Attacks appear to have been planned

Allegations that the attacks on anti-Thaksin demonstrators at Bangkok's Central World shopping complex were an organised effort gained some currency yesterday after it was discovered by The Nation that a number of the attackers wore brand new white sports shoes and white wristbands in an apparent effort to distinguish themselves from others.


The photos on the far left show a group of young men stomping on Itthiphon Sorawitsakul, 70, until he fell unconscious. He received two stitches and a broken nose. Itthiphon remains in hospital awaiting a brain scan.

Near left, Kwanchai Juimanee, 30, a Thaksin supporter, is being assisted by friends after he fell on his face amid the chaos. He suffered a wound to his left eye and bruising to the head.

Two men, initially thought to be plainclothes police officers, were the subject of intense speculation yesterday for their attacks on the anti-Thaksin demonstrators. They also assisted police to pin down the demonstrators. Television footage showed a man in a black jacket putting Ritthirong Likhitprasertkul, 68, an anti-Thaksin demonstrator, in a headlock and punching him repeatedly as he dragged him to a police car with the help of police officers.

The same man, left, was also seen on television putting a headlock on anti-Thaksin demonstrator Vichai Uasilaphan, 53, and slapping him as he was forcibly dragged to a police car.
The second mystery man, with short hair and peach shirt, left, was thought to be a plainclothes police officer because of the way he behaved. He was captured on camera stomping Itthiphon. He was seen assisting the police and the man in the black jacket in detaining anti-Thaksin demonstrators and dragging them to police cars.

the nation