【バンコク＝林浩樹】タイのバンコク繁華街を占拠するタクシン元首相派団体「反独裁民主統一戦線（ＵＤＤ）」と治安部隊の衝突で、軍報道官は十五日、「デモ隊の暴力がやまなければ、占拠地に突入する計画がある」と強制排除を警告した。占拠地に隣接する一部地域を「実弾使用地区」にも指定し、事態は緊迫の度を増している。
衝突三日目の同日、占拠地入りを狙うデモ隊と阻止する治安部隊がバンコク北部などで衝突、「戦線」は占拠地周辺から拡大した。銃撃戦や爆発事件も各地で相次ぎ、市街戦の様相を呈した。救急当局によると、三日間の衝突による死者は二十五人、負傷者は百七十人以上に増えた。
突入計画について、軍報道官は時期を明らかにせず、徹底抗戦するデモ隊に解散圧力をかける目的があるとみられる。これに対しＵＤＤ幹部は同日、兵士が市民を殺害しているとして、銃撃停止と部隊の撤退を要求。政府側が応じれば新たな交渉に入ると表明した。
Clashes continue in Bangkok, Thailand May 14; at least five people killed, 46 wounded. Avoid red-shirt protests and security posts.
Locations affected by this alert: Bangkok
This alert began 05/14/10 14:50 GMT and is scheduled to expire 05/16/10 23:59 GMT.
Summary
Security forces in the Thai capital of Bangkok are enforcing a cordon around the anti-government ("red-shirt") protesters' encampment in the city's business district. The army has orders to use live ammunition only for self-defense, but as of late May 14 at least five people have been killed and 46 wounded in various clashes between red-shirts and troops since the government ordered troops to enforce the cordon on May 12. Government forces deployed tear gas and water cannon at some protesters, who retaliated by setting fire to barricades made of tires and vandalizing several police and army vehicles. As of late May 14 it does not appear that government forces are yet in position to begin an offensive operation to clear the protesters.
Most shops, restaurants, businesses near the protest area have closed on government orders. Many diplomatic missions near the protest areas have closed as well, including those of the Netherlands, the UK and the US. Virtually all public transportation throughout Bangkok, including the entire elevated BTS Skytrain and the subway, has shut down since 1800. Authorities cut off water and power to the entire area of the protest in an attempt to force the red-shirts to abandon the protest area. The move has been very unpopular with area residents and businesses.
Protesters are essentially in control of Ratchadamri Road from Phetchaburi in the north to Rama IV in the south, where the largest protest encampment is located (at the Saladaeng intersection). Rama 1 is closed from Witthayu in the east to Chulalongkorn 5. Phetchaburi, Phaya Thai and Witthayu roads are closed to all traffic. Lumpini Park just to the east is occupied by protesters as well. Authorities are preventing pedestrians from entering the area unless they provide proof that they live or work there.
The government on May 13 added another 17 provinces to the list of those under emergency rule. The move was likely to allow security forces to limit inter-city transport and prevent additional protesters from entering Bangkok from rural areas.
The health status of renegade Major-General Khattiya Sawasdipol (Seh Daeng), the de facto military chief of the protest movement, remains unclear. Sawasdipol was shot May 13 under mysterious circumstances as he conducted an interview with foreign journalists. Recent reports indicate that he remains in critical condition at Vahira hospital following emergency surgery. Doctors give him a "low" chance of surviving his injuries.
Background and Analysis
The latest casualties came as troops attempted to secure the Suan Lum night bazaar, just east of Lumpini Park, where the red-shirts set up a checkpoint to prevent security forces from advancing on their barricades. Any offensive operation to clear the protesters is likely to lead to intense violence. An unsuccessful attempt to clear a protest site April 10 sparked violent clashes that killed 25 people and wounded hundreds. The shooting of Sawasdipol, as well as the government's alleged retraction on an upcoming election day due to the protesters' failure to disperse, is likely to further antagonize the protesters and encourage violent clashes.
Although the red-shirts previously accepted a government reconciliation plan, they have refused to disband, despite threats by the military to forcibly disperse them. The red-shirts made acceptance of the reconciliation plan contingent on the government's arresting Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, whom the red-shirts believe is responsible for ordering government troops to fire on protesters during earlier clashes.
Advice
Strictly avoid red-shirt camps and the security cordon in central Bangkok. Do not attempt to frequent businesses or streets in the surrounding area until the army operation has ended. Stay away from banks, police posts, and large concentrations of demonstrators and security personnel.
Resource
An interactive map of the Bangkok security environment: http://bit.ly/cfob7i
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