Rally ebbs, fears rise (Thailand)

[grantcart]

Source: Bangkok Post





Residents of Bangkok are being warned to be vigilant even though the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship mass rally appears to be running out of steam.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said yesterday threats of violence had increased despite the drop in the number of red shirt protesters in the capital, pointing to two grenade attacks in Bangkok and a bomb attack in Chiang Mai.

He was referring to the M79 grenade attack at the 1st Infantry Regiment on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road on Monday, the M79 grenade attack near the home of Supreme Administrative Court president Ackrathorn Chularat in Lat Phrao and the home-made bomb explosion at a company owned by Newin Chidchob's father-in-law in Chiang Mai yesterday.

The peace-keeping operation command said the number of UDD supporters gathering at Phan Fa bridge had fallen from its peak of about 100,000 on Sunday. On Monday night the number was estimated at 25,000 and dropped to about 15,000 yesterday morning.

UDD leaders acknowledged the declining number of protesters from Sunday and said reinforcements of fresh protesters from other provinces were expected to arrive today.



Read more: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/34532/rally-ebbs-fears-rise

---

Fugitive billionaire and former Prime Minister Taksin Shinawatra is finding fewer and fewer countries that are allowing him to find a safe haven while he tries to over throw the democratically elected government. He has left the United Arab Emerits and is now travelling on a Montengro passport and staying there in a luxury resort. He is attempting to retake the government so that he can reverse a B 76 billion baht judgement against illegal money that was well documented that he received while Prime Minister. That does not include the US $ 2 billion that he received from passing a law allowing him to sell, 24 hours later, a communication company to Singapore interests.

With no support outside of the narrow group that remains under his patronage everyone knows that his only hope left is to ignite violence and attempt a forceful takeover from splinter units in the military. So far the military has remain steadfast in maintain constitutional government.