Uprising in Bangkok, Thailand - May 1992

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Popular revolt against the government of un-elected military strongman Gen. Suchinda Kraprayoon. Hundreds of thousands gather on Sunday, May 17, 1992, at Sanam Luang. Grand Palace in the background.

As the day grows dark, folk rocker "songs for life" frontman Ad Carabao performs for the protestors at Sanam Luang.

After the peaceful gathering, tens of thousands march toward Government House, only to be confronted by riot police at the halfway point, Pan Fah Bridge.

Opposition leader Chamlong Srimuang appeals for calm.

Mayhem and violence erupt over the next several hours.

Somehow, this guy acquires a riot-police helmet and standard-issue wicker shield during the melee.

Police and other government vehicles are targeted.

Just 10 feet from me, a policeman smashes a brick against this guy's face. His crime? He came to retrieve his motorcycle from behind police lines.

Protestors commandeer a firetruck from nearby station and coast it towards police lines. Police gather and charge back.

The people score another point.

By 2am of the 18th, with word of large army units approaching, this anything-but-intrepid photographer has seen enough and heads home to clean up, cool off, and sleep.

I sit it out at a safe distance that day as the Army, under the command of coup leader Gen Suchinda’s brother-in-law, Gen Issarapong Noonpakdi, kills nearly a hundred of the demonstrators, injures several hundred, and carts off thousands more. The following morning I sneak back into the now cordoned off Sanam Luang and Ratchadamnoern Road area and survey the aftermath.

A block away from Pan Fah Bridge, Nang Lerng Police Station was gutted by the mobs in the early hours of May 18.

Another tempting target, the Revenue Building, between Sanam Luang and Khao San Road.

Soldiers fired on this bus when protesters, some of whom were on the roof, attempted to drive it into army positions near the Royal Hotel on Ratchadamnoern Road. I saw no blood inside.

Ratchadamnoern Road

Manning the perimeters during the three-day operation, soldiers keep protesters and onlookers out of the central area.

“Suchinda the dog” (in Thai). Graffiti is rare in Thailand, especially this sort of thing. All graffiti, and all burned-out vehicles, were removed before the public regained access to the area a couple days later.

Krungthep (Bangkok), City of Angels (fallen). Democracy Monument is in the distance.

On May 20, King Bhumibol Adulyadej intervenes. Suchinda and Chamlong, leader of the Palangdharma Party, are called on the royal carpet.

Editorial staff of daily newspaper The Nation watch as the King works his magic on live TV (belatedly, in the opinion of many). Suchinda resigns four days later.

(Nation chief editor Thepchai Yong, white shirt, in foreground.)