Bangkok governor advises residents to stay indoors during mobile mass rally

"If you don't have to run any errands outside, please stay home," Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra said yesterday.

Former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, in his video call to the protesters yesterday, called on Bangkokians to join the red shirts in fighting for democracy and justice for the future of the country.

"I apologise to the people of Bangkok for the traffic congestion but it would never ease until the red shirts win and I will return to solve the problem with sufficient subways and trains," he said.

The rally is expected to bring on the streets some 30,000 vehicles and hundreds of thousands of walking protesters from all over the country. It would start from Phan Fa Bridge, from the main rally stage, on Rajdamnoen Avenue at 10am. 

The protesters would march to Phetchaburi and turn left at Asoke intersection to Ratchadaphisek Road, Lat Phrao, Bang Kapi, Lamsalee, Ramkhamhaeng, Klong Tan, Phra Khanong, Rama IV, Silom, Yaowarat before crossing the Chao Phya River to Wongwian Yai, Charan Sanitwong and back to Rajdamnoen Avenue by 6pm.

Source: The Nation

The Red Shirts are planning to zig-zag along 46 kilometres (28 miles) of Bangkok's main roads.

UDD leader Natthawut Saikua, said the protesters would distribute leaflets during their march to ask for understanding from Bangkokians and invite them to join their mission.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said the demonstration could go ahead but warned protesters not to block traffic.

"The government will not interfere with their legal right to protest, but they must not block roads or intersections, or the government will not consider it a peaceful protest", he said.

Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) spokesman Maj General Piya Uthayo said security would be beefed up to boost the safety of demonstrators and residents.
 
The MPB will deploy at least 1,350 police to help direct traffic.




[Source: The Nation, Bangkok Post]