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Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Tuesday


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RichardBarrow: More riot police reinforcements arriving at top of Silom but taking down barricade to let traffic enter.

RichardBarrow: Shoppers, business men in suits, tourists all stopping to watch and take pictures at Sala Daeng.

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MCOT: Red Shirts pledge no mass rally at Silom Road as heavy troop deployment there; assure Bangkok governor Reds will not return to Ratchadamnoen Avenue

THE NATION: Considering the relatively small number of protesters, I think they mean it today (not moving). But if crowd swells, they may change plan.

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RichardBarrow: Fully armed soldiers hiding up on skybridge at Saladaeng intersection. Black netting hides their movements.

THE NATION: Govt, Army have been actively blocking more reds from joining the rally. And threats of violence must have also scare many away.

RichardBarrow: Some hotels around Ratchaprasong intersection including Centara Grand are still open today /BkkPost

RichardBarrow: I am now up on the skybridge with the soldiers. This whole area is closed to the public. They have peepholes through netting.

THE NATION: Now reds scattering at Saladaeng intersection have opened for traffic there.

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THE NATION: Reds have set up six blockades around Rajprasong rally site to deter any attempt to disperse them.

RichardBarrow: Lots of soldiers sleeping up here on skybridge. Black netting goes all the way so no-one can see numbers.

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RichardBarrow: At Ratchaprasong they have a very large black netting for shade. Maybe also to protect leaders on stage from sniper fire.

RichardBarrow: For daytime there are surprisingly large numbers of reds from Ratchaprasong to Silom. I'd say more than on the 10th.

RichardBarrow: Larger number of no colours now protesting in front of Silom Complex. Waving flags. Traffic on Silom moving but slow.

RichardBarrow: No colours saying "we love the king, we love Thailand" in Silom now.

RichardBarrow: Banners: We understand you, but don't agree.

RichardBarrow: Banners: True democratic demonstration don't hurt innocent people. Silom.

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THE NATION: Assumption Bangrak school is closed until April 23 - no summer class this week.

THE NATION: Bkk governor has held talks with red shirts on giving back some public space and has been summoned to meet PM at 11th regiment.

THE NATION: Mass Anti Taksin protest going on at SalaDaeng

THE NATION: Red Shirts distribute green armban to reporters. But reporters refuse to wear it because it is printed with 'House Dissolution" wording

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Reds stockpiling arms: Army spokesman

BANGKOK: -- The red shirts have been stockpiling home-made weapons, such as acid bombs and wooden clubs spiked with nails, to brace for a fight with the riot forces, Army spokesmand Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said on Tuesday.

Parties concerned have widely speculated that the anti-riot operation would take place within this week to disperse the reds from Rajprasong Intersection, Bangkok's main shopping and tourism hub.

"In light of the reds' stockpiling, the riot forces have relocated the barricades to keep a safe distance of 40 yards in order to avoid accidental clashes," Sansern said.

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-- The Nation 2010-04-20

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Reds deny distributing stickers promoting Thaksin as president

BANGKOK: -- The red shirts had no involvement in the stickers with a message to promote "New Thai State under President Thaksin Shinawatra", their leader Natthawut Saikua said on Tuesday.

The stickers, with white message on red background, were distributed in public places along Silom Road.

Natthawut urged police to look into the matter and arrest the distributors.

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-- The Nation 2010-04-20

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Chavalit-Somchai plan gets flak

BANGKOK: -- Leading figures on Tuesday attacked an idea of former prime ministers Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and Somchai Wongsawat about seeking a royal intervention to resolve the political predicament.

Democrat chief adviser and ex-premier Chuan Leekpai said the monarchy was above and beyond politics and that he deemed it inappropriate for Chavalit to invoke His Majesty in a political context.

"I think Chavalit should reprimand those attacking the monarchy instead of trying to involve the King in an inappropriate manner," he said in reference to protest speeches made by the red shirts.

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-- The Nation 2010-04-20

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Thaksin condemns a smear to promote him as president

BANGKOK: -- Ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra on Tuesday issued a statement condemning what he termed a campaign to smear him by promoting his name as the president of a "New Thai State".

"I condemn ill-intentioned people for what I see as a most malicious political smear," he said in the statement.

Thaksin said ill-intentioned people had distributed stickers with vicious message against him at Silom Road.

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-- The Nation 2010-04-20

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Suthep says coalition not worried over govt's plan to reclaim Rajprasong

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Tuesday he reported to the Cabinet the plan by the Centre for Resolution of the Emegency Situation to reclaim Rajprasong commercial area from the red-shirt protesters.

HE was speaking to reporters at 1:15 pm after the weekly Cabinet meeting at the 11th Infantry Regiment.

He said the coalition partners were not worried over the plan as the government had prepared measures for reclaiming the Rajprasong area.

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-- The Nation 2010-04-20

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Reds stockpiling arms: Army spokesman

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The red shirts have been stockpiling home-made weapons, such as acid bombs and wooden clubs spiked with nails, to brace for a fight with the riot forces, Army spokesmand Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said on Tuesday.

Parties concerned have widely speculated that the anti-riot operation would take place within this week to disperse the reds from Rajprasong Intersection, Bangkok's main shopping and tourism hub.

"In light of the reds' stockpiling, the riot forces have relocated the barricades to keep a safe distance of 40 yards in order to avoid accidental clashes," Sansern said.

He repeated the crowd control procedures based on progressive severity but refused to say about the timetable for dispersing the crowds.

Because the red shirts are armed, the riot forces have adjusted their tactical plan - allowing the use of live ammunition for self defence and avoiding physical engagement, he said citing the instruction of Army chief General Anupong Paochinda.

The avoidance of physical engagement means riot forces would no longer line up with shields to push back protesters. The next anti-riot operation, if happened, will see riot forces using fire power of rubber bullets to keeping a safe distance from protesters.

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-- The Nation 2010-04-20

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Thai protesters back down after live fire threat

by Boonradom Chitradon

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thailand on Tuesday toughened its stance against anti-government protesters, warning they would face live weapons fire and tear gas in any fresh clashes with security forces.

Ten days after 25 people were killed and 800 injured in a failed attempt to dislodge the red-shirted demonstrators, the government said it was determined to end four weeks of rallies but would not give a date for the crackdown.

Confronted by the newly muscular approach and an intimidating military presence deployed in Bangkok's financial hub, the protesters were forced to cancel plans for a march to the strategic district.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva did not rule out the prospect of martial law being declared to rout the Red Shirts, who have established a massive encampment in the capital's retail heartland.

"The military will make any decision over whether to declare martial law or not," Abhisit told reporters, adding that authorities would launch a crackdown in their own time.

"Security officials are not complacent, we will take quick action and do it to the best of our ability. The government does not want to see protracted protests but it's not easy as they are armed."

The army adopted gloves-off rhetoric towards the demonstrators who have paralysed parts of the capital and forced major shopping centres to close, wreaking havoc on business life and the tourism industry in particular.

"Security forces will begin by firing tear gas and if they cannot stop protesters, then soldiers will start taking decisive action with live bullets," army spokesman Colonel Sunsern Kaewkumnerd said.

Sunsern targeted shadowy black-clad provocateurs accused of kicking off the April 10 violence, who have been disowned by both sides of Thailand's political divide, referring to them as "terrorists".

"We have received intelligence from the field that terrorists are armed with hand grenades, molotov cocktails and acid," he said after a meeting chaired by army chief Anupong Paojinda.

Abhisit said that fresh elections would not resolve the crisis in Thailand, as the Reds campaign to oust an administration they say is illegitimate, undemocratic and a puppet of the nation's elites.

The protesters are mainly supporters of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and is now living in exile to avoid a jail sentence for corruption.

Abhisit condemned calls by the chairman of Thailand's leading opposition party, Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, who is a Thaksin ally, for an audience with the nation's revered king to help resolve the crisis.

The ailing King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 82, who has no official political role but is seen as a unifying figure, has made no public comment on the April 10 violence, Thailand's worst civil unrest for nearly two decades.

"It's not suitable to drag the institution (of the monarchy) into politics," the premier said, accusing Chavalit and his allies of being the "genuine leaders" of the Red Shirt movement.

The Reds had threatened to march from their base to the nearby Silom financial district but were thwarted when thousands of armed troops and riot police descended Monday.

The deployment saw rolls of razor wire erected along the financial strip, which is packed with bank headquarters and corporate towers, and knots of soldiers take up positions on overhead walkways.

Reds leader Nattawut Saikuar said they would now focus on bolstering numbers at their rally base, which stretches along four kilometres (2.5 miles) of some of Bangkok's major thoroughfares.

"Before we go into the big battle we have to strengthen our own camp because the military will soon attack us," Nattawut said, adding that they expect the army to make its move some time before next Monday.

The crowds at the Reds' camp, a formidable logistical base that offers food, entertainment and facilities for washing and sleeping, have hit 100,000 in the past but dwindled Tuesday to 5,000 in a usual mid-week lull.

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-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-04-20

Published with written approval from AFP.

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Gov't and reds should negotiate instead of using force: Banharn

By The Nation

Banharn calls for negotiations, charter rewrite before polls

Chart Thai Pattana Party chief adviser Banharn Silapa-acrcha on Tuesday called for the government and the red shirts to take back a step each in order to pave way for talks in lieu of using force to defeat one another.

"If the government and the red shirts both insist on their respective stands, there would no ending to the crisis, therefore each side should step back to pave way for negotiations," he said.

Banharn was speaking after meeting with the National Human Rights Commission which is making a round of meetings with former prime ministers to a bid to find a solution to the political predicament.

He said his idea to overcome the crisis was for the government to agree to dissolive Parliament in six months after amending the charter and the red shirts to forego their demand for immediate elections.

With persisting uncertainty, it would be futile to organise a snap election now which means a political vacuum for three to four months before the next government could be formed and came to power, he said.

He urged the red shirts to stop intensifying their protests or trying to erect a new rally site in order to ease anxiety.

He reminded parties concerned about dire consequences if the situation spiralled downward to a breaking point. In the clashes related to the April 10 violences, a lot of soldiers were killed and injured, he said, warning about escalating violence because the riot forces are now permitted to use live ammunition.

He voiced regrets that the Democrats and other coalition partners were not enthusiastic about his offer to broker peace with ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

"More than 10 days passed and there was no response to my offer although I stand ready to make a call to Thaksin anytime," he said.

He said he sympathised with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva for trying to restore law and order, urging all sides to cooperate with the government so that the country could pull through the crisis.

He admitted the prevailing turmoil had overwhelmed him, making it difficult for him to keep tap of and understand the fast-paced development.

When asked about his take on a possibility for coup, he said he could not make any prediction because of the fluid situation.

Commenting on the meeting, NHRC chairwoman Amara Pongsapich said Banharn reaffirmed to support for the coalition alliance on the ground that a change of government at this juncture would not resolve anything.

Banharn also ruled out the red shirts' demand for an immediate dissolution of Parliament by arguing that social order should be restored before calling for elections, Amara said.

Banharn and his party wanted the charter rewrite on two provisions to complete in six months to pave way for the elections, she said.

The two provisions are related to the framework of parliamentary scrutiny on international agreements and the electoral system for MPs, she added.

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-- The Nation 2010-04-20

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Thai stock market jumps 5.43 percent

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thai stocks soared 5.43 percent Tuesday after anti-government protesters cancelled a planned march on Bangkok's financial district, but analysts warned the rebound could be short-lived.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index jumped 39.47 points to close at 765.76 as foreign investors returned to the market, which has been roiled by weeks of confrontation between authorities and protesters.

Pichai Lertsupongkit, an analyst at Thanachart Securities, said he was surprised by the size of the rebound.

"Positive sentiment was boosted by the government still not using force to disperse the protesters, as well as the protesters deciding to call off the march to the financial district," he said.

The red-shirted demonstrators, mostly loyal to ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, have mounted four weeks of street rallies but were thwarted in a plan to march on the Silom financial hub after a heavy troop deployment.

But Pichai warned the gain could be temporary as Thailand's political crisis remains far from resolution, with the government resisting calls for fresh elections.

"The political factor is still very fluid and there are still chances of clashes," he said. "So today's rebound could be short lived."

Pichai said the petrochemical sector led the rally with a 9.9 percent gain.

Among bluechip stocks coal producer Banpu soared 34.00 baht to 624.00 baht, PTT Plc gained 15.00 baht at 260.00 baht, and Siam Cement rose 21.00 baht to finish at 258.00 baht.

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-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-04-20

Published with written approval from AFP.

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Thai army “ready to use live fire against red-shirts”

The Thai army has made explicit its determination to use live ammunition against "red-shirt" anti-government protesters in certain circumstances.

An army spokesman told a regular news briefing that troops were ready to use their weapons "decisively".

The red-shirts later called off plans to march on the city's Silom business district, saying they wanted to avoid confrontation with the army.

Read more: news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8631277.stm

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-- BBC 2010-04-20 10:22 UTC

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2 Bangkok Bank branches in Chiang Mai hit by bomb attacks

CHIANG MAI -- Two Bangkok Bank branches in Chiang Mai came under separate bomb attacks Tuesday, with slight property damage but no casualties reported.

The San Kamphaeng district branch sustained minor damage when an M26 grenade was thrown at a nearby mobile phone shop, which sustained slight damage. The grenade's safely lever was found in a gutter.

Police theorised two attackers on a motorcycle, seen in security camera footage, planned to bomb the bank and selected the shop as their secondary target after noticing it had a surveillance system.

At the Chom Thong district branch, a bottle bomb was lobbed over a wall near the side of the building at around 3am, causing no property damage. The bomb consisted of gunpowder, petrol and fertiliser-based explosives, police said.

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-- The Nation 2010-04-20

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THE NATION: Not much happening now so maybe it's time for recap.

1. thousands of soldiers in Silom area today, far outnumbering Reds during the day.

2. Reds are quiet today but leaders warn protesters of imminent dispersal. Hence the bamboo sticking up all over the place.

3. Reds plan to distribute VCDs tomorrow showing Army brutality on April 10.

4. Reds seem declining in numbers but more belligerent (at least allegedly). Army accuses them of stockpiling home-made weapons.

5. Photographers/reporters will remain on high alert tomorrow, from dawn onwards.

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