2010 Thai military crackdown

2010 Thai military crackdown
A makeshift shrine on the spot where a protester was shot
Location	Bangkok, Thailand
Date	April to May 2010
Attack type	Extended large-scale military crackdown
Deaths	87 (79 civilians, 8 soldiers),[1] 51 missing civilians as of 8 June.[2]
Injured	At least 2,100
Perpetrators	Royal Thai Army and associated Royal Thai Government security forces

On 10 April and 13–19 May 2010, the Thai military cracked down on the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) protests in central Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. The crackdown was the culmination of months of protests that called for the Democrat Party-led government of Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve parliament and hold elections. The crackdowns occurred in the vicinity of protest sites near Phan Fa Lilat Bridge and Ratchaprasong intersection. More than 85 were killed, including more than 80 civilians according to the Erawan EMS Center.^[3] Two foreigners and two paramedics were killed.^[4] More than 2,000 were injured, an undisclosed number of arrests occurred, and 51 protesters remained missing as of 8 June.^[2][3] The Thai media dubbed the crackdowns "Cruel April" (Thai: เมษาโหด, RTGS: mesa hot) and "Savage May" (Thai: พฤษภาอำมหิต, RTGS: phritpha ammahit).^[5][6][7] After the protest, its leaders surrendered at the conclusion of the 19 May crackdown, followed by dozens of arson attacks nationwide, including at CentralWorld.^[8] Two red shirts who were accused of arson were acquitted later in both courts.^[9]

On 10 April, troops executed an unsuccessful crackdown on protesters at Phan Fa Bridge on Ratchadamnoen Avenue, resulting in 25 deaths (including a Japanese journalist and five soldiers) and over 800 injuries.^[10] Troops fired on protesters near Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge during the afternoon. Later that evening, automatic gunfire, explosives, and tear gas were used in clashes on Khao San Road and Khok Wua Intersection.^[11][12] The Erawan Center noted that among the dead were soldiers disguised as protesters.^[11] The military claimed that soldiers only used live rounds to defend themselves, and claimed that the military deaths were due to terrorists. While the April crackdown was unsuccessful, the protest leaders at Phan Fa ultimately decided to move out of the location and join the main protest group at Ratchaprasong, citing safety considerations.^[13][14]

Ratchaprasong was surrounded with armoured vehicles and snipers in the days leading to 13 May.^[15] On the evening of 13 May, Khattiya Sawasdiphol ("Seh Daeng"), a popular security adviser to the protesters, was shot in the head by a sniper's bullet while he was giving an interview to The New York Times. The state of emergency, already in place in Bangkok, was expanded to 17 provinces and the military commended an extended crackdown, leading to an additional 41 civilian deaths (including an Italian photographer) and more than 250 injuries by 8:30 pm on 18 May.^[16] One military death occurred due to friendly fire.^[17] The military claimed that all civilians killed were either armed terrorists or civilians shot by terrorists, and noted that some civilians were shot by terrorists disguised in army uniforms.^[18] The military declared the area a "live fire zone," and medics were banned from entering.^{[4][19][20][21]} On 16 May, UDD leaders said they were ready for talks as long as the military pulled back, but the government demanded the protesters' unconditional dispersal.^[22] The government rejected a Senate call for a ceasefire and Senate-mediated negotiations. On 17 May, Amnesty International called for the military to stop using live ammunition.^[23] Armored vehicles led the final assault into Ratchaprasong in the early morning of 19 May, killing at least five.^[24] Soldiers were reported to have fired on medical staff who went to the aid of shooting victims.^[24] By 1:30 pm, UDD leaders surrendered to police and told protesters to disperse. Dozens of arson attacks broke out nationwide. A curfew was declared and troops were authorized to shoot on sight anybody inciting unrest.^[24]