Lukewarm start as less than 10,000 demonstrators take to capital's streets
Anti-government rallies were held yesterday by red-shirt demonstrators, mostly involving ceremonial activities that saw a moderate number of participants.
No major incidents or instances of violence were reported, except a confrontation between red-shirted protesters and troops stationed outside the 11th Infantry Regiment in northern Bangkok where an ad-hoc command of the government is based.
The red shirts blockaded the barracks, located off Phaholyothin Road, sealing off all entries amidst tighter security provided by policemen. Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship (DAAD) leader Weng Tojirakarn hit out against the government and taunted Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban working inside.
Traffic congestion got worse later in the day before the red shirts dispersed after 4pm.
A minor incident occurred in the Silom area when office workers threw empty plastic bottles from office buildings on a red-shirted crowd, which had gathered near the Bangkok Bank building.
Initial police estimates put the total number of red shirts gathering at five major rally sites in Bangkok as not more than 10,000. A second estimate by the Metropolitan Police Bureau later in the afternoon reduced the number to 6,500.
Press reports said about 2,000 of them were gathering at the Laksi monument, 1,000 at Wongwian Yai roundabout, 1,000 at Bang Na intersection, 500 at Lumpini Park and 600 at the Din Daeng triangle.
Coffin-burning and cursing ceremonies were held at major rally sites, with DAAD leaders presiding over the rituals and reading out cursing statements against the government and the military.
Traffic congestion began in the morning when the red shirts started gathering at the rally sites.
Jatuporn Promphan denied at a ceremony at Wongwian Yai that the DAAD was behind four bomb attacks in Surat Thani earlier yesterday. He said the pro-Thaksin Shinawatra movement would gain nothing by carrying out such attacks.
The Metropolitan Police Bureau said revised rules of engagement had been issued to security officials manning major checkpoints on main roads into and out of Bangkok after an inspection by commander Pol Lt-General Santhan Chayanont. The number of vehicle searches was lower than expected.
There are eight checkpoints in the outer areas of Bangkok and another six in inner areas. Each of the 14 checkpoints operates around the clock. They are manned by 220 officials, comprising police, soldiers and municipal policemen.
Movie and still images of operations at all checkpoints are recorded as evidence in case of emergencies or violations of laws by vehicles or protesters who may push through when the majority of them are expected to reach Bangkok on Monday morning.
