Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Saturday

[webfact]

Saturday April 3 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.

FOLLOW US:

You can also follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/georgebkk

or on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/farang

- Breaking News via SMS text messages to your mobile phone or handheld device

To subscribe dial *424010011 on AIS, One-2-Call, DTAC or True Move networks

14 days complementary subscription for Thaivisa members.

If you have questions about the Breaking News SMS service, email [email protected]

________________________________________________________________________________

Current weather in Bangkok, plus forecasts:

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

[webfact]

Mounting pressure

By THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The red-shirt protesters today will stage a big rally in Bangkok to mount pressure on the government to dissolve Parliament and call fresh elections amid concerns by security agencies about possible violence following the emergence of an anti-red group.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said the Peacekeeping Operation Centre, which is overseeing security during the protest, has received intelligence that there might be some attacks during today's rally.

"Usually, the attacks are aimed at the opponents of the protesters, but we're worried some of them might spill over to the protesters," Suthep told reporters. "So it's better to prepare for the incidents. We have to adjust police and troops to fit the situation."

Suthep called a meeting of security and law-enforcement agencies to prepare in case the government is required to declare a state of emergency.

The red shirts will begin their march in the capital at 9am today, but the leaders have declined to provide details of their movements.

The red-shirt protesters have been seen travelling since last night from upcountry to join the big rally in the capital.

THAKSIN OFF THE AIR

Meanwhile, ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra did not make a video call to the rally stage. He is now in Dubai, where the Thai Foreign Ministry said he had been barred from calling on supporters to rally against the government.

Suthep said the government could not give in to red-shirt demands to dissolve the House within two weeks, because it would take at least nine months.

The government will first propose constitutional amendments, and that will be a lengthy process, he said.

Natthawut Saikua, a leader of the red shirts, said the government did not really want to rewrite the Constitution, but rather needed time to appoint its man, deputy Army commander General Prayuth Chan-ocha, to succeed Army chief Anupong Paochinda who retires at the end of September.

"If the government wants General Prayuth to take charge, please fire General Anupong now, so that we don't have to wait until September," he said.

The red shirts mounted more pressure on the government after their talks last week failed to reach any compromise on the time frame for House dissolution.

Chulalongkorn University academics yesterday organised a demonstration of pink shirts to oppose the red shirts. There was a minor clash yesterday while some red shirts were passing Lumpini Park, where the pink group had gathered.

The incident took place at about 3.40pm, when a red-shirt motorcyclist was dragged away and slightly injured. A red-shirt flag was snatched away by protesters, then stepped and spat on.

The police, despite being present in the hundreds, were too late to stop the attack, which went on until some other pink shirts managed to calm things down.

Jatuporn Promphan, another red-shirt leader, said the government likely intended to sow conflict among people, because it urged those wearing pink to confront the red shirts.

Many yellow shirts, who fully back the government, are now wearing pink so they can attack the red shirts, he said.

"May I warn the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy and my brother, Suriyasai Katasila [the PAD coordinator] against playing this dirty game and give up hope that such a game will lead to another coup," Jatuporn said.

"The people already know the tricks you used with the September 2006 coup, and we won't let that happen again."

Earlier, at about 1pm, when a number of red-shirt vehicles passed on the way to the US Embassy, the pink-shirt protesters shouted all types of expletives, including: "Get out, beasts from hel_l!"

Weng Tojirakarn led a group of more than 1,000 protesters to the US Embassy on Wireless Road yesterday to deliver a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton promising their rally would not turn violent.

The visit was made after the US State Department called on the red shirts to seek a "peaceful resolution" of the political conflict.

-- The Nation 2010-04-03

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

Thai 'Red Shirts' set for fresh mass protest

by Boonradom Chitradon

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Red-shirted supporters of fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra descended on Bangkok Friday ahead of another mass weekend protest that has prompted tight security in the capital.

Defiant leaders of the red-clad protest movement, demanding snap elections, have rejected embattled Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's offer of more talks to heal deep rifts that tourism chiefs fear are scaring away foreign visitors.

"We will see the largest ever political rally in Thailand," Reds leader Nattawut Saikua told a press conference, refusing to divulge the protesters' plans for the latest day of action.

"We insist on keeping our mission secret until Saturday," he said. "But we reaffirm that it's nonviolent."

Authorities, however, said they expected a lower turnout than last Saturday, when 80,000 jubilant red-shirted protesters chased troops from positions in the capital's old quarter, including the city's zoo and Buddhist temples.

The military has mounted a heavy security response involving 50,000 personnel for the rallies which began on March 14.

"Red Shirt protesters are trickling into the capital, especially from the north and northeast," said police spokesman Major General Piya Uthayo.

"Protesters could rally at politically symbolic places and blockade key intersections in the city, paralysing Bangkok," he said.

More than 1,000 Red Shirts visited the US embassy in Bangkok Friday to deliver a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton promising that their rally would not turn violent.

Their letter came after the US State Department called for "peaceful resolution" of the class-based conflict.

Tourism workers as well as university academics and staff mounted their own smaller, peaceful rallies Friday to call for an end to the Reds' demonstrations.

The defiant Thaksin supporters accused the authorities of orchestrating the counter-protests.

The Reds say Saturday's gathering will be the biggest since the rallies began with more than 100,000 protesters on March 14, but authorities expect many rural Reds to stay away as the Songkran water festival approaches.

"Although there will be fewer protesters, the government is very concerned about traffic and the tourism industry," said government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn.

Abhisit has offered to hold elections a year early, at the end of 2010. But the Red Shirts, who accuse the government of being elitist and army-backed, want polls even sooner.

The premier said Friday he was still open to further talks with protesters, but on the condition they do not intimidate other groups.

"If the protest movement stays within the law, the door is still open for a third round of talks," he told reporters.

The Reds have staged a series of dramatic stunts to press their demands, including throwing their own blood at Abhisit's offices.

Hailing mainly from the rural poor north, they seek the return of the twice-elected Thaksin, a former telecoms tycoon who was ousted in a 2006 coup.

Thaksin, who lives abroad to avoid a jail term for graft at home, has sought to mobilise his supporters with a series of impassioned speeches by videolink.

The Reds say Abhisit's government is undemocratic because it came to power through a parliamentary vote after a court ruling removed Thaksin's allies from power.

While the red-shirted demonstrations have been peaceful, a series of small explosions have hit politically significant sites and army buildings, injuring more than a dozen people in the past week.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-04-03

Published with written approval from AFP.

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

Red Shirt set to launch 'biggest ever mass rally' to force govt for House dissolution

BANGKOK (TNA) -- The anti-government 'Red-Shirt' United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) on Friday announced that they would mobilise the biggest ever mass rally on Saturday to push for their demand to dissolve Parliament immediately, but the destination would not be disclosed until Saturday, according to UDD leader Natthawut Saikua.

Mr Natthawut said the Red Shirt would start mobile rally at 9am Saturday to undisclosed destinations however he stressed that the demonstration would be peacefully to press for House dissolution.

The UDD key leader said the Red Shirt wanted the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) to work harder to evaluate and predict the Red Shirt's plan on Saturday.

He added that the numbers of red-clad supporters who would join the protest would break the record since UDD staged rallies over the past two weeks.

As for the prospect of the future talks with the government, Mr Natthawut said it was almost impossible because the government was insincere to hold talks with the Red Shirt at the first place.

He claimed that the government wanted to stay in power to complete the army reshuffle list, to appoint Deputy Army Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha to succeed Army Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda who is scheduled to retire at the end of September.

He said the Red Shirt people was ready to prolong its fight for democracy and did not set time frame to end its protest or to achieve its goal.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said earlier that the government would not return to the negotiation table if the Red Shirt protesters moved from Phan Fa Bridge to protest at various locations.

The premier said the time frame for House dissolution was not the condition but how to bring the country back to normal, peaceful and could move forward was the objective.

"The demand for House dissolution would be met only if it benefits the public, not for any particular person or group," he said.

If this could be agreed upon, the talks could resume, he said, stressing that the government was not underdog of the Red Shirt protesters.

Mr Abhisit said the demonstration over the past 20 days had impacted the feeling of people who were affected by the protest.

He pledged to do his best to handle the situation and wanted all Thais, no matter what colour they side, to enjoy and celebrate the Songkran Festival (Thai traditional New Year) in the middle of the month.

The key Red Shirt key leaders earlier submitted a letter to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton via US embassy spokesman Mark Turner to reaffirm the group's non-violent demonstrations and express their appreciation for what they said was the US government's position in supporting the peaceful protests.

The embassy spokesman said after receiving the UDD letter that it is the rights of people in a democratic state to stage a protest, saying that the US embassy to Thailand wants the Red Shirt protesters to announce their clear position that they will demonstrate peacefully with no use of violence, while urging them to condemn a string of violent incidents which occured recently.

Mr Turner said the embassy will read through the UDD letter and will forward it to Mrs Clinton.

The embassy spokesman reiterated that the Thai government and the Red Shirt movement should be patient over the current political standoff, reaffirming that the United States still a friend of Thai people, no matter they are in any colour group.

The Red Shirt's move came after the State Department spokesman Mark Toner earlier said during the State Department on March 30 in Washington that the United States was encouraged by the recent talks between the Thai government and the protest leaders.

The spokesman said that "peaceful demonstrations are a hallmark of a democratic society, and we certainly call on protestors and their leaders to foreswear the use of violence and to exercise their right to assemble and protest peacefully in accordance with the law."

In related development, appointed senators Piboon Nititawan and Prasarn Maruekapitak said a group of people would submit a letter to seek impeachment against Puea Thai member of Parliament Jatuporn Prompan, also the Red Shirt leader next week.

The senators said that Mr Jatuporn's threat to rally at Lumpini Park to oppose the demonstration of pink-shirted group was considered an infringement of people’s right to stage a peaceful demonstration.

His threat was improper and was deemed as wrongful act, the senators said.

Mr Prasarn also claimed that the planned mass rally of the red-clad protesters on Saturday would cause turmoil, claiming a source from the group said 5,000 motorcycle drivers were hired at a fee of 1,000 baht each per day to join the movement. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-04-03

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

THE NATION: hear red shirt music blaring outside window but can't see anyone yet. Feels like cultural revolution + Ch Mao will appear soon?

MCOT: Bomb in Chiang Mai Central Hospital parking lot damages two cars; Hospital director says dismissed staff may responsible

THA NATION: Traffic radio reports reds using 6-wheel vehicles to block traffic at Ploenchit in bid to set up stage at Rajprasong intersec.

[webfact]

Red shirts block Rajprasong Intersection

BANGKOK: -- Red-protesters use 7 trucks to block the Rajprasong Intersection Saturday morning to set up a rally stage.

Their leaders expect the stage to be set up by 9:30 am as part of their measures to step up pressure on the government.

-- The Nation 2010-04-03

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

THE NATION: Red-shirt people gathered at the Bang Na Intersection at 8:45 am Saturday, causing traffic snarls on the Bang Na-Trat road.

THE NATION: Traffic police warn commuters against going to Rajprasong intersec. Red stage being set up near the Phra Prom Erawan shrine.

[webfact]

Traffic chaos happens on Bang Na-Trat Road

BANGKOK: -- Red-shirt people gathered at the Bang Na Intersection at 8:45 am Saturday, causing traffic snarls on the Bang Na-Trat road.

They were heading to the Phan Fah Bridge, using the Sukhumvit Road.

-- The Nation 2010-04-03

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

THE NATION: TNN reports that police are negotiating with leaders to have red shirts stop setting up the stage at the Rajprasong Intesection.

THE NATION: Phan Fa crowd not as big today as last two sats. maybe the Rajprasong stunt was intended to compensate the low turn-out.

[webfact]

THE NATION: Phan Fa crowd not as big today as last two sats. maybe the Rajprasong stunt was intended to compensate the low turn-out.

THE NATION: On Phan Fa stage, a speaker says reds will move both on vehicles and on foot "to show Bangkokians how massive our numbers are".

[webfact]

THE NATION: Veera Musigapong told red shirts he would lead them to protest at NACC head office and my burn the office down to vent out dissatisfaction.

TAN Network: Red shirt movements have been reported at various places already.

TAN Network: A stage has been set up to block Rajprasong intersection in front of the Phra Prom Erawan shrine. Commuters advised to avoid the area.

[webfact]

THE NATION: Phan Fa: "No dissolution, no peace."

TAN Network: NNA News: At 08:45am a group of red-shirts have shown up at Bang Na intersection, extending as far as Sukhumvit 62. Traffic congested.

THE NATION: Phan Fa: "If Abhisit doesn't dissolve House, we will all have to live unhappily like this."

[webfact]

THE NATION: Prime Minister off the the Mekong River Commission Summit in Hua Hin. Deputy PM Suthep leading security operations at 11th Infantry (CAPO).

THE NATION: Phan Fa: "Govt's planning to use fake reds to create trouble at Suvanabhumi."

[webfact]

Veera threatens to burn NACC head office

BANGKOK: -- Veera Musigapong, a red-shirt leader, told the protesters at the Phan Fah Bridge Saturday morning that he may lead them to rally at the head office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

He said the protesters might have to use violent mean like setting fire to the office because the NACC has been using double standard law enforcement.

Veera said the red-shirt movement might have to use violent means to establish a new Thai state.

-- The Nation 2010-04-03

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

THE NATION: Jatuporn said protesters may besiege BMA headquarters to vent out dissatisfactions over the test of protesters' blood.

TAN Network: Army Spokesman: There might be violence today, but we are prepared.

THE NATION: Arisman vowed to prevent PM Abhisit from returnig to work inside Government House and returnign to his house.

TAN Network: Red-shirts at Rajprasong intersect. reportedly use six-wheeler trucks to block off area for the stage that's been set up.

[webfact]

THE NATION: Weng showing protesters how to drum empty plastic bottles on the ground to make "Dissolve House" chants sound more emphatic.

THE NATION: Phan Fa crowds are told to be ready for march.

[webfact]

Jatuporn vows to lead protesters to besiege BMA

BANGKOK: -- Jatuporn Promphan vowed Saturday morning to lead protesters to besiege the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's headquarters.

He said the protesters were dissatisfied that the BMA took sample of protesters' blood for testing without permission and announced that the blood sample's was contaminated with HIV and other dangerous viruses.

-- The Nation 2010-04-03

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

TAN Network. Red-shirt leaders on stage: Gov't plan to use fake reds at Suvanabhmi airport.

[webfact]

Arisman vows to prevent Abhisit from returning home, Government House

BANGKOK: -- Arisman Pongruangrong Saturday morning vowed to prevent Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva from returning home and returning to work inside the Government House.

He said he would deploy 500 motorcyclists to hound the prime minister to prevent him from returning to his house on Soi Sukhumvit 31.

-- The Nation 2010-04-03

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

TAN Network: Veera and Jatuporn: Reds to go to NACC against double standards, at BMA central office to oppose blood test results.

Thaivisa memeber: A contingent of red shirt protesters were on Suksawat Road near Major Hollywood, at the intersection leading to the bridge that crosses to Rama III.

Traffic was slightly congested, gas stations not selling gas.

[webfact]

3RD MARCH

Bangkok expected to be paralyzed, violence threatened

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The day of the third march of the red-shirt people in Bangkok Saturday started with the red-shirt leaders threatening to use violent means and with the blocking of the main intersection in the heart of capital.

Veera Musigapong told the crowd at the Phan Fah bridge that protesters may have to use violent means.

Meanwhile, red-shirt protesters used six-wheel trucks to block the Rajprasong Intersection at 8 am to set up a rally stage.

The blocking of the Rajprasong Intersection is seen as a measure to pressure the business sector, which came out against the movement's call for early House dissolution.

The stage faces to the Pratunam area and is located between the Erawan Shrine and the Police General Hospital.

The stage blocked nearly all lanes, leaving just one passable lane on the Rama IV road.

Police tried in vain to talk to the protester to stop blocking the main intersection.

While the Rajprasong Interssection stage was being build, the red-shirt leaders announced at the Phan Fah Bridge that they would deploy two processions of protesters to march around Bangkok.

Earlier Saturday, Veera told the protesters at the Phan Fah Bridge that he might lead them to rally at the head office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

He said the protesters might have to use violent mean like setting fire to the office because the NACC has been using double standard law enforcement.

Veera said the red-shirt movement might have to use violent means to establish a new Thai state.

Jatuporn Promphan told the crowd that he might lead them to besiege the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's headquarters.

He said the protesters were dissatisfied that the BMA took sample of protesters' blood for testing without permission and announced that the blood sample's was contaminated with HIV and other dangerous viruses.

Meanwhile, Arisman Pongruangrong vowed to prevent Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva from returning home and returning to work inside the Government House.

He said he would deploy 500 motorcyclists to hound the prime minister to prevent him from returning to his house on Soi Sukhumvit 31.

While the three had violent tone, weng Tojirakarn told the protesters to remain calm and refrain from using violent.

"Don't get angry, do not use violence, don't talk back," weng told the crowd.

-- The Nation 2010-04-03

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

THE NATION: Kaysorn shopping mall has closed the entrance where the Red shirts are but still opens for customers, reports JS 100 radio.

THE NATION: CentralWorld's management is in a meeting to decide whether the mall should be opened thanks to the Red shirts rally at Rajprasong.

THE NATION: Reds vehicle convoy _ pick-ups, trucks, motorcycles _ target Vibhavadi Rd. Red foot soldiers target Rajaprasong. Traffic nightmare expected.

TAN Network: TAN Network correspondent at traffic control: Red shirt convoy starting at Yommaraj intersection split into 2 groups.

[webfact]

THE NATION: Police has closed the traffic from Ploenchit to Rajprasong Intersection. Motorists are adviced to take Wireless Rd instead or use skytrain.

THE NATION: JS 100 Radio reports the 'sky walk' from Chidlom to Rajprasong Intersection is now closed due to the safety concern

[webfact]

Thai 'Red Shirts' stage new mass anti-government rally

by Anusak Konglang

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Tens of thousands of red-shirted protesters loyal to ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra mounted another mass rally in Bangkok Saturday, refusing to back down in their bid to topple the government.

The military has mounted a heavy security response involving 50,000 personnel for the three weeks of protests against embattled British-born Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Police estimated the initial turnout for the latest demonstration in the capital's old quarter at 45,000.

Oxford-educated Abhisit has offered to hold elections a year early, at the end of 2010. But the Red Shirts, who accuse the government of being elitist and army-backed, want polls even sooner.

"We do not accept Prime Minister Abhisit's holding on to power for nine months," Reds leader Korkaew Pikulthong told protesters.

The Reds, who argue that Abhisit has no popular mandate to rule, have said the latest gathering will be the biggest since the rallies began with more than 100,000 protesters on March 14.

But authorities expected many rural Reds to stay away as the Songkran water festival, which celebrates the traditional Thai new year, approaches on April 13-15.

Last Saturday 80,000 jubilant red-shirted protesters chased troops from positions including the city's zoo and Buddhist temples.

Abhisit said Friday he was still open to further talks with protesters, but on the condition they do not intimidate other groups.

The Reds have staged a series of dramatic stunts to press their demands, including throwing their own blood at Abhisit's offices.

Hailing mainly from the rural poor north, they seek the return of the twice-elected Thaksin, a former telecoms tycoon who was ousted in a 2006 coup.

Thaksin, who lives abroad to avoid a jail term for graft at home, has sought to mobilise his supporters with a series of impassioned speeches by videolink.

The Reds say Abhisit's government is undemocratic because it came to power through a parliamentary vote after a court ruling removed Thaksin's allies from power.

While the red-shirted demonstrations have been peaceful, a series of small explosions have hit politically significant sites and army buildings, injuring more than a dozen people in the past week.

Since the coup in 2006, Thailand has been wracked by a string of protests by the Red Shirts and their rival Yellow Shirts, whose campaign in 2008 led to a crippling nine-day blockade of the country's airports.

The Red Shirts rioted in Bangkok in April last year, leaving two dead and scores injured.

The Reds mainly represent Thailand's rural poor, who benefited from Thaksin's populist policies.

Dozens of countries have issued travel advisories for Thailand because of the protests, raising fears for the country's vital tourism sector.

Asian tourists are particularly sensitive to security and many have cancelled trips for this month's famed Songkran festival, which usually attracts thousands of foreign visitors, according to industry officials.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-04-03

Published with written approval from AFP.

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

THE NATION: Kaysorn shopping mall has closed the entrance where the Red shirts are but still opens for customers, reports JS 100 radio.

THE NATION: All Central World entrances have been closed.

[webfact]

Peacekeeping Operations Command worried about Rajprasong rally

BANGKOK: -- The Peacekeeping Operations Command is concerned that the rally at the Rajprasong Intersection would severely affect the daily life of Bangkokians and businesses.

Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd, the spokesman of the command, said the blocking of traffic of the intersection in the heart of main business area would affect businesses.

The rally would also affect parents who would have to report their seventh-grade children to schools in the area.

-- The Nation 2010-04-03

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

THE NATION: Red vehicle convoy spreading out on in-bound Vibhavadi Rd.

THE NATION: Peacekeeping Operations Command expects the number of protesters to peak at 60,000, spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said.

[webfact]

Peacekeeping Operations Command expect the number of protesters to peak at 60,000

BANGKOK: -- The Peacekeeping Operations Command estimated that the number of protesters at the Phan Fah Bridge Saturday morning was about 25,000 to 26,000.

Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd, the spokesman of the command, said the number of protesters was rising as more protesters were joining the rally and the number was expected to peak at 60,000.

-- The Nation 2010-04-03

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

THE NATION: Police have closed down Rajprasong intersection traffic after red protesters had closed virtual standstill there.

THE NATION: Govt insists there will be no use of force to disperse protesters.

THE NATION: Speaker on Rajprasong stage: "We will b here long."

[webfact]

Red shirts occupy entire Rajprasong Intersection

BANGKOK: -- All roads at the Rajprasong Intersection were blocked by the red-shirt protesters at 11:04 am.

Many of the protesters arrived on the motorcycles.

The protesters ignored police's request to open a lane for traffic. They spread out to occupy all roads and lanes.

The department stores in the area were all closed for business.

-- The Nation 2010-04-03

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]