Red Shirt leaders to Thai government: Dissolve House within 24 hours or see mass street protests spread

The statement, read by UDD leader Veera Musikhapong from the main stage at Phan Fa Bridge, Bangkok, said that since the Sept 19, 2006 coup toppled the government of Thaksin Shinawatra, the country had been under a dictatorship.

Mr. Veera said the Abhisit government was, in fact, a dictatorship under another name and that the Red Shirts did not believe it could act in the people's best interests.

"We're asking the government to relinquish power and return it to the people," he said.

Mr. Veera threatened that the group would spread their protests across the capital in the coming days, if their demands are not met.

The UDD would announce later this afternoon where the UDD supporters would move their protest to, he said.

Nathawut Saikua, another UDD leader, said the group would not negotiate with Korbsak Sabhavasu, the prime minister's secretary-general, but would be glad to do so with Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban or Newin Chidchob, the de facto leader of the Bhumjaithai Party.