Photo Journal of Bangkok Clashes with Police / Military

When I walked down stairs this morning, this was the view I had from standing out in front of my apartment

As you can see the police and military have the red shirts held north of Soi 2.  The Ratchadamri BTS is to the immediate left of the soi.

Red shirts begin to clash with police.  Nothing too serious.  Mostly a lot of pushing and shoving and both sides trying to de-esculate the situation.  

During one of the lulls in the confrontation.  

Red shirts eventually push the police and military back south of Soi 2 right about where the Ratchadamri BTS is.

The police seem to lose control of their own vehicles during the standoff.

Police don’t seem to be able to hold the line and red shirts frequently mingle in and out of the police ranks.

Surrounded on all sides and with the reds occupying the BTS station (the high ground) the military decides to withdraw.  

The big boss assessing the situation

Military troops protect the boss’ withdrawal

Riot police stand on the sidelines and watch the military withdraw.

Some police chat, laugh, and take photos with red shirts

The looks on the troops faces pretty much say it all.

Retreating soldiers are offered water 

Red shirt guards provide security for . . . the military

The red shirts declare victory

Shortly after, according to the Bangkok Post, they marched the soldiers to Lumpini Park where the protesters locked the gates to the park thus trapping the soldiers as well as everyone else who was in the park at the time.  

UPDATE: A friend of mine says he was at Lumpini Park and the soldiers were not locked in the park. I only followed the crowds past the US ambassador’s residence and not all of the way to Lumpini which is why I prefaced that last part with “according to the Bangkok Post.”