ID :
43534
Sat, 01/31/2009 - 22:32
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http://m.oananews.org//node/43534
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Anti-government demonstrators march to Government House
BANGKOK, Jan 31 (TNA) - Tens of thousands of anti-Thai government demonstrators carried their rally from the historic park in the heart of the capital to the seat of government on Saturday, demanding that the Democrat-led coalition government dissolve Parliament and call snap elections.
The demonstrators, led by core members of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) gathered at Sanam Luang beginning Saturday afternoon before marching to Government House shortly after 10pm.
Some 150 police are assigned inside the Government House compound, while some police personnel are positioned outside the compound to protect the seat of government.
The protesters, better known as the 'Red Shirts' from their distinctive bright red shirts, are key supporters of convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, vowed to prolong a massive gathering outside Government House if police used force to disperse them and keep them from getting to the administration seat.
Jatuporn Prompan, UDD leader, affirmed the Red Shirt demonstrators will not storm into Government House compound as did the Yellow Shirt protesters late last year, but will indefinitely prolong their massive protest outside the premises only if the police used violence to drive them away.
The opposition Puea Thai member of parliament pledged the protesters would disperse once their demands have been announced without any forced police interference.
They were also pressing for dissolution of the House of Representatives, snap elections, dismissing Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and taking legal action against leaders of the anti-Thaksin yellow-shirted People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), who had occupied Government House and seized Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports last year.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his Democrat Party-led coalition government must meet our demands within 15 days, otherwise further action would be taken, said Mr. Jatuporn.
Metropolitan Police commissioner Pol. Lt-Gen. Suchart Muankaew said more than 5,200 policemen were standing guard along the way from Sanam Luang to Government House with road blockades set up at the Democracy Monument, Pan Fa Bride, Jor Por Ror intersection and Makkhawanrangsan Bridge.
However, Pol. Lt-Gen. Suchart said, the police only had shields to protect themselves and will not use tear gas or resort to any violent means to deal with the protesters. (TNA)
The demonstrators, led by core members of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) gathered at Sanam Luang beginning Saturday afternoon before marching to Government House shortly after 10pm.
Some 150 police are assigned inside the Government House compound, while some police personnel are positioned outside the compound to protect the seat of government.
The protesters, better known as the 'Red Shirts' from their distinctive bright red shirts, are key supporters of convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, vowed to prolong a massive gathering outside Government House if police used force to disperse them and keep them from getting to the administration seat.
Jatuporn Prompan, UDD leader, affirmed the Red Shirt demonstrators will not storm into Government House compound as did the Yellow Shirt protesters late last year, but will indefinitely prolong their massive protest outside the premises only if the police used violence to drive them away.
The opposition Puea Thai member of parliament pledged the protesters would disperse once their demands have been announced without any forced police interference.
They were also pressing for dissolution of the House of Representatives, snap elections, dismissing Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and taking legal action against leaders of the anti-Thaksin yellow-shirted People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), who had occupied Government House and seized Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports last year.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his Democrat Party-led coalition government must meet our demands within 15 days, otherwise further action would be taken, said Mr. Jatuporn.
Metropolitan Police commissioner Pol. Lt-Gen. Suchart Muankaew said more than 5,200 policemen were standing guard along the way from Sanam Luang to Government House with road blockades set up at the Democracy Monument, Pan Fa Bride, Jor Por Ror intersection and Makkhawanrangsan Bridge.
However, Pol. Lt-Gen. Suchart said, the police only had shields to protect themselves and will not use tear gas or resort to any violent means to deal with the protesters. (TNA)
