Durban II Anti-Racism Conference

The United Nations Durban II anti-racism conference in Geneva, hit snags early on due to an anti-Israel tirade by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the subsequent walk-out of Western envoys in protest.

Nobel peace laureate Elie Wiesel (L) stands among Israel sympathizers and demonstrators at the entrance of the press room after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad delivered his speech during the opening of a five day UN review conference on racism on April 20, 2009 at the UN Offices in Geneva.

UN security officers arrest a demonstrator who threw a clown's false nose at Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during his speech during the opening of the Durban Review Conference (UN's Conference against Racism) at the European headquarters of the United Nations, in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, April 20, 2009.

A demonstrator is expelled at the UN review conference prior to a speech by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Wearing red noses and colourful headgear, the demonstrators were hustled out of the Durban Review Conference minutes before the Iranian leader denounced Israel as racist. The French Union of Jewish Students claimed responsibility for the incident, in a statement that denounced the five-day conference as a 'masquerade.'

Israel sympathizers and demonstrators hold papers at the entrance of the press room after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad delivered his speech during the opening of a five day UN review conference on racism on April 20, 2009 at the UN Offices in Geneva.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad waves next to Ali Reza, head of Iran's mission to the United Nations, after a bilateral meeting with Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations on the sideline of the Durban Review Conference at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, April 20, 2009. The Conference will evaluate progress towards the goals set by the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in Durban, South Africa, in 2001.

A photographer takes a picture of the empty seats of the Israeli delegation during the Durban review Conference.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon delivers his speech during the opening of the Durban review Conference (Durban II) at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva.

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, South African Navanethem Pillay, delivers her speech during the opening of Durban.

The empty seats of the U.S. delegation are pictured during the Durban review Conference.

A general view of the assembly hall during the opening of the Durban.

President Barack Obama meets with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in the White House on March 10, 2009. President Obama decided the US should boycott the Durban Conference explaining participation would have been "putting our imprimatur on something that we just don't believe."

free hit counters

Thailand in Turmoil Part 4

Thai soldiers fire rifles in the air to disperse anti-government protesters as they clear an intersection in downtown Bangkok Thailand Monday, April 13, 2009.

Thai soldiers detain an anti-government protestor following a clash in down town Bangkok.

Residents arm themselves against supporters of ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in Bangkok April 13, 2009. Thai troops fired at crowds of anti-government protesters in central Bangkok on Monday and demonstrators fought back with firebombs and rocks, propelling Thailand deeper into political crisis.

A supporter of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is assisted by medical workers after troops fired in the air in Bangkok April 13, 2009.

A supporter of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra waves a national flag in front of a torched bus during a protest.

Armed troops look up as they clear a road blocked by supporters.

Thai soldiers form up line while dispersing anti-government protesters during a protest on the street.

Thai firefighters control fire on a bus after anti-government protesters and supporters set up the roadblock and set up fire on the bus during a protest on the road.

Thai troops fired assault rifles at crowds of anti-government protesters in downtown Bangkok.

Thai soldiers face off against anti-government demonstrators.

Medical workers transport an injured supporter.

Thai soldiers put out a fire during a standoff with anti-government near downtown Monday, April 13, 2009, in Bangkok. Thai authorities have declared a state of emergency shutting down rail service as soldiers continue to battle against anti-government demonstrators

Thai soldiers face off with anti-government protestors near downtown.

A supporter is holding a weapon, takes cover under an elevated road in Bangkok.

Supporters burn tyres during a protest.

Supporters burn tyres during a protest.

Thai soldiers point to protesters who threw fire bomb to them after the troops cleared an intersection in downtown.

Thai soldiers load their guns with bullets while confronting anti-government protesters and supporters.

An anti-government protester and supporter, facing camera, pleas to Thai soldiers to stop shooting during a protest on the street, April 13, 2009. Thai soldiers sprayed automatic weapons fire and threw tear gas to clear anti-government protesters from a major intersection in the capital in the pre-dawn darkness Monday.

7 year old boy Apple Rozas, from Britain, poses with a water gun for his father, in front of Thai soldiers after they cleared an intersection, in Bangkok.

Dad... your son's photo...!!

free hit counters

Thailand in Turmoil Part 3

NO Violence On Us Please!!

Map of Thailand locating latest political protests. Thai troops fired tear gas and shots in the air to disperse anti-government protesters in Bangkok, wounding 74 people amid a crackdown to enforce a state of emergency in the capital.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva (centre) at the foreign ministry in Bangkok.

A Thai woman supporter of ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra kneels in front of Thai army soldiers in Bangkok on April 13, 2009. Thai troops unleashed volleys of gunfire in street battles with anti-government protesters across Bangkok Monday, forcing them back to their main rallying site in a final push to end days of turmoil.


An anti-government protesters cry while pleading with soldiers not to use violence against them outside the Government House in Bangkok.

A demonstrator calling for a stop to violence between government troops and supporters.

Anti-government protesters and supporters hold a picture of Thai King as they plead to soldiers not to use violence against them outside Government House Thailand.

A demonstrator holding a portrait of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej and other demonstrators call for a stop to violence between government troops and supporters of ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in Bangkok April 13, 2009.

A rose is placed on a soldier's backpack while troops clear a road blocked by supporters.

Timeline shows key events in Thailand.

free hit counters

Thailand in Turmoil (Part 2)

Latest update/information for

Malaysian

Malaysians in Thailand are safe and have no problem leaving the country as the airport is open. (announcement from Malaysia Embassy in Bangkok as at now, 21:45Hrs - 13th April 2009, +7GMT)

24-hour hotline

(Malaysia Embassy, Bangkok)

+66-2629-6808

Malaysian Airlines (MAS) offices in Bangkok

+66-2134-3180

and Phuket

+66-7632-7097

Thai soldiers watch for anti-government demonstrators as they clear an intersection early Monday (13th April, 2009) in Bangkok, Thailand. Thai soldiers unleashed hundreds of rounds of automatic weapons fire to clear rock-throwing anti-government protesters from a major intersection in the capital in the pre-dawn darkness Monday.

Red-shirted anti-government protesters and supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra pull Niphon Promphan, secretary of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva (centre), out of his car after attacking him at Interior Ministry in Bangkok.

Anti-government demonstrators cheer after taking over a Thai Army armored personnel carrier.


Red-shirted anti-government protesters and supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra circle to attack the car of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva as Abhisit's security guards (in black jackets) try in vain to stop them.



An anti-government protester and supporter (right) knees down to plea for armed Thai soldiers not to use violence against protesters on the street near government house in Bangkok.


Anti-government demonstrators try to block a military vehicle near the Foreign Ministry.

Anti-government demonstrators capture a Thai Army armored personnel carrier near the Foreign Ministry.

Anti-government demonstrators cheer after taking over a Thai Army armored personnel carrier.

Anti-government protesters and supporters display a gun to symbolize they will defend themselves during a rally outside the government house after the announcement of a state of emergency in Bangkok.

Anti-government protesters and supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra fill up the street during a protest outside the government house in Bangkok, last Saturday (11th April, 2009).

Soldiers drive their tanks on the road in Bangkok. Thailand's embattled government, humiliated by demonstrators, declared a state of emergency in the capital Sunday in an attempt to stem the tide of protest across the country.

Anti-government protesters and supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra react to the speech of Thaksin who addresses the crowd via telephone from an undisclose location during a protest outside the government house in Bangkok.

Thai soldiers watch for anti-government snipers as they clear an intersection early Monday in downtown Bangkok.

free hit counters