Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Saturday

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Thai protesters brace for crackdown as compromise rejected

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thailand's anti-government "Red Shirts" said Saturday they were braced for a crackdown to end their protest movement, after the prime minister rejected an offer to compromise on demands for snap polls.

"Abhisit has ordered a crackdown on protesters within 48 hours, that is the information I have learned," said Reds leader Nattawut Saikuar.

Nattawut did not say where the information came from but other Reds leaders said earlier Saturday they had learned from sympathisers in the army that troops were being mobilised despite ongoing negotiations.

Nattawut said the Reds would strip off the symbols of their allegiance -- the red T-shirts and other garb they have sported for weeks -- to help them fight back against the government.

"Abhisit has shut the door on all Thai people by rejecting our compromise," he said. "He will do anything to keep his position as prime minister."

He said they would stick to a policy of non-violence, but other Reds figures speaking on a stage at their massive encampment in the heart of Bangkok's retail district promised a "guerrilla war" against the government.

One leader also threatened to storm a giant shopping mall that lies within their rally base, which has paralysed the shopping hub for three weeks, saying that soldiers and police are hiding inside.

"We are ready to handle the government measures. No matter what shirt we wear, our hearts are red," said Jatuporn Prompan, warning that an offensive would trigger nationwide conflict.

"When the first blood is spilled here, the entire country will be the scene of bloodshed," he said.

Nattawut urged supporters, who are mostly drawn from the rural north but also include increasing numbers of the urban working class, to watch out for signs of the looming offensive.

This week one thousand Reds in the northern province of Khon Kaen blocked a military train loaded with armed soldiers and heavy equipment, and forced the army to give assurances it was not headed for Bangkok.

"I ask all of our Red Shirts people across the country to be alert to troop movement, and if we detect irregular movements we must stop them, like we did in Khon Kaen," he said.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-04-24

Published with written approval from AFP.

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Topic discussion: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thai-Protest...-C-t359055.html

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THE NATION: Nuttawut: "We will announce new measures and up the level of the campaign."

THE NATION: Tension at Rajprasong as Jatuporn told CentralWorlld management to pull out police & military in front of the mall. TT @ Nattha_TVthai

THE NATION: Reds' new strategy is to change the colour of its dress. Rajprasong stage is calling for donation of non-red clothes.

THE NATION: The clothe strategy is inviting Martial Law and curfew.

THE NATION: Nuttawut calling for provincial reds to use "khon kaen model" if they see troops being transported&apparently headed to Bkk.

THE NATION: Nuttawut also called for the six "fortresses" at Rajprasong to be manned by 2,000 red motorcyclists each.

ThaivisaNews: Veera upset as PM rejects proposal to dissolve House in 30 days,will intensify campaign, protesters to change from red to other colours

ThaivisaNews: Noppadol: I just talked to Thaksin over phone. He's all rite. No msgs lately coz he didn't want msgs to b distorted. and he travelled a lot.

[george]

AFP: Myanmar opposition leader Suu Kyi says Thailand's political crisis shows that constitution drawn up by military can never deliver stability (via MCOT)

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Bangkok resident on life during protests

Bangkok resident Joanne Hughes has described what life is like in Thailand's capital as the anti-government protests intensify.

Speaking to the BBC's Lyse Doucet on a web cam, Ms Hughes said she didn't feel intimidated by the protesters.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8640633.stm

-- BBC 2010-04-24

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THE NATION: From Rajprasong's backstage, reds has started distributing multicoloured shirts to protesters to confuse miltiary.

THE NATION: Jatuporn picked up the idea of Rwanda and said the crackdown of UDD means Thailand would become Rwanda.

[Maestro]

Thailand's civil war fears

As tensions rise, many fear Thailand could be inching towards a civil war.

-- CNN 2010-04-24

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Thai PM rejects compromise

Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva rejected an offer to negotiate given by anti-government "red shirt" protesters.

-- Reuters 2010-04-24

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