Liveblog feed from Bangkok

If you're following things over in Bangkok, this liveblog is worth checking in on.

What follows below is an example of the content coming through this site.

UPDATE: 7:59: A message from a well-respected Thai journalist:

I've talked with Naruemon Tabchumphon, behind-the-scene mediator from Chulalongkorn University, she asked me to convey an open-urgent message to the red-shirt leaders at Rajprasong to turn themselves to the authority in order to save lives as the dispersal has begun. "Their status will then change to like protagonists like Gandhi," she said at 7.40am, May 19.

BP: Not sure that posting this will help get the message to some red shirts, but well not much one can do.

UPDATE: 7:48: From Alistair Leithead of BBC who is on the ground within the protest zone tweets:

At least one injured protester here just taken off in makeshift ambulance behind barricades up from Silom. Troops moving in Lumpini.

UPDATE: 7:45: AP:

Thai troops have opened fire at a fortified encampment of anti-government protesters in central Bangkok.

Associated Press reporters saw the troops positioned on an overpass overlooking the encampment firing automatic rifles sporadically at the encampment Wednesday. There was no sustained shooting.

Some troops were also seen crouching on the elevated tracks of a light rail system that runs over the encampment.

The firing came after a large number of troops and armored carriers gathered at the edges of the encampment at daybreak amid reports of a final assault on the camp the protesters have occupied for weeks.
...
"This is D-Day," said one soldier when asked if this was the final push

BP:

UPDATE: 7:30: Seh U/Gen Lertlad, Appointed Senator & was acting as mediator last night, is interviewed on Ch 3. He estimates 100 dead; 1000+ injuries if military goes in with brute force. He says he is also worried of what will happen upcountry if brute force is used and is of the view that things could get out of control very quickly. He said he has been getting phonecalls all morning from friends in the military who want him to try to stop the crackdown.


UDPATE: 7:13: From Reuters live blog:

Thai troops fear tear gas at entrance to protest encampment near Bangkok's business district, according to Reuters witnesses

UPDATE: 7:05: ThaiPBS channel is showing smoke throughout Bangkok from burning tires

UPDATE: 6:55: Reuters have a live blog and it is being regularly updated. The military have yet to go in.

UPDATE: 6:35: AFP telephone Col. Sansern to ask what is happening. The answer "I will not answer any questions,"

UPDATE: 6:20: ThaiPBS reporter states at Sala Daeng hearing a military loud speaker as giving reds 15 minutes to leave...

UPDATE: 5:25: Matichon reports that Chami S, a list Democrat MP and head of the Democrats War Room, as stating that the 35 deaths so far is quite low and is viewed that the government has the advantage because it is just soliders entering the fringe of the protest area where the protesters hae weapons and are firing on soldiers