UDD

For the first time, both Yellow Shirts and Red Shirts will be protesting in Bangkok about the same time starting this Sunday, January 22. Following the military coup that ousted elected Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006, the Yellow Shirts took over the Thailand airports crippling tourism three years ago and now they plan a march near the Red Shirts protest site on Tuesday January 25. The Red Shirts fortified encampments last year in central Bangkok leading to horrific violence and the burning of many major shopping malls and stores and deaths. The Thailand government is resigning to allow new elections possibly next month so these pushes for power may be ongoing. However, if there is civil unrest, it is unlikely the current government led by productive Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will resign.

The ASEAN Summit will be held in Phetchaburi and Pradchuap Kiri Khan Provinces from October 23-31. Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban said that the government has prepared to institute the Internal Security Act during the meetings and that Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwon would be in charge of security.

According to the newly issued laws of the Law and Order Maintenance Operation Centre, set to maintain law and order in response to the challenge of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD)‘s posed by the abortive rally on the past weekend. Government Spokesman Supachai Jaisamutr believed that the Red Shirt‘s mass rally on September 19 would be prolonged.

Political dissent which came to the boiling point in Pattaya in April spread to Bangkok and then nationwide resulting in a recent multi-million signature petition to His Majesty caused King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 81, to make a rare speech to an audience at his seaside palace in Hua Hin on August 21. The widely revered king warned that the country could collapse if its feuding political factions do not unite, as the government braced for fresh street protests.