There was a sense yesterday late afternoon that something could move to unlock the situation in which Bangkok’s city center has been plunged for over five weeks by Red Shirts’ protesters. SMS started to come on mobile phones warning of a closure of the Skytrain system from 6:00 pm and about the possible disconnection of cell phone transmissions. Then another SMS from news services announced that the government would deploy over 50 armored vehicles to fully isolate the Rachaprasong/Lumpini Park area.
As all these messages seemed to prevent an imminent attack of the Red Shirts camp by the Thai Army, most offices in the area closed early, while shops lowered their curtains around 6:00 pm. At 7:00 pm, the Silom/Rachaprasong area up to Suan Lum Night Bazaar or Ploenchit areas were deserted. Bangkok was bracing for another quiet evening. Shooting followed during the next 30 minutes, wounding up to 10 persons, including military Red Shirt advisor Saeh Deng.