Siam State of Mind

Please read and circulate to as many people as you know.  The truth must be told.  We have been here first hand.  We know and confirm the stories that have been told about the Red Shirts.  We have seen on television their acts of arson, looting, harassment, and abuse.  Most of all, we have experienced in our own lives their concept of urban terrorism. 

Happy Birthday CNN, may wisdom come with age.

Dear Sirs/Madams,

Recently, CNN Thailand Correspondents Dan Rivers and Sarah Snider have made
me seriously reconsider your agency as a source for reliable and accurate
unbiased news. As of this writing, over thousands of CNN’s viewers have
already begun to question the accuracy and dependability of its reporting as
regards events in Afghanistan, Haiti, Iraq, Iran, etc., in addition to
Bangkok.

As a first-rate global news agency, CNN has an inherent professional duty to
deliver *all sides* of the truth to the global public who have faithfully
and sincerely placed their trust and reliance in you. Your news network, by
its longtime transnational presence and extensive reach, has been put in a
position of trust and care; CNN’s journalists, reporters, and researchers
have a collective responsibility to follow the journalist’s code and ethics
to deliver and present facts from all facets of the story, not merely
one-sided, shallow and sensational half-truths. The magnitude of harm or
potential extent of damage that erroneous and fallacious news reporting can
cause to (and exacerbate), not only a country’s internal state of affairs,
economic well-being, and general international perception, but also the real
lives and livelihood of the innocent and voiceless people of that nation, is
enormous. CNN should not negligently discard its duty of care to the
international populace by reporting single-sided or unverified facts and
distorted truths drawn from superficial research, or display/distribute
biased images which capture only one side of the actual event.

Mr. Rivers and Ms. Snider have NOT done their best under these
life-threatening circumstances because many other foreign correspondents
have done better. All of Mr. Rivers and Ms. Sniders’ quotes and statements
seem to have been solely taken from the anti-government protest leaders or
their followers/sympathizers. Yet, all details about the government’s
position have come from secondary resources. No direct interviews with
government officials have been shown; no interviews or witness statements
from ordinary Bangkok residents or civilians unaffiliated with the
protesters, particularly those who have been harassed by or suffered at the
hands of the protesters, have been circulated.

Why the discrepancy in source of information? Why the failure to report all
of the government’s previous numerous attempts to negotiate or invitations
for protesters to go home? Why no broadcasts shown of the myriad ways the
red protesters have terrorized and harmed innocent civilians by burning
their shops, enclosing burning tyres around apartment buildings, shooting
glass marbles at civilians from high altitudes, attacking civilians in their
cars, and worst of all, obstructing paramedics and ambulances carrying
civilians injured by M79 grenade blasts during the Silom incident of April
24, 2010, thereby resulting in the sole civilian casualty? The entire
timeline of events that have forced the government to take this difficult
stance has been hugely and callously ignored in deference to the red
‘underdogs’.

Mr. Rivers and Ms. Snider’s choice of sensational vocabulary and terminology
in every newscast or news report, and choice of images to broadcast, has
resulted in law-abiding soldiers and the heavily-pressured Thai government
being painted in a negative, harsh, and oppressive light, whereas the
genuinely violent and law-breaking arm of the anti-government protesters -
who are directly responsible for overt acts of aggression not only against
armed soldiers but also against helpless, unarmed civilians and law-abiding
apolitical residents of this once blooming metropolis (and whose actions
under American law would by now be classified as terrorist activities) – are
portrayed as righteous freedom fighters deserving of worldwide sympathy and
support. This has mislead the various international Human Rights watchdogs
to believe the Thai government are sending trigger-happy soldiers out to
ruthlessly murder unarmed civilians without just cause.

As a current resident of “war zone” Bangkok who has experienced the effect
of the Red protests first hand and is living in a state of constant terror
and anxiety as to whether her family, friends, and home would get bombed or
attacked by the hardcore anti-government vigilantes/paramilitary forces – I
appeal to CNN’s professional integrity to critically investigate and
scrutinize the misinformed news reporting of your above-named
correspondents. If they are incapable of obtaining genuine, authentic facts
from any other source except the Red Protest leaders and red-sympathizing
Thai translators or acquaintances, or from fellow non-Thai-speaking
journalists who are similarly ignorant of Thai language, culture, history,
and society, then perhaps CNN should consider reassigning field
correspondents to Thailand.

I implore and urge you to please take serious action to correct or reverse
the grave injustice that has been done to the Thai nation, her government,
and the majority of law-abiding Thai citizens and expatriate residents by
having endorsed and widely circulated poorly researched and misrepresented
news coverage of the current ongoing political unrest and escalating
violence in Thailand.

Copies of this open letter have also been distributed to other local as well
as international news media and social networks for public information.
Please feel free to contact me further should you require any additional
concrete and reputable evidence in substantiation and corroboration of my
complaints and claims stated hereinabove.

Thank you.
Yours faithfully,

Napas Na Pombejra, B.A., LL.B. (Lond.)
Bangkok, Thailand
May 17, 2010

Bangkok Governor thanks everyone / by เท่ง หงส์แดง

Bangkok Begins to Heal

Days after the anti-government arsonists tried to burn down Bangkok, residents of our city came together in the thousands and began what we called, “Bangkok Clean Up Day”  Our community, with their own cleaning supplies, gloves, masks, and free will, joined together and began rebuilding what the Red shirts so desperately wanted to destroy.  Thai People helping the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority city sweepers clean the roads, remove graffiti from the walls, and clearing garbage.  We are very fortunate to have people that care enough about where they live, that they are willing to put their safety aside for the greater image of Thailand.  Those who were not able to help, generously gave free food and drinks throughout the day.

We are also fortunate to have dedicated photographers to took pictures of the events as they unfolded to help us remember what it felt like to do good.  Enjoy these heartwarming photos.  While we will always remember, we must begin to heal.

I do not take credit for any of the photos posted here.

Please click on this click to see more photos:  http://www.pantip.com/cafe/chalermthai/topic/A9287047/A9287047.html

Chidlom Intersection / by mr_spurs

Front of Central Chidlom / by mr_spurs

Langsuan Road / by mr_spurs

Handing out masks and water at Central World / by mr_spurs

Street Cleaning in front of Gaysorn / by mr_spurs

Street Cleaning at Lumpini Park / by Felice Friday

Cleaning road signs / by danielle doggi

The following pictures were taken from the website:  http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/05/crackdown_in_bangkok.html

I do not own these pictures, nor do I take any credit for them.  I want those of you who visit my website to see with your own eyes, what the Renegade Red Shirts have done and what they are still capable of doing.  Minutes after the Red Shirt leaders announced on stage that will be surrendering to the authorities, hundreds of red shirt protestors began setting fire to places around the city, causing widespread panic and fear among Thais.  Do Not Believe all that you see on CNN.  What they are showing you is not the entire story.

Thick black smoke billows through the air near the Red Shirt encampment on Wednesday May 19, 2010 in Bangkok, Thailand. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E )

Smoke billows from fires in a commercial area of Bangkok where Red Shirt demonstrators had their camp on May 19, 2010. (MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images)

A statue and a torn Thai national flag remain in front of Bangkok's Central World shopping mall, May 19, 2010. (REUTERS/Adrees Latif)

Smoke rises from fires burning in downtown Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday May 19, 2010. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

Following is the list of 36 places hit by arson in Bangkok as announced by Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) as of May 20^th, 2010.

1.  Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB)

2.  A commercial building in Bon Kai community

3.  Kasikorn Bank, soi Ngam Doo Plee branch

4.  Siam Paragon Shopping Complex

5.  CentralWorld Shopping Complex

6.  Maleenont Tower

7.  Government Savings Bank, Sam Liam Din Daeng branch

8.  Metropolitan Electricity Authority, Klong Toei branch

9.  Metropolitan Waterworks Authority, Klong Toei branch

10. Stock Exchange of Thailand

11. Sogo Department Store in Rajaprasong area

12. Siam and Scala Cinemas in Siam Square

13. Post Publishing PCL

14. Bangkok Bank, Asok branch

15. Bangkok Bank, Victory Monument branch

16. Bangkok Bank, Chan Road branch

17. Center One Shopping Mall

18. Siam Square

19. Siam City Bank, Siam Square branch

20. Bangkok Bank, Siam Square branch

21. shops in Siam Square soi 5 and 6

22. Mahatun Plaza Building on Ploen Chit Road

23. Bangkok Bank, Rama IV branch

24. 7-Eleven convenient store, Sam Liam Din Daeng branch

25. Krungthai Bank next to Mater Dei School

26. Krungthai Bank, Asok branch

27. Bangkok Bank, Bangjak branch

28. Tesco Lotus Express convenient store, Rama IV branch

29. Bangkok Bank, Sathupradit branch

30. Bangkok Bank, Saphanluang branch

31. Siam City Bank, Sam Liam Din Daeng branch

32. Siam City Bank, Sunthornkosa branch in Klong Toei district

33. 7-Eleven convenient store near Victory Monument

34. Bangkok Bank, Hua Lam Phong branch

35. Siam Commercial Bank, Prachachuen branch

36. Big C Superstore, Rajdamri branch

Three Provincial Halls upcountry were hit by fires in Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani and Udon Thani.

This article was taken from The Nation website at:  www.nationmultimedia.com

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration disclosed 12 major arson attacks caused by rioting protesters around the capital as of 5.00 pm on Wednesday.

1. The areas on Rama I Road around Paragon shopping mall and Siam Square. Firefighters could not gain access because of gun attacks from rioters. Siam Theatre was completely burned down.

2. Parts of Centara Grand Hotel at Rajprasong were set on fire. Firefighting was successful.

3. Fire at the Stock Exchange building on Wireless Road caused hugh damage. And the blaze rages on as rioters refused to allow access for firefighters.

4. Mahatun Building at Phloenchit was set on fire causing a total damage.

5. The blazes at the Office of Narcotics Control Board and the nearby convenient store 7Eleven in Din Daeng were put out.

6. Bangkok Bank and Krung Thai Bank branches in Asoke were completely burned down.

7. Bangkok Bank and Government Saving Bank branches in Din Daeng were completely burned down.

8. The Maleenont Building, housing Channel 3, has been under arson attack and firefighters could not gain access.

9. Bangkok Bank branch and Tesco Lotus superstore on Rama IV Road were set on fire and firefighters could not gain access.

10. The fire at the office of the Metropolitan Electricity Authority in Klong Toei was successfully put out.

11. Firefighters managed to put out the fire at Central World shopping mall.

12. Bangkok Bank branch at Victory Monument was set on fire.

This timeline was taken from The Nation website at www.nationmultimedia.com

Army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd on Wednesday summed up the security operations leading to the surrender of the red-shirt leaders.

5.45 am the security forces start the operation to take control of Lumpini Park at Saladaeng and surrounding areas.

7.15 am the security forces assume control of Lumpini Park and advance toward the Rajprasong rally site.

Before noon, the security forces began to advance and take control of areas approaching the rally site, reaching the final red defence line.

By 1.15 pm, the security forces could take control of the entire areas surrounding the rally site. The red-shirt leaders announce their surrender.

By 2.00 pm, the security forces ceased applying pressure on the rally site. Protesters are encouraged to leave and avail themselves to free transportation services at the National Stadium to return home.

Posted in the Bangkok Post, Thai Visa, and on Facebook.  Here is a pic of Ex-Premier and Thai fugitive, Thaksin Shinawatra, shopping at a Louis Vuitton store in Paris.

Thaksin seen in Paris

Dear All,

I do not own these photos, nor do I take credit for them.  I, however, feel the need to let others know that the ongoing violence in Bangkok is very real.  Please always keep in mind that the reports you see on CNN are very biased, and they do not paint the true picture of the situation.  The Red Shirts are armed from very simple weapons to real weapons of war.  Many are children, women, and the elderly, but the government and the Red Cross has moved many of them to safe places away from the protest sites.  The real threat are the terrorists “black shirts” that hide among the protestors concealing their weapons from the public.  Thai soldiers are not allowed to fire upon the protestors unless they feel that the threat to their life or others is real.

Please visit this site to see more photos of Bangkok and the current political violence.  www.boston.com or click on the link below.

A Red Shirt supporter rallies with a Thai national flag from a "tuk tuk" in Bangkok May 15, 2010. (REUTERS/Adrees Latif)

Dark smoke rises above Bangkok, Thailand on Sunday, May 16, 2010. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu) #

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/05/protests_turn_deadly_in_thaila.html?camp=localsearch:on:twit:bigpic