Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Saturday

[webfact]

Confirmed Red Movements So Far

There are three major movements at the moment.

The most pressing concern is at Radjaprasong intersection, where red-shirt protesters have closed off the intersection with 6-wheel trucks and set up a stage. More red-shirt protesters are mobilizing towards the area from Phan Fah Bridge and Yomaraj intersection. Businesses in the area have been reportedly closing off entrances. It's likely they will close down for the day. The skytrain footpath between Siam and Chidlom stations have also been declared off limits.

Another group of protesters have been confirmed at Bang Na intersection. Traffic is reportedly heavily congested.

Meanwhile, trucks are mobilizing towards the Vibhavadi-Rangsit Rd. It is unclear where they're headed at the moment.

-- Tan Network 2010-04-03

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

TAN Network: TAN Correspondent: BTS Skywalk between Siam and Chitlom stations closed.

THE NATION: Urgent: singer Vipoj Petsupan said on red stage at Rajprasong that the protesters "will stay until PM dissoves House."

THE NATION: Whoever hosting events/wedding at InterCon, Holiday Inn, Grand Hyatt, Four Seasons must b really upset.

THE NATION: It seems there's no fixed plan for the Vibhavadi Rd convoy, which may return to Phan Fa after all.

[webfact]

THE NATION: How did the reds go from "Let's send love and smiles" to Bangkokians two weeks ago to this???

THE NATION: iam Paragon and Siam Discovery are still opened but the management is following up the situation closely. Shoppers are welcome.

[webfact]

THE NATION: RT JS100radio - Check the rerouted public buses at 184 as some buses have to take new routes. For Mtro bus call 02 3011818.

THE NATION: An academic on Channel 5 : "Reds pushing self-destruct button".

THE NATION: Academic on Channel 5: "This is beyond 'peaceful protest'"

THE NATION: Academic on Channel 5: "This can turn into uncontrollable, hateful mob".

[webfact]

THE NATION: Red-shirt leaders told the crowd at Rajprasong Intersection they would remain occupying the roads in the business area throughout the night.

THE NATION: Explosion has been heard at Pathumwan intersec. No injury reported.

[webfact]

THE NATION: Explosion has been heard at Pathumwan intersec. No injury reported.

____________________________________________________________________

Red shirts to stay overnight at the Rajprasong Intersection

The red-shirt leaders told the crowd at the Rajprasong Intersection that they would remain occupying the roads in the business area throughout the night.

The leaders said they would make a decision on the following day where to move the protesters to rally.

Those speaking on the stage include weng Tojirakarn and Jatuporn Promphan.

-- The Nation 2010-04-03

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

THE NATION: Jatuporn says sorry to bangkokians, who must endure traffic jam "for a day". This contradicts another claim it'll b protracted protest.

[webfact]

Traffic chaos on New Phetchaburi Road

The traffic on the New Phetchaburi Road was heavily congested Saturday as red-shirt protesters' convoys were heading to Rajprasong Intersection and Vibhavadi Rangsit Road.

The congestion began from the Urupong Intersection to Pratunam area.

-- The Nation 2010-04-03

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

MCOT: Motorcycle assailant hurls pingpong bomb ay Red Shirt protesters at Pathumwan intersection; explosion limited to traffic island, no injuries

[webfact]

THE NATION: Weng: "We can never lose. The door to victory has opened."

THE NATION: Red leaders asking stores at Rajaprasong to open for protesters so they can use toilets.

THE NATION: Jatuporn: "We will go to 'higher pressure' spot tomorrow if PM doesn't dissolve House."

[webfact]

THE NATION: Red shirts demand BMA send mobile toilets immediately "or we'll use this area as our toilets."

THE NATION: Police Hospital are worried about blood and Oxygen supply as the traffic in front of hospital is blocked, NBT reports.

TAN Network: Red-shirt leaders say the group would continue rally tomorrow if the Gov't doesn't give in to its demands.

[webfact]

THE NATION: Ch. 3 reports Siam Paragon & Siam Discovery will be closed at 1pm today.

[webfact]

Ping pomb bomb thrown as red shirts move past Siam Discovery

A ping pong bomb was thrown and landed on the road island in front of the Siam Discovery shopping center at 11:20 am while a group of red-shirt protesters were moving past the area.

No one was injured.

A troop stationed in the area said a motorcyclist threw the bomb and sped away.

-- The Nation 2010-04-03

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

THE NATION: Traffic on PhyaThai & SriAyutthaya Rds stands still.

THE NATION: They plan everything except where to pee and some have started using pavements as toilets.

THE NATION: Siam Paragon spokesperson says the 3 malls Paragon, Siam centre, Siam Discovery will close their doors at 1pm. business 2 b resume tomorrow.

THE NATION: RT JS100 radio - Traffic on Vibhavadee Rangsit has the tail back to Din Daeng insectersection. Must avoid route!!!

[webfact]

THE NATION: Six big stores in the area have already been closed and Emporium, MBK are closely monitoring situation.

THE NATION: Govt asking gas stations not to sell to those using containers to buy petrol.

[webfact]

THE NATION: Govt asking gas stations not to sell to those using containers to buy petrol.

_________________________________________________________________________

Siam Paragon, Siam Center and Siam Discovery to be closed

Siam Paragon, Siam Center and Siam Discovery shopping malls will be closed at 1 pm after the number of protesters spilled over from Rajprasong Intersection to the road in front of the shopping malls.

Six big stores in the area have already been closed and Emporium and MBK are closely monitoring situation.

-- The Nation 2010-04-03

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

MCOT: Siam Paragon, Siam Discovery, Siam Centre join Central World in closing for business; Dindaeng-Vibhavadi inbound paralysed

THE NATION: reports on traffic jams are flooding in.

THE NATION: Pratunam, Rajdamri, Chalermpao, Chidlom and Rajdamri intersections were closed to traffic because of Rajprasong blockade, police said.

[webfact]

5 intersections closed to traffic: police

The Metropolitan Police closed traffic at four other intersections leading to the Rajprasong Intersection after the red-shirt protesters occupied the Rajprasong intersection.

Pol Maj Gen Piya Uthayo, the spokesman of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said the Pratunam Intersection, Rajdamri Intersection, Chalermpao Intersection, Chidlom Intersection and Rajdamri Intersection had to be closed to traffic.

-- The Nation 2010-04-03

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

THE NATION: Urgent: Pathumwan residents are starting to come together to oppose reds.

THE NATION: MBK is the only major store in the vicinity to stay open.

THE NATION: Natthawut told red-shirt protesters at 1 pm that Central World allowed protesters to use toilet rooms.

[webfact]

THE NATION: A 18-year-old man was arrested for slamming his Porsche vehicle at some motorcycles of red-shirt protesters. Some were injured.

[webfact]

Teenager arrested for hitting red-shirt motorcycles with his Porsche

A 18-year-old man was arrested for slamming his Porsche vehicle at some motorcycles of red-shirt protesters.

Lumpini police chief Pol Lt Col Sarawut Jindakham met Jatuporn Promphan at the back of the Rajprasong stage to inform him of the arrest.

The man was identified as Thanit Thanakijamnuay.

Sarawut said Thani allegedly sammed his car at some motorcycles parked in front of Intercontinental Hotel and inured some people.

-- The Nation 2010-04-03

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

THE NATION: Central Childlom has just closed its dooers, says the store's spokesperson Siriyos.

THE NATION: BTS and MRT subway are still open

[webfact]

Red-Shirt Protestors Continue Protests in Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- Red-shirt protestors have scattered throughout the city.

At Rajprasong intersection, businesses have closed down for the day including Central World Department Store, Gaysorn Department Store, Siam Paragon, and Siam Discovery.

MBK and Emporium are considering the same caution.

Vibhavadi Rd. is reportedly closed down. All four lanes of the highway is blocked off by red-shirt protesters and traffic is officially confirmed as paralyzed.

The government as asked that petrol stations refrain from selling petrol in glass bottles to customers as they were used as petrol bombs last April during the infamous mayhem.

In addition, a explosion was heard in front of Siam Discovery. The authorities believe it was a pingpong bomb.

The authorities who witnessed the incident said the bomb was thrown by a motorcyclist who rode off quick enough to evade the authorities.

The red-shirt guards are extremely upset to find that the authorities did not get a view of the registration plate of the motorbike. No injuries were reported.

It's been reported that residents near the Pathumwan area have gathered to show dissatisfaction as the Pathumwan intersection has also been closed by protestors parked vehicles.

-- Tan Network 2010-04-03

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

Central Word, Amarin Plaza allow protesters to use toilets

Natthawut Saikua told the red-shirt protesters at the Rajprasong Intersection that Amarin Plaza and Central Word allowed protesters to use toilets.

After all the department stores in the area were closed, Natthawut announced on the stage that the stores should allow the protesters to use their toilet rooms.

Natthawut said the protesters came to the area to fight for democracy and did not have intention to damage their businesses.

Natthawut announced at 12:50 pm that Amarin Plaza allowed the demonstrators to use the toilet rooms.

Later on at 1 pm, Natthawut announced that Central World allowed the protesters to use its toilet facilities.

______________________________________________________

Jatuporn says red shirts will do everything to pressure PM to dissolve House

Jatuporn Promphan announced Saturday that the red-shirt people would do everything to pressure the government to dissolve the House.

Speaking at the Rajprasong Intersection, he said the blockade of the intersection was considered as the means to least affect the Bangkokians.

"We will try to minimise the effects on Bangkokians but we need to do everything to pressure the government to dissolve the House," Jatuporn said.

He said the red-shirt people would continue their rally at the Rajprasong Intersection as long as they want.

Weng Tojirakarn said the red-shirt movement would step up pressure to force the government to dissolve the House in 15 days.

-- The Nation 2010-04-03

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

THE NATION: Platinum Mall in Pratunam area will close in doors at 2pm, according to JS 100 radio.

THE NATION: Natthawut claims Central World and Amarin Plaza allow protesters to use toilet facilities.

[webfact]

Central Chidlom closed

The spokesperson of Central Childlom announced at 1 pm that the store would close its doors following demonstration by the red-shirt people.

________________________________________________

Platinum Mall will be closed at 2 pm

Platinum Mall in Pratunam area will close in doors at 2pm, JS 100 radio station announced.

Earlier, other malls in the area near Rajprasong Intersection have closed after the reds-shirt people held a demonstration on roads linking to the Rajprasong Intersection.

-- The Nation 2010-04-03

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

TAN Network: CAPO: ISA is sufficient for now. Emergency Decree will be used if situation worsens.

[webfact]

THE NATION: At 1.43pm, Metropolitan Police Bureau estimated there are 54,500 protesters joining the red protest today:matichon.

[webfact]

THE NATION: Numerous reds gather in front of NBT, a target of Thaksin's criticism.

THE NATION: Inbound traffic on Vibhavadi is closed, as reds gather at Din Daeng and suthisarn intersec.

THE NATION: Inbound Vibhavadi commuters are advised to use tollway.

[webfact]

CAPO Spokersman Reports Meeting Results

BANGKOK: -- CAPO Spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd announced at a press conference after meeting led by Dep PM Suthep:

Authorities are worried about the protest today, as fewer numbers mean intensity may be higher.

Authorities denied claim by red-shirt leader Jatuporn Phrompan that the leaders have prior knowledge of security operations to manage red-shirts.

They believe it’s the red-leader’s attempt to deplete the authorities' confidence about keeping the situation under control.

Authorities have asked protestors to cooperate with the authorities in opening roads, or else the government might use cranes to lift the vehicles blocking the roads off the streets.

CAPO believes the number of protesters are no more than 60,000, and there are no plans to dissolve the protests.

The authorites say the ISA is still sufficient, but if situation worsens the Emergency Decree will be declared.

-- Tan Network 2010-04-03

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]