Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Friday

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BTS' security cameras confirm M79 grenades fired from Lumpini Park: deputy BKK governor

Deputy Bangkok Governor Thirachon Manomaipibul said video records from security cameras of the BTS' Saladaeng station showed that m79 grenades were fired from the Lumpini Park Thursday night.

Thirachon said the security cameras of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration were crippled by red-shirt protesters who put black plastic bags over the camera or turned the cameras into the sky.

Thirachon said the BMA sought cooperation from the BTS to check feeds of its security cameras and saw that the grenades were fired from the direction of the Lumpini Park into the crowds on Silom Road.

-- The Nation 2010-04-23

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MCOT: Red Shirt is ready to hold new round of talks if government agrees to dissolve parliament in 30 days: Veera

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THE NATION: Anupong: Turmoil stemmed from attempts to seize power and overthrow key institutions.

THE NATION: Anupong: Army won't 1. use force to disperse people's rally. 2. Stand&watch Thais killing Thais.

THE NATION: Anupong: Army will (ultimately) protect the monarchy.

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THE NATION: Update on MRT: MRT will be available until midnight today but No stop at Silom station.

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RED SHIRTS RALLY

Army chief rules out the use of force

BANGKOK: -- Army chief General Anupong Paochinda has ruled out the use of force to resolve the political predicament, Army deputy spokeswoman Colonel Sirichan Ngathong said on Friday.

"The use of force to disperse the red shirts will cause untold damage and farreaching implications but the problem will not end," Sirichan quoted Anupong as telling the Army top generals during a twohour meeting.

Anupong deemed it necessary to bring about an understanding among Thai citizens, she said, adding the Army's role is to act as cushion to prevent the opposing sides from attacking one another.

The military will ensure the rule of law and unruly crowds would be penalised in accordance to relevant laws, she said.

In the Army assessment report, the predicament was instigated by concerted efforts designed to grab power and overthrow the monarchy, she said.

The top generals were instructed to relay Anupong's message urging the Army ranks not to get involved in the rallies, she said.

She stated that Anupong wanted the Army to play a critical role of bring about understanding as a way to heal the social divisions and that he also emphasised that the priority of the armed forces was to safeguard the country.

"Keeping the national interest in mind, the Army remains ready to help resolve the predicament via reasoning and not attacking fellow Thais," she quoted Anupong as saying.

-- The Nation 2010-04-23

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THE NATION: Seh Dang: "Govt 'men in black' bombed Silom last nite. Unsung warriors who helped Reds have all gone home" via@jin_nation

THE NATION: Urgent: Jatuporn said Reds are ready to retreat so no more people will have to die.

THE NATION: Awaiting details on what Jatuporn meant by "retreat."

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RED SHIRTS RALLY

Red shirts leader offers new condition

A red shirts leader said he will meet government side Friday night to offer new condition to end the political deadlock on Friday Abhisit government dissolves the House within 30 days.

He said he would meet the government side on Friday night but does not reveal the location.

If the government agrees to dissolve the House within one month, it is negotiable, Veera Musikapong said.

"After the House dissolution, the government will have another 60 days to prepare for elections.," Veera said.

Therefore, in total it will be 90 days, Veera said. He was speaking after meeting with a group of a group of foreign diplomats who visited Rajprasong rally site on Friday.

PM Abhisit Vejjajiva has offered to hold elections by the end of 2010; one year ahead of schedule, to cease the political deadlock caused by red shirts rallies.

However the reds rejected the proposal.

-- The Nation 2010-04-23

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THE NATION: Nuttawut is talking, trying to convince protesters that the red leaders are not giving up.

THE NATION: "Please understand that it's a strategy (whatever action red leaders are taking)," Nuttawut said.

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THE NATION: Now Nuttawut: "Our red victory is to end killings and save lives."

THE NATION: our newsroom is monitoring what's being said right now on Red stage.

THE NATION: Nuttawut: "Please rest assured. We (I and the other Red leaders) haven't taken any wrong medicine."

THE NATION: Nuttawut: "We got nothing to lose. Some are upset that we've conceded too much. Concede what? That's thinking too much."

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THE NATION: INN: PM Abhisit says he is sad as the next person. And if he can't solve problems, he would leave. Translating @jin_nation

THE NATION: During his speech, Nuttawut said "This doesn't mean we are retreating" about as many times as the own goals that saved Man U this season.

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THE NATION: SMS nation: PM evading question on Reds' House dissolution in 30 days condition.

THE NATION: SMS Nation: PM is "saddened" by Silom incident. "If I can't solve the problem, I'm ready to go."

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Thai protesters, army make tentative peace overtures

by Thanaporn Promyamyai

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thailand's army and anti-government protesters made tentative peace overtures Friday, seeking to avoid a looming crackdown and a repeat of clashes that left 25 people dead earlier this month.

The army chief said that the use of force was no solution to Thailand's crisis, which pits the red-shirted demonstrators against a government they condemn as illegitimate and undemocratic.

"The use of force will not end the current problems and would have many repercussions," army chief General Anupong Paojinda told a meeting of top brass, according to deputy spokesman Colonel Sirichan Ngathong.

"The best thing is to create understanding among the people. The army's job now is to take care of the people, and not allow Thais to attack each other."

Anupong told AFP on Thursday that he aimed to end the standoff without further bloodshed, saying authorities "can uphold the law with no people dead or injured."

His comments, which contrasted with warnings earlier this week that security forces were ready to use live ammunition if needed, came amid high tensions in the capital, which is under a state of emergency.

Five grenade blasts hit Bangkok's financial hub on Thursday night, targeting hundreds of pro-government supporters in attacks that left one Thai woman dead and scores wounded, including foreigners.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva condemned the attacks, which he said "aimed to kill ordinary people."

"I am determined to solve the problem," he told reporters, adding that any decision to forcefully disperse the demonstrators would not be taken lightly.

Abhisit, who has been holed up in a military barracks for weeks because of the protests, added: "I have a duty to solve the problem. If I can't I should not be here."

Thai police sought Friday to push the Red Shirts from a confrontation zone on the edge of the financial district where they have clashed with hardline pro-government mobs.

Hundreds of riot police, unarmed but carrying shields and batons, moved on the heavily fortified barricades which form the front line of the Reds' vast encampment that has paralysed the main retail district in the heart of Bangkok.

Police later withdrew after failing to win an agreement with the Reds, who stepped back but kept in place the barrier made of truck tyres, sharpened bamboo staves and plastic sheeting which has been doused with fuel.

Reds leader Veera Musikapong said they were open to elections in three months as a way out of the crippling deadlock -- a step back from their original demand for immediate polls.

"But the government has to stop threatening people and show responsibility for what has happened," he said.

Authorities are under pressure to end the street rallies which began in mid-March, but they appear wary to use force again after a failed crackdown on April 10 left 25 people dead and more than 800 injured.

The escalating crisis has triggered alarm at the United Nations and among foreign governments which issued urgent calls for restraint and warned their citizens to stay away from the protests or avoid Bangkok altogether.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said the grenades in Thursday's blasts were fired from within the sprawling Red Shirt encampment, but leaders of the protest movement denied they were responsible.

"The bomb attacks last night have nothing to do with our movement. We still adhere to a policy of non-violence," said Red Shirt leader Nattawut Saikuar, accusing the government of orchestrating the blasts.

Undaunted by the overnight bloodshed, thousands of supporters of the embattled government rallied in a different location Friday, calling for an end to weeks of protests that have damaged the kingdom's economy and reputation.

The Reds, drawn from the ranks of the rural poor as well as the urban working class, mostly support former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and now lives overseas to avoid a jail sentence for corruption.

Ramping up the pressure on Abhisit, the Election Commission has called for his ruling Democrat Party to be abolished over allegations of an illegal political donation in 2005 and misuse of a commission grant.

The first count will be forwarded to the Attorney General, who has 30 days to consider it. The election body faces an April 26 deadline on whether to forward the second case directly to the constitutional court.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-04-23

Published with written approval from AFP.

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Topic discussion: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thai-Protest...Pe-t358820.html

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RED SHIRTS RALLY

Red shirts leader offers new condition

BANGKOK: -- A red shirts leader said he will meet government side Friday night to offer new condition to end the political deadlock on Friday Abhisit government dissolves the House within 30 days.

He said he would meet the government side on Friday night but does not reveal the location.

If the government agrees to dissolve the House within one month, it is negotiable, Veera Musikapong said.

"After the House dissolution, the government will have another 60 days to prepare for elections.," Veera said.

Therefore, in total it will be 90 days, Veera said. He was speaking after meeting with a group of a group of foreign diplomats who visited Rajprasong rally site on Friday.

PM Abhisit Vejjajiva has offered to hold elections by the end of 2010; one year ahead of schedule, to cease the political deadlock caused by red shirts rallies.

However the reds rejected the proposal.

-- The Nation 2010-04-23

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