Thai 'Red Shirts' vow to shut down Bangkok with new rally
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
BANGKOK, Mar 22 (AFP): Thailand's red-shirted protesters vowed to 'shut down' Bangkok with an anti-government rally Monday, defying the government which had raised the stakes with new security measures.
The 'Red Shirt' supporters of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra began rolling demonstrations on March 14, demanding snap elections to replace a government they say is illegitimate and backed only by the nation's elite.
Their numbers, which had peaked at more than 100,000 people, waned during the week but a carnival-style parade on Saturday drew around 65,000.
"On Saturday we will shut down Bangkok and rally at provincial halls across the country," said Jatuporn Prompan, a leader of the Reds, who have used their own blood to splatter the prime minister's house and offices.
Jatuporn did not give details but said it would be bigger than last weekend's noisy procession, which saw a convoy of peaceful protesters in cars, trucks and motorbikes snake through the capital's teeming streets.
Authorities escalated their response Monday, saying military guarding key sites would be armed because the government was 'very concerned' after several minor grenade attacks, said army spokesman Colonel Sunsern Kaewkumnerd.
"Starting from today, the military deployed at checkpoints, government buildings and military bases will be armed in order to prevent ill-intentioned people from inciting unrest," he said.
Sunsern said that only officers at sensitive locations would be supplied with firearms. Previously the 30,000 military personnel deployed for the protests were not armed.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said the government would also extend a stringent security law enacted ahead of the protests for an additional week in Bangkok and two other provinces.
The Internal Security Act, which allows authorities to set up checkpoints, impose curfews and limit movement, had been enforced across eight provinces since March 11 and was due to expire on March 23.
Thaksin, who lives in exile to avoid a jail term for corruption, criticised the measures against a protest movement that, despite fears of violence, has passed off largely without incident in recent months.
"If they come out in tanks and with war weapons it shows they are not respecting democratic rule," he said on Twitter.
Another Reds leader, Veera Musikapong, reiterated their demand for talks with Prime Minister Abhsisit Vejjajiva, rejecting the premier's offer of negotiations with a junior minister.
The 'Red Shirt' supporters of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra began rolling demonstrations on March 14, demanding snap elections to replace a government they say is illegitimate and backed only by the nation's elite.
Their numbers, which had peaked at more than 100,000 people, waned during the week but a carnival-style parade on Saturday drew around 65,000.
"On Saturday we will shut down Bangkok and rally at provincial halls across the country," said Jatuporn Prompan, a leader of the Reds, who have used their own blood to splatter the prime minister's house and offices.
Jatuporn did not give details but said it would be bigger than last weekend's noisy procession, which saw a convoy of peaceful protesters in cars, trucks and motorbikes snake through the capital's teeming streets.
Authorities escalated their response Monday, saying military guarding key sites would be armed because the government was 'very concerned' after several minor grenade attacks, said army spokesman Colonel Sunsern Kaewkumnerd.
"Starting from today, the military deployed at checkpoints, government buildings and military bases will be armed in order to prevent ill-intentioned people from inciting unrest," he said.
Sunsern said that only officers at sensitive locations would be supplied with firearms. Previously the 30,000 military personnel deployed for the protests were not armed.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said the government would also extend a stringent security law enacted ahead of the protests for an additional week in Bangkok and two other provinces.
The Internal Security Act, which allows authorities to set up checkpoints, impose curfews and limit movement, had been enforced across eight provinces since March 11 and was due to expire on March 23.
Thaksin, who lives in exile to avoid a jail term for corruption, criticised the measures against a protest movement that, despite fears of violence, has passed off largely without incident in recent months.
"If they come out in tanks and with war weapons it shows they are not respecting democratic rule," he said on Twitter.
Another Reds leader, Veera Musikapong, reiterated their demand for talks with Prime Minister Abhsisit Vejjajiva, rejecting the premier's offer of negotiations with a junior minister.