5,000 protesters refuse to leave Bangkok protest site despite deadline

The Thai government dropped leaflets to ask the protesters, also known as Red Shirts, to disperse by 3 pm local time. But few were seen leaving the camp at Rajprasong – an upmarket commercial and retail location in central Bangkok that they have occupied since April 3, paralyzing normal business.

The deadline was then extended before the Thai security forces prepared to move into the area. Up to 30,000 troops have been deployed around the city to retake the Rajprasong protest site.

Renegade general dies from gunshot wound

Clashes between the protesters and military forces escalated over the weekend with the death toll from three days of military operations rising to 36, including the death Monday of a renegade Army Major General Khattiya Sawasdiphol from a gunshot wound he received last week.

The general, also known as Seh Daeng, sided with the protesters and had overseen security at their camp.

Since the protests began in mid-March 65 people have died and another 1,600 have been injured. Panitan Wattanayagorn, a Thai government spokesman, expressed concern over the loss of life. "We are very concerned and the operation will be adjusted as we face strong resistance from several groups of people attacking the checkpoints. It is very unusual to have groups of people with weapons attacking the checkpoints. This is not a normal situation."

Government declares holidays

Around the areas where checkpoints were to be set up, smoke billowed from burning rubber tires on the main roads. The five star Dusit Thansi Hotel, located near Red Shirt barricades in the financial district of Silom Road, was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade late Sunday. Due to the violence, the government was forced to declare public holidays on Monday and Tuesday. Schools were also closed.

Efforts on for last-minute talks

The growing threat of further violence led to efforts late Monday for new talks between the Red Shirt leaders and the government. Kudeb Saikrajang, a member of the opposition Puea Thai Party that has been supporting the Red Shirt movement, said, "the Red Shirt leaders asked for negotiations and they have no conditions. I think the government should accept that if they are not bloody minded. Negotiations are the only way out."

Kudeb criticised the Red Shirt leadership for rejecting a five point peace plan offered by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva earlier this month as a way to end the resistance. The offer included early elections due in November. But talks broke down over criminal investigations into the violence.

A call by former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, a key backer of the Red Shirt movement, for talks with the United Nations as mediator, was rejected by the government. They say the troubles remain an internal affair. Thaksin was ousted in a coup in 2006 and is living in exile as he faces a jail term for corruption on his return.

Diplomatic sources say the Thai Army is preparing operations to be launched Tuesday to retake the Rajprasong area unless overnight talks succeed.

Author: Ron Corben (Bangkok)
Editor: Grahame Lucas