Thousands of red-clad demonstrators gather at Sanam Luang to start their three-day rally in a bid to deter Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva from delivering his government’s policy statement at parliament today. THITI WONNAMONTHAAdvance guard moves to House overnight
29th December, 2008
Bangkok Post
United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protesters have started surrounding parliament ahead of today's policy statement by the government.
Almost 20,000 red-shirted supporters converged at Sanam Luang on Sunday in preparation for the seizure of the ground outside parliament on Monday.
An advance guard of several hundred Sunday night blocked a key road outside the legislature.
The rest are to move to the site on Monday, and plan to stay put for the next three days. They will disperse for the New Year break and then return for a protracted demonstration until parliament is dissolved.
UDD core leader Jatuporn Promphan announced the plan to the Sunday crowd at Sanam Luang.
The government is due to deliver its policy statement to parliament on Monday morning, with a two-day debate - a constitutional precondition to legalising its administrative power.
The protesters believe the Democrat-led coalition government under Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva lacks legitimacy, and want him to dissolve the House.
Mr Jatuporn said the protesters will not cut electricity or water at parliament.
But if the government changes venue for the policy statement, the protesters will follow them.
Groups of UDD supporters moved to the front of parliament on Sunday night and blocked Uthong Nai road which approaches its main gate.
Natthawut Saikua, another UDD leader, said protesters will leave a narrow path for the MPs to walk into parliament. Surrounding protesters will shout "give us back democracy" while MPs make their way through.
Police have closed the gates of parliament and are guarding the legislature in front and at the rear.
Deputy Metropolitan police chief Amnuay Nimmano said professional photographers and cameramen drawn from the police force and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will record the activities of UDD demonstrators.
Video footage and photographs will be used as evidence against any law-breakers.
In the event the protesters commit offences in view of police, they will be arrested on the spot.
Pol Maj-Gen Amnuay said police need help from photographers and cameramen because protesters have covered surveillance cameras around parliament with black plastic bags.
Whenever police remove them, the bags are put back on again.
"This shows they intend to do something bad and want to cover it up," Pol Maj-Gen Amnuay said.
Protesters who commit violence to stop the government delivering its policy statement would be charged with insurrection.
Demonstrators would have to pass through metal detectors installed around parliament before entering the protest site.
Demonstrations must be peaceful and demonstrators must not carry weapons of any kind.
Pol Maj-Gen Pongsant Jiam-on, another deputy city police chief, said he had received information that many UDD protesters assembling outside parliament were seen carrying catapults and metal rods.
At the same time, the Democrats said they will not force their way through anti-government protesters if they are blocked.
Democrat deputy spokesman Warong Dejkitvikrom said Deputy Prime Minister and Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban told party MPs to be careful when confronting protesters.
The Democrats will not insist on entering parliament if the building is sealed off by protesters.
"The government has asked 3,600 police officers to ensure security at the site.
"Mr Suthep told authorities to avoid the use of force or tear gas" to disperse the crowds, Mr Warong said.
Democrat MPs were told to gather at party headquarters before travelling together to parliament. Supplies of food and drinking water are in place in the event the MPs manage to enter parliament but are later trapped inside.
Almost 20,000 red-shirted supporters converged at Sanam Luang on Sunday in preparation for the seizure of the ground outside parliament on Monday.
An advance guard of several hundred Sunday night blocked a key road outside the legislature.
The rest are to move to the site on Monday, and plan to stay put for the next three days. They will disperse for the New Year break and then return for a protracted demonstration until parliament is dissolved.
UDD core leader Jatuporn Promphan announced the plan to the Sunday crowd at Sanam Luang.
The government is due to deliver its policy statement to parliament on Monday morning, with a two-day debate - a constitutional precondition to legalising its administrative power.
The protesters believe the Democrat-led coalition government under Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva lacks legitimacy, and want him to dissolve the House.
Mr Jatuporn said the protesters will not cut electricity or water at parliament.
But if the government changes venue for the policy statement, the protesters will follow them.
Groups of UDD supporters moved to the front of parliament on Sunday night and blocked Uthong Nai road which approaches its main gate.
Natthawut Saikua, another UDD leader, said protesters will leave a narrow path for the MPs to walk into parliament. Surrounding protesters will shout "give us back democracy" while MPs make their way through.
Police have closed the gates of parliament and are guarding the legislature in front and at the rear.
Deputy Metropolitan police chief Amnuay Nimmano said professional photographers and cameramen drawn from the police force and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will record the activities of UDD demonstrators.
Video footage and photographs will be used as evidence against any law-breakers.
In the event the protesters commit offences in view of police, they will be arrested on the spot.
Pol Maj-Gen Amnuay said police need help from photographers and cameramen because protesters have covered surveillance cameras around parliament with black plastic bags.
Whenever police remove them, the bags are put back on again.
"This shows they intend to do something bad and want to cover it up," Pol Maj-Gen Amnuay said.
Protesters who commit violence to stop the government delivering its policy statement would be charged with insurrection.
Demonstrators would have to pass through metal detectors installed around parliament before entering the protest site.
Demonstrations must be peaceful and demonstrators must not carry weapons of any kind.
Pol Maj-Gen Pongsant Jiam-on, another deputy city police chief, said he had received information that many UDD protesters assembling outside parliament were seen carrying catapults and metal rods.
At the same time, the Democrats said they will not force their way through anti-government protesters if they are blocked.
Democrat deputy spokesman Warong Dejkitvikrom said Deputy Prime Minister and Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban told party MPs to be careful when confronting protesters.
The Democrats will not insist on entering parliament if the building is sealed off by protesters.
"The government has asked 3,600 police officers to ensure security at the site.
"Mr Suthep told authorities to avoid the use of force or tear gas" to disperse the crowds, Mr Warong said.
Democrat MPs were told to gather at party headquarters before travelling together to parliament. Supplies of food and drinking water are in place in the event the MPs manage to enter parliament but are later trapped inside.
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