Bangkok - March Protests : Preparations

**Mid** · 10-03-2010, 01:43 PM

Police gets ready for UDD’s mass rally
Santibhap Ussavasodhi
10 March 2010

BANGKOK, 10 March 2010 (NNT) – The Metropolitan Police is gearing up for measures to facilitate traffic for people and handle the crowd upon being surrounded on the upcoming rally of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD).

Police officers participated in a security exercise to prepare themselves for the demonstration. The training enables the police to extinguish fire, barricade, as well as take care of electricity and waterworks system. The police officers are also stressed to secure the premise of the Metropolitan Police Head office because it is located near the rally site of Sanam Luang.

According to Metropolitan Police Chief, Police Lieutenant General Santhan Chayanont, the police will implement the 'Thanwa 52' crowd control plan in the operation after the government has enforced the Internal Security Act. More checkpoints will be set up with deployment of both police and military officers.

Meanwhile, Deputy Metropolitan Police Chief, Police Major General Panu Kerdlarppol, convened all related officers to prepare for traffic measures in at least seven spots around the rally site. He then suggested people to avoid travelling to the areas.

Police Major General Panu also tasked police officers with plans to solve traffic problems, and check patrol and tow cars to be in good condition. He added that the police must negotiate with core leaders of the protestors if they blocked the road; however, he said legal action could be taken if they refused to obey the authorities.

Based on the intelligence of the police, more than one thousand UDD protestors will come to Bangkok. More than 30,000 to 40,000 vehicles of the demonstrators will be used in the mass rally this weekend.

thainews.prd.go.th

**Mid** · 10-03-2010, 01:45 PM

KBank prepared for UDD’s mass rally
Santibhap Ussavasodhi
10 March 2010

BANGKOK, 10 March 2010 (NNT) – Kasikorn Bank (KBank) has prepared security measures upon the upcoming mass demonstration of the anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) this weekend.

KBank Executive Vice President Wirawat Panthawangkunl confirmed that cash withdrawal from both branches of the bank and ATMs were at normal levels. However, he said the bank was prepared for the mass rally this weekend.

The bank will reduce the amount of cash supplied in 200 ATMs standing along the rally route from the total 4,000 Kasikorn ATMs in Bangkok. However, the bank will increase 5% cash to ATMs standing in other areas instead.

Branches of the bank will store only adequate amounts of cash to serve customers. Branch managers are authorized to close car parks in each branch if the traffic around the branch is congested. Front gates can be closed if the amount of customers reduces.

In addition, branch managers can report to the central KBank for an approval to close the branch within one hour for security of both customers and staff if the situation is deemed chaotic or unsafe.

Mr Wirawat also announced that the bank would operate normally on 12 March but it would keep a close eye on the situation.

thainews.prd.go.th

**Thetyim** · 10-03-2010, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by Mid

Branches of the bank will store only adequate amounts of cash to serve customers.

Do they normally store enough to serve robbers then ?

**Panda** · 10-03-2010, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by Mid

Police Major General Panu also tasked police officers with plans to solve traffic problems, and check patrol and tow cars to be in good condition. He added that the police must negotiate with core leaders of the protestors if they blocked the road; however, he said legal action could be taken if they refused to obey the authorities.

Pity these tough guys weren't around when PAD took over Government House and the Airport.

**Mid** · 10-03-2010, 03:34 PM

The Transport Ministry has prepared measures to ensure that commuters can use bus terminals and airports across the country normally during the planned mass anti-government rally in Bangkok this weekend, Transport permanent secretary Supoth Sublom said on Wednesday.

He said Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum had assigned relevant agencies to prevent operations in major transport hubs, especially in Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, from being disrupted by the red-shirt protesters.

Security tightened at transport hubs

**Mid** · 10-03-2010, 03:48 PM

Vocational Education Commission urged to step up security
Sarun Saelee
10 March 2010

BANGKOK, 10 March 2010 (NNT) – Deputy Education Minister Narisara Chawaltanpipat has assigned the Office of the Vocational Education Commission (VEC) to increase security during rallies of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD).

Ms Narisara stated that security guards must be deployed to take care of the VEC office around the clock while fire extinguishers must be prepared and ready for use.

During the riot caused by the UDD last April, one grenade was hurled into the VEC office in Bangkok. VEC personnel could still work in the office as usual if there was no turmoil, she noted.

The anti-government UDD group schedules to gather this weekend in the capital Bangkok. The government has activated the Internal Security Act to control the situation.

thainews.prd.go.th

**Mid** · 10-03-2010, 04:08 PM

Abhisit has designated nine Cabinet members to be ready for emergency summoning. The nine are three deputy prime minister, Suthep Thuagsuban, Trairong Suwankhiri, Sanan Kachornprasart, and six ministers, Prawit Wongsuwan, Chaovarat Chanweerakul, Chanchai Chairungrueng, Wannarat Charnnukul and Suwit Khunkitti.

First Army Area commander Lt General Kanit Sapithak said some 50,000 riot forces have been mobilised but the actual deployment will vary in accordance with the daily security assessment.

Riot force bracing for red shirts, Emergency rule prepared

**Mid** · 10-03-2010, 04:14 PM

The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) assured the general public that there will be no light out during the red shirts rally this weekend, Egat governor Suthas Pattamasiriwat said on Wednesday afternoon.

Egat gives assurance of no blackout

**Mid** · 10-03-2010, 04:15 PM

Dusit Zoo has relocated 14 animals to provincial zoos ahead of the mass rally by the red-shirt movement on Friday.

Dusit Zoo moves 14 animals to provincial zoo ahead of rally

**DrB0b** · 10-03-2010, 04:22 PM

Spectre of tragedies past hovers ahead of showdown

By Avudh Panananda
The Nation
Published on March 9, 2010

The die is cast and consequences of the showdown between the government and the red shirts will become evident this week.

The crucial issue is not which side will win or lose but how much collateral damage will be inflicted on the country.

Political polarisation will continue regard-less of the outcome of the rally, because of mutual distrust between the rival camps.

With the red shirts poised to descend on the capital to try to force a game change and the government equally determined to rein in the mob, Rajdamnoen Ave may once more see tragic losses due to political fighting.

Past mass rallies - Oct 14, 1973, Oct 6, 1976, May 1992, Oct 7, 2008, and April 2009 - ended up with blood, toil, tears and sweat, but no jump in progress.
For each rally in the past, organisers took great care to ensure a peaceful assembly. None were responsible for inciting violence. The red-shirt leaders are no different from their predecessors. Elaborate plans have been mapped out for the reds to assemble in an orderly manner this coming Sunday.

Based on historical lessons, the best-laid plans for Thai political rallies often go astray. Violence was not anticipated but erupted due to surprise or often unidentified ele-ments. The red shirts and the government ought to both take heed of past tragedies.

From the viewpoint of the red shirts, the anti-government rally is not designed to spill blood. But they want to be a catalyst for change.

Initially their organisers wanted to mobilise a million protesters, seen as a key number to paralyse state mechanisms and cause the government to collapse.
Despite intervention by ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra and a large number of Pheu Thai MPs, the ambitious mobilisation plan has been scaled down to target no more than 200,000 protesters.

If things go according to plans, the red shirts hope for a change of government via one of three scenarios - an outright coalition switch by luring junior coalition partners to a Pheu Thai-led alliance, the swaying of senti-ment to fuel a censure debate, or a coup that will fan anti-coup anger nationwide.

If the street protests achieve a game change, the red shirts hope for a snap elec-tion, which they expect the opposition to win decisively.

That could pave the way for the suspended 1997 charter to be restored and a legislative pardon for Thaksin and barred party executives.

Judging from various security assessment reports, the red shirts are well supplied to carry on street protests for about a week. This begs an unanswered question on what would happen if they cannot bring about change within such a timeframe.
From the viewpoint of democracy advo-cates, particularly those from the group known as the October generation, they want street protests to play out in full. Past protests had abrupt and inconclusive end-ings due to unforeseen circumstances.

Certain academics insist that Thailand needs a genuine uprising to bring about a complete transformation of the political landscape to embrace democracy.
From the viewpoint of the government, the upcoming rally is nothing but a foolish manipulation of the masses to serve the interests of one man - Thaksin, with the country held hostage to his interests.

No matter how you look at it; the show-down is set to happen. And the outcome is in the wind. Before doing anything rash, both parties should think twice, as according to Murphy's law, whatever can go wrong, will go wrong.
Spectre of tragedies past hovers ahead of showdown

**rotator** · 10-03-2010, 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by Mid

Police gets ready for UDD’s mass rally
Santibhap Ussavasodhi
10 March 2010

Based on the intelligence of the police, more than one thousand UDD protestors will come to Bangkok. More than 30,000 to 40,000 vehicles of the demonstrators will be used in the mass rally this weekend.

thainews.prd.go.th

Everybody has to frive 30 to 40 cars each, this I have gotta see

**DrB0b** · 10-03-2010, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by rotator

Originally Posted by Mid

Police gets ready for UDD’s mass rally
Santibhap Ussavasodhi
10 March 2010

Based on the intelligence of the police, more than one thousand UDD protestors will come to Bangkok. More than 30,000 to 40,000 vehicles of the demonstrators will be used in the mass rally this weekend.

thainews.prd.go.th

Everybody has to frive 30 to 40 cars each, this I have gotta see

Based on the intelligence of the police-

Well, what did you expect after a leading line like that?

They'll control the other cars using the Wii's and iPhones they bought with the money Thaksin gave them through the village loan scheme

**Norton** · 10-03-2010, 05:05 PM

Originally Posted by Mid

Abhisit has designated nine Cabinet members to be ready for emergency summoning

For the purpose of declaring a state of emergency I would presume.

**crippen** · 10-03-2010, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by Mid

Dusit Zoo has relocated 14 animals to provincial zoos ahead of the mass rally by the red-shirt movement on Friday.

Dusit Zoo moves 14 animals to provincial zoo ahead of rally

Is this where the arrested protesters are going to be held? The zoo!

All 1000000 of them?

**Thetyim** · 10-03-2010, 05:24 PM

There was a Red Shirt rally in Phrae last night.
Fuel was hard to find. I can't say all, but certainly some stations were closed.
When I went through after midnight the stations were open again.

I don't know who ordered the closures but it could be a government tactic so fuel may be scarce on the roads into Bangkok .

**Panda** · 10-03-2010, 06:11 PM

The thing is that the redshirt rally in Bangkok can not be sustained in any great numbers, for any great length of time,--- simply because the majority of supporters are poor farmers from distant places who must get back to work and support their families. The PAD protests were different because they were mostly Bangkok based people who could come and go without any great inconvenience of travel. Off to the protests in the afternoon and home for dinner.

Such are the difficulties of focusing a major protest in one strategic geographical location when the support base is distributed far and wide through out the regions.

Remember that the PAD protests at its peak only numbered about 100,000 protesters. In voter terms thats only about 0.05% of the voting population at best.

The redshirt protests will not be able to match the PAD protests in duration for sure. They will not be able to match the PAD in terms of terms of boldness given the present governments ability and stated willingness to use the military to violently oppose them.

Indeed, if the present government was prepared to simply wait the redshirt protesters out, their numbers would dwindle very quickly as most of them would have to go home to the regions after a short while.
But what we see is a government gearing up for a violent confrontation an announcing publicly that they expect such a thing.

Actually, the best thing that could happen for the reds cause is for the military to get out of control and start killing people. Sad as it is to say, I do believe thats the way things are gong to go down this weekend. The Generals wont be able to resist exerting their power against the people. Blood will flow I am sure.

But as in any good revolution, the people need to be suppressed by unbearable force before they are prepared to rise up en masse and defeat an elitist dictatorship.

In Thailand the peasant masses are not starving for food. But they do realize they are living in relative poverty while an elite class minority prospers on the backs of their hard labour.

Weather the military can cower the peasant masses into submission, as has been the usual status quo, with this latest confrontation will be a great turning point in the nations future. Its not going to be do or die, but its certainly going to be a test of the oligarchists military power verses people power.

Of course the civilized way to do it would be to have an election, and let the people decide how they want the country to be run. But since the outcome of that option is already known, this present government has chosen to go the traditional Thai confrontational route. In any case the Abahisit will have to face the people sometime. The country has come too far on the road to democracy now. Sooner or later the oligarchist military dictatorship will be deposed. It may be by revolution in the short term. Or it may be by election in the long term. But it will happen. The old guard is fighting a loosing battle to hang on to their power and they know it.

**Mid** · 11-03-2010, 07:52 AM

50,000-strong military and police forces to be deployed in Bangkok during UDD rally
Sirinthip Sitabutr
10 March 2010

The police and the military have carefully planned joint operations in taking care of the rally to be staged in Bangkok by the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) during 12-14 March.

Army Spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said in a televised program on the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand, Channel 11, Wednesday night that the Internal Security Act which is to be imposed from 11-23 March has enabled the military to operate alongside with the police in maintaining peace and order throughout the country.

In the Bangkok Metropolitan area, the situation will be under the control of the Security Maintaining Center while that in the provinces will be handled under an integrated operation of the military, police and civilian units. Colonel Sansern affirmed that in the upcoming operation, all the forces to maintain peace and order will be armed only with batons and shields as well as mob-controlling equipment recognized internationally, except for military police and SWAT teams which will be assigned only to stop violence.

According to him, about 50,000 officers will be deployed during the rally, divided into 30,000 from the millitary, 20,000 police and a few thousands of metropolitan security personnel.

thainews.prd.go.th

**Mid** · 11-03-2010, 08:01 AM

Special Report : Ample security assured for international community in Bangkok
Nereita Tancharoen
10 March 2010

Foreign diplomats and correspondents on Tuesday were invited to a briefing hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about how the government would act upon the activation of the Internal Security Act from 11 to 23 March 2010.

As stated by the Deputy Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry, Thani Thongpakdi, the Government has ensured its capacity to handle the potential chaos cause by the protestors of the National United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD).

The briefing on Tuesday was attended by a hundred diplomats and foreign representatives. All were assured that the rules of law would be applied under international standards and human rights principles.

The period will last only as necessary from 11 March, with full security provided by 200 troops.

Updates will be constantly provided to diplomatic community in Bangkok as well as embassies around the world. Most countries did not ask their citizens to avoid their trips to Bangkok. Their citizens only need to follow the updates from the embassies.

As of the closure of Suvarnabhumi Airport, the government will make sure that the airport remained opened and secure. The security team will work to provide access to the areas where international organizations are situated. All roads leading to the Airport and foreign embassies will remain operational.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports will constantly provide updates to tourists. The 1555 call center will stand ready to receive information and answer concerns or any questions people might have.

Although there might be some inconveniences, the Government assured that the citizens’ way of life would not be too affected by the protests, Mr Thani concluded.

thainews.prd.go.th

**mackayae** · 11-03-2010, 08:48 AM

Is this the last hurrah? We have postponed, maybe even cancelled, our annual school holiday trip to the beaches in the south.

**corned dog** · 11-03-2010, 09:20 AM

Don't know whats going to happen but Army checkpoints are set up on the road out of Chum Phae on the bangkok route

**Mid** · 11-03-2010, 09:41 AM

The Central Islamic Committee has issued an urgent letter to imams of 189 mosques in Bangkok to be on alert of possible violence during the red-shirt demonstration over the weekend.

Aroon Boonchom, the chairman of the Bangkok Central Islamic Committee, said the imams should be on alert to prevent possible violence like what happened during the Songkran holidays last year.

Bangkok Central Islamic Committee warns 189 mosques to be on alert

**Mr R Sole** · 11-03-2010, 10:01 AM

^^^ The beaches in the south are a great place to come to and the south is as yellow as it gets...well it is where I am..

Originally Posted by DrB0b

an outright coalition switch by luring junior coalition partners to a Pheu Thai-led alliance

That maybe a tad difficult as the party chairman has run away to Singapore last night... Meow !!! Pussy. Along with Thaksin's kids fleeing the country for Dubai and Switzerland and Germany.

Originally Posted by DrB0b

That could pave the way for the suspended 1997 charter to be restored and a legislative pardon for Thaksin and barred party executives.

So back to the start of the snakes and ladders game then??? More corruption and money for the dastardly
.

Originally Posted by DrB0b

Certain academics insist that Thailand needs a genuine uprising to bring about a complete transformation of the political landscape to embrace democracy.

Well as long as it actually brought proper democracy and wasn't just a tool to bring back the 'Greedy one' and his cronies...then why not?
We know however that wouldn't be the case.

Originally Posted by DrB0b

From the viewpoint of the government, the upcoming rally is nothing but a foolish manipulation of the masses to serve the interests of one man - Thaksin, with the country held hostage to his interests.

This I do agree with...the statement that is regarding the man's money.
Sometime back, oh a month or so. Mr T apparently said that he would call off the rallies if he got his money back????? Speaks volumes to me. Give me my ill gotton gains and I'll leave you alone...not that that would've been the case I'm sure.

**BKKBoet** · 11-03-2010, 10:10 AM

Dr Bob posting a Nation article?! What is the world coming too?

**DrB0b** · 11-03-2010, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by BKKBoet

Dr Bob posting a Nation article?! What is the world coming too?

I've posted a number of Nation aricles and you've said this many times before. As I've explained before, though obviously it's a little too complicated for you, just because a newspaper has a particular editorial policy it does not follow that all the articles or all the columnists are worthless or even biased. Even if an article is obviously biased in some way it can still provide useful insights. Both the Nation and the Post have some excellent columnists, they also have some lunatics, that does not change their overall editorial stance or the way they report the news.

I know this may be a frightening concept for you but the old cowboy movie metaphor of black hats and white hats does not always apply to the real world, some of us use our discriminatory abilities and experience to pick our way through the multicolor murk of real life.

For example, I believe the article I posted above does show a certain bias, that doesn't matter, what matters is the comparison the author is making between current events and past events. That comparison is valid and it is important.

**DrB0b** · 11-03-2010, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by Mid

The Central Islamic Committee has issued an urgent letter to imams of 189 mosques in Bangkok to be on alert of possible violence during the red-shirt demonstration over the weekend.

Aroon Boonchom, the chairman of the Bangkok Central Islamic Committee, said the imams should be on alert to prevent possible violence like what happened during the Songkran holidays last year.

Bangkok Central Islamic Committee warns 189 mosques to be on alert

I guess they've heard about Newin's London HQ and his planned attacks on, among other things, Mosques. I wondered how much truth there was behind those rumours - they seemed way too over the top when I first heard them so I didn't write anything about them - but I guess one should never underestimate the methods some Thai politicians will resort to to hold on to power

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