State of Emergency in Bangkok

The Nation reports that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej declared the state of emergency in Bangkok Tuesday morning following a fatal clash between the pro-government (PAD) and anti-government (DAAD) supporters early in the morning which killed at least one man and injured dozens.


(Photo credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

• PM to have absolute control
• PAD to go on protesting despite state of emergency
• 436 Bangkok schools closed
• Office workers can go to work as usual
  
• More people join protest at Government House, pro-government protesters regroup at Sanam Luang

Various reports by Foreign Media:

AFP - Thailand declares emergency in Bangkok after clashes leave one dead

BBC - Bangkok under state of emergency

ABC Radio Australia - State of emergency declared in Bangkok

Bloomberg - Thailand Declares State of Emergency, Clashes Kill 1

Reuters - Thai PM imposes emergency rule after street battle

China Daily - State of emergency declared in Bangkok

Xinhua - 3 killed, 20 injured in Bangkok clashes

Washington Post - Thai PM imposes emergency rule after street battle

Times Online UK - State of emergency declared in Bangkok

The Associated Press - Thai PM declares state of emergency in capital

An eye for an eye? Its a gun for an umbrella

The protesters look harmless. Some of them only have an umbrella for self defense, and the rest have nothing more than a yellow "Ku Chart" head band. They're not even charging ahead, just sitting there.


Just look at the old man in black T-shirt standing tall in the photo above, I like the way he waves his yellow umbrella

Now look at the police. They're in full combat gear with guns pointing at the protesters, including women and the elderly. The police even pointed the gun directly at the head of some protesters. And the guns definitely look loaded with bullets, never heard of riot police moving around with unloaded guns.



Why did they need such kind of police force? Samak said they were there to place the court order inside the Governent House compound. The prime minister also said that no violence would be used.


I like the spirit of the lady seen in a white T-shirt above, and also the elder woman in a yellow shirt with a hat



Let's hope that there isn't going to be any more violence in the coming days.

(Photo credit: Manager Online)