Red-Shirt Rally - Day 3

[Gaybutton]

Supposedly, today is the final day of the Red-Shirt Rally. However, despite the "rules" the Red-Shirt leaders say they will not end things today and will press on until the current government topples. If that occurs, then tomorrow could be when the real trouble starts, especially if the troops are called out to try to disperse the protesters.

 

According to news reports, about 80,000 to 100,000 Red-Shirts are in Bangkok now for the protest. I didn't think that many would show up, so I concede I was wrong about that. However, unless 10 times as many people show up today, then that's hardly the million protesters the Red-Shirt leadership had predicted and hoped for.

 

Both sides have promised no violence.

 

What happens next if the Red-Shirts don't get what they want?

 

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST:

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Up to 80,000 Rally, Ready for High Noon

 

RED SHIRT LEADERS TO ISSUE ULTIMATUM TO GOVERNMENT AT MIDDAY AMID THREATS PROTEST COULD SPREAD ACROSS CITY

 

Published: 14/03/2010

 

The countdown for the showdown between the red shirts and the government will start today when the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) gives Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva an ultimatum to dissolve the House.

 

If the deadline fails, the UDD will up the pressure by spreading their protests within a 20-kilometre radius of their main site on Ratchadamnoen Avenue, said one of its leaders, Jatuporn Prompan, who was confident that victory would be achieved within one week.

 

Government House, the Si Sao Thewes residence of Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda, the parliament and Suvarnabhumi airport will not be the targets, according to the UDD.

 

One of its rallies is planned at the 11th Infantry Regiment in Bang Khen district, which houses the peacekeeping operation command.

 

At noon on Sunday, key UDD leaders will spell out their deadline for the government to accept their demands.

 

Supporters of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra from the provinces converged on Ratchadamnoen Avenue last night where a stage has been set up at Phan Fa Bridge.

 

Pol Maj Gen Prawut Thavornsiri of the Royal Thai Police estimated the number of demonstrators at the bridge at no more than 80,000 last night. But more are expected to come today, including some who will arrive in Bangkok by boat. Sources at the peacekeeping operation command believe the number of protesters will reach 100,000 or more today.

 

In a bid to ease growing tension between the UDD and security forces, Korbsak Sabhavasu, secretary to the prime minister, talked with leading UDD figure Weng Tojirakarn yesterday and said the government was ready to reduce the number of troops at the rally site by putting more police on duty.

 

An intelligence source said the government was considering invoking emergency law if the situation gets out of control.

 

The peacekeeping operation command at the 11th Infantry Regiment could be moved to the Supreme Command headquarters if protesters block the military compound in Bang Khen, the source added. Mr Abhisit thanked all parties for keeping the arrival of the demonstrators and their demonstration peaceful and promised the government was trying to ensure it would continue in an orderly way.

 

The prime minister urged demonstrators to cooperate with government officials for their own safety and prevent any party from starting unrest.

 

He urged people to inform security staff if they see anyone dressing like police or soldiers and carrying arms among the demonstrators.

 

"Government officials will not fight anyone but will maintain order," he said, and denied plans to attack demonstration leaders or supporters.

 

"We respect constitutional rights. If people exercise constitutional rights, we cannot end their legitimate movements. But if the boundaries of the demonstration under the constitution are breached, provoking violence or legal violations, then we must do our duty by taking legal action to maintain order," said Mr Abhisit.

 

Thaksin yesterday told his supporters to stay put as the rally to topple the government would be a long one.

 

In a surprise 10-minute phone-in to the UDD's main stage, Thaksin thanked the demonstrators for joining the calls for justice and fighting against the elite bureaucracy, or amataya.

 

"The more you come out, the more I want to fight. I'm so grateful to all of you and I'll go back [to Thailand] to pay you back," he said while calling for unity and patience from his followers.

 

He also attacked the Democrat Party-led government, telling the cheering crowd: "They came to power with the help of the coup-makers and the amataya."

 

Yesterday red shirt supporters from the North and Northeast travelled in pick-up trucks, vans, buses and big trucks to the capital.

 

Police and troops searched all vehicles for weapons and demanded demonstrators show their ID cards before letting the convoys move on. Red shirt demonstrators cooperated with authorities.

 

Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd, the army spokesman, said security authorities decided to compromise by letting red-clad demonstrators travel in their vehicles to Bangkok to prevent traffic congestion resulting from confrontations between the demonstrators and ordinary motorists.

 

Three red shirts in Pathum Thani were sent to hospital yesterday, the Emergency Medical Institute of Thailand reported.

 

The three cases included two injuries caused by brawling and one person who passed out due to dehydration and heat when the rally started on Friday, said Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanavisit.

 

Mr Jurin, who also chairs the medical and public health centre dealing with unexpected emergencies during the rally, said the centre still categorised the rally at level three, which means the number of red shirt supporters in the city was expected to be more than 50,000 and that the situation could be severe.

 

Hospitals in the city and neighbouring areas were fully prepared and on high alert for emergencies, he said.

 

Mr Jurin, however, called on parents to avoid bringing their children to the rally site. Any outbreak of violence could affect their mental health in the long term, he said.

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And this, also from the BANGKOK POST:

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Bombs, Bike Menace Seen as Chief Threats

 

RALLY STRIFE RISKS ASSESSED

 

14/03/2010

 

Bombs, grenades and wild men on motorcycles have been identified as the most likely sources of trouble during today's red rally.

 

Security authorities are worried that violence could break out tonight, as the mass rally by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship reaches a head. They have narrowed down potential threats to three scenarios.

 

The peacekeeping operation command, which is monitoring the red rally, believes violence could be triggered tonight by protesters who could plant bombs, toss grenades or mobilise groups of motorcyclists to stir up turmoil, a source on the panel said yesterday.

 

The 1st Army Region has been ordered to deploy troops from the rapid deployment force of the 31st Infantry Regiment in Lop Buri to monitor the situation in Bangkok.

 

It will also reinforce guards at important places such as Government House, Ratchadamnoen Avenue and the Si Sao Theves residence of Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda.

 

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, Korbsak Sabhavasu, who is secretary-general to the prime minister, army chief Anupong Paojinda and senior army figures attended the operation command's meeting yesterday.

 

Mr Suthep, who is in charge of the command at the 11th Infantry Regiment in Bang Khen, said one area of concern was the use of motorcycles by red shirt supporters of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to stir up turmoil.

 

UDD leaders are rallying to oust the government, but say it will be peaceful.

 

Police yesterday seized 300 parts of M79 grenade launchers from a factory in Wang Noi district, Ayutthaya.

 

Police arrested 39 workers from the factory, and factory owner Choedyot Jirawattanakul, 31.

 

Suspects would be charged with illegally producing war weapons, Ayutthaya police said.

 

Mr Choedyot admitted his factory had delivered over 1,000 of the parts - triggering devices for grenade launchers - to arms traffickers.

 

Chief of Police Region 1 Pol Lt Gen Krissada Pankongchuen said investigators were looking into the case and have not concluded that the seizure is linked to the red shirt demonstration.

 

The Central Investigation Bureau yesterday obtained an arrest warrant against UDD leader Arisman Pongruengrong on charges of inciting violence, said CIB chief Pol Lt Gen Tha-ngai Pratsajaksatru.

 

The People's Alliance for Democracy lodged a complaint with the CIB on Monday.

 

It said Mr Arisman incited people at a rally in front of army headquarters on Jan 29, and in Khon Kaen on Jan 31, to cause trouble for the government.

 

UDD leader Nattawut Saikua said Mr Arisman would turn himself in on April 1. He intended to stay with the demonstrators for now.

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And this, from THE NATION:

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Govt Likely to Enforce State of Emergency on top of ISA

By THE NATION

Published on March 14, 2010

 

The government will likely enforce a state-of-emergency decree today to cope with the escalating security problem in Bangkok after tens of thousands of provincial protesters arrived in the city yesterday.

 

A state of emergency, which would be on top on the current implementation of the Internal Security Act (ISA), would empower the military to fully take charge of the situation.

 

Under the ISA, soldiers can only help the police in maintaining law and order.

 

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is expected to hold an emergency Cabinet meeting before the emergency decree is used, according to a senior government source.

 

Red shirts rallying for "democracy" yesterday threatened a mass march on Abhisit's hold-out if he does not dissolve the House of Representatives by noon today.

 

Tens of thousands of protesters gathering from across the country at the main rally stage on Rajdamnoen Avenue were prepared to lay siege to the Army's 11th Infantry Regiment on Phaholyothin, where the premier is temporarily billeted and manning a "war room".

 

Many demonstrators from the Northeast, North and other parts of the country arrived in Bangkok yesterday, with their numbers expected to swell past 100,000 today, said Tawil Pliensri, secretary-general of the National Security Council.

 

Jatuporn Promphan, a key leader of the anti-government movement, said that at this stage they had no plan to march to Government House, Parliament House or the house of Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda. Natthawut Saikua, the red-shirt spokesman, said today would see more arrivals from central, eastern and western provinces as well as from around Bangkok.

 

"We're still confident the count will reach 1 million," he said.

 

Veera Musikapong, another leader, will address the rally today and deliver an ultimatum for Abhisit to dissolve the House and call a snap election.

 

"If Abhisit ignores our demand, we'll step up the protest by marching on Bangkok's streets and urge more people to join our campaign for House dissolution," Natthawut said.

 

The red shirts expect a successful conclusion before the week is out.

 

"Altogether, we do not plan to stay more than seven days. I guess we could have a victory within four days," Jatuporn said.

 

Korkaew Pikulthong, another leader, said disbanding the House was the only solution to the current crisis, nothing less.

 

"If Abhisit resigns, then Chuan Leekpai, chairman of the Democrat Party's advisory council, would likely be his replacement. In this case, we will continue to protest. We want the government to return power to the people via a new election.

 

"If there are more than 500,000 protesters, I think Abhisit will have to dissolve the House and every party should reach an understanding to accept the outcome of the new poll so that the country can move forward.

 

"Representatives of all the stakeholders, including General Prem, president of the Privy Council, Abhisit, General Anupong [Paochinda, Army chief], Sonthi Limtongkul [of the yellow-shirt movement] as well as General Chavalit [Yongchaiyudh, chairman of the Pheu Thai Party] and Veera Musikapong and Thaksin Shinawatra should also enter into this agreement," he said.

 

Police plan to dispatch 3,700 reinforcements to keep law and order during the red shirts' show of force in Bangkok.

 

Metropolitan Police spokesman Maj-General Piya Uthayo said police estimated some 40,000 red shirts had assembled in Bangkok yesterday, with more to join last night and today.

 

Authorities would be on guard for any sabotage during the night, he said.

 

Acting Government Spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said a huge turnout by the red shirts was still not beyond expectations.

 

Authorities would exercise special care around the protest site, mainly on Rajdamnoen Avenue, and the residences of important figures in order to prevent any unfortunate incidents.

 

Abhisit expects the build-up of protesters to peak today.

 

Authorities now will focus on preventing any extreme incidents, he said.

 

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said authorities would use no force as long as the protesters did not break the law.

 

If they started blocking roads or breaking into government buildings or trashing private property, authorities would disperse the troublemakers, he added.

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And this, from AP:

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Thai "Red Shirts" Rally for Ousted Leader

 

Thousands Converge on Bangkok, Calling for Dissolution of Government, Return of Prime Minister Deposed in Coup

 

(AP) Thousands of red-shirted anti-government protesters converged on the Thai capital Bangkok on Saturday, giving the government an ultimatum to dissolve Parliament or face mass marches on key spots in the city.

 

Although protest leaders stressed they would not resort to violence in their quest to oust the government, many businesses closed, social events were canceled, and Bangkok's normally chaotic traffic was unusually light.

 

A force of 50,000 soldiers, police and other security personnel was mobilized in the capital area.

 

The "million-man march," which protest leaders said would end on Wednesday, is regarded by some as the last chance for ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to return to Thailand.

 

The "Red Shirt" protesters, formally known as the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship, are made up of followers of Thaksin, along with other people who oppose the 2006 military coup that toppled him.

 

Forcing the government out of power, Thaksin loyalists say, could pave the way for his pardon and return.

 

Thaksin, who resides in Dubai, faces a two-year prison term for abuse of power.

 

Thousands of protesters arrived in the sprawling capital on Saturday after travelling in trucks, buses and motorcycles from the Thaksin heartland - the impoverished rural northeast and the north where the fugitive leader was born.

 

There were no reports of violence.

 

Thailand has been in a state of constant political turmoil since early 2006, when demonstrations accusing Thaksin of corruption and abuse of power began.

 

In 2008, when Thaksin's political allies came back to power for a year, his opponents occupied the prime minister's office compound for three months and seized Bangkok's two airports for a week.

 

Recent polls in Bangkok indicate a large segment of the population, irrespective of their political beliefs, is fed up with the protests, which have battered the economy, including the lucrative tourism industry.

 

The Red Shirts have vowed to keep their protest nonviolent - and some in Bangkok carried roses that they handed to policemen.

 

"If there is any violence it won't come from our side," said Nattawut Sai-kua, a Red Shirt leader. "Since this morning, no weapons have been found on any Red Shirt demonstrators making their way from upcountry into Bangkok."

 

However, the group's last major protest in Bangkok in April deteriorated into rioting that left two people dead, more than 120 people injured, and buses burned on major thoroughfares. The army was called in to quash the unrest.

 

Many embassies have warned their citizens to stay away from areas of the city where violence could erupt.

[pong]

this morning is was very quiet-but the music was turned on all night. All those tents along Ratchdamnen have been signed with provinces and dirstricts. All of Chumporn (south) turned out was 12 redshirts.

Just by incident watched the Pattaya comrades arrive. About 1 busload-some 40. They had quite some trouble to find their assigned tent. There was a long row of tents for BKK's districts-many of them empty.

When reading online newspprs from home this morning-yesterday also the Italians protested against machinations of the Berlusconi govmt-several 10.000s (in red+green)-so comparable to what we have here. No warnings from governments or other traveladvice we get here.

The more worrying thing is that there seems to be no exit-strategy-no side will bow and admit defeat.

[Guest fountainhall]

When reading online newspprs from home this morning-yesterday also the Italians protested against machinations of the Berlusconi govmt-several 10.000s (in red+green)-so comparable to what we have here.

Whilst Thaksin said several times that this 'idol' was Lee Kwan Yew - presumably for the latter's almost total strangehold of power in Singapore over many decades, there must surely be little doubt that Berlusconi was his model: a media tycoon, football club owner (AC Milan), tamperer of the judicial system, a true 'holier than thou' character etc. etc. Add in two countries with decades of coalition governments suddenly headed by mega-millionaire businessmen with absolute majorities. The parallels are extraordinary. Indeed, the only difference appears to be the lack of attraction to 20-something escort girls and starlets (at least, Thaksin has not cavorted so openly, as far as I know). And now Berlusconi seems to be about to get a Thaksin-style come-uppance.

 

I wish I could add that Thailand is playing a small part in showing the world how to put dictators in their place. Time will tell, I guess.

[Gaybutton]

The more worrying thing is that there seems to be no exit-strategy-no side will bow and admit defeat.

I don't think there needs to be one. The AP article above says, "Recent polls in Bangkok indicate a large segment of the population, irrespective of their political beliefs, is fed up with the protests . . ."

 

I believe that is truly the case. Obviously this demonstration attracted far less people than had been hoped for and anticipated. I think what will happen is participants will get tired of it and except for the die-hards, will trickle back home. These people do have lives where they came from and most will need to get back to those lives.

 

I think future rallies will be set up less often and will attract less people. I think the Red-Shirt leadership will rethink their strategy and try again at some future date.

 

I also think the reality is the majority of Red-Shirt supporters, while believing in their cause, also think they are fighting a losing battle and there is nothing more they can do that can bring about serious results until the next Prime Minister election.

 

I still believe I was correct from the beginning, in that this whole thing will amount to a big nothing. I believe this was Thaksin's last major hurrah.

 

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST:

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Poll: Red Rally Benefits Just One Man

 

Published: 14/03/2010 at 10:54 AM

 

Nearly 60 per cent of polled people thought the anti-government rally by red-shirts was just for the benefit of only one person, Dusit poll at Rajabhat Suan Dusit University concluded on Sunday morning.

 

The pollsters asked 1,090 people in Bangkok and other seven nearby provinces, where the Internal Security Act is being invoked, from March 12 to 13, about the invocation of the security law and the red-shirts rally.

 

Regarding the red-shirts rally, 30.71 per cent of the respondents said it made foreigners think that Thais do not love each other and that Thailand is unsafe country, 24.08 per cent considered the rally had caused hardship to people living near rally sites, 23.42 per cent said it attracted interest of the media worldwide, 13.83 per cent pointed out that it made police and military troops work hard, and 7.96 per cent said the red-shirts have constitutional right to call for justice.

 

Asked about the media they used to follow up the situation, 68.87 per cent said television, 12.29 per cent newspaper, 9.81 per cent internet and SMS, 4.72 per cent radio, and 4.31 per cent said they were told by friends and relatives.

 

Asked what kind of report they preferred, 48.11 per cent said real-time reporting with backup footages, 34.71 per cent preferred sufficient information, precise and unbiased news coverage, 17.18 per cent wanted to see an interview with important people, such as PM, red-shirts leaders and fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinwatra.

 

Asked whether the red-shirts rally was a democratic expression, 57.14 per cent said it was not as it was made for one person and it was a political game to topple the government, 23.81 per cent said it was a true democratic expression and the red-shirts have constitutional right to do so, 19.05 per cent were unsure.

 

Asked what the people in Bangkok and the seven provinces should do during the rally, 37.20 per cent said staying at home and follow the situation, 30.32 said they would help the government in spotting for any suspicious things and persons, 15.80 per cent said they would not come out to observe the rally as it would be dangerous, 9.47 per cent said they would not express opinion in public places, and 7.21 per cent said they would hurry finish there outside businesses.

 

Asked about consequences of the rally, 27.30 said it damaged the country

[Guest RichLB]

I think it is wise to take these polls with a grain of salt As it has been explained to me, those in power and in Bangkok are, in general, in support of the existing powers. Thus it is not surprising many in the capital and the press oppose the objectives of the Red Shirts. It's like taking a poll of Fox TV viewers and asking them if they support the Obama administration. I'm struck by some of the obvvious spins given in the press. It is claimed the Red Shirts had a goal of one million people descending on Bangkok. I never heard them say that. The result is that anything less appears to be a failure - no matter how many hundreds of thousands arrive. In the above articles the claim is made that only one person - Thaksin - can benefit from the rally. While many Thais may still feel some allegiance to him, those in support of the Red Shirts I have talked to are much more concerned with what they view as a non-representative government and they want a voice (re: election) in forming a government. I have also noticed that the SET (Thailand's stock index) seems to be rising during this time of strife, not descending. Clearly, investors do not share the doom and gloom to Thailand voiced by alarmists.

 

Being ignorant of the real mechanics of Thai politics, I don't have a side in the current brouhaha. But, it's clear the divisions are far more complex than the simplistic treatment presented in the press. No matter what happens as a result of the Red Shirt rallies, I keep thinking of Abraham Lincoln's counsel prior to the civil war in the US - A house divided against itself, cannot stand. To me, that is more worrisome for Thailand than the events of this week.

[Guest gwm4sian]

No matter what happens as a result of the Red Shirt rallies, I keep thinking of Abraham Lincoln's counsel prior to the civil war in the US - A house divided against itself, cannot stand. To me, that is more worrisome for Thailand than the events of this week.

 

 

 

And of course Lincoln was quoting from an even stronger text in Matthew 12:25: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand."

[Guest voldemar]

I am posting this realizing that the source is highly unreliable.

But imagine that even half of what is speculated below is true?

What a total fiasco for local experts over here and especially Gaybutton.

 

 

 

 

 

Newin Chidchob stabs Abhisit

 

It is now certain that Newin Chidchob of Bhumjai Thai has stabbed Abhisit Vejjajiva, the prime minister, at the back. He has jumped ship and joined the Red Shirts.

 

"Newin has betrayed Abhisit. This is one million per cent for sure. It is time that Abhisit dumps all the coalition partners to take the helm at this moment," said a very reliable source.

 

Newin is now in London, saying that he needs to visit his children studyin at the UK schools. It is an open secret that Newin has been in contact with former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

 

 

 

Sorry for the brief honeymoon. It's time to move on.

 

Another high-level source just told me that Suthep Thuagsuban, the deputy prime minister, has been very frustrated because he can't reach Newin at this critical hour.

 

Newin has switched off his communication line with the Democrats.

 

Banharn Silapa-archa of Chat Thai Pattana and Phuea Phan Din have already made their decisions to join the Red Shirts, ready to desert the Democrats to form a new coalition government with the Pheu Thai Party of Thaksin.

 

Like father, like son, Chai Chidchob, the House Speaker, will call for a special joint partliamentary session between the House of Representatives and Senate on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 9:00 AM. A motion will be submitted to surprise Abhisit and the Democrats.

 

 

 

Chai is preparing a guillotine for Abhisit

 

"There is no need to call for such a joint session unless a deal is done. Abhisit and the Democrats will be dealt with a big shock. Perhaps during that parliamentary session, Maj Gen Sanan Khachornprasat of Chat Thai Pattana would achieve his life-long dream to become prime minister and to erase his bad memories," said the well-informed source.

 

Thaksin's Phue Thai will hold back the temptation to grab the premiership for now. Let Sanan enjoy the toy first.

 

The only way out for Abhisit now is to dump all the coalition partners to form a minority government. Strangely enough, Abhisit does not feel that he is bleeding.

 

If Abhisit fails to block the "Brutus" conspiracy in Parliament, he will, like Julius Caesar, be stabbed to death on the steps of Parliament.

 

Abhisit will have to dump his entire Cabinet and replaced it with the old guards, who have the experience and the mettle to help him steer the country out of the current political crisis. As a minority government, Abhisit can be fully in charge -- at least over the coming months before the new election is held.

 

Most important, Abhisit can lay all the blame to Newin, who is the catalyst of this Red Shirts' ambush.

 

Things have gotten much worse. The latest intelligence estimate has put the Red Shirts crowd at 500,000. Many Bangkok Red Shirts are joining in today to display force and help sustain the crowd. Thaksin is using the Red Shirts on the streets to force Abhisit out with a parliamentary Brutus.

 

In a way, the Red Shirts have resorted to Chuko Liang's witty tactics in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. They made a low turnout on Friday to trick the Abhisit government that the Red Shirts could not mobilise.

 

Abhisit and Gen Anupong Paochinda, the army chief, have been laid back. Police and security forces at the check points leading to the capital have been very laxed too. The Red Shirts have managed to sneak into the capital without any obstacles.

 

"Suddenly Gen Anupong realized crowds maybe much larger than expected," the well-informed source said.

 

 

 

Gen Anupong

 

Bangkok has never faced any huge number of protesters in the scale of the Red Shirts before if the 500,000 Red Shirts were accurate. However, yesterday the Red Shirts came in the tune of more than 100,000 at the Rachadamnoen Road.

 

**********************************************************

 

3:00 PM: The Red Shirts have earlier sent out a deceptive signal that they would rally in the capital between March 12 and 14. But their actual aim is to display political force and create pressure to lead to a switch of the premiership on March 16.

 

The Red Shirts would be in Bangkok for at least over the next seven days. This would be enough to shut down the entire capital.

 

"They might also surround the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Then the SET has to shut down. How about the Bank of Thailand? Premium on the baht exchange rate might shoot through the roof causing panic in the financial markets. In that scenario, the Red Shirts don't need to use guns to force a collapse in the government," said the reliable source.

 

The Red Shirts now feel that they are having an upper hand because both Abhisit and Gen Anupong have no idea what the Red Shirts are really up to.

 

But Abhisit should have felt suspicious by now as to why the security forces have failed to block the Red Shirts from entering the capital smoothly.

 

Abhisit has been caught with his pant down!

 

By tonight, the Red Shirts might have reached 800,000 and tomorrow the entire Bangkok could be closed business.

 

The Yellow Shirts might have shut down the Suvarnabhumi Airport, but the Red Shirts are about to shut down the whole capital of Thailand.

 

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[Gaybutton]

What a total fiasco for local experts over here and especially Gaybutton.

A total fiasco for me? Ok . . . . Meanwhile, on this board you are supposed to cite your source, which of course you did not. I would also greatly enjoy you showing us a post in which I ever claimed to be an expert about anything.

 

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST:

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Red-Shirt Leaders Formally Demand House dissolution

 

Published: 14/03/2010 at 02:15 PM

 

The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship on Sunday issued a formal statement from the main stage at Phan Fa bridge demanding that the government dissolve the House of Representatives within 24 hours or face mass street demonstrations.

 

The statement, read by UDD leader Veera Musikhapong, said that since the Sept 19, 2006 coup that toppled the government of Thaksin Shinawatra, the country had been under a dictatorship.

 

"We're asking the government to relinquish power and return it to the people," he said.

 

Mr Veera threatened that the group would spread their protests across the capital in coming days if their demands are not met.

 

He said the present government was in fact a dictatorship under another name and the red-shirts did not believe it could be in the people's best interests.

 

"However, the demonstrators will not mobilise to other areas in the next 24 hours," he said in the afternoon.

 

Natthawut Saikua, a UDD leader, said the red-shirts would not negotiate with Korbsak Sabhavasu, the prime minister's secretary-general, but would be glad to do so with Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban or Newin Chidchob, the de factor leader of the Bhumjaithai Party.

 

Roads leading to Ratchadamnern avenue, the main venue for the rally, have been closed to ensure more effective control of the situation, Metropolitan Police spokesman Pol Col Piya Uthayo said on Sunday.

 

They include roads in the vicinity of Government House, Wat Benjamabopit, First Infantry Division, the Royal Plaza, Suan Misakawan, and Mawan Rangsan bridges.

 

Pol Col Piya said nine more police companies had been deployed, raising the number of police maintaining law and order at the rally site to 42 companies.

 

More troops were also sent to reinforce the 11th Infantry Regiment, in Bang Khen district, where the government's peacekeeping operation command is situated, on Sunday.

 

Army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said an additional 20 companies of unarmed soldiers were deployed to protect the 11th Infantry Regiment compound against any invasion by red-shirts.

 

Col Sansern said army chief Anupong Paojinda had ordered the reinforcements following the announcement by UDD leaders that they would lead their followers to rally outside the regimental grounds at noon.

 

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva again reiterated during his weekly television broadcast in the morning that he had no intention of using force against the protesters rallying in Bangkok.

 

"I want to reassure people that the government has no plans to crack down on protesters. The government will not benefit from doing that," he said.

 

He also refused to bend to the protesters' demand, saying: "I have the right to complete my term."

 

A 50,000-strong security force has been deployed under the Internal Security Act to keep the supporters of convicted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra under control, amid fears that some of them could become violent.

[Guest RichLB]

A 50,000-strong security force has been deployed under the Internal Security Act to keep the supporters of convicted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra under control, amid fears that some of them could become violent.

 

Boy, these newspaper reports sure are confusing. 50,000 additional security forces called into action - that's pretty impressive. Of course, in the same issue of the Bangkok Post, the front page of the newspaper claims there were only 46,000 attendees at the rally. Let's see now, if we're to believe the Bangkok Post, that's one peace officer for every Red Shirt and 4000 left over Let's recognize at least one fact. We who are not there are being subject to radical spins - and the direction of that spin depends on who is reporting the "facts".

[Gaybutton]

the direction of that spin depends on who is reporting the "facts".

I'm beginning to wonder if any have been reported at all.

[Guest run26mile]

A few months ago, I booked my first trip to bkk for march 20 to 27. I wanted to see some of the tourist sites and also enjoy and evening or two at some of the legendary bars such as tawan and others in silom.

 

Not to be too crass, but how has the protest impacted the bar scene in silom? Still business as usual? I'm staying at lebua hotel.

 

I assume some of the more popular tourist sites might also be convenient protest sites so my trip my be slightly disrupted there but more interesting.