State of emergency declared in Bangkok

Prime Minister and Defence Minister Samak Sundaravej issued an order to declare the state of emergency in Bangkok from 7am today following a serious clash between protesters of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship of Thailand (UDDT) that left at least one person killed and about 40 injured.

The state of emergency was invoked under the Executive Decree for National Administration under an Emergency Situation.  It is to remain effective until November 30.

Under the prime minister’s order, Army Chief Gen Anupong Paojinda, in his capacity as deputy director of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), has been appointed chairman of a committee for enforcement of the state of emergency and First Army commander Lt-Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha and Police Chief Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan his deputies.

The prime minister also issued another order prohibiting assembly of more than five people, publication of news which may cause panic or distort facts affecting law and order, and use of buildings or vehicles as specified by the army chief.  People are subject to be moved out of certain areas as ordered by the army chief.

In a related development, army deputy spokesman, said Gen Anupong, chief enforcer of the emergency decree, would hold an urgent meeting of agencies concerned at the Army Headquarters at 10 am.

Those to attend the meeting include Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Kowit Watana, Police Chief Phatcharawat and First Army commander Lt Gen Prayuth.

Clash leaves at least one killed and 40 wounded

Several hundreds of UDDT members moved from Sanam Luang and broke through a police cordon to the intersection at the former army academy.  At the time, PAD co-leader Somsak Kosaisuk called at the PAD stage for additional volunteer guards to put up resistance.

The clash between PAD and UDDT members took place 15 minutes after that.  The two sides threw water bottles, soda bottles and rocks and used wooden sticks to hit each other in a melee. During the clash, five or six gun shots were heard.  Two UDDT members were seriously wounded and rushed to Vajira hospital.  No police were seen at the scene during the clash.

After the clash, Sondhi Limthongkul, a PAD leader, went up the stage and said the UDDT had attacked the PAD, causing a large number of wounded.  He called for people around Bangkok including Chon Buri and Nakhon Pathom to come for PAD’s help.  Mr Sondhi declared a civil war had started and that the protesters must be prepared to fight with everything they had in hands.

At 2am, Pol Gen Patcharawat, the national police chief, and his deputy Pol Gen Jongrak Juthanont, who is acting for the metropolitan police chief, and Metropolitan Police deputy chief Maj-Gen Suchart Muankaew arrived at the scene.

About 500 policemen, each holding only a plastic shield, were then deployed to separate the two sides.

Later at 3am, Pol Maj-Gen Suchart said altogether 22 companies of police had been deployed all over the area to prevent another clash.

The police were later reinforced by four companies of anti-riot soldiers from the First Army.
Dr Peerapong Saichua, deputy director of the Medical Department, said 19 people wounded in the clash, three of them seriously, were admitted to Vajira hospital.  One of the seriously wounded identified as Narongsak Kothaisong, 55, died later.  He was hit in the head with a hard object.

Three wounded were also admitted to the Bangkok General hospital, five to Ramathibodi hospital, six to Hua Chiew hospital, and one to Mission hospital.  Forty ambulances were mobilized from hospitals in Bangkok and nearby provinces to the area.

Pongphet emergency centre reported differently that the protester, a native of Nakhon Ratchasima, who died had a gun shot wound in his chest.

It was latest reported at 5am that altogether 40 people were wounded.  Twenty-five were admitted to Vajira, five to Ramathibodi, five to Hua Chiew, one to Mission, two to Bangkok General, one to Rajvithee, and one to Siriraj hospitals.  One of the wounded died.

At 3.45am, the situation was still tense.  While UDDT members gathered in front of the Army Headquarters, PAD protesters congregated at Makkhawan Rangsan bridge.  Between them were anti-riot police and soldiers.

Minor clashes reportedly took place at several spots including at Nang Lerng intersection and in a soi near the Ratchadamnoen boxing stadium.  The two sides threw Molotov cocktails at each other.

At the PAD stage, Suriyasai Katasila said in an interview with Thai PBS television station that Deputy Transport Minister Songsak Thongsri and Maj-Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol, alias Seh Daeng, were sighted among UDDT attackers.  Mr Songsak and Maj-Gen Khattiya, however, said they were at the scene to observe the situation.

PM:  PAD demonstrators must be moved out of Governnment House

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej held a press conference at the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, saying that with the state of emergency in force PAD demonstrators occupying his office must be moved out.

The 9am press conference was broadcast live nationwide.

Mr Samak said the clash that took place was beyond his expectation and that he stayed awake all night long to monitor the situation.  His decision to declare the state of emergency came after two hours of consultation with authorities concerned.

He said a committee, chaired by Army Chief Gen Anupong Paojinda, will investigate the incident.

The prime minister pleaded for the people to be considerate, saying they should not base their opinion on hatred for him.  He said it was deplorable that those who caused problems in the country have never been put to blame.  Mr Samak also expressed disappointment with the 43 state enterprises which have announced to take measures against the government.

He pledged to bring the country back to normalcy as soon as possible.  The incident may disrupt the gubernatorial election scheduled for Oct 5 but the Election Commission (EC) is expected to make changes as considered necessary, Mr Samak said.

In reply to a question by a foreign news correspondent, Mr Samak said it is necessary for authorities appointed by him to implement the state of emergency to move PAD protesters out of the Government House.  “They have to go. They have no rights to stay in there,” Mr Samak said.
The prime minister said that a curfew or martial law will not be imposed.  He pledged to take the responsibility for the situation in the country and reaffirmed that he will not resign.

Countries issue travel advisory

Overseas office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) revealed that Britain, Australia, Canada, South Korea and Japan have issued a travel advisory telling their citizens to be careful while traveling to Thailand.

Porntip Hirunket, secretary-general of the Tourism Council of Thailand, said the council has issued a statement calling for the government and the PAD to exercise restraint as the situation has severely affected tourism industry.

Sodsri:  PPP dissolution could worsen situation

Sumeth Upanisakorn, an election commissioner, said the Election Commission (EC) will today decide whether or not to recommend dissolution of the People Power party (PPP) regardless of the current political situation.

He said the commission is duty-bound to perform its duty according to the law.

Sodsri Sattayatham, another election commissioner, held a different opinion.  She said in the wake of the state of emergency the EC should defer its decision on the PPP dissolution case as it may no longer be an emergency matter.  An EC resolution, no matter what it may be, could be taken by either side of the conflict to cause more problems, Mrs Sodsri said.

“In this situation, whatever can be avoided should be avoided.  However, it depends on the EC to decide on this matter,’’ she added.