ID :
150340
Thu, 11/18/2010 - 18:54
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http://m.oananews.org//node/150340
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Red Shirts promise peaceful protest Friday
BANGKOK, Nov 18 - The anti-government Red Shirt movement, the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) on Thursday pledged that its demonstration in the Thai capital on Friday to mark the six-month anniversary of the forced ending of the group's protest at Ratchaprasong intersection will be peaceful and said it will hold continuing activities for three more days.
Somyot Preuksakasemsuk, head of the Red Shirt faction called the "May 24 Group," said the gathering will begin at 5pm at Ratchaprasong intersection in Bangkok's prime commercial area.
He said that this time the Red Shirt activists will wear black outfits and gather at first at the Bangkok Remand Prison, demanding that political prisoners be released.
Mr Somyot said the group's demonstration will be peaceful and that the key protest leader Jatuporn Prompan will also join the event at Ratchaprasong.
"I urge the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency situation (CRES) not to go overboard, especially their preparations in handling the Red Shirts," said the protest leader.
The army chief earlier warned that the UDD supporters can gather tomorrow as long as they do not break the law by disrupting the state of emergency and pledged that security officials will follow the law to maintain order.
Mr Somyot added the group will continue holding activities between Nov 20-22 in many areas. Red Shirts in the northern province of Chiang Mai will hold a Loy Krathong event Sunday, while Mr Jatuporn and the Puea Thai MP Col Apiwan Wiriyachai will attend the group's event to release black krathongs (floating lotus-shaped vessel) and balloons in Nonthaburi.
Meanwhile, Mr Jatuporn reaffirmed as he met with metropolitan police chief Pol Lt-Gen Chakthip Chaichinda on Thursday that the anti-government protest will be according to law and will not be prolonged.
The Red Shirt leader said the group's activity will be peaceful and end by 8pm. At the same time he is seeking police permission to use loudspeakers to control the crowd.
Mr Jatuporn also asked police to standby in the demonstration venue so that both sides can immediately coordinate in case any untoward incident occurs and urged police to closely monitor situation to prevent third party who may interfere to stir disturbance.
In response to Mr Jatuporn's request, Gen Chakthip said an 1,800-strong police grouping will be deployed to maintain order in three locations; Bangkok Remand Prison, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) headquarters and Ratchaprasong intersection.
The metro police chief nonetheless urged the protesters to comply with the law and vowed to take legal action against all violators.
The UDD rally in downtown Bangkok ended May 19 after the Red Shirt leaders announced the end of the more than ten-week long protest and surrendered to police as the army personnel sealed off their protest area. Most key protest leaders remain under detention with terrorism charge and their bail were rejected as court cited possible flight.
Only Mr Jatuporn, who is MP for Puea Thai Party, was granted bail as he has parliamentary immunity.
Eighty-nine persons, both security personnel and protesters, were killed and more than 1,900 were injured in several clashes between the troops and the UDD members during April and May. (MCOT online news)
Somyot Preuksakasemsuk, head of the Red Shirt faction called the "May 24 Group," said the gathering will begin at 5pm at Ratchaprasong intersection in Bangkok's prime commercial area.
He said that this time the Red Shirt activists will wear black outfits and gather at first at the Bangkok Remand Prison, demanding that political prisoners be released.
Mr Somyot said the group's demonstration will be peaceful and that the key protest leader Jatuporn Prompan will also join the event at Ratchaprasong.
"I urge the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency situation (CRES) not to go overboard, especially their preparations in handling the Red Shirts," said the protest leader.
The army chief earlier warned that the UDD supporters can gather tomorrow as long as they do not break the law by disrupting the state of emergency and pledged that security officials will follow the law to maintain order.
Mr Somyot added the group will continue holding activities between Nov 20-22 in many areas. Red Shirts in the northern province of Chiang Mai will hold a Loy Krathong event Sunday, while Mr Jatuporn and the Puea Thai MP Col Apiwan Wiriyachai will attend the group's event to release black krathongs (floating lotus-shaped vessel) and balloons in Nonthaburi.
Meanwhile, Mr Jatuporn reaffirmed as he met with metropolitan police chief Pol Lt-Gen Chakthip Chaichinda on Thursday that the anti-government protest will be according to law and will not be prolonged.
The Red Shirt leader said the group's activity will be peaceful and end by 8pm. At the same time he is seeking police permission to use loudspeakers to control the crowd.
Mr Jatuporn also asked police to standby in the demonstration venue so that both sides can immediately coordinate in case any untoward incident occurs and urged police to closely monitor situation to prevent third party who may interfere to stir disturbance.
In response to Mr Jatuporn's request, Gen Chakthip said an 1,800-strong police grouping will be deployed to maintain order in three locations; Bangkok Remand Prison, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) headquarters and Ratchaprasong intersection.
The metro police chief nonetheless urged the protesters to comply with the law and vowed to take legal action against all violators.
The UDD rally in downtown Bangkok ended May 19 after the Red Shirt leaders announced the end of the more than ten-week long protest and surrendered to police as the army personnel sealed off their protest area. Most key protest leaders remain under detention with terrorism charge and their bail were rejected as court cited possible flight.
Only Mr Jatuporn, who is MP for Puea Thai Party, was granted bail as he has parliamentary immunity.
Eighty-nine persons, both security personnel and protesters, were killed and more than 1,900 were injured in several clashes between the troops and the UDD members during April and May. (MCOT online news)
