Red Shirts

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 US Embassy in Bangkok says avoid central Bangkok until planned protests end. Following the announcement that the Thailand government is resigning to allow new elections Red Shirts and Yellow Shirts may be protesting in Bangkok on overlapping days which could lead to significant unrest and possible violence. On January 23 the Red Shirts (UDD) will protest near the site where Central World mall was burnt down during their last protest sit-in. On January 25 the Yellow Shirts (PAD) who crippled the Bangkok airport three years ago with their sit-in will march on a route that will put them near the Yellow Shirts. However, no protests or violence is expected in Pattaya, which has remained safe throughout the protests over the last five years following the ouster of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006.

Red Shirt rally could lead to violence. US Embassy urges all Americans to stay away from the Democracy Monument in Bangkok, Thailand on December 10, a public holiday. There are no indications of potential danger in Pattaya.

Red Shirt leader and Pattaya business tycoon Chanyut Hengtrakul speaks out about the recent political revelations and the chance for a democratic election in Thailand.