Thai protesters fortify encampments in heart of Bangkok ahead of ‘big war’

Thai protesters fortify camps in heart of Bangkok

BANGKOK — Protesters occupying Bangkok’s main shopping district fortified their encampment with tire barricades and homemade armaments including bamboo spears and wooden shields as tensions escalated Wednesday in their standoff with the army.

Army spokesman Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd warned that the arsenal of weapons could justify the use of deadly force against protesters, who are calling for early elections. He stopped short of saying troops planned to clear anti-government protesters from the streets — but said patience was wearing thin and tough new measures would be applied if they march beyond the current protest zone.

Hotels and retailers in the protest zone, which spans about 1.8 square miles (3 square kilometers) say the rallies have cost tens of millions of dollars in losses. Several five-star hotels in the area have announced they will be closed for the rest of the week and have relocated guests to safer hotels. Upscale shopping malls situated in the middle of the protest have been shut for weeks.

No new clashes were reported as the “Red Shirts,” who have occupied Bangkok’s streets for more than five weeks, abandoned plans to march into the central business district after soldiers in full combat gear were garrisoned there to bar the way.

The armed standoff intensified Wednesday when demonstrators reinforced their blockade of the Rajprasong shopping neighborhood by erecting walls of tires with a jagged top made from sharpened bamboo poles. They have prepared homemade weapons that include hundreds of bamboo spears, wooden shields, broken up pavement stones and shrouded part of the area with netting to foil the prying eyes of potential attackers.

Sansern, the spokesman for the government’s Center for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation, said the guidelines for suppressing violent protests were being adjusted because the authorities had found, “terrorists infiltrating the demonstrators were preparing to use weapons such as throw type bombs, sharpened sticks and sticks tied with nails, as well as acid.”

The comment signaled that the army was willing to suppress unrest with force. Authorities had previously said troops would abide by seven-stage rules of engagement, where warnings would be followed by a slowly escalating use of force, meant to minimize casualties.

Sansern said security forces would now apply “tough measures against the demonstrators.”

“They will no longer be allowed to march anywhere. At this point, we will tolerate their presence at Rajprasong intersection but they cannot stay there forever. The demonstrators will be prohibited from rallying to any new locations.”

Protesters believe Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s government is illegitimate because it came to power through a parliamentary vote after disputed court rulings ousted two elected, pro-Thaksin administrations. The conflict has been characterized by some as class warfare, pitting the country’s vast rural poor against an elite that has traditionally held power.

A failed April 10 attempt by security forces to flush protesters from another location erupted into the worst political violence Thailand has seen in 18 years, leaving 25 people dead and more than 800 wounded.

Sa-nga Sutorn, 63, from Nong Bua Lamphu province in northeastern Thailand, stood for five hours Tuesday behind a bamboo barrier. Covering his face with a mask, he held a sharpened bamboo pole in one hand.

“This bamboo pole is only for self-defense,” he said. “If they come in, I’ll fight with the pole and my other fist. I’m not afraid of the soldiers. I’m here to fight for democracy. There’s no reason to be afraid.”

Key protest leader Nattawut Saikua indicated the demonstrators were open to negotiations to end the confrontations and chaos in the city, which is taking a toll on the economy as well at residents’ patience.

“Our group is always open to outside suggestions. Whatever group wants to propose a solution to the crisis, we’re happy to hear these solutions,” Nattawut said.

The Red Shirts have been camped out on the streets of the Thai capital since March 12, and the standoff now has shuttered 5-star hotels and glitzy shopping malls — costing merchants tens of millions of dollars — and threatens to damage Thailand’s sunny image as a tourist paradise.

Abhisit said Monday he would not set a date for protesters to be forced out of their encampment, but speculation is rife that the army will soon crack down.

Associated Press writers Jocelyn Gecker, Grant Peck and Denis D. Gray contributed to this report.