Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Monday

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THE NATION: Again, protest leaders telling their followers that they face a violent govt crackdown.

THE NATION: Red leaders imploring their followers to leave the interior of the EC building, or "we will consider you fake reds".

THE NATION: "We will fight peacefully only." a red leader said. Only minutes ago they asked protesters to storm the building.

THE NATION: Reds might b confused- first the leders said to storm the bldg & next they said those who were inside'd b considered 'fake reds".

THE NATION: Nation TV reports one of the obstacles is that the speakers do not reach all the red shirts and some don't even hear what leaders say.

THE NATION: Protest leaders at EC are taking 360 degree u-turn, now talking peace and non-violence.

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MCOT: Red Shirt protesters still at Election Commission HQ, some enter building despite leaders urging them to exit; police heighten security

TAN Network: PTV: red-shirt leaders and EC rep to hold official press conference.Claims to have detain 1 individual disguised as red-shirt

THE NATION: Some red vehicles have sneaked into Silom Road, according to Thai New Agency.

THE NATION: Arisman leaving the EC building interior, prompting declaration of victory from other red leaders

THE NATION: Arisman, back on stage, now threatens to visit EC head Apichart's home, "and we won't take reponsibility for what happens there."

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THE NATION: A red leader scolding media for describing innocent protesters seeking cool air inside EC building as invaders.

THE NATION: Bangkok Bank and many other in Ratchaprasong areas have closed their doors today for safety reasons.

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Rajaprasong malls closed for third day

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Three shopping malls in Rajaprasong Intersection - CentralWorld, Gaysorn and Siam Paragon - on Monday remain closed for the third day, as the anti-government protesters take control of the area.

The association of enterprises in the area also announced at as of 2.30pm, offices and hotels in the area are open as usual.

The brokerage offices of seven houses such as Kim Eng Securities (Thailand) and Ayudhya Securities in the area are open.

The enterprise association will monitor the protest on an hourly basis, putting safety of customers and staff as the priority.

-- The Nation 2010-04-05

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Foreign News Discuss Red-Shirt Rally Downtown

BANGKOK: -- Foreign media reports are still focusing on the red-shirt demonstration and its occupation of the Ratchaprasong intersection.

AFP reported that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has called on the anti-government protestors to leave one of Bangkok's busiest areas, but also quoted one of the protesters as saying that he was not daunted by the threat of arrest by the police, as he believes there are many people who are on his side.

AFP added that police estimate 30,000 people are now camped out at Ratchaprasong intersection, a well-known business area.

Most online news websites indicate that the Abhisit-led administration is working to ease the situation by filing an appeal to the court to force the pro-Thaksin movement to leave retail and shopping areas.

The AP reported that crowded department stores were forced to shut down over the past few days due to safety concerns. AP also quoted the Thai Chamber of Commerce as saying that economic losses are estimated to be 500 million baht a day.

Some hotels said they have suffered due to cancellations and early check-outs.

Xin Hua reported that the Thai government is set to ask the court to issue arrest warrants for the leaders of the anti-government protesters.

Analysts said Ratchaprasong intersection, which is home to several five-star hotels, is a clear economic target and the lock-down is reminiscent of a separate protests that shut down Bangkok's international airports for a week in 2008.

-- Tan Network 2010-04-05

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Red shirts change plan to storm into EC builing

BANGKOK: -- Red shirts change their plan to storm into the Election Commission building, claiming they did not want to cause excuses for the government to disperse them.

The announcement said that the change of plan came after one of their leaders; Arisamun Pongruengrong, negotiated with EC representatives inside the building.

The red shirts earlier set a deadline at 2pm for EC chairman Suchart Sukkakanon to show up and tell them about Democrat party's dissolution case.

They said if their deadline was not met, they would storm into the builing. However the deadline passed but the red shirts' leaders said the plan was changed, claiming that if they did so, Abhisit government would use it as an excuses to disperse them.

"Our protests should be conducted in peaceful so that the government would find nothing to blame us," a leader said.

Meanwhile Arisamun told the cheering crowds that the red shirts now demand that Apichart holds a press conference to say the progress of the investigation into Democrat party's dissolution case.

He said it was clear that Democrat Party of PM Abhisit Vejjajiva violated the election regulations which are punisable by dissolution.

He said Apichart must seek court order to dissolve Democrat party.

-- The Nation 2010-04-05

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Election Commission Vows to Finalize Dissolution Case against Democrats by April 20

On behalf of the Election Commission, Metropolitan 1 Police Commander Wichai Sangprapai announced on the red-shirt stage in front of the Election Commission HQ that the Election Commission will finalize the party dissolution case against Democrat Party by April 20.

Red-shirt leader Kwanchai Praiphana has declared today's gathering a 'victory'.

The red-shirt protesters will return to protest in front of the EC again on April 20 to follow up on the dissolution case.

-- Tan Network 2010-04-05

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TAN Network: Red-shirts start to make way back to Pan Fah Bridge and Ratchaprasong area from EC HQ.

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THE NATION: No entry to CP tower on Silom Rd from now. But those inside can leave the bldg.

MCOT: M-79 grenade attack at Chiang Mai furniture factory; no casualties, owner says no personal conflict, seen as creating chaos

THE NATION: Noppadol said Thaksin-Hun Sen relationship remains great. He said Thaksin can still enter Cambodia.

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THE NATION: Krung Thai closed Govt House, Rajdamnoen, Edu Ministry, Central World, Patunam Centre and Metropolitan Electricity ploenchit branches.

UOB closed Paragon and Amarin Plaza branches.

Thai Farmers Bank today closed Central World, Chidlom, Siam Paragon and Siam Square branches.

MCOT: M-79 grenade attack at Chiang Mai furniture factory; no casualties, owner says no personal conflict, seen as creating chaos

THE NATION: Noppadol said Thaksin-Hun Sen relationship remains great. He said Thaksin can still enter Cambodia.

THE NATION: the comptroller-general's office has signed order enforcing the court's ruling on Thaksin assets seizure.

MCOT: Ratchaprasong Trade, Thai Shopping Center Associations urge talks between Red Shirts and govt to end protest affecting business,residents

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THE NATION: the comtroller-general's office has signed order enforcing the court's ruling on Thaksin assets seizure.

THE NATION: Weng said Rajprasong closure gives 100,000 more passengers to BTS, according to matichon.

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SMEs’ sentiment hurt by rallies

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The SME operator confidence index in February 2010 has dropped to 46.5%, according to the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP).

OSMEP’s President Yuthasak Supasorn revealed that the index has decreased in every sector, compared to January’s figure which stood at 50.3%.

Mr Yuthasak said off-festival sentiment, the intensifying political conflict, the rising oil price, the Map Ta Phut impasse, and the early drought are the factors impacting the sales and the profits, resulting in a lowering confidence among the SME operators.

The confidence index in the trade and service sector in the next three months is expected to adjust up slightly from 51.1% to 51.8% while those in the wholesale and retail sectors should rise from 50.6% and 51.2% to 51.9% and 51.5% respectively.

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Downtown malls remain closed

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Business operators at Ratchaprasong Junction remain closed for the third day due to the UDD rally. The operators are taking an hourly assessment of the situation.

Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association revealed that eight shopping malls nearby the rally site such as Siam Paragon, Gaysorn Plaza, and Central World are still closed today while some of the offices and hotels are operating normally. The members are conferring by phone and keeping a close watch on the situation. Decisions to be made will be based on the staff's and customers' safety.

The United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) protestors have been staging their rally at Ratchaprasong Junction since Saturday, putting the business activities in the area on halt. Their movement is estimated to cause damage worth billions of baht to the business operators.

Meanwhile, the securities firms located in the district are still open with only few customers.

-- NNT 2010-04-05

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THE NATION: 43 commercial banks close today as a result of ongoing Red-shirted protest

THE NATION: Check it out before attending any event this week, the latest GMM Grammy cancelled its GMM Grammy & One-2-Call event scheduled on Wed.

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Thaksin's sister brings foods to red-shirt leaders at Rajprasong

Yaowapha Wongsawat, a sister of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, visited the red-shirt leaders at the Rajprasong rally site Monday afternoon.

Yaowapha and her daughter brought chocolate cake and some fast foods for the red-shirt leaders and talked to them for about 15 minutes before leaving the scene.

-- The Nation 2010-04-05

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283 cases of illness, injury on part of protestrers reported

BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Emergency Medical Service Centre (Erawan Centre) Monday reported that 283 cases of illness or injury had been treated over the past 24 days since the red-shirt demonstrations started in Bangkok.

From March 12 to April 4, 65 of these cases had been admitted to hospital, 46 for illness and 19 with injuries, the centre said. Four people remained hospitalised as time of press, two at the Central Hospital, one at Hua Chiew Hospital and one at Taksin Hospital.

Most of the illness admissions resulted from fainting, seizure, exhaustion, breathing difficulty, stomach ache and diarrhoea. The injury cases were mostly from assaults or motorcycle accidents, but no deaths were reported.

-- The Nation 2010-04-05

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Nuttawut Confirms Red-shirts to Remain at Ratchaprasong

During an official press conference Nutthawut Saigua has announced that while the court deliberate the request by the Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) for the red-shirt protesters to disperse from the Ratchaprasong intersection, the anti-government protesters will continue to rally there.

-- Tan Network 2010-04-05

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TAN Network: Red-shirts to con't to rally during Songkran, festivities will be held at rally sites to celebrate the Thai New Year.

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Red-shirt Leader Reveals Plan for Protesters to Con't to Gather Through Songkran

Red-shirt leader Nutthawut Saigua announced during an official press conference today that the red-shirt protesters will continue to gather even during the Songran festival.

He revealed that festivities will be held at rally sites to celebrate Songkran.

He's also threatened that the the protest will intensify if the government failed to answer to the red-shirts' demand for PM Abhisit to call for House dissolution.

-- Tan Network 2010-04-05

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TH NATION: Red leaders have announced plan to parade through 11 routes in Bkk. No blockade, no stopping anywhere. Just marching along the routes.

THE NATION: The march is planned for tomorrow, the anniversary of the foundation of the Chakri dynasty.

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THE NATION: Civil court rejects peacekeeping operation centre's injunction request against reds.

TAN Network: Red routes on Apr 6: Rama IV Road, b/n Sathon and Sam Yan intersections,Sathon Rd,b/n Rama IV & Charoenkrung intersections con't

Red-routes Apr 6:Ratchadamri Rd,b/n Ratchadamri BTS stn & Rama IV intersect'n,Payathai Rd,b/n Sam Yan&Rajthevee intersect'n cont

Red routes on Apr 6: Rama IV Road, b/n Sathon and Sam Yan intersections,Sathon Rd,b/n Rama IV & Charoenkrung intersections con't

Red-routes Apr6:Ratchadapisek Rd,b/n Sukhumvit & Rama IV intersect'n,Din Daeng Rd,b/n Ratchadapisek&Thavee Mitra intersect'n cont

Red-routes Apr 6:Thavee Mitra Road, between Ratchadapisek and Din Daeng intersections

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THE NATION: The court rules that internal security opration command (ISOC) already has the power so court order not needed. Reds take this as victory.

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Related topic:

Thai 'Red Shirts' Pledge More Protests After Court Ruling

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thai-Red-Shi...ts-t353463.html

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THE NATION: Urgent - No Thaksin video link tonight

THE NATION: Siam Discovery, Siam Center & Paragon will be opened tomorrow from 10am to 6pm. However, the entrance to each mall will be limited.

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Court rejects ordering protester evictions: special law already gives authority.

BANGKOK (TNA) -- Thailand's Civil Court has rejected the government's request for a legal order to evict protesters from Bangkok's prime business area of Ratchaprasong, saying it already has full authority to enforce expulsions under the Internal Security Act (ISA) that has been enforced in Bangkok since March 11.

The anti-government 'Red-Shirt' United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) on Saturday sent some protesters from Phan Fa Bridge, its main protest site, to rally at Ratchaprasong intersection, paralysing traffic and forcing closure of several nearby luxury malls frequented by high-end shoppers and tourists.

The Red Shirts announced they would stay put at the two locations until Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva announced a House dissolution for fresh general elections.

The Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO), authorised under the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), filed a complaint with the Civil Court for an order to force the Red Shirt protesters to leave the capital's prime commercial centre and not to enter 11 roads which were considered critical business and public areas.

The Court said the ISA has power to immediately enforce a removal and that it was not necessary to seek the court's approval for any legal action.

Any violator must be punished under the ISA and the ISOC has the authority to carry out what it considered appropriate and necessary to enforce the law, said the Court.

After the Court's ruling, demonstrating that he did not understand the Court action, UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan told the cheering Red Shirt supporters that It was clear that Mr Abhisit could not do everything in Thailand.

He said their demonstration was constitutional and they will continue to press for House dissolution to return power to people.

In related developments, Red Shirt leader Natthawut Saikua said that in defying CAPO order, the Red Shirt protesters on Tuesday at 11am would move from Phan Fa Bridge on Ratchadamnorn Avenue to 11 roads that CAPO announced off limits to protesters.

He said the only one motorcade, to be led by Arisman Pongreungrong, Suporn Atthawong, Kwanchai Praipana and Payap Pankate, would not stop at any location and would return to their protest site at Phan Fa Bridge and Ratchaprosong intersection.

CAPO on Sunday issued its 6th statement to prohibit protesters from entering the areas, unless permitted by the concerned authority -- Rama IV from Sathorn to Samyan intersection; Sathorn from Rama IV to the intersection with Charoenkrung; Silom from Rama IV to the intersection with Charoenkrung; Surawongse from Rama IV to the intersection with Charoenkrung; Charoenkrung from Surawongse to the intersection with Sathorn; Rajdamri from BTS Rajdamri station to the intersection with Rama IV; Phyathai from Samyan intersection to Rajthevi intersection; Ratchadapisek from the intersection with Sukhumvit to the intersection with Rama IV; Dindaeng from the ntersection with Ratchadapisek to the intersection with Thaveemitr; Thaveemitr; Ratchadapisek from its intersection with Dindaeng to the intersection with Ratchadapisek Soi 8.

Those in violation may be jailed for a maximum of one year, or fined a maximum of Bt20,000 baht. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-04-05

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THE NATION: Urgent: Govt vows to stop tomorrow's red march.

THE NATION: DSI chief is explaining Civil Court decision as confirmation that govt can act to restore law&order without having to seek court approval.

THE NATION: Pecekeeping Operations Centre press conference now on TV.

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Nation: Finally getting specifics on court ruling. Court found Ratchaprasong rally to be illegal and subject to criminal charges.

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THE NATION: Summary of peacekeeping centre statement: Red leaders will be arrested, if authorities deem arrest won't trigger violence.

THE NATION: Don't frown. Army spokesman Sansern did say something along that line. Interpretation: Slim chances for arrest of red leaders.

THE NATION: Satit, meanwhile, said without much conviction that govt'll attempt to enforce restrictions orders on the 11 rds. interprete this as u wish.

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Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Tuesday, TUESDAY APRIL 6

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Bangkok-Red-...es-t353546.html