"FreakingCat", reporting from the barricades journalists steer clear of

18/05/2010 / Thailand

"FreakingCat", reporting from the barricades journalists steer clear of

"From the barricade under the Expressway Khlong Toei". Photo by FreakingCat.

The current climate in central Bangkok has made it one of the most dangerous places for journalists to work after three reporters were shot on Friday. While increasingly fewer of them risk getting close to the violence, some "citizen journalists", like our Observer "FreakingCat", continue to report from the front line.

Thirty-eight people have been killed and 279 injured as Bangkok enters it sixth day of bloody clashes. While the Thai government tries in vain to dislodge the 5,000 anti-government Red Shirts from a barricaded base in the centre of Bangkok, the district has been brought to a standstill. The fighting between the protestors and the army has closed shops, brought commuter train services to a halt, and seen three buildings gutted by fire.

Professional journalists took a step back from the clashes after three members of the press were shot on Friday 14, including one France 24 journalist who remains in hospital after receiving three bullets.

Some unpaid, non-professional and unprotected "citizen journalists" however, continue to get as close as possible to the action.

Contributors

FreakingCat

“I get closer to the violence than professional journalists because I’m less conspicuous”

"FreakingCat" is a 38-year-old business owner who has been documenting the clashes on Rama 4 street with his iPhone and pocket digital camera. A European expat, he's been living in Bangkok for six years.

When the fighting started outside my door, I was so shocked, I wanted to show people what was going on. I went out and spoke a bit of Thai to the Red Shirts outside. They seemed to accept me, so I started filming. I caught the first shot fired on Rama 4 and posted the footage on YouTube. That was just the start. Before this happened, I didn't even have a Twitter account; now I have 450 followers.

I don't mark myself as press because I'm not press. I think that I get closer to the violence than professional journalists anyway because I'm less conspicuous. I speak a bit of Thai, I don't wear a bulletproof vest and I don't run to film anything. I just keep quiet and look non-threatening.

Most of the journalists here have given up reporting from behind the barricades anyway because it's too risky. There are only a few Japanese and a few American journalists who'll do it.

I do think I'm making a difference because, before I posted any videos, people were saying on Facebook that the Red Shirts were unarmed and peaceful, which was simply not true. Now people can see the situation from both sides. The exposure makes it worth risking your life for, especially when you see one of your videos on Danish TV!

However, it also means that both the Red and the Yellow Shirts are each using the videos that are useful to them as propaganda. On Monday I filmed a baby who had been placed on the Reds' barricade. The video was aired in a government announcement by the CRES [a unit set up specifically to deal with the crisis].

I'm not worried about getting shot but at the same time, I'm cautious. I wear my motorbike crash helmet; which is perhaps a bit naïve but better than nothing. I don't go out after dark and I get down on the floor as soon as the army starts shooting. I didn't go out on Monday night because the locals told me it was too dangerous; the army had started using M-16 rifles.

What's more scary for me is if the Red Shirts realise I'm criticising them. They'd kill me. A few days ago one of the Red Shirts ‘heroes' snatched my iPhone off me. But then he smiled and said he wanted to take a photo of me. I've already had a death threat on Facebook from one woman who doesn't like me. But I just can't sit at home doing nothing."

FreakingCat

FreakingCat at work

Heavy gunfire at Rama 4 near Lumphini park. Filmed on May 13.

Smiling boy returning from the front line at Rama 4, Bon Kai, 17 May.

Red Shirts deliver more tyres by motorbike to the already huge fire in front of the Lumpini Tower, Rama 4, 14:15 on 17 May.

From the big red barricade under the Expressway Khlong Toei, 17 May.

Rama 4 Expressway exit at Khlong Toei 12:30pm, 17 May.

"Red" boy working as traffic guard at Rama 4 Khlong Toei, 17 May.

The tyre barricade at the Rama 4 expressway. Filmed on May 17.

Comments

DSI warns protesters of death penalty

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Wed, 19/05/2010 - 18:46.

DSI warns protesters of death penalty

* Published: 19/05/2010 at 10:58 PM
* Online news: News Updates

People who set fire to public properties could face terrorism charges, and security forces are now allowed to use live ammunition to end the widespread turbulence in the country immediately, Department of Special Investigations director-general Tharit Pengdit said on Wednesday.

The government's Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) has warned that people who are guilty of terrorism charges could face a possible death penalty.

"Security forces have been allowed to use firearm to prevent terrorist acts, and the government would like to warn the ill-intentioned people to stop creating unrest," Mr Tharit said.

He said people who attempted to obstruct authorities from performing their duty could also face a maximum penalty.

"There are groups of people who are burning state offices and public places. The DSI would like to warn these people that they could face a death sentence," the DSI chief warned.

Metropolitan Police deputy speaker Songpol Wattanachai said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjaijva had ordered the police to set up checkpoints in different areas and use absolute measures to prevent terrorist acts and protect people's lives and properties.

He said the police had prepared cars to transport people back to their residences.

http://www.2bangkok.com/

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Wed, 19/05/2010 - 02:50.

http://www.2bangkok.com/

Great to see!

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Wed, 19/05/2010 - 02:12.

Thank you FreakingCat, and thank you France24 for publicizing this brave soul! I'm glad to see that at least one news agency is willing to show things the way they are, and not just take the easy route of assuming that the government is wrong in this situation.

The protesters have tried to manipulate the media throughout this conflict, and some of the other big news agencies fell for it. By showing what is truly going on, it becomes clearer for outsiders to see what this truly is, a group of paid thugs, and some rural mafia that want a mafia leader (Thaksin) back in a position of power so that he can support their actions.

Their pleas that they are victims of a repressive government just don't ring true when you can understand what is being said on their stages, and see the violent attacks that are happening on troops, and regular people (including journalists). The military has been acting defensively until today, only trying to contain the chaos.

Today it seems that the government has finally decided to move forward to end this, as the protesters have taken downtown Bangkok hostage for too long. I look forward to FreakingCat's continued coverage! Be careful FreakingCat!

for PAD

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Wed, 19/05/2010 - 02:25.

to make headlines for the PAD and the dictatorship ;-)

here for PAD :

http://www.bangkokpost.com/
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/index.php

PM Abhisit (an anupong) is a murderer and a liar !

...

Submitted by Chris_mysiam (not verified) on Wed, 19/05/2010 - 01:43.

I've also been in the redshirt camp the last week to give myself an overview, to talk with the people and to take photos. I tought myself sometimes why am I doing this, I see the Reuters and AP guys in full bulletproof vests and myself just walking trough as i would be bulletproof. In fact, the redshirts as same as the army and police were all very nice and friendly. I had never a moment to fear for my life.
My photos are here: http://www.mysiam.at/2010/05/12/unter-den-rothemden-in-bangkok/ and http://www.mysiam.at/2010/05/16/zurueck-unter-den-rothemden/

I pray for Thai people that this conflict will end soon and without more dead people.

http://www.prachatai.org/english/

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Wed, 19/05/2010 - 01:57.

thank you for the pictures.....

everyone is not nice ;-)

it is not nice when you pull with a weapon of war ....

a good site:

http://www.prachatai.org/english/