Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Thursday

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Thursday April 8 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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Bangkok under state of emergency

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Bangkok was under a state of emergency on Thursday after anti-government protesters stormed the Thai parliament, but the demonstrators remained defiant and said they were ready for "war".

Lawmakers fled and several senior government figures were rescued by military helicopter after the red-shirted supporters of Thaksin Shinawatra forced their way into the parliamentary compound briefly on Wednesday.

The protesters idolise ousted former premier Thaksin and tens of thousands of them have been rallying in the Thai capital for weeks, at one point splashing their own blood at key locations in a grisly show of defiance.

To contain the growing crisis, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva invoked emergency rule Wednesday, banning public gatherings of over five people and giving broad powers to police and military in Bangkok and surrounding areas.

"The state of emergency aims to resolve the situation and bring a return to normal," Abhisit told a nationally televised news conference.

The premier, who has cancelled a trip to the US for a nuclear security summit next week due to the unrest, said the mass rallies were unconstitutional and had tarnished the country's image, eroding investor confidence.

It is the fourth time since 2008 that emergency law has been declared in the capital because of political turmoil.

But thousands of protesters flouted the decree, waving flags and cheering as their leaders railed against Abhisit's government from their rally stage close to a clutch of luxury hotels and giant shopping malls.

"We have to prepare for another war. If the military comes you should not panic -- just stay put," Reds leader Veera Musikapong told protesters.

Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters have refused to leave the city's main commercial district, where they have been since Saturday, disrupting traffic and causing major stores to shut.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban urged people with relatives rallying in banned areas "to tell them to leave immediately," adding that authorities would provide transportation for demonstrators from outside Bangkok.

The United States Wednesday rebuked the protesters.

"We respect the right of freedom of expression," said State Department spokesman Philip Crowley, but he added "forcibly entering government buildings is not an appropriate means of protest."

Security forces have so far refrained from using force to disperse the red-clad movement, who have vowed to keep up their demonstrations despite the emergency decree.

The Reds have been emboldened after the police and army backed down on Tuesday following a tense standoff in the capital's tourist heartland.

The Red Shirts say the government is illegitimate because it came to power with army backing through a parliamentary vote in December 2008 after a court decision ousted Thaksin's allies from power.

The mainly poor and rural followers of Thaksin, a billionaire telecoms tycoon who lives abroad to avoid a jail term for corruption, fervently support the populist policies he introduced before his ouster in a 2006 coup.

Thaksin sought to rally his supporters on Wednesday in a brief message through the micro-blogging service Twitter, praising their "courage, patience and unity."

The military has mounted a heavy security response, deploying 50,000 personnel at one point to try to contain the protests, which drew as many as 100,000 people on March 14.

But the government wants to avoid a repeat of last April's clashes with Red Shirts that left two people dead, six months after riot police took on the rival Yellow Shirts in bloody scenes outside parliament.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-04-08

Published with written approval from AFP.

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Key dates in Thailand since Thaksin overthrow

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thailand's prime minister announced a state of emergency in the capital on Wednesday after protesters escalated their weeks of rallies by storming parliament in a bid to force snap elections.

Tens of thousands of "Red Shirts", mostly loyal to ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, have staged almost daily protests since mid-March. Following is a timeline of events since the billionaire tycoon was ousted in 2006:

-- 2006 --

September 19: The army seizes power in a bloodless coup while Thaksin is in New York. More than a year of military rule follows.

-- 2007 --

June: Anti-graft panel freezes Thaksin's assets.

December: The People Power Party, comprising Thaksin's allies, wins elections and goes on to form a coalition government.

-- 2008 --

May: The royalist, anti-Thaksin "Yellow Shirts" relaunch street protests that precipitated the 2006 coup.

-- The Yellows besiege the grounds of Government House protesting against Thaksin-allied premier Samak Sundaravej.

September: State of emergency declared for 12 days after clashes between pro- and anti-government groups that left one person dead and dozens wounded.

-- Constitutional Court strips Samak of his powers, ruling he illegally accepted payments for hosting TV cooking shows. Thaksin's brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawat becomes acting PM, later made permanent.

October: Clashes between police and demonstrators kill two people and wound nearly 500. A court sentences Thaksin in absentia to two years in jail for conflict of interest.

November-December: Thousands of Yellow Shirts blockade Bangkok's airports. State of emergency is declared for nearly two weeks.

December: The Constitutional Court dissolves Somchai's party, forcing him out as prime minister. British-born Abhisit Vejjajiva of the rival Democrat Party becomes premier, leading a six-party coalition.

-- 2009 --

January-March: "Red Shirts" loyal to Thaksin stage protests against Abhisit's government.

April: Red Shirts storm the venue of an Asian summit in the beach resort of Pattaya, where emergency rule is declared for a few hours until regional leaders evacuate.

-- Riots and a 12-day state of emergency in Bangkok ensue, leaving two people dead.

-- 2010 --

February 26: Thailand's Supreme Court confiscates 1.4 billion dollars of Thaksin's wealth, after ruling he abused his power.

March 14: Tens of thousands of Red Shirts stage a mass rally calling for Abhisit's government to step down, claiming it is elitist and undemocratic. The premier and other key ministers hole up in an army barracks.

March 16: The protesters dramatically spill their own blood at the gates of Thailand's government headquarters.

March 28: The government and the Reds agree to hold talks at neutral venue but negotiations hit stalemate after second day of talks, as Abhisit refuses to meet the protesters' 15-day deadline for polls.

April 2: An estimated 60,000 Red Shirts swarm Bangkok's tourist heartland, defying warnings to leave or face arrest.

April 6: Reds scuffle with riot police in the tourist area. Grenade explodes outside the ruling party's offices.

April 7: Military helicopters airlift ministers from parliament after angry protesters storm the building. Abhisit declares state of emergency.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-04-08

Published with written approval from AFP.

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US chides Thai protestors for storming parliament

WASHINGTON (AFP) -- The United States Wednesday rebuked protestors in Thailand for storming the country's parliament saying forcing their way into government buildings was not appropriate.

"We respect the right of freedom of expression," said State Department spokesman Philip Crowley, but he added "forcibly entering government buildings is not an appropriate means of protest."

Thailand declared a state of emergency in its capital Bangkok after protesters stormed parliament and ministers were airlifted to safety in an escalation of weeks of mass anti-government rallies.

In an effort to contain the crisis, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva invoked emergency rule, banning public gatherings of more than five people and giving broad powers to the police and military, in Bangkok and surrounding areas.

"Everyone has the right of assembly and to protest peacefully, but we hope that differences can be resolved through democratic institutions and not through violence," Crowley added.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-04-08

Published with written approval from AFP.

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New Politics Party head office attacked wit M79 grenade, M16 ammunitions

BANGKOK: -- A police guarding the New Politics Party was injured when an assailant fired M79 grenade and M16 ammunitions against the party at about 30 minutes after midnight.

Pol Sgt Supol Khanpol, 41, was injured on his left arm and shoulder and rushed to the Vajira Hospital.

Kittichai Saisa-ard, a chief security officer, told police that two assailants arrived on a motorcycle, which was preceded by a Honda car.

The pillion rider used a rifle to fire at the party head office in Phra Nakhon district and sped away to the direction of Wanchart Bridge.

Police said the gun was apparently the M203 rifle that could fire both M16 ammunitions and M79 grenade.

The ammunitions damages glass windows on the second floor, which is the press conference room and damaged the front door.

-- The Nation 2010-04-08

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TPI building hit with M79 grenade, M16 shots

BANGKOK: -- A pillion rider fired an M79 grenade and M16 ammunitions at the TPI Polene Building in Sathon Disrict at 1:30 am Thursday.

Police found spent shell of the M79 grenade some M16 shells outside the building.

A security officer of the building said he saw a pillion rider firing a gun at the building before aiming the gun at him. The security officer said he took a cover and the two men in black on a motorcycle sped away.

The motorcycle stopped at the intersection in front of the building before the pillion rider started firing.

-- The Nation 2010-04-08

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Another M79 attack aimed at Anupong's office in Army HQ

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Grenade lobbed at Tesco Lotus branch; bomb defused outside mall

An M79 grenade launcher was used to attack the office of Army commander General Anupong Paochinda at Army headquarters off Rajdamnoen Avenue after midnight on Tuesday.

This is the second time his office has been targeted.

The lone M79 round was fired from the nearby Rama VIII Bridge at around 1.30am and hit a room near Anupong's office, injuring a soldier and causing property damage. The new target was close to the spot hit in the first M79 round fired on March 14.

News about this incident was only released to the media yesterday evening. The media restriction came from a division commander who was on duty at the time.

A military source said the attack was politically motivated and aimed to damage the image of the government and military. "It is meant to show that even the Army commander's life is at risk," he added.

Also, a grenade was lobbed at the Tesco Lotus branch on Nawamin Road in Bangkok shortly after midnight on Tuesday, injuring two people and causing property damage.

Khokekhram police said an M-26 hand grenade was hurled into the hypermart's compound from a nearby housing estate before the attackers fled. The safety pin of the US-made grenade was found at the scene. Shrapnel and the impact of the explosion injured the victims, while the hypermart's building and a vehicle parked nearby were damaged.

Meanwhile, a home-made bomb was found near Fashion Island shopping centre in northern Bangkok at around 7am yesterday and defused. The explosives disposal personnel warned that the bomb, made with one kilogram of urea and petrol, could have killed people in a radius of 10 metres. Police could not determine what time the bomb was set to explode, because both hands of the alarm clock were removed.

In Khon Kaen province, two Molotov cocktails were thrown into the home of a local red-shirt leader at around 1am yesterday, causing property damage but no casualties.

Quoting eyewitnesses, Tha Phra police said the two attackers on a motorcycle were seen lobbing the bombs into the home of Wirat Saensupholraj before fleeing.

Police said the attackers belonged to a group that had recently carried out a bomb attack at a school in nearby Nam Phong district, because the motorcycles used in both attacks were of the same model.

Meanwhile, the two policemen wounded in a grenade attack on the Democrat Party headquarters on Tuesday have undergone surgery and are out of danger, director of the Police General Hospital, Pol Lt-General Jongjate Aojanephong, said.

The officer said the ongoing rally at the Rajprasong intersection was disrupting the hospital service and the noise was disturbing patients.

Separately, police said they would soon summon suspended Army specialist Maj-General Khattiya Sawas-diphol for questioning, because he was seen near the Democrat Party compound before the grenade attacks.

-- The Nation 2010-04-08

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THE NATION: JS100 Radio: Central World remains closed for another day. Management advises shoppers to shop at other branches.

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Govt asks UDD supporters to disperse

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Deputy Prime Minister for Security Affairs Suthep Thaugsuban, on behalf of the government, has pleaded supporters of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) to leave the rally sites under the State of Emergency.

Speaking as the director of the Center for Public Administration in Emergency Situation, Mr Suthep asked UDD supporters not to travel to join the gathering at Ratchaprasong Intersection and Phan Fah Bridge. He said transportation would be provided for those wishing to return home in other provinces.

As rumors could spread during the ongoing situation, the Deputy Prime Minister stated that the government would try its best to restore the situation back to normalcy. He confirmed that all operations would be transparent, and he would keep the public updated on a continuous basis.

To control the size of the crowd, mobilization of additional protestors to Bangkok will be banned. Police officers will be tasked with setting up checkpoints to screen for weapons and check ID cards of people travelling to the capital city.

Meanwhile, all government offices are assigned to tighten security at all premises. More security officers will be deployed from Wednesday night onwards to prevent unrest instigation.

Mr Suthep then requested the public to notify any irregularities and give full cooperation to the authorities. He also asked the public to have trust in the operation of the authorities and the government in restoring the situation back to normalcy.

-- NNT 2010-04-08

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THE NATION: NNA: Traffic is heavy on Ayutthaya-Bangkok Rd and Saraburi-BKK Rd as red-shirt vehicles are heading to BKK.

THE NATION: PTV's broadcast on ThaiCom already blocked but broadcast from NSS6 star still on.

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State of Emergency to deter violence not a crackdown: Prawit

BANGKOK: -- Top government leaders have reassured the public that the emergency rule in Bangkok and surrounding areas is meant to curb the runaway protests deemed illegal and unconstitutional and not a crackdown on the red shirts.

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said on Thursday that the state of emergency has been imposed since Wednesday's evening in order to check the deteriorating situation.

He said the authorities will fully explain emergency measures in order to allay the anxiety, arguing the emergency rule would not disrupt the people's daily life.

On Wednesday's night, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban, in his capacity as the director of Emergency Operations Command, dismissed the speculation that the riot force would disperse the crowds at two rally sites - Rajprasong and Phan Fa Bridge.

-- The Nation 2010-04-08

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THE NATION: Army spokesman Sansern said authorities may seize PTV's broadcast equipment if it is deemed distorting info to cause misunderstanding.

THE NATION: “We will not use signal blocking method but will seize control of the broadcast equipment," Sansern said.

THE NATION: "But if they purchase new equipment and do not distort the information again, they may resume the broadcast,” Sansern added.

[george]

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PM prepares for the ASEAN Summit in Vietnam

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is scheduled to attend the 15th ASEAN Summit in Hanoi, Vietnam at noon today.

The Thai PM will open talks with leaders of South East Asian nations under the theme of “From Vision to Action”. Topics to be discussed at the Summit include the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015, the promotion of regional networks and relationships, the exchange of ideas about bilateral conflicts and climate change, and solutions toward sustainable economic recovery in the region.

After the meeting, Mr Abhisit may attend the evening banquet at the Melia Hotel, arranged by the government of Vietnam before heading back to Thailand. The Thai PM will return to the two-day ASEAN summit again tomorrow.

Mr Abhisit will land in Vietnam at 14.10 hrs today.

The ASEAN Summit is an annual meeting held by the Association of South East Asian Nations. Last year’s meeting was under the chairmanship of Thailand, where the meeting is held in Hua-Hin and Cha-Am from 23–25 October 2009.

-- NNT 2010-04-08

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THE NATION: Central Chidlom opens its doors today at 11am - Siam Dis, Siam Center, Siam Paragon & CentralWorld remain closed.

THE NATION: Free ride for elderly on BTS from April 13-15. As for now if you doubt any skytrain station is close or not. call 026176000

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Thai protesters defy state of emergency

by Anusak Konglang

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thousands of red-shirted Thai protesters seeking to overthrow the government defied a state of emergency in Bangkok on Thursday, planning to stage another major rally in the capital.

Leaders of the tens of thousands of supporters of ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra have warned they are ready for "war" but the authorities have avoided using force to break up the demonstrations.

There was no end in sight to the weeks of political turmoil, with the Red Shirts planning another big gathering on Friday, extending more than three weeks of rolling rallies that attracted 100,000 people at their peak.

"News of an imminent crackdown is normal for us," said Red Shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan. "I want to warn those who want to crack down on democracy protesters: it will not be easy."

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has banned public gatherings of more than five people and given broad powers to police and military under emergency rule announced Wednesday in the capital and surrounding areas.

It is the fourth time since 2008 that a state of emergency has been declared in the capital because of political turmoil.

Tensions have escalated after the Reds forced their way into the parliamentary compound briefly on Wednesday, prompting lawmakers to flee and several senior government figures to be airlifted to safety.

The head office of the Reds' arch-rivals, the royalist "Yellow Shirts", was targeted on Thursday with a grenade and gunfire that wounded one policeman.

Abhisit has cancelled a trip to the United States for a nuclear security summit next week due to the unrest but was due to shuttle back and forth from a two-day summit of Southeast Asian leaders in Hanoi that began Thursday.

Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters have refused to leave Bangkok's main commercial district, where they have been since Saturday, disrupting traffic and causing major stores to shut.

"We have to prepare for another war. If the military comes you should not panic -- just stay put," another Reds leader, Veera Musikapong, told protesters late Wednesday.

Tourist chiefs and business leaders have urged the demonstrators to end their action, warning it is taking a heavy toll on the economy.

The United States also rebuked the protesters.

"We respect the right of freedom of expression," State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said Wednesday, but he added "forcibly entering government buildings is not an appropriate means of protest."

The Red Shirts say the government is illegitimate because it came to power with army backing through a parliamentary vote in December 2008 after a court decision ousted Thaksin's allies from power.

The mainly poor and rural followers of Thaksin, a billionaire telecoms tycoon who lives abroad to avoid a jail term for corruption, fervently support the populist policies he introduced before his ouster in a 2006 coup.

The military has mounted a heavy security response, deploying 50,000 personnel at one point to try to contain the protests, which drew as many as 100,000 people on March 14.

The government wants to avoid a repeat of last April's clashes with Red Shirts that left two people dead, six months after riot police took on the rival Yellow Shirts in bloody scenes outside parliament.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-04-08

Published with written approval from AFP.

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Sansern indicates authorities will seize broadcast equipment of PTV

BANGKOK: -- Army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd indicated Thursday that the authorities may seize broadcast equipment of PTV if the station goes on airing distorted information.

"The shutting down of a media will be made if it distorts information to cause misunderstanding," Sansern said.

"We'll see the whether People's Channel had distorted information or not. For example, they showed tear gas canisters and claimed that the authorities threw grenades into the crowd.

"We will not use the signal blocking method but we will seize control of the broadcast equipment. If they purchase new equipment and do not distort the information again, they may resume the broadcast."

-- The Nation 2010-04-08

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Defence Minister Admits Second Attack on Army Chief's Office

BANGKOK: -- Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan admitted the office of Army Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda was hit by M79 grenade for the second time.

However, he confirmed there were no damages.

-- Tan Network 2010-04-08

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THE NATION: Deputy PM's Sec-Gen Panitharn said govt had prepared vehicles for sending protesters home.

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Protests Predicted to Shrink Songkran Spending

BANGKOK: -- The Thai Chamber of Commerce has predicted that cash flow during the upcoming Songkran holidays will be the lowest in six years as citizens have been discouraged from celebrating by the continuing red-shirt protests.

The Thai Chamber of Commerce, or TCC's, Center for Economic and Business Forecasting has reported results of a survey on expected consumer behavior during the upcoming Songkran holidays.

The center's study found that cash flow during the celebration will likely shrink for the first time in six years.

The center's director, Thanawat Polwichai, stated that if the red-shirt protests and political turmoil persist but violence is avoided, 96.811 billion baht will likely change hands during Songkran. down 1.49 percent from last year.

If the situation escalates the figure will drop to 93.685 billion baht, accounting to a 4.67-percent drop. If the tension is resolved, however, the center predicted cash flow will rise to 100.132 billion baht.

TCC instructor Wachira Kunthaweetape elaborated by saying that the Center for Economic and Business Forecasting's survey found that 58.4 percent or respondents have not yet made travel plans for Songkran due to uncertain political situation with just 16.8 percent having made travel plans already and the remaining respondents only planning to visit their hometowns.

The prevailing concern of citizens regarding the upcoming holidays is travel safety, followed by traffic, heat and high retail prices.

Asked about general concerns about the nation, 60.6 percent of respondents said they were worried about the economy, 56.9 percent about the cost of living and 53.1 percent about the political situation.

-- Tan Network 2010-04-08

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Panithan says govt prepared vehicles for sending protesters home

BANGKOK: -- Deputy PM's Secretary-General Panithan Watanayakorn said Thursday that the government had prepared vehicles for sending protesters home if they wan to go home.

Panithan, acting government spokesman, said the number of the protesters at the Rajprasong Intersection had declined because some of the people had better understanding of the situation.

He also denied that the military and the government had conflicts over the plan to arrest the red-shirt leaders.

-- The Nation 2010-04-08

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MCOT: Opposition Puea Thai spokesman submits letter appealing PTV shutdown to government at 11th Infantry; Army officer receives it

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Grenade and gunfire attacks at TPI Building, New Politics Party HQ, two wounded

BANGKOK (TNA) -- Two grenade and shooting attacks at the TPI Poline building of business offices and also headquarters of yellow-shirted New Politics Party (NPSP) early Thursday left two persons wounded.

Security guards at the TPI Poline building said two unidentified assailants on a motorcycle shot at the building with an M-16 assault rifle and fired an M-79 grenade in front of the building in the Sathorn area. However, the grenade hit an electric power cable and fell to the road.

The attack at TPI occurred about 30 minutes after a similar attack at the New Politics Party office in Pra Nakhon district, when two men fired an M-16 rifle and shot an M-79 grenade into the office, damaging the entrance gate and shattering the plate glass wall of its news conference room.

A police officer guarding the NPSP headquarters and a civilian were injured in the attack and were sent to Vajira Hospital.

Police believe the two attacks are related as the style of attack and the weapons used to carry out the attacks were the same, according to witnesses.

Investigators are inspecting the television surveillance cameras which recorded acdtivities at both locations.

The listed company TPI Polene was a supporter of the ruling Democrat Party.

TPS's alleged Bt258 million donation to the Democrats is being investigated by the Election Commission after the company was accused of violating Constitution prohibitions regarding political parties, which cannot receive financial donations of over Bt10 million a year from a company.

TPI Polene is owned by Prachai L Leophairatana, staunch opponent of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The NPSP was officially formed in June 2009 by key leaders of yellow-clad People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) which played a key role in ousting ex-prime minister Thaksin from power and two successive governments in which they claimed proxy of fugitive ex-premier.

The NPSP is now led by PAD key leader Sondhi Limthongkul, media mogul turned-politician who survived a shooting attempt in April 2009. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-04-08

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THE NATION: PTV blacked out now. A link provided by a tweeple for watching it could not be used either.

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Red shirts with their bare hands to fight emergency rule: Jatuporn

BANGKOK: -- Red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan on Thursday vowed to fight with bare hands if the riot force were to disperse the crowds at Rajprasong, saying the protests to continue despite the state of emergency and its draconian security measures.

He was speaking from the rally stage around 8.00 am following a first night camping out under the state of emergency.

"The soldiers are armed but the people will fight with their bare hands - we will not back down before victory," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-04-08

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MCOT: Red Shirts plan no march today, to stage mass protest Friday defying State of Emergency

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People's Channel has been blacked out

BANGKOK: -- The satellite TV People's Channel has been blacked out.

The channel went on and off for a while before it was completely blacked out.

Earlier, the broadcast from ThaiCom star was inaccessible while that from NSS6 could be until at about 11:10 am.

Earlier the day, Deputy PM's Secretary-General Panitharn Wattanayakorn said the government might seize broadcast equipment of the station instead of blocking its transmission from satellites.

Experts said the government had no authority to block the transmission from NSS6, which is not owned by Thais.

-- The Nation 2010-04-08

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STATE IN EMERGENCY

Key measures related to the state of emergency

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- In declaring the state of emergency, the government issued altogether six announcements outlining the rules in effect.

Despite the sweeping power under the Emergency Decree, it did not invoke every draconian provision. For example the prime minister did not empower the emergency administrators to declare a curfew.

The key points in the six announcements related to emergency rule are:

- The first announcement is about the state of emergency imposed over Bangkok and five surrounding provinces. The five are Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan (covering six districts), Pathum Thani (five districts), Nakhon Pathom (one district) and Ayutthaya (four districts).

- The second is the granting of extra powers for emergency officials to carry out the followings: detaining suspects up to 30 days, summoning individuals and physical evidence, impounding, censuring mail, prints and telecommunications, banning any activities deemed detrimental to national security, prohibiting individuals from leaving the country, prohibiting aliens from leaving or entering, banning the disruption of traffic, and banning posession or transaction of suspected materials.

- The third is about the appointment of Suthep Thuagsuban in charge of emergeny administration as the director of the Emergency Operations Command. The command is to comprise 27 members, including the defence ministers, military leaders and top security officials.

- The fourt is about the formation of the command and its duties.

- The fifth is the powers entrusted to Suthep and the command. If deemed appropriate, the command is authorised to ban a public assembly of more than five people, censure news and broadcast, ban the certain vehicles and routes, prohibit the entering to certain buildings or locations and evacuate the people.

- The sixth is the jurisdictional transfer of powers entrusted by 18 related laws from relevant ministers to the prime minister during the enforcement of emergency rule. This is meant for the facilitation and centralisation of the emergency administration.

-- The Nation 2010-04-08

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THE NATION: PM Abhisit cancelled his trip to VN today amids rumor that govt might disperse red shirt protesters.

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UDD rally in Rachaprasong resumes normally

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) protestors are still staging their mass rally at the Ratcharaprasong junction despite the government’s declaration of a state of emergency yesterday evening.

At the UDD rally, the speeches made on stage include the latest progress on the recent UDD intrusion at the Parliament compound yesterday led by core figure Arisman Pongruangrong. The speech also informed demonstrators of protection measures under the state of emergency such as preparing water and blankets in case of a crackdown and the measures under the mentioned situation.

The State of Emergency declared by the government yesterday, aims for immediate peace and normalcy, by suppressing dissemination of information that will incite violence and illegal actions, with an authority to prosecute the inciters of those who threaten national and economic security and effectively prevent unrest.

Meanwhile, police officers deployed in the Rachaprasong area has heightened security.

-- NNT 2010-04-08

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