'No turning back'
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has vowed to press on with efforts to secure the capital, after a second day of urban warfare pushed the death toll to 24.
PM vows no turning back, justifies losses
MILITARY WARNS OF CRACKDOWN AS DEATH TOLL REACHES 24
Published: 16/05/2010
Bangkok Post
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is vowing to press on with efforts to secure the capital as the army warns of a possible crackdown on protesters, after a day of urban warfare which pushed the death toll to 24 after two days of fighting.
Mr Abhisit last night declared there would be no turning back even as the government struggled to restore order and normalcy to violence-torn Bangkok.
The army, meanwhile, has warned of a possible crackdown after urban warfare erupted on the southern and northern fringes of the inner-city area occupied by the red shirts.
The army moved on Thursday to seal off the area, blocking supply lines to the protest site.
Yesterday's fighting took place as the reds attempted to reopen their supply lines.
In a national broadcast hours after a "live bullet zone" at two hot spots in Ratchaprarop and Din Daeng was declared, Mr Abhisit made his first appearance before the media in days to declare he would press on with efforts to return Bangkok streets to normalcy.
"As long as the red shirt protest continues, armed terrorists will remain and hurt people and authorities.
"Risks and violence will escalate. I insist that ending the protest is the only way to prevent losses," he said.
Mr Abhisit said the operation by security forces to seal off the protest area was met with hostile resistance including use of heavy weapons.
"We cannot allow unlawful elements to take Bangkok hostage. We will not allow an armed group unhappy with the government to attack and hurt authorities. There is no turning back in our efforts to maintain a legal state.
"Losses will have to be endured. It is the only way to righteousness," he said.
Mr Abhisit urged the public to avoid clash sites and cooperate with authorities.
By late last night, 24 people had been killed and 187 people injured since violence renewed on Friday night in the streets surrounding the Ratchaprasong protest site.
Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said protesters had died from four causes: red shirt guards fighting each other, attacks launched by terrorists using war weapons, other groups of people dissatisfied with the red shirts coming out to attack them, and "unintentional" killing by security officers firing at the red shirts.
"We send our regrets to the relatives of those who died or were wounded. We try to avoid violence and loss of life but it's difficult when facing armed groups hidden among the protesters," said Col Sansern. Senior army officers including deputy army chief of staff Lt Gen Dapong Rattanasuwan also went on television to defend the military's actions.
They said the violence would not have occurred had armed militants not infiltrated the reds and attacked security forces.
Security forces claimed armed militants who were mingling with the protesters fired grenades at them and tried to destroy their security lines.
"Those who have no business here must leave now. We do not guarantee your safety because terrorists have infiltrated the ranks of innocent people. We have to protect ourselves," they told protesters.
Troops fired live rounds to stop protesters advancing towards them. They claimed armed militants were behind them and using the reds as shields.
The protesters burned tyres and threw petrol bombs, rocks and hard objects at security forces.
Lt Gen Dapong said the red shirt leaders were exploiting losses from clashes as a tool to distort information and create false impressions.
"They fail to talk about protests that turn violent. They fail to talk about armed militants hiding in their ranks. The leaders cannot deny responsibility," said Lt Gen Dapong.
They claimed the CRES was telling lies as the latest victims of violence had no weapons.
Core red leader Natthawut Saikua admitted their food supply was dwindling due to the CRES blockade.
MILITARY WARNS OF CRACKDOWN AS DEATH TOLL REACHES 24
Published: 16/05/2010
Bangkok Post
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is vowing to press on with efforts to secure the capital as the army warns of a possible crackdown on protesters, after a day of urban warfare which pushed the death toll to 24 after two days of fighting.
Mr Abhisit last night declared there would be no turning back even as the government struggled to restore order and normalcy to violence-torn Bangkok.
The army, meanwhile, has warned of a possible crackdown after urban warfare erupted on the southern and northern fringes of the inner-city area occupied by the red shirts.
The army moved on Thursday to seal off the area, blocking supply lines to the protest site.
Yesterday's fighting took place as the reds attempted to reopen their supply lines.
In a national broadcast hours after a "live bullet zone" at two hot spots in Ratchaprarop and Din Daeng was declared, Mr Abhisit made his first appearance before the media in days to declare he would press on with efforts to return Bangkok streets to normalcy.
"As long as the red shirt protest continues, armed terrorists will remain and hurt people and authorities.
"Risks and violence will escalate. I insist that ending the protest is the only way to prevent losses," he said.
Mr Abhisit said the operation by security forces to seal off the protest area was met with hostile resistance including use of heavy weapons.
"We cannot allow unlawful elements to take Bangkok hostage. We will not allow an armed group unhappy with the government to attack and hurt authorities. There is no turning back in our efforts to maintain a legal state.
"Losses will have to be endured. It is the only way to righteousness," he said.
Mr Abhisit urged the public to avoid clash sites and cooperate with authorities.
By late last night, 24 people had been killed and 187 people injured since violence renewed on Friday night in the streets surrounding the Ratchaprasong protest site.
Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said protesters had died from four causes: red shirt guards fighting each other, attacks launched by terrorists using war weapons, other groups of people dissatisfied with the red shirts coming out to attack them, and "unintentional" killing by security officers firing at the red shirts.
"We send our regrets to the relatives of those who died or were wounded. We try to avoid violence and loss of life but it's difficult when facing armed groups hidden among the protesters," said Col Sansern. Senior army officers including deputy army chief of staff Lt Gen Dapong Rattanasuwan also went on television to defend the military's actions.
They said the violence would not have occurred had armed militants not infiltrated the reds and attacked security forces.
Security forces claimed armed militants who were mingling with the protesters fired grenades at them and tried to destroy their security lines.
"Those who have no business here must leave now. We do not guarantee your safety because terrorists have infiltrated the ranks of innocent people. We have to protect ourselves," they told protesters.
Troops fired live rounds to stop protesters advancing towards them. They claimed armed militants were behind them and using the reds as shields.
The protesters burned tyres and threw petrol bombs, rocks and hard objects at security forces.
Lt Gen Dapong said the red shirt leaders were exploiting losses from clashes as a tool to distort information and create false impressions.
"They fail to talk about protests that turn violent. They fail to talk about armed militants hiding in their ranks. The leaders cannot deny responsibility," said Lt Gen Dapong.
They claimed the CRES was telling lies as the latest victims of violence had no weapons.
Core red leader Natthawut Saikua admitted their food supply was dwindling due to the CRES blockade.
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