Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Sunday

[webfact]

THE NATION: PAD gives a week deadline for govt to handle the situation. If not, PAD will take action in a bid to protect the country and institutions

TAN network: Peoples Alliance for Democracy (PAD) gives the govt 7 days to take action against wrongdoers otherwise they will come out themselves

[webfact]

Armed police, soldiers posted at high-rise buildings in Ratchaprasong

BANGKOK (TNA) -- The Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) announced that armed and uniformed police and military are being posted at high-rise buildings in Ratchaprasong area where Red Shirt protesters are rallying, “ready to use strict measures against them,” a CRES spokesman said.

Spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd told a press conference that CRES met early Sunday and discussed the fatal April 10 violence at the Democracy Monument and along Ratchadamnoen Avenue concluding that many troops were killed and wounded because armed terrorists infiltrated protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) and fired at them.

Several severe measures were adopted at the meeting, said Col Sansern. They include preventing UDD supporters from upcountry from joining the demonstrators already at Ratchaprasong intersection, Bangkok’s prime high-end retail business area, separate terrorists from UDD protesters and armed police and military in uniform will be stationed on high-rise buildings around Ratchaprasong from Sunday to prevent violence from recurring.

He said the protest site was not considered a safe place as the terrorist were hiding among the protesters.

Reiterating that CRES would not allow the protesters to seize army weapons or vehicles aslike the April 10 incidents, he said: “From now on officials will carry arms and protect themselves if they are assaulted and these practices are in line with the law. If the weapons were seized and used (by the protesters), chaos could erupt”.

He said the CRES would not allow the protesters to assault security personnel anymore, but would respond with appropriate approach, he said.

Col Sansern said protesters had returned seized military vehicles but not the weapons.

Latest official statistics showed that 25 people were killed while 840 injured and 134 were receiving treatment at hospitals in Bangkok from April 10 violence.

UDD protesters have demanded that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva dissolve the House immediately and leave the country. They have demonstrated in the capital since March 14.

Asked when the final showdown on breaking up the demonstration would be held, Col Sansern replied, “We’re ready whenever the situation permits.”

Eighteen of 51 persons believed to be financiers for the UDD and ordered to report to the CRES have appeared at the office in the past two days, said Col Sansern. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-04-18

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

THE NATION: Red-shirt recap: No march to Silom today but a "major" rally will be mobilized Tuesday which could require "expansion" to Silom.

THE NATION: PAD gives govt 7 days to end red rally, or yellow shirts will launch their own campaign to solve the crisis "according to the constitution".

[webfact]

THE NATION: In its statement, PAD expresses condolences for soldiers and red protesters killed/wounded on April 10.

THE NATION: But PAD statement also says govt will be given day to end problems related to Thaksin's "terrorism" within 7 days.

THE NATION: PAD statement asks red leaders to stop exploiting the bodies of "red victims killed by Thaksin's terrorism" to advance their cause.

[webfact]

Martial law declaration unnecessary

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) has declined a necessity for the government to declare martial law in order to control the current situation.

CRES and Army Spokesperson, Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd, said the current enforcement of the state of emergency is adequate to maintain peace and order within the kingdom; however, security officers need to enforce the law against those violators more strictly and in a straightforward manner.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has activated the State of Emergency in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and 16 districts of adjoining provinces since 7 April 2010.

The spokesperson also affirmed that security officers have taken the utmost attempt to apply measures step by step, from light to tough, against the demonstrators of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD).

Nevertheless, Colonel Sansern noted that security officers might be necessary to use weapons against those ill-intentioned people whenever the situation calls for.

Earlier, the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) voiced support to the government to enforce martial law to control the situation.

-- NNT 2010-04-18

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

Red Shirts announce mass rally on Tuesday

BANGKOK (TNA) -- Anti-government 'Red Shirt' United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) will rally again on Tuesday to unseat Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, but the location will be announced later, UDD leader Natthawut Saikua said Sunday.

Mr Natthawut said the Red Shirt protesters will mobilise its supporters from all over the country to join the protest at Ratchaprasong intersection and will lead them to an as yet undisclosed location.

The destination will be announced at an appropriate time, he said, adding that the move will be made peacefully without arms.

The group is preparing compact disc reports on the April 10 incident for public distribution, expected to be ready Monday, he said.

Meanwhile, another UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan said the group had not finalised its plan to set up a protest stage at Silom Road, saying that the idea need more discussion.

In related developments, Pongsak Raktapongpaisal, former transport minister in the Thaksin Shinawatra government, reported to the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) at the 11th Infantry Regiment after being asked to give information to the centre.

Mr Pongsak said he did not play any role in the UDD protest and opposition Puea Thai party as he had been travelling abroad.

He also rejected allegations that he was involved in financing the activities of the Red Shirt protesters. He said the demonstrators had their own supporting financial assistance.

The former minister also denied he received money from Mr Thaksin to support the Red Shirt protesters, but admitted that he had met Mr Thaksin from time to time, bringing Thai food to him, but said he had nothing to do with the movement's financial activities.

Mr Pongsak was one of the 111 executive members of Thai Rak Thai Party who were banned from participating in politics for five years in 2007 after the Constitution Court's decision to dissolve the Thai Rak Thai party due to violations of electoral laws during the 2006 legislative elections.

The CRES earlier issued 'invitation orders', using powers under the Emergency Decree, to people who are believed to be connected to the violence and other pending cases.

About 50 persons -- including politicians, businessmen, and former government officials -- have been ordered to report to the police, who are seeking information helpful for the authorities in continuing investigation. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-04-18

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

Thai 'Yellow Shirts' issue ultimatum on rival Red rallies

by Apilaporn Vechakij

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thailand's elite-backed "Yellow Shirts" vowed to take action Sunday if the government fails to deal with red-clad protesters within a week, raising fears of clashes between the rival groups.

The "Red Shirts", who mainly support ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, have occupied the capital for more than a month with their anti-government campaign, which led to clashes with security forces last weekend leaving 25 people dead.

Thailand is largely split between the poor and rural Reds and the pro-establishment Yellows, who hit the streets ahead of a 2006 coup that ousted their enemy Thaksin and again to see off his allies in 2008.

The Yellows had remained largely silent since the Reds' began mass rallies in mid-March demanding immediate elections, but they held a meeting of 3,000 to 5,000 supporters Sunday to discuss a response to the crisis.

"In seven days we hope that the government will deal with the terrorists from Thaksin immediately, otherwise we will show our voice to protect the country and the royal family," said Parnthep Pourpongpan, a spokesman for the Yellow group formally known as the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

"The PAD will do our duty according to the constitution in order to preserve the nation and monarchy," he told AFP after the meeting.

The Yellows' protests in 2008 culminated with a crippling blockade of Bangkok's two main airports, which ended when a controversial court verdict ousted Thaksin's allies, allowing a parliamentary vote that brought in the current government.

The Reds, who are campaigning against Thailand's elite in palace, military and bureaucratic circles, say the government's rise to power was illegitimate.

The authorities have so far failed to bring an end to the Reds' mass rallies. A botched attempt to clear areas occupied by the demonstrators triggered the country's deadliest civil unrest in 18 years last weekend.

The government has asked the police's special investigation unit to probe the bloodshed, blaming "terrorists" for inciting violence and accusing Thaksin, who lives abroad to avoid a jail term for graft, of stoking the unrest.

The Reds announced plans Sunday to step up their campaign for snap polls by boosting their numbers in the commercial area they are currently occupying in the heart of the city.

Army spokesman Sunsern Kaewkumnerd said the military would "contain" the protesters. "We will have police and soldiers working together," he told AFP.

The Reds have so far ignored calls by the authorities to disperse from the shopping heartland, despite security forces being positioned on top of the area's skyscrapers and outstanding arrest warrants in place against core leaders.

Leader Nattawut Saikuar said on Saturday that 24 senior Reds would hand themselves over to police on May 15 in a move designed to avoid another attempt to forcibly arrest them, but he added they would seek bail.

"For now the 24 of us will keep rallying to show sincerely that we won't run away," he said. "I'm sure the order to suppress us will come out soon."

Embattled premier Abhisit Vejjajiva, who cancelled his weekly television broadcast Sunday for unclear reasons, has handed broader powers to his army chief Anupong Paojinda after a bungled operation to arrest senior protesters.

Emergency services confirmed to AFP Sunday that the death toll from the clashes had increased to 25, while more than 800 people were also wounded.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-04-18

Published with written approval from AFP.

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

Related topic

Rival Thai 'Yellows' Discuss Moves As 'Reds' Rally On

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Rival-Thai-Y...es-t357164.html

[webfact]

THE NATION: Recap today: PAD becomes focus of new attention. Army vows never to concede Silom. And no Thaksin vdo-link.

THE NATION: And mark yr calendar just in case - Red leaders say they will expand rally to Silom area on April 20.

[webfact]

50-70 bn THB in damage expected from prolonged rally

BANGKOK (NNT) -- A 50 -70 billion THB damage is expected from the prolonged mass demonstration of the anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), according to the estimation made by the Center of Economic and Business Forecast (CEBF) of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

CEBF Director, Dr Thanawat Polvichai, stated that the estimate was based on the assumption that the prolonged rally would end on 15 May 2010 when UDD core leaders promised to give themselves in to police, and that no further violence occurs during the course.

The director said the UDD had declared its plan to stage another rally on the business road of Silom after the gathering at Ratchaprasong Intersection was successful in pressuring the government to a certain extent.

Dr Thanawat admitted that the rallies would greatly affected the national economy, the confidence of both consumers and investors as well as trade negotiations and tourism.

As for the movement of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to stage a mass rally, the director said the group still has no clear direction in its movement and therefore is not worrying.

However, Dr Thanawat cautioned the government to monitor movement of all protesting groups in order to prevent possible clashes between groups of supporters.

-- NNT 2010-04-18

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]