Red Shirt protesters demand soldiers to return to barracks; Army at three sites returns to base

BANGKOK, March 27 (TNA) -- Thailand's red-shirted United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protesters, anti-government demonstrators who for two weeks have been demanding the coalition government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve the lower house of Parliament, marched to temples and higher education institutions where Army contingents are stationed to provide security and demanded that they return to barracks.

Military at three sites agree to Red Shirt demands, leave posts to return to barracks to avoid confrontation.

The protesters have been demonstrating ont Rajadamnoen Avenue and Phan Fah Bridge in on the edge of old Bangkok but Saturday marched to seven temples, two colleges, a horse racing court and the Dusit Zoo and challenged soldiers posted there to return to barracks.

Veera Musikapong, a leader of UDD, told protesters before they left the rally site to move “peacefully, carry no arms, but only foot-clappers”, the symbol of their movement.

Mr Veera remained at Phan Fah Bridge with one group of protesters while the rest marched to targeted sites.

UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan told cheering crowds before leaving that the army posted at various places had two options: to carry arms and return to their original barracks or agencies and if they refuse and use weapons, the protesters would be willing to “exchange their lives for freedom and liberty”.

The ongoing mobile rally created heavy traffic jams throughout the area. (TNA)