Bangkok Red-shirt Rally - Live Updates

[george]

Nation: Updates on key people's whereabouts: Yingluck Shinawatra has left the country , according to Noppadon.

Thaksin's daughters are in Germany. Pojaman is in Hong Kong. The Shinawatras aren't running away, Noppadon said. They had planned the trips in advance,

TAN Network: PM to make television address tonight at 9 P.M.according to him.

Clip of red punching Pathum Thani local: http://manager.co.th/Politics/ViewNews.asp...yword=%E1%B4%A7

[george]

MCOT: Security beefed up at Suvarnabhumi Airport after security law enforcement; soldiers, police deployed to closely monitor situation at airport

[george]

BangkokDan:

Confirmed: Thaksin arrived in Cambodia. Unconfirmed: He'll cross into Thailand & lead Sunday's march ... Wouldn't that liven things up a bit

[george]

VIDEOS:

Organizers hand out cash to red-shirt people:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Video-Organi...-s-t346886.html

Red-shirt violence:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Video-Victim...ce-t346852.html

Get rid of your local bank now! HSBC now offer you Offshore and Premier banking.

Apply online here:

http://www.thaivisa.com/hsbc

Unlimited calls from/to Thailand (incl. mobiles) from 199 Baht/month:

http://www.thaivisa.com/skype

[george]

Security tightened at airport, public transportion

BANGKOK: -- Security at Thailand's main international airport, Suvarnabhumi Airport, has been stepped up following the security law enforcement from March 11 through 23 to maintain law and order during the anti-government Red Shirt protest in the capital, while public transportation services are operated normally under tight security.

Suvarnabhumi Airport general manager Nirandra Theeranartsin asked the authorities concerned to step up security at the country’s main airport after the government invoked the Internal Security Acts (ISA) from Thursday, March 11, to remains in effect through March 23 as the Red Shirts began their rallies Friday.

Under the current conditions security personnel are stationed in force at passenger terminal entrances and exits to closely monitor the situation. If persons appear give reason to be suspected, security personnel will conduct body and luggage searches.

Meanwhile, security units in the passenger terminal’s building randomly screen baggage as well as requiring body searches. The authorities are also closely inspecting the airport premises and have suspended issuing temporary cards for non-authorised persons to enter the airport.

In 2008, Suvarnabhumi Airport was seized by the ‘Yellow Shirt’ People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) as part of its campaign to topple the government of ex-premier Somchai Wongsawat government.

Mr Nirandra added that the measures will continue to be applied until the national security agency reports to the airport authorities that the situation has eased. The officials then will consider whether or not to adjust the airport security measures.

Currently police and soldiers have been deployed to ensure no service disruption.

Meanwhile, public transportation in Bangkok still functions normally with tightened security.

Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning Office (OTP) director Soitip Traisup said her ministry set up a transport safety centre to monitor the Red Shirt protests to follow and update traffic in all Bangkok areas as well as tocoordinate and provide conveniences to commuters.

The 24-hour hotline No. 1356 was set up to facilitate commuters wanting to know which Bangkok areas should be avoided during the planned demonstations.

In addition, the centre and traffic police have installed over 300 closed circuit TV cameras at all spots of public transportation including train stations, buses, and expressways as well as elevated and underground trains to closely monitor traffic conditions in all areas of Bangkok and its vicinity.

-- TNA 2010-03-12

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[george]

Bangkok Post: PM Abhisit to sleep at infantry regiment; Police briefs envoys on political situation

MCOT: Red Shirt mini-rallies in capital end before Sunday mass protest to force parliament dissolution

Thaksin Arrives In Cambodia By Private Jet : Thai Foriegn Ministry:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thaksin-Arri...te-t346883.html

[webfact]

Red Shirt mini-rallies in capital end before Sunday mass protest to force parliament dissolution

BANGKOK (TNA) -- Thousands of anti-government Red Shirt demonstrators led by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) on Friday converged at various locations in the capital ahead of Sunday's mass rally aiming to force Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve parliamant and call a fresh election.

Pol Maj-Gen Piya Utayo, spokesman for the Metropolitan Police, said some 6,500 Red Shirts gathered at five areas since noon before dispersing in the evening. There was no report of any incident or major traffic disruption in the capital.

The UDD leaders said more Red Shirts were travelling from provinces nationwide over the weekend and the number could reach a million at their Sunday rally.

The anti-government rallies came just two weeks after Thailand's Supreme Court court ruled that US$1.4 billion of Mr Thaksin's ill-gotten frozen assets must be seized. The pro-Thaksin Red Shirts cried foul over the court's decision, saying the former prime minister was treated unfairly under what they branded as the government's "double standards."

Mr Thaksin, living in self-exile abroad after escaping his jail term in Bangkok, addressed his supporters on many occasions, urging them to come out to join the mass rally in the capital.

Following reports that the ousted prime minister has been evicted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government, Chavanont Intarakomalsut, secretary to Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, confirmed that Mr Thaksin left Dubai by his private jet and arrived Cambodia's Siem Riep Friday morning.

Mr Chavanont said the Thai foreign ministry has already coordinated with the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh to monitor the ex-premier's moves.

Mr Kasit on Wednesday asked the UAE ambassador to Thailand to report to the UAE government the fact that Mr Thaksin has been using the UAE as his base for political activities aiming to overthrow the Thai government.

Meanwhile, Noppadon Pattama, legal adviser to Mr Thaksin, denied reports of the fugitive ex-premier's eviction, saying that the UAE has neither had any problem, nor mentioned Thai domestic politics with the fugitive.

Mr Noppadon however said the ex-premier will travel to Europe in the next few days to meet with his two daughters who are attending an exhibition in Germany.

However Mr Noppadon refused to state clearly in which country Mr Thaksin will stay, citing security concerns, while asserting that the ousted premier will not enter Cambodia during the Red Shirt protest.

"I reaffirm that Mr Thaksin's trip has nothing to do with the meeting between foreign minister Kasit and the UAE ambassador," said Mr Noppadon."Mr Thaksin asked me to tell the public that wherever he will be, in Africa or any corner in this world, he can contact his Red Shirt

supporters via phone-in anytime."

Meanwhile, UDD core leader Nattawut Saikua warned that if the prime minister did not decide to dissolve House of Parliament by March 14-15, a million Red Shirts would block roads around Bangkok to paralyse the capital, but the prime minister shrugged off the threat, saying his government would not bow to any intimidation but would maintain law and order.

Key red shirt figure Weng Tojirakarn, who joined the protest at the 11th Infantry Regiment, said he was contacted by the Prime Minister’s Secretary-General Korbsak Sabhavasu as the government's leading negotiator.

Mr Weng said Mr Korbsak had no clear stance, so he did not think Mr Korbsak could negotiate on behalf of the government and that the government was not sincere to talk with the protesters.

Mr Korbsak said he was assigned to cooperate not to negotiate with the Red Shirts, said Mr Weng.

In a related development, the Bank of Thailand (BoT) reported six commercial banks announced the temporary closure of nine branches in the capital on Friday and some on weekend. In addition, two branches of Bangkok Bank in Bangna and Phan Fah and two branches of the Government Housing Bank on Rajdanmoen Avenue closed Friday afternoon. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-03-12

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[george]

The Nation online collects photos of the red shirts across the country http://www.nationmultimedia.com/specials/nationvdo

[webfact]

Metropolitan Police: UDD rally still peaceful

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The overall situation in the capital of Bangkok remained calm on the first day of the mass rally of anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), according to the latest report by the Metropolitan Police Bureau.

According to Police Major General Piya Uthayo, Spokesperson of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, approximately 6,500 anti-government protesters gathered at five main spots on the first day of demonstrations. The traffic was generally light during the day and there were no reports of violence.

UDD demonstrators at the Wong Wien Yai area dispersed on Friday afternoon and will re-gather at 17.00 hrs on 13 March at Ratchadamnoen Road, Sanam Luang and King Rama V Equestrian Monument.

More than 500 protesters were spotted at Lumpini Park on the day and left for Rachadamri Road passing by the Royal Thai Police Headquarters and Pathumwan Intersection before dispersing.

Up to 2,000 anti-government supporters at Bang Khen Monument staged their rally at the 11th Infantry Regiment barracks on Phahon Yothin Road. The group dispersed in the afternoon and will re-gather at Phan Fah Bridge on Ratchadamnoen Nok on 13 March.

At Victory Monument, a group of UDD protesters rallied from the roundabout to Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, to visit the 1st Infantry Regiment barracks and the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) to make speeches and they later dispersed.

More than 400 protesters at Bangna Intersection moved along Sukhumvit Road to Phra Khanong area. The protesters said they had announced the purpose of the rally and would regather on March 14 to topple the government.

-- NNT 2010-03-12

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[george]

Nation: From latest photos of Bkk-bound reds,the numbers are substantial to say the least. Tomorrow will most likely b a different story from today.

By the way, our analysis of today's events should be up on www.nationmultimedia.com in two hours.

Organizers are expecting to gather at least 100,000 people at Nakhon Sawan meeting point. Seems like realistic target to me.

[webfact]

Continue here for Live updates, Saturday March 13

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Bangkok-Red-...da-t346948.html