ID :
112561
Fri, 03/19/2010 - 18:54
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/112561
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Red Shirt caravan set to weave through key Bangkok traffic routes
BANGKOK, March 19 (TNA) – A convoy of vehicles carrying red-clad anti-government demonstrators led by the United Front for Democracy (UDD) is set to march through the Thai capital's key streets Saturday to roust out support from Bangkok residents and pressure the government to dissolve parliament, according to the Red Shirt movement's security guard chief.
Aree Krainara said the red convoy would begin moving from Phan Fah Bridge at 10am and then roll through New Phetchaburi Road to the Asoke intersection and Ratchadapisek Road. They will travel along Rama 9 Road before entering the capital's key business area of Silom and Rama IV and head to Yommarat and then back to Phan Fah Bridge.
Pol Lt-Gen Santan Chayanont, chief of Bangkok's Metropolitan Police Bureau, met with other police officers in preparation for responding to the mass caravan. Afterward he confirmed the route the UDD core leaders and their supporters will travel in caravan.
Police will prevent a possible clash between protesters, local residents and others along the route and will direct traffic to facilitate motorists.
Gen Santan said that a 'Molotov cocktail' thrown from a taxi at the Second Cavalry Division at Bangkok's Sanam Pao on Thursday night was intended to cause a disturbance or to play a prank to discredit the army.
No one was injured and nothing was damaged as the energy drink bottle filled with kerosene hit an area where a Army tank was displayed in front of the division headquarters. Security has been stepped up with the installation of a spotlight Friday.
The attacker was unlikely to have been in the group who fired M79 grenades at the First Infantry Regiment earlier this week, injuring two soldiers, Gen Santan said.
Core UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan denied any Red Shirt involvement in the incident.
About 100,000 Red Shirt protesters started gathering on Rajdamnoen Avenue on Sunday, demanding that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve the Parliament and call a new election.
The protesters, however, had dwindled in number over the past few days but vowed to continue their anti-government campaign as more are coming from provinces this weekend.
The National Human Rights commission helped act as a broker between the government and the UDD leaders to try to bring the two parties to negotiating table. The Red Shirt leaders however insisted that Mr Abhisit must accept the UDD's demand to dissolve the House before any talks could happen.
Ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra poured scorn on the NHRC's attempt, accusing it of not being impartial.(TNA)
Aree Krainara said the red convoy would begin moving from Phan Fah Bridge at 10am and then roll through New Phetchaburi Road to the Asoke intersection and Ratchadapisek Road. They will travel along Rama 9 Road before entering the capital's key business area of Silom and Rama IV and head to Yommarat and then back to Phan Fah Bridge.
Pol Lt-Gen Santan Chayanont, chief of Bangkok's Metropolitan Police Bureau, met with other police officers in preparation for responding to the mass caravan. Afterward he confirmed the route the UDD core leaders and their supporters will travel in caravan.
Police will prevent a possible clash between protesters, local residents and others along the route and will direct traffic to facilitate motorists.
Gen Santan said that a 'Molotov cocktail' thrown from a taxi at the Second Cavalry Division at Bangkok's Sanam Pao on Thursday night was intended to cause a disturbance or to play a prank to discredit the army.
No one was injured and nothing was damaged as the energy drink bottle filled with kerosene hit an area where a Army tank was displayed in front of the division headquarters. Security has been stepped up with the installation of a spotlight Friday.
The attacker was unlikely to have been in the group who fired M79 grenades at the First Infantry Regiment earlier this week, injuring two soldiers, Gen Santan said.
Core UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan denied any Red Shirt involvement in the incident.
About 100,000 Red Shirt protesters started gathering on Rajdamnoen Avenue on Sunday, demanding that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve the Parliament and call a new election.
The protesters, however, had dwindled in number over the past few days but vowed to continue their anti-government campaign as more are coming from provinces this weekend.
The National Human Rights commission helped act as a broker between the government and the UDD leaders to try to bring the two parties to negotiating table. The Red Shirt leaders however insisted that Mr Abhisit must accept the UDD's demand to dissolve the House before any talks could happen.
Ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra poured scorn on the NHRC's attempt, accusing it of not being impartial.(TNA)
