Anti-govt 'Red Shirts' gather at Sanam Luang and Parliament

The slingshot incident occurred before noon when the journalists tried to photograph demonstrators who forcefully removed the ignition key of a vehicle which was being used to tow away a mobile toilet van, parked in front of the parliament, which had flat tyres. The protesters threw the key into nearby bushes.

As the authorities were unable to move the mobile toilet, UDD protesters, loyal to convicted, ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, shouted at journalists inside the Parliament compound and let loose slingshot missiles at them.

Police then closed the gates of the Parliament and guarded at both in front and the rear of Parliament.

Another group of so-called 'Red Shirt' demonstrators, meanwhile, arrived at Sanam Luang to start their rally against the coalition government.

Police have tightened security around the area as well as at Government House.

The government is scheduled to deliver its policy statement to Parliament on Monday and Tuesday.

UDD leaders said earlier the demonstrators would not march to Parliament to prevent ministers and members of parliament from entering and participating in hearing the delivery of the government policy statement.//Thai News Agency