Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Updates - Wednesday

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Wednesday March 17 Red-shirt rally live updates

Here you can follow the live updates from the media, hour by hour. To make it easy to follow, this thread is read-only.

See discussion topics in the post below.

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Related topics:

Updates March 16

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Bangkok-Red-...da-t347906.html

Updates March 15

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Bangkok-Red-...da-t347530.html

Updates March 14

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Bangkok-Red-...da-t347258.html

Updates March 13

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

Updates March 12

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Bangkok-Red-...da-t346680.html

Arrest warrant issued for red-shirt core leader Arisman

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

Thai Govt Likely To Enforce State Of Emergency On Top Of ISA

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thai-Govt-En...nc-t347220.html

Red-Shirts to splash one million Cc of blood on Govt House

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Red-shirts-S...lo-t347659.html

Four M-79 grenades fired into a battalion in Bangkok, injuring 2 soldiers

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/79-Grenades-...Ba-t347644.html

PHOTOS:

Lots of Red Shirts Photo Impressions - And please add your own!

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Photo-Impres...-M-t347298.html

Current weather in Bangkok, plus forecasts:

http://weather.thaivisa.com/bangkok/bangkok/

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TAN Network: Around 1,000 security personnel at/around PM's house on Sukumvit 31; 3 fire trucks, 9 inmate transport trucks on hand

TAN Network: INN: Reds show 2 bombs allegedly planted in their rally; setting up procession to leave for PM's house

Photos from yesterday's events at Government house

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=3422537

TAN Network:

Red Shirts Delay March to PM's House to 10 A.M.

Red shirt leaders have delayed their march to the prime minister's house to 10 A.M. to avoid causing traffic congestion.

They are now in the process of setting up the procession which is to leave for the prime minister's house on Sukumvit Soi 31.

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10 more companies of security forces deployed to PM's house

BANGKOK: -- Ten more companies of police and soldiers have been deployed to reinforce 6 companies of security officials at the house of the prime minister following the threat by red-shirt people to rally there Wednesday.

The police and soldiers put up warped wires around the house of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Soi Sukhumvit 31 and strictly checked vehicles passing through the soi.

The red-shirt people threatened to go to Abhisit's house to pour their collected blood in protest.

No family members of the prime minister are inside the house Wednesday.

-- The Nation 2010-03-17

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Streets to Avoid Today

BANGKOK: -- Red shirt protesters to leave Pan Fah Bridge area using Lan Luang Road, passing Yommarat Intersection proceeding to Petchaburi Road.

From there, they will turn right into Ratchavitee Road then crossing over Hua Chang Bridge. They will then turn left to pass in front of Siam Paragon heading down to the Ploenchit area.

News reports suggest they will stop at the British Embassy at the Wittiyu Intersection then proceed all the way down Sukumvit Road to Soi 31, where Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's residence is located.

On their way back, reports suggest the red shirt protesters will head back up Sukumvit Road to the Wittiyu Intersection and will make another stop at the U.S. Embassy before heading back to the Pan Fah Bridge area.

Motorists and commuters are advised to avoid these areas as traffic is expected to be closed down at certain points. The procession is expected to leave the Pan Fah area around 10 A.M.

-- Tan Network 2010-03-17

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Thaivisa: And away they go. Best stay clear of Sukhumvit Rd area everyone

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Some 2,000 red shirts move to PM's house

BANGKOK: -- At 9:15 am Wednesday, some 2,000 red-shirt people arrived at the front of Soi Sukhumvit 31 where the house of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is located.

They arrived on motorcycles and pick-up trucks to pour their pooled blood in front of Abhisit's house.

The protesters were waiting for their leaders to catch up with them.

They caused traffic gridlock on the inbound Sukhumvit.

-- The Nation 2010-03-17

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MCOT: Some Red Shirt protesters arrive at entrance road to PM's home; police blocking road as Sukhumvit experiences heavy traffic

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Suthep invokes ISA to ban rally at PM's house

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban invoked the Internal Security Act to band demonstrations on Soi Sukhumvit 31 from March 17 to 23.

The house of the prime minister is located on the soi.

The order of Suthep assigned the Metropolitan Police Division 5 to enforce the ban against the demonstration.

Vehicles are also prohibited from entering the soi.

But some 2,000 red-shirt protesters gathered in front of the soi at 9: 15 am.

-- The Nation 2010-03-17

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Red-shirt protesters decamp to Thai PM's residence

by Anusak Konglang

BANGKOK (AFP) - Red-shirted protesters on Wednesday decamped to the residence of Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva but their four-day rally in support of their deposed political hero appeared to be petering out.

Thousands of "Red Shirts", loyal to fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, began moving across Bangkok from their rally ground near government offices to the affluent Sukhumvit district, most by truck, car and motorcycle.

The move came a day after the protesters pressed their demand for Abhisit to resign in a bizarre bloody spectacle, when they made a mass collection of 300 litres of their own blood that was symbolically spilled at his office gates.

Police said over 10,000 protesters remained on Wednesday, far down from the rally's peak of more than 100,000 in attendance when it began at the weekend, and despite repeated calls by Red leaders and Thaksin himself for them to stay.

But even as numbers dwindled, protest leaders pleaded for patience and said success was within their grasp.

"We are near victory.... If we make a mistake now we will be defeated for a long time. We want a sustainable victory so please be patient," Red Shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan urged the crowd on Wednesday before leaving for Abhisit's empty and heavily secured residence.

The Reds are protesting against the perceived elitism and illegitimacy of the Abhisit government, which came to power via a December 2008 parliamentary vote after a controversial court ruling ousted Thaksin's allies.

Last month another court decision confiscated 1.4 billion dollars from Thaksin, whose followers are largely from the poor rural north and fervently support the populist policies he introduced before being ousted in a 2006 coup.

Abhisit has been staying with other key leaders at an army barracks in the capital's northern outskirts since the rally began, and the protesters massed there briefly on Monday as he refused their demand to call snap elections.

On Wednesday he was due to fly to Thailand's far south, where a six-year separatist insurgency continues.

The government enacted a strict Internal Security Act to monitor the Bangkok rally, deploying 50,000 soldiers and police across the city and surrounding provinces as it feared violence by saboteurs.

Some 900 policemen have been standing guard at Abhisit's residence, which has been hit several times in recent weeks by protesters throwing bags of excrement at the walls.

The premier has twice rejected the crowd's demand to dissolve parliament, saying he must think of the country's interests and not only those of the Reds.

A joint session of both houses of parliament was postponed on Tuesday due to the lack of a quorum, with some lawmakers fearing for their safety in the ongoing demonstrations, parliamentary officials said.

Police said with falling numbers of demonstrators, they expected the rally to end within a few days. Red Shirt leaders have been using their rally stage to appeal for more protesters to arrive from the provinces.

Thaksin, who lives in exile to avoid a two-year jail term for graft at home, has spoken to the crowd via video link each night, urging them to fight on.

Tensions rose on Monday when four grenades exploded at a separate army barracks in Bangkok but it was not clear if the attacks were linked to the Red Shirts, whose leaders deny involvement.

Since the coup that ousted Thaksin, Thailand has been rocked by protests from both supporters and opponents of the former premier.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-03-17

Published with written approval from AFP.

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TAN Network: Democrat Party members/officials pay respects to Earth Goddess in front of headquarters after red shirts spilled large amounts of blood

Red shirt leaders negotiating with police to allow all protesters in front of PM's house;police to only allow "some"

THE NATION: Protesters carrying gallons of blood are about 30 mins away from Abhisit's house, having had to go through many checkpoints.

MCOT: Red Shirts brave rain, penetrrate first police cordon into Sukhumvit Soi 31 to reach PM home for blood pouring; traffic worsens

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TAN Network: Channel 3: Reds sending academics to hand letter to U.K. and U.S. embassies; going back to Pan Fah after PM's house

Thaivisa: The redshirt blood ceremony makes sense now. It was a rain ceremony to break the drought. Bucketing down at Phan Fa Bridge now.

TAN Network: INN: Ayutthaya police confiscate 6,000 M16 machine gun parts; suspects claim Lopburi military ordered them

THE NATION: Red shirts have arrived at Abhisit's house. Noisy scene. Someone is shouting "Don't throw. Don't throw". It looks worrisome as Abhisit's home is like yr and my home.

THE NATION: Some protesters were trying to throw bags of blood into his home, prompting the "Don't throw" "Don't throw" shouts.

TAN Network: Red shirts able to approach fence of PM's house; pour blood on pillar; splash some inside

THE NATION: Abhisit's home is in a very bad location for things like this. Hope the situation won't go wrong. Too many people, too small an area.

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THE NATION: Protesters are just about to leave the PM's House. Avoid the traffic along Sukhumvit Rd esp all sois connected to 31. Rama IV's better.

TAN Network: Bottles of blood pour at fence of PM's house; security officials re-erect human wall to guard against further violations

THE NATION: Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanavisit said 3 redshirt protesters were injured and 13 have fallen ill.

THE NATION: Jurin said the amount of redshirt protesters was decreased. He estimates only 30,000 people now are joining the demonstration.

THE NATION: But hey, it's over now. Credit to the protesters who did scare me for a while but didn't create much trouble. They are moving to US embassy

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THE NATION: Arisman said the reds plan to ask US Embassy this question: "Did u really tap Thaksin's phone?"

In that case we are thankful (J/K), as we have tried unsuccessfully to get a reaction from the embassy to the story.

TAN Network: Reds start to disperse from PM's house

THE NATION: The traffic won't be OK at least for an hour or 2 as the protesters are heading to American embassy. They're taking the Petchburi Rd.

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Red-clad protesters pour blood at Thai PM's residence

by Thanaporn Promyamyai

BANGKOK (AFP) - Thai protesters poured their own blood at the gates of the prime minister's residence Wednesday, but their four-day rally backing their ousted political hero appeared to be running out of steam.

Thousands of red-shirted protesters loyal to fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra massed in heavy rain at a police barricade outside the building, as a small group spilled the blood.

Police said a 1,000-strong security force had been deployed and six checkpoints set up around the residence of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva in the affluent Sukhumvit district of Bangkok, where the Reds paralysed traffic.

The protesters' bizarre bloody spectacle began a day earlier, when they pressed their demand for Abhisit to resign by making a mass collection of 300 litres of their own blood, some of which was later poured at his office gates.

Police said more than 10,000 protesters remained in the capital Wednesday, down significantly from the rally's peak of more 100,000-plus at the weekend, and despite repeated calls by Red leaders and Thaksin himself for them to stay.

But even as numbers dwindled, protest leaders pleaded for patience and said success was within their grasp.

"We are near victory.... If we make a mistake now we will be defeated for a long time.

We want a sustainable victory so please be patient," Red Shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan urged the crowd on Wednesday before leaving for Abhisit's empty and heavily secured residence.

After their bloody display, the Reds said they would picket the US embassy. They were angered Tuesday by remarks from the deputy prime minister who cited a US intelligence report that said Thaksin had ordered his supporters to incite violence.

The Reds are protesting against the perceived elitism and illegitimacy of the Abhisit government, which came to power via a December 2008 parliamentary vote after a controversial court ruling ousted Thaksin's allies.

Last month another court decision confiscated 1.4 billion dollars from Thaksin, whose followers are largely from the poor rural north and fervently support the populist policies he introduced before being ousted in a 2006 coup.

"I hope this blood spilling will work and (Abhisit) will get out of office soon," said Kaew Saengthong, a 37-year-old farmer from Chiang Mai, here since Friday.

"We can't let him run the country anymore. We are dying because we have nothing to eat -- the economy is so bad," she said.

Abhisit has been staying with other key leaders at an army barracks in the capital's northern outskirts since the rally began, and the protesters massed there briefly on Monday as he refused their demand to call snap elections.

On Wednesday he was due to fly to Thailand's far south, where a six-year separatist insurgency continues.

The government enacted a strict Internal Security Act to monitor the Bangkok rally, deploying 50,000 soldiers and police across the city and surrounding provinces as it feared violence by saboteurs.

Abhisit's residence has been hit several times in recent weeks by protesters throwing bags of excrement at the walls. As riot police guarded his home on Wednesday, many used their plastic shields as umbrellas in the heavy rain.

The premier has twice rejected the crowd's demand to dissolve parliament, saying he must think of the country's interests and not only those of the Reds.

Police said with falling numbers of demonstrators, they expected the rally to end within a few days. Red Shirt leaders have been using their rally stage to appeal for more protesters to arrive from the provinces.

Thaksin, who lives in exile to avoid a two-year jail term for graft at home, has spoken to the crowd via video link each night, urging them to fight on.

Since the coup that ousted Thaksin, Thailand has been rocked by protests from both supporters and opponents of the former premier.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-03-17

Published with written approval from AFP.

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TAN Network: U.S. Embassy Public Announcement: UDD demonstration in front of U.S. Embassy. More here: http://bit.ly/9O7oZy

THE NATION: Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanavisith has instructed Emergency Medical Centers across country to be ready for the sabotage.

MCOT: Democrats to decide Thursday whether or not to take legal action against Red Shirt bloodpourers at party headquarters;video footage recorded

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Red-shirt disperse from US embassy after inquiring about sabotage reports

BANGKOK: -- Red-shirt protesters dispersed from the US embassy at 1:15 pm Wednesday after their leaders submitted a letter to the embassy officials.

Jatuporn Promphan and other leaders met the embassy officials for about 20 minutes and came outside to tell the protesters that the embassy would not confirm the reports that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra had been eavesdropped US intelligence officials ordering certain red-shirt leaders to carry out sabotage.

Jatuporn said the embassy officials told him to find out about the reports from Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban who leaked the reports.

As a result, Jatuporn concluded that Suthep made up the story.

-- The Nation 2010-03-17

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Thai anti-government protesters picket US embassy

BANGKOK (AFP) - Thousands of Thai anti-government protesters picketed the US embassy in Bangkok Wednesday, accusing American intelligence officials of bugging exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The red-shirted demonstrators, who have been calling on the government to step down since beginning mass protests at the weekend, moved to the embassy in central Bangkok following another protest at the prime minister's residence.

They said the United States had accused Thaksin of inciting violence after intercepting phone calls by the billionaire former leader.

The rumour, which first appeared in Thai media on Tuesday, started spreading after deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban told reporters that foreign intelligence had warned of violence.

He did not mention the United States specifically, although the Thai press and Red Shirt leaders did.

"The US must clarify Suthep's remark when he said that the US bugged Thaksin's phone, and claimed that Thaksin will commit sabotage," Red Shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan told the crowd atop a truck outside the embassy.

Jatuporn then submitted a letter to an embassy representative with six other Red Shirts before the group began to depart.

US embassy spokesman Michael Turner told AFP that officials had been given advance warning of the protest.

"The Thai police have increased their presence here. It seems to be going peacefully," he said, declining to comment on intelligence matters.

Thaksin was ousted in a coup in 2006 and lives in exile to avoid a two-year jail term for graft at home, where his followers are largely from the poor rural north and fervently support the populist policies he introduced.

Earlier a group of his backers poured hundreds of litres (pints) of their own blood at the gates of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's Bangkok residence.

Police said more than 10,000 protesters remained in the capital Wednesday, down significantly from the rally's peak of 100,000-plus at the weekend.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-03-17

Published with written approval from AFP.

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TAN Network: INN: Korat red shirts donate 1,000 cc of blood; pours it on picture of Gen Prem Tinsulanonda

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THE NATION: Back from two meetings. Our newsroom today seeks to analyse how this is going to end. Conclusion: Perhaps two more nervy days.

THE NATION: Bkk rally will end soon, but places to watch in next two days are provincial halls. If nothing happens, then nothing to worry about.

THE NATION: Panthongtae has tweeted that he, his sisters and Thaksin are in Montenegro.

While I was away, the red shirts submitted a letter to the US Embassy regarding the "sabotage" allegations and moved back to main rally site

Thaivisa: SET hit a 19 month high, closed at 765.54, up 13.34

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TAN Network: PM arrives back in BKK; refuses to comment on reports of assassination plots

TAN Network: Red-shirts to seek onair time on state-run Channel 11 to tell public about red-shirts' flight for democracy.

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TAN Network: Metro police confirm suspicions of assassination plot; 5-6 suspected groups kept under close watch; 400 patrol teams watching reds

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Police officer faces disciplinary probe for addressing red shirts while on duty

BANGKOK: -- The uniformed policeman who addressed the redshirt rally on Tuesday would be subjected to a disciplinary investigation, city police spokesman MajGeneral Piya Uthayo said Wednesday.

The Police Aviation Division's Pol Senior Sergeant Major Ubon Suwanklang's behaviour was reported to his supervisor by the Metropolitan Police, Piya explained.

He added that the officer would have to undergo investigation because voicing personal political opinions while in uniform is a disciplinary offence, though it is not too severe.

Investigators will also check if Ubon had been addressing the protesters while on duty.

The investigation team would also determine if Ubon's speech could be considered a libel offence, for which he might face legal action, Piya said.

-- The Nation 2010-03-17

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THE NATION: Surachai sae Dan, a hardlined Red leader, has taken his red followers home and condemned the "three buddies" for their "utter" failure.

Surachai proposed that Jakapob Penkair, now on the run, be named new redshirt leader.

Veera, on the other hand, has strongly defended the "peaceful" approach.

"Please be the judges if our approach is not right", Veera told crowd. "If u still want 3of us to lead, we r willing to devote our lives"

"Surachai and Seh Daeng are not our friends" Veera said.

The red movement seems to be getting messier now.Nuttawut speaking next.

"We shall go our separate ways", Nuttawut said of Seh Daeng-Surachai.

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THE NATION: "Our rally has been non-violent, which is acknowledged by international media," Nuttawut media.

THE NATION: Pessimists may think , though, that this might be a tactical breakup (to free up hardliners for harsher measures).

THE NATION: Nuttawut vowed a protracted albeit peaceful gathering. Like when yellow shirts prevented pro-Thaksin governments from functioning.

"We can take turn. let's see how long govt can bear with this. When some of us go home, others will replace them," Nuttawut said.

"let's see what they can do if they can't enter govt house or their home and have to travel anywhere in secrecy," Nuttawut said.

THE NATION: "This Saturday we will have a special activity, taking all kinds of vehicles to all directions in Bangkok," Nuttawut said.

THE NATION: Nuttawut's last statement may stretch his non-violent claim. We shall see.

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TAN Network: Red shirts declare social class war; to march on streets of Bkk again Mar 20

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Red-shirts to Create Disruption in BKK on Saturday

BANGKOK: -- The red-shirt group announced plans to create disruptions in Bangkok on Saturday by asking their supporters to take to the streets and drive around the capital to cause traffic congestion.

The group's three leaders also denounced other red-shirt groups such as that led by Army Specialist Major General Khattiya Sawasdipol and the group led by Surachai Darnwattananusorn.

On calls by other red-shirt groups for them to step down, the three red-shirt leaders, Weera Musikapong, Nutthawut Saigua, Jatuporn Prompan affirmed to stay on to lead this red-shirt gathering.

-- Tan Network 2010-03-17

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TAN Network: INN: Metro police prepare to request arrest warrants for red leaders for throwing bags of blood into PM's house

THE NATION: Re-organizing and re-adjusting strategies are the name of the game for reds at moment. Dust yet to settle down.

3buddies r telling Taksin: "V r proposing compact but protracted rally, yellow-shirt style to chip away at Gov stability. Will u buy this?"

Bangkokdan: Funny how ignorant you can be, they simply don't realize that there's absolutely no majority support

THE NATION: I love this one. Seh Daeng has been quoted as saying, "You can't get rid of me. Thaksin asked me to be the caretaker".

[george]

TAN Network: Bangkok Police confirm report of assassination attempt on PM Abhisit; 400 added patrol police deployed to ensure security at protest site

MCOT: Red Shirt leaders vow to prolong protest; to mobilise red-clad convoy across BKK to launch 'first anti-class war' in Thailand this Saturday

TAN: TAN_Network INN: Metro police prepare to request arrest warrants for red leaders for throwing bags of blood into PM's house

BangkokDan: Bangkokians won't sympathize much with "yellow reds." Govt may start clean-up soon. They get their martyrs, rest can move on

Nation: Thaksin's phoning again, asking for red patience again, and attacking ammat and Abhisit again. "I'm not expelled from Dubai", he said. "Please join us. U don't need to wear red. Any colour and a heart that loves democracy will do". He admitted he's in Montenegro, though.

[george]

Nation: He [Thaksin] asked Bangkokians to welcome red protesters marching on streets like cheering atheletes returning from Olympics with medals.

Thaksin: "Should we turn Phan Fah area into a walking street? Make it this way until we win?"

Thaksin compares himself to Columbus ???? The guy who proved the world is round. Some truth, he said, took long to be accepted.

Thaksin: "Channels 3,5,7,9 Do u have time to think if u r neutral? If u aren't, we may pay you a visit. Don't worry. We won't do yellow shirts"

Ywitter: nobody in recorded human history ever believed the Earth was flat. The Columbus thing is a myth.