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US Embassy in Bangkok Closes Service The United States closed its embassy in Bangkok on Thursday following the Thai troops' clashes with red shirts protesters. US closes embassy in Thailand, 'very concerned' about violence The United States has closed its embassy in Bangkok on Thursday and said it was "very concerned" about the violence between the Thai government and protesters there. "We're very concerned, we're watching it (the violence) very closely," State Department spokesman Philip Crowley told reporters. The US embassy in Bangkok was closed to the public because it is near the trouble. "It is closed and American citizens services will be available for emergencies only... Essential personnel right now are manning the embassy, but it's not open," Crowley said. US embassy in Bangkok closes service ____________________ At this time there are no reports of any other embassy closings. If you need to go to your embassy, it would be advisable to call first to make sure they are indeed open.

Unfortunately, the violence in Bangkok has greatly escalated. There are reports of shots being fired. Soldiers are firing tear gas and rubber bullets at the protesters. Two newsmen, one foreign, have been wounded. Protesters are burning tires on Rama IV. Water and garbage trucks have been ordered to remain outside of the protest areas. All BTS trains will stop at 4:00pm. There have been no further reports yet on Seh Daeng's condition. As far as we know at the moment, he is still alive. So far, one death has been reported. A protester was shot and killed. The situation is likely to change rapidly. We'll keep you informed as best as we can.

Thank you for that. I was downtown in Pattaya today too. I was on Soi Buakhao, Second Road, Pattaya Klang, and Pattaya Tai. I saw nothing unusual going on at all. I was not around Soi Day-Night, so I have no personal observations to make. Those of you in Pattaya, especially in the vicinity of Soi Day-Night, please keep us informed as best as you can.

The latest news is Seh Daeng is still alive. Police have entered the hospital. Seh Daeng will be arrested on terrorism charges if he survives.

As of the time of this post, Seh Daeng is still alive. The only statement I have been able to find as to the prognosis is that the bullet has successfully been removed from his head, but he remains in critical condition and doctors are still not sure if they can save him. Meanwhile, Thaksin has condemned the shooting and is in touch with Seh Daeng's daughter. Veera, one of the Red-Shirt leaders, has resigned, saying the Red-Shirt leadership is divided as to whether to continue the protest. He wants the protest to end. I have not yet seen any reports as to whether the Red-Shirt leadership is planning retaliatory moves following the Seh Daeng shooting. I have not yet seen any further publicity about Chonburi, including Pattaya, being under a state of emergency. As of the time of this post, nothing has changed in Pattaya and everything is still perfectly normal. ____________________ Seh Daeng shrugged off dangers before shooting Published: 14/05/2010 "I'm not afraid of dying. They've marked my head. If I'm afraid, who will lead the red shirts?" army specialist Khattiya Sawasdipol told the Bangkok Post in a telephone interview yesterday. Later in the day, about 7.30pm, Maj Gen Khattiya, better known as Seh Daeng, was shot in the head near the Sala Daeng red shirt rally site. He was inspecting security barriers and giving an interview to a group of foreign reporters at the time. ''All I have on me is a small pistol and a stick ... If anyone comes to arrest me, I can assure you I'll shoot and fight to the end ... Soldiers are on to me. There are snipers out there. But they'll never get me,'' Maj Gen Khattiya said. Seh Daeng shrugged off dangers before shooting ____________________ Thaksin condemns shooting of Maj Gen Khattiya Fugitive ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra said in his twitter that he telephoned daughter of Maj Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol who has been in a coma after being shot at the head reportedly by a sniper on Thursday night. Thaksin condemns shooting of Maj Gen Khattiya ____________________ UDD leadership in disarray as Veera is said to have quit Red shirts divided over whether to end protest Published: 14/05/2010 A split has emerged in the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship as Veera Musikhapong has quit as its leader, a source says. Conflict within the ranks of UDD co-leaders had led Mr Veera to resign, the source said yesterday. UDD co-leader Korkaew Pikulthong admitted the red shirt bosses have been split down the middle. UDD leadership in disarray as Veera is said to have quit

I wouldn't refer to you as a Palestinian, but I would readily refer to you by a different two-word term, one that begins with "horse's." First, I never said the term doesn't exist. What I said was that I had never heard that term. And until your post, I never heard that term. Isn't that terrible? You criticize me for saying that if Seh Daeng dies it would be called murder. Someone gunned him down for no apparent reason. If he dies, what the hell would you call it? I'm no fan of Seh Daeng, but when someone intentionally shoots and kills someone in an act that is by no means self defense, yes, I damned sure call that murder. If you want to come up with some euphemism for it, that's your business. I can't wait to see you justify the shooting. You have a very interesting way of including insults and put-downs with your information, and then you cry about it when you get insulted right back. Explain the necessity of "where are you from? where is GB from?" and "I would have thought were accessible by even isolationist and uninformed Americans." Tell me all about how those aren't unnecessary put-downs. Well, keep it up. When I get good and sick of it, I think you already know what this isolationist and uninformed American is very likely to do about it . . . that is unless one of the other moderators beats me to it.

Now that The Nation has confirmed it, their report says it is the province, which would include Pattaya. The article also says the purpose of declaring this state of emergency is to prevent Red-Shirts from traveling to Bangkok. Also the military is to work with the various governors in order to maintain peace. In Pattaya, at least, there should be no problem maintaining peace considering the fact that everything has been, and still is, perfectly normal. So far there is no military presence or increase of police presence in Pattaya. Again, my own fear is the possibility of terrorist activities in the wake of the crackdown and in the wake of the Seh Daeng shooting. Hopefully, Pattaya will continue to be spared any of that.

Did they announce what this state of emergency entails? As far as I can tell, everything in Pattaya is perfectly normal. Everything is open and running. The bars are all open. I know of no kind of curfew being imposed. There is no more police presence than usual, and most of that presence is still nothing more than the usual fining of helmetless motorcycle drivers. There is no military presence of any kind. So far nothing has been announced in local English language media and I don't see anything about a state of emergency being declared anywhere at all, much less in other provinces, on the Bangkok Post or The Nation web sites. Apparently, TAN is the only media source saying that Chonburi is under a state of emergency. So, assuming they are correct, what does this mean? Did they say?

Maybe so, but your post is the first time I have ever seen or heard of that term. As far as "by who," we won't know that until we hear it, will we?

The latest information is that Seh Daeng is in a coma. From the video HeyGay posted, it appears he was shot right through the center of his head. Apparently he was in a crowd when the shooting occurred, so it appears to be a sharpshooter assassination. If he dies, then it certainly seems likely that it will be called murder. Of course, at this point no prognosis has been released, so it remains unknown whether he can be expected to survive or what kind of condition he will be left in if he does survive. His daughter announced that he is in a coma and she also said that if he dies, she will decide what is to be done next.

Where are you seeing that Chonburi is under a state of emergency? So far, this is the first I've heard of it. Nothing I saw this evening was out of the ordinary at all. I'm not saying you're wrong, but I can't find anything in the media that says Chonburi is under a state of emergency or even mentions Chonburi at all. What is your source of information about this?

Yes, the violence has really started now, and only within a couple hours of the beginning of the Thai government's most serious crackdown. The "Red-Shirt General", Seh Daeng, has been shot and apparently it is in the head. So far it is unknown who shot him or what his chances of survival might be. Even if he survives relatively unscathed, this is not going to sit well with the Red-Shirts. If he dies, it will be even worse. This time the Thai government seems to be going ahead with the threats and they seem to mean business about dispersing the protests. Electricity, water, and transportation has been cut off around the protest area and the military has been authorized to use live ammunition. One can only hope that we're not looking at the beginning of a serious bloodbath. I am also concerned that if the government succeeds in dispersing the Red-Shirts, that's when terrorist bombings and other forms of violence will see a marked increase. __________ Outspokesn Red General Shot and in Critical Condition An outspoken red shirt leader Lt Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol is shot and suffers a serious wound at the base of the head on Thursday. He was reportedly being treated in intensive care unit at Hua Chiew Hospital. At 8.20pm, Seh Daeng is undergoing a CAT scan. Reports said that he was shot in the head near Sala Daeng intersection while he was giving an interview to a Japanese reporter. Outspokesn red general shot and in critical condition ____________________ Red Shirt Leader Shot as Unrest Continues in Thai Capital By the CNN Wire Staff May 13, 2010 Bangkok, Thailand (CNN) -- A leader of anti-government protests in Thailand was shot in the head while being interviewed at the demonstrations, according to the journalist who was with him at the time. Seh Daeng was in critical condition, according to his guards with the Red Shirt protesters. Tom Fuller of the International Herald Tribune told CNN he was interviewing Seh at the time of the shooting. Witnesses said the gunshot appeared to come from a rooftop in a corner of Bangkok's Lumpini Park, where protesters have amassed. While it was unknown whether Thailand's military or government was behind the shooting, the government has previously made it clear it would shoot at what it called armed terrorists. http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/05/13/thailand.anti-government.protests/index.html?eref=igoogle_cnn

How Rekers was caught: __________ Two Young Gay Journalists from Wilton Manors Expose Anti Gay Leader

Well, of course. That's just where an anti gay rights activist would go. He needed the boy to carry his bags. He wanted to help him change his evil ways. That, of course, must be why he never told anyone about his plans until he was caught . . . Now, let's see if I have this correct. Mr. Rekers takes a little peek at a site called Rentboy.com (on which you have to click that you are aware this is an adult site and are over 18 just to enter), shows nude pics and gay ads as soon as you enter the site, finds Lucien, but has no idea that Lucien is even gay until well into the trip. Now what's so hard to believe about that . . . ?

Army to Seal Off Rrally at 6pm - report Published: 13/05/2010 at 01:28 PM The army warned Thursday it would seal off a protest site in the capital with armoured vehicles, turning up the heat on defiant red shirts as Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva shelved a plan for early elections. Hopes were fading of an imminent resolution to a crippling two-month crisis that has sparked several outbreaks of deadly unrest and brought parts of the capital to a standstill. "I have cancelled the election date... because protesters refuse to disperse," Prime Minister Abhisit told reporters. "I have told security officials to restore normalcy as soon as possible." An army spokesman said security forces would surround the anti-government protest site in the heart of Bangkok with armoured vehicles from 6pm to prevent people entering the area. The planned move was announced after authorities failed to carry out a threat to cut off utilities to the protesters at midnight Wednesday although Mr Abhisit said Thursday that the action would still go ahead. Army to seal off rally ____________________ The Thai government is also saying that power and water cuts will not affect the various embassies in the immediate area. Still, if you have a need to go to your embassy, I suggest first contacting the embassy to make sure they will remain open and what hours they will be open. Also, in case your embassy does close, if you have any urgent business with the embassy it might be a good idea to call and check if they have a "Plan B" for those who need their services. I would make that call ASAP in the event your embassy might close and nobody is answering phones there.

Well, that's it then. If he found the escort on a rent boy site, then what on earth would make anyone think he could possibly be gay . . . ?

"So, you won't come out and fight? Then starve! When you are eating cockroaches, then you will come out. And we will be here! Do you hear me, Pole? We will be waiting!" Yul Brynner, 'Taras Bulba'

Anti-Gay Rights Activist Resigns after Trip with Male Escort By the CNN Wire Staff May 13, 2010 (CNN) -- The anti-gay rights activist who recently toured Europe with a male escort has resigned from a group that promotes counseling for people who "struggle with unwanted homosexuality," though the man insists that he is not gay. George Rekers resigned from the board of the National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality, the group's website said Tuesday. "I am immediately resigning my membership in NARTH to allow myself the time necessary to fight the false media reports that have been made against me," Rekers said in a statement posted on the group's website. "With the assistance of a defamation attorney, I will fight these false reports because I have not engaged in any homosexual behavior whatsoever. "I am not gay and never have been," the statement said. Anti-gay rights activist resigns after trip with male escort - CNN.com

It's difficult, at least for me, to know just what to make of all this. The way I'm seeing it, Abhisit is starting to be viewed as The Boy Who Cried Wolf with ultimatums that just don't get carried out. If I was a Red-Shirt, by now whenever Abhisit and/or CRES comes out with a fresh threat I'd need a few minutes to finish having my little laugh. It is also difficult to know just how well the planned threats have been thought through before announcements. Apparently a lot of residents of the area who are caught right in the middle of all this have been phoning in to complain that cutting off water, electricity, and phone service is going to affect them too and they don't want to stand for the government causing them even further serious hardships than they are already enduring through no fault of their own. That resulted in the cancellation of the latest threat against the Red-Shirts. Some call it restraint on Abhisit's part. Some call it being caught between a rock and a hard place. But whatever you call it, the Red-Shirts seem to be calling all the bluffs and so far have been prevailing every time. Considering the lack of serious action against them, there's no reason for them not to continue calling the bluffs. Now, as predicted, Abhisit has canceled the November elections. What happens next?

Nov 14 Ppoll Sscrapped By THE NATION Published on May 13, 2010 Govt calls off plan to dissolve Parliament after reds refuse to heed ultimatum to end demonstration; Move to cut off power, water and food supply to protesters put on hold following plea by foreign envoys, Rajprasong residents The government yesterday decided to scrap its plan to dissolve Parliament and call an early general election in November after the red-shirted protesters refused to leave their protest site at the Rajprasong intersection, and also put on hold a plan to cut off essential supplies to force them to disperse. "As the protesters failed to follow the conditions agreed on in a series of negotiations earlier, we decided to cancel the November 14 election date," Prime Minister's Secretary Korbsak Sabhavasu said The government, under Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, would carry on its tasks until the end of its term next year, he said. Nov 14 poll scrapped ______________________________ Agencies Say They Receive No Oorders By Pongphon Sarnsamak Mayuree Sukyingcharoenwong Kornchanok Raksaseri The Nation Published on May 13, 2010 After the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) announced that it was cutting electricity and power supply at the red-shirt rally site by midnight last night as well as suspending bus and Skytrain services, related agencies said they had received no such orders. Agencies say they receive no orders ______________________________ Govt Revokes Election Offer Troops, APCs sent to seal off rally site, says source Published: 13/05/2010 The government has abruptly canceled its offer to hold a general election on Nov 14 after red shirt protesters refused to call off their rally at Ratchaprasong. As the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) is showing no signs of complying with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's demand to end the rally, the government has responded by dropping its offer to dissolve the House between Sept 15-30 and call an election on Nov 14, Korbsak Sabhavasu, the prime minister's secretary-general said yesterday. Govt revokes election offer ______________________________ PM Risks Becoming Laughing Stock with Ultimatums Published: 13/05/2010 Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has given yet another ultimatum for the red shirts to leave Ratchaprasong junction - to no avail. This time, he has threatened that supplies of water and electricity and phone signals will be cut off from the protest site. He also said the area would be isolated - people would only be allowed to exit, not enter the premises. Despite the ultimatums and threats, there is no sign yet when - or if - the situation will return to normal. The red shirts continue to squat in the commercial district even though the government has bowed to all their demands. Instead of packing up and going home when PM Abhisit announced the date for the House dissolution - which was what the protesters said was the only thing they wanted - the red shirts have added more requests, including for Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban to surrender to the police, as well as a resumption of their PTV television broadcasts. PM risks becoming laughing stock with ultimatums ______________________________ Plan to Cut Off Supplies Postponed Published: 12/05/2010 The Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation on Wednesday night decided to postpone cutting off water and power supplies to the Ratchaprasong area for fear of causing hardships to residents in the area. http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/177680/plan-to-cut-off-supplies-postponed

Who is in charge? I don't know, but I have my own opinion about who ought to be:

Authorities to Cut Water, Electricity, Phones at Ratchaprasong Published: 12/05/2010 Water and electricity will be cut off and food supplies blocked to red-shirt protesters camping in the Ratchaprasong area from midnight Wednesday, to pressure them to end the anti-government rally and return home, Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said on Wednesday. "This is the beginning of measures to fully enforce the law," Col Sansern said. Telephone signals will also be cut off, and there will be no access to public transport - buses, trains and boats - from the protest encampment, he said. He also warned that authorities were now ready to disperse the protesters if necessary, and called on them to leave the rally site. "The army is ready, but at this moment I don't want to talk about a crackdown, as we want to use measures to put pressure on them first. "To the residents in the area -- please leave. After midnight, authorities will not allow anyone to enter," Col Sansern said. Non-protesters living in the area as well as embassies would be affected by the measures, he said. Leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) responded by saying they will continue their rally despite the threats. Authorities to cut water, electricity, phones at Ratchaprasong

Ever since Songkran, Thailand has been hit with unusually high temperatures and unusually high humidity levels. It has been very hot of late and Thailand has issued warnings, especially heat exhaustion warnings. If you are going to be in Thailand any time soon, take proper precautions. ____________________ Thailand Sizzles as Temperatures Go Through Roof Published: 12/05/2010 Thailand has been overwhelmed by stifling temperatures over the past few days, the Meteorological Department says. Health officials fear there will be heat stroke fatalities if the high temperatures continue for several more days. The Public Health Ministry has warned the public to take precautions against heat exhaustion, which can also be fatal. It also raised concern of other heat-related illnesses brought about by the hot spell. Thailand sizzles as temperatures go through roof

One correction: The first item under the "Pattaya Pride 2010 events UPDATE" section announces a Pattaya Pride fundraiser dinner at Manhattans on Sunday, May 16. That event has been canceled.

Irked PM says 'rally ends today' Army may cut power, water at Ratchaprasong Published: 12/05/2010 Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has warned the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship to end their protest today and leave their rally site. Mr Abhisit yesterday said the UDD's decision to continue demonstrating at Ratchaprasong intersection was tantamount to rejecting his reconciliation road map, which he proposed on May 3 to end the political rift and the confrontation between the government and the red shirts. If the UDD did not end its rally today, then the government has the legitimacy to take the necessary action to restore national security and normalcy in the country, he said in parliament. "If the situation in the country does not return to normal, it will affect the election. Protesters should return home on May 12." A source at the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation said the new school term was another reason to clear the area. Most schools are due to resume on Monday. The source said if UDD leaders do not end their protest today, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban would consult army chief Anupong Paojinda about measures to end the protest. However, the source said the CRES yesterday did not discuss mobilising security forces against the red shirts. The new army plans include cutting off water and electricity supplies to the Ratchaprasong area to put more pressure on the red shirts to go home. Irked PM says 'rally ends today'