Thailand in the News Week Ending 5/22/10

Bangkok Besieged

Instead of adding more commentary and opinion this week I think it’s best to let the story be told in pictures.

It is both maddening and saddening to see the Thai on Thai violence that has taken place this week in Bangkok and elsewhere throughout Thailand. It’s said that a picture is worth a thousand words but in this case I would say these pictures are worth a thousand heartbreaks or more. All of the following pictures come from AP, Reuters and the BBC; some of the following pictures are very graphic in nature.

Red Shirts shooting fireworks at Thai army-AP PhotoSakchai Lalit

Monks gathered at Victory Monument praying for peace-AP PhotoDavid Longstreath

Red shirt protesters behind a barricade of tires-AP PhotoDavid Longstreath

Thai army holding suspects-AP PhotoVincent Yu

Fires in Bangkok-AP PhotoVincent Yu

Protester taunts Thai military-AP PhotoVincent Yu

A plea to end ther violence-AP PhotoWally Santana

One of many fires in Bangkok-AP PhotoWally Santana

Thai military looking on protesters-AP PhotoWally Santana

Removing the dead-AP PhotoWason Wanichakorn

Tire on fire on Bangkok street-AP PhotoWason Wanichakorn

One of the many Thai casualties-AP Photo

Thai military removing the body of a fallen soldier-AP

Red shirt protesters arrested by the Thai military-Reuters

Armored personnel carrier cautiously approaching fire barricade-AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn

Public buildings in Bangkok set ablaze-Reuters

Fallen Thai soldier-Reuters

A tuk tuk in the midst of madness-REUTERS/Adrees Latif

A protester near burning bus-REUTERSD/amir Sagolj

A fireman lost his life doing his job-REUTERS/Jerry Lampen

A protester finding cover-REUTERS/Jerry Lampen

Lone protester among the smoke-REUTERS/Adrees Latif

Firemen trying to tackle fires in Bangkok-AP Photo/ Manish Swarup

Chaos on Bangkok streets-REUTERSA/drees Latif

Protester receiving medical attention-Reuters

2 Thai soldiers and a Canadian journalist lie dead after grenade attack-Reuters

Adding fuel to the fire-AP Photo/Wally Santana

talensig

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13 Responses to Thailand in the News Week Ending 5/22/10
  1. linda
    May 22, 2010 | 1:24 pm

    Please stop the violence.Thailand is too beautiful place for this

  2. Sophie
    May 23, 2010 | 2:07 am

    Heartbreak doesn’t even begin to describe these pictures Talen. I am left sitting and staring at the screen, speechless. I have no words. This is all so sad. I have just discovered your site and really appreciate it. Thank you.

    • Talen
      May 24, 2010 | 7:50 am

      Sophie, the pictures really do leave one speechless. Thanks for the kind words.

  3. Catherine
    May 23, 2010 | 9:56 am

    This has truly been a terrible time in Thai history – many deaths, much destruction, insanity reigned.

    There is no use kidding myself; my feelings for Thailand have been changed forever.

    And on a side note: I see that you couldn’t resist adding the blue-pantied Thai Elvis (nor would I). He was a marvel to behold.
    .-= Catherine´s last blog ..Inciting Acts of Kindness: The SET Foundation =-.

    • Talen
      May 24, 2010 | 7:51 am

      Cat, the stripping protester was a must if for nothing else to add a small bit of levity.

  4. gracieluvpi
    May 23, 2010 | 1:38 pm

    Enough is enough, let the people have a voice!!! Innocent people are dying, the government have to think of Thailand’s FUTURE. STOP THE BLOOD SHEDS!!

  5. ChuckWow
    May 23, 2010 | 3:06 pm

    I have been in daily contact with my wife over the past week or so.

    These pictures documenting the horror in Bangkok seem to be in stark contrast to my wife’s indifference to the situation.

    The only sign of concern from her came when the curfew began – and that was just an expression of inconvenience.

    Interesting that I seem to be more concerned about her safety and what is happening in her country than she does.

    • Talen
      May 24, 2010 | 7:52 am

      Chuck, same same for my lady. Although She seemed a little too excited about the protests in her area.

  6. Martyn
    May 24, 2010 | 10:43 pm

    Talen brilliant photos which sum up the whole sad sorry affair. It’s a shame that the initial talks to end the ‘rally’ had not bore some results. I think there were too many red shirt leaders with conflicting strategies, peace and violence, for that to have happened and whoever was pulling the PM’s strings decided to quash the red shirts once and for all, I don’t think they’ve achieved that either. The feeling I got from my time in Isaan was that their cause was from from over and hope has been replaced by a deep rooted anger. Sadly I think the troubles are merely in a state of recuperating sleep.
    .-= Martyn´s last blog ..On the Scene – Udon Thani Burning =-.

  7. Talen
    May 25, 2010 | 12:04 am

    Martyn, I think you are absolutely right. From my talks with Pookie it seems there was renewed vigor in the North East. From what I could tell before everyone in the provinces were for the cause but most stayed home but that all changed with Seh Daeng being assassinated and with the fresh violence and bodies mounting in Bangkok the angrier and more willing to fight rural Thailand has become.

    If the PM were smart he could diffuse the situation ever so slightly by going ahead with new elections in November but I have a feeling that we will see a whole lot more fighting either way.

  8. Martyn
    May 25, 2010 | 12:25 am

    I think the PM’s puppeteers know that a November election would mean a win for the Peau Thai Party. The Democrats cannot not in anyway even consider fighting an Election in Isaan and that’s one big part of the nationwide vote.
    .-= Martyn´s last blog ..On the Scene – Udon Thani Burning =-.

    • Talen
      May 25, 2010 | 9:07 am

      I believe you are right Martyn, way more voters in Issan. And if the Puea Thai party would win then we would see yellow shirt protests.

  9. BH
    May 25, 2010 | 8:42 pm

    Those are some truly awful sights.A world away from the Bangkok we all know and love. The sixth picture down though with the dude grinning and showing his blue underwear? What on earth was that about?
    .-= BH´s last blog ..Nuke the Gulf oil spill? =-.