Descent into chaos
Subtitle: Thailand's 2010 Red Shirt protests and the government crackdown
By: [written by Peter Bouckaert ; edited by Brad Adams, James Ross, and Danielle Haas]
Contributors: Adams, Brad; Ross, James D.; Haas, Danielle; Human Rights Watch (Organization)
Publisher: Human Rights Watch
Published: 2011
Place of publication: New York, NY
Language: eng
Number of pages: 156
ISBN-13: 9781564327642
Subjects: Human rights; Protest movements; Detention of persons; United Front of Democracy in Thailand; Civil rights movements; Political violence
Other titles: Thailand's 2010 Red Shirt protests and the government crackdown; Thailand, descent into chaos
Description: "In April and May 2010, Thailand experienced its most serious political violence in decades. At least 90 people died and more than 2,000 were wounded in clashes between government security forces and anti-government protesters led by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), also known as the "Red Shirts."  Arson attacks in and outside Bangkok caused billions of dollars of damage.  Based on 94 interviews with eyewitnesses, journalists, human rights defenders, parliamentarians, lawyers, government officials, security personnel, and participants in the events, Descent into Chaos provides a detailed account of the violence and human rights abuses committed by all sides. The high death toll and injuries resulted largely from excessive use of lethal force by government security forces, including firing of live ammunition at protesters, sometimes by snipers. Deliberate attacks on the security forces by the so-called "Black Shirts," armed elements connected with the UDD, also caused deaths and injuries. UDD leaders made inflammatory speeches to demonstrators, encouraging their supporters to carry out riots, arson attacks, and looting.  The Thai government adopted various measures that seriously infringed on fundamental rights. These have continued since the protests were broken up. The government has arbitrarily arrested and detained UDD members and held suspects without charge in unofficial places of detention. Detainees have been abused by members of the security forces. A far-reaching government crackdown on freedom of expression and media resulted in the banning of publications, closure of scores of community radio stations, and blocking of thousands of ostensibly pro-UDD websites.  While UDD members and supporters are in custody awaiting prosecution, government forces implicated in abuses enjoy impunity. The government needs to undertake impartial and transparent investigations and prosecute those responsible for criminal offenses, including those who ordered unlawful use of force or incited violence."--P. [4] of cover.
Notes: "This report was written by Peter Bouckaert, director of the Emergencies division of Human Rights Watch. It was edited by Brad Adams, director of the Asia division; James Ross, legal and policy director; and Danielle Haas in the program office of Human Rights Watch."--P. 150.

"May 2011"--Table of contents p.
Table of contents: title: I. Summary and Key Recommendations; title: II. Methodology; title: III. Background; title: The People's Alliance for Democracy and Anti-Thaksin Movement; title: September 2006 Coup; title: The 2008 Yellow Shirt Protests; title: The 2009 Red Shirt Protests; title: IV. The Red Shirt Movement; title: Red Shirt schools and preparation for 2010; title: Forming the Red Shirt Guards; title: The "Black Shirts"; title: V. Bangkok's Descent into Chaos; title: Start of the "Million Man March"; title: The April 7-9 Confrontations; title: The April 10 Clashes; title: April 16 Attempt to Arrest UDD Leaders; title: The April 21-22 Confrontations at the Saladaeng Junction; title: The April Raids on Chulalongkorn Hospital; title: VI. Deadly Days of May: Breakdown of Negotiations and "Live-Fire" Zones; title: Role of Maj. Gen. Khattiya Sawasdipol; title: "Live-Fire Zones"; title: VII. The Final Assault: May 19; title: The Army Assault; title: UDD Leadership Surrenders and Arson Attacks; title: Deaths at Wat Phatum Wanaram; title: VIII. Protests and Violence Outside Bangkok; title: Ubon Ratchatani; title: Udonthani; title: Khon Kaen; title: IX. Aftermath: Arbitrary Detention and Surveillance; title: Arbitrary Arrests and Detention; title: Ill-Treatment of Detainees; title: Surveillance and Harassment in the Provinces; title: X. Rolling Censorship of the UDD; title: Lese Majeste Charges; title: Censorship of Community Radio; title: Censorship of Publications; title: XI. Recommendations; title: To the Government of Thailand; title: To Leaders of the UDD, PAD, and Other Opposition Political Groups and Political Parties; title: To Foreign Governments and Intergovernmental Institutions, including the UN Human Rights Council; title: Acknowledgements; title: Appendix: Timeline of Thai Political History through the Election of Thaksin Shinawatra.