Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Saturday

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Related topic discussion:

Thailand Could Deteriorate Into Undeclared Civil War

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thailand-Det...-C-t361167.html

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MCOT: Red Shirt protesters dismatle blockade at entrance of Chulalongkorn Hospital; warn barrier will be rebuilt if troops attempt to regain area

MCOT: DSI says March rocket attack targetted Temple of the Emerald Buddha

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Major General Khattiya "Seh Daeng" emerges at the rally site in Silom

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Tense demonstration of the anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) was reported at Sala Deang BTS station this morning after Army specialist Khattiya Sawasdipol, or Seh Daeng showed up at the rally site and demanded the demonstrators to stop removing the bunkers of car tires and bamboo sticks at the emergency entrance of the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital.

Bangkok Metropolitan Police Chief Pol Lt-Gen Santan Chayanon accompanied by Commander of Metropolitan Police Division 1 Pol Maj Wichai Sangpraprai visited Sala Daeng Intersection today to witness the bunkers removal operation by the UDD demonstrators in order to facilitate patients of Chulalongkorn Hospital.

The operation was interrupted as Seh Daeng went up on the rally stage and bullied the red-shirt chief security guard Aree Krainara, ordering him to leave the pile of tires and bamboo sticks as it was to prevent state officials from using the buildings as their base for the rally dispersal operation.

The Army Specialist cited that the core figures should have discussed with the demonstrators first and firmly said that the hospital did not need this specific entrance to transfer emergency patients. His speech had retarded the tire removal operation this morning.

Red-shirt chief security guard, however, confirmed to continue removing tires off the entrance as earlier agreed upon by core figures.

Meanwhile, the UDD Core Figure MD Weng Tochirakarn announced earlier at the Ratchaprasong rally site that he had instructed the UDD figures Suporn Attawong, Kwanchai Praipana and Payap Pangate to inform Seh Daeng of their consensus. Other core figures Arisman Pongruangrong, instead requested the government to ensure the demonstrators’ safety and to withdraw the military troop off the Silom area before continuing to remove the tires.

-- NNT 2010-05-01

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Puea Thai clarifies Chavalit’s refusal to report to CRES

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Puea Thai Party claimed that ex-Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh was unfairly treated by the state authorities, prompting him to cancel the appointment to clarify his alleged involvement in the plot to abolish the monarchy.

General Chavalit yesterday traveled to the 11th Infantry Regiment to file documents with the Center for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES), denying the accusation of an attempt to overthrow the monarchy. Puea Thai Party Spokesperson Prompong Nopparit said that General Chavalit was initially determined to explain himself to the authorities in person but later changed his mind to submit the documents instead as his entourage was asked to stay outside.

The spokesman criticized that such order prohibiting General Chavalit’s aides from accompanying him into the military compound was unreasonable and beyond security issue, given the fact that the former Prime Minister had once served as the Army Commissioner-General.

Mr Prompong thus suggested the CRES to make a new appointment with General Chavalit and to also invite the media to witness the clarification.

-- NNT 2010-05-01

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HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visits His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch in hospital

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the Executive Vice President of the Thai Red Cross Society, this afternoon paid a private visit to His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, the Supreme Patriarch, who remained hospitalized in the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital under the supervision of the Thai Red Cross.

On this occasion, the Princess expressed her concerns over the welfare of patients in the hospital.

-- NNT 2010-05-01

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Related topic discussion:

Bangkok: Red-Shirts slam Chulalongkorn Hospital for evacuating patients

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Bangkok-Red-...gk-t361193.html

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THE NATION: The Supreme Patriarch is to be moved fr Chula hospital to Siriraj following the concerns of HRH Princess Sirindhorn:@nnanews

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HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn suggests Supreme Patriach be transferred to Siriraj

BANGKOK: -- HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visited Chulalongkorn Hospital on Saturday.

Matichon online reported that the Princess suggested the Supreme Patriach be transferred from the hospital to Siriraj Hospital.

The supreme patriach who is sick has been receiving medial treatment at the hospital for months.

The princess's suggestion came two days after red shirts stormed into Chulalongkorn hospital in search of troops they claimed were hiding in the hospital buildings.

No troops were found in the raid.

As a result from the raid, the hospital evacuated patients to other hospitals on Friday.

-- The Nation 2010-05-01

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THE NATION: Update on Chula access: reds have cleared part of its fortress just enough for a car to pass, however, pedestrian flyover's blocked.

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THE NATION: Seh Deang warned that barrier (near Chula entrance) will be rebuilt if govt forces attempt to regain the area. via MCOT

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Red Shirt protesters dismantle blockade at entrance of Chulalongkorn Hospital

BANGKOK (TNA) -- Thailand's anti-government protesters on Saturday afternoon agreed to dismantle their barricade at the entrance of Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn Hospital which they stormed two days ago, leading to an evacuation of patients to other hospitals.

The hospital said removal of the blockade was useless now as the hospital has temporarily ceased providing services to patients following the surprise raid by protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) Thursday night.

Talks between two top UDD leaders and maverick Maj-Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol ended amicably as they finally agreed to remove the blockade made up of tyres, sharpened bamboo and barbed wire on Ratchadamri Road.

Gen Khattiya, temporarily suspended from duty after criticising his superiors, warned that UDD protesters in the area would reinstall the Red Shirt fortification if government forces attempt to disperse them and that he would “safeguard the area and protesters round-the-clock”.

Charging the hospital director with serving the government, Gen Khattiya said the Red Shirts had not overreacted by entering the hospital on Thursday night to search for armed soldiers because inpatients were evacuated before the protesters stormed in.

No armed soldiers were found inside the hospital, while patients in fact left the hospital to others after the incident took place.

Dr Thirawat Hemajutha at Chulalongkorn Hospital said although the Red Shirts have reopened Ratchadamri Road where the hospital entrance is located, it is meaningless because the hospital has stopped providing services.

He said the hospital is now only advising outpatients where they can buy the medications needed for their treatment.

Dr Thirawat stressed that the evcuation of patients was not related to political issues but the hospital was corcerned for the safety of the patients.

If there was emergency incident or bomb attack, the hospital staff could manage to escape but the patients could not do the same, he said.

UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan said earlier that his group feared that Chulalongkorn Hospital might use the patients’ as propaganda pawns for the government to disparage the demonstrators and said he considered the patient evacuation as “too strong a measure against the Red Shirts”.

The goverment was using the evacuation as a ploy to make the protesters look bad, Mr Jatuporn complained, and the public now has bad feellings against the Red Shirt protesters. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-05-01

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PM to convene special Cabinet meeting Sunday

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Saturday that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will convene a special Cabinet meeting Sunday.

-- The Nation 2010-05-01

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THE NATION: Princess is reportedly going unofficially. She also expressed her oncern on other patients. http://bit.ly/8YrGEP via Nation Chanel

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THE NATION: (17.42) Seh Daeng: Thaksin phoned me and told me to allow access to #Chula hospital (Rajdamri). - via NNA # fb

THE NATION: Chulalongkorn hospital is not totally closed, says director. It opens for emergency case from early morning to 4pm. TR@Diaw_NBC

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THE NATION: At least 40 schools will be affected when the shools open in mid May

THE NATION: Watpathumwanaram School near the red shirt rally site has planned to temporarily move its classes to the National Stadium.

MCOTEnglishnews: Suthep: PM will chair special Cabinet meeting at 11th Infantry Sunday; denies martial law being considered

MCOTEnglishnews: DSI raids UDD leader Suporn Atthawong's room; he's not there, but authorities find bomb triggers, bullets

THE NATION: Medical staff &affect patients will give their 1st hand account to media at Thailan Journalism assoc tomorrow at10.30am.

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THE NATION: If thaksin's latest tweets are to be trusted, he will have the biggest proof that he's alive in Uganda's president.

THE NATION: Thaksin tweeted that he was in Uganda to meet the president and listen to briefing on mining business there.

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MCOTEnglishnews: CRES: Authorities will ask to 'regain' roadway from Chulalongkorn to Sarasin on Sunday, may use force if talks fail

THE NATION: NNA (8.34pm) CRES: Govt will tomorrow attempt to regain area in front of Chula hospital. Chula demands #reds to move to Srasin Intersection.

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THE NATION: NNA (5pm) : DSI raided red leader Suporn (Rambo)'s room in Soi Ladprao 71 but he wasn't there. Police seized evidence includ bullets.

THE NATION: NNA: DSI said the raid was meant to arrest Rambo who faces an arrest warrant but he wasn't there. Jatuporn said DSI act isn't appropriate!!!

THE NATION: Bangkok traffic is OK today but traffic is at its worst in Hua Hin due to long hols and a jazz concert. via js100 radio

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THE NATION: Weng, who showed some class yesterday by criticizing hospital raid, suggested today evacuation was overreaction.

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2 accused of rocket attack on the Defense Ministry detained for further probe

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has detained the two accused of the rocket attack on the Defense Ministry, with court's order for their detention of 12 days for further investigation.

Ex-policeman Bundit Sitthichum and Mr Suppanat Hulavej were arrested in the March 20 rocket attack. They confessed that their target was the Temple of the Emerald Buddha located opposite to the Defense Ministry. They both have been detained for further investigation during 1-12 May, with bail denied.

The investigation will be further taken with 36 witnesses and others physical evidences

-- NNT 2010-05-01

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THE NATION: Chulalongkorn Hospital insists that the hospital will resume medial services if protesters step backward to Sarasin Intersection/MCOT

THE NATION: Chulalongkorn Hospital opens only the emergency unit.

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Red Shirts attempt to explain Chulalongkorn Hospital incident to ICRC on Monday

BANGKOK (TNA) --Thailand's anti-government 'Red Shirt' United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) announced Saturday that it will 'clarify' its storming of Chulalongkorn Hospital Thursday night to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Monday.

The UDD leaders also said that they have discussed the incident with the Chulalongkorn Hospital management and believe that the hospital will be ready to resume its services on Sunday.

UDD leader Weng Tojirakarn told reporters that Red Shirt leader Veera Musikapong telephoned hospital director Dr Adisorn Patradul and the Red Shirts would be pleased to facilitate the hospital and patients.

The Red Shirts will provide a safety zone for the hospital and will not allow soldiers or [other] armed persons to enter the hospital premises, he said, adding that it was expected that the hospital could resume its normal services on Sunday.

But Dr Adisorn reportedly said that the hospital would not reopen normal services until the protesters moved back to Sarasin intersection.

The government's Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) said the authorities will ask to reoccupy the area from Chulalongkorn Hospital to Sarasin intersection from the protesters on Sunday.

It said the authorities may use force to get to area back to facilitate the hospital staff if the talks with the UDD leaders failed.

Mr Weng, himself a medical doctor, said Mr Veera had also prepared a letter to clarify the hospital storming incident on April 29 that the protesters did not intend to threaten but searching was carried out because they received information that soldiers were hiding in the hospital and that they were prepared to disperse the protesters.

The letter would be submitted to the ICRC at its Bangkok Regional Office in Sukhumvit area on Monday at 11am, he said.

A group of UDD protesters stormed the hospital Thursday night on suspicious that armed soldiers were staying inside the hospital building.

No soldiers were found, but the hospital moved inpatients out of the hospital to other hospitals. Some patients whose symptoms were not too severe were allowed to return home late Thursday and early Friday.

Jatuporn Prompan, another key UDD leader said that even if the cabinet would approve to use martial law, the Red Shirt protesters would not move from its protest site at Ratchaprasong intersection.

He claimed that since on Sunday, more Red Shirt supporters from across the nation would join the demonstration.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban earlier told reporters that Prime Minsiter Abhisit Vejjajiva would chair a special cabinet meeting at 11th Infantry Regiment on Sunday at 10.30am but that the Cabinet would not consider implementing martial law.

As for the searching of a UDD leader Suporn Atthawong's room by the officials from the Department of Special Investigation, and found bomb triggers, bullets and documents, Mr Jatuporn said Mr Suporn had affirmed that there was never be any armed in his room.

Therefore, he was not sure that it was set up by the authorities or not as the searching was carried while Mr Suporn was not present. The DSI raided Mr Suporn's room to arrest him as he was earlier issued an arrest warrant. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-05-01

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BPbreakingnews: Red-shirts to fight till the last minute

THE NATION: i've never, since its opening, seen Bkk airport as deserted as it is tonight.

THE NATION: Not a single driver with a nameboard at arrivals. Very sad>> so far 47 countries advice tourists to avoid TH.

THE NATION: TNN just had a report on the impact on small-scaled retialers in Siam Sq area. Badly affected, a waffle store recorded a nose-dive sale.

THE NATION: WaffleLovers located on G fl of Siam theatre used to earn Bt8,000-10,000/day. The sale after reds protest is now about Bt900/day. #redshirts

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THE NATION: 1,000 shops in Siam Sq have asked the landlord Chulalongkor Uni to cut rental fee by half in May to help them stay afloat.

THE NATION: Kwanchai: Hello 2 ever1 who loves justice. Tells PM, about Sarasin intersection, you don't need M16s, we'll talk with police.

THE NATION: Kwanchai likes tabloid Bangkok Today. Recommends it to everyone.>>this kind of endorsement does threaten other newspapers.

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THE NATION: Police will tomorrow reclaim all area in front of Chula hospital on Ratchdamri RD, Sansern Kaewkamnerd said after CRES meeting:@NNAnews

THE NATION: Kwanchai likes tabloid Bangkok Today. Recommends it to everyone.>>this kind of endorsement does threaten other newspapers.

THE NATION: "We live in a tough condition," the leader said and pointed to a container where he said it is his bedroom.

THE NATION: "We can't go anywhere..." "But Phi Veera is still doing his job in trying to talk to govt," said the same #redshirts leader.

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THE NATION: Arisman told redshirts: "We'll again have a chance to flex our muscles."