Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Sunday

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THE NATION: around 200 men on motocycle and pickups are heading to PM's house on Sukhumvit 31. via JS100 Radio.

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THE NATION: Central Chidlom opens today 10.00-19.00, MBK opens 10.00-22.00; Central Silom remains closed

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THE NATION: Anupong's first assignment: return peace to PM's house and Bangkok's Sukhumvit Road.

MCOT: Buddhists hold mass prayers at Emerald Buddha temple, pray for peace to return to Thailand

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THE NATION: Thaksin tweets (just 8 hr ago) strongly suggested he agreed with the 90-day election timeframe. He denied the rumour on his health.

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Thai PM says authorities will retake protest site

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thai authorities will retake the anti-government protest site in Bangkok, the prime minister said Sunday in a television address made with the army chief, without disclosing when.

The "Red Shirts" rally encampment has for three weeks occupied the Ratchaprasong intersection in the heart of Bangkok's retail district. The protesters fear a crackdown is looming.

"There will be a retaking of Ratchaprasong but the process, the measures, how and when it will be done we cannot disclose because it depends on several things," Abhisit said.

"We are not going to say that we will take it tomorrow at 7:00 am."

Army chief General Anupong Paojinda appeared alongside the premier in gesture of unity, after Anupong earlier this week indicated he was extremely reluctant to launch a crackdown.

"We are an army for the nation, for the monarchy and for the people. We will do our job without taking sides. We will follow government policy," Anupong said.

He also addressed rumours of rifts in the army, which has been sending out mixed signals on how it intends to handle the demonstrators, after April 10 clashes that left 25 dead and more than 800 injured.

"As for a rift in the army, it is possible there will be rifts in a big organisation but the number of people who have different ideas are not many and this will not cause problems," he said.

There is growing talk of "watermelon" soldiers -- green outside but red inside -- who support the protesters.

Anupong admitted that some serving troops fought alongside the Red Shirts in the April 10 clashes.

"We have information that a group of armed people has been set up. Some of them are in the army but have no (senior) position, the rest are not, but may be retired or former members," he said.

Abhisit emphasised that the action against the protesters was only part of a crisis that must be resolved in its entirety, saying there was no point quelling a flashpoint in one area only to have another emerge elsewhere.

"The main point now is not just on dispersing or not dispersing, the main point now is to solve all the problems," he said.

"The focus is not just on returning Ratchaprasong to normalcy, but on solving the problem for the whole country."

The highly anticipated address, which came after Abhisit Saturday rejected a compromise offer from the Reds, who had softened their demands for snap elections, went blank for several minutes at one point.

"Someone has interrupted the satellite signal," government minister Sathit Wongnongtoey told reporters.

Abhisit downplayed the Reds' offer to call off their protest movement if parliament is dissolved in 30 days, saying that would not end the crisis.

"The point is not the number of (days until a ballot). We should think about reconciliation," he said, adding that the priority was for eventual elections to be peaceful, free and fair.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-04-25

Published with written approval from AFP.

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THE NATION: Sukhumvit 31 returns to peace!!! UDD guys have been back to Rajprasong after learning that PM is not at his home.

THE NATION: TV shows protesters don other colours. Perhaps if u want to say you're not red, you have to wear RED, PINK or YELLOW?? getting complicated.

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THE NATION: PAD leaders will meet tomorrow at 9am to talk about their movement (after 7-day deadline they gave govt) - The Nation

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THE NATION: I have discussed latest developments and can share the following with u

THE NATION: 1. The morning TV programme show a government thinking it's having an upperhand.

THE NATION: 2. The first time Abhisit has mentioned Chavalit in the same sentence as Seh Daeng.

THE NATION: 3. Reds' threat yeserday to storm Central World was met with very harsh warning behind the scene. (You enter, we have right to shoot)

THE NATION: 4. Unlikely govt will use force to clear Rajprasong. But if reds step out of Rajprasong and create trouble, then harsh action.

THE NATION: 5. As for Rajprasong, pressure will be kept up to keep the crowd shrinking in numbers.

THE NATION: 6. Govt has been quite buoyed by emergence of the ABR (multicolours)

THE NATION: 7. As some of u have noted, the arrest of actor Methi and his "singing like a bird" when interrogated is a key factor that changed the game.

THE NATION: That 's about it.

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THE NATION: Update on BTS: today BTS operates until 7pm - no stop @ Sala Daeng. Silom line runs from Chong Nonsee to Won Wien Yai.

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Nation TV receives bomb threat

An unidentified man made a phone call t the Political Desk of Nation TV, saying the 13th floor of the Nation Tower where the TV head office is located, would be hit by bomb attack.

The call was received at 1:55 pm.

-- The Nation 2010-04-25

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PM vows to solve political situation

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The government will enforce the law and take appropriate legal actions against the anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), according to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Speaking on his weekly talk show on Sunday together with Army Commander-in-Chief, General Anupong Paochinda, the Prime Minister reaffirmed that the legal actions must be taken against the anti-government group in connection with a series of grenade attacks and violent incidents during its nearly two-month rally. He said the government would not only resolve the ongoing political problems by reclaiming the Ratchaprasong business district currently occupied by the UDD but also bring peace and normalcy to the country.

PM Abhisit admitted that the government has underestimated the situation following the use of heavy weapons in attacking innocent people. He said the government will speed up seeking understanding to the people and also prevent misinformation that affect national security.

The UDD has rallied a mass demonstration since 14 March in their attempt to pressure the Prime Minister to dissolve the Lower House and call a new election. The anti-government group presently laid siege to the capital's Ratchaprasong business area, its current protest site.

The recent confrontation between security forces and anti-government UDD took place on 10 April, leaving 25 deaths and over 800 injured. A series of explosions at the capital's Saladaeng Intersection erupted on 22 April, which ended with one death and over 80 injuries.

-- NNT 2010-04-25

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People join to pray for peaceful country

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Numerous white dressed people gathered to join a special prayer according to “A One-Hour Break for Thailand” activity, held in the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

More than one thousand people dressed in white participated in “A One-Hour Break for Thailand” activity, aimed to use Buddhism as a solution for the current political problem in the country.

Participants said they wanted to join a prayer ceremony with hopes for peace, unity and love among citizens. They also agreed that the practice would help individuals develop a conscience and reduce impatience.

-- NNT 2010-04-25

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Some 300 red shirts rally in front of PM's house

Some 300 red-shirt protesters demonstrated in front of the house of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Sunday morning.

The protesters arrived at Soi Sukhumvit 31 on motorcycles and pick-up trucks at 10 am.

They rallied there for about 40 minutes and returned to Rajprasong after it became certain that the prime minister was not at home.

-- The Nation 2010-04-25

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MCOT: BMA General Hospital: 6 Red Shirts infected with A(H1N1) virus seek medical treatement

THE NATION: Reds is lining up to register & make cards near Siam Centre. They told me: "if something happens to us they will know who is who"

MCOT: PM meets with provincial governors to clarify current turmoil, instructs them to build understanding with locals, Red Shirt supporters

THE NATION: Thaksin is in a country in Middle East and plans to return to Dubai on April 29, says MOF deputy minister. Via @ktnews

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ThaivisaNews: Bangkok traffic info: Monday MRT (Subway) runs route from Bangsue to Hualumphong; no stop at Silom station

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MCOT: Seh Daeng: UDD leaders are wise to tell supporters not to wear red. UDD should take decisive action b/f Apr30. Army doesn't have enough troops to disperse rally

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MCOT: Red Shirts block part of inbound Phaholyothin frontage road in Pathum Thani trying to stop official vehicles moving to Bangkok

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Protestors asked to open ways for ambulances

BANGKOK (NNT) --Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit has asked the anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) and all other groups of demonstrators gathering near hospitals to facilitate the operation of ambulances and medical personnel.

The minister sought the cooperation from all the protestors not to impede the operation of ambulances which have to run against time to bring patients to the hands of doctors regardless of political groups. He challenged punitive action if the ambulances are not used for medial purposes.

Some of the ambulances have been alleged to be used to help the authorities transport weapons for the crowd dispersal mission.

Mr Jurin added that the Emergency Medical Institute of Thailand has prepared measures to handle emergency needs around the clock at four to five spots in the capital city, especially around the rally site while more ambulances from nearby provinces will be called in to support the operation.

According to the minister, three patients from the M79 grenade attacks at Sala Daeng Intersection on 22 April remain in ICU. The first and only one civilian is now in Chulalongkorn Hospital and is waiting to have the second operation at her brain.

The second patient is a police officer now staying at the Police General Hospital due to infections at his leg while the other is a soldier now in the Phra Mongkutklao Hospital due to an injury at his head and mental depression.

-- NNT 2010-04-25

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THE NATION: BTS to fully operate from tomorrow 6am-8pm via @politics mcot

THE NATION: Thanks for all suggestions on Reds' new name when they changed their shirts. However, Nuttawut just told them new names. (con't)

THE NATION: Nuttawut: we won't call ourselves multicolour. We r colour-less and non-privilege group. (mai me see, mai me sen in Thai).TT @jin_nation

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THE NATION: Traces of petrol at Saladaeng fortress?

THE NATION: redshirts were also fortifying the fortress with tyres, truckloads of tyres.

THE NATION: There was smell of kerosene on the roads earlier. Also its likely that reds move LPG canisters to the barricades

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THE NATION: Don't understand the petrol trace. What would that show?>>It shows, seemingly, that tyre burning is part of the plan.

THE NATION: Near Lang Suan they were decorating the barricades with ribbons of cloth like the ones U use for cocktails Molotov

THE NATION: Multicolours led by Dr. Tul will meet at Victory monument tomorrow and Odeon Circle @Yaowaraj (China Town) on Tue - fr 4-6pm. via NNA.

THE NATION: On Apr 29, Multi-colours will rally at Wong Wian Yai in Bkk, co-ordinatining with multicolours nationwide to sing National Antghem together.

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Probe of weapons used in Silom attack ready in a week; More financial aid offered

BANGKOK (TNA) -- Results on an investigation on types of weapons used during attacks against ‘Multi-Coloured Group’ people at Bangkok’s Sala Daeng last week are expected to be issued in a week, a senior Justice Ministry official said Sunday.

Dr Porntip Rojanasunan, director of Central Institute of Forensic Science, told journalists she expected that types of weapons used in series of attacks against the pro-government ‘Multi-Coloured Group’ on April 22 should come out within a week.

So far the committee has not yet made any conclusion on the types of weapons fired on that day in which one woman was killed and more than 80 others wounded.

Dr Porntip went to Sala Daeng intersection at the head of Bangkok’s Silom Road financial district again Sunday and collected samples of BTS Skytrain roofing which was damaged by the explosion as well as from the facade of the Bank of Ayudhya, near the Skytrain station, for further assessment.

In another development, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security had initially offered each wounded person from the Sala Daeng incident Bt2,000 for medical treatment, an aide to the minister said.

The aide said the ministry is expected to pay families of those killed and those wounded in the April 10 clashes between UDD protesters and army troops on Ratchadamnoen Avenue as the number of those who had registered rose to 489 people.

The secretary said 95 wounded persons from both incidents remain in hospital. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-04-25

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PM: Authorities to retake protest site in Ratchaprasong

BANGKOK (TNA) -- The authorities will retake the protest site in Ratchaprasong from the demonstrators, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said in his television address with the Army chief on Sunday.

Mr Abhisit said ending the demonstration at Ratchaprasong intersection alone is not enough to resolve the problem as concerned officials will have to prevent such incidents from occurring in other areas which could be more violent.

“The point is how to solve the problem. And the final objective is to take back the area (Ratchaprasong) but it’s not possible to say here when it should be done,” said Mr Abhisit.

Echoing the prime minister’s remarks, Gen Anupong said when more people understand that the rally is “not right and innocent people are separated” from the demonstrators, law could be enforced against them while lawbreakers would be arrested by police.

“I want to confirm (the army) would do things which would create peace in the country, with no losses and in line with the government’s policy,” said Gen Anupong.

Touching on the public doubts over unity among the military, Gen Anupong said the military remains belonging to the country, to the King and the people. The military will follow the government’s policy in order to create an utmost benefit to the people.

“There’s no hint that a split is seen in the military,” Gen Anupong said. “The three armed forces remain united.” (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-04-25

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Thai PM vows to retake Bangkok protest site

by Thanaporn Promyamyai

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thailand's embattled premier vowed to clear Bangkok's commercial heart of anti-government Red Shirt protesters as he appeared on national television Sunday in a show of unity with his army chief.

But Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva did not say when security forces planned to regain control of the Red Shirts' vast protest site, which has been fortified with barricades made from truck tyres and sharpened bamboo poles.

The Reds, who are demanding elections to replace the government, have occupied the Ratchaprasong intersection for three weeks and fear a crackdown is looming after Abhisit rejected their offer of a compromise.

"There will be a retaking of Ratchaprasong but the process, the measures, how and when it will be done we cannot disclose because it depends on several things," said Abhisit.

"The main point now is not whether or not to disperse but how to solve the whole problem," added the premier, who has been holed up in a military barracks since street rallies erupted in mid-March.

The pre-recorded televised appearance by the premier and army chief General Anupong Paojinda was seen as an attempt to quash speculation of a rift between the two men on how to deal with the crippling political crisis.

Anupong said the military -- which mounted a 2006 coup that forced then-premier Thaksin Shinawatra out of power -- would follow government orders.

"We are an army for the nation, for the monarchy and for the people. We will do our job without taking sides," he said.

The highly influential army chief said Friday, however, that the use of force was no solution to the crisis, which has twice descended into deadly street violence this month, leaving 26 dead and hundreds injured.

When troops tried to sweep Reds out of Bangkok's historic area on April 10 they suffered a humiliating retreat and there is growing talk of "watermelon" soldiers -- green outside but red inside -- who support the protesters.

Anupong played down talk of a split within the army, which has been sending out mixed signals on how it prefers to handle the demonstrators, who are defying a state of emergency and a ban on rallies in the capital.

He admitted, however, that some serving troops apparently fought alongside the Red Shirts in the April 10 clashes.

Hopes for an agreement to end the long-running protests were dashed Saturday when Abhisit ruled out the Red Shirts' offer to disperse if parliament was dissolved in 30 days for elections in three months' time.

In response the Reds -- mostly rural and urban poor who support ex-premier Thaksin -- said they would prepare for a military offensive to clear their camp, which has forced hotels and malls to close.

"If Abhisit fails to crack down on us he will have to leave office, and if he succeeds in pushing us out using force, Reds rallies will break out in every region of the country," vowed leader Nattawut Saikuar.

There have been mounting incidents of open defiance against security forces in recent days. On Sunday some 1,000 Reds used a truck to block a main road into Bangkok and halt 500 police being drafted in aboard trucks.

In northeast Udon Thani province, another 150 police were prevented from travelling to the capital by a group of 1,000 protesters who blocked their way late Saturday.

Fears of a crackdown escalated earlier in the week amid warnings from the military that protesters would face live weapons fire in any new clashes.

After grenade blasts Thursday left one dead and scores injured at a pro-government rally, there are concerns over the risk of more conflict breaking out between Thailand's warring factions.

The elite-backed "Yellow Shirts," who vowed a week ago to take action if the government fails to deal with the rival Reds, plan to meet Monday to discuss their next step after their deadline expired.

Another pro-government group known as the "Multicoloured" contingent, who have been holding regular peaceful rallies, have said they will hold a major gathering on Friday.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-04-25

Published with written approval from AFP.

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Topic discussion: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thai-PM-Abhi...ko-t359289.html

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Urgent: 6 injured in bomb attack, shooting at Banharn's house

BANGKOK: -- Assailants lobbed a grenade and fired at the house of Chat Thai Pattana Party de facto leader Banharn Silapa-Archa late Sunday night, injuring six people.

-- The Nation 2010-04-25

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