ID :
142738
Sun, 09/19/2010 - 18:59
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/142738
The shortlink copeid
Red Shirts return to Ratchaprasong: Skytrain, subway services normal but alert protest memorial
BANGKOK, Sept 19 -- Slow- to non-moving traffic is reported from Rajprasong and the Sunday Red Shirt activities proceed, however peacefully.
Both Skytrain elevated railway and underground train services in the Thai capital are operating normally Sunday but on alert as anti-government protesters hold activities to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the September 2006 coup which removed the government of then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and the four months that have passed since the military's operations against the April-May Red Shirt protesters, mass transit executives said.
Anat Arbhabhirama, president and chief executive officer of the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) Skytrain, said its service which passes through Ratchaprasong where Red Shirt protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) are holding a mass gathering, is continuing
as usual.
However, the firm is coordinating closely with the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) and would inform it of any impact on services which might occur due to the demonstration, Dr Anat said.
Security at BTS stations has been boosted and BTS management will consider later whether to temporarily halt services if the situation worsens, he said.
Meanwhile, Ronnachit Yamsa-ad, deputy governor of Bangkok Metro Pcl which operates the MRT subway, said the number of security personnel at every of its station had increased although it is a Sunday.
Closed-circuit television is installed at every station while searches are made on passengers and the situation is being closely monitored, Mr Ronnachit said.
UDD activists, also known as 'Red Shirts' and staunch supporters of MrThaksin now living in self-imposed exile overseas, are scheduled to tie 100,000 pieces of red cloth around Ratchaprasong intersection, release red balloons, write condolences on 10,000 pieces of paper for those killed or wounded during their protests in Bangkok from early April until May 19 when the military's operations retook the protest area and light red candles in the afternoon.
Ratchaprasong, Bangkok’s prime business area, was a scene of death and disorder four months ago when security personnel moved against the UDD protesters.
Eighty-nine persons were killed, and at least 1,900 were wounded during the two months of confrontations before the protest ended on May 19.
By Sunday afternoon, traffic in the area was virtually closed to traffic as large number of protesters turned up and participated at the event leaving only a single lane of traffic passing through in both directions.
Police have urged UDD protesters not to block traffic in the area, refrain from using loud speakers and to cease activities before dark out of concern that ill-intentioned persons might instigate violence. (MCOT online news)
Both Skytrain elevated railway and underground train services in the Thai capital are operating normally Sunday but on alert as anti-government protesters hold activities to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the September 2006 coup which removed the government of then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and the four months that have passed since the military's operations against the April-May Red Shirt protesters, mass transit executives said.
Anat Arbhabhirama, president and chief executive officer of the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) Skytrain, said its service which passes through Ratchaprasong where Red Shirt protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) are holding a mass gathering, is continuing
as usual.
However, the firm is coordinating closely with the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) and would inform it of any impact on services which might occur due to the demonstration, Dr Anat said.
Security at BTS stations has been boosted and BTS management will consider later whether to temporarily halt services if the situation worsens, he said.
Meanwhile, Ronnachit Yamsa-ad, deputy governor of Bangkok Metro Pcl which operates the MRT subway, said the number of security personnel at every of its station had increased although it is a Sunday.
Closed-circuit television is installed at every station while searches are made on passengers and the situation is being closely monitored, Mr Ronnachit said.
UDD activists, also known as 'Red Shirts' and staunch supporters of MrThaksin now living in self-imposed exile overseas, are scheduled to tie 100,000 pieces of red cloth around Ratchaprasong intersection, release red balloons, write condolences on 10,000 pieces of paper for those killed or wounded during their protests in Bangkok from early April until May 19 when the military's operations retook the protest area and light red candles in the afternoon.
Ratchaprasong, Bangkok’s prime business area, was a scene of death and disorder four months ago when security personnel moved against the UDD protesters.
Eighty-nine persons were killed, and at least 1,900 were wounded during the two months of confrontations before the protest ended on May 19.
By Sunday afternoon, traffic in the area was virtually closed to traffic as large number of protesters turned up and participated at the event leaving only a single lane of traffic passing through in both directions.
Police have urged UDD protesters not to block traffic in the area, refrain from using loud speakers and to cease activities before dark out of concern that ill-intentioned persons might instigate violence. (MCOT online news)
