ID :
117512
Mon, 04/19/2010 - 17:25
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/117512
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Red Shirts threaten to push military back to barracks
BANGKOK, April 19 (TNA) - A top leader of the anti-government Red Shirt movement on Monday threatened to force military personnel back to their barracks, saying the government's heavy military deployment in the capital's financial district was a major concern for the Reds' safety.
Natthawut Saikua, a leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), told a press briefing that there are reports of heavy military reinforcements indicating that the military will likely use force to disperse the protesters given the opportunity.
The top Red Shirt claimed that military officers sympathetic to the protesters leaked details of the military movements to the UDD, prompting them to mobilise a large number of protesters to confront the military personnel who then changed their tactics and set up barricades to surround the protesters.
"If the reinforcement [process] continues with too many soldiers being deployed...Silom Road will eventually become a battlefield," Mr Natthawut said.
"[Our] photos show armed troops in a ready-to-fire position, therefore [the UDD] demands that the military reconsider the move, or the Reds otherwise might find it necessary to push the soldiers back to their barracks with their bare hands."
Mr Natthawut said his movement is yet to decide that it would rally at Silom Road, the capital's key business district, but will discuss its latest move Tuesday morning when larger numbers of protesters are expected to be in place before making a public announcement.
The UDD leader said he expected the situation to end within seven days as Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is expected to make a political decision
since he has not talked to the media since April 10 when fierce clashes between army troops and protesters led to much loss of life.
Meanwhile, Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situations (CRES) spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd assured the public that the centre will follow a seven-step action plan in line with international standards in reclaiming Ratchaprasong Intersection, the capital's top-end commercial and shopping area, from the protesters and to strictly enforce the law.
"It is necessary for soldiers to carry arms which will be used only for self-defence when their lives are under threat," Col Sansern said, adding that the military move is acceptable to the public as its unarmed operations to reclaim the protest venue at Phan Fa Bridge ended with a great loss of life for both the military and the protesters.
The April 10 street clashes between security forces and protesters left 25 people dead, according to the latest statistics from Emergency Medical Institute's Erawan Emergency Centre.
The Red Shirts has been rallying since March 13 to pressure the prime minister to dissolve the House in 15 days. They later demanded mmediate dissolution of the House, and called on the prime minister to leave the country after the April 10 clashes, saying the premier lacks legitimacy to run the country.
However the prime minister appeared to see no reason to go into an effective exile. (TNA)
Natthawut Saikua, a leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), told a press briefing that there are reports of heavy military reinforcements indicating that the military will likely use force to disperse the protesters given the opportunity.
The top Red Shirt claimed that military officers sympathetic to the protesters leaked details of the military movements to the UDD, prompting them to mobilise a large number of protesters to confront the military personnel who then changed their tactics and set up barricades to surround the protesters.
"If the reinforcement [process] continues with too many soldiers being deployed...Silom Road will eventually become a battlefield," Mr Natthawut said.
"[Our] photos show armed troops in a ready-to-fire position, therefore [the UDD] demands that the military reconsider the move, or the Reds otherwise might find it necessary to push the soldiers back to their barracks with their bare hands."
Mr Natthawut said his movement is yet to decide that it would rally at Silom Road, the capital's key business district, but will discuss its latest move Tuesday morning when larger numbers of protesters are expected to be in place before making a public announcement.
The UDD leader said he expected the situation to end within seven days as Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is expected to make a political decision
since he has not talked to the media since April 10 when fierce clashes between army troops and protesters led to much loss of life.
Meanwhile, Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situations (CRES) spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd assured the public that the centre will follow a seven-step action plan in line with international standards in reclaiming Ratchaprasong Intersection, the capital's top-end commercial and shopping area, from the protesters and to strictly enforce the law.
"It is necessary for soldiers to carry arms which will be used only for self-defence when their lives are under threat," Col Sansern said, adding that the military move is acceptable to the public as its unarmed operations to reclaim the protest venue at Phan Fa Bridge ended with a great loss of life for both the military and the protesters.
The April 10 street clashes between security forces and protesters left 25 people dead, according to the latest statistics from Emergency Medical Institute's Erawan Emergency Centre.
The Red Shirts has been rallying since March 13 to pressure the prime minister to dissolve the House in 15 days. They later demanded mmediate dissolution of the House, and called on the prime minister to leave the country after the April 10 clashes, saying the premier lacks legitimacy to run the country.
However the prime minister appeared to see no reason to go into an effective exile. (TNA)
