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Authorities trying to cover an area of 1 square kilometer (three-square miles) of downtown Bangkok Nowhere payments of thousands of protesters die-hard behind the barricades of bamboo spikes and ties remain entrenched suppression. The government hopes to end the crippling manifestation will in which at least 66 people were killed and more than 1600 injured. There are signs that the government's plan works. Authorities said the numbers in the field of protest, some dropped to 3000 or more than 10,000 a week ago.

But the operation proved both ineffective and bloody. After the government trumpeted the deployment of overwhelming force - more than 30,000 troops and columns of armored vehicles - there are an insufficient number of troops without armored vehicles, the camp of the red shirts to attack. Even with their numbers declined, the red shirts were able to punch out of their enclave and fought running gun battles sometimes confused with military units in the districts of the payments from the city. "Despite all the violence to date, it remains unclear whether the army will be ready to launch a full-on aggression the main protest site to break," said Andrew Walker, an expert on Thailand at the Australian National University.

 

Many within the police, especially in the lower echelons, are supporters of the "red shirts" and their hero, deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra began his career in the WTO might. Their supporters in the ranks of the army are generally known as "watermelons" - referring to the uniform green, but the hidden support of the marchers in red. Several former military officers serving as military advisors to the anti-government protesters. Among them was Major. Gene. Khattiya Sawasdiphol, by a gunman was shot last week and apparently died of his wounds Mon. Debilitating divisions within the Royal Thai Army is more complex. Unlike other Asian countries like South Korea, Indonesia and even Pakistan, the once mighty armed forces tamed, the Thai is a powerful force sometimes decisive in the political arena. Modern Thai history bristles with 18 military coups and strong army, the army commander more often affects the prime minister exercise.

The current commander, General Anupong Paojinda, the army has insisted it remains united behind "the nation, the people, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. At the beginning of the crisis, Anupong reported reluctance to use force and will be anxious for a scapegoat possibly with blood on their hands before his planned retirement in September. It is clear that his troops tried half-heartedly to the best of the emergency decrees and other orders of the weak coalition government of Prime Minister Abhisit implement. Attempts were lackluster in May partly due to conflicting signals to the military for law Anupong and likely successor, Gene. Prayuth Chan-OCHA, is known as one of the founders of aggressive behavior.

"The army internally divided, with many senior officers seeking an advantage over its competitors intra-service, while doubting the willingness of members to act against their own class," said GM Allan Greenwood and Associates, a Hong Kong consulting firm risk. Amid the crisis, senior officials engaging in high-stakes jockeying for position before the fall each year military race, pls Some research retirement and the others were promoted or pushed aside. Loyalties divided along military academy graduates often classes. Speculation continues that during the worst violence, April 10, pls 25 people were killed, the resource persons and injured over 800, a faction of the army itself in the murder of a colonel involved and wounding two senior officers, all close Prayuth planned promotion.

 

Other theories say the armed men dressed in black, caught on film and video resources are pro-red shirt former army rangers or military-type units in the protest. Many Thais and expatriates are uneducated in military surprised by the lack of grain through a lot of soldiers and police. "Given that the prospect of civil unrest has grown since 2006, the failure of specialized units in police or military state to a calibrated response is remarkable to develop," said Davis, who writes for Jane's Intelligence Review, A publication of the security. Lack of skills in non-lethal methods, reduces the options to use deadly force or overwhelmed by the protesters. The Prime Minister has defended the performance of the army and insisted that the military and the Unified Government.

"I think it would be unfair to say the military failed they tried to do it" without Abhisit The Associated Press. But to date, the record is poor. The military authorities have grave remote operations launched before being resource persons. When red shirt left camp leaders with a relatively small number of officers, the authorities have enough power to stop the monster. In the latest clashes, the troops appeared to be a basic military doctrine violated the protesters to the ground and then just fall back to their original positions. 

 

April 10, soldiers in armored vehicles leaving protesters armed with more than stones and bamboo spears Little. Action by police and troops have sometimes slamming slapstick comedy. A leader of the red shirts, Arisman Pongruangrong was surrounded by police, but escaped them down along a rope from a balcony of the hotel to raise cheers from fans. Soldiers who watches a TV station did not mask Pls They threw tear gas at protesters angry at transfer - only themselves to overcome Pls wind has changed. A balloon is decorated restaurant Cinco burst unexpectedly Mayo celebration and sent armed police positioned outside rushing for cover in panic. The restaurant owner thought it was better to remove the balls.