Thailand’s opposition Red Shirts cancel plan to march to Silom
By ANITuesday, April 20, 2010
BANGKOK - Thailand’s opposition United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), also known as the “Red Shirts” has said that it will not march into the Silom business district as earlier planned, because armed soldiers have already occupied the spot.
UDD core leader Natthawut Saikua said: “The government might have a plan to harm the red-shirts, so we won’t go there. We will go to that area only after the deployed soldiers are withdrawn from the business center.”
The Bangkok Post further quoted Saikua , as stressing that the UDD would keep on rallying at the Ratchaprasong intersection until the House of Representatives is dissolved, no matter how long it takes.
Meanwhile, Thai troops have said that they will follow seven steps to counter the Red Shirts.
They will begin with soft measures and then get gradually harsher, to deal with protesters. If all else fails, troops will use real weapons.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban warned that the troops deployed in the financial district are equipped with weapons and live ammunition and are authorised to fire in self-defence. (ANI)
