Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Sunday

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Sunday May 9 Red-shirt rally live updates

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

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Red shirts to outline plan, ask for time

By THE NATION ON SUNDAY

The red shirts yesterday postponed for another day or two their proposal for national reconciliation, with leaders saying they needed more time for "tidy and complete work".

BANGKOK: -- Nattawut Saikua, a protest leader, said the red shirts were well aware the whole country was waiting to see an "atmosphere of reconciliation" as soon as possible. "We won't be slow - the soonest is tomorrow and the latest is the day after tomorrow," he said.

Leaders of the protesting red shirts had said that the plan, in response to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's five-point "road map" for political reconciliation unveiled last Monday, would be unveiled yesterday.

At their meeting yesterday, red shirt leaders agreed to part of the PM's proposal and disagreed to some aspects, according to Nattawut. He said society might be encouraged to determine how the proposal could be put into practice although there was no need for a public referendum or hearing.

"We are well aware that to find an exit [for the ongoing political conflict], we need to be flexible for reconciliation," Nattawut said.

But he did not say when the red shirts would end their protest, which has continued for more than a month at the Rajprasong shopping centre.

Other red shirt leaders - Jatuporn Promphan and weng Tojirakarn - yesterday threatened to take legal action against Abhisit and Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban who they said were responsible for the April 10 crackdown on protesters on Rajdamnoen Avenue that led to 25 deaths and more than 800 people being injured.

Meanwhile, government spokes-man Panitan Wattanayagorn yesterday urged the protesters to end their rally soon in order to prevent more violence, following attacks on Friday night in which two policemen were killed.

Panitan said the latest incidents showed a group of people did not want the PM's reconciliation plan to take effect, Thai News Agency reported.

He said the PM's secretary-general, Korbsak Sabhavasu, was assigned to confer with red shirt leaders about the reconciliation plan and asked them to "give a response soon".

The government call came as 2,000 more red shirts were driven from Khon Kaen to Rajprasong yesterday.

-- The Nation 2010-05-09

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Govt has failed to deliver reforms, Arthit says

By THE NATION ON SUNDAY

BANGKOK: -- The Abhisit government came under attack at a semi-nar yesterday for failing to bring about comprehensive reform to lift the country out of the doldrums but crit-ics conceded proposed reconciliation with the red shirts with the only hope to win the next election.

Arthit Urairat, rector of Rangsit University, who was formerly a House speaker, said the government had failed to deliver on its commitment to reform politics and make all systems function, whether it was the police, the armed forces or bureaucracy.

"Are we close to becoming a failed state? And right after the red shirts stormed into Chulalongkorn Hospital, an act that is totally unacceptable to the pub-lic, the government held secret negotiations with the red shirts to bring about reconciliation with them," he said.

Once a Democrat Party executive, Arthit called on the public to push for reform that would rebuild the country so that it would not face further crises.

Panthep Puapongpon, a leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, said the PAD opposed the rec-onciliation road map not to obstruct peace but because it saw the move as merely political collusion between the government and the opposition.

"The PM does not have the guts to transfer police because he has to do the defence minister a favour. He does not dare crack down on protesters fearing his image would be ruined. But if he resorts to a House dis-solution, his government could benefit from budget allocations, the police and military annual reshuffle and amnesty for political groups linked to the govern-ment and help save the Democrat Party from being disbanded," he said.

Tul Sithisomwong, a leader of the group of multi-coloured shirts, said people had done their duty in checking on the government. But had the government done its duty?

"The country is in turmoil because bad people do bad things and good people do not carry out their roles," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-05-09

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Attacks threaten road map

By THE NATION ON SUNDAY

The weekend bomb and gunfire attacks that killed two police officers and wounded 13 people near the red shirts' Sala Daeng and Lumpini rally sites were meant to sabotage the peace process, both sides said yesterday.

BANGKOK: -- The Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation called a meeting to discuss the incident and said political groups that did not want the reconciliation plan to succeed were behind it.

Panitan Wattanayakorn, PM's deputy secretary-general and acting government spokesman, called on the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship to end the rally to prevent more complications in the reconciliation efforts. He said the government has made clear all points of negotiations with the DAAD leaders and now it was waiting for them to make their decision.

Under the road map towards national reconciliation, the government had proposed holding a general election on November 14 after dissolving the House sometime between September 15 and 30.

Suriyasai Katasila, secretary-general of the New Politics Party, said the bombings on Saturday clearly showed to the government and society that reconciliation would not be achieved as long as the government could not ferret out the armed terrorists who had mingled with the protesters from the beginning.

He questioned the sincerity of the red shirts in supporting the reconciliation plan proposed by the government because they denied any involvement in or responsibility for the bombing incident. Besides, the red-shirt leaders had also called on more people to join the rally. He claimed that they could not disband the protest because terrorists have taken control of the movement. They also said they would not break up the rally until the government provides them with clemency and dismisses all criminal firearms charges and allows them to remove war weapons from the rally site, he said.

"If the government shirks from taking action against the terrorists who caused violence, there will be more deaths and injuries and that will make the government pay an incalculable price for the reconciliation plan,'' he said.

Natthawut Saikua, a red-shirt leader, condemned the bombing, saying whoever did it wanted to obstruct the attempt to end conflicts through peaceful means. He criticised the CRES for failing to prevent the violence.

"There has never been any other time that Bangkok was so full of police and soldiers. How come the CRES has not been able to seize war weapons from these terrorists. If PM Abhisit Vejjajiva is incompetent, he should consider his own position,'' he said.

Natthawut admitted that more red-shirt protesters had been mobilised from the provinces to join the rally in Bangkok but insisted that the move would not jeopardise the reconciliation efforts. Some were protesters who had been part of the rally from the very beginning but had returned home to do some business before coming back to the rally, he said.

Weng Tochirakarn, another red-shirt leader, suspected the yellow shirts and the multicoloured group for the latest bombing, saying he questioned their motives because they did not want to see reconciliation.

Article continues: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/...p-30128879.html

-- The Nation 2010-05-09

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DOMESTIC CRISIS

Fatal attacks motivated by politics: police

By THE NATION ON SUNDAY

One group suspected to be behind 2 Silom incidents

BANGKOK: -- The two attacks on Silom Road near Lumpini Park, which killed two policemen on Friday night, were believed to be politically motivated, police said yesterday.

The shooting incident and a later bomb attack early on Saturday morning also left 12 other people injured.

The first attack occurred around 11pm in front of Krung Thai Bank near Soi Sala Daeng. Unknown assailants opened fire at a group of about 30 protesters who objected to the red-shirt demonstration, while several police stood by to provide security.

At 10.45pm, witnesses said they heard three firecracker explosions from Lumpini Park before the shooting began. The first bullet of pieced the bank's glass door and was followed by five rounds of shooting.

Two police and two civilians were hit. Police Corporal Kannupat Lertchanpen from Thung Mahamek precinct, suffered a serious stomach wound and died later in hospital.

Initial inquiries by police found that the assailants were likely to have fired from higher ground - on the Thai-Belgian Bridge - near the side with a McDonalds opposite the bank.

It was also reported that some people saw a green pick-up truck heading to Rama IV Road with assailants onboard carrying guns and opening fire in the area.

Later at 1.30am yesterday, three M79 grenades were fired at a checkpoint manned by police and soldiers near gate 4 at Lumpini Park opposite the Eau Cheu Liang Building, injuring five police.

Pol Sgt Wittaya Promsalee, from Chai Nat province, suffered chest wounds and was later pronounced dead at hospital.

Police spokesman Lt Gen Pongsatat Pongcharoen said the two attacks were probably done by the same group of people, apparently seeking to destabilise the situation. Pongsapat said the two officers killed would receive a five-step rank promotion and an eight-step pay increase (paid to their families).

Royal Thai Police adviser Pol Lt-Gen Panupong Singhara na Ayutthaya spoke to reporters at the Metropolitan Police Bureau yesterday after a two-hour meeting of investigators. He said assailants shot at people in front of the Krung Thai Bank with an M16 gun, while the explosives used in the Lumpini checkpoint attack shortly after were M79 grenades.

Police had some clues about the assailants from close-circuit cameras and testimony from witnesses, but needed to investigate the cases thoroughly so they could not give details now.

Asked if the attacks were politically motivated, he said there was no other motive. And, as the Lumpini Gate attack was aimed at police, it was suspected the assailants could be a group that had been prosecuted earlier.

He said acting national police chief Pratheep Tanprasert instructed investigators to carefully probe the cases and urged all officials to be careful. However, he declined to comment on whether the deaths would prompt them to allow police to carry weapons.

Forensic police investigated both scenes yesterday while the bodies of the two deceased were sent to the Forensic Medicine Institute at the Police Hospital for post-mortem examinations.

The wife of Sgt Wittaya, clothing vendor Rungnapa Promsalee, said they were married for 12 years but had no children. Just before the fatal attack, he called her to say he would be home soon to have a dinner with her.

A friend identified only as Saengpetch said Wittaya told him on the phone just prior to the attack that it was his last shift before returning to Chai Nat.

Kannupan's wife Banthita, who went to the morgue yesterday afternoon, said they had been married for several years and had one son together. She said she would host a funeral for him at Wat Bangchang Tai in Nakhon Pathom.

-- The Nation 2010-05-09

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Thais in Paris show their love and concern for King and country

By SOPAPORN KURZ

SPECIAL TO THE NATION ON SUNDAY

Paris

Pictures and a video clip of Thai women and their families gathering in Paris near the Eiffel Tower to express their love for His Majesty the King - and appealing for unity in Thailand - made a splash on the Internet last week.

PARIS: -- Pictures of Eurasian children holding "I love Thailand" signs were well received. Even Thai media picked the story up and featured it in their news reports.

The brain behind this gathering on May 1 was Pattarine Fontaine. A 44-year-old mother of three, she said she felt motivated to take a stand after seeing the bloody fighting in Silom.

"That was where I grew up, where I worked, where my life was. I couldn't believe my eyes that it had turned into a combat zone," she said.

It was not just that incident that moved her. Pattarine said she has been closely following news about Thailand from both news websites and social media like Facebook and Twitter for months. The images and stories broke her heart. She felt the hatred, misunderstanding and mistrust in her troubled homeland.

"So I felt I needed to do something for my country. As a Thai living abroad, I wanted to show how much I love the King and the country. I thought of arranging a gathering and sending this message back to Thailand," she said.

Pattarine shared the idea with her children, who enthusiastically joined hands. They drew signs and pictures. Her eldest daughter, 13-year-old Audrey Fontaine, agreed to do the filming.

Pattarine also shared her idea with close friends, including Panithane Tabourel, president of the Thai Women's Association in France, who fully supported the idea. Panithane helped by approaching the police and asking for permission for a gathering in a public place.

The French police were cooperative and sent some of their force to oversee security at the event.

While spreading the news and asking people to participate, Pattarine found it was a big task to convince people. Some were afraid to express their opinions in public. Some argued that loving the King and the country was enough if done via a computer screen. Some Thais even warned her not to express her opinion at such a chaotic time in Thai politics. But Pattarine was strong. "I told them it is exactly at this time that we need to express our opinion," she said.

On the afternoon of May 1, at Ecole Militaire, Place Joffre, Champ de Mars, next to the peace monument in the heart of Paris, nearly 50 people joined the event, including French husbands of Thai women. The group read their declaration calling for unity, rule of law and non-violent solutions.

The event came around the same time a group of Thais in Washington DC staged a similar gathering.

"It simply shows that despite being far away from home, we do care and love our King and our country," Pattarine said.

She and her friends also plan to stage other activities in the future, she said, such as asking children to paint or write greeting cards to His Majesty the King.

-- The Nation 2010-05-09

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Related topic discussion:

PM Abhisit Needs Help To Get Roadmap Through

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/PM-Abhisit-R...ap-t363322.html

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PM to hold public hearings how to reform media

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on TV that he would hold public hearings for drafting law to prevent the media from being coming a tool to incite hatred and violence.

Abhisit was speaking on TV during his weekly programme, which was recorded Saturday and aired Sunday.

He said the media had been used to as political tools and used to incite hatred and violence and the practice so the problems must be tackled.

He said the government would draft a new law based on public hearings how to prevent the media from being used as tools for inciting violence.

He said the National Telecom and Broadcasting Commission must work closely with the media profession groups to prevent the abuses of media and to prevent government's interference in the media.

-- The Nation 2010-05-09

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PM says road map to narrow social gaps to have some progress in about ten days

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said during his TV programme that the road map to narrow the social gaps would have some progress in about ten days.

He said the government would reform Thailand to reduce inequality in the society.

He said this factor of the road map had started and would show some progress in about ten days.

-- The Nation 2010-05-09

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PM Calls on Red-shirts to Have Answer on Reconciliation by Tomorrow

PM Abhisit Vejjajiva spent time on his weekly talk show to clarify the five points of his reconciliation plan. He also affirmed the plan has no details about offering amnesty to those who violate the law.

He identified Army Specialist Maj Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol or Seh Daeng and former PM Thaksin Shinawatra as being against the reconciliation plan while the core leaders of the protest are leaning towards the plan.

He called on the protest leaders to have an answer to his reconciliation plan by tomorrow because they cannot say they want to participate in his plan and yet continue to hold their rally.

Finally, he confirmed his commitment to his duties despite the various criticisms against him.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-09

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ThaivisaNews: PM Abhisit calls on Red-Shirts to have answer on reconciliation plan ready by Monday. Insists no amnesty for terrorists

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Related discussion topic:

PM Abhisit Names Khattiya Chief Terrorist Trying To Undermine Peace Process

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/PM-Abhisit-N...er-t363336.html

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CRES enhancing security at rally site after bombing incident on Silom Rd

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) has instructed for security to be enhanced around the demonstration site after a grenade bombing took place in the late night of 7 May 2010.

Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister and acting Government Spokesperson Dr Panitan Wattanayakorn cited that the CRES had discussed the violent incident on Silom road on 7 May and decided to increase security around the rally site. Dr Panitan stated that the incident clearly showed that a party intended to break up the reconciliation plan between the government and the anti-government supporters.

An additional number of rally-goers from each region have gathered to join the demonstration site on Ratchaprasong junction but according to related personnel, some of them have returned their places, said Dr Panitan.

In the meantime, the Prime Minister’s Secretary-General Kobsak Sabhavasu had discussed terminating the rally with the UDD’s core leaders, while their response was still pending.

-- NNT 2010-05-09

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PM: Those against proposed roadmap behind 8 May violence

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The recent 8 May violence was aimed at blockading the government's roadmap for national and political reconciliation, according to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Speaking on his weekly talk show" Confidence in Thailand with Prime Minister Abhisit", the Prime Minister stated that those in connection with the latest grenade and shooting attacks disagreed with the proposed five-step reconciliation plan. He insisted that the government would consistently tighten security measures after the announcement of the roadmap. He also insisted that legal actions must definitely be taken against the perpetrators.

PM Abhisit remarked that the pro-Thaksin army specialist, Major-General Khattiya Sawasdipol, widely known as Seh Daeng was the key opponent to the reconciliation plan as he was reportedly coordinating with anti-government leaders from up-country provinces in opposing the de facto core leaders' resolutions.

The anti-government leaders were initially willing to take part in the reconciliatory process but noted that the current rally would not yet disperse. The UDD has made a tentative decision to end its protracted mass demonstration at Ratchaprasong Intersection on 15 May 2010.

PM Abhisit reffirmed that the government will go ahead with the proposed roadmap without the UDD's participation. He has urged the anti-government UDD to stop their mass demonstration before 15 May or sooner if they wish to join the reconciliation effort.

The recent shooting attack broke out on Friday night at Krung Thai Bank on Silom Road and M79 grenade blasts later erupted near Lumpini Park the following day. A total of two police officers on duty were killed and 13 people were injured.

-- NNT 2010-05-09

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Thai PM demands quick end to protests

by Thanaporn Promyamyai

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thailand's premier called Sunday for a swift end to mass anti-government protests following fresh bloodshed, saying he had a back-up plan to solve the crisis if the demonstrators refuse to disperse.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva demanded the opposition "Red Shirts" give a "clear answer" by Monday on whether they will accept his offer to hold elections in mid-November if they disperse within the next few days.

"You should stop the rally quickly for safety reasons," said Abhisit, whose reconciliation "roadmap" aims to defuse a crippling two-month confrontation and envisages holding elections on November 14.

"Terrorists and people who live abroad want to disrupt the reconciliation plan," he said on national television.

"No matter whether they (the protesters) stop the rally or not, we have a back-up plan which will lead to a resolution of the problem," he added.

The government and the "Red Shirt" opposition protesters Saturday reaffirmed their commitment to a reconciliation process aimed at ending outbreaks of civil violence that have left 29 people dead and about 1,000 injured.

The latest casualties were two police officers who were killed in gun and grenade attacks on Friday and Saturday close to the Red Shirts' massive rally encampment, which has shut down most of Bangkok's main shopping district.

The opposition protesters denied involvement in the attacks and nobody has claimed responsibility.

The Reds, who broadly support fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, were working on their own proposals to end the political crisis after thousands more supporters bolstered their rally in the heart of Bangkok.

Thaksin, a telecoms tycoon-turned-politician, who was ousted in a 2006 coup, now lives in exile to avoid a jail sentence for corruption.

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

Both sides said the attacks were the work of groups intent on derailing Abhisit's peace roadmap.

The premier said the latest attacks were "carried out by terrorists who don't want the reconciliation plan."

The Reds also said the latest killings were carried out by elements intent on sabotaging the peace proposals.

"This will not distract us or derail the process," Reds leader Nattawut Saikuar said Saturday. However, he indicated that an agreement was not yet within reach.

"The five-point roadmap plan which is proposed by Abhisit we already understand. But on our part, we need a few more days to come up with our own proposals, which will be flexible," he said.

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 near, numbers dwindled to just a few thousand as a weary air descended on the rally area.

On Saturday, however, their ranks were boosted by 5,000 more supporters who arrived from the movement's heartland in Thailand's rural, impoverished northeast.

In its colour-coded crisis, Thailand is largely split between the mainly rural poor and urban working class Reds and the pro-establishment "Yellow Shirts."

The Yellows -- 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.

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.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-05-09

Published with written approval from AFP.

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Poll: Political tension eased after PM’s proposed roadmap

BANGKOK (NNT) -- According to a recent Suan Dusit poll, a majority of people feel more relieved about the ongoing political crisis after the five-point roadmap to national reconciliation was proposed by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

According to a Suan Dusit Poll, 44.48 % or a majority of respondents stated that the Prime Minister’s announcement of the roadmap was able to partially ease the political tension, while 49.19% stated that the proposed reconciliation plan increased the popularity rating and the public's faith on PM Abhisit. 45.78% said they did not believe that the new general election would be held on 14 November as planned as the anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) has yet come up with a clear timeframe for crowd dispersal and other groups still remain opposed to House dissolution.

Regarding lessons Thai people learned during the mass rally, 60.29 % of the respondents stated that the country's economy and investments were severely affected, while 46.11% said they remained concerned over the vote-buying and political campaign rallies if a planned general election is held.

The poll recently surveyed 1,508 people nationwide.

-- NNT 2010-05-09

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MCOT: Bangkok Police Chief: Investigators gather evidence to seek arrest warrants for at least two attackers involved in Silom shooting, grenade attacks

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Police to Arrest Seh Daeng

The Metropolitan Police chief has ordered the immediate arrest of Army Specialist Maj Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol or Seh Daeng if he is sighted as he is believed to be involved in the various bombings over the last month.

Red-shirt leader Weng Tojirakarn said the group will not try to obstruct Seh Daeng's arrest.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-09

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PM: Maj Gen Khattiya, Thaksin unhappy with reconciliation plan

BANGKOK (TNA) -- Army Specialist Maj-Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol is trying hard to prolong the ongoing anti-government rally in the Thai capital and oppose the five-point national reconciliation plan, said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Sunday.

Urging people from every sector to join the national reconciliation plan he proposed last Monday, Mr Abhisit said during his weekly TV and radio address that Gen Khattiya have clearly shown themselves to oppose the plan.

Gen Khattiya, now suspended from duty for criticising his superiors, is frequently seen directing security measures for anti-government protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) now occupying Ratchaprasong and Sala Daeng intersections, Bangkok’s prime business districts.

Ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra is also dissatisfied with the plan because it does not offer him any benefit, Mr Abhisit said. Self-exiled Thaksin was ousted in a bloodless coup in September 2006 and was sentenced to two years in jail in 2008 for breaking a conflict-of-interest law.

Mr Abhisit said it is risky for key leaders of UDD who have supported his reconciliation plan which includes holding fresh general elections November 14, but are still demonstrating because armed terrorists infiltrating ghe protesters would use fiercer violence in future.

“If key UDD leaders have confirmed that they will participate in the reconciliation plan, they should cease the rally for the safety of every group of people,” said Mr Abhisit.

The prime minister said a national community strengthening committee will convene Wednesday and Thursday to set guidelines for formation of a Thailand Reform Assembly whose members will comprise people recognised by society. The committee will function on a continuous basis even though there is a change of government.

As political turmoil continues in Thailand, the European Union (EU) Heads of Mission to Thailand and EU member countries here issued a statement saying that they welcome efforts made by the government and all parties concerned towards finding a negotiated solution to the current political situation.

“We call on all sides to refrain from violence and hope that an early peaceful solution can be achieved to swiftly lead Thailand back towards national reconciliation, prosperity and stability, with full respect for the rule of law and democratic principles,” the EU statement said. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-05-09

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US urges Thai protestors to seize peace opportunity

Anti-government protestors occupying a central Bangkok commercial district should seize the opportunity to resolve political differences peacefully, a senior US official urged Sunday.

Assistant US Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said he was encouraged by signs that the government and protest leaders were looking to end the standoff through a peace plan proposed Monday, but he was "cautious" about the outcome.

The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) have been holding protests in Bangkok since March 12 to force Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to resign and hold new elections.

They have occupied a prime commercial district since April 3, prompting numerous clashes with troops and violent attacks that have claimed 29 lives, including six soldiers and two policemen.

UDD leaders claim they support Abhisit's proposal for an election on November 14, preceded by a dissolution of parliament between September 15-30, but they have not abandoned the protest site.

"We are encouraged by UDD's positive response to the roadmap and hope that the leaders will seize this opportunity to responsibly and expeditiously lead Thailand out of its current predicament," Campbell told a press conference in Bangkok, shortly before he departed for neighbouring Myanmar.

"However, it must be said, we remain cautious about progress," he added, noting that acts of violence continue to undermine the peace process.

On Friday night and Saturday morning unidentified assailants fired on police posted near the protest site, killing two officers and undermining optimism.

European Union diplomats in Thailand condemned the fresh acts of violence in a statement issued Sunday.

"We call on all sides to refrain from violence and hope that an early peaceful solution can be achieved to swiftly lead Thailand back towards national reconciliation, prosperity and stability, with full respect for the rule of law and democratic principles," the statement said.

-- The Nation 2010-05-09

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Red-shirts: PM Should Not Put Pressure for End of Protest

Red-shirt leader Nutthawut Saikua said PM Abhisit Vejjajiva should not put pressure on his group to end their protest.

He also denied the PM's comment that former PM Thaksin Shinawatra is against the reconciliation plan.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-09

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MCOTEnglishnews : PM Abhisit attends royally-sponsored bathing rite for policeman, killed in weekend grenade attack on Silom Road, at Trithosadhep Temple

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THE NATION: This is getting to be like a road map routine. redshirt leaders will announce on their version of road map at 6pm. via @suthichai

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Bangkokpundit: P1: Reds need 2 make final decision on when they r leaving. Can understand need 2 convince some protesters - ThaiPBS Fri news showed

Bangkokpundit: P2: protesters not happy abt road map/election too long away - but their speeches r only confusing the issue. From sources & what have read

Bangkokpundit: P3: most red leaders agree 2 leave this week, but still no conclusion. Abhisit stepped up & made concessions, now is time for red leaders

THE NATION: Redshirts distance themselves from Seh Daeng. "Police can catch him& we have nor problem about that," said Nuttawut. #TNN

THE NATION: Redshirt leaders said that Seh Daeng works independently and the leaders at Rajprasong no longer considered him as a team member. #TNN

THE NATION: Long meeting. Group of approx. 20 redshirt leaders R still deep in discussions backstage at Rajprasong abt wht 2 do nxt

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THE NATION: redshirt leaders say no press conference for today. They haven't got a decision of their next move. via @wat_dailynews

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RTHE NATION: Red leaders remain divided after 4-hr meeting, unable even to agree whether there should be press announcement today or tmrrw.

THE NATION: Some reds say there will still b a press con, but it will happen late in order to make sure wordings are clear, not subject to intepretation

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Deputy PM Suthep waits for Red Shirt decision to end protest Monday

BANGKOK (TNA) -- Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thauguban set a Monday deadline for an actionable response from the anti-government protesters whether they will end the protest at Ratchaprasong and join the reconciliation plan proposed by the Prime Minister.

Asked about the Prime Minister’s comment that Army Specialist Maj-Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol opposed the reconciliation plan, Mr Suthep said that the prime minister spoke clearly on that and told the media to wait and see if legal action will be taken decisively after the deadline for the anti-government protesters to end the protest at Ratchaprasong on May 10.

The country's police are gathering evidence on the weekend shooting and grenade attacks at Silom Road and Sala Daeng to take legal action against the perpetrators.The Royal Thai Police Bureau is expected to later report on the investigation to the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES), said Mr Suthep.

Acting National Police Chief Pol Gen Pateep Tanprasert warned that those who carried out the attacks may strike again as the police investigation into the weekend violence continues. Gen Pateep said more police reinforcements have been added in the Silom-Sala Daeng area to prevent any further violent incidents.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva attended a royally sponsored bathing rite at Wat Trithosadhep for Pol Sgt-Maj Wittaya Promsamlee who was posthumously promoted to police captain. The police officer was killed in the grenade attack on a police checkpoint at the entrance of Lumpini Park near the Red Shirt protest site on Saturday morning.

His body will be sent for a religious funeral at his home town in the northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani.

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.

Police said the first incident occurred at about 11pm Friday when gunmen fired at police and civilians at Krung Thai Bank's Silom branch, near Sala Daeng intersection and 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 Saturday night incident.

The second incident took place at 1.30am Saturday morning when assailants fired three 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. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-05-09

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THE NATION: Some news coming thru from Jatuporn

THE NATION: Jatuporn: "We aren't dragging our feet. We just want to make sure the dead receive justice."

THE NATION: Jatuporn: "If govt want us to disperse in day or 2, easiest thing 2 do is declare (govt's) readiness to enter justice process (rg April 10).

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Related topic discussion:

US Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell meets red-shirts protesters

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Assistant-Se...el-t363519.html