- Join the France 24 community here
- Log in
Latest update: 14/07/2010
- Red Shirts - riots - Thailand
The battle of Bangkok
Bangkok is in a state of emergency: thousands of troops face off with anti-government protesters. Shots ring out. From the start of the clashes to the final hours of the Red Shirt revolt, France 24 reporters were in the heart of the Thai capital. They bring you exclusive footage of a city under siege.
Related Content
‘Darth Vader’ demands free land from Ukrainian government
Browse all editions
FRANCE 24 PARTNERS
Comments (13)
this is so sad
this is so sad
Very Bad Sodier
Oh god..Bad Feel
Nothing is as it seems
This is a very difficult time for Thailand and its people. This fight started when Taksin caused too much division in society through his corruption, human rights abuses (Tak Bai, Krue Sae, War on Drugs etc) and autocratic style. He wanted to be the boss but to do that you have to uproot the old seat of power.
He was eventually removed through the 2006 coup.
In 2009 he tried to overthrow the government with more riots in Bangkok and his claims that it was a democratic fight was ridiculed internationally. It was a clumsy effort. This time it has been better thought out with the main Red movement being mainly peaceful (although very intimidating) backed by an armed movement. This was a very clever move and i believe it nearly worked in bringing down the government.
The people in the main movement are, i believe, peaceful at heart but the poor have been used as a front for a more forceful overthrow of the country. I believe that they have been told half truths and twisted propaganda to fire them up for this 'war' and have been used as cannon fodder. Unfortunately, the country is still waiting to hear one demand for helping the poor. This is a battle for raw power between two groups of people who cannot accept anything but total victory.
This does not mean that I am pro-government. It is obvious that too much force was used despite the 2 months we endured of periodic M79 grenades and threats. I believe that at least some of the snipers were from the army (but not all) and I believe that there were more killed than is being stated.
I have never been able to ascertain why this government is illegitimate. Can someone help me here? In England no one voted for an alliance between the Cons and the Libs but that's what we got and it is not illegal. Maybe it is just about getting power in any way possible?
We just had a censure debate in Parliament that solved nothing and in fact, pushed the sides even further apart. Both sides are now entrenched and it will get worse before it gets better.
My heart goes out to all those injured or killed and all the people who lost their businesses. I feel sadness that this wonderful country has descended to this and sympathy for the people who have been used and abused when all they hope for is a better life. We need a middle way, a hero to lead a new political party to find a way out of this because the politicians on both sides have run out of ideas and cannot do anything except work for their own interests.
Any hero's out there?
Peter
Bangkok
Preparation of a grenade attack
"The camera's rolling" the reporter said but I didn't see the shot of the grenade attacks as mention nor do I see any one with a grenade launcher or a grenade, all I hear is a sound of bang and people cheered? Was the reporters imagining or couldn't think of anything to say?
great vidio
i can see real right vidio thanks alot
:(
This is horrible!
Thank you
Thank you very much for the report.
keep to the facts
An interesting video, but the dialogue often doesn't fit what we see. Dialogue says army under fire from all sides but we don't see this. The army is heard telling demonstrators to stop firing fire works, yet the subtitle says "stop firing". Your reporters talk of a grenade attack yet show nothing of any launch. Can your reporters tell the difference between large bangers and grenades? Look at the casualty list. Snipers in the video are supposedly not from the army, yet all evidence shows that they are. Clearly this video is created for sensation rather than to show facts.
Giles Ji Ungpakorn
Do you can stand on the road
Do you can stand on the road if you sure read shirt had wepon , right?
This is a serious violence for democracy!
The fact is The Monarchy and Thaksin are in the same side, the side which is to control all poor people for not uprising.They just play a mini opera.
Seh Dang,The Red Commander was shot because he stated "Here, we're doing what was done in Paris 200 years ago,we want to storm the Bastille" as you reported. Why he said that? At first he was sent to the Red Shirt for a secret mission but after he knew the truth about all things, so he has changed mind and was going to turn be a real leader of the Red, so to get rid of him was the point.
The French Revolution idea is such a nightmare story here,especially for the King whom is the most rich in the world at this moment.
If you have noticed,the Government's operation is similar to "Tienanmen Square" Chinese Military Action.
This is a serious violence for Democracy!and yes! Thailand will not be the same as you all have ever seen because this is just the first chapter of "The Turning Point of Thai Society".
Chaniya
BKK
Wow! Wonderful reportage,
Wow! Wonderful reportage, crazy footages!
yesssss i agree...
Regarding the previous comment, i would say 'yes, i agree'.
That's so sad really. As you can see by now, I have seen the Government has still continued to cut all medias in
Thailand, only the positive news for the Government side, that can be on air. Furthermore, they tried to present the news of burning Buildings every day, every time since 20 May, instead of the amount of the death and injured. I have never seen PM and his other MP mentioned about responsibility of the death and injured at all, which till now, we still do not know how many amount of death exactly from this army operation on 13-19 May.
That's why i agree with 'so sadsssssssss thailand'
Tan, Bangkok
so saddddddddd thailand
It's obvious that Thailand now has not got any democracy, we have only army government, supported by King Bhumipol. Abhisit is just the public scene of King, that's so sad.
I cant believe the person who is 83 years old now, will always think about power, money, then..lead to killing his own people.
If you see this vedio clip of France 24, you will see the soilders with the pink sticker on their helmets. The Pink is a symbol of King by now. That's why all soilders killed people without any hesitating, as they think, the Reds are terrorists, so they need to get rid of the red as much as they can.
This is a failure of the country of Thailand, if the leader and King who become revere in public, but behind scence, he is not different from the hunter. How can the leader think of their citizens same as foes?
I think, only the kindness that can reduce stress in Thailand, if Mr.Abhisit still get ordered from King, to get rid of the Reds, the whole country of Thailand will collapse soon.
Just re-seeing the Reds as your citizens, and called for a fresh election, not terrorists, I am sure thailand will become peaceful soon, but seems to be difficult, as long as the King still alive.
Post new comment