Thailand The unrest in Thailand is not hot news, it's already been restless for four years since the military ousting of Thaksin. Supporters and opponents demonstrated until now relatively peacefully, but so far there are still no new elections organized to the anger of the anti-government red shirts. Since 2008 there is prime minister Abhisit who rules but is not actually elected by the people.
Here's the latest development in pictures.
Bangkok riots April 2010
16th of March,
In demand of new elections, the red shirts start blood protests.
Hundreds of protesters gave their blood to symbolize the sacrifice they are making. They don't shed blood of the rivals, but their own. Then they started pouring blood at the gates of the government headquarters. The protests are getting heavier and more radical for new elections. In response military presence elevated.
A week later, a new protest arises. This time they shave their heads in order to highlight the need for new elections.
27th of March,
A red hat hugs a Thai soldier.
5th of April
A few hundred red shirts force their way in the Election Commission building.
6th of April
Policemen investigate damage of a grenade thrown by anti-government protesters.
7th of April
Bangkok is officially in state of emergency due to elevated incidents between military, policemen and protesters. Protests slowly grow from peaceful to rioting.
11th of April
21 people died and over 300 got hurt during a retake strategy by the Thai forces.
Thai officials deny shooting with anything else than rubber bullets and water canons.
12th of April
People taking part in a funeral procession in memory of a bloody weekend.
4th of May
It's been 8 weeks of political crisis, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva proposes 5 step plan to peace.
13th of April
General Seh Daeng, military advisor of the red shirts, got shot in the head and died later on. He spoke reportedly about sniper fire to reporters.
Click
here for the full report.
Demonstrators literally use anything, even slingshots.
Since the deadline of April 17th the military has cleaned hot area's where protesters were hidden. Today the order is restored, the cleaning still in progress.
Sources:
http://www.deredactie.be/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/
http://www.nytimes.com
http://www.thaiphotoblogs.com
http://www.gettyimages.com/
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/05/crackdown_in_bangkok.html
I do not claim to have rights upon any of these pictures. All rights reserved to original owners.
