Red Shirts mark first anniversary of protest clampdown
BANGKOK, May 19 -- Supporters of Thailands anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), the Red Shirt movement, began gathering late Thursday afternoon at Ratchaprasong, Bangkok's prime business and shopping zone, to mark the anniversary of the May 19 protest clampdown.
Police closed Ratchadamri Road between Ratchaprasong, in front of CentralWorld Shopping Complex and Pratunam intersection to traffic after the large number of demonstrators caused snarled traffic.
CentralWorld announced its closure at 3pm and will reopen Friday. The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) rerouted buses to avoid the rally site but BTS SkyTrain is operating normally.
The UDD is scheduled to begin its activities at 5pm and promises to end the rally by midnight tonight.
Acting UDD chairwoman Thida Thavornseth earlier said that the rally would be held to mark the death of 92 people who died during last year's protest and called on the government to take responsibility for the loss of life.
She said the UDD would like to apologise to the public and retailers in the area who will face inconvenience and difficulty during the demonstration.
Meanwhile, Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association President Chai Srivikorn said the association was waiting to see how the authorities handle the demonstrators.
However, the association initally instructed staff of its department stores and shops to end their working hours early, at around 4pm, before the Red Shirt gathering, for their convenience in connecting with outgoing transportation.
He said some hotels reported that tourists had cancelled some 1,100 booked rooms causing damage of more than Bt5.1 million, and some functions were cancelled which cost the hotels losses of Bt1.7 million.
Police spokesman Pol Maj Gen Prawuth Thawornsiri said 13 companies of uniformed and plainclothes police, including crowd-control specialists, have been deployed to ensure that the UDD gathering will be peaceful! .
He said the authorities will not allow any traffic blockage and any speeches on stage cannot mention the monarchy. Officials will closely monitor the proceedings, making audio and video recordings of the rally. Anyone found violating the law will be prosecuted. (MCOT online news)
Police closed Ratchadamri Road between Ratchaprasong, in front of CentralWorld Shopping Complex and Pratunam intersection to traffic after the large number of demonstrators caused snarled traffic.
CentralWorld announced its closure at 3pm and will reopen Friday. The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) rerouted buses to avoid the rally site but BTS SkyTrain is operating normally.
The UDD is scheduled to begin its activities at 5pm and promises to end the rally by midnight tonight.
Acting UDD chairwoman Thida Thavornseth earlier said that the rally would be held to mark the death of 92 people who died during last year's protest and called on the government to take responsibility for the loss of life.
She said the UDD would like to apologise to the public and retailers in the area who will face inconvenience and difficulty during the demonstration.
Meanwhile, Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association President Chai Srivikorn said the association was waiting to see how the authorities handle the demonstrators.
However, the association initally instructed staff of its department stores and shops to end their working hours early, at around 4pm, before the Red Shirt gathering, for their convenience in connecting with outgoing transportation.
He said some hotels reported that tourists had cancelled some 1,100 booked rooms causing damage of more than Bt5.1 million, and some functions were cancelled which cost the hotels losses of Bt1.7 million.
Police spokesman Pol Maj Gen Prawuth Thawornsiri said 13 companies of uniformed and plainclothes police, including crowd-control specialists, have been deployed to ensure that the UDD gathering will be peaceful! .
He said the authorities will not allow any traffic blockage and any speeches on stage cannot mention the monarchy. Officials will closely monitor the proceedings, making audio and video recordings of the rally. Anyone found violating the law will be prosecuted. (MCOT online news)
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