
The anti-government protests in Bangkok, Thailand entered their ninth day Monday with tensions escalating during the morning as protesters continued to clash with police. The use of teargas and water cannons against protesters continued, and there were unconfirmed reports of police using live fire for the first time since the current round of protests began. Although life is continuing as normal in most parts of Bangkok, many schools were closed and the United Nations closed its main office.
Here we round-up the morning’s events and will keep you updated through the afternoon and evening.
+++All times in local Thai time (GMT+7)+++
9.25pm: There are widespread reports of an explosion and fire near Government House in Bangkok:
2 trucks on fire after an “explosions” near Govt House RT @ThaiFireFight pic.twitter.com/9HAxzcdzEk
— Saksith Saiyasombut (@Saksith) December 2, 2013
9:15pm CH.7 now reporting an explosion & fire near Chamai Maruchet Bridge (Via @pakapong_report) pic.twitter.com/msUK9CpI0m #Bangkok
— Richard Barrow (@RichardBarrow) December 2, 2013
8.44pm: Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban is giving a live address on Thai television, but not carried by the mainstream channels he pressured yesterday. In brief, he has urged police to defect to the anti-government protesters’ side and called on protesters to march to take 0ver Police HQ in Bangkok at 7am tomorrow (Tuesday):
Suthep has ended his speech. No compromise has been reached, obviously.
— tulsathit (@tulsathit) December 2, 2013
Suthep: We will start our operation at Met Pol HQ from early morning, departing at 7am. We should complete occupying int the afternoon.
— veena T. (@veen_NT) December 2, 2013
Suthep to police: those who don’t (join), we will go there and help take your uniform off.
— veena T. (@veen_NT) December 2, 2013
Suthep: “The good cops should decide to side with us!”
— Saksith Saiyasombut (@Saksith) December 2, 2013
Suthep: Tomorrow we must seize Metro Police HQ.
— veena T. (@veen_NT) December 2, 2013
Suthep: The government can stay only because of some bad cops.
— veena T. (@veen_NT) December 2, 2013
Suthep: whatever we do, the military will never aim the gun at us. They will not be used to attack the people for Govt.
— veena T. (@veen_NT) December 2, 2013
Suthep: Govt officials have to choose side whether they will stay with Thaksin regime or us. Govt officials and media R important factors.
— veena T. (@veen_NT) December 2, 2013
He said the protests were not for the benefit of the Democrats, he is working only fort he people and not taking orders from Dems — Karno (@Rusembilan) December 2, 2013
Suthep says he won’t be returning to parliament and will not be rejoining Democrats or standing for MP again — Karno (@Rusembilan) December 2, 2013
Suthep: If media are fair to us, there will be no more disturbances from me. That’s all I’m asking.
— tulsathit (@tulsathit) December 2, 2013
7.45pm: Suthep has delayed his speech sometime, but “no later than 9pm” according to protest co-leader Sathit on the stage at Democracy Monument:
Sathit announced that the important speech by Suthep is postponed.
— Am Thaweeporn (@isAMare) December 2, 2013
“สาทิตย์”เผยได้โทรศัพท์คุยกับ”สุเทพ”ถามว่าจะแถลงกี่โมง กำนันสุเทพบอกไม่เกิน 3 ทุ่ม #nna
— Anuphan Chantana (@Anuphan_nna) December 2, 2013
7.15pm: The end could be in sight? Democrat Party’s Korn Chatikavanij has told BBC we need to wait for Suthep’s statement this evening. Speculation abounds, but we’ll have to wait and see:
Korn on @bbcworld says negotiations between Yingluck and Suthep have been continuing today. But then says he has no knowledge of outcome.
— Jonah Fisher (@JonahFisher) December 2, 2013
Korn on @bbcworld says we should wait for Suthep later tonight for outcome.
— Jonah Fisher (@JonahFisher) December 2, 2013
Korn on @bbcworld says negotiations have been going on this pm. Hints at dissolution of parliament as possible solution.
— Jonah Fisher (@JonahFisher) December 2, 2013
7.10pm: Some journalists are tweeting that protest leaders are calling on protesters around Government House to fall back because of the presence of a third party:
Spotted some shifty men with helmets along the klong in Rama 5, on the police side. Protesters fear they’re “Black shirts”, take cover
— Alessandro Ursic (@aleursic) December 2, 2013
Stand-off now at Govt House after protest leaders made successful pull-back plea, citing danger of 3rd party making it go out of hand.
— tulsathit (@tulsathit) December 2, 2013
7.08pm: Bulldozer breaks through barricades at Government House, but meets heavy resistance:
Bulldozer through first line, gearing up for more #thailand pic.twitter.com/aqTR7RaeUA
— Simon Roughneen (@simonroughneen) December 2, 2013
Bulldozer just breached police barricade nr Nakhon – heavy tear gas n cannons. Not sure how driver’s fairing pic.twitter.com/2cDyy3cekU
— Francis Wade (@Francis_Wade) December 2, 2013
ผชน.ใช้รถตักพังประตูฝั่งสะพานอรทัยสำเร็จ แต่ยังไม่สามารถเข้าไปได้ ตร.ระดมยิงแก๊สอย่างหนัก #ไทยรัฐ #ม็อบการเมือง pic.twitter.com/ULZCdbKLdL
— BUBBURM_TRnews (@bubburm_TRnews) December 2, 2013
6.05pm: Another arrest warrant has been just issued against Suthep. This time it’s for insurrection:
ด่วน!! 17.30 น. ศาลออกหมายจับ นายสุเทพ เทือกสุบรรณ ในข้อหากบฎแล้ว!! pic.twitter.com/KaqsYX0COg
— บก.ลายจุด (@nuling) December 2, 2013
6.00pm: Suthep is set to make yet another announcement at 7.30pm, while things have calmed down possibly awaiting what he will have to say.
5.45PM Protest leaders from 5 stages agree to stop all movement temporarily and wait for more signal after 8:30PM tonight.-@NationChannel24
— Tulip Naksompop (@Tulip_Oum) December 2, 2013
5.46pm: The situation near the Metropolitan Police HQ has calmed down and protesters (have been told to) retreat back to Govt Complex in the North of Bangkok.
บรรยากาศที่แยกพล1 มีคนเข้ามาเคลียร์พื้นที่ pic.twitter.com/zvYYdp1oAF
— พัคจี้▲ (@Pakjiiz) December 2, 2013
5.00pm: Some interesting developments after apparently a 4-hour truce is currently in effect. Protest leader Suthep has been spotted driving away from Govt Complex in Chaeng Wattana to an unknown destination:
Meeting who? RT @RichardBarrow: 4:14pm Suthep left GovernmentComplex to unknown destination (Pic @tanatpong_nna) pic.twitter.com/PN0sP0CgHV
— bangkokpundit (@bangkokpundit) December 2, 2013
The situation at the Metropolitian Police HQ saw some heated scenes as well as the protesters somehow managed to get a garbage truck to ram through the barricades and also got hand on a firetruck.
Bangkok: no man’s land between Met Police HQ. Protestors now using garbage truck, digger to ram police line pic.twitter.com/ARXCxcaD8y
— John Sparks (@c4sparks) December 2, 2013
BMA? RT @RichardBarrow: Protesters have been using a fire truck as a water cannon against the police (Pic @Funnyleaf) pic.twitter.com/TMSHGteu3A
— bangkokpundit (@bangkokpundit) December 2, 2013
4.20pm: It looks like the situation at least in some areas around Govt House has calmed down at the moment, while at Democracy Monument at the main rally stage a tractor was unloaded…
Seems to be a 4 hour truce now to give dialogue a chance. Is the army leaning in Suthep to back down?
— Jonathan Head (@pakhead) December 2, 2013
Looks like a truce has been reached outside Govt House. Now it’s selfie-with-the-tear-gas-mask time for protesters near barricades
— Alessandro Ursic (@aleursic) December 2, 2013
Protestors now again on police barricade at gov house. Cops increasing numbers #thailand pic.twitter.com/kxS2oVHs0E
— Simon Roughneen (@simonroughneen) December 2, 2013
Tractor @ Ratchadamnoen,far from Gov House. RT @ohohcita: Ha! This is what the protesters have now. #Bangkok #Protest pic.twitter.com/87sEMBGBgv
— Alessio Fratticcioli (@fratticcioli) December 2, 2013
ตั๊น จิตภัสร์ ภิรมย์ภักดี นำทัพรถยกพร้อมรถตักออกจากราชดำเนินไปที่บช.น. #nna pic.twitter.com/BXDpfyjm0C
— Anuphan Chantana (@Anuphan_nna) December 2, 2013
3.15pm: Wassana Nanuam, military correspondent for the Bangkok Post, talked in a phone interview with ThaiPBS in the past hou about the military’s role in last night talks between PM Yingluck and protest leader Suthep, in particular army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha. Wassana states that it was Prayuth’s initiative to mediate talks between the opposing factions and also to have the chiefs of the navy, army and air force present as well. However, he was “not so happy” with the outcome, since Suthep rejected a House dissolution and new elections and kept insisting on his “People’s Council”. Wassana concludes that “Whatever the army is going to do (…) at least they can assure themselves that they tried to mediate.”
+++RECAP 2.20pm+++ New clashes as protesters attempt to take over Government House and other key government buildings again and police fire tear gas. Numerous reports of rubber bullets. PM Yingluck appears in public, says the govt open to negotiations but Suthep’s demands of a “People’s Council” are unconstitutional, presence of army chief Prayuth only as a mediator. Official death toll revised down to 3.
1.50pm: Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has finished taking questions from reporters in Thai and English. Takes a very conciliatory tone, emphasizing need for a negotiated settlement. She will not resign or dissolve parliament as that will not satisfy opposition. Adds that the government is entirely committed to finding a peaceful solution. Also announces that she has appointed Surapong as the new head of CAPO (Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfOrBjSrEeE
RT @tulsathit: Yingluck: I won’t make myself the people’s problem. Whatever I can do, I will do. #Thailand
— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) December 2, 2013
In brief, PM is willing to negotiate but Suthep’s demand is just impossible. — veena T. (@veen_NT) December 2, 2013
1. IMHO (from what saw as int connect was cutting out), easily YL’s best press performance. An actual presser with Qs from Th + Eng press
— bangkokpundit (@bangkokpundit) December 2, 2013
2. She reiterated that Suthep’s People’s Assembly is not legally possible under this Constitution, but open to further negotiations with S
— bangkokpundit (@bangkokpundit) December 2, 2013
1.31pm:
Injured man near the Met police bureau – he was taken away in an ambulance. #bangkok #Thailand pic.twitter.com/weSQQeiMHO — William Davies AFP (@WilwithoneL) December 2, 2013
1.25pm: It’s worth noting that the weekend death toll from the Bangkok protests has been revised down to three. The figure of four deaths issued on Sunday evening was reportedly due to a mix-up.
1.20pm:
#Thailand PM Yingluck still is at meeting with crisis management team at CAPO in National Police HQ — Rajprasong_News (@Rajprasong_News) December 2, 2013
12:52pm:
Chaos outside met police. Protestors trying to use rubbish truck to breach police barricade. Much tear gas, water canon. — Wayne Hay (@wayne_hay) December 2, 2013
12.35pm: From Associated Press: Thailand braces for more violence
After a weekend of chaos in pockets of Bangkok, protesters vowed to push ahead with plans to topple Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra by occupying her office compound along with other key government buildings. Police again used tear gas on thousands of protesters on Monday after repeatedly driving them back with similar attacks throughout Sunday.
12.21pm:
BBC Jonah Fisher says mood harder at Govt House. Protesters throwing firecrackers at police. Lots of tear gas. Rubber bullets reported. — Jonathan Head (@pakhead) December 2, 2013
12.16pm: Many tweeters reporting use of live rounds by police:
Domestic media reports say 1 protestor today in Bangkok suffered gunshot wound. No official confirmation. #Thailand — Steve Herman (@W7VOA) December 2, 2013
Police fire tear gas @ protesters trying to use police vehicle to remove barriers at ChamaiMaruchetBridge;protester injured by gunshot wound — MCOT English News (@MCOT_Eng) December 2, 2013
11.30am: Twitter abuzz this morning of protesters using a sewage pump truck to fire faeces at police. A rumour that wasn’t entirely taken seriously:
The rumour this morning is that the anti govt demonstrators are going to fire faeces at the police. Let’s see. — Jonah Fisher (@JonahFisher) December 2, 2013
#มวลมหาอุจจาระ “The great mass of dump” from “the great mass of people.” RT @Nok_KN BEST infographic of the day! pic.twitter.com/flumRXKWQN — แก้วมาลา Kaewmala (@Thai_Talk) December 2, 2013
+1 RT @bountonw: Title for future @bangkokpundit blog: From Passive Resistance to Fecal Resistance: The Decomposition of a Movement — bangkokpundit (@bangkokpundit) December 2, 2013
10.30am: Bangkok Pundit expertly takes apart the often used anti-government vote-buying argument: Vote buying and Thaksin, and the Democrats
9.50am: Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra appeared to be back on the map this morning after much speculation on her whereabouts Sunday evening:
9.50am PM Yingluck at police HQ via @jeerapong_nna: นายกฯเข้าสตช. สีหน้าเรียบเฉย ขึ้นลิฟท์ไปประชุมพร้อมกับผบ.ตร. pic.twitter.com/d8BLME2Zoi — veena T. (@veen_NT) December 2, 2013
9.29am:
9:29am Here we go again. Tear gas at Chamai Maruchet near Government House (Pic @nikhon_) pic.twitter.com/cLGxeka9NH #Bangkok — Richard Barrow (@RichardBarrow) December 2, 2013
8am: Bangkok Pundit unearths some excellent drone footage of Sunday’s clashes: Thailand: Videos of police and anti-government protesters clashing