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Thai “Red shirts” hold massive demonstration

“Red Shirt” demonstrators held a huge gathering in Bangkok on March 12 to mark one year since protests turned violence, killing some 90 people.

“Red Shirt” demonstrators held a hugegathering in Bangkok on March 12 to mark one year since proteststurned violence, killing some 90 people.

Policeestimated 10,000 “Red Shirt” demonstrators flocked to the DemocracyMonument on Ratchadamnern street , adjacent to the political andadministrative centre of Thailand . Some out-on-bail leaders of theUnited Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), which leads themovement, also took part in the demonstration.

Police predicted some 40,000 would join the gathering with the number tosurge in the evening as many expect “Red Shirt” leaders to deliverspeeches and former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to give avideo-link address.

The rally is believed to bethe largest held by the “Red Shirt” since May, 2010, when the Governmentsent troops to end the prolonged protests. After the crack-down, 19 UDDleaders were arrested on charges of terrorism.

Some 3,500 police have moved in streets around the Red Shirts’ rally.Deputy Prime Minister in charge of security Suthep Thaugsuban saidpolice are able to keep security and will be backed by stand-by militaryjust in case. He added this “Red Shirt” demonstration could not prolongas Thai people are looking forwards to a general election expected totake place by late June or early July.

Thai PrimeMinister Abhisit Vejjajiva announced on March 11 that he would dismissthe lower house in the first week of May, making the general election toget its way ahead of schedule.

Thai law rulesthat general elections must be held within 45-60 days after the lowerhouse is dismissed. If the lower house is dismissed early May, thegeneral election will take place late June or early July./.

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