Thailand Live Sunday 9 Jan 2011

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4:55pm Red Shirts have completely taken over Ratchadamri Road from Phetchaburi to Ratchaprasong /via@RichardBarrow

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5pm Looking South/North in front of Central World. Biggest rally yet http://twitpic.com/3of9eq http://twitpic.com/3of9ef /via@RichardBarrow

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Looks like an attempt to set up a stage at Ratchaprasong. Certainly an area has been cleared. http://twitpic.com/3ofb3y /via@RichardBarrow

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Difficult to estimate crowd size of Reds. I cannot see the far end. At least 10,000 with several thousand more on the way /via@RichardBarrow

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BNO NEWS: POWERFUL 6.9-MAGNITUDE QUAKE STRIKES NEAR VANUATU

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5:26 pm Sea of Red from Ratchaprasong to Pratunam. The biggest rally I've seen since May 2010 http://twitpic.com/3offr9 /via@RichardBarrow

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Very small police presence at Ratchaprasong http://twitpic.com/3ofhh4 http://twitpic.com/3ofhdm /via@RichardBarrow

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Rajprasong: Big red crowd indeed. Jatuporn says Thaksin'll phone in at 7.30 pm. pic via @LyNGinG: http://plixi.com/p/68860013 /via@tulsathit

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This evening's highlights: Thaksin's phone-in at 7.30, end of red rally (expected) at 8 and 8.30 ManUtd vs Liverpool kick-off /via@veen_NT

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11 schools in Narathiwat will remain closed tomorrow due to flooding. /via@Urisara_NT

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Perhaps 5,000 Red Shirts here. Short of 60,000 anticipated, I sense they are 1 sound stage short of permanent residence. /via@Journotopia

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7:10pm Difficult to judge numbers at Ratchaprasong as it's Red as far as I can see. Definitely the biggest rally so far. /via@RichardBarrow

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Red Shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan not speaking at Ratchaprasong protest; event is peaceful so far /MCOT

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AFP: 30,000 Thai 'Red Shirts' rally in Bangkok: police

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7:30pm Jataporn now speaking at Ratchaprasong to a crowd of 1000's of Red Shirts /via@RichardBarrow

Jatuporn said he would address the rally more after Thaksin's phone-in ends. Jatuporn vows not to discuss his case on stage. /via@tulsathit

No reason to fear anything, Jatuporn says. Waiting for setuop for Thaksin. Crowd is enthusiastic. Jatuporn says he'll be back /via@terryfrd

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A truck with scaffolding & a big electrical generator have arrived at Ratchaprasong. Getting lights set up too. /via@RichardBarrow

Worawut says he's delighted w. turnout. At least 50,000, he says. Waiting for Thaksin speaking from international airspace. /via@terryfrd

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Worawit says red-shirts have always followed law. Since SOE recinded, that is why they have brought in loudspeakers. /via@terryfrd

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7:53pm Thaksin's starts to talk to the crowd at Ratchaprasong. "Can you hear me?". Crowd thunders "yes". /via@RichardBarrow

Here comes Thaksin thru a mobile phone held by jatuporn --not an easy setup, still not successful. /via@terryfrd

Seems to be having some technical difficulties with Thaksin's phone-in. Can't see who is talking now. I'm too far away. /via@RichardBarrow

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Thaksin's phone-in begins. TR @patjourno: RT @siu_thailand: Thaksin: This will be a good year for all Thais. /via@tulsathit

I wasn't planning on speaking, thaksin says but continued injustice changed his mind. /via@terryfrd

Thaksin: Hope the powers-that-be return justice to Thais this year so we can return to peace. We will eventuall find justice /via@tulsathit

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Thaksin says that despite rumours, he's in good health & wants 2 wish Thais Happy New Year, Health, etc. /via@tulsathit /RT @terryfrd:

The brief phone-in by Thaksin is over now. Red demonstrators gave thunderous cheers. /via@can_nw /via@tulsathit

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Thaksin said he was speaking on board a flight "above Europe" /via@siu_thailand /via@tulsathit

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to be continued

Thailand Live Monday 10 January 2011