Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Sunday

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CHULA INTRUSION

Chula Hospital not accept result of police-reds talk

BANGKOK: -- Chulalongkorn Hospital insists on Sunday that it would resume its service only after the red shirts retreated from a site near the hospital to Sarasin intersection.

The hospital has suspended all services on Friday after some 500 red shirts invaded the hospital's buildings on Thursday night in search for troops they claimed were hiding in the hospital.

They found no soldiers.

On Sunday morning, police hold an urgent talk with the reds' leaders which focused on the government's demand that the reds cleared space around the hospital. If the negotiation is settled, the hospital will resume the service.

Nuttawut Saikua, a red shirts leader, claimed after the negotiation that police, the reds and the hospital authority agreed that the reds would retreat from a site around the hospital but still occupied the area from Lumpini Park to Sarasin Intersection.

Hospital's director Dr Adisorn Pattaradoon told reporters that it is not true that the hospital accepted that result.

"The reds' leaders could say whatever they want, but the hospital insists that the service would be resumed only after the reds retreat from the area from Lumpini Park until Sarasin Intersection," the director said.

-- The Nation 2010-05-02

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@RichardBarrow: Every time I come here Ratchaprasong in the Red Lands looks more and more like a temple fair.

THE NATION: Here's my headline: Half an hour again, our reporter has called, guess who, Thaksin Shinawatra!!

THE NATION: And he, or so it seemed, picked up the phone!!

THE NATION: Very brief conversation as he, or so it seemed, was about to board a plane somewhere to go somewhere. "Call me again in a few hrs," he said

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THE NATION: Ok, here's the story. Our reporter interviewed Pheu Thai MP Pracha Prasopdee, one of the MPs closest to Thaksin.

THE NATION: Naturally the issue of "Is he still alive?" came up. "If u don't believe he's alive, call him," Pracha said.

THE NATION: "I don't have the number," our reporter said. "Here it is...," Pracha said.

THE NATION: She called the number, without expecting much, but then someone, "who sounded undoubtedly Thaksin", answered the ring.

THE NATION: "I'm frm Nation Group sir," she said. "Can I talk to you?"

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THE NATION: "Oh.. of course you can. But my plane is taking off any minute now. Can u call again in a few hours?" he said.

THE NATION: "Of course, sir." End of conversation.

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REDS RALLIES

Govt to SMS protesters

The government would send SMS to red shirts protesters' mobile phones to convince them to stop joining the ongoing protests.

The move is the latest attempt by the government to disperse the protesters who have occupied Rajprasong site for the second month.

Government spokesman Panithan Wattanayakorn told reporters that the protesters would be informed in the texting that their rally site is the prohibited area so their protest is illegal by laws.

"The protesters would be told that there are other channels for them to air their political need and complaints," the spokesman said.

The government is more than ready to provide the protesters with transportation if they want to return home," he said.

The new campaign is expected to start on Monday, starting with mobile users of certain telephone system.

Asked whether the move could possible be considered violating the consumers' rights as they do not ask to subscribe the SMS, Panithan said the government's legal team confirmed that it is legal.

Moreover, the country is under state of emergency, people have to be informed of useful and public information.

-- The Nation 2010-05-02

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PM to talk to foreign press more on political problems

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Thai government will explain the ongoing domestic political situation with the international community on a continuous basis to prevent problems from the government’s operations to deal with protests.

Speaking in his weekly television program “Confidence in Thailand with Prime Minister Abhisit,” the prime minister admitted that understanding needed to be created continuously since many sides were still confused over the situation in Thailand.

Prime Minister Abhisit noted that he had explained the country’s situation in his recent meeting with Timor's president upon his visit to Thailand. He said the latter now understood that law enforcement and operations of the Thai government against the protests were justified.

The prime minister added that he would give more interviews to the international media, apart from his previous interviews with CNN and BBC, in a bid to make the government’s security and political solutions acceptable among the international community.

-- NNT 2010-05-02

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UDD allows partial traffic in front of Chulalongkorn Hospital

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) has agreed to open some traffic lanes on Ratchadamri Road in front of Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital after negotiating for the second time with the police.

Speaking after talking with the high-ranking police officers for 30 minutes, UDD Secretary-General, Nattawut Saikua, announced that the UDD would remove its barricades on Ratchadamri Road, allowing traffic to u-turn in front of Queen Sirikit Building of the hospital to Sala Daeng Intersection.

Mr Nattawut, and other two UDD core leaders, Suporn Attawong and Kwanchai Praipana, traveled to Queen Sirikit Building inside Chulalongkorn Hospital to negotiate with Metropolitan Police Chief, Police Lieutenant General, Santhan Chayanont and other three division commanders.

Barbed wires then will be removed from on the road to footpaths around Lumpini Park. The UDD hence will withdraw to the park and will set up zinc walls again for safety of its protestors.

Mr Nattawut said the UDD must apologize for its intrusion into Chulalongkorn Hospital and is willing to accept all criticisms, but urged the government to be responsible for the loss of lives since the protests erupted.

The secretary-general said the UDD would not blame Army Specialist, Major General Khattiya Sawasdipol, also known as 'Seh Daeng,’ for setting up barricades on Ratchadamri Road earlier as he might deem it a strategic point based on his military expertise.

-- NNT 2010-05-02

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140 patients evacuated from Chulalongkorn Hospital

BANGKOK (NNT) -- 140 patients have been transferred from Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital to other hospitals after the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) supporters raided the hospital on 29 April 2010.

Speaking prior to participating in a special meeting of the cabinet on Sunday, Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit reported that 140 patients must be evacuated from Chulalongkorn Hospital due to the raid last Thursday.

His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, is also among the patients. He has been sent to Siriraj Hospital on the order of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

Mr Jurin clarified that 113 patients have been transferred to hospitals in Bangkok, adding that 19 of them have been admitted to private hospitals. Another 27 patients have been hospitalized in 13 other provinces.

The minister promised that the government will pay for the patients who have been evacuated to private hospitals and can not afford the more expensive medical services.

-- NNT 2010-05-02

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Democrat demands police to prosecute UDD protestors

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The ruling Democrat Party has called for caretaker national police chief, Police General Pateep Tunprasert, to prosecute protestors of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) sternly for national interest.

Democrat Party Executive, Sathit Pitutecha, stated that the police should take action against UDD protestors strictly in many cases from intrusion into Chulalongkorn Hospital, grenade attacks at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and other actions considered as violation against the monarchy.

Mr Sathit added that the Democrat Party has some information on hand that an advisor to the national police bureau has some relationships with the UDD because the spouse of this advisor has been sponsoring people to attend the ongoing rally of the UDD at Ratchaprasong Intersection.

The party executive also criticized the opposition Puea Thai Party for its attempts to protect the UDD. He said it showed Puea Thai had no credibility and did not perform as house representatives.

Mr Sathit announced that a law team of his party is collated information to file a lawsuit in a bid to dissolve the Puea Thai Party accordingly for trying to overthrow the government by sending people to attend the rallies of the UDD.

-- NNT 2010-05-02

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Alliance of Patriots gathers at Royal Plaza today

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The multicolor-clad Alliance of Patriots has scheduled to gather on Sunday afternoon from 15.00 to 19.00 hrs at the Royal Plaza in protest against the anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD).

Alliance of Patriots Coordinator, MD Tul Sittisomwong, stated that the group would gather again after it had earlier ceased its movements for safety reasons. He said the multicolor group needed to come out again as the UDD’s campaign became more aggressive.

MD Tul stressed that his group wanted to urge the military, the police, and the government to take serious action against UDD protestors at once.

The network coordinator then invited all networks and people wanting to see a peaceful nation to join forces with the Alliance of Patriots. He said the group has asked for security officers to help ensure security during its gathering.

Meanwhile, Medical staff of Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital have also scheduled to assemble on 3 May 2010 at 8.00 hrs by singing the national anthem, reading declarations and arranging other activities after the anti-government protesters raided the hospital on 29 April 2010, causing the evacuation of 140.

-- NNT 2010-05-02

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Cabinet approves 249 mn THB for crowd control operations

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The cabinet has approved 249 million THB for security officers to handling demonstrations of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) and another 28 million THB for the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).

Speaking after a special cabinet meeting on Sunday, Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister and Acting Government Spokesperson, Dr Panitan Wattanayagorn, announced that the money given to the national police and the DSI were allocated from mid-year budget. Dr Panitan elaborated that the 249 million THB is for the deployment of 29,700 security officers from 17 March to 6 April 2010 while the 28 million THB is for operations of the DSI in investigating political, security, terrorist, and monarchy-related charges.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy for Security Affairs, Suthep Thaugsuban, also reported the latest situation to cabinet members. They informed the cabinet members of operational directions to tackle the ongoing political problems, adding that the government had evidences and witnesses for terrorist and monarchy-related cases.

The deputy secretary-general added that the prime minister will very soon propose a plan to solve the whole political problems. The government will also assign permanent secretaries and directors-general to alleviate the sufferings of the public via mechanisms provided by the government.

Dr Panitan added that the government would communicate with both UDD demonstrators and the public by sending SMS messages to them that gatherings of the UDD are illegal and should be avoided.

-- NNT 2010-05-02

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THE NATION: Medical personnel/nurses of Chulalongkorn Hospital will meet at 8am tomorrow to read their joint statement&sing N. antheme.

THE NATION: Families of red shirts killed in April 10 incident will file complaints against Abhisit and Suthep on May 10, according to Weng Tochirakarn.

THE NATION: I understand the excitement and scepticism. Guess we all have to wait for our reporter to call him again.

THE NATION: also, pls note that last week a Bkk Post reporter was similarily given a number & "Thaksin" answered her call. again conversation was brief.

MCOTEnglishnews: Pro-govt multi-coloured group to gather at Victory Monument Monday, no plan to intensify their campaign

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MCOTEnglishnews: PM to Japanese press: He will propose reconciliation plan, in which timeframe for House dissolution may be reduced to less than 9 months

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ThavisaNews: Don't forget - BTS /Skytrain will close and stop service @8pm

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THE NATION: Urgent: Our reporter has made the crucial second phone call.

THE NATION: Thaksin -- or what sceptics may say someone who sounded very much like him--answered the ring.

THE NATION: This time it was a 15-minute talk.

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THE NATION: I'll giv details later but key points:"I'm alive (of course!!) &don't have cancer. I'm vry loyal 2 the King &I'm not behind the turmoil."

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THE NATION: Urgent: Our reporter has made the crucial second phone call.

THE NATION: Thaksin -- or what sceptics may say someone who sounded very much like him--answered the ring.

THE NATION: This time it was a 15-minute talk.

THE NATION: Our reporter said it was definitely him.

THE NATION: And If u ask me, I don't think we have a perfect Mission Possible-style voice-transforming technology yet.

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THE NATION: Acting Police chief Pratheep moved police chief in Khon Kaen due to incompetent action regr redshirts

MCOTEnglishnews: Acting National Police Chief Pateep transfers Khon Kaen police commander to inactive post as he cannot handle Red Shirt movement in province

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Related topic discussion:

PM Abhisit to propose reconciliation plan, shorter timeframe for House dissolution

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/PM-Abhisit-P...on-t361517.html

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Related topic discussion:

Thaksin's latest interview: It is possible to come back this year

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thaksin-s-La...ew-t361532.html