Published on March 14, 2010
Thaksin Shinawatra last night told his red-shirt followers that he was currently in Europe, not Cambodia as speculated earlier.
During a phone-in to his supporters' People TV station, the fugitive former prime minister also dismissed a government report that the United Arab Emirates had expelled him.
Dubai, one of the seven emirates, has been Thaksin's residence over the past year.
Thaksin said he would phone in again today.
Meanwhile, the court yesterday approved an arrest warrant for Arisman Pongruangrong, a key red-shirt figure, for instigating riots.
Arisman last night joined the anti-government rally's main stage on Rajdamnoen Avenue along with other red-shirt leaders, who said he would surrender to the police on April 1.
During a phone-in to his supporters' People TV station, the fugitive former prime minister also dismissed a government report that the United Arab Emirates had expelled him.
Dubai, one of the seven emirates, has been Thaksin's residence over the past year.
Thaksin said he would phone in again today.
Meanwhile, the court yesterday approved an arrest warrant for Arisman Pongruangrong, a key red-shirt figure, for instigating riots.
Arisman last night joined the anti-government rally's main stage on Rajdamnoen Avenue along with other red-shirt leaders, who said he would surrender to the police on April 1.
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Jatuporn renews threats
Published: 13/03/2010
Bangkok Post
Red-shirt protesters will mobilise to an important location, about 20 kilometres from Phan Fa Lilat bridge, if the government refuses to dissolve parliament soon, United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) leader Jatuporn Prompan declared on the anti-government stage in Bangkok on Saturday evening.
Mr Jatuporn, an opposition Puea Thai Party MP, said the UDD will officially demand the government dissolve the House and will also unveil the new protest location on Sunday.
"I believe we [the red-shirts] will triumph within four days.
"But if the government is still clings on, we will protest even more and the parliament will be dissolved within a week," Mr Jatuporn said.
He also accused Ubon Ratchathani deputy police chief Kasemsan Hachanee of assembling weapons in an attempt to create violence during the red-shirt rally.
"Pol Gen Kasemsan is a close friend of Mr Newin Chidchob [ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's former ally] and there have been reports that Pullman Hotel owned by Mr Vichai Raksriaksorn is being used as a secret place to create a situation," the red-clad leader claimed.
On the government's seizure of about a hundred homemade M79 grenade launchers in Ayutthaya, he said the government must investigate the issue seriously and find out which unit they are from.
"The red-shirts will never use this violent method, as it is useless and we have always reiterated our peaceful stance," he said.
The atmosphere at the red-shirt rally along Ratchadamoen avenue was peaceful. Leaders of the UDD took turns getting on stage and convinced passer-bys to join their campaign, while anti-government songs were played to stir up their supporters.
The number of demonstrators was growing continuously as more red-shirts from different provinces arrived in the city. Many were resting in tents in front of the Transport Ministry and the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry.
Traffic around the rally site was more congested after protesters shut Ratchadamnoen Klang avenue from Jor Por Ror intersection to Phan Fa Lilat bridge and Misakawan intersection.
Press members received a green scarf after registering with the UDD.
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