Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Thursday

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Thursday April 22 Red-shirt rally live updates

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

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REDS DEMONSTRATION

Multicoloured group confronts protesters

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The ongoing political conflict is expanding and tensions are rising because now the red-shirt protesters not only have to confront the Abhisit Vejjajiva government, but also the newly emerging multicoloured group that is demanding the dispersal of the crowds.

While rallying to express their frustration yesterday, a confrontation of sorts broke out on Rama IV road between the red shirts and the multicoloured group, which included members of the Silom community.

Facing each other at the Saladaeng intersection near Dusit Thani Hotel, the two groups attacked each other verbally through loudspeakers.

However, core red-shirt leaders Suphon Atthawong and Payub Panket showed up at the scene later in the day to discourage the red shirts from clashing. Police then parked a truck in the middle of the road to separate the two groups.

The multicoloured group later provoked the other side by setting aflame a piece of red cloth, while the red-shirt protesters shook their sharpened bamboo sticks to show their anger.

Earlier, some 500 Silom office workers gathered to show their support for the multicoloured demonstrators who had set up a stage in front of Central Silom Department Store urging people to join forces.

The multicoloured leaders urged people in the area to boycott the red shirts, not sell them goods or allow them to use the toilet facilities. They also handed out Thai national flags to passers-by.

The group said they would rally at Silom every day, except weekends, from noon to 1.30pm until the red shirts end the protest, which kicked off in the capital on March 12.

The multicoloured group is made up of middle-class Bangkok residents, academics, business communities and members of the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy. They have been marching across Bangkok since Songkran to show their force.

The multicoloured group is |also planning to hold a big rally |at the Royal Plaza on Friday to |prove that they will no longer tolerate the red-shirt protesters, an organiser said yesterday. They claimed they would be able to mobilise as many as 100,000 like-minded people to join the rally.

"We want peace and are against the red shirts, who tend to use violence," an unnamed leader said.

The multicoloured group rallied at the Wong Wien Yai roundabout yesterday evening, and will gather at Victory Monument at 4pm today to express their frustration with the red group.

Meanwhile, the red shirts have been facing the government's security might for several days since troops were deployed in Silom.

The authorities have been trying to stop more people from joining the red rally by asking them to keep away. Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn also encouraged people to express their views directly to the government instead of doing so through protests.

Many groups, including the multicoloured one, called on the government to use the armed forces to disperse the red-shirt protesters, though some encouraged both sides to look for a peaceful solution.

Though there is room for negotiation, it is unlikely that talks will resume easily because both sides are taking a different stance over the timing of an early election.

The government has said that it is ready to negotiate provided the red shirts obey the law, while the red shirts say they will not negotiate with people who ordered the April 10 military crackdown.

Opas Tepalakul, chairman of the National Economic and Social Advisory Council, met red-shirt leaders yesterday to discuss the possibility of ending the political turmoil if the Parliament is dissolved in July provided the budget bill has been completed by then.

A source said the opposition Pheu Thai Party, which is closely associated with the red shirts, had also contacted the ruling Democrat Party to discuss the timeline for Parliament dissolution but no agreement has been reached so far.

-- The Nation 2010-04-22

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BURNING ISSUE

The political battle becoming dirtier by the day

By Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thais appear to be keen on expanding the ongoing conflict instead of containing it, with many different colour-coded groups emerging to confront the red-shirt protesters. Such confrontation would only orchestrate violence, if not a civil war.

Initially, the current political stalemate was only meant to be a conflict between Abhisit Vejjajiva's government and former PM Thaksin Shinawata's supporters. Now, unfortunately, lots of issues are being raised and more and more people are getting involved.

For instance, middle-class Bangkokians - at the end of their tether over the chaos caused by the red shirts - decided to take to the streets in multicoloured shirts last week to express their dissatisfaction. Some of them had minor clashes with the red shirts near Lumpini Park, while others had a bit of a fracas on Silom Road.

The multicolour group was born along the same lines as the red shirt's arch foe, the yellow-clad People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD). Their demands are the same - disperse the protesters.

In fact, it is no secret that leaders of the multicoloured group used to be members of the PAD movement, which brought down the red-influenced governments of late Samak Sundaravej and Somchai Wongsawat in 2008 before putting Abhisit at the helm.

The right-wing PAD has given the government a week to bring down the red-shirt movement, otherwise the group - which now calls itself a royal guardian - will take things into its own hands.

The yellow-shirt PAD is accusing Thaksin's red-shirt supporters of trying to bring about a "regime change" in which the Kingdom of Thailand becomes a republic, with Thaksin as its first president.

Story continues: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/...y-30127632.html

-- The Nation 2010-04-22

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PRO-THAKSIN DEMONSTRATIONS

Anand to govt : Act quickly or risk social diaster

BANGKOK: -- Former prime minister Anand Panyarachun yesterday called on the Abhisit government to quickly put an end to the political turmoil, which he said could lead to society completely unravelling.

Although he admitted that re-education is needed in Thailand regarding democracy, the government's priority must be a quick end to the dangerous political stand-off.

"If you ask me, the first thing that is needed to be done is for the government to quickly end all this turmoil and bring back peace, or we may experience a social disaster," Anand said. "The conflict has been about heads of the two camps fighting, but now the general public are suffering and some people have not been able to earn their living [including the red shirts]."

He said it was sad to see poor people having to sit out in the sun and the rain for weeks, deprived of a chance to live a proper life.

"There can be protests, but there shouldn't be such intensity of hatred or yearning for revenge," Anand said. "This is really a time when everyone has to start talking and bring back peace."

He had slight criticism for former prime ministers Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and Somchai Wongsawat following their controversial call for royal intervention in the political crisis. The call was made in an untraditional manner and the two were seeking an audience with His Majesty the King in an untraditional way, Anand said.

Meanwhile, Somchai met the National Human Rights Commission yesterday to endorse the red shirts' claims of severe human rights abuses on April 10, the day protesters clashed with troops, leaving 25 dead and more than 800 injured.

Showing the red shirts' videos of the April 10 events to the commission, Somchai said the government attempted to get away with the bloodshed by labelling some of the protesters "terrorists".

Somchai said he urged the commission to go on TV and demand an end to violent measures against the anti-government protesters. He said the red shirts had been willing to negotiate with the government but "the situation had changed".

Somchai, however, did not rule out renewed peace talks, with the commission serving as a mediator.

Commission members declined comment after the meeting.

-- The Nation 2010-04-22

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REDS RALLIES

Reds create bottlenecks

By Mayuree Sukyingcharoenwong

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Barricades on key roads leading to the rally site at Rajprasong intersection result in rush-hour chaos

The six makeshift checkpoints set up by the red-shirt demonstrators around downtown Bangkok caused severe traffic jams yesterday, said Pol Maj-General Panu Kerdlarppol, deputy Metropolitan Police chief responsible for traffic.

Barricades of car tyres and sharpened sticks aimed at preventing the authorities from taking action to disperse the rally were erected at Saladaeng intersection, Pathum Wan intersection, Pratunam intersection, Henri Dunant Road, the Sukhumvit Road stretch in front of Central Chidlom, and Sarasin Road behind Lumpini Park.

Yesterday morning saw heavy traffic congestion during rush hour on the road leading to the expressway on Phetchaburi Road, which forced a temporary closure of the tollgate for a few hours, he said.

If the same traffic problem occurred today, then police might resort to closing the tollgate again, he said, adding that police would deal with the problem on a day-by-day basis.

Since the red shirts are rallying at Rajprasong intersection, Rama IV, Phetchaburi, Wireless and Phya Thai roads faced heavier traffic congestion. Forty traffic police were deployed to facilitate flow in these areas.

Panu added that as more people were using public transport and avoiding the rally site, the problems were less severe than they could have been.

Currently, the left lane of Silom Road is also blocked by security officials' vehicles and barbed wire, while several spots at Saladaeng intersection near Silom Road have a heavy presence of both soldiers and red-shirt demonstrators.

Motorists have been advised to use other routes or expressways.

Yesterday afternoon, red-shirt demonstrators used bamboo fences to block a pedestrian flyover at Saladaeng intersection, causing people to use the pedestrian crossing. Meanwhile, Pol General Adul Saengsingkaew, an adviser to the police force, said the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation had issued an urgent order to the Metropolitan Police Bureau's Operation Centre to inforce the emergency law in Silom Road effectively.

Hence, the city police were preparing to close Rama IV from Henri Dunant Road to the Wireless Road intersection and were prepared for the consequences, especially traffic jams, until they received further orders to act.

He said the commander of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment (King's Guards) had also been assigned to coordinate directly with the Metropolitan Police Bureau's Operation Centre about the road closure.

Police officers were also given summons warrants, so that officials at the checkpoints around the rally site could use them to notify those about to violate the law by joining the rally about the legal punishment they faced, he added.

-- The Nation 2010-04-22

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Silom people battle red shirts with bottle missiles

BANGKOK: -- At 11:30 pm Wednesday, about 100 residents of Silom, Klong Toey and Thanon Tok areas threw things at red-shirt protesters.

About 100 people from the three neighbourhoods gathered on the Silom Road near the Dusit Thani Hotel and exchanged abusive words with the red-shirt protesters at 11pm.

About half an hour later, they threw beer bottles, glasses and other things at the red-shirt protesters as well as firing slingshots at them.

The Bangkok residents tried to break through the line of police to clash with the red-shirt protesters who surged towards the Silom people as well.

The red-shirt people then threw two Molotov cocktails at Silomp people, prompting them to retreat.

About 30 policemen tried to eparate the two sides but the two sides kept on firing slingshots at each other, prompting police themseles to retreat to be stationed in the compound of the hotel.

-- The Nation 2010-04-22

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US calls for peaceful resolution to Thai political crisis

WASHINGTON (AFP) -- The United States on Wednesday urged the Thai government and "Red Shirt" protesters pressing for fresh elections to seek a peaceful resolution to Thailand's deepening political crisis.

"We would continue to encourage both sides to work out their disagreements peacefully," said State Department spokesman Philip Crowley. "We don't believe that violence in any shape or form is a solution to this political challenge."

Protesters encamped in Bangkok's upscale retail district earlier ruled out talks with the government despite a looming crackdown that has prompted them to fortify their rally base with homemade barricades.

"This is something that has ultimately to be resolved in Thailand," said Crowley.

"We encourage the government and all parties within Thailand to work through these difficulties cooperatively."

Jatuporn Prompan, a leader of the anti-government campaigners who are pushing for fresh elections, said earlier that talks were "out of the question" after street clashes in Bangkok earlier this month left 25 people dead.

The protestors, who draw much of their support from the rural poor, are mainly partisans of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, ousted in a 2006 coup and living in exile to avoid a jail sentence for corruption.

The demonstrators say the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is undemocratic because it came to power in a parliamentary vote after a court ruling removed Thaksin's allies from office.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-04-22

Published with written approval from AFP.

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Topic discussion: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Calls-Peacef...-P-t358255.html

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Clash at Silom Last Night; More than 20 Injured

BANGKOK: -- Red shirts and multi-colored shirts clash late night around the Silom area.

Protesters from both sides threw bottles and other objects at each other, injuring more than 20 people.

Among the injured were members of the press and foreigners.

-- The Nation 2010-04-22

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MULTICOLOURED RALLY

Poised for bigger rally

BANGKOK: -- A large multicoloured rally for peace has been called for tomorrow at Amporn Garden near the Royal Plaza, organisers said yesterday.

The multicoloured demonstrators, aiming to show their force and opposition to the red shirts, have vowed to mobilise 100,000 people for a rally at 4pm.

"We need peace and oppose the red-shirt demonstrations, which tend to use violence," their leaders said.

They called for tomorrow's demonstration during a smaller rally at Silom at noon yesterday when around 500 gathered in front of Central Silom Department Store.

They used a pick-up truck as their stage, urging people around Silom to join forces to oppose the red shirts by not selling goods to them and not allowing them to use their toilets.

The group said they would gather at Silom every day (except at weekends) from noon to 1.30pm until the red shirts ended their demonstrations. They handed out Thai national flags to passersby.

In the evening, the multicoloured people rallied at Wong Wien Yai circle and today will gather at Victory Monument at 4pm.

-- The Nation 2010-04-22

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MCOT: Khon Kaen Red Shirts still block railway to capital, prevent departure of flat-bed carriages carrying military vehicles for South

THE NATION: Chavalit has officially submitted request for audience with the King, in his capacity as Pheu Thai chairman

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UPDATE

REDS RALLIES

Khon Kaen reds block 300 troops from going South

By The Nation

KHON KAEN: Thousands of red-shirted protesters in the northeastern province of Khon Kaen yesterday blocked nearly 300 soldiers from travelling south, as they feared the troops were reinforcements for an imminent crackdown on the protest in Bangkok.

The red-shirted group mobilised by community radio stations gathered at the railway station in the afternoon to stop a train with 80 troops and 21 military vehicles aboard.

The red shirts did not believe an explanation from the military that they were on a mission to the southernmost province of Pattani.

The believed the troops were heading for the capital to disperse fellow protesters there.

The red movement has been confronting a build-up of security forces in the Ratchaprasong area for days, suspecting an operation to dislodge them from the business district.

Sabina Sar, a red-shirted leader, said the protesters would detain the soldiers in Khon Kaen for at least five days on instructions from leaders of the red group in Bangkok.

Deputy Governor Payat Charnprasert failed in three rounds of negotiations with the red group to free the troops.

"It's too bad that the protesters don't care about national security since the men were on their way to their assignment in the deep South," he said.

Some 3,000 protesters later set up shelters at the railway station to block troops from passing through.

At about 4.30pm, another group of more than 1,000 protesters stopped three military buses with some 200 troops in Ban Pai district.

The buses carried troops and equipment from an Udon Thani military camp bound for the restive South.

Colonel Omsin Trarungruang, commander of Ban Pai district police, failed to talk the protesters into releasing the military officials, as they were not convinced the troops were being transported to the southern border provinces.

-- The Nation 2010-04-22

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Topic discussion: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Red-Shirts-B...-T-t358129.html

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Khon Kaen reds block military train for a second day

Negotiations for a second day have failed to reach an agreement for Khon Kaen red shirts to release the train transporting military vehicles and supplies to Pattani, officials said on Thursday.

On Wednesday, the local red shirts blocked the train from leaving Khon Kaen on suspicion that the soldiers and military supplies might be diverted to crackdown on fellow protesters in Bangkok instead of fighting insurgency in the Deep South.

Three rounds of talks yielded no progress and the number of red shirts surged last night.

Provincial Police Region 4, assigned by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban to resolve the situation, has requested for the reinforcement of riot forces following its assessment for protests to persist.

-- The Nation 2010-04-22

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RichardBarrow: Central Chidlom is open as normal at 10am today with safe sky bridge access from BTS Chidlom. No danger for tourists.

RichardBarrow: Paragon, SiamCenter/Discovery and CentralWorld continue to be closed until further notice.

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THE NATION: Red-shirt leader Weng announced he would march with 2,000 red shirts to UN office to petition for UN peacekeeping force.

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Weng to petition for UN peacekeeping force

BANGKOK: -- Red-shirt leader Weng Tojirakarn on Thursday made an announcement of his plan to submit a letter addressed to the United Nations secretary general requesting the dispatching of the international peace keeping force.

"I want the presence of peace keeping force to prevent Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban from dispatching soldiers to kill the red shirts who have just their bare hands," weng said from the rally state at Rajprasong.

He called for 2,000 volunteers to protect his convoy while travelling from Rajprasong to Rajdamnoen Nok Avenue, where the United Nations building is located.

-- The Nation 2010-04-22

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Police to Prevent Highway Seizure by Red-shirts

Region 3 Provincial Police Commander, Police Lieutenant General Dechawat Ramsomphop, insisted he will not let the red-shirt rally block Mittraphap highway in Nakhon Ratchasima province, after red-shirt members threaten to do so if authorities launch a crackdown on the Ratchaprasong rally.

In response to the threat from the red-shirt protesters to stage a possible roadblock on Mittraphap highway, Police Lieutenant General Dechawat Ramsomphop said he has already prepared a strategy to deal with the protesters.

He revealed that police officers are authorised to arrest the red-shirt people immediately.

However, he believes the anti-government force is unlikely to block the highway as it would tarnish their image.

As for the development of the red-shirt force, he said the situation is fine, as there are only 100 red-shirt members set up at an anti-government stage near a Suranaree Monument in the province.

He added that police are keeping a close watch on all eight lower northeastern provinces around the clock, and, at the same time, they're clarifying the situation for local villagers.

-- Tan Network 2010-04-22

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TAN Network: Reds announce they are submitting request to UN for protection against Thai military; claim Silom group was hired by gov't

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Many Injured from Violent Clash in Silom

BANGKOK: -- Many residents of Silom District in Bangkok who came out to demonstrate their opposition to the anti-government movement have been injured in a violent clash with the red-shirt protesters.

There was a violent clash between the Silom residents and the red-shirt protesters on Rama IV Road at Sala Daeng Intersection in Bangkok yesterday at around 10 p.m.

From behind barricades made of rubber tires and sharpened bamboo, the red-shirts shot slingshots and hurled glass bottles at the more than 1,000 discontented residents of the capital's financial district.

The residents were provoked by a firecracker thrown by the red-shirts and retaliated by throwing rocks, cement blocks, and glass bottles at the anti-government protesters. The violence lasted for more than an hour.

Four of the residents have been injured by the marble slingshots launched by the red-shirts and were rushed to a nearby hospital.

Also, a 40-year old Australian businessman caught a stray marble from a slingshot and sustained an ear injury.

After the incident, anti-riot policemen equipped with shields formed a line to contain the two sides. Both sides continued to exchange sporadic attacks, but no additional injuries have been reported.

-- Tan Network 2010-04-22

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TAN Network: INN: CRES claims police and military forces ready to deal with reds in Khon Kean, summons Jatuporn

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CRES: Protestors asked to leave gathering due to possible terrorism

BANGKOK (NNT) -- All rally goers have been urged not to join the protest at Ratchaprasong area due to possible sabotage by a terrorist group armed with war weapons , according to the Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES).

Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd, Spokesperson of the Royal Thai Army and CRES gave his warning that the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protestors and the civilians should be more careful or, if possible, leave the rally site at Ratchaprasong intersection which was now considered extremely dangerous. He reasoned that the terrorists equipped with war weapons had reportedly been sent in disguise and might use the protestors as victims of their use of violence.

Colonel Sansern added that the police and military officers are ready to facilitate the protestors who want to leave the protest and return to their hometown. As for the protestors whose ID cards were seized during the protest, he said that they could make a new one at any district office when returning home.

Meanwhile, Colonel Sansern also asked prospective protestors from upcountry planning to join the rally in Bangkok to make reconsideration because the assembly area is unsafe and vulnerable to all kinds of dangers. He said that those who are adamant to join the protest will be intercepted by the police. Offenders will be firstly given warnings and asked to report themselves to the police station. If they do not show up, arrest warrants will be issued to take legal action against them.

-- NNT 2010-04-22

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UDD to clear all barricades set up by authorities

BANGKOK (NNT) – The United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) has announced to clear all checkpoints of the authorities set up to impede people from attending the rally site at Ratchaprasong Intersection.

UDD Deputy Chairperson, Jatuporn Prompan, stated that the UDD would not let the Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) impede its supporters from attending the rally. He said the UDD hence would clear all the checkpoints set by the authorities.

Security officers have been setting up checkpoints from Rama IV Road allowing people only to exit the rally site while people working around the area are forbidden to enter near the rally site.

Mr Jatuporn stated that the strategy of the authorities is similar to the one adopted last Songkran – forbidding people from attending the rally in order to disperse the crowd easily. He said the UDD would mobilize its supporters to the 11th Military Regiment if it cannot bare this pressure.

The deputy chairperson also criticized Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy for security affairs, Suthep Thaugsuban for their failure to explain the 10 Apr bloodshed as asked by media on Wednesday at Parliament.

Mr Jatuporn continued to say that the government still refuses to admit that the bullet found in the body of Japanese camera operator Hiroyuki Muramoto from Reuters, who died from being shot during the 10 Apr bloodshed, belonged to the military.

-- NNT 2010-04-22

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Multi-Coloureds, Silom activist skirmishers pelt Red Shirts at Saladaeng

BANGKOK (TNA) - Projectiles -- rocks and marbles, launched from schoolboy slingshots and homemade rockets --streaked across Bangkok's Saladaeng intersection as the Thai capital's Silom Road local business community and the so-called 'Multi-Coloured Group' skirmished with anti-government 'Red Shirt' activists at Saladaeng intersection outside the Dusit Thani Hotel late Wednesday night.

Homemade rockets flew from the Red Shirts Verbal abuse and beer bottles filled the short space between the two sides, accompanied by much verbal abuse.

The anti-red shirt group frustration erupted after Red Shirt protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) had encamped at Ratchaprasong since April 3, causing trouble to the public, and when they extended their demonstration setting up a barricade opposite the intersection of Silom with Rama IV and Rajdamri roads, Saladaeng intersection, a prime business area of Bangkok.

The UDD earlier threatened to rally in Silom Road, leading the government to respond with heavy security by troops and police to prevent the Red Shirt protest from entering Silom.

The multi-coloreds had earlier erected a stage in front of Central Silom Complex Department Store urging the public to join force in their move to press the Red Shirts to end their protest at Ratchaprasong and oppose the House dissolution demanded by the Red Shirt.

Leaders of the multi-colored group urged businesses abd residents in the Silom area to boycott the Red Shirts, not sell them goods or allow them to use toilet facilities.

The numbers of Silom people and Multi-Coloured activists had risen to several hundred before midnight and they exchanged abusive words with the UDD activists inside their barricade, built from car tyres and sharpened bamboo staves.

The Multi-Coloured anti-protesters themselves threw beer bottles, glasses and other objects into the Red Shirt protesters, and they also fired slingshots using stones and glass marbles.

The Red Shirts responded with homemade rockets, and some skirmishers left the protection of their barricade to come to the street to challenge the Silom community and Multi-Coloured protesters.

Police attempted to separate the two sides, and parked a truck in the middle of the road, but the opposing sides kept on firing slingshots at each other, with a number of people including foreigners reportedly injured in the clashes.

After three hours of skirmishes, the two sides stopped the battle, with the Red Shirts returning to stay inside their barricade while the rival Silom group dispersed.

The Multi-Coloured Group is made up of middle-class Bangkok residents, academics, the business community and members of the social network Facebook. Since Songkran they have marched across Bangkok every evening to show their force in support of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and against the dissolution of Parliament.

In related developments, the Red Shirt protesters in the northeastern province of Khon Kaen still blocked the rail line to Bangkok preventing the departure of flatbed railway freight carriages laden with military vehicles and equipment amid fears that they are destined for use in dispersing the Red Shirt protesters in Bangkok.

The train's 20 railway carriages carried 24 Humvy military vehicles, military trucks and water cannon cars, as well as other military equipment. All the materiel belonged to the 8th Infantry Regiment, located in this northeastern province.

Khon Kaen deputy governor Payat Charnprasert and concerned security officials negotiated with the local Red Shirt leaders, saying that the train is bound for the three restive southern provinces.

The talks had so far failed to persuade the protesters to let the train depart by early Thursday morning. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-04-22

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Police detain actor who joins red shirts

BANGKOK: -- Police have arrested an actor who joined red shirts for allegedly having in possession an official pistol on Thursday.

Police believed Methee Amornwuttikun's weapon was snatched from soldiers during the clash between red shirts protesters and troops on April 10.

He was arrested while driving in Klongsarn district on Thursday.

He was reportedly taken to an undisclosed place by helicopter as police worried that the red shirts protesters would try to snatch him.

-- The Nation 2010-04-22

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Thai army warns protesters 'time running out'

by Anusak Konglang

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thailand's army warned Red Shirt anti-government protesters Thursday that "time is running out" to leave their rally site in Bangkok's commercial heart before a likely crackdown.

But the mostly poor and rural Reds, who have paralysed an area of the capital that is home to five-star hotels and major shopping centres, remained defiant and ruled out talks with the authorities until the military withdraws.

Tensions remained high in Bangkok after overnight scuffles between the red-shirted demonstrators, who are seeking immediate elections, and hundreds of rival pro-government protesters calling for the Reds to go home.

The supporters of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who include local residents and business owners, confronted the Reds and threw bottles, while some of the anti-government protesters hurled stones, bottles and firecrackers.

One foreign tourist was reported to have been slightly injured.

The red-clad movement has ruled out immediate talks with the government, despite the threat of "decisive" action by the army.

"We don't want you to risk your lives. If there is a clash you could be hurt by stray bullets," said army spokesman Sunsern Kaewkumnerd. "Your time is running out. Please leave the area."

Sunsern said there were currently 6,000 of the red-shirted protesters at the site, down from 14,000 Wednesday evening.

But there was no air of compromise as the protesters dug in, following street clashes in Bangkok earlier this month that left 25 people dead.

The Reds have fortified their rally base in central Bangkok with home-made barricades made from bamboo poles and piles of car tyres.

"When there are guns pointed at our heads, we cannot talk," said a Reds leader, Weng Tojirakarn. "The easiest way (to resolve the crisis) is to dissolve parliament and then we will all go home."

Piles of sharpened bamboo sticks and broken paving stones have been stockpiled, triggering fears of new confrontations with security forces who are threatening to use tear gas and live fire if necessary.

The Reds are seeking immediate elections to replace the government, which it accuses of being elitist and undemocratic.

The United States urged both sides to seek a peaceful resolution to the weeks-long crisis, which has shut down the Thai capital's retail and hotel heartland, worsening the damage to the economy of the tourist destination.

"We would continue to encourage both sides to work out their disagreements peacefully," State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said. "We don't believe that violence in any shape or form is a solution to this political challenge."

Hundreds of members of the security forces and Red Shirts are now facing off at the perimeter of two zones in central Bangkok, separated by a long stretch of the makeshift barricade.

The political crisis has spread to the rural northeast, where protesters have blockaded a military train and forced busloads of troops to return to their bases.

Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said that although negotiations were the best way out of the crisis, there was little chance the two sides would sit down together.

"There have been several attempts to connect with the Red Shirts. I'm sure you are fully aware how difficult it is to talk to them in a unified manner," he said.

Talks last month ended in failure after Abhisit's offer of elections at the end of the year was rejected by the Reds, who insist on immediate polls.

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 Abhisit's government is illegitimate because it came to power in a parliamentary vote at the end of 2008 after a court ruling removed Thaksin's allies from office.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-04-22

Published with written approval from AFP.

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Topic discussion: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thai-Army-Te...rs-t358332.html

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MCOT: Thaksin lawyer sues Foreign Minister Kasit on defamation charges for describing fugitive ex-premier as 'bloody terrorist'

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RED SHIRTS

Police detain an actor-turned-red shirt

By The Nation

Police have arrested actor-turned red shirt for allegedly having in possession an official pistol on Thursday.

Police believed Methee Amornwuthikul's weapon was snatched from soldiers during the clash between red shirts protesters and troops on April 10.

He was arrested while driving in Klongsarn district on Thursday. He is also member of opposition Pheu Thai Party.

He was reportedly taken to an undisclosed place by helicopter as police worried that the red shirts protesters would try to snatch him.

Methee is not new in controvery following his participation with the red shirts rallies.

In June last year, he was wanted for questioning in connection with his two appearances on the red-shirt rally stage. He made rallying speeches before and after the state of emergency.

He failed to report himself and then was detained at Suvarnabhumi Airport upon arrival from Vietnam. He was freed on bail.

In September last yar, he swung wild punches at fellow Puea Thai Party official over election expenses row at those he accused of shaming his beloved Puea Thai.

He turned his action-movie fighting into reality in front of a shocked crowd. The victim later filed an assault complaint against the actor at Bang Rak Police Station.

-- The Nation 2010-04-22

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THE NATION: I heard on JS100 radio that anti-red protesters have been protesting on Silom Rd, blocking most of Silom traffic.

THE NATION: Motorists phoned in JS100 traffic radio,reporting that almost entire Silom from intersection, traffic is blocked by Silom protesters.

THE NATION: However, motorists who got caught in Silom traffic could turn to Soi Patpong to Surawongse Rd, a motorist reported.

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THE NATION: Silom road not blocked off, 1 lane open for cars

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Korbsak calls for red shirts to resume talks

The government remains optimistic for a resumption of negotiations with the red shirts because it believes a crackdown on protesters is not a long-term solution, secretary general to the prime minister Korbsak Sabhavasu said on Thursday.

"I am still hopeful for a new round of talks with the red shirts," he said, hinting the government perfers a peaceful solution to the use of force.

-- The Nation 2010-04-22

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UDD moves under close watch nationwide

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Important areas in Bangkok are under close surveillance out of the concern over possible demonstrations of the UDD protestors, according to the Center for the Resolution for Emergency Situation (CRES).

Acting Government Spokesperson Panitan Wattanayagorn stated after a CRES meeting yesterday that although the UDD protestors have still made no moves to different places in Bangkok, the police and the military keep rotating their forces to guard against possible violence in several risky zones, especially Silom road and Ratchaprasong intersection. He said however that the main force in the operation still is the police.

As for the UDD demonstrations in other provinces, Dr Panitan stated that based on reports by provincial governors, the situation was controllable with no violence reported. At present, government forces are still deployed to several important venues in a bid to increase efficiency and effectiveness of the defense operations and to proactively prevent the protestors from breaching the law.

-- NNT 2010-04-22

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Khon Kaen reds agree to release military train

The red shirts in Khon Kaen on Thursday's afternoon agreed to release their blockade of the military train bounded for reinforcement in Pattani, officials said.

The train was blocked since Wednesday on suspicion that the soldiers, military vehicles and supplies might be diverted for anti-riot operation against the red shirts in Rajprasong, Bangkok.

-- The Nation 2010-04-22

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