ID :
94307
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 19:15
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http://m.oananews.org//node/94307
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Thousands of Red Shirts mass in Thai capital amid tight security
BANGKOK, Dec 10 (TNA) - Thousands of anti-government demonstrators from the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) on Thursday massed at Bangkok’s Democracy Monument to mark Constitution Day amid tight security, but the movement’s leader promised the rally will end, as scheduled, by midnight if it is not disrupted.
The so-called Red Shirt mass rally began Thursday noon at Ratchadamnoen Avenue's Democracy Monument, even as the government's grand celebrations to mark His Majesty the King's birthday was being held at the nearby Royal Plaza.
Some 1,500 riot police are on standby at Metropolitan Police Bureau, while local police in the protest areas have been overseeing security during the rally to prevent third party or groups from ‘creating a situation’.
Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will address his supporters via video link in the evening and lead them in a mass candle-lit ceremony to bless His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the occasion of his 82th birthday.
Key UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan said the Thursday rally is not aimed at toppling the Abhisit Vejjajiva government, but if any clash occurs, the movement will prolong its rally indefinitely.
If there is no disruption, the rally will end by midnight and the UDD leaders will meet again Tuesday December 15 to discuss the group's position in the current political atmosphere, according to Mr Jatuporn.
The UDD leader said he was informed that four busloads of bogus Red Shirt supports recruited in the northeastern province of Buri Ram are heading toward the capital to join the demonstration.
Mr Jatuporn claimed that a ‘real’ Red Shirt supporter was by chance in one of the buses and witnessed that red T-shirts were distributed to the travellers, while some carried metal pipes.
The UDD leader said he asked Deputy Finance Minister Pradit Phatthraprasit, assigned to coordinate with key Red Shirt leaders, to warn Newin Chidchob, de facto leader of the Bhumjai Thai Party, the key coalition partner, not to bring imposters to the rally, otherwise possible violence could not be avoided.
Mr Newin however denied the accusation.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday urged the Red Shirts to rally peacefully, saying he believes the demonstration will not be prolonged.
The government will not set any conditions that will lead to a prolonged rally, he said. Instead it decided to suspend the celebrations marking the king's birthday at Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue Thursday to avoid any clash and the festive event will begin again Friday.
"I don't know why some people are trying to spoil the atmosphere," said the premier. "Everyone wants this month to be auspicious and full of happiness, while the government has been obviously flexible to the matter and wants the demonstrators to bear in mind about this too." (TNA)
The so-called Red Shirt mass rally began Thursday noon at Ratchadamnoen Avenue's Democracy Monument, even as the government's grand celebrations to mark His Majesty the King's birthday was being held at the nearby Royal Plaza.
Some 1,500 riot police are on standby at Metropolitan Police Bureau, while local police in the protest areas have been overseeing security during the rally to prevent third party or groups from ‘creating a situation’.
Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will address his supporters via video link in the evening and lead them in a mass candle-lit ceremony to bless His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the occasion of his 82th birthday.
Key UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan said the Thursday rally is not aimed at toppling the Abhisit Vejjajiva government, but if any clash occurs, the movement will prolong its rally indefinitely.
If there is no disruption, the rally will end by midnight and the UDD leaders will meet again Tuesday December 15 to discuss the group's position in the current political atmosphere, according to Mr Jatuporn.
The UDD leader said he was informed that four busloads of bogus Red Shirt supports recruited in the northeastern province of Buri Ram are heading toward the capital to join the demonstration.
Mr Jatuporn claimed that a ‘real’ Red Shirt supporter was by chance in one of the buses and witnessed that red T-shirts were distributed to the travellers, while some carried metal pipes.
The UDD leader said he asked Deputy Finance Minister Pradit Phatthraprasit, assigned to coordinate with key Red Shirt leaders, to warn Newin Chidchob, de facto leader of the Bhumjai Thai Party, the key coalition partner, not to bring imposters to the rally, otherwise possible violence could not be avoided.
Mr Newin however denied the accusation.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday urged the Red Shirts to rally peacefully, saying he believes the demonstration will not be prolonged.
The government will not set any conditions that will lead to a prolonged rally, he said. Instead it decided to suspend the celebrations marking the king's birthday at Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue Thursday to avoid any clash and the festive event will begin again Friday.
"I don't know why some people are trying to spoil the atmosphere," said the premier. "Everyone wants this month to be auspicious and full of happiness, while the government has been obviously flexible to the matter and wants the demonstrators to bear in mind about this too." (TNA)
