Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Thai "red shirts" vow to intensify campaign
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Thai "red shirts" vow to intensify campaign
Reuters - Monday, April 26
Send
IM Story
Print
By Jason Szep
BANGKOK - Anti-government protesters encamped for weeks in central Bangkok promised more aggressive measures after the 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.
The stalemate rekindled fears of more unrest and a heavier toll on Southeast Asia's second-biggest economy as more retailers shut their doors and tourist numbers dwindle.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he would soon scale back Thailand's annual economic growth forecast.
About 500 km 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 50 kms 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 told Reuters.
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.
Coming after red shirts stopped a troop train in the north last week, the blockade raises questions over whether Abhisit can exert full control over rebellious parts of Thailand as the deadly protests enter a seventh week.
SOLIDARITY WITH MILITARY
Abhisit, speaking on Sunday 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.
"There must not be a precedent that allows intimidation to bring about political change," Abhisit said in his weekly television broadcast on Sunday. "Thirty days is out of question. I don't think this problem can be solved within 30 days."
Hotel occupancy in Bangkok has crumbled to 20 percent from about 80 percent in February, squeezing an industry that supports six percent of the economy.
Abhisit said he would soon scale back the government's projection of 4.5 percent annual economic growth this year.
The army has had to deal with a rogue military element that supports the protesters and is allied with former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in 2006 coup and sentenced to prison for corruption after fleeing the country.
The army chief sought to downplay signs of a split in the armed forces, but he acknowledged for the first time some retired and active officers had joined the protest movement.
"Some of those involved in the deadly attacks are still in the military," he said. "But on the division, any big organisation could have that."
Abhisit's six-party coalition government is under intense pressure from upper-class and royalist Thais to rebuff demands from the mostly poor red shirts. He stuck to an earlier offer to dissolve parliament and call elections in December, a year early.
Bangkok, a sprawling city of 15 million people, has been on edge after grenade blasts three days ago killed one person and wounded 88 in the business district, an attack the government blamed on the red-shirts, who deny they were responsible.
MORE ARMY THREATS
The army warned on Saturday it would forcibly disperse thousands of red shirts in a fortified encampment stretching 3 square-km in Bangkok's main shopping district, but it wants to first separate militants from women and children.
The army has repeatedly threatened to crack down, saying protesters cannot occupy a key commercial district indefinitely.
Protest leaders are urging supporters to remove their trademark red shirts to make it harder for troops to find them. They threatened other aggressive measures, including laying siege to Central World, the second-largest shopping complex in Southeast Asia, next to the stage at their main protest site.
The shopping centre at the Rajaprasong intersection has been closed since the protesters occupied the area on April 3.
Residents of the capital, weary of the red-shirt tactics, have formed a "multi-coloured" protest group that has drawn thousands to its rallies in the capital.
"This hardening of the battle lines between the two sides does not bode well for Bangkok's security situation and a risk of another, and this time maybe even more violent, crackdown is immediate," risk consultancy IHS Global Insight said in a note.
The government is stepping up accusations the red shirts want to overthrow the monarchy, which the protesters deny, raising the stakes in a country whose 82-year-old king is deeply revered but has appeared rarely in public since entering hospital September 19.
The red shirts say British-born and Oxford-educated Abhisit came to power illegitimately in December 2008, heading a coalition the military cobbled together after courts dissolved a pro-Thaksin party that led the previous government.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Mass sickness hits 80 Afghan schoolgirls AP - 29 minutes ago
Malaysian government scrapes by in by-election win Reuters - 42 minutes ago
Malaysia gov't wins polls, boosting reform agenda AP - 51 minutes ago
Unheralded Fraser wins S.Korea golf tournament AFP - 2 hours 48 minutes ago
Thousands of people lose homes in Manila slum fire AP - Monday, April 26
News Search
Top Stories
World Bank agrees power shift to emerging nations: US
IMF 'confident' of timely Greek finance agreement
Emerging countries to demand bigger say at World Bank
Pressure mounts for swift Greek bailout
Revolutionary Hubble space telescope turns 20
More Top Stories »
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Ex-Bin Laden bodyguard writes against Qaeda
Furor over French Muslim woman fined for driving veiled
Emails show Goldman Sachs bet on housing market decline
Luxury Mumbai attacks hotel reopens
Revolutionary Hubble space telescope turns 20
More Most Viewed »
Apple engineer loses iPhone prototype
Two-million-year-old hominid sheds light on evolution
Taiwan's male 'Susan Boyle' a web sensation
Furor over French Muslim woman fined for driving veiled
Airlines want compensation as Europe's skies reopen
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Sunday, 25 April 2010 Sudan poll count shortcut raises fraud fears
Ex-Nazi corporal Schaefer dies in Chile prison
MediaBugs, new website for reporting media errors
Spain protests against Franco-era immunity
|
Iran Guards dismiss sanctions drive as "ridiculous"
Two German hostages freed in Nigeria: German FM
US-TECH Summary
Britain's richest see their fortunes soar
|
Iran hits at "impudent" UAE comment in Gulf dispute
Emails show Goldman Sachs bet on housing market decline
Multiplatform app stores reach beyond smart phones
British PM ups tempo with 'Elvis' in election fight
Anti-U.S. cleric offers Iraq government help after attacks
NATO's cyber-brains gaze at the future of war
U.S. drone attack kills seven in Pakistan
|
Russia says Polish plane crash probe to build ties
|
Utah Inmate Prefers Execution By Firing Squad
Top Brass From CIA, FBI Reflect On Challenges
U.S. Signs Science, Technology Agreement With Serbia
Sudan poll count shortcut raises fraud fears
|
U.S. To Iran: Release American Hikers
Arizona Law Gets Rap As Obama Defines U.S. As Nation Of Immigrants, Laws
Armenians mark WWI killings, ties with neighbors fray
|
Mom Seeks Closure Of Topless Bar That Hired Her Underage Daughter
Bombs, missiles, bullets leave 29 dead in Pakistan
Obama Reiterates Wall Street Reform, Promises Stronger Economy
Dumped body sparks riot in central Nigeria, 5 dead
|
Japan PM rules out 2006 deal on US base on eve of rally
'Ten police injured' in Pakistan suicide strike
Officials: 25 militants killed in NW Pakistan
Arizona illegals law sparks fury, Obama criticism
Officials: US strike kills 3 militants in Pakistan
Utah inmate chooses execution by firing squad
Hong Kong overpower South Korea in Five Nations
Suicide attack killed American soldier, US says
Rodionova and Stosur give Australia commanding lead
Thai protesters pull out of talks with government
Violent protests shake Indian Kashmir
China aware of need to let yuan rise: IMF
Bangladesh lifts ban on Indian films
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Despite scary reviews, "Addams Family" lures label
YouTube fame yields record deal for R&B rookie
Deftones return after bassist sidelined by injury
Indie rockers the National confront hype, stardom
Multiplatform app stores reach beyond smart phones
|
YouTube at age five a growing player in online films
LCD Soundsystem raises glass to "Drunk Girls"
Gospel singer Clark-Sheard on road with new album
U.K. Restores, Replants Ancient Orchards
Amnesty International Condemns Torture Of 17 Indians In UAE
Utah Inmate Prefers Execution By Firing Squad
Mom Seeks Closure Of Topless Bar That Hired Her Underage Daughter
Despite scary reviews, Addams Family lures label
|
Deftones return after bassist sidelined by injury
|
YouTube fame yields record deal for R&B rookie
|
Indie rockers the National confront hype, stardom
|
Qaeda confirms deaths of leaders in Iraq-statement
Thousands rally for Spanish judge Garzon
Armenians mark WWI killings, ties with neighbours fray
Japan firms to standardize mobile software: report
British PM ups tempo with 'Elvis' in election fight
Anti-U.S. cleric offers Iraq government help after bombings
Ethiopia explosion kills at least five
|
Canada privacy chief criticizes new Facebook changes
Revolutionary Hubble space telescope turns 20
South Korea raises warship, finds clues on sinking
|
At Least 7 Dead, Up To 2 Dozen Dead As Tornadoes Track Through Mississippi
Pressure mounts for swift Greek bailout
Butcher of Beijing's son to get promotion: sources
|
U.S. Assistant Secretary Blake Sets Visits To Nepal, Bhutan, China
Luxury Mumbai attacks hotel reopens
Phone tapping row likely to rock India parliament
|
Hungary centre-right set for historic election win
|
Bangkok braces for unrest after peace plan rejected
|
Sandstorm, snow close air link to China quake zone
|
Qaeda confirms deaths of leaders in Iraq: statement
|
"Butcher of Beijing's" son to get promotion
Abbas to meet Obama in May: Palestinian official
Thai protesters vow to hold key Bangkok sites
Body near NJ river may be baby thrown from bridge
Three dead as sandstorms blanket northwest China
Arizona law raises fears of racial profiling
Long-hated one-child rule may be eased in China
10 killed as tornado strikes Miss.; others injured
Thai PM vows to retake Bangkok protest site
Officials: Army kills 9 insurgents in NW Pakistan
Tornadoes kill 10, destroys homes in southern US
New Zealand Anzac Day memorial marred by crash
Israel lifts ban on imports of Apple iPad
|
China's influence grows in global auto market
S.Korea NPS to buy Berlin Sony Center for $767 mln
Japan firms to standardize mobile software: report
|
Torpedo 'one of most likely' causes for sunk S.Korea ship
Suicide attack kills 3 in southeastern Afghanistan
Japanese island set for mass rally against US bases
Bare bottoms, zebras: the art of Sarkozy senior
Fortunes of UK's super-rich rise by a third: list
Topalov takes lead against world chess champ Anand
Tribeca film explores al Qaeda's history and culture
Surfing gets South Africa's homeless kids off Durban's streets
Seville's annual fair in full swing
Tribeca film explores al Qaeda's history and culture
|
Iran, IAEA meet on nuclear deal
Iran meets IAEA head, no fuel deal advance
|
Iran meets IAEA head, no fuel deal advance
Israel lifts ban on imports of Apple iPad
UK's LibDems say won't back a 3rd place Labour
|
Emerging countries to demand bigger say at World Bank
Afghan suicide attack kills four: officials
Iran Guards test missiles, warn enemies
|
U.S. envoy wraps up Mideast visit, back next week
Malaysian government scrapes by in by-election win
|
North-south Sudan clashes kill 58, injure 85
1,000 Barrels Of Oil Per Day Reported Leaking From Sunken Rig Site
Iran Guards test missiles, warn enemies
North-south Sudan clashes kill 58, injure 85
|
Al-Qaeda in Iraq confirms deaths of top two commanders
Yemen says opposition allied with armed foes of state
|
Afghan demonstration turns violent: official
Three dead in Afghan suicide blast: official
Southeast Braces For Bad Weather After Twisters Kill 10 In Mississippi
Hamas hopes cartoon will press Israel on prisoners
|
Liberia weighing trials for war crimes: minister
|
Thousands of people lose homes in Manila slum fire
Emirates flight drops suddenly over India; 20 hurt
80 Afghan schoolgirls sick in week; poison feared
Iran Holds Massive Naval War Games In Persian Gulf
India's Catholic bishops consider new abuse rules
Civil marriage not civil war, say secular Lebanese
|
Pakistan wants India to hand over Mumbai suspects
Obama: Miners died in pursuit of American dream
Thai "red shirts" vow to intensify campaign
Thai protesters vow to hold key Bangkok sites
US Coast Guard: oil leaking from sunken rig
SKorean minister: Torpedo likely sank warship
Taiwan president and opposition debate China deal
Al Baraka, Emirates Global Islamic merge Pakistan ops
US Senate panels releases Goldman Sachs emails
In Jerusalem, footballs go where people cannot
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights