Picture Courtesy Bangkok Post

With renewed violence in Thailand’s Capital Thursday the United States and United Kingdom have both issued statements calling for the Thai government to continue dialogues with the Red shirt protesters but also stating that they are very concerned over the new violence and that both embassies would be closing to the public out of safety concerns.

State Department spokesman Philip Crowley told reporters when asked about the situation in Bangkok:

We’re very concerned, we’re watching it (the violence) very closely. The embassy is closed and American citizens services will be available for emergencies only, essential personnel right now are manning the embassy, but it’s not open. We continue to encourage both sides that violence is not the route to resolve these issues. Ultimately, the government and the demonstrators have to get back together again and reach agreement on the path forward. There are fundamental fissures within Thai society and the only way to resolve this and to develop a civil and inclusive society is through peaceful negotiation.

Meanwhile a British Spokeswoman stated:

The embassy will be closed tomorrow (Friday) but we’ll still have a hot-line. We’ll be monitoring the situation in Bangkok on a day-by-day basis.

This comes on the heels of fresh violence Thursday after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva shelved a plan for November elections as negotiations fell apart between the Thai government and Red shirt leaders. Red Shirt protesters clashed with troops in the heart of the capital, leaving one dead and eight wounded. The incident happened shortly after the government sealed off the roads surrounding the rally site, shut off electricity, cut off water supply and all transportation around the site early Thursday evening. Among the injured was Red Shirt leader Maj-Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol, better known as Seh Daeng,  who was shot in the head and is in critical condition and being treated at Hua Chiew Hospital.

Amid the violence the CRES (Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation) will propose the government impose emergency law in 15 more provinces in central, northern and northeastern parts of the country. The 15 provinces are Chonburi, Samut Prakan, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Si Sa Ket, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan, Lampang and Nakhon Sawan. Bangkok, Nonthaburi and parts of Samut Prakan. Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom and Ayutthaya have been under a state of emergency since April to handle the Red shirt protesters.

To those of you in Bangkok or heading there be very careful as no one knows how this situation is likely to end. Violence may escalate over the weekend so it is probably best to stay out of the area altogether.