Thai government might enforce state of emergency decree

The state of emergency decree, which would be in effect in addition to the Internal Security Act (ISA), would authorize the military to fully take charge of the situation. Under the ISA, soldiers can only assist the police in maintaining law and order.

About 80,000 supporters of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the group United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), arrived on Saturday, many traveling in pick-up trucks, motorcycles or vans from northern and northeastern provinces, carrying red flags and blaring music about democracy and freedom.

Thousands more were expected on Sunday, including hundreds who boarded boats in nearby Ayutthaya province.

Natthawut Saikua, a UDD spokesman, said today would see more arrivals from central, eastern and western provinces as well as from around Bangkok.

"We're still confident the count will reach 1 million," he said.

The protesters planned to give the Abhisit government an ultimatum: either dissolve parliament and call elections or face more pro-democracy demonstrations over the coming week.

The UDD supporters threaten with further demonstrations over a 20 km (12 miles) radius of their main protest site on Ratchadamnoen Road in the heart of Bangkok, if Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajjiva does not dissolve the House of Representatives by noon today.

Veera Musikapong, another Red Shirt leader, will address the rally today and deliver the ultimatum for Abhisit to dissolve the House and call a snap election.

"If Abhisit ignores our demand, we'll step up the protest by marching on Bangkok's streets and urge more people to join our campaign for House dissolution," Natthawut said.

The Red Shirts expect a successful conclusion before the week is out.

"Altogether, we do not plan to stay more than seven days. I guess we could have a victory within four days," UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan said.

Police are planning to dispatch 3,700 reinforcements to keep law and order during the mass demonstrations in Bangkok.

"It is expected to get up to over 100,000 people today," Thawil Pliensri, Secretary General of the National Security Council, said. Protest leaders claim they already had drawn hundreds of thousands to Bangkok as of Saturday night.

"The security forces are on highest alert. The situation remains normal and we expect it to remain so today," he added. "But it may get more volatile after a few days as the protest leaders step up their measures and people are tired and frustrated. We have to make sure there is no damage."

Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Pol Lt-Gen Santan Chayanont declared a red alert, the highest level, in Bangkok to prevent violence.

He warned that a third party might try to incite violence and some protesters might move weapons secretly into the demonstration.
 
Riot control teams from 88 police stations, the Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT) team and the Naresuan 261 special operations unit, totalling 90 teams, have been briefed on the uniforms and vehicles to be used during operations and ways to tackle different situations.

All the units are on 24-hour alert to assure that the response plans are implemented accordingly, he said.

Meanwhile, the Criminal Court approved arrest warrant for Arisman Pongruengrong, a key UDD leader for inciting the public to overthrow the government.

In other news, the Department of Internal Trade (DIT) has prepared measures to prevent goods hoarding during the mass rally and asked all producers to continue regular distribution of goods.

DIT Director General Ms Chutima Bunyaprapat said that the measures included hoarding prevention, excess quantity possession, prohibition of mobilizing of rice and providing required commodities with the cooperation of the Public Warehouse Organization to manage and distribute products for the public .

The DIT Director-General added that producers, distributors, and related parties had been requested to continue their operation to prevent the shortage.