10,000 Police, Soldiers, Security Officials Deployed To Keep Security At Government House

[Jai Dee]

Metropolitan Police Chief affirmed the police could handle the rally

Metropolitan Police Chief affirmed the police could adequately cope with the red shirt groups’ rally and would give a special watch to disturbances caused by a third hand.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Worapong Chiewpreecha assured the police could keep the gathering of the red-shirted protesters in control. He revealed that no report of protesters’ bringing of weapons and drugs was made from 200 examination spots across Bangkok.

Police Lieutenant General Worapong affirmed the police would not block upcountry protesters and the examination spots were only for security and the prevention of a third hand's intervention.

He anticipated that the most gathering would be seen during 17.00 - 20.00 hours. The police would control the situation to the best of its ability but would not block Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra’s phone-in which would be recorded by the legislative section.

He added that he had instructed the security control officers not to confront with the demonstrators and would hand out 20,000 leaflets to protesters in order to call for a peaceful and lawful rally.

Because of the rally, the traffic on Luk Luang Road has been blocked while others remain in normal use.

Source: National News Bureau of Thailand - 26 March 2009

[samgrowth]

Nobody give a darn about tonight protest. Getting 2,000 Baht from Mark to go shopping inside airconditioned mall (or buy stock), is better than getting 200 Baht from Thaksin to stand under the sun.

Thai stock market shoot up more than 5 poinst already. Do you think it is the 2,000 Baht cheque that drives up the market? For me, I better take profit just incase.

[wefearourdespot]

I recalled on a PAD demonstration, while it happened (not a forecast) the numbers ranged from 5.000 to 550.000 people.

Everyone is lying methinks...

Yeah they both lied, as PAD thugs crowd never exceeded 2,500

[wefearourdespot]

Thai stock market shoot up more than 5 poinst already. Do you think it is the 2,000 Baht cheque that drives up the market?

No I think the 156 points gained by Nikkey played a more important role than that

[george]

Protesters block military truck from supplying lunch to soldiers in Government House

BANGKOK: -- Red-shirted protesters blocked a military truck from entering the Government House compound to supply lunch to soldiers deployed to keep security inside the Government House.

The protesters blocked the truck at 3 pm.

They shouted that the soldiers should be let to starve inside the compound.

The protesters cheered when the truck backed off.

-- The Nation 2009-03-26

[george]

Protesters remove containers, dump them into canal

BANGKOK: -- Red-shirted protesters have removed five containers that blocked the road along the Prem Prachakorn Canal outside the Government House.

Natthawut Saikua ordered a protester to man a crane truck to remove the containers from the road at 3 pm. The containers were dumped into the canal.

-- The Nation 2009-03-26

[wefearourdespot]

Nobody give a darn about tonight protest. Getting 2,000 Baht from Mark to go shopping inside airconditioned mall (or buy stock), is better than getting 200 Baht from Thaksin to stand under the sun.

Farmers aren't getting a satang as they are not in social security. Only the middle class who voted for the Democrats is getting the 2.000 baht loot cut.Far from being a stimulus,it was just another punitive and vindictive move of this illegal government against Thai people.

[h90]

I recalled on a PAD demonstration, while it happened (not a forecast) the numbers ranged from 5.000 to 550.000 people.

Everyone is lying methinks...

Yeah they both lied, as PAD thugs crowd never exceeded 2,500

Don't be silly, I have been there several times, and several times there were for sure x0.000 people.

[jbowman1993]

The BKK Post reported that the noon starting time for the Red Shirt march was delayed because "Mr Jatuporn said many supporters were probably spending the morning collecting their 2,000 baht gift cheques from the government and needed the extra time to gather at Sanam Luang."

So the red shirts, who want to bring down the government, can't attend the rally, because they are going to get their 2000 baht handout from the government that they don't support...

:D :D :jerk:

Anyone care to discuss the high and mighty principals of this "Political movement" again?

[wefearourdespot]

I recalled on a PAD demonstration, while it happened (not a forecast) the numbers ranged from 5.000 to 550.000 people.

Everyone is lying methinks...

Yeah they both lied, as PAD thugs crowd never exceeded 2,500

Don't be silly, I have been there several times, and several times there were for sure x0.000 people.

I had no doubt on that

[wefearourdespot]

The BKK Post reported that the noon starting time for the Red Shirt march was delayed because "Mr Jatuporn said many supporters were probably spending the morning collecting their 2,000 baht gift cheques from the government and needed the extra time to gather at Sanam Luang."

So the red shirts, who want to bring down the government, can't attend the rally, because they are going to get their 2000 baht handout from the government that they don't support...

:jerk:

Anyone care to discuss the high and mighty principals of this "Political movement" again?

Do you still believe anything the Bangkok Bullshit writes ?

[h90]

The BKK Post reported that the noon starting time for the Red Shirt march was delayed because "Mr Jatuporn said many supporters were probably spending the morning collecting their 2,000 baht gift cheques from the government and needed the extra time to gather at Sanam Luang."

So the red shirts, who want to bring down the government, can't attend the rally, because they are going to get their 2000 baht handout from the government that they don't support...

:D :D :jerk:

Anyone care to discuss the high and mighty principals of this "Political movement" again?

I am sure they only took the money to donate it to the red movement..... :burp:

[jbowman1993]

The BKK Post reported that the noon starting time for the Red Shirt march was delayed because "Mr Jatuporn said many supporters were probably spending the morning collecting their 2,000 baht gift cheques from the government and needed the extra time to gather at Sanam Luang."

So the red shirts, who want to bring down the government, can't attend the rally, because they are going to get their 2000 baht handout from the government that they don't support...

:jerk:

Anyone care to discuss the high and mighty principals of this "Political movement" again?

Do you still believe anything the Bangkok Bullshit writes ?

LOL Blame the newspaper - such a joke

[Jai Dee]

UDD use crane to remove obstacles set up by authorities

The United Democratic Front Against Dictatorship (UDD) has utilized a crane to life away storage containers authorities put in place to restrict their movements, dropping the containers into near by Prem Prachakorn Canal.

Reports from the Government House have indicated that UDD members, led by Nuttawut Saikua employed the use of 2 large cranes to move containers authorities placed near the Orathai bridge to restrict their movements in the area. The cranes lifted the containers and dropped them into the Premprachakorn Canal.

Demonstrators also wheeled out 4 detainment trucks parked in the Government House to barricade certain portions of the compound. Despite the events not being particularly forceful or violent, employees of the Government House were allowed to leave at 2 PM.

Source: National News Bureau of Thailand - 26 March 2009

[Jai Dee]

UDD have surrounded Government House

The United Democratic Front Against Dictatorship has surrounded all 4 sides of the Government House.

Reports from within the Government House complex indicated that at 3 PM today the UDD protest group successfully cleared away all obstacles and barricades set up by authorities to safeguard the Government House and have completed a seizure of the compound's perimeter.

No indication that any demonstrators have entered the Government House have been relayed, but reports confirm that UDD members have surrounded the compound.

Source: National News Bureau of Thailand - 26 March 2009

[Insight]

Given the container throwing and antagonizing of soldiers that appears to be going on down there, think it would be very wise for normal folk to avoid the area like the plague.

[Moonrakers]

The BKK Post reported that the noon starting time for the Red Shirt march was delayed because "Mr Jatuporn said many supporters were probably spending the morning collecting their 2,000 baht gift cheques from the government and needed the extra time to gather at Sanam Luang."

So the red shirts, who want to bring down the government, can't attend the rally, because they are going to get their 2000 baht handout from the government that they don't support...

:jerk:

Anyone care to discuss the high and mighty principals of this "Political movement" again?

Do you still believe anything the Bangkok Bullshit writes ?

LOL Blame the newspaper - such a joke

True or not, the irony is poetic.

[Jai Dee]

Protesters block military truck from supplying lunch to soldiers in Government House

Red-shirted protesters blocked a military truck from entering the Government House compound to supply lunch to soldiers deployed to keep security inside the Government House.

The protesters blocked the truck at 3 pm.

They shouted that the soldiers should be let to starve inside the compound.

The protesters cheered when the truck backed off.

Source: The Nation - 26 March 2009

[Jai Dee]

Protesters surround Government House

Thousands of red-shirted protesters surrounded the Government House Thursday afternoon in what was proclaimed to be their "last battle" to bring down the Democrat-led government.

The scenes of protesters moving from Sanam Luang and surrounding Government House was a deja vu, only with the dominant colours changing from yellow to red.

And in a cruel mockery of the Abhisit government they want to overthrow, the red-shirted protesters donated some of the Bt2,000 government gift cheques to protest organisers to promote their causes. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva presided over the cash handout, intended as part of a combined welfare/stimulus programme in front of the City Hall earlier in the day.

At 3:20 pm, some 25,000 protesters led by Pheu Thai MP Natthawut Saikua and other leaders, managed to move in to surround both the front and back parts of the Government House complex.

Police, guarded the areas around the complex, gave in and moved inside the compound, allowing the protesters to move in to surround the Government House.

Security officers used chains to lock all gates of the Government House to prevent the protesters from breaking in. There were no signs of violence and protest leaders repeatedly claimed there was no intention to invade and take control of Government House.

The protesters began their march from Sanam Luang to the Government House at 12:45 pm Thursday.

Their leaders, Jaral Disthachai, Natthawut, and Jakrapob Penkair, travelled in a car that was leading the march.

At 1:31 pm, the head of the procession reached the Pan Fah Bridge and they protesters paused briefly to reshape the procession.

Some of the protesters also gathered at the Makkhawan Bridge to wait for the procession.

At 1:30 pm, many protesters gathered outside the Government House on the side of Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge.

Government House officials were instructed to leave the compound once the some of the protesters arrived ahead of the main procession.

The officials left the compound through the Orathai Gate on Nang Lerng Road.

At 1:38 pm, about 100 motorcyclists reached and seized control of the Uthong Road near the Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge.

They blocked the road from Makkhawan Bridge until the Misakawan Intersection.

They also honked their horns once they reached the Uthong Road.

At 1:50 pm, the main procession of the red-shirted demonstrators reached the Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge and Natthawut led the protesters to move past barricade to occupy the road on the canal side, which is outside the Command Building 2.

At 3 pm, Natthawut ordered a protester to man a crane truck to remove the containers from the road along the Prem Prachakorn Canal outside the Government House. The containers were dumped into the canal.

Nearly at the same time, the protesters blocked a military truck from entering the Government House compound to supply lunch to soldiers deployed to keep security inside the Government House.

They shouted that the soldiers should be let to starve inside the compound.

The protesters cheered when the truck backed off.

Source: The Nation - 26 March 2009

[jbowman1993]

Protesters surround Government House

They shouted that the soldiers should be let to starve inside the compound.

Source: The Nation - 26 March 2009

Fat, short and stupid is no way to go through life. Looks like the protesters have 2 of 3 going....

[samgrowth]

I was planning to go there to take some photos. Now I change my mind. With the hungry Police and Army locked in, looks like bullets may be flying tonight.

[Denim]

Given the container throwing and antagonizing of soldiers that appears to be going on down there, think it would be very wise for normal folk to avoid the area like the plague.

Yes indeed, especially as according to newspaper reports the police have recently been down the firing range improving their shooting skills

[h90]

I was planning to go there to take some photos. Now I change my mind. With the hungry Police and Army locked in, looks like bullets may be flying tonight.

No worry no hunger in Thailand....they have stock of food, but recalling the Austrian canned Army food, it might be a difficult decision: to starve or to eat......

[samgrowth]

I was planning to go there to take some photos. Now I change my mind. With the hungry Police and Army locked in, looks like bullets may be flying tonight.

No worry no hunger in Thailand....they have stock of food, but recalling the Austrian canned Army food, it might be a difficult decision: to starve or to eat......

At least it should be better that the rotten canned fish the government give out to the poor recently.

[george]

Chaovarat concerned for the red-shirt plan to rally at Suvarnabhumi Airport

BANGKOK: -- Interior Minister Chavarat Chanweerakul on Thursday said the situation was worrisome after he had received a report estimating the red-shirt crowd to have surged to about 30,000.

Chavarat said he could not predict how long the protest at Government House would last. He also stated that police were closely monitor the rally activities after the red shirts threatened to spread out the protests to key government installations, including Suvarnabhumi Airport.

-- The Nation 2009-03-26

[Moonrakers]

If it wasn't so worrying it would be hilarious.

[samgrowth]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7965319.stm

Here comes BBC. A bit slow.

I hope they don't take the airport. I am flying out tomorrow.

[TAWP]

Don't forget to put up traffic reports so I know if there will be problems getting home in the evening...

[dukkha]

George do you have an update at this time and thanks for all the good reporting ....me thinks things not too good

Dukkha

[samgrowth]

http://www.manager.co.th/Politics/ViewNews...D=9520000034705

I chicken out going to take some photos. Here are some from PAD's website.