FACT SHEET
Chronology of events relating to the recent protests by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) from March to May 2010

2008
December Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva won the approval of the majority of Parliament in an open, roll-call vote on 15 December and became the 27th Prime Minister of Thailand after the Constitutional Court ordered the dissolution of the People’s Power Party – the then main coalition party – due to electoral fraud. His Democrat Party formed a six-party coalition, leaving the Puea Thai Party, a newly formed party composed mainly of former members of the PPP, in the opposition. His Government delivered its policy statement on 30 December.
 

2009
26 March The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) – or the “Red Shirts” – which had been campaigning against the Government since the end of 2008 – staged rallies in front of Government House.

Late March Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra addressed the UDD-led demonstrations via video-links and phone-ins, claiming that the President of the Privy Council and some of its members were behind the 2006 military intervention and conspired with the military to put Democrat Party in power. The UDD demanded the resignation of the Prime Minister, the President of the Privy Council and some of its members as well as a political reform, and announced 8 April as deadline for those demands to be met.

9 April The demonstrations escalated with UDD protesters moving to block main intersections in Bangkok and temporarily blockaded the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Constitution Court, the Army Headquarters and the Democrat Party.

10-11 April A group of UDD demonstrators blocked the entrance of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort – the venue of the 14th ASEAN and Related Summits – in Pattaya and later stormed the meeting venue, leading to the decision by the Government to postpone the 14th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits and to declare a severe emergency situation in Pattaya and Chonburi Province for a brief period to facilitate the safe departure of ASEAN and other dialogue partners’ leaders back to their respective countries.

12-14 April Prime Minister Abhisit declared the severe emergency situation in the areas of Bangkok and its vicinities to enable actions by the authorities in restoring peace and order due to escalating street protests.
Former prime minister Thaksin, through a video-link, campaigned for the people to come out for a “revolution”.

13 April The police, military and civilian officers responded to illegal acts instigated by some of the protestors in certain areas in Bangkok, including street rioting, the seizing and burning of public buses and the use of a gas tanker as a potential weapon. The use of step-by-step approach and utmost restraint exercised was stressed by the authorities.

14 April The demonstrations at the Government House were called off and protestors returned to their homes. Some UDD leading members surrendered themselves to the police. The intense situation dissipated and law and order restored. Arrest warrants were issued by the Criminal Court against Former Prime Minister Thaksin and 13 leading members of the UDD.
During the few days of government operations from 12 to 15 April 2009, a total of 135 persons were injured. There were also two deaths resulting from the clashes between UDD protesters and local people who came out to oppose them on 13 April.
 
22-23 April A general debate at a joint sitting of the National Assembly was convened upon the Government’s request to exchange views and clarify the situation and operations undertaken by the Government regarding the situation over the past week to members of the National Assembly.
The Prime Minister proposed a political reform process leading to the formation of two parliamentary committees on resolution of political problems for reconciliation and on political reform and study of amendment of the Constitution.

16 July The Committee for Political Reform and Study of Constitutional Amendment submitted its report to the National Assembly President and the Prime Minister. Their recommendations on constitutional amendments were debated in the National Assembly on 16-17 September. This effort was subsequently derailed after the Phue Thai Party decided to leave the process and instead called for the reinstitution of the Constitution of 1997.

August – November The Cabinet approved the use of Internal Security Act (ISA) in specific areas of Bangkok four times in light of the UDD’s actual or planned rallies, as well as during the convening of the 15th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Cha-am Hua Hin on 21-25 October 2009.

2010
26 February The Supreme Court passed a ruling ordering seizure of 76,621,603,061.05 baht, together with the accrued interests, belonging to former prime minister Thaksin on the ground that the said assets were acquired inappropriately through acts constituting a conflict between personal and public interests.

March - April Former prime minister Thaksin spoke to the UDD rallies via phone-in and video links at least 19 times between 1 March and 3 April, before he stopped, claiming that he would not want the movement to be linked with him. He nonetheless continued his communications via twitter and his intermediaries.

9 March The Government invoked the ISA in the areas of Bangkok and certain districts of seven nearby provinces from 11 to 23 March 2010, and established the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) ahead of the mass demonstrations by the UDD. This was done as a preventive measure to ensure safety and order of both the demonstrators and the general public. The law does not prohibit nor obstruct peaceful demonstrations held within the bounds of the law.

12 March The UDD began mobilising its supporters for demonstrations in Bangkok.
The Government announced several measures aimed at ensuring peace and order, including the prohibition on carrying of weapons outside buildings, and some restrictions on the use of certain roads as well as entry into certain buildings in specified areas.

14 March UDD demonstrators converged on Bangkok and occupied an area around Phan Fah Bridge along Radjadamnern Avenue in the government district, marking the beginning of their mass rally.

15 March Six M79 grenades were fired into the compound of the First Battalion of the First Infantry Regiment on Vipavadee Rangsit Road, injuring two soldiers.

16 March UDD demonstrators splashed blood at the Government House in their bid to call on the Prime Minister to resign.

17 March UDD demonstrators splashed blood at Prime Minister Abhisit’s private residence.

18 March Dr. Amara Pongsapich, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRC) met Prime Minister Abhisit to offer the NHRC as a mediator to broker talks with the UDD, after the NHRC had talked with leaders of the latter.

20 March An RPG rocket was fired into the Ministry of Defence, injuring one soldier.
An M67 grenade was thrown into the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

23 March The Cabinet extended the use of the ISA until 30 March 2010, but with a much reduced area of only three provinces.Two M79 grenades were fired into the compound of the Ministry of Public Health where a Cabinet meeting had earlier been held.

26 March A grenade was discovered and successfully defused after being thrown into the parking lot of the Office of the Attorney General.

27 March An M67 grenade exploded at the Royal Thai Army Radio and Television (Channel 5) studio, injuring two soldier and five innocent passers-by.
Another M79 grenade was fired into the National Broadcasting Television (Channel 11) studio, injuring four soldiers.

28 March Prime Minister Abhisit held the first round of talks with UDD leaders.Two M79 grenades were fired into the compound of the 11th Infantry Regiment, injuring four soldiers. An M67 grenade was thrown at the house of former prime minister Banharn Silpa-archa, injuring one household staff.

29 March The second round of talks between the Prime Minister and the UDD leaders were held but ended in deadlock, with the UDD leaders turning down the Government’s offer of early elections within nine months and refusing to hold further talks.

30 March The Cabinet extended the use of the ISA until 7 April. The ISA was also invoked in Cha-Am and Hua Hin from 2-6 April 2010, to ensure security during the Mekong River Commission Summit to be held there.

3 April UDD demonstrators began its occupation of Ratchaprasong Intersection.

4 April CAPO declared the rally at Ratchaprasong intersection illegal and asked demonstrators to leave before the Government takes legal action.

5 April UDD demonstrators stormed the Office of the Election Commission.

6 April The Civil Court – in dismissing the case in which the Government petitioned for a court order for the demonstrators to vacate the Ratchaprasong area – ruled that by law, the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) had the authority to address the situation, and that the demonstration by the UDD, especially its blockade and obstruction of public routes in Bangkok, was unlawful.
A grenade was fired into the parking lot of the Democrat Party, injuring two policemen.

7 April The Cabinet extended the use of the ISA until 20 April 2010.
UDD demonstrators stormed into the Parliament building, forcing parliamentarians to evacuate the building.  Prime Minister Abhisit declared a severe emergency situation in Bangkok and surrounding areas in response to the escalating situation, and established the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) with Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban as Director.

9 April UDD demonstrators tried to break into the Thaicom ground station which had been used to transmit the signal of the People’s Channel in their bid to resume the channel’s broadcast which had been earlier suspended for its use of distorted facts to provoke further violence and hatred.

10 April UDD demonstrators provoked the security personnel at the First Army Regiment.
The security force tried to reclaim the areas around Phan Fah Bridge, occupied by the demonstrators, resulting in clashes which turned violent as the officers started to withdraw at nightfall, resulting in 26 people killed (including 5 security officers) and hundreds injured. Evidences suggested the presence of armed elements infiltrating among the UDD demonstrators, and their use of war weapons, including M79 grenades.

11 April The Government set up a committee, led by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), to investigate the event of 10 April.

15 April UDD demonstrators abandoned their rally site in the government district around Phan Fah Bridge to consolidate their Ratchaprasong site.

22 April Five M79 grenades were fired into the crowded BTS station in Silom where a group of people were demonstrating against the UDD demonstrations, killing one and injuring 85 including innocent passers-by.

24 April Prime Minister Abhisit rejected the demonstrators’ deadline to hold new elections within 30 day, saying the ultimatum was merely a tactic used to get the attention of the international media.

26 April The Council of Economic Ministers agreed on guidelines for providing remedies to those affected by the prolonged demonstrations both at Ratchaprasong and the Phan Fah areas, targeting in particular: (1) assistance for those with liquidity problems; (2) assistance for employees, starting with those who lost their jobs as a result of the demonstrations; and (3) assistance for small businesses.

28 April Security force clashed with UDD demonstrators near the National Memorial Monument in North Bangkok, when the latter tried to move to stage rallies in other areas and attempts at negotiation had failed. One soldier was killed from a gunshot wound.

29 April Some UDD protesters stormed into Chulalongkorn Hospital, leading to the hospital’s decision to evacuate its patients and transfer them to other hospitals.

3 May Prime Minister Abhisit announced a five-point reconciliation plan, with an offer of holding early elections on 14 November 2010 should this be accepted by all sides, including the UDD.

8 May Multiple attacks were carried out against security forces, including three grenades thrown at a security checkpoint in front of Lumpini Park that killed one police officer and injured another five police officers and three soldiers. In another incident, one police officer was killed and four others – two police and two civilians – were wounded in a drive-by shooting in the nearby Silom financial district.

10 May The demonstrators accepted Prime Minister Abhisit's offer of 14 November polls but made new demands, including the prosecution of Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban.

13 May After more than two months of street protests, the Government called on the demonstrators to leave their protest site at Ratchaprasong Intersection.
Prime Minister Abhisit withdrew his initial offer to hold early elections in November as it became increasingly apparent that the UDD leaders were not sincere about the reconciliation process and used new and unreasonable demands to keep the protests going. He nonetheless affirmed that he would proceed with implementing his five-point reconciliation plan.
The Emergency Decree was announced in eleven more provinces to prevent more people from joining the demonstrations in Bangkok.
At 18.00 hrs, the CRES stepped up security measures by cordoning off the protest area at Ratchaprasong Intersection. Check points were set up around the outer perimeter from Ratchathewi Intersection along Petchaburi Road to the junction with the Petchaburi expressway ramp, along Wireless Road to the Intersection between Wireless Road and Rama IV Road, along Rama IV Road to Sam Yan Intersection, and then along Phyathai Road to Ratchathewi Intersection. Public transportation services, such as buses, BTS, subway and boat shuttle services, within the said perimeter were also suspended, to be subsequently followed by the suspension of public utilities.
UDD military adviser, suspended Major-General Khattiya Sawasdipol– better known as Seh Daeng or "Commander Red" – sustained a gunshot wound to the head.

14 May The Civil Court dismissed the petition submitted by the UDD seeking a court injunction prohibiting the authorities from carrying out their operations to cordon off the protest area and to prohibit them from dispersing the protests. The Court found insufficient grounds to do so, noting that the cordoning operations undertaken by the authorities were within the prerogative of the executive branch, while in undertaking to disperse the protests to restore peace, the authorities – if necessary – could use weapons for self-defence and to prevent the situation from escalating, but they must be in accordance with international standards.
14-18 May Clashes occurred between security forces and some protesters, as the latter attacked check points set up along the outer perimeter of the protest area, including in Din Daeng/Rajaprarob and Klong Toei/Bon Kai/Rama IV areas. Such attacks involved the use of M 79 grenades and other types of weapons with some protesters being mobilized from outside the Ratchaprasong area.

16 May The CRES assigned the police to coordinate with the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, the Thai Red Cross, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to set up a team to go into the Ratchaprasong area to encourage demonstrators, especially women, children, and the elderly, to leave the area with the authorities facilitating their return home. This effort was conducted until 1500 hrs on 17 May 2010. The Government extended the Emergency Decree in five more provinces to ensure law and order in those provinces.  The Government announced 17-18 May as public holidays in Bangkok in an effort to keep people off the streets.

17 May Major-General Khattiya Sawasdipol died in hospital after being shot in the head five days earlier.
17-18 May A group of senators offered to mediate. However, the gesture conveyed by the President of the Senate to the Prime Minister that there would be a ceasefire on the UDD’s side by 18.00 hrs. did not materialise. The Government announced 19-21 May 2010 as public holidays in Bangkok.

19 May At 05.45 hrs., the CRES began operations to secure the Lumpini Park area which had been used by armed elements among the protesters to hide weapons and attack security officers manning check points as well as innocent people nearby. Security officers were able to secure the Lumpini Park area at around 07.15 hrs. They further tightened their cordon at Sarasin Intersection, which was achieved before noon.
At around 13.45 hrs., the protest leaders called off their protests. The security force thus halted their operations. Some protest leaders turned themselves in with the police. The CRES asked protesters who wished to return home to go to the National Stadium from where transportation had been arranged for their safe passage home. Violent incidents and rioting erupted elsewhere in the capital – with protesters setting on fire several buildings, including the Stock Exchange, Thai TV Channel 3 Headquarter, and Central World Shopping Mall. Similar incidents spread to other parts of the country where several provincial town halls were set on fire.

 The Government declared the use of the Emergency Decree in two more provinces.
Shooting incidents occurred at Pathumwanaram Temple where a number of demonstrators and members of the public gathered after the protests ended. The authorities endeavoured to send in officers and medical teams to extend assistance but were met with violent resistance from armed groups. It took several hours before security officers could clear access to the temple to bring those who had been injured or lost their lives out. The CRES imposed a night-time curfew in Bangkok and 23 other provinces from 20.00 hrs. to 06.00 hrs. of the following day in order to enable the officers to work to stabilise the situation.
 

20 May The CRES announced the extension of the curfew for 20-22 May with a reduced time period from 21.00 hrs. to 05.00 hrs of the following day.

21 May Prime Minister Abhisit addressed the nation, ensuring that the Government would move forward with the reconciliation process to restore normalcy and continue on recovery path. An independent body will also be setup to investigate events that occurred during the demonstrations.
The CRES established a contact centre to register businesses affected by the incidents so as to provide assistance and support their rehabilitation.

22 May The CRES held a briefing for the diplomatic corps, foreign defence attaches, as well as Thai and international media, on the overall operations of the security officers as well as weapons that had been seized.

23 May The CRES announced the extension of the curfew for 23-24 May with a further reduced period from 23.00 hrs. to 04.00 hrs of the following day. Meanwhile, it issued an order re-opening the roads, which had been blocked during the cordoning operation, to public use as from 24 May at 04.00 hrs.

25 May The Cabinet approved a set of remedies for those affected by the incidents on 19 May, including an immediate one-off payment to people who lost their businesses to arsons as well as longer term assistances to affected communities, employees, and business owners.
The Cabinet decided to extend the curfew from 25 to 28 May 2010, to be in effect during the period from 00.00 hrs. to 04.00 hrs. of the following day.
The Court approved an arrest warrant against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on terrorism charges in accordance with the Thai Criminal Code. Arrest warrants were subsequently issued for other UDD leaders and members on the same charge.

29 May Prime Minister Abhisit briefed the diplomatic corps and foreign chambers of commerce on the current political situation at Government House. Subsequently, he also briefed the international press on the situation.
The curfew was lifted in Bangkok and other parts of the country.

31 May - 1 June A no-confidence motion/censure debate was brought against Prime Minister Abhisit and five other ministers, during which members of the opposition in the House of Representatives raised, among others, issues surrounding the UDD protests and the actions undertaken by the Government.
 

2 June The no-confidence motion was defeated in a parliamentary vote.

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