Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Updates - Saturday

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THE NATION: Abhisit and Suthep said to be leaving Cha-am for Bkk.

THE NATION: Troops leaving racecourse amid big red applause.

TAN Network: Soldiers at Tri Tossathep Temple seen leaving on foot after red-shirts marched to the area to demand they return to barracks.

TAN Network: PTV: Soldiers at Bovornniwet Viharn Temple and Nang Leng race track also agreed to return to barracks.

THE NATION: Reds clapped troops out of racecourse.

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Troops at Wat Kae Nang Lerng stages symbolic retreat

BANGKOK: -- At noon Saturday, the troops in front the Wat Kae Nang Lerng Temple agreed to stage a symbolic retreat to please protesters by leaving the checkpoint and return to be stationed inside the temple.

The protesters formed a line of women and children to try to pressure the soldiers to pull out from the spot.

Following, a negotiation with the leaders, the soldiers agreed to march back inside the temple.

But the troops would not leave the area as they are deployed to protect the community there.

-- The Nation 2010-03-27

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Thaivisa: Sansern: Troops will not withdraw to their barracks

THE NATION: Troops at Khae Nang Lern and Borvornnives temples have also pulled out.

Bangkokdan: And now what? The reds dearly need some martyr

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Red Shirt protesters demand soldiers to return to barracks;

Army at three sites returns to base

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's red-shirted United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protesters, anti-government demonstrators who for two weeks have been demanding the coalition government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve the lower house of Parliament, marched to temples and higher education institutions where Army contingents are stationed to provide security and demanded that they return to barracks.

Military at three sites agree to Red Shirt demands, leave posts to return to barracks to avoid confrontation.

The protesters have been demonstrating ont Rajadamnoen Avenue and Phan Fah Bridge in on the edge of old Bangkok but Saturday marched to seven temples, two colleges, a horse racing court and the Dusit Zoo and challenged soldiers posted there to return to barracks.

Veera Musikapong, a leader of UDD, told protesters before they left the rally site to move “peacefully, carry no arms, but only foot-clappers”, the symbol of their movement.

Mr Veera remained at Phan Fah Bridge with one group of protesters while the rest marched to targeted sites.

UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan told cheering crowds before leaving that the army posted at various places had two options: to carry arms and return to their original barracks or agencies and if they refuse and use weapons, the protesters would be willing to “exchange their lives for freedom and liberty”.

The ongoing mobile rally created heavy traffic jams throughout the area.

-- TNA 2010-03-27

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TAN_Network: CAPO: Soldiers won't return to barracks, merely relocated to other bases to avoid confrontation.

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The Nation: Army spokesman insists the pull-outs were intended to ease tension. Troops still on duty to maintain order, Col Sansern said.

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THE NATION: Suthep on TV, stressing govt non-confrontational policy. "It's been according to govt policy so far," Sutep said.

"All officers are brothers and friends of the people. This is not about winning or losing," Suthep said.

"The public should b reassured that evry measure has served our non-confrontational policy so far," Suthep said.

"And we are confident we can maintain peace and order like the public expect us to do," Suthep said.

"Soldiers aren't enemy of the people," Suthep said. I must say the calm speech repairs a bit of the damage and embarrassment.

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Red VS Soldiers: Soldiers Relocated to Other Bases to Avoid Confrontation

BANGKOK: -- The red-shirt key leaders announced on the rally stage at Pan Fah Bridge the plan for red-shirt protesters to march to 8 key areas in Bangkok where soldiers stationed, and demand that they return to their barracks.

Red-shirt leader Veera Musikkapong revealed the 8 key locations where the red-shirt protesters will march to. These locations include Nang Leng race track, Wat Kae Nang Leng, Wat Bovornniwet, Wat Tri Tossathep, Wat Makut, Wat Sommanat Viharn, Panich Phra Nakhon University and Dusit Zoo.

The core leaders also stated the Abhisit Vejjajiva administration must take responsibility for any violence instigated by the authorities or a third party.

Meanwhile, the Center for the Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) stated it is impossible for red-shirt protesters to demand that the soldiers be called back to their barracks. CAPO explained that these military officials have been deployed to maintain peace and ensure the safety of the general public and the protesters.

At around 1 p.m. soldiers at these 8 locations were seen leaving or preparing to leave the temporary bases. The red-shirt protesters have responded with joy and chanted "soldiers of the people" as the soldiers leave on foot or on military trucks. CAPO later revealed that the soldiers will not return to their barracks but have been ordered to relocate to other areas to avoid any confrontation with the red-shirt protesters.

CAPO also revealed that there will be a constant evaluation of the red-march and appropriate actions will be taken to ensure peace and order.

Security has been beefed up various key locations, especially Siriraj Hospital, where HM the King is residing. Soldiers and police officials stationed at Government House have also been alerted of the possibility of the red-shirt protesters marching to Government House. They've donned up full body armor but are unarmed.

Traffics around the inner Bangkok areas; including Rattakosin island area, Ratchadamnoen, Yommarat and nearby roads leading to Pan Fah are heavily congested and unmoving in several areas.

-- Tan Network 2010-03-27

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TAN Network: DPM Suthep: Gov't taking steps to avoid confrontation

TAN Network: Education Ministry relocates high school entrance exams away from 12 schools in the inner Bkk areas tomorrow

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Tomorrow's High School Entrance Exams Relocated

BANGKOK: -- Education Ministry announces the relocation of high school entrance exams away from 12 schools in the inner Bkk areas.

Students starting Mathayom 1 and Mathayom 4 levels next school year were originally scheduled to take entrance exams tomorrow.

The ministry has relocated those exams from 12 inner Bangkok schools to other locations.

-- Tan Network 2010-03-27

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THE NATION: Troops have pulled out of all spots targetted by reds. Now it's a matter of how each side will make use of today's events, politically.

TAN Network: BMA cancels energy saving activities tonight due to political situation, but encourages public to turn off all unnecessary lights

TAN Network: Arisman Pongruerngrong on stage at Pan Fah; encourages protesters to keep on fighting for democracy

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Protesters force troops to retreat to barracks

BANGKOK (NNT) - More anti-government demonstrators from other provinces have joined the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship’s (UDD) main rally site on Phan Fa Bridge in Bangkok.

The UDD protesters have started traveling to many locations where military personnel are stationed surrounding the main rally site to force them to return to barracks. The troops are withdrawing from the places.

Meanwhile, the UDD demonstrators will send their representative to submit a letter to an official at the 122nd Assembly of Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Meeting of Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments held on Ratchaprasong Road today. The protesters vow they will not disrupt the events.

Strict security measures have been enforced at the meetings’ venue and the delegate's hotels with anti-riot officers on standby.

-- NNT 2010-03-27

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TAN Network: Veera Musikapong asks protesters at Royal Plaza/Dusit Zoo to march to Wachirawut Witthayalai School to help Jatuporn/Nattawut

TAN Network: Red shirt leaders announce that they will continue rally to welcome government as they try to have Cabinet meeting at Gov't House on Tues

TAN Network: Veera Musikapong declares victory after success in forcing 90% of military personnel out of stronghold

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Related topic

Thai troops retreat in face of 80,000 protesters

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thai-Troops-...-P-t350934.html

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TAN Network: Ch 11: Soldiers stationed at Wachirawut Witthayalai School move out of area after Jatuporn/Nattawut led protesters to pressure them

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MCOT: Suthep: Red Shirt pressure for troop withdrawal now eases; protesters, army shake hands

THE NATION: have talked to a fellow editor&we share thoughts that today gives redshirts a significant psychological boost.

MCOT: Red Shirt protesters return to Phan Fa Bridge after pressure soldiers stationed near protest site retreat

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TAN Network: Veera: Tonight's target> Gov't House; tomorrow protesters to protest at 11th Infantry Regiment; military must return to barracks

TAN Network: Ch 3: Red shirts give military personnel inside Gov't House 30 mins to vacate premises; march to 11th Infantry tomorrow at 9 A.M.

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Veera: Tonight's target is Gov't House

BANGKOK: -- DAAD leader Veera Musikapong has announced that tonight protesters will pressure military personnel inside the Government House to return to their barracks.

Tomorrow, protesters will march to the Center for the Administration of Peace and Order at the 11th Infantry Regiment.

They claim that the military must return to the barracks.

-- Tan Network 2010-03-27

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THE NATION: As expected, reds are planning to visit 11th regiment HQ again tomorrow.

But the protesters' immediate plan is flush security forces out of Govt House today first.

THE NATION: Reds surely won a big psychological boost today, but not sure if their determination to "end it quick" is good for anybody.

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THE NATION: Latest we've heard: Reds will just surround Govt House and force troops out. They vowed not to "do a yellow shirts" by seizing the compound.

TAN Network: Red shirt protesters approach Gov't House; declare that soldiers must move out by 6 P.M.

THE NATION: Red ultimatum for troops: "Leave Govt House by 6 pm or else."

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Protesters Approach Gov't House

BANGKOK: -- Reports indicate that red shirt protesters have approached the gates of the Government House.

Authorities have replaced army soldiers with police forces. Leaders of the DAAD have announced that if security personnel do not vacate the Government House, they will take action.

-- Tan Network 2010-03-27

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Red shirts demand soldiers to leave Government House

BANGKOK: -- Red-shirt protesters reached the Government House at 5:41 pm Saturday and demanded that troops pull out of the compound by 6 pm.

The protesters were led by Suporn Atthawong, Phayup Punket and Waipoj Arpornrat.

The red-shirt leaders said if troops refused to comply with the wish by the deadline, the protesters would storm in to pressure the troops out.

-- The Nation 2010-03-27

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THE NATION: Troops have agreed to withdraw from Govt House, according to reporters at the scene

TAN Network: CAPO: Soldiers needed to keep Gov't House secure

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THE NATION: Confusion as to whether troops have actually agreed to withdraw from Govt House. Pls stay tuned.

MCOT: CAPO: Troops stand firm at Government House; if necessary will apply tougher measures to handle Red Shirt protesters

THE NATION: Red leaders calling reinforcement at Govt House now. "This is big battle," one said.

THE NATION: it seems govt has vetoed decisions to withdraw troops from Govt House.

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CAPO readjusts deployment of troops in the city

BANGKOK: -- The Center for the Administration of Peace and Order has readjusted the deployment of troops in the capital to make it in line with the protest situation, according to Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, in his capacity as the CAPO director.

Mr Suthep said at a press conference that government forces had performed their duties satisfactorily in dealing with the rallies with no single case of violence erupting. He said they had strictly abided by CAPO’s policy of avoiding violent confrontations with the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) demonstrators. He stressed that troops were put on standby to ensure peace and order, in order to enable the country to move forward. They were not enemies and did not want to defeat anybody, he explained.

Mr Suthep said the CAPO was evaluating the situation on an hourly basis, and all decisions taken to solve the facing problems were made in line with the situation. He said the withdrawals of troops from eight spots in the city today were part of the revised strategy. The CAPO will continue to readjust its peace keeping plan to ensure safety of government buildings and properties as well as peace and happiness of the people. He reassured the public that the government would be able to control the situation and prevent violence.

Mr Suthep also mentioned that negotiations were underway to end the rallies, but not with the UDD core leaders. He said the Cabinet will hold its weekly meeting on Tuesday at the 11th Infantry Regiment, and the Internal Security Act is still in force.

-- NNT 2010-03-27

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Peacekeeping Operations Command orders troops to stay put inside Government House

BANGKOK: -- Troops refused to comply with the red-shirt protesters' demand to for them to pull out from the Government House.

The National Peacekeeping Operations Command ordered troops to maintain position instead of pulling out.

-- The Nation 2010-03-27

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TAN Network: Red shirts on stage ask for additional 10,000 protesters to join movement at Gov't House

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Stand Off at Gate of Gov't House

BANGKOK: -- Live footage of the red shirt protest in front of the Government House shows a standoff between DAAD protesters and soldiers.

Demonstrators say they will take further measures if soldiers do not vacate the premises.

However, the Center for the Administration of Peace and Order maintains that military personnel are needed to secure the area and they will use lawful means to disperse the crowd if needed.

-- Tan Network 2010-03-27

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TAN Network: Veera, Nattawut, Jatuporn now discussing how to proceed; red shirts expect them to make announcement in 10 mins

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MCOT: Grenade explodes in front of TV Channel 5 at Phahonyothin's Sanam Pao area; police rush to scene

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TAN Network: Bomb attack at the bus stop in front of Channel 5; one soldier injured

Nation: bomb explosion reported at tV channel 5. initial reports said there were some troop injuries.