Asia-Pacific
Thai gov't warns of danger of 'red-shirt' rally site
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-04-21 15:03
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BANGKOK - The Thai government's Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) Wednesday has repeatedly warned of danger of the "red-shirt" rally site in Bangkok, Police Major General Piya Uthayo, the spokesman of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said.
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 Anti-government "red shirt" protesters stand on top of a barricade built with bamboo poles and tyres at an intersection close to the Silom Road financial district in Bangkok April 21, 2010. Thai anti-government protesters fortified their main rally site in an upmarket shopping area of Bangkok after the government warned they would be evicted, setting up a potentially bloody clash in the capital. [Agencies] |
According to intelligence reports, the "red-shirts" have been stockpiling home-made weapons such as grenades, acid, big fireworks, and sharpened wood, (to fight riot forces), the Thai News Agency quoted the police spokesman as saying.
Police officers have also been told to get prepared to protect themselves, said the police spokesman.
But, "red-shirt" core leader Natthawut Saikua has denied the reports.
The "red-shirts" have only had sharpened wood at the six defending points in order to prevent security men from getting near the "red-shirts", Natthawut said.
The "red-shirt" rally has started from March 12 as they are now gathering at the Rathchaprasong Intersection.
They have demanded Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to " immediately" dissolve the lower House of parliament and hold a new general election.
The "red-shirts" have viewed that, apart from the House dissolution, there is no other solution to the country's ongoing political conflict.
But, the private sector has opposed the early House dissolution since it will negatively affect continuity of the government's economic stimulus measures.
