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Protesters go on

Posted on Wednesday, 17 March 2010, 15: 01 GMT

Key leaders of Thailand's anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) on Wednesday vowed to prolong their protest with a convoy of its red-clad supporters fanning out across Bangkok streets on Saturday in an attempt to bring down the Abhisit Vejjajiva administration. UDD key leader Nattawut Saikua announced Thursday evening that a meeting of Red Shirt leaders agreed to prolong their rally until their demand is responded to by the government. Mr Nattawut added that on Saturday the group will mobilise its red-clad convoy across Bangkok to launch the 'first anti-class war' aimed at creating better understanding and inviting Bangkokians to join the UDD mass protest to oust the Abhisit government. The UDD key leader countered the government's claim that the number of protesters will dwindle due to exhaustion from prolonged protest. He said the government's evaluation was wrong as the prolonged rally will cause trouble to the government as the premier will not be able to enter Government House and his residence. Mr Nattawut said on Friday UDD regional leaders will meet in their hometowns to evaluate the situation and determine their strategies. The anti-government protesters earlier spattered their blood at the prime minister's home on Sukhumvit Road, the affluent area home to the rich and expatriates, as part of their intensified campaign after the prime minister rejected their demand on the House dissolution and a call for a general election. The shock tactic came a day after they poured blood which had been collected from Red Shirt volunteers at the gates of Government House and at the Democrat Party headquarters. The Red Shirts also marched to the US embassy, submitting a letter asking for the embassy to clarify Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban's remark about foreign intelligence networks' warning of possible sabotage plotted by fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra. Meanwhile, Metropolitan police on Wednesday confirmed intelligence reports on an assassination attempt on the prime minister's life, while 400 added patrol police will be deployed to ensure safety across the capital. Gen Piya added that police will ask for footage from the media on the bloodthrowers at the premier's home to seek the court approval for an arrest warrant. The culprits will be charged for defacing property and causing embarrassment to others, the same charges as those who earlier dumped human waste and animal dung to the premier's home. In another related development, a group of sixty senators on Wednesday proposed a general debate in the Senate as soon as possible to find solution to the country's ongoing political crisis. (Source: Thai News Agency)

All well in Phuket

Posted on Tuesday, 16 March 2010, 11: 04 GMT

The tourism industry in Phuket has not been affected by the red shirt protests in Bangkok, according to the vice president of the Phuket Tourist Association. Mr Krisada Tansakul said the island-wide hotel occupancy rate is at about 65%. “That’s good compared to the March rate last year,” he said. (But last year was one of the worst years for tourism in Thailand in recent years; HN). “Patong is faring especially well with a rate of 70%.” Mr Krisada said tourists still feel safe traveling to Phuket as it is far from the demonstrations and can be reached directly by international flights. Reservation rates for April and the upcoming Songkran holidays are at an acceptable 30%, he said. “However, if the political situation escalates, it is likely to have a negative effect on Phuket's tourism industry,” he added. (Source: The Phuket Gazette)

UDD wants to put blood on the street

Posted on Monday, 15 March 2010, 11: 35 GMT

The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship has contacted five hospitals for medical staff and equipment to help take blood donations from the red-shirt protesters, UDD core member Arisman Pongruangrong said on Monday. The UDD has announced it will draw one million cubic centimetres (cc) of blood from red-shirt volunters and pour it on the ground around Government House. Ministers would then have to walk on the people's blood to get to work. The announcement followed Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's rejection this morning of their demand for an immediate House dissolution and a general election. Mr Arisman said the UDD had asked for 20-30 medical staff from each hospital. The protesters would be first asked to donate 10cc of blood, starting on Monday night. UDD leaders would donate their blood on morning, said Mr Arisman, who said would give 50cc. "Donating of 10cc of blood would not be harmful to health," he said. A source said the Thai Red Cross Society, if asked, would not be able to help take blood from the protesters for a protest. It would assist only when blood is donated for other people, or taken for a health examination. (Source: The Bangkok Post)

Government rejects ultimatum

Posted on Monday, 15 March 2010, 11: 31 GMT

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Monday morning he could not accept the red-shirts' demand that he agree to dissolve the House of Representatives by noon today, but he left the door open to consider their opinions. In a nationwide broadcast following a special meeting of the leaders of the coalition parties, Mr Abhisit said that he was not able to give an answer to the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship's (UDD) demand within the noon deadline. "Our objective is not to cling on to our positions. Our objective is to see the country move forward within the principle of righteousness, not just for the short term but for the longer term," said the prime minister. He admitted a House dissolution is just one of the political solutions to avoid a serious political crisis or resolve a serious conflict in the parliament. But he noted that the current political conflict had gone far beyond himself and his government. His government is receptive to the views of the red-shirt protesters, he added, although he was not able to respond to their ultimatum for a House dissolution by noon today. He maintained that his government has no intention whatsoever to be the first to resort to the use of force. Nor does his government intend to provoke further conflict with the protesters, he said. (Source: The Bangkok Post)

The government view on the rally

Posted on Sunday, 14 March 2010, 17: 50 GMT

The government's crisis centre (peacekeeping operation) opened a bilingual website on Sunday (http://www.capothai.org/) to help to inform the public about the ongoing rally by the red-shirts. Announcements, mainly relating to security issues, are being posted in both Thai and English. Meanwhile, the scene outside the 11th Infantry Regiment compound on Phahon Yothin road, where the government's peace-keeping centre is based, was reported to be normal despite the United Front for Democracy against Democracy's ultimatum that the government to dissolve the House of Representatives within 24 hours. The peace-keeping operation command held two meetings, at 10am and 3pm, to assess the situation, a government source said. The daily press briefing would be given at 8pm. Large loudspeakers have been installed at the gates of the 11th Infantry Regiment. Announcements are being made from time to time telling the public not to panic on seeing a large number of troops and not to leave their homes unless necessary. (Source: The Bangkok Post)

Red-shirts in Bangkok

Posted on Sunday, 14 March 2010, 17: 40 GMT

Red-shirt protesters will gather outside a military barracks on Monday to demand the government's answer on their ultimatum that the government dissolve the House by noon or face mass demonstrations in the capital. United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) co-leader Natthawut Saikua said on Sunday evening that the protesters will go to the 11th Infantry Regiment, where the government's peacekeeping operation command is situated, at 9am. They will stay there until midday. Mr Natthawut said the UDD would increase its activities if the government fails to meet the demand. He claimed that as many as 300,000 protesters have joined the protest at the main rally site around Phan Fa bridge on Sunday. The Interior Ministry estimated the number of protesters at 46,377 at the Sunday rally. The ministry said the the figure was compiled from the protest venues in Sanam Luang, Phan Fa bridge and King Rama V Equestrian Monument at 1pm. Out of the total, 23,569 red-shirts were from the Northeast, 11,127 from the North, 4,190 from the central region, 3,667 from the East, 2,990 from the West and 834 from the South. The demonstrators entered the capital via 13,385 pick-ups, 3,385 cars, 36 trucks, 60 buses, 17 e-tan farm trucks, 137 motorcycles, 115 vans and three train journeys. The turnout was far lower than the "million man march" predicted by the UDD leaders. At noon on Sunday, UDD leader Veera Musikhapong issued a 24 hour ultimatum to the government from the main stage at Phan Fa bridge. The statement, read by Mr Veera, said that since the Sept 19, 2006 coup that toppled the government of Thaksin Shinawatra, the country had been under a dictatorship. "We're asking the government to relinquish power and return it to the people," he said. (Source: The Bangkok Post)

Abhisit: Ready to resign

Posted on Thursday, 11 March 2010, 17: 40 GMT

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva pledged Thursday that he is ready to resign or dissolve the parliament if this can solve the country's political conflict, but the anti-government Red Shirt movement vowed to mobilise its supporters to the capital insisting that they will penetrate what they describe as a government blockade and the government's enforcement of security law. The premier's remarks came as he replied to a motion in the House session over the government's readiness and capacity in responding to the 'Red Shirt' activists from the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) who are flowing from provinces nationwide Friday to join the group's mass rally in Bangkok Sunday. Mr Abhisit reassured Parliament and the public that his government respects the fundamental rights of demonstrators, but said they must respect the law by rallying peacefully and without arms. The premier ensured the public that his government will by all means do nothing to intensify the situation, saying he never rules out his resignation or the House dissolution, but the decision will be made upon national interest. "I will not hold on to power. If the House dissolution or my departure will make things better, I have no problem at all," Mr Abhisit stated. "But a coup is totally unacceptable to me." (Source: The Bangkok Post)

Government will take tough action

Posted on Thursday, 11 March 2010, 17: 37 GMT

Tough action will be taken against law breakers during the red-shirt protests, particularly people who intrude into private premises and important government installations, now that the International Security Act is in effect, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said on Thursday. Mr Suthep gave the warning after attending a meeting of members of the peace-keeping centre for implementation of the Internal Security Act (ISA), which is effective in Bangkok and its vicinity from today until March 23. He said the demonstrators have the right to peaceful assembly under Section 63 of the constitution. "But if they intrude into private establishments or government installations they will face a crackdown. "They will first receive a warning that they have violated the law. If they ignore the order, they will face tough action, which could be water canons and tear gas," Mr Suthep said. (Source: The Bangkok Post)

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