300,000 protesters to confront Thai government

BANGKOK: Wednesday [April 8] is D-Day for the mobilization of 300,000 red-shirted Thaksin supporters for a showdown with the government.

Organizers like Natthawut Saikua are demanding the House’s dissolution, a general election, and the resignation of Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda.

Natthawut said yesterday the April 8 rally would be an historic event. He has promised that the red shirts will multiply and fill Rajdamnoen Avenue.

Disgraced former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, now on the run overseas, is using “phone-ins” to urge his red-shirted supporters to turn up in full force and push for political reform.

Jatuporn Phrompan, a leader of the red shirts, says change is inevitable in light of the swelling numbers of protesters occupying areas around Government House, the Royal Plaza, and the personal residence of Prem.

Jatuporn says supporters from all corners of the country will start heading for Bangkok today.

The Cabinet might choose to gather in the beach resort of Pattaya for its weekly meeting tomorrow in order to avoid any inconvenience caused by the protests. A decision is likely to be finalized on the venue today.

The ASEAN Summit +3 and +6 will start on Friday in Pattaya where ASEAN leaders will meet their counterparts from China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and India over the weekend.

The summit’s venue was relocated from Phuket to the more subdued Chon Buri in order to avoid Phuket’s ribald and sometimes unruly water-throwing activities during the annual Songkran festival.

The red shirts have threatened to demonstrate against the assembly of ASEAN leaders.

— The Nation