Death on the street
The army stepped in early on Tuesday after pro-government demonstrators attacked opponents occupying Government House and killed at least one protester from the People's Alliance for Democracy. The government declared a State of Emergency, effectively putting the army in control of security throughout the capitalThe emergency decree said restrictions had been imposed on media reports that "undermined public security". (Disclosure: No restrictions were place on this report nor on others on this web site on Tuesday morning.)
Shortly after dawn, and after a night of clashes, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej imposed a state of emergency on Bangkok. The announcement said Army Gen. Anupong Paojinda would be in charge of administering the emergency, and armed forces would have full police powers.
The Emergency Decree specifically prohibits the gathering of more than five people for a protest, and could be used to force PAD protesters to disperse or be arrested.
Spokesmen for the United front of Democracy against Dictatorship immediately announced they will end their rally centered at Sanam Luang. "We will obey the law and go home."
Suriyasai Katasila, the chief ideologue for the People's Alliance for Democracy, said the PAD leaders would consult on their next move.
The army commander stepped in after one man was killed and another 34 people were injured in the clashes between the UDD and the PAD, rushing four companies of about 400 soldiers to the scene.
"Soldiers must leave the barracks to help restore peace," said the army chief, Gen Anupong. Troops were armed with batons and shields as they arrived at the scene.
A senior police officer at the scene, who requested anonymity, told the AFP news agency:
"Thousands of protesters from Sanam Luang went to the scene and clashed.
"There were reports of gunfire, but police cannot confirm who fired or how many were injured. The police took about 15 minutes to break up the groups."
The dead man was shot in the chest and beaten around the head, reporters at the scene said. Friends said he was a PAD supporters from Nakhon Ratchasima, who had only arrived in Bangkok on Tuesday with a busload of friends, to support the demonstrations aimed at forcing the government to resign.
The condition of the other, injured protesters could not immediately be learned.
Dr Petchpong Kamjornkijjakarn, head of the Bangkok emergency unit of the Public Health Ministry, told reporters that the dead man and another protester had suffered gunshot wounds during the skirmishes. He put the number of injured at 34, and said four were in critical condition.
People’s Alliance for Democracy – the union of several groups protesting against the current government and which staged large protests against the Thaksin government as well พันธมิตรประชาชนเพื่อประชาธิปไตย
decree – an official order made by a leader or government
impose – introduce as a new law, rule system and to force people to use it
undermine – to make something or someone become gradually less effective, confident or successful
disclosure – the process of giving information to people
restrictions – limitations; controls
prohibit – to officially stop something from being done
disperse – to cause a crowd of people to separate and go away in different directions สลายฝูงชน
ideologue – someone who behaves very strictly according to a set of beliefs, or who develops and explains a set of beliefs
clashes – fights between groups of people
barracks – a group of buildings where members of the armed forces live and work
armed with – carrying as weapons or protection
baton – a stick used as a weapon by a police officer or soldier
shield – an object that police officers carry in order to protect themselves
anonymity – a situation in which the name of a person is not made known
skirmish – a fight, especially a short one
critical – very serious
Strike preparations
The planned strikes across the country were probably one of the reasons (but certainly not the main one) the prime minister decided to call a state of emergency this morning. I doubt now that the strikes will go ahead, but it is interesting to see what was planned. I'll post this with a minimum of vocabulary so that can I go immediately to the news of the emergency decree itself.decree – an official order made by a leader or government
Unions to strike across country Water, electricity and other supplies to be cut
POST REPORTERS
State railway officials, police and vendors manoeuvre a train down a side track to clear the main line after it was abandoned yesterday by members of the railway labour union at Nakhon Ratchasima station, blocking the northeastern line. Services resumed after talks. PRASIT TANGPRASERTForty-three state enterprise labour unions have agreed to stage strikes and cut public utility services nationwide from tomorrow as part of a campaign to force the government out of office.
Sawit Kaewwan, secretary-general of the State Enterprise Labour Relations Confederation, said the unions will cut water and electricity supplies mainly to agencies dealing with security, such as the police, targetting provincial police offices.
Telephone lines to government agencies and the houses of cabinet ministers will also be disconnected.
The confederation also agreed that measures will be put in place to delay the arrival and departure times of Thai Airways International flights nationwide.
About 80% of city buses will stop running, but northern and northeastern train services resumed yesterday.
A union representative told the meeting the Government Saving Bank’s 7,500 staff will also follow the confederation’s resolution, he said.
Mr Sawit, also a core leader of the People’s Alliance for Democracy, said the plan to cut public utility services was in response to the use of force against PAD supporters.
Sirichai Mai-ngam, president of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand’s labour union, said the confederation’s announcement was not only a threat, but would be put into action.
Mr Sirichai, also a key PAD member, said the moves by the labour unions were intended to protect the interests of the nation, and were not for the benefit of state enterprise workers.
The confederation has 43 state enterprise labour unions with more than 200,000 members, Mr Sirichai said.
‘‘Today is our D-Day. We have given them [the government] many chances.
‘‘If the government does not resign, we will continue our operations until it quits,’’ Mr Sawit said.
Boonma Pongma, vice-president of the BMTA’s union, said there will be only 800 free red-cream buses left to serve Bangkok commuters, or about 20% of the whole fleet.
Somsak Manop, vice-president of Thai Airways International’s union, said the union will delay the arrival and departure times of THAI aircraft and will reduce the number of flights.
Thammarat Ramkwan, president of the Provincial Waterworks Authority’s union, said the union will initially cut water supplies to police stations across the country.
Phien Yongnoo, president of the Metropolitan Electricity Authority’s labour union, said the union was considering cutting off the power supply to help the PAD pressure the government.
resolution – a formal proposal that is considered by an organisation and is usually voted on at a meeting
initially – at first
overdue – (of a bill) not paid at the time it was supposed to be paid
However, the power supply cut would be applied to government agencies whose bills were overdue by one month.
‘‘We will hold a discussion to consider whether the cut-off period could be shorter than one month. It should be one week or whatever. We will do everything to achieve our goal of pressuring the government,’’ he said.
However, at least three labour unions from state-run banks disagreed with the planned strike.
Kusol Boonklom, president of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Co-operatives’ labour union, said members of the BAAC union needed to discuss the planned strike among themselves first.
Natthapat Yimyai, president of the Government Savings Bank’s labour union, said his members had varying views on whether to join the strike.
Somsak Boonthong, chairman of the SRT’s board, said the board is considering whether to resign following the stoppages by railway workers.
‘‘The move by the SRT union to stop rail services was wrong, so we are considering resigning and taking responsibility,’’ he said. The board is expected to make a decision in two days, he said.
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej called an urgent meeting yesterday to discuss the union stance with leaders of the People Power party.
PM’s Office Minister Chusak Sirinil said the prime minister stressed the importance of legal means to deal with the protesters.
Meanwhile, northern and northeastern train services resumed yesterday after hundreds of railway workers went on strike last week and paralysed the country’s rail system.
In Nakhon Ratchasima province, State Railway of Thailand governor Yutthana Sapcharoen held talks with railway workers and persuaded them to cancel the strike.
The first northeastern train, on the Nakhon Ratchasima-Surin route, left at 6pm, while northeastern-bound services from Bangkok were expected to resume last night.
In Phuket, the PAD denied any involvement in the Aug 29-31 blockade of Phuket international airport.
stance – position
paralyse – to make something unable to operate normally
