Security checkpoints activated on Rajdamonoen Ave 1 Year, 11 Months ago
Karma: 56
Since midnight of the first day of enforcing the internal security law, security checkpoints have been activated today at the designated rally site on Rajdamnoen Avenue and around the capital.
Military, police and civilian forces are deployed at checkpoints and security has been tightened at key locations such as Democracy Monument and the city hall.
The Interior Ministry has stepped up security to prevent any attempts by protesters to transgress and use its offices for accommodations during the mass rally.
The Peace-keeping Operations Command will deploy 30,000 soldiers, 10,000 policemen and a contingent of 10,000 civilians from the Bangkok's city police forces to safeguard peace.
"With courage you will dare to take risks, have the strength to be compassionate, and the wisdom to be humble. Courage is the foundation of integrity."--- Keshavan Nair
"When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you." --- Lao Tzu
Red shirts to march at noon Friday , confrontation expected 1 Year, 11 Months ago
Karma: 56
Friday ( TODAY) at midday, the red shirt will commence marching from across the country and plan to overcome every checkpoint in order to reach Bangkok, rally organiser Jatuporn Promphan said on Thursday.
A crucial place to watch is the checkpoint at Pratunam Phra In in Ayutthaya where four battalions of security forces have been deployed to block the red shirts, Jatuporn said.
"The red shirts plan to break through if the security forces try to stop them and the event will be broadcast live via the People's Channel," he said.
The crackdown on the red shirts, if happened, would speed up the government's downfall, he said.
"With courage you will dare to take risks, have the strength to be compassionate, and the wisdom to be humble. Courage is the foundation of integrity."--- Keshavan Nair
"When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you." --- Lao Tzu
Govt, red shirts promise not to use violence 1 Year, 11 Months ago
Karma: 56
The acting government spokesman and a leader of the red shirts promised on Thursday night their sides would not be the first to resort to violence in the street protests beginning on Friday.
Panitan Wattanayagorn, who is also deputy secretary general to the prime minister, said the government would follow the Administrative Court ruling in October 2008 that defines a "peaceful protest" under the Constitution and gives a guideline about how the authorities should deal with protesters.
"The government won't use violence. That goes against the law," he said during the TV Thai programme "Tob Jote" (Answering the Questions).
Jaran Ditthapichai, a leader of the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship, said the red shirts would "lose the battle" if they resorted to violence. He added that given the history of governments dealing with protesters, he was convinced it was the authorities who would start using force.
Jaran, formerly a member of the National Human Rights Commission, said that the red shirt protesters would not be armed and they would not try to seize Government House, airports or any state agency.
"With courage you will dare to take risks, have the strength to be compassionate, and the wisdom to be humble. Courage is the foundation of integrity."--- Keshavan Nair
"When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you." --- Lao Tzu
In view of the impending rally by members of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), the Embassy strongly recommends that our kababayans avoid the following areas, which have been identified by the Metropolitan Police Bureau as rally sites from 12 noon onwards today, 12 March, until further notice:
1. Ratchadamnoen Avenue (Closed to traffic: Rajdamnoen Nok, Rajdamnoen Klang, Dinsor, Uthong Nai, Sri Ayutthaya, Na Phra That, Tanao and Phra Sumeru);
2. Thung Song Hong Police Station (Closed to traffic: Vibhavadi Rangsit Road). There is a report that this rally point would be moved to Lak Si Monument.
3. Laksi Democracy Monument in Bangkhen (Closed to traffic: Rain-Indra Phaholyothin);
4. Lumpini Park (Closed to traffic: Wireless Road)
5. Bangkok Youth Center (Thai-Japanese Sports Complex in Din Daeng Road; Closed to traffic: Mitmaitree);
6. Wongwian Yai (Closed to traffic: Intarapital, Lat Ya, Taksin, and Prajadhipok); and
7. Bang Na Intersection (Closed to traffic: Sukhumvit, Bang Na-Trat, and Samphawut). There is a report that this rally point would be moved to Samut Prakan City hall.
The following roads/areas should also be avoided:
• Rama 9 Road;
• Samsen Road;
• Rama 4 Road;
• Silom Road;
• Klong 4 in Thanyaburi District in Pathum Thani;
• Klong 4 Rangsit in Pathum Thani;
• Nonthaburi City Hall; and
• Tha Phra Chan Pier.
Emergency Contact Numbers:
• Embassy Hotline: 089-926-5954
• MFA hotline: 02-575-1023, 02-981-7225, 088-227-8648
(open 24 hours starting 11 March 2010)
• Special Tourist Crisis Management Center: 02-250-5500 ext. 1701 to 03
(open 24 hours starting 12 March until the crisis is over)
• Mobile Police: 191
• Fire Brigade: 199
• Tourist Information (Airport Office): Terminal I: 02-523-8972 to 3
Terminal II: 02-535-2669
• Ambulance (Bangkok): 02-252-2171 to 75
• ISOC hotline: 089-205-4311
Re:Govt, red shirts promise not to use violence 1 Year, 11 Months ago
Karma: 54
Metallic_Cotton wrote: The acting government spokesman and a leader of the red shirts promised on Thursday night their sides would not be the first to resort to violence in the street protests beginning on Friday.
Panitan Wattanayagorn, who is also deputy secretary general to the prime minister, said the government would follow the Administrative Court ruling in October 2008 that defines a "peaceful protest" under the Constitution and gives a guideline about how the authorities should deal with protesters.
"The government won't use violence. That goes against the law," he said during the TV Thai programme "Tob Jote" (Answering the Questions).
Jaran Ditthapichai, a leader of the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship, said the red shirts would "lose the battle" if they resorted to violence. He added that given the history of governments dealing with protesters, he was convinced it was the authorities who would start using force.
Jaran, formerly a member of the National Human Rights Commission, said that the red shirt protesters would not be armed and they would not try to seize Government House, airports or any state agency.
softrock wrote: In view of the impending rally by members of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), the Embassy strongly recommends that our kababayans avoid the following areas, which have been identified by the Metropolitan Police Bureau as rally sites from 12 noon onwards today, 12 March, until further notice:
1. Ratchadamnoen Avenue (Closed to traffic: Rajdamnoen Nok, Rajdamnoen Klang, Dinsor, Uthong Nai, Sri Ayutthaya, Na Phra That, Tanao and Phra Sumeru);
2. Thung Song Hong Police Station (Closed to traffic: Vibhavadi Rangsit Road). There is a report that this rally point would be moved to Lak Si Monument.
3. Laksi Democracy Monument in Bangkhen (Closed to traffic: Rain-Indra Phaholyothin);
4. Lumpini Park (Closed to traffic: Wireless Road)
5. Bangkok Youth Center (Thai-Japanese Sports Complex in Din Daeng Road; Closed to traffic: Mitmaitree);
6. Wongwian Yai (Closed to traffic: Intarapital, Lat Ya, Taksin, and Prajadhipok); and
7. Bang Na Intersection (Closed to traffic: Sukhumvit, Bang Na-Trat, and Samphawut). There is a report that this rally point would be moved to Samut Prakan City hall.
The following roads/areas should also be avoided:
• Rama 9 Road;
• Samsen Road;
• Rama 4 Road;
• Silom Road;
• Klong 4 in Thanyaburi District in Pathum Thani;
• Klong 4 Rangsit in Pathum Thani;
• Nonthaburi City Hall; and
• Tha Phra Chan Pier.
Emergency Contact Numbers:
• Embassy Hotline: 089-926-5954
• MFA hotline: 02-575-1023, 02-981-7225, 088-227-8648
(open 24 hours starting 11 March 2010)
• Special Tourist Crisis Management Center: 02-250-5500 ext. 1701 to 03
(open 24 hours starting 12 March until the crisis is over)
• Mobile Police: 191
• Fire Brigade: 199
• Tourist Information (Airport Office): Terminal I: 02-523-8972 to 3
Terminal II: 02-535-2669
• Ambulance (Bangkok): 02-252-2171 to 75
• ISOC hotline: 089-205-4311
