Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Tuesday

[webfact]

URGENT: Red Shirt Leaders to Turn Themselves in Today at 2 P.M.

The INN news agency is reporting that officials at the Central Investigation Bureau claim that red shirt leaders will be turning themselves in today at 2 P.M. Authorities reveal that interrogation teams at the National Police headquarters have been prepared to take question the group.

________________________________________________________________

National Police Office Expects Red-shirt Leaders to Report to Police This Afternoon

Despite an earlier refusal to turn themselves in by May 15, there are reports that the red-shirt core leaders may decide to report to the National Police today at 2 P.M. The National Police Office says an investigation team has already been set up to oversee the cases relating to the red-shirt core elements.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-11

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

Red Shirts refuse to end protest despite Deputy PM Suthep reporting to DSI

BANGKOK (TNA) -- A Red Shirt co-leader on Tuesday said his group will not end its mass rally at Bangkok’s prime commercial area, arguing that Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban should have turned himself in at the Police’s Crime Suppression Division instead of at the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).

The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) key leader Weng Tojirakarn commented as Mr Suthep, in his capacity as director of the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) reported to the DSI Tuesday morning to hear a complaint lodged by Red Shirt protesters.

The Red Shirt leaders on Monday announced they would end their rally at Ratchaprasong intersection immediately after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Mr Suthep turned themselves in to the police to take responsibility for the April 10 crackdown, which left 25 persons dead and some 800 wounded in the clashes between security forces and Red Shirt protesters.

As the prime minister is also an MP with parliamentary immunity, acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn earlier said, the premier is seeking parliamentary permission to waive his immunity and would then report to the DSI.

Although Mr Suthep has reported to hear the complaint at DSI, Dr Weng said the Red Shirts will not end their protest as long as Mr Suthep will not turn himself in to the Police’s Crime Suppression Division instead of DSI which is an agency report to CRES, and DSI Director-General Tharit Pengdit was also involved in the incident.

Dr Weng said the process will be more transparent if Mr Suthep resigns from his post as deputy prime minister.

The Red Shirt leader added the group may abandon some protest area seen as being at risk such as Lumpini Park.

Arisman Pongruangrong, another protest leader, said it can be considered that the Reds initially win, but it will be a victory of the whole country if the prime minister, Mr Suthep and every person related to the crackdowns has been punished.

After hearing the complaint, the CRES director told a news conference that he came to DSI to prove his innocence but not bow to the condition set by the Reds Monday night.

Mr Suthep dismissed the call for him to turn himself in at the Police’s Crime Suppression Division, saying all the cases related to the April 10 incident were special cases under the jurisdiction of DSI.

Mr Suthep reportedly left DSI after hearing the charges and headed to Government House to attend the weekly Cabinet meeting.

He later told journalists that the Reds are trying to buy time and setting new conditions for the government despite the fact that his government has made an all out effort to let justice run its course.

The DSI director-general earlier reaffirmed that the case of the April 10 incident has been considered a special case although it has been filed at many police stations by families of the victims.

“I want to say, besides me who is the CRES committee member, acting national police chief Pol Gen Patheep Tanprasert is also in the CRES,” said Mr Tharit. “To report oneself to police officers is impossible as it is already a special case of DSI.”

The DSI director-general however added the Red Shirt leaders can report to police and whether or not they will be granted bail depends on the court’s determination.

In a related development, the Bangkok-based Criminal Court dismissed a petition seeking the court order to revoke arrest warrants against 16 leaders and key supporters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).

The judges said the warrants have been issued lawfully under the Emergency Decree which authorises the prime minister to exercise his power through the special law. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-05-11

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

DSI: Government Crackdown on Red Shirt Rally Constitutes Special Case

BANGKOK: -- The special working commission of the Department of Special Investigation plans to designate the case against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva for his role in the April 10th clashes a special status.

Yesterday, Deputy Commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, Police Major-General Amnuay Nimmano, has attended a meeting with the special working commission of the Department of Special Investigation or DSI regarding the allegation that the government ordered a military crackdown against the population, specifically in the violent clashes between the red-shirt protesters and soldiers, which left more than 20 dead.

Amnuay revealed after the meeting that the government is also planning legal course in case the red-shirt rally is over and their leaders have turned themselves in. He is scheduled to attend the meeting on the same topic with Metropolitan Police Bureau today.

Meanwhile, Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation, Tarit Pengdit, who is also the head of the special working commission, said that after having received complaints from the relatives of those who were killed in the April 10th incident, legal action will be taken against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, and related agencies for their roles in the incident. Tarit said the case will be designated special status.

Tarit has also pledged that the case will be handled impartially, despite the fact that the accused is the prime minister.

The head of the DSI also said that Metee Amornwuthikul, a supporter of the anti-government movement, will remain in the government's custody, as his cooperation is still needed in the ongoing investigation.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-11

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

Trains prepared for taking red-shirt protesters home: Sopon

BANGKOK: -- Transport Minister Sopon Sarum said Tuesday that he had ordered the State Railway of Thailand to prepare trains for transporting red-shirt protesters home.

He said trains for the northern, northeastern and southern routes had been on stand by and ready to transport the demonstrators back to their provinces.

He said the Transport Company had also prepared buses in case the protesters want to disperse and go home.

Sopon said the trains and buses were on stand by following speculation that the protest leaders would announce an end to the rally.

But the Transport Ministry would not offer the services but would wait for the red-shirt leaders to ask for the services themselves.

-- The Nation 2010-05-11

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

Related discussion topic:

Seh Daeng - On Guard At Bangkok's Frontlines

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Seh-Daeng-Gu...nt-t364038.html

[webfact]

TAN Network: Red shirt lawyers deny that leaders will be turning themselves in today; demand Suthep report to Crime Suppression Police

THE NATION: Korkaew: 24 leaders will turn themselves in tomorrow but no details yet until afternoon meeting is over.

[webfact]

THE NATION: redshirt leaders will have a meeting at 3pm today- same place in that container.

[webfact]

Election may be delayed if rally continues: Panithan

BANGKOK: -- Election may be delayed from November 14 if the red-shirt leaders continue the rally in Bangkok, acting government spokesman Panithan Wattanayakorn said Tuesday.

Deputy PM's Secretary-General Panithan said if the end of the rally is further delayed, it will affect the election and the poll date will have to be reviewed.

He said the end of the rally is a condition for implementing the reconciliation road map.

Panithan said the Cabinet discussed the issue and decided to leave it to the red-shirt leaders to decide whether end the rally and accept the road map.

Panithan quoted Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva as telling the Cabinet that the red-shirt leaders should end the rally soon or else the election would be delayed.

-- The Nation 2010-05-11

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

THE NATION: Problems R now in #redshirt camp not govt. Deadline is near & govt may have legitimacy 2 withdraw their words if reds dont act fast enough.

THE NATION: Reds who brand themselves as a democracy fighter -Veera, Weng and Nuttawut are more than willing to leave Rajprasong but... big but...

THE NATION: The tough task is how to convince the otheres. Hardcore include Jutuporn, Kwanchai, Suporn, Arisman and Seh Daeng r not quite ready to pack.

[webfact]

THE NATION: Education Ministry tells 40 schools near the rally site NOT to postpone the new semester opening on May 17.

[webfact]

Campbell meets Kasit before returning to US

BANGKOK: -- US Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell met Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya Monday night before flying back to the United States, Chavanon Intharakomalsut, Kasit's secretary, said Tuesday.

Chavanon said Campbell met Kasit at his house.

Chavanon quoted Kasit as explaining to Campbell that the red-shirt rally was unlawful and was an attempt to overthrow Constitutional Monarchy because armed terrorists were among the demonstrators.

Kasit told Campbell that he feared that Campbell's meeting with red-shirt leaders and opposition politicians would be tantamount to the US endorsement of illegal activities and unlawful rally.

-- The Nation 2010-05-11

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

THE NATION: Nuttawut is speaking.

THE NATION: Nuttawut: Govt must promise to return PTV signal.

THE NATION: Nuttawut: redshirts didn't accept Suthep's appearance at DSI simply because it didn't look like he surrendered -more like a visit DSI.

[webfact]

THE NATION: Read like a lyberinth -here we go again: Nuttawut: "When Suthep surrenders, redshirt will stop rallying."

THE NATION: Now Jatuporn is speaking...

[webfact]

THE NATION: Reds reject Suthep's "surrender" to DSI. Rally to continue for now.

THE NATION: Reds' announcement said Suthep reporting to DSI is not appropriate justice process. He must turn himself in a "proper" way b4 rally can end.

THE NATION: A very brief conclusion_ Now we're back to square one!!!

THE NATION: Veera has been missing for 2 days now.

[webfact]

Related topic discussion:

Thai Red-Shirts Vow To Rally Until Deputy PM Suthep Is Charged

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thai-Red-Shi...ty-t364169.html

[webfact]

MCOTEnglishnews: CRES threatens to retake protest site at Ratchaprasong if Red Shirts don't end protest by Wednesday

THE NATION: PM: No more compromise, tomorrow is the deadline. via NNA

THE NATION: PM: One week is enough. no more talk.

[webfact]

THE NATION: PM: redshirt protesters must go home tomorrow otherwise we will start our "measure" that may affect surrounding areas (at Rajprasong) #NNA

[webfact]

THE NATION: PM: No more talks with reds.

THE NATION: PM to reds: Leave within tomorrow or else.

THE NATION: PM says measures to be taken by govt against reds may affect surrounding areas.

THE NATION: As some of u have mentioned it, I think, yes, this is first time that an ultimatum has come directly from PM himself.

THE NATION: One week has been enough, PM said. So, no more talks.

@BangkokDan: Well looks like troops are gonna encircle reds first, cut their supply routes, those who want can leave, and then we'll see.

[webfact]

Red-shirt Leaders Unclear on Reporting to Police

BANGKOK: -- Red-shirt leaders remain undecided on when and where they will turn themselves in to authorities but one leader has disclosed that they might do so tomorrow.

Red-shirt leader Korkaew Pikulthong stated his group will finalize later this evening the decision on when they will turn themselves in to face charges lodged against them by authorities.

Kobrkaew also hinted that red-shirt leaders might turn themselves in to authorities tomorrow but he was still not sure if they will report to the Crime Suppression Division or the Metropolitan Police Bureau.

The group's lawyer, Karom Polthaklang, however, said none of its core leaders has expressed any intention to report to the authorities and insisted that Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban must first turn himself in to the Crime Suppression Division as demanded by the red-shirt leaders for his role in ordering a violent crackdown on protesters on April 10.

Karom also said he is not certain if the leaders will report to police on May 15 as earlier set, adding their decision must constantly be re-evaluated.

Meanwhile, another red-shirt leader Arisman Pongruangrong stated he will not report to police on any condition as the declaration of the emergency decree is unlawful.

He urged Suthep to report to all 21 police stations where charges were brought against him by relatives of protesters killed in the crackdown.

At the same time, red-shirt leader Weng Tojirakarn said Suthep must report to the National Police Office instead of the Department of Special Investigation.

Weng also disapproved of the appointment of deputy metropolitan police chief Police Major General Amnuay Nimanoe to take part in the April 10 clash inquiry, claiming Amnuay tried to change the results of the autopsies done on those who died during the crackdown.

Meanwhile, commander of the Central Investigation Bureau, Police Lieutenant General Tha-ngai Prassajaksatru, today was ordered to arrange for teams of investigators at the National Police Office following reports that red-shirt leaders who have had arrest warrants issued for them were going to turn themselves in today.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-11

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

THE NATION: TR @jin_nation: After reading PM full report, I realised that PM intentionally gave an interview to the press to send the msg to #redshirts.

THE NATION: Frm what we see, if reds pack up tmmrw, the Nov 14 election still stands. If govt has to use force, the deal's off.

[webfact]

THE NATION: TR @noppatjak - 194 hours since the PM announced his road map. 30 hours - time redshirts spent on meeting in the container.

THE NATION: And if redshirts fail to board the plane, we shall see what govt next move will be.

[webfact]

THE NATION: "Any chance the redshirts will pack and go," I asked an expert. "NO" He replied firmly.