ID :
114837
Sat, 04/03/2010 - 12:52
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/114837
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Red Shirts march in central Bangkok; demand House dissolution, new elections
BANGKOK, April 3 (TNA) -- Thousands of anti-government protesters Saturday marched on foot and vehicles in central Bangkok's prime shopping area, demanding that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva dissolve the House and call a fresh general election following the failed talks between their leaders and the government in resolving the current political impasse earlier this week.
The so-called Red Shirt demonstrators of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) left their base at Phan Fa Bridge on Ratchadamnoen Avenue and marched to Rajprasong intersection. They erected a large platform at the intersection in front of a luxury hotel, causing a heavy traffic jam in Bangkok's prime retail business area.
Another group of UDD protesters, who began their rally in the capital March 14, used vehicles and motorcycles to protest along Vibhavadirangsit Road.
The destination of Vibhavadirangsit group was not disclosed, but police believed that the state television channel NBT may be the target.
The two groups of ralliers have caused traffic chaos in Bangkok, high-end department stores in the Rajprasong area closed for business on Saturday.
Reiterating that UDD protesters would avoid confrontation and intimidation which could lead to clashes with police and soldiers, Red Shirt security guards said sufficient numbers of protest monitors were deployed to provide security along the routes where thered-clad activists were marching.
The Red Shirt leaders said that the rally on Saturday was just a first step and that more measures would be announced later to put more pressure the Abhisit government to dissolve Parliament.
UDD protesters have intensified their demand after the two day negotiations ended March 29. The talks involving Mr Abhisit and three key UDD leaders on ways to end the political deadlock failed.
The Red Shirt UDD movement demanded that the prime minister dissolve the House unconditionally within 15 days, but Mr Abhisit asked for up to nine months for the government to prepare the Fiscal 2011 budget, effective October 1, and other vital issues in order to smooth the country’s economy which has begun to recover.
Mr Abhisit is now attending the first Mekong River Commission (MRC) Summit at Hua Hin.
The prime minister said earlier that the government would not return to the negotiation table if the Red Shirt protesters moved from Phan Fa Bridge to protest at various locations.
The premier said the time frame for House dissolution was not the condition, but rather how to bring the country back to normalcy, peacefully and how the country could move forward.
"The demand for House dissolution will be met only if it benefits the public, not for any particular person or group," he said. (TNA)
The so-called Red Shirt demonstrators of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) left their base at Phan Fa Bridge on Ratchadamnoen Avenue and marched to Rajprasong intersection. They erected a large platform at the intersection in front of a luxury hotel, causing a heavy traffic jam in Bangkok's prime retail business area.
Another group of UDD protesters, who began their rally in the capital March 14, used vehicles and motorcycles to protest along Vibhavadirangsit Road.
The destination of Vibhavadirangsit group was not disclosed, but police believed that the state television channel NBT may be the target.
The two groups of ralliers have caused traffic chaos in Bangkok, high-end department stores in the Rajprasong area closed for business on Saturday.
Reiterating that UDD protesters would avoid confrontation and intimidation which could lead to clashes with police and soldiers, Red Shirt security guards said sufficient numbers of protest monitors were deployed to provide security along the routes where thered-clad activists were marching.
The Red Shirt leaders said that the rally on Saturday was just a first step and that more measures would be announced later to put more pressure the Abhisit government to dissolve Parliament.
UDD protesters have intensified their demand after the two day negotiations ended March 29. The talks involving Mr Abhisit and three key UDD leaders on ways to end the political deadlock failed.
The Red Shirt UDD movement demanded that the prime minister dissolve the House unconditionally within 15 days, but Mr Abhisit asked for up to nine months for the government to prepare the Fiscal 2011 budget, effective October 1, and other vital issues in order to smooth the country’s economy which has begun to recover.
Mr Abhisit is now attending the first Mekong River Commission (MRC) Summit at Hua Hin.
The prime minister said earlier that the government would not return to the negotiation table if the Red Shirt protesters moved from Phan Fa Bridge to protest at various locations.
The premier said the time frame for House dissolution was not the condition, but rather how to bring the country back to normalcy, peacefully and how the country could move forward.
"The demand for House dissolution will be met only if it benefits the public, not for any particular person or group," he said. (TNA)
