Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Updates - Saturday

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ASTV: PM will take a helicopter back to Bkk from Hua Hin to attend CAPO meeting at 8 P.M.

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ASTV: 4 injured from Ch 5 bomb; 2 soldiers, 2 civilians

INN: Reds decide to back off from Gov't House; focus their efforts on 11th Infantry tomorrow

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TAN Network: ASTV: PM will take a helicopter back to Bkk from Hua Hin to attend CAPO meeting at 8 P.M.

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

MCOT: Red Shirt protesters, after talks, agree to withdraw from Government House, demand troops stay only inside compound

TAN Network: ASTV: Number of injured in front of Ch 5 at 6; 1 soldier, 5 civilians

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THE NATION: Tension has eased now, though temporarily, as reds agreed not to invade Govt House. Troops will stay put.

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Two Thai soldiers injured in TV station blast

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Two Thai soldiers were injured Saturday when a grenade was thrown at an army-run television station, police said, in the second blast to hit as anti-government protesters mounted a rally.

The station, Channel 5, showed footage of the two soldiers with bleeding leg wounds being lifted into a pick-up truck and taken to hospital.

"An M-79 grenade was launched from the road in front of Channel 5 but the bomb hit a net above the fence before falling and exploding on the pavement," said police operations command spokesman Prawut Thavorsiri.

Earlier Saturday, a small blast hit Thailand's customs department compound hours ahead of a street protest staged by tens of thousands of supporters of deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

It shattered windows and damaged a van parked nearby, but caused no injuries.

"The bomb went off at 3:45 am, we still don't know type of bomb it was, we will have to wait for a forensic examination," said a district police officer.

The blasts are the latest in a series of more than a dozen, mostly caused by grenades, that have been set off in Bangkok and surrounding areas since the rolling demonstrations began on March 14.

The red-shirted supporters, largely from poor northern areas, are pushing for fresh elections to displace a government which came to power with army backing in 2008, after a controversial court ruling removed Thaksin's allies.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-03-27

Published with written approval from AFP.

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Metropolitan Police Gear Up for March to 11th Infantry Tomorrow

BANGKOK: -- Metropolitan police have prepared measures to handle the red shirt procession to the 11th Infantry Regiment tomorrow. Regions 1 and 2 of the Metropolitan Police will be responsible for handling security for various locations throughout the route of tomorrow’s procession.

Deputy Metropolitan Police Commander Police Major General Panu Kerdlappol reveals that officials will be securing the route from the Pan Fah Bridge area to the 11th Infantry Regiment as the red shirt protesters proceed at 9 A.M. Sunday morning. Locations which will be guarded by police forces include the Crime Suppression Division, BTS stations throughout the route, and the Channel 5 and Channel 7 studios.

Authorities are advising the general public to avoid the following areas: Yommarat, Rama 5, Ratchawitiee roads, Victory Monument, Central Ladprao intersection, and Phaholyothin Road. These areas should be avoided from 9 A.M. to noon Sunday.

-- Tan Network 2010-03-27

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TAN Network: DPM Suthep, Gen Anupong visit injured soldier from Ch 5 bomb attack; 7 injured in total

MCOT: DPM Suthep, Gen Anupong visit injured soldier from Ch 5 bomb attack; 7 injured in total

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THE NATION: Thaksin phoning in now

"It's beautiful Thai tradition, what happened today," Thaksin said.

Thaksin praised protesters for giving way to Crown Prince's motorcade while shouting "Long Live Yr Majesty".

Signals not that good. But he's basically saying "ammats" should stop discrediting the movement.

"Abhisit always says people come first. I hope he wait to meet his people tomorrow"

"Red shirt brothers, don't negotiate for me (for my money) tomorrow. Let it be purely about Thailand."

"We will say only one word ..Dissolve the House".

Soldiers supposed to be the "fence", and "fence" isn't supposed to be "in middle of the house", Thaksin said of troops.

"When I were in office, I tried to make soldiers really professional soldiers. Too bad a coup happened," Thaksin said.

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THE NATION: I'm not supposed to comment in between, but I can't help it. I just think Thaksin is spoiling what has been a pretty good Red Shirt day.

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THE NATION: "Foreign countries welcome Abhisit only because he represents Thailand, not because he's prime minister," Thaksin said.

THE NATION: Today's first time that Thaksin invariably compares himself to Bin Laden.

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THE NATION: "Brothers, please go together tomorrow (to 11 regiment) to see if 'people really come first' as far as Abhisit is concerned"

THE NATION: He's crying!!!!!

THE NATION: Before ending phone-in, he said he was so touched that he couldn't keep on. Then he stuttered.

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THE NATION: Another bomb explosion. This time at Channel 11. One soldier and a guard were wounded.

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Bomb Attack on NBT Studios; 2 Injured

BANGKOK: Reports suggest a M79 bomb has been launched at the NBT or Channel 11 headquarters on Vipavadee Road. One soldier and one security guard was injured.

-- Tan Network 2010-03-27

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THE NATION: Bad day for Thaksin to compare himself to Bin Laden. Two bombs injured about a dozen people as he spoke.

TAN Network: DEVELOPING STORY: As many as 4 wounded from Ch 11 bomb; 3 soldiers, 1 security guard

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Third blast hits Thailand's capital after protests

BANGKOK (AFP) : -- A third blast hit Thailand's capital Saturday, bringing the number of wounded to eight including five soldiers, after anti-government demonstrators mounted a major rally.

The latest explosion hit the government-run National Broadcasting Service of Thailand television station at 9.30 pm (1430 GMT), injuring three soldiers and a civilian guard, police and medical authorities said.

Two soldiers and two civilians were injured earlier when a grenade was thrown at army-run television station Channel 5.

The incident came shortly after some 80,000 protesters mounted a peaceful street rally.

The channel showed footage of the soldiers with bleeding leg wounds being lifted into a pick-up truck and taken to hospital. One of the injured civilians needed surgery but the other was released from hospital after treatment.

"An M-79 grenade was launched from the road in front of Channel 5 but the bomb hit a net above the fence before falling and exploding on the pavement," said police operations command spokesman Prawut Thavorsiri.

Earlier Saturday, a small blast hit Thailand's customs department compound hours ahead of a street protest staged by tens of thousands of supporters of deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

It shattered windows and damaged a van parked nearby, but caused no injuries.

"The bomb went off at 3:45 am, we still don't know what type of bomb it was, we will have to wait for a forensic examination," said a district police officer.

The blasts are the latest in a series of unexplained explosions, mostly caused by grenades, that have been set off in Bangkok and surrounding areas since the rolling demonstrations began on March 14.

The red-shirted supporters, largely from poor northern areas, are pushing for fresh elections to displace a government which came to power with army backing in 2008, after a controversial court ruling removed Thaksin's allies.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-03-27

Published with written approval from AFP.

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