Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Sunday

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Sunday April 4 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.

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Police inform protesters of POC's 5th order for them to leave Rajprasong

BANGKOK: -- Police have informed the protesters of the fifth order of the Peacekeeping Operations Command for them to leave the Rajprasong commercial area, Metropolitan Police spokesman Piya Uthayo said.

He said copies of the order were handed out to the protesters and the police also announced through speakers to inform the protesters of the order.

The red-shirt leaders on the stage were also informed of the order.

Reporters were invited to witness the operation, the spokesman said.

He said 10 companies of crowd-control police were prepared to handle the situation.

-- The Nation 2010-04-04

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THE NATION: Metropolitan Police spokesman says 10 companies of crowd-control police were prepared to handle the situation.

THE NATION: If necessary, police will request reinforcement by troops, the metropolitan police spokesman said.

THE NATION: JS100 Radio reported Platinum Mall will be reopened Sunday but management will make decisions based on hourly situation.

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THE NATION: Panupong to continue talks with Reds this morning focusing on openning up roads to alleviate traffic

THE NATION: Nation TV reported that traffic is light on most Bangkok streets and not many protesters remain at Rajprasong Intersection.

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THE NATION: Channel 5: Natthawut says red shirts will not leave Rajprasong; most shopping malls remain closed for another day.

THE NATION: PTV: Assistant police chief Worapong is now negotiating with Natthawut, Jatuporn to move protesters from Rajprasong.

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Attempts to negotiate with Red-Shirts continue

After the failure of talks for the Red-Shirts to leave the Ratchaprasong area,

this morning another round of talks will take place in order to ask the protestors

to open up roads around the commercial area so there would be less traffic.

-- Tan Network 2010-04-04

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TAN Network: Schools in Pathumwan area incl Triam Udom & Sathit Pathumwan remain their schedules for student admission today, reports JS 100 radio.

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THE NATION: Thin Red crowd at Ratchaprssong area but more red shirts have gradually arrived at the area by pickups & motorcycles.

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PM tell protesters to return to Phan Fa, Bangkokians to be patient

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva went on TV Sunday morning, urging the red-shirt protesters to stop blocking roads and return to rally at the Phan Fa Bridge.

Abhisit said the order of the Peacekeeping Operations Command for the protesters to vacate the Rajprasong Intersection to remain intact but the government would use lenient measures to try to ease the situation.

The prime minister also told Bangkokians, who were dissatisfied by the protests, to be patient as the government was trying to ease the situation through negotiations.

He said all Thais so the government would try to solve the problem without causing bloodshed.

-- The Nation 2010-04-04

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Red shirts agree to stop blocking two roads

BANGKOK: -- Red-shirt protesters agreed Sunday morning to open two roads linking the Rajprasong Intersection following a negotiation with senior police officers.

Pol Maj Gen Wichai Sangpraphai, commander of the Metropolitan Police Division 1, said the protesters agreed to stop blocking the Rajdamri road from the Rajprasong Intersection to the Rajdamri BT station and the Rama I road from the Rajprasong Intersection to Prathuwan Intersection.

-- The Nation 2010-04-04

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MCOT: Red shirted protesters agree to open lane from Rajadamri to Police Hospital, stay put at Rachaprasong; malls remain closed

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SATURDAY TIMELINE

A day of chaos, jubilation and rising tension in capital

9am: Trucks carrying pieces of steel structure arrive at Rajprasong intersection on Rajdamri Road next to the Brahma Shrine of Hyatt Erawan Hotel. Then, workers set up a giant stage facing the Pratunam area.

10am: Natthawut Saikua, a red-shirt leader, announces on the Phan Fa stage that protesters will march to the new Rajprasong site, while cars and trucks move to Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road.

10.14am: A bomb inside a phone booth near a public library in Din Daeng is defused.

10.45am: Motorcycles lead tens of thousands of protesters to Rajprasong.

11.30am: A bomb explodes near the Pathumwan intersection as protesters march by; no injuries are reported.

11.40am: Another group of protesters, led by Kwanchai Paipana, arrive at Din Daeng intersection on their way to parade on Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road.

By this time, there is a traffic snarl-up on Bangkok's inner-city streets.

CentralWorld shopping complex and Gaysorn Plaza next to Rajprasong intersection decide to shut down for one day. Siam Paragon closes at 1pm.

A large number of tutorial schools in Siam Square also close for the day.

Bangkok's public bus services on 17 routes are suspended due to the closure of Rajprasong intersection and the protesters' parade on Vibhavadi-Rangsit.

Noon - weng Tojirakarn, a red-shirt leader, tells protesters at the Rajdamri stage that the ultimatum is still for the government to disband the House within 15 days.

3pm: Protest leader Veera Musigapong announces the red shirts will camp out on Rajprasong intersection and march to Silom Road the following day.

Police, meanwhile, issue an order for all petrol stations in Bangkok not to sell petrol in bottles or other kinds of containers, as the fuel could be used to make Molotov cocktails.

3.30pm: PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey says the government will take legal action against the protesters if they do not keep Rajprasong intersection open to traffic.

3.50pm: Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva says siege of Rajprasong intersection violates the law on peaceful demonstration.

5pm: Protesters leave state-owned NBT TV station on Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road to join those at Rajprasong intersection.

6.15pm: Government says senior police officers will hold talks with protest leaders, urging them to open Rajprasong intersection to traffic.

Government says it will resort to harsh legal action if protesters fail to act.

8pm: Jatuporn Promphan announces that upcountry red shirts will seize provincial halls if government tries to disperse protesters at Rajprasong intersection.

-- The Nation 2010-04-04

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Red-Shirts agree to open up 2 roads

BANGKOK: -- After the negotiation by the Assistant National Police Chief, Pol Lt Gen Panupong Singhara Na Ayuthaya, along with his team, the Red-Shirts have agreed to allow cars to pass the left lane of Rachadamri Road as well as the Ploenchit road turning left towards Rachadamri.

Policemen have also asked to handout leaflets to the protestors to inform about the Internal Security Act asking them to leave the Rachaprasong intersection.

Red-Shirt core leader Nattawut Saikua told the protestors to give full cooperation and make way for the policemen to do their duty.

-- Tan Network 2010-04-04

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SPECIAL TV ADDRESS

PM tells protesters to return to Phan Fa

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Bangkokians told to be patient, saying situation has eased up to a level

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva went on TV Sunday morning, urging the red-shirt protesters to stop blocking roads and return to rally at the Phan Fa Bridge.

Abhisit said the order of the Peacekeeping Operations Command for the protesters to vacate the Rajprasong Intersection to remain intact but the government would use lenient measures to try to ease the situation.

The prime minister also told Bangkokians, who were dissatisfied by the protests, to be patient as the government was trying to ease the situation through negotiations.

He said all are Thais so the government would try to solve the problem without causing bloodshed.

The prime minister said the issuance of the POC orders did not mean the government would use force to break up the rally but the government simply wanted to tell the protesters that it was illegal for them to cause hardship to others.

"The POC issued clear orders for the demonstrators to leave the area but it did not mean what we will use force to break up the demonstration," the prime minister spoke during a special TV address at 9 am.

"Senior police officers in the level of deputy commissioner-general were assigned to negotiate and explain the orders to the protest leaders."

The prime minister said the situation has eased up to a point after protesters stopped blocking Sukhumvit Road leading to the Rajprasong as motorists could make a left turn and motorists could travel on Rajdamri Road and make a left turn to the Royal Thai Police headquarters.

Abhisit said his government always respected the constitutional right of the protesters and had already held twice talk with their leaders to try to reach a compromise with their demand.

But a lot more other people disagreed with the demand of the protesters, Abhsit said, adding that the number of those who were opposed to the protesters might be not less than the number of the red-shirt people.

He insisted that his government came to office in line with the parliamentary rules of international standard and he did not try to remain in office until completing the term in 1 year and nine months.

Abhsit said his government was willing to shorten his term if doing so would solve the political problems but it was clear that immediate House dissolution as demanded by the protesters would not end the political conflicts.

He said the protest leaders and representatives of all sectors should join the government in trying to find a solution acceptable to all sides for ending the political crisis and preventing more political violence.

With cooperation from all sides, such solution could be reached in less than a year and he would dissolve the House.

"The POC's orders for the protesters to leave the area are still being enforced.

So, the protesters should return to Phan Fa. The government has the duty to enforce the laws and keep security.

We expect that a number of people want the government to take harsh actions but we will follow international practice.

We will use lighter measures before using harsher ones. I would like to seek cooperation from the people to be patient.

The government will rush to ease the situation and will lead the country back to normality without loss of life," Abhisit said.

-- The Nation 2010-04-04

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Jatuporn vows to stay put at Rajprasong, challenging govt to use force

BANGKOK: -- Red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan told the protesters at the Rajprsong Intersection Sunday morning that the demonstrators would not leave the commercial area as ordered by the government.

He said he did not believe the prime minister would dare to order police to use force to break up the rally.

"If the prime minister gives such an order, it will be tantamount to slashing his own throat. So, we don't have to be afraid of any order. Let's stay rallying here," Jatuporn told the crowd.

-- The Nation 2010-04-04

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THE NATION: Silom business area is expected to feel the pinch Monday as Udon Thani red-shirt chief Kwanchai vowed to lead protesters there.

MCOT: Dusit Poll: 42% of 1,442 respondents want 3rd round of Government-Red Shirt talks to end crisis, 38% oppose: it's a waste of time

MCOT: Police distribute fliers informing protesters their demonstration at Rachaprosong intersection against law

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CAPO announces the Ratchaprasong Junction a restricted area for rallying

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Center for the Administration of Peace and Order last night made an announcement, declaring the Ratchaprasong Junction a restricted area for political rallies.

Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd, CAPO Spokesperson said the announcement was necessitated following the breakdown of a negotiation by the CAPO team and core leaders of the demonstrators who insisted to make the Ratchaprasong Junction their temporary base.

The announcement was made in line with the Internal Security Act imposed in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan at present.

Authorities are entitled to announce restriction for certain persons to enter, or to leave the designated area, or they will be held guilty according to the law, and liable to up to 1-year jailterm or 20,000 THB fine, or both.

Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office Sathit Wongnongtoey explained that with the announcement, those who holed up at the area would be deemed law violators.

CAPO are starting to make demonstrators understand that they are violating the security law, with loud-speaker units sent in at the demonstration area from now on.

-- NNT 2010-04-04

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UDD unblocks traffic on Ratchadamri, Rama I

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) has agreed to re-open traffic on Ratchadamri Road and Rama I Road on Sunday morning.

The decision came after authorities had sought re-negotiations with the anti-government group over the resumption of traffic at the Ratchaprasong intersection.

A considerable number of anti-government supporters took over the intersection on Saturday, blocking traffic at Bangkok's main shopping area in their move to pressure the Abhisit Vejjajiva government to dissolve the Parliament and call for fresh elections.

The Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) last night issued an announcement, declaring the Ratchaprasong intersection a restricted zone for political rallies.

The announcement was made in accordance to the Internal Security Act which has been in force in Bangkok and its adjoining provinces of Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan.

The offenders will be liable for up to a 1-year jail term or 20,000 THB fine, or both if found in violation of the state's order.

-- NNT 2010-04-04

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THE NATION: 10.45am the thin crowd near Siam Paragon http://tweetphoto.com/17067070

THE NATION: Much lesser BTS passengers at Siam stations than the usual Sunday but retaiil shops like fastfood &boutiques r opened.

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Thai MP calls on Red Shirts to leave Bangkok tourist hub

by Thanaporn Promyamyai

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thailand's prime minister Sunday urged anti-government protesters to end a crippling picket in Bangkok's tourist hub but stopped short of ordering their forced dispersal.

The "Red Shirts", who are demanding elections to pave the way for the return of fugitive deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra, escalated their three-week rally Saturday, massing in the main shopping and luxury hotel district.

With businesses and tourism threatened, the government banned the gathering under a strict security law invoked to cover the protests, and threatened protesters with a year in jail.

But thousands of Reds, most of whom have travelled from Thailand's poorer rural northern provinces, defied the warning and refused to budge overnight.

In a televised address, premier Abhisit Vejjajiva urged the Red Shirts, so called because of the colour of their trademark clothing, to return to their main protest site in the capital's government quarter.

"The gathering is violating laws. (We) have issued an announcement asking protesters to leave. The announcement does not mean the government will disperse the protest," said Abhisit.

"(We) know that some people want the government to use tough measures but we are all Thai. The government will use international standards starting with soft measures," he said.

Abhisit said the government hoped to end the standoff through dialogue but he has refused to rule out invoking emergency rule -- which would ban gatherings of more than five people -- if the situation worsens.

The Red Shirts, who accuse the government of being elitist and army-backed, insisted they would stay put until Abhisit dissolved the lower house.

"The police can hand us an order but we will continue to stay here to call for our demand to be met," said protest leader Nattawut Saikuar.

Despite sweltering temperatures, police estimated that about 60,000 people joined Saturday's protest.

The demonstrations snarled traffic and forced many shopping malls and stores to close, but tourists seemed largely unfazed by the rally, which had a carnival-like atmosphere with dancing and live music in the streets.

Thailand has been wracked in recent years 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 military has mounted a heavy security response involving 50,000 personnel for the protests.

The Reds oppose the coup that toppled Thaksin in 2006 and say Abhisit's government is undemocratic because it took office through a parliamentary vote after a court stripped Thaksin's allies of power.

Thaksin, a billionaire former telecoms tycoon who lives abroad to avoid a jail term for graft at home, has regularly addressed the protesters via videolink, urging them not to back down.

"All people in Bangkok as well as the provinces please come out... to fight for equality," he said in his Saturday speech. "Victory belongs not only to the Red Shirts but the entire Thai nation."

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

They rioted in Bangkok in April last year, leaving two dead and scores injured.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-04-04

Published with written approval from AFP.

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Youth Group express opposition towards Red-Shirt rally

BANGKOK: -- The youth peace group has come out to express their opposition against the red shirt rally and the group comes with three main demands:

1. Is for the red shirts to leave Rachaprasong and vipawadee ransit and go back to the Panfa area in order to prevent any clashes that might occur.

2. Asking for the general public to be patient and tolerant to the situation and avoid taking any action that might encourage violence to breakout.

3. Asking for the government and security related agencies to do their duty in protecting the rights and safety of the people in society because everyone is entitled to their rights which should be protected by the law, meaning the government is to protect them, and urges the authority to act swiftly in order to protect those rights by any means necessary.

-- Tan Network 2010-04-04

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Thai News: Siam Paragon Bangkok’s shopping mall puts losses at 60 to 70 million baht

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Protestors at Panfa bridge mobilise towards Rachaprasong intersection

The movement of the red shirt rally at Panfa bridge are beginning to mobilize towards the Rachaprasong intersection in support of the rally there.

Meanwhile the Leaders of the Red-Shirt group have called on some of the protestors to hold their grounds at their main stage at Panfa fearing a dispersal of their gathering might take place by the government.

-- Tan Network 2010-04-04

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Suthep says official to seek warrant for arrest of red-shirt leaders

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said the security officials will warrant for the arrest of red-shirt leaders.

Suthep, the director of the Peacekeeping Operations Command, said the POC would seek the court's approval of the arrest warrant on Monday.

He declined to elaborate on which leaders would be arrested, saying the officials were drafting the request for the court's approval.

He said it would be up to the court as to who would be arrested.

-- The Nation 2010-04-04

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THE NATION: Our nwsroom's chking the following tweet tip: "9 Red leaders sleep@Hyatt. Proved that all is staged just to get more Thaksin cash."

THE NATION: Someone has proposed Songkran celebrations in Bangkok is move up to now. I propose that Govt shift it from Khao San to Rajprasong.

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CAPO to seek arrest of UDD key leaders on 5 Apr

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) is planning to seek the court's approval of arrest warrants against the anti-government leaders who adamantly staged their rallies at Bangkok's business zones.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, in his capacity as CAPO Director disclosed today that the centre has assigned the legal teams to present a petition to the court tomorrow, asking for the approval of the arrest warrant against the key figures of the anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD). He cited that the anti-government leaders were found to be in breach of the constitution as the ongoing political rallies were deemed as illegal and a threat to the country's economy.

The announcement came after the anti-government leaders, led by Mr Nattawut Saikua and Mr Jatuporn Prompan reaffirmed that the group would consistently continue their mass demonstration at two key protest sites, the Ratchaprasong junction and Phan Fa Bridge until Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva dissolves the Lower House.

Speaking during his weekly talk show on Sunday, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva stated that the anti-government mass rally at the Ratchaprasong junction was deemed illegitimate, while urging the anti-government protestors to resume normal traffic flow and return to its main rally site, Phan Fah Bridge on Ratchadamnoen Klang Road.

-- NNT 2010-04-04

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THE NATION: Police has closed Pratunam traffic in a bit to prepare for the protesters' march to Silom this afternoon, JS 100 radio reports.

[george]

THE NATION/Twitter users: Suthep says HunSen wants to restore ties _ after govt issue with reds is over. up to u to take that as olive branch or condition.

If Hun Sen gives Abhisit "that hug" , it will make my day. Stranger things have happened in Thailand, i'm tellin ya.

what Hun sen meant is he'll normalize ties after reds brings thaksin back as Thai pm again//that's what I thought.

Twitter user: What good are warrants? One of the Red Shirt leaders already had one for the last 1-2 weeks and he's still on stage

THE NATION: PM reiterates House dissolution within 15 days can’t solve problem; Protesters defy dispersal order.

MCOT: MBK Center, Platinum Fashion Mall open Sunday despite nearby Red Shirt protest; Central World, Central Chidlom remain closed.

[george]

PM reiterates House dissolution within 15 days can’t solve problem;

Protesters defy dispersal order

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Sunday a demand by anti-government protesters for him to dissolve the House within 15 days will not solve the persisting political crisis in Thailand, while the demonstrators continue to defy an order for them to leave from occupying an area in the prime retail business district of central Bangkok.

In a special live telecast announcement, Mr Abhisit said the order issued by the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) for protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) to vacate Rajprasong intersection and nearby areas did not mean that the government wanted to use force to break the protest as senior police officers are negotiating with the UDD leaders aimed at making the protesters fully understand the order.

Under an added clause of the Internal Security Act, announced by CAPO before

midnight Saturday, unlawful gatherings are punishable with maximum imprisonment of one year and a fine of Bt20,000 ( US$625 ) or both.

Thousands of red-shirted UDD demonstrators marched from their base at Pan

Fah Bridge and occupied Rajprasong intersection on Saturday and have remained there. Nearly 10 major shopping malls and several five-star hotels in the area have been impacted.

The malls have temporarily closed their doors since Saturday and it is not yet known when they will reopen.

Negotiations between key UDD leaders and Mr Abhisit last Sunday and Monday failed to break the political impasse as the Red Shirts insisted that the prime minister must dissolve the House within 15 days without conditions while Mr Abhisit said the House should be dissolved in nine months as the government still must consider the Fiscal 2011 budget, starting October 1, and a number of significant issues.

Mr Abhisit said on TV that “it’s undeniable that many Bangkokians don’t agree with the UDD demand” and that his coalition government is “willing to reduce its timeframe (on House dissolution) if it could bring peace back to the country and benefit a majority of the people”.

He said his government is “willing to invite every sector to discuss the issue” and if this is agreed it could take less than one year and nine months (for the House to be dissolved).

The coalition government still has that timeframe to complete its term in office and a general election must be held.

Early Sunday, UDD protesters opened two lanes for traffic at Rajprasong intersection, allowing the public and patients to enter Police General Hospital conveniently, but traffic remains heavy in the area.

-- TNA 2010-04-04

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[george]

MCOT: Deputy PM Suthep calls Cambodian PM; Talks to improve bilateral relations expected after Bangkok protest ends

[george]

Poll: Talks or no talks: respondents divided on government, protester third-round negotiations

BANGKOK: -- As the ongoing protest against the coalition government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva continues with no sign of ending soon, shattering Thailand's economy and eroding investor confidence, respondents in a new poll are divided as to whether the government and protest leaders should hold a third round of talks to break the political impasse.

The Dusit Poll interviewed 1,442 residents of Bangkok and outlying areas April 1-3 found that almost 42.4 per cent want a third round of negotiations, and 38.5 per cent -- three per cent less -- said it was useless to hold another negotiations because each side had its own immovable position. Slightly over while 19 per cent said that they should not bother, according to the poll.

Mr Abhisit had held talks with three key anti-government leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) last Sunday and Monday. The talks ended unsuccessfully as UDD insisted on House dissolution within 15 days while Mr. Abhisit reiterated that he was willing to dissolve the House only within nine months.

The coalition government still has about one year and nine months left before leaving office and holding a general election held.

Forty-three per cent said the government should be allowed to run the country until it completes its term as the national economy is starting to recover and 30 per cent said the House should be dissolved to allow the public to decide the future by going to the poll booth.

Almost 27 per cent said it was not vital whether the House is or is not dissolved because of unclear rules on Thai politics, and the country is going nowhere no matter how many elections are held.

On the current protest by UDD demonstrators in Bangkok demanding the government to step down, 44 per cent of the total respondents said prolonged demonstration would impact economy negatively, 30 per cent said they were frustrated and some16.5 per cent want the UDD protesters to make demands in a peaceful way.

-- TNA 2010-04-04

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