Attack On Thai Protest Camp Leaves 2 Dead, 24 Wounded

[Flashermac]

BANGKOK: Grenade blasts and gunfire rocked an anti-government protest site in Thailand's capital Thursday, leaving two dead and 24 wounded as fears of wider political violence mounted in the crisis-hit kingdom.

 

The attack, which shattered weeks of relative calm on the streets of Bangkok, comes as opposition protesters push for the appointment of an unelected premier in a move that has infuriated government supporters.

 

The dismissal of prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra from office last week in a controversial court ruling has sent tensions soaring in the Southeast Asian nation, which has endured years of political turmoil.

 

Her "Red Shirt" supporters have warned of the threat of civil war if power is handed to an unelected leader.

 

Unknown assailants fired two M79 grenades into a rally camp early Thursday at the city's Democracy Monument -- a stone's throw from the city's famed backpacker zone -- followed by a burst of gunshots, police said.

 

The first victim was a protester who was sleeping at Democracy Monument, while the second was a protest guard who died from gunshots," Police Major Wallop Prathummuang told AFP.

 

The city's Erawan Emergency Centre said two people were killed and 24 wounded in the attack, which took place at 3am (2000 GMT Wednesday). It said one person was in a critical condition.

 

There were no immediate reports of the identity of the gunmen, but both pro- and anti-government supporters are known to have armed hardliners and have blamed each other for previous bloodshed.

 

The deaths take the toll from six months of protests aimed at toppling the government to 27, with hundreds of others wounded in gun and grenade attacks mostly targeting opposition protesters.

 

Fears have intensified that the nation's political deadlock could spiral into street clashes between rival protesters following the ousting of Yingluck by the Constitutional Court for the unlawful transfer of a top security official.

 

Her Red Shirt supporters have been holding a rally in a Bangkok suburb and have vowed to defend the government, which has limped on despite her removal from office, along with nine cabinet members.

 

They want new elections slated for July 20 to find a path through the crisis, which has festered since last year.

 

The government was due to hold talks later on Thursday with poll officials on preparations for the new vote. An election held in February was later annulled after demonstrators blocked voting in many areas.

 

Anti-government protesters refuse to join the ballot box contest and say the ruling Puea Thai party administration lacks the legitimacy to govern.

 

They are calling on the upper house of parliament, the Senate, to invoke a clause in the kingdom's constitution to remove the government and appoint a new premier.

 

But their critics say such a move has no legal basis.

 

Anti-government protesters have recently moved to the area immediately around Government House in the city's historic quarter -- a short walk from the site of Thursday's attack.

 

They are protected by several layers of concrete barriers and sand bags, while scores of protest guards patrol the area.

 

Protest leaders now occupy a wing of the government headquarters, holding press conferences in an attempt to show the government lacks the authority to rule.

 

Thailand has been cleaved apart by political divisions since 2006 when Yingluck's older brother Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted in a military coup.

 

Thaksin, a billionaire former telecoms tycoon, is reviled by the Bangkok elite and many southerners who accuse him of driving rampant corruption, cronyism and of being a threat to the revered monarchy.

 

But he has traditionally drawn strong support among the northern rural poor, who say he is the first Thai leader to improve their situation with populist policies and increasing political power.

 

Thaksin-led or aligned parties have won every election since 2001, but have also seen four premiers removed by coups or court rulings.

 

 

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/two-killed-21-wounded-in/1107138.html

 

 

By coups? There has only been one coup during this century.

[Flashermac]

Michael Yon:

 

 

More on M-79 and small arms attacks this morning -

 

Three days ago I published that the Democracy Monument area is a likely target. Six hours ago it was hit. 2 dead and 21 wounded, some seriously.

 

There is a great deal of blood on the monument this morning. One of the M-79 shots hit nearly dead center.

 

From the bicycle in the image from 12 May, go to the stop of the stairs. One shot hit there. Range of an M-79 is only about 350 meters, so using Google Earth or a map it is easy to spot possible firing locations. Some areas are blocked by protestors or guards, and other trajectories are blocked by the spires. Pretty simple to narrow it down.

[jitagawn]

OCCUPYING GOVERNMENT HEADQUARTERS AND TAKING ENEMY FIRE. AT 3 am -we are getting serious here.

[Flashermac]

Two protesters killed, 22 injured in M79 and M 16 attacks

 

 

Two anti government protesters were killed and 22 others injured when perpetrators fired two M 79 grenades and sprayed M16 fire at the Democracy Monument before dawn today.

 

One of the two dead was a guard identified as Narayos Chanpet, 21. He died from two gunshot wounds on the chest and stomach.

 

The violence began at about 2.30 a.m. at Democracy Monument, where protesters were camping. Two explosions were heard, followed by assault rifle firing into sleeping protesters at the monument and at Si Yaek Kokwua intersection.

 

An exchange of sporadic gunfire was heard about 10 minutes later.

 

Ambulances from the Erawan Centre rushed to the scene and reportedly rushed 21 injured to Hua Chiew and Central hospitals.

 

Two were killed at the scene from gunshot wounds. The rest 20 were also injured from gunfire.

 

One M 79 grenade landed on the roof of Dinsor Hotel but caused no injury to those inside. Another landed at the base of the monument.

 

Samranrat and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) police inspected the scene at the Democracy Monument this morning for more evidence. The police team was led by National Police Office deputy commissioner Pol Gen Ake Angsananont.

 

Witnesses said killers came in four vehicles and sprayed shots at guards and protesters near Si Yaek Kokwua intersection and at the monument.

 

An exchange of gunfire ensued and lasted 10 minutes.

 

Shortly after the gunfire died down, soldiers sealed off the Ratchadamnoen Avenue and adjacent Din Sor and Kokwua roads for security check. No one, including journalists, journalist was allowed to enter the monument and Kokwua intersection except for ambulances.

 

The attack left over 20 injured, and two dead.

 

 

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/two-protesters-killed-22-injured-m79-m-16-attacks/

[khunsanuk]

Hi,

 

"The deaths take the toll from six months of protests aimed at toppling the government to 27"

 

Would be interesting to see a breakdown by 'yellow', 'red', 'innocent/un-affiliated'.

 

Sanuk!

[Flashermac]

Almost no yellow shirts have been seen lately. However, a breakdown would show the victims overwhelmingly are the protesters. A few policemen have died, a few red shirts in the fighting at Ramkhamhaeng. But a fair number of innocent bystanders have been killed ... e.g. the two children killed in the M79 attack on the protesters when their family was simply out shopping, plus the children of a noodle vendor who was selling to protesters in Rayong when truck loads of "unknowns" attacked with fragmentation grenades and M16 fire. Then there was a vendor at Victory Monument who was killed by a grenade thrown at the protest camp. It pays to wear a flak jacket when you go near the protest sites.

 

Oddly enough, I don't recall such "unknown" attacks on the red shirt camps when they were protesting 4 years ago. But that probably is just a coincidence, right? As was the arrest of 4 armed men at the red shirt radio station crowd just sort of "near" a cache of grenades and an M79 grenade launcher.

 

p.s. Yellow shirt leader Chamlong Srimuang did finally make an appearance at one of the last marches, the first time a yellow leader has been seen in ages. In case people have forgotten, the yellow shirts do not like Suthep. They refused to support the Dems in the 2011 election and have stayed well away from the protests, or at least not identified themselves as such.

[Flashermac]

Three dead, many injured in attack on anti-government protesters

 

 

At least three people died and many others were injured in the latest attack on an antigovernment rally at the Democracy Monument early this morning.

 

Police said M-79 grenades landed near the monument on the Din Sor Road side. An M16 assault rifle was also used in the attack with bullet wounds consistent with the rifle clearly identifiable on the victims' bodies.

 

Witnesses told police that following the explosion, a white pickup truck sped through the Khok Wua intersection where People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) guards were posted, and its passengers opened fire.

 

The BMA’s Erawan Emergency Medical Centre later reported that 24 were wounded in the attack. They were sent to Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) General Hospital and Huachiew Hospital.

 

The two dead men were identified as Narayot Chanphet, 21, from Surat Thani, and Somkuan Nuankhanai, 51, from Chumphon. They were pronounced dead at Huachiew and BMA General hospitals. Narayot was shot in the chest and belly, while Somkuan was hit in his chest and leg.

 

The third victim, whose name has not yet been revealed, succumbed to injuries this morning.

 

Four persons were still being treated at Huachiew Hospital, while seven remained at BMA General Hospital.

 

Police said three M-79 grenades landed on a roof of a hotel near the monument and blew holes in the rooms, injuring an undisclosed number of people. Witnesses reported hearing gunfire for several minutes following the explosions and rifle attack.

 

 

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Three-dead-several-injured-in-attack-on-antigovern-30233679.html

[Flashermac]

Michael Yon -

 

Assassination attempt on me?

 

Strange coincidence if not. I had been staying at room 402 at the Baandinso Hotel by Democracy Monument. Someone had reserved the room in advance, causing me to have to check out by surprise. (Surprise to me). Two M-79s were used to attack the Democracy Monument this morning. One hit nearly perfectly in the middle of the monument. Great shot. The other flew through "my" window and exploded, but I already had checked out and someone else was in 402, and they were slightly hurt. Looks like great shooting twice. Also recently there was a great shot on KPT. Looks like there might be an M79 shooter with some skill.

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/MichaelYonFanPage?fref=nf

[cavanami]

> an M79 shooter with some skill.

 

...just what's needed...NOT!!!

[Flashermac]

It's an easy weapon to use. Once upon a time I could almost drop a round in a bucket at 300 meters. (It always drifts to the right just before it lands.) That tells me the average gunman involved in the attacks is not military trained. Sounds like this time they have one that is.