Red Shirts vow to intensify campaign
Source: Agencies |
April 26, 2010, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
ANTI-GOVERNMENT protesters encamped for weeks in central Bangkok promised more aggressive measures after the Thai government rejected their proposals to end increasingly violent protests in return for early polls.
Red Shirt protest leaders called on their supporters in the countryside to confront the army and police. Their backers responded by blockading police convoys in at least two areas.
About 500 kilometers north of Bangkok, hundreds of Red Shirts formed a roadblock in northeastern Udon Thani province and stopped a convoy of 150 police from heading to the capital to strengthen security operations, a local official told Reuters.
They formed another roadblock in Pathum Thani, about 50km north of Bangkok, preventing around 200 policemen from entering the city.
Police reinforcements are being brought into the capital to forcibly disperse thousands of protesters occupying some central areas, said red shirt leader Jatuporn Prompang.
"We will try to block every spot we can in a bid to stop killing. We don't want to see anybody die," he said.
The army's failed attempt to eject Red Shirts from another site in Bangkok on April 10 led to clashes that killed 25 and wounded more than 800.
After Red Shirts stopped a troop train in the north last week, the blockade raises questions over whether Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva can exert full control over rebellious parts of Thailand.
Abhisit, speaking yesterday in a televised interview with army chief Anupong Paochinda in a show of solidarity with the military, flatly rejected a Red Shirt offer to call elections in 30 days and hold a vote 60 days later.
Red Shirt protest leaders called on their supporters in the countryside to confront the army and police. Their backers responded by blockading police convoys in at least two areas.
About 500 kilometers north of Bangkok, hundreds of Red Shirts formed a roadblock in northeastern Udon Thani province and stopped a convoy of 150 police from heading to the capital to strengthen security operations, a local official told Reuters.
They formed another roadblock in Pathum Thani, about 50km north of Bangkok, preventing around 200 policemen from entering the city.
Police reinforcements are being brought into the capital to forcibly disperse thousands of protesters occupying some central areas, said red shirt leader Jatuporn Prompang.
"We will try to block every spot we can in a bid to stop killing. We don't want to see anybody die," he said.
The army's failed attempt to eject Red Shirts from another site in Bangkok on April 10 led to clashes that killed 25 and wounded more than 800.
After Red Shirts stopped a troop train in the north last week, the blockade raises questions over whether Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva can exert full control over rebellious parts of Thailand.
Abhisit, speaking yesterday in a televised interview with army chief Anupong Paochinda in a show of solidarity with the military, flatly rejected a Red Shirt offer to call elections in 30 days and hold a vote 60 days later.
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