1,500 Riot Police Deployed To Maintain Order During Red Shirt Rally

[george]

1,500 riot police deployed to maintain order during Red Shirt rally

BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Metropolitan police on Thursday deployed 1,500 riot police to maintain law and order in the Thai capital during a mass rally of the anti-government United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), a movement which has promised to bring down the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

The so-called Red Shirt leaders earlier announced their planned mass rally on Ratchadamnoen Avenue, near the Democracy Monument, to mark Constitution Day, December 10. The protest is scheduled to begin at noon and end peacefully around midnight.

Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is also scheduled to address his supporters via video link and lead them in a mass candle-lit ceremony to bless His Majesty King Bhumibol on the occasion of his 82th birthday.

The Red Shirt protest is being held at the same time of the government's grand celebrations of His Majesty's birthday at nearby Royal Plaza.

Pol. Maj-Gen. Worasak Nopsitthiporn, deputy metropolitan police commissioner, assigned to oversee police operations during the Thursday Red Shirt rally, said 1,500 riot police are on standby at Metropolitan Police Bureau, while local police in the protest areas will oversee security during the rally to prevent third persons from 'creating a situation'.

Gen. Worasak, however, said police will evaluate the situation according to the number of protesters and will later decide whether to close Ratchadamnoen Avenue or not, but in the meantime advise the public to avoid the avenue altogether all day for their convenience. (TNA)

-- TNA 2009/12/10

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[baht&sold]

The red-shirt leaders are marking (marring?) constitution day after their counterparts (Puea Thai) and their de-facto leader (Mr Thaksin) rejected constitution reform (which THEY demanded in the first place...)

The sticking point was the current Govt's insistence on a public referendum, to which Mr Thaksin reportedly stated: 'the proposed charter changes do not affect the people'... (how democratic)

The 'main' proposed charter change was to do away with party dissolution for executive vote fraud which has snared the past incarnations of Mr Thaksin's various parties.

Meanwhile, the rally is taking place alongside the site celebrating HM the King's birthday, who simply wished for peace and unity and asked for people to put the country above *self* interest....

However, Jan 8th is the final possible date for the court decision on confiscation of Mr Thaksin's frozen 76 billion baht, hence the 'urgency'? (which apparently overrides all else, even a beloved, hopeful birthday wish)

Edited December 10, 2009 by baht&sold

[h90]

The red-shirt leaders are marking (marring?) constitution day after their counterparts (Puea Thai) and their de-facto leader (Mr Thaksin) rejected constitution reform (which THEY demanded in the first place...)

The sticking point was the current Govt's insistence on a public referendum, to which Mr Thaksin reportedly stated: 'the proposed charter changes do not affect the people'... (how democratic)

The 'main' proposed charter change was to do away with party dissolution for executive vote fraud which has snared the past incarnations of Mr Thaksin's various parties.

Meanwhile, the rally is taking place alongside the site celebrating HM the King's birthday, who simply wished for peace and unity and asked for people to put the country above *self* interest....

However, Jan 8th is the final possible date for the court decision on confiscation of Mr Thaksin's frozen 76 billion baht, hence the 'urgency'? (which apparently overrides all else, even a beloved, hopeful birthday wish)

well Thaksin has a valid point here: " The sticking point was the current Govt's insistence on a public referendum, to which Mr Thaksin reportedly stated: 'the proposed charter changes do not affect the people'... (how democratic)"

his proposed charter changes are not meant to affect the people, they are only intended to whitewash him.

[webfact]

Red shirts gather at Democracy Monument

Red-shirt people started setting up at a stage at the Democracy Monument Thursday morning.

The stage faces the Kokwua Intersection and they installed giant protector screens around the monument.

Some protesters started reserving their seats in front of the stage before noon.

-- The Nation 2009/12/10

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[whichschool]

Pity they dont police the yellow shirts like this.

[Golf]

Pity they dont police the yellow shirts like this.

Because one crazy Thai Army general said again and again that there will be the retired Rangers with weapons joining the Red Shirts. That's why.

[webfact]

Kattiaya leads retired paramilitary troopers to guard red-shirt rally

Maj-Gen Kattiya Khattipol, a controversial army officer, Thursday led some 50 retired paramilitary troopers in uniform to hold a press conference at the Democracy Monument.

Kattiya, a specialist attached to the Army head office, told the press conference at 12:30 pm that some 200 retired paramilitary troopers from the Pakthongchai camp came to the rally ground to help provide security for the red-shirt demonstrators.

-- The Nation 2009/12/10

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[george]

Red shirts close Rajdamnone from Phanfah Bridge to Kokwua Intersection

BANGKOK: -- The Red-shirt demonstrators blocked the Rajdamnone Road from Phanfah Bridge to the Kokwua intersection at 12:30 pm Thursday.

Their stage was set up at the Democracy Monument with two project screens sitting besides the stage.

-- The Nation 2009-12-10

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[frodo]

Pity they dont police the yellow shirts like this.

Because one crazy Thai Army general said again and again that there will be the retired Rangers with weapons joining the Red Shirts. That's why.

Is this the same Kattiya who was recently sentenced to one-year in jail and illegally crossed into Cambodia last month? This is one whacked out nut case.

Edited December 10, 2009 by frodo

[Golf]

Pity they dont police the yellow shirts like this.

Because one crazy Thai Army general said again and again that there will be the retired Rangers with weapons joining the Red Shirts. That's why.

Is this the same Kattiya who was recently sentenced to one-year in jail and illegally crossed into Cambodia last month? This is one whacked out nut case.

That's the GUY! His own website is dedicated to the RED SHIRTS and violence.

[DocHolliday]

Pity they dont police the yellow shirts like this.

Because one crazy Thai Army general said again and again that there will be the retired Rangers with weapons joining the Red Shirts. That's why.

Is this the same Kattiya who was recently sentenced to one-year in jail and illegally crossed into Cambodia last month? This is one whacked out nut case.

Take a look http://www.nationmultimedia.com/specials/n...0&cateid=13

[h90]

Pity they dont police the yellow shirts like this.

Because one crazy Thai Army general said again and again that there will be the retired Rangers with weapons joining the Red Shirts. That's why.

Is this the same Kattiya who was recently sentenced to one-year in jail and illegally crossed into Cambodia last month? This is one whacked out nut case.

I think the same guy who told he bomb the PAD and than the PAD got some M79 grenades every day.

Crazy guy

[BSJ]

I think it's a crying shame that an ex-PM has to live in a down beat area like that!

[junglist]

Golf you rock great vid.

respect.

[frodo]

Pity they dont police the yellow shirts like this.

Because one crazy Thai Army general said again and again that there will be the retired Rangers with weapons joining the Red Shirts. That's why.

Is this the same Kattiya who was recently sentenced to one-year in jail and illegally crossed into Cambodia last month? This is one whacked out nut case.

That's the GUY! His own website is dedicated to the RED SHIRTS and violence.

I've seen his website, absolutely frightening. Wishful thinking on my part, but I had hoped he would have served out his entire jail sentence. With his recent illegal actions and threats made in the past and present, I do hope he will be court martialed, and if found guilty, do some serious time with rank stripped. Again, my wishful thinking won't do anything for the current situation.

[JFitzgerald]

Because one crazy Thai Army general said again and again that there will be the retired Rangers with weapons joining the Red Shirts. That's why.

Is this the same Kattiya who was recently sentenced to one-year in jail and illegally crossed into Cambodia last month? This is one whacked out nut case.

Yes, he is. He's currently out on bail while he appeals his conviction.

Edited December 10, 2009 by JFitzgerald

[webfact]

MASS RALLY

Pro-Thaksin protesters start rallying

Red shirted protesters start gathering near Democracy Monument on Saturday, causing heavy traffic congestion on Rachadamnoen and nearby areas.

Police meanwhile suggested people and motorists to avoid the areas where would be protest site of the pro-Thaksin protesters. They have announced they would rally from midday until midnight.

The protesters set up a stage on Rachadamnoen road near the King Rama V statue after blocking the road from Pan Fa Bridge to Kok Woi intersection at around noon.

Pol Lt Col Pallop Kaewtai of Chanasongkram police station said the traffic around and near the rally site are now congested.

"We have deployed more than 100 police to help direct the traffic and facilitate the protesters," he said.

He recommended that people should avoid the areas.

-- The Nation 2009/12/10

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[whichschool]

Pity they dont police the yellow shirts like this.

Because one crazy Thai Army general said again and again that there will be the retired Rangers with weapons joining the Red Shirts. That's why.

I'd say its more to do with the BKK police chiefs being on the side of the ruling establishment.

Are you insinuating the Yellows are just peaceful protestors and the reds arent, i was in the centre of last years troubles and the army/police were the ones who started the violence, i watched much of it from my hotel window.

Edited December 10, 2009 by whichschool

[Golf]

Pity they dont police the yellow shirts like this.

Because one crazy Thai Army general said again and again that there will be the retired Rangers with weapons joining the Red Shirts. That's why.

I'd say its more to do with the BKK police chiefs being on the side of the ruling establishment, hence why Yellows can walk into airports and shut them down without a fight.

True. But Yellow Shirts didn't have a "crazy" gen. with a personal army, plus the Govern. at that time was Thaksin's nominee.

[Ricardo]

Pity they dont police the yellow shirts like this.

Surely the last PAD-rally in Bangkok did attract hundreds of police, to ensure that things stayed peaceful, unfortunately they weren't able to prevent someone from firing a grenade towards the peaceful PAD-rally ?

Hopefully some of the less-violent UDD-supporters can, after their rally is over, go and join in the nearby birthday-celebrations, to show their support. And Sae Dang's border-guard chums can get in an extra ballet-lesson ?

[MHM]

How many turned up? How long are they staying?

[Meridian007]

Has anyone seen what's going on so far? NECTEC's traffic website is still showing traffic going through, and there's nothing on TAN news network yet, so I assume they're still letting traffic through? With Kattiya bringing his thugs (who I'm sure are armed to the teeth), and the disrespect that this protest shows to the highest levels of Thai society, I'm worried about the potential volatility.

While watching from my condo building, I've seen wonderful fireworks coming from that area every night for the past 6 days, I hope I don't see explosions and gunfire tonight.

[Golf]

While watching from my condo building, I've seen wonderful fireworks coming from that area every night for the past 6 days, I hope I don't see explosions and gunfire tonight.

Unfortunately, that's exactly what they want you to see!

Edited December 10, 2009 by Golf

[Meridian007]

I'd say its more to do with the BKK police chiefs being on the side of the ruling establishment.

Are you insinuating the Yellows are just peaceful protestors and the reds arent, i was in the centre of last years troubles and the army/police were the ones who started the violence, i watched much of it from my hotel window.

Most of the police forces are on the red side, it's the military that is predominantly on the other (I hesitate to say yellow, because I think that it's the military controlling the yellow shirts more than the other way around, and really it's just an attempt to precipitate something larger, so that they can come in to "clean up"). I don't know what you saw, but the burning buses, gas trucks being moved into position, etc. paints a different story.

The yellows have been violent too, but nowhere near the same level of the reds.

I hope that the innocent people of Issan haven't been bused into this charade with false promises like the last time. They end up in the middle with the innocent citizens of Bangkok, while the power hungry pu yais on both sides stoke the fire higher and higher...

[hammered]

Pity they dont police the yellow shirts like this.

October 7 definitely wasnt like this. Oddly enough there were more injuries on that day than there were over black Songkhran which would indicate the yellows faced harder policing when the red favoured government were in power than the reds faced when the yellow favoured government were in power. It also indicates the military are actually more disciplined and better at riot control than the police but that is another matter and hardly a surprise.

I base injury numbers on those listed by hospitals and not by either red or yellow propogandists neither of whom can be trusted to tell the truth.

And I am not saying the lunatic actions of either side are justified.

[h90]

I'd say its more to do with the BKK police chiefs being on the side of the ruling establishment.

Are you insinuating the Yellows are just peaceful protestors and the reds arent, i was in the centre of last years troubles and the army/police were the ones who started the violence, i watched much of it from my hotel window.

Most of the police forces are on the red side, it's the military that is predominantly on the other (I hesitate to say yellow, because I think that it's the military controlling the yellow shirts more than the other way around, and really it's just an attempt to precipitate something larger, so that they can come in to "clean up"). I don't know what you saw, but the burning buses, gas trucks being moved into position, etc. paints a different story.

The yellows have been violent too, but nowhere near the same level of the reds.

I hope that the innocent people of Issan haven't been bused into this charade with false promises like the last time. They end up in the middle with the innocent citizens of Bangkok, while the power hungry pu yais on both sides stoke the fire higher and higher...

the yellows were only violent if they were attacked (if we exclude one middle age woman who beat Somchai with the handclapper on his head).

[WAERTH]

Any news on numbers though? Any "eye witnesses" .... where is Koo when you need her?

W

[Sunderland]

At a guess, there are 980 people there.

[h90]

Any news on numbers though? Any "eye witnesses" .... where is Koo when you need her?

W

If she is there she can't write.....

I think at evening there will be some news in TV/Newspapers, now just 4.45. I think in evening most people will come.

[junglist]

Until the education system is improved for all including the poor and people who are found guilty of corruption are brought to true justice nothing will change. Yellow, Red it doesn’t matter you are doomed to repeat Thailand sad and quiet history. Don’t pray for piece instead pray for change.