Red shirt rallies in Bangkok and up-country were large and without incident and even featured a Seh Daeng lookalike. A counter-rally ordered by the government in Udon Thani was equally peaceful. (Photo by Prakit Chantawong)
Large numbers of red shirt supporters led by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship turn up for a mass gathering at Ratchaprasong intersection to mark the fourth anniversary of the Sept 19, 2006 coup yesterday. It was their first major rally since they dispersed from the area on May 19. THITI WANNAMONTHA
Mass red shirt gatherings in key cities throughout the country have gone off without major incidents. The biggest turnout yesterday was reported at Bangkok's Ratchaprasong intersection, the former focal point of the group during protests in April and May.
Despite the day being free of incidents, the return of about 10,000 red shirts to Ratchaprasong has alarmed authorities that the anti-government movement could be regaining power.
Members of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) converged in Bangkok and provinces considered red shirt strongholds: Chiang Mai, Phitsanulok, Phayao, Ubon Ratchathani, Ayutthaya, Rayong and Nakhon Si Thammarat.
The red shirts timed the gathering, the group's strongest show of force since troops moved in to disperse their rally at Ratchaprasong on May 19, to coincide with the fourth anniversary of the Sept 19, 2006 coup that led to the ouster of Thaksin Shinawatra, seen as the UDD's main supporter.
The UDD organisers said the gathering was meant to commemorate the 91 people, mostly red shirt protesters and security forces, who died in clashes between authorities and the anti-government group during the protests.
Security authorities were on the alert for civil unrest or sabotage by third parties, but the gatherings were mostly peaceful.
Department of Special Investigation director-general Tharit Pengdit said the UDD's gathering yesterday was just one of the activities that the red shirts have planned. The DSI will closely monitor their movements, he said.
Mr Tharit said there had been no indication of money flowing in from abroad to fund yesterday's gatherings.
Most activities yesterday followed a set pattern. Key UDD figures addressed the crowds, as members tied red banners at the venues. They then laid wreaths outside army installations before dispersing in the early evening.
Sombat Boonngam-anong, leader of the Red Sunday Group which arranged the Ratchaprasong gathering, said it was called off an hour early at 6.30pm because so many people had come and it was difficult to manage them without loudspeakers, which are banned under the emergency decree.
He said he was pleased with the turnout which brought traffic at Ratchaprasong intersection to a halt yesterday.
''The roads were closed due to so many red shirts being there. The turnout was greater than I expected,'' he said.
UDD supporters released red balloons over the intersection, lit candles and laid roses at the adjacent Pathum Wanaram temple where some of the group's members were shot dead on May 19 by unidentified gunmen.
In Chiang Mai, UDD supporters ral lied at the Municipal Sports Stadium as 400 policemen stood by.
Red shirt supporters from northern provinces arrived at the stadium in the afternoon. Some also arrived by car from Bangkok.
An exhibition featuring information about the protest was set up and a play was staged mocking the military's containment of the the Ratchaprasong protest.
In Phayao, a small group of UDD supporters wrapped red cloths around trees outside the provincial administration centre in Muang district. Most red shirts had left the province earlier to join the gathering in Chiang Mai.
In Phitsanulok, about 100 red shirt supporters picketed outside the Naresuan army camp. They tied balloons with messages written on them denouncing the military to the camp's gate.
Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry held a rival gathering of 50,000 people in Udon Thani yesterday.
People from seven northeastern provinces in pink shirts gathered as part of a group they said was intended to protect the monarchy.
Mongkol Surasajja, chief of the provincial administration department, told the crowds on the grounds of Thung Sri Muang that their duty was to help forge national unity and honour the monarchy.
Interior Minister Chavarat Charnvirakul also took part in the event.
In Ubon Ratchathani, about 300 red shirt supporters met at Wat Thung Sri Muang and made merit for the victims of political violence.
A UDD member, who requested anonymity, said the members contacted one another by phone. No red shirt leaders were involved in arranging the gathering.
In Rayong, security guards refused to allow about 60 red shirt supporters tie banners near the gate of the provincial administration centre. However, the guards retreated after the group threatened to push their way through.
In the South, Preeya Nakkaew, 70, mother of UDD core leader Natthawut Saikua thanked a crowd in Nakhon Si Thammarat for providing her son with moral support.
Mr Natthawut is among the key red shirt figures being detained at the Bangkok Special Prison on terrorism charges.
