สถานเอกอัครราชทูตไทย ณ กรุงมะนิลา

On 20 May 2010 at 11.00 hrs., Dr. Panitan Wattanayagorn, Deputy Secretary General to the Prime Minister and Acting Government Spokesman, and Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd, Spokesman of the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES), gave a press conference on the latest developments and the Government?s efforts with regard to the current political situation in Thailand.

The Acting Government Spokesman said that the nation was deeply saddened by the violence and loss of life during recent events, particularly those taking place the previous night, during which seven deaths and 88 injured persons had been reported. These incidents indicated clearly the organised and pre-meditated nature of the violent activities which had taken place in various places throughout the night both in Bangkok and other provinces. During the last several weeks, some 44 lives had been lost and more than 398 injured.

Dr. Panitan stated that in the days to come, the authorities would take additional security measures in various areas to ensure the security of the people, Thai and foreign, to stabilise the situation as well as to protect communication and transportation systems and infrastructure. He also stressed that all incidents that had happened would be investigated.

The Acting Government Spokesman stated that the Government was very concerned about the incidents around Pathumwanaram Temple. During the evening of 19 May 2010, the CRES was notified of fighting in the said area, with as many as 5,000 persons trapped inside the temple compound, and a number of injuries and deaths. The CRES then dispatched security officers and medical teams to assist them but these were met with stiff resistance from several gunmen. It took several hours for the authorities to contain the situation and send in help.

While the Government understood the disappointment and frustration of the protesters, Dr. Panitan said that incidents such as looting, arsons and other violent activities could not be accepted as they went beyond frustration and constituted organised crimes and terrorist acts. The authorities would prosecute those protest leaders who called upon their followers to set fire which took place at various locations. More details, with regard to the persons arrested and weapons confiscated, would be revealed. He further noted that the CRES had extended the curfew for three days to 20-22 May from 21.00 hrs. to 05.00 hrs. of the following day.

The Acting Government Spokesman said that the Royal Thai Government appreciated the understanding of friends and allies around the world, who had condemned or deplored such acts of violence and the many incidents of arson that had occurred, as well as called on the UDD leaders to call on their supporters to stop these acts. He stressed that the Government remained committed to ensuring the safety and security of foreign residents and visitors in Thailand and had increased security protection for foreign embassies as well as foreign media, who might be targeted by violent acts. He also asked them to inform the authorities of any violent acts they might come across by contacting the CRES at

• +662 551 1515 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting
• +662 551 1515 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at
• +662 575 1023 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting
• +662 575 1023 end_of_the_skype_highlighting. He expressed the Government?s confidence that in the next few days, peace and stability would return to Thailand.

On his part, the CRES Spokesman elaborated further on a number of issues. Regarding continuous attempts to instigate incidents in other provinces, Colonel Sansern noted that there had been burning of tires in front of government buildings as well as looting of ATM machines. In response, security officers had been working in cooperation with provincial authorities to ensure peace and order, and had thus far been able to control the overall situation, arresting in the process a number of perpetrators. As for Bangkok, attempts had been made to cause destruction to government and private properties, including office buildings, shopping malls, television stations, banks and ATM machines. Security officers had been able to control the situation in various areas, while facing difficulties in others given violent resistance from armed groups, using war weapons to attack them.

All these incidents, Col. Sansern noted, were systematically organised and executed, as even before the protests began at Ratchaprasong Intersection, some of the protest leaders, speaking on stage in other provinces, had incited people to commit arson in various locations and said that they would take responsibility of such acts. There was a video clip on this particular event. He also observed that by surrendering to the police before the protests completed ended, the protest leaders were able to take advantage of people?s anger. Their statement that further movements would be carried out independently also pointed to the organised nature of their actions.

On the incident at Pathumwanaram Temple, Col. Sansern added that after the officers were able to gain access to the temple compound, help was provided to people gathered there so that they could return to their homes. A forensic team had also been sent in to inspect the area. Initial information gathered indicated that armed groups had attacked people gathering there, who were trying to go to the National Stadium, used by the authorities as a staging point for their safe passage home. What took place at Pathumwanaram Temple was pre-meditated and took place before the officers had arrived. The perception of some that the police and military officers were involved was therefore mistaken. Be that as it may, the CRES Spokesman said that all the officers, including those working at the CRES, would be ready for scrutiny in accordance with the law.

With regard to war weapons seized, the CRES Spokesman said that there were many. In addition to those earlier found at some residences, including grenades, more had been found in Lumpini Park, including bombs and war weapons.

Col. Sansern further elaborated on the measures to be undertaken on 20 May by the CRES, especially on the deployment of additional officers in areas around Ratchaprasong Intersection considered as dangerous with the aim of inspecting and searching for remaining armed groups with war weapons who had attacked officers and torched buildings. Meanwhile, for the remaining protestors, the police authorities would work to undertake necessary procedures to facilitate their passage home.

Lastly, Col. Sansern asked the public to continue to be vigilant and help the authorities by informing them of any information necessary to ensure their safety and security.

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20 May 2010