And then the Rain Came

The Red Shirts had planned a demo just outside of town – about an hours drive from the hotel past the old airport which has been replaced by a lovely looking new one – just really badly designed inside and always hot and sticky. I digress. At the meeting point there were only a handful of protestors already there. I have to thank Neville for these photos and the ones in the previous blog too – though there are some screen shots which look very good now as we are shooting in HD.

The rest were in a convoy from their camp in the centre of town on mopeds and in pickup trucks. About a hundred police with varying degrees of riot gear were stood keeping one lane of the highway free.

 

All we had to do was wait for the rest to appear and then see what developed. Not knowing what the plan was. Interviewing the head policeman he said he had strict orders not to use force but to keep the peace.

 

Suddenly everything started to move very quickly. There were some shouts amongst the protesters and they seemed to be moving. On pickup – which appeared to have leaders in it started moving as people piled in. Rushing towards it I jumped into the back and Alex followed. We left Neville and Moy behind. For the next 25 mins sat on the back corner being held on to by the man next to me and clutching the camera we rushed weaving through traffic back towards the city eventually arriving at our destination.

 

The Police and army knowing about the convoy had blocked the highway out of town – spread razor wire across the road and had taken up defensive positions. When we reached them not many protestors were here. Just a handful and some of those were hiding themselves form identification. in fact many seemed to be local residents and on lookers with young children.

Above us was the new elevated highway and below four roads each with three lanes separated by concrete reservations holding the pillars. The line of police was on one of theses that was leaving Bangkok. Their weapons clearly on display. Interesting was their cartridge belts. Some having transparent cartridges – presumably the rubber bullets, some with a mix having traditional red casings – live or blanks and those with M16’s – so you couldn’t tell.

A local journalist who was in the pickup with us, put didn’t speak English, motioned that we should follow him – and as he seemed to know where he was going we followed him past the column of military vehicles – water cannons, ambulances to where a new defensive line had formed about three quarters of a mile away in the ensuing traffic jam.

From a position of safety and with a better view of any movements Alex and I were up on the central reservation like many others waiting and watching. A couple of the officers started shouting, and scrambled up on to the concrete barrier next to us pointing and screaming at a man who loitering near by.

Within seconds gun fire ricocheted over our heads as he ran off. Immediately and with out thinking we dropped prone to the ground sheltering beside a foot high hedge. Not the greatest cover but you have to make do with what you’ve got. The shots continued to ring out the sound echoing through the concrete arches and Alex then did a breathless piece to camera as i lay on my back trying to keep the camera steady and film towards my feet but not have them in shot.

Silence soon reigned again and we got up and made our way towards one a concrete pillar. Better protection than a hedge. Meanwhile soldiers continued their forays which resulted in occasional gun fire.

In due course we ended up by a petrol station. The oncoming traffic had turned around and gone else where, the Red Shirts appears to be about 500m away. So now we were at an impasse. If you haven’t noticed the army were wearing blue scarves and the police nice shades of pink or green. Occasionally the odd spotter teams went forward and then came back again. Here we are caught up with by Neville and Moy and they go back to the van to get the body armour.

With out any particular provocation or reason the line of soldiers outside the petrol station started to move forward. I do like the little guy on the end who seems to be saying ‘Hi do I move too’.

They settle down back into a line and we started to set up to do another piece to camera with them in the back ground. Woof – a lump of rock lands between Alex and I, and we are only a couple of feet apart. More started to fall as well as bottles. In an instant this is replied to by volleys of fire as a gunfight breaks out. At the same time Alex and I start to swiftly (which is an understatement) move out. Picking up the camera and scrambling round the corner to shelter behind the petrol station wall in order to take spot of the situation. Next thing I know my leg is stuck down foot wide concrete storm drain, the camera is heading south and lens smacks into floor as I fall. Getting up – thankfully nothing is broken just a sore leg. I check the camera and its not working. Retreating further into the petrol station with Alex we shelter behind pickup meanwhile the sounds of gunfire continue. Swearing a lot I work on camera checking everything as to why its not working. And then the rain came. Clouds had been on the horizon and now they decided to let us have it. Someone came up to us to check that we aren’t hurt – but my attention was on other problems. Nice to know though. Eventually the camera turns on and records. Back in business. I swing it back on to my shoulder. More swearing – the lens is buggered – very stiff to focus, almost needing two hand to turn the barrel and it won’t zoom mechanically.

Manhandling what is now a series of very expensive but near useless glass lenses in a tube we do another piece to camera from the corner of the pickup still with gun fire in the background. After that I manage to get a few shots before things quiet down a bit. Alex reckons that took about 10-15 mins. I’m not so sure.

What had happened was that the traffic was still allowed to flow on the elevated section and the Red Shirts had worked this out, stopped above and started to attack the forces below. Looking back towards the road some blue body armour looking stuff was on the corner and a shadowy– Neville type figure… It was on both counts. It was getting wet and as we were it would afford some protection from the elements too. The fighting finished we moved a short distance down the road with the troops.

Sadly this photo isn’t a result of my battered lens and its a real shame its not in focus but as Neville says its my ‘Mr Bean look’. The helmet sideways so its easier to look through the viewfinder. Neville on the other hand has little excuse.

The only thing we can do now is wait. The protestors are still away down the road and all seems quiet. But of course it doesn’t last. Shouting comes from the next carriageway then some shots ring out. A stretcher called for and the bearers disappear over the wall. A few minutes later they pass again carrying a soldier who didn’t look in too good a shape.

From what we could work out he was a casualty of friendly fire. A group of soldiers were heading towards the our position on mopeds. A small group at the head approached first – they were were warned to stop verbally, but didn’t. Rubber bullets were then fired over their heads but still they continued to approach. The soldier was hit and very sadly died. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to write this but it happened and its not something to hide. He’s not the first casualty and unfortunately I expect he won’t be the last – though I hope I will be proved wrong. I think that this event largely and to some extent the rain helped to calm the whole situation down.

Not long after, this though a good four hours after we first got there a senior policeman arrived and got the traffic flowing again. Still nervous the police checked each car as they are slowly let through and onwards to complete their journey. We move on, heading off to find protestors to talk to about their side of events.

Nothing really in comparison to the poor incident earlier.