ID :
115251
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 11:45
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/115251
The shortlink copeid
Tension rises as security forces set to clear Ratchaprasong
BANGKOK, April 6(TNA) - Thailand's capital began its Tuesday holiday morning uneasily with tension rising as numbers of security personnel have been deployed near Bangkok’s prime commercial location,Ratchaprasong,following news reports that they will clear the area where anti-government Red Shirt protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) have camped for four days.
Inciting their supporters with reports of military and police nearby ready to move against them, key UDD leaders Nattawut Saikua, Jatuporn Prompan, and Weng Tojirakarn raised the temperature on an already hot morning announced from the stage at Ratchaprasong that the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) had deployed security units at Lumpini Park and near Chidlom intersection, preparing to force the Red Shirts leave the intersection in front of the Erewan Shrine compound.
The UDD leaders urged the protesters to prepare for possible security crackdown and for the Red Shirts to gather at Ratchaprasong area in as many numbers as possible.
The Red Shirt leaders also threatened to move to Democrat Party headquarters and the residence of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva in Sukhumvit when security forces invade Ratchaprasong intersection.
Small clashes occurred Tuesday morning when disgruntled Red Shirts threw bottles of water at military personnel who urged them via loudspeaker toleave the Ratchaprasong area.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, in his capacity as CAPO director, reaffirmed Tuesday that the government will try to force the Red Shirts to leave Ratchaprasong intersection by the end of the day.
The CAPO director pledged that security personnel will conduct their operation under standard international practices after the Civil Court ruled Monday that the Internal Security Act (ISA) imposed since March 12 has sufficient power to immediately enforce the Red Shirts removal and that it was unnecessary to seek court approval for any legal action.
Mr Suthep however declined to say whether an Emergency Decree will be enforced if any violence occurs, saying that only he will supervise the security operation by himself.
The deputy prime minister added that CAPO will try to block the Red Shirt protesters previously announced march to 11 critical roadways in the capital earlier specifically banned by CAPO at 11am. He said arrest warrants will be issued for ten protest leaders.
CAPO on Sunday issued its 6th statement to prohibit protesters from entering the areas, unless permitted by the concerned authority – including Rama IV, Silom, Surawongse, Charoenkrung, Rajdamri, Phyathai, Ratchadapisek, Dindaeng and Thaveemitr.
The UDD Red Shirts however scorned the CAPO ban and mobilised numbers of Red Shirts at Phan Fa Bridge to specifically target the 11 critical
thoroughfare and business routes at 11am.
The red-clad caravan will be led by UDD leaders Arisman Pongruangrong, Suporn Attawong, Kwanchai Praipana and Payap Pankate.
Other groups of protesters will remain at the main rally site where they have camped since March 14 and at the Bangkok’s prime commercial crossroads, Ratchaprasong intersection, where they have stages a protest against the government since Saturday.
The Red Shirt’s reaction came as the two rounds of talks with the premier ended in a deadlock as they could not reach an agreement of the timeframe for the House dissolution.
The UDD insisted the prime minister must dissolve the parliament within 15 days, while Mr Abhisit said the government will dissolve the House in nine months after the charter amendment is accomplished. (TNA)
Inciting their supporters with reports of military and police nearby ready to move against them, key UDD leaders Nattawut Saikua, Jatuporn Prompan, and Weng Tojirakarn raised the temperature on an already hot morning announced from the stage at Ratchaprasong that the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) had deployed security units at Lumpini Park and near Chidlom intersection, preparing to force the Red Shirts leave the intersection in front of the Erewan Shrine compound.
The UDD leaders urged the protesters to prepare for possible security crackdown and for the Red Shirts to gather at Ratchaprasong area in as many numbers as possible.
The Red Shirt leaders also threatened to move to Democrat Party headquarters and the residence of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva in Sukhumvit when security forces invade Ratchaprasong intersection.
Small clashes occurred Tuesday morning when disgruntled Red Shirts threw bottles of water at military personnel who urged them via loudspeaker toleave the Ratchaprasong area.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, in his capacity as CAPO director, reaffirmed Tuesday that the government will try to force the Red Shirts to leave Ratchaprasong intersection by the end of the day.
The CAPO director pledged that security personnel will conduct their operation under standard international practices after the Civil Court ruled Monday that the Internal Security Act (ISA) imposed since March 12 has sufficient power to immediately enforce the Red Shirts removal and that it was unnecessary to seek court approval for any legal action.
Mr Suthep however declined to say whether an Emergency Decree will be enforced if any violence occurs, saying that only he will supervise the security operation by himself.
The deputy prime minister added that CAPO will try to block the Red Shirt protesters previously announced march to 11 critical roadways in the capital earlier specifically banned by CAPO at 11am. He said arrest warrants will be issued for ten protest leaders.
CAPO on Sunday issued its 6th statement to prohibit protesters from entering the areas, unless permitted by the concerned authority – including Rama IV, Silom, Surawongse, Charoenkrung, Rajdamri, Phyathai, Ratchadapisek, Dindaeng and Thaveemitr.
The UDD Red Shirts however scorned the CAPO ban and mobilised numbers of Red Shirts at Phan Fa Bridge to specifically target the 11 critical
thoroughfare and business routes at 11am.
The red-clad caravan will be led by UDD leaders Arisman Pongruangrong, Suporn Attawong, Kwanchai Praipana and Payap Pankate.
Other groups of protesters will remain at the main rally site where they have camped since March 14 and at the Bangkok’s prime commercial crossroads, Ratchaprasong intersection, where they have stages a protest against the government since Saturday.
The Red Shirt’s reaction came as the two rounds of talks with the premier ended in a deadlock as they could not reach an agreement of the timeframe for the House dissolution.
The UDD insisted the prime minister must dissolve the parliament within 15 days, while Mr Abhisit said the government will dissolve the House in nine months after the charter amendment is accomplished. (TNA)
