Bangkok on red alert
BANGKOK – Bangkok is bracing for trouble, starting on Friday, as the red-shirt movement, in its bid effort to topple Abhisit Vejjajiva’s government, mobilise a huge protest march to paralyse the capital.
The Nation newspaper reported that the red shirts – supporters of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra – are prepared to face the declaration of a state of emergency by the government and persevere through sheer weight of numbers.
They hope to draw several hundred thousand rural people to Bangkok for their protest.
Asked by The Nation about the potential for violence, a spokesman for the protest said 5,000 red-shirt guards were trained to ensure things proceed smoothly.
However, the red shirts did not rule out the possibility of copying the yellow-shirt group’s tactics, including seizing government offices as well as Suvarnabhumi Airport, the source said.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has deferred his visit to Australia so he can monitor the weekend rally.
Ian Jarrett
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