2010 Thai military crackdown

The crackdown against protesters on 10 April occurred along the middle stretch of Ratchadamnoen Avenue, from Phan Fa Lilat Bridge towards the Democracy Monument, along with the surrounding area. Military personnel dropped tear gas from helicopters and shot at protesters with live bullets.[11][27] The clashes led to 19 civilian deaths from the afternoon to late evening, mostly concentrated at Khok Wua Intersection and Dinso Road at the north side of the Democracy Monument. In the late evening, around 8:30 pm, a group of armed people dressed in black emerged at Khok Wua, attacking the soldiers with guns and explosives. Five soldiers died from an explosion during these clashes.[28]

As of 2020, the identity of these 'men in black' (Thai: ชายชุดดำ, romanized: chai chut dam) remain unclear. The government stated that they were aligned with the protesters and often cited them later to justify its use of force. Later cases of violence during the subsequent crackdowns would often be attributed to "men in black", which came to be used interchangeably with "terrotist".[27][28]

Having failed to reclaim the area, the military withdrew from the area. One civilian, a zookeeper mistaken for a protester, was later shot at the nearby Dusit Zoo.[11] Despite managing to hold the site, the protest leaders at Phan Fa subsequently decided to end the protest at the location on 14 April. The protesters then moved to join the main group, which had been occupying the shopping district around Ratchaprasong Intersection.[13][14]

On Thursday, 13 May, Thai Army Major General Khattiya Sawasdipol, better known as Seh Daeng ('Commander Red'), a self-described key military adviser to the red-shirts who was suspended from duty in the Thai army, was shot by an unknown sniper around 7 p.m. local time while being interviewed by The New York Times. A backer and part of the protesters' more radical wing, he had accused Red Shirt leaders of not being hardline enough.[29][30]

On Friday, 14 May, Thai police army units moved in to surround and cut off the protesters' main camp, meeting heavy resistance from the Red Shirts resulting in the deaths of two people with dozens more injured. One of the Red Shirt leaders, Nattawut Saikuar, accused Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva of starting a civil war. This came as there were reports of a policeman opening fire on soldiers near a police station in Bangkok, showing that there may be divisions within the security services themselves. Both the British and US embassies in Bangkok confirmed they were to close for security reasons.[31]

Rama IV Road during clashes, 15 May 2010

Just before 3:00 pm GMT on 14 May, Sky News reported that the death-toll from the latest fighting had risen to five, with 46 others wounded. People in Bangkok claimed that the area has descended into a war zone as the two sides battled for control. During the clashes, France 24 journalist Nelson Rand was "gravely wounded" by bullets from a Thai Army assault rifle, although who actually used the weapon is still unknown. On Friday night, several grenade explosions were heard from a nearby shopping centre and municipal railway station in the up-scale shopping area.[32] As of 6:00 pm 14 May, the BBC reported that seven people had died and over 100 were wounded in the latest violence in Bangkok, as Canada announced the temporary closure of its embassy.[33]

According to The Telegraph, as of 9:40 pm GMT 14 May, at least 16 people had been killed, none of whom were members of the security services. There were several incidents of police officers joining with the Red Shirts and exchanging fire with the Thai Army, prompting fears that a civil war was coming. The number of injured was thought to be 157, with that number predicted to rise significantly as fighting continued.[34]

Rescue workers try to reach two wounded men under army fire, 15 May 2010

Smoke from burning tires hangs over Bangkok, 16 May 2010

By 2:20 am GMT on 15 May, the death toll reached 16, with more than 157 injured. Street battles continued, with no end in sight.[35] Total casualties since 12 May amount to 24 killed, with 187 injured on the night of 14/15 May alone.[35] One of the dead was a sergeant of the Royal Thai Air Force, who was killed by friendly fire.[36]

Protest leaders once again warned of civil war if the army attempted to storm their camp. Several areas of the city near the protesters were designated as "live fire zones" by the military, and protesters entering these zones were to be shot on sight. Due to food and water shortages as a result of the army blockade, it was estimated the protesters would only be able to hold out for a few more days, and after that have to start plundering the available local shops.[37]

On 16 May, the death toll rose to 33, with the number of wounded rising to 230. Reporters in the vicinity of the violence had to cancel live broadcasts due to the threat of sniper attacks from military forces in the area. The government urged the very young and very old to leave the camp by Monday afternoon, prompting fears of an army crackdown. The Red Shirt leaders started telling the public that the foreign media, such as CNN, BBC, Reuters, and many others, cannot be trusted as they are biased, prompting a backlash of their international followers.[38] On 17 May, Khattiya Sawasdiphol, who was shot in the head by a sniper on 13 May, died.[39]

On 17 May, Thai military helicopters dropped leaflets on the Red Shirt's main encampment, urging them to leave. The Red Shirts responded by firing homemade rockets at the helicopters. The encampment was completely surrounded, and the Thai government gave Red Shirts a deadline of 3:00 PM local time to withdraw. Clashes continued, with Thai troops firing directly towards or at any movement around the protest perimeter with live ammunition, and protesters also using potentially lethal tactics, according to a Canadian journalist. Red Shirts shot fireworks at the Army, and utilized a broom handle to rapidly fire firecrackers.[40] At least two Red Shirt protesters were shot by Thai Army snipers. According to Thai medical officials, the casualty toll stood at 35 dead, and 242 wounded.[41][42] By the end of the day, the casualty toll had risen to 37 dead and 266 wounded.[43]

Sporadic clashes continued on 18 May, but these skirmishes were less intense than some previous confrontations had been.[44] The death toll rose to 39 as the day progressed, and it was widely believed that a military crackdown was imminent as troops and APC's gathered around the protest site urging residents and protestors to leave, declaring that a military operation was soon to commence.[45] The Army moved in soon afterward, backed by armoured personnel carriers (APC) and smashed through the protestors main barricades. Two Red Shirts were shot and wounded during the opening stages of this operation as other Red Shirts set alight the kerosene soaked barricades to deter advancing soldiers and obscure their view.[46]

Soldiers of the Royal Thai Army take cover next to a Type 85 AFV near the Red Shirt barricade at Chulalongkorn Hospital

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On 19 May, the army launched an all-out assault using APCs and breached Red Shirt barricades, leaving at least five dead along Ratchadamri Road leading up to Ratchaprasong, including Italian freelance photojournalist Fabio Polenghi.[47][48] Two soldiers were seriously wounded in a grenade attack, possibly from an M79. The protest leaders surrendered to police in an attempt to avoid further bloodshed.

After the leaders declared the protests over, a number of protesters moved along Rama I Road to take shelter in Wat Pathum Wanaram, a Buddhist temple which had been used as a "safe zone" and contained first aid tents. Troops shot into the temple, killing six, which included volunteer medical personnel.[49][50]

Fighting between Red Shirt protesters and the army continued in many parts of the city. Red Shirts also gathered in front of provincial halls in other provinces in response to the news of the crackdowns in Bangkok and were met by military personnel. Various provinces saw standoffs, which led to three protester deaths in two of the provinces, namely Khon Kaen and Udon Thani. Some provinces saw arson attacks against provincial halls and other buildings.[51][52]

In Bangkok, there were arson attacks at the Central World mall and at least two other shopping centres, the Stock Exchange of Thailand and various banks, a TV station, and a cinema, which burned to the ground. The total number of burnt buildings was 35. Two Red Shirts were accused of setting fire at the Central World mall, but were acquitted three years later due to a lack of witnesses.[53] The Appeal Court also ruled the two Red Shirts not guilty.[54]

As of 2010, the total death toll since 14 May was believed to stand at 44.[55]