Bangkok Red-shirt Rally - Live Updates

webfact · March 13, 2010

Panich says UAE told Thaksin to leave

BANGKOK: -- Vice Foreign Minister Panich Vikitsreth insisted Saturday that the United Arab Emirates told former prime minister Thaksin Shinawtra to leave the kingdom.

Panich said he has been informed by hing-level UAE officials that Thaksin was told to leave UAE because he had been using the country as a staging point for his political moves in defiance with his agreement with the UAE government.

Panich said it was not certain where Thaksin was heading to after leaving UAE.

-- The Nation 2010-03-13

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webfact · March 13, 2010

TAN Network: ASTV: Metropolitan police increase security to highest level; emergency mobile units on stand by 24 hours

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Metropolitan Police Increase Security to Highest Level

Metropolitan police have announced that its security measures have been increased to its highest level as red shirt supporters arrive in the capital.

Mobile emergency units have been instructed to be on stand by 24 hours a day.

As of today, authorities expect the number of red shirt protesters to at around 70,000.

-- Tan Network 2010-03-13

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webfact · March 13, 2010

UDD protesters demand dissolution of House by Monday; House Speaker calls urgent meeting

BANGKOK (TNA) - Anti-government protesters now gathering on Bangkok’s Ratchadamnoen Avenue are demanding that the coalition government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva dissolve the House by Monday and that they will seize the capital if refused.

In another development, House Speaker Chai Chidchob has called for an urgent meeting of the House members next Tuesday to find ways in breaking the current political stalemate in which more than 30 countries have advised their citizens to avoid visiting Thailand.

Weng Tochirakarn, a leader of the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), said the protesters intend to proceed with their planned massive rally Sunday to call for the government to dissolve parliament.

He said if the government refuses to budge, the protesters would “seize every corner of Bangkok after March 15.”

UDD leading protesters will take turn in delivering speeches on their platform at Phan Fah bridge on Ratchadamnoen Avenue starting from 3pm Saturday, said Mr Weng.

Meanwhile, Jatuporn Prompan, another UDD leader, said from Sunday noon, UDD leaders will be on stage at Phan Fah bridge to announce its deadline for the government to dissolve parliament or resign.

If the deadline passes without action by the government, then the Red Shirts will carry their protest to important locations around Bangkok.

Mr Jatuporn, also an MP of the opposition Puea Thai Party, said he beilieved the protest would not be prolonged, estimating that it would take perhaps a minimum four days or a maximum seven days to get what it demanded.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, responsible for national security and also director of the Peacekeeping Operations Centre, said there would be no Cabinet meeting Tuesday as House Speaker Chai has called for an urgent meeting of the House to find ways to break the political deadlock.

Reiterating that the government would facilitate protesters in holding the demonstration provided that it is peaceful, Mr Suthep said an estimated 60,000 to 70,000 UDD supporters are expected to join the rally in Bangkok.

Meanwhile, Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd, spokesman of the Peacekeeping Operations Centre, told a press conference that security officials now allowed the protesters to park their vehicles in areas designated by the Centre in order avoid confrontations between officials and demonstrators.

Col Sansern said police early Saturday searched a factory producing car spare parts in Wang Noi district of Ayutthaya province, near Bangkok, and seized about 100 pieces of steel tube which could be used as substitution for M79 grenade launcher.

Some reports said the metal pieces could possibly be parts of material for M79 launchers.

He said security agencies reported that military uniforms were purchased in large amounts. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-03-13

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webfact · March 13, 2010

NATION: From what red leaders have been hinting, tomorrow won't be THE D-day, but rather a springboard day for real action on Monday.

NATION: The magnitude of the masses will be seen tomorrow, but to achieve the goal, the reds will need to "move".

NATION: And from comments of their leaders, the protesters are expected to move to the 11th Regiment HQ, where govt war room is situated, on Monday.

Bangkokpundit: Police well prepared in full uniform with batons and it seems tear gas guns , but standing around

NATION: So, it seems businesses closed two days too early. It's next week that we should worry about.

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Red-shirt vehicles fully occupy Royal Plaza

BANGKOK: -- The traffic on the Uthong Nai Road was impassable Saturday afternoon after the red-shirt people drove their vehicles, mostly pikc-up trucks, to fully occupy the Royal Plaza.

The red shirts, who were waiting at the ground, sheered and applauded when newcomers arrived.

They plan to walk from the Royal Plaza to the Pan Fah Bridge at 5:30 pm.

-- The Nation 2010-03-13

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webfact · March 13, 2010

TAN Network: City Police ask red-shirt leaders to make sure protesters do not consume alcohol during rally, fear alcohol-induced violence

NATION; Rajadamnoen Avenue's practically blocked now. Motorists are advised to avoid the area, which will be main rally site for next few days

webfact · March 13, 2010

Emerald Buddha Temple, popular tourist venues, still crowded with foreign tourists

BANGKOK (TNA) – The Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok were still lively and crowded Saturday with foreign tourists who said they were not worried about the ongoing Red Shirt demonstrations despite the main protest venue being not far away from Bangkok's prime tourist destinations.

According to one tour guide, travellers have been advised to avoid locations where the Red Shirt activists of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) are protesting, while backpackers around Khao San Road area said they were not afraid of the planned rally and regularly followed the news from local residents.

The guide said that not many European travellers had cancelled their Thailand trips, but that those who had cancelled were mostly Asian tourists, who instead went to Thailand's neighbouring countries.

"I'm not concerned. I take advice from my tour guide, and I don't think there'd be any violence," said Darren Simpson, a Canadian tourist who arrived in Thailand two days ago.

A guesthouse owner on Khao San Road, a haven for backpacker tourists, said about 10 per cent of room bookings at her place were cancelled, while the other tourists were waiting to see the situation for another one or two days. She said the current problem was that backpackers could not get to Khao San Road and could not pass through Rajdamnoen Avenue, where the main Red Shirt rally was held.

Meanwhile, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) public relations director Sugree Sithivanich said there were no reports on emergency situations involving violence or other disruptions since a Help Centre for tourists and a 24-hour Call Centre, Tel. No. 1672, were opened on the 17th floor of the TAT headquarters on New Petchburi Road during the anti-government Red Shirt demonstrations until March 23.

He said there were only tour operators calling to ask for directors where they could be able to bring tourists, and one foreigner asking about insurance to foreign travellers in case of violence. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-03-13

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webfact · March 13, 2010

NATION: Foreign tourists are having fun taking rally photos on Rajadamnoen.

Scott · March 13, 2010

I hope those foreign tourists taking pictures don't get put in jail for joining the rally!

bulmercke · March 13, 2010

Many thanks for the up-dates here.

Things are sure to escalate over the next week. Also Thaksin has to be factored into the equation now - even more than before - with news that he's probably residing in Cambodia now. Have a feeling that he and Cambodia are somehow going to play an important role in how things develop.

SeanMoran · March 13, 2010

I'm not questioning the decision about opening this up, but I personally liked having this closed for updates only. It was nice not to have to read through upteen pages to find some credible information.
I agree completely, it is really nice to have a closed thread to follow along on and see what is happening. If there could be one closed thread on the subject that would indeed be great, able to see right what is happening .... and maybe other threads can be open to comment on what is going on.

Agree. Maybe while everyone's taking a rest from the rally for the night, there might be room for some duplex commentary, but it has been helpful yesterday to have a read only thread to keep up with what's going on according to Webfact. Maybe it would be worthwhile to keep it for the news reports again when things get going tomorrow morning?

OKF · March 13, 2010

Hi @ all

15 Minutes ago I watched a group of cars and busses from the east of Thailand driving down Sukhumvit.

frodo · March 13, 2010

Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Arisman

The INN news agency is reporting that the Criminal Court has approved an arrest warrant for DAAD leader Arisman Pongruerngrong for inciting violence during a rally at Khan Nakorn.

http://www.tannetwork.tv/tan/ViewData.aspx?DataID=1026179

bulmercke · March 13, 2010

Hi @ all
15 Minutes ago I watched a group of cars and busses from the east of Thailand driving down Sukhumvit.

I would imagine there are many more red shirts travelling to the capital at this very moment - and others preparing to set off sometime tonight. Cooler and less congested roads.

granuaile · March 13, 2010

They are busy arguing in the 40 other threads about the same thing.......might want to merge the threads.

What's going on? Can we have a few more factual updates to keep us interested.. otheriwse things are becoming boring.

I'm not questioning the decision about opening this up, but I personally liked having this closed for updates only. It was nice not to have to read through upteen pages to find some credible information.

I agree, no arguments, no pro-red, no pro-yellow, just reporting of what was happening...

frodo · March 13, 2010

Nat'l Peace Keeping Committee Estimates 50,000 Reds Have Arrived in Bkk

UPDATE : 13 March 2010

The National Peace Keeping Committee has estimated that around 50,000 red-shirt protesters have arrived in Bangkok for the planned mass rally on Sunday, March 14. It's expecting more red-shirt supporters from the north and northeast to arrive later tonight.

No change has been made to the security and riot-control protocols.

http://www.tannetwork.tv/tan/ViewData.aspx?DataID=1026178

Sunderland · March 13, 2010

All quiet on Phaholyothin Road close to the 11th Infantry.

OM3N · March 13, 2010

Please excuse me if it is not ok to post here.

I just took a taxi from Sathorn to Sukhumvit 89. I saw a few reds, but really nothing.

I think they must be gathering at Sanam Luang/

NADTATIDA1 · March 13, 2010

Well i think that you will find that there is not that much to report that hasn't been said already,that is why they have opened the thread,everything at the moment seems to be exactly what they said would happen.

Red shirts coming to Bangkok to rally on Sunday.

Come on now,tomorrow is another day and i am sure that you will all get your daily digest in the morning.

lannarebirth · March 13, 2010

Saw a few busses full of red shirtted folks this afternoon in the north of Chiang Mai. They were headed south, presumably for Bangkok. Probably going to be a pretty big turnout tomorrow, but nowhere near early estimates of 1,000,000. Wouldn't surprise me if they could gather 100k-150k.

elcent · March 13, 2010

domestic flights were almost empty during the whole day

international flights are busy as usual

many private companies closed down in Bangkok today, also when away from the epicenters.

otherstuff1957 · March 13, 2010

I drove around Victory Monument at about 6:30 or so this evening. There was a caravan of mostly pickup trucks full of reds going from Dindang Road to Ratchetewi, plus two or three motorcycles circling the monument with red T-shirts and red flags. I saw a few hundred redshirts, but there may have been more before and afterwards. Everyone was well behaved & the traffic flow wasn't much worse than usual.

I'd add my voice to those calling upon a return to a closed thread for these updates. We can let the rest of the threads deteriorate into pointless bickering, but it would be nice to keep one that was strictly news updates!

brahmburgers · March 13, 2010

Please Thaivisa, keep a closed threads for updates only.
I just hate having to wade through the stupid knowitall and toldyouso and whatever posts to find bits of information!

Thanks knowitall and toldyouso. Yaaaaawwwwn.

Update from Chiang Rai, alleged hotbed of Red Shirts: There's a gathering place for Thaksin fans downtown, in front Saen Phu Hotel (not to be confused with 'Insane Poo Hotel') where there is a very large TV screen showing coverage of the Red Rally. There's a sound stage there and about sixty plastic chairs all facing the stage. When I went by today, early evening, one of the chairs was occupied. When I returned at 8 pm, six chairs were occupied. Go figure.

webfact · March 13, 2010

TAN Network: Thaksin S addressed red-shirt protesters at Pan Fah intersection via telephone link,urged to con't to fight for true democracy

webfact · March 13, 2010

Related Topic:

Arrest warrant issued for red-shirt core leader Arisman

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Arrest-Warra...Co-t347177.html

webfact · March 13, 2010

TAN Network: TNN TV is reporting that police have apprehended Arisman Phongruerngrong from the red stage

webfact · March 13, 2010

Red Shirts confident one-million protester goal 'not a dream'

BANGKOK (TNA) -- Anti-government protesters have begun their activities on the main platform at Phan Fah Lilat Bridge on Bangkok’s Ratchadamnoen Avenue asserting that their claim of one million Red Shirt supporters on the way is not a dream and will pressure the government until they achieve their demand of a dissolution of the House and a fresh election.

The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) core leaders were on stage to welcome their supporters.

Nattawut Saikua, a top leader of the anti-government Red Shirts said they had evaluated the situation and their movement's strategy and that everything had been accomplished as planned.

The Red Shirts are confident there will be one million protesters attending the demonstration on Sunday, he said.

"This is real, not a dream", Red Shirt leader Nattawut said emphatically.

He said that Sunday noon UDD leader Veera Musikapong will take the stage to officially announce the Red Shirt demand that the coalition government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva dissolve the House and that the UDD requires an immediate response.

If the government ignores or refuses, he said, on Monday morning all Red Shirt protesters will march to press for their demand that the government dissolve parliament.

They plan to march on a route around Bangkok, but will not send smaller groups of protesters to many locations as expected earlier, he said.

Mr Nattawut said that ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra would telephone his supporters Sunday evening.

Saturday is only the eve of the important day, Mr Veera told the protesters, advising them to rest well before the next mission.

"Stay overnight on the street among the tents that had been set up for you", he told the gathering.

As the Red Shirts began their activities on stage, Rajdamnoen Avenue was forced to closed to traffic, while the Din Daeng area the traffic was stopped because many Red Shirt supporters from the provinces continued to move to Phan Fah Lilat Bridge.

Meanwhile, Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Pol Lt-Gen Santan Chayanont declared a red alert, the highest level, in Bangkok to prevent violence.

A third party might try to incite violence and some protesters might move weapons secretly into the demonstration, he warned.

Riot control teams from 88 police stations, the Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT) team and the Naresuan 261 special operations unit, totalling 90 teams, have been briefed on the uniforms and vehicles to be used during operations and ways to tackle different situations.

All the units are on 24-hour alert to assure that the response plans are implemented accordingly, he said.

In a related development, the Criminal Court approved arrest warrant for Arisman Pongruengrong, a key UDD leader for inciting the public to overthrow the government.

The Red Shirt leader later appeared at the main protest venue at Phan Fah Lilat Bridge saying that the warrant was unfairly issued but that he would attend the protest and planned to surrender to police on April 1. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-03-13

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webfact · March 13, 2010

Bangkok Post: Thaksin leaves Dubai for Switzerland

george · March 13, 2010

bangkokpundit: TNN reports on reds saying blue shirts blocking movement of reds (has video of the blue shirts). BJT deny all knowledge of this

bangkokpundit TNN reports on reds saying blue shirts blocking movement of reds (has video of the blue shirts). BJT deny all knowledge of this #redmarch

bangkokpundit [The Nation's State] Photo of the Day: Reds massing http://bit.ly/aWf0OW Interesting selection of photos

bangkokpundit TNN now reports that Arisman was not arrested. The police officer just went to negotiate with him

Bangkok Post: Thaksin leaves Dubai for Switzerland

The Nation: Thaksin, in another brief phone-in, claimed he had to leave Dubai coz UAE govt was "annoyed" by whining from Bangkok.

bangkokpundit: TNN reports on reds saying blue shirts blocking movement of reds (has video of the blue shirts). BJT deny all knowledge of this

george · March 13, 2010

Red Shirts confident one-million protester goal 'not a dream'

BANGKOK, March 13 (TNA) - Anti-government protesters have begun their activities on the main platform at Phan Fah Lilat Bridge on Bangkok’s Ratchadamnoen Avenue asserting that their claim of one million Red Shirt supporters on the way is not a dream and will pressure the government until they achieve their demand of a dissolution of the House and a fresh election.