Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Monday

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Monday April 19 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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Top army, navy units readied for dispersal

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Elite forces from all three branches of the armed forces and police are being mobilised to carry out operations to remove red-shirt demonstrators from the Rajprasong intersection in Bangkok.

The rules of engagement are modelled on an emergency plan after 2003 when the Thai embassy and businesses run by Thai firms in Phnom Penh were burnt down by a rowdy mob.

Thailand was reportedly ready to go to war with Cambodia, with combat units readied and F-16 fighters put on standby for possible aerial attacks.

On Saturday evening, Army commander General Anupong Paochinda called a meeting of military commandants, the chief of staff and the acting police commander to discuss operational readiness of all units involved.

The meeting agreed that the military would no longer tolerate armed terrorists blending in with red-shirt mobs in Bangkok.

Army units to be used are capable of "special operations". They include Task Force 90 - a heli-borne infantry assault unit, the 31 Infantry Regiment and red-bereted Army special operations forces. The Navy would dispatch their US-trained SEAL commandos and the Marines Force Recon strike force.

The Air Force will rely on their special operations commandos while the police would dispatch 191 SWAT commandos, anti-terrorism Arintharaj Force and paratroopers.

A joint intelligence report concluded that the armed men were recruited from three groups of people: separatists in the South, mercenaries from neighbouring countries, and paramilitary men trained by active officers allied with the red shirts.

Whatever sources they are from, the prime objective of the coming operations is to deal with the "armed third force", coupled with red-shirt masses travelling to Bangkok from Monday to Wednesday.

All tall buildings nearby Rajprasong intersection are now manned by security officials.

What remains to be seen is whether these units will accomplish their mission - neutralising the armed terrorists, in line with a recently concluded hard-line determination by the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation.

-- The Nation 2010-04-19

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Reds receive stern Army warning

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- PAD re-emerges to give government an ultimatum; security forces will never allow a repeat of use of force against anti-riot troops, Army spokesman says

The Army yesterday gave the red shirts a stern warning against staging a rally on the prohibited Silom Road - as the crisis grew more complicated with the People's Alliance for Democracy re-emerging to give an ultimatum to the government.

Security forces would never allow a repeat of use of force against riot troops, Army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said yesterday, suggesting tough measures will be used to stop the protests spreading from Rajprasong intersection to Silom Road.

However, Sansern said troops will only disperse the red shirts when the timing is right.

"If I say when, the operation is doomed to fail," he said.

The rally by the red shirts, due to held on Tuesday, was just a gimmick to use crowds as shields to safeguard leaders facing arrest, he said.

Numbers at Rajprasong quite a lot, he said. The crowd surged to around 13,000 on Saturday night and dropped to about 4,000 yesterday morning.

The anti-riot force would not allow the reds to parade around the capital or set up a new site at Silom, he said, vowing to contain the rally where it is.

He said a number of special operations teams were dispatched to stakeout high-rise buildings around the rally site in order to prevent any infiltration by armed terrorists.

Crowd control measures would be stepped up and protesters discouraged from entering Rajprasong. Police will issue citations for those who refuse to heed warnings at the barricaded zone.

"Whatever happens, there will be no repeat of assaults against the riot forces, seizures of official vehicles and arms," the Army spokesman said.

He said the riot forces were under strict instruction to exercise restraint but would have the right to repel life-threatening attacks. He also ruled out concern over the enforcement of martial law.

Red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan said the government had veered off course by trying to fault the red shirts for harbouring terrorists in their midst.

Jatuporn demanded the red shirts have equal access at stakeout points set up by the riot forces. In the April 10 violence, a lot of people were shot dead by gunfire from buildings, he claimed.

Red-shirt leaders insist Silom protest will go ahead

Red-shirted leaders still insisted on a protest on Silom but were vague on how it would take place, only urging red shirts in rural areas to travel to the capital and take part in the upcoming mass rally.

Metropolitan Police Region 1 commander Maj-General Wichai Sangprapai said he was negotiating with the red shirts - to try to limit the rally near Siam Discovery to Pathumwan intersection, and to shift loudspeakers away from Chulalong-korn Hospital.

Police have beefed up security at Bangkok Bank headquarters after the red shirts threatened to rally on Silom Road.

Businessmen for Democracy Club secretary-general Pornsak Limboonyaprasert said any protests on Silom would inflict untold damage on the business community.

The PAD, meanwhile, gave the government seven days to resolve the crisis with the red shirts or the movement would organise counter rallies which could have unknown consequences.

All core leaders of the PAD, except Sondhi Limthongkul, and about 3,000 ranking members turned out at Rangsit University auditorium to "brainstorm" a way out of the political predicament.

It was the first gathering of the yellow shirts from across the country since the red shirts began their Bangkok rally on March 12.

"The red shirts have caused polarisation with words like 'prai' and 'ammat' but their real intention is to mobilise the masses as a means to transform the political system," Chamlong Srimuang said.

The violence on "Black Saturday" would not have erupted with so many soldiers killed if the government had taken effective legal action against the red shirts, he said.

Somsak Kosaisuk said any drastic reform of the government system should come via Parliament.

"I believe Thais don't want chaos," he said, referring to the violence-prone street protests by the red shirts.

Pipop Thongchai blamed fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Pheu Thai Party chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh for the April 10 violence.

Hardcore leftists and certain remnants of the nowdefunct Communist Party of Thailand had teamed up with the red shirts to try to trigger a civil war, he said.

The PAD issued a statement condemning Thaksin and his army of red shirts for trying to incite a rebellion.

Pheu Thai Party, the red shirts and a private army were seeking to agitate the public, leading to an uprising, it said in the statement.

-- The Nation 2010-04-19

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Businesses want help

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The private sector will today ask Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to arrange urgent support for businesses and workers deprived of income by the drawn-out red-shirt rally, a source said yesterday.

Abhisit will chair a meeting of economic ministers at the 11th Infantry Regiment. The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking will report to the premier at the meeting on damage incurred by various industries from the ongoing protest.

The committee comprising the Thai Chamber of Commerce, Thai Bankers Association and Federation of Thai Industries will also request state assistance during the protest period, FDI care-taker president Santi Wilatsakdanont said yesterday.

The reds' rally at Rajprasong intersection had forced stores in the vicinity to close, causing losses of about Bt300 million a day or Bt4.5 billion so far, he said. Nearby hotels had also suffered, with only 5-10 per cent of rooms sold. Souvenir, food and clothes shops around the area had lost roughly Bt50 million a day.

Workers of hotels, department stores and restaurants on daily wages had also lost about Bt10-20 million so far. The private sec-tor wants a quick end to the protest before it spreads to other areas.

Meanwhile more than 1,000 residents from 19 communities of Bangkok yesterday converged at Charoenkrung Road to oppose the red shirts, a House dissolution and support the premier.The group called Thai Ruamjai Network carried Thai flags, sang a song calling for national unity and gave moral support to the PM, urging him not to dissolve House.

A leader of the group said his group intended to send a message to Thais across the country to oppose the red shirts from staging any move that jeopardises the country and offends the monarchy.

Meanwhile, several civic groups including the Silence Force, the Online Community and Prachapitakchart Group gathered at Suan Santipap in Bangkok in a show of support for Abhisit. They plan to hold peaceful rallies in different places in the capital this week in a move to seek more supporters who share the same belief.

Abhisit yesterday cancelled his weekly TV programme and spent the weekend with his family in Hua Hin. He has not given any media interviews since the April 10 clashes, just televised statements through the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation.

-- The Nation 2010-04-19

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Troops deployed to Silom

BANGKOK: -- Five companies have been deployed to be stationed in front of the Bangkok Bank head office.

Some of the troops are stationed in Lumpini Park and some on the Saladaeng station of the BTS train.

Meanwhile, a group of protesters took position near King Rama VI in front of the Lumpini Park.

-- The Nation 2010-04-19

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Thai troops on Bangkok streets to protect financial hub

BANGKOK (AFP): -- Hundreds of Thai troops, many of them armed, were deployed on the streets of Bangkok early Monday to protect the city's financial heart from anti-government rallies, witnesses said.

AFP reporters saw military and riot police station themselves in the central financial district, known as Silom, close to the Reds' current rally base in the capital's commercial heartland.

"There are several units currently armed to prevent themselves from attacks from terrorists who are hiding among protesters," said government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn.

A soldier, asking not to be named, said they were there to block the Reds if they came up Silom Road. "We will not attack them, we are blocking them," he told AFP.

The security personnel had stacked uncoiled barbed wire at the roadside. Many were seen armed with assault rifles and shotguns while some had only riot shields.

The Reds began their demonstration demanding immediate elections more than a month ago, and it remained largely peaceful until a failed army crackdown nine days ago led to clashes that left 25 people dead and more than 800 injured.

The government has asked the police's special investigation unit to probe the bloodshed, blaming "terrorists" for inciting violence.

Embattled Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva handed broader powers to his army chief Anupong Paojinda Friday after a bungled operation to arrest senior protesters.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-04-19

Published with written approval from AFP.

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Twitter: Central Silom looking like it is in a war zone with barbed wire fortification.

Twitter: Army stationed on Silom Road with barbed wire

CNN: Clashes feared, Thai military stations 1,500 troops along Bangkok road.

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MCOT: Heavy deployment of securitry forces at Dusit Thani Hotel as Red Shirts announce mass rally; Silom Road expected target

Morchit crowed with travelers returning to BKK after Songkran; BMA starts repairing work on Kaset flyover Wed, advises motorists to avoid

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MCOT: PM chairs economic cabinet meeting at army unit, discussing impact from Red Shirt protest on economy.

Today 19th April Central Chidlom and Zen in Bangkok are closed.

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THE NATION: Meeting of army commanders postponed (10.06) Army chief Gen Anupong Paochinda orders postponement of a meeting of army commanders from Monday to Friday. Gen Witchaya Thephassadin na Ayuttaya, assistant army chief, told reporters that the meeting the postponement was decided as things are not ready.

THE NATION: No plan to rally at Silom : Weng (10.07) Red shirts will not extend their protest to Silom road, weng Tohjirakarn, a red shirts leader said Monday.The reds did not make a decision to protest at Silom area which is a major business town."we are well aware that the government plans to use forces against us if we move ...to Silom. We will stay at Rajprasong intersection until the House is dissolved," weng said.

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Heavy deployment of security forces at Dusit Thani Hotel to prevent protesters' rally on Silom Road

BANGKOK: -- Troops and police are deployed at Dusit Thani Hotel, at Saladaeng where Silom Road intersects Rama IV Road where a checkpoint has been set up to inspect vehicles entering and exiting the street after the anti-government 'Red Shirt' United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) said it will rally again on Tuesday

Two hundred police from Thungmahamek Police Station are deployed at the Dusit Thani Hotel while five companies of armed troops are deployed at the Bangkok Bank Headquarters on Silom Road, with barbed wire and barricades set up in front of the building.

The UDD leaders say they will mobilise their supporters from all over the country to join the protest at Ratchaprasong intersection and will lead them to an as yet undisclosed location. However, the Silom Road is seen as the possible main target.

The protesters claim Bangkok Bank has close links to the government, which is why they protested at the headquarters in February.

The Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) earlier announced Silom Road, a prime Bangkok's business district or Thailand's Wall Street, off-limit to the protesters.

The CRES spokesman said the Red Shirt protest and occupation at Ratchaprosong intersection has already enough trouble to the public and that the goverment would do its utmost to prevent the protesters from also using Silom Road as a protest site.

The Red Shirt leaders earlier said that Ratchaprasong area was not far from Silom Road and if the number of their supporters built up, it was inevitable that the demonstration would spill over into Silom Road.

-- TNA 2010-04-19

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23 companies of police deployed to guard Silom

BANGKOK: -- Metropolitan Police Commissioner Pol Lt Gen Santhan Chayanon said Monday that 25 companies of crowd-control police were deployed to guard the Silom area against invasion by red-shirt protesters.

Four companies are stationed at the Saladaeng Intersection, 3 at Saladaeng-Convent 2 Intersection, 2 at Saladaeng-Sathorn Nua Intersection, 2 at Convent-Sathorn Nua Intersection, 3 at Narathiwat-Sathorn Nua Intersection, 3 Sup-Surawong Intersection and 3 at the Henri Dunant Intersection.

-- The Nation 2010-04-19

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MCOT: Bomb in Soi Ekachai, Bangkok's Bangbon district; two women sent to hospital

THE NATION: Four companies are stationed at the Saladaeng Intersection, 3 at Saladaeng-Convent 2 Intersection, 2 at Saladaeng-Sathorn Nua Intersection, 2 at Convent-Sathorn Nua Intersection, 3 at Narathiwat-Sathorn Nua Intersection, 3 Sup-Surawong Intersection and 3 at the Henri Dunant Intersection.

MCOT: Opposition Puea Thai Party sues PM Abhisit. DPM Suthep, Cabinet at Civil Court for blocking PTV signal, 'unlawful' Emergency Decree

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THE NATION: Update on Silom: Saint Joseph Convent School is closed today. Bkk bank HQ on Silom is opened.

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THE NATION: Mob update: Reds won't go to Silom today. The leaders say they plan a march tomorrow but so far the destination is unknown yet.

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UDD will stay in Ratchaprasong, no movement to Silom

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) group has confirmed its stance to demonstrate in the Ratchaprasong junction until the government agrees to dissolve the Parliament, according to UDD core leader Weng Tochirakarn.

As for its movement to the Silom business district, Mr Weng said that it will cease any movement in the area, due to the full military deployment.

Meanwhile, more tents were set up in the Ratchaprasong junction to accommodate more protestors back from holidays during Songkran.

The UDD demonstration in the capital started since 12 March 2010, as protestors began to stage their rallies in Phan Fah Bridge before converging to the main shopping district in Ratchaprasong junction since the beginning of April. The anti-government protestors demanded that the government dissolve the lower house and call for new elections.

-- NNT 2010-04-19

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PAD threatens to stage counter rally within 7 days

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) has threatened to stage a counter rally to safeguard the nation and the monarchy against the so-called terrorists if the government fails to tackle with the latter within seven days.

PAD core leader, Pipob Thongchai, on Sunday read a declaration after a meeting of the group at Rangsit University. He announced the group would be ready to march out under the constitution to annihilate all threats against the state and the monarchy.

The PAD voiced condolences for family members of military officers and UDD supporters who died from the 10 Apr bloodshed. The PAD also denounced terrorists engineering the incident and the group believes that ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is behind the violence.

The PAD demanded UDD core leaders to stop using bodies of those died from the 10 Apr bloodshed to incite hatred and disperse the rally in order to show responsibility and save lives of people from terrorist movements.

The PAD asked all misled UDD protestors to withdraw their support for the UDD and take part in a reformation process instead while all PAD supporters are urged to exercise their rights to make movements against terrorists and impede any attempts of people to join UDD rallies.

-- NNT 2010-04-19

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THE NATION: Chulalongkorn hospital has closed Rajdamri entrance, opening only Henry Duanant& Rama IV gates. via js100 radio.

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2 girls injured in Bangkok explosion

Two girls were injured when a bomb hidden inside a garbage bin exploded in Bangkok's Bangbon district Monday.

The explosion occurred at 10 am in front of a granite factory.

The two gilrs - Wanwipha Duangrodjit , 14 and Wanwisa Duangrodjit, 13 - happened to walk past the garbage bin when the explosion occurred.

They were rushed to the Bang Khun Thien Hospital.

-- The Nation 2010-04-19

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TAN Network: INN: Gen Chaovalit/Former PM Somchai demand dissolution of House; contact Royal Household Bureau for audience

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Multicoloured rally site shifted to Chatuchak

The organizers of the multicoloured rally have shifted the rally site for Monday from the Victory Monument to Chatuchak Park.

They announced that the rally will begin at 4 pm and continue until 6 pm.

-- The Nation 2010-04-19

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Gen Chaovalit, Former PM Somchai Hold Presser

BANGKOK: -- Former prime ministers General Chaovalit Yongchaiyudth and Somchai Wongsawat have held a joint press conference, once again, demanding the government to dissolve the House of Representatives.

They say the Abhisit administration cannot solve the current political crisis and should step aside.

The INN news agency is also reporting that the two are coordinating with the Royal Household Bureau for a possible royal audience.

-- Tan Network 2010-04-19

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BPbreakingnews: Reds 'use women, children as shields'

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Spam mail sent to cut supports to red-shirt demonstrators

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A spam mail has been sent out since Saturday, calling Thais to boycott a number of products and services believed to be the financing sources for the red-shirt demonstration.

The long list covers some newspapers, TV channels and some hotels which are partially owned by politicians' wives. The boycott also covered a telecom company and consumer product companies.

-- The Nation 2010-04-19

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CRES beefs up control on rallies

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) emphasizes the danger at rally site, while beefing up control on weapons and check points to prevent regional people from joining the rallies in Bangkok.

Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd, Spokesperson of the Royal Thai Army and CRES, reported that CRES meeting this morning chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban, CRES Director, reviewed the operation on 10 April and concluded that the heavy tolls resulted partly from the clash, but more importantly sabotaging by terrorist group armed with war weapons. This served to confirm the danger at rally site, as terrorists were ready to use deadly weapons against both officials and demonstrators.

CRES thus found it necessary to prevent more people from joining the rallies, with check points set up, ready to push back and arrest violators. Any attempts to assault officials or to seize weapons and vehicles would be strictly dealt with. Officials involved will be armed to defend themselves.

Colonel Sansern cited that the rally site was a danger zone, and CRES had to dispatch units to monitor the sites from high buildings. Officers will be in uniforms with badges to identify themselves and their units. At the same time, proprietors of high buildings at the rally site are warned not to let ill-intentioned people or terrorists use their premises to commit crimes as they will be charged as collaborators.

-- NNT 2010-04-19

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24 senators call on govt to open special parliamentary debate

A group of 24 senators Monday called on the government to convene a special parliamentary meeting to debate the on-going political crisis.

The senators include Wicharn Sirichai-ek, Korbkul Phancharoenworakul and Ruangkrai Leekijwatana.

The senators told a press conference that the current situation was likely to deteriorate into an upheaval so Parliament should debate the situation to try to find a solution.

-- The Nation 2010-04-19

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SCB closes 3 Rajaprasong branches

By The Nation

Siam Commercial Bank is temporarily closing three branches in Rajaprasong area - Siam Paragon, CentralWorld and Big C Rajadamri, due to the protests.

Clients of the three branches are advised to contact the headquarter at Ratchayothin, for some transactions.

-- The Nation 2010-04-19

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RichardBarrow: Shops from Siam Center to Central World, including Siam Paragon, still closed.

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Red Shirts threaten to push military back to barracks

BANGKOK (TNA) -- A top leader of the anti-government Red Shirt movement on Monday threatened to force military personnel back to their

barracks, saying the government's heavy military deployment in the capital's financial district was a major concern for the Reds' safety.

Natthawut Saikua, a leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), told a press briefing that there are reports of heavy military reinforcements indicating that the military will likely use force to disperse the protesters given the opportunity.

The top Red Shirt claimed that military officers sympathetic to the protesters leaked details of the military movements to the UDD, prompting them to mobilise a large number of protesters to confront the military personnel who then changed their tactics and set up barricades to surround the protesters.

"If the reinforcement [process] continues with too many soldiers being deployed...Silom Road will eventually become a battlefield," Mr Natthawut said.

"[Our] photos show armed troops in a ready-to-fire position, therefore [the UDD] demands that the military reconsider the move, or the Reds otherwise might find it necessary to push the soldiers back to their barracks with their bare hands."

Mr Natthawut said his movement is yet to decide that it would rally at Silom Road, the capital's key business district, but will discuss its latest move Tuesday morning when larger numbers of protesters are expected to be in place before making a public announcement.

The UDD leader said he expected the situation to end within seven days as Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is expected to make a political decision

since he has not talked to the media since April 10 when fierce clashes between army troops and protesters led to much loss of life.

Meanwhile, Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situations (CRES) spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd assured the public that the centre will

follow a seven-step action plan in line with international standards in reclaiming Ratchaprasong Intersection, the capital's top-end commercial and shopping area, from the protesters and to strictly enforce the law.

"It is necessary for soldiers to carry arms which will be used only for self-defence when their lives are under threat," Col Sansern said, adding that the military move is acceptable to the public as its unarmed operations to reclaim the protest venue at Phan Fa Bridge ended with a great loss of life for both the military and the protesters.

The April 10 street clashes between security forces and protesters left 25 people dead, according to the latest statistics from Emergency Medical Institute's Erawan Emergency Centre.

The Red Shirts has been rallying since March 13 to pressure the prime minister to dissolve the House in 15 days. They later demanded mmediate dissolution of the House, and called on the prime minister to leave the country after the April 10 clashes, saying the premier lacks legitimacy to

run the country.

However the prime minister appeared to see no reason to go into an effective exile. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-04-19

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Bangkok's financial heart under guard as rallies loom - Scene

by Patrick Falby

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Sharp-suited Bangkok office workers on their Monday commute stepped around barbed wire and armed soldiers as thousands of security forces poured in to guard the city's buzzing business heart.

"People are frightened there might be a war," said Chanalai Chatniramon, 26, as she chopped sausage in a cafe in the Silom financial hub where troops have descended to block plans for an anti-government rally.

"Many people are scared, some don't want to come downtown," said 61-year-old Prom Lavoix as she ate her lunch in the district where most businesses remained open despite the intimidating military presence.

After a month of massive disruption in Bangkok where "Red Shirt" protesters are staging rolling demonstrations, others were furious that the crisis had now encroached on the strip of banks and corporate headquarters.

"The military is very brutal," ranted a doctor from the seat of his BMW as he drove to work at a Silom hospital. "Why are these soldiers on the streets? This is power without reason -- they're protecting their assets."

Close to the corporate towers of the Silom district lies the notorious nightlife hub of Patpong -- but troops with guns replaced dancing bargirls in a pre-dawn deployment designed to prevent rallies from spreading there.

Alert-looking soldiers crouched with assault rifles on walkways above Silom's main thoroughfare, while as the day drew on others napped in shady spots on the roadside to escape the fierce Thai heat.

The army warned the troops were carrying live ammunition, keeping tensions high in the city where nine days ago a failed crackdown saw clashes that left 25 people dead in Thailand's worst civil unrest for nearly two decades.

Tens of thousands of Reds, mostly from the impoverished rural north, have massed in the capital to campaign for fresh elections to replace a government they condemn as undemocratic and the tool of the elites.

Their current rally base is an upmarket shopping and hotel district not far from Silom, which they had warned would be their next target in a move that triggered the army manoeuvre.

Reds leader Nattawut Saikuar accused the troops of creating a "battlefield" on Silom and said they would now make a last-minute decision on where to direct their thousands of supporters Tuesday.

The protesters appeared well in control of the sprawling area where they are encamped. Long rows of tents -- providing sleeping areas, medical care and clothes stalls have been set up in a formidable logistical base.

With no police in sight, the Reds were operating checkpoints and directing traffic around blockades they have erected along stretches of some of Bangkok's busiest streets.

"If the army comes to our place there will be fighting," said one of the many Reds camped out in Lumpini Park, which is strategically located between the protest base and the Silom district.

"We are all Thai people. Don't use your rifles, we want democracy!" boomed a voice via a loudspeaker from the park.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-04-19

Published with written approval from AFP.

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