Security tightened at army HQ ahead of Red Shirt protest

BANGKOK: -- Jan 29 (TNA) – Thailand’s police have been assigned and dispatched to provide security at the Royal Thai Army headquarters, where the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) is due to protest Friday afternoon.

The Red Shirts, who support convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, plan to rally at the army headquarters at noon and to disperse at 5pm. The protest is targeting Deputy Army Chief Gen Prayuth Chanocha, whom the UDD activists claim is connected with rumours of a planned coup.

Gen Prayuth on Wednesday reasserted that there would be no coup, stating that the military will serve the country according to their duty and responsibility. The deputy army chief added that he wanted to see the country run smoothly.

The general also denies his involvement in plotting a coup at the Air Force Headquarters as alleged by opposition Puea Thai Party MP Jatuporn Prompan.

Echoing Gen Prayuth, Army Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda also denied the possibility of a new coup.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban ordered officials to exercise utmost restraint and to not use force against the protesters to avoid inciting violence. Mr Suthep said he believed the situation was not worrisome. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-01-29

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Anupong visits Pattani while red shirts demonstrate at Army headquarters

PATTANI: -- Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda and his deputy, Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, visited this southern border province Friday morning while the red-shirt movement held a rally outside the Army headquarters at noon.

Anupong and Prayuth were briefed of the latest development of the Army's operations in the deep South during a meeting with Army officers from the three southern border provinces.

The meeting was held at the Internal Security Operations Command Area 4's Forward Command at the Sirinthorn Base in Pattani's Yarang district.

Speaking to reporters after the briefing, Anupong said the violent situation in the deep South has improved.

-- The Nation 2010-01-29

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Rain must be Yellow.

Thanks good is raining again this should dampen their numbers

Bangkok traffic info:

Rajdamnoen Klang Avenue closed for traffic as Red Shirt protest at Army HQ continues. Please use alternative routes.

-- Source: MCOT

Police go to secure army?

More dissinformation and misdirection trying desperately to create

a non-existant 'fog of war' scenario for when things go pear shaped,

on Dr. T.s schedule.

UPDATE

Red Shirts Disperse From Army Headquarters

UPDATE : 29 January 2010

Reports suggest that the crowd of red shirt protesters have started to disperse earlier than scheduled. Red shirt leaders have reportedly left the rally site.

-- Tan Network 2010-01-29

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So it went off like a damp squib, much the same as all the red shirts nonsense. They are clueless and rudderless, doomed to following a will-o-the-wisp has been.

Huge numbers they're drawing. Thaksin must be well and truly broke.

UPDATE

300 red shirts protest against deputy Army chief

Some 300 red-shirt protesters gathered outside the Royal Thai Army headquarters Friday to denounce what they claimed to be a coup plot by deputy Army chief General Prayuth Chanocha.

Leaders of the protest took turns to speak from a truck parked outside the compound. They accused Prayuth and Army Commander-in-Chief General Anupong Paochinda of interfering with politics, and said the Army's top commanders came under the influence of Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda.

One of the red shirts' leaders, Jatuporn Promphan, said the protesters had gathered to ask Prayuth whether there would be a coup in the near future.

-- The Nation 2010-01-29

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UPDATE

One of the red shirts' leaders, Jatuporn Promphan, said the protesters had gathered to ask Prayuth whether there would be a coup in the near future.

.....yes of course Khun Jatuporn...it will next Thursday at 9:00am......think these people miss the point of a coup...its generally not advertised as it kinda defeats the object somewhat...

So it went off like a damp squib, much the same as all the red shirts nonsense. They are clueless and rudderless, doomed to following a will-o-the-wisp has been.

Well put Sir!

yes of course Khun Jatuporn...it will next Thursday at 9:00am......think these people miss the point of a coup...its generally not advertised as it kinda defeats the object somewhat...