In the Line of Fire

By SAW YAN NAING JUNE, 2010 - VOLUME 18 NO.6

Redshirt protesters in the "live fire zone" tires to throw on a fire

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An Italian photographer, we learned later, was shot and killed at Ratchaprasong. Simon said Redshirt fighters had threatened to shoot journalists. I turned back.

Soon many downtown buildings began to burn, as Redshirt mobs sought revenge against the government. The next day, after government troops had secured the Ratchaprasong area, we returned to take photographs and video of the charred remains of CentralWorld at Siam Square and the debris of war that filled Ratchaprasong intersection.

The open warfare in Bangkok took the lives of many people, including journalists and photographers. Since the Redshirts began their protest in mid-March, at least 88 people—mostly civilians—were killed and nearly 2,000 were injured.

We were lucky. We saw the Redshirts the day before the final crackdown. We saw the fighting from both sides of the firing line on the day of the crackdown. And we escaped unharmed.

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COMMENTS (1)

napicha Wrote:

17/06/2010

This is one-sided story, told by a writer who is going inside the Redshirts.

It doesn't surprise me about the story you wrote in this article. The Redshirts SEEM to suspect all things, and the snipers they try to make story.

Until now, there's still no proof that the sniper is from the government. Who knows? There's a conflict inside the Reds themselves.

I understand that it's human right to express their opinion. But I still believe we don't have to stage a terror (like the Redshirts always try to do), vandalize buildings and bombing.

It's a grey area to report this news. You may focus on the Redshirts to sympathize them.

But on the other hand, what about the people who live in fear for few months in BKK?
We also have right to live in peace!