Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Monday

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BPbreakingnews: CRES: Armoured vehicles could be used

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ThaivisaNews: CRES: No soldiers are in Chulalongkorn Hospital; armoured cars are ready for operation to retake occupied areas

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HRH Princess Sirindhorn visits Chula Hospital Monday

By The Nation

HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visits Chulalongkorn Hospital on Monday and gave moral supports to the hospital staffs and people.

This was the second time that the Princess visited the hospital after red shirts protesters stormed into the hospital in search for troops they claimed were hiding there. No soldiers were found.

After the raid, the hospital authority evacuated all patients and suspended all services except the emergency room.

Supreme Patriach who has been receiving treatment at the hospital was moved to Siriraj Hospital at the recommendation of the Princess.

Chula Hospital's director Dr Adisorn Pattaradul said that during the visit, Princess Sirindhorn, as Thai Red Cross executive vice president, chaired a meeting with the hospital's executives.

Adisorn quoted the Princess as saying that she wished alll staffs to be safe and gave best treatment to all patients

-- The Nation 2010-05-03

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Reds storm Hospital In Bangkok - April 29

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Related topic discussion:

Thai Gov't Renews Threat Of Force Against Red-Shirts Protesters

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thai-Gov-t-R...-R-t361648.html

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Nattawut: No further retraction to Sarasin Junction

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protestors gathering in front of the the King Chulalongkorn Memorial hospital will not make any retraction to Sarasin junction, says UDD Secretary-General, Nattawut Saikua.

Today, Metropolitan Police Division 1 Commander Police Major General Wichai Sangprapai together with Commander of the Metropolitan Police Division 5, Police Major General Anuchai Lekbumrung travelled to the UDD gathering area in front of the hospital to negotiate with Mr Nattawut Saikua in person, demanding the UDD to back off to Sarasin junction.

Mr Nattawut said, however, that his side stood firm not to make any further retraction while asking the hospital to occupy the partially open area as agreed with the police yesterday. He added that he would bring the negotiation results to discuss with other UDD core figures and their protestors for consensus.

In regards to the early house dissolution hinted by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Mr Nattawut believed that Mr Abhisit just wanted to stall time and to push himself out of the corner. The core leader stated that when Mr Abhisit brings the roadmap for house dissolution to clarity, he would discuss the plan with UDD core leaders.

-- NNT 2010-05-03

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REDS RALLIES

Police raid reds' house and seized many rifles

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police arrested two men believed to be red shirts security guard and confiscated several war weapons during a raid at a house in Suan Luang district early Monday morning.

Found in the house included 107 molotov cocktails, one M-16 assault rifle, one carbine rifle, and five AK-47 rifles, tear gas bombs, smoking bombs and several rounds of ammunitions.

Police detained Surachai Ninsopa, 33 and Chatree Srijinda, 28 who are believed to be security guards for the red shirts movement.

Both suspects were taken to the Emergency Operations Command.

-- The Nation 2010-05-03

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MCOT: DSI arrests 3 persons for gunfire at Army helicopters dropping leaflets April 10; weapons, grenades seized

MCOT: General Hospital: 2 more Red Shirt guards infected with A(H1N1) now receiving medical treatment, more people in rally site believed to have infected virus

MCOTEnglishnews: more people in rally site believed to have infected virus

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MCOTEnglishnews: Board of Special Case: Petition regarding alleged movement to overthrow monarchy accepted; 13 agencies to join investigation

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@RichardBarrow: The CNBC Conversation with Thai PM Abhisit Vejjajiva today 5:30pm (Thailand) on CNBC Asia. /via @asa149

@RichardBarrow: Take the risk or cancel the trip. Most travel policies have an exclusion that you must observe travel warnings. /via @gjmarshall

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@RichardBarrow: "Behind the Barbed Wire with the Thai Prime Minister on CNBC in 15 minutes (5.30 p.m.) True Visions CH.95

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THE NATION: Just done with nws meeting. Here's recap: With coronation day just 30 hrs away, dispersal operations will most likely have to wait.

THE NATION: Tmmrw wil see govt launch "Final Call" campaign to persuade protesters to leave Rajprasong. Persuasive SMS wud b sent to all mobile phones.

THE NATION: Anth thing to watch is whether govt will charge red leaders with terrorism/or who among them will b charged.

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THE NATION: Govt is particularly worried ab sizeable number of kids/women at Rajprasong, said a source who was at urgent Cabinet meet yesterday.

THE NATION: As for red leaders, they remain discouraged, possibly split, as a result of the hospital setback.

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THE NATION: Nuttawut, we note, is ready for a big compromise. He may even embrace an "obscene" election timeframe but govt won't negotiate any more.

THE NATION: Via@js100radio: (5.58pm) Multicolours gather at Victory Monument and traffic is heavy as people gradually arrive

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THE NATION: nattawut is turning?>>he is not the first who want to negotiate now. Not turning but ready to "compromise"

THE NATION: hope PM tries 2 split Nutt & Veera from radical camp, offer new ID cards for ladies and kids and free busses so no one dies

THE NATION: SOE centre announced big red weapon haul _ 9 M-26, M-27 grenades; 3 tear gas; 9 assault rifles (M16, AK47), 881 rounds.

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THE NATION: Latest we've heard: red ldrs may accept 150-day poll deadline but they don't want to b charged with terrorism/attemts to overthrw monarchy

THE NATION: Six BMA schools in red zone will postpone their opening to June. - NNA >> will find names later -unavailable at the moment.

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Coalition parties still strong: Government whip chairman

BANGKOK (TNA) -- All parties in the coalition government led by Democrat Party are still firm and pledged to work together in Parliament despite the ongoing political crisis, government whip chairman Witthaya Kaewparadai asserted on Monday.

Mr Witthaya commented following the two-month long Red Shirt anti-government campaign, bombings in key places and the latest grenade attack at the Bangkok residence of Banharn Silpa-archa, de facto leader of the Chart Thai Pattana Party, a partner in the coalition government led by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Mr Witthaya said the coalition parties understand the difficulty of the government in handling the crisis because some parts of state power still cling onto the “old power” as they believe the coalition government will not last more than two years.

However, Mr Witthaya said, as the government strictly enforced the law, the public supports us more.

“We are seeing the moves of some state officials who have been lax in doing their duties,” said Mr Witthaya, “Those who are not ready [to do their duty] should withdraw themselves as society wants strict law enforcement and the government should be ready to reshuffle those who don’t work out of the system.”

The government whip chairman asserted the coalition parties vowed to continue working closely together in Parliament, but the opposition does not care to use the Parliament as a tool to solve the country's problem.

Mr Witthaya said it is sad that the opposition decided not to initiate a no-confidence debate to censure the government. Instead, the opposition opted to used a 'street way' to play games.

Regarding the upcoming House session, Mr Witthaya said the Thursday session agendas are general and fresh motions, but on Friday a joint parliamentary session will consider Thailand's international agreements. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-05-03

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Chulalongkorn Hospital to partially resume services for outpatients Tuesday

BANGKOK (TNA) -- Chulalongkorn Hospital will partially resume operation and services Tuesday after Red Shirt protesters opened a lane from inbound Ratchadamri Road from Sala Daeng intersection to a u-turn point in front of the hospital's Sor Kor Building.

Hospital director Dr Adisorn Patradul said the protestors' blockade removal from that area had restored confidence regarding security matters for some hospital staff. Therefore, from Tuesday Chula Hospital will offer some portions of its services to outpatients.

The director said outpatient operations will be moved from the Bhor Por Ror Building to the ground floor of another building in the compound. However, the services do not apply to inpatient acceptance.

Following a meeting with hospital executives Monday to find measures to deal with emergency situations, Dr Adisorn also announced the hospital's fifth statement asking the demonstrators to further open the road leading to the hospital entrance from Sala Daeng intersection to Sarasin intersection, about one kilometre away.

He said the hospital stood firm on its stance because the areas of the inbound Ratchadamri road are the hospital's fence line, while the Or Por Ror Building for laboratory and medical tests and the Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre, where patients regularly go for blood tests and to receive medications, are situated near the Sararin intersection. Dr Adisorn said the protest there creates discomfort for those receiving services as well as hospital and centre staff.

"The hospital's proposal is not a political negotiation. We are willing to negotiate with Red Shirt leaders in order to regain the hospital's area, but we'd like the police to cooperate in this matter and to have press and media present for observation, anywhere, for safety concerns," said Dr Adisorn.

Asked whether Chula Hospital would take the case to the Administrative Court if its demand is not met by the protestors, Dr Adisorn said the hospital could do so on principle, but it would prefer peaceful means to deal with the problem. He said the hospital does not wish to be regarded as an enemy to the Reds.

Meanwhile, Bangkok Municipality-operated BMA General Hospital director Dr Pichaya Nakwatchara disclosed that three guards from the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatopship (UDD) had been admitted at the hospital since last Friday and two of them, a 53-year-old man from Chiang Rai and a 16-year-old man from Khon Kaen, were found infected with Influenza A(H1N1).

Both patients have been quarantined and watched for their symptoms. Dr Pichaya said they are expected to leave the hospital soon.

In late April, the hospital reported that six of seven red-shirted protesters have contracted Influenza Type A (H1N1), following the laboratory test of their phlegm. All six from different provinces joined the anti-government protest in the capital between March 12 and April 22 and fell ill in the same period from April 21 to 22.

In another development, deputy governor of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Taya Teepsuwan announced after meeting with district and school directors near the main rally site at Ratchaprasong intersection that seven public schools will be unable to open for their first term on May 17.

The BMA has assigened directors from both sectors to make a plan, to be finalised by May 7, to match the seven schools with nearby educational institutions with greater safety to temporarily serve students from June onwards.

Ms Taya said there were also schools affected by the ongoing protest in the outer zone, but they could be opened as scheduled in two weeks.

However, more security measures are to be provided for students, she said, and schools must cooperate with police and municipal officials as well as distribute maps of shortcuts and other plans so as to facilitate students' travel. The deputy governor added due to the demonstration, the missing education period of May could be extended to October, which is the usual school holidays after the first term. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-05-03

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Related topic discussion:

Thai PM Abhisit Says Working On Roadmap To End Crisis

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thai-PM-Abhi...ap-t361693.html

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THE NATION: Nation group'd like to state that "Surachai Nil-sopa", a red allegedly caught w/ arms, is not the same "Surachai Nil-sopa" who works w/us.

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THE NATION: PM on air now.

THE NATION: PM: We are doing parallel things in solving the problem.

THE NATION: PM: I promised you to give a poitical answer, and tonite is an appropriate time.

THE NATION: PM: The political problem is a years-long accumulation of social, economic and political problems.

THE NATION: PM: I would like to invite you to join me in a national reconciliation process.

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THE NATION: PM: The process we are initiating consists of five key elements.

THE NATION: PM: 1. We are lucky to have the monarchy, which has been a unifying force. Too bad some people have tried to undermine this institution.

THE NATION: PM: All parties therefore must join forces to uphold the monarchy.

THE NATION: PM: I'd like to ask everyone to help government on this.

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THE NATION: PM: 2. National reform. There are injustice in our economic/political structure. Many protesting right nw justifiably feeling the injustice.

THE NATION: PM: It's time all Thais are provided with good social welfare _ education, health etc, as well as those suffering from other plights.

THE NATION: PM: We need a systematic and practical road map to achieve this goal.

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THE NATION: PM: We cn't deny our society is information society. We must uphold freedom, but we can't deny technology means media can b political tools

THE NATION: PM: So number 3 is to make media function as a constructive tool.

THE NATION: PM: 4. The losses we have suffered _ on April 10, or at Silom or at Vibhavadi _ need to be investigated so the truth will have to come out.

THE NATION: An independent committee will be set up to find the truth behind all the incidents.

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THE NATION: PM: 5. There have been feeling of injustice regarding our political system, esp after what happened over last few years.

THE NATION: PM: It's time to lay those things down on the table and correct the wrongs.

THE NATION: PM: This process can't succeed without cooperation from all groups of Thai society.

THE NATION: PM: I'm confident that we can bring back peace. It will not take too long if the process is allowed to take place peacefully.

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THE NATION: PM: Now, my message to red shirts.

THE NATION: PM: I have heard you fully. I just can't accept the 15-day House dissolution demand.

THE NATION: PM: But I'm confident this process will solve your problems. It has answers to your problems.

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THE NATION: PM: As for people who support this govt who may not agree with early House dissolution, it doesn't mean I won't be able to work for u again.

THE NATION: Urgent: PM: Election can be held on Nov 14 if the process can take place without interruptions.

THE NATION: This is the first time PM has set the date for general election (on Nov 14). If and only if govt can implement its roadmap.

THE NATION: PM: Even if the red shirts don't accept this process, govt will still try to carry it out, although the timeframe may not b as I said.

THE NATION: Address ends.

TAN Network: PM floats idea to hold elections on Nov 14; names 6 major problems which should be dealt with immediately

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Related discussion topic:

PM Abhisit Announces Next Election Will Be Held On Nov 14

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/PM-Abhisit-A...He-t361778.html

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PM Proposes Nov 14 for General Elections

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has proposed six problematic areas which he feels need to be corrected in order for Thai society to move forward. Among them are addressing the issues of inequality, media reform, and charter amendments.

If all six issues can be dealt with in a timely matter, Prime Minister Abhisit claims that his administration feels it would be appropriate to hold the next general elections on November 14, 2010.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-03

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TAN Network: Jatuporn to discuss PM's road map with fellow red shirt leaders; expects to have answer by Wednesday

TAN Network: PM reduces possible dissolution of House from original 9 mths to 6 mths in his road map