Red Shirt Rally In Bangkok

DownLoLarry · January 10, 2011

Thaksin promises democracy and reconciliation in phone-in to mob

Fugitive ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra told red shirts massed at Ratchaprasong Intersection last night he would do everything to "bring back democracy, prosperity and justice" to Thailand.

"This is the year justice must return," he said in a phone call from an aeroplane, whose location was not revealed.

This year would be a good one for Thai people, he said, referring to national reconciliation.

To the government, reconciliation meant trailing and capturing him, but to the people, reconciliation meant reunification and justice, he said.

"Is it going to happen? I can't understand their thinking," he said. "I wasn't planning on speaking but the continued injustice changed my mind."

The red shirts' patron spent a few minutes talking to the mob at Ratchaprasong, saying he was in good health.

Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan joined the red-shirt rally in defiance of a court ban on his participating in a public assembly of more than five people.

"My lawyer sought and received clarification from a judge who explained that I could rally if I don't make speeches about my case," he said in reference to his pending trial on terrorism charges in connection with last year's riots.

Jatuporn claimed the clearance had come from Manit Sukanan, deputy chief judge of the Criminal Court.

The Department of Special Investigation was closely monitoring Jatuporn's remarks and activities at the Ratchaprasong rally, DSI director-general Tharit Pengdit said.

If he was found violating the ban, the DSI would promptly request for his bail to be revoked, he said.

Maj General Wichai Sangprapai, commander of Metropolitan Police Division 1, said some 60,000 red shirts showed up at the two rallies at Rajdamnoen and Ratchaprasong.

The gatherings took place within legal limits, he said.

About 300 officers were deployed to keep peace and order, while some 1,000 anti-riot police were stationed at headquarters for any problems.

By late afternoon, Ratchaprasong was closed to traffic due to the crowd.

Three factions of the red-shirt movement took part in the rallies. The mainstream reds were led by Thida Thawornseth. Another faction was under Pithan "Pae Bangsanan" Song-amphol, while the remaining protesters were supporters of the late Maj General Khattiya "Seh Daeng" Sawasdiphol.

The Seh Daeng group led by his daughter Khattiya marched from Ratchaprasong to the King Rama VI Statue at Lumpini Park to mark his death last year.

Sirisakul Saikua, wife of Nattawut, one of the red leaders, was crying and said he had no chance to hold his eight-month-old daughter since being detained at Klong Prem Central Prison.

The next red-shirt rally will be held on January 23.