Fearing the urban middle-class Bangkokians would either join the red shirts today or confront them, Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra has advised people to stay at home while the demonstrators march through the capital.
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, in his video call to the protesters yesterday, called on Bangkokians to join the red shirts in fighting for democracy and justice for the future of the country.
"I apologise to the people of Bangkok for the traffic congestion but it would never ease until the red shirts win and I will return to solve the problem with sufficient subways and trains," he said.
The red-shirted protesters will today march across the capital to beg for understanding and support from the urban middle class who they hope would take their side in the class war against the so-called "aristocrat-controlled government".
The rally would bring on the streets some 20,000 vehicles and hundreds of thousands of walking protesters from all over the country. It would start from Phan Fa Bridge on Rajdamnoen Avenue at 10am.
From the bridge, where the main rally stage is located, the procession would move to Phetchaburi and turn left at Asoke intersection to Ratchadaphisek Road, Lat Phrao, Bang Kapi, Lamsalee, Ramkhamhaeng, Klong Tan, Phra Khanong, Rama IV, Silom, Yaowarat before crossing the Chao Phya River to Wongwian Yai, Charan Sanitwong and back to Rajdamnoen Avenue.
The route covers some 100 kilometres across Bangkok, red-shirt leader Dr Weng Tojirakarn said.
Another leader, Natthawut Saikua, said the protesters would distribute leaflets during the rally to make a plea for understanding from Bangkokians and invite them to join the movement.
"Please come to join, whatever colour you wear, to liberate Thailand from a class society," he said.
Governor Sukhumbhand said more than 200 city policemen would be mobilised today to help direct traffic in the capital.
Metropolitan Police Bureau spokesman Maj-General Piya Uthayo said security would be beefed up for the safety of the demonstrators and general people.
"Checkpoints will be strictly manned and more patrols will be conducted on foot," he said.
Piya was speaking after senior police officers yesterday met to discuss on how to ensure public order during the red-shirt rally.
Deputy Metropolitan Police Commissioner Maj-General Panu Kerdlarpphol, who oversees traffic affairs, said police would inform motorists to avoid going to roads affected by the march.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said he would not allow the rally go closer than 2 kilometres to Siriraj Hospital where His Majesty the King is being treated.
The authorities would arrest any protesters who block any roads in Bangkok, he said. "If we cannot arrest immediately, we will take a picture first and arrest later," he said.
Former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh would visit the protesters today to give them moral support. He would also bring some medicines for the protesters who might get sick from the lengthy demonstration, according to his close aide.
Many high-profile politicians and former members of the defunct Thai Rak Thai and People Power parties who were banned from politics yesterday took the stage at Rajdamnoen Avenue to show their support for the protest.
Former justice minister Phongthep Thepkanchana and former foreign minister Noppadon Pattama were among the banned politicians who took the stage last night.
