Unsung heroes of Klong Toey repel red threat

[Flashermac]

Bangkok Post

22 May 2010

 

 

What happened on Na Ranong Road near the Bangkok Post office on Wednesday showed that security guards and ordinary people were able to play a role in protecting their neighbours from the violent threats of the more radical red shirts.

 

The road off Sunthorn Kosa intersection near Klong Toey Port houses Loxley, Shell Thailand, Post Publishing and local residences in mainly run-down communities.

 

After leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship surrendered to the government at Ratchaprasong intersection, the capital became a scene of chaos.

 

Radical red shirts targeted the three companies but they were largely saved, thanks to the security guards, especially those at Loxley, and people in the area. Post Publishing, which owns the Bangkok Post and the Thai language Post Today, evacuated all staff through an emergency exit at the Shell compound.

 

Loxley was attacked with two giant fireworks, fire bombs and bullets. It suffered slight damage from small fires and broken glass.

 

"We had been alerted in advance of the attack. So we fully deployed our guards to protect our place," said Loxley's chief security guard who declined to be named. "But we would not have met with success if we did not have good cooperation from our neighbours, a lovely community living behind us," he said.

 

"We also shared information between security guards working at Shell and the Post, which was very important during the crisis period."

 

He was referring to the Penang Market community consisting of over 80 households living close to the three companies.

 

Since Wednesday, its community leaders have worked closely with Loxley's team of security guards to block over 50 red shirt members riding on motorcycles from entering the area. The community members and guards also worked hand in hand to put out the fire at the building.

 

The security guard chief said on Wednesday night at least three checkpoints were set up to check any strangers to ensure people living in the area would be safe from the violence.

 

Even on Thursday, about 10 community members wielding steel rods or sticks stood guard near Loxley to make sure no UDD member returned to the area.

 

Watcharapon Pamolpol, a member of the community, said the community arranged a team of community guards to closely monitor the situation, especially at night.

 

[color:red]Mr Watcharapon admitted there were many red shirt supporters in the community. But that was not a problem because all had one thing in mind - to make the community safe from outsiders.[/color]

 

"We were always sending a message to them that [the protest] had ended. Please band together to protect the community," he said.

 

Tossaporn Puangsa-ard, deputy leader of the middle-class Klong Toey Nives Residence and owner of Ban Khun Toy restaurant, said villagers were on high alert. They deployed more security guards and monitored the situation.

 

The self-defence measures were seen not only at the Penang Market community, but also at the severely hit community at Bon Kai on Rama IV Road near the Lumpini Boxing stadium.

 

Samran Srisawat, a 47-year-old Bon Kai resident, said tough security was deployed at the community. Many checkpoints were set up.

 

"What we were afraid of most was fire. We were on full alert, even now, to prevent that happening. Each building has its own fire extinguisher to stop a fire before it spreads," he explained.

 

Regarding the violence on Wednesday, he said the community worked closely to protect their own.

 

They also managed to prevent a group of thugs from setting fire to a 7-eleven store.

 

The Bon Kai community is returning to normal and aid is flowing in.

 

They now have electricity and running water after being without for several days. Many residents have returned.

 

 

 

Rink

[cavanami]

Also the firefighters, medics, nurses, etc.

 

Many unsung heroes over the past few days!