Violence in Bangkok between security forces and “red shirt” protesters left 54 dead over May. Months-long stand-off continued despite PM Abhisit’s 3 May offer of early elections, later withdrawn. Pro-“red shirt” army general Khattiya Sawasdipol shot 13 May. Soldiers raided “red-shirt” encampment 14-19 May, fired live rounds. Majority of protesters surrendered 19 May and camp disbanded as several buildings, including stock exchange, damaged by protesters. Govt 19 May imposed curfew in Bangkok and 23 other provinces; curfew lifted 29 May but state of emergency remains. Thai court 25 May approved arrest warrant for former PM Thaksin on “terrorism charges” linked to unrest; Thaksin denied fomenting violence. Opposition MPs 25 May began process to impeach PM Abhisit. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay 31 May called for investigation into violence. In restive south, 2 bombs exploded 26 May in Yala killing 2 and injuring 55.

Worst violence in capital in 18 years. 25 killed, hundreds injured during govt attempts to remove opposition “red shirt” protestors (a group of mostly rural and urban poor including many supporters of former PM Thaksin) from central Bangkok 10 Apr. Followed month of protests. PM Abhisit 7 Apr declared state of emergency after “red shirts” briefly stormed parliament. Govt moved hundreds of soldiers into Bangkok business district 19 Apr, 25 Apr threatened to retake “red shirt” areas. 1 killed, 85 wounded in 22 Apr grenade attacks; govt blamed protestors; “red shirts” denied involvement. “Red shirts” 23 Apr called for parliament to be dissolved within 30 days; 25 Apr blocked roads leading to Bangkok. 1 soldier dead, 18 people wounded in 28 Apr clash. Abhisit earlier replaced Deputy PM Suthep with Army Chief Gen Anupong Paojinda as head of security operations after failure to arrest key protest heads. Govt under increased pressure after Election Commission 12 Apr recommended ruling Democrat Party be dissolved over allegations it received illegal donations. Army chief Anupong Paojinda 12 Apr said “red shirt” problem would be resolved when parliament dissolved. Thai, Cambodian troops briefly exchanged fire along border; no casualties reported. 1 policeman killed, dozens injured in 21 Apr attack in Pattani in restive South; 6 killed in separate attacks.

Protests by opposition “red shirt” supporters of former PM Thaksin began 14 March with reported 100,000 marching in Bangkok demanding resignation of PM Abhisit’s govt and new polls. Smaller protests continued mid-late month. 28, 29 March televised talks between Abhisit and protest representatives ended in stalemate; protestors 30 March said not interested in further talks. Several small bomb explosions outside banks, govt ministries. Ahead of protests, govt 9 March imposed Internal Security Act (ISA), 11 March began deploying 50,000 troops in Bangkok. Govt extended ISA 23 March; opposition lawmakers 24 March boycotted parliament in protest. Violence continued in restive South: 3 people shot dead by suspected insurgents 11 March.

Supreme Court 26 Feb seized US$1.4bn of US$2.3bn in assets belonging to former PM Thaksin frozen after 2006 coup; court accused Thaksin of abusing power while PM to benefit his companies. 2 grenades exploded in Bangkok 27 Feb; PM Abhisit said “bomb incidents were expected” after verdict. Security beefed up ahead of decision in Bangkok and provinces believed to be strongholds of Thaksin supporters (“red shirts”). Violence and protests ahead of ruling: grenades exploded near govt offices 13 Feb; police defused C-4 bomb at Supreme Court 14 Feb; at least 1,500 pro-Thaksin demonstrators in Bangkok rallied outside Bangkok Bank, blocking traffic on busy business street 19 Feb. Cambodia 15 Feb said it may seek intervention of ICJ or UNSC to settle border dispute with Thailand over land near Preah Vihear temple.

As violence continued in restive South, PM Abhisit visited region 7 Jan, pledged to reduce troop numbers in coming years. Govt 19 Jan approved 3 month renewal of emergency decree in South. 3 Muslims from South sentenced to 10 months prison by Malaysian court early month for illegally entering country; to be tried on explosive possession charges late Feb. Former paramilitary ranger linked to deadly June mosque attack surrendered to police 14 Jan; some reports allege highly-publicised surrender “staged”. King Bhumibol 15 Jan approved cabinet reshuffle prompted by resignation of public health minister and deputy in corruption scandal. Pro-Thaksin “red shirt” protesters planning rally ahead of Supreme Court’s Feb verdict on govt seizure of Thaksin’s assets. Thai, Cambodian soldiers exchanged fire near disputed Preah Vihear temple 24 Jan; no reported casualties.

PM Abhisit and Malaysian PM Najib conducted joint visit to restive South 9 Dec as violence continued, including 5 bombs exploded in Yala and Narathiwat 9 Dec. Najib said insurgency an internal conflict, vowed to help; downplayed his Oct proposal for “some form of autonomy”, told southern Muslims they must be loyal to Thai govt. Thousands of “red shirt” supporters of former PM Thaksin rallied in Bangkok 10 Dec ahead of large protests planned for Jan, calling for new elections. Thaksin returned to Phnom Penh 13 Dec, risking reigniting diplomatic row between Thailand and Cambodia sparked by his Nov visit to take up economic post.

Diplomatic row with Cambodia intensified over former PM Thaksin’s 10-14 Nov visit to Phnom Penh to take up economic adviser post offered by Cambodian PM Hun Sen in Oct. Both countries 5 Nov recalled ambassadors, Cambodia 11 Nov rejected Thai extradition request for Thaksin to face charges over conflict of interest, saying case politically motivated. Thailand 17 Nov said it was reviewing aid program to Cambodia. In 12 Nov speech to supporters in Phnom Penh Thaksin criticised Thai govt’s policy towards Cambodia. 12 injured by small explosion at anti-Thaksin “yellow shirt” protest in Bangkok 15 Nov. Large Thaksin supporter “red shirt” rallies planned 28 Nov postponed after govt declared it would enforce Internal Security Act. PM Abhisit cancelled 29 Nov trip to proThaksin stronghold Chiang Mai, citing security concerns. Violence continued in south; security forces killed 6 suspected insurgents 17 Nov; 3 civilians shot dead by suspected insurgents 30 Nov. Opposition Puea Thai party chairman Chavalit 2 Nov suggested establishing autonomous region in southern border provinces; Abhisit rejected proposal, said govt favoured increasing people’s participation rather than new administrative structure. Proposal followed late-Oct suggestion by Malaysian PM to give degree of autonomy to South to resolve insurgency.

Estimated 26,000 “red shirt” supporters of former PM Thaksin rallied in Bangkok 19 Sept to mark 3rd anniversary of his overthrow. Speaking to crowd by radio, Thaksin said Thailand becoming failed state; 6,000 police, army deployed, no reports of clashes. Army 18 Sept ruled out possibility of new coup. Dozens injured 19 Sept in northeastern Si Sa Ket province in clashes between villagers and 4,000 anti-Thaksin “yellow shirts” rallying at Preah Vihear temple, site of border dispute with Cambodia; state of emergency declared in Kantharalak district, riot police sent in. Cambodian PM Hun Sen 28 Sept said any Thais illegally crossing border would be shot. National Counter Corruption Commission 7 Sept said former PM Wongsawat and police Gen Wongsuwan criminally negligent in Oct 2008 crackdown of anti-Thaksin protesters. Violence continued in south: 11 killed, 20 wounded in shootings, bombings, military raids 2-3 Sept; 1 policeman killed, 12 civilians wounded by bomb in Yala 4 Sept; several soldiers, civilians killed in shootings, bombings across deep south over month. King Bhumibol hospitalised 19 Sept with fever, fatigue.

“Red shirt” supporters of former PM Thaksin 17 Aug submitted petition to King Bhumibol signed by some 3.5m Thais seeking royal pardon for Thaksin; King 23 Aug made call for national unity. Govt 25 Aug passed temporary security law allowing for use of military to control planned 30 Aug “red shirt” rally calling for resignation of PM Abhisit; rally subsequently postponed. In south, military 10 Aug lifted 2-year curfew in 2 districts in Yala citing improved situation. Govt 18 Aug submitted bill to parliament that, if passed, would allow civilian-led Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre to operate independently from military-controlled Internal Security Operations Command. Ongoing violence in south included 42 people wounded by bomb blast outside restaurant in Narathiwat province 25 Aug; 3 village defence corps killed by roadside bomb in Yala province 22 Aug; several soldiers, civilians killed over month.