PEA workers have joined the rally, but his agency's operations are continuing, he said.

Jariya Wetchapoot, president of Siam City Bank's labour union, said the union had no plans to take action but pointed out that employees had a right to join the protest.

Suwanee Kaewkamthong, president of TMB Bank's labour union, said the bank would not support any form of violence.

And Somsak Auman, president of Siam Commercial Bank's labour union, said while the union was neutral, employees could join the PAD rally if they asked for leave.

CHAOS IS EXPECTED ALL OVER THAILAND. TOURISTS ARE CAUTIONED TO AVOID THE SCENES, ALTHOUGH IT'S HARD TO SAY OF HOW FAR IT WILL SPREAD.