Reds to rally at Sanam Luang

Somyos

Somyos Pruksakaseamsuk, co-leader of the movement, said that since the government had now revoked the state of emergency, the leadership had decided to relocate its protest venue from Samut Sakhon to Sanam Luang in Bangkok.

It plans to rally there from 5pm to 11pm today.

Somyos insisted that the demonstration would not last long and would not result in any violence. The group expects at least 5,000 people to attend the rally.

"This gathering will be a new start, carrying on the April 13 movement's mission," he said.

The group has demanded the release of every red-shirt leader, the cancellation of all legal action against them and restoration of the 1997 constitution.

Moreover, Somyos said he would like to urge the government to stop blocking the red shirts' media, especially community radio and D-Station TV.

The red-shirt leaders are preparing to file a complaint to the Administrative Court over the D-Station closure order, he added.

Jatuporn Promphan, a Pheu Thai MP and co-leader of the red shirts, said he would not be attending today's rally, adding that he wanted to map out with fellow leaders what the movement's next strategy should be.

Prime Minster Abhisit Vejjajiva said he was not concerned about today's rally. He said the anti-government movement had the right to protest, since it was guaranteed by the Constitution.

However, the PM urged the demonstrators to exercise their rights without infringing on those of others.

Meanwhile, the Criminal Court yesterday approved the release of the three detained co-leaders of the red-shirt movement on bail of Bt500,000 each.

Veera Musigapong, Natthawut Saikua and Weng Tojirakarn were temporarily released on condition that they not mobilise, instigate or cause chaos nor obstruct or damage official investigations.