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Latest update: 15/05/2010
- journalists - Red Shirts - Thailand
FRANCE 24 journalist seriously injured in Bangkok clashes
FRANCE 24 journalist Nelson Rand was shot in the leg, hand and abdomen whilst covering clashes between opposition 'Red Shirt' protesters and security forces in Bangkok. He is currently in intensive care at a Bangkok hospital.
By FRANCE 24 (text)
One of FRANCE 24’s two Thailand correspondents was seriously wounded when he was shot three times while covering violent clashes between opposition “Red Shirt” protesters and security forces in central Bangkok on Friday.
Canadian-born Nelson Rand “was shot in the leg, hand and abdomen”, according to his colleague, FRANCE 24’s Cyril Payen in Bangkok.
According to Payen, Rand was either shot at or hit by stray bullets fired by the army.
“I was at the scene of the shooting, and I can confirm that the army was the only side firing gunshots”, he said, adding that the ammunition used was real, not rubber bullets.
“We didn’t actually see where the shots came from, there was a lot of confusion”, noted Payen.
Rand was swiftly evacuated and driven to Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn hospital where he was successfully operated on. Although his injuries are considered serious, doctors say he is out of danger. Rand was hit in the femoral artery, abdomen and wrist. He is currently in intensive care.
On Wednesday, a military spokesman had warned that “snipers would be deployed” around the barricaded camp that opposition protesters have occupied for several weeks, and that troops were authorised to fire live rounds if threatened, or against “terrorist elements”.
Tensions at "boiling point" said Rand before shooting incident
Rand was with several hundred protesters on one of the main streets outside the major protest camp when soldiers launched an operation to clear the avenue.
“Soldiers are advancing on this position and firing tear gas,” Rand told FRANCE 24 television just over an hour before being shot.
“Tensions have come to a boiling point, the situation is very chaotic,” he reported.
Two Thai journalists were also shot during the clashes, according to Thai media reports.
As the security situation in the Bangkok deteriorated, several foreign embassies remained closed Friday.
Reacting to Rand’s shooting earlier Friday, French foreign ministry spokesman Bernard Valero told the AFP service that Paris "deplored the incident" and that diplomats in Bangkok were following events closely.
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Comments (13)
After reading the news, I am
After reading the news, I am so embassing to say that some of the Thai member of parliament can not read and understand English. Some of them mention that the news said that soldiers intentionally shot reporters.
Not conflicting report
As a journalist who´s covered violent demonstrations and have pased a "safety and security" course for covering crisis areas I can make an assumption about the so called conflicting reporting.
It´s possible to know where the shooting is coming from, ie. from what side. But single shooters, if you´re being shot at, are very difficult to place. The point with this reporting is to put the burden of proof on the government, which is (apparently, as I trust professional colleagues) the right thing to do.
Just when the government kept
Just when the government kept feeding the world with news that the red-shirted are armed and extremely terrorist-level dangerous, leading us to think the red-shirted are truly terrorist. Lucky for us, seeking the truth, that we have international, neither red nor yellow, news reporter to report his first-hand experience on what is really happening out there. Couldn't bare to be blindly fed with just one-sided news thus have to instead rely on foreign press for what is really going on in my own country.
conflicting report?
“I was at the scene of the shooting, and I can confirm that the army was the only side firing gunshots”, he said, adding that the ammunition used was real, not rubber bullets.
And then by the same witness
“We didn’t actually see where the shots came from, there was a lot of confusion”, noted Payen.
Conflicting report?
He is dead now. R.I.P
He is dead now. R.I.P
Reporter shot
I am glad to hear that your reporter will recover.
I would like to ask, when reporters are sent to places
where bullets are or could be flying, is France 24 supplying and mandating the use of kevlar vests and helmets?
They should also be trained in how to avoid kidnapping and receive training from experts in security to scout out areas for danger.
" We weren't sure where the bullets came from."
Sounds as if this training is needed.
Reporter shot
You may want to instruct you reporters not to wear all black and to ensure that they are wearing press markings clearly including their green armbands.
Nelson Rand
Very sorry to read of the injuries suffered by your very fine reporter Nelson Rand. I hope he recovers to the point where he can be repatriated very quickly.
Although I realize that reporters want to be "at the centre" of any action that they are reporting on; I hope other journalists will not expose themselves to risks that are too high to satisfy the demands of viewing public. And the public should curb their desires for "front line" photography.
Wishing Mr. Rand a complete and speedy recovery.
Nelson's misfortune
Many ask why, of the thousands in the Rachaprasong area, why was Nelson singled out? The answer is obvious.
According to Payen, Rand was
According to Payen, Rand was either shot at or hit by stray bullets fired by the army. “I was at the scene of the shooting, and I can confirm that the army was the only one firing gunshots”, said Payen, adding that the bullets were real, not rubber, bullets.
“We didn’t actually see where the shots came from, there was a lot of confusion”, noted Payen
so which of the statement is true? You didn't actually see where the shot come from, how can you confirm that the shot
was fired only by the military?
Stop using assumption!!
Mr Nelson shot
I really feel bad and sorry for Mr Nelson Rand being shot while covering the clash. I hope he recovers and get well soon.
I notice from the TV footage that he had worn a black shirt and black pants and with a pair of black sun glasses. This was a mistake as the army would have thought that he is one of the black invisible shooters that are wearing all black. As a reporter in this situation, he must not be seen as a protester especially if he is on the area of the protesters.
I think he should wear a white shirt and a light trousers and should wear the green press arm band like most reporters have been doing. Mr. Nelson has not been doing all these based on the TV footage.
Hope your other reporter on the scean will take note of all these to avoid getting shot mistakenly.
"According to Payen, Rand was
"According to Payen, Rand was either shot at or hit by stray bullets fired by the army."
...but then...
“We didn’t actually see where the shots came from, there was a lot of confusion”, noted Payen.
So did you really see the shot from soldiers or not?
Get well soon
Rand, I do hope that you get recovered real soon. We, the Thais, need brave reporters like you who report the truth.. God bless you.
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