2010 Thai military crackdown

{{Main|2010 Thai political protests}}

In Thailand, a series of political protests against the Democrat Party-led government occurred in March to May 2010 as a result of an ongoing political crisis. Anger against Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government was high throughout 2009, due to the controversial legal and military maneuvering that led to the formation of the government.{{cn|date=May 2022}} In February 2010, Abhisit tightened security in anticipation of a controversial Supreme Court ruling on former Prime Minister Takshin Shinawatra.The Nation, [http://nationmultimedia.com/2010/02/09/politics/politics_30122105.php Huge boost in security] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100211112653/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2010/02/09/politics/politics_30122105.php |date=11 February 2010 }}, 9 February 2010 When the 26 February ruling confirmed the bribery accusations, protests were limited, but the UDD announced it would organize a 14 March protest and call for new elections.{{cite news|newspaper=Bangkok Post|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/168673/udd-won-t-rally-on-feb-26|title=UDD won't rally on 26 Feb|date=16 February 2010}} Abhisit further tightened security in anticipation of the protest. The media was censored, and radio stations and television stations sympathetic to the protesters were shut down.{{cn|date=May 2022}}

The crackdown against protesters on 10 April occurred along the middle stretch of Ratchadamnoen Avenue, from Phan Fa Lilat Bridge towards the Democracy Monument, along with the surrounding area. Military personnel dropped tear gas from helicopters and shot at protesters.{{Cite web|title=10 Facts about the 10 April Crackdown: 7 years of unhealed wounds|url=https://prachatai.com/english/node/7069|access-date=2021-12-19|website=Prachatai English|date=12 April 2017 |language=en}} The clashes led to 19 civilian deaths from the afternoon to late evening, mostly concentrated at Khok Wua Intersection and Dinso Road at the north side of the Democracy Monument. In the late evening, around 8:30 pm, a group of armed people dressed in black emerged at Khok Wua, attacking the soldiers with guns and explosives. Five soldiers were killed by an explosion during the clashes.{{Cite news|title=มองเมษา-พฤษภา 53 ผ่าน 7 วาทกรรม "จำไม่ลง"|language=th|work=BBC News ไทย|url=https://www.bbc.com/thai/thailand-52614304|access-date=2021-12-19}}

{{As of|2020}}, the identity of these 'men in black' ({{Langx|th|ชายชุดดำ|translit=chai chut dam}}) remain unclear. The government stated that they were aligned with the protesters and often cited them later to justify its use of force. Later cases of violence during the subsequent crackdowns would often be attributed to "men in black", which came to be used interchangeably with "terrotist".

Having failed to reclaim the area, the military withdrew from the area. One civilian, a zookeeper mistaken for a protester, was later shot at the nearby Dusit Zoo. Despite managing to hold the site, the protest leaders at Phan Fa subsequently decided to end the protest at the location on 14 April. The protesters then moved to join the main group, which had been occupying the shopping district around Ratchaprasong Intersection.

On Thursday, 13 May, Thai Army Major General Khattiya Sawasdipol, better known as Seh Daeng ('Commander Red'), a self-described key military adviser to the red-shirts who was suspended from duty in the Thai army, was shot by an unknown sniper around 7 pm local time while being interviewed by The New York Times. A backer and part of the protesters' more radical wing, he had accused Red Shirt leaders of not being hardline enough.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/14/world/asia/14thai.html?hp |title=Explainer: Thai General Shot; Army Moves to Face Protesters |work=New York Times |date=13 May 2010 |access-date=23 May 2010 | first1=Thomas | last1=Fuller | first2=Seth | last2=Mydans| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100516020813/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/14/world/asia/14thai.html?hp| archive-date= 16 May 2010 | url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/05/17/thailand.crisis.explainer/index.html?hpt=C1 |title=Explainer: Thailand's political crisis |publisher=CNN |date=26 February 2010 |access-date=18 May 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100520041156/http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/05/17/thailand.crisis.explainer/index.html?hpt=C1| archive-date= 20 May 2010 | url-status=live}}

On Friday, 14 May, Thai police army units moved in to surround and cut off the protesters' main camp, meeting heavy resistance from the Red Shirts resulting in the deaths of two people with dozens more injured. One of the Red Shirt leaders, Nattawut Saikuar, accused Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva of starting a civil war. This came as there were reports of a policeman opening fire on soldiers near a police station in Bangkok, showing that there may be divisions within the security services themselves. Both the British and US embassies in Bangkok confirmed they were to close for security reasons.{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article7126129.ece |title=Violent stand-off in heart of Thai capital |date=14 May 2010 |author=Sian Powell and Joanna Sugden |newspaper=The Times |location=London |access-date=16 May 2010 }}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

File:2010 0515 rama 4 and sathorn 24.JPG

Just before 3:00 pm GMT on 14 May, Sky News reported that the death-toll from the latest fighting had risen to five, with 46 others wounded. People in Bangkok claimed that the area has descended into a war zone as the two sides battled for control. During the clashes, France 24 journalist Nelson Rand was "gravely wounded" by bullets from a Thai Army assault rifle, although who actually used the weapon is still unknown. On Friday night, several grenade explosions were heard from a nearby shopping centre and municipal railway station in the up-scale shopping area.{{cite web |first=Carole |last=Erskine |url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Thailand-Police-Fire-Tear-Gas-At-Red-Shirt-Protesters-In-Bangkok/Article/201005215631684?lpos=World_News_News_Your_Way_Region_5&lid=NewsYourWay_ARTICLE_15631684_Thailand%3A_Police_Fire_Tear_Gas_At_Red_Shirt_Protesters_In_Bangkok |title=Ten Dead And 125 Injured In Thailand Violence |publisher=Sky News |date=May 14, 2010 |access-date=14 May 2010 }}

As of 6:00 pm 14 May, the BBC reported that seven people had died and over 100 were wounded in the latest violence in Bangkok, as Canada announced the temporary closure of its embassy.{{cite news |publisher=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8682122.stm |title=As it happened: Unrest in Bangkok |date=14 May 2010 |access-date=14 May 2010 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100517052809/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8682122.stm| archive-date= 17 May 2010 | url-status=live}}

According to The Telegraph, as of {{Nowrap|9:40 pm}} GMT 14 May, at least 16 people had been killed, none of whom were members of the security services. There were several incidents of police officers joining with the Red Shirts and exchanging fire with the Thai Army, prompting fears that a civil war was coming. The number of injured was thought to be 157, with that number predicted to rise significantly as fighting continued.{{cite news |author=Ian MacKinnon and Damien McElroy |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/thailand/7725645/Ten-killed-in-Thailand-as-police-join-Red-Shirt-protest.html |title=Ten killed in Thailand as police join Red Shirt protest |newspaper=The Telegraph |location=London |date=14 May 2010 |access-date=14 May 2010 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100517055441/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/thailand/7725645/Ten-killed-in-Thailand-as-police-join-Red-Shirt-protest.html| archive-date= 17 May 2010 | url-status=live}}

File:2010 0515 rama 4 and sathorn 36a.JPG

File:2010 0516 Rama 4 road 01.JPG hangs over Bangkok, 16 May 2010]]

By 2:20 am GMT on 15 May, the death toll reached 16, with more than 157 injured. Street battles continued, with no end in sight. Total casualties since 12 May amount to 24 killed, with 187 injured on the night of 14/15 May alone.{{cite web|url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Thailand-Clashes-Death-Toll-Rises-As-Red-Shirt-Protesters-Continue-To-Battle-Police-In-Bangkok/Article/201005315632404?lpos=World_News_Carousel_Region_1&lid=ARTICLE_15632404_Thailand_Clashes%3A_Death_Toll_Rises_As_Red_Shirt_Protesters_Continue_To_Battle_Police_In_Bangkok |author=David Williams and Kat Higgins |title=Thai PM Speaks Out Amid 'Live Firing Zone' |publisher=Sky News |date=May 15, 2010 |access-date=2010-05-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100518185950/http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Thailand-Clashes-Death-Toll-Rises-As-Red-Shirt-Protesters-Continue-To-Battle-Police-In-Bangkok/Article/201005315632404?lpos=World_News_Carousel_Region_1&lid=ARTICLE_15632404_Thailand_Clashes%3A_Death_Toll_Rises_As_Red_Shirt_Protesters_Continue_To_Battle_Police_In_Bangkok |archive-date=18 May 2010 |url-status=live }} One of the dead was a sergeant of the Royal Thai Air Force, who was killed by friendly fire.{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article7129696.ece |title=Thai stand-off as Red Shirt peace talks rejected but Army stays away |newspaper=The Times |location=London |date=18 May 2010 |first=Richard Lloyd |last=Parry |access-date=20 May 2010 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100520032508/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article7129696.ece| archive-date= 20 May 2010 | url-status=dead}}

Protest leaders once again warned of civil war if the army attempted to storm their camp. Several areas of the city near the protesters were designated as "live fire zones" by the military, and protesters entering these zones were to be shot on sight. Due to food and water shortages as a result of the army blockade, it was estimated the protesters would only be able to hold out for a few more days, and after that have to start plundering the available local shops.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/may/15/redshirts-warn-civil-war-thai-troops |title=Redshirts warn of civil war as Thai troops told to shoot on sight |work=The Guardian |first=Ben |last=Doherty |date=15 May 2010 |access-date=16 May 2010 | location=London| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100518183925/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/may/15/redshirts-warn-civil-war-thai-troops| archive-date= 18 May 2010 | url-status=live}}

On 16 May, the death toll rose to 33, with the number of wounded rising to 230. Reporters in the vicinity of the violence had to cancel live broadcasts due to the threat of sniper attacks from military forces in the area. The government urged the very young and very old to leave the camp by Monday afternoon, prompting fears of an army crackdown. The Red Shirt leaders started telling the public that the foreign media, such as CNN, BBC, Reuters, and many others, cannot be trusted as they are biased, prompting a backlash of their international followers.{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article7128358.ece |title=Violence reduces central Bangkok to a 21st-century Sarajevo |newspaper=The Times |location=London |date=17 May 2010 |first=Richard Lloyd |last=Parry |access-date=20 May 2010 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100517101429/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article7128358.ece| archive-date= 17 May 2010 | url-status=dead}} On 17 May, Khattiya Sawasdiphol, who was shot in the head by a sniper on 13 May, died.{{cite web |url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/05/17/politics/Seh-Daeng-pronounced-dead-at-920-am-30129546.html |title=Seh Daeng pronounced dead at 9:20 am |publisher=The Nation |access-date=20 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100519234352/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/05/17/politics/Seh-Daeng-pronounced-dead-at-920-am-30129546.html |archive-date=2010-05-19 |url-status=dead }}

On 17 May, Thai military helicopters dropped leaflets on the Red Shirt's main encampment, urging them to leave. The Red Shirts responded by firing homemade rockets at the helicopters. The encampment was completely surrounded, and the Thai government gave Red Shirts a deadline of 3:00 pm local time to withdraw. Clashes continued, with Thai troops firing directly towards or at any movement around the protest perimeter with live ammunition, and protesters also using potentially lethal tactics, according to a Canadian journalist. Red Shirts shot fireworks at the Army, and utilized a broom handle to rapidly fire firecrackers.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3elmkHWeaY |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/D3elmkHWeaY |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|title= Ceasefire Call Amid Battle for Bangkok |date=17 May 2010 |publisher=YouTube |access-date=2010-05-19}}{{cbignore}} At least two Red Shirt protesters were shot by Thai Army snipers.{{Citation needed|date=April 2011}} According to Thai medical officials, the casualty toll stood at 35 dead, and 242 wounded.[http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/178205/reds-defy-deadline-rally-continues Reds defy deadline, rally continues], Bangkok Post, May 17, 2010 at 05:37 pm.{{dead link|date=December 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/1st-sign-of-ceasefire-talks-in-thai-standoff-1.911622 |title=1st sign of ceasefire talks in Thai standoff |publisher=Cbc.ca |date= 17 May 2010|access-date=18 May 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100520001023/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/1st-sign-of-ceasefire-talks-in-thai-standoff-1.911622| archive-date= 20 May 2010 | url-status=live}} By the end of the day, the casualty toll had risen to 37 dead and 266 wounded.{{cite web|url=http://www.ekantipur.com/2010/05/18/top-story/thai-govt-says-no-peace-talks-unless-protests-end/314596.html |title=Thai govt says no peace talks unless protests end |publisher=Yahoo! News |date=18 May 2010 |access-date=18 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100521234249/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100518/ap_on_re_as/as_thailand_politics |archive-date=21 May 2010 |url-status=dead }}

Sporadic clashes continued on 18 May, but these skirmishes were less intense than some previous confrontations had been.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8688664.stm |title=Thailand government rejects Bangkok protest talks offer |publisher=BBC News |date= 18 May 2010|access-date=2010-05-19| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100520041250/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8688664.stm| archive-date= 20 May 2010 | url-status=live}} The death toll rose to 39 as the day progressed, and it was widely believed that a military crackdown was imminent as troops and APC's gathered around the protest site urging residents and protestors to leave, declaring that a military operation was soon to commence.{{cite news|author=Adrees Latif and Damir Sagolj |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64C0L620100519 |title=Bangkok burns as protest leaders surrender |publisher=Reuters |date= 19 May 2010|access-date=2010-05-19}} The Army moved in soon afterward, backed by armoured personnel carriers (APC) and smashed through the protestors main barricades. Two Red Shirts were shot and wounded during the opening stages of this operation as other Red Shirts set alight the kerosene soaked barricades to deter advancing soldiers and obscure their view.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/05/19/2903344.htm?section=world |title=Troops break into Red Shirt camp - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) |newspaper=ABC News |date=18 May 2010 |publisher=Abc.net.au |access-date=2010-05-19| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100522044208/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/05/19/2903344.htm?section=world| archive-date= 22 May 2010 | url-status=dead}}

File:Thai soldiers and Type 85 APCs during 2010 Thai political protests.jpg near the Red Shirt barricade at Chulalongkorn Hospital]]

{{wikinews|Curfew imposed in parts of Thailand}}

On 19 May, the army launched an all-out assault using APCs and breached Red Shirt barricades, leaving at least five dead along Ratchadamri Road leading up to Ratchaprasong, including Italian freelance photojournalist Fabio Polenghi.{{cite news|first1=Merrill D |last1=Oliver |first2=David W. |last2=Dunlap |title= Pictures of the Day: Bangkok and Elsewhere |newspaper=New York Times |date=May 19, 2010 |access-date=2013-05-29 |url= http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/19/pictures-221/ }}{{Cite web|url=http://cpj.org/2010/05/italian-journalist-shot-in-bangkok-unrest-others-w.php|title = Italian journalist killed in Bangkok unrest|date = 19 May 2010}} Two soldiers were seriously wounded in a grenade attack, possibly from an M79. The protest leaders surrendered to police in an attempt to avoid further bloodshed.

After the leaders declared the protests over, a number of protesters moved along Rama I Road to take shelter in Wat Pathum Wanaram, a Buddhist temple which had been used as a "safe zone" and contained first aid tents. Troops shot into the temple, killing six, which included volunteer medical personnel.{{Cite news|title=Court rules troops killed 6 at temple|work=Bangkok Post|date=6 August 2013 |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/363262/wat-pathum-wanaram-victims-killed-by-military-on-may-19-2010-court-decides|access-date=2021-12-19 |last1=Ashayagachat |first1=Achara }}{{Cite web|date=2013-08-06|title=Troops killed six unarmed people in temple during Thai 'Red Shirt'|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/troops-killed-six-unarmed-people-in-temple-during-thai-red-shirt-protests-court-rules-8747943.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/troops-killed-six-unarmed-people-in-temple-during-thai-red-shirt-protests-court-rules-8747943.html |archive-date=2022-05-01 |url-access=subscription|access-date=2021-12-19|website=The Independent|language=en}}{{cbignore}}

Fighting between Red Shirt protesters and the army continued in many parts of the city. Red Shirts also gathered in front of provincial halls in other provinces in response to the news of the crackdowns in Bangkok and were met by military personnel. Various provinces saw standoffs, which led to three protester deaths in two of the provinces, namely Khon Kaen and Udon Thani. Some provinces saw arson attacks against provincial halls and other buildings.{{Cite web|title=ลำดับเวลาการตายจากการสลายชุมนุมเสื้อแดง พ.ค.53 และความ(ไม่)คืบหน้าของคดี|url=https://prachatai.com/journal/2018/05/77005|access-date=2021-12-19|website=prachatai.com|language=th}}{{Cite web |last1=Charuvastra |first1=Teeranai |date=2015-11-11 |title=Four Redshirts Convicted of Burning Khon Kaen City Hall |url=https://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2015/11/11/1447238973/ |access-date=2021-12-19 |website=Khaosod English |language=en-US}}

In Bangkok, there were arson attacks at the Central World mall and at least two other shopping centres, the Stock Exchange of Thailand and various banks, a TV station, and a cinema, which burned to the ground. The total number of burnt buildings was 35.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}} Two Red Shirts were accused of setting fire at the Central World mall, but were acquitted three years later due to a lack of witnesses.{{cite news |title=Thai court acquits two Red Shirts of burning mall |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-03-25/thai-court-aquits-two-red-shirts-of-burning-mall/4593804 |work=ABC News |date=25 March 2013 |language=en-AU}} The Appeal Court also ruled the two Red Shirts not guilty.{{cite news |title=Appeal Court rules 2 red shirts not guilty in 2010 arson at Bangkok shopping mall |url=https://prachatai.com/english/node/4322 |work=Prachatai English |language=en}}

{{As of|2010}}, the total death toll since 14 May was believed to stand at 44.{{cite news|last1=McElroy|first1=Damien|last2=MacKinnon|first2=Ian|date=19 May 2010|title=Thailand protests: Red shirts surrender as army storms Bangkok camp|work=The Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/thailand/7739025/Thailand-protests-Red-Shirts-surrender-as-army-storms-Bangkok-camp.html|url-status=dead|access-date=22 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100522014215/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/thailand/7739025/Thailand-protests-Red-shirts-surrender-as-army-storms-Bangkok-camp.html|archive-date=22 May 2010|df=dmy}}

Sergeant Phongchalit Phitayanonthakan (จ่าอากาศเอกพงศ์ชลิต พิทยานนทกาญจน์), aged 51, of the Royal Thai Air Force's Ground Security Force Corps was shot and killed by friendly fire at an army checkpoint at 1:20 am of 17 May. Phongchalit and a Pilot Officer Aphichat Songyong (เรืออากาศตรีอภิชาติ ซ้งย้ง), aged 26, were wearing plainclothes and driving an unmarked Vigo pickup truck to the Sala Daeng Intersection checkpoint at high speed. Army troops at the checkpoint reported being fired upon by the people in the truck.Khao Sod, [http://www.khaosod.co.th/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRJM05EQTJNRGd3TXc9PQ== ยิงดับทอ.ขับปิกอัพย่านสีลม-ผบ.รูดซิปปาก], 17 May 2010 The troops manning the checkpoint fired on the truck causing it to lose control and hit police vehicles parked nearby. The two men were taken to nearby Bangkok Christian Hospital, but Phongchalit was dead on arrival. Aphichat was injured, and later picked up from the hospital by commanders of the RTAF Ground Security Force Corps. The commanders had no comments about the circumstances of Sergeant Phongchalit's death.TNN, [ยิงอากาศโยธินควบวีโก้เข้าสีลมโดนสอยดับ1เจ็บ1 {{cite web|url=http://www.atnnonline.com/index.php?option%3Dcom_content%26view%3Darticle%26id%3D14118%3A11%26catid%3D40%3Atop-stories%26Itemid%3D68 |title = ยิงอากาศโยธินควบวีโก้เข้าสีลมโดนสอยดับ1เจ็บ1 |access-date=2010-05-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611032644/http://www.atnnonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14118%3A11&catid=40%3Atop-stories&Itemid=68 |archive-date=2010-06-11 }}], 17 May 2010Thai Rath, 18 May 2010Daily News, [http://www.dailynews.co.th/newstartpage/index.cfm?page=content&categoryID=627&contentID=66262 ทหารอากาศถูกยิงตาย1 เจ็บ1], 17 May 2010 Phongchalit was one of the two troops killed in the extended 13–19 May military crackdown.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban claimed that Italian photographer Fabio Polenghi was killed by a grenade launched from a terrorist M79 grenade launcher and died side by side with a soldier.{{cite news | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/22/AR2010052203166.html | newspaper=The Washington Post | first=Andrew | last=Higgins | title=Thai officials use a powerful visual to explain violence | date=23 May 2010| access-date= 26 May 2010 }} However, numerous reports including one by the International Federation of Journalists noted that Polenghi was shot.{{Cite web |url=http://www.daylife.com/photo/07c58GVb8u0Td?q=Fabio+Polenghi |title=AP Photo/Wally Santana in Daylife |access-date=2010-05-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123054441/http://www.daylife.com/photo/07c58GVb8u0Td?q=Fabio+Polenghi |archive-date=2010-11-23 |url-status=dead }}International Federation of Journalists, [https://archive.today/20120804063552/http://www.ifj.org/en/articles/ifj-condemns-killing-of-second-journalist-in-thailandIFJ Condemns Killing of Second Journalist in Thailand], 20 May 2010Matichon, [http://www.matichon.co.th/news_detail.php?newsid=1274270441&grpid=00 สหรัฐฯแถลงประณามเผากทม. ร้องแกนนำช่วยหยุดยั้ง สื่อต่างชาติชี้ปัญหารุนแรงในไทยมีรากเหง้า] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221143608/http://www.matichon.co.th/news_detail.php?newsid=1274270441&grpid=00 |date=2011-02-21 }}, 20 May 2010 Autopsy results showed that Polenghi died from a high-velocity bullet that entered the heart, and caused damage to his lungs and liver.Thai Rath, [http://www.thairath.co.th/content/pol/84125 จับตาสถานการณ์เหตุจลาจล] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009172042/http://www.thairath.co.th/content/pol/84125 |date=2018-10-09 }}, 26 May 2010Nation News Channel, [http://breakingnews.nationchannel.com/read.php?newsid=449157 ตัวแทนสถานทูตอิตาลีรับศพช่างภาพอิตาเลียน] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100531215022/http://breakingnews.nationchannel.com/read.php?newsid=449157 |date=2010-05-31 }}, 20 May 2010 A reporter from Der Spiegel who was with Polenghi noted that he was photographing from the protesters' side and was running from advancing soldiers.Spiegel Online, [http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,696422,00.html The Day the Thai Army Moved In], 24 May 2010 The Italian Embassy announced it was pursuing its own investigation.

In May 2013, the results of a lengthy investigation in Thailand revealed that Fabio Polenghi, 48 years old at the time of his death, was felled by a 5.56 mm (M16) bullet from a soldier's weapon and was running away at the moment he was killed. Testimony from journalists Michel Maas, Manit Kamnan and Bradley Cox were included in the proceedings.{{cite news |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22699447 |title=Thailand court says Italian journalist 'killed by army bullet' |access-date=2013-05-29}}{{cite news|title=Fabio Polenghi fatally shot by military, inquest finds |newspaper=Bangkok Post |date=May 29, 2013 |access-date=2013-06-02 |url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/352385/criminal-court-italian-journalist-fabio-polenghi-killed-by-bullet-fired-by-thai-security-forces-may-19-2010}} Polenghi's work had appeared in Vanity Fair, Vogue, Marie Claire, and Elle.{{cite news|title=Ucciso il fotografo Fabio Polenghi, "Voleva essere testimone delle emozioni" |newspaper=la Repubblica.it |date=May 19, 2010 |access-date=2013-05-29 |url=http://www.repubblica.it/esteri/2010/05/19/news/fabio_polenghi-4176090/}}

In the hours after military operations had wrapped up, a curfew was imposed on Bangkok for the first time since 1992, as well as on 23 provinces. Unrest spread to other cities across the country as Red Shirt sympathizers vandalized government facilities in Udon Thani and burned down the town hall, with the provincial governor requesting military intervention to stop the unrest.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/thai-curfew-extended-as-cleanup-begins-1.947653 |title=Thai curfew extended as cleanup begins|work= Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|agency= Associated Press|date=2010-05-20 |access-date=2010-05-20| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100523043955/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/thai-curfew-extended-as-cleanup-begins-1.947653| archive-date= 23 May 2010 | url-status=live}} Early estimates into the economic impact of the fighting by the Thai finance ministry placed the total cost of the fighting at US$1.5 billion. Foot and motor vehicle patrols conducted by the Thai military were confronted by Red Shirt holdouts with small arms fire in an attempt to restrict the military's movement through territory previously held by the protesters.{{cite news|last=Talmadge |first=Eric |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/20/thai-government-declares-_n_583116.html |title=Thai Government Declares Protest Violence Mostly Quelled |work=The Huffington Post |date=2010-05-20 |access-date=2010-05-20 }} After the surrender of the protest leaders, dozens of arson attacks occurred throughout the nation, including Central World shopping center and the Stock Exchange of Thailand.{{cite news|last=MacKinnon |first=Mark |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/in-a-bangkok-buddhist-temple-the-groans-of-the-wounded-shot-seeking-sanctuary/article1575108/ |title=In a Bangkok Buddhist temple, the groans of the wounded shot seeking sanctuary |work=The Globe and Mail |date=19 May 2010 |access-date=2013-05-29}}

On 17 September 2012, the Truth for Reconciliation Commission of Thailand (TRCT) released its final report on the April–May 2010 political violence.{{cite book |title=Final Report of Truth for Reconciliation Commission of Thailand (TRCT) July 2010–July 2012 |date=September 2012 |publisher=Truth for Reconciliation Commission of Thailand (TRCT) |location=Bangkok |isbn=978-616-7763-23-1 |url=http://library.nhrc.or.th/ulib/document/Fulltext/F07939.pdf |access-date=20 May 2020}} According to US-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, "...the TRCT's final report seems to give a balanced treatment to both sides involved in the political violence two years ago—alleging that both the UDD and government security forces, including the military, were responsible for escalating the situation."{{cite web |last1=Rustici |first1=Kathleen |last2=Sander |first2=Alexandra |title=Thailand's Truth for Reconciliation Commission Issues Final Report |url=https://www.csis.org/analysis/thailand%E2%80%99s-truth-reconciliation-commission-issues-final-report |website=Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) |date=19 September 2012|access-date=20 May 2020}}

{{Reflist|2}}

• {{cite news |title=Remembrances of Red Trauma (1) – Ten years after April-May 2010 |url=https://isaanrecord.com/2020/05/01/ten-years-after-april-may-2010-1/ |access-date=20 May 2020 |work=The Isaan Record |date=1 May 2020}}
• {{cite news |last1=Kradat |first1=Phu |title=Remembrances of Red Trauma (2) – The room on the 7th floor |url=https://isaanrecord.com/2020/05/01/ten-years-after-april-may-2010-2/ |access-date=20 May 2020 |work=The Isaan Record |date=1 May 2020}}
• {{cite news |last1=Anmai |first1=Tee |title=Remembrances of Red Trauma (3) – The Northeast |url=https://isaanrecord.com/2020/05/03/ten-years-after-april-may-2010-3/ |access-date=20 May 2020 |work=The Isaan Record |date=3 May 2020}}
• {{cite news |last1=Somnuek |first1=Wirawat |title=Remembrances of Red Trauma (4) – The lingering violence of Bloody May 2010 |url=https://isaanrecord.com/2020/05/04/ten-years-after-april-may-2010-4/ |access-date=20 May 2020 |work=The Isaan Record |date=4 May 2020}}
• {{cite news |last1=Møller |first1=Wanpen |title=Remembrances of Red Trauma (5) – Recollections of a reporter : Bloody April – May 2010 |url=https://isaanrecord.com/2020/05/06/ten-years-after-april-may-2010-5/ |access-date=20 May 2020 |work=The Isaan Record |date=6 May 2020}}
• {{cite news |title=Remembrances of Red Trauma (6) – No port in a storm: a political prisoner's life |url=https://isaanrecord.com/2020/05/08/ten-years-after-april-may-2010-6/ |access-date=20 May 2020 |work=The Isaan Record |date=8 May 2020}}
• {{cite news |last1=Anmai |first1=Teerapon |title=Remembrances of Red Trauma (7) – Letters from political prisoners |url=https://isaanrecord.com/2020/05/10/ten-years-after-april-may-2010-7-2/ |access-date=20 May 2020 |work=The Isaan Record |date=10 May 2020}}
• {{cite news |last1=Phaholtap |first1=Hathairat |title=Remembrances of Red Trauma (8) – Not all cages exist behind bars: A political prisoner's life after release |url=https://isaanrecord.com/2020/05/14/ten-years-after-april-may-2010-8/ |access-date=20 May 2020 |work=The Isaan Record |date=14 May 2020}}
• {{cite news |last1=Somnuek |first1=Wirawat |title=Remembrances of Red Trauma (9) – Awakened in May 2010 |url=https://isaanrecord.com/2020/05/16/ten-years-after-april-may-2010-9/ |access-date=20 May 2020 |work=The Isaan Record |date=16 May 2020}}

• [https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/thailand0511webwcover_0.pdf Human Rights Watch: Descent into Chaos, Thailand’s 2010 Red Shirt Protests and the Government Crackdown, published May 2011]

{{DEFAULTSORT:2010 Thai Military Crackdown}}

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