Never been to Bangkok? Worried about friends there? Not sure about the difference between a Phayathai, a Din Daeng and a Racheviti? I’ve cobbled together some Google Earth placemarks so you can at least try to make some geographical sense of the shenanigans of the last 48 hours.
They’re all on the Keyhole BBS thread or you can grab them from these links:
Scene of some of the showdowns between the Army and UDD. Though apparently quiet by 1200 hours on 13 April, was the location of much of what is shown on news stations around the world when the Army push the UDD back down into a half-tunnel area in the early hours of the morning of 13 April. The pedestrian footbridge over Din Daeng can also be seen in some of the news footage.
Scene of some of the showdowns between the Army and UDD
UDD set a bus on fire next to this gas station.
aka Khao Sarn Road. By far the greatest concentration of foreign holidaymakers, especially backpackers, can be found hanging out here. Retailers, bars and guest houses all cater to this aspect of Thai tourism.
UDD moved a gas truck from Din Daeng to at or outside King Power. After a couple of hours, it was removed by authorities and better security installed around the this duty-free shopping mall.
Some soldiers were apparently ambushed one night, one of was injured by gunfire.
A fire broke out on the evening of 13 April inside the Vocational Study building of the Ministry of Education.
Scene of rioting by UDD protestors on 12 April.
Scene of clashes between UDD and local citizens.
Scene of clashes between UDD and local citizens. UDD allegedly attacked a various property, including a mosque.
One of Bangkok’s main traffic arteries, has been the scene of clashes between Army and UDD, as well as the usual assortment of commandeered buses and burning tires.
scene of some of the showdowns between the Army and UDD
scene of some of the showdowns between the Army and UDD
Also written “Rachathevi”, “Ratchathiwi”, “Rajathivi” etc… It runs from Din Daeng/Rajprarop intersection to Victory Monument, and then on, towards the old part of Bangkok, where most government buildings are located. The stretch from Victory Monument towards old Bangkok has been the scene of much blockading and burning things like tires and buses (outside the hospitals, which is nice) all day long.
UDD announce thousands to rally here on the evening of Saturday, 25 April.
As of 1430 hours on 13 April, scene of ongoing clashes between the Army and UDD
For years now, the scene of protest rallies by one group or another, looks set to be the location of yet another “showdown” between government authority and mob sentiment.
Victory Monument seems to be the center of the UDD (“red shirts”) movement.
[...] You can download the Google Earth placemark for Sanam Luang or the full list of relevant Google Earth placemarks is in one of our earlier posts. [...]
Posted by a view from bangkok — Red Shirts Swiftly Call Saturday Rally at Sanam Luang on April 25th, 2009.