Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Wednesday

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Wednesday April 21 Red-shirt rally live updates

Here you can follow the live updates from the media, hour by hour.

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Fights break up between red, multicoloured demonstrators

BANGKOK: -- Small fights between red-shirted demonstrators and Bangkok residents took place late last night at Silom Road after hours of verbal abuses exchanged between the two groups.

A male red shirt ran across the street to provoke the fight before he was surrounded beaten up by the so-called "multicoloured" demonstrators before policemen and soldiers moved in to stop the attack and let the man return to his group.

Two taxis decorated with red flags later travelled past the area and were stopped by the multicoloured group. Both vehicles were damaged before managing to escape. No serious injuries were reported in all three incidents.

-- The Nation 2010-04-21

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REDS RALLIES

At daggers drawn

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The stage seems set for operations to remove the red-shirted protesters from the Rajprasong intersection as the military boosted its forces while the protesters were in defensive mode yesterday, erecting barricades and assembling home-made weapons for the next battle.

The plan has been mapped out and Army commander Anupong Paochinda will make the final decision on when and how to clear the red protesters from the business area, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said.

If necessary for the operation, the military would declare martial law, Abhisit told reporters.

'CRUCIAL TO PRESERVE RULE OF LAW'

Removing the protesters from the business area is a must-do mission for the government to maintain law and order as well as to protect the rule of law, the premier said.

"We have to preserve the rule of law for our children in the future," he said.

The troops and anti-riot police armed with live ammunition took up positions in nearby area of Silom. They were instructed to stay at least 30 metres from the protesters.

There are as many as 10,000 troops in position now in the areas near Rajprasong, the main protest site, a military source said. Many of them are in high-rise buildings.

Helicopters were flown over Rajprasong yesterday to inspect the area. The protesters panicked as they saw the choppers overhead, fearing a crackdown operation.

Authorities had said after the April 10 bloodshed that some "terrorists" armed with war weapons were behind the protesters.

"If security officials sight them, they will use weapons to stop them," said military spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd.

"We won't use just shields and batons as usual while the protesters are armed with weapons," he said.

The protesters have many kinds of grenades, acids and sharpened bamboo sticks that can take lives, he added.

A source said the protesters also have M67 grenades, M79 grenade launchers and rocket-propelled grenade launchers. They also seized many assault rifles from the military during the clashes with security forces on April 10 at Khok Wua intersection, the sources said.

Of the 500 Israeli-made Tavor Tar-21 assault rifles seized by the protesters on that day, only 200 were returned to the Army, the source said, suggesting the protesters might use the weapons in the next clash. However, the protesters said earlier that after seizing some M16s, they had returned all of them via police to the Army.

The red-shirt protesters yesterday were in defensive mode. They cancelled a plan to march around the capital after seeing the presence of stern-faced troops in the Silom business district.

They built barricades and checkpoints on many roads connecting to the Rajprasong intersection in a bid to prevent troops from entering their stronghold. Many key leaders were assigned to be stationed at the checkpoints, said leader Natthawut Saikua.

After erecting the barricades, Natthawut said the red shirts would leave their site today to distribute 10 million video CDs on the April 10 bloodshed to tell their side of story. The VCD - entitled "Who killed the people?" - will also be distributed in provinces throughout the country, he said.

The distribution of the VCD is intended as a counter to the information war launched earlier by the government. The government version said "terrorists" among the protesters had killed officials, while the red-shirt version would tell how soldiers had killed the protesters, he added.

The number of protesters was rising, Natthawut said, and filling the protest site.

15,000-16,000 PROTESTERS

The Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation estimated yesterday that there were 15,000-16,000 protesters at Rajprasong. Of the total, 70 per cent are residents of Bangkok and the outskirts and the remainder from provinces around the country, Sansern said.

Acting Government Spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said the number of protesters tended to go up and down and it was immaterial for the operation merely to clear them from the Rajprasong business district.

The real concern is how to separate the "terrorists" from ordinary protesters, arrest the leaders, and protect nearby communities and property, he said.

-- The Nation 2010-04-21

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PRO-THAKSIN RALLIES

Red shirts, soldiers ready

By Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

Photo Anant Chantrasutra

Barricades set up as both sides armed to attacked

BANGKOK: -- The red shirts barricaded all six entrances to their protest site on Rajprasong intersection yesterday after the government made it clear that it was waiting for the right opportunity to use force to disperse the tens of thousands of protesters.

However, Saladaeng intersection, adjoining Silom Road and Lumpini Park, had the heaviest barricades set up by both sides.

Dozens of soldiers, armed with M16A1 semi-automatic rifles and other weapons, were seen occupying 100 metres of the elevated walkway above Silom Road. They also started piling up car tyres as barricades yesterday evening, hung black plastic webbing on the elevated walkway to cover their positioning and placed razor wire at a number of spots on the street below.

On the other side, the red shirts put up two layers of bamboo fences and car tyres with two lorries blocking the street opposite Silom Road, which leads to Rajprasong intersection. Dozens of red-shirt protesters armed with sharpened 1.5-metre-long bamboo poles were seen standing guard behind a barricade of motorcycles.

Still, despite the impending violence, spirits among the hundreds of red shirts manning the barricades remained high.

"We shall fight for democracy for our children," a man was heard screaming into a loudspeaker from the back of a lorry at the Saladaeng intersection. A pedestrian overpass connecting the two sides was also barricaded with two layers of bamboo fencing.

In addition, two home-made rockets (known in the Northeast as bang fai) attached to the bamboo poles were being set off every 10 minutes.

"Don't waste the rockets, save them for the fight. Also people might mistake the signal," warned red-shirt leader Kwanchai Praipana through a loud speaker at the Saladaeng intersection.

Hundreds of red shirts stood behind the barricade waving red flags at the traffic passing by.

"Guard the gate with your life!" said another voice was heard saying through the loud speaker.

At the Pathumwan intersection, where Siam Centre and MBK are located, the barricades put up by the red shirts were much smaller in scale but made from the same materials.

Shops on the ground floor of Siam Centre, such as Adidas, Roxy and Vallains SF, removed all their merchandise in preparation of an imminent crackdown.

Water hoses lay ready at the mall, as red-shirt guards kept a vigilant eye out for any signs of violence. Though the mood here was much more relaxed than at the Saladaeng intersection, some red shirts said that they'd know if soldiers were heading their way if the 24-hour convenience stores suddenly started shutting down and mobile phone signals were cut off.

-- The Nation 2010-04-21

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REDS RALLIES

More hotels, restuarants down shutters

By SUCHAT SRITAMA

THE NATION

Red shirt demonstrators were building a fort as news looms that the government prepares to reclaim the Rajprasong area

BANGKOK: -- At least four luxury hotels located near the protest site at the Rajprasong intersection, and Silom area have confirmed they would be shutting operations for a short period even as the number of restaurants downing their shutters is increasing.

The four hotels account for 1,500 rooms and employ 2,000 people.

The general manager of Holiday Inn Bangkok and InterContinental Bangkok, Markus Platzer, expressed concern for the safety and security of hotel guests and employees.

He said since the demonstrations started in the area on April 3, the hotel had devoted utmost attention to the safety and security of guests and employees.

It is owned by President Hotel and Tower Co and operated by the global InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG).

"While we cannot control and foresee what takes place outside the hotels' premises, we can and have done our best to ensure the safety, security and comfort of our guests. On April 18, we decided to temporarily suspend services at Holiday Inn Bangkok and from today [yesterday] we have stopped taking bookings for InterContinental Bangkok and relocated our guests to other IHG managed properties," he said

He added they currently plan to resume operations on April 26 and also continue to take reservations for future dates."

According to a representative of InterContinental Hotel, the hotel and Holiday Inn Bangkok closed their services since noon yesterday until April 26.

The two hotels have transferred guests to three affiliate hotels in other areas: Holiday Inn Silom, Sheraton Grand Sukhumvit and JW Marriott Hotel.

Moreover, extra low average occupancy rate at both hotel are not caused them to closed the operation, but result of moving guests to other hotels.

The Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel Bangkok also announced temporary closure until Saturday.

Story continues: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/...s-30127533.html

-- The Nation 2010-04-21

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Red guards 'attack' media interpreter

By Wimontri Kaewprachum

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- An interpreter yesterday filed a police complaint against red-shirt guards for allegedly assaulting him as he passed by the protest site around Rajdamri Road on Monday night.

Piyawit Puttakesorn, 30, said he worked as an interpreter for a Czech television station and Malaysian Star magazine, covering the anti-government protests.

While hailing a taxi near Chulalongkorn Hospital at 11.30pm, a red-shirt guard approached to search his bag, but he resisted. Then more red guards showed up and snatched the bag away from Piyawit after punching him in the face and hitting his head with a hard object.

Piyawit told police that he could recognise two of the red guards.

Lt-Colonel Pirom Jantrapirom of Lumpini Police Station said he had already recorded the data and would hunt down the accused.

-- The Nation 2010-04-21

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Their Majesties providing aid

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Financial help from Their Majesties the King and the Queen has been extended to more than half the families of those killed in the April 10 clash.

Those seeking remuneration can visit the Royal Household Bureau office, inside the Grand Palace, between 8.30am and 4pm. The bureau will review the paperwork before handing over the assistance.

Their Majesties have graciously picked up the medical bills of all wounded survivors and provided Bt50,000 to the family of each fatality.

The street fights between red-shirt protesters and security forces have claimed 25 deaths so far and left more than 800 injured.

The Cabinet appointed Colonel Romklao Thuwatham's widow Prathana Suthin as an adviser to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Romklao was the highest-ranking soldier killed in the clash.

Prathana has been serving as a senior director at the Prime Minister's Secretariat.

-- The Nation 2010-04-21

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Residents scarred by clashes

By Nisathip Peeratrakul

Nathapat Promkaew

Wannapa Khaopa

The Nation

People clean up battleground as paranoia and distrust sets in

Scars of the April 10 clashes are still very visible on shopfronts and buildings along Tanao Road and the Democracy Monument on Rajdamnoen Klang Avenue, as residents in the area remain jittery.

Bullet-ridden walls, glass doors and windows cracked or shattered by grenade shrapnel can be seen near Khok Wua intersection, as graffiti on shopfronts and road signs scream abuses at the government and the Army.

Reporters from The Nation visited the affected area on Monday and discovered that Silver Station, a shop selling silver accessories, had sustained some major damages - its glass door was shattered, the signboard outside broken and stocks within the shop damaged.

Telephone lines have been restored and closed-circuit cameras put in place, as residents work hard to remove signs of the battle.

"The attack on April 10 began at about 2pm, and we closed our shop. When we returned, we found lots of bullet marks on the door," Somchai, the 33-year-old owner of Rainbow Silver, said.

"Repairing the cracked glass door alone would cost us between Bt20,000 and Bt30,000. Luckily, we have not lost our regular customers, though other shops, especially guest houses, are struggling."

Meanwhile, a food vendor in the area said things were getting better, though residents were still worried about violence.

"I don't want anybody to witness what I did that night. It was so terrible," the vendor said.

A 52-year-old resident of Tanao Road, who wished to be identified only as Na, said she and her mother were traumatised by the April 10 bloodbath, and neighbours no longer trusted each other.

"Those who are openly red or yellow-shirt supporters do not trust each other and the neighbourly friendliness seems to have disappeared," Na said, adding that a bullet hole could be seen in the wooden door of her home.

A vendor of roti or unleavened Indian bread outside the Satriwithaya School lamented the lack of customers after the clashes.

"Usually I earn more than Bt2,000 every day, but since the clashes I have barely been able to earn Bt2,000 in total," the vendor added. In addition, he said, he lost out on earning big bucks during Songkran, because few revellers were seen this year.

In comparison, residents near the Phan Fa Bridge are breathing a sigh of relief now that the protesters have left. They say they are sleeping well because it is finally quiet again, and it's much easier to get around.

As for the tourists around khao san and Tanao Roads, life appears to have returned to normal.

Daniel Stern, a Canadian tourist, said, "I was not that worried about the rally, though I did run away when the clashes broke out. I think things will return to normal soon and I hope Thais can come out of this tough situation unscathed."

-- The Nation 2010-04-21

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TAN Network: CRES warns locals to avoid Ratchaprasong area as they suggest protesters are creating homemade arsenal

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PM Pledges Careful Operation to Retake Ratchaprasong

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva stated the government acknowledges the people's desire for a speedy resolution to the rally in the Ratchaprasong area but admitted that security officials must also be aware of possible risks in such a situation.

Abhisit said the government has sought measures to help businesses affected by the red-shirt protests. He reiterated that House dissolution or his resignation would not be the best solution for the crisis.

He affirmed that an immediate political change could not compensate for the violence that has already taken place.

He ensured the public that the government can withstand the current political burden further.

Deputy Prime Minister in charge of national security Suthep Thaugsuban, as director of the Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation, reiterated authorities will try to take back the Ratchaprasong area, now seized by the red-shirt group, but the operation has not yet been scheduled.

Suthep pledged the action will be carried out with caution to minimize casualties and denied speculation over planned extrajudicial killings of red-shirt core leaders who face arrest warrants.

He also insisted the government still has no need to declare martial law to control the red-shirt protests as the emergency decree is enough to deal with the present situation.

The deputy premier also asked other groups which have come out against the red-shirt protests to avoid confrontation.

He does not believe the anti-red shirt moves will lead to a military coup.

Spokesperson of the center, Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd, said the center is readjusting operation plans after intelligence reports suggested militants within the red-shirt group have prepared grenades, molotov bombs and sharpened sticks to fight with soldiers.

Colonel Sansern insisted the operation to take back the Ratchaprasong area will be progressively carried out in line with a seven-step procedure.

He also insisted security troops can use weapons contain the unruly protests but denied speculations over a forceful crackdown.

-- Tan Network 2010-04-21

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THE NATION: Neaw_NBC: Scattered reds at Rajprasong. Govt warns pulbic against potentially armed red guards.

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Thailand says 63,000 unable to work amid protest turmoil

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thailand said Tuesday more than 63,000 workers were unable to do their jobs due to anti-government protests that have caused huge disruption and shuttered shopping centres and hotels.

A giant crossroads in the heart of Bangkok's premier retail district is the current protest base of red-shirt protesters who have mounted four weeks of rolling demonstrations across the capital.

Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said that 63,601 workers were temporarily out of work due to the closure of 13 hotels, five department stores and 30 bank branches.

With no end in sight to the standoff, the labour ministry ordered employers to keep paying wages to workers or encourage them to take annual vacation or other leave.

The Thai cabinet also endorsed 25 million baht (774,000 dollars) as a compensation fund after April 10 clashes triggered by a military attempt to clear the protesters left 25 dead and 800 injured.

The families of those who died are entitled to 400,000 baht, people who have been permanently handicapped will receive 200,000 baht and those injured will be awarded 50,000 baht.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-04-21

Published with written approval from AFP.

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THE NATION: high tension at silom-saladaeng intersec last night as multicoloured shirts confronted reds (probbly their most tense faceoff todate).

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THE NATION: One "provocative" red was beaten in the silom-saladaeng standoff last night. Without presence of troops it could have been worse.

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Thaivisa News: Traffic info: Moderate at Rajprasong area, heavy traffic reported at Rama IV Rd; Red-Shirts set tyres barrier to boost security

THE NATION: It's worrisome like some of u say. Last nite reds-multicoloured standoff is a warning. Hope everyone takes note.

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THE NATION: 9 companies of crowd-control police were deployed to guard Parliament 8:10 am Wednesday.

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9 companies of police deployed at Parliament

BANGKOK: -- Metropolitan Police Region 1 Commander Pol Maj Gen Wichai Sungpraphai said 9 companies of crowd-control policemen were deployed to guard Parliament Wednesday morning.

Wichai said police would not allow red-shirt protester to besiege Parliament like what happened on April 7.

-- The Nation 2010-04-21

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Chief opposition whip sceptical about crisis resolution

BANGKOK: -- Chief opposition whip Witthaya Kaewparadai on Wednesday voiced scepticism that the crisis could be resolved by a parliamentary debate.

Witthaya was responding to the Democrat Party's decision on Tuesday to convene a House-Senate session for a general debate on the stand-off between the government and the red shirts.

"In the April mayhem last year, Parliament convened to debate and form a series of panels to make a lot of recommendations, all of which were ignored by the prime minister," he said.

He said any further debate on the political predicament would be futile unless the government made a firm commitment to heed the opinions of lawmakers.

-- The Nation 2010-04-21

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TAN Network: Supreme Court sentences red shirt leader Suporn Attawong to 1 yr; sentence suspended 2 yrs

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MCOT: Police close U-Thong Nai Road through Friday to ensure security as parliamentary session begins; prevents possible blockade by Red Shirts

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‘President Thaksin Shinawatra, the head of the new Thai state’

UDD denies making President Thaksin stickers

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) has denied posting stickers campaigning for a new state with ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra as the president.

UDD Secretary-General, Nattawut Saikua, on Tuesday evening confirmed that the UDD has nothing to do with such stickers. He condemned those behind the preparation of the stickers for their attempts to allege the UDD.

Mr Nattawut explained that the stickers were found around Silom Road during Monday night, after troops occupied the area, therefore UDD supporters would not have been able to enter the area.

Along Silom Road, red stickers are screened with white letters stating, ‘President Thaksin Shinawatra, the head of the new Thai state’.

In addition, the secretary-general announced that the UDD has produced one million copies of CDs recording the 10 Apr bloodshed to distribute to people in both Bangkok and other provinces. The CDs are 20-30 minutes long with the stance of the UDD in its demonstration.

-- NNT 2010-04-21

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RichardBarrow: CentralChidlom open today 10am-7pm but CentralWorld, Paragon & Siam Discovery still closed until further notice.

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Special Report: The longer the rally, the higher the damage

BANGKOK: -- It goes without saying that the current prolonged rally of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protestors has already dampened the Thai economy.

After the UDD protestors vacated their former rally site at Phan Fa Bridge and move to Ratchaprasong intersection which is a major business area of Bangkok, several luxury malls located around there have to close down temporarily for security concern. The development of the situation will apparently result in a significant financial loss for Thai businesses. In such circumstance, many business operators have walked out with complaints and asked the government to speedily seek an end to the prolonged demonstration.

Recently, the UDD protestors announced to stage their biggest rally at Silom area, one of the most important working and trading areas of Bangkok on 20 April in order to press for House dissolution. The UDD’s announcement caused high anxiety among the public while the entrepreneurs around the area have to close the businesses temporarily for the safety of staff and customers.

Back at Ratchaprasong intersection, it could be said that more than 2,000 business operators around the rally site including major luxury malls such as Central World, Siam Paragon, Platinum, Siam Discovery and 1,000 retail business owners are facing with a significant financial loss of about 20 million THB per day. More, hotel businesses are receiving an adverse effect with the decreasing of tourists’ number and revenues due to the reduction of hotel occupancy. Embassies of several foreign countries had issued travel warnings telling their citizens to avoid travelling to Thailand because of the uncertainty of the current political upheaval.

Apart from the economic damage made to the business sector, the ongoing rally has also posed threats to the tourism sector. The Thai-Chinese tourism association reported that Chinese tourists have expressed much concern over the current situation in Thailand. Many of them decided to delay trips to Thailand. In March 2010, only 80,000 Chinese tourists visited Thailand, or 20,000 lower than the target of 100,000. It is expected that Thailand would face a drop of about 40,000-50,000 Chinese tourists during April-May. This could cause the estimated number of Chinese visitors this year to miss the target of 1.2 million or 100,000 people per month.

According to a forecast by Dr Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Director of the Macroeconomic Policy Bureau, Fiscal Policy Office (FPO), if the rally was prolonged into the second quarter of this year, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) could grow only by 4.3% this year, a decrease of 0.2% from the estimate of 4.5% or a loss of about 30 billion THB. If the mass protest was still dragged into the third quarter, the GDP growth could reduce 0.5% to end up at 4% annually. And if the protest was prolonged into the fourth quarter with the occurrence of violence such as airport closure, house dissolution, and a halt in the disbursement of the fiscal 2011 budget, the GDP was likely to grow only by 2.7%, a decrease of 1.8% from the estimate of 4.5%. Therefore, it can be said that the longer the rally, the higher the damage.

Dr Ekniti continued to say that if the political standoff in Bangkok intensifies, there are three main negative issues Thailand will face unavoidably. Firstly, the foreign investors might slow down their investment decision and those who had settled production bases in Thailand might decide to avoid the risk by shifting their bases to other countries. Secondly, the public consumption and spending rates are likely to be hugely decreased and it would bring negative effects to trading businesses in Bangkok and the vicinities that have accounted for 43.8% of the country’s GDP. Lastly, Thailand will face with a hard-time situation to regain tourism confidence from foreign tourists.

In all, if the rally is prolonged, all sectors of Thailand will receive the adverse effects irresistibly. Therefore, to quickly find out an exit for the political impasse, all sides might have to take one step back and should turn to listen to reasons of each other in order to move the country forward.

-- NNT 2010-04-21

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topic discussion: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Longer-Red-S...er-t357989.html

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TAN Network: CRES summons 54 more people in connection with red shirt movement; PM ready to find a solution in Parliament

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Apiwan calls for PM's accountability for April 10 violence

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva should immediately dissolve Parliament as a way of showing his accountability for the April 10 violence, Deputy House Speaker Apiwan Wiriyachai said on Wednesday.

"I think the government must show responsibility for ordering the riot forces to use live ammunition against protesters," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-04-21

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Silom Vendors Support Harsh Anti-protest Measure

BANGKOK: -- Although some civil groups are calling for peace resolutions to the ongoing street rally, sellers along Silom, one of Bangkok's busiest streets, are voicing strong support for harsh anti-protest measures to ward off the red-shirt movement from the streets.

They also call on the Abhisit-led administration to employ the hardest means against the pro-Thaksin movement.

In response to the red-shirt's plan to protest in the Silom business district, owners of many shops and restaurants have decided to close on Monday for safety reasons.

But yesterday reporters said all business resumed operation, and sellers even claimed they felt secure to have military forces stationed in the area.

Kitti Setsing the head of the security teams for the metro system, said the mass transit metro operates normally but the exits for Lumpini park are being closed, and a troop of police and military personnel are maintaining peace in the area.

If the red-shirt rioters storm into the metro, the Silom gates will be instantly shut down.

Officers in the area stated that they feel stressed to have to go to work here, and they're worried about the elevated mass transit or BTS. But they said they are feeling more secure to see authorities here.

A Krungsri Ayudhaya Bank staff Sidewalk sellers on Soi Lalaisap were forced on Monday to leave for fear of the red-shirt's plan to invade the area.

Although everything was back to normal yesterday, there are fewer clients now.

Many gave soldiers food and drinks to offer moral support, as they don't want the pro-Thaksin to set their feet on this area.

They also called on the government to implement harsh methods to disperse the demonstration, as it is likely to cause a vast number of unemployed people in this area.

-- Tan Network 2010-04-21

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Police deployed at Parliament; road declared off-limits to protect lawmakers

BANGKOK (TNA) -- As Thailand's parliament session began Wednesday, nine companies of police have been deployed and a critical road leading to the Parliament in Dusit district has been closed to prevent any recurrence of violence by anti-government protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).

The House session began at 9.30am and members of parliament are scheduled to thrash out several issues and bills through Thursday, while senators will convene Friday to consider a general debate motion without voting against the government.

Police Bureau Division 1 Commander Pol Maj-Gen Wichai Sangprapai said nine companies of police have been deployed to ensure the safety of the lawmakers from Wednesday through Friday and that the police operation will comply to the approaches of the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES).

The closed route included the surrounding area from Parliament to the Royal Plaza.

"We will not allow any group to enter the Parliament, whether Red Shirts or government supporters," said Gen Wichai. "Only police will be deployed and an evacuation plan for lawmakers and parliamentary officials has been prepared."

The police commander said, however, that he believes that there will be no blockade of Parliament as he has coordinated with the UDD leaders informing them that the surrounding area of the Parliament is a "No Entry" zone.

The stiff preventive security measures came as a result of the red-shirted protesters led by Arisman Pongruangrong stormed Parliament two weeks ago on April 7 where the Cabinet and House were meeting, forcing House Speaker Chai Chidchob to abruptly cancel the session.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva left Parliament before the protesters arrived, but Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, other cabinet members and acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayakorn were still inside the building.

Mr Arisman and his fellows entered the parliamentary compound searching for Mr Suthep, saying he was behind the attack on UDD protesters who were rallying outside Parliament.

The government later declared a State of Emergency after Mr Suthep and other key political figures escaped the parliament building and were evacuated by helicopter. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-04-21

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Thai 'Red Shirts' fortify base in fear of crackdown

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thailand's "Red Shirt" protesters on Wednesday fortified their rally base with home-made barricades as they braced for a military crackdown aimed at ending their campaign to oust the government.

Entrances to their vast encampment, which has engulfed Bangkok's upscale retail district, were blocked with barriers made from bamboo poles and car tyres draped with plastic sheeting.

Piles of sharpened bamboo sticks and broken paving stones have been stockpiled, triggering fears of new confrontations with the security forces, which have warned they will respond with tear gas and live weapons fire.

Tensions are already high after April 10 clashes, sparked by a failed attempt to dislodge the protesters, which left 25 people dead and 800 wounded in Thailand's worst civil unrest in nearly two decades.

The Reds were forced Tuesday to cancel plans to march from their base to the nearby Silom financial district after thousands of troops descended with assault weapons and razor wire to secure the area.

Hundreds of security forces and Red Shirts were facing off Wednesday at the perimeter of the two zones, which are separated by a long stretch of the makeshift barricade.

Protesters waved flags, played music and rallied the crowd in speeches broadcast over large speakers, while overhead armed troops patrolled from pedestrian walkways.

Reds leader Nattawut Saikuar said Monday that the movement was focused on bolstering numbers at its 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 expected the army to make its move some time in the next week.

"Red Shirt people will stay here until we win, so if the authorities want to crack down, they don't have to wait for seven days, they can come right now."

Besieged shopping centres and hotels have been forced to close amid the mayhem, worsening the damage to Thailand's economy and reputation.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who is defying calls to quit and call fresh elections, said the government was determined to rout the Red Shirts and did not rule out the prospect of martial law being declared.

"The military will make any decision over whether to declare martial law or not," Abhisit said Monday, adding that the 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 has adopted new gloves-off rhetoric towards the demonstrators, who have been staging rolling protests in the capital since mid-March.

"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 Monday.

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

The Reds say that Abhisit's government is illegitimate because it came to power in a parliamentary vote with the support of the army, after a court ruling removed Thaksin's allies from power.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-04-21

Published with written approval from AFP.

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Banharn opposes Chavalit’s idea for political solution

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Ex-Prime Minister and Chart Thai Pattana Chief Advisor Banharn Silpa-archa has opposed the initiative of ex-Prime Minister General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh to ask His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej to help break the ongoing domestic political deadlock.

Mr Banharn said the action is deemed inappropriate, so he would like to call on General Chavalit, also incumbent opposition Puea Thai Party chairperson, to review his stance again. He reasoned that the political issue should be solved by politics itself without the monarchy's involvement.

During a press conference with another ex-Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat last Monday, General Chavalit said he was seeking an audience with HM the King to break the current political deadlock. He deemed this method the only exit for the current political tension.

The two former prime ministers also called for house dissolution as well as the emergency decree revocation.

Regarding the current political movement of another protest group, the People’s Alliance for Democracy, Mr Banharn believed that the group would not make a counter street-protest against the anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD).

Nevertheless, the former prime minister suggested the government end the movements of the UDD as soon as possible in order to prevent possible clashes between the two groups of demonstrators.

-- NNT 2010-04-21

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THE NATION: Update on redshirt- police estimate 5,000 protesters at Rajprasong at around 12.45pm