Quick note: As you’re probably aware, the red shirts continue to rally here in Bangkok today. (Google News has some relevant stories.)
In a striking scene, red shirts confronted police who had massed on Langsuan Rd., near Rajaprasong intersection, this morning. The demonstrators essentially chanted and sang songs and beat drums and blew horns until the troops left.
More soon, but for now, you can read my ongoing observations on Twitter.
Following yesterday’s post, I wanted to share some additional images of the red shirts’ protest at Bangkok’s Rajaprasong intersection. Thanks to my brother M, who’s in town visiting, for snapping most of these when my hands were full (see final image). Commentary to come in a later post.
For now, a thought — and yes, this is stating the obvious: Over the last three and a half weeks, the red shirts have occupied Rajadamnoen Rd, conducted their “mobile rallies,” demonstrated outside the 11th army regiment (and forced talks with the PM), and now taken control of one of the city’s most important intersections.
These actions seem to be part of a strategy to slowly, bit by bit, ratchet up the pressure on the Thai government, using non-violent tactics. How long will the government allow this to continue? Will the government simply wait the red shirts out? Is there a breaking point? Will there be a public uprising against the reds as life becomes more difficult for everyday citizens?
There are a few more pics in the full Flickr photoset.
Red shirt protesters moved their demonstrations to the middle of Bangkok’s central business district yesterday (Sat.), shutting down the Rajaprasong intersection.
This is one of the Thai capital’s crucial intersections, where Phloenchit Road (lower Sukhumvit) and Rajadamri Roads bisect one another, and where the Chidlom Skytrain (BTS) station is located.
The Erawan Shrine is is also here, and several high-end shopping malls — such as CentralWorld — are in this area. The malls all seem to be closed, as are several of the elevated walkways.
There are also several embassies within a 15 minute walk, and the commercial and residential real estate surrounding this intersection is some of Bangkok’s most expensive.
Here’s an IHT story about the red shirts’ move to this location, and here’s one from the BBC.
The government gave the protesters a deadline of 9 p.m. Sat. night to leave; the demonstrators refused. It’s unclear what will happen next.
I just got back home from surveying the scene there. Here are some images.
As you’ll see, there are many thousands of red shirt supporters camped out here. There is generally the same positive, up-beat atmosphere that could be found at the reds’ main protest site, on Rajadamnoen Rd. But I was there from about 11 a.m. until 12 p.m., and the heat was intense, so perhaps a little of the enthusiasm was on the wane.
The logistical arrangements were impressive, with trucks blocking key intersections and red shirt “security guards” stationed at the perimeter of the protest site.
You can find a few more images in the full Flickr photoset. I will be blogging more here as events unfold. And as ever, you can follow me on Twitter for more frequent updates.
Just briefly: For some analysis regarding the red shirt protests, I suggest checking out this NYT/IHT op-ed by Thai academic Thitinan Pongsudhirak. It’s called “Thailand’s Battle of Attrition.” Worth a read.
Here’s the latest on the red shirt protests:
The talks between red shirt leaders and the government (see previous posts here and here) have ended without success.
The red shirts, as we know, have been been pushing the government to dissolve the house — which would lead to new elections — immediately. Prime Minister Abhisit said the government might do so by the end of 2010. The reds countered with a compromise of 15 days. But the two sides couldn’t reach an agreement.
And so the protests continue.
The red shirts are still demonstrating — though in smaller numbers now — at their main site on Rajadamnoen Rd. But Red shirt leaders say they will now conduct another mass protest on Sat., April 3. They say it will be the biggest demonstration yet.
Here’s a story from AP on the current state of affairs. And this AFP piece has quotes from analysts on the role of the military in all of this.
Similarly, here’s some analysis from the Economist.
For a look at how cultural trends within Thailand are reflected in the red shirts’ protests, I suggest reading this IHT story, headlined “Young Thai Protesters Shed Culture of Restraint.”
As ever, stay tuned — both here on Twitter.