Police urge UDD to rally peacefully Thursday

Published : May 18, 2011 :: 10:05:03 [ 950 views ]

Police urge UDD to rally peacefully Thursday

BANGKOK, May 17 -- Senior Thai police officers met Tuesday with leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), the Red Shirts, urging them to rally peacefully Thursday when they mark the anniversary of the end of their protest last year.

Police Division 1 Chief Pol Maj Gen Wichai Sangprapai spent over an hour discussing with acting UDD chairwoman Thida Thavornseth on measures to prevent any third party intervention to incite disorder and outlined the authorities security measures to be applied during the anti-government Red Shirt movement’s gathering Thursday to mark the first anniversary of the army crackdown on protesters in the capital’s main shopping area last May.

Mrs Thida said the rally will be held at Ratchaprasong intersection to mark the death of 92 people who died during last year’s protest and called on government to admit responsibility for the loss of life.

The rally will start at 4.30pm and continue to midnight before dispersing, she said.

She said the UDD would like to apologise to the public and merchants in the area who will face inconvenience and difficulty during the demonstration.

Gen Wichai said seven companies of uniformed and plainclothes police, including crowd-control specialists, will be deployed to ensure that the UDD gathering will be peaceful.

The authorities will not allow any traffic blockage and speeches on the 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.

The police bomb squad will clear the Ratchaprasong area before the gathering to prevent agitators from causing disturbances. The public are urged to remain vigilant and alert the police if they find anything unusual or witness any suspicious moves.

More than 90 people, mostly civilians, were killed in street clashes between the red-clad demonstrators and soldiers a year ago.

Troops dispersed thousands of Red Shirt protesters who had been camped in the capital’s premier shopping and hotel district for weeks. The army crackdown led anti-government protest leaders to surrender, enraging followers who exploded grenades and set fire to landmark buildings including Thailand’s largest luxury shopping mall and the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET).

Report by : MCOT

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