Thailand's Red Shirts Rally Against Coup At Military Camps

Hundreds of the fugitive billionaire's red-shirted supporters gathered outside army barracks in at least 10 provinces and in Bangkok, calling on soldiers to join their movement and saying they wanted to pre-empt another military coup.

(...) At a military base in northern Chiang Mai, Thaksin's home province, protesters handed red roses to troops in an attempt to show they have the backing of rank and file soldiers.

"We are here to show support for the soldiers who are with us and condemn those who are with the undemocratic elite," said Surachai Saedan, a regional leader of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD).

(...) The UDD has held minor rallies almost daily in recent weeks, with the judiciary, independent bodies, the military and royal advisers among the targets of their ire.

"It's psychological warfare," said Thai academic Charnvit Kasetsiri. "The reds have put their concerns on the public agenda through these small protests."

The UDD has leapt on rumours -- which they are accused of starting -- of an imminent military coup as talk of splits in the much-politicised armed forces are met by all-too predictable displays of solidarity in battalions across the country.