Hardcore reds took out troops' commanders

After the violence on Saturday night, at the latest count, 21 people have died, five of whom were soldiers and 14 ordinary folks, including a Japanese photographer working for Thompson Reuters. There are about 850 injured in 16 hospitals in Bangkok, 30 soldiers are in critical condition.
The government soldiers suffered heavy casualties. The army chief-of-staff from the Second Infantry Regiment was killed by a gunshot to the head and the chief of the Second Infantry Regiment was seriously wounded. His legs were hit by an M79 grenade. Other key commanders also sustained wounds.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva finally decided to act against the escalating violence by the red shirts by trying to enforce the emergency decree. But he lacked experience and tactical support from those responsible for implementing the Emergency Command Centre at the 11th Infantry Regiment. They all underestimated the resilience of the red shirts, fully armed and capable of a fierce fight.
The soldiers dispatched to quash the red shirts at Phan Fa Bridge in the afternoon of Saturday were not only outnumbered by the red shirts, they had to operate under the strict rules of the emergency decree. They could only use teargas, water cannons, batons, shields and plastic bullets against the protesters. Abhisit had insisted that the soldiers could use real bullets only at critical moments when they had to protect their own lives. But the key fighters of the red shirts were armed with M16 rifles, M79 grenade launchers and other military weapons. Rajdamnoen Avenue turned into a war zone. The less equipped government soldiers on Rajdamnoen were destined for a rout.
The government decided to call off the military operation. The soldiers were fighting a losing battle. Abhisit wanted to give both sides a cooling-off break and have them lay down their weapons and examine the loss of lives and injuries.
Further negotiations look difficult because the red shirts have resorted to armed struggle and resistance on a mass scale. Pressure is building on Abhisit for having miscalculated the red shirts' counterattack capability. The emergency operation to reclaim Phan Fa Bridge turned into a total defeat. The red shirts clearly hold the upper hand.
Abhisit has expressed his regret at the human toll and the huge number of injuries. But the premier intends to restore law and order to the capital. Now we are wondering how this crisis will end.
This is from http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/04/12/opinion/