UDD sets noon deadline [100,000 red shirts march in Bangkok]

Military puts crowd number at 100,000, Reds threaten to march on military base, PM Abhisit refuses to quit, rejects coup talk

• Published: 15/03/2010
  
• Bangkok Post

More troops have been sent into Bangkok as the government counts down the hours to an ultimatum issued yesterday by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship.

Red shirt protesters from Ayutthaya approach the pier at Wat Sam Phraya on the Chao Phraya River. About 2,000 members of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship from Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi arrived in Bangkok by boat yesterday to join other supporters at Sanam Luang and Ratchadamnoen Avenue. KITJA APICHON

The red shirts drew a crowd of up to 100,000 in Bangkok yesterday.

The UDD says if the government does not agree to dissolve the House by noon today, its supporters will march on the 11th Infantry Regiment in Bang Khen district, where the government has set up a command centre.

The prime minister, his deputy and key military figures are based at the military compound. The red shirts have threatened to surround the base and hold its occupants hostage unless their demands are met.

• See related story: Bangkok braced for traffic chaos

UDD leading member Jatuporn Prompan yesterday warned the government of the consequences of using violence against the protesters at the military compound. "If there is even one gunshot there, 100 Abhisits, 100 Prems and 100 Prayuths will not be able to control the situation any more," he warned.

Mr Jatuporn was referring to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda and deputy army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha.

An army source said 3,500 more soldiers with anti-riot gear had been called in to protect the barracks, joining the 1,050 already there.

Another 8,000 troops arrived in Bangkok yesterday to help 30,000 soldiers secure the capital, the source said.

The source said 10,000 more soldiers had been ordered on standby, ready to move into Bangkok from other provinces in case the political situation worsens.

‘‘ House dissolution or the prime minister’s resignation are possible in the democratic system. But it must be based on rationale. And my reasoning is in the national interest. ABHISIT VEJJAJIVA

The reinforcements came after the number of UDD supporters gathering at their Ratchadamnoen Avenue protest site swelled significantly during the day.

Police yesterday estimated the number of demonstrators at 60,000. But the peacekeeping operation command at the regiment believes the real number was closer to 100,000, according to the source.

The red shirts gave the government 24 hours from noon yesterday to dissolve the House. They also challenged the Democrat Party, which leads the coalition government, to let voters decide on the new administration.

"We will carry on waiting for our answer. The government must go. The house dissolution is the only solution we are calling for," said UDD leader Veera Musikhapong.

If the call was ignored, the UDD would expand its rally into other parts of Bangkok, said another UDD leader, Natthawut Saikua.

"To be fair, if the House is dissolved and the Democrat Party wins a new general election over the opposition Puea Thai Party, the Democrats can lead the new government as long as they can," he said.

Red shirt hero Thaksin Shinawatra called his supporters from an undisclosed location and urged them to keep on fighting.

‘‘ If there is even one gunshot there, 100 Abhisits, 100 Prems and 100 Prayuths will not be able to control the situation any more. JATUPORN PROMPAN

If the UDD marches from Ratchadamnoen Avenue to the 11th Infantry Regiment, traffic in Bangkok could become chaotic, the former prime minister told the red shirts.

But Thaksin pleaded with people in Bangkok to understand the UDD's mission. "We are fighting for all Thais. The rally will cause traffic problems but it is for the good of the country," he said.

Prime Minister Abhisit shrugged off the red shirt ultimatum.

"A house dissolution or the prime minister's resignation are possible in any democratic system. But it must be based on rationale. And my reasoning is in the national interest," said Mr Abhisit on his weekly television and radio programme.

"I am still concerned that if the house dissolution leads to conflict and movements that bar a peaceful election, the nation's interests could be harmed."

Mr Abhisit said he would not accept any deadline set by the UDD but said he would listen to the demonstrators and was ready to discuss their demands reasonably.

He also denied a UDD accusation that he supported a military coup as one way to end the stand-off. "Coups will not help most people in the country, so there is no reason to support one."