Red Shirts affirm Sunday's rally to be staged peacefully

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วันเสาร์ ที่ 18 ธ.ค. 2553

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BANGKOK, Dec 18 -- Thailand's anti-government movement, the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), on Saturday reaffirmed that it's rally planned for Sunday at Ratchaprasong intersection will be conducted peacefully, according to Metropolitan Police Division 1 chief Pol Maj-Gen Wichai Sangprapai.

Gen Wichai, assigned by Metropolitan Police Commissioner Pol Lt-Gen Chakthip Chaijinda to head the negotiation team to liaise with the demonstrators on Sunday, met acting UDD chairperson Thida Thavornseth who said the group's demonstration tomorrow will be held peacefully. From now on, Mrs Thida said, the UDD will rally on the 10th and 19th of every month.

Disruption of traffic as Ratchaprasong is worrisome, said Gen Wichai, as Ratchaprasong is main economic centre, He said also that the use of loudspeakers and amplifiers was banned under the emergency decree.

Police have prepared cars equipped with loudspeakers and amplifiers at three locations to use for crowd control, Gen Wichai said, noting that the UDD would be allowed to use them for crowd control only.

The authorities are also concerned regarding actions or provocations that may be considered lese majeste and vandalisation of public property with rude graffiti. Gen Wichai has asked the UDD leaders to help prevent both actions.

He also asked the Red Shirt demonstrators to refrain from floating paper lanterns into the sky as they may cause fires, particularly at high rise buildings surrounding the Ratchaprasong area.

Mrs Thida affirmed that the rally would be run peacefully, but asserted the UDD would continue twice monthly rallies until justice is returned and its core leaders detained for terrorism-related charges are released.

She said there would be no paper lantern floating as the demonstrators have opted to use red balloons instead.

The Red Shirts will begin their activities at 5pm Sunday by performing a religious rite for those who died in the May 19 military and protesters confrontation in front of Wat Pathumwanaram before reading a statement. The rally will end at 8pm.

The Red Sunday Group, a UDD affiliate led by Sombat Boonngamanong will hold a separate activity at 1.30pm.

About 1,600 police will be deployed to maintain law and order, said Gen Wichai. (MCOT online news)