Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Saturday

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Saturday May 8 Red-shirt rally live updates

Here you can follow the live updates from the media, hour by hour.

To make it easy to follow, this thread is read-only.

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Road map gets red boost

By The Nation

Protesters hint at packing their packing bags soon, possibly even by Monday; PM rejects DAAD condition of lifting emergency; denies any deal with Thaksin camp

BANGKOK: -- The red-shirt protesters yesterday expressed acceptance of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's five-point road map for national reconciliation by hinting the weeks-long demonstration would come to an end soon, perhaps on Monday.

"We're trying to ease the situation and ensure a peaceful development," said Natthawut Saikua, a protest leader, adding that the red shirts were "not trying to buy time".

Another protest leader, Kwanchai Praipana, said the red shirts would likely end their protest on Monday. But Natthawut clarified that was Kwanchai's personal opinion and the red shirts had not yet decided.

Monday will mark one month since the bloody clashes between government troops and red-shirt protesters on April 10,

in which 25 people were killed and more than 800 others injured.

Natthawut said the red shirts would today propose to the government their own version of the road map. One of the conditions is the government lift the emergency law.

"If the government agrees, the protest will be over, and we'll walk together [towards reconciliation]," Natthawut said yesterday.

Responding to the red-shirt condition, Prime Minister Abhisit said he would not end enforcement of the emergency law until the situation eased and the red-shirt protest was over.

While the red shirts showed signs of compromise, two major government allies expressed their

disagreement with Abhisit's decision for an early House dissolution

and a new election by mid-November.

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and the multicoloured group said the time frame was too short for the road map to succeed.

Tul Sitthisomwong, leader of the multicoloured group, met Abhisit and called for postponement of the November 14 poll date, in order to allow time for completion of the reconciliation process.

Tul, a physician at Chulalongkorn Hospital, said his group would carry on with its rallies if the red group accepted the road map and ended its protest.

PAD co-leader Chamlong Srimuang yesterday asked First Army Region commander Prayuth Chanocha to declare martial law in his area, which covers Bangkok, in order to "deal with the terrorists" hiding among the red-shirt protesters in the Rajprasong shopping area.

Military power under martial law would help limit casualties, because troops could besiege the protest site and cut off supplies, he said.

MP Chaiya Promma, from the opposition Pheu Thai Party, yesterday said he believed the PAD, whose political arm is the New Politics Party, strongly opposed an early election because they were unprepared for an election in the near future.

"It's not surprising they want this government to stay as long as possible or even to complete its term," he said.

PAD spokesman Panthep Puapongpan yesterday said Abhisit had revealed the behind-the-scenes negotiations with fugitive ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's camp that led to the road map.

On the government's side, PM's secretary-general Korbsak Sabhavasu, Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij and Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra were in charge. All of them are Democrat Party figures.

Korbsak was the designated

go-between, responsible for sounding out the opinions of the 111

barred party executives, while Sukhumbhand stayed in touch

with the red shirts at their protest site.

On the side of fugitive ex-premier Thaksin, his sister Yingluck and former justice minister Pongthep Thepkanchana were involved. Former deputy prime minister Prommin Lertsuridej had no role in the negotiations.

According to Panthep's version, the Thaksin camp made three proposals:

- Request to fight the legal battle in three courts instead of the one-tier judicial review;

- Amnesty for the 111 and 109 barred party executives following the two party dissolution rulings;

- The formation of a national-unity government consisting of the Democrat and Pheu Thai parties.

Panthep said he was told Thaksin promised to quit politics if Abhisit accepted the three proposals.

The Thaksin camp also suggested a number of variations for the two major parties to form a transition government, such as one headed by Pheu Thai chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, according to Panthep.

However, Abhisit turned down all proposals related to Thaksin and vowed not to be in cahoots with the Pheu Thai Party.

Abhisit rejected the report of secret negotiations with the Thaksin camp as false and groundless, saying he had never contacted or taken Thaksin into the equation.

The PM said only Korbsak had contacted the red shirts, but mostly on technical issues, to enable the authority to handle the situation smoothly.

"I don't consider Thaksin's personal benefit as a solution. The reconciliation plan is for the benefit of the country," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-05-08

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Related topic discussion:

Bangkok: Policeman Killed, 7 Policemen, 2 Civilians Injured In Double Attacks

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Bangkok-Poli...ce-t363082.html

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Red shirts blame media censorship for their continued presence in Rajprasong area

By Pravit Rojanaphruk

BANGKOK: -- Despite the bid for reconciliation by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, the continued censorship and harassment of red-shirt media is a key factor why the protesters and their leaders have not left the Rajprasong area yet.

A host on the red shirts' FM 101.25 community radio, which is relayed through 200 stations nationwide, received an arrest warrant on Thursday and reported to police yesterday.

Supporters of the station expressed outraged yesterday morning as they called phone-in programmes to denounce Abhisit as a liar.

"This government lies and uses verbal trickery to survive on a daily basis," one caller asserted.

Radio host Pongamporn Bandasak, who was issued an arrest warrant, yesterday morning told listeners to remain calm but be ready to defend the station.

Elsewhere, the online newspaper Prachatai.com, which is deemed sympathetic to the red shirts, has been blocked repeatedly by the government.

Sawatree Suksri, a law lecturer at Thammasat University and an expert on cyberspace-related law, denounced the rampant blocking of websites under the emergency decree at a seminar on Thursday and claimed some 400 websites might have been "secretly" blocked by the Information and Communications Technology Ministry on a daily basis.

Abhisit has so far refused to say when the red-shirt media that have been blocked or shut down, including the People's Channel, would be returned. Others say the continued heavy deployment of armed soldiers and the lack of a concrete schedule to lift the emergency decree - as well as the continued threat to use force to disperse the crowd - is not fostering a climate of reconciliation.

On Thursday, some troops were reportedly closing in on protesters, while yesterday morning saw a helicopter flying over the crowd.

For hard-core red-shirt protesters like Noi, who described herself as a "well-educated civil servant", the reconciliation gesture by the PM, including the road map, is less than sufficient.

"It may be good that we're not dispersing, because those responsible for the April 10 killing have not been brought to justice yet," she said.

-- The Nation 2010-05-08

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Panel discusses role of mainstream media

By Kornchanok Raksaseri,

Nisathip Peeratrakul,

Natthapat Promkeaw

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Mainstream media remain a part of society that can bring the country out of political crisis by presenting fact-based and evidenced-based stories and thus educate people, media professionals and academics said yesterday.

Speaking at a roundtable hosted by Nation Multimedia Group, veteran TV host Somkiat Onwimon and blogger and independent scholar Sarinee Achavanuntakul agreed that mainstream media should provide background and context for what happens in society, not just what appears on the surface.

"How can we go beyond the [conflicts among] colours or persons and focus on the issues instead?" Sarinee asked.

While mainstream media currently provide similar content, Internet users can report the phenomenon or what was happening at the moment as well and they can spread the news very quickly, she said.

Somkiat said the media should keep credibility with fair and balanced content, and also educate people constantly.

"Nobody educates people in remote areas about the meaning of peace, democracy, the parliamentary system, the Constitution or reform," he said. He added that the media might provide biographies and backgrounds of players in the political conflicts so that people could better understand how such people think.

Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Communication Arts lecturer Dr Parichart Sthapitanonda said that now is the time when mainstream media can prove they are professional and independent from outside pressures.

The media should be transparent, she said.

"On the one hand, with tools like the Internet and mobile-phone camera, we can say that there are no longer secrets. On the other hand, the truth is very hard to verify, as it can be the truth seen from various angles," she said.

Media professionals must work harder and distinguish between media advocacy and propaganda, she said.

It is also the time to strengthen media professional associations so that they can take part in self-regulation among the media, she said.

The speakers agreed that people and the media should stop using provocative words or gestures, as they only incite violence.

"It is so threatening that in Facebook some are provoking people to hate each other," Sarinee said.

Parichart said people should avoid making assumptions and rushing to judgement but should focus on finding solutions that all can accept.

Speaking on individual's contributions, Krungthep Turakij newspaper editor Duangkamol Chotana said that with more media literacy, the audience's feedback would push for improved standards in the media.

-- The Nation 2010-05-08

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Bangkok violence hits as government pushes peace plan

by Anusak Konglang

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Two Thai policemen have been killed in attacks near anti-government protests, raising tensions Saturday as the government struggles to negotiate a peace "roadmap" to end a crippling political crisis.

Grenade blasts and a drive-by shooting targeted security forces facing off against "Red Shirts" protesters at their massive rally encampment in Bangkok's main shopping district.

It was the latest outbreak of violence in a two-month confrontation which has also triggered deadly clashes and other explosions that have left another 27 dead and nearly 1,000 injured.

"Two policemen have been killed in these incidents, I think that someone doesn't want the protests to end," said police operations centre spokesman Major General Prawut Thavornsiri.

The grenades hit in the early hours of the morning at a security checkpoint in front of a city park that forms the edge of the heavy fortified protest camp, which is surrounded by makeshift barricades.

"Three M-79 grenades were fired at a security checkpoint manned by police and soldiers," said Prawut.

A hospital official said a 35-year-old policeman died during surgery. The Bangkok Emergency Medical Service said eight people including five police and three soldiers were wounded in the blasts.

Earlier, one policeman was killed and four others -- two police and two civilians -- were injured when a man opened fire in the nearby Silom financial district, which is under heavy guard to prevent the protests spilling over.

"A man on a motorbike fired at police who were on patrol," said police spokesman Lieutenant General Pongsapat Pongcharoen.

The latest attacks were near the site of a grenade blast on April 23 that killed a 26-year-old Thai woman and injured scores of other people, including foreigners.

The protest area has been guarded by riot police and troops since the Red Shirts occupied the area eight weeks ago, demanding elections to replace Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government.

Abhisit is now fighting to keep alive his proposed reconciliation process which envisages parliament being dissolved in September ahead of national polls the following month.

The plan has met growing opposition among rival protest movements, and the government and the Reds are struggling to bridge their differences over setting a specific date for the dissolution of the lower house.

"We have to seek cooperation from everybody to return Thailand to peace," one of Abhisit's deputies Suthep Thaugsuban told reporters Friday. "Everybody must avoid violence and help solve the problem."

However, the Reds are insisting on a specific date for the dissolution before leaving their encampment, which they have fortified with barricades made from fuel-soaked tyres, bamboo stakes and razor wire.

The rival pro-establishment "Yellow Shirts" -- who blockaded Bangkok's airports in 2008 in their own protests -- have rejected Abhisit's roadmap and election plan and called on the prime minister to resign.

And in another setback, a moderate pro-government group known as the "Multicoloureds", whose rallies in the capital have also drawn thousands of supporters, called for the election date to be pushed back.

"We are shocked and disagree with house dissolution so soon and want the election to be delayed until early next year," one of the Multicoloured leaders, Tul Sithisomwong, said after talks with the premier.

In a colour-coded crisis, Thailand is largely split between the mainly rural poor and urban working class Reds -- who broadly support fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra -- and the elite-backed Yellows.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-05-08

Published with written approval from AFP.

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MCOTEnglishnews: Erawan Medical Centre: 2 police killed, 7 police and 3 solders wounded in grenade and shooting attacks on Silom and Rama 4

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THE NATION: pretty clear some1 doesn't want it to end peacefully. it cud b 1) the man whose toys r M79 2) the group who hates PM's road map

THE NATION: 3) the group who wants an interim gov and shakes the situation so as to pave the way for new administration.

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THE NATION: redshirt caravan from Isaan of ab 5,000 ppl. just arrived in Bangkok Lak Si moving toward Rajprasong. They plan to stay about 3 days.

THE NATION: Things to watch today: reaction from redshirt and govt. redshirt said they'd announce their own 'road map' today. guess that will change.

Thaivisa member: There have been medium sized convoys rolling down Phaholyothin near Ari for at least the last hour, not sure where from - headed toward Ratchaprasong I'm guessing

THE NATION: Thing to watch: What will thousands of Khon Kaen reds heading to Bangkok do? Are reds spilting into "Fight" and "Enough" camps?

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THE NATION: Urgent: Red leaders condemn last nite's attacks and express condolences for the victims, families.

THE NATION: Nuttawut said it was the work of those "who don't want to see this end/who are equipped to achieve their goal."

THE NATION: "Govt must get them fast," Nuttawut said.

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THE NATION: Nuttawut said this evening's press con on Reds' next steps will go ahead as planned.

THE NATION: uttawut: "Latest incidents won't distract us from the reconciliation process. We are not losing our time, concentration with it."

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Thaivisa member: There have been medium sized convoys rolling down Phaholyothin near Ari for at least the last hour, not sure where from - headed toward Ratchaprasong I'm guessing

I have attached a photo of the tail end of one of the convoys in case it helps. It's an iPhone shot, so the quality's not perfect, but you get the idea.

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THE NATION: redshirt from Khon Kaen just arrived at Chidlom.

THE NATION: If the reds are sincere that they are not involved with the violence, they should disperse immediately.

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@PR_76: What an emotional setback for us.1 step forward 5 steps back.Just as we saw a normal everydaylife within reach,they bomb

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Two police dead, 13 wounded in grenade, shooting violence on Silom and Rama IV roads

BANGKOK (TNA) -- Two police officers were killed and 13 persons wounded, including seven police, three soldiers and three civilians, in two deadly attacks by unknown assailants in Bangkok’s Silom Road financial district and nearby Sala Daeng-Rama IV Road, Bangkok police said Saturday.

Senior police officers were meeting urgently Saturday morning, and are expected to allow officers on the street to be armed after the violence of the past 24 hours, four days after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva proposed a five-point national reconciliation plan aimed at ending Thailand's political turbulence.

Police said the first incident occurred at about 11pm Friday when gunmen fired at police and civilians outside Krung Thai Bank's Silom branch, near Sala Daeng intersection which is not far from the rally site of the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).

Five persons -- three police and two civilians -- were wounded in the late night incident, police said, with one wounded police officer dying later in nearby Chulalongkorn Hospital.

Witnesses told police that three fireworks were fired from Lumpini Park where the Red Shirt UDD protesters are gathered, followed by six gunshots outside the bank, shattering it's glass door.

Police suspected that the gunmen fired from a high-rise building at Sala Daeng intersection.

The second incident took place at 1.30am Saturday morning when assailants fired three apparent M-79 grenades, hitting near a park gate on Rama IV Road where a joint check-point of police and military was located.

Five anti-riot police officers were wounded, one of whom died later in hospital, and three soldiers were wounded in the incident, police said.

Acting national police chief Pol Gen Patheep Tanprasert ordered reinforcements into the area and called an urgent meeting early Saturday.

Most police posted at the park and on Silom Road are now armed with batons and shields, and it is now expected that they will be armed and carry weapons while on duty.

The Red Shirt UDD demonstrators denied involvement in the attacks. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-05-08

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Two attacks on Silom kill one, injure eleven

BANGKOK (NNT) -- A drive-by shooting and an M79 grenade attack on Silom Road on Friday night killed one and injured eleven people, speculated to be politically motivated.

The incident occurred at 22.45 hrs at Sala Daeng Intersection where the gunmen fired multiple shots at police authorities on duty at a Krungthai Bank branch at Zuellig House Building. The scene is located near the Bank of Ayudhya, where the firing of an M79 occurred on 22 April 2010. According to reports, the shooting shattered the glass windows of the bank.

Pol Cpt Kannupan Lertchanpen was shot in the stomach and, at 1.00 hrs, hospital authorities pronounced him dead. Two other police officers and four bystanders were also injured and were sent to nearby hospitals.

Meanwhile, core figures of the anti-government United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) have denied any involvement in the incident.

At 1.30 hrs, another attack involving an M79 grenade broke out near Gate 4 of Lumpini Park, leaving five police officers injured. The victims were taken to Ramathibodi Hospital and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital.

Of the total of seven wounded police officers, one is currently in critical condition. According to Police Spokesperson Pol Lt Gen Ponsapat Pongcharoen, authorities believed the two attacks were executed by the same group of people with an aim to create chaos and instability.

-- NNT 2010-05-08

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PM deems UDD’s 15 May surrender plan rather late

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjaija views that the surrender condition of the anti-government United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) core figures on 15 May is somehow belated.

Following the UDD core figures’ announcement to turn themselves in to the authorities on 15 May, Prime Minister Abhisit on Friday said he personally thought the day was rather late. He insisted that he would proceed to dissolve the House as proposed in the reconciliation roadmap only if the UDD issued a schedule for its rally termination.

The UDD movements had been closely watched by the government, said the Prime Minister, adding that the five-step national reconciliation roadmap would be proceeded without dissolving the House if the UDD intended to continue its demonstration.

The government has made it clear from the very start that the dissolution of the House will take place only if peace is restored to the nation. The Prime Minister, however, stressed that the government was not attempting to force the UDD core figures to surrender themselves to the authorities.

The UDD has been rallying since 12 March 2010 in an attempt to topple the ruling Democrat-led administration to allow for a fresh election.

-- NNT 2010-05-08

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Bodies of 2 slain cops sent to Police Hospital for autopsy

The bodies of two policemen killed in two attacks Friday night and early Saturday were sent to the Forensic Medicine Institute of the Police Hospital for post-mortem examination.

Pol Cpl Karnnuphat Lertchanpen, a traffic police officer of the Thung Mahamek police station, was killed while carrying out the crowd control operation in front of Krung Thai Bank on Silom Road Friday night.

Pol Sgt Maj Witthaya Promsalee from Chainat's Hang Nam Sakhon was fatally injured in an M79 attack while manning a checkpoint in front of the Lumpini Park.

Police Spokesman Pongsapat Pongcharoen said the two officers would receive five-step rank increase and eight-step pay increase.

-- The Nation 2010-05-08

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MCOT: Panitan on TV: Reds should enter reconciliation process ASAP to prevent interfering, untoward incidents (that could doom road map)

MCOTEnglishnews: CRES: deadly attacks on Silom meant to block PM's road map; Red Shirts to urgently stop protest; PM's Sec-Gen to reconcile with UDD

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UDD heightens security after latest attacks on Silom

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Anti-government United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) core leaders have adopted close monitoring of the rally site following the Friday night attacks on Silom Road while expecting to conclude their stance towards the Prime Minister’s roadmap today.

UDD core leader Weng Tojirakarn stated that security had been tightened around the rally site at Ratchaprasong Intersection following a drive-by shooting and an M79 grenade attack at the nearby Sala Daeng Intersection last night. The two incidents reportedly killed one police officer and injured eleven people.

UDD guards have been instructed to implement strict security measures in a bid to prevent unexpected incidents and to stave off any accusation against the group of weapon possession.

Regarding the latest attacks, MD Weng questioned the authorities of the Center for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) whether they had carried out their tasks efficiently.

The UDD core leaders have confirmed to push forward with the national reconciliation roadmap proposed by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva with a meeting to be held today to finalize the group’s action.

MD Weng mentioned that the timeframe for the UDD rally termination was subject to the government. He reassured that every core figure would surrender on 15 May to fight the charges of violating the emergency decree.

-- NNT 2010-05-08

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About 2,000 red shirts from Khon Kaen pass through Ayutthaya checkpoint

About 2,000 red-shirt people from Khon Kaen travelling on over 200 pick-up trucks reached the Ayutthaya checkpoint at 7 am.

Troops let the trucks pass through after they searched the vehicles and did not find any weapon.

-- The Nation 2010-05-08

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CRES believe attacks launched to undermine reconciliation process

The Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation believes the attacks at Silom Road and Lumpini Park were carried out by a group of people who do not what the reconciliation to take place.

Deputy PM's Secretary-General Panithan Watanayakorn, acting government spokesman, announced the CRES' evaluation of the situation following a meeting of CRES officials.

The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and participated by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thagsuban, the CRES director, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda and all commanders of other armed forces.

Panithan said the CRES would like the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship to make a decision on the prime minister's road map to reconciliation as soon as possible.

The CRES also assigned acting police chief Pol Gen Prateep Tanprasert to heighten security to prevent more attacks.

-- The Nation 2010-05-08

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Thai rivals commit to peace plan despite deadly violence

by Anusak Konglang

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thailand's government and "Red Shirts" protesters on Saturday committed themselves to a faltering peace process despite twin attacks that left two police officers dead.

Grenade blasts and a drive-by shooting targeted security forces facing off against the anti-government Red Shirts at their massive rally encampment which has shut down most of Bangkok's main shopping district.

Both sides said the attacks were the work of groups intent on derailing embattled Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's reconciliation "roadmap" aimed at ending a two-month confrontation by holding elections on November 14.

The Reds have signed up to the peace process but are demanding a firm date for the dissolution of parliament before disbanding their protest base, where they are barricaded behind piles of fuel-soaked tyres and razor wire.

The overnight attacks also wounded 12 people in the latest outbreak of violence in a crisis that has left another 27 dead and nearly 1,000 injured in deadly clashes and other explosions.

The government urged the Reds to end their campaign quickly to avoid further bloodshed.

"Some groups of people do not want to see (the plan) succeed so the government calls on the Red Shirts to quickly make a decision, otherwise there will be more casualties," government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said.

"The best solution is to end the protests as soon as possible so that national reconciliation can move forward, and to stabilise the situation because it is likely that such attacks could be repeated."

Police said three grenades were thrown at a security checkpoint in front of a city park that forms the edge of the Reds camp. A 35-year-old policeman died in hospital, while another five police and three soldiers were wounded.

Earlier, one policeman was killed and four others -- two police and two civilians -- were injured when a man on a motorbike opened fire on officers patrolling the nearby Silom financial district.

The Reds denied any involvement in the attacks, which they also said were carried out by elements intent on sabotaging the peace plan.

"This will not distract us or derail the process," said Reds leader Nattawut Saikuar. "This is the work of groups of people who do not want to see this crisis end in a peaceful resolution under a national reconciliation process."

But underlining the Reds' determination to remain at their heavily fortified base, they said that 5,000 more supporters arrived Saturday from the movement's heartland in Thailand's rural and impoverished northeast.

Crowds at the Reds camp have swelled to as many as 100,000 people in the past, but earlier this week when a resolution appeared in sight, numbers dwindled to just a few thousand as a weary air descended on the rally area.

Panitan said the arrival of the reinforcements did not bode well for the peace negotiations.

Hopes for Abhisit's plan have see-sawed in recent days as it has met with growing opposition among Thailand's rival protest movements.

The pro-establishment "Yellow Shirts" -- who blockaded Bangkok's two main airports in 2008 in their own protests -- have rejected the roadmap and election plan and called on the prime minister to resign.

And in another setback, a moderate pro-government group known as the "Multicoloureds", whose rallies in the capital have also drawn thousands of supporters, called for the election date to be pushed back.

In a colour-coded crisis, Thailand is largely split between the mainly rural poor and urban working class Reds -- who broadly support fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra -- and the elite-backed Yellows.

The Reds condemn Abhisit's administration as illegitimate because it came to power in an army-backed 2008 parliamentary vote after a controversial court ruling ousted Thaksin's elected allies.

The billionaire ex-premier, who was ousted in a 2006 coup, now lives in exile to avoid a jail sentence for corruption.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-05-08

Published with written approval from AFP.

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ThaivisaNews: Bangkok traffic: Heavy traffic from Petchburi, Pratunam and Lang Suan due to Red-Shirts caravan blocking two lanes along Lang Suan Rd.

THE NATION: Back from Chidlom. Central opens until 7pm. Motorists can only take Chidlom and Langsuan - no traffic from Ploenchit.

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UDD flocking into BKK under close watch

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The establishment of several military and police checkpoints in the different parts of the Northeastern provinces of Thailand is aimed at preventing the protestors nationwide from traveling to join mass demonstration in Bangkok’s Ratchaprasong business district.

This morning, more than 500 military officers under care of the army 2 and the crowd control police units have been stationed at various checking spots set up in different parts of Northeastern provinces to closely monitor all irregular activities and prevent the coming parade of the UDD protestors who are traveling from Khon Kaen province to join mass gathering in Bangkok. However, although the security officers have already asked the rally goers to cancel their trips, the call was ignored by them.

The checking spots had been set up along Mitraphap road covering three districts which are Non Sung, Sikhio and Klang Dong districts with an aim of barring the UDD protestors from traveling to join mass demonstration in Bangkok’s Ratchaprasong business district.

Meanwhile, more than 60 military officers on Phahonyothin road have also exerted crowd control operation with the intention to bar the protestors coming from Ayutthaya province to reinforce their final destination at Ratchaprasong junction in Bangkok in order to pressure the Abhisit government. The UDD flock from Ayutthaya province is expected to pass along this road at night.

In Chiang Mai province, Mr Jumlong Kittisri, Director of the Office of National Buddhism (ONAB) made known today that he had already filed letters to the temple authorities throughout the province demanding them not to allow the monks to join the political mass gathering while those who already joined the protest will be tracked by authorities to report to their monk deans.

-- NNT 2010-05-08

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Well prepared preventive measures for rally-affected schools at Ratchaprasong clarified

BANGKOK, 8 May 2010 (NNT) – The Ministry of Education has prepared measures to facilitate students in term of safety and convenience before the new school semester starts on 11 May.

Education Minister Chinnaworn Boonyakiat disclosed to a local news agency that the measures were now ready to deal with all rally-related incidents because the ministry had constantly called relevant units to the meeting for thoroughly discussing the prepared measures in all focal points including school’s duty guard preparation and entrance and exit arrangement in order to ensure the highest safety level and reliability for the students because some schools in the neighborhood of the gathering might start their new semester on 11 May.

Mr Chinnaworn also stated that the parents and the lecturers could make immediate contact when the emergency situation occurred while the students would be taught on how to solve all facing problems when they were under intense pressure from unexpected incidents.

-- NNT 2010-05-08

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THE NATION: Multicolours group members have gradually arrived at Wong Wien Yai in Thong Buri side. The group will sing National Anthem at 6pm and leave.

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Korbsak: No confidential talks with Thaksin’s sister about reconciliation roadmap

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Secretary-General to the Prime Minister, Korbsak Sabhavasu has dismissed the rumor that he had made confidential negotiation with Ms Yinglak Shinnawatra, ex Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s sister, before the roadmap for national reconciliation had publicly been announced by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Mr Korbsak insisted that Mr Abhisit had not assigned him to open confidential dialogue with Ms Yinglak or other aides of the ex PM to discuss about the roadmap aiming to reconcile the nation and the in-depth details of the new general elections, set to be held on 14 November 2010, adding that such an issue was definitely a rumor.

Mr Korbsak continued to state the truth that his core responsibility as ordered by the PM was to coordinate with all key leaders of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorships (UDD) to wrap up the rally situation in order to avoid the escalation of violence.

-- NNT 2010-05-08

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THE NATION: From Vic monument 2 Phayathai Rd currently blocked. Bomb squad checking unattended suitcase at BTS Vic Monument.

THE NATION: The unattended suitcase at BTS turned out to be filled with old clothes. traffic returns to normal on PhyaThai. via js100 radio.

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THE NATION: Red leaders look tense before crucial announcement (via nation reporters)

THE NATION: Have no access to red broadcast where I am. Will translate/RT our reporters.