2010 Thai military crackdown

2010 Thai military crackdown
A makeshift shrine on the spot where a protester was shot
Location	Bangkok, Thailand
Date	April to May 2010
Attack type	Extended large-scale military crackdown
Deaths	87 (79 civilians, 8 soldiers), 51 missing civilians as of 8 June.
Non-fatal injuries	at least 2,100
Perpetrators	Royal Thai Army and associated Royal Thai Government security forces

On 10 April and 13–19 May 2010, the Thai military cracked down on the National United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) protests in central Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. The crackdown was the culmination of months of protests that called for the Democrat Party-led government of Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve parliament and hold elections. The crackdowns occurred in the vicinity of protest sites near Phan Fah bridge and Ratchaprasong intersection. More than 85 were killed, including more than 80 civilians according to the Erawan EMS Center. Two foreigners and two paramedics were killed. More than 2,000 were injured, an undisclosed number of arrests occurred, and 51 protesters remained missing as of 8 June. The Thai media dubbed the crackdowns "Cruel April" (Thai: เมษาโหด Mesa Hot) and "Savage May" (Thai: พฤษภาอำมหิต Phruetsapha Ammahit). After the protest leaders surrendered at the conclusion of the 19 May crackdown, dozens of arson attacks occurred nationwide, including at CentralWorld.

On 10 April, troops executed an unsuccessful crackdown on protesters at Phan Fah bridge on Ratchadamnoen Road, resulting in 25 deaths (including one Japanese journalist and 5 uniformed soldiers) and over 800 injuries. Troops fired on protesters near Makhawan Rangsan bridge during the afternoon. Later that evening, automatic gunfire, explosives, and tear gas were used in clashes on Khao San Road and Khok Wua intersection. The Erawan Center noted that among the dead protesters were soldiers in disguise. The military claimed that soldiers only used live rounds to defend themselves, and claimed that the military deaths were due to terrorists.