Army: Bangkok's main strip unsafe
Source: Agencies |
April 19, 2010, Monday
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THAILAND'S military declared Bangkok's main shopping boulevard unsafe yesterday because of large crowds of anti-government protesters and sent soldiers to nearby high-rise buildings to watch for any violence.
As Thailand's traditional New Year holiday ended, protest leaders called for another mass rally tomorrow in their bid to oust Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva - raising concerns of more clashes after savage fighting a week ago killed 25 people.
The warning by army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd was another blow for Thailand's tourism sector, which accounts for 6 percent of the economy and has suffered since the protests began on March 12.
Sansern said military checkpoints were being set up at entry points to the capital and within the city to try to prevent more "Red Shirt" protesters from reaching the main rally site, an area of upscale shopping malls and five-star hotels that has been under virtual siege. At least six malls remain closed.
"The protest area is unsafe. Authorities need to control it by sending security personnel into the surrounding high-rise buildings," Sansern said.
The government accuses "terrorists" armed with guns and other weapons of orchestrating the earlier violence and says weapons were stolen from the military that have not been returned.
The protesters consist mainly of poor rural supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and activists who opposed the military coup that ousted him in 2006.
Thaksin is living in overseas exile to avoid a two-year prison term for corruption.
They believe Abhisit heads an illegitimate government because it came to power through a parliamentary vote in December 2008 after disputed court rulings ousted two pro-Thaksin administrations.
Abhisit has come under increasing criticism for failing to clear the protesters, but the government spokesman said on Saturday there were no immediate plans for a crackdown because too many people were in the area.
Sansern, however, said the army would not allow protesters to march to another location and would not tolerate more violence.
The Red Shirts want Abhisit to dissolve Parliament and call new elections.
As Thailand's traditional New Year holiday ended, protest leaders called for another mass rally tomorrow in their bid to oust Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva - raising concerns of more clashes after savage fighting a week ago killed 25 people.
The warning by army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd was another blow for Thailand's tourism sector, which accounts for 6 percent of the economy and has suffered since the protests began on March 12.
Sansern said military checkpoints were being set up at entry points to the capital and within the city to try to prevent more "Red Shirt" protesters from reaching the main rally site, an area of upscale shopping malls and five-star hotels that has been under virtual siege. At least six malls remain closed.
"The protest area is unsafe. Authorities need to control it by sending security personnel into the surrounding high-rise buildings," Sansern said.
The government accuses "terrorists" armed with guns and other weapons of orchestrating the earlier violence and says weapons were stolen from the military that have not been returned.
The protesters consist mainly of poor rural supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and activists who opposed the military coup that ousted him in 2006.
Thaksin is living in overseas exile to avoid a two-year prison term for corruption.
They believe Abhisit heads an illegitimate government because it came to power through a parliamentary vote in December 2008 after disputed court rulings ousted two pro-Thaksin administrations.
Abhisit has come under increasing criticism for failing to clear the protesters, but the government spokesman said on Saturday there were no immediate plans for a crackdown because too many people were in the area.
Sansern, however, said the army would not allow protesters to march to another location and would not tolerate more violence.
The Red Shirts want Abhisit to dissolve Parliament and call new elections.
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