Latest News in Thailand

Principles of Righteousness for Thailand
Thailand’s Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva announced on Monday morning he could not agree to the red-shirts’ demand that he concur to disband the House of Representatives by noon today, but he left the door open to reflect on their views.
In a countrywide broadcast subsequent to a special meeting of the heads of the coalition parties, Mr Abhisit said that he was not in a position to give a reply to the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship’s (UDD) demand before 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,” the prime minister was quoted as saying.

His administration is amenable to the opinions of the red-shirt protesters, he added, even though he was not able to reply to their ultimatum for a House disbanding by noon today.
He firmly stated that there would be no elections in Thailand’s foreseeable future.

Dramatic Tactics from UDD
United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) foundation organizer Natthawut Saikua has proclaimed that he will take one thousand liters of blood contributed by activists and spill it around Government House on Tuesday, in reprisal for the government’s choice not to disband the House.
The drawing of blood will commence about 8am on Tuesday, Mr Natthawut claimed.
A totality of one million cubic centimeters (cc) would be taken from 100,000 protesters, including protest organizers.
This would be a figurative act. Cabinet ministers would have to stride over the demonstrators’ blood when they enter Government House to go to work, he said.

If the government still declined to disband the House, then another million cc’s of blood would be dispersed outside the Democrat Party center.

The next objective would Mr Abhisit’s house, he said.

Thai Economy Could Expand 5%
Thailand’s economy has a likelihood of growing more than five per cent this year if the political doubt and the postponement of industrial projects in Map Ta Phut are decided, former finance minister Pridiyathorn Devakula said on Monday.

“If the political problems subside and the Map Ta Phut impasse is clearer the country’s economy may expand more than initially projected to five per cent.

“But if the two issues are not solved, the economy might grow just three per cent,” MR Pridiyathorn warned.

He said this year’s market looked to enlarge significantly as prices of five main farming products of the country - rice, sugarcane, cassava, para rubber and oil palms - were much higher than the preceding years, allowing farmers to receive more and people to spend greater amounts.

Red Shirt’s youtube

Red Shirt’s youtube

Red Shirts Flex Muscle, Call for End to Dictatorship, Demand Elections
Thai Red-shirt activists will congregate outside a military garrison on Monday to demand the government’s reply on their demands that the government disband the House by noon or face mass protests in the capital.
United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) co-leader Natthawut Saikua said on Sunday evening that the demonstrators will go to the 11th Infantry Regiment, where the government’s peacekeeping action authority is situated, at 9am. They will stay there awaiting midday.

Mr Natthawut said the UDD would boost its activities if the government falls short in meetings their demands.
He asserted that as many as 300,000 activists have joined the protest at the key gathering site around Phan Fa Bridge on Sunday. The Interior Ministry placed its approximation of the number of protesters at 46,377 at the Sunday gathering.

The turnout was far less than the “million man march” forecast by the UDD organizers.

At noon on Sunday, UDD leader Veera Musikhapong announced a 24 hour challenge to the government from the central stage at Phan Fa bridge.
The declaration, read by Mr Veera, said that since the Sept 19, 2006 coup that toppled the administration of Thaksin Shinawatra, the nation had been just a dictatorship.

Red Shirts Rally
The red shirted United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship on Sunday issued an official declaration from the main stage at Phan Fa bridge insisting that the government disband the House of Representatives within 24 hours or expect giant street demonstrations.
The statement, read by UDD leader Veera Musikhapong, said that from the time when the Sept 19, 2006 overthrow toppled the government of Thaksin Shinawatra, the nation had been nothing less than a dictatorship.
“We’re asking the government to relinquish power and return it to the people,” he demanded.

Mr Veera warned that the group would extend their rallies across Bangkok in upcoming days if their demands are ignored.

He said the current government was in fact despotism under another name and the red-shirts do not judge it could be trusted to act in the people’s best interests.
Natthawut Saikua, a UDD spokesman, said that the red-shirts would not bargain with Korbsak Sabhavasu, the prime minister’s secretary-general, but would be pleased to do so with Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban or Newin Chidchob, the de factor chief of the Bhumjaithai Party.

Rumored Arrest of Red Shirt Leader
Bangkok Police were issued a warrant on Saturday to take into custody a leading red shirt organizer on charges of inciting violence.
Unconfirmed accounts said Arisman Pongruangrong was detained Saturday afternoon and under arrest at an unnamed police station.

Mr Arisman is alleged to have said earlier this week that every shirt follower should carry a container of gasoline and set fires if the government attempted to stop their rally.

He also still must face charges from last April’s red shirt-inspired violent behavior at Pattaya, where he was in the midst of a huge crowd that attacked the site of the Asean summit, and also for the Songkran riots in Bangkok.

Red Shirts on the March to Bangkok
Thai Red-shirt followers of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) from all over the nation are departing their places of origin to come together in the Bangkok and unite with the giant anti-government gathering on Sunday.
Many Thousands of motor vehicles carrying UDD followers from the Northeast and North were meeting in Ayutthaya on Saturday.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators were estimated to have congregated in Wang Noi area of Ayutthaya in the morning.
Pick-up trucks, vans and buses trekked from Pak Chong region of Nakhon Ratchasima province assembled at Krua Wang Noi restaurant, owned by Puea Thai MP Surasak Pancharoenworakul. The restaurant is 500 meters from the authorities’ checkpoint.
Mayura Sewatasai, a chief of Ayutthaya UDD, said the red-shirts would pull together as many people as achievable at the meeting area before leaving Bangkok when the UDD leaders give the order.

Approximately two thousand red-shirts demonstrated in Nonthaburi on Friday, as the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) commenced its ultimate face-off in opposition to what it terms a despotic-proxy government.

They divided about noon into three convoys leaving in diverse directions within the region such as first route from city hall to Pakkred, Muangthong, The Mall, Big C Tiwanon, and Clock Tower at the Chao Phraya Pier.

They have voiced opposition to the September 2006 coup and voiced the belief that the unelected Abhisit government was Prem’s proxy administration.

All along the route, many passers-by waved for the convoy together with workers in restaurants, garages and groceries and even travelers waiting for public buses.

Prawit Rodee, a 54-year-old lawyer, said it was the first time he joined the demonstrations although he has been following the group since the Coup.

Government authorities have put up checkpoints and deterred those who have to join Bangkok rally this weekend.