Violence for Thaksin
Verfasst: Fr Jul 25, 2008 9:48 am
PROTESTS
PAD guard killed as 700 opponents storm rally
YUTTHAPONG KAMNODNAE
UDON THANI : A PAD supporter was killed and 17 others injured yesterday when a large mob armed with knives and clubs attacked a People's Alliance for Democracy rally. The clash occurred at Nong Prachak Silapakhom public park in the municipal area, where around 150 PAD supporters were gathering.
About 700 anti-PAD demonstrators armed with machetes, axes, iron bars and wooden sticks stormed the rally site in the afternoon, attacking the PAD supporters and pulling down the stage.
The anti-PAD group was led by Uthai Saenkaew, brother of Deputy Agriculture Minister Theerachai Saenkaew, and Kwanchai Praipana. Mr Uthai allegedly urged his men to kill the PAD guards.
The attackers, in a group calling themselves Khon Rak Udon (We Love Udon), gathered at Thung Sri Muang before marching to Nong Prachak Silapakhom.
Following the attack on the PAD, they paraded around the town and walked back to Thung Sri Muang to celebrate.
The injured were sent to Udon Thani Hospital. The man who died was a PAD security guard. He had suffered an axe blow to the head, according to Veera Somkwamkid, a PAD ally.
Thaikorn Polsuwan, also a PAD ally, lashed out at police yesterday for failing to stop the Khon Rak Udon demonstrators from mounting their attack.
''Police allowed the Khon Rak Udon group in and simply watched them attack us. Khon Rak Udon also stopped ambulances from taking the injured to hospital,'' said Mr Thaikorn.
The clash took place despite extra security measures deployed by the combined 450 forces of provincial police and border patrol police volunteers.
Mr Veera said Mr Kwanchai and police must be held liable for the bloodshed.
But Pol Maj-Gen Permsak Paradasak, chief of Udon Thani police, said officers did their best to prevent violence.
Governor Supoj Laowansiri instructed police to investigate the matter and take appropriate action.
The clash came less than 24 hours after a skirmish between PAD supporters and opponents in Maha Sarakham's Muang district on Wednesday night.
The incident on Wednesday night left dozens injured, including former senator for Buri Ram Karun Saingam, who suffered a mild head injury after being hit by a missile from a slingshot.
In Buri Ram, a PAD rally was scrapped yesterday when anti-PAD demonstrators stormed the rally site and demolished the stage set up in front of a railway station in Muang district.
PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila demanded the government and the Interior Ministry accept responsibility for failing to stop the violence.
He had asked PAD allies nationwide to join the rally in Bangkok if they believed it was unsafe to demonstrate in their own areas.
Air force commander ACM Chalit Phukpasuk called on both sides to refrain from violence
Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/250708_News/ ... news04.php
Korat is as hot, better stay away from rallies.
PAD guard killed as 700 opponents storm rally
YUTTHAPONG KAMNODNAE
UDON THANI : A PAD supporter was killed and 17 others injured yesterday when a large mob armed with knives and clubs attacked a People's Alliance for Democracy rally. The clash occurred at Nong Prachak Silapakhom public park in the municipal area, where around 150 PAD supporters were gathering.
About 700 anti-PAD demonstrators armed with machetes, axes, iron bars and wooden sticks stormed the rally site in the afternoon, attacking the PAD supporters and pulling down the stage.
The anti-PAD group was led by Uthai Saenkaew, brother of Deputy Agriculture Minister Theerachai Saenkaew, and Kwanchai Praipana. Mr Uthai allegedly urged his men to kill the PAD guards.
The attackers, in a group calling themselves Khon Rak Udon (We Love Udon), gathered at Thung Sri Muang before marching to Nong Prachak Silapakhom.
Following the attack on the PAD, they paraded around the town and walked back to Thung Sri Muang to celebrate.
The injured were sent to Udon Thani Hospital. The man who died was a PAD security guard. He had suffered an axe blow to the head, according to Veera Somkwamkid, a PAD ally.
Thaikorn Polsuwan, also a PAD ally, lashed out at police yesterday for failing to stop the Khon Rak Udon demonstrators from mounting their attack.
''Police allowed the Khon Rak Udon group in and simply watched them attack us. Khon Rak Udon also stopped ambulances from taking the injured to hospital,'' said Mr Thaikorn.
The clash took place despite extra security measures deployed by the combined 450 forces of provincial police and border patrol police volunteers.
Mr Veera said Mr Kwanchai and police must be held liable for the bloodshed.
But Pol Maj-Gen Permsak Paradasak, chief of Udon Thani police, said officers did their best to prevent violence.
Governor Supoj Laowansiri instructed police to investigate the matter and take appropriate action.
The clash came less than 24 hours after a skirmish between PAD supporters and opponents in Maha Sarakham's Muang district on Wednesday night.
The incident on Wednesday night left dozens injured, including former senator for Buri Ram Karun Saingam, who suffered a mild head injury after being hit by a missile from a slingshot.
In Buri Ram, a PAD rally was scrapped yesterday when anti-PAD demonstrators stormed the rally site and demolished the stage set up in front of a railway station in Muang district.
PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila demanded the government and the Interior Ministry accept responsibility for failing to stop the violence.
He had asked PAD allies nationwide to join the rally in Bangkok if they believed it was unsafe to demonstrate in their own areas.
Air force commander ACM Chalit Phukpasuk called on both sides to refrain from violence
Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/250708_News/ ... news04.php
Korat is as hot, better stay away from rallies.